Dear Buyer: What makes a house a home?

What is nostalgia? A feeling inspired by a place or an image? A fleeting moment where we look at the past as if it was more desirable than the present.

Better? I’m not convinced. Simpler, most definitely. Simpler in the sense that the responsibilities and hardships of adulthood make it seem like a time and place you would rather be occasionally.… Read Full Article

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms, Grandmoms and Great-Grandmoms out there. I have been blessed to come from a long maternal line of strong women who filled those aforementioned roles for me. This Mothers day is the first without one making it bittersweet.

Its been nearly 4 months since my Grandmother died unexpectedly. There are some days I wake up still unable to believe that I won’t ever see her face or hear her voice again.… Read Full Article

The Great Transition: Losing a Grandmother

When I wrote my new years editorial a few weeks ago I was hopeful and optimistic. It seemed like the light was visible at the end of the tunnel. I was naively unaware of the darkness that awaited. This is my reality along with millions of other Americans since last March.

1943

As I have mentioned, I started this blog to research and relay the stories I have been told by my parents and grandparents.… Read Full Article

The Blizzard of 1996 – 25 Years

A quarter century ago this week we were hit with the biggest blizzard on record for the area. Snow started falling on January 6th 1996 and stopped on the 8th. Parts of Berks County recorded 34 inches of snow, but the raging winds caused major drifts which made the snow pile up to 100 inches high in certain areas. The weight of the snow proved to be a problem on rooves as there were many collapses in commercial and residential buildings alike.… Read Full Article

Berks Nostalgia