With Halloween just passed, many households leave their pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns outside for the remainder of the fall season. Watching a jack-o-lantern sag at our doorstep can be unsightly, a reminder of past costumes and trick or treaters. If we shift our mindset to one of curiosity, this ...
Question: I just got a letter from my Medicare Supplement plan and the letter says the monthly premium rates are going up? Should I change my insurance? Answer: I have heard this question a lot this week. Almost all the Medigap plans raised their rates for the coming 2026 calendar year. So let me work to clarify some of the issues relating to the pricing structures and the increases. In New York State the pricing of Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) are based on your County of Residence. For the purposes of this article, I am concentrating on Chautauqua & Cattaraugus ...
For centuries, aquatic plants in Chautauqua Lake have sparked debate – usually over whether to remove them or leave them alone, but rarely about planting more. Many lake users believe there are already too many plants, especially invasive ones, a perception not without reason given the ...
Fall is in full swing now and it is a treat. Leaves turn from green into bright reds, oranges, and yellows before falling to the ground, leaving the most satisfying crunch when stepped on. A unique seasonal smell of burning wood and spices fills the air. As the trees become bare, a holiday ...
This might be a little controversial, but it’s been on my mind for a while. I was recently sitting in my backyard with my friend Mackenzie beneath the coverage of the 200+ trees that surround my home. We started talking about invasive trees, and I found myself asking her a question I’ve ...
When someone says they’re stuck in ‘a rut,’ our minds jump to a problem that needs to be fixed. However, when a nature enthusiast or hunter mentions ‘the rut,’ our minds think of deer. The rut happens throughout a span of weeks, peaking in late autumn, where male deer, called ...
