Rachel Bowman Features Writer Features Department rbowman@dnronline.com 540-574-6280	Back to  Back to Homepage
1. Last Escape Of Summer 2010-08-26 As the golden days of summer wend gently into the russet season of fall, it's easy to feel a little sad. 2. Cravings 101: What They Are, Why We Have Them 2010-07-28 Sometimes Katie Cullers Daniels gets an urge - one she feels compelled to fulfill. "I always crave strombolis from Ciro's," said the Melrose resident. "They are amazing!" On the other hand, Andrea Thompson-Fulk of Rockingham County gets an occasional yen for sunflower seeds, and Jacque Weyer McFarland just has to have fresh fruit. And Rhonda Hanson Steele and Kathy Gehman Alderfer? They turn to salty snacks and dark chocolate, respectively, to get them through the day. 3. S'mores Please! 2010-07-14 4. Community Offers Smorgasbord Of Fourth Fun 2010-06-29 Got time to spare this July Fourth weekend and want to spend it having fun? Then you're in luck, because we've compiled a list of activities taking place in many of the surrounding communities. From down-home gatherings, races, parades, music, food, crafts and other activities, you'll find a multitude of things to do to pass the time this holiday weekend. Oh, and there's fireworks too - what better way to end the weekend with a bang? 5. At Long Last 2010-06-15 For several years now, Elaine Hurst has had to share space with old furniture, bric-a-brac and remodeling tools while teaching her Painting with Oils and Pastels classes. 6. Get The Gear For Picnic Success 2010-05-26 When warm weather touches down in the Valley, Hannah Helmuth loves eating outdoors with her family on the deck. "It's very fun ... to be able to be with family in God's beautiful outdoor creation," she said. 7. Mastering The Grill 2010-05-12 It's that time of the year again: time to dust off the grill and head outdoors to dine. And yes, while the kiddies enjoy their grilled hot dogs and burgers, adults can indulge in a juicy steak fresh off the grill. 8. Va. Quilt Museum Turns The Big 1-5 2010-05-01 Taking a stroll through the Virginia Quilt Museum in downtown Harrisonburg is like walking through a garden of textile delights: colors both vibrant and a bit shy; a mélange of textures and shapes reigned in by borders, a study in traditional, primitive and avant-garde design. 9. Layers Of Fun 2010-04-28 Everyone knows that kids are savvy these days, and it should come as no surprise that their birthday parties follow suit. That's especially reflected in the cakes they choose. 10. In Search Of Culinary Adventure? 2010-04-07 Kris Shank Zehr has cooked for most of her life, including stints as a food service coordinator for several local camps. 11. The Littlest Diamond Duke 2010-03-27 The home game opening at James Madison University's Memorial Stadium was, in many ways, a perfect day: Sunny and warm, with just a hint of a breeze carrying fight songs and pop hits on its zephyrs. The crack of batting practice and the sights of players doing drills filled time as fans filled the seats. 12. Whip Up A Breakfast To Remember 2010-03-10 Consider the pancake. A subtly sweet treat, the pancake is virtually an idiot-proof food. Simple ingredients such as flour, sweetener, baking powder, baking soda, milk and egg, a few minutes on a hot griddle, a flip with a spatula, and it's done - making it the go-to breakfast dish. 13. Hooked On Tradition 2010-03-09 Looking at the pieces of art hanging on the walls, it's hard to imagine such intricately designed works have a practical purpose. 14. A Source Of Solace 2010-02-27 Katie Dougherty cast a bemused gaze toward the bony gray cat on the floor. Wrapped in a pink Snuggie meant for small dogs, Nosey, a 26-year-old Persian cat, drifted off into one of her many daily naps. 15. Solo Travels 2010-02-20 Stephanie Grant enjoys the car trips she takes to places like New York, Cincinnati, Ohio; Maryland and Virginia as Chi Alpha campus outreach leader at James Madison University. 16. ‘Oklahoma!' Sweeps The JMU Stage 2010-02-16 James Madison University's Schools of Theatre and Dance and Music are bringing Rodgers and Hammerstein's first musical - the classic 17. Spoon Up Some Comfort 2010-02-10 Tina Switzer distinctly recalls the Sunday breakfasts of her childhood. 18. What Can You Eat For About 100 Calories? 2010-01-20 Debbie Dunn-Frederick, a registered dietician, had never tried the 100-calorie snack packs featured near storefront counters. 19. Avoid That ‘Bowl Full Of Jelly' Belly 2009-12-16 Detra Cash sees this every year at Curves in Harrisonburg and Dayton where she's the manager: between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, many women gain from seven to 10 pounds. 20. Sweet, Sweet Memories 2009-12-02 Whether you're a child or an adult, you'll agree - one of everyone's all-time favorite holiday memories is cookies. 21. A Kids-Eye View Of Thanksgiving 2009-11-21 We know all the stories: how the Pilgrims and Indians got together in Plymouth Rock, Mass., and had a meal of Thanksgiving for surviving that first year; or, if you're a Virginia native, how Capt. John Woodleaf held 22. Gear Up For Turkey Day 2009-11-18 Thanksgiving is coming, and you're prepared. 23. Tour Valley Cemeteries For An Unlikely History Lesson 2009-10-31 Cemeteries: we encounter them everyday as we navigate our busy lives. Well, we see them, but we don't really comprehend the sight; after all, who wants to think about death as you hurry to pick up your kids from band practice or rush to the grocery store for eggs and milk? 24. Foods That (Should) Scare You 2009-10-28 When you sit down to watch that scary movie marathon this weekend, pay special attention to the food you choose to nosh. 25. Cozy Up With Cookies 2009-10-14 When customers enter the Little Grill, they're looking for many things: a tasty, homecooked meal, a vegetarian alternative to other restaurants' offerings and a quirky, relaxed dining atmosphere. Inevitably, many of those diners also leave with a sweet treat - saucer-size oatmeal cookies, redolent with the scents of maple and banana and packed full of chocolate chips. The Grill's gigantic oatmeal cookie is a customer favorite, said Billy Brett, a worker at the eatery. 26. Defibrillator To Go 2009-09-11 In the days and weeks following a heart attack, there are many uncertainties. For the cardiac patient, there are the questions of how this event will change the rest of his life - can I still work and play the way I used to? 27. A Family Legacy Of Top Prizes 2009-08-21 For Mark and Tristan McDonald, there was never any question about the biggest pumpkin at the Rockingham County Fair this year. 28. Quest For A Blue Ribbon 2009-08-21 Tommy Smith and Paul Sager were caught in a conundrum. Four pumpkins sat before them on the gray concrete floor in a back corner of the horticulture exhibit hall at the Rockingham County Fair. 29. Chill Out! 2009-08-12 Yes, the thermometer may read 94 degrees outside, and an iced tea may be your current go-to refresher. 30. One Hot Kitchen 2009-07-29 Denyelle “Dede” Stroup can laugh now when she tells how her line of homemade pepper jellies and butters earned the name “Hell’s Kitchen.” But, she wasn’t laughing 15 or so years ago when she came up with a moniker for her burgeoning business. 31. Calling All Milkmen 2009-07-10 If not for one special ingredient, no one would be able to enjoy the fresh, frosty goodness of a Kline's cone or shake. 32. Massanutten Kicks Off Holiday Weekend With Summer Jam 2009-06-30 Massanutten Resort is offering Valley residents a chance to kick off their weekend of liberty early - and support several area causes - Thursday with the 11th annual Summer Jam. 33. Butterflies Swarm Greenhouse Again 2009-06-19 Linda Marchman loves butterflies. "[They're] just aesthetically pleasing. They're flying flowers," said Marchman, owner of Social Butterflies in Charlottesville. 34. Parents Remember Lost Daughter 2009-06-19 It didn't matter that Sadie Rose Harlow lived just 17 hours after her birth on June 20, 2007. In that short amount of time - barely a blink on a cosmic scale - Regina Cyzick Harlow and Lee Harlow loved her as much as any parent can love a child. 35. Break The Dinner Monotony 2009-06-17 Reaching elbow-deep into an ice chest, Will Rhodes shifts the ice until he finds what he's looking for: a clear plastic bag containing several inch-thick slabs of meat. 36. Remembering WWII 2009-06-06 Gifford Wenger of Dayton still talks to his buddies from the 102nd Infantry Division, men who served alongside him in the 37. FundFest Returns With Live Music, Help For Area Charities 2009-05-22 If, this summer, you've got an occasional free Wednesday, love to eat, listen to music, catch up with old friends and enjoy a cold one, there are plenty of activities on tap throughout the area. 38. For An Afternoon, Easter Goes To The Dogs 2009-04-07 It was a beautiful spring day in Broadway's Heritage Park Saturday, and Jeb, a big hunk of tail-wagging black Labrador retriever, wanted to frolic in the sunshine. 39. A Little Help, A Lot Of Hope 2009-03-24 40. OASIS Hosts Local Feast Fundraiser 2009-03-13 Even in this tough economy, Karen Lee believes the arts deserve a place. 41. Breakfast Breads Awaken The Senses 2009-02-25 Janet Biller still enjoys making freshly-baked doughnuts and cinnamon rolls with family and friends. Biller of Harrisonburg has helped make the warm, tasty bread treats for county fairs and church groups, spicing up breakfast for hungry attendees. 42. Diamonds Still Shine 2009-02-13 In uncertain economic times, people often change habits. They trim their budgets as best they can, eat out less, avoid splurging on 43. Give Your Immune System A Boost With Vitamins, Herbs 2009-02-04 After more than 30 years in the medical profession, Dr. Andrew Blay has come to expect busy winters. After the holidays, the traffic at his office, Cooks Creek Clinic in Harrisonburg, kicks into high gear with patients complaining of colds, sinusitis and other upper respiratory ailments. 44. Save Some Dough; Serve Soup 2009-01-14 When customers at Greenberry's Coffee and Tea Co. in Harrisonburg requested soup, the management listened. Since adding the organic soups - a meat-based and a vegetarian choice each week - last fall, customers have been able to enjoy a quick food fill-up with their beverages and Wi-Fi, said co-owner and manager Amanda Carlton. 45. Serve Up A Holiday Brunch 2008-12-17 Hurry to the mall; zoom up and down the aisles of the grocery store. Buy gifts, sign and mail cards and set aside time for wrapping. 46. Your Signature Dish 2008-12-03 If there's one thing that defines a Shenandoah Valley celebration, it's food. Whether it's holiday office parties, church homecomings, birthday bashes or wedding receptions, chances are the events will feature tables laden with homemade goodies. 47. Bringing Christmas Expectations In Line With The Times 2008-11-29 Christmas was always about family when Pat Turner Ritchie was growing up. Ritchie, a local historian who grew up in Fulks Run and now lives in Winchester, recalls gathering with her immediate and extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins at her grandparent's home. 48. Freaky Foods 2008-10-29 Friday is Halloween. What costume will your food wear? Confused? Don't be, said Adrienne Hilliard, a Wilton Method instructor at Michaels. 49. One Sweet Fundraiser 2008-10-08 It's not yet 6 a.m., but Lois Wenger greets everyone with a smile. 50. The Dark Side Of Marriage 2008-09-26 A stale life, a marriage by rote - Jeff and Joan are living out their relationship in suburban safety, communicating via the television they constantly keep turned on. 51. To Dice Or Julienne? Here's The Difference 2008-09-10 Trying to cook without knowing how is kind of like setting off on a journey without knowing how to read maps or guidebooks: you may luck out, but most likely you'll get hopelessly lost. 52. Cooking Vocab: Terms You Need To Know 2008-09-03 Sarah Hochstetler is only 17, but she already knows cooking is in her blood. Hochstetler, a senior at Turner Ashby High School, loves to cook and has won awards as a member of the Creative Chefs 4-H Club. 53. I, Reader 2008-08-02 I have a confession: when I visit someone, I love to snoop in their bookshelves. 54. Nothing Can Camouflage Their Love 2008-06-28 Tina Milstead didn't know what to think. Her daughter, Virginia 55. Battling Diet Saboteurs 2008-06-11 Shirley Mitchell has been focused on eating healthy since 1988. For the most part, Mitchell of Rockingham County is able to avoid temptation and choose foods that nourish her and sustain her healthy weight. 56. Do You Know Your Portion Sizes? 2008-05-28 Brooke Brosious is a loser, and she's proud of it. Since 2006, the 38-year-old has lost 70 pounds and has kept the weight off. She's even looking forward to entering her first 5K race. 57. Honoring Their Service 2008-05-24 Stuard Ralph Kelley's obituary tells of a life of service: superintendent of Mount Solon Pentecostal church; membership in the Sangerville/Towers Ruritan Club, devotion to family and friends. 58. FundFest 2.0 2008-05-09 If it ain't broke, don't fix it, says conventional wisdom. And, for more than a decade, FundFest, a bi-monthly summer concert series, has done a fine job raising money for area charities and civic organizations, said Scott Heinz of the John D. Eiland Co. 59. Sweet Taste Of Syrup 2008-04-02 The cotton balls of steam puffing from the roof of the tiny clapboard shack snuggled against a Mathias, W.Va., hillside signal moist warmth on a cool late winter morning. 60. Get Kids Involved In Candymaking 2008-03-25 If you have an afternoon with the kids, why not spent it making hard candy? With a little patience, supervision and creativity, you’ll have a fun group activity with a tasty outcome. 61. Easter Treats 2008-03-25 Very few food items are as festive as hard candy. 62. ‘Doubt' Explores An Uncertain World 2008-03-25 When the opening line of a play asks, "What do you do when you're not sure?," you can bet there will be challenges ahead. The actors and director of "Doubt: A Parable" hope their work will provoke and inspire. 63. Big Fun On The Bayou 2008-03-12 The transition is so fresh, even the employees are still getting used to it. “Bomba … um, Bourbon Street on Main,” comes the phone greeting, accompanied by a deprecating laugh and an apology. It has only been a few weeks, after all; these things take time to sink in. 64. Love Your Heart 2008-02-13 Stuffed teddy bears are a soft and huggable reminder of a shared love. 65. Keep Ingredients On Hand For Last-Minute Dinners 2008-01-23 An organized, well-stocked pantry is a key component of Susan Orebaugh Nicholson's meal planning strategy. 66. Streeeetch That Grocery Budget 2008-01-23 When Stephanie Diehl makes meals for her family, she often cooks more than she needs for one meal. 67. Pint-Sized Chefs 2007-12-26 Like most modern couples, Brad and Jana Miller have a busy life. A typical day for Brad, a farmer, and Jana, who works at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, seems crammed with never-ending tasks that begin early in the morning and stretch far into the evening. 68. Holiday Happiness 2007-12-05 As owner of Country Village Bake Shop in the Dayton Farmers Market, Robert Eberly is an expert in creating sweet endings. Whether it’s sugary cutout cookies, comforting cinnamon buns or warm dinner rolls, Eberly’s shop offers plenty of items to add the finishing touches to any meal, any time of the year. 69. Teenage Entrepreneurs 2007-12-01 At age 4, Lydia Smith gathered pinecones in her front yard to sell to college students. By age 8, she was selling potholders online. So, it’s no surprise to hear that the 17-year-old Harrisonburg resident has an interest in economics and business. 70. Ghosts and Witches, Oh My! 2007-10-26 Witches and ghosts: these fearsome characters have been staples of horror movies since the beginning of the movie industry. They star in stories told around campfires or during childhood sleepovers. 71. Try A Handful Of Healthy Snacks 2007-10-10 Eva Heatwole, 43, fondly recalls the fudge her grandmother used to make. A sweet confection, the fudge included a star ingredient: black walnuts. 72. Getting It Right 2007-09-26 Anna Reedy of Broadway has made pies for nearly 60 years. Her pies were so good, in fact, that, 25 years ago, civic organizations in Broadway and Timberville began ordering Reedy’s fruit and meringue pies for bake sale fundraisers. She’d often bake 20, 40 or more pies per week to fill those orders. 73. Floral Translation 2007-09-22 With spray roses and florist’s wire, Joyce Overby attempted to interpret a Salvador Dali painting. 74. Just Dip It 2007-08-29 Frank Witt has been in the catering and restaurant business for nearly 20 years, yet, he admits he has no idea why people seem to love dipping sauces. 75. Give Your Brain A Boost — Eat Right 2007-08-22 76. Fleeting Beauty 2007-08-18 77. The Harry Potter Effect 2007-07-21 78. A Smooth Treat 2007-07-11 79. Secrets To Growing Perfect Tomatoes 2007-05-30 80. Going To The Dogs 2007-05-05 81. Garden Party 2007-04-20 82. Be Careful When Picking Wild Greens 2007-04-18 Intrigued by the idea of picking your own wild greens? Before you head outdoors, heed these words of wisdom: 83. Wild Greens 2007-04-18 Dandelions are the bane of the dedicated homeowner. 84. Easter’s Sweet Treats 2007-04-04 The weekend before Easter is a special time for Susan Harrison and members of the Mayland Christian Church in Broadway. 85. Ms. Fix-It 2007-03-02 86. It’s Movie Night 2007-02-07 87. Sortin’ It Out 2007-02-02 88. Bringing Up Healthy Eaters 2007-01-17 89. The Most Hated Cake 2006-12-13 90. Exploring Her Roots 2006-11-08 91. Picking The Perfect Pumpkin 2006-10-25 No, Michael Myers does not wear a mask or star in a popular series of horror flicks. It’s just coincidence that the farmer, who lives off U.S. 33 near Battlefield Estates, shares a name with one of the cinema’s best-known baddies. 92. Stirring Up Some Kettle Korn 2006-10-11 93. Artistic History 2006-09-22 When J. Matthew "Matt" and Jill Hedrick Teets first discussed moving into the 131-year-old Victorian house in Lost River, W.Va., Jill recalled her husband’s hesitation. 94. When Fall’s In The Air, You Know It’s Cider Time 2006-09-20 As summer’s sultry sunrises give way to fall’s crisp mornings, customers at Whitmore’s Grocery, Inc., in Broadway start looking for something different to slake their thirst. 95. Do-It-Yourself Dried Snacks 2006-08-30 96. Nothing Says The Fair Like Fried Chicken 2006-08-17 97. An Earful Of Flavor 2006-08-01 98. Picnic Like A Pro 2006-06-28 99. Creative Cakes 2006-06-13 100. Forget The China, Pass The Pizza 2006-06-01 101. Summer’s Perfect Fruit 2006-05-31 102. Finding Food For Book Worms 2006-05-13 103. Home Beauty 2006-04-21 104. Prize-Winning Cakes 2006-04-19 105. Rise And Shine 2006-04-12 106. Garden-Fresh Taste 2006-03-22 107. Pint-Sized Fitness 2006-03-03 Six rosy-cheeked faces peered up at Lauren Coverstone. 108. Shout It Out 2006-02-10 With a smile on her lips and a confident nod of her head, Logan Deeds scanned the seven cheerleaders grouped around her. 109. Feed Your Sweetie 2006-02-08 Colorful heart-shaped boxes of candy and vases filled with red roses. Jewelry store deals and romantic dining. Expectant smiles and fluttering eyelashes. 110. Address The Fear 2006-02-07 111. Creature Comforts 2006-01-19 112. Take The Slow Way 2006-01-10 113. Day By Day 2005-12-30