Couple’s ‘librage’ a unique combination of library, garage

Shell Jeffery-Tomjack Journal correspondent

Retired pastors Jeri and Richard "Mitch" Behringer took the words of another pastor, Harry Emerson Fosdick, to heart when they began planning for retirement. Fosdick once said, "Don't simply retire from something; have something to retire to."

Feb 09, 2012 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

• Related: Jeri and Richard Behringer: Librage owners

CATHIE DRAINE: New Plant Hardiness Zone map a go-to tool

Cathie Draine

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released the new version of the Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the crucial go-to tool for gardeners to determine, by this 30-year study of minimum winter temperatures, appropriate growing zones for plants.

Feb 02, 2012 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

Vendors make the most of raw materials

Shell Jeffery-Tomjack Journal correspondent

As an agricultural producer, Martha Hiatt of Miles City, Mont., is conscientious about what she buys for equipment, clothing and her household items. While shopping at the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo, she sought out items for her home that reflected her family's values and lifestyle.

Feb 02, 2012 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

CATHIE DRAINE: Gardening events start to spring up in the area

Cathie Draine

It's 54 days until the first day of spring, March 20. Kitchen tables that are meant to host bountiful meals are groaning under the load of seed and plant catalogs and the many started but not finished seed orders.

Jan 26, 2012 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

Couple look to future with kitchen

Amy Menerey Journal correspondent

Eighty-five miles east of Rapid City, at the edge of Philip, sits Linda Kroetch's new dream home. She and her husband, Bruce, looked into the future to design a home that would fit them in their later years as well as now. The one-level home is practical, built partially into a hill to co…

Jan 26, 2012 | 4:00 am | (0) Comments

HOUSEWORKS: Simplest answers are best

Steve Batie Lee Enterprises

A buddy came to me a while back with a home repair problem.

Jan 24, 2012 | 6:15 am | (0) Comments

FAVORITE SPACES: Every corner of room tells a story

Shell Jeffery-Tomjack Journal correspondent

At first glance, the small, tucked-away room in Nancy Ericson's home appears to be a spot for scrapbooking.

Jan 19, 2012 | 7:22 am | (0) Comments

DRAINE: Information can help stop invasive plant species

Cathie Draine

A year ago, Doug Tallamy spoke at the "Spring Fever" gardening event in Rapid City.

Jan 19, 2012 | 6:20 am | (0) Comments

CATHIE DRAINE: Forum to offer a new version of ‘Spring Fever’

Cathie Draine

Change is good and natural; change is an indication of life and of vigor in an animal (including humans), plants, programs and - speaking more broadly - of cultures.

Jan 12, 2012 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

Antique room holds special family memories

Amy Menerey Journal correspondent

Relics of the past remind us of an earlier time, before the hustle and bustle of today's busy world, which is why so many people collect antiques. Jeanne Kirsch's collection, however, is closer to her heart than most.

Jan 12, 2012 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

• Related: Jeanne Kirsch's antique room

CATHIE DRAINE: Five hot tips for those looking into cold frames

Cathie Draine

I was enjoying a brief wander with the chickens during a pleasantly sunny moment at year's end, and we all stopped to look for signs of life in the cold frame.

Jan 05, 2012 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

Do you have the tools for home repair projects?

The Associated Press

In times of economic hardship, "do-it-yourself" is a tempting mantra for many homeowners with dripping faucets, running toilets, leaky windows or sticky locks.

Jan 05, 2012 | 5:00 am | (0) Comments

A dim future for the light bulb?

The Associated Press

These are confusing days to be shopping for a light bulb.

Dec 29, 2011 | 6:05 am | (40) Comments

CATHIE DRAINE: 2012 could see a turn from myth to science

Cathie Draine

Fewer than 100 hours remain for dear old 2011.

Dec 29, 2011 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

How to keep paint can rims clean

Steve Batie

For years I've been telling people that a good way to keep the rim of a paint can clean is to punch holes in it with an awl.

Dec 22, 2011 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

CATHIE DRAINE: Winter stroll in garden warms heart of gardener

Cathie Draine

While many people are decking the halls with seasonal glitter, prowling the malls with hands clutching billfolds and praying for 40-hour days to "get everything done," I took advantage of the recent pleasant weather for a stroll through the garden.

Dec 22, 2011 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

Home boasts 2,000 snowmen of all sizes

Amy Menerey Journal correspondent

Jean Beckler doesn't know when she began collecting snowmen; she's just always loved them. Her collection - which now numbers more than 2,000 - may have accelerated after the 1992 death of her daughter, Brenda, at the age of 25.

Dec 22, 2011 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

CATHIE DRAINE: Grow your knowledge of gardening history

Cathie Draine

Many before me have observed that as a species, we either have very short memories or don't learn from history or both. Therefore, acting on the happy assumption that there are some gardeners who not only enjoy reading gardening history but also learn from it, I have two books to recommen…

Dec 15, 2011 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

Everyday items can bring pizzazz to gift wrapping

Cindy Card Buchholz Journal correspondent

The saying "it's what's on the inside that counts" is good advice to follow, but not when it comes to gift wrapping.

Dec 15, 2011 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments