Have you dreamed of starting your own business? Or do you have your own business and you’re striving to hit that next level? What are you doing to make your dreams come true?

Are you connecting with experts to help? Are you using social media to reach out to people and gain knowledge? Have you picked up any books?

The selection of books geared towards entrepreneurs is large – and it can be overwhelming if you go to pick up a couple. But here are a few that are recommended and may be of use to you.

• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
  • Think and Grow Rich has been called the “Granddaddy of All Motivational Literature.” It was the first book to boldly ask, “What makes a winner?” The man who asked and listened for the answer, Napoleon Hill, is now counted in the top ranks of the world’s winners himself.
  • The most famous of all teachers of success spent “a fortune and the better part of a lifetime of effort” to produce the “Law of Success” philosophy that forms the basis of his books and that is so powerfully summarized in this one.
• The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller
  • This is an audiobook for busy people. If you want less on your plate and more for your life and career, tune in to the #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results. The ONE Thing will bring your life and your work into focus. Authors Gary Keller and Jay Papasan teach you the tricks to cut through the clutter, achieve better results in less time, dial down stress, and master what matters to you.
• The Slight Edge: Getting from Average to Advantage by Leo Weidner
  • • Make more money
    • Get out of debt
    • Find success in your career
    • Repair or enhance your marriage
    • Lose weight
    • Visit your dream destination
    • Break a bad habit
    • Reduce stress
    • Enhance your health
    • Find happiness
  • What is the secret to success? A mountain of extra effort? Stress and strain and sweat? The truth is that it doesn’t take everything you can – or can’t -give in order to be successful; all it takes is gaining the Slight Edge.
  • The Slight Edge is that bit of targeted effort that will enable you to change your world from average to great – without all the stress. In The Slight Edge: Getting from Average to Advantage, LifeBalance Coach Leo Weidner will guide you through simple steps and practical strategies that will give you the power to make positive and permanent changes in your life.
  • Find the power to achieve success and happiness in your life. It has already helped thousands of others – it will help you!
• The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
  • Most startups fail. But many of those failures are preventable. The Lean Startup is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched.
  • Eric Ries defines a startup as an organization dedicated to creating something new under conditions of extreme uncertainty. This is just as true for one person in a garage or a group of seasoned professionals in a Fortune 500 boardroom. What they have in common is a mission to penetrate that fog of uncertainty to discover a successful path to a sustainable business.
  • The Lean Startup approach fosters companies that are both more capital efficient and that leverage human creativity more effectively. Inspired by lessons from lean manufacturing, it relies on “validated learning”, rapid scientific experimentation, as well as a number of counter-intuitive practices that shorten product-development cycles, measure actual progress without resorting to vanity metrics and learn what customers really want. It enables a company to shift directions with agility, altering plans inch by inch, minute by minute.
  • Rather than wasting time creating elaborate business plans, The Lean Startup offers entrepreneurs – in companies of all sizes – a way to test their vision continuously, to adapt and adjust before it’s too late. Ries provides a scientific approach to creating and managing successful startups in an age when companies need to innovate more than ever.

No matter what type of business you have or are looking to start, you will probably always be looking for ways to make it bigger and better. And there are lots of resources out there that can help you do that – including the books on this list! 

(*Book descriptions courtesy of Amazon.com)

You’ve heard the expression that “the kitchen is the heart of the home.” It’s the place where meals are prepared. It’s where families sit down to enjoy dinner together. It can be a spot in the home where you unwind after work.

With so much happening in the kitchen, it’s also a place that can get cluttered – and quickly. You have pots and pans. Then there are all of the small appliances and kitchen gadgets. There are plates, platters, and serving dishes. And let’s not forget about the food! 

Thankfully, there are lots of ways to get everything in your kitchen organized.

If you’re ready to tackle the kitchen and make it look spectacular, here are a few ideas to help.

• Expand-a-Drawer Utensil Trays: These trays are designed for those oversized or extra-long utensils that just don’t seem to fit anywhere – and then they just make a mess of your drawer. But, they can also be used for your standard forks, spoons, and knives. (And they’re also perfect for organizing the junk drawer.)
• ORG Metal Pot and Lid Organizer: Do you just throw your pots, pans, and lids in a cupboard and slam the door shut? And then, when you need to use them, do you make a ton of noise as you dig to find the right pan and the lid that fits? Use this organizer to avoid all of that racket – and find what you need to cook dinner quickly.
• iDesign Axis Over the Cabinet 2-Tier Kitchen Storage Basket Organizer: If you want to maximize your kitchen cabinet space – in particular, that space under the sink – then grab a couple of these. They go over the cabinet door and are ideal for storing those cleaning supplies you use often.
• Expandable Cabinet Shelf Organizer: Instead of piling all of your plates and bowls on top of one another – separate them! This shelf organizer can do that for you! And it expands to fit the width of your cabinets – plus it comes in two different colors.
• OXO Good Grips® POP 10-Piece Food Storage Container Set: Looking for a way to store some of your dry goods such as flour, sugar, and coffee? Then pick up this food storage container set from OXO. It has containers of various shapes and sizes and will make any space where you store food look much more organized. 
• YouCopia StoreMore Adjustable WrapStand® Foil and Bag Organizer: If you have a collection of boxes for baggies, cling wrap, foil, parchment paper, and wax paper, you may be wondering what you can do to get these things organized? This adjustable stand can do that for you! It can hold up to six boxes.
• HomeIT Grocery Bag Holder: While having some plastic grocery bags around the house can be useful (for example, for lining small trash cans), they can quickly get out of control. This grocery bag holder can be mounted with screws or adhesive tape and gives you a spot to store your plastic bags.
• 2-Tier Lazy Susan: Lazy Susans are a great way to organize things – especially in a pantry, frig, or on the countertop near your stove. Place your most often used spices on it by the stove or use it in your refrigerator to give assorted condiments a convenient home.
• Over Sink Dish Drying Rack: Even with a dishwasher, you probably hand-wash dishes occasionally. This dish drying rack fits over your sink and will have your dishes dry in no time at all.

If your kitchen clutter is getting a bit overwhelming, try some of these organizers to get things back under control. With these items, you’ll have your kitchen looking great – and you’ll be able to find everything quickly and easily!

Guess what’s coming up soon! Father’s Day! Yes, that special day to give a shout-out to your dad and tell him how much he’s loved and appreciated. 

And, while you picked out the perfect card for him, have you decided on a present?

There are all sorts of dads – and they have all sorts of interests – and here are a few gifts that might work for your dad!

• TIJN Blue Light Blocking Glasses: If Dad spends a lot of time on the computer, gaming, or on his phone – he might like a pair of blue light blocking glasses – even if he doesn’t normally wear glasses. Blue light-blocking glasses can help block harmful UV rays and relieve eye fatigue. These glasses come in many colors, and they’ve got excellent reviews.
• Blackstone Adventure Ready 2-Burner 28″ Outdoor Griddle: Does Dad like to cook and grill? Is he never happier than when he’s preparing a meal for his family? Then how about a Blackstone Adventure Ready Griddle? He can use this griddle to fix a big breakfast, some delicious hamburgers for lunch, and fajitas for dinner – plus so much more!
• Giant Jenga Party Game: With nicer weather here, it’s time to get outdoors. Why not challenge Dad to a game of Jenga – the GIANT version? It’s so much fun to play this oversized edition outside while enjoying the sun!
• Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit: While Dad may enjoy drinking a few craft beers, has he ever thought about making his own? Homebrewing is growing in popularity, and there are some great kits out there like this one from Brew Share that can get him started. You can choose from three different beers to make with this kit – so pick the one you know he’ll enjoy.
• Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager: When Dad comes home after a long day of work, he can relax with this gift! This Shiatsu back and neck massager will have him feeling better in no time.
• Mountain America Jerky Sampler: What’s Dad’s favorite snack? Does he like jerky? Does he have a sense of adventure? Then send him this Mountain America Jerky Sampler. It has some traditional beef jerky that he’ll love, but then it’s got some “exotic” ones made from elk, bison, alligator, and wild boar. 
• Kindle Paperwhite: Do you have a dad who’s a bookworm? Then give him a Kindle Paperwhite. The Paperwhite is fantastic because you can read it outdoors in the bright sunlight easily – and the newest version is even waterproof. It comes in several colors and two different sizes of storage capacity.
• Gogogo Sport Vpro Laser Rangefinder for Golf & Hunting: This Gogogo Sport Laser Rangefinder might not make Dad a better hunter or golfer, but he’s sure to love this little piece of technology if he enjoys either of those activities.
• Cool Socks from the Sock Drawer: If Dad loves clothes – and for him, socks are a fashion statement – then you need to take a look at Cool Socks. They have so many great ones to choose from that you’ll have a hard time deciding!
• World Travel Map with Pins: Has Dad traveled the globe? Or is he looking forward to getting his passport out again? Then he can map out his adventures with this World Travel Map. He can put pins on the places he’s visited or those that are on his bucket list.
• Illustrated Family Portrait: How about giving Dad a family portrait? But not just any family portrait – an illustrated one? It’s so unique – and he’ll think of you every time he looks at it.

Don’t give Dad a tie or gift card this year – give him a present from this list! He’ll love your thoughtfulness and appreciate that you remembered him on his special day – Father’s Day!

The Mayo Clinic says: Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress.

Additionally, according to the Mayo Clinic, mindfulness can help with:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Pain
• Depression
• Insomnia
• High blood pressure (hypertension)

And, while we’ve all heard about it mindfulness – how do you go about practicing it?

Luckily, there are lots of different ways you can practice mindfulness – and it’s all about finding what works for you. Here are several suggestions if you’re ready to give it a try!

• Pay Attention to Everything: Did you read this and think, “That seems like it could be overwhelming!”? Well, it doesn’t have to be. It’s more about taking note of the things going on in your life – everything from sleep patterns to eating habits to how you’re managing your time – and then adjusting as needed. 
  • If your calendar is too full and you’re feeling like you have no time for yourself, start saying no to some invitations or activities. Have you been eating more junk food lately? Then clear out the cupboards and restock your kitchen with healthy foods so you can make better choices. Little things like this are certainly ways to practice mindfulness.
• Be In the Moment: Do you spend a lot of time worrying about the future – even if you have no control over it? Or, maybe, you spend time reminiscing about the past – even though it’s come and gone. 
  • Then it may be time to shift your mindset so that you are focusing on what’s currently going on in your life. Staying in the moment allows you to place your attention on what’s at hand – and that’s good for you and those in your life – as it will help you to feel more connected. 
• Accept Yourself as You Are: Accepting yourself as you are can be a tough one for people. While it doesn’t mean you don’t work to improve things in your life, it means that you learn to be happy with who you are and what you have at the current time. Try to refrain from negative self-talk and comparing yourself to others to become more accepting of yourself. 
• Focus on Your Breath: One way to bring mindfulness to you at a moment’s notice is to focus on your breath. When you focus on your breathing, you can clear your brain of negative thoughts and truly be in the moment.
• Get Outdoors: Do you enjoy the outdoors? Hiking? Walking? Riding your bike? Do you find you do your best thinking when you’re outside? Then you’re probably using your time outdoors to practice mindfulness – and you don’t even know it. Spending time in the outdoors and enjoying nature is a great way to be mindful of all that’s out there.
• Practice Meditation: Meditation is another excellent way to practice mindfulness. There are all sorts of apps and YouTube videos that can walk you through meditation exercises if this is something you wish to try.
• Do One Task at a Time: No more multitasking. Instead, focus on one task at a time. Give all of your attention and effort to the task at hand, and you will find that you complete it easier, faster, and with better results.
• Embrace Your Feelings: Do you have a tendency to repress your feelings instead of embracing them? To be mindful, you need to “feel your feelings.” When you do this, you can enjoy the good times and work through the challenging times.

There are many reasons to practice mindfulness – and many ways to practice it. Find a way that works for you and see how your life improves. You might be pleasantly surprised by the changes you see.

So, how was the school year? Unique? Challenging? Perhaps about a hundred other adjectives depending on the day? 

But the end is in sight. And while the kids are probably extremely excited that the end is in view – do you know who else is excited? Parents!

Of course, while the final day of school is probably circled on your calendar, you still need to keep the kids (and yourself) motivated to get there. Here are some tips to help you survive the end of the school year.

• Keep Everyone On Schedule: It can be tempting to get a little lax with schedules and routines when the end is near but work to keep everyone on schedule. Keep bedtimes the same and make sure homework and reading times stay the same, too. Routines help keep everyone going – even when they don’t want to.
• Spend Some Time Outdoors: After a cold and snowy winter, the kids are probably ready to head outdoors – so make it happen. There’s nothing wrong with scheduling some time to hit the playground, ride bikes, play a game of tag, or even read a book outdoors. Fresh air is good for everyone!
• Watch for End-of-the-Year Communications: Yes, there will be a lot of communications coming home from school at the end of the year. Whether it be in backpacks or your email or via the United States Postal Service, watch for things that the school might be sending home. You don’t want to miss information about exams, returning library books, or registering for next year’s classes.
• Make Sure Homework is Getting Done: Your child has probably told you, “Yes, I finished all of my homework.” But it never hurts to check! Ask to see completed homework, or if your school has a parent portal that allows you to check your child’s grades – do it. Some teachers will allow for late assignments – and you don’t want your child to miss an opportunity to catch up on back work if they can.
• Encourage Study Time: If you have children that will need to take final exams, encourage them to start reviewing and studying now. You want to avoid cram sessions and reduce anxiety as exams approach. Preparation is key!
• Plans Healthy Meals and Snacks: Kids – especially teens – may start reaching for the junk food if they are feeling a little end-of-the-year pressure. Help them by planning healthy meals and snacks. Remind them that healthy foods help their brains!
• Allow for Some Grace: If this past year has taught us anything, it’s that everyone deserves a little grace – you and your children included. So, cut the kids some slack – and do the same for yourself. Not every day is going to be a good day – and sometimes you just have to start fresh the next day.
• Start a Countdown Calendar: If everyone in your family is excited about the end of school, then why not start a countdown calendar? You could do it with a paper calendar and “X” off the days or create a paper chain and detach a chain each day until there is none! This will help keep everyone’s “eyes on the prize.”
• Plan a Celebration: And when the last day of school arrives – have a celebration! Plan a special meal or a trip to the park or go grab an ice cream cone – and get ready to enjoy summer!

The end of the school year is coming, but you still need to keep everyone focused until it’s here! Keep these tips in mind – and everyone will be on task and ready to finish strong!

A gorgeous flower arrangement is a thing of beauty – and it can bring joy to someone or brighten any room. 

But they can be expensive to purchase. 

So why not learn how to make your very own floral arrangements? 

It’s definitely more cost-effective – and will ensure that it contains the flowers you love. Plus, if you love giving flowers to friends and family, it can be a way to create something that specifically matches their personality and likes.

• Grab Your Materials: The first thing you want to do is grab all of the materials you will need:
  • Flowers: Yes, you’ll need flowers! Pick up some fresh-cut flowers that you love and will work in your arrangement. Check your local supermarkets, Trader Joe’s, or warehouse stores (such as Sam’s Club or Costco) for flowers, or check with your local florist to see if they’ll sell directly to you.
  • Vase: Decide on a vessel for your flowers. The great thing is that it can be anything that will hold water and flowers – even something as simple as a coffee mug. If you don’t have any vases, check your local thrift shop or dollar store for inexpensive ones. 
  • Pruning Scissors: If you think you’ll be making arrangements often, invest in some pruning shears. These will help you cut the stems at an angle (which is best for the flowers to soak in water) and keep you from damaging household scissors with tough stems.
  • Chicken Wire: Grab some to help with your arrangements.
  • Floral Tape: Another must-have for making flowers stay where you want them to be.
• Decide Where It Will Be Displayed: You’ll want to decide where you will display your flower arrangement as that will help you determine how big or small you want it to be. For example, if it will be going on a dining table, you might want to make an arrangement that is not so tall – so that conversations can be had easily.
• Picking Your Flowers: Decide on which flowers will work in your arrangement. Are you looking to stay with one specific color? Do you need a variety of flowers in different shapes and sizes? When you make a few basic decisions before you head out shopping, it will make it infinitely easier and help you avoid overbuying.
• Get Some “Filler”: You might need some “filler” for your arrangement. It could be some smaller flowers (i.e., baby’s breath), green leaves, or even twigs. These things can help to add interest to your arrangement.
• Remove All the Lower Leaves: When you are ready to start arranging, be sure to remove all of the lower leaves. Doing this will help your flowers to last longer and keep your water fresher.
• Place and Play: Then start placing your flowers in your vase. And don’t be afraid to “play” with your arrangement. You may need to move things around and change their placement to make it look just right. (And be careful not to cut your stems before you are sure of where they will go!)
• Keep It Balanced: You’ll want to keep your arrangement balanced. Take a look at your arrangement to make sure it looks balanced visually and physically.
• Add Some Flower Food: Your cut flowers are going to need some food to keep them looking great. You can make homemade flower food that will help feed them and prevent bacteria and fungi growth.
• Regularly Add/Change the Water: And yes, make sure they are regularly getting water. The water may need to be changed (and more flower food added), or you can simply top it off with some freshwater.

Once you get started, you may find that you have a natural talent for making stunning flower arrangements. Give it a try! Use these tips and create something gorgeous!

You work hard all year. You pay your taxes and hope that you might get a refund when it comes time to file your income tax return.

Of course, if you’re lucky enough to get a refund, you might be asking yourself, “What should I do with it?” Sure, you could buy those new sneakers you’ve been wanting or that luxury handbag, but you have other choices, too. 

If you think you might want to do something with your income tax refund that could potentially help you now or further down the road, here are some options to consider.

1. Pay Down/Off Existing Debt: Do you have credit cards with debt that you’re carrying over each month? Or other loans that you need to pay off? Using your tax refund to pay down or even pay off existing debt is definitely a smart choice. By doing so, you can reduce the amount of interest you’re paying or get rid of a bill altogether.
2. Replenish Your Emergency Fund: Do you have an emergency fund? Perhaps an emergency fund that you had to dip into this past year? Use your refund to replenish your emergency fund (or create one if you don’t have one already). This ensures that you will have a little bit of extra cash should something unexpected happen.
3. Put Some Into Your Retirement Account: Retirement may seem like a long way off – but saving for retirement should happen early in your life. Dave Ramsey has an Investment and Retirement Calculator that you can use to do some planning – and remember it’s never too late to start putting money away for your later years.
4. Invest: Why not take your tax refund and invest in something? Yes, this will require some research to make sure you’re making the right choice for the money you have – but it could pay off in the end.
5. Start Saving: Are you looking to make a big purchase in the future? Then start saving now. Check with your bank to see what types of savings accounts are available to you and if any of them generate interest so that you can grow your money while you save.
6. Donate to a Charity: If you have the ability, you might donate your refund to a charity you support. Charity Navigator can help you find a trustworthy charity if you are unsure. They have a list of reputable charities and provide useful information to people looking to make donations. 
7. Start a College Fund: Even if you have young children, it’s never too early to start thinking about their future – and starting a college fund might be a good use of your refund. Dave Ramsey shares three college-saving strategies, plus some other useful tips for students.
8. Invest in Yourself: You can always use your refund to invest in yourself. Perhaps there are courses you’d like to take to advance your career or that will be beneficial for your current position. Enroll with your tax refund and get started!
9. Start a Business: Have you dreamed of starting your own business or a side hustle for some additional income? Maybe your tax refund is just the starter money you need! Create a budget and see if you can make your dream a reality.
10. Purchase Life Insurance: If you don’t have life insurance, your refund could help you purchase some. Talk with your insurance agent and see what options are available to you and what the financial commitment would be.

If you’re receiving a tax refund this year – congrats! Now it’s time to decide what you’re going to do with it – and maybe one of these ideas will be the answer.

It’s spring, and everywhere you look, there seems to be a blog or article reminding you to do a deep dive around your home. Everyone wants you to sort through a closet or clean those spots that you often forget.

And yes, those are good things to do.

But there’s another spot that deserves a little attention in the spring – and that’s your car.

After a long winter, it definitely needs a little TLC. Here are a few things you can check on and some pointers for getting your car looking good!

• Check your oil: When was the last time you changed your oil? Most cars need an oil change every 3,000-5,000 miles – and if you’re not sure when you had this service done – now’s the time. (You may have a sticker on your windshield that tells you when your last oil change was – so take a look.)
• Check your other fluids: Your car has other fluids, too – so you’ll want to have them checked and topped off as needed. Popular Mechanics shares the 6 essential fluids you should be checking and HOW to check them.
• Rotate your tires if needed: Have you ever wondered why you need to rotate your tires? It’s to preserve balance, help you maintain good traction, and allow for even tire wear. An automotive technician can help you decide if this service is necessary for your car.
• Repair scratches: Your car may have gotten a few scratches during the winter months – so take a few minutes to touch them up. Lots of manufacturers have small paint pens that will do the trick quickly.
• Clean the carpet and upholstery: You’ve probably tracked in a lot of snow and sand throughout the winter. You may have even spilled a cup of coffee (or two), and the kids might have dropped some french fries and ketchup on the back seat. Grab the portable vacuum and vacuum up as much of the dirt as you can. Then grab a rug or upholstery cleaner (or both) and give your carpet and upholstery a good clean. This will go a long way to restoring your interior’s condition.
• Clean the dashboard/console: Take a look at your dashboard. Is there a lot of dust and dirt? Then it’s time to wipe it down. You’ll be surprised how much better it looks when you do this simple thing.
• Organize as necessary: Has your car become a catch-all for things? Are there hats and gloves hanging around? Are there things you’ve thrown on the backseat with the intention of putting them away later? How about kids’ toys that never quite made it back into the house? Take some time to organize things – and put away those things that don’t belong in your car.
• Wash your car: Now it’s time to wash your car. You can do it by hand if you like, or take it to your favorite car wash to get it done quickly. 
• Give the wheels some attention: Your wheels and hubcaps may need some special attention to get them shining again. You can pick up some wheel cleaner at your local automotive store to do this. 
• Clean the windows: Grab the window cleaner and a microfiber cloth to get your windows clean. A microfiber cloth will help cut down on streaks so your windows will look crystal clear.
• Check the trunk: Don’t forget to check the trunk. If you had some gear for winter in there, you can take it out and store it until late fall. Also, check to make sure you have everything you would need to change a flat and some flares in case you should break down.
• Check the windshield wipers: Lastly, your windshield wipers take a beating during the winter months with the freezing temperatures and snow. Make sure they are in good shape and change them out if they are not.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to just take place inside your home. Give your vehicle a little love by checking it over thoroughly and cleaning it from the inside out. 

Do you watch “Jeopardy” every night? Do you play right along and say to yourself, “I could be on Jeopardy.”? If you answered yes – then you probably love trivia!

Of course, if you have set a goal to be on Jeopardy one day – or just want to showcase your trivia knowledge at a family dinner – you constantly need to be learning new facts and information. 

So, let’s see what you know about the state where you live – Pennsylvania! 

Pennsylvania Trivia Questions

1. William Penn was given the land that would become Pennsylvania by what King?
2. The smiley face emoticon was invented by professor Scott Fahlman, from what Pennsylvania university?
3. In what Pennsylvania city was the polio vaccine created?
4. What is the highest point of elevation in the state of Pennsylvania?
5. In what county would you find Daniel Boone’s home?
6. What two baseball Hall of Famers were born in Donora, Pennsylvania on September 21st – although in different years?
7. There is only one town in Pennsylvania. Everything else is either a city, borough, or township. Can you name it?
8. The first complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever found is on display at what museum?
9. Hugh Ward invented what game in the early 1920s in Pittsburgh and called it Beano?
10. Where can you find the oldest, still-operating roller coaster in the world?
11. Which golf course is the oldest, most continuously-used course in the United States?
12. Can you name all six Hall of Fame quarterbacks that called the Pittsburgh area home during their childhood?
13. True or False: Crayola Crayons produces all of its products in Pennsylvania.
14. The Wanamaker Organ is the largest, still-operating pipe organ in the world. Where is it located?
15. Which stadium located in Pennsylvania is the third-largest in the world?
16. In what city was the very first baseball stadium built?
17. Who is hailed as the Father of Weightlifting and was born in York, Pennsylvania?
18. What place in Pennsylvania is known as the Mushroom Capital of the World?
19. What Pennsylvania county is the Christmas Tree Capital of the World?
20. Nazareth is the home to what famous guitar maker?
21. Where was the first Little League Baseball World Series held?
22. Can you name one of the three nicknames of Pennsylvania?
23. Name the state bird of Pennsylvania.
24. What is the state animal?
25. What is the state beverage?

Pennsylvania Trivia Answers

1. King Charles II gave the land to William Penn in 1681 as a way of paying off a debt the king owed William’s father.
2. Carnegie Mellon University – in 1982.
3. Pittsburgh in 1955. Children in Pittsburgh were the very first to be given the vaccine.
4. Mount Davis at 3,213 feet is the highest point in Pennsylvania.
5. Berks County is where you can take a tour of Daniel Boone’s home.
6. Stan Musial and Ken Griffey, Jr. 
7. Bloomsburg.
8. The T-Rex skeleton can be found at the Carnegie Mellon Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.
9. BINGO.
10. Leap the Dips is located at Altoona’s Lakemont Park, and it began operating in 1902.
11. The golf course at Foxburg Country Club is home to this course, which began operating in 1887.
12. Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas, and George Blanda.
13. True. They make nearly 3 billion crayons each year.
14. The Wanamaker Organ is located inside Macy’s Department Store in Center City, Philadelphia.
15. Beaver Stadium, located on the campus of Penn State University. 
16. The first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh in 1909.
17. Bob Hoffman, who started York Barbell. 
18. Kennett Square.
19. Indiana County.
20. Martin guitars.
21. Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1946.
22. The Keystone State, Quaker State, or Oil State.
23. The ruffed grouse.
24. White-tailed deer.
25. Milk.

So, how’d you do? How many of these trivia questions about the state of Pennsylvania were you able to answer? Commit them all to memory and quiz your family and friends the next time you’re together – and impress them with your knowledge.

St. Patrick’s Day is filled with leprechauns, shamrocks, four-leaf clovers, rainbows, and pots-o-gold! And it’s the perfect holiday to get out the craft supplies and let the kids have some fun.

Grab the markers! Grab the construction paper! Grab the scissors! It’s time to make some St. Patrick’s Day crafts!

• Shamrock and Lucky Four-Leaf Clover Necklaces: These cute little shamrock and four-leaf clover necklaces are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. The kids will have a lot of fun stringing the beads and making the shamrocks and clovers. (You can buy colorful beads here or letter beads here.) And they can easily be made with any yarn you might have hanging around!
• 3D Rainbow Colored Paper Shamrocks: These 3-D Rainbow Colored Paper Shamrocks will look amazing on some windows in your place. The kids may need a little assistance cutting all of the paper strips, but it makes for a great family craft on a weekend afternoon.
• Leprechaun Trap: Do you have kids who are excited thinking that they might be able to catch a leprechaun? Then let them make a Leprechaun Trap to make it a little easier! There are a few different traps you can choose from – so check your supplies and get crafting, so the little guy doesn’t get away!
• St. Patrick’s Day Paper Plate Tambourine: If your children like to make music, they might like making this tambourine. It’s made from paper plates, and you can fill it with anything that will make noise. (Faux gold coins are suggested, but you could use beans, rice, or beads.)
• Paper Plate St. Patrick’s Day Unicorn: Here’s another paper plate craft – a St. Patrick’s Day Unicorn. This unicorn is super cute, and you could cut out the eyes and make it into a mask, too. (Don’t have a shamrock or heart punch? You can get the shamrock one here and the heart one here.)
• Rainbow Shamrock Suncatcher: These suncatchers are easy to make and only require a limited number of supplies: white disposable coffee filters, washable markers, a spray bottle, construction paper, and glue sticks. 
• Rainbow Shaker Wand: Here’s another musical craft for the kids – a Rainbow Shaker Wand. It’s definitely festive, and when your kids make the tambourine, they can have their very own band!
• Paper Leprechaun: Grab those photos of the kids and have them make themselves into leprechauns. They’re so cute! You might even want to send them to the grandparents to bring a smile to their faces.
• Leprechaun Lookers: St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect day to go looking for leprechauns, but you need Leprechaun Lookers to do that! It’s a fun way to recycle toilet paper rolls, and the kids can decorate them however they like.
• Pot-O-Gold Slime: Sure, it’s a bit messy, but green and gold slime is going to make you really popular! (Think of it as a messy science experiment!) 
• St. Patrick’s Day Joke Teller: Did you make these when you were young? Then it’s time to teach your children how to make a St. Patrick’s Day Joke Teller. This one is easy as there is a printable ready for you – you just have to show them how to do the folding. (And Bren Did has ones for other holidays, too!)
• Leprechaun Mask: Finally, grab the camera and take pictures of the kids in their new Leprechaun Masks. They’ll look so cute wearing these!

Your kids will have so much fun making these St. Patrick’s Day crafts and then using them to search for leprechauns, make music, or decorate your fridge! Which one do you think they’ll want to make first?