Fireworks of a sort have always been a part of 4^th of July celebrations, beginning with mock funerals of King George III to celebrate the birth of independence. On July 4, 1777, ships at the docks in Philadelphia fired cannons in a 13-gun salute. Here's a list of colorful and booming celebrations for 2022.

The Great American Campout takes place Friday, June 24 – Saturday, June 25. Sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, the event is designed to connect campers of all stripes across the country with nature, wildlife, and each other.

Land trusts are non-profit organizations that work with landowners and other associations to help save our land heritage, create open spaces, protect wetlands and wildlife habitats, and provide recreational opportunities for everyone. On June 4, all Mast Store locations will host representatives from a community land trust partner. To support the important work that they do, each store will donate 20% of that day’s sales to its partner conservancy.

Weddings are big events bringing together members of two families to celebrate their union into one bigger family. There’s usually a ceremony, probably some drama, good food, maybe a little drink, and stacks of gifts. We’ve pulled together several thoughtful gifts that are perfect for any couple requesting your presence at their nuptials.

If you’re a child of the ‘80s, you might remember “Workin’ for a Livin’,” a song by Huey Lewis and the News that paid tribute to the work-a-day folks that keep our lives moving forward. The same sentiment can be applied to the work of land trusts – they are workin’ for OUR livin’.

Today is Arbor Day, and we’re celebrating the beauty and symbolism trees lend to our world. Take a look at this tree-themed trivia from across our region. We hope the facts will inspire you to hug a tree or, especially, plant one in honor of all that trees do for us and our environment! 

The good news is that our recycling trend has improved in the United States over the past several decades. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans recycled less than 10 percent of their household waste in 1980. In its most recent data from 2018, the EPA found that we now recycle slightly more than 32% of it.

Recycling is a comprehensive process. Many of us are familiar with the basic “3 R’s” that describe it: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse.

The virtuous cycle is a series of events that tends toward equilibrium. It reinforces itself through a feedback loop to grow, expand, and increase its effectiveness. As it relates to recycling, we must be willing to buy recycled goods to create demand for recycled items, which makes the manufacturing of recycled goods desirable. 

If you’ve never been to Roanoke, Virginia, you wouldn’t realize just how much a railroad defines the city. Series of rail lines consolidate and cut through the northern edge of downtown. They span east and west across the mountain valley where Roanoke lies. The same rail that built the city into the place it is today will carry those stories along the track into its future and, at the same time, bring new stories along the way.