Echoe Matthews – A Spicy Comedy Cook For Charity

Pennsylvania is one of the first original 13 colonies of the country hence its long historic background consisting of antique houses, buildings, and other beautiful architectures. It is also known as the Keystone State because of its various historic roles wherein the Declaration of Independence, Gettysburg Address, and the U.S. Constitution. Due to these reasons, Pennsylvania is home to numerous historic and cultural landmarks for tourists to visit and explore.

The state also features beautiful and stunning landscapes due to its geographic location wherein its area is encompassed by the Appalachian Plateaus Province. Due to this, it has a heavily forested area that consists of the Allegheny National Forest and the Pocono, and the Catskill Mountains. With various scenic locations and stunning landmarks, Pennsylvania is surely a state you wouldn’t want to miss. Below are some of its most amazing landmarks. 

Landmarks in Pennsylvania

1. The Liberty Bell

Formerly known as The State House bell, Liberty Bell is was a symbol of American democracy and freedom wherein it was rung to gather people for important meetings and deliberations. Crafted during the 17th century as ordered by Isaac Norris, the bell cracked on its first ring.

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Today, it serves as an iconic symbol of American History and is visited by millions of people around the world to view its magnificent structure. Liberty Bell is located in the heart of the busy city of Philadelphia and is located just a walking distance to other various memorable destinations in the city.

2. Gettysburg National Military Park

The Gettysburg National Military Park is one of the most influential historical sites in the country due to its role in the Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg became the turning point in the Civil War, the Union Victory that stopped General Robert E. Lee’s invasion. 

Gettysburg was known for the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln`s famous  “Gettysburg Address”. Today, it offers a learning experience of all the incredible history of the battlefield through a variety of living history enactments, ranger-led educational programs, and more.

3. Carpenters’ Hall

Known as The official birthplace of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Carpenter’s Hall is an important historic landmark in the state. It has become part of various important historic events such as being the host of the First Continental Congress in 1774, housed the Franklin`s Library Company, and the American Philosophical Society.

It also became the home of the First and Second Banks of the United States. Today, the hall offers walking tours that allow you to learn the rich history and culture of the landmark.

4. Mount Davis

With an elevation of 3,213 feet (979 meters), the towering peak of the stunning Mount Davis is the highest point in Pennsylvania, U.S. It is located in Somerset County and is known as the tallest mountain in the state. Reaching its peak offers a breathtaking view as well as various hiking trails to explore. It also features an observation tower that allows you to get 360-degree views of its stunning landscapes.

There is also a small display once you pass the observation tower that showcases some information about the history and geography of the area. Mount Davis also offers various outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, and many more.

5. Eastern State Penitentiary

The Eastern State Penitentiary is a must-see landmark when you visit the state due to its fascinating history. Known as ESP, it was once known as the most famous and expensive prison in the world during its operation from 1829 until 1971. It became the confinement ground of many of America`s most notorious lawbreakers including “Scarface” Al Capone and “Slick Willie” Sutton.

Today, it stands in ruins with empty cellblocks and guard towers. It is open to the public and offers day and night tours that feature “The Voices of Eastern State” that is narrated by actor Steve Buscemi, various exhibits like Al Capone`s Cell, Death Row, and many more. 

6. Fallingwater

Falling water features a stunning and unique landscape attracting thousands of tourists all around the world to experience its architectural masterpiece. One of the most unique houses in the world, It is designed by America`s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. It features a various collection of fine arts, an Annual Gnome House Design Challenge, internships, and many more. 

Silicone lids are the next craze that is going to take your kitchen and dining table by storm.

I’m a busy mom and I love to cook! Well,to be honest,I love cooking when I have plenty of time on my hands and a nice glass of wine to accompany me,which rarely happens. What I’m trying to say is I enjoy cooking,but when I’m short on time,which is just about all week long,I want it to be easy in the kitchen. So anything that can make my life a bit easier,I’m curious about.

A friend of mine,Annie,told me about the BellaLoré silicone lids. She purchased a set on Amazon.com ( http://www.amazon.com) and said they’re really practical,and easy to use and clean. So I got curious and purchased a set for myself.

One of the things Annie mentioned was that the silicone lids are very versatile and you can use them for so many things: bowl covers,food covers,microwave covers to avoid splatter,and lids for your pots and pans. I was so excited when I received my set of four silicone covers. I love the bright,fun colors,and with the four different sizes—6,8,10 and 12 inches—the lids fit most of my bowls,pots,and pans.

My kids are notoriously bad at cleaning after they use the microwave (and after they use the bathroom,the TV room,the kitchen… you get my drift!),so I end up cleaning the microwave a few times a day. After I received the lids,I gave my kids an ultimatum: Use the lids for bowls in the microwave,or else…no more cookies. Well,it worked. Actually,the lids are so easy to use,they couldn’t even find an excuse not to use them! I’m so glad,because it means less cleaning for me. I also use the lids to cover my pots and stir fry pan on the stovetop,so less cleaning there too. I love this!!!! The nice thing is that they are easy to clean; I can just pop them on the top rack of the dishwasher. Most of the time,though,I wash them by hand because we use them so often. 

The BellaLoré silicone food covers are also very handy for covering dishes,leftovers,or salad bowls in the fridge to keep your food fresh longer. The lids are much easier to use than plastic wrap,so there’s no more fussing with tangled messes of wrap. All you need to do is to place the lid over the food container,press in the middle of the lid,and it is sealed! My friend Annie told me that she uses her lids in the oven to cover her casseroles,so I tried it on my stuffed pasta casserole dish and it is so convenient. They’re oven safe up to 445 F. and that means I’ll certainly use a lot less foil from now on.

These reusable silicone lids are really practical. They are very nice to have for keeping things warm when I cook dinner on the nights not everyone is there yet. I use them every day and I certainly use a lot less plastic wrap and aluminum foil. I love saving money! And it makes me feel good about reducing waste and doing my part for the environment.

Did I mention that my new BellaLoré silicone lids are now a must have when we eat outdoors? They add a splash of color to the table and now we can relax during the meal instead of trying to keep these little flying bugs away from our food. I also received suggestions from the seller on different ways to use my new lids. I was surprised you can even use a lid as a drain plug—I tried it,and it works!

With your set of four silicone suction lids,BellaLoré offers a silicone brush as a limited time bonus. This brush is great for basting pastries and applying BBQ sauce and it’s so much easier to clean than the old fashioned style brush.

The colorful silicone lids have a fantastic,risk free,money-back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with your BellaLoré silicone lids,you get your money back! I really encourage you to get a set and try them for yourself. They make a great gift too! Go buy them,here is the link http://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Lids-Set-Food-Covers/dp/B00RU7J4LM.    

Is your HVAC system 10 years old or more? That means you may be taking a look at replacing it in the next couple of years. However,if your HVAC system is newer,you wish to ensure that it keeps running right by scheduling at least annual maintenance. In any case,eventually you will need to hire an HVAC consultant. Here are five areas to consider during your search.

1. Licensing and Experience

Your HVAC system is probably one of the most expensive equipment in your house,and you want assurance that whoever works on it has appropriate training.

for instance Ohio requires proper licensing for contractors in the HVAC industry; to obtain a license,a contractor must have five years of experience in the field before the date the application for the license is filed. Along with the Ohio license,a company should have the ability to hold a minimal level of bonding and insurance. Insurance is to protect homeowners in case of injury or accidental damage.

You should also inquire about a prospective contractor’s experience. While longevity alone won’t guarantee that a contractor will do a good job,stability in the business indicates a contractor is doing something right. What’s more,you can inquire about the certifications the contractors and technicians have: certification through such organizations as North American Technician Excellence (NATE) helps to guarantee a technician’s education and experience depend on date.

Technician training may encompass many facets of the industry,but among one of the most important are the handling of refrigerant and air balancing. Are the company’s technicians certified to handle refrigerant? Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act,individuals not properly certified should not be handling refrigerant. This is of particular importance as the switch from Freon (R-22 refrigerant) to R-410A progresses. Today’s technicians should also be trained to test and balance installations for maximum efficiency and comfort; the National Comfort Institute’s certification in air balancing provides a standard for training that the homeowner should be aware of.

Further,ask if the contractor carries top brands,and about technicians’ training with these brands: each system/manufacturer is unique,and a quality consultant will ensure that technicians have had the right training to optimize installations.

2. Home Evaluation

If you’re aiming to have a system installed,potential HVAC contractors should offer a thorough home evaluation to determine the very best heating and cooling solution. Factors to become considered are square footage of the home,R-value of insulation,how many windows there are and which way they face. Contractors should inspect the duct system for leaks,loose segments and insulation. The Sizing of a new system should not be done based on square footage alone,but rather on calculations determined by data fed into industry software known as Manuals J (for cooling and heating loads),S (to determine size of equipment) and D (for ductwork).

Once you have an evaluation,the prospective contractor should give you a written,itemized estimate so you can compare costs,warranties and energy efficiency among the proposals. Do not go by low price alone. In our climate,for example,a better quality,more efficient furnace may offset a bigger price by utilizing less fuel with time.

3. References and Referrals

Ask for references and referrals and call them up. Ask if jobs were completed promptly and within the budget. Ask if the company performed clean installations and respected the homeowner’s property. Did the company test the system after it was installed to ensure maximum efficiency? Run potential contractors past the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of complaints are registered. You can also go on the internet to check complaints or ratings,but remember that many online reviews are fake. Glowing reviews without details and bitter diatribes without specifics are suspect.

When you’re seeking referrals,ask your friends,neighbors or co-workers. Ask local trade organizations for names of their members in your area,or consult online services like Angie’s List or the Air Conditioning Contractors of America.

A good HVAC consultant will also show pride in his or her company: trucks should be in good repair and the company name emblazoned on vehicles.

4. Rebates and Special Deals

An HVAC system is a major expense,so search for rebates on energy-efficient equipment,or ask your dealer about specials. Ohio utility companies offer some rebates for installing efficient equipment.

5. Efficiency

Efficiency is very important. When looking for an upgrade,you want one of the most efficient equipment you can afford. Ask the contractor about Energy Star-rated models. Energy Star is the government’s program for rigorously testing HVAC equipment for efficiency.