Contributors

country breakfast with flaky biscuits and country ham, scrambled eggs, fresh strawberries, coffee and orange juice. Photo by Cheryl Davis, Dreamstime. Boomer goes to The Pickel Barrel for comfort food that will satiate your belly, from flaky biscuits with country ham to Southern supper gems.
Food Finds

I’m Going to The Pickel Barrel

Spell check be darned, I’m going and I know it’s right

By Steve Cook | September 15, 2022
Rick Steves takes us to Vernazza, along the Italian Riviera in Cinque Terre, recalling a kind-hearted Vernazzan man and a peaceful view.
Rick Steves

Vernazza: Lorenzo’s view

‘Rest here. The view is nice’

By Rick Steves | September 13, 2022
senior woman doing puzzle. Credit: Richardjohnsonuk Dreamstime
David L Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

Boggle Search for Feathered Friends

How many words can YOU find?

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek | September 12, 2022
Burger and fries: Travel back in time to Westwood Fountain in Richmond’s West End, a Virginia restaurant serving classic homemade meals for breakfast and lunch.
Food Finds

Back to the Past at Westwood Fountain

Eating up the nostalgia at a restaurant, pharmacy, and retail store

By Steve Cook | September 8, 2022
Writing on Belfast's Peace Wall. In Rick Steves’ Europe, the travel writer examines the context of several significant European walls: built in times of mistrust and danger, torn down to be displaced by interdependence and empathy. In Rick Steves’ Europe, the travel writer examines the context of several significant European walls: built in times of mistrust and danger, torn down to be displaced by interdependence and empathy. Image by Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli.
Rick Steves

The Meaning of European Walls

Europe tears down walls – and builds bridges

By Rick Steves | September 6, 2022
Charlie's Way Platter, a breakfast platter, pictured here with two fried eggs, hash browns, bacon, and toast. Richmond food and travel writer Steve Cook takes us to Charlie’s Way Kitchen, for food done right at a reasonable price – breakfast and lunch, in a pandemic-pivot food truck and “car wash” setting, from an experienced food-service family.
Food Finds

Heading Out Charlie’s Way for a Delicious Meal

The best food ever to come out of a car wash

By Steve Cook | September 1, 2022
Inside the dome of the Reichstag, Germany's parliament building. Travel writer Rick Steves recalls his visit to Berlin’s Reichstag – the German parliament building – and digs beneath the entertainment value of travel to examine its value in understanding history, broadening our perspectives, and understanding current events more fully.
History

Berlin’s Reichstag as a History Lesson

Teary-eyed Germans and a big glass dome

By Rick Steves | August 30, 2022
granddad and grandson on a laptop, laughing, possibly playing puzzles like Boggle and Jumble. Image by Fiszkes, Dreamstime.
David L Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

Jumble for Kids and Adults: Eye Docs and Trains

The scrambled word game

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek | August 29, 2022
man singing karaoke Ruslan Huzau Dreamstime, for article on misheard lyrics - misheard song lyrics. Greg Schwem likes to sing along to songs, but he admits to botching the lyrics, turning a classic rock song into a puzzling reprised version.
Greg Schwem

Botching the Lyrics

‘This long cool woman’s in a bad nest,’ croons humorist Greg Schwem

By Greg Schwem | August 26, 2022
Oktoberfest food and beer. Photo by Vladimir Iakovenko, Dreamstime. Celebrate Oktoberfest in Virginia with these 15 German-inspired events: in Richmond and around the state. Próst, y’all!
Events

OKtoberfest Is Always OK with Me

Próst to the season of German celebrations and bier

By Steve Cook | August 25, 2022

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