DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

        Covered bridges are fascinating whether they are rumored to be haunted or not. America's first covered bridge was built in 1804. Pennsylvania boasted 1500 covered bridges at its peak, today, Pennsylvania has 200 covered bridges, still the highest number in the states. In the swift evolving and ever-changing technological age we live in, covered bridges represent a simpler time and are very often revered as relics of the past by preservationists.     It's no wonder tales of haunting abound in legends surrounding covered bridges. Bridges are themselves, tools for crossing from one side to another. A covered bridge so easily harbors secrets within its walls, plus given that most if not all were built centuries ago, only lends to an air of nostalgia and probable ghostly activity. Stowe Hollow Bridge Stow Bridge ghost pictures     Stowe Hollow Bridge in Vermont, also known as "Emily's Bridge" or "Gold Br...

   This delicious dessert gets a double dose of maple flavor: one in the cake, another in the cream cheese-maple frosting. Keep in mind that maple syrup affects the baking time of this cake (it takes almost an hour to bake). Ingredients cake 3 cups all purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 2 tablespoons non-hydrogenated solid vegetable shortening, room temperature 2 cups pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B) 3 large egg yolks 1 large egg 1 1/4 cups whole milk 1 cup walnuts, toasted, coarsely chopped frosting 3 cups powdered sugar 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B) Toasted walnut halves (for garnish) special equipment Two 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides Preparation cake Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 325°F. Butter tw...

40 Years of Guts & Glory     The Angola Rodeo , the longest running prison rodeo in the nation, got its start in 1965. The first arena was small, built by a handful of dedicated inmates and personnel. It wasn't much in those days, and the rodeo was stages just for the entertainment of prisoners and employees. But it was fun.     The 1967 rodeo was opened to the general public on a limited basis. There were no stands. Spectators had to sit on apple crates and the hoods of their cars to watch the performance.     The success on the 1967 and 1968 rodeos prompted constructions of a 4,500 seat arena for the 1969 rodeo. A near disaster occurred when the bleachers collapsed during one of the shows. Spectators weren't alarmed, most didn't even get up. They sat on the collapsed structure and continued to watch. The 1971 rodeo was the wettest in history, but the show went on.     As years passed, the rodeo gre...