You can feel it coming — the holiday ads are everywhere and decorations fill stores. Even if you love the holidays, it can be a stressful time. Adding to the stress are concerns over illness (a possible COVID uptick, an unusually severe flu … read more

Nothing says the holidays like a poinsettia. This year, try some new ways to display this festive plant. Poinsettias are available in a variety of colors including white, pink, hot pink, yellow, peach, marbled and speckled. These colorful parts of the plant, often … read more

With the holidays here, everyone wants to find the perfect gift. A thoughtful gift that resonates with the recipient is a wonderful way to show that you care. But what do you about those friends and family members whose interests you don’t understand? … read more

From Thanksgiving until the New Year, temptations to eat foods we normally would never have in our homes, let alone consume, confront us. It’s almost as if the world were conspiring to undo all we have accomplished by making unhealthy fats, sodium and … read more

The holiday season presents opportunities for celebrating with loved ones, and for many families, that includes their dogs and cats. However, holiday foods and decorations can pose health risks for pets and the hustle and bustle may be overwhelming. To help keep your … read more

‘Tis the (shopping) season! And if you have a gardener on your shopping list for the holidays, you will have an easy time finding all sorts of wonderful presents. When the celebratory season is over and the chilly, damp reality of winter in … read more

We’ve done a little “scouting.” This page is a sampling of a few of the unique and special gift selections available right here in the West Sound. As The Content Scout’s CEO (Chief Exploration Officer), I find that one of my very favorite … read more

Christmas starts in October at Ann Ryan’s home on Oyster Bay. That’s when she hauls out the boxes and boxes of holiday decorations she’s collected over the years and starts decking the halls of the 100-year-old home. Ryan’s collection includes Christmas-themed paintings, dozens … read more

Yes, there is a Santa Claus. He lives on the Key Peninsula when he is not at the North Pole tending his reindeer or supervising the elves in the toy shop. His “Ho! Ho! Ho!” is most convincing, and he has a bag … read more