Gardening is cool, can ya dig it?

by Jackie Lewandoski
Growing your own vegetables is obviously a way to save money and stay healthy, especially if you grow an organic garden. I've met several folks who have begun community gardens. I visited the one in the Abingtons. It's such a great idea because you don't have to have a yard. You simply rent a plot, plant, cultivate and harvest. Of course it's not THAT simple. But once you get the hang of it, it's a lot of fun, and it brings people together. The water is provided and a solar powered fence to keep out the hungry critters. They even help the local food pantry by offering excess vegetables grown. Barbara, the garden coordinator, took me on a tour of the garden. Some of the plots had fancy posts and raised beds, some were very simple but all the plants were lush and healthy. There were beans, corn, squash, tomatoes, zucchini, and potatoes to name a few. Can you believe one potato plant can yield 5 pounds of potatoes? Talk about saving money! If you are interested in more information and taking a look at the Abington Community Garden go to http://www.aajrb.com/.

Hankies and towels and dust mops, oh my!

by Jackie Lewandoski

Every time I try to think of ways to save money and create less waste, I can't help but to turn my thoughts to my parents and grandparents. They knew what it was like to live without many conveniences that are taken for granted. They weren't trying to be "green" the were just practical and did not believe in unnecessary waste.

To save money, I cut back on paper towels, and my disposable floor cleaner pads. It is simple to use rags from old clothes and towels. I have to wash clothes, so it is easy to toss them in with the laundry. I am a paper towel freak, and my Swifer duster and floor cleaner can be my best friends in a pinch, so it hasn't been easy trying to cut back on using these items. But I am a believer in everything in moderation. And if I have to use paper towels, I buy brands that are made from recycled paper. Marcel brand is one I really like.

I've always used an old fashioned dust mop on my floors. The dust mop head lasts forever and is easy to launder. But I do have my fancy kitchen floor cleaner that sprays out cleaning liquid, It was a birthday present from my dad. I keep that on hand for a quick cleaning.

One can save on tissues by using a hankie. Remember the hankie? Can you still buy hankies? I do know a few folks who still use them. It seems that they are used now more by men than women. I think so many people have become so sanitized that the thought of using a hankie is...well, gross. But to me it's just a preference. You can actually get some really sweet feminine hankies at vintage stores. Some are like little pieces of art. But collecting vintage hankies is a whole other story.

Those that inspire

Let's talk! The term "Going Green" has become more of a lifestyle than a phrase for some people in our area. From Columbia County where one man is using wind power for electricity to Wayne County where a woman opened a store, The Giving Tree, to give back to her community and then in Lackwanna County where one high school student started planting greens to raise money for his senior project.
All of these intances are not just examples, but inspirations. It amazes me everyday that these people do all of this on their own. Just yesterday we did a story about Scranton's Farmer's Market. Charlie Miller is one of the farmers in the area that contributes his produce to the market and he says that his family has been a part of the market for nearly 70 years. That's what I call dedication. And then the girlst hat work for him- Alea Murphy started when she was eleven and eleven years later she is still there, summer after summer in the sun and heat, picking peas and everything else.
I find myself searching for these people in our area, but it seems every time I stop looking, I stumble upon someone with an even better story than I ever expected. Sooooo, tell me more. I want to know everythign GREEN that is going on in on area....and don't be shy!
-Kelly Green

The Hedge Clipper Confession

By Jackie Lewandoski

Welcome to the Power to Save blog. I really like working on this campaign because it has several paths suitable for nearly every person, whether you are looking to make a difference, looking to save money, or both.

I am one of those people who really love to garden. I think it's genetic. I am more of a flower/shrub than vegetable gardener. For years I've used my trusty hand clippers, which work wonders and wreak no havoc on the environment. You get great exercise and they cost nothing to operate. But I longed for those shining clippers that hum and purr, just like my next door neighbors use when gardening. So I decided to buy my own. I drove to the local hardware store and proceeded to the clipper-weed wacker aisle. I debated over the gas or electric versions. I decided on the electric type; they were less expensive, not as noisy to operate and I didn't have to worry about the whole gas thing.

The clippers worked just as I imagined they would. I went crazy on my shrubs and holly bushes. Trimming, and shaping like a sculptor with clay. The buzzing sound was like music to my ears. It was so much fun and saved so much time. The summer air was still and the fragrance of the arborvitae and holly was intoxicating. What could be better than this? Of course raking and cleaning up the clippings is a drag. But well worth it. The front landscape looks perfect.

I still won't retire my hand clippers. For me, they are my tried and true way to keep the shrubs in tip top shape, and truly give me the Power to Save money, and the environment. But the electric version is wonderful and certainly gives me the Power to Save time. And that too is a precious resource.

Power to Save on WNEP.com

You can access the Power to Save section of the WNEP.com website here. You'll find a ton of information including stories, videos, a calender of events and much more. Read about and watch what others in your community are doing to save!