July 1994

Between friends

Stylish Gazebo

The Black Hills

The grandeur of Mount Rushmore lures millions of people to the Black Hills, but South Dakota's treasures include more than just another pretty face or four. Kids can dig for prehistoric remains at the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs.

You CAN Afford an Education

When Althea Allison, a newly divorced mother in her late forties, took stock of her life several years ago, she decided her only option was to return to school and get a degree. "It's now or never," she reasoned, and began making plans at the same time her 17-year-old son son was applying to colleges.

Raising Twins

TWINS SHOULD BE TREATED AS TWO SEPARATE INDIVIDUALS.

Play-It-Smart Grilling

Ash-hot coals and finger-licking barbecue sauce call to mind the lazy days of summer and grilling on the deck. The days may be lazy, but that doesn't mean you can be lazy about outdoor cooking. When sizzling your meat, be sure you're up to speed on safe grilling.

Eyes Right!

HERE'S THE LATEST THINKING ON PROTECTING YOUR VISION FOR LIFE.

Gardener's almanac

Container gardens

For easy-care blooms all summer long, it's hard to beat container gardens. Browse through our collection of ideas from Elaine and Guy Doran, who run a garden center in Lexington, Massachusetts, and are locally famous for their colorful container gardens. Then, turn to page 74 to make some of the Dorans' favorite designs part of your garden.

Decorating with a soft touch

Laurie Haines simply can't keep her hands off her home. And when she touches the Northwestern cottage she shares with her husband Michael and son Max, she inevitably softens it-- with a time-mellowed piece she's sleuthed from the local flea market or a plump pillow and a subtly patterned bedcover she's just stitched up in her downstairs studio.

CLASSIC whites

Like a navy blazer, classic white wicker looks right no matter what the season or decorating occasion. That's why-- new or old, inside or out, in rugged or soft settings-- this perennial favorite has lent its easygoing nature to homes for decades. Here are ways to decorate with wicker, plus tips on buying new pieces and perking up old ones.

Dazzle with details

Some homes seduce you with glitz and gimmickry. But those that really sweep you off your feet do it more cleverly-- with artful detailing. Nifty details that pack a big punch might actually be something quite simple-- a shapely railing, a cozy window seat, or a one-of-a-kind entry door. Because they're unexpected, they stop you in your tracks and make you gasp with delight when you first set eyes on them, then they continue to charm you for years to come.

Cottage hideaway

Refresh yourself at the end of a stress-filled workweek. As Friday rolls around, Fred, Carol, and Jennifer Gassner ease out of the fast lane, take the first exit ramp, and head for the long and winding road to the rocky Oregon coast. "Spending time at our new cottage is true relaxation," Carol explains. "I walk in the door and those day-to-day worries disappear like a gentle ocean breeze." Here are the keys to building a vacation home that renews your spirit.

Nutrition information

BH&G kids

INDEPENDENCE DAY IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE AMERICA. Maybe you'll go to a parade or a carnival, or have a picnic. After sunset, watch in wonder as fireworks burst open in the summer sky. "BH&G KIDS" has some great ideas for making it a day to remember.

Container Gardening

Compact Play Unit

The Shopper's Mart

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence.

The man next door

"Early on in the news business," says our newspaper's editor, Earl Reeves, "I gave up trying to print the truth. Now I just try to get the facts straight."