Michelle Obama at book-signing: 'Buy away'

Michelle Obama on Tuesday returned to the business of selling her first book, and she started by telling scores of people waiting in line at a popular bookstore to "buy away" because Mother's Day is coming.

Actress Florence Henderson Featured in Macy's TV Commercial Campaign

Actress Florence Henderson was included in Macy's 2012 holiday commercial campaign.

FROM the FARM: Meatloaf a tasty menu mainstay

Last week, my parents joined me when I was invited to speak at a luncheon event for First United Methodist Church in Valparaiso.

FROM the FARM: Frugal soup recipe reminiscent of yesteryear's cookbooks

After the feasting and expenses from the holidays, once the leftovers are all gone, soup is always a great frugal way to begin new year menus.

FROM the FARM: Pound cake recipe includes confetti color

Happy New Year and welcome to 2013!

FROM the FARM: Special recipe from prison for holiday trays

I hope Times readers had a wonderful Christmas, as the holiday season continues.

FROM the FARM: Early reader Christmas gift with recipe request

Reader Diane Merrick of Munster was very happy on Monday to get some recipe help.

UPS design lab puts boxes to the smash test

A box gets a 900-pound hug on the compression table at the UPS Package Design and Testing Lab in Addison, Ill. UPS tests new packaging designs by dropping, shaking and smashing boxes with brutal-looking equipment to see what type of packaging can withstand the trip from supplier to customer,…

UPS design lab puts boxes to the smash test

UPS packaging engineer Preeti Agrawal tests a packed box using a drop impact tester that simulates a box traveling through the small parcel system at the UPS Package Design and Testing Lab in Addison, Ill. UPS tests new packaging designs by dropping, shaking and smashing boxes with brutal-lo…

UPS design lab puts boxes to the smash test

ADDISON, Ill. | It looks like a torture chamber for cardboard and bubble wrap. At a lab in suburban Chicago, UPS Inc. tests new packaging designs by dropping, shaking and smashing boxes with brutal-looking equipment. The point is to see what type of packaging can withstand the trip from supp…

Visit with Santa in the caboose

Snoopy Tree Base at The Museum of Science and Industry

Beneath the tree, guests will find Snoopy’s red doghouse decorated with Christmas lights, a Charlie Brown-style Christmas tree, Schroeder’s piano and packages wrapped in comic strip paper.

Snoopy Tree at The Museum of Science and Industry

The 45-foot grand tree at the Museum of Science and Industry has more than 30,000 lights and hundreds of "Peanuts" ornaments.

"Celebrating Christmas: Share, Remember, Cherish" by Jim McCann

Andrew McMeel Publishing, $9.99, Ages 12 and older "Celebrating Christmas: Share, Remember, Cherish" by Jim McCann

"Christmas Wombat" by Jackie French

Clarion Books, $16.99, Ages 4 and older "Christmas Wombat" by Jackie French

St. John hosts Festival of Lights in the park

St. JOHN | The Town of St. John is hosting its annual Festival of Trees at Prairie West Park, two block west of U.S. 41 on 93rd Avenue. Following an official tree lighting ceremony, visitors are welcome to stroll the paths and view the trees decorated by local merchants, clubs, churches and …

Second Saturday program offers holiday activities

HAMMOND | The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana will offer its Second Saturday Family Science Program from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday with activities celebrating the holiday season. The center is on the Purdue University Calumet campus at 2300 173rd St.

Spend the holidays with the Cedar Lake Parks Department

CEDAR LAKE | The Cedar Lake Parks and Recreation Department has a busy holiday season planned, with plenty of fun and good cheer. Call (219) 374-444 for more information about any of these holiday offerings.

Local groups join effort to spread Hope for the Holidays

GARY | Northwest Indiana residents will be challenged Friday to raise money to buy holiday food baskets for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana's Hope for the Holidays campaign.

2012 Reindeer on the River Event at Trump Hotel in Chicago

"Reindeer on the River" is an annual holiday event at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago featuring real reindeer grazing along the Chicago River.