Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****Despite its Northern-sounding name, the Boston butt is a favorite cut of meat across the country. Also known as pulled pork because the tender flesh easily tears apart, the butt is one of the best parts of the hog to roast.While the term may have originated in the North, the… … Read More
Thomas

Thomas column: The perfect mashed potatoes
Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****Potatoes are America’s favorite vegetable with hundreds of varieties grown and just as many ways to prepare them. While the French fry is spud king for restaurant and Fast Food patrons, the mashed potato reigns supreme in the domestic kitchen.From time to time, however, even the best home cooks have… … Read More

Thomas column: Fun with collective nouns
Naming collective nouns is a time-honored alliteration of bards dating back to medieval days. Their linguistic talents have bequeathed to the English language some intriguing terms, especially for groups of animals.While many are well-known and rather bland (pack of dogs, herd of elephants, swarm of bees), others are delightful with their pluralistic logic: crash of… … Read More

Thomas column: Q&A with biology professor who confirms face masks work
With the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in some areas across the country, health officials continue to urge people to wear masks in crowds. But many individuals remain reluctant to cover their faces in public. So I asked a colleague from our biology department to share her thoughts on the effectiveness of face coverings.Dr. Karen Stine is… … Read More

Thomas column: 10 low-tech diversions for the housebound
Let’s face it, there are only so many days of Netflix, Hulu or YouTube videos a person can absorb before their eyes begin assuming an oblong configuration. So here are 10 simple low-tech activities for singles, couples or families looking for ways to survive the weeks ahead of home confinement as we all struggle through… … Read More