News — Culture

Fall Fun in the Catskills Fall foliage, festivals and cool activities make the Catskills the perfect place to enjoy autumn. Blazing colors ignite the hillsides. Cozy camp fires keep you warm in cool, crisp temperatures. Apple and pumpkin picking from local farms while sipping homemade brews. Film, music and culture abound during festivals or intimate gatherings. This time of a year is a favorite for many, but when it's spent in the Catskill mountains it becomes magical.  24th Annual Woodstock Film Festival One such festival is the now famous Woodstock Film Festival which attracts filmmakers, actors and aficionados from around the world. The whole...

London is a city with ancient roots. It's been a settlement for two thousand years, and all of that history is soaked into its architecture, culture and the fabled River Thames.   London has a diverse range of people and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken in the region. That is part of what it makes it a desirable place to visit or call home. It's known for its distinguished colleges and universities, museums, galleries and of course the monarchy and palaces where they reside.  It is also known for being a leader in the world of fashion and...

The History of Pearls:  Pearls are unique among gemstones because they don’t arise from the depths of the earth but from the sea. They require no special cutting or polishing to maximize their lustrous beauty, which has been treasured since ancient times and ensures that pearl jewelry will always be appreciated and desired.  Pearls were used in jewelry at least as far back as ancient Greece, and until the 20th century pearls were one of the most valued gems, if not the most valuable, in many cultures. The rulers of the Byzantine empire dictated that only the emperor was allowed to wear pearls, and other...