AP Lifestyles Digest

| December 21, 2020 8:30 AM

Here is the AP Lifestyles digest for the week of Dec. 21.

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TOP STORIES

Virus Outbreak-Winter is Coming: Now, winter is arriving — a winter like no other in living American memory. And with its imminent approach, a nation holds its breath. UPCOMING: 1,150 words and photos. By Mallika Sen. UPCOMING Monday.

Virus Outbreak-One Good Thing-Four-Legged Comforts: The Hebrew Home at Riverdale in the Bronx has a team of new recruits – four-legged – who have been enlisted to help nursing home residents and health care staff get through the pandemic. The pet therapy program includes a team of four dogs – all very different – to provide comfort to residents and staff. SENT Monday: 710 words, photos.

TRAVEL

Writers-American Places: From coastal Oregon and Solvang, California, to Ellis Island and New Hampshire’s Black Heritage Trail, a group of celebrated writers picked places that they believe help define and shape America. The resulting collection of mini-essays, including contributions from Cheryl Strayed, Jodi Picoult and Gloria Steinem, was published by Frommer’s, the travel guidebook company, and can be read for free online. By Beth J. Harpaz. UPCOMING Thursday, 500 words, photos.

HOLIDAYS

One Good Thing-Charlie Brown Christmas Trees: Frank Pichel’s Christmas trees will probably never be picked to light up New York’s Rockefeller Center. They look more like the scrawny, pitiful tree made famous in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” But Pichel and his customers don’t seem to mind. His trees have been flying off the lot since he started selling them last month to raise money for a school that provides scholarships for students from an impoverished area. UPCOMING Tuesday: 720 words, photos.

GARDENING

Winter-Young Trees: Young trees need protection during the winter from animals, cold, dryness and sunscald. Tips on protecting them. By Lee Reich. UPCOMING Wednesday: 640 words, photo.

PERSONAL FINANCE:

NerdWallet-Liz-Weston-Avoid-RV-Mistakes — Recreational vehicle sales are soaring, and the RV industry expects 2021 to be a record-breaking year. Dealerships say much of the demand is coming from first-time buyers and others anxious to find a safer way to vacation during the pandemic. If you’re considering your first RV, these are some of the errors to avoid. By Liz Weston of NerdWallet. SENT Monday: 860 words, photo.

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