We are all connected to our pasts, and they often help us find our futures. This month in Her Times, a lot of women share some outstanding pasts, presents and futures with us.

Cover girl Jordyn Colao is vying for Miss America this week, and I had no idea that Jordyn, a McDowell High School and Penn State grad, frequented our neighborhood for the past decade until my daughter told me Jordyn was friends with our neighbor. Jordyn also went to PSU with our photographer Andy Colwell. Catch the video Andy did of Jordyn here. In the video, Miss Pennsylvania shared that she has collected some substantial scholarship money as a result of winning pageants — a big bonus to any college student. She has been training in tap dance at Miss Lucy’s since she was a tot. Read the full article on Jordyn here, And vote for Jordyn online to become one of the 15 Miss America finalists. Here’s the link. It only takes a minute to vote!

Her Times also offers up women’s stories of reflection. You have to look back before you can go forward. It’s too easy at this time of year to regret what we didn’t accomplish — we have to congratulate ourselves on what we DID do. Marnie Mead shares her own extraordinary story of courage and triumph this month. It is a must-read right here. We also salute extraordinary women and an award-winning interior designer who says being a waitress taught her some of her most valuable career skills.

We also get a dose of leggy fashion, makeup tips, what’s happening at salons and directions on how to plan our futures with big dreams. And real women share advice they would have given their younger selves. Here are links to all the stories in Her Times:

• Jordyn Colao vies for Miss America
• Extraordinary women
• Time to reflect
• Prepped for leggings
• Make under the new makeover
• Hair’s what’s happening
• Win free stuff
• Your best year ever
• Eat more fish
• Career changer, award winner
• What we’ve learned
• Letter from the editor

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one.

What a year of terrific houses and real estate stories in House to Home! If you want to hear about my favorites, click right here.

One of my faves discussed a horse farm for sale and Phyllis Turner and Sandra Jarecki gave us a galloping tour. Here are links to all of our stories in this week’s House to Home:

• » Add fresh holiday ideas
  » Deck the halls — and everything else — in style
  » Make a honey of an arrangement
  » Add nature, drama to décor
  » Make guests feel welcome with easy tips
  » Understanding green cookware
  » Fabric adds life to rooms

All of us at House to Home extend our thanks to readers for sharing homes and gardens with us.

I personally want to thank all of our local writers — Sue Scholz, Sabrina Fischer, Sarah Sheppard, Maria Minnaugh and Marie Feltz for giving us interesting ideas we can find on a regional level.

Thanks to all the Realtors who support us and the wonderful folks at the Erie Times-News who help put this publication and our GoErie.com website together every week: Christine Yamrick, Marnie Mead, Holly Waychoff, Kevin Cuneo, Sherry Rieder, Joan Benson Cacchione, Dave Papesch, Sandra Hartel, MaryBeth Ford, Rob Frank, Jason Kisielewski, Mike Regal and all our ad people, printers and newspaper carriers who bring it on home. Happy Holidays!

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one.

It’s here — our comprehensive food, wine and beer pages, and just in time for the holidays. Now you have all the Erie Times-News and GoErie.com food content in one place. Dining in? Check. Dining out? Check. Recipes? And how!

Plus we have all the news you can use on beer, wine and cocktails. You’ll also find videos on how to make our latest recipes! Blogs, newsletters and food reviews — it’s all here in one place. Click on the links below to take a look at our delicious food pages.

• This is where to get started! Food home page: http://www.goerie.com/food
• Look up our latest reviews of area bars and restaurants: http://www.goerie.com/food/reviews
• Hungry for lunch? Shop here! Check out the daily deals, and y’all come back — daily– because it changes all the time: http://www.goerie.com/food/downtown-lunch
• Marnie Mead, Jennie Geisler and Rhonda Schember are among our most famous chefs at the Erie Times-News. You’ll find their recipes and much more right here: http://www.goerie.com/recipes
• Would you like to share your own recipe? And join our cookie contest? Submit a recipe right here: http://www.goerie.com/recipes/submit

Enjoy our updated site, and visit often!

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one.

These are a few of the women who shared their fun and fave holiday outfits with us in Her Times last Sunday. Read it all here. These ladies know how to sparkle! They add color and some special jewelry — often with family significance — to their outfits. If you need some ideas for holiday dressing, check out each woman’s special style by clicking right here on  ”Our Favorite Things,” a story suggested by Christine Eddy.

Pictured from left: Mabel Howard, Valerie Weaver, Erica Jackson, Lili Morton, Sonya Byes and Trina Baldwin. You’ll also hear from Holly Waychoff, Christine Eddy,  Marnie Mead and me — pictured below.

Jennie Geisler and Marnie Mead

Gobble, gobble, gobble — it’s time for turkey talk.

Today at noon, Erie Times-News food editors Jennie Geisler and Marnie Mead will help you strategize for the big day during an online chat. Log on to our Facebook page and click on the GoErie Live button.

You can also submit questions in advance on Twitter using hashtag #ErieFood or via e-mail at event+e2fc12c201@mailcomments.coveritlive.com.

Chat it up about recipes for turkey, pies, sweet potatoes, veggies, rolls, salads, appetizers and everything you could possibly want to put on your Thanksgiving table!

To participate in the chat, visit www.GoErie.com/chat.

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Homeat the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.