Holiday wishbook 2015 crop

2

3

Capture the spirt of the season at 20th Annual Festival of Lights The Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Downtown Brookings Inc. is working behind the scenes on the 20th Annual Festival of Lights to take place December 3, 2015.

This year the community will capture the spirit of the season with the theme “Miracle on Main Street.”

“We’re celebrating a big milestone this year and wanted to express that through

4

the theme. Miracle on Main Street is based on the classic Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street” said Elliot Johnson, Executive Director of Downtown Brookings Inc. “This theme provides an opportunity for participants to share their favorite Christmas traditions, lean on decades past for Christmas inspiration and celebrate the spirit of the season.”

The annual parade begins at 7pm and

will travel South on Main Avenue between Eighth Street and Third Street.

Entries are open to the public with a suggested registration fee of $25. Local businesses, clubs, and organizations are encouraged to participate in the holiday celebration.

“The Festival of Lights is a great way for local business and clubs to be part of a larger holiday celebration,” said

2015 Festival of Lights Schedule Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, David Merhib. “The parade has become one of the most anticipated events of the year and the Chamber and Downtown Brookings are proud to organize and plan the parade.”

To register your business, club, or organization stop by the Chamber office at 414 Main Ave. or visit brookingschamber.org. Papa Johns Pizza will provide participating businesses and organizations a coupon to enjoy pizza while decorating their floats.

In collaboration with the Brookings Arts Council, Children’s Museum of South Dakota and Brookings Historic Preservation Committee, there is an

evening full of fun and festive events. To warm up, parade goers can help themselves to hot chocolate sponsored by Hy-Vee. “It is exciting to see all these events come together to create an evening of holiday fun,” said Johnson. “With all the events happening just a block from Main Ave. families will be able to play at the Children’s Museum, tour the Festival of Trees, take a trolley ride and spend some time shopping and dining before the parade.”

For more information on the Festival of Lights event, please visit brookingschamber.org, downtownbrookings.com or stop by the Chamber Office at 414 Main Ave.

Parade of Lights 7:00 pm Downtown Brookings

Festival of Trees 4:00 – 7:00 pm Brookings Arts Council

Historical Trolley Rides 5:00 – 7:00 pm Community Cultural Center

Free Play & Cake Decorating 5:00 -7:00 pm Children’s Museum of South Dakota

5

Put a new twist on classic hot chocolate

Few things are more comforting than sitting under a warm afghan and sipping a mug of steaming hot chocolate when cold wind and snow are blowing outside.

While traditional hot chocolate is a favorite for many, there are ways to make this beloved beverage more unique. By experimenting with flavor combinations, hot chocolate can become new again each day.

Caramel: Pair a rich, dark or semi-sweet hot chocolate with a swirl of caramel. The caramel will add sweetness and extra creaminess to the blend.

Peppermint: Peppermint and hot chocolate can make for an interesting contrast. The cooling nature of peppermint works nicely with the heat of hot chocolate. Melt a candy cane or mint from a restaurant in the mug and enjoy.

Nutmeg: What nutmeg does for eggnog it also can do for hot chocolate. Nutmeg offers that earthy bite that calls to mind long days baking in the kitchen.

Chile powder: Chile can add a little kick to hot chocolate that works surprisingly well. Add just enough to offer a little tingle of residual heat at the back of your throat. This concoction also may help clear up a case of congestion or the sniffles.

Coffee: Add a splash of coffee to the hot chocolate for an instant boost of caffeine and some mocha flavoring.

Whipped cream: Create the flavor combination of a chocolate cream pie with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

For a truly rich flavor, make a batch of fresh whipped cream, which will also thicken the hot chocolate.

Coconut milk: Invoke the tropics by substituting coconut milk for regular milk. You may feel like you’re on your own private island.

Peanut butter: Few people can resist the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Melt a spoonful of peanut butter into the beverage and enjoy.

Liqueur: Enhance hot chocolate with your favorite liqueurs.

Orange and raspberry flavorings work well, or try a creamy spirited beverage, like Kahlua or Irish cream.

Marshmallows: Of course one of the simplest ways to dress up hot chocolate is to fill the mug with marshmallows.

6

7

8

9

2nd Annual Frost Fest:

Embrace the Chill Brookings area attractions, along with the Brookings Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Downtown Brookings Inc. are gearing up for the 2nd Annual Frost Fest, February 1920, 2016.

Another winter season is on its way, and what better way to embrace the chill than with more than a dozen wintery activities sprinkled throughout the Brookings community, not to mention great deals on merchandise in Downtown Brookings.

“We want to celebrate the season by utilizing all the great characteristics winter provides and highlight all the fantastic amenities we have in Brookings,” said Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director of the CVB. Frost Fest kicks off Friday night at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota (CMSD) for the ever popular Snow Ball, where Café Coteau is transformed into a winter wonderland.

“We’re very excited to host the second annual Snow Ball dance. Last year was such a hit, we look forward to seeing all the kids dressed up and dancing with loved ones,” said Randy Grimsley, Director of Marketing for the CMSD. Warm up Friday night at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum for Hot Historic Drinks and enjoy the weekend at McCrory Gardens where Clydesdale horses will be on hand. The winter activities continue on Saturday with numerous outdoor

10

opportunities at Dakota Nature Park and the Outdoor Adventure Center of South Dakota. Stay tuned, more events are being scheduled. For a full listing of events, check out www.visitbrookingssd.com.

Frost Fest is made possible by the following partners: Brookings Arts Council, South Dakota Art Museum, Children’s Museum of South Dakota, McCrory Gardens, Brookings Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, Downtown Brookings Inc., the Outdoor Adventure Center of South Dakota, the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, and the Brookings Convention & Visitors Bureau.

11

Hanging stockings with care Mantles adorned with garland and other holiday trinkets make fireplaces come alive for Christmas. That magic is only enhanced by hanging Christmas stockings, which are just waiting to be filled with goodies for good girls and boys. Those without a fireplace often hang stockings from windowsills and stairway banisters.

No written record exists to explain the origin of hanging stockings on fireplace mantles. Despite this, many people link the tradition to a tale about St. Nicholas. As that story goes, St. Nicholas was traveling through a village when he overheard the plight of three women. They were poor, and their father could not afford an ample dowry to marry them off. Rather than have them end up spinsters, St. Nicholas secretly tossed bags of coins through a window (or down the chimney, depending on which version of the story you read or hear), and they were captured in the girls’ stockings hanging to dry by the fire. The family was overjoyed to have received such riches.

Soon news traveled about the mysterious money in stockings, and other children left out stockings for St. Nicholas to capture their own gifts.

The tradition has transformed over the years, and now many children hang stockings by the chimney with the expectation

12

that the stockings will be filled with gifts from Santa.

Traditions once suggested that only gifts from Santa were left in stockings, while gifts placed beneath the tree were from family, but that has since changed. Stockings are now meant to hold small gifts while larger items are placed under the tree.

Stockings should be hung away from the flames of the fire as a safety precaution. Some children even like to hang individual stockings on their bedposts instead of on a fireplace mantle.

13

Homemade bread for holiday guests Breakfast is a great time to relax and catch up when hosting guests during the holiday season. The holiday breakfast table provides a casual setting to share a good meal and a few laughs with your guests. While some guests might prefer omelets and others may like French toast or a simple bowl of cereal, few won’t enjoy a slice or two of freshly baked bread. Hosts who want to satisfy their guests’ hunger pangs and give them something to enjoy with their first few sips of coffee can prepare the following recipe for “Steamed Spiced Brown Bread” from Andrew Schloss’ “Cooking Slow” See recipe on next page.

14

Steamed Spice Brown Bread Makes 4 servings Vegetable oil spray 1 cup rye flour 1 cup blue cornmeal 1 cup whole-wheat flour 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1⁄2 teaspoon dry mustard 1⁄4 teaspoon ground allspice 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 2 cups raisins 1 cup black coffee 1 cup yogurt 3⁄4 cup molasses Boiling water as needed Unsalted butter for serving (optional)

Coat the inside of the bread mold(s) lightly with vegetable oil spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the rye flour, cornmeal, wholewheat flour, ginger, cinnamon, mustard, allspice, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Toss in the raisins to coat. In a separate bowl, beat together the coffee, yogurt and molasses, and then stir the yogurt mixture into the dry ingredients just until a smooth batter forms.

Pour the batter into the prepared mold(s). Cover the top of the mold(s) with heavy-duty aluminum foil and secure around the top with kitchen string or a rubber band.

Position the baking ring(s) in a Dutch oven or saucepan wide

or deep enough to hold the mold(s). Put the mold(s) on top of the ring(s) and pour the boiling water around the mold(s) until the water comes about halfway up the sides but does not touch the foil. Cover the pot and steam the bread over low heat, adding more water if the level drops by more than half, until the top of the bread is dry and the center feels springy but soft, about 21⁄2 hours.

Remove the mold(s) from the water and cool for 5 minutes.

Take off the foil. Run a knife around the edge of the bread and invert onto a plate. Serve warm in slices with butter, if desired.

15

-friendly travel tips The holiday season is synonymous with many things, including traveling to visit family and friends. Many families take to the highways and skyways during the holiday season, and it can be easy to overlook the environment in favor of convenience when hurrying to and fro come Christmastime. But it’s important for holiday travelers to recognize that they can have their cake and eat it, too, with regard to ecofriendly holiday travel. The following are a handful of tips to make this holiday travel season as eco-friendly as possible. • Reconsider your rental car. If you are among the millions of travelers who plan to rent a vehicle this holiday season, rent a hybrid vehicle instead of a standard automobile. Hybrid vehicles can save you a substantial amount of

16

money on fuel costs compared to standard cars and trucks, and the less fuel you consume the more you are bene-

fitting the planet. • Get your vehicle a tuneup before traveling. If you plan to drive your own

automobile this holiday season, take it into the shop for a tuneup before hitting the open road. A car that is not running at optimal capacity will burn more oil and fuel than one that’s in tip-top shape. In addition, vehicles that are well maintained will run more smoothly and make for a more comfortable ride than vehicles that are in need of some work. Routinely check tire pressure during your trip, as underinflated tires can negatively impact fuel efficiency.

• Book nonstop flights. While air travel is far less eco-friendly than driving, for many people flying is the only way they can see their families come the holiday season. Nonstop flights tend to be more expensive than flights with connections, particularly during the busy holiday season. But nonstop flights are more eco-friendly as well.

That’s because a substantial amount of a plane’s carbon emissions come from takeoff and landing. Booking a nonstop flight means you and your traveling companions will only be taking off and

landing once.

• Reserve eco-friendly lodging. If you will need accommodations when you arrive at your destination, look for hotels that have instituted programs to save water and energy. These hotels might have ceiling fans instead of round-the-clock central air conditioning,

and many ask that guests reuse their towels and linens during their stay.

Such gestures may seem simple, but over time they can add up to substantial energy savings that greatly benefit the planet. That’s especially so during the holiday season when hotels tend to fill their rooms.

• Pack your own supplies. Travel size toiletries and grooming products may seem convenient, but producing those tiny plastic bottles can have an adverse impact on the planet. When you travel by car, you don’t have to worry about limits on the sizes of toiletry and grooming bottles you take with you, so pack the items you use every day to cut down on waste. If you are traveling by air, place shampoo, mouthwash and other items you need in reusable plastic bottles that adhere to airline regulations. Doing so cuts down on waste and saves you money.

Holiday travel is not exactly easy on the environment, but eco-friendly travelers can take several steps to protect the planet this holiday season.

17

3

great reasons to give homemade gifts

Nearly every holiday shopper has at least one person on their list who seemingly has everything. When shopping for such loved ones, shoppers often find the perfect gift to be especially elusive.

While gift cards are a go-to fallback option when shopping for the person who has it all, many gift givers feel such cards are a tad too impersonal. But in lieu of traditional store-bought gifts, shoppers stuck on what to buy should consider the many great reasons to give homemade gifts.

1. Homemade gifts show your loved one how much they mean to you. Gift cards are practical, but they rarely elicit the warm feelings holiday shoppers want their gifts to produce. A homemade gift will show your loved one that you put time and effort into making their holiday season special, and that’s something they will appreciate when they use or see the gift.

2. Homemade gifts won’t break the bank. Holiday shoppers working on tight budgets likely won’t have to break the bank to create a homemade gift. The Internet is a great resource for inexpensive homemade gift ideas.

3. You can control quality with homemade gifts. Store-bought items are not always of the highest quality, and no shopper wants to give a gift that falls apart within a few days.

By creating the gift yourself, you can ensure it’s made with the highest quality materials so it will withstand the test of time.

18

Notable events from 2015

The dawn of a new year is not only a great time to look ahead and make plans for the future, but it’s also a great time to reflect on the previous 12 months. The following are some notable events from 2015.

• United States President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro meet in early April, marking the first time in more than half a century the two countries’ leaders met face-to-face. Less than two months later, the United States removes Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, moving one significant step closer to restoring full diplomatic relations between the two countries.

• Ireland becomes the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in a national referendum on May 22. Roughly 62 percent of voters approve changing the

country’s constitution to allow same-sex marriage, a vote that comes 22 years after the Irish government decriminalized homosexuality.

• Just one day after American Independence Day, the United States Women’s National Team wins the Women’s World Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia. The game is a rout, as American Carli Lloyd scores a hat trick in the first three minutes of the game en route to leading her team to a 5-2 victory over Japan. Lloyd’s hat trick was the first such feat in Women’s World Cup Final history.

• The Chicago Cubs clinch a postseason series at Wrigley Field for the first time ever when they defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 to win one of two National League Division Series.

19

20

21

22

Creative solutions for table centerpieces Entertaining guests is a great way to open and share your home and make memories with family and friends. If your entertaining includes a meal, chances are everyone will be sitting at the table to dine and converse. A beautifully set table can make guests feel welcome and establish the ambiance for the meal.

A centerpiece is at the heart of a well-dressed table. While centerpieces are most often associated with formal affairs, any meal or gathering is enhanced with the right centerpiece.

Fresh flowers Floral arrangements make for great centerpieces.

Such arrangements can be as simple or as extravagant as you desire. Autumn and winter blooms work for holiday gatherings and parties.

If you want an even more special touch, consider working with a florist. Explain the theme of your party and ask the florist to recommend appropriate flowers for the gathering based on your theme.

Fruit and foods Floral centerpieces may be some of the most popular, but food also works as a base for interesting centerpieces. Grab

an unused soup tureen or some decorative vases and fill them with an assortment of items. Lemons, oranges and other citrus fruits add a splash of bold color to a table. Otherwise, look for exotic foods that have interesting appearances, like prickly pears or artichokes. Fill a tall vessel with walnuts or chestnuts for an earthy look.

Candy Whimsical parties or can be made more fun with clever centerpieces made from candy. Stick lollipops into buckets filled with sand or push them into a foam form to make a candy topiary. Canisters filled with candy of all shapes and colors appeal to guests’ eyes and their affinity for sweets.

Miscellaneous items Look around the house for any number of other items that can be placed inside vases or clear containers. Bells, tissue paper, pebbles or confetti can be used to create attractive centerpieces for the table.

With some inspiration and a little creativity, hosts and hostesses can create centerpieces that add a touch of elegance to any dinner party.

23

How to organize a donation drive or charitable events The holiday season is a time of giving — especially the charitable kind of giving. Many people’s thoughts shift to the less fortunate during the holiday season, and those thoughts spur many to do more than make financial contributions to their favorite charities.

The Blackbaud Index, a firm that specializes in developing software and services for nonprofit organizations, says about 34 percent of all charitable giving is done in the last three months of the year. Of those donations, about 18 percent are given in December alone.

Charitable giving can help nonprofit organizations realize their missions, but donors who want to go the extra mile can organize a donation drive or another charitable event to lend an even bigger hand to an organization that’s special to them.

1. Pick an organization to partner with.

When deciding where to focus your efforts, look for an organization or group whose story or mission resonates with you. A personal connection to the cause may prove motivational, and others whose help you seek when organizing the event may be more likely to participate if they see the passion you have for your cause.

2. Explore different donation options.

Asking for financial donations is an effective and straightforward way to support a great cause. But you also can focus your efforts on encouraging local businesses and professionals to donate their products, time and services. Toy and food

24

drives are popular this time of year, when donors want to make sure less fortunate families can share holiday gifts and meals.

Speak with the organization you choose to work with about their most glaring needs, and then organize a benefit that can help to fill those needs.

3. Enlist a group of volunteers. Charitable giving can provide an emotional boost to people of all ages. It also can instill a sense of purpose in you and your friends, family and neighbors. Despite the often hectic pace of the holiday season, many people are eager to lend a hand and support a good cause during this time of year. Employ people in their areas of expertise. If someone is good with accounting, have him or her keep track of the money raised by your efforts. If another person is an excellent event planner, put that individual in charge of managing the details of your event.

Everyone can contribute in one way or another; it’s just a matter of putting people in a position where they can be of the most help.

4. Spread the word. Effectively advertising your charity event will attract many participants. Ask that your local priest or pastor make an announcement during church services or place an ad in your local paper. Put up signs where they will be seen, such as inside supermarkets.

And don’t forget to take to social media, where you can encourage others to share the details of your event.

Organizing a charity event is a heartfelt way to help people in need during the holiday season.

25

Christmas tree varieties and care An evergreen tree decked out in lights and ornaments is one of the universal symbols of the holiday season. The Christmas tree tradition is believed to have originated in Germany in the 15th or 16th centuries, when trees were decorated with edibles, such as nuts and fruits. They were later decorated with candles and eventually lights.

Through the centuries, people have trekked to forests, Christmas tree farms and commercial lots to pick the perfect trees for their holiday displays. The National Christmas Tree Association says more than 33 million real trees are purchased each year, making the tree business a billion-dollar industry. While there are scores of evergreen varieties, certain tree types are more popular than others and thus more available for purchase. The following are some of the more popular trees come Christmastime.

26

• Eastern Redcedar: Branches of the tree are compact and form a pyramidshaped crown. The trees should be a dark, shiny green color. The eastern redcedar is not a true cedar tree, but a member of the juniper family. This tree can make a great cut tree with a homespun

look and a pungent fragrance. • Leyland Cypress: This cypress is one of the more popular Christmas trees in the southeastern United States. The tree will be very dark green to almost gray in color. It has little aroma. Some people choose the Leyland because it

does not produce sap, which is great for those with sap allergies.

• Colorado Blue Spruce: An attractive blue-green foliage and a good symmetrical form is what attracts many people to the blue spruce. The Colorado Blue Spruce has an excellent natural shape and requires little pruning to look like the perfect Christmas tree. It’s not very fragrant, but the tree needles may give off an unpleasant odor when crushed.

• Scotch Pine: A classic conical shape and very good needle retention help make the Scotch pine a popular tree to cut for the holidays. Scotch pines also are quite prevalent thanks to the tree’s adaptability to a wide range of climates.

• Eastern White Pine: A delicate green color and long needles are found on this

tree. Another popular pine, the rich fragrance of the white pine may make it preferable to those who like their homes to smell of evergreen.

• Douglas Fir: The Douglas fir is one of the foremost Christmas tree species in the United States. It has soft needles that are dark green in color. Those needles radiate in all directions from the branches to give the tree a full look. The needles, when crushed, have a sweet fragrance.

Douglas firs tend to live long when cut.

• Fraser Fir: Another popular fir for Christmas is the Fraser fir. The needles are bicolored, with dark green on top and silver on the bottom. More fragrant than its cousin, the Douglas, the Fraser also boasts a slender profile, which makes it suitable for smaller rooms.

Christmas tree maintenance Nothing can guarantee the health and appearance of a tree after it is brought into a home. But choosing a recently cut tree that has good needle retention can help. Here are other tips for a long-lasting tree.

• Use a sharp saw to cut an inch off of the trunk base to remove the sappy covering that forms from cutting. This will improve water intake.

• Fill a tree stand reservoir with warm water. Expect the tree to drink heavily in the beginning.

• Keep the reservoir filled every day and check to see how much water the tree is using.

• Place the tree far from heaters or other drying sources.

27

‘Christmas Vacation’

still a top pick for holiday flicks Holiday films hold a special place in many people’s hearts, and perhaps no holiday movie of the last 30 years has resonated as much as “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

The oft-quoted holiday favorite turned 25 years old in 2014, yet the film remains as popular as ever.

Fans of “Christmas Vacation” can no doubt quote their favorite lines from the film, but the following are a few tidbits that even the most ardent “Vacation” fan might be unfamiliar with.

The movie is based on a story titled “Christmas 59,” which was written by John Hughes, who wrote and produced the film. The film pays homage to this story when Clark Griswold is rummaging through the attic and finds a movie reel named “Christmas 59.”

Frank Capra III worked as an assistant director

28

on the film. In one scene of the film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which was directed by Frank Capra III’s grandfather, is on a television in the background.

Actress Mae Questrel (Aunt Bethany) provided the voices for Betty Boop and Olive Oyl in the 1930s.

In the “Lampoon” films that preceded “Christmas Vacation,” Rusty was the older child of the Griswold clan. However, he is the younger sibling in this film.

The movie had a large budget ($27 million) for a comedy with no special effects.

Cousin Eddie’s fashion style, in particular the sweater/Dickie combination, was the brainchild of actor Randy Quaid’s wife.

No part of “Christmas Vacation” takes place on Christmas Day. The film culminates with the antics that take place at the Griswold home on December 24.

29

30

31