Tips For First-Time Holiday Hosts
Theholiday season is a busy time of year. From holiday shopping to readying the home for guests, there’s no shortage of things to accomplish in a relatively brief amount of time. Seasoned holiday enthusiasts may be ready to put their game faces on and tackle tasks with ease. But for first-time holiday hosts, the prospect of crossing items off to-do lists may require a little extra assistance.
According to Dr. Vanessa Kennedy, a clinical psychologist at Driftwood Recovery, holiday hosting can “lead to the pressure to curate picture-perfect moments, creating stress and anxiety.” The following are pointers those new to holiday hosting can employ to simplify the process and enjoy the holidays a little more.
• Do as much prep work in advance as possible. Giving yourself extra time to get things done can help immensely. Grocery shop one day, prepare food the next, clean the house one day, and set the table or arrange decor on another. Minor task can be left for the morning of the day guests arrive.
• Cook and freeze items. Utilize recipes that enable you to cook in bulk and then store foods until you need them. Casseroles, baked pasta dishes, freezable soups, and readyto-bake cookie doughs made in advance will save a lot of time closer to the holidays.
• Stock the pantry. If holiday hosting involves overnight guests, be sure
to keep easy items on hand so guests can help themselves. Dry goods or pre-packaged muffins for breakfast, chips or pretzels for late-night snacks, granola bars, or store made croissants can fit the bill. Put everything in a dedicated basket so guests can grab items as needed. Stock the refrigerator with water, seltzer, iced teas, and sodas, and make a full pot of coffee in the morning so guests can pour their own.
• Avoid complicated cocktails. You don’t want to be stuck mixing drinks all evening. Instead, make it simple for guests to help themselves. Wine, beer, premade punches, or even one specialty drink are ideal.
• Consider hiring a caterer. If the idea of a homecooked meal feels like climbing Mount Everest, swap out some items for store-bought alternatives, or work with a favorite restaurant or caterer to secure foods that only need to be reheated and served.
• Free up closet and room space. Guests will be coming with a lot of stuff, particularly if you live in a cold climate. Make room in the entry closet for guests’ coats and boots. Be sure you can accommodate suitcases or overnight bags. Set aside an area where guests can deposit their wrapped gifts.
Holiday hosting can be a whirlwind of activity, but novice hosts can quickly get into the swing of things.
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Mery and Sindy always knew they wanted to open a spa to bring beauty to customers. Little did they know it would have the same effect on the community. And Business First was there. We provided $23,000 in grants to help with much-needed renovations so Mery and Sindy could bring their vision to life.* Now, not only does their spa impact clients in a beautiful way, it gives the community an economic lift as well.
*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.
Learn more about how we’re helping communities thrive. psegliny.com/revitalization
Mery Seminario and Sindy Catalan, ISSI Beauty Spa, Port Washington
New York Blood Center Declares
Blood Emergency
NYBC_Urgent Donating blood is safe and it only takes one hour. We are taking extra precautions to help prevent the personto-person spread of COVID-19. Donors can schedule appointments by calling 1-800-9332566 or visiting www. nybc.org.
NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS
THURSDAY, NOV. 20th
6:00PM-7:45PM
PAUMANACKE GARDEN CLUB OF WANTAGH
Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave. in Wantagh. A demonstration of Autumn centerpieces and tablescapes to decorate the Thanksgiving table. Floral arrangements will be raffled off. Lite refreshments will be served after the demonstration. For more information contact paumanackegc@ gmail.com
FRIDAY, NOV. 21st
6:00PM-9:00PM, SATURDAY, NOV. 22nd and SUNDAY NOV. 23rd
11:00AM-5:00PM
ST. JAMES MODEL RAILROAD CLUB OPEN HOUSE
The parking lot for the Train Show is located at: 176 Mills Pond Road, St. James. There is a suggested donation, Adults $2.00, Children .50 *PLEASE NOTE: The St. James Model Railroad Club is not handicapped accessible* For more information call evenings 516-263-9607 or 631-543-8732
SATURDAY, NOV. 22nd
9:30AM-3:00PM
HOLIDAY FAIR
Gift Basket Raffles & Chinese Auction, Boutique Items, Crafts, Granny’s Attic, Lunch Available. Santa Will Be Here! Community Presbyterian Church, 1843 Deer Park Ave. in Deer Park. Free Admission / No Vendors. For more information, please call 631-242-0221
10:00AM–3:00PM THRIFT SHOP AND YARD SALE
MAKE A SUBMISSION! Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more information, please call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
Come one, Come all to St. Patrick’s Church, 305 Carll’s Path in Deer Park. New and slightly used clothes, shoes, jewelry, household items, books, vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, arts and crafts. Rent a table for $25.00. For more information, please call 631-242-7530
2:00PM-4:00PM RELIGION CONCERT
Give Me That Old Time Religion Concert featuring soprano soloist Kathryn Wilson. Come and enjoy a concert of those old hymns you rarely hear or sing anymore. Grace United Methodist Church, 515 S. Wellwood Ave., in Lindenhurst. For more information, please call 631-226-8690 A free will offering will be taken.
SUNDAY, NOV. 23rd
10:00AM-3:00PM HOLIDAY FAIR
2025 Massapequa Chamber of Commerce Holiday Fair at Memorare Caterers, 2183A Jackson Ave. in Seaford. Welcome the holiday season with this exciting event – including holiday shopping and lots of fun and festivities for the family! FREE photos with Santa 1100AM-1:00PM. Please bring a toy donation for a Free raffle. For more information, please call 516541-1443
TUESDAY, NOV. 25th
8:30AM
BUS TRIP TO WIND CREEK CASINO BETHLEHEM, PA
Hosted by Joseph Barry Columbiettes. $60 pp, includes the driver’s tip. $35 slot play. Please Arrive at 8:30 a.m. Return approx. 8:30 p.m. Parking: 999 So. Oyster Bay Road (dead end).
For more information, please call Barbara 516-935-5576
SATURDAY, NOV. 29th
10:00AM-4:00PM
SNOWFLAKE SALE AND WINTER OPEN HOUSE
The Bay Shore Historical Society annual Snowflake Sale and Winter Open House. Stop by their Small Business Saturday sale at 22 Maple Ave. in Bay Shore. Enjoy holiday deals and explore their historic Bay Shore exhibits.There will be a visit from Victorian Santa beginning at 11:00am; stop by with your camera for a free family photo opportunity. For more information, please call 631-665-1700, email: bayshohissoc@ optonline.net
SUNDAY, NOV. 30th
8:30AM-4:00PM
CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
Join us for the Ss. Cyril & Methodius Christmas Craft Fair in the church hall. 125 Half Hollow Road in Deer Park. Shop from a variety of vendors. Enjoy basket raffles, 50/50s, and festive treats while supporting local artisans. For more information, please call Mike Gonzalez at 917-705-5355
9:00AM-11:00AM
BREAKFAST W/SANTA Brumidi Lodge: Sons & Daughters of Italy Includes: Scrambled Eggs, Pancakes, Sausages Muffins, Coffee, Tea & Juice. Ages 3 & under FREE, 4-12 $12, 13+ $18 Bring your own camera for photos with SANTA Reservations & Info: Karen 631-9433622. 2075 Deer Park Ave. in Deer Park, www.sonsofitalyli.com
Give This Beloved Side A Tasty Twist This Holiday
have free rein when it comes to planning a holiday menu. Despite that freedom, many hosts feel obligated to prepare some holiday season staples their guests will surely expect when they sit down at the dinner table.Stuffing is a dish many celebrants can’t wait to see on the holiday dinner table. For hosts trusted with preparing holiday meals, the beauty of stuffing lies in its versatility. A host of unique ingredients can be added to holiday stuffing without adversely affecting the popularity of this beloved side dish. In fact, adding some unique ingredients can make people love stuffing even more. Such could be the case with this recipe for “Pecan-Cherry Bread Stuffing” from Lines+Angles.
Pecan-Cherry Bread Stuffing
Makes 8 servings
1 loaf crusty white or wheat bread, cut into 3⁄4-inch cubes
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for baking dish
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced
2 large celery stalks, rinsed, trimmed and diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Position oven racks in the middle and lower third of the oven. Arrange bread in a single layer on two rimmed baking sheets. Toast until dry and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.
2. Lightly butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onion and celery are softened, about 7 minutes. Add cherries, pecans, sage, and fennel seed; cook, stirring for 1 minute. Transfer to a
1 cup packed dried tart cherries
1 cup roughly chopped toasted pecans
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves
1 tablespoon crushed fennel seed
Coarse salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1⁄4 cup fresh chopped parsley
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
large bowl and season with salt and pepper.
3. Add parsley, eggs and bread to the cherry mixture; stir to combine. Add broth in two additions, stirring until absorbed. Season generously with salt and pepper; transfer stuffing to butter baking dish. Bake on middle rack until the top is deep golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 50 minutes
Resting time: 5 minutes
Ancient Order Of Hibernians Installs New Men’s Members
The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, St. Patrick’s Division 2 here in Babylon Village, recently installed new men’s members during a Shamrock Degree. The installation took place at the Hibernian Hall / Irish Cultural Center here in Babylon Village, on the Division’s 79th anniversary. Five new men joined their fellow Hibernian Brothers at St. Patrick’s Division 2, which has more than 500 members.
Air Fry Your Latkes This Chanukah
figures prominently in many holiday celebrations, and Chanukah is no exception. Latkes are considered a must-have in many households celebrating Chanukah, and there’s no shortage of recipes to try this holiday season. Those who want to take a more unique approach to latkes can consider air frying, which is a method of preparing popular fried foods that is credited with being healthier than traditional frying. Chanukah celebrants who find that appealing can try this recipe for “Potato Latkes” courtesy of Lines+Angles.
Directions:
1. Coarsely grate potatoes on a box grater; alternatively, use grater attachment on a food processor for uniform pieces.
2. Submerge potatoes in a bowl of cold water. Drain well and wring out in a clean dish towel to extract as much moisture as possible.
3. Beat eggs in a large mixing bowl with half the salt. Whisk in matzo meal and cornstarch or potato starch.
4. Add dried potato to egg mixture, stirring thoroughly to combine. Divide and shape into four large latkes, approximately 1/4-inch thick.
5. Dust with more cornstarch (or potato starch, whichever using), gently shaking or brushing off excess. Season with remaining salt.
6. Preheat air fryer to 380 F. Spritz basket with cooking spray before carefully arranging latkes in it.
7. Cook for 8 minutes. Turn and cook for a further 4 to 6 minutes until golden brown all over.
8. Remove from air fryer and let cool briefly before serving with a garnish of sour cream and chives.
Note: Alternatively you can fry in a greased frying pan for about 3 to 4 minutes per side till golden and crispy.
The Arthritis Foundation invites Long Islanders to lace up their sneakers, don their festive holiday gear and join the movement to conquer arthritis at the annual Jingle Bell Run, happening Saturday, December 6th at Hofstra University in Hempstead.
The Jingle Bell Run is a spirited, family-friendly 5K fundraising event that brings the community
Makes 4 servings
3 large russet potatoes, peeled
2 eggs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons matzo meal
1 tablespoon cornstarch or potato
starch, plus extra for dusting
Cooking spray
Sour cream, to serve
1 tablespoon chives, snipped
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Arthritis Foundation To Host Jingle Bell Run
together to champion the Arthritis Foundation’s mission: fighting for a cure and championing the fight against the nation’s leading cause of disability. Participants are encouraged to wear holiday-themed costumes, tie jingle bells to their shoes and celebrate the season while supporting a meaningful cause. The run begins at 10:30 am!
“All proceeds from the Jingle Bell Run support cutting-edge research, advocacy, and lifechanging resources for the more than 60 million Americans — including 300,000 children — living with arthritis,” said Alexis Stone, Executive Director, Arthritis Foundation, NYC. “It’s a fun, festive way to make a difference in the lives of those affected by arthritis right here in our community.”
The event is locally presented by Northwell Orthopedics and it welcomes runners, walkers, teams and corporate sponsors. Participants can register individually or as part of a team, and fundraising incentives are available for top fundraisers. The morning will feature music, refreshments, awards and plenty of holiday cheer. To register, visit www.jbr.org/ longisland.
Whether you run, walk or simply cheer, every step helps make a difference for the millions battling arthritis pain. Let’s jingle all the way to a cure!
Christmas Cupcakes Make A Perfect Holiday Treat
Alittle indulgence is par for the course come the holiday season. That’s especially true in relation to baked goods, which find their way into entertaining areas at office parties, family gatherings and school functions. Treats are indeed part of what makes the holiday season a special time of year. This year, families can whip up this Lines+Angles recipe for “Chocolate Christmas Cupcakes” to make the holiday season a little more flavorful.
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Position oven 1. For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 375 F. Place 12 cupcake liners in a muffin tin.
2. Beat the butter in a mixing bowl until soft and light. Beat in both sugars and beat until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time until well blended. Sift in the flour, baking powder and cocoa and fold in gently until incorporated. Stir in the milk and chocolate chips.
4. Spoon into the paper cases and bake for 25 minutes until firm to the touch. Leave in the tins for 5 minutes, then place on a wire rack to cool completely.
5. For the chocolate topping: Put the cream and chocolate in a pan over a low heat until melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool and thicken slightly.
6. Spoon onto the cupcakes and leave until almost set.
7. Roll out the white sugarpaste on a surface dusted with icing sugar. Cut out shapes to resemble snow and place on the cakes.
8. Roll out the green sugarpaste on a surface lightly dusted with icing sugar. Cut out 2 holly leaves for each cake with a holly shaped cutter or card template. Brush lightly with water and attach to the white sugarpaste.
9. Roll pieces of red sugarpaste into small balls for the “berries” and place on the cakes, as in the photo, attaching with a little water.
Chocolate Christmas Cupcakes
Makes 12 cupcakes
1 loaf crusty white or wheat bread, For the cakes:
8 tablespoons butter
1⁄3 cup caster sugar
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄3 cup cocoa powder
1⁄2 cup milk
1 cup chocolate chips
For the chocolate topping:
2⁄3 cup heavy cream
1 cup chopped plain dark chocolate, 70 percent
To decorate: Icing sugar
8 ounces white sugarpaste
8 ounces green sugarpaste
4 ounces red sugarpaste
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwords.
Two Off-Duty NYPD Officers Honored With Town Of Babylon’s Highest Award For Heroism
Town of Babylon
Supervisor Rich Schaffer presented the Town’s highest honor, the Heroism Award, to Officers Alban and Albert Lekaj, two off-duty NYPD officers and brothers, during a ceremony at Town Hall this week.
The recognition comes after the brothers courageously intervened
to stop a theft in progress in Lindenhurst. During the incident, one of the officers was stabbed in the leg by the suspect, and a tourniquet was applied to stop the bleeding. Thanks to fast emergency response and strong recovery efforts, he is expected to make a full recovery.
Supervisor Schaffer
praised the officers’ selfless actions, noting that their bravery reflects the finest traditions of public service.
“Even while off duty, these officers did what they have sworn to do every day — protect others,” Schaffer said. “Their courage, quick thinking, and willingness to put themselves in harm’s way exemplify what it means
to serve this community and our country.”
Both officers were surrounded by family, colleagues, and local officials during the ceremony, where their dedication and sacrifice were acknowledged with standing applause.
Councilman and Public Safety Chairman Terence McSweeney commended
the officers not only for their heroism in the moment, but for what their actions represent.
“Officers Alban and Albert Lekaj acted without hesitation,” said McSweeney. “Their bravery is a powerful reminder of the risks our police officers take every day, whether they are on duty or not. We are all safer because
of individuals like them who are willing to step forward when others cannot.”
The Town of Babylon extends its gratitude not only to Officers Alban and Albert Lekaj, but to all police officers across the country who put their lives on the line to protect their communities.
Black Friday Sales
Black
Friday sales have become a staple of the holiday shopping season. On Black Friday, many items are deeply discounted, and shoppers often target high-profile, expensive electronics. In fact, according to the retail advisor and trend forecaster NerdWallet, technology products are among the most sought-after products among Black Friday shoppers. Each year, televisions, tablets, laptops, notebooks, smartphones, and gaming consoles fly off the shelves in record numbers on Black Friday. According to the shopping resource Deal News, shoppers poised to purchase one of the latest smartphone offerings this shopping season may find that Android products are more available and more heavily discounted than Apple products. Shoppers also may have their eyes on gadgets for their homes. Black Friday isn’t all about technology, however. Kitchen cookware and small appliances also attract shoppers on Black Friday. Typically high-priced items like stand mixers, brewing systems, vacuums, and blenders are popular among Black Friday shoppers.
The Messiah Feeds The Hungry!
Through the generosity of the Church of St. Joseph, on Sunday, December 14th at 7:00 PM the renowned St. Joseph’s Choir and friends will once again present the traditional FREE concert at St. Joseph’s Church in Babylon Village. The renowned St. Joseph Choir has presented a yearly December concert for over 25 years raising more than
$100.000 for the benefit of the Mercy INN Soup Kitchen in Wyandanch. They will perform Handel’s MESSIAH and Bach’s Magnificat and more preceded by a moving candlelight procession. They are directed by Dr. Marie Drohan and accompanied by soloists, the Sophisticated Strings, trumpets, flute and harpsichord. The church
will be in darkness at 7:00 so early arrival is recommended. Donations are encouraged to benefit the soup kitchen-cash or check payable to The Mercy INN and may also be dropped off at the Parish Center-39 N. Carll Ave. Babylon Village NY time before or after the concert. the church office at 631-669-0068 for more information.
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