Dining & entertainment 2020_11_20

A Blank Slate Media Special Section • November 20, 2020

26 DINING & ENTERTAINING • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, November 20, 2020

How to host virtual holiday celebrations Choose the right conferencing app Certain programs may work better than others depending on your needs. For example, if everyone has the same operating system platform (iOS or Android), you may be able to use an app inherent to that system, which won’t require a separate download or login.

Apps also may be chosen depending on how many people can be invited in, as some set limits. Do your homework and conduct a test run prior to the holidays.

T

he 2020 holiday season figures to be vastly different than seasons past. The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has transformed daily life in many ways. The public has become accustomed to wearing masks while shopping, limiting the number of people in public venues and keeping their distance from friends and loved ones. Many events have been reimagined as virtual celebrations because of social distancing protocols. For those with large families or people with inherent risk factors that make them more susceptible to illness, sharing

the holidays over video conferencing apps may be the safest way to go in 2020.

The following tips can help holiday hosts make the most of a virtual holiday experience.

Pick a bright, festive spot Set up your tablet, smartphone or computer in a bright area with a festive backdrop. You’ll want others who join the virtual hangout to be able to see you clearly. A Christmas tree or a decorated fireplace in the background can set the scene.

-RDQQHÂśV ,V <RXU +ROLGD\ +HDGTXDUWHUV 7LPH WR &HOHEUDWH WKH -R\V RI WKH 6HDVRQ

)XOO /LQH RI Â&#x201E; *UHHWLQJ &DUGV IRU DQ\ RFFDVLRQ

683(5 9$5,(7< 6725( )($785,1* $ )8// 6(/(&7,21 2) Â&#x2021; :KLWH 0RXQWDLQ 3X]]OHV Â&#x2021; +ROLGD\ 'HFRUDWLRQV Â&#x2021; 'LVSRVDEOH +ROLGD\ 0DVNV Â&#x2021; 7R\V Â&#x2021; 3DUW\ )DYRUV

Keep props nearby If the goal is to open gifts virtually, be sure to have everyone gathered and gifts nearby so no one is scrambling in and out of view.

Position the camera at eye level Try to set up the camera so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not looking up or down. Practice looking straight into the camera instead of at yourself in the minimized window or even others on the screen. This way youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll appear engaged.

Use mute when not speaking Muting yourself (and encouraging others to do the same) when you are

not speaking will limit the amount of background noise. As the host, serve as the moderator and encourage everyone to speak one at a time.

Choose a visual cue to signal when someone has the floor to speak, such as raising a hand or even showing a festive picture.

Tune into virtual worship While some places of worship have reopened to some capacity, others may still be offering hybrid services.

If your place of worship offers services via YouTube or another video platform, gather around and watch together and participate just as if you were there in person. Better yet, share the link with other family and friends so they can tune in as well.

Share dinner â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;togetherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Set up your camera source so it captures the holiday table. All parties gathering virtually can then sit down to the holiday meal as one and enjoy one of the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more endearing traditions.

Virtual celebrations may continue through the holiday season. Adapting with some video conferencing tips can ensure everyone enjoys the festivities.

&DQ¡W 6SHQG WKH +ROLGD\V ZLWK <RXU )DPLO\ 7KLV <HDU" 5HPHPEHU WKHP WKLV 7KDQNVJLYLQJ DQG WKURXJKRXW WKH +ROLGD\V ZLWK )ORZHUV DQG VR PXFK PRUH 2XU SUHPLXP KDQGSLFNHG Ă&#x20AC;RZHUV DUH DUUDQJHG IUHVK GDLO\ IRU ODVWLQJ TXDOLW\ DQG EHDXW\ JXDUDQWHHG

Â&#x2021; &DQG\ Â&#x2021; 6HDVRQDO Â&#x2021; &DPS ,WHPV Â&#x2021; +ROLGD\ Â&#x2021; 6FKRRO 6XSSOLHV

)5(( *LIW :UDSSLQJ 'RQH RQ 3UHPLVHV

)ORUDO %RXTXHWV Â&#x2021; &HQWHUSLHFHV 3ODQWV Â&#x2021; *LIW %DVNHWV 0RUH 2UGHU <RXU )ORZHUV IRU $Q\ 2FFDVLRQ $OVR 6SHFLDOL]LQJ LQ :HGGLQJV $QQLYHUVDULHV 6KRZHUV &RPPXQLRQV &KULVWHQLQJV %DU %DW 0LW]YDKV RU DQ\ VSHFLDO HYHQWV

:( '(/,9(5

(DVW :LOOLVWRQ )ORULVW

+,//6,'( $9( :,//,6721 3$5. _ ZZZ MRDQQHVYDULHW\ FRP _ 0 ) 6DW 6XQ

(DVW -HULFKR 7SNH 0LQHROD 1<

)UHH 'HOLYHU\ 3LFN 8S &XUEVLGH $VVLVWDQFH

HDVWZLOOLVWRQĂ RULVW QHW

Ă RULVW

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, November 20, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ DINING & ENTERTAINING

27

& ( / ( % 5 $7 ( 7 + ( + 2 / , '$< 6 : , 7 + 8 6 $7

Did you know?

I

t is customary to decorate for the holiday season, but not everyone has the time, inclination or wherewithal to handle the task. Those who want to enjoy the holidays but do not have time to decorate can rely on the services of professional holiday decorators. These individuals are available across the United States and Canada and can design top-notch lighting displays. Depending on the decorator, interior and exterior design services may be available. Professional

5 ( 6 7$ 8 5 $ 1 7

2))

decorators can work in residential or commercial settings.

Furthermore, some services may include preventative maintenance as well as timely takedown of decorations once the season is over.

Hiring a professional has its merits, including time savings, reduced injury risk and the assurance that a clean and thorough job will be done. Professional decorating also eliminates the need to store lights and other decorations between seasons, freeing up valuable storage space.

(17,5( ',11(5 &+(&.

'LQH LQ DQG WDNH RXW

:LWK &RXSRQ ([SLUHV 0D[ SHRSOH RU GLVFRXQW &DQQRW EH FRPELQHG ZLWK DQ\ RWKHU RIIHU 1RW LQFO KROLGD\V 1HZ +\GH 3DUN ORFDWLRQ RQO\

3DUW\ \ UURRP D DYDLOD DEOH H IIRU \RXU V VSHFLDO H HYHQW 6 6DIH DQ QG 6 6DQLWL]]HG %LUWKGD\V Â&#x2021; $QQLYHUVDULHV Â&#x2021; %ULGDO %DE\ 6KRZHUV $Q\ 6SHFLDO (YHQW

%$5 Â&#x2021; 686+, %$5 Â&#x2021; +,%$&+, &$7(5,1* Â&#x2021; )86,21 &8,6,1( (;3(5,(1&( 7+( %(67 -$3$1(6( 21 7+( 1257+ 6+25(

285 ,1'225 ',1,1* 5220 ,6 $9$,/$%/(

-(5,&+2 78513,.( 1(: +<'( 3$5. 1<

)$;

::: +,%$&+,686+,<$ &20

)5(( '(/,9(5< &$// $+($' $1' +$9( <285 25'(5 5($'< )25 3,&. 83 25 &85%6,'(

6 6XSSRUW WKH %XVLQHVVHV WKDW 66XSSRUW <RXU &RPPXQLW\

6+23 60$// %86,1(66 6$785'$< 1RYHPEHU WK

7+,1. /2&$/ 6+23 /2&$/

3UHVHQWHG E\ &KDPEHU RI WKH :LOOLVWRQV 9,6,7 285 :(%6,7(

::: &+$0%(52)7+(:,//,67216 &20 )25 /2&$/ %86,1(66(6 ,1 285 $5($

28 DINING & ENTERTAINING â&#x20AC;˘ Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, November 20, 2020

%/$&. )5,'$< 6$/( %/$&. )5 %/ %/$ /$ $& &. ) & . ) )5,'$ 5 5,' 5, ,'$ '$

1RYHPEHU DW DP WKURXJK SP 1RYHPEHU D 1 RYHP PEH HU

DW DP

D DW W

DP D DP

2)) -HZHOU\ DQG 0RUH 2)) -HZHOU\

)) -H HZH HZH HZHOU\ ZH U :( 63(&,$/,=( ,1 $// 7<3(6 2) :$7&+ -(:(/5< 5(3$,56 5(028176 $1' $335$,6$/6

&XVWRP 0DGH -HZHOU\ )RU <RXU 6SHFLDO 1HHGV

:( %8< *2/'

-HULFKR 7XUQSLNH Â&#x2021; *DUGHQ &LW\ 3DUN 1< 3 ) ZZZ KHUULFNVMHZHOHUV FRP P &$// )25 (;7(1'(' +2/,'$< +2856

HAVE YOUR HOLIDAY & ANY SMALL GATERINGS WITH US! Safe & Sanitized Hall.

We can accomodate up to 75 guests per room.

NOW BOOKING FOR 2020â&#x20AC;Ś

Match food to your favorite brews T he rise of craft and home brewing has created more beer flavor profiles than ever before. In fact, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely a beer for everyone, whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a novice or connoisseur.

The Brewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association, a trade association that represents small and independent American craft brewers, reports that, in 2018, small and independent brewers collectively produced 25.9 million barrels and experienced a 4 percent total market growth. The BA also states that these small brewers achieved a collective retail dollar take-in of $27.6 billion.

While wine will always have its enthusiasts, beer is fast on its heels as a popular mealtime beverage.

Much in the way wines are paired

with certain foods, it has become the natural course of action to pair certain foods with particular styles of beer.

The Brewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association recommends matching delicate dishes with delicate beers and strong dishes with assertive beers. Commonalities, like aromas and subflavors, also work together. A beer with roasted notes may pair well with chocolate, for example. Opposites also attract, in that a spicy food may taste best when paired with a sweet beer.

Pairing might once have been limited to matching wines with certain foods. But the booming craft beer business has popularized pairing flavorful beers with foods to make meals even tastier.

American Amber Lager: Creamy risotto, wild rice, polenta American Pale Ale: Game birds, such as duck and quail Belgian-style Dubbel: Pork chops, sausage, tenderloin Belgian-style Flanders: Grilled ribeye, root vegetables Blonde Ale: Chicken, salads, salmon, nutty cheese Dark Lager: Barbecue, sausage, roasted meat Hefeweizen: Weisswurst, seafood, sushi Imperial Stout: Smoked goose, foie gras, strong cheeses IPA: Spicy foods, curries

Luxurious - but affordable - packages available in one of our four gorgeous rooms. Plan your weddings, showers, rehearsal dinners and all special events with us.

Several Packages to choose from to fit your budget.

Accommodating parties from 25 to 75 guests per room â&#x20AC;˘ Catering available, or bring your own food â&#x20AC;˘ Waiter service available # Rooms available 7 days a week for your corporate functions #

ELKS LODGE 901 Lakeville Rd. New Hyde Park, NY 11040 516-352-6620 www.bpoe2107.org

Porter: Roasted or smoked foods, blackened fish

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beer is a great match for food because of the complexity of its flavors, its ability to provide refreshment and to interact with many food flavors,â&#x20AC;? says Marc Stroobandt, a master beer sommelier for the Food and Beer Consultancy, UK.