Sunday, January 1, 2012
Patch asked some local movers and shakers to share theirs. Add yours in the comments!
What do you want to accomplish in 2012? Some of the most popular resolutions people make—year after year—are included here. We asked local community leaders for their resolutions and have included them below. Add yours to the comments section. Happy New Year! Resolutions for 2012 Neil Watson, executive director, Katonah Museum of Art: To maximize the KMA’s programs to engage even more of our community and let it be known that this is their Museum. And on a personal level? I'd like to learn to enjoy quinoa (and spell it). Ellen Doherty, principal, John Jay High School: I will continue to treat others as I hope to be treated and to maintain a high school community that supports and nurtures the best in all of us. Lee Roberts, Supervisor, …
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Here is some advice for packing, storing and re-heating food from your feast.
The last gifts have been opened, the houseguests are on their way and your kitchen counter is full of dishes that made your holiday table memorable. But what is safe to keep and for how long? There are some common-sense practices that will allow you to package, store and re-heat those leftovers properly so the days that follow can be cooking-free. According to FoodSafety.gov, a website with information provided by government agencies, the following advice should be heeded: • Put leftovers in shallow containers (no more than two inches deep) to cool quickly to prevent any bacteria from growing in the warm center of a dish. • Refrigerate leftovers within two hours because it will slow the growth of bacteria. They say the recommended …
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Looking for Christmas lights on a drive around town.
When I was a young boy, my father took our family for a drive around town to look at homes decorated for Christmas. Now a father myself, I took my son for a drive through the area to relive my childhood memories, and start some new ones for him. This gallery is just a sample of what we saw, and not a boast of the best houses to see by any means. Just a look at some interesting displays of holiday spirit. Some are as simple as a doorway or balcony, others are more extravagant. Feel free to add your own favorites and inspire others to come see what you've seen. Merry Christmas.
Who remembers WPIX's Yule Log? We do!
- HOLIDAY GUIDE 2011
- Elissa Bass
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Sunday, December 25, 2011
If you grew up in the late 1960s and '70s anywhere that picked up WPIX-TV out of New York City, then you certainly remember the Yule Log. Video of the roaring fire in the fireplace would begin airing on Christmas Eve and stay on right through Christmas Day. According to Wikipedia, "The Yule Log was created in 1966 by Fred M. Thrower, President and CEO of WPIX, Inc." We thought it would be fun to revive this fond memory for so many of us. Merry Christmas from Patch! Do you remember the Yule Log? Tell us in the comments.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
The North American Aerospace Defense Command puts its best resources to use on Christmas Eve.
Here's the deal: Your friends at NORAD use all the modern technology to track Santa's journey across the globe on Christmas Eve. They use "four high-tech systems to track Santa – radar, satellites, Santa cams and fighter jets." That's awesome. In fact, they've been doing it for more than 50 years! But...Santa cannot come to your house until you are tucked into bed, lights out, and you are SOUND ASLEEP. Only then can he be cleared for landing on your roof. So—GO TO BED EARLY! And have a very Merry Christmas from Patch!
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Patch Holiday Contest is still open so add a photo of your house and start voting today .
With schools looking at even tighter budgets this year than last year, in local school districts, every penny counts. How about $100,000 worth of pennies? Patch has a Holiday contest going on right now that's an easy and free opportunity for your home school district to win $100,000. All you have to do is add a photo of your decorated house and ask your friends and family go online and vote everyday. The top 24 will get $500 toward their electric bill and the grand finalist will get $100,000 donated to their public school district. Check out this Patch article to find out how to participate. It's free and easy to do.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
While school is out, check out these mini-camps and area activities
Winter Break Mini-Camp at John Jay Homestead When/Where: Tuesday December 27-Friday, December 30 from 10 a.m.-12 noon at John Jay Homestead Event: This is a two-hour educational program for kids ages five to ten. Mini-Camps: Tuesday December 27th: I Spy! where kids explore the historic house at John Jay Homestead looking for undiscovered features around each corner. Wednesday, December 28th: Picturing Me—children explore the extensive portrait collection at the Homestead and then create their own portrait. December 29: Hats Off! Kids learn that most early 19th century houses didn’t have closets and find out where people stored their clothes—then make their own hat boxes. Friday, Dec. 30th: What's for Dinner? What did John Jay eat …
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Here's some proof that the perfectly-wrapped gift takes no more than five minutes.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE 2011
- Ashley Tarr
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Bob Dumont from The Bowl Company gives Patch the step-by-step on wrapping holiday gifts.
Here’s a sampling of Etsy dealers from Bedford and Katonah to consider for some last-minute holiday shopping.
With the recent push to ‘shop small,’ most recently evidenced by American Express’s ‘Small Business Saturday’ campaign, did you know you can shop even smaller than a local store? Etsy showcases handmade items from all over the world, giving handcrafters a market for their wares. According to its website, "Etsy is the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace. Etsy celebrates individual creativity in design and craftsmanship by connecting unique people, stories and items in a playful and meaningful way. Etsy provides a marketplace for crafters, artists and collectors to sell their handmade creations, vintage goods and crafting supplies.” But did you know you can also find Etsy shop owners by location? There are about 10 Etsy dealers from …
Monday, December 19, 2011
Here are some tips from local crafters and parents that are eco-friendly and inexpensive.
This time of year, it's easy to ignore concerns about the limits of our planet's resources and we often end up buying gifts in the last-minute frenzy to check names off lists. But the staggering amount of trash thrown away during the holiday season—25 percent more than any other time of the year, by some estimates—is reason enough to not let those concerns fade. And in these lean financial times, who wouldn't want to consider a low-cost, home-made gift? We asked local crafty people for suggestions for homemade gifts, and got some pretty cool ideas. Karen Lee blogs at EcoKarenLee.com and suggests making combination wrapping/ornament holders for all the teens on her list, which she fills with iTunes cards. They are made of reclaimed …
John Patrick Schutz
11:39 am on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I am very sorry for those who feel they lose the holidays because of the loss of a loved one on or around the time of the celebration, but it is not impossible to celebrate despite. Christmas was my beloved Father's favorite time of year and his lawn displays were always appreciated by friends, neighbors and our family. We lost him two years ago on December 22, my uncle (my Mom's only sibling) 2 … more ›