MainStreet Roswell is once again coordinating the Shop Small or Small Business Saturday event, which occurs each year after Thanksgiving to promote small and locally-owned merchants for holiday shopping.
“We are encouraging people to shop small again this year,” said Barbara Gomez, MainStreet Roswell executive director. “Of course, not all small businesses are downtown. They are throughout Roswell, but we especially encourage shoppers to come downtown.”
Gomez said that downtown retailers and business owners have been provided the Shop Small bags and decals that can be used to
promote the shopping weekend and to offer customer discounts or rewards.
She said that many downtown stores and businesses have told her that they intend to
offer specials or discounts for the Shop Small event. CS Designs on North Main Street is
also allowing vendors or merchants to rent a portion of its store for “popup” retail sites for the
weekend, Gomez said. MainStreet will be promoting the event and downtown holiday shopping with advertisements and media announcements. More information is available at facebook.com/MainStreetRoswell.
The annual event was started by American Express in 2010 during a recession. The U.S. Small Business Administration has cosponsored the program since 2011. A 2021 survey commissioned by American Express indicated that spending at independently owned retailers and restaurants nationwide for the Shop Small weekend in November 2021 was estimated at $23.3 billion.
The COVID-19 pandemic might not be over, but for much of the world, its darkest days are well in the rearview mirror. Despite that progress, a few lingering non-medical issues remain, including supply shortages.
Consumers across the globe have been forced to contend with supply shortages since the early days of the pandemic, and that same issue could cause problems this holiday season. Holiday shoppers can consider these tips as they try to navigate their way through another holiday season that could be affected by global supply chain issues.
• Shop local. By mid-spring 2022, the National Retail Federation indicated that congestion at ports on the west coast of the United States had lessened significantly. But the NRF noted that the same could not be said for ports on the east coast. Many big
box retailers rely on imports to fill their shelves, and that could make it hard for such sellers to deliver items in time for the holiday season. Shopping local and buying items directly off the shelf can ensure no one is given an IOU this holiday season.
• Give gift cards. If shipping estimates make it unlikely that gifts will arrive on time for the holiday season, pivot to gift cards. Put the amount of money you would have spent on the item on the card instead. For example, if an e-reader costs $150, give a $150 gift card in its place.
• Ship directly to recipients. It might not offer the same heartwarming charm as handing a loved one a gift in person, but shipping gifts directly to their recipients increases the likelihood that the person will receive the gift by Chanukah or Christmas morning. Many online retailers now offer wrapping at additional cost, and shoppers can splurge and have directly shipped gifts wrapped to add a more traditional feel
to gift-giving.
• Give homemade gifts. Homemade gifts, whether it’s baked goods or crafts, don’t need to be shipped, so there’s no way such items will spend the holiday season sitting on a ship in a congested port. If you choose to make crafts, decide early what you want create so you can secure all of
the necessary supplies in plenty of time to deliver the items during Chanukah or on Christmas morning.
Supply shortages could make for a tricky holiday season again this year. Planning ahead for such shortages can ensure gifts make it into the hands of loved ones without delay.
methods can greatly increase the chances of finding gifts that will make loved ones’ eyes light up this holiday season.
• Track prices over time. Successful comparison shopping takes time and patience, as savvy shoppers recognize that prices on an array of items fluctuate over time. Holiday shoppers should not wait until the unofficial beginning of the holiday season to start tracking prices, as that leaves little time for prices to change. The earlier you start, the better a feel you’ll develop for how much an item might cost and how much the item might come down in price before it’s time to pounce.
others on your list.
• Utilize alerts. Various comparison shopping sites allow users to set up email alerts that can inform them when items are being sold for a certain price determined by the shopper. Utilizing these alerts essentially lets the comparison tool do the work for you. Once you receive an alert, all you need to do is purchase the item.
Savvy shoppers recognize the value of comparison shopping. By comparing prices of the same or similar products at various retailers, consumers can save considerable amounts of money. That’s especially true during the holiday
season, when shoppers are looking for items for everyone on their shopping list and hoping to find them without breaking the bank.
Though comparison shopping may fall short of being a science, skilled shoppers know that some proven
• Establish a price you’re comfortable paying. It’s beneficial to determine a price you’re comfortable paying for each item when comparison shopping during the holiday season. This reduces the chances that you’ll delay buying an item until it’s too late to find a bargain. If you set prices you’re comfortable paying and items hit that mark, then purchase them right away and shift your attention to gifts for
• Ask around. Technology has made it simpler than ever to comparison shop, but it’s important that holiday shoppers do not discount the value of word-of-mouth shopping. When speaking to neighbors or loved ones, ask if there are any local businesses that offer great deals or websites that they rely on to find budget-friendly items. Word-of-mouth shopping was once the norm, and it can still pay dividends when looking for holiday gifts.
Comparison shopping is a must for budget-conscious holiday shoppers. Various strategies can help shoppers score great deals without feeling as though an item could have been found for less at a different retailer.
Trends come and go, and that impermanence can make it hard to predict how certain times of year, including the holiday season, will play out. However, one notable trend in regard to the holiday season that has seemingly withstood the test of time is the popularity of Black Friday among holiday shoppers. But even that dynamic has shifted in the digital age. Though Black Friday remains a big day for retailers, in 2021 consumers spent more on Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving) than they did on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving).
The cost of living has risen dramatically in 2022. In a reflection of just how much the cost of living has increased over the last year, the Social Security Administration announced a 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment for 2022.
That marks the highest adjustment in four decades.
The pinch of inflation has been felt throughout the last year, and that squeeze could feel even tighter as the holiday season draws closer. The holiday season can be an expensive time of year. Holiday celebrants must contend with the costs associated with hosting holiday gatherings, travel and spending nights out celebrating with loved ones. But the biggest added expense many people must confront during the holiday season is the cost of buying gifts for family and friends. Though inflation might be beyond consumers’ control, there are still ways to find bargains when holiday shopping this year.
• Start comparison shopping early. In addition to the rising cost of living, modern consumers also must contend with supply shortages and shipping delays. Shopping early is a great way to get around those lingering effects of the pandemic, and it also affords shoppers more time to find great deals. Comparison shopping sites like Shopzilla.com make it easy to com -
parison shop by breaking items down into categories and producing a list of vendors and prices for an assortment of products. Utilizing these sites and shopping early is a great way to find bargains.
• Shop on consumer holidays. Black Friday used to be the only game in town in regard to holiday bargains. Consumers can still find great deals on Black Friday and also benefit from reduced prices on days such as Cyber Monday and even Prime Day, which is a two-day event from the online retailer Amazon that occurs in summer.
• Attend local holiday bazaars and markets. One of the great things about holiday bazaars and markets is that many of the businesses that set up shop at these events are local. They also tend to sell an array of items, including small items that can easily fit into shoppers’ holiday budgets.
• Pool your resources. Another way to get around rising costs this holiday season is to pool your shopping resources with another friend or family member. The cost of a new tablet for a parent can be easier to bear if it’s split with a sibling.
The holiday season could be especially expensive this year, but there are still bargains to be had and ways to rein in costs.
According to the Adobe Digital Economy Index; consumers spent $10.7 billion on Cyber Monday in 2021. That’s nearly $2 billion more than consumers spent on Black Friday, when retailers made $8.9 billion in sales.
This Friday, Nov. 25th
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday Hours through Dec. 16
He will be at the mall from 4 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays Hours through Dec. 17
His hours will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sundays Hours through Dec. 19
His hours will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Week
Dec. 20, 21 & 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Lights, camera, action: MainStreet Roswell’s theme for the holidays this year turns to the silver screen. “This year, we (MainStreet Roswell board members) decided to do something a little bit different,” MainStreet Roswell Executive Director Barbara Gomez said, “First of all, our theme for this year is ‘Christmas at the Movies’ — because last year, we did ‘Whoville’ which was a lot of fun, a lot of people enjoyed it.”
To make it even more fun, there will be a window contest. “It’s hard to just say, make it ‘Christmassy,’ everyone has their own idea of ‘Christmassy,’ so this idea with the movies, you can do the ‘Grinch,’ you can do ‘Elf,’ you can do ‘Polar Express,’ ‘Frosty the Snowman,’ you can do ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,’ you can do anything and still stay in those theme of movies,” she said.
Gomez said that the deadline to enter is Dec. 2 and there is no cost, voting kicks off on Dec. 3 and continues through Dec. 21. Juliana Halvorson confirmed via email that she will be taking the photos of the decorations. They will then be uploaded on MainStreet Roswell’s Facebook page and the public decides on their favorites by “liking” them. Posts with the top three “likes” will be awarded gift baskets.
“Get your friends and family to like your window. We want to make it fun and interesting for people to come to Main Street,” Gomez said.
Anybody driving downtown Main Street may have already seen busy volunteers putting up Christmas lights. The plan, Gomez said, was to have the twinkling Christmas lights up by Thanksgiving but due to the cold snap the decorating had to be postponed and will continue on Nov. 26, Halvorson said on Facebook. Helpers are welcome to join and may call MainStreet Roswell for details.
“All the trees (are) wrapped in lights during the holidays, we have a community person who does this, Wendie Marley. She has been doing this for years (since 2017), but she seeks her own sponsorships to light up Main Street. I know people think it’s the city of Roswell who does it. It is not. It is MainStreet Roswell and volunteers and board members. The sponsorship money helps pay for the lights — a lot of them only last a year. … Xcel Energy, every single year, they provide the lights for us that are commercial lights, they are energy efficient,” Gomez said.
Gomez said that the two helpers are Mrs. Christmas and Mr. Christmas and “no, they aren’t married.”
Mrs. Christmas’ “off-season” name is Devon Bullock, well-known in town for her musical performances and being the music director for Way Way-Off Broadway Theatre productions. For years, Bullock has been in charge of the large Christmas tree at the Chaves County Courthouse and finding sponsorships, Gomez said.
Mr. Christmas’ real name is Rob Tynes, general manager of Westlake ACE Hardware. Gomez said that Tynes is one of the newest members of MainStreet Roswell.
“He has access to find us things through Westlake and sometimes gets us a better deal,” Gomez said.
“They (Bullock and Tynes) talked about it and found that Rob could get her a tree for a better price and so they ended up finding a 20 feet lighted tree.” The tree can be expanded on and they are planning to add to it and make it taller every year until the FAA stops them, Gomez said jokingly. The lighting of the tree will happen on Dec. 2 after the Holiday Light Parade.
Gomez said that entry for groups and floats at the parade is free of charge, however, to be able to plan an entry form needs to be filled out by Dec. 1. “We have quite a few people in the parade to light up their cars. I’ve got people with horses, I’ve got people with big trucks, semi trucks, fire trucks, I have a lot of different types of people wanting to be a part of it,” she said.
To participate in the float contest, participants should take a photo of their float and post it on MainStreet Roswell’s Facebook page. Voting will happen the same way as for the window decorations. Whoever gets the most “likes” will win. There will be cash rewards for first, second and third place in the amounts of $200, $150 and $100, respectively, Gomez said. “The very last float will be Santa. Santa will get off the sleigh, walk to the tree and flip a big switch to turn on the giant tree. Mr. Rob Tynes is working on getting a full life-sized sleigh with reindeer (and) we’re going to have elves,” Gomez said.
Any choir or group who wants to participate in the events at the courthouse is welcome to contact MainStreet Roswell as well.
More details about the events on Dec. 2 and 3 will be featured in the Roswell Daily Record’s Vision section on Nov. 27. All details, including sign-up sheets for all events, contests and for vendors, are available on MainStreet Roswell’s website, Gomez said.
For more information, visit mainstreetroswell.org, email ed@mainstreetroswell.org or call 575-9148017.
Home improvement projects enable homeowners to transform their homes into their ideal living spaces. According to iProperty Management, most homeowners in the United States spent between $5,000 and $10,000 improving their homes in 2018. And it doesn’t stop there, as home improvement sales are projected to reach $465 billion in 2022.
Various renovation projects are best left to the professionals. However, many homeowners are eager to get their own hands dirty with various projects, large and small. Having the right tools and gear on hand can make projects go all the more smoothly. Holiday shoppers can consider these ideas as they seek to ensure DIYers have all they need to get the job done.
with innovative products that help save time and reduce mess. One such item is a paint brush cover, which snaps over wet paintbrushes between coats so they won’t dry out or require rinsing. Brush es that cut in easily and others with flexible handles for getting in tight places also make painting projects that much easier.
• Cordless drill: makes easy work of assembly proj ects and general renovations that require screws as fasteners. A cord less rechargeable drill will be easy to maneuver when handling projects away from outlets. Going cord-free also reduces the risk of trips and falls on errant cords.
• Lawn care subscription service: Home improvements extend to the exterior. In addition to mowers, trimmers and garden shears, DIYers may benefit from subscription products that improve on property care. These formulations are customized to the specific needs of homeowners’ lawn or landscaping greenery and are shipped right to their door.
• Multi-use ladder: A ladder is a necessity for various projects inside and outside the home. One that can transform into an A-frame, scaffold system, staircase ladder and other configurations helps ensure maximum safe reach for the job at hand.
• Composter: Whether you use an indoor kitchen composter or one designed for outdoor use, being able to
generate one’s own compost is great for avid gardeners. Compost, often called “black gold,” is made from kitchen scraps, leaves and other items that break down into a rich fertilizer.
• Tool box/tool orgaTool storage is a market all its own. It runs the gamut from rolling metal storage containers to plastic or metal boxes to canvas bags to plastic molded curated kits. Tool organizer kits also come at various price points, so it’s easy for shoppers to choose one that fits their budgets.
• Organizing units: Organizing units are available in prefabricated kits that are easily assembled when needed, as well as custom-made products that are installed by a professional. They may be an option for a handy person looking to organize tools and other items for home repairs.
Do-it-yourselfers can be even more handy with tools geared toward their interests and repair needs.
• Painting time-savers: Painting requires some basic essentials, from paint trays to rollers to brushes. Projects can be made more efficient
• Rotary tool kit: This is one of the most versatile tools homeowners can have on hand. A rotary tool can engrave, grind, sharpen, polish, cut, carve, and more depending on the accessory attachment.
Home improvement sales are projected to reach $465 billion in 2021
By Christina stoCk roswell Daily reCorD
Thanksgiving — one of the most beloved holidays in the U.S. as many surveys say. Families and friends get together to enjoy each other’s company, to share a feast and watch football. After the hardship the pandemic brought, this year’s holiday is precious for many families in Roswell. Some of them want to share their gratefulness for friends, services, local businesses and even strangers they encountered over the year. The following messages came in via email and Facebook:
“I’ll shop 100% local (SE NM), just like last year and will buy from mom & pop shops. Very little will be purchased from big box stores. My dollar may not go as far but they’ll be thankful for it and it might help make a difference locally. So many things to be thankful for but ultimately I’m most thankful for our health. I wouldn’t have nearly as many things to be thankful for if we (hubby and me) weren’t healthy.”
— Becky Wegener Thomas
“I am thankful for so many things, but one category that comes to mind that I am so thankful for are my two ‘work families.’ I work at Grace Community Church and Century 21. The people I work with I can truly say are like family to me. They are a support when life is hard and we laugh a lot together. Those two things mean the world to me.”
— Brenda Lee“After so much heartache with a pandemic, and headache over elections, I’m thankful for the things that truly matter — family, friends, and another day on Earth to enjoy both.”
— Dan Coleman
“I’m thankful for God’s mercy and
grace! For my 6 grandchildren! Two were born at 25 and 23 weeks, we were told they wouldn’t live and (today) they are 7 and 6 years old! I’m thankful for my life! Blessed beyond measure!”
Conise Yates—
“After having two emergency back surgeries and starting recovering, you have a full reflection for what you’re thankful for. We are thankful for God’s blessings in times of adversity. We are thankful for our family, and especially each other without which we may not have made it. We are thankful for our First United Methodist Church family and all of their prayers and support. We are thankful for our American Legion Post No. 61 family and their support. We are thankful for living in the United States of America. We are challenged to make things better and agree to disagree. God Bless America. We are thankful that Air Force won the Commander in Chief’s Trophy for the 23rd time this year.”
—
Candy Ernzen and Mark E. Rowland, Air Force Veteran
“First I am thankful for the love of my Lord Jesus Christ who gives us family, grace, and a bountiful harvest. I am thankful for the hardships we endure for it gives us the opportunity to be thankful for new beginnings.”
— Kim Graves“I am thankful what I do (art); for what I love (God, family, friends, and teaching); and for our community!”
— Tammy Alvarez“This holiday I am very thankful for my husband Craig being strong while fighting cancer and going through treatments and thank God for my son Alexander, always being around to lend a helping hand. … My husband would always take me to Albuquerque to do the holiday shopping, but due to circumstances we
are not able to go. The main thing is that as family we are always united.”
— Monica Lysak“I’m thankful for a lot of things, but right now I think I am most thankful for the support system I have developed that encouraged me so much during my college education. If I hadn’t developed such a good foundation of friends, family, and colleagues to rely on during the most trying times of my degree plan I don’t think I would have made it to the end of my Associates Degree. Of everyone, Scott’s support has been the most important to me, as he is the first partner I have had that actively encouraged and supported my educational goals and I am so grateful for him. And my daughter’s constant love and praise, and her patience and understanding that what I have been working towards in college is something that can improve our lives and has ultimately inspired her to go to college herself. And I am so grateful for the
opportunity to inspire her and teach her how important an education is and for her pride and confidence and patience in me.”
— Hallet Montgomery“This year I’m thankful that I can show gratitude to my friends, family and community! This year, I have picked up a few new skills and hobbies; including pottery, stained glass and lapidary (gem stones). Thank you city of Roswell for providing classes to community members. Gratitude also going out to MainStreet Roswell for hosting the Roswell Farmers Market! And to all of my friends and family that stopped by to grab a tea or goodies from the market. I am most grateful to wake up every morning and to spend time with my family, do something kind for a stranger or to try something new that scares me, just a little!”
— Jeneva Martinez
Giving an experience to a loved one this holiday season is a great and unique way to show that person how much they’re loved.
The popularity of experiential gifts is undeniable, with one recent report from the market research firm Mintel indicating that roughly 50 percent of individuals surveyed prefer such gifts to tangible items.
One problem holiday gift givers may need to confront when giving experiential gifts concerns their presentation. A tangible item can be boxed and wrapped, but how can gift givers put a bow and ribbon on an experience? The solution to that may require a little creativity on the part of gift givers. The category a gift fits into can provide some inspiration when looking for ways to present experiential gifts.
• Travel gifts: When gifting the experience of travel this holiday sea -
son, gift givers can wrap airline tickets or itineraries in a map of the locale where recipients will be going. When contributing to a general travel fund or gifting airline miles, consider placing a note inside an atlas or attaching it to a desktop globe.
• Sports gifts: Let the sport dictate how a gift is presented when giving tickets to a game. For example, if a loved one is getting tickets to a baseball game, place the tickets inside a new baseball mitt. The gift of golf lessons can be presented alongside a new putter.
• Dance lessons: The gift of dance lessons encourages people to have fun and get a little exercise along the way. This gift can be presented to recipients in any number of ways, including inside ballet shoes or even accompanied by food. After all, who wouldn’t get a kick out of finding out they’ve been
given salsa lessons after finding a jar of salsa in their stocking?
• Escape room: Admission to an escape room is a very popular experiential gift. Gift givers can get recipients in the spirit of the gift by creating a scavenger hunt where the prize to find is a printout explaining the gift and all its pertinent details, such as the date and time of the event.
• Foodie gifts: For foodies who can’t wait to visit the newest dining hotspot in town, place a gift certificate inside an oven mitt or wrap it around a bottle of wine. When giving cooking lessons, wrap an explanation of the gift inside a new apron or place it inside a new saucepot the recipient can use when it comes time to put their newfound culinary skills to work.
The adage “the early bird gets the worm” certainly applies to holiday shopping. By shopping early, holiday shoppers can avoid long lines, shipping delays and crowded parking lots. Shopping early also increases the chances shoppers will find what they want, making for a happier holiday season for their loved ones.
If holiday shopping early increases the chances of finding the perfect gift, it also can make returns a little more difficult. That’s an even bigger consideration for shoppers who get an especially significant headstart on buying gifts for their loved ones, as many stores have airtight and time-sensitive return policies. Despite that, holiday shoppers who like to shop early can employ various strategies that could make it easier for loved ones to return gifts.
• Shop at retailers who offer extended return policies. Many retailers recognize the popularity of shopping early for the holidays and tweak their standard return policies during this time of year. Prior to purchasing any gifts, shoppers can shop around for retailers who offer extended holiday returns. Pandemic-related supply shortages and shipping issues may compel more retailers to offer such policies as a greater number of people shop early to ensure they get what they want and that their purchases arrive on time. But it’s still wise for shoppers to confirm if an extended return policy is in place prior to
purchasing anything.
• Ask recipients to avoid opening packages if they might return items. The excitement of receiving a great gift may compel recipients, especially children, to immediately open the box. But early shoppers can request that packages remain intact until recipients confirm that they want to keep the gift. Some retailers may offer full returns or store credits on unopened items even if the return window has closed.
• Urge recipients to return items during off-peak hours. If recipients want to return an item in person, urge them to do so at a time when the story isn’t likely to be busy. Staff might be wore willing to work with people returning gifts at times when they aren’t overwhelmed by lots of people returning items at once.
Keep tags and receipts. Recipients are more likely to get full refunds or store credit if tags are still attached and gift givers have saved their receipts. This applies even to items that were purchased months before they’re being returned.
In an era dominated by supply shortages and shipping issues, it makes sense to shop early for holiday gifts. And some savvy strategies can make it easier for recipients to return gifts purchased well before the holiday season.
By kenneth king, FooD saFety anD inspeCtion serviCe-U.s Department oF agriCUltUre
Quit food safety confusion “cold turkey” this Thanksgiving. While this holiday is a great time to spend with family and friends, it’s also time to bust some myths.
Myth 1: Refrigerating a whole cooked turkey is safe
False! Always carve your turkey after cooking. A whole cooked turkey will not cool quickly enough, thus putting it at risk for bacterial growth. Carve the turkey into smaller pieces so it cools faster in the refrigerator.
Myth 2: Thawing a turkey on the counter is safe.
People fond of food will enjoy food-related experiences as holiday gifts.
Experiential gifts shift the emphasis from tangible items to building memories through experiences. Various studies have indicated that the memories gained through experiences may surpass the exhilaration and happiness of receiving a material item. What’s more, experiential gifts may be something that people can share together — expanding the possibilities of gift-giving even further.
There are many different experiences to accommodate people’s specific interests. People who enjoy spending time in the kitchen will undoubtedly be excited by these food-related experiential gifts.
What better way to enjoy a passion for cooking than by learning more about techniques and terminology? Culinary classes can be the perfect avenue through which to gain more experience and instruction from professionals. While it’s possible to enroll in a culinary school if the goal is to change careers, many different private classes are ideal for hobbyists, such as cake decorating lessons to classes catering to children and teens.
Food as entertainment was first made popular by legendary television personality Julia Child. Child paved the way for many others, including profes -
sionally trained chefs and those like Rachael Ray, who honed her self-taught skills through experience. Network food shows often tape in metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles. Research how to purchase tickets and give the experience of being an audience member.
To promote local businesses, many cities and towns with strong hospitality markets organize seasonal restaurant tasting tours. For a predetermined price, participants gain entry to various establishments offering samples of their offerings. Gift-givers can purchase entry to these events, gifting a few people at the same time. Then the group can sip and nibble the day away.
Treat someone to a professionally prepared meal in his or her own home. Private caterers and personal chefs will sometimes offer their services and walk guests through the making of a meal — preparing it right before their eyes in one person’s home. It’s a great way to learn technique and gather with a few other lucky people to enjoy a delicious meal at home with little effort.
Food-based experiential gifts can treat any foodie to special memories that last a lifetime.
Never thaw a turkey on the kitchen counter. Once a turkey has sat at room temperature beyond two hours, it enters the “Danger Zone,” where bacteria grow rapidly. Thawing a turkey in a refrigerator is safe. Allow approximately 24 hours of thawing time for every four to five pounds of turkey. Turkeys are also safely thawed in a microwave and cold water. When using the cold-water method, allow 30 minutes per pound of turkey and keep it in the original wrapping. Change the water every 30 minutes and cook immediately after thawing.
Myth 3: My pop-up timer is enough to know if my
turkey is fully cooked.
Pop-up timers are disposable thermometers used to measure a turkey’s temperature. These timers are a great tool. However, don’t forget to check in the three recommended places as well. The turkey’s internal temperature must reach 165 F in the following locations: the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing. Use a food thermometer in addition to a pop-up timer to check the turkey’s internal temperature.
Remember the four steps to food safety:
Clean: Wash hands before touching food.
Separate: Keep raw meats and poultry away from fruits and vegetables.
Cook: Turkey is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.
Chill: Refrigerate any leftovers within two hours.
For more information, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or email MPHotline@usda.gov to reach a food safety expert or chat live at ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. The Meat and Poultry Hotline is also open on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time, 6 a.m. to noon Mountain Time.
By
Many stores will be closed this year on Thanksgiving, so what happens, when you run out of food? The answer is, add more appetizers. If you have lived in Roswell and New Mexico for a while, one staple almost everyone has in their fridge is a bag of jalapeños. Today, I’ll share with you some jalapeño popper recipes that everybody can enjoy and that are easy to make either with an air fryer, oven or toaster oven. You can even make them ahead of time and freeze them.
Basic ingredients:
• 12 jalapeño peppers
• 12 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese and Swiss cheese
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/3 cup each cooked and crumbled bacon, shredded turkey and salami
• 1/3 cup each chopped parsley, green onion, olives
Instructions:
Cut each jalapeño pepper in half and remove with a very sharp knife the thin membranes with the seeds. Just in case you might want to wear gloves. There is nothing as painful as wiping your eyes accidentally after handling a jalapeño.
Have three small mixing bowls ready — now the creative process begins. Add a bit of cream cheese in each of the bowls and mix in the cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, parsley and a little bit of garlic. In the other bowl mix in mozzarella cheese, shredded turkey (or cooked hamburger meat), a little bit of garlic and green onion. In the last bowl, mix in the Swiss cheese, salami and olives. You can add some garlic, but in case someone doesn’t like garlic you can leave it out.
Divide the jalapeño halves into three parts with eight halves each and fill them with the three vari-
ations of cream cheese filling. Depending on the type add some cheese on top.
Add the jalapeño poppers in a single layer on your baking sheet or air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd the basket, air needs to flow.)
Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the poppers until they are golden brown. Depending on how thick the poppers are, it will take between 15 and 20 minutes. If you use an air fryer, preheat to 375 degrees and air fry the poppers for 7 to 10 minutes until golden brown.
You can serve the poppers by themselves or with a dip, or as I did on a bed of arugula salad. I drizzled on sweet balsamic vinegar on top. I also added some slices of kiwi fruit I had on hand and topped them with some goat cheese and pistachios.
Christina Stock may be contacted at 622-7710, ext. 309, or at vision@rdrnews.com.
4505 North Main St. 575-622-4093
Hours: Mon.-Thur.- 12pm-10pm Fri.-Sun.- 11am-10pm www.thepaletabar.com
Certain people feel right at home in the great outdoors. With the sun on their faces and the wind in their hair, rock scramblers and kayaking buffs simply can’t get enough of being outside in the elements.
Outdoor enthusiasts need reliable gear to make their experiences that much more enjoyable. Brandon Gaille Small Business & Marketing Advice reports that $230.6 billion was spent worldwide on sportswear and outdoor apparel in 2021. However, there’s always room to improve on adventures large and small, and holiday shoppers can keep these items in mind as they look for items for their favorite nature lover this season.
• Plasma lighter: A plasma lighter can start fires in conditions that aren’t conducive to other fire-starting measures. Plasma lighters are water- and windresistant and work in nearly all weather conditions. Saberlight even makes a rechargeable option with USB charging cable.
• Lantern: Outside magazine recently named the BioLite AlpenGlow 250 as its new favorite road trip
item. It can be used in a variety of settings, including inside a tent or at a hunting cabin, and produces customizable illumination.
• Backpack cooler: Yeti is known as a leader in coolers, and the Yeti Hopper Backflip Soft Cooler makes carrying food and beverages even more convenient. This product is a backpack and a cooler, so it’s a hands-free and portable option when out in nature.
• Hiking socks: Keeping feet cool and comfortable is essential on hiking trips. Injinji socks are made from CoolMax fibers that help provide a blister-free wilderness experience designed to minimize friction.
• Waterproof backpack: Whether a loved one spends time in or near the water or just wants to safeguard his or her belongings in inclement weather, a waterproof backpack is the ideal outdoor gift. It’s easy to clean and keeps items inside dry.
IDRYBAG Waterproof
Backpack is one to consider.
• Lightweight sleeping bag : Maybe someone’s sleeping gear needs an overhaul?
Enlightened Equipment offers an 850-fill, zerodegree sleeping bag that is warm, but only weighs 1.5 pounds. That helps free up space and lessens hikers’ loads when carrying gear on the trail.
• Power bank/solar charger: Many people can’t live without their devices, even when out in the great outdoors. Since you can’t plug a phone into a tree, a portable solar charger and power bank is key. The BioLite SolarPanel 5+ comes with its own built-in battery, so a person can capture the sun’s rays during the day and save some power reserves for charging after sunset.
These are just a few of the innovative items that can appeal to outdoor enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list.
Successful shopping for adults on a holiday list often involves identifying a loved one’s favorite hobby and then finding something that makes that hobby even more enjoyable. For example, a new e-reader can be just what the family bookworm needs to make reading even more immersive.
School-aged children may not be so simple to shop for, as their interests are always evolving and they tend to outgrow toys as quickly as their growing bodies outgrow their clothes. No two kids are the same, but these gift ideas can appeal to school-aged youngsters at a time in their lives when their curiosity is always piqued.
• STEM gifts: Parents know that the term “STEM” is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. These academic disciplines have gained heightened importance over the last couple of decades, and many toy manufacturers now make products that reinforce STEM lessons kids learn in the classroom in a fun way. STEM-based toys are available for kids of all ages, including children who are still in diapers.
• Nature-based gifts: Many parents do everything they can to reduce the amount of time their kids spend looking at screens, which is a tall order in the digital era. But various manufacturers produce toys designed to help kids be more physically active in the great outdoors. From age-appropriate binoculars that encourage kids to explore natural settings to birdhouses and fairy
gardens kids can build and paint in their favorite colors, shoppers can choose from a host of nature-based gifts that encourage kids to get away from their screens and enjoy the great outdoors.
• Board games : Board games remain a wonderful way for kids to learn and have fun doing it. Board games are made for kids of all ages, and they’re not just fun, but also beneficial to early childhood development. For example, clinical psychologist Beatrice Tauber Prior, Psy.D. noted to the children’s book publisher and distributor Scholastic that board games requiring strategy help the frontal lobes of the brain develop. Those lobes are responsible for planning, organizing and decisionmaking. Board games also provide opportunities for families to spend quality time together free from distractions.
• Cookbooks: Cookbooks are another great gift for school-aged youngsters, who can learn a lot from pitching in at dinnertime. Children who cook with their parents can learn valuable lessons about nutrition and measuring ingredients can reinforce lessons learned in the classroom. Shoppers can choose from any number of cookbooks designed for kids, and even children as young as two can pitch in when baking cookies or preparing family meals.
Shopping for school-aged children during the holiday season can be made easier with some suggestions that can reinforce classroom lessons while keeping the focus on fun.
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The real estate market has been a wild ride in recent years. Sellers have cashed in on record-breaking profits, and buyers have had to compete against many others — sometimes in bidding wars — for a limited number of properties. Once listed, homes are selling fast. As interest rates rise and inventory increases, things are likely to change, though for some it did not come soon enough.
Individuals who were lucky enough to find a new home this year may discover they now have little money to outfit those homes. Shoppers with new homeowners on their holiday shopping lists may want to help those loved ones outfit their homes this season. The following are some homerelated gift ideas to get shoppers started.
• Video/smart doorbell: Although the smart doorbell market began with only a handful of options, there’s now a bevy of manufacturers who make video and smart home doorbells. These doorbells serve the dual purpose of alerting homeowners to someone at the door, while providing surveillance of the comings and goings outside of the home. Depending on the product, a subscription may be needed to access video history. Doorbells range from $50 to $200 and more depending on fea tures and resolution.
• Furniture gift card: There’s a good chance new homeowners will need to fur nish new rooms in a home, particularly if they’re coming from an apartment or a smaller place. Many people also like to update furnishings when they move into new places. A gift card to a popular fur
niture store in the area will provide the head-start new homeowners need to secure sofas, dining sets, lamps, rugs, and more.
• Household tool kit: What better way to prepare new homeowners for the do-ityourself projects and household repairs than with a tool kit? Home improvement retailers often package common tools needed in carrying cases or sets, but shoppers can grab separate items they think will be used and group them together into one gift. Pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, a level, and measuring tape are good starter tools.
• Customized doormat: Give that new home additional curb appeal with a doormat customized with a special message or the new homeowners’ names, such as Welcome to the Smith Home. Other customizeable products include cutting boards and wall plaques.
• Programmable thermostat: A programmable or learning thermostat will help new homeowners save on their energy bills. Many thermostats now pair with smart home systems and phones and automatically adjust the temperature as needed to reduce energy consumption.
Shopping is foremost on the minds of many people come the holiday season. When considering loved ones and acquaintances while making holiday shopping lists, tangible gifts, such as clothing or items for the home, may be the first things that come to mind. However, experiential gifts also merit consideration. Experiential gifts are those that focus on experiences rather than items. These can include anything from a horseback riding adventure to a
spa day to concert tickets to getting behind the wheel of a race car. Experiential gifts can be tailored to people’s interests. A 2014 study by researchers at San Francisco State University showed people tend to realize greater well-being from life experiences and consider them to be a better way to spend their money. Overall satisfaction tends to be greater with gifted experiences than with material things. Furthermore, the Harris Group found that
72% of millennials want to spend more money on experiences than things.
