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May the sacred heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved, throughout the world now and forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the helpless, pray for us.

Say this prayer 9 times a day and by the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you St. Jude for answering my prayers. M.L.G. How to Make the Best Latkes for Hanukkah

Beginning at sunset Sunday, Dec. 18, the Festival of Lights begins.

The eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, also known as Hanukkah, is celebrated by lighting the menorah, playing the game of dreidel and eating special holiday foods.

Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Seleucids in 164 B.C. During the rededication, a miracle happened. A small quantity of oil that was sufficient only for one day continued to burn for eight days. Therefore, Hanukkah is one of the happiest Jewish holidays of the year. The roots of this holiday include liberation from oppression, religious freedom, divine miracles, and courage.

Of all the traditional foods eaten on Hanukkah, the potato latke is always a favorite. This is a potato pancake fried in oil, which references the miracle of the oil in the temple.

Even if you don’t celebrate Hanukkah, you’ll love having this delicious and inexpensive recipe in your rotation. Latkes are crispy on the outside, light, soft and tender on the inside, and full of flavor.

There are lots of ways to make latkes, and each family loves the ones their “bubbe” makes. I don’t want to step on any bubbe’s toes, but this recipe is a classic.

Traditional toppings are applesauce and sour cream, but you can top them with many other delectable goodies. To stay somewhat traditional, try smoked salmon with sour cream and chives, or pastrami with brown mustard.

CLASSIC POTATO LATKES

Yield: about 20 latkes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 large russet potatoes, peeled 1 large onion 1/3 cup matzah meal, cracker meal or dry breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil + more as needed

Using a good old-fashioned box grater, grate the potatoes and onion together. The onion juice slows the potatoes from oxidizing and turning brown. You could use a food processor with a grating blade, but you won’t get that beautiful rustic look of hand grating.

Transfer the mixture to a clean dish towel and squeeze, then squeeze some more to wring out as much of the liquid as possible. This is the secret

to crispy latkes. Place the mixture into a large bowl. Add the matzah or breadcrumbs, salt and pepper, and distribute through the potato mixture. Add the eggs and mix well. After this is mixed, transfer the mixture to a colander and place it back in the bowl. This is to keep the mixture from sitting in liquid, making sure there are no soggy latkes at the end of cooking. Pour about 1/2 inch of the oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pan and place over medium-high heat. Once the oil is at 350 F (a drop of mixture placed in the pan should sizzle), drop heaping tablespoons of the mixture into the hot oil, flattening with a spatula and cooking in batches. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, flip. Cook until the second side is golden brown. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, and sprinkle with salt while still warm. Add oil as needed. Repeat, then eat! Current trends show people adding all kinds of ingredients into the latke, like sweet potato, zucchini, cilantro, cheese, apple and such. Also, some air-fry them. Although we usually like to use less oil, the symbolism of the oil is really the point of latkes for Hanukkah. www.JasonCoblentz.com Variety is fun, but for Hanukkah, it’s best to be a purist. Celebrate the Festival of Lights with these In this holiday season, let’s say traditional latkes. thanks a lot, for lots and lots of latkes. *** Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime — Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com © 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

ADDICTION SCREENINGS If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, take the first step towards overcoming addiction. Call today for free screenings or referrals. 1-800-431-1754 COVENTRY LIBRARY NEW YEAR’S CHILDREN’S DROP-IN CRAFT We will be counting down to 2023 at the library! On December 29 & 30, families can drop-in the Childrenís Room to make a New Yearís countdown craft. Please call Youth Services at 822-9102 with any questions. WEST WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS MENTORS NEEDED West Warwick Public Schools is in need of in person volunteer mentors for students in Grades K-12. The time commitment is 1 hour per week. Anybody who is interested in volunteering can call or email me, Dana Papitto, Mentor Coordinator, at: (401) 825-6530 or dpapitto@ww-ps.com COVENTRY PUBLIC LIBRARY NEW CHAT FEATURE! At home in your slippers, but need to ask us a question? Try our new chat service! Click on the chat bubble logo on the bottom right corner of our website and ask away. If the library isn’t open, it will let you email us. Chat hours are: Monday through Wednesday 9AM-7:30PM, Thursday and Friday 9AM4:30PM, and Saturday 9AM-4:30PM (9AM-12:30PM during Summer Hours). WEST WARWICK FOOD CUPBOARD The West Warwick Assistance Agency operates a food cupboard at 1293 Main Street serving all West Warwick residents living at or below three times the federal poverty level. We are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10AM-2PM, unless there is a town-wide parking ban in effect. We offer standard amounts of core groceries based on household size as well as self serve selections of produce, bread and assorted other noncore grocery items we have on hand. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 828-0310, and no appointment is necessary to visit our facility. SIGN UP FOR IMPORTANT TOWN INFORMATION ALERTS CodeRed is a very helpful service in which you can receive important town information in a timely manner. Alerts include important town matters, COVID-19 vaccinations, weather emergencies, sex offender notifications, etc. To sign up for automated calls and/or texts on your cell phone or landline, register your phone numbers at the town’s website, www. coventryri.org or through the Coventry Police Dept. website, www.coventrypd.org VOLUNTEER TOUR GUIDES NEEDED The Paine House, 7 Station Street in Coventry is looking for volunteer Tour Guides to share this unique historical site with the general public. Can you spare a few hours once or twice a month? All training and materials will be provided, no special skills required. This opportunity is suitable for High School students to adults. Training classes for the 2022 season will begin soon. If interested, call Bob at 439-7513 or email info@ westernrihistory.org FREE NOTARY SERVICE AT COVENTRY LIBRARY Free notary services are available at the Coventry Public Library. Proper governmental identification with a signature is required and all documents must be signed in the presence of the notary. Please call ahead to be sure the notary is available at 401-822-6200.

RI COMMUNITY FOOD BANK If you are in need of food, you can call the RI Community Food Bank at 942-6325 or you can visit www.rifoodbank.org for a complete list of open pantries statewide. PROJECT FRIENDS Project Friends is a State of RI licensed community based day service program developed in 1992 for adults with developmental disabilities. Each individual has a plan that offers choices of activities which build independence, adult daily living skills, socialization, self-esteem and confidence. Participants are supported by case aides. If you would like more information about Project Friends, please feel free to call Marlena or Lisa at 822-9144.

COVENTRY RESOURCE & SENIOR CENTER OFFERS FREE NOTARY SERVICE The Coventry Resource & Senior Center, 50 Wood Street, Coventry, offers free Notary Services to Coventry residents. Please call 822-9175 to ensure a Notary is available for you.

EXETER GRANGE “GO BANANAS CHALLENGE” Exeter Grange is working on a new challenge. The Grange is participating in the ìGo Bananas Challengeî for Project Saving Species in conjunction with the Cincinnati Zoo. They are asking for donations of used and broken cell phones, smart phones, IPAD/IPODS, tablets and charging accessories. Many of these items contain metals and materials that need to be recycled and not tossed in the landfill. Eco-Call, a Louisville based company, will break down and recycle the items and has a no landfill policy. Donations can be left on the steps of Exeter Grange Hall, 469 Ten Rod Road (Rte. 102) in Exeter. If there are any questions or a donation is left, please feel free to call Amanda or Peggy at 401-397-8058 and leave a message.

COVENTRY PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENTS... Coventry Library will host a family magic show with one of New England’s funniest magicians, Tommy James on December 28 at 11AM. Along with a real live bunny, Tommy will present a rollercoaster ride of magic entertainment that will have children of all ages belly-laughing for the entire show. This program is for children ages 4-11. Registration is required and begins on December 7. Please call Youth Services at 822-9102 to register. COVENTRY PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: CAKE PANS The Coventry Public Library has a collection of cake and cookie pans that are available to borrow! Bake cakes in fun shapes and borrow our decorating tools to make them look extra special! Cake pans check out for three weeks with no holds and 2 renewals. Cake pans are fine free!†For more information, visit the Circulation Desk or call 822-9100 and press 1. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT In need of medical equipment? The following locations are good resources: Robert J. Allen Masonic Medical Equipment Distribution Center, 116 Long Street in Warwick (across from St. Rose & Clement Church). Open Fridays from 9AM12PM, pre-owned equipment - loaned at no cost. 451-0184. Ocean State Center for Independent Living, 1944 Warwick Avenue in Warwick. In need of wheelchairs, grab bars, walkers, transport chairs, toilets, wheelchair ramp, etc.? Call 738-1013, Ext. 13 or visit www.oscil.org Coventry-West Greenwich Lions, 821-7219 or 392-3063. MARINE CORPS LEAGUE The Marine Corps League will hold their meeting the 1st Thursday of each month at 7PM at VFW Post 9404, 29 South Main Street, Coventry. Members join in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving traditions and interests of the United States Marine Corps. WEST WARWICK PUBLIC LIBRARY HOMEBOUND OUTREACH SERVICES The West Warwick Public Library offers free delivery of most Library materials to the homebound, free of charge. If you are either permanently or temporarily unable to come to the Library, and you are a resident of West Warwick, this program is for you. To sign up or for more information, contact Anne at 828-3750, Ext. 11 or email anne@wwlibrary.org

RICE CITY CHURCH HOLIDAY SERVICES Rice City Church, the First Christian Church of Coventry, invites you to a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on December 24 at 6PM. All are welcome. The Church is located at 63 Vaughn Hollow Road, Greene.