OLEAN TIMES HERALD
THuRSDAy, november 27, 2014
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Santa Claus is arriving soon
OLEAN — This year’s Santa Claus Lane Parade is happening 7 p.m. Friday in downtown Olean. The annual event is put on by the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce to kick off the holiday season. The procession will feature lots of floats, plenty of holiday spirit, and a visit from Santa and Martha Claus, of course. And those thinking that the first phase of North Union Street’s $8.85 million overhaul, a $130,000 upgrade to the street’s only railroad crossing, will not impede the parade, should think again. “Everything is scheduled and set up as it always has been,” said Meme Yanetsko, the chamber’s chief operations officer. “The construction area is really where the beginning of the parade is and most people watch the parade south of the train tracks,” she said. “However, the construction area’s set-up won’t affect how we march too much. The floats just might have to carefully move in a
single line.” Lighted garlands are wrapped around 30 light poles on North Union Street, Mrs. Yanetsko said. “They’ll be lit red and green in an alternating pattern. Obviously, it’s not the same as having the garlands across the street, but we did a test pole back in July of what it will look like and it does look nice,” she said. Those passing through Olean may notice a new addition to Santa Claus Lane decorations — 16 lighted Christmas tree and star decorations that will be hung on the new aluminum utility poles along West State Street. “The new Christmas trees and stars are a lot lighter than the ones we used to have,” Mrs. Yanetsko said. “Our plan is to add 16 more to West State next year and 16 more after that.” The old Christmas tree and star decoraPlease see Santa, page 3
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be waving to thousands of onlookers tomorrow at 7 p.m. during the Santa Claus Lane parade.
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OLEAN TIMES HERALD
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® ABOVE: Paper Factory owner Deb VanScoter arranges some of the items in the miniature Department 56 village. ® AT LEFT: Tom Palumbo, co-owner of Sports Locker, said their business is filled with winter wear and sports gear for holiday shoppers.
Photos by George Nianiatus/olean Times Herald
Businesses prepped for holiday shoppers By George Nianiatus Olean Times Herald
Holiday shopping sales are getting warmed up as temperatures dip and retailers of all sizes have their shelves and aisles chocked full with new and popular must-have merchandise for under the Christmas tree. In fact, shopping activity actually kicked up a few weeks ago at the Sports Locker, 711 W. State St., in Olean when St. Bonaventure University’s basketball season officially started Nov. 8 with an exhibition game. “We had an exceptional Saturday,” co-owner Tom Palumbo said of that day. For the holiday shopping season, his hope is what many retailers have: “Our expectations are high.” It’s his belief the Nov. 8 tip-off of brisk sales will continue throughout the entire holiday season. Along with a wide array of sports gear, “Our biggest category is winter wear with Columbia, North Face and Under Armour,” he said. Overall, “Our merchandise selection is strong — with newer versions and colors,” Mr. Palumbo said. The holiday season is so important for most retailers’ bottom line. For the Sports Locker, “We get a third of our total retail sales in November and December,” he said. A few blocks away at The Paper Factory, 176 N. Union St., in Olean, owner Deb VanScoter said her business is stocked and ready for the crush of shopping activity she’ll receive. “People have been coming in already for holiday decorations and gifts,” she said.
SANTA Continued from page 1
tions that once adorned Union and State streets still have a place in the city. “We actually sent 10 of them up to BOCES to have their welding students weld off the brackets on the decorations,” Mrs. Yanetsko said. “Once they’re ready, we’d like to hang them around Bradner Stadium on its panels and fencing.”
The miniature Department 56 village pieces have been a favorite at her two-floor store. “Customers have been coming in early to get those as well,” Mrs. VanScoter said. Also, shoppers have been scooping up her Elf on The Shelf, comprised of a picture book and an elf for young children.
Additionally, the store’s Vera Bradley collection of handbags and purses “is huge for the Christmas season with shoppers,” she added. The Christmas season is so vital to retailers. “We get a third of our sales during this season,” Ms. VanScoter said, urging shoppers to visit her store and oth-
ers throughout the greater Olean area. “We really need to support our local businesses,” said Larry Sorokes,
chief executive officer of the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce. Although Santa Claus Lane starts 7 p.m. Friday
on North Union Street for thousands of onlookers, shopping jumps into high See Businesses, page 4
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What they want
Teenagers, young adults will enjoy these gifts under the tree By Diana McElfresh
and early 20’s always appreciate new clothes, especially if they have gotten used he holiday season is to purchasing their own fast approaching and clothes. Given the time of now is the best time to year and the climate, new begin shopping for gifts for boots will be cherished. the kids in their late teens For girls, Hunter Boots and early 20’s in your life. are a great option. Hunter Teenagers can be difBoots are Wellingtons from ficult to shop for, as their the United Kingdom and tastes can be variant and come in an assortment of liable to change. However, bright, cheerful colors. The boots range anywhere from $98 to $225, but are very durable Boots by and quite stylDoc Martens ish, especially for a rain boot. A great boot for both men and women are Doc Martens. Docs have been around for quite sometime but have made a comeback in the young adult most young adults are easfashion world. These boots ily pleased with many fairly are incredibly durable and simple gifts. tremendously comfortable. People in their late teens They come in a vast array
Special to the Olean Times Herald
T
BUSINESSES Continued from page 3
gear more than 12 hours earlier for the day that’s called Black Friday. As holiday sales continue escalating this time of year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said the busiest shopping is yet to come. Unsurprisingly, apparel, toys and video games will be popular gift items this year. An NRF survey said 61 percent of shoppers will buy
of colors and styles. Doc Martens also come in a variety of fabrics. The archetypal black leather Docs cost $135 in both men’s and women’s sizes. If you are unsure of what clothes exactly to buy a young adult, gift cards to stores such as H&M, Urban Outfitters, J Crew, and Express are viable options. For any aspiring photographers, SLR cameras would be a welcome gift. SLR cameras can be fairly expensive, but offer a much higher quality of picture than the typical photo captured on an iPhone. A great SLR starter camera is the Nikon D3300. The D3300 costs about $550, but offers HD video, and takes 24.2 megapixel photographs. The camera is compatible with smartphone technology, so photos can be instantly shared on Instagram or Facebook. Bluetooth headphones would be a great gift for the musically inclined young adult. These headphones are a recent innovation and
Hunter Boots
allow the user to listen to their music on a Bluetooth device without any of the hassle of plugging the headphones in and dealing with the easily tangled cords of traditional headphones. Because Bluetooth headphones are a fairly new innovation, they are still fairly expensive. The Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Wireless Series headphones cost $379, but feature noise-cancelling technology and have a 12hour battery life. Of course, there are less expensive headphones that are almost of the same caliber as Beats. If the young adult in your life is athletic, the Plantronics BackBeat Fit headphones are a safe bet and are priced at $170. These headphones are designed for use while working out. They are sweatproof and include an armband for smartphone storage while working out. The holiday season also means the release of a host of console video games. Both Assassin’s Creed Rogue and Unity will be released in
clothing and accessories; 46 percent will buy books, CDs, DVDs and video games; and 42 percent will buy toys. Likely having loaded up on wearable technology and new smartphones throughout the year, slightly fewer people will buy electronic items as gifts (31 percent versus 33 percent), said the NRF survey. Meanwhile, some people are in for a treat. Twenty-four percent of shoppers will buy jewelry for a friend or family member, the highest percent since 2006. Gift cards will continue as a favorite for both shoppers and recipients. Sixty percent plan to buy gift cards, the NRF
time for the holidays. The games will be available for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The games will cost about $60 upon their release. Also available for the same cost for the holidays is Call of
Nikon D3300
appreciate monetary gifts as well as the textbooks they will need for the upcoming spring semester. The burden of purchasing books can weigh heavily on students, so putting that Econ 101
The Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Wireless Series headphones
Duty: Advanced Warfare. Dragon Age: Inquisition will also be released in time for Christmas, and will be available on the same consoles as Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty, but will cost slightly more, coming in at $70. All college-aged students
book under the tree might not be particularly glamorous, but will be absolutely appreciated. (Diana McElfresh is an Olean Times Herald intern and a freshman at St. Bonaventure University.)
survey said. This makes gift cards the most requested gift item for eight years in a row. When it comes to how shoppers will pay for their gifts, 38 percent will use their credit card, the most in the survey’s history and up from 28.5 percent last year. Approximately 21.6 percent of shoppers will pay with cash, and 38.4 percent will use their debit or check card. Just 21.6 percent will use a check, the lowest in the survey’s history. (Contact editor George Nianiatus at gnianiatus@oleantimesherald.com)
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Get the right gift everytime Chambers gift certificates are a can’t-miss deal By George Nianiatus Olean Times Herald
Why risk getting the wrong gift for someone you really care about when you can be right everytime? Few things are certain but buying a gift certificate from the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce (GOACC) ensures your present will always be the right size, color and style. This is why GOACC’s gift certificate program, started in 1995, has kept over $6 million in gift sales in Olean and surrounding communities, said Meme Yanetsko, GOACC’s chief operating officer. Gift certificates can be redeemed at more than 248 Chamber member businesses, she said. Though they are sold year-round, the popularity of GOACC gift certificates gain increasing attention now through December. They come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $25 and $50. “What’s great is gift shoppers can always get the right gift,” Mrs. Yanetsko said. Just as important, “The gift certificates give an opportunity to keep money locally and to support or shops,” said Larry Sorokes, GOACC’s chief executive officer. He added the Chamber doesn’t receive any money for it. “We don’t take any administrative money.” Within the past few weeks, “We’re seeing more people coming in (to the Chamber office) for them,” Mr. Sorokes said. In a way, “It’s almost like local currency.” GOACC instituted the gift certificate program in 1995 with certificate sales totaling $9,000 and 35 member businesses participating in the program. Today, the gift certificates can be redeemed at more than 248 member businesses.. Last year, just over $389,000 in gift certificates were sold, Mrs. Yanetsko said. Along with gift buyers, some local companies purchase gift certificates for their employees. For example, SolEpoxy purchased $10,000 in gift certificates, she said. Gift certificates can be purchased at the Chamber office at 120 N. Union St. in Olean or call to place an order at 372-4433. As an advisory, look for the GOACC logo designating a business is in good standing with the Chamber and is participating in the program. According to information updated by GOACC as of Oct. 30, below is a list of businesses where gift certificates can be redeemed: ® GROCERY STORES — Costa’s Supermarket, Eldred, Pa.; Park & Shop Service Stores; ParkviewSalamanca; Ried’s Food Barn; Tops Supermarket in Olean. ® HAIR SALONS — A Jason Clemons Salon; Continental School of Beauty; David A Zimmer @ Total Look; Dawn’s Hairstyling, Cuba; Hall Of Fame Barbershop II; Hello Gorgeous Salon in Olean Center Mall; JCPenney Salon; L’image Salon & Spa; Margaret’s Place; NY Style Salon & Spa; Ray’s Hairstyling & Barbershop; and Stylista Salon Victoria Gayton. ® RESTAURANTS —
3rd Base Bar & Grill; A&J’s Subs Pizza & Grill; Angee’s Restaurant; Applebee’s Bar & Grill; Attard’s Restaurant; Beef ’N’ Barrel; Bird Cage; Brothers Bistro; Burger King on North Union and West State streets; Century Manor; Chuck Wagon Restaurant; Cow Palace in Limestone; Dave’s Diner in Ceres; Dominos Pizza; Dunkin’ Donuts on East State Street only; EB’s Eatery in Allegany; East End BBQ and Catering Co.; Eddie’s State King; Fatheads; Friendly’s Restaurant; Good Times of Olean; Homeplate News (breakfast and lunch); Ice Cream Island (seasonal in Portville); The Jag Commissary at Jamestown Community College in Olean; Jan’s Restaurant in Portville; Linger Longer Café in Allegany; McDonald’s; Mickey’s Restaurant; Mio Gelato/ Renna’s West; Napoli Pizza in Olean and Salamanca; Perkins Restaurant; PitStop Restaurant; Pizza Hut
WingStreet; PizzaLand; Ponderosa; Randy’s Up the River in Allegany; Red’s & Trudy’s in Portville; Renna’s Pizza; Scooter’s (Main Street Pizza & Grill); Sparky’s Pizza and Subs; Sprague’s Maple Farms in Portville; St. Bonaventure Clubhouse; Subway in Portville, North Union Street and at Walmart; Tasta Pizza in Olean and Bradford, Pa.; Tim Horton’s on West State Street only; Twist & Shake (seasonal); and Whispering Mountain Lodge. RETAIL STORES AND SERVICES -- 6V Sales and Service in Bradford; A-1 Rent All; AKT Combatives Academy; Airgas; Al Lemon’s Service; All-American Water Treatment/RAINSOFT; Allegany Beverage & Redemption; Allegany Eye Associates; Allen’s Liquor Store; American Red Cross; Amore’s Cars & Repairs; Angel Kiddies; Animal Please see Gifts, page 6
George Nianiatus/olean Times Herald
Betty Burrows of the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce holds gift certificates that are selling briskly at the office.
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Reggie Dallaire in 25th year as head of Toys For Tots Requests to receive toys through the campaign started arriving two months ago By Rick Miller
Olean Times Herald
OLEAN — It’s 25 years and counting for Reggie Dallaire and Toys For Tots in the Olean area. Mr. Dallaire, a former Marine and certified public accountant from Allegany, is playing the role of Santa Claus again this year, collecting toys across Cattaraugus County for thousands of needy children. He’s got the white beard for the role. He started placing white Toys For Tots collection boxes in local businesses and other locations before Halloween this year, seeking new and unwrapped toys for children. “We were one of the top five civilian (Toys For Tots) units in the country last year,” Mr. Dallaire said proudly. He credits the giving spirit of the community with the local program’s successes. “We take care of over 2,000 kids a year,” Mr. Dallaire said. “Last year there were more than 2,200 kids. We started out small but over the 25 years we’ve taken care of more than 35,000 kids.” This year, requests to receive toys through the campaign started arriving in September, said Mr. Dallaire. “It’s going to be another year of need. We are going to do the best we can. We’ve never had to turn anyone down,” he said. “We spent $28,000 on toys last year, and that doesn’t count the new toys that were donated in the collection boxes.” Tops Markets has application forms, as do the offices of state Assemblyman Joseph Giglio, 700 W. State St., and Olean Mayor Bill Aiello at the Olean Municipal Building. Applicants need only verify that they have children, said Mr. Dallaire, noting acceptable forms of ID include government-issued cards, a WIC or governmentissued insurance card, or a birth certificate. The Olean-based Toys For Tots organization is run by a core group of volunteers led by Mr. Dallaire. It covers all of Cattaraugus County and the western portion of Allegany County. Collection boxes are in numerous businesses, banks and food stores. “Businesses have been a major part of this,” Mr. Dallaire added. “It’s people that fill the boxes.”
rick Miller/olean Times Herald
Reggie Dallaire, head of the Toys For Tots campaign in Cattaraugus County, holds one of the dozens of collection boxes he’s placed around Olean and other areas of the county.
Community Bank, Stroehmann’s Bakery, Kohl’s, Toys R Us, Tops Markets and BJ’s Wholesale Club are among the companies that have increased their generosity in response to the greater need in this area, he said. Volunteers are still needed to help with shopping, both locally and at Toys R Us in Hamburg, which gave the local Toys For Tots $2,000 in gift cards. The Marine Corps Foundation donated $8,000 in cash and another $8,000 worth of toys. Kohl’s has donated $3,000. “We can always use help sorting the gifts by age and sex,” Mr. Dallaire said. That will be done Dec. 17 at Trinity United Methodist Church. The toys will be distributed on Dec. 20. For those wishing to make a contribution by check, the address is Toys For Tots, 1172 Boulder Ridge Road, Allegany, NY 14706. Donations made by check stay in the local area. Donations may also be made online at www.toysfortots.org, with a portion of those contributions coming to the local group. “Toys For Tots is one of the most effective charitable groups in the country, with 99 cents of every dollar going to the program,” said Mr. Dallaire. The St. Bonaventure University men’s baseball team will again sponsor a Toys For Tots Night at the Dec. 3 Bonnies basketball
game at the Reilly Center. They will be manning toy collection boxes at all entrances to the arena. The university has been participating since the first Toys For Tots collection box was placed in the campus bookstore 25 years ago, Mr. Dallaire said. Tops Markets holds a winter carnival each year in December, when Santa arrives and people are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy for the Toys For Tots campaign. Local Marines and recruiters often help that day. Assemblyman Giglio also hosts a Christmas party in his office and asks those coming to bring a gift for Toys For Tots. For the two months before Christmas, Mr. Dallaire, 70, works almost full-time on the Toys For Tots project, getting time off from his employer, John Mucke, certified public accountants. “They allow me the time off and are very supportive,” he said, adding he’s grateful for their understanding and support. Mr. Dallaire’s work with Toys For Tots dates back to his days in the Marines in London, England, 46 years ago. He applauded the community for its continued support, noting their gifts go to children who otherwise wouldn’t receive Christmas gifts. “Thank you,” he said.
GIFTS Continued from page 5
Mania in Friendship; Archbishop Walsh Academy; Armor Building Supply; Ashley Furniture; Ask Design Jewelers; AT&T on West State Street; Austin Locksmithing & Security; BJ’s Wholesale Club; Backyard Bargains; Belle Ruche Bridal Boutique; Besecker & Coss Appliance; Best Western Plus University Inn; Both, Branch & Hendrix; Bouch’s Automotive; Bradner’s Galleries; Brad’s Blacktop Sealers; Buckles Allstate Agency; Cabinet World; Canticle Farm; Carpet Express; Carpet Town/ Carpet One; Cattaraugus County Arts Council; Cayas Canopies; Close’s Lumber Inc.; Coatney Massage Therapy; Comfort Zone; Council Optometric; Countryside Wine & Spirits in Randolph; Country Inn & Suites; Covered Wagon Tours; Crandall’s Memorials; Crosby’s Dairyland; CUTCO/KABAR Visitors Center; CVS Pharmacy; D&D Distributing; D&J Lawn Service & Snowplowing; Dan Horn Pharmacy; Dana Boser, LMT; Dance Arts; DataBranch; Donovan Eastern Supply; Dr. Dave’s Computer Clinic; Dunn Tire, ecreative-marketing. projects.events; Eade’s Fitness; Eade’s Wallpaper; East Side Garage in Belmont; East State Wine & Spirits; Enchanted Mountain Eyecare; Enchanted Mountain Quilting; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Fischer’s Auto Service; Friends Of Good Music; Gallets Bed & Breakfast; GOACC office; H&R Block; Hammond’s Furniture Store; Hampton Inn; HandIn-Hand Massage Therapy;
Harrington Builders; Haskell Valley Veterinary Clinic; Hearing Aid Shop in Bolivar; Henry H. Hill; Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Bradford; Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Salamanca; Home Depot; Hull Electric; Immanuel Christian Child Care; The Ink Well; “It Works” Team AvantGarde; J&R Auto; Jacque’s Spas & Pools in Olean and Coudersport, Pa.; JCPenney; JCC Bookstore; John Ash Cleaners; Johnson Distributing; Jordan Photography & Consulting; Kmart of Olean; Kellner Water Systems; Kevin’s Custom Creations & Repairs; Landworks; Lee’s Wine & Beer Supplies; Lester’s Shoe Store; Liberty Tax Service; Little Snuggle Bugs; Linda’s Wallpapering & Painting; Luca’s Lawn & Gardening; Mandy’s Flowers; Martin Studio of Photography; Mastel Ford Lincoln Mercury; Maurices; Maynard Electric Supply; Mazza Paving & Sealcoating; McCarthy’s Emporium; McFall Does It All; Microtel Inn & Suites in Olean; Miller’s Farm Market; Mineo Marketing; Neighborhood School of Dance; The New Lantern Motel; New York Hometown Store (mall at Sears); North Pro Hardware/Portville Concrete; Olean Child Day Care Center; Olean Class Cars; Olean Community Theatre; Olean Creative Mailing; Olean General Hospital Gift Shop; Olean Times Herald; Olean Toastmasters; Olean Union Sales; Olean Veterinary Clinic; On Location Photography; On The Side Liquor; Owl Homes; Paper Factory; Paragon Interior Designs; Petruzzi
Insurance Agency; Pfeiffer Nature Center; Pinekroff Kennels; Pleasant Valley Greenhouses; Poor Cow Leather; Premo Limousine Service; Prizel’s Pharmacy; Pumpkinville (seasonal); Quality Quick Lube; Rain Fresh Laundromat; Raymour & Flanigan; R.E.A.P. (farmers market); Regina A. Quick Center for Arts; Rick Bokman Inc.; Rick’s Golf World; Riverhurst Park (campground); Rock City Park; Ron’s Smoke Shop; Salvation Army Thrift Store; Saunders & Sons Flooring Inc.; Scio Mini Mart Inc.; Scott’s Lawn & Landscaping; Seasons; Sherwin Williams; Sisson’s Chain Saws & Stoves; Smooth (facials and waxing); Sound Track; Southern Tier Catholic School; Southern Tier Diesel Football; SPCA in Cattaraugus County; Sports Locker; Sprout’s Drug Store; St. Bonaventure University; Stayer’s Greenhouse; Stephen’s Lawn Care & Property Management; Studio 4 East; Supreme Auto Parts & Service; Team Chevrolet Inc.; Time Warner Business Class; Total Tan; Twin Tiers Laser & Botox Center; Uptown Florist; Valley Tire; Valu Home Center; Verizon Wireless; Vic Vena Pharmacy; Walmart; Wayne Paving (snowplowing); West End Beverage Redemption; West Penn Hardwood; Western New York Glass; Whitetail Country Sports; William O. Smith Recreation Center; Willoughby’s Furniture & Gifts; Windows By MacNeal; Wingate by Wyndham; Worth W. Smith in Olean, Salamanca and Bradford; Wrapped in Dough; WW Vandalia Gas Mart; YMCA in Olean; and S.M. Zona Lumber & Supplies.
OLEAN TIMES HERALD
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014
A group of educators from the Olean Teachers Union helped prepare luminaria bags at Cayas Canopies this week to be sold in upcoming weeks to benefit the Genesis House homeless shelter.
Photo submitted
Luminaria bags on sale will benefit Olean’s Genesis House By Kate Day Sager Olean Times Herald
O
LEAN — Approximately 550 luminaria bags to benefit Genesis House were filled and prepared in approximately one hour recently by a very busy group of educators from the Olean Teachers Union. The group volunteered their time at Cayas Canopies warehouse on East State Street, which donated the space for the project. The luminaria bags, consisting of candles in brown paper bags weighed down by sand, will light up the night around Olean on Dec. 21, the longest night of the year, in honor of the homeless. Teacher Lauren Walker, who is on the Genesis House board, said the instructors did a great job completing the task. “The Olean Teachers Union worked very hard and we were done in just one hour, while past work sessions
“They had quite a busy group. They were like a bunch of locusts.”
— Michelle Caya
with fewer hands have dragged on for days,” she said. The loan of the warehouse by Cayas Canopies also was a big help to the project. Owner Andrew Caya said his wife, who is a teacher and on the Genesis House board, asked if the warehouse could be used for the project. He and his mother, Michelle, said they were happy to help with the event. “It’s our quieter season, so we could make the space available to them,” Mrs. Caya said. She was also impressed with how quickly the teachers completed the
project. “They had quite a busy group over there. They were like a bunch of locusts,” Mrs. Caya said. Ms. Walker said the luminaria bags will be sold beginning the day after Thanksgiving at the Olean Center Mall and every Saturday after that in the mall foyer in front of the JCPenney store. She said the cost is $10 per luminaria bag, and residents, businesses and organizations will be encouraged to light them throughout the community the evening of Dec. 21. “We are always looking for volunteers to sell in their neighborhoods, businesses or at our table in the mall,” Ms. Walker added. Anyone who is available to volunteer may contact her at 397-8298 or Genesis House at 373-3354. (Contact reporter Kate Day Sager at kates_th@yahoo.com)
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Video games: a trek to more exotic locales By Derrik J. Lang
AP Entertainment Writer
Photo submitted
The ornament is available for purchase for $20 at the Chamber office, located at 120 N. Union St., as well as at Seasons in the Olean Center Mall and The Chuck Wagon restaurant on Route 16.
Boardmanville school is this year’s ornament OLEAN — A former elementary school now joins a growing list of holiday decorations celebrating the Olean area’s past and present. The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce is currently selling 3-inch ornaments of the former Boardmanville Elementary School on Main Street. The decoration is the 16th in a series of holiday ornaments portraying local landmarks. Past chamber ornaments include St. Bonaventure University, Santa Claus Lane and the former St. Francis Hospital. Last year’s ornament was the former Palace Theater. “We always ask from the community what they’d like to see for an ornament, and Boardmanville came back as a very popular suggestion,” said Meme Yanetsko, the chamber’s chief operations officer. Construction of the former elementary school started in 1923. The first classes were held there in 1924. Because of budget constraints and declining enrollment, city school district officials closed Boardmanville Elementary for good in June 2012. The former elementary school was later sold to Olean’s Pancio family for use as a medical facility in the same neighborhood as Olean General Hospital and Olean Medical Group. The ornament is available for purchase for $20 at the Chamber office, located at 120 N. Union St., as well as at Seasons in the Olean Center Mall and the The Chuck Wagon restaurant on Route 16. The decorations purchased at the chamber can also be shipped anywhere in the United States for an additional $6 apiece. Many of the previous holiday ornaments depicting local landmarks are available for purchase at the chamber office. Supplies are limited. For more information on the ornaments and their availability, call the chamber at 372-4433.
LOS ANGELES — At the beginning of “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare,” the recently released installment in Activision’s blockbuster military shooter franchise, the player is dumped from the sky in a drop pod onto an urban battlefield, smashing into skyscrapers and landing in a futuristic, war-torn rendition of a city that’s rarely depicted in video games: Seoul, South Korea. It’s a “Wizard of Oz” moment for the “Call of Duty” series. The interactive medium has long built digital playgrounds based on realworld locales. However, recent technological leaps, as well as an endless string of games set in ubiquitous locations like New York and Los Angeles, have motivated developers of some of the year’s biggest and most anticipated games to boldly go where they haven’t before. “I think designers are on the lookout for compelling places you want to be,” said “Advanced Warfare” senior level designer Colin Munson. “It’s fantasy fulfillment. That’s probably why we always see New York and Los Angeles. We made it a concerted effort at the beginning of development to broaden our levels. Seoul was one of the first that came to mind.” Munson found that the city’s sprawling shopping district seamlessly served as a shooting gallery, and Seoul’s wide streets — normally a no-no in first-person shooter level design — made for the perfect spot to unleash a swarm of enemy drones 50 years in the future. (Ironically, video games are a national pastime in South Korea, but
Associated Press
This photo provided by Ubisoft shows a scene from the video game “Assassin’s Creed: Unity.”
few ever take place there.) The only thing more challenging than forming a city in the future might be recreating one from the past. After tackling such time periods and locales as the Third Crusade in the Middle East and the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean, the next chapter of the time-hopping “Assassin’s Creed” saga takes place during the French Revolution in Paris. The processing power of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles allowed designers to craft a massively dense City of Lights. “Assassin’s Creed: Unity” designers spent two years erecting a virtual Notre Dame — inside and out — to scale. That doesn’t mean the Ubisoft game is an interactive history book. Despite the fact “Unity,” out Tuesday, is set before the iconic cathedral’s spire was built, it sits atop
the game’s Notre Dame. Likewise, Bastille is still standing when it would’ve been rubble. “We’re making art,” said “Unity” level design director Nicolas Guerin. “It’s not a historical simulation. We still want players to feel like they’re in the Paris they’ve seen on a postcard or visited in person, but there’s pressure — because many of the developers are French — to make sure that we render justice to the capitol of my country, as well as to history.” The pervasiveness of imagery and records online has made it both easier and more difficult for designers. The creators of the present-day open-world shoot-’em-up “Far Cry 4,” scheduled for release Nov. 18, found a disconnect between what they glimpsed on their screens and what they experienced in person when visiting the country that inspired their
sequel. A team of “Far Cry 4” designers traveled to Nepal while fashioning Kyrat, a fictional nation in the Himalayas entrenched in a bullet-riddled revolt. The Ubisoft game’s vistas mirror Nepal’s lush forests that give way to snowy mountains. The more difficult balance to strike was creating a realm that felt fantastically realistic but wouldn’t offend folks in the real world. “We’re inspired by the locations and cultures, but we don’t directly reference it,” said “Far Cry 4” narrative director Mark Thompson. “We did work early on to create a unique mythology and religion for Kyrat, borrowing from the themes and symbolism of Buddhism and Hinduism. At the end of the day, we’re making a video game. It’s about escapism and fun.” Apparently, there’s still nothing like the real thing.
OLEAN TIMES HERALD
THuRSDAy, november 27, 2014
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Novice crafter? Well, there’s a project for that!
It’s a ‘Day out with Santa’ . . . and more
By Anne D’Innocenzio AP Retail Writer
NEW YORK — Inspired by that colorful homemade gingerbread on Instagram or the hand-painted coasters on Pinterest, but worried about your skills? Don’t fret. Craft stores and websites are targeting novice crafters this holiday season and beyond with how-to online videos and projects that don’t take hours to make. Part of the push is an attempt to cater to millennials, those who were born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s. Many in this generation feel inspired by what they see online but don’t have the time, skills or money for complicated projects. Take Michaels, the nation’s largest arts This product image provided by and crafts chain. It’s Darby Smart shows a Pumpkin changed its online video strategy to betSpice Candle made from a ter appeal to begindo-it-yourself kit sold by the ners and is offering company. tips to make holiday decorating easy. It’s also expanding its class offering to include such areas as holiday decor and cake decorating. Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Inc. created a new page last month called www.joann.com/holiday-gifts, to make it easier to shop for projects. It’s also highlighting projects that take less than an hour. “People want to be creative. We just have to help them realize their dream,” said Steve Carlotti, Michaels’ executive vice president of marketing. Meanwhile, Nicole Farb, a former investment banker, launched Darby Smart in January 2013 to create kits that take Pinterest dreams and make them an attainable reality. Darby Smart finds craft creators on Pinterest and elsewhere on the Web and then packages their ideas Please see Crafter, page 13
Photo submitted
This camel was just one of the unique aspects of last year’s “Day Out With Santa” event sponsored by Santa’s Vision Inc. and slated for area children Saturday at The Hampton Inn in Olean.
By Kate Day Sager Olean Times Herald
O
LEAN — For the past dozen years, area children have been treated to visits with Santa, petting zoos, free toys and pony rides at the annual “Day Out With Santa” event in Olean. This year’s 13th annual event, scheduled to be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Hampton Inn on Main Street in Olean, is open to all children from the area, said organizer Christine Sweitzer, manager of the Hampton Inn. Sponsored by Santa’s Vision Inc., the free event has served disadvantaged children in the communities of Olean, Cortland, Utica, Rochester, Corning, Elmira, Watertown and Buffalo. The event drew in a record number 1,500 children and adults last year in
Olean and more than 10,000 collectively throughout all seven communities served, said Ms. Sweitzer. This year’s event was moved to the Hampton Inn from its previous location at the Country Inn & Suites in Allegany because of ongoing construction at the latter. Those who attend this year’s event are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for donation to an area food pantry. “We had a success with that, so we’re going to keep doing that for the local food pantries,” Ms. Sweitzer said. “We got a ton of food to donate.” The event will include a free picture with Santa, a free toy for each child and free pony rides outside the hotel. Costumed characters will also be on hand to visit with youngsters. There will also be free face painting and a large petting zoo that will include a
camel. Ms. Sweitzer said donations of new toys would be appreciated. “We just need any toy item that we can donate to the children, because we buy all the toys ourselves,” she said. “Any toy would be awesome.” Age-appropriate toys for infants and elementary school-age children are encouraged. Monetary donations, to be used to but toys, are also appreciated, she said. “This community is great,” she said, noting businesses, organizations and individuals always come through. Toys and donations of funds can be dropped off at the Hampton Inn until Nov. 29, or can be mailed to: The Hampton Inn, attn: Christine Sweitzer, 101 Main St., Olean, NY 14760. (Contact reporter Kate Day Sager at kates_th@yahoo.com)
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Thinking ahead
Holiday gift idea for grandparents: Protect your grandchild’s future (Family Features) — Tired of purchasing toys that break or that her grandchildren will outgrow, 62-year-old Barbara Carlson* decided the holidays were a perfect time to purchase a gift that will continue to protect both of her grandchildren well into their futures. “I just became a grandmother for the second time, and I bought a permanent youth life insurance policy for my new granddaughter that could either one day help protect her financially if the unexpected happens or help her pay for college,” said Carlson. She is not alone. Grandparents are increasingly giving the gift of life insur-
ance to their grandchildren for many reasons. For Carlson, it was a way of helping her son and daughter-in-law during a time when budgets are tight. She purchased the two youth whole life insurance policies so the new parents could focus on more immediate concerns, such as increased child care expenses and other necessities. “I bought both youth policies when the grandchildren were newborns and their policies will mature in 20 years,” added Carlson. “That means when my grandchildren reach age 20, they can either keep their policy as life insurance protection or Please see Grandchild, page 14
Family Features photo
Grandparents are increasingly giving the gift of life insurance to their grandchildren for many reasons.
CRAFTER Continued from page 10
into kits so anyone can make the projects. The designers get a cut of the sale. For the holidays, you can order a gingerbread house kit for $29 or stocking kits for $19. Projects range in price from $19 to $49. Farb says her biggest customers are those in the 29-to-35 age group. Here are some tips to get you started: ® GET INSPIRATION: To get into the holiday craft spirit, seek ideas at stores, on social sites such as Pinterest and YouTube, and in magazines. On Nov. 20, Jo-Ann is launching a holiday hub called share.joann.com that will feature projects from some of the most influential bloggers, a social media feed of projects its customers have created, and inspiration developed by its internal team based on the season’s trends. To share your projects, just hashtag them with #makeitgiveit on Instagram, says Nicole Long, manager of inspiration at Jo-Ann. For more inspiration, click on Cre8time.org, which was started by the CHA Foundation, an arm of the Craft & Hobby Association trade group. It provides a forum to share crafting experiences. ® STICK TO THE LIST: Make a list of supplies
and buy just those, says Nadine Schwartz, director of sales at the Craft & Hobby Association, because impulse items can be tempting. Another good rule: Buy tools you’ll use on more than one project. Darby Smart’s Farb says she has learned that the more popular do-it-yourself kits have been those that offered tools that can be used again. This season, Darby Smart has a $29 rust wood ornament kit that includes a wood burning hot pen. ® ENROLL IN CLASS: Check out classes on the websites of Michaels and Jo-Ann. Jo-Ann’s beginner classes cost $35 and last 2 1/2 hours. Michaels’ Carlotti says that its classes at the stores are increasingly catering to the entire family. Classes feature such topics as paper crafting and crocheting. The cost ranges from $5 to $50 for select fine arts classes. Michaels is also starting to offer classes online and making its YouTube videos more instructive. “We are a big believer in education,” Chuck Rubin, Michaels CEO told investors in September. “It’s good for the enthusiast. It’s critical for the novice customer.” ® SEARCH FOR BARGAINS ONLINE: This year, you have more options to compare prices
online. Michaels expanded into e-commerce this year for the first time. It has about 15,000 items available online. Meanwhile, Amazon. com has increased its craft selection by more than 25 percent.
buy without a subscription, ranging from $9.95 to $17.95. Holiday kits include a cardboard gingerbread house that comes with such materials as felt sheets, glue, pipe cleaners and tissue paper squares.
® TURN CRAFTING INTO FAMILY TIME: Kiwi Crate, usually a subscription service, offers craft projects for the kids. For the holidays, it sells kits you can
® RECYCLE WHAT YOU HAVE: Michael Londrigan, dean of academic affairs at LIM College, a fashion college in New York, says to look around your
house and garage for scraps of wood, yarn or other items to come up with materials for projects. Or go to flea markets. Last year, Londrigan said he made 12 birdhouses for friends featuring roofs made
of folded license plates that transformed into roofs when folded. Each license plate he used was from a state where his friends lived. “It’s about personalizing the gift so there’s a memory attached to it,” he said.
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GRANDCHILD Continued from page 13
they may decide to borrow against the cash value to help pay for college.” Carlson pays approximately $15 a month for each child’s policy and those premium payments never increase. Her son maintains sole control of the policies until her grandchildren reach the age of 16, with some restrictions.
A Mattel Monster Maker, controlled by an iPad, is demonstrated at the TTPM Holiday Showcase.
Three Tips for Purchasing Youth Life Insurance 1. Consider youth policies that are whole life policies. Whole life youth policies are a form of permanent life insurance. That means the child continues to be insured, regardless of changes in her or his health condition, as long as the policy remains in force and the premiums are paid. The preAssociated Press mium payments are guaranteed and never increase. 2. Purchase youth life insurance at younger ages. While many organizations offer youth life insurance up to age 18, typically the earlier you purchase the policy, and in stores. Kmart charges the less expensive it is over a $5 service fee for an eight- the coverage period. 3. Different life insurance week contract and $10 for a organizations offer addition12-week contract. al child-friendly benefits. In As for Wal-Mart, it addition to offering youth doesn’t charge an opening fee, and requires either a $10 life policies, life insurers down payment or 10 percent such as not-for-profit insurer Royal Neighbors of America, of the total purchase of the also offers its members benitems, whichever is higher. efits which currently include Many stores limit layscholarship opportunities away to certain classes of that can help fund the costs big-ticket items. So ask the of a college education. store for its policies.
Optimize your plan for toy shopping By Anne D’Innocenzio AP Retail Writer
NEW YORK — Looking for the holiday season’s hot toys, like anything related to Disney’s “Frozen”? Or maybe you’re not picky and just looking for deals? Toy sellers are increasingly catering to time-starved, budget-conscious shoppers with new features on websites or improved layouts in the toy aisle. And you can expect more bargains than last year. Online king Amazon.com says it will be offering more discounts on toys. In addition, Amazon’s annual holiday toy list adds commentary from its product experts on the latest trends. You can browse through new categories like “Mom Picks” or “Classic” brands to find gift ideas and personal anecdotes from Amazon editors. Toys R Us’ website has a new “gift finder” that features top gifts for every toy category and allows shoppers to easily search items by age group and price range, among other factors. Toys R Us has also launched two shops this holiday season at the front of its stores. One features new, hot products. The other one: Gift Express, which caters to grab-and-go customers with items for $30 or less. Toy sellers aim to perk up sales that were flat last year, though they hope to get a boost this year from toys related to Disney’s “Frozen” and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which could sell out quickly. “Shoppers need to be strategic,” says Chris Byrne,
content director at TTPM, a toy review site. “You know the hot toys are going to sell out early, so buy those first. Then wait for the other things to be on sale.” The deepest discounts typically happen after Dec. 15, Byrne says. Here are some tips: ® FINDING THE HOTTEST TOYS: For hard-to-find toys, sign up to stores’ Twitter feeds and keep checking the aisles, says Laurie Schacht, CEO of the publication The Toy Insider. Stores generally get new shipments on Thursday and Friday, so it’s best to check then, Byrne said. To make it easier, signing up for free membership at TTPM.com can get you e-mail notifications when a sold-out toy you want becomes available online. It automatically tracks 15 retailers, including WalMart, Amazon.com, Toys R Us and Target. (It does not track availability in physical stores.) Toyinsider.com lists all the toy discounts offered over Thanksgiving weekend, Schacht says. Many of the hottest toys are affordable and under $35, Byrne says. For example, one of the most popular items is a collectible figure called Shopkins. A 12-pack sells for $12.99 at Toys R Us. Price wars are heating up. For example, Wal-Mart is selling the Elsa Snow Glow doll from “Frozen” for $28.88, an $11 savings compared with rivals. “This may be the bestselling item this year,”
Duncan Mac Naughton, WalMart’s chief merchandising officer, told investors earlier this month. ® FINDING THE CLASSICS: Customers looking to buy toys like wooden trains usually seen only in small shops have more choices this year. Target has teamed up with dozens of specialty toy brands to offer hundreds of such items. They include such names as Wonderology, known for its science kits, and Hape, known for wooden toys like stacking blocks and trains. ® FREE LOYALTY PROGRAMS: Toys R Us’ revamped loyalty program allows customers to get more rewards faster. Shoppers now can get a $5
coupon for every $125 spent at Toys R US or Babies R Us. Previously, they had to spend $250 to get the same reward. As for Target, those who sign up for free on its Cartwheel app will be able to get daily 50 percent deals on different toys each day from Nov. 2 to Dec. 24. ® STRETCHING YOUR BUDGET WITH LAYAWAY: Toys “R’’ Us, which has previously offered layaway in its stores, just introduced the pay-over-time service online at Toysrus.com and babiesrus.com. Toys R Us is also once again offering free layaway for the holiday season, waiving the usual $5 service fee, online and in stores. Kmart and Wal-Mart also both offer layaway online
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Make a return to the basics Consider gifts that inspire the imagination of children (Family Features) — Though it may seem that all of the high-demand gift items this season require batteries and a level of tech savvy only the younger generation can boast, there are actually many great options that let you encourage the kids on your list to get back to basics and get unplugged. According to research by Common Sense Media, kids under 8 spend nearly two hours of every day on screen time — that is, using a tablet, computer or mobile device, watching TV, etc. While some of that usage is dedicated to educational games and content, the prevalence of media use among kids is distracting them from one of childhood’s greatest gifts: the freedom to let their imaginations soar. Kids whose imaginative play is fostered and supported show numerous health and developmental advantages, ranging from increased levels of fitness and coordination to higher self-esteem and an improved ability to apply the information they learn. This holiday season, look for gifts that inspire kids to embrace pretend play: ® Blocks It doesn’t get much more basic than building blocks when it comes to setting the imagination free. Skip the sets that come with specific instructions and opt instead for blocks that encourage free-form play and construction. Small and mid-sized plastic pieces let kids create miniature versions of nearly anything their minds can conjure. On the flip side, jumbo cardboard blocks let children create environments they can physically engage with, such as lifesize playhouses. ® Figurines There are many figurines and customizable accessories and environments available to tickle kids’ imagination. From auto service stations and race tracks to dollhouses and pet boutiques, little ones can explore and create for hours. For example, the Calico Critters toy line provides hours of wholesome and imaginative play. These high-quality miniature families of animals are paired with a selection of environments ranging from homes to shops to restaurants, along with complementary furnishings and accessories. These settings are similar to those in a child’s life, making them more relatable and fun. For more information, visit www.calicocritters.com.
Family Features
Kids whose imaginative play is fostered and supported show numerous health and developmental advantages, ranging from increased levels of fitness and coordination to higher self-esteem and an improved ability to apply the information they learn.
® Dress up Whether you assemble a collection of whimsical treasures from thrift shops or rely on the costumes and sets available at retail stores, clothing that allows a child to adopt a new persona is an instant way to encourage the imagination. Costumes depicting familiar characters let kids act out their favorite screen-time scenes in real life, while a unique mishmash of items lets them create unique scenarios to explore. ® Books Good old-fashioned books help expose kids to new worlds. Choose-your-ownadventure books, in which the reader helps direct the flow of the story line, are a great choice for engaging kids directly as they imagine their way through the story line. More traditional books introduce concepts, characters and scenarios that provide hours of play as kids act out the new ideas they discover. ® Crafting sets From create-your-own jewelry to color-to-complete playhouses and spaceships, crafty gifts let kids explore their artistic side and experiment with creating tangible representations of their imagination. You can choose from prepackaged sets at many retailers, or crafting
stores provide a diverse selection of unfinished items to pair with the appropriate tools. Toys and games that encourage pretend play let kids create, explore and imagine in a stress-free environment where they set the rules and boundaries. These gifts, which encourage kids to unplug and embrace a
whole new world of wholesome play, are the kind you can feel truly great about giving. ® A Gift That Keeps Giving Encouraging kids to explore the world and learn through imaginative play See Imagination, page 16
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Consider sharing some music this holiday with family, friends A personal gift made easy by tech By Melissa Kossler Dutton Associated Press
Luke Maguire Armstrong doesn’t pen a holiday letter to friends. The guitar player and songwriter prefers to communicate musically. Armstrong makes a CD that he shares with friends and family each Christmas, containing songs that reflect the places he’s visited or how he’s felt during the year. He includes a note about how he discovered each song. Recent CDs, for example, have helped tell the stories of his travels throughout Central America. “I choose the songs that had the most impact on me,” said Armstrong, who divides his time between New York and Antigua, Guatemala. “It’s a way for me to stay in touch with a lot of people and get everyone something.” Sharing music is a great way to connect with friends, and technology has made it easier than ever, says Kristen Chase, publisher and CEO of coolmompicks.com, which covers trends in technology. Chase, who has a degree in music therapy, creates playlists for various occasions, including her children’s birthdays. “Because our music preferences are often a window into who we are as people, sharing music is actually sharing a part of ourselves,” she said. “It’s a way for us to connect with other people and allow them into our lives, which I think is an inherent part of being human.” Or, as Armstrong described it in a holiday letter he sent to friends with the songs in 2011: “To me, music is more than just an entertaining way to pass the time, but (like chocolate covered bananas and Lady Gaga) a way to enrich life — a way of reaching further than rigid reality allows.” Music lovers can create and share playlists in a variety of ways, Chase said. She recommends Spotify, a digital music service that provides access to millions of songs. Users can search for songs online to share with friends and family. For those who prefer creating something more
tangible, Chase suggests putting the music on a USB drive. USB drives come in numerous designs and colors; Chase likes the nostalgic feel of ones that look like cassette tapes, which for her conjure up memories of mix tapes in high school. Adding music to a USB drive is also a way to give a tech gift that has a personal touch. “You can get really creative,” she said. Tyler Hayes, a writer in San Diego, suggests asking friends what website or app they use to listen to music, and sharing a playlist through it. In addition Associated Press to Spotify, he has shared This undated photo provided by Heather Browne displays a selection of holiday CDs she has made over the years for songs using Beats Music friends and listeners of her blog. The resident of Colorado Springs, Colo., sees making a playlist to as a way to share interand Rdio. “I’m always seeking out esting music and highlight her favorite songs. new music and sharing it - especially with people I know who would enjoy it,” he said. Heather Browne of Colorado Springs, Colorado, looks forward every fall to creating a 20-song Christmas/holiday playlist to share with friends, family and readers of her music blog. “Part of the reason I do them is as a conscious rebellion against the amount of terrible Christmas music out there,” she said. “I try to find songs with some sense of nostalgia, some sense of wonder.” Often, the songs aren’t holiday music per se, but feel “Christmasy” or “wintery,” and reflect how her year went. She pays careful attention to the order of the songs, too. “That’s kind of the fun part of making a mix - curating the songs,” she said. “I hope that they listen to them in the order I put them in.” Browne shares the list as MP3 files on her blog, fuelfriends.blogspot.com, but also burns about two dozen CDs to give away. A friend helps her create cover art for the CD, and anyone who wants to burn a CD of the playlist can also print out the cover art. “It takes a lot of work,” Browne said. “I get wonderful, emotional feedback from people from all around the world - that makes it worthwhile.”
IMAGINATION Continued from page15
has numerous benefits for their overall well-being. Giving gifts that encourage kids to use their imagination helps boost numerous longterm development skills. ® Social development Creating characters and scripting scenes, whether alone or through play with others, teaches a child to consider other perspectives and fosters the growth of empathy and understanding. ® Language Being allowed to create their own play environment, versus those delivered on a screen, forces children to rely on their vocabulary and practice using the words they’ve learned both informally and formally. Solitary play offers the benefit of allowing a child to practice these skills, while pretend play with peers encourages clear and effective communi-
cation with others. ® Problem solving It’s never too early for a child to begin developing cognitive thinking skills that allow them to effectively troubleshoot and resolve problems. Even a simple play activity, such as contemplating what items from the dress-up drawer should be packed for an imaginary vacation, lets a little one begin to understand how to identify a challenge and create meaningful solutions. ® Relationships Playing with others is a natural way for kids to forge meaningful bonds with other children, and with the adults in their lives. Imaginary play nurtures and lets children practice critical relationshipbuilding skills such as communication. What’s more, interacting through pretend play gives kids a shared experience that shapes a bond with their partner in play.
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Pumpkin pie reconfigured for Thanksgiving By Alisson Ladman
the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Add the eggs and whisk until smooth. Lastly, whisk in the pumpkin puree. Set the pan over medium heat and, whisking constantly, bring to a simmer. Cook until the mixture thickens, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the ricotta. Set aside and allow to fully cool. When the pumpkin mixture has cooled, spoon it into a zip-close plastic bag and snip one corner. Gently squeeze the bag to pipe the
Associated Press
Who says the Thanksgiving pumpkin dessert has to be a pie? We decided to tinker with tradition just a bit by turning the usual pumpkin pie filling into cannoli. Same great taste, whole new packaging. Not only is this an impressive, finger foodfriendly way to get a pumpkin dessert on the table, it’s also easy. Instead of having to fuss with a pie crust, you simply purchase prepared cannoli shells, which are easily filled with the pumpkin filling. It all comes together in just minutes. In fact, the filling can be prepped the day ahead, then piped into the cannoli shells shortly before serving. We suggest garnishing the ends of the cannoli with chopped pistachios or chocolate, but feel free to improvise with whatever toppings inspire you. Chopped candied pecans would be particularly good. SPICED PUMPKIN CANNOLI Start to finish: 20 minutes, plus cooling time Makes 15 large or 30 miniature cannoli 1 ⁄2 cup packed brown sugar 1 ⁄4 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground dry ginger 1 ⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg 3 eggs 15-ounce can pumpkin puree 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese 30 miniature or 15 large purchased cannoli shells Chopped pistachios or chopped dark chocolate (optional) In a medium saucepan off the heat, whisk together
Holiday cards: to send or not to send By Anne Wallace Allen Associated Press
For many people, the rules for posting personal news on Facebook, Pinterest and other social media are clear: Put a Good Face on Everything. But that rule doesn’t always extend to holiday cards. There, along with the smiling pictures and upbeat updates, you also might learn about the year’s marital debacles, bad diagnoses or heartbreaking fertility problems. Refreshing honesty or too much information? The tell-all holiday card or letter has been around for a few years now, said Diane Gottsman, a Texas-based etiquette expert. She believes that a holiday card is supposed to be a warm greeting; if you want to update people on the harsh realities of your life, have that conversation in person. “The holiday card should warm hearts, with some small note,” said Gottsman. “Droning on about your divorce and how your ex-husband did you wrong? The card is not the venue for this kind of news.” LisaMarie Luccioni, a professor of communications at the University of Cincinnati, said people have grown skeptical, however, of the crafted, idealized versions of life they see on Facebook. The holiday card can serve as a reality check, she said. “I actually appreciate the candor and honesty of people in these types of cards,” said Luccioni. “I’m a professor of 25 years and I appreciate when a student gives me honesty.” Despite the availability of electronic greeting cards, many people still send paper holiday cards, sometimes including page-long “newsletters” summarizing the year.
Associated Press
This photo shows spiced pumpkin cannoli. Instead of having to fuss with a pie crust, with this dessert simply purchase prepared cannoli shells, which are easily filled with the pumpkin filling.
mixture into the cannoli shells. Once each shell is filled, gently press both ends of each into the chopped pistachios or chocolate to lightly coat the exposed filling. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be prepped 2 hours ahead of time. Nutrition information per serving (based on 15 servings): 210 calories; 90 calories from fat (43 percent of total calories); 10 g fat (3.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 60 mg cholesterol; 24 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 8 g sugar; 6 g protein; 60 mg sodium.
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