Erie Cattaraugus Chautauqua County Community Source 12/16/22

8 easy holiday centerpiece ideas

The holiday season is a great time to make any home a bit more merry and bright. Most individuals let their personalities show through their home decor, and holiday decorating is just as personal as decorating throughout the rest of the year.

The main living areas of a home get the most decorating attention, with a Christmas tree or menorah taking a prominent position in the front window. Garlands, candles and other accoutrements also may dress up spaces. However, when it comes to holiday hosting, attention also should be given to the dining table — which can benefit from a festive centerpiece.

Premade centerpieces are undeniably attractive, but adding a homespun touch can be a fun creative pursuit and become a family tradition. Explore these eight simple ideas to dress up your holiday table.

1. Frosted pine cones: Take advantage of a crisp winter’s day to venture into a forest or park that is rich with evergreen trees. Gather pine cones from the forest floor and, if possible, a few evergreen boughs. Give the pine cones a touch of winter whimsy with a little faux snow in a can or even white paint. Nestle the boughs and pine cones into a wide-mouthed vase or bowl in the center of the table. Individual pine cones can later be turned into place cards for seating guests.

2. Holiday thanks: Cut many strips of paper roughly 6 inches in length from various colored pieces of paper to match the

holiday theme. When guests arrive, ask them to write a favorite holiday memory or two, or what they’re thankful for. Twirl the paper strips around a pencil to curl them, and then place the curlicues into a decorative bowl in the center of the table. Later in the evening, the host or hostess can read some of the sentiments.

3. Magical forest: Use green and silver conical party hats to turn a table or sideboard into a veritable evergreen forest. Arrange them on a blanket of faux snow or white confetti.

4. Freshly cut: Select attractive flowers in vibrant holiday hues from a florist or even the supermarket floral section. Cut

the stems and place them into an unusual display container, such as holiday themed mugs or a punch bowl.

5. Glass baubles: Who says ornaments should be exclusive to the tree? A crystal or glass cake stand can be transformed into an icy delight when topped with silver and clear glass ornaments.

6. Birch wood: The crisp white coloring of birch bark is right at home with holiday decor. Go stark with pieces of the cut wood in varying heights intermingled with white candles that mimic the shapes and scale of the wood.

7. Fruit and vegetables: If guests are coming over and the

O, Christmas Tree

There are various English-language versions of “O, Christmas Tree,” each of which traces its origins to a traditional German folk song that, at least initially, was unrelated to Christmas. That changed over time, and by the mid-19th century the song was being sung as a Christmas carol.

“O, Christmas Tree”

O Christmas Tree O, Christmas Tree, Your branches green

delight us.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us.

They’re green when summer days are bright; They’re green when winter snow is white.

O, Christmas Tree, O, Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,

You give us so much pleasure!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, You give us so much pleasure!

How oft at Christmas tide the sight, O green fir tree, gives us delight!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, You give us so much pleasure!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,

race is on for a fast centerpiece, look no further than the kitchen. Lemons, artichokes, pears, or pomegranates look festive in a bowl interspersed with some greenery and baby’s breath.

8. Cornucopia: The horn of plenty can be customized to any holiday. Purchase a horn in wicker or woven grapevine and fill with flowers, fruit and greenery, or even painted gourds or miniature pumpkins.

Holiday hosts and hostesses should not neglect the dining table when they decorate. Festive centerpieces can be handmade without much effort on the part of hosts.

Your branches green delight us.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us.

They’re green when summer days are bright; They’re green when winter snow is white.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us!

Lyrics courtesy of LyricsforChristmas.com

MAYVILLE, N.Y.: Communities across the US continue to experience high rates of drug overdose and overdose fatalities. Officials in Chautauqua County are alerting the community of the dangers of illicit drug use while also reminding the public of the multiple local resources available to address this ongoing public health crisis.

County Executive PJ Wendel said, “Fentanyl, a powerful and deadly opioid, continues to be found in street drugs of all kinds and continues to cause overdose and death in our communities. At the same time, numerous individuals and agencies throughout our county are working to combat addiction and reduce drug overdos-

es, and we are grateful for their life-saving efforts.”

Help for individuals struggling with substance use is available in many forms in Chautauqua County, including:

· Free naloxone (Narcan®), a nasal spray medication that reverses opioid overdoses;

· Free fentanyl test strips;

· Initiation of buprenorphine treatment, a medication used for opioid addiction, through the WNY Opioid Addiction Treatment Hotline;

· Licensed outpatient clinics providing counseling and medication-assisted treatment;

· Peer support services;

· Inpatient rehab and residential services;

· Harm reduction services

Steve Kilburn, Grant Projects Director at the county’s Department of Mental Hygiene, said, “Chautauqua County has many services and providers for individuals and families struggling with addiction. Details and contact information for these

resources can be found at CombatAddictionCHQ. com.” Kilburn also stated that the Chautauqua County Crisis Hotline (1-800724-0461) provides free confidential assistance, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by behavioral health professionals.

County officials remind the public that New York

State’s Good Samaritan Law provides protections from charge and prosecution for drug and alcohol possession for an overdose victim and those who seek help during an overdose. They also note that there are no legal restrictions or implications for carrying naloxone and they encourage county residents to have this life-saving medication on hand.

NY

Senator Borrello made the presentation during a ceremony at the Fenton Historical Center in Jamestown. Attending the event were family and friends of Mr. Tedesco as well as local officials and fellow veterans.

“I am honored to be able to recognize Private Tedesco for his service during World War II,” Senator Borrello said. “It is gratifying to have the opportunity to pay tribute to such an extraordinary man who was part of the effort to liberate Europe from Nazi rule. He bravely and selflessly went off to war when his nation called upon him, putting his own life at risk in order to defeat tyranny. While the sacrifices he made in faithful service to our country can never be adequately repaid, with these medals, we express our gratitude and admiration.”

The son of Anthony and Rose Tedesco, he was born June 18, 1924 in Falconer. A machine shop inspector, Thomas was drafted into the U.S. Army Enlisted Reserve Corps on February 4, 1943 and reported for active duty at Old Fort Niagara one week later.

After training as a truck driver and air cargo specialist, Private Tedesco

was sent to England on December 12, 1943, joining the 325th Ferry Squadron, 9th Air Force. The 325th provided passenger, mail and logistical support to all American military units in the United Kingdom.

On D-Day, the 325th Ferry Squadron joined an armada of 1,400 C-47s, C-53s, C-109s, 2,000 gliders and 40,000 men – all alerted for or directly engaged in Operation Overlord or D-Day – but the unit continued to support rear echelon allied forces still in England.

riors recommended that he be assigned to military police duties. When he declined, he found himself moved to the front lines with assignment to the 347th Infantry Regiment. The 347th, part of the 87th Infantry Division, arrived in Scotland on Oct. 22, 1944, trained in England and landed in France the first week of December 1944. It moved to the front lines at Metz and went into action against German forces holding Fort Driant.

pean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars; the World War II Victory Medal; the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button.

In addition, from the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, he received the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and Medal For Merit.

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On December 10, 1944, the 347th moved near the Saar-German border. It was on the front lines when Germany launched what was to become the Battle of the Bulge. Despite strong opposition, the 347th repelled the attack and advanced, crossing the Kyll River. In continuous fighting, the unit then crossed the Rhine River on March 18, 1945.

By April 17, 1945, the division took up defensive positions about four miles from the border to Czechoslovakia and remained there for V-E Day.

On May 6, 1945, the 347th Infantry made U.S. Army history by capturing 10,242 German Army officers and soldiers, the largest part of a mass surrender of 40,000 enemy personnel that crossed into American lines. One day later, May 7, Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allies in Reims, France, ending World War II and the Third Reich.

Private Tedesco was discharged December 16, 1945 at Fort Dix, having served one year, three months and six days of service in the continental United States and one year and seven months overseas.

In honor of his outstanding service, Senator Borrello presented to Private Tedesco, the Bronze Star Medal, the fourth-highest individual military award for valor; the Good Conduct Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Euro -

“Private Tedesco’s wartime service and his humility surrounding his contributions are typical of those who are part of the Greatest Generation. He made tremendous sacrifices and laid his life on the line for our nation, but never sought attention or thanks,” said Senator Borrello. “Today was our opportunity to let him know our community and nation are immensely grateful for his courageous service.”

Army Private First Class Thomas A. Tedesco with a special presentation of military medals earned during World War II.

Private Tedesco’s supe

Photo Submitted

Shown from left-to-right: Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell; Patricia Lindfors, daughter of PFC Tedesco; PFC Thomas Tedesco; Senator George Borrello; and Roseann Carlson, daughter of PFC Tedesco.