JJC - Fall Festival & Holiday Guide - October 6, 2022

Holiday Guide 2022&Fall Festival

HOLIDAY GUIDE CALENDAR

OCTOBER

Saturday, Oct. 8

Noon-5:30 Music 2-5

West of Wise Winery

Fodder Shock Festival

14096 UL-97

Petersburg, Il

Sunday, Oct. 9

Carry-Out Style Soups

Luncheon

10:30am – 1:00pm

37th annual Pilot Club

Holiday Home Tour & Tea

Sunday, Dec 4, from 1-5 p.m.

Tea will be at Water’s Edge Winery

1061 East Morton Home Tour includes the following homes:

& Matthew Pfeifer-Ware

Tickets $7.00 in advance, $8.00 at the door

Pick up inside or drivethru

Faith Lutheran Church 1385 W Walnut, Jacksonville

Saturday, Oct. 15th

Behind Closed Doors Fall Home Tour

Quincy’s Word Class Architecture

5 Private Residences

For more information 800-978-4748

Saturday, Oct.15th

Murrayville United Methodist Church 10am Community Prayer Breakfast at Community Building

Saturday & Sunday

Oct 15 & 16

Beardstown Antique Mall

Fall Open House

2104 Wall St Beardstown 217-323-4569

Saturday, Oct 22

10-2 • Pumpkin Festival

Jacksonville Main Street

Sunday, Oct.23

Murrayville United Methodist Church 5pm -Community Weiner roast in Murrayville Park

Saturday, Oct.29 9-noon Community Blood Drive in Community Building

Monday, Oct. 31st

Halloween 6-8 pm

Roodhouse Police Dept & White Hall Drag-o-Way Come costumed.

Decorate your trunk and cruise in

To participate, call 217589-4348

...

NOVEMBER

Thursday, Nov. 3rd

Plan a Holiday Vacation

Join us for an Alaska Cruise Presentation for our group with Farmers State Bank & Trust Company

Call for more details 217243-0530

Wednesday, Nov. 9 4-7 • Ladies Night Out Favorite Things Holiday

All Occasions

229 S. Main, Jacksonville

Thurs., Fri. & Sat. Nov. 10-12

Christmas Open House at Pharmacy Plus

508 N. Main, Carrollton Thurs. 9-6 Fri. 9-6 Sat 9-3

Thursday, Nov.10 3-6 pm

Fri & Sat, Nov 11&12 9-4 pm

Sunday, Nov.13 12-3 pm

Christmas Open House Start Your Christmas Season with Us! Register to win $100 with purchase Special savings of 30% on Nov. 10 Tipsord’s Florist & Gifts 776 Old Route 36, Winchester

Friday & Saturday Nov. 11, 9-6 Nov. 12, 9-2

Favorite Things Holiday Party

25% off gift store

All Occasions

229 S. Main, Jacksonville

Michael Woods & Jamie Filo-Cruz

Tickets are available at the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, County Market and any Pilot member.

Current members of the Pilot Club of Jacksonville are: Shelle Allen, Madi Allen, Barb Austin, Vickie Austin, Anne Becker, Diana Bushnell, Delsie Clanc y, Diane Farmer, Martha Hauck, Karla Henderson, Nanc y Holt, Linda Meece, Claire Moos, Sue Morrow, Patty & Dale Osborne, Lisa Pierce, Sharon Rohlfs, Zoellen Smith, Karla Stice, Joyce Surbeck, Billie Summers, Sue Tapscott, Sue Fisher Thomas, Carol Wallbaum, Liddy Weber, Caron Yates, and Tina Young.

2022

Fri., Sat. & Sun.

Nov. 11-13

Christmas Open House

Nickorbobs 14260

Frazee Rd., Divernon

Hilda’s Antique Mall 15266 Frazee Rd., Divernon

Open 10-6 10% off both malls

Saturday, Nov. 14-26

Santa Stroll

12 Days of Loving

Jacksonville Main Street, Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Saturday, Nov 19th

Centenary United Methodist Cookie Campaign 9am until sold out

Drive-through prepackaged cookies $5.00/ib. 331 East State

Sat. & Sun., Nov. 19-20

Extended Christmas Sale

Nickorbobs 14260

Frazee Rd., Divernon Hilda’s Antique 15266 Frazee Rd., Divernon

Sunday, Nov.20th

Murrayville United Methodist Church

6:30pm – Community Thanksgiving Service in the Community Building

Saturday, Nov. 26

Very Beard Christmas 9-11 am 2209 State Hwy 123, Ashland

Sunday, Nov.27

Murrayville United Methodist Church

4:30pm – Community

Tree Lighting behind Post Office

Wednesday, Nov.30

Advent Allegro at Faith Lutheran Church

“ The Extension Chords” Soup lunch, concerts begin at 12:15 pm 1383 W. Walnut, Jacksonville ...

DECEMBER

Behind Closed Doors

Winter Home Tour

Quincy’s Word Class Architecture John Wood Mansion Candlelight Tours For more information 800-978-4748

Friday, Dec. 2nd Salem Lutheran Ladies Guild 3-5 pm in the Salem Lutheran Annex Corner of College & S. East St. Home made cookies, breads, etc.

Friday & Saturday Dec. 2-3 10:00-4:30pm

Christmas Open House Specials, unique gifts and refreshments.

Woodyard’s 1851 S. Main 217-370-1940

South Jacksonville Antique Mall 1850 S. Main 217-2459113

Friday & Saturday

Dec. 2-3

Christkindlmarket

Jacksonville Main Street

Saturday, Dec. 3rd Christmas Luncheon

Trinity Episcopal Church 359 W. State, Jacksonville Call 245-5901 for tickets

$15.00

Served 11am & 12:30 PM

Saturday, Dec. 3rd

8th Annual Winchester Hometown Christmas 9am-3pm

Gingerbread House Contest at Old School Museum 9am-3pm Specials at a Variety of Local Businesses Cookie Walk at First Christian Church 9amnoon *Gift Wrapping Station by Local 4-H Group 9am-1pm Breakfast with Santa at the Outreach Community Center 10am-noon

*Dedication of the New Children’s Area at Winchester Public Library 1pm-2pm *Lighted Parade (One

of the largest in the area) coordinated by WHS Key Club 6:00pm *Memory Tree Ceremony in Douglas Park

immediately following the parade

Saturday & Sunday Dec. 3rd & 4th Beardstown

Christmas Open House Beardstown Antique Mall 2104 Wall St. Beardstown 217-323-4569

Sunday, Dec. 4th 1-5pm • Pilot Club Home Tour

Tea 1-5 Waters Edge Winery 1061 E. Morton Homes: 18 Jacobs Lane - Dr. Ron & Michell Lynch 1040 W. College - Billy & Mandy Leib 6 Belaire Court - Don & Patty Cook

1400 Mound AvenueTodd & Matthew PfeifferWare

1106 W. Lafayette - Dr. Michael Woods & Jamie Filo-Cruz

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Advent Allegro at Faith Lutheran Church Soup lunch with concert at 12:15pm

“Tyler Carpenter on Marimba”

1385 W. Walnut, Jacksonville

Sunday, December 11

Murrayville United Methodist Church

6pm- Spirit Builders Christmas Program at the church

Tuesday, Dec. 13th 4pm • Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Roodhouse, IL

Wednesday, Dec. 14 Advent Allegro at Faith Lutheran South Lunch with concert beginning at 12:15 pm

“JHS Madrigal Singers”

1385 W Walnut, Jacksonville

Thursday, Dec. 15th Jacksonville Area Senior Center

Community Park Center 1309 S. Main, Jacksonville

Cookie & Candy Walk $6.00 a pound 8am to 3pm

Sunday, Dec. 18 Murrayville Methodist Church

6pm – Blue Christmas Service at the church

A Look at the Oldest

Halloween Traditions

As with many celebrations, Halloween is steeped in traditions — many of which can be traced back quite some time. Since Halloween is believed to have originated from Celtic pagan, ancient Roman and early Christian events, its traditions are varied. The following is a deep look at some old traditions associated with Halloween.

Bonfires

Historians trace many traditions of Halloween to a Celtic holiday known as Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts lived 2,000 years ago in parts of what is now Northern France, Great Britain and Ireland.

Plan Your Holiday

During Samhain, people believed that the door between the worlds of the living and the dead was blurred. On Samhain, Celts believed the ghosts of the dead returned. Also, Druids made predictions about the future at this time of year. It was customary to build large, sacred bonfires and burn crops and other sacrifices to the Celtic deities. While large bonfires are not typically part of Halloween celebrations today, revelers can light fire pits in their yards that are reminiscent of ancient celebrations.

Trick-or-treating Christianity spread throughout Celtic regions

and blended with other rituals. Pope Gregory III expanded on a holiday

Pope Boniface IV established to honor Christian martyrs to include all saints and martyrs. All Saints Day on November 1 commemorates the

venerable saints, and All Souls Day on November 2 celebrates loved ones who went on to eternal rest. All-Hallows Eve (Halloween) was a time to pay homage to the dead. Poor children would go door to door in more

affluent neighborhoods offering to say prayers for residents’ deceased loved ones in exchange for some food or money. This was known as “souling,” which became the basis for trick-or-treating. Later the tradition became known as “guising” in areas of Scotland, where children would go around in costumes.

could go into a trancelike state, and would do so in front of their fireplaces. Superstitious people believed the witches could fly out of their chimneys on broomsticks and terrorize others with magical deeds.

Bobbing for apples

Bobbing for apples is not quite as popular as it once was, as more people have become concerned about spreading germs. During the Roman festival for Pomona, which occurred around November 1, Pomona, the goddess of fruit and orchards, was celebrated. Romans believed the first person to catch a bobbing apple with his or her teeth would be the first to marry. It also was believed apple peels contained the secrets to true love.

Carving pumpkins

Cookie

Witches

Images of witches riding broomsticks are everywhere come Halloween, and witch costumes remain a standard.

Almanac.com indicates that, during the Middle Ages, women who practiced divination were dubbed “witches,” from the Anglo-Saxon word “wicce,” or “wise one.” It was believed the witches

Removing the insides of pumpkins and carving them into funny or fearsome faces may be messy work, but it’s tradition on Halloween. Turnips were the material of choice in ancient Ireland, but were replaced by pumpkins when immigrants came to America. The “lanterns” were made with scary faces and lit to frighten away spirits.

Halloween is full of traditions, many of which have lengthy histories.

How to Keep Kids Safe on Halloween

When Halloween arrives each October, most people are interested in the entertaining aspects of the holiday in addition to the abundance of sweet foods that are there for the taking. Even though fun may be foremost on the brain, it is important for everyone keep safety in mind as well.

According to the Florida Law Group, Halloween is a time of heightened injuries and fatalities, and is actually the deadliest day of the year for children. A State Farm insurance study that analyzed four million fatalities between 1990 and 2010 discovered children are twice as likely to die on Halloween as they are on any other day of the year. Data published in the Wall Street Journal indicated children between the ages of four and eight are 10 times more likely to be fatally injured by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. While no one wants to put a damper on Halloween festivities, it’s

important that everyone celebrate safely.

Keep weekdays in mind

Halloween falls on a Monday in 2022 and that could be more dangerous than if it fell on a weekend. According to Autoinsurance.com, which conducted a study that analyzed 24 years’ worth of data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), injuries to children and pedestrians in general were higher on weeknight than weekend holidays, with most accidents occurring between 6 p.m. and 7 pm — prime commuter time. Exercise extreme caution walking around this year.

Opt for face paints over masks

Medical masks may still be worn by some families as precautions against COVID-19. However, when it comes to Halloween costumes, face paints are preferable to masks and other face coverings. Masks tend to

limit visibility, which can lead to kids tripping and falling, or even not being able to see cars or other pedestrians. Follow safety instructions when using face paints around the eyes and mouth.

Improve visibility all around

In late October, the sun sets at 5:50 on average (for New York City according to 2021 data). Sunset will occur earlier the more north one is located latitudinally. With darkness descending during peak trick-or-treating times, it’s imperative that children carry flashlights or glow sticks or utilize reflective tape on their costumes so others can see them.

Traverse familiar areas

Children trick-or-treating with adults may be able to venture a bit further in pursuit of treats, but it is generally safer to stay close to home where surroundings are familiar. This reduces the propensity for getting lost or

wandering into sketchy situations. Older kids allowed to venture out on their own would be wise to stay close to home as well. Neighbors can assist if something goes awry and there’s less chance of getting turned around.

What homeowners can do

Even though safety is largely on the shoulders of trick-or-treaters, homeowners and renters can do their part to ensure the safety of those enjoying Halloween hijinks. Make sure walkways to doors are clear. Have additional lights on pathways or overhead to improve visibility. Contain pets indoors, as they may become skittish on Halloween with extra crowds and noises. Don’t run the risk of kids getting scratched or bitten.

Embracing various safety strategies can help make Halloween even more enjoyable.

Did you know?

It is impossible to identify the first Halloween costume and which masks the earliest celebrants donned in efforts to keep away the evil spirits during Samhain, which historians believe is the Celtic precursor to Halloween.

According to Lesley Bannatyne, an author who has written extensively about the history of Halloween, masks and coverups were designed to symbolize ghosts and the souls of the dead, first for Samhain and later for the custom of “souling,” which was intended to cut back on pagan influences. Costumes of saints and evil spirits also were popular during this time. When immigrants brought Halloween customs to North America, early 20th century costumes featured much of the same — ghosts and ghouls. It wasn’t until the 1920s and 1930s that pop culture began to infiltrate costumes.

In fact, one of the first costume companies, J. Halpern Company, began licensing pop culture images like Mickey Mouse and Popeye around this time. By the 1960s, costumes were largely store-bought, spurring entire industries. Many 1980s kids recall buying boxed costumes that consisted of rigid plastic masks with eye holes (and very small holes by the mouth and nose) that stayed in place with thin elastic straps, and a plastic sheeting costume that went over clothes. Modern costumes have evolved into outfits that are far more complex.

Cookie Campaign

Eight Sights to See at Fall Harvest Festivals

Just as summertime is synonymous with concerts and carnivals, fall is a prime time for its own opportunities for seasonal entertainment, such as harvest festivals. Certain features overlap between summer carnivals and fall festivals, but the latter offers some unique offerings as well. The following are some things to expect when fall festival season hits full swing.

1. Seasonal fare

Many fall harvest festivals are built on the foods harvested in the fall for that region. In Wisconsin, that may be cranberries, while in Massachusetts it could be oysters. Apples also turn up in many areas starting in September. For those who can’t wait to bite into food picked at the peak of its season, a fall harvest festival can’t be beat.

A Very Beard

November 26,

2. Wagon rides

Farms and the tools of the farming trade are part of harvest festivals. Wagons transporting crops are a classic sight, even if they’re no longer heavily relied upon on the farm. Rather than a cargo bed full of corn or apples, harvest festivals tote families around on wagon rides or on hay bale beds towed by tractors.

3. Apples galore

Candied and caramel apples and many other apple products feature prominently at many harvest festivals. Apple fritters, apple turnovers, apple pies, fried apples, and others are bound to be sold by vendors, along with traditional fair foods, like funnel cakes.

4. Cider stations

Lemonade stands that are staples of summer give way to hot or cold cider offerings come the fall. Cold ciders are perfect for an unseasonably warm fall day while warm varieties are tailor-made for days when there’s a chill in the air.

5. Pumpkin patches

Fall harvest organizers pick and display pumpkins in fields to make it easier for youngsters to find the perfect pumpkin for Halloween carvings. It’s a sea of orange this time of year, and things

may get more colorful with non-edible gourds in shades of white or yellow.

6. Leaf-peeping opportunities

Some festivals are geared around chances to view the fall foliage that abounds in primarily rural areas. A mountain or forest backdrop adds vibrant color to any event. Coastal areas may set up fall foliage cruises that let guests see the leaves from a new perspective.

7. Corn mazes

Fall festivals set up adjacent to or on farms may have corn mazes for the kids. These mazes may be kept up throughout October and repurposed into haunted mazes for older kids looking to get a scare for Halloween.

8. Wine tastings

Many grape varieties are harvested in the fall,

so fall harvest festivals may capitalize on that and invite local vineyards to set up tables providing tastings of their vintages. Vineyards also may host their own fall festivals, featuring sips and snacks with live music.

Fall offers a host of entertaining festivals geared

around the harvest season. These festivals are ideal ways for people to see the sights and nibble on seasonal delights along the way.

8TH ANNUAL WINCHESTER HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 3,

Locations)

Shop local this holiday season

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• Gingerbread House Contest at Old School Museum 9am-3pm

Specials at a Var iety of Local Businesses

Cookie Walk at First Chr istian Church 9am-noon

Gift Wrapping Station by Local 4-H Group 9am-1pm

Breakfast with Santa at the Outreach Community Center 10am-noon

• Dedication of the New Children’s Area at Winchester Public Librar y 1pm-2pm

• Lighted Parade (One of the largest in the area) coordinated by WHS Key Club 6:00pm

• Memor y Tree Ceremony in Douglas Par k immediately following the parade

How to Avoid Dry Turkey This Thanksgiving

Turkey is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinners. The National Turkey Federation estimates approximately 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving each year, followed by 22 million turkeys at Christmastime.

Turkey makes a pleasing picture on the dinner table. However, some people insist that turkey is their least favorite component of the Thanksgiving meal. One of the biggest complaints is turkey tends to be dry.

consumption, the breast meat often has dried out.

Seeing how many people dive for the breast meat initially, they could dish up some dry bird. There are many ways home cooks can prevent dry turkey this Thanksgiving. Consider these turkey-tending tips.

The leaves are tur ning and the air is crisp…. Fall is here….time to decorate your home, office, porch or patio.

Nickorbobs has many fall decorations including florals for inside and outside, signs, furniture, boutiques, plus much more.

Shop at Hilda’s and you’ll find many fine antiques and collectibles including furniture, glassware, vinyl, vintage stained glass lamps, vintage signs, sports cards, hot wheel cars…plus much more.

Don’t Miss the Annual Christmas Open House 3-day event from 10-6 November 11th, 12th, and 13th Everything will be 10 % OFF in both malls. Plus we have an extended Christmas Sale November 19th and 20th.

Nickorbobs Home, Gifts Antiques & Boutiques 14260 Frazee Road Divernon, IL 62530 217-628-9191

Hilda’s Antique Mall 14266 Frazee Road Divernon, IL 62530 217-628-9192

There are many reasons why turkey can come out dry. Turkey is a lean meat, and Healthline reports that turkey has slightly less fat in its dark meat than chicken. Another reason why turkey may be dry is due to its poor breast-to-leg ratio. By the time one gets the leg meat to cook to temperature so it’s safe for

• Brine your bird. According to ScienceBlogs, what causes a human to perceive a food as juicy may actually be his or her own saliva at work. Salty foods may stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth, helping the food to feel much more moist while on the palate. To adequately inject enough salt into the turkey meat, submerge it in a salt brine for a few days before cooking.

• Watch your cook time.

Murrayville United Methodist UnitedChurch

504 Main, Murrayville, IL

October 15-Community Prayer Breakfast 10a.m. at Community Bld 23-Community Weiner Roast 5 p.m. in the Murrayville Park 29-Community Blood Drive 9-noon in Community Bld

November 20-Community Thanksgiving Ser vice 6:30p.m. in the Community Bld 27-Community Tree Lighting 4:30 p.m. behind Post Office

December

Builders Christmas Program 6 p.m. at the church 18-Blue Christmas Service 6 p.m. at

church

It’s important to avoid overcooking the turkey, which will turn it as dry as the Sahara. Some turkeys come equipped with pop-up timers to help cooks gauge when to take them out of the oven. However, a more accurate tool is a digital food thermometer that can be set to go off when the turkey reaches the correct internal temperature.

• Cook the turkey parts separately. As previously noted, the breast meat will likely reach the desired temperature before the leg meat. To fix this, take the turkey out of the oven when it reaches five to 10 degrees before safe temperature for the breast meat, around 165 F. (Re-

member, the meat will continue to cook while “resting.”) Let guests “ooh and aah” over the picture-perfect turkey. Then cut off the legs and return them to the oven until they are done. Arrange the properly cooked breast and leg meat together on a serving platter.

• Offer condiments. A moist dollop of stuffing, a drizzle of gravy or a scoop of cranberry sauce can add moisture to turkey. This approach does not prevent drying out, but it can make a turkey that has dried out a bit more satisfying.

Dry turkey can put off diners. However, some strategies can harness as much moisture as possible to enhance Thanksgiving dinners.

Did you know?

Thanksgiving is as synonymous with football as it is with turkey. When sports fans tune into the big games Thanksgiving day, two teams are on the field every year: the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions. There is no rule in place that says these teams have to play on Thanksgiving, but it has become tradition. When the National

Football League makes its Thanksgiving schedule each year, the Lions get scheduled for an early afternoon game and the Cowboys a late afternoon matchup. These traditions can be traced back to publicity stunts to draw in more fans. The Lions played their first Thanksgiving game in 1934, while the Cowboys started the tradition in

Shortly after the Thanksgiving leftovers are put away, individuals’ thoughts shift to shopping. This is likely why the biggest shopping weekend of the holidays tends to fall directly after Tom Turkey has bid adieu.

Black Friday, Plaid Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday all come on the heels of the Thanksgiving holiday. These popular shopping holidays present opportunities for shoppers to score great prices on items on their shopping lists. Shoppers can take some additional steps to ensure they get the best prices possible .

Use a price tracking tool

Maybe the price of that gadget seems too good to be true, but could it go any lower? Utilize

How to Make the Most of Shopping Holidays

price-tracking tools to chart when prices go up and down so you know the best time to buy. With a resource like CamelCamelCamel, you can track the price of every item on Amazon and even set price alerts when it reaches your desired price. For other retailers, Honey and SlickDeals can help shoppers get the best prices possible. Honey applies coupon codes and can alert users to price drops.

Cherry pick deals

Different stores will offer different sales. Use your shopping list to match up with newspaper circulars (or online sales notices) and mark off on the list which store to visit for each item. Cherry pick deals accordingly. FLIPP is an app that enables you to compare prices in newspaper fliers

so you know who is offering the best prices.

Know your prices

It’s important to know the ordinary sticker price of common items and their price histories before assuming something is a great deal on Black Friday or Small Business Saturday. Unfortunately, some stores inflate prices around the holidays so their “doorbuster” deals seem like a deep slash. However, a $20 item marked down to $15 may not be such a bargain when you realize the original selling price was $15. Being a savvy shopper means knowing the value of items before shopping.

Stick to a list and budget

Keep track of what you’re spending with a running tally if you’re

not using cash. This will help to keep spending in check. Also, do not buy items just for the sake of getting them at good prices. This can bust your budget quickly. Make a list and try not to deviate from it.

Don’t be afraid to speak up

Ask the employees of the store if there are any coupons or promotions that you may be missing. Small businesses may have more wiggle room to work with you because they’re not beholden to corporate pricing strategies. It never hurts to ask, even if the answer is “no.”

Use smart strategies to get the best prices on gifts at the start of the holiday shopping season and in the weeks leading up to the big day.

1966. Other teams had played on Thanksgiving prior to these years, but the Lions solidified their place when then-owner George A. Richards (also an NBC-affiliated radio station owner) established a contract with NBC to show his Lions games on Thanksgiving across 94 stations. In 2022, there is once again a tripleheader on Thanks-

giving day. The Buffalo Bills will play the Detroit Lions at 12:30 p.m. ET; the New York Giants will play the Dallas Cowboys at 4:30 p.m. ET; and the New England Patriots battle the Minnesota Vikings at 8:20 p.m. ET.

Fans can watch the Lions on CBS, the Cowboys on FOX and the Vikings on NBC.

How to Pet Proof Your Home When Decking the Halls

The holiday season is a special time of year. Many factors combine to make the holiday season so unique and festive, and that includes all the effort people put into decorating their homes.

Much thought is giving to holiday lighting arrangements and which tree to buy, but it’s equally important to consider pets when decorating. Many common household pets are naturally curious, and that curiosity can make it difficult to decorate safely come the holiday season. But various pet-proofing strategies can ensure holiday decorations and displays aren’t compromised by four-legged friends this season.

• Secure the Christmas tree. Much like other residents of the home, pets may be mes-

merized by a glowing Christmas tree. Pets may sniff around the tree or investigate it closely, which can increase the chances that it tips over. That poses a significant safety hazard and underscores the importance of using a sturdy stand. Fastening the tree to a wall, much like one might do with a television that isn’t mounted, adds a further layer of protection from tipovers.

• Block off the base of a live tree. Live trees need water to stay green and keep their needles throughout the season. That water could prove enticing to thirsty pets. Drinking water from a tree stand could increase the risk of the tree tipping over and the

water could upset the stomach of pets if the tree was treated with pesticides prior to being brought home. When decorating with a live tree, make sure the base of the tree where the water will be is blocked off. A small fence around the tree could keep curious pets away. The room where the tree is located should be locked or inaccessible when pets are home alone.

• Inspect and conceal light wires. Wires can become frayed over time, and that could pique pets’ curiosity. Lighting wires should always be inspected prior to decorating and frayed or damaged wires should be thrown away, even if it means replacing lights. If wires are still sturdy, conceal

them along the base of the wall using a cable concealer, which prevents pets from chewing on them.

• Avoid lighting candles. Candles should not be lit in homes with pets. Even candles on shelves that are seemingly beyond pets’ reach can be hazardous, as pets, especially cats, have a way of accessing spaces they seemingly shouldn’t be able to reach. Use electric candles in lieu of traditional ones.

• Speak to a vet about seasonal plants and flowers before bringing them into the home. Pet owners can speak with their veterinarians before bringing poinsettias, holly and other seasonal plants and flowers into their homes. Some pets

Start your Christmas Season with us!

could suffer allergic reactions if they eat certain seasonal plants, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and speak to a vet before including live plants and flowers in decorative displays.

Decorating is part of the holiday season. Pet owners must exercise an extra bit of caution to keep their pets and homes safe when decorating during this special time of year.

Did you know?

Trinity Episcopal Church

Christmas Open House

359 W State St, Jacksonville Christmas Luncheon

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON, BAKE SHOPPE & HOLID AY BAZAAR

Friday, November 30

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.

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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 percent of millennials actually want to spend more money on experiences rather than things.

Craft an Entire Day Around Tree Shopping

Though retailers may begin playing holiday tunes shortly after Halloween, for many people, no date on the calendar marks the beginning of the holiday season better than the day they pick up their Christmas tree.

There are many different ways to acquire a Christmas tree. Some people prefer artificial Christmas trees that can be stored and taken out each year. Others make a yearly expedition to a tree lot or a Christmas tree farm to find the perfect fir or spruce.

Historians believe a man named W.V. McGallard planted 25,000 Norway spruce seedlings at his Mercer County, New

Jersey farm in 1901, essentially establishing the first commercial Christmas tree farm. By 1908, customers could visit the farm and choose trees for $1 each. McGallard helped create an entirely new industry that now accounts for 350 million trees being grown and sold in the United States every year.

Selecting a Christmas tree may not take more than an hour or two, but there are ways for families and other tree shoppers to maximize their time spent looking for a tree.

• Bring refreshments.

Couple Christmas tree shopping with picnick-

ing if the weather is amenable. Pack some foldable chairs into the vehicle (sitting on the ground on a blanket may be too cold) and bring along thermoses of coffee or hot cocoa. Snacks like granola bars, Christmas cookies or other filling treats can keep everyone satisfied and energized while they shop for a tree.

• Pair tree shopping with a trip to see lighting displays. Find the tree lot or tree farm and then scope out poten-

Fr Wreaths

eshly cut Fraser & Canaan Fir trees eaths and Roping

tially scenic spots to view holiday lighting displays nearby. Neighborhood Facebook or other social media groups often tout homes that put up eye-catching displays. Ask around for addresses and plan your own tours.

• Plan a night out. Everyone may be tired and hungry after a long day of Christmas

tree hunting. Plus, it’s typically a good idea to wait some time for boughs to open before decorating. Use this opportunity to dine out and return home ready to decorate. Make it a regular occurrence that Christmas tree shopping is followed by a family meal at a favorite restaurant.

• Watch a classic film. Many different holiday movies are broadcast this time of year and each enhances the

Christmas spirit. While putting up the tree, play a favorite film in the background. What better way to enjoy decorating your own tree than by watching Charlie Brown adorn his meager evergreen at the same time?

Make a day of selecting and putting up the Christmas tree each year. Doing so can enhance the holidays and make for an entertaining way to spend time together as a couple or family.

Gift Certificates Available