Hometown
HOMETOWN
CELEBRATIONS 2019
Contents 2019
4. HOMETOWN CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE NATION 6. GIFT IDEAS FOR HIM 7. GIFT IDEAS FOR HER 8. GIFTS FOR KIDS & TEENS 9. HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS PROJECT: LIGHTS & ORNAMENTS IN GLASS BOWL 10. COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS 12. CINNAMON ORNAMENTS
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SETTING THE TABLE FOR A HOMETOWN HOLIDAY If you’re the lucky one taking a turn at hosting the big meal and family get-together this holiday season, you probably have a lot of things on your mind. 2
Happy Holidays
From All of Us
From our bunch to yours, best wishes for a healthy, happy and safe holiday season. Your trust and kindness fill us with gratitude at Christmastime and all year!
natural beauty Grace your home with the elegant look of natural stone or tile in an array of tantalizing colors. Walls, flooring, countertops, backsplashes, mosaics and more, we’re here to help through every phase of your project, from selecting the perfect materials to design and installation. Stop by our showroom today to browse the beautiful stone and tile samples and design displays for every type of project.
Drenner’s 2320 6th Street • Bay City, Texas
979.244.3995 www.baycel.org
C A R P E T G A L L E RY (979) 245-9103 • Fax (979) 245-7206 5615 Hwy. 35 East • Bay City, TX www.drenners.com
1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments
Community Features: Package Recieving 3 Pools with Sun Decks Picnic & Grill Areas Tennis/Sports Court On-Site Maintenance 24 Hour Fitness Center with Playroom Professional On-Site Management Team
NICHOLS SQUARE APARTMENTS
2901 Hamman Rd. • Bay City, Tx
979.244.4011
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ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA –This lovely town, known
HOMETOWN
CELEBRATIONS Across the Nation By Ann Jarema IF YOU LOVE TO TRAVEL AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT EVERY YEAR, WHY NOT COMBINE YOUR TWO PASSIONS? EVERY YEAR, SMALL TOWNS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES GET THEIR HOLIDAY ON WITH CELEBRATIONS THAT ARE SURE TO DELIGHT EVEN THE SCROOGES AMONG US. CHECK OUT THIS LIST FOR SOME OF OUR FAVORITE HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE NATION.
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DURANGO, COLORADO
–If you loved the 2004 film "The Polar Express" or the book that inspired it by Chris Van Allsburg, then this town will make you want to shout “All aboard!” Durango provides you with your very own "Polar Express" experience complete with chefs, a hobo, the conductor, the Hero Boy, Billy, elves, and Santa himself. Enjoy hot chocolate while listening to the story on your way to North Pole. And look forward to a personal visit to your train car from Santa!
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ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – While your
Christmas adventure may begin in Asheville, it certainly
to be the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European origin in our country, is hands down our favorite holiday celebration. National Geographic magazine even revered St. Augustine as one of the 10 best places in the world to see holiday lights, and with their Nights of Lights celebration, it is no wonder. This light tradition usually commences the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs its course through late January.
won’t stop there. Several of the surrounding towns, all inspired by Norman Rockwell, get into the spirit too. Plan to stop through Forest City, Bryson City, Hendersonville, Dillsboro, Beech Mountain and Banner Elk, Sylva, Saluda,Waynesville, Rutherfordton, Brevard, Morganton, and the Biltmore Village to take in the numerous charming streets, light displays and holiday shopping.
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BETHLEHEM, CONNECTICUT – This small town has a population of under 4,000, but celebrates Christmas in a big way! With craft sales, hayrides, Christmas train rides, pictures with Santa, and plenty of food, this town will keep you entertained for hours. And when done with all of those fun festive activities, you’ll find plenty of other ways to stay entertained with a trip to the local indoor flea market or vineyard. And of course, shopping at The Christmas Shop is a must.
s S a nta C lau a c h nds to e o p s e r y ll a u a ct , w it h t h e r e t t le y r e v and e w s p e c ia l h e lp o f a fe s r e lf v o lu nt ee When doing your Christmas Shopping Please consider supporting your local businesses. They will greatly appreciate your support!
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SANTA CLAUS, INDIANA – This tiny town proudly boasts a population of under 3,000 and each year, the town post office receives thousands of letters addressed to the city namesake. And what’s even more special? Santa Claus actually responds to each and every letter, with the help of a few special elf volunteers. Additionally, the town’s celebration spans three weeks and includes a Christmas parade, 5k, festival of lights and even chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
2121 Avenue G • Bay City, TX 979-245-2598 Graduate Gemologist (GIA) on Site 2 Goldsmiths on Site www.greenbrotherjewelers.com
Monday - Saturday 9:30-5:30 CLOSED Sunday
for GIFT IDEAS
C offee cl ub
Get your coffee lover a caffeine fix for the entire year. Check out your local coffee shops, stock up on bags of local coffee and give him a new blend every month.
HIM THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH THESE FUN AND FUNCTIONAL GIFTS. NO MATTER HIS INTERESTS OR LIFESTYLE, THERE’S A SPECIAL GIFT OUT THERE JUST FOR HIM! By Emily Fox
Old -fas hio ne d sh av e kit The perfect gift for all bearded beaus: this old-fashioned kit will keep him looking sharp! As an added bonus, many of the blades in these kits are kinder to skin than disposable razors.
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Vi ny l re cord bo oken ds These vinyl record bookends will lend a cool new look to his bookshelves.To make it even more special, hit up your local thrift store and make them yourself!
Rev up game night with this fun new word game! This twisting alphabet game will test his creativity and competitiveness...and it’s perfect for traveling.
Grilli ng ca mp ing ba sket
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t get ready for warmer weather. Grill-loving guys will flip over this basket that can pull double-duty on the grill and over a campfire.
If you haven’t seen the videos blasting all over social media of these FabFitFun boxes, rest assured that she probably has.The FabFitFun box creates an element of surprise and each package (arrives quarterly) is full of skin care items and make-up samples (and not just a tiny sample… these samples are large enough to offer multiple uses), fitness accessories, jewelry and more.To order, visit www.fabfitfun.com If she likes technology or is always leaving on the lights (or pestering you for leaving on the lights), get her an Amazon Echo Dot. This device is great for responding to even the most complex questions, reporting on the weather, providing a quick update on current events, controlling the temperature on the thermostat and turning off the lights. (HINT: Have her ask her new Echo Dot, “Why are fire engines red?”)
By Ann Jarema
Does she love to cook but not have time to shop? Why not try a Hello Fresh Meal Kit? Hello Fresh is a low-risk order as no subscription is required. To order, visit www.hellofresh. com, and she will receive a one-time delivery of recipes, along with all of the necessary ingredients to create that night’s dinner masterpiece. If she likes to read, likes a great coffee table book and conversation piece, or is one heck of a lady, pick up a copy of Ann Shen’s book, “Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World (Women in History Book, Book of Women Who Changed the World).”This book covers amazing women throughout history, inclusive of pirates, scientists, activists, and more.
As long as you take some time to think abou t HER and HER inter ests, you’l l be sure to select a gift that will light up her face , and that will make her feel spec ial. Hap py shop ping !
for GIFT IDEAS
HER Let’s face it, women can be hard to shop for. Whether buying for mom, a spouse or significant other, a daughter, a grandmother, or even an aunt, the entire act of purchasing a gift for a special woman in your life can be fraught with anxiety. And you might be scratching your head, or channeling Mel Gibson in his 2000 romance film, “What Women Want.” But, make it easy on yourself. Women want to know that you have taken the time to think about them… so if you are already trying to figure out what to do, you’ve already taken the first step, and she’ll be thankful knowing that you didn’t just run to the nearby convenience store, grabbing the first bottle perfume you found on the shelf. Here are some quick suggestions to help you make her gift special.
Does she have a great soaking tub and like to relax after a long day at work or a visit to the gym? The LifeAround2Angels Bath Bombs Gift Set is made in the USA, and is truly the bomb (times 12)! The bombs will create a delightful fizz in the tub, and will not leave a stain or ugly residue.
Buying for a child that is a bit more laid back that likes to hang out and read? This versatile Floor Pillow Fold Out Lounger retails for under $30 and is super soft and comfortable.
Gifts
By Emily Fox
FOR KIDS & TEENS
It’s not easy to find the right gift for a young child or for a teenager. Any gift-giver fears giving the gift that the youngster will set aside after opening because it didn’t interest them, causing them to move on to the next package in the hope of finding something better. Or what about that teenager and the rolling of the eyes when they receive something “uncool” are behind the times? It’s no wonder that gift giving can cause stress and anxiety for any well-intentioned gift giver. So, this quick list is intended to take some of the pressure off.
Check out this Boogie Board 8.5-Inch LCD Writing Tablet. All kids inevitably want what mom and dad or big brother and sister have, and this unique take on the Etch a Sketch of yesteryear will be sure to delight any budding artist.
Perhaps one of the latest crazes of the year has been the Nintendo Switch.This item is easy to use and popular for kids of all ages, plus it is the gift that keeps on giving as you can gift new games for future gifting holidays.
ioned With one of the aforement t your igh del to gifts, you are sure e som rn recipient and you’ll ea s. brownie points in the proces 8
If your gift recipient is more into science and could be the future Bill Gates or Steve Jobs, this Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit provides over 100 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) projects that are sure to delight (and educate) that budding entrepreneur.
What about your child with tons of energy to burn and the need to get outside and ride? The EzyRoller Classic Ride On is great for children ages 4 to 14.This unique take on a sidewinder crossed with big wheel doesn’t use pedals, and instead uses a foot bar that leverages easy alternating leg movements to get you rolling.
HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS PROJECT
LIGHTS & ORNAMENTS IN GLASS BOWL By Ann Jarema
CHRISTMAS SEASON TENDS TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN MOST OF US, AND IN MANY CASES, GETS US IN THE MOOD TO DECORATE AND CREATE NEW WAYS TO SHOWCASE THE BEAUTY OF THE SEASON. IF YOU WANT TO CREATE A GREAT COUNTERTOP OR MANTLE PIECE FOR THE HOLIDAYS, USING ITEMS YOU LIKELY HAVE READILY AVAILABLE AT HOME, LOOK NO FURTHER. THIS ELEGANT AND FUN CHRISTMAS LIGHT ORNAMENT BOWL IS EASY TO PUT TOGETHER, AND EVEN MORE FUN TO ARRANGE.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED: A string of Christmas lights (color of your choice). If you plan to put your project within the vicinity of an outlet and your cord will be discreet, electrical lights are just fine. But, if you will not be able to access an outlet or if you want to keep your cord more hidden, head to your local home improvement store to pick up a string or two of batteryoperated lights. A large glass bowl. Ornaments – those with shiny or reflective metallic surfaces are recommended. DO NOT use cloth or flammable ornaments for this project. Snow fluff (optional) Craft paper roll (optional)
NOW THAT YOU HAVE YOUR SUPPLIES READY TO GO,THE NEXT PART IS FUN AND EASY.
• Arrange your bowl at its intended destination. If you will be using snow fluff, you may wish to lay down a few sheets of crafting paper underneath. • Place one end of your Christmas lights at the bottom of the bowl (make sure that the plug or the battery mechanism are not placed in the bowl… keep that end out). • Start positioning your ornaments inside the bowl, one by one, making sure to adjust the Christmas light strand within the bowl (but not necessarily around each ornament
as the goal is to keep the cord from being visible). • Sprinkle snow fluff around the bowl and place a few ornaments haphazardly on the snow fluff, to create the look of a bowl spilling over. • Position the rest of your lights so that the cord comes out the back side, or wherever it will be least visible. • Test your lighting to ensure that your ornaments reflect when the lights are turned on. Reposition your ornaments if needed, to create the maximum effect.
Now , step ba ck and take a look at you r pro ject , and sm ile. Yo u did it!
Countdown to
CHRISTMAS Sunday
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Take Vintage Photos For Christmas Cards
Make Hand Stamped Christmas Cards
Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri
Make Your Own Hand Stamped Wrapping Paper
Make Divinity
Saturday
Sunday
6 Make Your Salt Dough Ornaments
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Mail Your Christmas Cards
8 Decorate Your Christmas Tree
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Bring Flowers to Your Church
Take Gifts To Teachers
Saturday
Sunday
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Make Your Christmas Centerpiece
Write Letters To Santa
Hang Some Christmas Lights
Go Christmas Caroling
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Make Christmas Candy
Do Your Make Ahead and Freeze Prep for Christmas Dinner
Host an Ice Cream Social at a Nursing Home
Decorate a Gingerbread House
Saturday
Sunday
Watch a Christmas Movie
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Host A Christmas Get Together
Do Final Touches to Decorations
Have Friends Over to Bake Cookies
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Visit Santa and Take a Picture
Tuesday
24 Watch “A Christmas Story” and drink some hot chocolate
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Autumn Avila, Owner/Chef Phone 512-375-5794
(979) 245-4105 1822 7th Street
TUES - FRI: 7-7
Bay City, TX 77414 SATURDAY: 7-6 M A I NSTCOFFE E BA R.COM
HOURS Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm Saturday 11am-2pm Closed Sunday and Monday Stay Informed! Like us on Facebook @dylanscheesecakes
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UPDATED PROPERTY TAX INFORMATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR TEXAS TAXPAYERS If you have questions or want to know more information about these programs contact the Matago Matagorda County Appraisal District at 979-244-2031 or visit our office at 2225 Ave G Bay City, TX 77414
We Salute The Veterans Who Gave So Much! BINGO: Sunday 6:00pm (Hwy. 60 North) 979-245-8857 P.O. Box 269 Bay City, TX 77404 LIC#1648
CINNAMON ORNAMENTS Two Ways By Emily Fox
WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN HANDMADE ORNAMENTS THAT MAKE YOUR HOME SMELL LIKE CHRISTMAS? KIDS WILL LOVE GETTING TO CUT OUT FESTIVE SHAPES FOR CINNAMON APPLESAUCE ORNAMENTS AND CHOOSING RIBBON PATTERNS AND COLORS FOR CINNAMON STICK CHRISTMAS TREES. PERFECT CHRISTMAS SCENT, PERFECT CHRISTMAS CHARM. 12
CINNAMON APPLESAUCE ORNAMENTS
Supplies needed:
½ cup applesauce ½ cup ground cinnamon, plus some for dusting 1 tsp school glue Rolling pin Festive cookie cutters Spatula Baking sheet Twine or ribbon
Mix the applesauce, ground cinnamon and glue.The dough will be very sticky! Sprinkle some cinnamon on the
surface where you want to roll out your dough. Shake some cinnamon on the rolling pin, as well. Roll out dough until it’s about ½ inch thick. Use festive cookie cutters to cut out ornaments. Make a hole near the top of the ornament. A pen or a straw works great for this. Make the hole a little bigger than you think it needs to be. It will
shrink in the oven. Using the spatula, carefully transfer ornaments to the baking sheet (great time for grown-ups to help!). Bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes, or let air dry for several days...if you can wait! Once completely set and cool, string twine or ribbon through the hole and hang on your tree!
CINNAMON STICK CHRISTMAS TREES Supplies needed: Long cinnamon sticks Assorted ribbon Scissors Glue gun and glue Twine
Cut six pieces ribbon into lengths of 9-10 inches each. Tie the six pieces of ribbon around a cinnamon stick, starting at the top and working towards the bottom. A simple knot will do. Leave a little room between each ribbon.
With scissors (grownups can help!), start at the top ribbon and cut down at an outward diagonal. Your ribbon should be longest at the bottom. Repeat on the other side. Cut desired length of twine for your hanger. Make a loop with the twine and secure ends to the top of your “tree” with a drop of glue.Tie a small bow with a piece of extra ribbon and glue over the ends of your twine loop.
Let dr y an d ha ng on th e tr ee !
From All of Us to All of you Season's Greeting from
The Bay City Tribune
S E TT IN G
THE TABLE FOR A HOMETOWN HOLIDAY
I
f you’re the lucky one taking a turn at hosting the big meal and family get-together this holiday season, you probably have a lot of things on your mind. From finding room for out-of-town relatives to sleep, to menu planning, to making sure you have time to clean the house (and keep it clean), and even arranging for the gift exchange, hosts and hostesses have a lot to consider. But that doesn’t mean that hosting can’t be fun, in fact, maybe you get energized by the idea of opening up your home to the family. Or, maybe you just love to decorate, and this is just one more opportunity to show off those skills that show you should have been an interior designer? Okay, maybe you will never be an interior designer, and maybe you think you don’t have a creative bone in your body, but you really want to create a statement and decorate your home, and table for this special event.
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Determine the number 14
By Ann Jarema
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF SOME IDEAS AND INSPIRATION TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY TABLESCAPE,THEN LOOK NO FURTHER. HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO GET STARTED:
of place settings you will need, and then determine your theme and color palette. If decorating for Christmas, your generic theme is easy. But, think deeper than that… is your theme Kris Kringle? Maybe you are looking for an elegant and classy look? Maybe you are a gum-drop fan and want to create a theme around gum drops and gingerbread. Whatever it is you are looking to
do, get your thoughts in mind and lock them down.
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Select your tablecloth and ensure it is designed to fit your table (round, square or rectangular). A white tablecloth is always a go-to, but this will depend on your theme. A red tablecloth is a perfect fit for the Christmas season, and will also help to hide any spills or other
stma s seas on, A red tabl eclot h is a perfect fit for the Chri r oops ies that will and will also help to hide any spill s or othe mea l. holid inevitabl y make their way to your ay
oopsies that will inevitably make their way to your holiday meal.
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Determine your centerpiece. Poinsettias, red and white roses or even a glass or crystal vase filled with red and gold Christmas ornaments, perhaps adorned with a thick ribbon tied around the base, are all easy go-tos and often items that you already have on hand or are easy to find during the days leading up to the big day.
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Gather (or purchase) your placemats. While you can stick to the same color as your tablecloth, adding a pop of color to the mats can create dimension.
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Gather (or purchase) your cloth napkins (if going for a more elegant look). Often times, it is easy to select tablecloths, placemats and cloth napkins at the same department store, making it easy to grab and go and stick to your planned theme. Don’t forget a fun napkin ring to help tie in your theme. If you are using sprigs of evergreen in your centerpiece, consider attaching a small sprig to the napkin holders. Or, if going for the ornament centerpiece, look for small ornaments that can be affixed in some way to those napkin holders (if you can’t find something small enough, check in the earring section as many stores have holiday earrings that could be repurposed).
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Determine your dinnerware, glassware and serving ware. Will it all match or will it
be eclectic? Have fun with this… if you don’t have enough pieces of any one setting, consider switching it up with an “every other” place setting approach. Consider if you will use chargers or not.
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Set the table and don’t forget your table setting training. If using a 6-piece setting, your first and second course forks will be placed to the left, and your first and second course knives will be placed to the right. Your dessert fork and coffee spoon are placed above the setting. Next, take your napkin (in napkin holder) and set at a 45-degree angle on top of the plate.Then, consider a small candy (Christmas colored Hershey Kisses are always a win) or two on either side of the napkin holder.You can also sprinkle some candies throughout the table to dress it up and fill in any
white spaces that you prefer to avoid. Whatever approach you take to setting your tablescape, have fun with it.You don’t have to have the absolute best in fabrics or china to create a
great tablescape that your guests will ooh and aah about. Use what you have unless you are prepared to make an investment (and if you do decide to go out and buy, remember that you’ll be able to reuse these pieces for years and years to come). But again, let this be a fun activity for you as you work your way towards the holiday season… creating your tablescape is a great way to exhibit some holiday cheer!