Newburgh REALLY! TAKE ME!
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DECEMBER 2020
L A N O S SEA edition the
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EDITOR
NB MAGAZINE
EDITOR Megan Purazrang newburghmagazine@gmail.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Maegan Saalwaechter
CONTRIBUTORS Hello and welcome to The Seasonal Edition of the Newburgh Magazine! In this edition you will find stories on how to entertain safely this holiday season and tips for throwing a virtual holiday party – after all most of us have probably become masters of a Zoom by this point! We also offer tips for keeping those seasonal poinsettias alive longer and what nature is telling us about our winter season. Are you looking for a unique holiday recipe to try? Flip over to pages 16-19 to see directions for delicious hot chocolate cookies and instructions for Latkes also known as potato pancakes!
Warrick County Soil and Water Conservation District Maegan Saalwaechter
PHOTOS Getty Maegan Saalwaechter
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As we wrap 2020, I would like to extend our gratitude to our readers for sticking with us through such an uncertain year. As we look ahead to 2021, we are excited to add a financial edition, extend our annual home theme to include pets and bring back our visitor’s guide!
brigg@warricknews.com
Keep up with Newburgh Magazine on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information.
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Have a story idea or feedback? Email us directly at newburghmagazine@gmail.com Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!
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ON THE COVER
Newburgh REALLY! TAKE ME!
FREE MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2020
Megan Purazrang Editor the L ONA A SE edSition
ages
Photo GettyIm
table of
CONTENTS
December 2020
PHOTO BY: GETTY
4
LIFESTYLE
16
FOOD
Follow these entertaining options for holiday safety
Carbs and sweets are such a great treat this holiday season
8
HYGIENE
20
NEW YEARS EVE
Common questions about handwashing importance
Learn about champagne and NYE traditions
10
WORK LIFE
26
WEDDING
Tips for planning a virtually holiday party this season
Take this tips to heart when planning a winter nuptials
12
GARDENING
28
OUTDOORS
Simple ways to prolong the life of poinsettias
Safety tips for shoveling snow December 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 1
Looking to nature for signs of
WINTER
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WRITERS: SUSAN KING, WARRICK SWCD We all want to know what the future holds for us … Whether it is wondering if we will find that special someone or where we will end up in 10 years! We try to predict the future everyday … by predicting the weather! Before we had such advanced technology and our weather forecasters on television, the people on this earth had their own way of predicting the weather. They looked at the environment around them. With winter just around the corner, we put some of these old signs of nature to the test. Let’s see how accurate they are come wintertime! WOOLY WORMS: If a wooly worm caterpillar has a narrow orange band, the winter will be snowy. If it is wide, we will have a mild winter. We scoured the grounds for wooly worms and found that most of them had very wide orange bands! So, according to the wooly worms, we will have a mild winter. COWS: If a cow has thick hair on the nape of its neck, it is said that we will have a cold winter. We asked a few of the local cattle ranchers whether their cows had thicker hair around their neck, and according to them, the hair doesn’t look any thicker than any other year at this time. So the cows agree with the wooly worms and are expecting a mild winter. PERSIMMON COTYLEDONS: Inside of a fruit seed is what is called a cotyledon. And the cotyledons inside of a persimmon fruit can apparently predict the winter weather! If the cotyledon is shaped like a fork, the winter will be mild. If it is shaped like a spoon, there will be a lot of snow. If it is shaped like a knife, the winter will be very cold. We cracked open some seeds to check out some persimmon cotyledons and found a variety of untensil shapes! Turns out you can have multiple shapes in a year. You also have to use your imagination a little bit. The majority of the cotyledons were forks! So, the seeds agree with having a mild winter. CORN HUSKS: if the husks on the local corn are thicker than normal, it is said to have a harsher winter. According to some farmers we asked this year, most have found that the husks aren’t any thicker than previous years. With the results from all of our tests, the signs of nature have been in agreement! We were pretty shocked at the consistency. But we are not professional nature weather forecasters, so we want you to try for yourself! Be sure to try out for these other signs in nature telling us whether it will be a harsh winter or not: • Early migration of geese, ducks, and monarch butterflies. • If acorns cover ground, then the snow will too! • Mice sneaking into homes more than usual. • Spiders spinning larger webs than normal. • Pigs gathering sticks. • Raccoons with bushy tails and bright white rings around it.
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December 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 3
SAFELY E N T E R TA I N I N G G U E S T S
CONTRIBUTED WRITER
Entertaining has changed quite a bit in 2020. Government-issued restrictions dictated how many people you could invite into your home or even your backyard. Large family gatherings, such as weddings or birthday parties, were put on hold. Many people are still cautious about crowds and maintaining their distance, even from close friends and family and even as safety protocols have been loosened. Those who are eagerly awaiting hosting dinner parties or backyard gatherings can take various steps to ensure the health and safety of their guests. These guidelines can help make entertaining that much safer.
Keep the guest list small
Wear masks
While you may want to invite as many people as possible, keeping the guest list small can help you keep better track of contact tracing should anyone develop symptoms or feel ill. It also limits the number of people with whom you come in contact. If you plan on entertaining routinely, stick to the same guest list over and over rather than inviting new people.
Masks can be worn when maintaining distance is not possible. Although masks may not always be comfortable or fashionable, there are ways to incorporate them into the theme of your gathering. Ask everyone to wear a specific color or style of mask or even decorate them! Purchase extra masks for guests if you suspect someone may not own one.
Maintain social distancing The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to urge people to remain at least six feet apart from one another. Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The droplets also can be inhaled into the lungs. The CDC and other health organizations maintain that keeping at least a six feet from others reduces the likelihood that respiratory droplets will land on another person. More distance is always better. Leave room between seats around the dining table, and discourage crowding around entertaining areas.
Check for symptoms No one wants to play bouncer at their own dinner party, but checking to make sure guests are well or experiencing symptoms can minimize risk. The CDC urges anyone who is feeling unwell to avoid gatherings.
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Offer individual portions Self-service buffets and drink bars may be risky. Instead, you can don proper safety gear and ser ve food to your guests to minimize the amount of people touching food or beverages.
Have individual drinks Canned soft drinks, beers or small bottles of wine may also help limit the spread of the virus by providing individually portioned beverages rather than having people pour or ladle drinks out of communal offerings.
Provide hand-cleaning options Encourage guests to wash their hands frequently and make sure there’s plenty of soap in the bathroom. Individual paper towels, while not as eco-friendly as reusable cloth towels, also can improve bathroom hygiene. Keep containers of hand sanitizer in high-traffic spots around the entertaining area as well.
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Newburgh
HERE. 6 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE December 2020
able footing st in ga re ity un m m co r ou p el H
heading into 2021
R
CONTRIBUTED WRITE
The importance of shopping locally has been emphasized with increasing urgency in recent years. Events like Small Business Saturday and Plaid Friday have brought some much-needed attention to the importance of shopping local, which is even more crucial now as so many small businesses try to survive the pandemic. A poll from the trade group the National Federation of Independent Business reported that about half of all the businesses in the survey reported a 25 percent drop in sales since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, and roughly one in five businesses have seen sales decline by more than 50 percent. If the economic climate does not radically improve, 20 percent of small businesses won’t survive. According to NBC News, small businesses employ 60 million people in the United States, almost half of the nation’s private-sector employees. In addition, small businesses generate tax revenues that help communities by funding schools, maintaining parks and contributing to public safety programs. However, based on research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, even before COVID-19 spread across the world, only 20 percent of healthy small businesses had sufficient cash reserves to continue to operate if they experienced a revenue loss for two months. Some have been shuttered for much longer. Individuals looking for everything from clothing to home improvement services to office supplies can look to small businesses to fill those needs.
• Look for small businesses for any and all of your shopping needs. Chances are items sold by big box retailers also are sold by small businesses. When the options are the same or similar, purchase from a small business instead of its big box competitor.
• Readily provide recommendations of small businesses with which you have done business. Too often people are quick to complain about places that have failed them, but those same people don’t think to say kind words about companies that went above and beyond. Share great experiences on social media or through word of mouth.
• Talk to small businesses owners first if you have an issue. It’s tempting to go directly to social media to complain about something, but such complaints can have a dire impact. Always take issues to the manager or business owner first to see if a resolution can be reached. A manager may not be aware of an issue at all. Give small businesses a chance to make it right before taking things public.
• If you own a small business, rely on other small businesses to fulfill your needs. Order supplies from fellow small business owners, seek the help of local financial advisors and tax professionals and use local suppliers and delivery personnel.
December 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 7
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FAQ: Handwashing Prior to 2020, people may never have imagined they would devote so much of their focus to handwashing. But handwashing took center stage in 2020, as organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention touted it as an important safety measure against the COVID-19 virus. It’s understandable to question if something as simple as handwashing can really help combat potentially deadly viruses like COVID-19. But the CDC notes that handwashing is one of the best ways people can protect themselves and their families from getting sick. Understanding just how handwashing works may help people better understand how this simple gesture can potentially save so many lives.
CONTRIBUTED WRITER
How does handwashing remove germs?
Should I use warm or cold water?
The CDC notes that soap and water worked into a lather trap and remove germs and chemicals from hands. Water is a vital component of handwashing, especially when it’s applied to hands before soap. Water helps develop a better lather than people will get when applying soap to dry hands. That’s important because a good lather forms pockets known as micelles that trap and remove germs from hands.
According to the CDC, when combined with soap, water removes the same amount of germs whether it’s warm or cold. Water’s role in handwashing is to help create a lather, and lathers can be created with hot or cold water.
Why is it important to wash hands for 20 seconds? Prior to the pandemic, many people likely had no idea that proper handwashing calls for washing hands for 20 seconds. So why so long? The CDC notes that studies have found that hands need to be scrubbed for 20 seconds in order to remove harmful germs. Washing for anything less than 20 seconds runs the risk of leaving germs on your hands.
Should I use antibacterial hand soap? It might surprise some to learn that the CDC says antibacterial hand soap is not necessary for anyone outside of professional health care settings. Studies have found no added health benefit of using antibacterial soap as opposed to plain soap and water. So consumers should not fret if they can’t find any antibacterial hand soap on their next trip to the grocery store.
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When should I wash my hands? Hands should be washed any time they are visibly dirty or greasy. The CDC also recommends washing hands: • before, during and after preparing food • before eating • before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea • before and after treating a cut or wound • after using the toilet • after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet • after touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste • after handling pet food or pet treats • after touching garbage
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L A U VIRT E C I OFF CONTRIBUTED WRITER
Holiday parties are a tradition at many businesses. A 2019 survey from the outplacement services firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that 76 percent of companies planned to hold holiday parties in 2019. As popular as holiday office parties may be, few businesses are likely to gather in person this holiday season as the world continues to confront the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing guidelines may put many holiday office parties on indefinite hold, but there are still ways for employees to gather this holiday season. Virtual meeting apps like Zoom have helped many businesses stay connected during the pandemic, and there’s no reason why the same platform cannot be utilized when hosting virtual office parties this holiday season. While it might not be the same as planning in person holiday office parties, planning a virtual office get-together can still capture the spirit of the holiday season.
Encourage festive backgrounds
Take the day off
Backgrounds have taken on special meaning as people limit their interactions to video calls. Virtual holiday party organizers can encourage employees to decorate their backgrounds in traditional holiday colors to give the virtual party an authentic holiday feel.
Holiday office parties often take place after office hours. Since that might not be doable when everyone is working from home, host the virtual holiday party on a company-wide off day. Schedule the party for midday and then encourage everyone to hang around on the video call and chat for as long as they’d like. Such calls can be a great time for everyone to catch up and unwind without the worry of going back to work.
Send special care packages to employees Various companies have helped make vir tual happy hours more unique by offering virtual happy hour kits, and such kits can be created and shipped to employees with a holiday theme in mind. Such kits may include snacks, the ingredients necessary to whip up special beverages like eggnog and even some party favors. Company presidents can then propose a toast during the party and express their appreciation to all the hard work employees have put in during what’s proven to be a very challenging year.
Cater the party Dinner is often served at traditional holiday office parties, and while it may require some logistical maneuvering, employers can still provide employees with meals. If employees all live in the same general vicinity, arrange for individually prepared meals to be delivered to their homes. If employees are more spread out, employers can offer to reimburse them for meals they eat during the virtual get-together.
December 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 11
prolong the life of your
POINSETTIAS CONTRIBUTED WRITER
Poinsettias and their rich red, white or variegated color schemes are the ideal backdrop for Christmas celebrations. In fact, poinsettias are among the most popular decorative flowers during the holiday season. According to the 2013 USDA Floriculture Statistics report, poinsettias accounted for about one-quarter (23 percent) of all flowering potted plant sales that year. Roughly 34 million poinsettia plants are sold in a given season. Indigenous to Central America, the plant was introduced to North America in the 1820s when Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, brought the red-and-green plant back with him from a trip abroad. While millions of poinsettias will be purchased for the holiday season, many mistakenly think their utility ends once New Year’s Day has come and gone. But with proper care poinsettia plants can continue to thrive and bring warmth and beauty to a home long after the holiday decorations have been tucked away.
Choose a hearty plant
Avoid drafts
Exper ts with the University of Vermont Extension Department of Plant and Soil Science say that many people mistake the plant’s leaves for its flowers. The red, white or pink bracts are actually modified leaves. The flowers of the plant are the yellow clustered buds in the center called “cyathia.” Choose poinsettia plants that have buds which are, ideally, not yet open.
The plants are sensitive to drafts and changes in temperature. So it’s best to keep poinsettias away from drafty doors, windows, radiators, or fireplaces.
Keep the temperature consistent Poinsettias prefer a room temperature between 60 and 68 F during the day and 10 degrees cooler at night. Humidity levels between 20 and 50 percent are ideal. Group plants on water-filled trays full of pebbles to help increase humidity levels.
Place near sunlight The United Kingdom-based Perrywood floral company advises placing poinsettia plants near a bright windowsill but not in direct sunlight. Do not let a poinsettia touch cold window panes.
12 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE December 2020
Don’t drown the roots Wait until the surface of the compost dries out before watering the plant anew. Also, the decorative foil wrapper that covers pots can trap water and lead to root rot. Remove it or poke holes in the bottom to allow for drainage.
Cut back plants Come mid-March, cut back the plant by half to encourage new shoots, suggests the University of Illinois Extension. The plants also can be placed outside in the spring after the risk of frost has passed. Bring poinsettias back in around mid-September to early October to force them to bloom again.
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14 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE December 2020
learn about
Boxing Day
Commonly celebrated in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, gift-giving doesn’t cease with the passing of Christmas. Boxing Day, which falls the day after Christmas, has nothing to do with bringing empty gift boxes out to the recycling bin. While it has transformed into another day to grab seasonal deals, Boxing Day has historically served as a day to give to the less fortunate. During the Victorian era in Britain, servants were not given off on Christmas Day because they had to work during their employers’ celebrations. Therefore, they were allowed off the following day — December 26 — to spend time with their own families. The holiday became standard practice in 1871. Boxing Day may have gotten its moniker from wealthy people who would give their employees boxes filled with small gifts, Christmas dinner leftovers and money as recognition for their service. Others believe it refers to alms boxes placed in churches for the collection of donations for the poor. December 26 also is the feast day of St. Stephen, the patron saint of horses, so Boxing Day has been tied to sporting events involving horses. This includes horse races and fox hunts. Even though the British established early residency in America, the Boxing Day tradition did not travel over to the colonies from England. However, Canadians and other former British strongholds celebrate it as a public holiday. Offices are closed and public transportation may run on holiday schedules.
VOLUNTEER SAFELY CONTRIBUTED WRITER Volunteers are vital to the survival of many charitable organizations. Without people willing to offer their time and expertise free of charge, many nonprofits would find it difficult, if not impossible, to meet their missions. The global pandemic that begin in late 2019 and continued into 2020 changed many aspects of life as the world knew it, and that includes volunteering. Social distancing measures and stay-at-home mandates from state and local governments discouraged people from leaving their homes, while various health organizations warned aging men and women to stay home as much as possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. In recognition of that threat, many retirees who were heavily involved in volunteering prior to the pandemic were forced to cease working as volunteers, which could have a negative effect on their mental health as the pandemic continues. A report from the Mayo Clinic Health System noted that adults over age 60 experienced greater life satisfaction and greater positive changes in their perceived health as a result of volunteering. Many people have continued to volunteer during the pandemic, and those that want to do so can take these steps to make sure their efforts to give back are as safe as possible.
Speak with your physician first Anyone, but especially seniors, who wants to volunteer during the pandemic should discuss those aspirations with their physicians prior to offering their services to charitable organizations. Doctors can discuss the acute and chronic threats posed by the COVID-19 virus and examine each individual’s medical history to help potential volunteers decide if working with a local charity is safe. In addition, doctors can check patients for COVID-19 symptoms and even have them tested to make sure they won’t be putting anyone in danger should they decide to volunteer.
Contact the organization prior to volunteering Some organizations may not be allowing potentially at-risk volunteers to perform in-person tasks. Contact the organization you hope to work with prior to signing up to confirm your eligibility, but also to discuss the safety protocols they’ve put in place to protect the health of their volunteers.
Monitor your own health If you’ve signed up to volunteer, it’s vital that you monitor your own health. Health officials believe the COVID-19 virus has spread so rapidly for a number of reasons, including the likelihood that many people have had the virus but shown no symptoms. Charitable organizations will no doubt assess the health of each volunteer when they show up to work, but volunteers also should make such assessments on their own. Check your temperature each day and familiarize yourself with the symptoms of COVID-19. If you suspect you are unwell or are even slightly under the weather, contact the charity and tell them you won’t be showing up that day. Operating with an abundance of caution during the pandemic can save lives.
Consider virtual volunteering Virtual volunteering is a safe way to give back that won’t expose volunteers or others to the COVID-19 virus. Charitable organizations need behind-the-scenes help just as much as they need volunteers with their boots on the ground. Virtual volunteers can help with fundraising efforts and event planning, but also help charities overcome the logistical challenges of operating and meeting their missions during the pandemic.
December 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 15
WARM UP WITH RICH CHOCOLATE
Hot Cocoa Cookies Yields 5-6 dozen cookies INGREDIENTS Cookies:
Nothing beats sipping a hot, soothing beverage after a day of choosing the perfect Christmas tree or lobbing snowballs in the backyard. Teas, hot toddies, coffees, and mulled ciders certainly can fit the bill, but a mug of rich hot chocolate is a holiday season staple. Hot chocolate can be whipped up quickly from premade packets, but many such packets are loaded with sugar. Chocolate lovers should have a reliable hot chocolate recipe to lean on when the moment is right. This recipe for “Real Hot Chocolate” from “Chocolate” (Parragon) by the editors of Love Food is sure to please.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temp., 65-68 F 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix
11/4 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour 11/2 cups mini chocolate chips 1/2 cup cocoa nibs, optional
1/3 cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder
Topping:
1/2 teaspoon salt
About 5.5 dozen Belcolade bittersweet disks, or other high-quality chocolate wafer
1 teaspoon espresso powder, optional, for enhanced flavor 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Marshmallow fluff, cocoa nibs, or chopped nuts, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Real Hot Chocolate
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Lightly grease two baking sheets, or line with parchment.
Serves 1 to 2
2. To make the cookies: Combine the butter, hot chocolate mix, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder in a mixing bowl. Beat until the mixture is smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat until thoroughly combined.
INGREDIENTS 11⁄2 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces
3. Weigh out your flour. Or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. Add the flour to the cookie mixture, stirring to combine. Mix in the chips and cocoa nibs.
11⁄4 cups milk Chocolate curls to decorate
DIRECTIONS 1. Place the chocolate in a large, heatproof pitcher. Place the milk in a heavy-bottom saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour about one-quarter of the milk onto the chocolate and leave until the chocolate has softened. 2. Whisk the milk and chocolate mixture until smooth. Return the remaining milk to the heat and return to a boil, then pour onto the chocolate, whisking constantly. 3. Pour into warmed mugs or cups and top with the chocolate curls. Serve immediately.
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4. Drop the dough by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets - a teaspoon cookie scoop works well here. Space the cookies at least two inches apart. Bake the cookies for 8 to 9 minutes, until the surface is set, but the cookies aren’t quite fully baked. 5. Take the cookies out of the oven and press a chocolate disk into the center of each cookie. Return the cookies to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes longer, until the chocolate begins to turn shiny and softens. Remove the cookies from the oven once again, and sprinkle the melted chocolate disk with your garnish of choice. 6. Allow the cookies to cool right on the baking sheet until the chocolate disks are set. Store well-wrapped cookies at room temperature for a week or so; freeze for longer storage.
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16 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE December 2020
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COOK UP SOME CLASSIC LATKES
Latkes (potato pancakes) Serves 12 INGREDIENTS 3 large potatoes, peeled and shredded 1 small onion, shredded 3 large eggs
CONTRIBUTED WRITER
1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or as needed
Potato pancakes are traditionally ser ved during Chanukah celebrations. This dish is often referred to as “latkes,” a Yiddish word that loosely translates to “little oily thing.” Potato pancakes are not exclusive to Jewish celebrations and cuisine. Germans have their own variation called “kartoffelpuffer” that can be served with sour cream, applesauce or smoked salmon. The Irish have “boxty,” which may be made with a combination of shredded potato and mashed potato before being fried. Many potato pancake recipes are quite similar. They involve only a few ingredients and fry up in a flash. Some chefs recommend draining the shredded potato prior to cooking so that the pancakes will fry up crispy and not be soggy or break apart. Enjoy this recipe for “Latkes,” courtesy of AllRecipes.com.
1⁄2 cup vegetable oil
DIRECTIONS 1. Place the potatoes and onion into a bowl, and stir in eggs, salt and flour as needed to make the mixture hold together. With wet hands, scoop up about 1⁄3 cup of the mixture per patty, and form into flat round or oval shapes. 2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, and gently place the patties into the hot oil. Fry until the bottoms are golden brown and crisp, 5 to 8 minutes, then flip with a spatula and fry the other side until golden. 3. Line a colander or strainer with 2 paper towels, and drain the cooked latkes in the colander. Serve hot.
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20 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE December 2020
e n g a p m a h c STORE & SERVE
CONTRIBUTED WRITER
No New Year’s Eve celebration would be complete without a champagne toast to ring in the new year. Champagne is a vital component of many special occasions, such as anniversaries, retirement parties and weddings. Champagne is a sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France, though the term “champagne” is often mistakenly used in reference to any type of bubbly. Champagne is a wine and, like merlot or pinot grigio, it has specific storage and serving temperatures to ensure top flavor. According to ThermoWorks, wines have specific layers of flavor that are most effectively enjoyed when they’re experienced at the proper temperature. In wine, temperature affects alcohol, acid and aromatics. ThermoWorks suggests a temperature of 45 F for champagne. In addition to controlling temperature, there are other ways to help ensure champagne reaches the palate in optimal fashion. Grape Escapes, a wine tasting and touring company, says that champagne is already aged properly before being sold, so it does not necessarily benefit from extra aging in the bottle. When kept too long (beyond 10 years for vintage cuvées), some effervescence may be lost and the flavor will change. Bottles of champagne should be stored horizontally in a well-chilled environment. They should be kept away from bright or artificial light. Chilling also will help reduce the “pop” and overflow of the bubbly. If you purchase champagne and need to chill it for serving, you can achieve this by either chilling it in the fridge for three hours before serving, or in a Champagne bucket in a mixture of ice and water for 30 minutes. Etiquette experts say it is preferable to open a bottle of champagne with a hiss rather than a large pop. To achieve this, chill the champagne and also open the bottle very slowly and with a great deal of control. When the champagne is opened, Daniel Brennan, PR and communications director at Champagne Laurent-Perrier, advises taking your time pouring a little champagne into each glass to allow the bubbles to settle. Then return to the first glass to pour more, helping to make the champagne less likely to froth. Do not tilt the glass like pouring a beer, rather pour the champagne gently down the inside of the glass. The shape of the glass comes down to preference. Traditional coupes look the part, but tulip-shaped flutes will produce more bubbles and help capture the flavor and aromas of the champagne. It’s ideal to drink all of the champagne in a bottle, as it will begin to lose its fizz immediately after opening, yet that isn’t always possible. A specialized champagne stopper will help keep the champagne fresh for up to two days after opening. Aftering the bottle has been opened, refrigerate it. Do not wash champagne glasses in the dishwasher. Hand wash and allow to drip dry. Soap or fibers from towels can impede bubble formation in the glass during subsequent pourings.
December 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 21
TRADITIONS THE ORIGINS OF NYE
CONTRIBUTED WRITER
Traditions are the glue that hold many celebrations together. Individuals and families embrace many customs that serve as the script for commemorating year-end holidays. Some celebrants may adhere to traditions without really knowing how they began or why they continue. Here is a closer look at some of the most popular traditions tied to New Year’s Eve, both domestically and around the world.
Drinking champagne The use of champagne for celebrations is rooted in the Christian ritual of consuming wine during the Eucharist. In the year 496, a wine from the Champagne region of France was of fered during the baptism of the Frankish warrior Clovis, according to the Champagne Committee of France. It then became customary for champagne to be used at religious events like consecrations and at coronations or soirees. Eventually the tradition became associated with secular rituals, such as celebrating the new year.
Food People of Japanese heritage might eat soba noodles on New Year’s Eve. The Toshikoshi Soba, which means “year crossing buckwheat noodle,” denotes the crossing from one year to the next. Nibbling the noodles represent traveling from one year to the next as well as letting go of the previous year’s regrets. In Spain, people gobble grapes to bring good luck in the coming year. The goal is to eat 12 green grapes during the 12 remaining seconds until the New Year. Those able to do so will have 12 months of good fortune.
Dropping the ball Revelers have long watched the giant ball drop in New York City’s Times Square in person and on television. This tradition may be rooted in the custom of sailors using “time balls” to set their own timepieces while at sea. These chronometers were employed by using a spyglass to scan the harbor looking for balls that were dropped into the water at certain times, PBS reports. The first ball was installed in 1829 in Portsmouth, England. The Times Square ball was first used in 1907, according to the Times Square Alliance.
Making resolutions Historians trace the making of resolutions to the Ancient Babylonians. Citizens made spoken resolutions during their new year festival known as “Akitu.” This ritual required making an oath to the sitting or new king. Romans also swore oaths of loyalty to the emperor when the New Year started.
Fireworks and noisemakers Fireworks are a big part of celebrations and are not to be outdone on New Year’s Eve. Fireworks were invented in the seventh century in China. According to Anthony Aveni, an astronomer and anthropologist at Colgate University, the fireworks were designed to ward off evil spirits. In cultures around the world, fireworks, banging drums and other efforts were used to chase away spooky creatures, especially during the transitional period that is the passing of the new year. Today fireworks and noisemakers are employed not for scaring away spirits, but rather to add to the revelry.
NEW YEAR’S EVE WILL BE “VIRTUALLY ENHANCED, VISUALLY COMPELLING AND VERY DIFFERENT” Organizers released that a virtually enhanced celebration will bring Times Square and the Ball to you digitally no matter where you are, scaled-back and socially-distanced live elements still to be determined, and an extremely limited group of in-person honorees, socially distanced, who will reflect the themes, challenges and inspirations of 2020.
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DID YOU KNOW: The first New Year’s Eve Ball, made of iron and wood and adorned with one hundred 25-watt light bulbs, was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds. Today’s ball is a geodesic sphere that is 12 feet in diameter and weighs nearly six tons. The 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles are illuminated by 32,256 Philips Luxeon LEDs. This Big Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is now a year-round attraction sparkling above Times Square in full public view January through December.
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Unique ways to celebrate NYE CONTRIBUTED WRITER New Year’s Eve is a highly anticipated day on many people’s calendars. Social schedules tend to be busy during the holiday season, and that typically culminates on December 31, when people across the globe gather to say goodbye to one year and welcome in a new one. Much of the world is no doubt ready to put 2020 in its rearview mirror, but New Year’s Eve celebrations will almost certainly have to be scaled back this year. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the ways people gather socially, so traditional New Year’s Eve parties likely won’t be in the cards as the world turns the calendar from 2020 to 2021. Raucous parties might not be on the docket this December 31, but that does not mean people cannot still celebrate the end of what’s proven to be a very challenging year.
Don’t wait until midnight Many people love to be around friends and family as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the COVID-19 virus spreads more easily indoors than outdoors. So gathering around the television to watch the ball drop in Times Square as you count down to the new year may put celebrants’ health in jeopardy. If you want to gather with loved ones, do so earlier in the day and gather outdoors when the weather figures to be much warmer than it will be at midnight. A champagne toast around a backyard firepit can serve as a stand-in for midnight toasts.
Hit the road Travel restrictions may dictate where people can safely celebrate New Year’s Eve, but if large gatherings with friends are prohibited this year, families can plan getaways. New Year’s Eve is on a Friday this year. That makes it an ideal weekend to get out of town. Many vacation rental services like VRBO and Airbnb have introduced guidelines to address health and safety concerns prospective travelers may have. Before booking a getaway, contact hosts to determine what they’re doing to make their rentals safe for renters.
Stay home Another celebration at home may seem overrated at this point, but you can spruce up the day by bringing the fun through your own front door. Get fancy and setup a backdrop for a photobooth in a spare room or a garage (anyplace with great natural light.) Make sure you order foil balloons and confetti ahead of time, as well as any other fun props. Or get cozy by whipping up some goodluck foods and building a fort adorned with twinkle lights.
Celebrate over and over again One unique way to see 2020 to the door and usher in 2021 is to celebrate throughout the day and night as various areas of the world officially close the book on 2020. The Pacific island nations of Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati are the first countries to ring in the new year, and they will do so at what will be 4:00 a.m. central on December 31. Many countries across the globe ring in the New Year before residents of North America, so North Americans can make a day of sending 2020 into the history books and celebrate each time a new country reaches 2021.
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winter wedding
H AV E Y O U R S E L F A M E R R Y L I T T L E
CONTRIBUTED WRITER
Weddings take place throughout the year, but some months have traditionally proven more popular times of year for happy couples to tie the knot. Summer was long known as the most popular season for weddings, but that trend has shifted in recent years. According to the 2020 WeddingWire Newlywed Report, 36 percent of couples get married in the fall, making autumn the most popular time to say “I do.” Though October and September are the two most popular months to marry, budget-conscious couples may want to consider getting married in winter. December, January and February are the least popular wedding months, but the experts at WeddingWire note that getting married during the slow season has its benefits. Vendors, including wedding planners and venues, may offer their services and facilities at discounted prices in winter to account for the slow season. And guests might be thankful to have a fun event to look forward to during a time of year when social schedules tend to be less busy. Many wedding components will stay the same regardless of when couples walk down the aisle. However, couples may need to take a few things into consideration as they begin planning winter weddings.
Avoid holiday weekends Just because social schedules are not always so busy in winter that doesn’t mean couples can pick any winter weekend to tie the knot. The holiday season, which begins on Thanksgiving weekend in late November and lasts until New Year’s Day, is a hectic time of year for many people. Avoid holiday weekends like Thanksgiving and the weekends before or after Christmas and New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day. These weekends already are busy travel times, so couples might not be able to get guest-friendly rates on hotel rooms, and some guests may already have plans to visit family. In addition to the December holidays, avoid the first weekend in February. That’s Super Bowl weekend, and many people may be reluctant to travel on the day of the big game.
Research local weather It’s impossible to predict the weather, but savvy couples can research local weather in the town or city where they’re getting married to determine when is the most travel-friendly month to host their weddings. Some regions get heavy snowfall in January, while others may be more susceptible to late winter snowstorms. Couples with a lot of out-of-town guests should choose a winter weekend where snowfall is unlikely so guests don’t have to endure travel delays on their way to and from the wedding.
Purchase wedding insurance Wedding insurance is a wise investment for every couple, but it can be especially valuable for couples tying the knot in winter. Each policy is different, but wedding insurance policies should protect couples’ investments if storms force local officials to declare a state of emergency that prohibits travel. Make sure the policy covers both cancellations and postponements.
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SHOVELING TIPS CONTRIBUTED WRITER The beauty of freshly fallen snow is undeniable. Such beauty compels millions of people across the globe to ski and snowboard each winter, while millions more enjoy simply looking out their windows at snow-covered landscapes. If it was as convenient as it is beautiful, snow would likely be welcomed with open arms whenever the local weatherperson includes it in their forecast. But the heavy-moderate snowfall can be inconvenient for the tristate, making it difficult to travel and even creating more work for individuals responsible for shoveling their driveways and walkways. Shoveling snow can increase a person’s risk for injury, and some may be surprised to learn just how frequently such injuries happen. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that, in 2018, more than 137,000 people needed medical assistance for injuries that happened while shoveling snow or using snowblowers. Sprains and strains in the back and shoulders are the most common injuries when shoveling snow. But people also can suffer lacerations and injuries related to below-freezing temperatures when shoveling snow. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends people keep these safety precautions in mind when shoveling snow this winter.
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Stretch before shoveling Just like you would do before exercising in a gym, stretch prior to picking up your snow shovel. Warm up your muscles with some light exercise for 10 minutes to reduce your risk of sprains, strains and muscle tears.
Wear eye protection One of the lesser known tips is protecting your eyes from photokeratitis or snow blindness. Like skin is sunburned from from the sun, your eyes too can become burned from the UV rays that reflect off snow. The AAO says photokeratitis is not usually noticed until well after the damage has occurred. Symptoms include: pain, redness, blurriness, tearing, swelling, sensitivity to bright light, headache, seeing halos, small pupils, eyelid twitching or temporary vision loss. The longer you are exposed, the more severe your symptoms will be so be sure to wear sunglasses.
Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks The AAOS notes that snow shoveling and snow blowing are aerobic activities. Such activities require participants to be hydrated. In addition, taking frequent breaks can help prevent injuries.
Avoid shoveling if you have heart issues Some people should avoid shoveling snow entirely. According to the Harvard Medical School, researchers correlated hospital admissions and deaths due to heart attack the day after it snowed in Canada between 1981 and 2014. Researchers found that the deeper the snow, the more men died of heart attacks. In fact, researchers found that there was a 34 percent increase in heart attack deaths the day after an eight-inch snowfall, and those rates increased when snowfall increased. Most deaths were men, but both men and women who are at risk of heart attack should avoid shoveling snow, particularly after heavy snowfall. Adults who are unsure of their heart health should consult with their physicians prior to shoveling snow.
Use the right equipment Ergonomic snow shovels can make shoveling less taxing, reducing your risk for sprains and strains. Spacing hands on the tool grip can increase leverage, making shoveling easier and less likely to lead to injury.
Push snow instead of lifting it The AAOS recommends pushing rather than lifting snow when possible. If snow must be lifted, squat with your legs, knees bent and back straight. When lifting, lift with your legs and do not bend at the waist. Scoop small amounts of snow at a time and walk to where you want to dump. The AAOS warns against holding shovels full of snow with arms outstretched, as doing so puts too much weight on the spine. Snow should not be thrown over the shoulder, as such a technique requires a twisting motion that puts stress on the back. In addition, the AAOS notes that heavy wet snow should be removed in pieces and not all at once.
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