Weekend - November 26, 2020

For the most up-to-date listing of events, go online to masslive.com/entertainment

Weekend

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LIVEWIRE: Signature Sounds plans anniversary compilation, livestreams, E3 NOW STREAMING: ‘Belushi,’ ‘Crazy, Not Insane’ lead new releases, E4 BEER NUT: Reasons to be grateful even in a dismal year, E11

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Holiday comfort movies, E7

Spreading holiday cheer Drive-thru holiday lights show coming to Franklin County Fairgrounds, Page E2

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ON THE COVER

‘Light Up the Fairgrounds’ Drive-thru light show coming to Franklin County Fairgrounds

with holiday cheer

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By Cori Urban

Special to The Republican

ricka Almeida enjoyed the Christmas displays at LaSalette Shrine in Attleboro and the holiday lights at Bright Nights in Springfield, so when she was thinking of ways to bring holiday cheer to Franklin County while also raising money for local non-profits, those happy memories sparked an idea.

She conceived “Light Up the Fairgrounds,” a drivethru holiday spectacular at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. It will feature some 30 light displays created by community businesses, individuals and organizations who will vie for three cash prizes.

“There are so many factors when trying to run an event during COVID-19, but the primary driver is keeping people safe. A drive-thru event like this is a natural fit,” said Almeida, development director for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Franklin County.

She got help from the staff at WHAI/Bear Country/The Outlaw, and together they are planning the festive display for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as Dec. 4, 5, 6

Businesses, individuals and organizations from throughout the community have come together to produce “Light Up the Fairgrounds,” a drive-thru holiday spectacular featuring various light displays at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

and Dec. 11, 12, 13, from 5 to 9 p.m. each day “So many of our usual community events had to be canceled this year: our Easter Egg Hunt, our giant tag sale, our Pumpkin Smash, not to mention all of the local fairs being lost to COVID,” said Nick Danjer, program director of WHAI, Bear Country (WPVQ) and The Outlaw who is the morning show host on WHAI. “We were looking for a fun event that people could safely participate in.”

There will be a special holiday radio station that event goers can tune into as they drive through the fairgrounds.

The event will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County, The Franklin County Sheriff ’s Office Regional Dog Shelter and The Franklin County Fairgrounds.

“We anticipate the holidays may be very hard on people this year” because of the pandemic, Almeida said.

“With the possibility of not seeing family and friends in the usual manor and our entertainment options quite limited, we believe that ‘Light Up the Fairgrounds’ will be a bright spot during this holiday season.”

There will be prizes for the top three entries, $1,000 for first place, $500 for second

place, and $250 for third place. Each vehicle that enters the fairgrounds will be given a ballot that visitors will drop off upon exit. The planning committee will tally the ballots at the end of the 3-weekend event and announce the winners. Prize money has been provided by the event’s premier sponsor, Franklin First Federal Credit Union.

The display will be seen from vehicles only, no walking through. The cost is $5 per automobile.

More information about the event can be found online at bbbs-fc.org, whai.com, Bear953.com or by emailing info@bbbs-fc.org.

“There are so many factors when trying to run an event during COVID-19, but the primary driver is keeping people safe. A drive-thru event like this is a natural fit.”

Ericka Almeida

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | E3

MUSIC

Signature Sounds plans anniversary compilation, livestream series

ENTERTAINMENT

Dolly Parton Christmas musical a salve for 2020 Donnie Moorhouse LiveWire

Winterpills is one of the bands that will be featured on “Golden Age: 25 Years of Signature Sounds,” scheduled for release on Jan. 29. (JOANNA CHATTMAN PHOTO)

S

JIM OLSEN, CO-FOUNDER, SIGNATURE SOUNDS

Lori McKenna will be featured on Signature Sounds’ double-CD release.

(BECKY FLUKE PHOTO)

25. The schedule and link to the events is available through the label website at signature sounds.com.

Signature Sounds was formed in 1995 and has made its mark in the Americana, folk, and singer-songwriter genre. The label opened The Parlor Room live venue in Northampton in 2012 and produces the acclaimed Green River Festival annually in July.

Liner notes • Some rock ‘n’ roll history is coming up for auction in the near future.

The items range from the weird to the macabre.

Rock band Tool is hoping to support the Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund with a unique item. While typically you might find everything but the kitchen sink on an auction site, Tool is throwing in the kitchen sink.

There doesn’t seem to be any significance to the stainless-steel sink signed by band members, but you can put SEE LIVEWIRE, PAGE E7

By Rodney Ho

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dolly Parton has been an icon so many decades, she seems to have almost nothing more to prove.

Yet at age 74, she is seemingly everywhere, a shining beacon who cuts through the drudgery, divisiveness and madness of 2020.

The country legend just came out with both a Christmas album (“A Holly Dolly Christmas”) and a book (“Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics”). She has a new Christmas special airing on CBS Dec. 6. And she donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which has helped the pharmaceutical company Moderna develop a coronavirus vaccine.

So it seems apt that she is also playing a guardian angel

Dolly Parton plays a guardian angel in the Netflix original “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square.” (NETFLIX)

in “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square,” a Netflix musical shot in the summer of 2019 in Atlanta and released this past Sunday.

All 14 songs in the film were written by Parton. The familiar story evokes “A Christmas Carol” and revolves around the theme of forgiveness.

Christine Baranski of “The Good Fight” fame plays bitter real estate mogul Regina.

During the opening musical SEE PARTON, PAGE E5

ALWAYS HIGH PRICES PAID.

63 Cabot Street, Chicopee Center (413) 592-0220

03091382

IGNATURE SOUNDS, the Northampton-based record label and concert promoter, is celebrating an anniversary with a double-CD release and livestream series that highlights its history and roster of artists.

“Golden Age: 25 Years of Signature Sounds” is a 37song compilation that features the likes of Lake Street Dive, Chris Smither, Winterpills, Lori McKenna and Heather Maloney.

“To celebrate 25 unpredictable years as a record label, we’ve put together a 37-song collection,” said Jim Olsen, co-founder of the label. “The approach was to make it a really good sounding listenable album, rather than just the biggest hits. Let’s make it a really nice listen all the way through and showcase the artists to their best effect.”

The album release, scheduled for Jan. 29, 2021, will be augmented by a livestream series — “The 25th Anniversary Parlor Room Home Series” — which continues though March with sessions featuring artists such as Winterpills on Jan. 14 and Mark Erelli on Feb.

“The approach was to make it a really good sounding listenable album, rather than just the biggest hits.

Let’s make it a really nice listen all the way through and showcase the artists to their best effect.”

‘Christmas on the Square’ available on Netflix

E4 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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MOVIES ONLINE STREAMING

‘Belushi,’ ‘Crazy, Not Insane’ lead new releases

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By Michael O’Sullivan

Unrated. Available on various streaming platforms. 107 minutes.

Washington Post

elushi” is a documentary portrait of actor John Belushi: essentially an oral history — including never-before-heard clips from audio interviews with the comedian by Tanner Colby, co-author of the book “Belushi,” and selections from Belushi’s letters, read by Bill Hader.

Set in Europe at the end of the 18th century, “The Black Book of Father Dinis” tells the story of a peasant maid and her orphan charge, against a backdrop of passion and revolution.

Unrated. Available at virtualavalon.org. In French with subtitles. 113 minutes.

John Belushi is the subject of the documentary “Belushi.”

(JUDY BELUSHI PISANO / SHOWTIME)

always, Gibney raises some excellent, troubling questions, not all of which can easily be answered.

Unrated. Available on HBO and HBO Max. Contains strong Forensic psychiatrist Dorothy Otnow Lewis stars in “Crazy, Not language, bloody crime scene Insane.” (HBO) photos and discussion of violence. 114 minutes.

Supplemented by a trove of The ever-prolific, ever-curiarchival photos and footage ous Alex Gibney has another “Leap of Faith: William and some animated reenact- new documentary: “Crazy, Friedkin on ‘The Exorcist’” is ments, the film, written and Not Insane” is structured a real treat for fans of the Oscar-winning 1973 horror film directed by R.J. Cutler (“A around a long conversation about demonic possession.

Perfect Candidate”), tracks - or, more likely, several long Belushi’s life and career, from conversations pieced together Clearly a fan himself, director his youth in Chicago and ear- - with Dorothy Otnow Lewis, Alexandre O. Philippe sat ly work with the Second City a forensic psychiatrist with down with Friedkin for a chat comedy troupe to his work on a focus on murderers. In his about the film. And Friedkin, “Saturday Night Live,” subse- fascinating discussions with as it turns out, has much to say quent films and 1982 death, about the making and meanLewis, author of the book ing of it. He offers the kind of at age 33, from a drug over“Guilty by Reason of Insanidose. This is all well-covered ty: A Psychiatrist Probes the insights — it’s a movie about ground, but the film does Minds of Killers,” Gibney the “mystery of faith,” he says offer, for fans of the perform- doesn’t merely revisit the cir- — and the kind of behind-theer, some insights into what cumstances of grisly killings scenes details one typically Belushi himself refers to as perpetrated by such people finds on a DVD commentary his “occasional melancholy as Ted Bundy - although he track, but with much more despair.” As expressed by does do that - but he interthoughtfulness: Friedkin says his friend Carrie Fisher, who rogates the very notion of he was guided by a strange also struggled with addiction legal insanity (which, as the mix of unconscious intuition film’s title suggests, is not the and supreme confidence in and mental illness, for the same thing as being crazy.) To making “The Exorcist” — both of them — and perhaps many others — “drugs aren’t its credit, the film also goes what he calls a kind of “sleepwalker’s security,” borrowing much further, examining the problem; sobriety is the a phrase from filmmaker Fritz the putative deterrence of problem.”

TV-MA. Available on Lang. After watching this the death penalty and, most Showtime. Contains strong film-school chat, some may intriguingly, the psychology language, nudity and drug want to revisit “The Exorcist” of one person whose job it material. 108 minutes. with fresh eyes. is to perform executions. As

Unrated. Available on Shudder. Contains strong language, scary images, blood and violence. 103 minutes.

Also streaming Two friends (Jenna Ushkowitz and Laura Ashley Samuels) take a road trip that descends into comedic mayhem in “1 Night in San Diego.”

Unrated. Available for purchase on various streaming platforms. 85 minutes.

“Coded Bias” is a documentary about racial bias in facial recognition software.

The New York Times calls it the “most cleareyed of several recent documentaries about the perils of Big Tech,” including “The Great Hack” and “The Social Dilemma.”

Unrated. Available at themiracletheatre.com and virtualavalon.org. 90 minutes.

“Dreamland” tells the story of a Texas teenager (Finn Cole) who is struggling to save his family farm from foreclosure. The New York Times calls the film, which also stars Margot Robbie,

Jenna Ushkowitz, left, and Laura Ashley Samuels appear in “1 Night in San Diego.” (1091 PICTURES)

Inspired by an urban legend about a 1980s arcade video game said to lead to madness and even death, “Ashens and the Polybius Heist” is a British comedy about a group of people in pursuit of said game console.

Travis Fimmel and Garrett Hedlund, a “hollow genre exercise.”

R. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains violence, strong language, sexuality and nudity. 98 minutes.

SEE STREAM, PAGE E5

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Mel Gibson appears in “Fatman.” (SABAN FILMS)

Stream

Mel Gibson plays Santa Claus — you read that right — CONTINUED FROM PAGE E4 in “Fatman,” an action comStephen Dorff plays Cash, a edy in which Gibson’s Chris mixed martial arts fighter and Cringle faces off against a absentee father in “Embatdeadly assassin (Walton tled.” Slant magazine writes: Goggins). That may sound “Cash’s borderline cartoonish promising to fans of so-badvillainy makes it difficult for it’s-good cinema, but sadly, the audience to emotionally according to Entertainment invest in the film.”

Weekly, “the most offensive R. Available on various thing about ‘Fatman’ is that it streaming platforms. Contains isn’t more offensive.” pervasive strong language R. Available on various and crude sexual references, streaming platforms. Contains violence and some nudity. 117 bloody violence and strong minutes. language. 99 minutes.

Parton

WEEKEND

Jackie Chan plays a prisoner trying to escape from the jailer of the Tower of London (Arnold Schwarzenegger) in “Iron Mask.” The Guardian writes: “We are stuck with endless, weightless greenscreen shenanigans involving a dragon whose eyelashes are used to create tea (I think that’s right) and a cast of thousands who drift across various CGI landscapes.”

PG-13. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains sequences of violence and action, and some suggestive elements. 120 minutes.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | E5

The controversial billionaire activist George Soros is the subject of the sympathetic documentary “Soros.” According to Variety, “For somebody who’s seen by many as being in line to ace the Antichrist primaries, Soros comes off as nearly as much of a regular guy as someone could who still has a Hungarian accent and may rank among the 1-percent’s top 1 percent.”

Unrated. Available at afi silver.afi.com. 85 minutes.

The documentary “Truth Is the Only Client: The Official Investigation of the Murder of John F. Kennedy” revisits the

Nov. 22, 1963, assassination of Kennedy.

Unrated. Available on various streaming platforms. 135 minutes.

“The Twentieth Century” is a twisted take on Canadian history that mixes fictional elements with actual historical figures.

“The jokes are often ridiculous, as is pretty much everything else that happens,” according to the Hollywood Reporter, “but there’s a palpable energy and visual inventiveness on display that keeps things watchable.”

Unrated. Available at afi silver.afi.com. 90 minutes.

Jude Law plays an English businessman whose life takes a disturbing turn when he moves to a country manor with his American wife (Carrie Coon) and family in “The Nest.” Law and Coon aren’t the only reason to see the film, writes Rolling Stone, “but they are the main reason to see it, and both of them give these characters so much shared history communicated without saying a word.”

R. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains crude language throughout, some sexuality, nudity and teen partying.

Jude Law. right, and Carrie Coon appear in “The Nest.” (IFC FILMS) 107 minutes.

bie Allen to direct. And he convinced Baranski to play the lead. Not that it took much CONTINUED FROM PAGE E3 convincing. He recalled she number, featuring 75 extras said, “You had me at Dolly and 11 cast members, Regina Parton.” informs businesses on a He chose her because he small town square that she is knew Baranski would play evicting them all and turning the brittle, angry part well. the space into a mall.

“But she’s got a heart of gold.

Not surprisingly, Parton’s There’s no sweeter person spangly angel eventually who walks on the face of this softens Regina’s heart and earth,” Haskell said. guides her into a much better The film was shot over six space. weeks, and Haskell lauded AlWe spoke with Sam Haslen for her aplomb amid typiSelah Kimbro Jones, left, and Matthew Johnson appear in a kell, Parton’s former agent cal delays like a power outage, scene from “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square.” (NETFLIX) and a longtime close friend a bad storm and air conditioning failing. “I was right behind of hers who was executive dren. We’ve known each oth- over the years, she wrote the her watching every shot,” he producer on the film and er for 35 years. It’s easy for us music. Last year, Parton and said. “I marveled at her ability several previous Parton-related TV projects, including to do things together.” to keep everybody moving.” other singers performed a her 2019 song anthology Haskell had written a The square was built out on 45-minute version of “Christmas on the Square” before “Heartstrings,” which is also successful memoir in 2009 a massive set at EUE Screen on Netflix. and as a sequel, he thought of Netflix executives.

Gems in Atlanta, which has “Dolly and I finish each “Netflix executives bought it also been home to films such writing a fictional Christmas other’s sentences,” Haskell as “Flight” and the latter in the room,” Haskell said. story. When he told Parton said. “We’re so compatible. two “Hunger Games” films He quickly hired Emabout the idea, she scoffed my-winning choreographer, We get along so well. She’s as well as fellow Netflix and said he should turn it dancer and producer Debthe godmother to my chilproducts “Stranger Things” into a musical. On her own,

and Ron Howard’s “Hillbilly Elegy,” out the same weekend on Netflix. They found a lovely home near Ponce City Market to shoot interior scenes of Regina’s home.

“Christmas on the Square” also involved months of post-production magic to give Parton that visual angelic sparkle and create convincing backdrops for the square. The film was in the can by January, weeks before the pandemic began. (Netflix’s ability to work so far ahead enabled the streaming service to keep fresh product coming out of the pipeline the past eight months.)

Haskell hopes “Christmas on the Square” becomes a perennial favorite.

“It’s a big, fun, fabulous musical,” he said. “It’s what this country needs right now.

The musical is going to make people turn everything else off for two hours and just enjoy joy.”

E6 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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MOVIES / VIDEO GAMES DVD RELEASES

Look who’s breaking bad in ‘Better Call Saul’ proposes her own unhinged scheme, Kim’s breaking bad packs the greatest punch.

Also new on DVD “The Irishman”: A truck driver (Robert De Niro) rises up in a Pennsylvania crime family and earns a spot working for Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino).

“After We Collided”: In this sequel to 2019’s “After,” Tessa (Josephine Langford) and Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) reel from their devastating breakup.

Bob Odenkirk stars in AMC’s “Better Call Saul.” Season five of “Ava”: After doubting her the show is now available on DVD. (THE PLAIN DEALER) superiors, an assassin (Jessica Chastain) becomes a target.

By Katie Foran-McHale photography Marshall Adams.

“Blinded”: Sundance Now Tribune News Service And as always, another star series follows a financial reAn acclaimed AMC series porter (Julia Ragnarsson) who of the show is the writer’s raises its stakes to extreme hits it off with a bank director room, which offers plenty heights in the top new DVD re- of rich, shocking character (Matias Varela) whose compaleases for the week of Nov. 24. development. While Mike’s ny is shady in more ways than “Better Call Saul: Seaone. In Swedish.

(Jonathan Banks) guilt over son Five”: Over the course “Buddy Games”: A killing Werner (Rainer Bock) of four seasons, we’ve seen long-separated group of and subsequent spiral and Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) ultimate acceptance isn’t friends reunite to compete in slowly devolve into his Saul extreme physical tasks. Stars much of a surprise given Goodman persona, grappling what we know of his past and Josh Duhamel, Olivia Munn, future, it’s fun to watch Nacho Jensen Ackles, Dax Shepard with the death of his brother, Chuck (Michael McKean), his (Michael Mando) perform and Sheamus. strange yet beautiful partner- some Herculean acrobatics to “The Gulf ”: New Zealand ship with Kim (Rhea Seehorn), save cartel product from DEA series follows a detective (Kate and deep down, his love of the confiscation and woo Lalo in Elliott) who struggles on the game. the process, as well as the story job after suffering memory That slow burn explodes this leading to several unexpected loss caused by a deadly car season, with Jimmy inserting “Breaking Bad” cameos. accident. himself into the drug war beBut the most powerful trans“Ice House”: Two men tween Lalo Salamanca (Tony formation here is that of Kim. (Grant Reed and Greg Berman) head to a Minnesota lake Dalton, whose deranged After seemingly taking on performance continues to de- more and more pro bono work house on a cold winter night, light) and Gus Fring (Giancar- to assuage guilt from the more wherein debauchery turns lo Esposito). Whereas Walter deadly. capitalist-driven Mesa Verde White (Bryan Cranston) quick- case and ensuing problems, “Iron Mask”: A cartograly dove right into criminal pher (Jason Flemyng) travels leading to such extreme conactivity in “Breaking Bad,” it’s flict between her and Jimmy to China to face the Dragon that she decides they either clear that Jimmy, who asMaster. Also stars Jackie Chan, sumes picking up $7 million in need to cut ties or get married, Arnold Schwarzenegger and cash for Lalo’s bail across the she also puts herself into the Helen Yao. In Rusian and U.S.-Mexican border would be game, demanding an explana- English. an easy peasy chore, is simply tion from Lalo as Jimmy’s field “Sonic the Hedgehog”: The trip to Mexico results in his in way over his head.

2020 Ben Schwartz-voiced It’s thrilling to watch and disappearance. At first it seems version following the Sega it’s the series’ best season she’s also in over her head, hero is being rereleased in a yet, with breathtaking cinbut as she saves Jimmy from limited-edition Blu-ray combo ematography by director of Lalo’s repeated questions and pack.

REVIEW

‘Zelda’ universe adds a semi-satisfying new chapter to series

By Harold Goldberg

Most of the rest is filled with fascinatingly choreographed The new “Hyrule Warriors: action that comes at you Age of Calamity” is more fast. There’s a disaster-filled than a hack and slash romp opening sequence followed set within the varied fantaby waves of warring, and you sy lands that comprise the don’t need to have played Legend of Zelda universe. If any of the other Zelda games you don’t go in with the mind- to get the idea that Link, set that it’s the next magical, Princess Zelda and others are puzzle-filled Zelda open world heroic beings who help each game, you’ll find a satisfying other out against the catastrophe the threatens to demolish entry in the annals of game the world. brilliance first created by At its best, Age of Calamity Shigeru Miyamoto more than is more than another savethree decades ago.

Special to The Washington Post

A scene from “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.”

(NINTENDO, KOEI TECMO)

The second edition of the Hyrule Warriors series - a prequel set 100 years before “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” - is packed with action and occasional bits of lore. You witness what transpired during the brutal throwdown between Hyrule’s soldiers and the minions of the gross, fiery-eyed, skull-headed monster of “hatred and malice incarnate,” Calamity Ganon. You also meet a curious, humorous robot - a mini Guardian who arrives early and becomes essential to the plot. The game’s story, though, could have revealed more of Hyrule’s strange and complex history. There is only one moment, near the end, during which you feel utterly moved and empathetic.

“HYRULE WARRIORS: AGE OF CALAMITY” Developed by: Koei Tecmo, Omega Force Published by: Nintendo, Koei Tecmo Available on: Nintendo Switch

the-world story. You learn more about each character’s personality and foibles as you work together to survive the onslaughts of dimwitted enemy hordes, and your weapons can disperse so many enemies at a time, it’s like you’re a professional bowler with multiple balls splaying hundreds of pins at a time. It’s constant fun. Without story, though, SEE ‘ZELDA’, PAGE E11

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MOVIES ENTERTAINMENT

Comfort viewing just in time for the holidays 3 new feel-good releases for an unusual season

By Mark Olsen

Tribune News Service

It’s “the most wonderful time of the year” in a year that for many is the most horrible they can remember. That gives this year’s crop of holiday-themed movies the added weight and expectation of lifting spirits that have likely been very low indeed.

The very idea of what makes for a holiday movie is, of course, itself a point of spirited contention — eccentric choices such as “Die Hard,” “Metropolitan,” “Eyes Wide Shut” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” can be just as satisfying as the more obvious likes of “Elf,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Bad Santa,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Miracle on 34th Street.”

This year, the musical “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” directed by David E. Talbert, has already been released to great acclaim, with The Times’ review declaring that the Netflix film “stands to join the ranks of holiday movie clas-

Forest Whitaker appears as Jeronicus Jangle in “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.”

(GARETH GATRELL/NETFLIX)

sics.” The streamer, which also has the Debbie Allen-helmed “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square” on tap, has become increasingly active in holiday content, joining TV outlets like Lifetime and Hallmark in an annual barrage of seasonal offerings.

Three more holiday titles stand out for their movie star

pedigrees: Hulu’s “Happiest Season” (now available for streaming), directed and co-written by Clea DuVall; Disney’s “Godmothered” (Dec. 4), directed by Sharon Maguire; and Netflix’s “The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two” (Nov. 25), directed and co-written by Chris Columbus.

While there are obvious rea-

sons for audiences’ continuous appetite for holiday fare — the season does roll around every year, after all — some motivations for the perennial holiday boom are perhaps more subtle.

According to Alonso Duralde, author of the Christmas movie guide “Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas,” holiday-themed stories, going back

LiveWire

bid of $400,000. Unfortunately, the Lennon-signed album was owned by Mark Chapman, the man serving a life sentence for murdering Lennon on the same day the album was signed.

Along with Lennon’s signature, the album has various police markings as it was submitted as evidence.

The item is being offered through goldinauctions. com.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE E3

Clint Black, left, and his wife Lisa Hartman Black, speak onstage during the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 16, in Nashville, Tenn. The couple will perform a concert via livestream from the historic Ryman Auditorium Dec. 2. (JASON KEMPIN / GETTY IMAGES FOR ACM)

your offer in through julien sauctions.com by Dec. 2.

Fans of Rush could snare one of drummer Neil Peart’s drum kits in an auction through bonhams.com.

The kit was used by the renowned percussionist from 1974 through 1977, both live and in the studio. The drums were used on seminal albums “Fly By Night,” “Caress of Steel,” and “2112.”

Finally, a signed copy of the John Lennon/Yoko Ono release “Double Fantasy” is up for auction with an opening

at least as far as Charles Dickens and “A Christmas Carol,” aim to spotlight some essential goodness in people.

“We look at the holidays as being not just a time for family togetherness and renewal, but I think there is a narrative that runs through a lot of these movies as the idea of Christmas being a time for redemption; it’s a time for people to rediscover their best selves,” Duralde said. “It’s the time for long-standing rifts to be mended, for people to have the conversation that they should have had decades ago.

“Obviously, there are all kinds of Christmas movies that have all kinds of themes and messages in them, but for the most part, the Christmas movie underscores this idea of people finding the best in themselves, finding the best of other people and fulfilling our promise as human beings and the way that we treat each other.”

The playfully serious romcom “Happiest Season” is the second feature directed by DuVall, the veteran actress recently seen on “Veep.” In the film, Mackenzie Davis’ Harper and Kristen Stewart’s Abby are a cohabiting couple. Abby plans SEE COMFORT, PAGE E8

treamed on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m.

The show is part of the “Live at the Ryman” series from the Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tickets for the livestream are $9.99 and available through ryman.com.

Clint Black is one of the most successful country artists of the modern era with over 20 million records sold.

His 1989 debut “Killin’ Time” delivered five No. 1 singles.

Lisa Hartman Black rose • Country star Clint Black to fame on the television show “Knots Landing.” Her will partner with his wife, actress-singer Lisa Hartman recording career includes the Black, for a concert from the chart-topping single “When I Said I Do,” a duet with her historic Ryman Auditorium. husband.

The event will be lives-

E8 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

WEEKEND

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MOVIES

Comfort

after the year we’ve had we one was to dig deeper into the mythology of Santa Claus - who all need that. That’s what I’m he was and where he originatsearching for every single time CONTINUED FROM PAGE E7 ed from, and the mythology I turn on the TV, what’s going to propose over the Christmas to make me feel happy.” of Santa’s village,” he said. holiday, until she learns that “We applied sort of the ‘Harry “Godmothered,” which will Harper is not out to her family. stream on Disney +, has quite a Potter’ approach to it, where The cast also includes Victor you dig into the mythology. bit of fun subverting the tropes Garber and Mary Steenburgen of a Disney princess project.

And that really went into every as Harper’s parents, Alison Brie Jillian Bell plays Eleanor, a aspect of the film.” and co-writer Mary Holland The filmmaker admitted fairy godmother in training in as her sisters, Aubrey Plaza as he isn’t quite sure what draws a fantastical land known as the an old flame and Dan Levy as him back to telling stories set Motherland, which is in danger Abby’s close friend. around Christmastime, aside of being shut down. Eleanor “I have always loved holiday sneaks off to Boston to help Isla from his understanding of the movies, the way they become dramatic tension that is a natuFisher’s Mackenzie, a widowed Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell star in “The Christmas Chroniral part of the season. a part of our lives in a way that mother of two girls looking for cles: Part Two.” (JOSEPH LEDERER / NETFLIX) “I love the time of year,” he other movies don’t,” DuVall new romance and to get her life said. “But I had never seen my restarted.

“Home Alone.” Columbus also said. “If you look at it in a deep“Enchanted.” own experience represented noted that the first “Christmas er way, I think part of it is the “I wanted to hopefully Sharon Maguire, best known fact that holidays are meant to in a holiday film. If there is an achieve something that people Chronicles,” which he profor directing “Bridget Jones’s duced, bore a marked resembe the most joyous time of the LGBTQ+ character, they’re would sit all the way through Diary” and “Bridget Jones’s blance to his directorial debut, year. And for every holiday seaalways in the background and then next year they might Baby,” was drawn to the or don’t really have any real see it again. That’s the ultimate “Adventures in Babysitting,” for son, there’s a lot of depression, screenplay, credited to Kari the way it was basically about a there’s a lot of unemployment, meaningful character happen- Granlund and Melissa Stack, achievement, really, isn’t it? ing. So ‘Happiest Season’ just there’s a lot sadness. And it’s big night out in Chicago, comThat the next year they might for the opportunity to mix plete with a musical number. felt like such a great opportuni- comedy with magic and visual say, ‘Let’s watch “Godmothalways a fascinating time, like ty to tell a universal story from effects. Set during the holidays, ered” again.’”

(The new film boasts another setting a film during wartime. a new perspective.”

“The Christmas Chronicles: musical number, this time Rus- So many holiday movies don’t the film adds a Christmas The film was initially to be sell and Darlene Love dueting Part Two” is a sequel to the deal with that, those kinds of theme to the mix as well. released by Sony’s TriStar Picon a new song by Steve Van 2018 Netflix original. It opens emotional complexities. Even “It’s very hard to get the tures, making it the first queer holiday movie right,” Maguire with young Kate (Darby Camp), Zandt, “Spirit of Christmas.”) if they’re not said, it should be Christmas film released by a Stepping in to direct and cowho had a wild adventure with subconscious within the film. said. “That’s what intrigued major studio, but as COVID-19 me about it. I thought: This Santa Claus in the first film, up- write “The Christmas Chron“And that’s what draws me set to be spending the holidays icles: Part Two,” Columbus continues to leave movie theto this particular period,” Cois something to be beaten. aters in a state of flux, the stulumbus said. “Unfortunately, on a tropical vacation with her wanted to boost the scale of Because so many of them I’ve dio sold it to Hulu in October, this is going to be probably the family and her mother’s new the movie. “Our goal on this watched with my children while retaining international toughest holiday season for so rights. many people.”

“It felt very significant to me This holiday season, as peo“Obviously, there are all kinds of Christmas movies that have all kinds to have this movie come out ple are unable to see family and of themes and messages in them, but for the most part, the Christmas in the theater, for people to be friends, stuck in isolation due to movie underscores this idea of people finding the best in themselves, concerns over the coronavirus, able to go in and buy a ticket the connection and community and sit in a movie theater and finding the best of other people and fulfilling our promise as human provided by the experience of watch it,” DuVall said. “In the beings and the way that we treat each other.” watching holiday movies may very beginning, that was someAlonso Duralde, author of the Christmas movie guide “Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas.” thing that was very important be more needed than ever. to me, and Sony was really excited and really supportive boyfriend and his son Jack (Jahof the movie. And we had a as they were growing up, I zir Bruno). When a rogue elf, very big release plan for the thought, ‘Nope, no.’ And you Belsnickel (Julian Dennison), film. But then, obviously, our know it, because the children uses Kate and Jack to launch a world changed and, on a moral just turn off. plan to ruin Santa’s village and level, it didn’t feel right to be “All of us, whether you’re rob Santa of his powers, the encouraging people to go to a a director or not, we all take two team with Santa and Mrs. movie theater. some sort of holiday, and we “There’s nothing I love more all want something to watch Claus (Kurt Russell and Goldie than going to the movies. And Hawn) to save Christmas once together. We all want something to make us laugh, and I won’t feel safe going to the again. there’s gotta be a bit of hugging movies for a very long time,” “I personally am not a fan of DuVall said. “Holding on to this and learning, but maybe not 95% of so-called holiday movies,” Columbus said. Neverthemovie didn’t feel like the right too much.”

For Maguire one of the goals less, in a recent conversation thing to do. It feels like a very good time to put something like of the movie was to inspire the he cataloged how many films Indoor Dining he has been involved with that this out into the world because same perennial affection as have the holidays as a setting, her family has for the movies it is warm, it is hopeful, it is Curbside Take Out Service Available they watch year after year, like whether darker stories like meant to make people feel “Gremlins” or comedies like good. It’s uplifting, and I think “Groundhog Day,” “Elf ” and 2 Broad Street, Westfield • 562-0335

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Restaurant gift cards look to retain popularity

VER THE PAST several years, Thanksgiving Day has marked the kickoff date for the restaurant business gift card season, and there’s no reason to expect that 2020 will be any different.

Picking out restaurant gift cards for loved ones and friends might feel a little different this year, however.

Instead of “paying forward” a cozy evening out for two during which recipients might enjoy dinner and a bottle of wine, it could prove to be an equally thoughtful gesture to gift the cost of an enjoy-at-home family meal pack or two.

It’s likely that restaurants, especially independents, will extensively promote gift card sales this December as a way of locking in future sales, even if they have to do so by offering a discount, either in the form of a lower price or an extra “bonus” card for the purchaser. January is always a lean month for food service operators, and the revenue derived from gift card sales may be helpful when it comes to paying the bills until Valentine’s Day comes along.

In past years some local operations have conducted Black Friday gift card sales over the Thanksgiving weekend, so a little shopping around might unearth a deal or two that will make gift giving dollars go further.

scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, and bakery favorites.

Pancakes and French toast will be offered family style, and adults can enjoy a champagne cocktail.

The breakfast is priced at $28.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 4 through 12. Tax and gratuity are additional.

Reservations can be made by calling 413-535-5077.

• Following the lead of Bistro Les Gras in Northampton, which earlier this month made known its intention to close during the winter holiday season, Packard’s Restaurant, another long-term presence on the Northampton dining out

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

pieces, glazed strawberries, and festive sprinkles. IHOP is also offering a new “Sweet and Spicy” syrup that can be added as an extra cost side.

The feast has a suggested retail price of under $30 and can also be ordered through a third-party delivery service.

It’s likely that restaurants, especially independents, will extensively promote gift card sales this December as a way of locking in future sales, even if they have to do so by offering a discount, either in the form of a lower price or an extra “bonus” card for the purchaser scene, last week announced a winter shutdown.

In a post to the restaurant’s Facebook page, Packard’s cited a concern for staff and customer safety as its motivation for closing up shop until spring. No specific reopening date was mentioned in the Packard’s post.

• The Duck and Avellino in Sturbridge are offering a break from holiday meal preparation in the form of “Family Style Meal” packages.

Available in two sizes — one pack that serves four and a second that serves six — the meals include salad and bread.

SEE MENU, PAGE E12

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• Confronted by the quality issues that sometimes bedevil the food to-go experience, several major restaurant chains have put their culinary wizardry to work reformulating menu items to make them travel better.

Late last month Panera Bread Bakery Cafes rolled out three new flatbread pizzas that represented reworks

are two breakfast-oriented “Feast” options — one built around day-starter sandwiches and a second that’s made up of an assortment of baked goods.

There are Panera locations in East Longmeadow, West Springfield, Chicopee, Hadley and Enfield.

313560 3135607-01 313560 6007-011

• As part of its IHOP ’n’ Go program of delivery and pickup options, IHOP locaSide dishes tions are offering Holiday • Taking a break from Family Feast breakfast his hectic holiday schedule, packages.

Santa has agreed to appear at Designed to generously two “Breakfast with Santa” serve four, the pickup or events sponsored by the takeout option includes eight Delaney House Restaurant pancakes and four servings in Holyoke. each of hash browns, scramScheduled for Dec. 6 and bled eggs and a choice of 13, the two events offer four bacon or sausage. seatings each starting at 8:30 What makes the Holiday a.m. and ending at 11 a.m.

Family Feast special is the Reservations are required. toppings that are part of the A plated breakfast will deal. Included for decoratbe served with choices to ing the pancakes are sweet include a yogurt parfait, milk mousse, OREO cookie

The Holiday Feast is a limited-time-only offering, but IHOP also offers a number of other Family Feast options for breakfast, including variations that are built around French toast or waffles.

Anytime Feast packages featuring steakburgers or buttermilk crispy chicken are also available.

Greater Springfield IHOP locations can be found at the Five Town Plaza in Sixteen Acres and on Riverdale Street in West Springfield.

of pizza options originally introduced pre-pandemic.

Those flatbread formulations were modified by adding additional extra-fine flour to the crust to help it retain crispness during takeout or delivery travel time.

Packaging for the pizzas now includes detailed directions for reheating as well.

The updated flatbreads are available in three variations — a cheese-topped pie, a Margherita alternative that’s topped with fresh basil, and a Chipotle Chicken Bacon version.

Panera is also offering a selection of “Family Feast” meals that include sandwiches, salad, and soup or mac ’n’ cheese. In addition there

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California’s Chateau Montelena continues to create classic wines

ALIFORNIA’S CHAteau Montelena could easily cash in year after year on its legendary “Judgment of Paris” victory in 1976.

At that infamous wine tasting in Paris, the winery’s 1973 Chardonnay beat out some of the best Chardonnays from France’s famous Burgundy region in a blind tasting.

The result made international news and unleashed a flood of interest in wines from California’s Napa Valley.

A movie (“Bottle Shock”) was even made about the tasting, focusing mostly on Chateau Montelena.

Actor Bill Pullman played Jim Barrett, the owner of the winery, in the 2008 film.

Chris Pine played Barrett’s son, Bo, who also worked at the winery.

In real life, Bo became the head winemaker in 1982.

The Barrett family still owns and operates Chateau Montelena.

Then in 2014, Matt Crafton was promoted to the position of head winemaker.

Since then, Crafton has been creating classic wines that honor Chateau Montelena’s history while also helping to bring the winery into the 21st century.

“It’s really fun being part of Montelena, where I think a lot of people assume we do have a very specific style,” Crafton said during a recent phone interview. “They assume it’s cut into this very specific box.

It’s really kind of a philosophical or cultural style, if anything else. There’s no magic recipe. There’s no thou shalt not make a wine under 14% or over 14%. That’s kind of what makes Montelena special and what’s helped us stay at the forefront.

“Again, it’s the philosophical, cultural belief that Jim started when he founded the winery and that Bo has continued,” Crafton said. “He really

allows us to explore. There’s this incredible amount of freedom that we have and the goal is literally to be as expressive as possible.”

In an effort to stay at the forefront, Crafton will oversee one of the largest vineyard replants and redesigns in the winery’s history next year.

He leads Chateau Montelena’s sustainability program and was instrumental in helping the winery become certified as a Bay Area Green Business and Napa Green Winery.

But perhaps most important, Crafton has not lost sight of what matters most — making great wines.

“We look to make wines on a very simple level that are delicious — they have to taste good — and they also have to age,” Crafton said. “Everything kind of in between those two is up to us. So if you look at the wines that have been made over years, you’ll see that the wines change.”

The 2018 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay ($60 Suggested Retail Price) is a great example.

Many California Chardonnays hit all the wrong notes — too much oak, too much butter, too over the top.

Chateau Montelena’s 2018 Chardonnay takes a completely different approach. Its flavors are soft and subtle. Its aroma is flinty yet floral. There are slight tropical notes, a hint of almonds. And yes, there’s a dash of butter flavor but nothing overwhelming. Everything’s well balanced and in harmony with each other.

Everything tastes just right.

“The 2018 Chardonnay was definitely more of a classic California ripe year and that’s in stark contrast to some of the cooler years,” Crafton said. “There’s still that Montelena character that weaves through it, which is a function of the growing site.”

But just because it was a

Ken Ross Wine Press

same wine every year, I think I’d go crazy.”

The 2020 vintage will be much smaller than other years. That’s because some of the grapes were damaged by smoke from this past summer’s forest fires in California.

“We lost all of our red grapes this year” due to smoke damage caused by this year’s wildfires, Crafton said.

“So no Cabernet, no ZinThe 2018 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay.

(KEN ROSS PHOTO) fandel.” Smoke and fire also destroyed this year’s Riesling like – you end up with a pretty crop, Crafton said.

Chateau monotonous, boring wine.”

Fortunately, the winery was Montelena’s 2018 able to pick all its Chardonnay As a result, Crafton explained that he doesn’t have and Sauvignon Blanc grapes Chardonnay takes a specific style he’s going for before this past summer’s a completely every single year. wildfires in Napa Valley. different “I think it’s easy to try to fit “I’ve reflected on it a fair yourself into a box,” Crafton amount and it’s just one of approach. Its said. “I’ve made all different those things,” Crafton said. flavors are soft sorts of wines – very modern “Thankfully, we didn’t lose and subtle. Its wines, very classic wines our vines. It was more of a and everywhere in between. function of the smoke (damaroma is flinty age). I think we made the right I think what I try to go for is yet floral. There decision under the circumoriginality and honesty in are slight tropical stances to not go ahead and what we’re creating. not go forward with anything.

“Why I love my job is these notes, a hint of All you can do is make good wines aren’t stamped out of almonds. And decisions with the cards you the same mold each year,” yes, there’s a draw.”

Crafton said. “So based on Crafton added he continues what we’re tasting and the dash of butter to learn more about winemakvineyard, you start to piece flavor but nothing ing with each vintage. together this picture. The overwhelming.

“It’s constantly evolvanalogy I like to use is the grape has this DNA in it so it’s ing,” Crafton said. “I learn something new every year. I great year in the fields doesn’t kind of my job to decode it mean the wines just make based on the growing season. think our tastes change too as we get older. You have to themselves in the cellar, Craf- So we’ll vary almost everyton explained. thing we do. We’ll vary how have what I call intellectual “It’s a challenge every year we process – whole cluster, de- honesty. You have to look very stemed or crushed. We’ll pick carefully at the decisions you (at Chateau Montelena) because there isn’t much to hide at different times based on make every year and the rebehind,” Crafton said. “It’s flavor profiles – acid and those sults of that. That’s something not an oak driven wine. There things. Things get reinvented I’ve really worked on.”

He added that’s also true isn’t a ton of alcohol. So if you every year. Experience helps aren’t able as a winemaker you a little bit, with being able with the rest of the winemaking team at Chateau Monteleand a grape grower to tease to understand the long-term na. “We’re very honest in our out the nuances of the vinetrajectory and the potential yard and the vintage – which feedback, what we did well of some of the decisions you is more difficult that it sounds make. But if I had to make the SEE WINE, PAGE E11

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Reasons to be grateful even in a dismal year

HANKSGIVING will certainly be different this year.

Whether it’s because a lot of people might not be in a particularly upbeat mood for gratitude after all the trouble that 2020 has brought, or the simple fact that common sense means that there should not be any big gatherings of people due to the coronavirus, it’s definitely not going to be your normal Thanksgiving.

But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t give thanks.

And as I often do around this time of year, I’d like to use this week’s column to talk about what I’m thankful for – even in this year of political upheaval and pandemic.

Before we get to things about beer, let me say that first and foremost I’m grateful that it seems that a few vaccines are headed our way.

This is obviously one of the best pieces of news of the entire year, so here’s hoping that they are efficacious as they seem to be as we head into a new year.

But here in the craft beer world, there’s plenty for me to be thankful for. One thing that came out of the fact that venues had to get creative in the face of the pandemic was that the Northampton Brewery has kept its outdoor deck open even into the colder weather. Management there installed heaters up near the outdoor bar, and I’ve been

Wine CONTINUED FROM PAGE E10

and what we didn’t,” Crafton said.

“So for me, it’s easy when you’re young and you think more of everything – more ripeness, more extract, more tannins, more wood. And I think there are still a lot of

George Lenker Beer Nut

there a few times – when it wasn’t crowded – and I have to tell you it’s downright warm up there.

I’m not sure how much longer this will be able to continue, but it was still open as of this writing, and at least it has given people like me (who aren’t comfortable with

reason to force consumers to make multiple stops for their takeaway dining experience.

Plus, restaurants count on alcohol sales to make ends meet.

But besides pandemic-related reasons for gratitude, as always, I am thankful to get to write this column every week and that so many of you read it. As I will write next week, I will be entering my 18th year doing this weekly column and so far have not missed even one (knock on wood). That’s 884 columns. I probably won’t make it to 884 more, but 1,000 would be a nice number. So thanks for reading.

And because I have been able to write this piece each week, I’ve also had the great

So even though this Thanksgiving may be a bit muted, I hope you all get to raise a glass and give thanks for the good things in your lives. sitting indoors right now) a place where I can go and have a drink occasionally. I haven’t been out that much since March, but the fact that I can still go to an outdoor venue here in late November gives me a little bit of respite from being a shut-in most of the time.

I’m also grateful that my state has allowed for takeout beer (and wine) with to-go restaurant orders. This only makes sense as there is no

people who still think that way. But what you miss out on is just that really kind of dynamic cohesion.

“It’s the difference between a still life and an impressionist painting,” Crafton added.

“They’re both beautiful but you look at a great master who can paint a still life, something so simple.

“Simplicity in a way is in-

pleasure of meeting a lot of great folks: from brewers to bartenders to servers to just plain old beer drinkers like myself. I am grateful for how you all have enriched my life and my knowledge about beer.

So even though this Thanksgiving may be a bit muted, I hope you all get to raise a glass and give thanks for the good things in your lives.

Sláinte.

‘Zelda’

mash through multitudes of baddies. Nintendo and Koei know most players will do this.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE E6 It’s a thrill to watch dozens any Zelda game would suffer, of foes fly through the air as even an action-packed game helpless rag dolls. But once you attack robotic-looking like Age of Calamity. You guardians with their deadly won’t be moved you like homing rays, you must add you were if you played “The wily, rhythmic strategy to your Legend of Zelda: Breath of fighting or you’ll get fried like the Wild,” but the cut scenes bear enough story to keep you chicken. As I fought, I noted some camera issues which going through the countless made me disoriented in corbattles.

As you bash through a hun- ners. And sometimes aiming dred or so minor enemies, like at an enemy wasn’t accurate pig-snouted Bokoblins and enough. gator-like Lizalfos, you begin Most importantly, you get to to get in the flow. The way the play as Zelda, which is a joy. developers keep the constant As a royal princess, she’s not battling from becoming banal one to roll up her sleeves and is to give each team member get down and dirty with Link, some wildly inventive powers, the famously quiet soldier/ performed by pressing mulhero clad in green. But Zelda tiple controller buttons in seaids your team by using the quence. These combos of fire, Sheikah Slate, an iPad-like ice, bombs, magnetism and a device that looks ancient. Its powers are rife with spells and swirling, fireworks-filled special attack become especially magic. I wished Zelda would helpful when dealing with the have been as vital and essenbigger, meaner enemies at the tial as Link throughout the story and that she would have end of each quest. Also, characters from the hinterlands of revealed more secrets about Hyrule come in and out of your herself, but that wasn’t to be team, like Avengers all-stars. for most of the game.

While “Age of Calamity” can Before and after fighting, feel like an uneven series of you see terrain you’ve traversed and characters you’ve battle ballets, it does have its met before in Breath of the share of astonishing dances.

Wild. You don’t have the Zen- It doesn’t, however, go far like solace of long walks from enough to reveal more of area to area or the feeling of Hyrule’s and Zelda’s past. But being awestruck by wondrous with no release date for the environs. Here, you use a map “Breath of the Wild” sequel in sight, this offering will, at least to travel and boom!, you’re partially, satiate fans in the there. meantime.

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credibly beautiful.”

Crafton added, “If we do our best to make a really beautiful wine, it’s going to taste beautifully also.”

Cheers!

AdamEveGreenfieldMA

AEStoresGreenfield

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s weekend section every Thursday.

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FROM OUR CATERING DEPARTMENT

GOURMET PACKAGED MEALS JJ’s Tavern in Florence is collecting new, unwrapped toys in a drop-off box through Monday. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Menu CONTINUED FROM PAGE E9

Customers can select from five entree options — linguine & meatballs, chicken parmesan, chicken potpie, braised short rib, and cracker-crusted baked cod.

A selection of house-made desserts can also be added to any order; the Duck and Avellino have a resident pastry chef who creates sweet indulgences.

Family Style Meals can be ordered by calling 508-3472321.

• As part of its contribution to the Jack Dunphy Toy Drive, a community event in Northampton that benefits Toys for Tots, JJ’s Tavern in Florence is providing a dropoff box for the contribution of new, unwrapped toys.

The toy drive is scheduled for Monday; JJ’s Tavern will be accepting donations up until that date.

• Hope & Olive in Greenfield continues to offer an assortment of dining experiences to those who appreciate the restaurant’s sometimes-quirky culinary vision.

The restaurant is offering limited-seating, inside dining Thursday through Sunday evening, starting at 5 p.m.

Takeout dinner is available during the same hours, and Hope & Olive is offering cocktails and wine to go as well.

Sunday brunch is also available; it’s served 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. both inside and, weather permitting, outside.

For menu information, go online to the restaurant’s website, hopeandolive. com. Call 413- 774-3150 for reservations or to place a togo order.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 45 years of restaurant and educational experience.

Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.

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• The Storrowton Tavern in West Springfield has started serving a new menu at both lunch and dinner.

Those fond of traditional Storrowton favorites shouldn’t despair, however.

The restaurant’s dinner time agenda continues to incorporate the likes of Yankee pot roast, baked Boston scrod, and roast duck l’orange.

Slow roasted prime rib is still available on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings and, given at least six

hours advance notice, the kitchen is even willing to create its version of a mid-century “continental” extravagance, chateaubriand for two. The latter is a 20-ounce cut of beef filet served on a plank garnished with mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and piped whipped potato.

Both new menus can be seen at the restaurant’s website, storrowton.com.

Homemade meals packaged individually for your safety and convenience. The perfect way to safely cater your corporate meetings, special events or holiday gatherings