Weekend - November 28, 2024 by repubnews

’Tis the season for the Festival of Trees

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

If you have been thinking about abandoning the tradition of bringing home a live tree for Christmas, then this could be the year to finally do it.

This year’s Festival of Trees, sponsored by the Springfield Boys & Girls Club, opens on Friday, featuring more than 120 unique, one-of-a-kind artificial trees donated by local businesses, organizations, families and individuals. And you could be bringing one of them home when the event concludes on Dec. 15.

Admission is free on opening day, which begins at noon and runs until 8 p.m.

“People love the Festival of Trees for a variety of reasons. The atmosphere is truly festive and magical, with beautifully decorated trees that create a warm and inviting environment. Many attendees enjoy the opportunity to connect with friends and

family while exploring the unique tree displays, participating in fun activities, and creating memories,” said Sarah Gumaer, marketing and special events director for the Springfield Boys & Girls Club.

The Springfield Boys & Girls Club’s Festival of Trees has a rich history that began 24 years ago with a vision to create a festive community event

while also supporting the youth of Springfield. The inaugural festival was held at the club with a goal to bring together families and friends during the holiday season, celebrating the spirit of giving and creativity.

Gumaer noted the concept was to showcase the amazing trees in all their glory then auction them off, with proceeds benefiting the Spring-

field Boys & Girls Club’s programs and initiatives for the youth in the Springfield area.

How it works today is simple. Purchase raffle tickets — the more you buy the better your chances to win the tree of your dreams — at 25 for $10. Then you place those raffle tickets, however many you have purchased, into the different ticket boxes in front of your favorite trees.

In past years, some of the trees — which often include valuable gifts underneath and adorning the trees — are valued from $200 to $2,000. The splendor of past trees can be viewed at sbgc.org.

Gumaer noted some of the creative themes for this year’s trees include “Mermaid’s Christmas,” “A Snow

Pictured are scenes from the 2023 Festival of Trees at the MassMutual Center. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)

taff are busy decking the halls of the Springfield Museums in anticipation of its annual Holiday Happenings on Friday. That’s a daylong celebration of all things “Grinchmas,” with activities like creating Grinch ornaments and crafting beaded snowflakes, as well as snow bowling — using “snowballs” to knock over obstacles at the Springfield Science Museum. SPRINGFIELD

Holiday Happenings bring festive fun to museums

Matthew Derderian of Springfield and his 4-year-old daughter, Chloe, enjoy bubbles at last year’s Lighting of the Quadrangle event, held at Springfield Museums on Nov. 24, 2023.

By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com

S“From the moment the annual gingerbread exhibit opens in the morning, to the Lighting of the Quadrangle in the evening, it’s a festive day filled with joy and holiday spirit,” said Larissa Murray, director of education for the Springfield Museums.

“Visitors are in awe of the gingerbread displays, and families are excited to explore the Grinch’s Grotto and participate in the themed activities. It’s a favorite day for many staff members — a great way to kick off the holiday season,” she added.

And of course, Grinchmas would not be

complete without the opportunity to meet the Grinch himself. He will be stationed at his home on Mount Crumpit (in the Wood Museum of Springfield History) for all the visitors who want to see if they can make green ol’ curmudgeon’s heart grow three sizes.

Photos with the Grinch will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but don’t fret if you miss him — the Grinch’s Grotto will continue to be open through Jan. 12. Two “Grinchmas Saturdays” on Dec. 7 and Dec. SEE MUSEUMS, PAGE D5

More inside: ‘Gingerbread in Toyland’ is the theme of this year’s gingerbread exhibit at the Springfield Museums, Page D5

Springfield youth.

White Christmas,” “Who-tastic Grinchmas,” and “Wonka’s Wonky World,” among many others.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno will cut the ribbon at noon to officially kick off the festivities on Friday. Opening day will feature a variety of activities, including a special visit from Santa, the magic of David Garrity, and the comedy juggling of Bryson Lang. To end the day, attendees can enjoy a lively performance by the Dan Kane Singers.

The Festival of Trees, the organization’s largest fundraiser, provides funding for the Boys & Girls Club’s vital afterschool programs. The many programs — including arts and crafts, swimming lessons, sports leagues, cooking classes, teen programs such as Job Ready and Youth of the Year, and STEM activities — play a crucial role in enriching the lives of

“We are not just raising funds but fostering a sense of community and ensuring that every child has access to meaningful experiences that promote their growth and development,” Gumaer said.

Last year’s event raised $354,000, making it their largest fundraiser ever.

While at the Festival of Trees, Santa’s Store will be fully stocked with an array of unique and fun items including light-up hats, whimsical scarves, delectable festive chocolate, squishable figures and more.

Hours after opening day are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Santa’s hours are Friday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

General admission is $5, seniors are $4 and children 12 and under are free. First responders, active military, veterans, and their families are free with ID courtesy of

AT&T. Tickets can be ordered online at sbgc.org.

Additionally, a special raffle is also available for those who want to provide further support to the youth of the Boys & Girls Clubs for $5 a ticket.

The MassMutual Center also will be sponsoring a Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 14 , with all proceeds supporting the Springfield Boys & Girls Club.

Doors open at 9 a.m. and the breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes and more goes until 11 a.m.

Tickets are $20 for ages 12 and older, and $13 for ages 2-11. Tickets, available in advance at massmutual center.com, include free admission to the Festival of Trees.

There is free parking at the MGM Springfield casino garage with a free shuttle on weekends running between MGM and MassMutual Center.

For more information about the Festival of Trees, visit sbgc.org.

Monson Arts Council presents its 45th Annual

HOLIDAY

CRAFT FAIR

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH 9 AM - 4:00 PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1ST 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM

70 EXHIBITORS IN FOUR BUILDINGS IN EASY WALKING DISTANCE

200 MAIN STREET (ROUTE 32), MONSON, MA MA PIKE EXIT 63, 32 SOUTH

-FREE ADMISSIONFOR MORE INFO CALL 413-896-8666

Patterson Hood talks Drive-By Truckers, new solo album before Deerfield show

IN JUST A LITTLE

more than a year, DriveBy Truckers will celebrate their 40th anniversary. When asked about the band’s upcoming benchmark, founder and songwriter Patterson Hood had a humorous take.

“If I had had any idea it would last longer than a year or two, I would have put more care into what I named it. (Co-founder Mike) Cooley and I hit 40 years this summer. That’s a crazy milestone,” Hood said.

Hood is currently on a solo tour, which will make a stop at the Tree House Brewing House Theater in Deerfield on Dec. 3. Along with his band duties and solo career, he also writes essays and short stories. He discussed his creative work, his new solo album and more in an interview with The Republican last week.

Q. I read that you like to write on the road. Many artists say they can’t get much done on the road. What is it about touring that inspires creativity for you?

A. It definitely varies. Some-

times I can write on the road, but other times I’m lucky to get everything done that I have to do out here. Lately, it’s been more of that. Also, I don’t necessarily write songs on the road, most of my road writing tends to be prose or essay type stuff.

Q. How close are you to finishing the new solo record and what can fans expect?

A. It’s done. Coming out Feb. 21, I think. I guess it fits into the same universe as the other albums, but is definitely its own thing. I wrote a lot of it on piano and actually attempt to play piano on some of it. Lots of vintage analogue synthesizers and strings, wood-

NIGHTCLUBS

THURSDAY

Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield

FRIDAY

Delaney House: The King Bass. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

East Mountain Country Club: The Wonder Years Band. 1458 E. Mountain Road, Westfield

The Meeting House: Dave Brinnel. 827 Williams St., Longmeadow

Theodores’: Blue Devil Bluez. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield

West Springfield’s Irish House

Restaurant & Pub: BJ Korona. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SATURDAY

Antimony Brewing: Tom Savoy. 55 Pittsfield Road Building 2, Lenox

winds and even a flute on one song. Most of the songs center around my weird childhood and teen years. Lots of cool special guests like Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee), Karly Hartzman, MJ Lenderman and Xandy Chelmis from the band Wednesday, Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), Stuart Bogie, Kyleen King, Brad and Phil Cook, Kevin Morby, and Nate Query (Decemberists). The first single is a duet with Lydia Loveless. My buddy Chris Funk (Decemberists) produced it.

Q. How do you decide which of your songs will be for your solo efforts and which are for DBT?

A. There’s not a hard and fast rule. On this one, I basically kept a separate folder of songs I really liked that I felt would get lost in the shuffle if DBT recorded them. During lockdown, I started demoing them on GarageBand and realized I had a pretty strong album going. I had been wanting to do an album with Funk for most of a decade and this was the time.

West Springfield’s Irish House

Restaurant & Pub: Dee Reilly. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SUNDAY

Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield

MONDAY

Uno Chicago Grill: 50% off individual deep dish pizza (dine in only). 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield

TUESDAY

Uno Chicago Grill: Blues Music. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield

WEDNESDAY

Springfield Conservatory of the Arts: Free Community Concert: Fabiola Mendez Trio and Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band. 339 State St., Springfield

Uno Chicago Grill: Light Rock. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield

Delaney House: Jake Manzi. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

MGM Springfield: MGM Roar

Comedy Club: Christine Hurley. 1 MGM Way, Springfield

Theodores’: Blood Brothers. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield

The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submitted to www.masslive.com/myevent

From left, Drive-By Truckers band members Jay Gonzalez, Brad Morgan, Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley and Matt Patton. (BRANTLEY GUTIERREZ)

George Lenker LIVE WIRE

The Grinch’s Grotto is from the creators of The Dr. Seuss Experience, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Grinchmas

sponsored

SPRINGFIELD

&

Sugar, spice... everything nice

Gingerbread exhibit to open at Springfield Museums

By K eith O ’C onnor

Special to The Republican Sugar and spice and everything nice, including the most important ingredient — crunchy gingerbread — are part of the recipe for the 15th annual Gingerbread Exhibition, opening Friday at the Springfield Science Museum.

For the past 15 years, the museum has invited bakeries, schools, organizations, individuals and families to enter the contest, which began in 2010 with 10 displays. This year, the event will showcase 48 structures of whimsy and wonder.

“As in years past, we always select a new theme for the annual exhibit. This year’s theme is ‘Gingerbread in

Museums

14 will feature additional holiday-related activities, as well as a book giveaway.

Activities planned for the event, which begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m., include: Mount Crumpit Derby, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Springfield Science Museum Spark!Lab; Beaded Snowflakes, noon to 4 p.m., in the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum Art Discovery Center; Grinch Ornaments, 1 to 4 p.m., in the Springfield Science Museum Science Workshop; and Snow Bowling, 1 to 4 p.m., in the Springfield Science Museum Mammal Hall.

Entertainment for the day also includes Three Wise Men, a jazz brass trio hailing from Western Massachusetts, who will play the Quadrangle

Toyland.’ We wanted to focus on toys and games that have remained favorites for families over the years. There will be some nostalgia and happy memories mixed in with the holiday fun,” said Larissa Murray, director of education for the Springfield Museums. Imaginative past themes have included “Gingerbread: The Pop Culture Edition,” “Hollywood & the Holidays” (holiday movies), “Gingerbread in Wonderland” (”Alice in Wonderland”), “Gingerbread Under the Sea,” “Gingerbread: Flour to Fables” (Aesop’s Fables), and “In the Land of Sugar & Seuss.”

Among the inspired creations last year included

SEE GINGERBREAD, PAGE D7

Green from 1 to 3 p.m. Mr. Vinny will craft giant bubbles on the green from 1 to 4 p.m. and a roaming railroad will provide more festive fun outdoors. Both the giant bubbles and roaming railroad are weather dependent.

And don’t forget, while you’re enjoying the day of holiday festivities, head up to the second floor of the Springfield Science Museum to see the museums’ 15th Gingerbread Exhibition that also opens Nov. 29. Taking a theme that this year invokes childhood joy, “Gingerbread in Toyland” features sugar-coated creations made to look like toys and classic games.

“Holiday Happenings is a wonderful day for families and visitors of all ages,” Murray said. “Hopefully the activities provide a chance for children to work together with their caregivers to make

Sarah Gogal, Springfield Science Museum's preparator, adjusts a gingerbread house on its pedestal while setting up last year’s Gingerbread exhibit at the Springfield museums. This creation by Madelyn Murray of Belchertown is a model of Theodor Geisel's (Dr. Seuss) childhood home on Fairfield Street in Springfield.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

something they are proud of, and that will become a memory of an exciting and enriching day at the museums.”

All activities for Holiday Happenings, including the gingerbread exhibit, are free with museum admission.

After the sky gets dark, the holiday festivities continue with the annual Lighting of the Quadrangle from 5 to 7 p.m. Outside on the Quadrangle Green, the holiday lights be turned on. The Grinch and Santa Claus will be roaming the museum grounds, while the Springfield High School of Science and Technology band will play holiday favorites for the crowd. Refreshments also will be available for purchase.

The Lighting of the Quadrangle is free and open to the public — museum admission is not required.

Deck the halls with holiday albums

Jennifer Hudson, Toby Keith, Jimmy Fallon get into the spirit

By M ARIA SHERMAN Associated Press

It’s not the holiday season until the house is full of festive music, from classics to covers and reimaginations across genres, for all to enjoy.

In honor of the most wonderful time of the year, here are some of the best new holiday releases for the 2024 season.

Vince Gill and Amy Grant, “When I Think of Christmas”

When it comes to country music Christmas classics, Vince Gill and Amy Grant immediately come to mind. The couple is no stranger to the world of holiday music, and their latest collection, “When I Think of Christmas,” channels the spirit of their popular “Christmas at the Ryman” residency in Nashville, with two new recordings: a duet of “’Til the Season Comes Round Again” and Grant’s take on the title track.

The Carpenters, “Christmas Once More”

Don’t fix what ain’t broke is an expression for a reason: Sometimes the best holiday album listening experience is enjoying the classics, but newly remixed and remastered. Enter the 16-track “Christmas Once More” from the Carpenters. Fall in love with “Sleigh Ride” and “(There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays” all over again.

Jennifer Hudson, “The Gift of Love”

Jennifer Hudson has done a ton in her career — including winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony, making her the rare performer to EGOT, as the expression goes — but a holiday album? That’s new territory. “The Gift of Love” is her first, full of big-hearted classics like “O Holy Night,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Auld Lang Syne” and “Carol of the Bells,” which features the a cappella-meets-Zulu music South African group The Joy. The album also contains some inventive originals. In that category: “Almost Christ-

mas” with Common. If there is only one album to grab this holiday season, you’d be wise to make it this one.

Little Big Town, “The Christmas Record”

Another big name in contemporary music has released their first holiday album. Little Big Town’s “The Christmas Record,” produced by the legendary Dave Cobb, is a country music spectacular. Like Hudson’s, this one is a collection of familiar tunes along with originals — like the opener “Glow,” and the cheery vocal harmony of its chorus: “That shine, that shimmer deep inside of you / Find that magic, let the light in you show / Let it go / Let it glow.”

Toby Keith, “Christmas to Christmas”

In February, country superstar Toby Keith, a hit crafter of pro-American anthems

This

cover

at 62. In the time since, he’s been eulogized and celebrated, and that continues with a newly remastered reissue of his 1995 holiday classic, “Christmas to Christmas.”

who riled up critics and was loved by millions of fans, died

Clay Aiken, “Christmas Bells Are Ringing” Clay Aiken — you read that

name correctly, the onetime “American Idol” runner-up and politician — has returned with his first studio album in over a decade, “Christmas Bells Are Ringing.” His voice sounds as sweet and theatrical as ever — a natural partner to holiday classics.

TUESDAY

Chicopee Elks #1849

431 Granby Road, Chicopee

413-592-1849

Bingo Tuesday

Doors Open at 4PM

2 Progressive Jackpots 6:15PM Early Bird

6:20PM Start

Min. Entry Package $15

Open Seating

2 Halls for Players

Handicap Restroom 1st Floor

WEDNESDAY

Polish American Citizens Club

355 East Street, Ludlow, 583-6385

Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm

Doors Open at 4pm.

Minimum Admission $50

1 - 1199 Progressive Betty Boop 50/50 Prize $900

2 - $500 Cover Alls

3 - $400 Special Games All regular games $100 with 80 people or More. All Cards are included with Admission. Prizes climb with additional attendence. Full Kitchen 4-6:30pm.

THURSDAY

Fairview Knights of Columbus

1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee (413) 532-2011

DOORS OPEN 4:30PM

MASKS OPTIONAL Progressive Jackpot 6:15pm Early Bird 6:20pm Start

Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms

Min. Entry Package $15

album

image released

A&M/UMG Recordings, above, shows "Christmas Once More" by The Carpenters. At left, “The Gift of Love” by Jennifer Hudson. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

“Creating this festive display has become a tradition for the Springfield Museums.”

LARISSA MURRAY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS

you could do,” Colby said.

Night at the SEUSScracker inspired by “The Nutcracker,” with a stage featuring Seuss characters and rows of seats with a gingerbread audience, as well as Seussing Around the Christmas Tree with Dr. Seuss characters coming together as a family to celebrate Christmas with Seussian presents like bikes, balls and horn and kites.

“Creating this festive display has become a tradition for the Springfield Museums. I hear from many visitors that seeing the gingerbread show and participating in the contest is part of their holiday tradition, too,” Murray said.

One of the many families who make participating in the gingerbread exhibit a tradition is the Mackies of Longmeadow, who will be entering for the fifth time this year.

Since first entering the competition, the Mackies — Stew and his wife Lisa, and their children Layla, 13, and Colby,

15 — have won each year, taking first and second place in various categories.

“It’s nice to get rewarded after all the hard work and time we put into our entries. We never do it with the intent to win, but as something fun for us to do as a family,” Lisa said.

In line with this year’s theme, “Gingerbread in Toyland,” the Mackies have created the popular children’s Candy Land board game that they are calling Christmas in Candyland.

The board game, published in 1949 by Milton Bradley, became its bestselling game at the time. The object of the game is to be the first player’s gingerbread character pawn to reach the Candy Castle.

Players travel along a rainbow-colored trail to the castle and must navigate challenges along the way that involve losing a turn or moving your pawn back spaces.

“We tried to make many of the different lands found on the classic board game such as using real lollipops in Lolli-

pop Woods, real gumdrops for the Gumdrop Forest, where we also have a Christmas Tree made out of an ice cream cone covered with royal icing, and we used isomalt to make the Licorice Lagoon,” Stew said.

The family also worked together on creating several structures that are part of the board game — all made from gingerbread and royal icingsuch as Gramma Nutt’s Hut, Queen Frostine’s Palace, and King Kandy’s Castle.

“We made the board game’s multi-colored pathway out of Starburst candy,” Lisa said.

Still enjoying their family project together, Layla noted the experience has taught her a lot about construction and “how to keep things structurally sound,” like making delicate gingerbread houses.

“We first entered the gingerbread contest during the middle of COVID in 2020. We wanted to find something fun we could do together as a family, especially during the holidays, at a time when there weren’t many things

For many years, the gingerbread exhibit was the focus of the holiday season at the Springfield Museums. However, for the past three years they have also opened the Grinch’s Grotto, the Grinch’s home on Mount Crumpit where visitors can strike a pose for holiday photos and interact with Grinch-themed activities.

Murray noted that the community is integral to the Gingerbread Exhibit.

“Without their creativity and incredible donation of time, resources, and talent, there would not be a show.

The Springfield Museums are extremely grateful for all the community does to make the exhibit possible. From a visitor standpoint, I think everyone who enters the gallery appreciates the creativity and cleverness that goes into creating a gingerbread display. Lots of fun conversations are started over the ingenuous decorating ideas,” she said.

Visitors can vote online using a QR code for their favorite gingerbread entry in each division throughout the entire run of the exhibition.

People’s Choice designees

Pictured are scenes from a past Gingerbread exhibit at the Springfield Museums. This year’s exhibit, “Gingerbread in Toyland,” opens on Friday and runs through Dec. 31. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)

Why are so few restaurants open on Christmas Day?

THERE ARE MANY of us around who can remember when Thanksgiving was a holiday celebrated around hearth and home, Mom in the kitchen, the men in the living room watching football.

But the world changed and with it the way we celebrate holidays like Thanksgiving also changed. When it comes to sit-down restaurant operations, the fourth Thursday in November has evolved from an occasion when most such eateries took the day off to what is now the second busiest day of the year.

Faced with women now working outside the home, Americans have become increasingly comfortable with going “out” for Thanksgiving dinner. No more shopping, cooking, and cleaning up; just time together with family and friends in a comfortable restaurant setting.

Sit-down restaurants have consequently embraced being open on Thanksgiving since, if well executed, the holiday has come to represent a lucrative business opportunity rather than a day without cash flow.

If being open on Thanksgiving has proven so successful, why are so few eating establishments open on Christmas Day? The demand is most likely there, with more and more consumers eager to avoid all the work involved in preparing holiday meals at home.

The answer is most likely a combination of factors.

Unlike Thanksgiving, which occurs at the start of the holiday season, Christmas Day arrives after the typical restaurant has experienced a month or so of holiday parties and catering jobs in addition to serving the regular day-today traffic.

Moreover, New Year’s Eve, a must-do event for the majority of sit-down restaurants, represents another “everybody works” occasion, and

Chick-fil-A's Peppermint Chip Milkshake is made with vanilla ice cream spun with peppermint bark chips and topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

Side Dishes

• Figaro Restaurant in Enfield is serving one of its “A Taste of Italy” Italian dinners on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Seating for the event and cocktail service will both start at 6 p.m., with the dinner itself beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Local beer suggestions for Thanksgiving

ALTHOUGH THE real spirit of Thanksgiving is supposed to be gratitude and thankfulness for the good things in our life, let’s face it: For a lot of people, it’s also an excuse to overindulge, I’ve always been amazed about the amount of food I see on various Thanksgiving tables. There are almost always plenty of leftovers — even when there are a couple of gourmands who “oversample” many of the delicacies. In my mind, this robust sampling of comestibles makes Thanksgiving more of a beer holiday than a wine holiday, although I’m biased, and I know people drink plenty of both. But humor me and let’s look at some beers that go well with the various courses of the day. I’ll give you a few suggestions based on my own research as well as talking to friends in the local beer community.

shoving into your mouth, but which also compliments a lot of those flavors. For this I would recommend an IPA of some sort. Not an imperial IPA or anything, but just one that has enough hop bite to it where it will differentiate from the other tastes. Two recommendations here would be Lion’s Galaxy from Springfield’s White Lion Brewing or maybe Javelin IPA from Fieldcrest Brewing in Wilbraham.

it follows Christmas by only six days.

It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that given the volume of business that restaurants typically transact during December, neither staff nor management is particularly interested in opening for Christmas dinner.

The result for consumers is predictable — a real lack of Christmas Day dining options.

The menu includes fresh mozzarella and prosciutto, escarole and beans, and fried meatballs as antipasto. Italian Wedding soup follows. The main course is to be stuffed porchetta ala Romana, scrod Francese, rigatoni ala vodka, and a romaine salad.

Tiramisu is planned as the evening’s dessert; a cash bar will be available.

Cost to attend is $40 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Call 860-745-2414 to make reservations.

When you arrive at whatever feast you’re attending, you might want to have a beer right away, and I would suggest that you have something on the light side. You’re going to have enough heaviness in your stomach and body later on when the tryptophan kicks in and your blood sugar starts going haywire from your third serving of mashed potatoes with gravy. I think you might want to start the day — and any day, really — with a nice pilsner. I personally would prefer a Czech pilsner, but anything light is the way to go. A local version that I sampled recently that I like quite a bit is Hackett’s Lodge from Honest Weight Brewing in Orange or Millside Pils from New City Brewing in Easthampton.

When you’re ready to sit down for your meal, you’re going to want something that cuts through all the flavors to

OK, it’s dessert time and there are all kinds of pies and other tasty treats to sample, so why not get a beer to match? If you want a beer that is a dessert in itself, you might try Seal Point Porter from the Northampton Brewery. If you’re looking for something a little more conservative yet still complementary to a dessert, maybe go with Short ‘N Stout from Loophole Brewing in Springfield.

To finish up the day while watching a bit of football or just relaxing, it really depends on your schedule. If you don’t have to drive or you’re in your own home, then you can safely imbibe a high-octane brew to complete your saturnalia. I’d go with Other End Imperial IPA from Easthampton’s Abandoned Building Brewery or Double IPA from The People’s Pint in Greenfield.

Otherwise, a nice postprandial nap will serve you best. Happy Thanksgiving, but please stay safe!

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

George Lenker Beer Nut

Ken Ross Wine Press

Overview of wines from Spain

SPAIN IS FAMOUS FOR many great things and people. Fantastic food.

Terrific football teams. (Soccer, in our country.)

Rafael Nadal. (Thanks for the memories and enjoy your retirement, Rafa.)

You can also add to this list lots of great wines.

Spain’s best known for its earthy yet elegant red wines.

But that’s just the start.

There are many other wonderful white wines, sparkling wines and dessert wines from this country wedged between France and Portugal.

Recently, I taught a onenight, noncredit wine-tasting class at Holyoke Community College featuring wines from Spain. I will be teaching one more wine-tasting class this year at HCC. The next class is on Dec. 10 and will focus on wines from Italy.

Let me add that I fully realize it’s impossible to squeeze everything about wine from Spain or Italy into one class or one wine column. These are two of the greatest wine-making countries in the world.

So please keep all that in mind while reading this week’s column, which includes a brief history of winemaking in Spain, plus information about the most popular wine grapes and regions in Spain.

You can also find tasting

notes from the class (which featured a wide range of affordable Spanish wines) and which wines people liked the most in the class. (Spoiler alert — a red Rioja was the most popular.)

Let me add that the suggested food pairing notes come from the class as well.

Hope you enjoy.

Spanish wine by the numbers

• Third largest producer of wine in the world, behind Italy (1) and France (2);

• Nearly 14% of all wine worldwide comes from Spain;

• Roughly 538,000 acres of vineyards in country;

• 59% of wines are red wines;

• Roughly 4,100 wineries in Spain.

Timeline history

• 3,000 years ago: Winemaking begins in Spain;

• 8th century: Wine production declines after Moors take control of Spain;

• 9th century: Spanish monks start making wine;

• 12th century: Wine production increases after Spain allows wines to be exported;

• 1492: Christopher Columbus opens up new export markets for Spanish wines;

• 17th and 18th centuries: Spanish wine exports increase

dramatically;

• 1930s: Franco regime places restrictions on winemaking in Spain;

• 1975: End of Franco regime sparks resurgence in Spanish winemaking industry.

The gates are open

Nights, Springfield’s award-winning holiday lights

THURSDAY

NAMI Western Massachusetts Responsible Decluttering: Thu.-Sun., 9 a.m. NAMI-Western Massachusetts will be holding a Responsible Decluttering program fundraiser at its office. The group will be collecting housewares, gently used clothing, towels, small household appliances, books, sporting goods and more. All clothing should be in kitchen or 30-gallon trash bags; durable goods should be in manageable-size boxes. Anything wet or soiled, in nonworking condition, and baby safety items will not be accepted. Call the office to arrange a time to drop off your items or to have them picked up. For more information, and to view a complete list of items, go online to namiwm.org.events or call 413-786-9139. Free. 1221 Main St. Suite 100, Holyoke;

FRIDAY

2024 Snow Farm Seconds Sale: Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program, with art and crafts from

over 250 local and regional artists. The annual event supports Snow Farm’s nonprofit mission of providing exceptional studio craft and fine art instruction for people of all ages in an inspiring residential setting. Admission is $8/person (when paid online) or $10/person at the door. 5 Clary Road, Williamsburg, 413-268-3101 or snowfarm. org.

Champney's Restaurant presents Holiday Music by the Fire Tonight by John Waynelovich: Fri., 9 p.m. Deerfield Inn/Champney's Restaurant, live music in the tavern by local keyboardist John Waynelovich. Full dinner menu available. Make reservations by calling 413-7745587, 81 Old Main St., Deerfield. 413-774-5587 or deerfieldinn.com

MGM Springfield Tree Lighting and Ice Rink: Fri.-Sun., MGM Springfield, Tree lighting takes place at 6 p.m. Hours: Mon.-Tue., closed; Wed.-Thu., 4-10 p.m.; Fri.Sat., 1-10 p.m.; Sun., noon-10 p.m.

Special holiday hours: Dec. 23, 4-10 p.m.; Dec. 24, 4-10 p.m.; Dec. 25, 4-10 p.m.; Dec. 30, 4-10 p.m.; Dec. 31, 4-10 p.m. Jan. 1, 4-10 p.m. Walk-

now open

Forest

For more information and to purchase tickets, go

up sales only; tickets not available online. For more information, visit mgmspringfield.mgmresorts. com/en/entertainment/ice-rink. html; MGM Rewards, Member

Pricing Sapphire/Pearl/Gold Admission $12; Sapphire/Pearl/Gold Skate Rental $7; Platinum/NOIR Admission & Skate Rental Member and up to 1 guest: FREE *must have valid MGM Rewards card. Pricing is for member and one guest. 1 MGM Way, Springfield.

NAMI Western Massachusettts

Responsible Decluttering: See Thursday listing Rainbow LGBTQIA+ & Allies

Coffee Social Hour: Fri., 1 p.m. Northampton Senior Center, Gay Men's Group meets every Fri. at 1 p.m. 67 Conz St., Northampton, 413-587-1228 or northampton seniors.com.

SATURDAY

2024 Snow Farm Seconds Sale: See Friday listing Comedy Night Fundraiser, Western Mass Toy Drive: Sat., 8 p.m.

Academy of Music Theatre. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Local comic Jess Miller hosts her 11th annual Toy Drive Comedy Show. This comedy show is Rated R (18+) for adult content and language. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to save $10 on admission. 100% of proceeds go toward buying toys for low-income and foster children in the Pioneer Valley region. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. 274 Main St., Northampton; 413-584-9032 or aomtheatre.com.

MGM Springfield Tree Lighting and Ice Rink: See Friday listing

NAMI Western Massachusettts

Responsible Decluttering: See Thursday listing

Worcester County Kennel Club Dog Show: Sat.-Sun., Eastern States Exposition, Young Building, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige. com.

SUNDAY

2024 Snow Farm Seconds Sale: See Friday listing

Champney's Restaurant: Dinner with Santa & Mrs. Claus: Sun, 4-6 p.m. Deerfield Inn/Champney's Restaurant, Dec. 1-3, 9–10, 16–17, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Full children’s and regular dinner menu available with complimentary Mrs. Claus Cookies. $30/person, plus tax and 21% gratuity. Reservations required at 413-774-5587. 81 Old Main St., Deerfield. 413774-5587 or visit deerfieldinn. com.

Fanfare Brass Music Concert: Sun, 3 p.m. St. Paul's Church of Palmer Unitarian Universalist, The 10 part brass ensemble consists of 4 trumpets, French horn, 4 trombones and tuba, come to a musical performance of a unique combination of power and finesse, free. Park and Central Streets, Palmer.

MGM Springfield Tree Lighting and Ice Rink: See Friday listing NAMI Western Massachusettts Responsible Decluttering: See Thursday listing

Worcester County Kennel Club Dog Show: See Saturday listing

SPRINGFIELD

Bright

show, is

Park.

online to brightnights. org. Above, cars ride through Seuss Land in this 2022 photo. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTO)

2022 Tarima Monastrell Seleccion La Mancha ($11.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: Valencia, Spain

Grape: 100% Monastrell.

Tasting notes: Merlot like, bold, spicy, not heavy, oaky, fruit. Well-rounded, earthy with hints if cherry, raspberry and blackberry.

Food pairing: Same as next wine.

(One vote for best wine)

2020 Juan Gil Jumilla Silver Label ($14.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: Jumilla, Valencia, Spain

Grape: 100% Monastrell.

Tasting notes: Dense, intense, inky wine with layers of plum, blackberry and dark chocolate. Transparent, lighter with bold notes, slight bite, tannic, tobacco flavor and strong.

Food pairing: Beef, steak, stew, chocolate, lasagna.

(One vote for best wine)

2018 Campo Viejo Reserva Red ($16.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: Rioja, Spain

Grapes: Blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo.

Tasting notes: Soft, subtle earthy wine with hints of blackberry, raspberry, cherry, plum, vanilla and black pepper. Light fruit and zippy with tobacco notes.

Food pairing: Turkey, Creole food, pork chops, beef, paella.

(Five votes for best wine) (1st Place)

2018 Marques de Caceress Rioja Reserva ($19.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: Rioja, Spain

Grapes: Blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano.

Tasting notes: Silky, complex wine with hints of cherry, vanilla, blackberry and roasted coffee. Delicate, light fruit, tannic, slightly spicy with a bite, raspberry notes and light, bold fruit flavors.

Food pairing: Same foods as previous wine.

(Two votes for best wine)

Dessert Wine

Alvear ‘Solera 1927′ Pedro Ximenez

Sherry ($26.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: Montilla Moriles, Andalucia, Spain.

Grapes: 100% Pedro Ximenez

Tasting notes: Dense, sweet, plum-like wine with hints of fig, black licorice, raisins, nutmeg, molasses, honey and caramel.

Food pairing: Put on ice cream.

(Three votes for best wine)

Cheers!

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

the brunch is priced at $23.50 for adults and $16.95 for kids.

Call 413-732-4188 for reservations.

• On Sunday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Student Prince Café and Fort Restaurant in Springfield will be hosting a Lunch with Santa event.

In addition to having the opportunity to chat up Father Christmas, youngsters will get to enjoy a build-your-own cupcake station and a candy buffet after they finish lunch.

Reservations are required for this event, and they can be made by calling 413-734-7475.

• Nini’s Italian Ristorante in Easthampton is to be the site of a Breakfast with Santa this holiday season. Planned for Sunday, Dec. 8, starting at 8 a.m., the occasion will incorporate a breakfast buffet as well as a dessert station with a chocolate fountain.

Live Wire

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4

Q. Given your various literary endeavors, it would seem you start songs with lyrics first. Is that true and how does the music come into the process?

A. My favorite songs usually come all together, but there’s definitely some exceptions to that rule. Likewise, my favorite songs tend to happen very fast and not be labored over. Again, some very strong exceptions.

Q. It’s well known that your father is renowned Muscle Shoals bassist David Hood, who played

Albums

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D6

Jimmy Fallon, “Holiday Seasoning”

At the intersection of Christmas and comedy albums comes Jimmy Fallon’s “Holiday Seasoning.” The “Tonight Show” host gets into the spirit of the season with jokes — and some A-list guests — included. Check out “Almost Too Early for Christmas” with Dolly Parton, “Hallmark Movie” with Cara Delevingne, and “New Year’s Eve Polka (5-4-3-2-1)” featuring the Roots and Weird Al.

The Philly Specials, “A Philly Special Christmas Party”

For a third year in a row, the

Gingerbread

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D7

will be posted in January 2025 on the Springfield Museums’ social media channels and their blog.

The exhibit runs through Dec. 31.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and

with a plethora of music legends. How did growing up around that scene shape your own musical outlook?

A. As a kid, I was very influenced by his massive record collection. After school, I would tell mom I was doing homework and put on headphones and raid dad’s record collection. That was my education.

Q. Drive-By Truckers have lasted almost 40 years. What are the aspects of the band that have allowed its longevity?

A. We actually like each other. We have a really good time doing what we do.

Philly Specials — former Philadelphia Eagle Jason Kelce and current Eagles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata — have released a holiday album for charity. “A Philly Special Christmas Party” benefits a few organizations, including the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. If getting NFL stars to sing sounds funny, well, that’s kind of the point. The fun and absurdity are this album’s superpowers: On the Americana “Maybe This Christmas,” Kelce (brother to Travis Kelce) and Stevie Nicks duet, singing, “And maybe forgiveness will ask us to call / Someone we love / Someone we’ve lost for reasons we can’t quite recall / Maybe this Christmas.” It’s moving.

closed on Monday. It is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission, which includes all five museums, is $25 for adults, $13 for youth ages 3-17, and free for children under 3. College students and seniors 60 and older are $16.50. Springfield residents are free with a valid ID.

For more information, call 413-263-6800 or visit springfieldmuseums.org.