The Metro East Messenger 12.18.20 Issue

Local Events

2, 3, 4, 6

Christmas Light Displays

5

Coupons

7

Christmas Word Search

8

Letter from the Editor

9-10

All Day Holiday Delights

14-15

All-Day Holiday Delights Celebrate The Season With Dishes From Morning To Night Pages 14-15

Page 5

Local Events

NOTE: Events are subject to change, cancel or be rescheduled due to Covid 19 restrictions.

LIVE MUSIC EVERY WEEKEND at EXO Lounge, 7pm on Fridays, 6pm on Saturdays at EXO Lounge, 2 157 Center, Edwardsville, IL. For more info and updates, follow their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EXOLounge.

WonderLight’s Christmas in St. Louis 2020, Nov. 20th-Jan. 3rd @ Worldwide Technology Raceway, 700 Raceway Blvd, Madison, IL. This dazzling display of Christmas lights is synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking music, played through your car stereo. Come see shooting stars, floating snowflakes, dancing candy canes and lollipops, giant Christmas trees, and (a crowd favorite) enchanting tunnels of lights! Open night- rain, shine, or snow!!! For tickets, go to https://www.wonderlightschristmas.com/tickets.

Way of Lights at The National Shrine Our Lady Of The Snows, Nov. 20th -Dec. 31st, open nightly 5-9pm, 422 S De Mazenod Dr, Belleville, IL. Wintertime sparkles at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows as the Annual Way of Lights Christmas display illuminates the grounds. Since 1970, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have invited one and all to make the Way of Lights a part of their family tradition. For more info, go to https://snows.org/wayoflights/.

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Local Events Looking For A Venue To Host A Private Event? EXO Lounge has a new 40’x40” event tent! Inside you’ll find a well-heated lounge setting with TVs, high top seating, standing tables, turf, up lighting, string lighting, ceiling draping, and chandeliers. For more info, go to https://visitexo.com/ or email events@visitexo.com.

Santa Claus Is Coming To The Bakery, Silly Grandma’s Sweet Creations, 2709 N. Center St. Maryville, IL. Event will be outside in Santa’s Cottage, Dec. 20th 11am-3pm. 4x6 Keepsake photos available: 1 for $10 or 2 for $15. Free hot chocolate and marshmallows. Fur babies welcome, also. 50% of picture sales will be donated to Kellsie’s Hope Foundation as well as 100% of donations collecting from the Christmas giving box.

Christmas at the Manger: Outdoor Live Nativity, Dec. 18th and 19th, 6-8:30pm, Calvary Life Church, 4650 Maryville Rd, Granite City, IL. Experience ‘Christmas at the Manger’, an outdoor live nativity at Calvary Life Church. We will have a narration of the birth of Christ every 30 minutes. This is a free family friendly event, open to the community. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to encounter the miracle birth of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas. A petting zoo will be available between performances provided by ‘A Zoo for You’. Complimentary hot chocolate and smores will also be available. Social distancing and masks are encouraged at this event.

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Local Events Christmas Cake Decorating Class, Dec. 20th, 5pm at EXO Lounge, 2 157 Center, Edwardsville, IL. Christmas cake decorating class will be led by Ashly from A Sweet Life. Everything needed to create an adorable cake will be provided. Guests will learn cake decorating techniques and a full service of cocktails will be available for purchase from EXO Lounge. Tickets are available for the 2-hour class at EXO Lounge’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/events/812653649580252.

Reindeer Bells Hunt @ Willoughby Farm, Dec. 21st-Jan. 3rd, Willoughby Heritage Farm Conservation Reserve, 631 Willoughby Ln, Collinsville, IL. Santa's reindeer accidentally knocked off their jingle bells while they were putting on their masks! Find all eight bells, then unscramble the letters that are attached to each of them to form a festive word. Send the correct word to the City of Collinsville Parks and Recreation Facebook Page by January 3 to be entered into a prize drawing! Winner will be announced and notified on January 4.

Bella Vista Winery New Year's Eve featuring Tim&Mel, Dec. 24th, 6-10pm, Bella Vista Winery, 6633 E. Main St, Maryville, IL. Join us on Thursday December 31st from 6-10 at Bella Vista Winery for their New Year's Eve Celebration! Bella Vista is located in a beautiful setting in the heart of Maryville. The food is great, the wine is delicious and the music? Well, you'll have to come see us and tell us! For more info, go to https://bellavistail.com/. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland, Horner Recreational Park, 11113 Widicus Road Lebanon, IL. Open Sun-Thur: 5 to 9pm. Fri-Sat 5 to 10pm. Weather permitting. Drive thru only.

Free, donations welcomed. For more info, go to hornerparklights.com.

Rock Springs Park Christmas Wonderland, 2116 College Ave, Alton, IL. Open Mon- Fri: 6 9 pm. Sat-Sun: 5 to 9 pm. Admission: $7 for cars and small vans, $1 per person for 10+ passenger vehicles. Tune your radios to 87.9 FM. For more info: (800)258-6645.

WonderLight’s Christmas in St. Louis 2020 at Worldwide Technology Raceway, 700 Raceway Blvd, Madison, IL. Open nightly 5pm-10pm. Over 1 million LED lights synchronized to Christmas music played through your own car stereo. $7 per person (3 and under free), carload $30 (up to 7 passengers). For tickets, go to www.showclix.com/event/christmas-in-st-louis.

Bethalto Christmas Village, E. Central St., Bethalto, IL. Open nightly 6-9pm. Celebrate Christmas with a stroll through the Arboretum in Bethalto, with lighted trees, glass cottages, wire art, nativity, and much more! Visitors are welcome to drive by the Village however for the best experience it is recommended to walk the 1/2-mile path. Free. For more info, call (618)377-8051.

Way Of Lights-Our Lady Of The Snows, Open nightly 5-9pm, 422 S De Mazenod Dr, Belleville, IL. Filled with more than 1.5 million shining bulbs and LEDs, this event is totally free for visitors (donations welcomed) and focuses on the religious background of Christmas, telling the story of the birth of Jesus. For more info, go to www.snows.org/wayoflights/.

Residential Light Displays In Madison and St. Clair Counties Ramblewood O’Fallon, IL Moye School Rd. O’Fallon, IL 1927 Llewellyn Road, Swansea IL 160 Pine Dale Drive, Swansea IL 53 & 57 Dianne Drive, Belleville IL 1420 Fairwood Drive, Belleville IL

421 John Henry Road, Belleville IL 9 Barbarotto Lane, Maryville IL 2036 Grandview Drive, Saint Jacob IL 119 Pebblebrook Lane, Troy, IL 55 Woodford Way, Collinsville, IL 1904 Pinehurst Ct., Collinsville IL

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Local Events Christmas Eve Live Nativity, Dec. 24th, 4:30-7:30pm, Mosaic Church, 1317 Pestalozzi St, Highland, IL. Start your Christmas weekend off right by attending this powerfully-immersive outdoor experience! See Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus lying in the manger, surrounded by real camels, llamas, cows, sheep, goats, chickens and more! Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate around the campfire as Christmas songs are played live for you to sing along with. Come for a few minutes or stay for an hour...it's up to you. This is sure to be an event that your whole family will enjoy! For more info, go to their Facebook page.

Blood Drive, Dec. 28th 1-6pm, Caseyville Public Library. The Bloodmobile will be at 419 S. 2nd St, Caseyville, IL. Blood drive is organized by the Caseyville Public Library and CMC Rotary Club.

All That Glitters “MASK�-erade Party Featuring Dueling Pianos, Dec. 31st at EXO Lounge, 2 157 Center, Edwardsville, IL. Join us in saying goodbye to 2020 with our "All That Glitters" MASK-erade Party! Dress to the nines, including your mask! We will be having a "Best Dressed Mask" competition throughout the night, with a chance to win amazing prizes. Competitions will be for both masquerade masks AND mouth masks! Enjoy the music of piano veterans Mike Sonderegger and Cam Brown. Doors open at 7pm, Dueling Pianos begins at 8pm. Drink and shot specials all night long! Champagne toast included with each ticket purchase. For tickets, go to http://bit.ly/34fVC7Q. Blood Drive, Jan. 12th 2-6pm, Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St, Glen Carbon, IL. Look for the Red Cross Donor Bus in the parking lot. Register at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/finddrive.

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Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

$1.49/LB 804 S. Main St. Troy, IL (618) 667-6268

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10% Off Any Merchandise In Our Store!

Hair Designer & Makeup Artist 2400 N. Center St, Maryville, IL (618) 410-0882

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302 E. Main St, Collinsville, IL (618) 855-8855

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2330 South Center St. Maryville, IL

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Christmas Word Search

ANGEL, BELLS, BETHLEHEM, CANDLES, CANDY CANE, CAROLS, DECORATIONS, EGGNOG, FAMILY, FRANKINCENSE, FRIENDS, FRUITCAKE, GABRIEL, GIFTS, GOLD, GREETING CARDS, HOLLY, ICICLES, JESUS, JOSEPH, LIGHTS, MANGER, MARY, MISTLETOE, MYRRH, ORNAMENTS, POINSETTIA, SANTA, SHEPHERDS, SKATES, SLEIGH, SNOWFLAKES, SNOWMAN, STABLE, STAR, STOCKING, THREE WISE MEN, TOBOGGAN, TOYS, TREE, WREATH

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Letter From The Editor, Cindy Chi

Reflecting On 2020 Like a lot of people, I like to take time in December to reflect on everything that happened over the last year. I like to think about what I’ve learned, how my family and I have changed and what I’m grateful for. To say 2020 was a crazy year would be a severe understatement. However, there has never been a year like this one to cause me to reflect, learn and be extremely grateful. I’m sure a lot of you would also agree.

I’ve always heard that the greatest opportunity to grow as a person is through a challenge or storm. Those opportunities were very abundant this year, for sure! Life suddenly slowed down for us in 2020. Our family had to transition our lives to a slower pace for work and school all while quickly learning new technologies and ways to communicate with others. Zoom, Google Meets and Facetime quickly became new household words. As a family, we had to learn how to coexist in a house together 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without getting on each other’s nerves. We were suddenly plagued with fears and stress that we have never had before. And like everyone else, we pivoted, adapted and did our best.

Our community around us also quickly pivoted to figure out how to operate safely. Businesses had to figure out how to serve their customers with new safety guidelines or figure out how to survive while being closed. Local leaders had to make hard decisions about annual events, to either modify, postpone, make them virtual or cancel them all together. Small businesses have suffered greatly, and household budgets have drastically tightened. Our economy changed on a dime.

A global pandemic is stressful enough, but this year we were also made hyper aware of how divided our country was on subjects relating to race and politics. We had to make daily decisions to either turn on the news to stay informed or keep it off to mitigate stress and anxiety. This was the year we were forced to examine the things we think about, especially in areas we are uncomfortable with. But as painful as it was, it’s been a great opportunity for personal growth and development for all of us. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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So, what was good about the year 2020? What are the lessons we learned and how did we grow through this challenging time? For me personally, slowing down was a huge blessing in disguise.

It made me aware of how much I was going through the motions of life with hectic routines.

This slower life has given me time to appreciate small things like being able to go to a restaurant with friends and having Sunday dinners with extended family. Since my son missed his senior prom and a (normal) high school graduation, it’s reminded me that milestones, traditions and celebrations are especially important in life. It’s what ties us together and keeps us close. And I’ll never take for granted the simple luxury of traveling to the East coast to visit family without the fear of getting an illness. I’m more grateful than ever for all my loved one’s health and I have a greater respect for teachers and healthcare workers and the sacrifices they make every day.

As we go into this new year, I can’t help but feel hopeful. There isn’t one person on this Earth that hasn’t been affected by Covid 19 in one way or another. We’ve truly been “in this together.” We’ve all been through a lot but I’m confident it’s made us stronger and more connected as a community. Our world will probably never return to normal, but was “normal” really that great, anyway? I think (hope) 2021 will be the year that we create a “new normal.” I hope this includes being more aware of our thoughts, words and actions. Our lives were moving at an unhealthy high-speed pace before. I’ve cherished this extra time to slow down with my family. I hope our kids tell their grandkids someday about this time with fond memories of activities we did together because we had more time on our hands.

These are my reflections. I would love to hear yours also! I want to thank everyone for reading our publication. We are truly honored by everyone who picks it up and/or reads it online. We also want to thank our advertisers partnering with us.

They are the ones who make it possible to bring this publication to the community.

In the upcoming year, we ask that you please continue to support local businesses and tell your friends and family about The Metro East Messenger. We look forward to serving you in the upcoming year.

What the new years brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.

-Vern McLellan

We wish you and your family health and happiness in 2021!

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Restaurant Directory Restaurant Name

Address

Other Features

Website

American/Bar & Grill 1) 27 Jct Dr W, Glen Carbon, IL 62034, (618)659-1922 Classic American comfort food, Open 24 Denny's 2) 522 Ramada Blvd, Collinsville, IL 62234, www.dennys.com Hours (618) 345-8995 3) 737 W Hwy 50, O'Fallon, IL 62269, (618) 622-0471 Cajun Comfort Food/Fresh Gulf Shores Restaurant www.gulfshoresrestaura 215 Harvard Drive, Edwardsville, IL, (618) 650-9109 Seafood/Daily Specials/Weekly Live & Grill ntandgrill.com Music (see website for dates and times) IHOP

Kool Beanz Café

Lottie's Café

1028 W Hwy 50, O'Fallon, IL 62269, (618)632-5400

212 E State St, O Fallon, IL 62269, (618) 589-3843

Wide variety of pancakes, American breakfast and diner fare.

www.ihop.com

Specialty Coffee, Gourmet Tea, Handcrafted Smoothies, Breakfast and https://koolbeanzlife.co Lunch Served, Vegan/Vegetarian m/ Options Available. Baked Goods

1099 Belt Line Road, Suite D, Collinsville, IL 62234, Carryout/Catering/Daily www.facebook.com/Lotti (618) 223-8253 Specials/Gaming/Occasional Live Music es-Cafe

Mady's

623 Edwardsville Road, Troy, Illinois (618) 505-7188

Bar/Casino

Mady's Facebook Page

McDill's Irish Pub

334 Saint Louis Rd Collinsville, IL, 62234 (618) 344-9875

Daily Food Specials/Dine in or Carry Out/Pool Table/Gaming/UFC Fight Viewing

https://www.facebook.c om/McDills

Peel Wood Fired Pizza

The Command Post Bar and Grill The Wooden Nickel Pub & Grill

1) 921 S. Arbor Vitae, Edwardsville, IL 62025 Order (618)659-856 Online/Carryout/Patio/Brewery/Seasona www.peelpizza.com 2) 1104 S. Cherry St., O'Fallon, IL 62269, (618)726l Specials 2244 Video Gaming/Pool/Dart Leagues/Draft https://www.facebook.c and Craft Beer Selections/Daily 104 N Main St, Troy, IL 62294(618) 667-9892 om/TheCommandPost70 Specials/Children welcome with an 8/ adult. 18+ https://www.facebook.c 171 S. Main St, Glen Carbon, IL Patio/Carryout/Happy Hour/Daily om/WoodenNickelGlenC (618) 288-2141 Specials/Occasional Live Music arbon/

Time Out Sports Bar & Grill

111 W Market St, Troy, IL 62294 (618) 667-2221

Carryout/Daily Specials/Happy Hour/Gaming/Occasional Live Music

China King (Edwardsville)

1063 S State Rt. 157, Edwardsville, IL 62025, (618) 692-1888

Dine in/Carry Out/Order Online/Delivery

www.edwardsvillechinaki ng.com

China King (Troy)

535 Troy Ave #537, Troy, IL 62294, (618) 667-8886

Dine in/Carry Out

See Menu

www.timeoutsportsbargr ill.com

Asian

Mariachi's Mexican Restaurant

Zapata's Mexican Restaurant

Mexican 1) 400 S Illinois St, Belleville, IL 62220, (618) 236-9492 2) 2922 N Center St, Maryville, IL 62062, (618) 288-6300 3) 717 W Washington St, Millstadt, IL 62260, (618) 476-6223 1) 8 Eastport Plaza Drive, Collinsville, IL, (618) 343-1337 2) 4660 N Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, IL, (618) 277-5474

Carryout/Order Online/Catering/Daily www.mariachismexfood.

Specials/Gaming/Party Room com

Lunch Buffet/Carry Out/Catering/Daily www.zapatasmexican.co Specials/Party Room/Karaoke Every m Other Friday

Go to www.metroeastmessenger.com for coupons!

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Business Directory Gas & Convenience 7900 N Illinois St, Caseyville, IL 62232

(618) 344-1286

2233 Vandalia St, Collinsville, IL 62234

(618) 344-1352

301 Salem Pl, Fairview Heights, IL 62208

(618) 624-6013

6559 IL-162, Maryville, IL 62062 826 W Hwy 50, O'Fallon, IL 62269 1242 Thouvenot Ln, Shiloh, IL 62269 536 Edwardsville Rd, Troy, IL 62294

(618) 288-7920 (618) 632-2177 (618) 622-2220 (618) 667-4581

Handee Mart

411 N Main St, Caseyville, IL 62232

(618) 344-3667

https://www.facebook.com/ handeemartcaseyville/

Huck's Convenient Food Store

1029 Lincoln Hwy, Fairview Heights, IL 62208

(618) 632-4807

www.hucks.com

702 Vandalia St, Collinsville, IL 62234

(618) 345-9777

Pilot Travel Center Shell

970 US-50, O'Fallon, IL 62269 820 Edwardsville Rd, Troy, IL 62294 1011 W US-50, O'Fallon, IL 62269

(618) 622-0630 (618) 667-0946 (618) 632-2787

pilotflyingj.com https://find.shell.com

TA

819 Edwardsville Rd, Troy, IL 62294

(618) 667-9931

www.ta-petro.com

Circle K

Moto Mart

www.circlek.com

www.shell.com

Retail & Services Bike Surgeon

201 E State St, O'Fallon, IL 62269

(618) 622-1693

https://bikesurgeon.com/

Chelsey Reed-Hair Designer & Makeup Artist

2400 N Center St Maryville, IL, 62062

(618) 410-0882

www.facebook.com/chereed hairstylist

Chiropractic Works

410 Regency Ctr, Collinsville, IL 62234

(618) 477-8364

www.chiropracticworkscollin sville.com

Code 3 Spices

302 E. Main St. Collinsville, IL 62234

(618) 855-8855

https://code3spices.com/

DogWatch Hidden Fences

Email: Alan@dogwatchofillinois.com

(618) 692-9131

www.dogwatchofillinois.com

Edward Jones-Financial Advisor: Denise Arendell

303 Fountains Parkway, Suite 210 Fairview Heights, Il 62208 denise.arendell@edwardjones.com

(618) 622-4977

www.edwardjones.com/deni se-arendell

Kelly's Butcher Shop & Deli

804 South Main St., Troy, IL 62294

(618) 667-6268

https://www.facebook.com/ KellysButcherShopDeli/

Lonnie's Liquors

2004 Vandalia St, Collinsville, IL 62234

(618) 344-3430

1150 St. Louis Road, Collinsville, IL 62234

(618) 345-0611

25 Commercial St, Millstadt, IL 62260

(618) 476-7490

7835 Ivory Ave. St. Louis, MO 63111

(314) 638-2710

Email: Alan@xgreensynthetic.com

(314) 241-8873

Mike's Automotive

Xtreme Green Synthetic Turf

www.metroeastmessenger.com

www.mikesautomotive.net

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Hotels Comfort Inn Collinsville

8 Commerce Dr, Collinsville, IL 62234

(480) 725-1637

www.wyndhamhotels.com

Days Inn Collinsville

12 Commerce Dr, Collinsville, IL 62234

(618) 803-4032

www.wyndhamhotels.com

4 Gateway Dr, Collinsville, IL 62234

(618) 346-0607

www.marriott.com

Fairfield Inn by Marriott St. LouisCollinsville La Quinta Inn & Suites Collinsville

6 Gateway Dr, Collinsville, IL 62234

(618) 855-8400

www.laquintacollinsville.com

(618) 223-5383

www.wyndhamhotels.com

(618) 624-3636

www.choicehotels.com

(618) 212-1300

www.ihg.com

(618) 688-2526

www.wyndhamhotels.com

(618) 398-7124

www.radisonhotels.com

Best Western- Troy

2 Gateway Drive, Collinsville, IL 62234 305 Salem Pl, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 313 Salem Pl, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 45 Ludwig Dr, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 140 Ludwig Dr, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 2020 Formosa Rd, Troy, IL 62294

(618) 667-9200

www.bestwestern.com

Red Roof Inn

2030 Formosa Rd, Troy, IL 62294

(618) 667-2222

www.redroof.com

Super 8-Troy

910 Edwardsville Rd, Troy, IL 62294

(618) 505-1189

www.wyndhamhotels.com

Super 8-Collinsville Econo Lodge Holiday Inn Super 8 by Wyndham Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

Best Western

116 Regency Park, O'Fallon, IL 62269

(618) 622-8600

www.bestwestern.com

Extended Stay America

154 Regency Park, O'Fallon, IL 62269

(618) 624-1757

www.extendedstayamerica.com

La Quinta Inn & Suites

136 Regency Park, O'Fallon, IL 62269

(618) 726-2323

www.wyndhamhotels.com

Sleep Inn

140 Venita Dr, O'Fallon, IL 62269

(618) 589-3999

www.choicehotels.com

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

445 Regency Park Drive, O'Fallon, IL 62269

(618) 624-4900

www.marriott.com

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All-Day Holiday Delights Celebrate The Season With Dishes From Morning To Night The holiday season often means full days of visiting family and friends, opening gifts and enjoying moments with loved ones. Starting the big day with a bountiful breakfast helps begin the festivities on a high note, while appetizers help hold everyone over for the main course, and of course everyone’s favorite, dessert. Consider these dishes to take your holiday gatherings to new heights from morning to night. Visit Culinary.net to find more holiday meal ideas.

One Terrific Turkey To ensure your holiday dinner centerpiece lives up to expectations, follow these simple tips, from purchase to plate: 1. Buy the right bird. Finding a turkey that’s just the right size for your expected party is the start to a successful gathering. One common rule of thumb is the buy 1 pound of turkey per person – so, for a 10-person meal, purchase a 10-pound turkey. Don’t forget that nearly everyone loves leftovers, so you may consider buying a few pounds more than necessary.

2. Be patient. If you opt for a frozen turkey, don’t rush the thawing process.

For larger turkeys, it can take days to defrost properly.

(Family Features)

3. Timing is everything. Finding the right amount of time for your turkey to spend in the oven is crucial but not always the easiest thing to do. For an 8-12-pound bird, aim for 2.5-3.5 hours; 12-16 pounds for 3.5-4 hours; 16-20 pounds for 44.5 hours, and so on. The key is bringing the turkey to a temperature reading of 170 F.

4. Let it rest. Instead of pulling the turkey out of the oven and immediately carving it, give it a chance to rest for 20-30 minutes, which allows the juices to soak into the meat and moisten it up.

A Memorable Morning Breakfast Orange Eggs Benedict Serves: 6 Orange Hollandaise: 2 egg yolks 1 orange, juice only 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted water 1 tablespoon white vinegar 8 eggs 1/2 cup butter, softened 6 French baguette slices, 3/4-inch thick each 6 thick slices ham 1/2 cup orange marmalade orange zest, for garnish

To make Orange Hollandaise: In small bowl, blend egg yolks, orange juice and salt until combined. Gradually add melted butter into egg mixture while blending. Set aside.

In skillet, add water halfway up sides. Add vinegar. Bring to simmer. Break eggs into water to Getty Images (Holiday table) poach. Cook 3-4 minutes until whites are cooked through and yolks are still runny. Using slotted spoon, remove eggs and drain on paper towels. Spread butter on one side of bread slices. Place bread in skillet and cook until golden brown. Add ham to same skillet and cook until browned on both sides. To assemble, spread bread slices with orange marmalade. Top each with one slice cooked ham and one poached egg. Pour hollandaise over eggs and garnish with orange zest.

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An Easy and Cheesy Holiday Appetizer Cheeseball Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 10 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 2 cups (8 ounces) finely shredded cheddar cheese 1 can (2 1/4 ounces) sliced black olives, drained 2 tablespoons minced green onion 2 tablespoons minced red bell pepper 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/8 teaspoon pepper 2 packages (4 ounces) Buddig Beef or Ham, chopped, divided 1 package assorted crackers In large bowl with mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese and cheddar cheese until creamy. Mix in black olives, green onion, red bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and 2 ounces chopped beef until well combined. Form into ball. Wrap in plastic wrap. Chill at least 2-3 hours to allow flavors to blend. Just before serving, roll in remaining chopped beef until completely coated. Serve with assorted crackers.

Call Together Loved Ones with Cookies Gingerbread Cookies Recipe courtesy of Bernice Baran Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 10-12 minutes Yield: 24 cookies 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup C&HÂŽ Dark Brown Sugar 1 large egg 1/4 cup molasses 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves royal icing

In large bowl with electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar about 2 minutes on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and molasses; mix until well incorporated. In separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

With mixer on low speed, add dry ingredients to butter mixture until combined and dough is formed.

Divide dough in half, wrap with plastic film and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Flour a clean work surface. Roll dough 1/8-1/4 inches thick. Cut out shapes with desired cookie cutters. Transfer cookies to lined baking sheets and bake 10-12 minutes, or until firm.

Let cookies cool on baking sheets 2-3 minutes then transfer to cooling rack. Cool completely. Decorate cookies with royal icing. Visit chsugar.com to find more holiday recipes.

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