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INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2023

In life there are constant changes, so too in the world of interior design. Trends are always shifting. The themes for 2023 seem to be: Sustainable living and health & wellness designs. There has been a move away from minimalism to individualism which has created more personalized and decorative styles. In this new, post-Covid world, there have been many changes to the way we live, both inside and outside of the home. Many of us spend much more time in the house, so people have adjusted their priorities in the way the home is used.

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With a new focus on wellness and healthy living, more attention is paid to comfort and overall well-being.

Kitchens are central to this new lifestyle and the open kitchen is an important aspect of this new trend. Most desirable are large islands that seat the family comfortably and provide lots of workspace. Upper and lower cabinets of different colors are in fashion as are stainless steel cabinetry and fixtures. To update a kitchen, a coat of paint can completely change the feel and be extremely cost effective. Lighting is also a key component, particularly if natural light is not available. A growing number of homeowners are installing led lights underneath their cabinets to illuminate the kitchen counter top.

With so many people still working at home, a designated office is often a necessity and needs to be incorporated into the design of your home. First of all, it should be comfortable and functional. It is desirable to have natural light and natural materials wherever possible. Try colors that are inspired by nature for a calming environment. For a more dramatic approach, an interesting background wall color can be useful for

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all of your zoom meetings.

Furnishings will feel more organic with the use of cotton, wool, and velvet fabrics. Of course fabric decisions can depend on the location within the home; it’s recommended that the home match its natural environment. There is still a movement toward coordinating the indoor and outdoor environments. Arches and architectural details are in as are soft edges, curved sofas, and personal pieces.

Multi-function rooms that cater to entertainment and exercise are in vogue. More people will want media rooms for movies and games as well as gyms and saunas.

Mud rooms and laundry rooms are no longer just utilitarian spaces. Today, homeowners want these spaces to coordinate with the rest of the home. Sometimes they even want to accommodate a pet with a special tub. Think about maximizing natural light throughout your home. Big open

The focus of home design in 2023 is a calm, comfortable environment in harmony with nature that incorporates work, entertainment and relaxation spaces.

windows which bring in natural light can improve mood, focus and sleep patterns which will improve one’s health.

It looks like 2023 may bring with it the end of the white wall trend. Currently, designers are reporting

clients wanting jewel tones in blues, greens and even rust, which creates a cozier environment. This is part of the eco-friendly trend of the last few years which incorporates elements of nature. Gold will also be popular as an accent color.

It is important to revisit one’s estate planning periodically, as both circumstances and laws can change without notice. If you do not have an estate plan, it is time to create one. You probably have more assets than you think.

First of all, estate planning is an opportunity to designate who will receive your assets upon death or incapacitation. It will also allow you to designate a guardian for your children. With the advice of counsel, your plan will manage assets to minimize estate

taxes, gift taxes and any other tax issues. And most importantly, a good estate plan will avoid disagreements between heirs and probate which can be time consuming and expensive.

Begin with an assessment of all your assets, including your home and other real estate, art, collections, vehicles, and jewelry. List your checking and savings accounts, investment accounts, life insurance policies, IRA or 401 accounts and ownership interests in any businesses. Estimate the value in order to divide among your heirs.

SEVERAL DOCUMENTS:

A COMPLETE ESTATE PLAN INCLUDES

POWER OF ATTORNEY

A durable power of attorney allows a person of your choosing to handle financial, legal and other matters if you are otherwise incapacitated. It remains in effect until death or revocation.

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST

A revocable living trust is an instrument that allows the owner (grantor) of assets to establish a trust for beneficiaries with the help of a trustee. You can be your own trustee with an alternate upon death or incapacity. This document can be amended or revoked as needed. The most important aspect of a consuming and expensive probate.

MEDICAL CARE DIRECTIVE

A living will specifies your wishes for medical care. A medical power of attorney gives authority to a trusted person to make decisions if you are unable.

WILL

A will, though desirable, is not essential if you have a revocable trust. The main reason to write a will is to include assets which may not be included in one’s trust. A will is meant to simplify things. You can designate child custody and also the recipients of your most valuable possession, such as cars, jewelry or other personal items.

FEB

2023 PGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

DATESTOURNAMENT

* Schedule subject to change

DEFENDING CHAMPION

FEB 23 - 26, 2023

MAR 2 - 5, 2023

MAR 2 - 5, 2023

MAR 9 - 12, 2023

MAR 16 - 19, 2023

MAR 22 - 26, 2023

MAR 23 - 26, 2023

MAR 30 - APR 2, 2023

APR 6 - 9, 2023

APR 13 - 16, 2023

APR 20 - 23, 2023

Honda Classic PGA National Resort (The Champion), Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Puerto Rico Open Grand Reserve Golf Club, Rio Grande, PUR Ryan Brehm $666,000

Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, FL

Scottie Scheffler $2,160,000

THE PLAYERS Championship The Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, MS Cameron Smith $3,600,000

Valspar Championship Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), Palm Harbor, FL Sam Burns $1,404,000

World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play Austin Country Club, Austin, TX

Corales Puntacana Championship Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Golf Course), Punta Cana, DOM

Ramey $ 666,000

Valero Texas Open TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course), San Antonio, TX J.J. Spaun $1,548,000

Masters Tournament

Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA Scottie Scheffler $2,700,000

RBC Heritage Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, SC Jordan Spieth $1,440,000

Zurich Classic of New Orleans Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, SC P. Cantlay/X. Schauffele $1,199,350

2023 PGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

DATESTOURNAMENT

APR 27 - 30, 2023

Mexico Open at Vidanta Vidanta Vallarta, Vallarta, MEX

MAY 4 - 7, 2023 Wells Fargo Championship Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC

MAY 11 - 14, 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney, TX

MAY 18 - 21, 2023 PGA Championship Q Oak HIll Country Club, Rochester, NY

MAY 25 - 28, 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, TX

JUN 1 - 4, 2023

JUN 8 - 11, 2023

The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, OH

* Schedule subject to change

RBC Canadian Open Oakdale Golf & Country Club, Toronto, Ontario, CAN

JUN 15 - 18, 2023 U.S. Open The Los Angeles Country Club (North Course), Los Angeles, CA

JUN 22 - 25, 2023

Travelers Championship TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, CT

Burns $1,512,000

Horschel $2,160,000

Fitzpatrick $3,150,000

Schauffele $1,494,000

JUN 29 - JUL 2, 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, MI Tony Finau $1,512,000

JUL 6 - 9, 2023

JUL 13 - 16, 2023

JUL 13 - 16, 2023

JUL 20 - 23, 2023

JUL 20 - 23, 2023

JUL 27 - 30, 2023

AUG 3 - 6, 2023

AUG 10 - 13, 2023

AUG 17 - 20, 2023

John Deere Classic PC Deere Run, Silvis, IL J.T. Posto $1,278,000

Barbasol Championship Keene Trace Golf Club (Champions Course), Nicholasville, KY Trey Mullinax $666,000

Genesis Scottish Open The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, SCO Xander Schauffele $1,400,000

Barracuda Championship Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood), Truckee, CA Chez Reavie $666,000

The Open Championship Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, Wirral, ENG Cameron Smith $2,500,000

3M Open TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, MN Tony Finau $1,350,000

Wyndham Championship Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, NC

Tom Kim $1,314,000

FedEx St. Jude Championship TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN Will Zalatoris $2,700,000

BMW Championship Olympia Fields Country Club (North Course), Olympia Fields, IL Patrick Cantlay Patrick Cantlay

2023 LPGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2023 LPGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE OCEAN COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

MAY

MAY 5 - 7 | WINE &

FOOD FEST

Held at New Jersey’s premier culinary destination, Crystal Springs Resort, the Festival’s events are designed to allow food and wine connoisseurs to meet and mingle with the world’s finest chefs and winemakers. Over the past ten years, the Festival has grown in stature as a showcase for culinary talent with a who’s who of attending chefs including Jose Andres, Daniel Boulud, David Bouley, Thomas Keller, David Kinch, Michael White and more. For more info visit: njwinefoodfest.com

MAY 5 - 7 | JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Exit Zero Jazz Festival debuted in November 2012 in the national historic landmark city of Cape May, a picturesque beach town. You might find yourself one minute second-lining to a New Orleans brass band, and, in the next, snaking through town behind a 22-piece Brazilian drum bloco. The joy of the Exit Zero Jazz Festival is in the discovery of incredible mu-

sic and musicians you may never have known existed. For more info visit: exitzerojazzfestival.com

MAY 20 - 28 | RENAISSANCE FAIR

New Jersey Renaissance Faire features music, dance, comedy, living history, stunts, various acts, demonstrations, vendors, food and drinks, and more. Browse through our enchanted crafts village where over one hundred merchants and artisans demonstrate and sell their wares. For more info visit: njrenfaire.com

JUNE

JUNE 3 - 4 | ATLANTIC CITY

BEER

The dates are set! The 2023 Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival presented by Ocean Casino Resort returns to Bader Field Saturday, June 3rd, and Sunday, June 4th. Take off work, score a sitter, or prepare to call out. Consider this your notice! Stay cool and keep drinking better beer! For more info visit: acbeerfest.com

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE OCEAN COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

JUNE 10 - 11 | HIGHLAND GAMES

CelticFest is a celebration of the heritage and culture of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and the Celtic nations. A fun-filled outdoor event with sports, entertainment, music, food and drink, Celtic Festivals are held worldwide. The festivals, known as Fèis, celebrate Celtic culture via dance, music, art, storytelling, dramas, and competitions – such as Highland Games. Traditional music may include fiddle, bagpipe, Celtic harp, Irish and folk groups. For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/2dn22ftd

JULY

JULY

2 - 5 | INDEPENDENCE DAY

The whole state is dressed in red, white, and blue and ready to celebrate America’s Independence! New Jersey is famous for its 4th of July waterfront extravaganza in Atlantic City and other great locations along the coast. But there are many other smaller events that bring in the charm of smalltown celebrations with communities getting together and enjoying

traditional entertainment. For more info visit:

https://bit.ly/3pzoF1B

JULY 12 - 14 | VEGAN FOOD FEST

The Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival is taking over for the biggest and most epic vegan festival New Jersey has seen yet. To add to the exciting festivities this year, there will be a 5K race on an early summer morning right on the Atlantic City boardwalk! For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/46844usv

AUGUST

AUG 11 - 13 | MUSIC FESTIVAL

Atlantic City’s best country music festival is coming back August 11-13, 2023! We’ll kick things off around 1pm each day and close things down around 11pm. For more info visit: tidalwavefest.com

SEPTEMBER

SEPT 1 - 2 | WATER

LANTERN FESTIVAL

As the sun begins to set on the

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE OCEAN COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

evening sky, the Water Lantern Festival begins to shine with the launch of the lanterns onto the water as we Light The Water together. Watch your unique lantern drift out into the water as it joins other lanterns carrying hope, love, happiness, healing, peace, and connection. It’s a night that you’ll never forget. For more info visit: waterlanternfestival.com

friends to gather together to say goodbye to summer and welcome the fall. There will be a lot of events this year including a Chowderfest Playlist for in-home or on route listening, restaurants serving up dine and take home options as well as an online voting component, Chowder Virtual Run, social media and pop up surprises. For more info visit: chowderfest.com

SEPT 9 - 10 | SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

The Downbeach Seafood Festival will be highlighting all the fantastic dining options this coastal area has to offer. Whether it’s trying the vast selection of local restaurants, sipping Jersey made craft beers, cooking with local chefs, shopping unique exhibitors, or playing in the sand, you will find yourself immersed in festival and all it has to offer. For more info visit: downbeachseafoodfest.com

OCTOBER

OCT TBA | PUMPKIN SHOW

The Jersey Pumpkin Show has become one of the best ways to welcome the autumn harvest with kids and parents alike. The giant Pumpkin Pyramid, filled with pumpkins, gourds and mums, represents everything beautiful about the fall harvest. For more info visit: sjpumpkinshow.com

Oct 21 - 22 | Cranberry Festival

SEPT 30 | CHOWDER FEST

Chowderfest Weekend has become a tradition for family and

Since 1983, visitors embark on colorful harvest tours and observe the ruby red berries floating in the

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25)

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE OCEAN COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

bogs and the modern water-harvesting of the crop. The Cranberry Festival is a celebration of New Jersey’s cranberry harvest, the 3rd largest in the United States. Enjoy live entertainment Cranberry Cafe and Bakery, Pine Barrens photography, quilt blocking, hat decorating, cranberry floral arrangement, the smallest and largest cranberry display and the best cranberry recipe. For more info visit: cranfest.info

NOVEMBER

NOV 24 | TURKEY TROT

Join the Parvin Appreciation Committee and Second Capital Running for the annual Parvin Turkey Trot! A 5K Trail Race on Thanksgiving Morning at The Peoples’ Park. For more info visit:

https://bit.ly/3mApmWb

DECEMBER

DEC 1 - 30 | HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW

This year’s holiday light show you won’t want to miss! Experience

a light show like no other. Drive a course through America’s only construction theme & water park to witness lights, holiday displays, tunnels, and our very own radio station to fill your car with holiday spirit! For more info visit:

https://bit.ly/3e8mmNH

DEC 3 | DICKENS FESTIVAL

Main Street in Medford has become an old-fashioned winter wonderland at the start of the holiday season. The official tree lighting begins when a town crier transports Santa and Mrs. Claus to the center of downtown. Upon Santa’s arrival, the town gets busy with tons of activities, plus magic, comedy, and juggling shows. For more info visit:

https://bit.ly/3SAWs63

JANUARY

JAN TBA | RESTAURANT WEEK

Your favorite dining destination of the year returns this winter! The bi-annual celebration of dining in Hudson County with prix-fixe

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE OCEAN COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

discounted menus. For more info visit: hudsonrw.com

JAN TBA | FARMERS’ MARKET

Grow It Green Morristown creates sustainable farms and gardens, and educates communities on healthy eating and environmental stewardship. They feature more than 20 farmers and local food vendors like freshly grown produce, farm-raised beef, pork and poultry and fresh seafood, baked goods, farm eggs, and so much more. For more info visit: growitgreenmorristown.org

FEBRUARY

FEB 17 - 18 | FILM FESTIVAL

The 36th Annual United States Super 8mm Film + Digital Video Festival will be held February 17-18, 2024 at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. The Festival encourages any genre (animation, documentary, experimental, fiction, personal, etc.), but the work must have predominantly originated on Super 8mm/8mm

film, Digital video or 8mm video formats. The Festival takes as its mandate the spreading of the 8mm and Digital word. For more info visit: njfilmfest.com

FEB 23 - 25 | HOME & GARDEN SHOW

New Jersey’s premier home & garden event features over 200 exhibitors with the area’s top services & products. Attend expert presentations, meet kitchen and bath designers, improve your home’s curb appeal, find outdoor furniture for spring, shop home decor, attend a painting class, enjoy the kid’s activity area and more! Make plans now to attend the New Jersey Home & Garden Show at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, NJ where we bring you… Hundreds of Experts! Thousands of Ideas!For more info visit: newjerseyhomeshow.com

MARCH

MARCH TBA | BEER FESTIVAL

The Big Brew Beer Festival is a

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE

OCEAN COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

perfect opportunity for beer aficionados to meet and hang out. With over 150 unique tastings it’s a great place to discover new beers and speak to brewery representatives. For more info visit:

https://tinyurl.com/yrp2aj22

APRIL

APRIL 1 - 30 | TULIP FESTIVAL

Holland Ridge Farms is a family-owned flower grower and flower farm in New Jersey. Our U-Pick Tulip season opens when the millions of bulbs we planted in the fall burst into bloom. Rows and rows of colorful tulips as far as the eye can see! For more info visit: https://bit.ly/3iYfOl8

all the way through Monday with the World Indoor Kite Competition and Performance. Young or old, single or family, girl or boy, everyone will find something that amazes them at this all-inclusive Kite Festival. For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/b7m4772m

MAY 3 - 5 | WINE & FOOD

FEST

Held at New Jersey’s premier culinary destination, Crystal Springs Resort, the Festival’s events are designed to allow food and wine connoisseurs to meet and mingle with the world’s finest chefs and winemakers. For more info visit: njwinefoodfest.com

MAY MAY TBA | KITE FESTIVAL

“A full-blown kite festival on steroids” adequately describes the 37th annual Wildwoods International Kite Festival! Come and join us for this four day experience beginning on Friday with the official Unlocking of the Beach ceremony

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SESSION DATE

2023 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

TIMEFEATURED MATCHES

1Mon,January16,202311:00amMen'sandWomen's1stRound

2Mon,January16,20237:00pmMen'sandWomen's1stRound

3Tue,January17,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s1stRound

4Tue,January17,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s1stRound

5Wed,January18,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s2ndRound

6Wed,January18,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s2ndRound

7Thu,January19,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s2ndRound

8Thu,January19,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s2ndRound

9Fri,January20,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s3rdRound

10Fri,January20,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s3rdRound

11Sat,January21,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s3rdRound

12Sat,January21,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s3rdRound

13Sun,January22,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s4thRound

14Sun,January22,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s4thRound

15Mon,January23,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s4thRound

16Mon,January23,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s4thRound

2023 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2023 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2023 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

- TRAVEL TO -

If you haven’t been to Africa and are looking for an amazing experience, consider a safari. The only question is where to start, as there are many African countries with amazing national parks and various wildlife, all of which can provide a once-in-alifetime vacation. The top countries for safaris are Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

MASAI MARA

JUNE - OCTOBER

Masai Mara National Reserve is the most famous. It is known for its herds of plains’ game which include Masai lions, African leopards and Tanzanian cheetahs. The park is also home to the annual migration of zebra, gazelle and wildebeest to and from the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Lake Nakuru National Park is known for pink flamingos flocking along the shore of the lake. Also notable are the park’s white rhinos, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, ostriches and lions.

Amboseli National Park is best known for its view of Mount Kilimanjaro and over 300 species of birds. You will also see zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, lions, cheetahs, buffalo, jackals, giraffes and leopards.

Tsavo National Park, which is made up of two smaller parks, is the largest in Kenya and also the most remote. Famous for elephants playing in the Galana River, you will also find 500 species of birds and also giraffes, gazelles, lions, antelopes, impalas, hyenas and oryx.

Samburu Game Reserve is known for rare species such as Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and the Beisa Oryx. It is also home to around 900 elephants as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs and over 450 bird species. It is also famous for Kamunyak, the lioness that adopted 6 baby oryx.

Tanzania

There are 22 national parks in Tanzania, making it difficult to decide where to go. Serengeti, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, and Ngorongoro are the largest and most popular destinations and are often toured together along with Lake Manyara National Park. You will spot the big five mammals - buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, leopards and lions as well as giraffes, zebras, hippos and 500 species of birds on your nature walk, game drive, or in a hot air balloon.

LAKE MANYARA

JUNE - OCTOBER

Lake Manyara Park was established to protect large herds of elephants and is also famous for tree-climbing lions. With its beautiful setting on the lake, it is perfect for viewing pink flamingos and over 400 species of birds.

NGORONGORO

APRIL - MAY

The Ngorongoro Conservation Centre (world heritage site) is known for the Crater which was formed when an ancient volcano exploded and collapsed on itself, creating vast plains that attracted wild life. The big five can be viewed here as well as black rhino. The Massai tribe still grazes their livestock here. Also, the Olduval Gorge is found here. This is where the Leakeys, in 1959, discovered evidence of human origins, fossilized bones, and stone tools dating back millions of years.

TRENDS FOR 2023 Health Food

Rarely do we think about what is trending in the world of food and drink, but there are organizations that study this issue constantly, including Whole Foods, Innova Market Insights and even Martha Stewart herself. The current trend seems to be towards a focus on healthier eating due to an interest in sustainable agriculture, climate change and possibly as a result of correcting those bad habits acquired during Covid lock down.

In the drink space, mocktails, or virgin cocktails, have become more and more popular for health reasons, even spawning a number of new establishments devoted exclusively to alcohol-free night life. This trend expands well beyond Shirley Temples and there is an emphasis on alcohol free cosmopolitans, margaritas, mojitos

and other more original creative drinks. As an example, Whole Foods points to yaupon, a caffeinated plant, to be brewed for tea and also used in new mocktail creations. Also growing in popularity are milk substitutes like oat, soy, almond, and even potato. They are typically lower in fat, sugar and are also cholesterol free.

In the world of foods, there has been significant and growing interest in nutrition and sustainability. We will be interested in more natural less processed foods as well as more traditional ethnic menus. Plant based foods will be a growth area as the number of vegans has increased significantly and most of us have cut down on meat consumption for health and environmental concerns. We will want more locally produced ingredients due to interest in climate change. There is actually a new word for this - glocal. Think global and eat local!

Plant based pasta made from chickpeas, cauliflower and zucchini are already popular but new ones made from hearts of palm and green

bananas are coming. And of course there is spaghetti squash which is the true vegetable pasta. Plant based meats have been available for quite some time but expect to see more plant based chicken and cheese.

Interestingly, mushrooms are of particular interest as they are actually a super-food and contain so many necessary nutrients such as vitamins B and D, potassium, and antioxidants that can reduce signs of aging. With over 400 species, there is always a new one to try and the latest trend is toward oyster and trumpet mushrooms. What makes mushrooms such a versatile substitute is they are naturally chewy, crisp up when cooked, and absorb a variety of sauces. Don’t forget the portobello, which is a great meat replacement or even king oyster mushrooms as a replacement for scallops.

COUNTRY CLUB Weddings

Looking for an elegant and classic wedding venue to celebrate your big day? Country clubs are ideal for a variety of reasons.

Here are some reasons why country club wedding venues are among our favorites.

IT’S A CLASSIC VENUE.

A country club wedding has long been a time-honored tradition for couples with family ties to a members-only venue. Childhood memories of playing tennis or learning to expertly hit 18 holes can add sentimental meaning to a country club wedding. A country club also provides a familiar, picturesque venue. Expansive green spaces pair up with a stately ballroom to offer a magazine-worthy setting for a large indoor-outdoor wedding. Not a member of a nearby club? Some clubs are open to the public for

events, while some private clubs will allow non-member weddings if the couple is “sponsored” by a member—meaning you just have to know someone who can connect you with the club’s in-house wedding planner.

IT OFFERS A ONE-STOP-SHOP.

Like a hotel, a country club often has many wedding services on-site. Catering, flowers, linen rentals and even the wedding planner may all be available for one package price that can reduce planning time and stress. All you have to do is worry about finding the perfect country club-appropriate wedding attire for you and your wedding party.

IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE A RAIN BACKUP PLAN.

Maybe you’ve always dreamed of getting married in an outdoor ceremony—but then the skies open up right before you walk down the outdoor aisle. A country club offers the peace of mind of a rain plan with multiple ballrooms, dining rooms and other suitable indoor venues that can work as a stand-by on your big day.

IT CAN ACCOMMODATE MANY SIZES OF WEDDINGS.

Those aforementioned outdoor spaces, ballrooms and dining rooms also mean a country club can accommodate a variety of wedding sizes. Want an intimate wedding for 20? That gazebo in the formal gardens might make a great place for your I Do’s. Is a wedding for 250 of your friends and family more your style? Many country clubs can host very large weddings in their wow-worthy ballrooms, too.

TWO WORDS: LAWN GAMES

Those green spaces can do a lot more than hold chairs for your wedding ceremony. The large swaths of grass at a country club are a great space to entertain your guests with classic games like croquet, boccie ball and corn hole. And don’t let the golf course go to waste! A round of golf for your guests should definitely be in order at some point during the wedding weekend.

Bianco, Katie (2017, March 8). 5 Reasons to Get Married ... at a Country Club [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/5-reasons-to-get-married-at-a-country-club