TOPS Louisville December 2022

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Editor’s Picks

HappyHolidays, my friends! As the holidays draw nearer, we are all looking for gifts for friends and family, especially those hard-to-buy-for folks.

When it gets dark at 5:30pm and there is snow on the ground, when I get home from the office the last thing I want to do is go out in the cold! Sound familiar?

I have compiled a list of my favorite gift ideas to enhance your loved ones’ “stay at home for a cozy night in” evenings. I know I look forward to these treats and I’m confident that your family and friends will love these as gifts!

I wish you all a safe and wonderful holiday season.

Kathy Thuerbach, Editor-in-Chief of TOPS

For the Pooch:

Don’t forget about your best friend this holiday season with adorable treats from Three Dog Bakery, located in Chenoweth Square. $5.95-$8.95

For Snuggles:

This Sherpa throw is perfect for snuggles on a cold winter night! Available at Mamili, 826 E. Main St. in Nulu.

For Mom and Dad:

What’s a night in without a lovely glass of wine in front of the fire? These beautiful holiday wine glasses will add to the ambience of any occasion. Available at Cartwheels Papers & Gifts, 3919 Chenoweth Square in St. Matthews. $25

For the Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate Drinkers: The perfect-shaped Polish Pottery mug complete with prancing reindeer! $25.99 Available at European Splendor, 2232 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville.

For the Food-Lover:

Delicious bourbon seasonings and sauces to enhance any meal. Also includes recipe cards! Available at bourbonbarrelfoods.com.

For Lounging:

This Ralph Lauren pajama set is sure to keep you warm and cozy. Available at Dillard’s in the Mall at St. Matthews. $72

For the Kids:

No cozy night at home would be complete without Louisville author Nat Bickel’s sweet book for children ages 5-9. In this story, Nat tells of a tradition her father started with her and her brother. Available on Amazon. $16.99

For Your Wish List:

The trend we’re delighted to welcome back! This petite 14k yellow gold diamond tennis bracelet is just the thing your wish list was missing. Available at Royal Jewelers.

For You:

Pamper yourself with these luscious soaps and lotions. There’s even a scented lavender candle to promote relaxation. Available at Moss Hill located inside Work the Metal, 1201 Story Avenue in Louisville. $52

For Hanukah:

Celebrate the festival of lights with a beautiful arrangement of colorful blooms from Nanz and Kraft. $175 Nanzandkraft.com

OUT & ABOUT

Louisville Ballet dancers

Nanz & Kraft Holiday Open House

Gretchen Lawson and Tanya Bowman

Peggy Duane, Shannon Kisselbaugh, Rhonda Fraser and Julie Ware

Tracy Monks, Karrie Harper and Whitten Montgomery

Meredith Metzmeier and Santa!

Macaulay Minton and Sam Ward modeling auction items

Julie Janes Torzewski, Executive Director of Down Syndrome of Louisville

Emily Toadvine and Dennis Toadvine

Gina and Steve Wilhite

Trudy Wheeler and Becki Pendell

Eddie Goepp and Tim Egan

he uth i u a orite

Ho y Tradit s

s S

Cl s!

There are few figures so perfectly ingrained in our minds as Santa Claus. You can picture him: red suit, white fur trim, black belt, white beard, red cheeks, bowl full of jelly, eight (plus one) reindeer, sleigh, giant stack of gifts. But Santa didn’t always look like that.

As we’ll cover later, Santa has his beginnings in Saint Nicholas. Immigrants brought the figure to America and he was often still dressed as a bishop in their minds. Washington Irving penned one of the first written descriptions of the man in America in 1809, which most historians agree was more akin to a Dutch burgher. An illustration of “Old Santeclaus” appeared in a hand-colored children’s book of anonymous authorship in 1821. No written description seems to have been put to paper in between Irving’s version and this one, yet we get a figure that’s a whole lot closer to our idea of Santa… including the name!

The next year, the famous poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (the one that starts with “‘Twas the night before Christmas…”) helped solidify the big guy’s look. He picks up a pipe and a few pounds, “dressed all in furs from his head to his foot.” He gets a full team of reindeer, rosy cheeks, a white beard and a pipe.

Illustrations of Santa after this time generally seem to be some blend of Irving’s Dutch chap and the poem’s fur-clad “jolly old elf.”

German-born political cartoonist Thomas Nast (who gave us the Republican elephant and Democratic donkey) illustrated Santa for Harper’s Weekly, bringing German-Bavarian elements to his look, and fun details like the belt.

Most illustrations of yore were obviously done in black and white, but hand-painted children’s books often included red, possibly based on those famous ruddy cheeks. When color printing became more common, Santa’s fur suit was often still brown, white or black – you know, realistic fur colors. But splashes of red, green and yellow kept appearing and it seems like red eventually won out, probably for its overall festive, fantastical note.

By the 1930s, all of the elements were more or less set. But it was Haddon Sundblom’s illustrations for the Coca-Cola Company that solidified Santa in our cultural eye. When you think of Santa, this is probably the version that comes to mind. (That red happens to be Coke’s brand color was probably not a coincidence.)

"Old Santeclaus" (above) Thomas Nast's Santa (below)

Ru lph

Everyone loves the story of the little guy with heart overcoming the odds and becoming the hero. But it all started with a department store.

In the 1930s, Montgomery Ward would give away coloring books to children during the Christmas shopping season. Buying these books came with a hefty price tag; the department store figured that printing their own book would be cheaper. They approached in-house advertising copywriter Robert J. May to come up with a holiday story about an animal, playing on the popular Disney movies of the time.

As his central character, May chose a reindeer. He knew he wanted to make an “ugly duckling” story, drawing his own painful, shy childhood. He tested the story on his seven year old daughter, Barbara, and found that he had accomplished exactly what he’d set out to do; the story was delightful, inspiring and encouraging for young kids. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was born!

Montgomery Ward distributed millions of copies of the little poem book to shoppers. But after 10 years, the company president graciously chose to give May the copyright to his work, allowing him to license the character for other media.

John David Marks – May’s brother-in-law – adapted the story into a song that was recorded by Gene Autry and topped the US charts over Christmas 1949. (Fun fact: this recording also holds the dubious distinction of being the only chart-topper to fall off the list immediately after hitting No. 1.)

In 1964, Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass stepped in. They essentially made Rudolph a household name with their charming Animagic stop-motion puppet animation (often lovingly referred to as “Claymation”). Their imaginative version remains the longest running television special in American history.

FrIt would hardly be the holiday season without Jimmy Durante rasping out “Frosty the Snowman.” But we owe the creation of this beloved holiday figure to Rudolph! Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson saw the success of Gene Autry’s 1949 hit song and decided to make their own silly, catchy holiday tune. They asked Autry to record this one, and he agreed.

In 1969, Rankin/Bass brought the song to life on TV. Rather than doing one of their famous “Claymation” films, they instead chose to make Frosty animated, ensuring that everything on screen looked just like a Christmas card.

Did you know? The original lyrics make no mention of Christmas! That was added for the special so its release would feel more timely.

SaN

hll we sometimes call Santa Claus Saint Nick, they’re actually two different figures. Saint Nicholas was a real person, and the inspiration behind the jolly old elf! He also has his own day of celebration.

Saint Nicholas of Myra was a Christian bishop of Greek descent. As the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, singletons, students and repentant thieves, he was known throughout his life for acts of generosity.

Once, he heard of a father who could no longer afford dowries for his daughters; without the money, they might have to turn to desperate measures to make their way in life. Wanting to spare the family any embarrassment, Nicholas snuck up to their home under the cover of darkness and tossed a bag of gold in through a window. Upon discovering the gold, the father went out and arranged a marriage for his eldest daughter right away. After the wedding, Nicholas went back and tossed in another bag.

After the second daughter’s wedding, the father stayed awake all night. He caught Saint Nicholas in his act of kindness and fell to his knees, thanking him. Humbly, Saint Nicholas asked the father not to tell anyone who had helped the family – though, clearly, word eventually got out!

In one version of the story, Saint Nicholas placed the gold in the girls' stockings, which were hung from the mantel to dry. Others say he left the gold in their shoes. Both traditions are still celebrated today!

His generosity inspired the idea that Saint Nicholas might come and leave gifts for children on the night of his Feast Day (December 6). Over time, this tradition blended with Christmas. St. Nicholas is still celebrated as a separate holiday figure in several Scandinavian countries. His evil counterpart, Krampus, stalks the streets the night before to punish bad children.

QBi s!

Wassail

is a hot, mulled cider, ale or wine. “Wassail” comes from Old Norse and Old English meaning “be in good health” or “be fortunate,” and wassailing was the act of going door-to-door to share those good vibes with neighbors. The drink became a part of the tradition, sharing a goblet for warmth and a sense of community.

Figgy pudding

is a traditional English Christmas dish. These cakes are generally filled with honey, fruits and nuts. To make a festive display, they were often doused with spirits then lit aflame.

u lu s

MilkCoo es &

Like many holiday traditions, the true history here is a bit unclear. Most likely, it was a lot of smaller traditions that got combined into one.

We do know that during the Feast of Saint Nicholas, children would leave food and drink for the saint and his attendants; overnight, these treats would be swapped for gifts. We also know that Norse children would leave hay and treats for the god Odin’s horse during Yuletide – a tradition which eventually became leaving treats for Father Christmas and his horse. Some also say that this tradition became an important one in the United States during the Great Depression; parents wanted to teach their children generosity in the face of adversity, so they encouraged their kids to share their treasured Christmas sweets with Santa.

Whatever the case, cookie baking parties are one of our favorite ways to celebrate the season! They make great gifts and delicious treats for office parties, potlucks or dessert tables. Check out our recipes later on in this issue for tips!

We've noticed an interesting phenomenon: in households where adults are lactose intolerant or vegan, Santa ALSO seems to have trouble with milk. Isn't that fascinating?!

don’t necessarily contain plums; instead, it refers more to the shape. Traditional sugar plums were hardened balls of sugar, oven coated in seeds, nuts or spices. More modern recipes used the sugar coating as a way of preserving a fruit or nut.

Eggnog

is a drink that has roots in traditional English possets and milk punches. It certainly transformed from its roots to a cream-based punch that became exceptionally popular in the American colonies.

uitcakes

were traditionally reserved for weddings and Christmas in the United Kingdom. These cakes started as a way to use candied fruits and nuts while using alcohol to preserve the cake throughout the winter. Johnny Carson loved to joke that there was only one fruitcake in the world, and that we were all just passing it around.

KFC

is actually a customary Christmas dinner in Japan! A 1970s advertising campaign promoted the idea that fried chicken was the perfect Christmas meal. Now, the chain produces limited edition buckets each year to commemorate the holiday.

Nutcra

For many of us, it simply wouldn’t be Christmas without Clara and The Nutcracker. But did you know that this 1892 ballet almost flopped?

The director of the Russian Imperial Theatres, Ivan Vsevolozhsky, commissioned composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to create a smash hit ballet to follow up their production of Sleeping Beauty. Tchaikovsky collaborated with choreographer Marius Petipa, who he worked with on Sleeping Beauty, and Lev Ivanov for the production.

Vsevolozhsky selected the story the ballet would be based on, “The Nutcracker” by Alexander Dumas. The story was itself an adaptation of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann – a much darker tale than what eventually graced the stage.

The Saint Petersburg premiere of The Nutcracker was not considered a success. Some critics found it charming, but most were baffled; why were children in the production, they wondered, and why did it take so long for the star ballerina to hit the stage? They found the transition between reality and Clara’s dream too jarring and many of the characters a bit silly. Most praised Tchaikovsky's music, but one critic found it "ponderous."

Other theatres and ballet companies saw the potential in the story, choreography and music, however. The first complete performance of The Nutcracker outside of Russia took place in 1934 in England; annual performances have been staged there since 1952. Now, it’s unimaginable that anyone might’ve disliked what is considered Tchaikovsky’s most famous work.

photo by Josh Mauser

The Louisville Ballet

V r Chrn t s

Queen Victoria Charles Dicken s

The British like to think that no one does Christmas better than them. But in truth, they owe most of their holiday celebrations to the Germans by way of Queen Victoria.

When Victoria married her first cousin (yikes), Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the pair bonded over their shared German lineage. One thing they both treasured was Christmas. We’ve mentioned that Christmas was in decline in England at the time of Victoria’s ascension. She and Albert worked to ensure that the holiday was more merry than ever.

Christmas trees as we know them date back to the Renaissance, but Germans had made them an art. And nothing said “Christmas” to Prince Albert quite like trees; he was known to set up many throughout Windsor Castle, and he sent them to schools and army barracks. While some previous English royals had decorated Christmas trees, Victoria and Albert gave the practice a major PR boost by publishing an engraving of the royal family decorating a Christmas tree.

The first commercially printed Christmas card was commissioned by the man who invented the penny post in 1843. Sensing a trend, Queen Victoria started the tradition of “official” Christmas cards. These were generally portraits of the family, depicting significant personal events of the year – so maybe she also had a hand in starting the trend of the “family newsletter.”

The Victorian era saw a boom in caroling. Partly inspired by the queen’s generosity and charitable giving, people began going door-to-door to sing carols and collect money for worthy causes. Book printers began publishing books of carols and many of our favorite Christmas songs were written during this time.

Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens both had a hand in influencing traditional Christmas foods. The queen’s table often bore a turkey while Dickens famously featured a roast goose in A Christmas Carol (goose was a cheap meat that was often plentiful at the end of the year.) Puddings – a boiled mixture of dried fruits, suet, flour, eggs and spices – were often the centerpiece. Fruitcake would’ve been a festive dessert or breakfast treat.

You may think you love Christmas, but you’ve got nothing on this guy. It has been said that Dickens invented Christmas; while that’s clearly an exaggeration, he did have a big hand in crafting what Christmas looks like today through his works.

When he penned A Christmas Carol, Christmas was in danger of disappearing. Workers during the Industrial Revolution had little time for the merry festivities of yore. While Queen Victoria and her husband helped popularize Christmas among the wealthy, but it was hard for workers to scrape together the same holiday spirit.

Charles Dickens had built his career on social commentary, representing the struggles of the working class. Indeed, many of his customers were illiterate poor who would splurge the ha’penny to have his works read to them. Among the many short stories he issued in serial format, a handful focused on Christmas.

Dickens began writing A Christmas Carol in October 1843 with the hope to have it published by Christmas. He wrote the book in response to social attitudes towards poverty – especially child poverty. In addition to creating sympathy for Bob Cratchitt and Tiny Tim, the book’s lush descriptions and nostalgic tone helped cement an idyllic picture of what a proper Christmas should be – at least according to Dickens.

He financed the printing of the book himself, selecting elaborate binding and gilt edges with hand-colored illustrations by John Leech –yet he insisted that the book be priced at no more than five shillings (roughly $30). •

sP e Chr t s

The tale

you’ve been told goes something like this; in ages and ages hence, people in Germany would hide a pickle in their Christmas tree and whoever found it would get good luck – sometimes in the form of an extra present left by Saint Nicholas.

Why would Saint Nicholas leave a present? As the patron saint of children (plus merchants and brewers), one of his miracles was resurrecting three children who had been murdered and placed in a vat of pickles, possibly to be sold as pork later by an unscrupulous butcher. Yikes, that’s dark!

Another suggested origin of this tradition was that a Bavarian-born soldier during the Civil War begged for a pickle while starving. As it was Christmas, this guard gave him a single pickle, which the solider credited with saving his life. When he made it home, he began hanging a pickle of his Christmas tree each year to remember this incredible gift.

While those stories may have basis in truth, the tradition of the Christmas pickle just doesn’t. It’s most likely that the tradition was invented in the 1890s to help sell ornaments. Traditional German glass ornaments were being imported to the US by Woolworths. Many of those ornaments were shaped like vegetables, a long-running French and German tradition. Maybe pickles weren’t selling well, or maybe they were a bit of a novelty to shoppers already, and having a little story behind them would help push sales.

Whatever the case may be, the Christmas pickle is now a firmly rooted American tradition. What we really treasure is that it helps children stop to enjoy the beauty of their family Christmas tree a little more closely.

All of these truly hilarious and adorable vegetable glass ornaments available are by Old World Christmas: oldworldchristmas.com

ElfS lf

Either you love him or hate him. But no matter how you feel about this little holiday spy, it seems like The Elf on the Shelf is here to stay.

The elf was actually a family tradition for Carol Aebersold. As a child, the elf just stayed on the tree and didn’t move. But with the arrival of her twin daughters, the tradition morphed. She used the elf to explain to her girls how Santa knew whether they’d been naughty or nice.

Aebersold and one of her daughters decided that the story was perfect for a book. They couldn’t get interest from publishers, so they took a risk and self-published the book, hiring a local illustrator to create the iconic designs. They sold their Elf on the Shelf kits at local trade shows and markets.

Their big break came in 2007 when actress Jennifer Garner was photographed carrying one of their boxes. From there, The Elf on the Shelf took off. Its popularity got a major boost from parents sharing “Elf Ideas” on Pinterest.

Of course, this “charming” tradition isn’t without criticism. Many parents start out with plans to try the tradition and get exhausted and overwhelmed with trying to keep up with one more thing during the holiday season; a pressure that’s surely compounded by social media. Others cynically see the Elf as teaching children that non-consensual surveillance is normal, which yeah, it’s kinda creepy.

To help Jewish kids feel more included with their peers, Jewish father Neal Hoffman developed Mensch on a Bench, a stuffed toy that looks like a rabbi and watches over the Menorah while everyone sleeps. The Mensch comes with a book that teaches kids about Hanukkah. A talking version even helps kids learn Yiddish!

o e us o lau hi

but we can't help giggling over the many parody takes on The Elf that have popped up over the years.

Snoop on a Stoop, The Troll on the Bowl (she sits on your toilet), Ghoul on a Stool... even some adult-themed ones we won't mention here.

C yC es

The story you heard is that candy canes date back to 1670 in Cologne, Germany. The choirmaster wanted to keep children in the choir silent during the living crèche, so he asked a candy maker to make sugar sticks. To justify giving children candy during church, he had the candy maker shape them into shepherd’s crooks. Meanwhile, the colors were meant to signify Jesus’s sinless nature and sacrifice.

That’s an awful lot of thinking for one little treat – and one that would’ve been an incredible expensive in its time. It’s more likely that candy canes developed slowly over time.

The shape is a point we have no historical information on. Candy sticks were generally straight, so the crook was definitely a conscious choice on someone’s part. But to what end? The idea that it was shaped as a shepherd’s crook is a plausible explanation – though it would be just as easy to explain that candy sticks stood for shepherd’s staffs. It’s also been proposed that the hooks helped children hold onto the candies without getting their fingers sticky, which seems like it would be helpful when giving the treats to choirboys. A third theory is that the hooks were intended to hang the candies on Christmas tree branches. It’s likely that the true answer probably draws on a little of each explanation.

It’s very unlikely that the original candy canes were colorful. When candy canes were introduced to the US in 1847, they were completely white because adding color to the delicate canes was an expensive, difficult process.

There’s a legend that candy canes were some sort of secret, hidden legend for oppressed Christians. This is just false. As the original story suggests, Christianity was very common where candy canes were made. (It also most likely doesn't stand for the "J" in Jesus.)

Did you know? 58% of people eat the straight end first!

G ead H s

The first known recipe for gingerbread dates back to 2400BC in Greece. The treat was developed separately elsewhere in the world later on. Ginger not only provides delicious flavor; ginger helps preserve the bread it’s baked in, making it an ideal treat for winter months.

Queen Elizabeth I is credited with the idea of decorating cookies this way; she had some made to resemble visiting dignitaries (not all of which were particularly flattering.)

It became an Elizabethan custom to host Gingerbread Fairs, with the shapes of the cookies changing to suit the occasion.

When the Brothers Grimm wrote the story of Hansel and Gretel, the tradition spread far and wide. In the 17th century, only professional bakers were allowed to make it except on Easter and Christmas, which helps explain why gingerbread became such a Christmas tradition.

While Germans had been elaborately decorating cookies for a while, the trend of making gingerbread houses really took off in the 1800s. Although gingerbread houses are usually entirely edible, the Germans’ elaborately decorated gingerbread fairy houses were often kept as decorations throughout December.

In 2013, a group of gingerbread fanatics in Bryan, Texas broke the Guinness World Record for the largest gingerbread house; their confection spanned 2,520 square feet! If you were to eat the entire thing, you’d have eaten 35.8 million calories.

Meanwhile, the title for largest gingerbread village belongs to Jon Lovitch, executive sous-chef at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel. His village included 135 residential buildings, 22 commercial buildings, cable cars and a train – all made of gingerbread.

Bad

Guys

several countries, parents need just a little extra encouragement to help their kids behave in the month of December. While Scrooge and Burgermeister Meisterburger (from Santa Claus is Comin' to Town) are familiar holiday villains, we’re thrilled to introduce you to some truly wacky bad guys...

us

is a huge, hairy goat-man that wanders the countryside in Alpine regions. On the eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas, he stalks the streets, swatting naughty children and handing them a lump of coal instead of a present. In some legends, he kidnaps the truly wicked!

u ta

the Christmas witch, is another Alpine Christmas villain. Perchta is a stooped old crone with a hooked nose who walks with a cane – and carries a huge knife hidden in her skirts. Since you’re not allowed to work on Twelfth Night, the Frau would punish children who hadn’t finished their spinning by then. She might set all of your work on fire… or she might disembowel you. YIKES.

els ickel

is a folklore character from parts of German-speaking Europe that was carried over to German-settled Pennsylvania. He’s a ragged man who wears torn, tattered clothes and furs. He carries a switch he uses to whip naughty children. But he also carries a sack of treats for the good kids!

atu

If you’ve never heard of Saturnalia, think Roman April Fool’s Day. In late December, Roman society was turned on its nose when – in celebration of the god Saturn – slaves were allowed to sit, eat and gamble with their masters during a jolly feast. Saturn had a dark side; dead gladiators were offered to him as a sacrifice. Eventually, tributes offered to Saturn were less bloody, often as candles, effigies and masks of human faces. This gift giving tradition spread throughout Saturnalia; inexpensive gag gifts were exchanged among people during Saturnalia, as an expensive gift was considered a slight to Saturn. Many of Saturnalia’s traditions – and certainly, its timing – help contribute to the Christmas celebrations we know and love today.

la

is an Icelandic giantess that is able to sense when children are being naughty. She comes down from her mountain hideaway (where, interestingly, it’s specified that she lives with her third husband), appearing as a stooped beggar. She begs mothers to hand over their misbehaving kids so she can cook them up into a stew.

Co su is

From A Charlie Brown Christmas to How the Grinch Stole Christmas to all of us whenever there is a Christmas tree display beside the Halloween candy (the nerve!), there's always been a lot of backlash against the commercialization of Christmas. This gift giving holiday seems to have a built-in push to make us want to do everything the best, the biggest, the most expensive. The best way to fight this baddie? Shop local, give from the heart and keep the spirit of the season top of mind always. •

1.) Classic Sipping Chocolates. Made with the finest direct-trade cacao, organic sugar, and natural ingredients.

2.) Cinnamon Bourbon Pecan Popcorn... you’ll fall in love with this gluten-free flavor.

3.) Baccarat Rouge 540 Fragrance: embodies the fusion of elements that can only be tamed by the art of the perfumer and the wisdom gained with time.

4.) Lux Fragrances offers the finest quality in home fragrance. Once you burn a Lux candle, you'll appreciate and know the difference.

5.) Luxury Fur Coat: This Linda Richards fur coat is perfect for the winter season. Most of her fur coats are reversible and fashionable.

6.) Mitchies Matchings Beanies Scarves and Gloves

1.) Horse Bit Jewelry Box $62 2.) Christmas Crackers $28 3.) Stag Head Candle $50 4.) Cheese Board with Servers $55 5.) Tartan Tray $45 6.) Southern Cocktails Book $14.95

F ys, t e p ct t... Gift Certificates Make It Easy! e ct t...

Fifths of Beethoven 13 & 14 January

Family Concert Lights, Cameras, Action! 22 January at 3pm

Hollywood’s Golden Age Movie music and film 28 January

The Gilded Age Glorious Music of Richard Strauss 3 & 4 February

Aretha: A Tribute 25 February

Festival of American Music The Influence of Leonard Bernstein 4 & 10 March

The Texas Tenors 7 April

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 21 April at 7pm

7:30pm at The Kentucky Center unless otherwise noted

LouisvilleOrchestra.org

For great service, call 502.587.8681

gift guide 2022

1.) Golden Goose Super Star Sneakers, $549.

2.) Tory Burch watch, $199.

3.) Louis Vuitton Empriente Zippy Wallet, $999. Gucci Zumi Wallet, $529.

4.) Tory Burch slippers, $99.

5.) Gucci sunglasses with brown case, $249.

Louis Vuitton sunglasses, $499. Gucci sunglasses with blue case, $199.

6.) Kate Spade slippers, $59. ZLounge bralette, $29. ZLounge shorts, $39.

Baking sweet treats is a holiday tradition and Bourbon Barrel Foods mixes make a great gift for any food-lover. Add these delicious cookies, biscuits, pancakes to the spread at your next Holiday gathering! ($8/each) #eatyourboubron

1.) Footed Razzle Dazzle Champagne Flutes with Gold Accents. Decorated with whimsical gold details in 14K gold. $150/set of 6 2.) Snowflake Sculptures. Made with white alabaster rods extending from telescoping brass arms on iron bases. $560/set of 2 3.) The Marchmont Sideboard is an incredible orchestration of delicate natural shells and faux coral applied to wood. $2,230 4.) Cherise Horizontal Table Lamp. Cast metal branches, white porcelain flowers, and a luxe gold finish. $598 5.) Ceramic Lemon Bowl. It functions as a planter, centerpiece, or just a decorative accent piece. Handmade in Italy. $560 6.) Flowing Reeds Double Wine Bottle Cradle. Cast brass reeds create a flowing cradle that will suspend two bottles of wine. $450 7.) LOUIS VUITTON Monogram Luggage Vintage Silk Scarf Pillow. $910

1.) Botox, Xeomin and Dysport neurotoxins are part of our monthly subscription plan, used to treat frown lines and movement disorders, $80/month (Xeomin/Dysport) $100/month (Botox)

2.) Neocutis BioSerum Firm, an anti-aging skin rejuvenation serum with growth factors, $275

3.) Restylane Kysse Filler, typically used for injections of the lips, $675

4.) Evolve Transform, a non-invasive 5.) Radiesse, a dermal filler used to treat moderate

gift guide 2022

Clater Jewelers started in October of 1949. Sallie Clater Baer and Megan Campbell Martin started working for Mr. Clater in the jewelry store and their love of jewelry began. William Clater grew the business based on honesty, trust, integrity and superior customer service. In 1997, Sallie and Megan purchased the business from Sallie’s father.

“We can’t think of a better business to be in, we have the privilege of sharing so many happy moments and celebrations with our customers.”

Megan’s daughter, Christy Martin Effinger, discovered she loved the business as much as her Mom and Sallie. To start her career in the jewelry business, she pursued a graduate gemology certification from the Gemological Institute of America. Clater Jewelers is truly a family jeweler. Buying a diamond is a lot easier when you find a

you can trust. This store is committed to helping their customers, treating them like

ONE PARK VISION

One Park, led by Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, Dr. Mushtaque Juneja, and Kevin Cogan, is a $250 million proposed development at Grinstead Drive and Lexington Road that will receive national acclaim for its architecture, combination of interactive uses, and prominent location next to a major urban park at the gateway to Louisville’s

A Few Our Fav i T s...

“Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes, silver white winters that melt into springs…”

The holiday season brings us to Christmas, Hanukkah and lots of other occasions to exchange gifts. This issue is packed with fabulous ideas for gift-giving, from something for your hostess (page 100) to gifts hand-picked by local boutiques (you perused that starting on page 33).

Here, we're sharing some of the items that will be included on our lists to Santa. While we couldn't feature everything we're coveting this year, we hope this will inspire you!

We love sharing our favorite restaurants, boutiques and services with everyone on our gift lists. Gift cards are the perfect way to support local businesses and give your loved ones a wonderful experience. For the person on your list

who has everything, think outside the box; aesthetics providers, local coffee shops, pet stores, antique malls, dessert spots, nail salons, florists... the fun gift possibilities are endless. Always try to tailor these gifts to their interests, such as season tickets for sports fans or boutique gift certificates for fashionistas.

Want your local impact to extend even further? How about donating to a nonprofit in their name, or getting them a membership to a local museum? Don't forget that many museums and attractions have gift shops!

Our best tip? Give from the heart! Then it's sure to become one of their favorite things...

"When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad!"

Holiday Tin Candle in Mulled Wine ($24 anthropologie.com)

Christmas Pickle Ornaments (available at Digs)

Bourbon Bubble Cup ($40 Flame Run Gallery shop.flamerun.com)

Rosé All Day Large Tray ($159 Mamili mamili502.com)

SoCu !

The Davinna Bootie ($90 Magnolia & Fig magnoliaandfigboutique.com)

Ashlee

Lingua Franca Vote T-shirt ($95 linguafranca.nyc)

French Kande Jasper Bracelet ($240 Rodeo Drive shoprodeodrive.com)

Reindeer PJ set (from $36 milkandhoneyboutiques.com)

enewton

Various

Panier Des Sens Cotton Flower Candle ($35.99 European Splendor european-splendor.com)

14kt Yellow Gold Freshwater Pearl Earrings ($348 Clater Jewelers claterjewelers.com)

Women’s

($27.99 store.kentuckyderby.com)

Classic 3mm Gold Bead Cuff (available at Magnolia & Fig)

weddings bands or stacking rings (available at Royal Jewelers)

BRAHMIN Nelani Collection

Woven Leather Tote Bag ($495 Dillard’s dillards.com)

Ahead Green Kentucky Derby Julep Oxford Stripe Cap

Ali Mural Tote ($29.99 The Muhammad Ali Center store.alicenter.org)

Children's

Family Game Night box (shop.packedwithpurpose.gifts)

Grow a Living Christmas Tree Kit ($10 onetreeplanted.org

Socks That Build Homes ($14.95 consciousstep.com)

National Parks Iconic Percolator ($55 Parks Project parksproject.us)

FEED Market Tote ($88 feedprojects.com)

book ($18 The Muhammad Ali Center store.alicenter.org)

KMAC 40th Anniversary Notecard Set ($16) and Paint Tube Pen ($6 KMAC Museum kmacmuseum.org)

Benevolent Brownies ($35 uncommongoods.com) Pride Mug ($14.50 potterybarn.com)

Jake Wardrip was born and raised in Louis ville, KY, attending St. Xavier HS and Spalding Univer sity. He began his real estate career in 2018 working in the development office at Norton Com mons, managing the Homeowners As sociation. Licensed in 2020, Jake prides himself on being a neighborhood ex pert from Mt. Washington to Jefferson town to Prospect and everything in be tween.

LIZ HAAS

Istarted in real estate in 1998 as an appraiser and transitioned to selling real estate in 2006. I love sharing the city of Louisville with out of town clients and love helping local clients find their first home or forever home. Unmatched in customer service, I take great pride in making the real estate journey for my clients as smooth as possible.

502.836.2257

LIZHAAS@HOMEPAGEREALTY.COM

REBECCA O’TOOLE

When it comes to real estate, Rebecca O’Toole stays on the move. Born in Louisville, she relocated to CA in the mid 80’s where she met her husband, Dan. They soon relocated to Michigan, where she was first li censed in 2000. Returning to Louis ville in 2006, As an Education Coor dinator, in 2016 Rebecca returned to active listing & selling, and has since acquired her IN license and is a Homepage Mentor.

502.974.0510

THAN REAL ESTATE SO MUCH More

LIZZIE COHEN

Born and raised in Louisville, KY, I have always had a desire to help peo ple and, when possible, educate them as well. Being a real estate agent allows me the opportunity to do just that! My goal is to not only help people find a forever home, but also gain friendships and build lasting relationships during the pro cess. I take pride in not only being a rel estate agent, but also someone people can rely on.

Lizzie was born and raised in Louisville, and graduated from UofL. She has a passion for helping her clients, whether buying or selling. A simple, smooth trans action is always her goal. Lizzie lives in the East End with her husband, Daniel, and their dog, Arnold. When not busy with real estate, Lizzie can be found in the gym, trying out new restaurants, or spending time with friends and family.

502.649.1687

LIZZIE@HOMEPAGEREALTY.COM

ROXANNA GHORBANIAN

Roxanna

was born and raised in Prospect. She attended WKU where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and later obtained a Master’s degree in Public Adminis tration. Prior to her real estate ca reer, Roxanna worked in sales and marketing. As a Kentucky native, she loves to help her community with their residential and commer cial buying and selling needs.

JAKE

ANGIE TONINI-ROGERS

Angie Tonini

-Rogers was born in Louisville. She transitioned from a Chief Nursing Officer position to start her own real estate business. She is determined to bring all the qualities of the most trusted profession of nurs ing to her clients in real estate! She is dedicated to helping her clients sell their homes for the highest & best offer with the least amount of hassle.

LAURA WHEELER

Laura has been a fulltime, award winning, Realtor since 2009. She specializes in listings and enjoys working with buyers. Laura has worked with relocation, first time home buy ers, downsizing and home buyers looking for their next investment. She also studied Interior Design at Auburn University and can help with staging before the sale or design after the sale.

205.901.7801

LAURA@HOMEPAGEREALTY.COM

Iwould love to help you find the home of your dreams, or sell your current home. I grew up in the southern part of Louisville and joined the Navy. After serving, I received a degree in Business Management and Distribution. A lot goes into owning a home and making it your own. Having someone that genuinely cares about you and your happiness in that home goes a long way.

ERIC MILLER

Eric was born in Louisville, KY and grew up in Goshen. He’s been a resident of Oldham County his entire life. Eric has a deep passion for helping others and is excited to be a part of the Homepage Realty family! Eric en joys spending his free time with his wife and three children. Whether you are buying, selling, or investing, Eric looks forward to making your real estate dreams a reality!

502.210.8880 ANGIE@HOMEPAGEREALTY.COM 502.224.7683 ERIC@HOMEPAGEREALTY.COM

RISHU SHARMA

Rishu was born in New Delhi, India. He moved to England when he was 19 to pursue his business degree. He’s a big foodie who loves to cook and has even owned a few restaurants. For the past couple years, he’s been involved in the construction busi ness, so he understands the ins and outs of real estate. Nothing brings Rishu more joy than helping people achieve their real estate goals.

502.419.6700

RISHU@HOMEPAGEREALTY.COM

RYAN CECIL SUSAN SMITH

Susan has lived in Louisville for 55 years. Her 16 year expe rience working with sellers, buyers, and investors in Jefferson County and all surrounding counties sets her apart. Her energetic personality and drive radiates to her clients as she navigates through each transac tion. Her passion is helping others, whether you’re a first-time buyer or seller, have plenty of experience, or someone referred you.

502.644.7864 RYANCECILREALTOR@GMAIL.COM 502.558.2660 SUSAN@S2REALTYGROUP.COM

KATY BARROTT

As a native Louisvillian with an incredible understanding of our Real Estate market, I deliver exceptional service and care to my clients. With my 15+ years experience in this business I bring a creative and professional approach to the home buying and selling process. At Homepage Realty we offer exceptional skill using the most innovative technologies available. Let me help you find your very own Home Sweet Home!

502.291.5889

CARRIE KING GEORGE BARRETT

and her husband moved to Louisville in 2011 to be closer to family. Louisville has since become home. Soon after starting a family of their own, Katy left the corporate world to pursue her passion in Real Estate. She has loved watching her clients needs change and grow through the years. She enjoys all things Real Estate and interior design.

513.312.7139

Julie is currently ranked in the top 100 agents in the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors. She prides herself in being able to think outside of the box and compete in a market that is very aggressive and fast paced. She would love the opportunity to help you with any and all of your Real Estate needs. She is your HOOK up in Real Estate.

502.314.6823

CARRIE@CARRIEKINGREALTOR.COM 502.494.2616

As an entre preneur, I’ve always followed my own path based around kindness, re lationships, and creativity. I like to learn things on my own and essen tially create jobs for myself; I’ve al ways found excitement in solving problems with creative solutions. Homepage is a special place to work, because of the kind agents and employees that love and sup port each other every day.

GEORGE@HOMEPAGEREALTYKY.COM

MARCIA DUNCAN

KATYBARROTTREALTOR@GMAIL.COM 502.321.4978

MARCIA@SOLDONKY.COM

THAN REAL ESTATE SO MUCH More

career in Real Estate started over 25 years ago, when I bought my first home. Learning about the process BEFORE I pur chased was key! I am committed to educating myself on the programs that fit my clients unique needs. The key to a stress free experience is ed ucating the client also on the pro cess of Real Estate. I am The Real Estate Lady of KY”. My commitment is long term.

Integrity and honesty are the cornerstones of my business. I pride myself on working hard for clients while hopefully making it fun to buy or sell your home. A former real estate appraiser, I know Louis ville’s home values and neighbor hoods well. As a recent client has said, “Everyone needs a Mary on their side”! Contact me today or checkout my “Mary On Your side” trustimonials on YouTube.

YOURHOOKUPINREALESTATE@GMAIL.COM 502.594.6879

MARY@HOMEPAGEREALTYKY.COM

Katy was born and raised in Cincinnati, her

My

JULIE HOOK MARY GERSTLE

DeH ls

HOME DÉCOR

NEED HELP WRAPPING IT UP?

Most of us have a mish-mash of holiday décor pieces we’ve collected over the years. Trying to pull them together to create something that feels cohesive can seem like an impossible task. But following some simple style tips can make it all make sense, and we're here to help!

First, start with the style, theme or mood you want your decorations to convey. Are you thinking glitzy glam or woodland elegance? Do you want your décor to be whimsical, traditional, sentimental or stylish? Once you’ve got your overall vibe in mind, it’ll be easier to whittle away pieces that just don’t fit with your goal.

Next, pick a color. While every piece needn’t “match,” this color should be carried throughout the space to help tie it all together.

In these two separate areas, the pros at Digs carried through a natural, woodland element while utilizing reds; the tree and tablescape have entirely different styles, yet they feel like they belong in the same home. photos by Dick Arnspiger

NEW HEIGHTS

One of the easiest, most impactful ways to up your holiday décor game? Think on a whole ‘nother level!

Mentally separate your space into rough thirds; high, middle and low. Most of us naturally place most of our décor in the middle third, which is roughly table height, reaching up to eye level. And it makes sense; this is where our eyes naturally gravitate. But ignoring the other two-thirds of your space would be a mistake.

Your furniture probably occupies a lot of the lower third, but it’s still important to add splashes of holiday cheer here. Think fun figures, draping greenery, festive rugs and more. Many of your taller decorations, such as the tree, will naturally bring some fun to this level – the tree skirt and presents are part of the décor, as far as we’re concerned!

But it’s the topmost third that we bet you’ve decorated least. Think of exciting ways you can bring the eye upward. The Digs team hung a wreath on this mirror, which is a great and unexpected touch. You could also decorate light fixtures or add hanging elements. photo

by Dick Arnspiger, items available at Digs

LINEN LOVE

Looking to bring some cheer to your kitchen and dining room? Linens are a fun way to bring your theme to life. Whether whimsical, worldly or traditional, coordinating linens are a wonderful way to make the holidays feel magical in your home. Items available at European Splendor.

OH, FLUFF!

Is there anything better than a throw pillow? Okay, sure plenty. But we really do love ‘em, and they’re an easy way to add some lastminute holiday flair to your room!

As you can see here, the pillows you choose can show a lot of personality while enhancing your overall theme. They can also be a fast way to switch up the feel of your holiday celebration on the fly; set out funny, whimsical pillows for casual gatherings with friends and family, then swap them out for more elegant, understated pillows when you're hosting parties and dinners.

Whether silly or stylish, we think this is the coziest way to celebrate the season in your home. (above) Items available at Digs (right) Items available at European Splendor •

Co ys Co ! '

hos·pi·tal·i·ty: noun. the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers

For many of us, the holidays and houseguests go hand-in-hand. From friends dropping by to bake cookies to out-of-town family members that stay for a week, playing host during one of the most hectic times of year can be daunting.

Fortunately, we’ve been there, done that and got the t-shirt to prove it. Learn from our experience – and mishaps – to hopefully have your merriest holiday season ever... without cracking a nervous sweat!

ar eeti

The most important thing a host can do is make your guests feel welcome the minute they step through your door. Take their bags, take their coat and give them a second to take a deep breath. Then, take them on a quick tour of the house that ends with you showing them to where they’ll be sleeping. There, you should have a hand-written note waiting for them with a few helpful tips they can refer back to later, such as the Wi-Fi password, instructions for your complicated TV and your favorite local coffee shop. As excited as you are to catch up, give them some time to freshen up and get their bearings.

DON’T overwhelm your guests with information. Your first instinct may be to show them where the coffee is, how the shower works, where the snacks are and how to operate your fidgety garage door. Instead, spread your helpful suggestions out so that the information has time to sink in.

If you can’t be there when your guests arrive, set up a welcome basket. In addition to that handwritten greeting, include some snacks, toiletries and helpful tips for activities your guests might enjoy until you see them.

The most important thing you can do as a host is follow your guests' lead. If they're tired from travel, let them rest. If they seem eager to hang out, give them your full attention. If they seem lost, help them out.

Fi -S r A om t s t

t lish e si e Cara e

Aleric Ribbed Glass Carafe and Cup ($29.95 cb2.com)

i en heets o i t

Co o els

Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Towel Set ($154 parachutehome.com)

to a a

Flora Folding Luggage Rack with Shelf ($69.99 target.com)

u e h o

Wool & Cashmere Throw in Red Tartan Plaid ($149 garnethill.com)

It may seem strange to recommend this summer fabric for wintertime guests. Sleep experts consistently recommend linen sheets for hot sleepers. Think of it like this; you’ll be offering plenty of blankets and throws for them to pile on if they’re chilly, but these sheets will offer them relief if they get too toasty. Linen also gets softer and cozier the more you wash them, so if these end up in your bedroom once your company leaves… well, we won’t tell.

Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set ($299/queen brooklinen.com)

est u et i en tio

There's really no such thing as "budget" linen sheets. But this set from Quince comes in 16 colors and has a 4.8 star rating from user reviews, which say they're an amazing value.

Quince European Linen Sheet Set ($169/queen onequince.com)

H t Dut s

eet eet are ell

Be prepared to greet all of your new guests and meet their plus ones. The parade of faces might become overwhelming, but do your best to commit names to memory.

While you’re greeting your guests, you might also serve as an air traffic controller. Quickly point out the bar, the appetizers and the nearest restroom. This will help them disperse from the entryway.

At the end of the evening, be sure to say farewell to your guests – assuming that they don’t disappear without saying goodbye to their host.

Coat Check

Wintertime means lots of bulky layers. Designate a space in your home for people to store their coats, gloves, hats, scarves, bags, umbrellas and more. If you can get a coat rack, even better!

e the lue

Hosting family comes with its own struggles (don’t get us started), but at least you can assume that most of your guests know each other. If you’re hosting a group of people who might not have so much in common, one of your most important duties is to serve as the “glue” that helps the party come together.

Introduce your guests to one another, then share an interesting fact about one of them to give the two of them something to talk about. If you notice someone is being a wallflower, stop by and chat with them throughout the night. Notice if any guests seem overwhelmed, bored or lonely and see what you can do to rectify the situation. Does this sound exhausting? You bet! But ensuring your guests have a good time is the true spirit of hospitality.

Dele te

We don’t know about you, but when we're in an awkward social situation, having something to do instantly alleviates all the discomfort. If you know one of your guests struggles with mingling, see if they want to help you in the kitchen. Not only will this make your job easier, it will also help them connect with the other people who are helping you out! That's a win-win.

e ule

While we discourage planning your evening down to the minute, having a rough schedule of events can help everyone feel more at ease. Here's an example: For a dinner party, the evening might start with mingling and drinks over appetizers until everyone has arrived; at 7-ish, you'll announce that everyone should head to the dining room; by 9, it's time for caroling by the piano with eggnog. A second, secret schedule helps you coordinate food, drinks and surprises (maybe Santa will make an appearance...?)

Co si the i os

If there are children coming, set up a few spaces just for them. Set out some fun crafts, activities and snacks that are age-appropriate. Maybe even put on a family-friendly holiday movie. Set aside a room that’s far from the noise where overstimulated kids can have a little quiet. Set out books, headphones, coloring books and other calm activities.

a e u

No, really. Being a host shouldn’t mean sacrificing all of your enjoyment for the sake of your guests. Trust that they can figure some things out on their own and just have fun! That’s the entire point of the evening, after all, and it would be a shame if you didn’t get to savor the fruits of your hard labor.

ue hos italit co sists o i the est o ou sel to ou uests

Eleanor Roosevelt

T le Set

eak ast u

Keep it simple! Let everyone serve themselves from familystyle casseroles, cakes and dishes. We love stoneware for early morning eating; the heavy mugs will keep coffee and cocoa toasty while the plates are very durable. Don't worry so much about linens or décor; everyone will probably be too groggy to even notice!

u

Light and bright dinnerware with whimsical décor will help keep this meal light, quick and fun!

i li arties

If everyone will be on their feet for most of the evening, make sure your plates are smaller and lightweight – maybe even disposable. It’s perhaps more important that your serveware and barware impress guests on these occasions.

eate Di s

This is the time to crack out your very best! Coordinate your plates, placemats, napkins and other accessories to really show off the theme. Don’t be afraid to mix and match sets as long as you carry along a color scheme.

Pottery Barn Williams-Sonoma

Frontgate Ballard Designs West Elm

Pottery Barn

BatchCocktails

"Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were."

Justine Vogt

hen

you’re hosting a dinner party or group of friends for the evening, we recommend streamlining your bartending process as much as possible. Stocking a full bar to meet all of your guests’ exacting preferences is tough; imagine keeping everything fresh to make mojitos, Manhattans, hot toddies, Shirley Temples, peppermint stick martinis and “a Negroni. Sbagliato. With Persecco in it.”

Instead of spending your whole night behind the bar – or leaving it up to Uncle Hank to decide what a reasonable pour of your good Bourbon is – why not make batch cocktails? You measure once and let guests serve themselves. This easy idea feels surprisingly festive and allows you to focus on the million other things you could be handling.

A note about batch cocktail recipes: they’re designed to be easily scaled up or down, depending on your needs.

i t ria

4 oz. Grand Marnier

4 oz. applejack or apple brandy 2 oz. agave nectar

2 apples de-seeded and diced

2 pears, de-seeded and diced 8 oz. fresh cranberries

4 sticks cinnamon

2 750mL bottles Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir 12 oz. ginger ale

In a large pitcher, add Grand Marnier, applejack or brandy and agave nectar. Stir to combine. Add in apples, pears, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and wine. Refrigerate overnight.

When ready to serve, pour ginger ale into mixture. Garnish with fresh fruit and rosemary sprigs.

le Ci ria

750 mL white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris) 12 oz. apple cider

4 oz. applejack or apple brandy

3 cinnamon sticks

3 crisp apples, de-seeded and diced

2 pears, de-seeded and diced

Mix together in a pitcher. Refrigerate overnight.

Co l h ei

2 oranges, sliced thinly crosswise 12 oz. orange juice

1 T fresh grated ginger 3 sticks cinnamon 4 oz. dark brown sugar 2 pods star anise 1 vanilla bean sliced lengthwise 2 750mL bottles Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir 8 oz. spiced rum

To a large pot, add orange slices, orange juice, ginger, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, anise and vanilla bean. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add 8 oz. wine and simmer until liquid thickens and becomes syrupy. Add the remaining wine and rum. Bring to a simmer.

Strain into mugs to serve. Feel free to garnish with slices of orange, cinnamon sticks or anise pods.

esti e alo a u

8 oz. 100% unsweetened cranberry juice 16 oz. unsweetened grapefruit juice 4 oz. orange juice 8 oz. lime juice 16 oz. tequila blanco 2 L pop (see note)

If you’re making ahead, combine the fruit juice and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, add around 4 cups of ice to the bottom of your punchbowl. Add in fruit juices and tequila. Top with the soda pop of your choice.

For a more festive look, float fresh cranberries and/or slices of lime on top of the punch. Serve in glasses rimmed with salt. (We recommend wetting the rims with grapefruit juice for a tart flavor.)

Note: We recommend going with a grapefruit pop (such as Squirt, Jarritos or Fresca). Winter Spiced Cranberry Sprite would be a great alternative!

BaM ry

Cocoa Snowball Cookies thi ut the i k Cookies

1 3/4 c all-purpose flour

3/4 c Dutch-process cocoa powder (see notes)

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 c butter, melted 3 eggs

3/4 c granulated sugar

1/2 c brown sugar powdered sugar

Combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda with a whisk. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together butter, eggs, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Mix until fully combined.

ryAdd dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Cover bowl and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Roll dough in powdered sugar. Place onto baking sheet 2” apart.

Once all cookies have been rolled, reroll each ball in powdered sugar and return to baking sheet. (The moisture of the cookies sometimes soaks through. This will ensure the beautiful crackle effect!)

Bake until cookie tops crack, around 14 minutes. The edges will be set, but the centers will appear slightly underdone. Let cook on the baking sheet.

Notes:

Dutch-process cocoa powder will result in a darker cookie. Natural cocoa powder will result in a lighter brown center and a slightly flatter cookie. This recipe uses both baking powder and soda so it can work with the cocoa you’ve got, but “Dutched” is preferred. In either case, ensure it’s unsweetened!

1 c butter, softened

1/2 c granulated sugar

1/2 brown sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/4 c all purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 c crushed potato chips 3/4 c crushed mini pretzels 1 1/4 chocolate chips (see notes below)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Using a hand mixer, this will take about 3 minutes.

Beat in egg and vanilla until just combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to the large bowl slowly, mixing until just combined.

Using a spatula, gently fold in potato chips, pretzels and chocolate chips.

Scoop 2 T balls of dough onto prepared baking sheet. Lightly flatten tops. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt, if desired. Bake until edges are set and starting to become golden (around 13 minutes.)

Remove from oven and let cool on pan for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Notes:

The magic of this recipe is that it’s infinitely customizable.

Using different chocolate chips – or even a mixture of chips – can really change the flavor profile. Dark chocolate, white chocolate, milk chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, cinnamon or butterscotch baking chips will all change the final bite.

Ruffles potato chips hold up well in this recipe. But for those who like a little spice, why not try Grippo’s?

For a festive flair, toss some holiday sprinkles on top just before baking.

uitcake ou o t ate

Drie uit i tu e

1 1/2 c. golden raisins

1 1/2 c. dates, chopped

1 c. dried cranberries

1 c. candied red cherries, chopped

1/2 c. candied orange peel, chopped

1/2 c. currants

1/2 c. dried pineapple, diced

1/3 c. candied ginger, diced (optional)

3/4 c. rum, Bourbon or cranberry juice (see notes)

o the Cake

16 T unsalted butter, softened

2 c dark brown sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg 1 tsp. baking powder 4 eggs 3 c. all-purpose flour

2 T Dutch-process cocoa powder

1/4 c. dark corn syrup or molasses

1/2 c. cranberry juice

2 c. chopped, toasted nuts (see notes)

In a plastic bag or bowl, combine the fruits with the liquid and let sit overnight.

Preheat oven to 300°F. Set the racks in the middle of the oven.

Lightly grease two 9” x 5” loaf pans. (Optional: place parchment paper for easier removal; grease this.)

Beat butter and brown sugar together until combined. Beat in salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking powder. Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl between each.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and cocoa. Add the flour in three batches while gently beating the mixture.

Mix in the corn syrup (or molasses) and cranberry juice until just combined.

Fold in the nuts and fruit with a spatula. Spoon the batter into the prepared pans. Fill to about 3/4 full. If you like, decorate the top with extra nuts.

Bake for about 2 hours. Cakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and set on a wire rack to cool for at least ten minutes. Gently loosen the sides with a knife and remove to the rack.

If desired, brush the warm cake with rum, Bourbon or simple syrup. This make a moist, sticky cake. Let cool completely. Wrap them tightly in Saran wrap and store at room temperature for 6-8 weeks. (see notes)

otes

The most divisive aspect of fruitcake is the dried fruit. The mixtures sold in grocery stores are often too cloying and off-putting for most people. The key to making a fruitcake that you’ll all enjoy is to only include fruits that you find tasty. You’re aiming for 6 1/2 cups (plus ginger, if desired) total of dried fruits. We recommend keeping the cherries and dates; cherries add a festive flair and dates will help keep everything moist. Beyond that, experiment with what you like. Dried apricots, unsweetened dried apples, dried blueberries, dark raisins and dried figs are all welcome substitutions. Just be sure that none of the items are freeze-dried, as that would be too dry for our purposes.

As for the nuts? Again, go with your favorites! Pecans, walnuts or almonds would be great. Some people even use pistachios for a little more holiday flair.

Finally, if you want a truly boozy fruitcake – I mean, knock your grandma off her feet from across the room boozy – soak a cheesecloth in rum or Bourbon and wrap the cake in that for a week before serving. If the cheesecloth seems to be drying out, drizzle a little more on top. We strongly suggest you not drive with this thing in your car.

u o t u Cookies luten ee u Cookies

For the Cookies:

2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

2 1/2 c. powdered sugar

1/4 c. butter, softened 2 T milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 °F. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, cream together granulated sugar, cream cheese and 1/2 c. butter on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until just smooth. Slowly add the flour mixture, beating slowly until fully combined. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and refrigerate 15 minutes.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. Bake until edges are set, about 11 minutes. Remove from oven and let cook on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Remove to cooling rack and cool completely.

In a separate bowl, beat together powdered sugar, 1/4 c. butter, milk and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too stiff to spread, add additional milk 1 tsp. at a time. Tint with food coloring, if desired. Spread each cookie with frosting and top with sprinkles, if desired.

For the Cookies:

1 c. granulated sugar

1/2 c. shortening 1/2 c. butter, softened 2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 egg

2 1/2 c. Betty Crocker™ All-Purpose Gluten Free Rice Flour Blend

1/2 tsp. gluten-free baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt

For the Glaze:

1 c. gluten-free powdered sugar 2 T milk

Beat granulated sugar, shortening and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. On low speed, beat in vanilla and egg.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Beat into the wet mixture until fully combined.

Divide dough in half and shape into disks. Wrap separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375°F.

On a work surface lightly dusted with the glutenfree flour blend, roll out each half of dough to 1/4” thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Place 1” apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake until edges are lightly browned (about 10 minutes). Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Remove to cooling rack to cool completely.

Stir together glaze ingredients; add food coloring, if desired. Drizzle over cookies. Add sprinkles or granulated sugar, if desired. Let stand until glaze is set. (adapted from Betty Crocker)

Royal Icing

3 egg whites

1 lb. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Gel food coloring

Using a mixer, beat egg whites on medium-low speed until frothy.

Add vanilla. Add powdered sugar in three batches, mixing on low speed until mixture is shiny. Increase to medium-high speed and beat until stiff peaks form.

Divide into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring.

Use piping bags to decorate cookies. First, pipe the edges of each color, then fill. To create puffier areas, pipe the edges, then pipes lines where you'd like the cookie to "puff" – when dry, flood the area.

When the cookies are dry, pipe over your designs to give them a 3D effect (like the Christmas lights here!)

If you'd like to add edible glitter, sprinkles or sugar, add that over the wet "flood" icing.

For a more artistic touch, use a clean paint brush to add intricate details to cookies using gel food coloring. Try flicking the bristles for a splatter effect, or watering the gel down for a watercolor look.

Wreath:

On a round cookie, draw a white circle and flood the center with white. Using green icing, draw a circle of dots. Drag a toothpick through the dots in a circle. This will pull the dots into connecting hearts that look like leaves. Add dots of red to look like holly berries!

Gooey i ea Cookies lice ake ista io Cookies

2 1⁄4 c. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1⁄4 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. ground ginger

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1⁄2 tsp. ground allspice

1⁄2 tsp.ground nutmeg

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1⁄2 c. unsalted butter, softened

1 c. granulated sugar

1⁄2 c. brown sugar

1 T molasses

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1⁄2 tsp. salt

1 large egg

1 egg yolk

1 c. confectioners’ powdered sugar, sifted

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla extract and salt. Mix until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and egg yolk. Beat until creamy.

On low speed, gradually add in the flour mixture and mix until fully incorporated. Dough will be sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4-12 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick silicone mat or parchment paper. Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl, then set aside.

Form dough into generous 1.5” balls, using cookie scoop and roll into the powdered sugar to lightly coat. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet at least 2” apart. Then roll each ball of dough in the powdered sugar once again.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are puffed and crackly. It is important not to overbake, as the center of these cookies should be soft.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes, then carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack. Serve and store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

1 c. shelled pistachios, plus more to serve 1⁄2 c. unsalted butter, softened 1⁄4 c. granulated sugar

1⁄4 c. brown sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

1⁄2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1⁄2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. dark chocolate chips

Coconut flakes, to serve

Place pistachios in a small bowl and cover with water; set aside for 30 minutes. Drain pistachios and allow to dry on paper towels. Roughly chop pistachios and set aside.

In a large bowl using an electric hand mixer, beat together the butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Fold in the flour and chopped pistachios.

Roll dough into a log, about 2” in diameter. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Place dough on a cutting board and slice dough into ¼” rounds. Place dough on prepared cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden. Allow to cool completely.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler until smooth. Dip each cookie halfway into the chocolate and place on a lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios and coconut flakes. Allow to set before serving.

hese eci es cou tes o

e C u t Cake

For the Cake:

2 1/2 T orange zest

3/4 c. orange juice

2 tsp. orange liqueur

4 eggs, at room temperature

2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. fresh cranberries

2 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

18 T unsalted butter, softened

For the Glaze:

1 c. powdered sugar

1/4 tsp. orange zest

1 T orange juice

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour a bundt pan.

Mix together orange zest, juice, liqueur and eggs.

In a separate bowl, toss cranberries with 1 T flour.

In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, mix together sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda and remaining flour. On low, slowly add the butter 1 T at a time; mix until pea-sized crumbles form.

Turn the speed up to medium and slowly stream in the orange mixture; turn to medium-high speed and beat until light and fluffy. Gently fold in the cranberries.

Pour batter into prepared bundt pan, smoothing out the top with a rubber spatula.

Bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, around 50 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 30 minutes. Invert the pan on a wire rack to remove the cake. If it doesn’t budge, gently loosen the edges using a knife. Allow to cool completely before glazing.

Whisk together glaze ingredients; add more powdered sugar or orange juice to achieve your desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cake.

If desired, top with macerated cranberries; toss cranberries with granulated sugar in a plastic container and refrigerate overnight. (adapted from Food Network)

Figgy Pudding

1 c. currants

3/4 c. dark raisins

3/4 c. golden raisins

2 T candied orange peel, chopped

2 T candied lemon peel, chopped

2 T walnuts, chopped

1/2 c. brandy

2 c. white breadcrumbs

1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 c. dark brown sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground allspice

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

4 oz. beef suet, shredded (see notes)

2 eggs

1 apple, cored, peeled and grated

1 T molasses zest of one lemon zest of one orange

Place currants, raisins, candied citrus and walnuts in a nonreactive bowl. Add in brandy, and toss to combine. Let sit overnight.

Generously grease a pudding mold. If you don’t have one, any heat resistant 3.5 pint dish should work.

Place breadcrumbs, flour, baking powder, brown sugar and spices in a bowl. Whisk to combine.

In the fruit mixture bowl, add suet, eggs, apple, molasses and zest.

Add your dry mixture to the wet. Mix until completely combined; the mixture will be thick and sticky.

Scoop the batter into the prepared pudding mold. Smooth down the top with a rubber spatula.

Cut a piece of parchment paper, roughly the diameter

as the top of the pudding mold. Grease and gently press the greased side down on top of the mixture. Gently wrap the whole pudding mold in parchment paper twice and secure with twine. Tie it loosely enough that the pudding can expand if need be, but tight enough to prevent excess moisture from getting in.

In a large pot, add enough water to the pot that it would come halfway up the pudding mold; bring the water to a low simmer. Add a heat-resistant silicone trivet or clean, folded towel to the bottom of the pot and set the putting on top. Add more water to ensure that the water reaches halfway up the pudding’s sides. Cover the pot with a lid. Steam over very low heat for at least four hours (up to seven; the longer it steams, the darker it will become). Periodically add more water to keep the level to the halfway point of the mold.

Carefully lift the mold out of the pot and let sit at least five minutes on a cooling rack. To demold, invert the pudding on a plate. Let sit until the pudding slides free. (adapted from The Daring Gourmet • daringgourmet.com)

Notes:

If you wish to set your pudding aflame – as is traditional –warm 1/4 c. of brandy in a saucepan. Bring the saucepan to the table and turn off the lights. Set the brandy on fire using a long match or grill lighter. Gently pour the flaming brandy over the pudding. Let the flames naturally extinguish themselves before serving.

If all that showmanship isn't really your jam (or you'd rather not burn off your eyebrows), simply dust the top with powdered sugar. It's traditional to place a spring of holly on top, though we advise against it; holly berries are slightly poisonous. If you wish to add festive greenery decorations, go with faux.

Finally, if you can't get beef suet from your butcher, vegetable suet or shortening are good alternatives.

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Bu Bo ds

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The first step in creating a beautiful butter board is the star of the show: the butter! You can use any butter of your choice but bear in mind that not all butter is created equal. Salted tends to taste better than unsalted – even with sweet applications. We enjoy using Kerrygold Irish butter for a creamy, decadent flavor; this is due to its higher fat content, but don't tell your guests that.

Set the butter out and allow it to get to room temperature. Use a butter knife or offset spatula to spread it onto your board. Get creative with shapes!

If you'd like to make a Christmas tree, use an offset spatula to put down a straight line of dollops of butter across the bottom of your board. Use the spatula to smear each dollop upward, creating a line of teardrop shapes. For the next line, place the dollops slightly overlapping the previous row, centering each dollop between two on the last row. Smear those upward. Keep repeating; you should create an adorable tree! (Messed up a little? It's fine; just make a triangle and everyone will get what you were going for!)

t o he o i s

The beauty of the butter board is that you can really do just about anything you like. For a taste of garlicky goodness, use garlic confit, lemon zest, chili salt, fresh basil, and fresh rosemary. If you'd like a sweeter board, top it with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, walnuts and candied oranges, then pair it with a loaf of brioche. Olives, olive oil, dried fruits, balsamic vinegarette, vegetables, meats, cheeses, fruits... the only limit is your imagination!

For more topping inspo, you "butter" believe you can find more mouth-watering combinations on Pinterest, Instagram, and Tik Tok.

Passion for Savings

Aubrey's Kitchen

Justine Snacks/The Pioneer Woman

Spoon Fork Bacon FoodDolls

Beautiful Eats & Things

For a fun brunch option, rather than a butter board, you can concoct a cream cheese board. It's the same concept as the butter board; spread cream cheese and top it. A cream cheese board can be dressed with any topping you’d want to have on your morning bagel. Next time you brunch with the gals, bond over some shared capers and cream cheese… and a mimosa, of course!

t e he C e Cheese

Like a butter board, making a cream cheese board is pretty simple. Let your favorite cream cheese reach room temperature, then use an icing spatula or offset spatula to spread it all over your board.

One way to customize this would be to use flavored cream cheese. Herbed, veggie, honey walnut, pumpkin, strawberry... the options are endless!

We recommend adding a sprinkle of salt over your cream cheese before adding your toppings; this will help prevent it from becoming too sweet (if there even is such a thing.)

t o he o i s

Top your cream cheese with your favorite sweet or savory garnishes. Apples, honey, figs, and jam would be a lovely combo for bread, crackers or biscuits. For something savory, smoked salmon, diced red onions, capers, pepper jelly and everything bagel seasoning would be fun, served up with bagel pieces. For a more dessert-inspired board, how about chocolate chips, marshmallows and graham crackers?

hen o e

If you haven't caught the drift, just about any spreadable condiment could be a board. Peanut butter, nutella, cake frosting, mustard, guacamole... get wild with it! •

Savory Experiments

Weekend Craft

HFirst of all,

there’s never a wrong time for a “thank you” gift. That said, it’s appropriate to bring a small gift when attending a brunch, dinner or cocktail party at the home of a friend, colleague or family member you don’t see regularly.

Many people bring host/hostess gifts when they’ll be staying overnight or for the weekend. That’s absolutely appropriate, as there’s usually a dinner included in that. However, it would also be fine to send a gift after your visit, especially if you can personalize it to their décor or tastes.

It’s important to remember that hostess gifts are meant to be a small token of appreciation. It should be something you can discreetly hand to your host which they can, in turn, tuck away for future enjoyment. (For anyone reading

Gbetween the lines; no, they don’t have to open the bottle of wine you brought for dinner. The gift is for them to enjoy however they see fit.)

If you find yourself struggling to come up with a gift to say "thanks" to your host or hostess, we have some ideas that will feel fresh and thoughtful.

STATIONERY

A custom set of notecards, a notepad, letterhead or pens is a classic way to thank your host while also demonstrating that you’ve been thinking about them. It also invites them to send you a letter once in a while, which is a win for everyone!

TOP Source: Cartwheels Papers & Gifts which

POTTED PLANT

If your host/hostess has ever demonstrated any skill at all in the garden, a plant would be a lovely way to thank them for their hospitality. Christmas cactuses, paperwhite bulbs and amaryllis are popular winter options. Snake plants, ZZ plants, philodendrons, peperomias and spider plants are great houseplants for hosts of any skill level; just be sure to check whether these plants might be dangerous for children or pets before you purchase. And if you know your host doesn't mind high-quality silk arrangements, we support it!

TOP Sources: Digs, Petals

LUXURY SOAP & SCENTS

We know that you're probably rolling your eyes at the thought of a chintzy gift set, but that's not what we're thinking. A truly luxurious soap, diffuser, candle or lotion is a gift that anyone will recieve gladly.

TOP Sources: European Splendor, Mamili

PICTURE FRAME

I feel like in this digital age, we have forgotten the beauty of a simple picture frame as a gift. A nice one is a beautiful décor element, sure, but it’s also a reminder to the host to actually print out some photos to enjoy.

TOP sources: Bliss Home, Details

CHOCOLATES

Unless your host is allergic, no one will turn their nose up at a box of nice chocolates. To make your gift feel special, we recommend either selecting something from a local chocolatier, or choosing a box that is of the finest quality. And if your host likes Bourbon? Yeah, go with that.

Our Pick: 16-Piece Rabbit Hole® Bourbon Truffles ($44 arteatables.com)

HAND TOWELS

We love a monogram! It’s a small detail that takes a gift from ordinary to thoughtful, personal and touching. Everyone loves something that feels like it was made especially for them. Our best suggestion is that if you’re not sure of your host’s décor, stick with classic white towels with either a seasonal or neutral monogram. If you can't get it monogrammed on the spot, a cute seasonal image or message is perfect.

TOP Sources: Trunk & Hutch, Cartwheels Papers & Gifts

MULLING SPICES

This one is just for the holidays! Fragrant, lovely mulling spices will help them use that bottle of wine the other guest brought. (For the uninitiated, it’s a blend of cinnamon, cloves, allspice and dried orange that you warm with wine and/or apple cider.) This is one hostess gift we do invite you to DIY, so long as you package it beautifully and include instructions for use.

Our picks: Williams-Sonoma Mulling Spices, Nordic Glögg Mulling Spice, something DIY!

BOURBON

Gifting someone a bottle of Bourbon always feels like a hug. It’s like a little swig of home and comfort. A word of caution; if you’re not absolutely certain that your host can safely imbibe, skip alcohol-related gifts altogether.

Our picks: Michter's US 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Angel's Envy Mizunara Finish, Eagle Rare 10 Year

FRESH FLOWERS

A bouquet of flowers is a cliché, but for good reason; there’s no gift more universally loved. And if you’re attending a party, it may be useful as a decoration. That said, we actually recommend having flowers delivered before you arrive, as it will give your host time to place the flowers. Handing them a cellophane or paperwrapped bouquet is a no from us; this leaves your host to figure out what to do with them when they’re probably already a bit frazzled.

TOP Source: Nanz & Kraft

GET COOKIN'

If you’re dining at someone’s home, it’s safe to assume that they have a culinary side. A gift that belongs in the kitchen is a safe bet. Olive oil, balsamic vinegar and fancy spices are popular picks. Cheese boards, stylish tongs, trays and etched glasses are all great options, as well. To circle back to the idea of a potted plant, culinary herbs would be a great blend of the two ideas; rosemany, lavender, basil or mint would be lovely!

TOP Sources: Bourbon Barrel Foods, Digs, European Splendor

WINE

You've gotta respect the classics! Wine is simple, elegant and (honestly) easy.

TOP Wine Pick: Plungerhead Cabernet Sauvignon

The of the

F guys o p r a tradit raz ...

Lay a Good Foundation

Taking care of your skin is the essential first –and last – step to shaving. Use products designed to address your unique skin care needs.

If you’re going down to the skin, it’s best to shave when your stubble is only 2-3 days’ growth. If your whiskers are longer, trim before you shave to prevent snagging.

When?

Many men shave every day. As long as you take care of your skin, that’s completely fine for your face! If your skin starts to become irritated, however, give your skin a break. If you don’t have plans for the weekend, try giving your face a break on Saturdays.

It’s best to shave after a shower. This opens up your pores, softens coarse hairs and ensures your skin is free of excess oil and dead skin cells, which can gum up your razor.

Prep

Your shave gel or cream is your best friend. Look for moisturizing, alcohol-free formulas. Shave gels are the most hydrating and are ideal for fellas with sensitive skin. If you have oily skin, on the other hand, the rich lather of a cream – applied with a shave brush, which helps lift and coat hairs – will help protect your

skin while offering a closer shave. If you have normal or combination skin, the choice is up to preference, though we recommend a gel for the dry winter months.

Lather with warm water. Let the cream or gel sit on your face for two minutes before shaving, allowing it to soften hairs (take this time to floss.)

Shave

Slow and steady wins the race. Long, even strokes in the direction of the hair growth will help prevent ingrown hairs and razor burn. Rinse your razor as often as between every stroke.

If you want a baby-butt-smooth shave, lather your face again and gently shave against the grain. If you notice irritation afterwards, you’ll need to try a lighter hand.

Aftercare

Rinse your face with cold water – this helps reduce inflammation. Gently pat dry with a towel. Apply a moisturizing aftershave. Formulas that contain aloe will help fight redness and inflammation. If there is any irritation, apply a topical hydrocortisone cream. Follow up with an SPF to protect your newly-exfoliated face.

An informal poll of the women in our office found no clear preference for the length of facial hair on a man. But all of us agreed on one thing: details matter

If you keep your edges tidy and keep your skin looking great, you’ve got us swooning (for whatever that’s worth!)

Best Shaving Cream for Men Who Keep Some Facial Hair

Proraso Refreshing Shaving Cream ($10 proraso-usa.com)

Shaving offers a lot of exfoliation to your skin. Since you’re not getting that close, a shave cream with exfoliating ingredients will help take care of your skin!

Best for Taking Care of Your Skin

MARLOWE No. 141 Shave Cream ($13.99 marloweskin.com)

Nourishing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil moisturize your skin while green tea, willow bark extract, aloe and algae extract ensure your skin stays looking its best.

Best Gel for Sensitive Skin or Detailing

Frederick Benjamin Hydro-Glaze Cooling Aloe Shave Gel ($12 frederickbenjamin.com)

This foam-free gel is designed with sensitive skin in mind. It also works wonders for detailing work around beards, mustaches or goatees.

If p r ectr raz ...

Best for Thick or Coarse Hair

Anthony Shave Cream ($24 anthony.com)

This cream lifts though-to-get hairs while its formula leaves your skin looking fantastic. Squalene, corn mint, eucalyptus oils and rosemary help your skin feel refreshed and smooth.

Best Luxury Lather

The Art of Shaving Oud Shaving Cream ($35 theartofshaving.com)

This produces a lush lather that hydrates and softens. We recommend splurging on a high-quality brush to apply. (Oud is very on-trend right now that will give incredible depth to your usual fragrance.)

Different electric razors have different instructions; wet and dry shavers work differently than traditional ones, for instance. We recommend following the use instructions provided with your razor, as they’re tailored to your product.

We do recommend finding a pre-shave product designed to work with electric razors.

Always hold your shaver at a right angle to your face. Use your free hand to pull the skin taut. This ensures hairs stand up straight, allowing for closer contact and less snagging. Start with your most sensitive areas, such as your neck. Rotary shavers should be moved with circular motions, as the name suggests, while foil shavers work best with back-and-forth movements. Clippers work best by scooping the hairs upward. Again, refer to your user manual!

Once you’re finished, clean your shaver or clippers per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Be sure you’re changing heads/foils as often as suggested. •

Hot flashes, emotional highs and lows, and that unforeseen belly fat that appears overnight. That sudden urge to strip down in the winter time and wear shorts and a tank. Oh, the joys of menopause! Although it is a natural, biological process of aging, it can have its unpleasantness about it. Marking the end of the female reproductive years, menopause is diagnosed after your body has gone 12 months without a menstrual cycle. It can happen to women in their 40s or 50s. Ovaries make less of the estrogen hormone, resulting in irregularity or a complete stop of your cycle. As women experience this, the body is at risk for osteoporosis and heart disease.

Many women gain weight after menopause due to decline in estrogen levels. After the age of 40, we tend to lose 1 to 2% of muscle mass year after year. Increasing weight bearing exercises into your workout routine is a necessity. Involving pelvic floor exercises into your daily routine will help strengthen your core and lower back, along with releasing any stress and tension in that area. Pelvic tilts, engage your core and are important to perform and practice daily. Bridges, a more advanced form of the pelvic tilt, can be mastered once the tilt is aquired. Engaging in 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise, if not already, should also become a part of your daily routine.

Some men develop symptoms in their late 40s and 50s that can relate to similar menopausal symptoms that woman experience. Men experience loss of testosterone as they age. Although testosterone levels fall as men age, the decline is steady at less than 2% a year from around the age of 30 to 40. Limiting alcohol, eating healthy, getting eight hours of sleep, and aiming for 30 minutes of cardio a day along with incorporating weight training, will help males and females age gracefully.

Mental health can be affected when our bodies undergo hormonal changes. Depression, lack of interest in daily activities, and not always loving the way our bodies look in the mirror, can have a negative effect on our aging process. We have a choice to make. Stay active and incorporate foods that help balance hormones. Foods such as avocado, flax seed, leafy greens, herbs and spices (turmeric and garlic), help promote hormone harmony. Always a rule of thumb~eat rainbow colored foods (blueberries and raspberries), that are high in antioxidants, which are cancer fighting agents.

We want our holidays to be as stress free as possible. It starts with feeling good from within. With many holiday to-do lists this holiday season, make sure exercise and healthy food choices stay at the top of your agenda!

Baptist Health/Milestone wellness ®

Alison Cardoza, B.S. Exercise Science and Sports Medicine with a Minor in Health Promotions from University of Louisville.

ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and Fitour Group Exercise Instructor at Baptist Health Milestone. Former UofL Ladybird and NFL Colts Cheerleader.

photos by Dick Arnspiger

K. Mechanical Engineer II

empowering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for a brighter Kentucky.

Ti any T. Senior Administrative Assistant

At LG&E, we’re empowering possibilities for everyone in the communities we serve by taking part in e orts to help bring lasting change with diversity, equity and inclusion across Kentucky.

Our e orts include spending over $180 million with 148diverse businesses last year, donating $100,000 to help lower the education gap among students of color, and co-chairing Mayor Fischer’s Equity in Contracting and Procurement Task Force.

There’s still work to do, but we’re proud to continue fostering a better, more inclusive environment within our organization and our communities. Visit lge-ku.com/diversity to learn more.

Mattea

Fanika S. Service Technician

Alfonso M. Distribution Crew Leader

Co un y

West Louisville Math d Scice Project

by Dawn Anderson | courtesy images

Eboni Neal Cochran, Founder & Executive Director of West Louisville Math and Science Project, is a former JCPS Kindergarten Assistant who has homeschooled her 15-yearold son for nine years. For the love of her community, she formed the Project as “a community initiative to build skills in math, science, and literacy among children and their families within the African Diaspora.” In 2005, after hearing a guest comment on WFPL’s State of Affairs about the lack of African-American youth participation in science fairs, Cochran spoke with her father regarding the lack of access as an issue. Together with some friends, they originally envisioned a West Louisville Math and Science Center.

“Unfortunately, my father died in 2006. I abandoned the project until 2011 when I began working with kindergarteners in the school system. Seeing how easily they grasped mathematical concepts reminded me of what my father had always taught me. When you have a vision or mission, it cannot be personality-driven. The vision must be pursued even if people leave an organization or pass away.”

- Eboni Neal Con

Even without a physical location, Cochran remained determined to put the plans into action by holding events at rented spaces in area churches and community centers, thus founding the West Louisville Math and Science Project. Enthusiasm and need were evident for the Project’s first event as it drew over 100 participants and 30 volunteers leading 24 math activities based on what her son was learning through his homeschool curriculum.

Teachers and trained volunteers lead activities for making everyday connections to math, science, and literacy. “We guide children, building their confidence and skills through a network of community members. Community is the failsafe for our children.” Events and workshops are intentional family affairs for intergenerational learning, not simply child dropoffs. “Our goal for families is to provide family members the tools they need to become active participants in the education of their children and themselves. Our goal for the community is to help build a support system of neighbors who understand the importance of math, science, and literacy and actively participate in cultivating such a system.”

"Community is the failsafe for our ildr."

Plans for 2023 events and workshops are already in motion. An astronomy-based event in March, A Dogon Night Under the Stars, is inspired by the Dogon tribe of Mali, West Africa, and their fascination with the Sirius star system. Summer 2023 will feature a human anatomy event with Black doctors and other medical professionals teaching subjects such as systems of the body and CPR. Family Fun Math Explosion and LitFest will also return next summer.

The dream of West Louisville Math and Science Center lives on as Cochran now owns the building in the location her father sought early on. Over the years, she had checked numerous times to see if it was up for sale. In 2015, her mother and one of her best friends asked if she had called about the building lately. This time, they said it was for sale. “I put my own money into the building, putting a new roof on and shoring it up. But we need funds to complete the project. We would like to start a capital campaign to raise those funds.”

Moving into a center in the heart of West Louisville will facilitate providing top-notch quality educational experiences. “I believe this center has the capability of helping to transform our community. Imagine the number of times a child has to walk or ride by a liquor store in West Louisville. What if, over the years, they walk by West Louisville Math and Science Center? Imagine that one day, either they or one of their family members decides to enter the doors. That's the kind of presence we need - a constant, inviting, and beneficial presence for the community. With proper coordination between all of the organizations already doing great work, we can get our children, families, and neighborhoods where we want them to be.”

West Louisville Math and Science Project was selffunded from 2011-2021. Funds received as part of the Community Foundation of Louisville’s 2021 Racial Justice cohort helped expand programming, but the Project still has no paid staff. Cochran encourages the wider Louisville community to become involved:

•Become a volunteer.

•Spread the word about events.

•Once it launches, get involved in the capital campaign through sweat equity or giving in large and small amounts.

•Reach out to let us know what is needed in your West Louisville neighborhood.

For more information, follow West Louisville Math and Science Project on Facebook.

SPONSORED BY

Ohio Valley Educational Coopative

“Teas, Help Is on the Way!”

by Dawn Anderson | courtesy images

The message from Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC) to the educators of its 15 school district partners serving students in north-central Kentucky is one of hope and continuing support. The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruption, stress, and uncertainty in real and virtual classrooms of teachers who were already overburdened by teacher shortages. OVEC Chief Executive Officer Jason Adkins recently assumed the role with a Personal Vision Statement as CEO, “to make educators’ work more fulfilling and sustainable.”

According to Adkins, “Everyone has had a few difficult years. Teachers have experienced that in a unique way. They help our students learn, develop, and grow, all while risking exposure to COVID themselves as first responders on the front lines. While managing students' and families' trauma and stress, they suffer from burnout and ongoing teacher retirement issues. The pandemic only added to those.”

- Jason Adkins

Teacher retention is a priority for OVEC. “Our educators are some of the most driven, creative, talented, and intelligent people in the workforce,” says Adkins. “They have options and increasingly are exercising those options.” Without significant additional support, teacher shortages are reaching a critical inflection point. Fewer young educators are poised to fill the gaps as a record-low number of college students enter teacher preparation programs. Established in 1976, OVEC continues to conduct regional planning, development, and implementation of educational programs. The superintendents of the 15 member school districts serve as the Board of Directors. OVEC’s District Support Services offer Network Groups for educators to share resources, experience camaraderie, and make essential connections. OVEC introduced new programs this school year, including Deeper Learning, which gives teachers strategies for student engagement,

and the Modern Classroom Project, which will train 500 teachers on self-paced student learning. At the completion of this project, 10% of the region’s educator workforce will have received training to be shared with colleagues.

Initially formed around finances and bidding, the eventual hiring of full-time grant writer Sandy Powell transformed OVEC. The cooperative began its Head Start program in 1991. Now serving over 1200 children in ten counties, OVEC Head Start programs advance early childhood education and “provide families and children comprehensive services to ensure success.” Head Start offers disability, health screening, nutrition, mental health, behavioral services, and educational and family services.

To support the 200-classroom Head Start staff, OVEC offers early childhood educators a college program to enhance and advance their careers and child care assistance through the Kentucky Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). OVEC Head Start teachers receive a livable wage and sign-on and retention bonuses. “We are doing our best to make those jobs more appealing,” says Adkins.

Overseeing all programs and services, OVEC CEO Jason Adkins was formerly Director of Development and continued the grant writing tradition so crucial to the organization’s vitality and growth. Operations are also funded through district membership fees and federal, state, local, and foundation funding. “Our programs are optional, so they must be relevant and interesting.”

OVEC’s COVID Response Team evolved into the Collaborative Response to Reimagine Schools for All (CRRSA), empowering education leaders “through

thoughtfully designed professional learning and ongoing coaching to intentionally design curriculum, assessments, and instruction that integrate standards mastery with deeper learning and social-emotional learning in order to reach the goals we have for every child in the chair.”

Experts in the field of special education are in high demand and face critical shortages. OVEC’s Exceptional Children Services (ECS) program “strives to provide effective leadership and deliver specialized training and support in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education, local school districts, institutes of higher education, and other service providers to help support improved educational outcomes for students with disabilities.”

The revolutionary iLead Academy program offers students in five rural counties the opportunity to earn their high school diploma and an Associate's degree in the pathways of Engineering, Computer Science, or Medicine. Nationally recognized as a Rural Tech Challenge finalist, iLead Academy is one of five schools competing in the “$600,000 U.S. Department of Education challenge to advance technology education in rural high schools.” OVEC has sought a grant to expand the program statewide with a virtual data science pathway.

OVEC is hiring! The most urgent need is Teachers and Teacher Assistants for Head Start classrooms in the Fairdale, Newburg, Pleasure Ridge Park, and Russell neighborhoods.

For donation and volunteer information, visit ovec.org. Follow @OVECkyed on Facebook and Twitter.

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VETERAN VALOR

Deliving Chstmas Che to Vets

Most know the Honor Flight for the amazing work they do to take veterans to Washington, DC to see their respective memorials. For years the Honor Flight team has been hosting World War II, Korean and Vietnam Veterans for a once in a lifetime day trip of honor and celebration. The day includes trips to most of the military memorials and ends with an amazing welcome home celebration with the airport lined with well-wishers and patriotic gourds greeting them as they walk through the terminal. However, for the past three years, the members of Honor Flight Bluegrass have been adding some extra special yuletide cheer to area veterans. Now during the holidays, the board has organized an amazing outreach to receive Christmas and holiday cards for our heroes, making sure they know they are remembered throughout the year, especially at Christmas.

"We are excited about our third annual Christmas Cheer campaign this year for our veterans. Honor Flight Bluegrass and all of their friends want our veterans to know that we think of them throughout the year and especially during the Christmas season," says Kelli Oakley, a board member and photographer for Honor Flight Bluegrass.

The first year they received cards from over 35 states and were able to provide over 1600 veterans with at least 10 Christmas cards per recipient. Although their initial goal was 3,500, they received nearly 23,000. The outreach from people was widespread and reached veterans in numerous places. Whether they're at home, in a senior living center or one of Kentucky's veteran long-term care facilities, the cards remind them of their time in service when they had "mail call."

"We hear from our veterans over and over how special and memorable mail call was to them while they were serving, so we want to bring that same joy to them," says Oakley. "The 70-plus age group of Veterans still love to get mail! "

Mail call is the time during military service when military members receive their mail. Their name is called like roll call if they have gotten mail. For most of our military serving prior to modern technology of cell phones and FaceTime, receiving mail was the most desired form of communication.

"Hearing my name called during the roll call for mail call made me feel so good," stated Vietnam Veteran Ronnie French, who retired from the Marine Corps as a Staff Sergeant. "I remember being in Vietnam during Christmas, we were ordered to go in country on Christmas Day in 1967 for Operation Badgertooth. I was wounded two days later. It was a tough time being away from home, but we knew our mission was to protect the men around us, and that made it a bit better. Receiving mail from home during those tough times was a lifesaver!"

During most of the Honor Flights throughout the country, there is a time for Mail Call while the veterans are awaiting their returning flight. These cards come from an array of people and groups who all write to say thank you for their service and is a huge hit after a long day in the nation's capital. For many of the veterans, they regain stories of being away from home for long periods of time

This Christmas, thousands of veterans will be getting a bit of nostalgia in their mailboxes from thousands of fans. To learn more about Honor Flight Bluegrass, please visit www.honorflightbluegrass.org •

Heather French Henry has been a local, state and national advocate for military veterans and their families for over 20 years.

community community

CALENDAR

CALENDAR

DECEMBER 1

Pretty Woman Kentucky Center

The Soul of Christmas 2022 Kentucky Center

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

Handel’s Messiah 7:30pm Cathedral of the Assumption

DECEMBER 2

Pretty Woman Kentucky Center

The Soul of Christmas 2022 Kentucky Center

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm Westport Village Holiday Market 6-8pm Westport Village

Yuletide at Yew Dell Yew Dell

DECEMBER 3

Pretty Woman Kentucky Center

Handel’s Messiah 7:30pm Cathedral of the Assumption

The Nutcracker in a Nutshell 2pm The Louisville Palace

The Soul of Christmas 2022 Kentucky Center

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Kentucky Center

Polar Express Family Movie Night 5:30pm Kentucky Science Center

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour 12-5pm Old Lou

Breakfast with Santa Slugger Field

Norton Commons Holiday Open House 11am-7pm Norton Commons

DECEMBER 4

Pretty Woman Kentucky Center

The Soul of Christmas 2022 Kentucky Center

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Kentucky Center

Winter Woods Spectacular Iroquois Park

Brian Regan 7pm Brown Theatre

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour 12-5pm Old Lou

Yuletide at Yew Dell Yew Dell

Louisville Chorus Family Christmas Holiday Spectacular 3pm Galt House East Grand Ballroom

The Soul of Christmas 2022 Kentucky Center

DECEMBER 8

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

Voices The Season We Celebrate 7:30pm Henry Clay Theater

The Soul of Christmas 2022 Kentucky Center

DECEMBER 9

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker 7:30pm The Kentucky Center

Voices The Season We Celebrate 7:30pm Henry Clay Theater

The Soul of Christmas 2022 Kentucky Center

Yuletide at Yew Dell Yew Dell

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

Christmas Gift and Décor Show 11am-7pm Kentucky Exposition Center

MADE Market Holiday Preview Night 6-10pm Mellwood Art Center

DECEMBER 10

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical 2pm & 7pm Brown Theatre

MADE Market 10am-5pm Mellwood

The Soul of Christmas 2022 Kentucky Center

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker 1:30pm & 7:30pm The Kentucky Center

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

Christmas Gift and Décor Show 10am-7pm Kentucky Exposition Center

Yuletide at Yew Dell Yew Dell

Breakfast with Santa Slugger Field

DECEMBER 11

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker 11am & 3pm The Kentucky Center

Voices The Season We Celebrate 7:30pm Henry Clay Theater

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

Yuletide at Yew Dell Yew Dell

Christmas Gift and Décor Show 11am-5pm Kentucky Exposition Center

DECEMBER 14

Béla Fleck My Bluegrass Heart 8-10pm Brown Theatre

DECEMBER 15

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker 7:30pm The Kentucky Center

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

DECEMBER 16

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker 7:30pm The Kentucky Center

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

Christmas Movie in the Conservatory: Elf 7:30pm Galt House

DECEMBER 17

Family Movie Night: Elf 2pm Kentucky Science Center

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker 1:30pm & 7:30pm The Kentucky Center

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

KMAC Poetry Slam 5:30pm KMAC

DECEMBER 18

Jack Harlow: No Place Like Home 8pm KFC Yum! Center

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker 1:30pm & 7:30pm The Kentucky Center

Louisville Chorus Canticles of Christmas 3pm St. Brigid Catholic Church

Holiday Tea 12pm & 4pm Hermitage Farm

DECEMBER 20

Roots 101 Poetry Slam 7pm Roots 101

DECEMBER 22

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker 7:30pm The Kentucky Center

Polar Express 3D 2pm Kentucky Science Center

DECEMBER 23

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker 1:30pm & 7:30pm The Kentucky Center

DECEMBER 27

Manheim Steamroller Christmas 7pm Whitney Hall

DECEMBER 31

NYE Live! 8pm Fourth Street Live

New Year’s Eve 2023 9pm Mellwood Arts Center

New Year’s Eve Celebration 8pm C2

hile e ake e att t to ensu e this i o atio is co ect so e listi s a e out o ate Check ith hosti o i atio s o the latest etails otocols e o e atten i e ent

TOP EVENTS

Chenoweth Square Holiday Walk

November 11 • Chenoweth Square • photos by Dick Arnspiger

Beth Ra erty and Lisa Osborn

Kathleen Hammer, Emily Hammer and Adrienne Futrell

Debbie Hawkins, Taylor Hawkins and Camden

Irving Vittitow

Julie Stanley and Skylar Stanley

Denny Sheridan and Lucy Palmer-Ball

Gail Ott and Janet Ott

Evelyn Brooks, Barb Alvarez, Maggie Brooks, Laurie Lennon and Katie Brooks

Nathan Webb, Meredith Metzmeier, Chris DeGrandi and Kelly DeGrandi

TOP EVENTS

Chenoweth Square Holiday Walk

November 11 • Chenoweth Square • photos by Dick Arnspiger

Kathy Baize and Brian Baize

Mary Beck and Pamela Wohlfarth

Donna Weber and Roy Scarbrough

Kathy Lintner, Meredith Metzmeier and Martha Puckett

Amy Wagner and Katie-Lawrence Wagner

Donna Colwick, Lois Stepp, Donna Osif, Hill Walthall and Michelle Mudd

TOP EVENTS

Bourbon Crusaders' Straight From the Heart

November 12 • Kentucky Derby Museum • photos by Marty King

Brian Bolter and Brian Haara

David Tate, Marla Moore and Lesley Tate

Laura Bergman and Larry Bergman

Brett Rice, Markus Scott and Lauren Scott

Je Dolezal, Chris Morris and Michael Lincoln

Sean Dolle, RJ Sargent, Alan Ward, Travis Hill, Brock Ward and John Stotts

TOP EVENTS

Bourbon Crusaders' Straight From the Heart

November 12 • Kentucky Derby Museum • photos by Marty King

Joe Magliocco, Chris Morris and Larry Kass

Brian Haara, Brian Gomolka, Cory Levinson and Phillip Smith

Frankie Hilbert, Lisa Sho and Hugh Sho

Andrew Buelt, Steve Grif and Allie Koch

Anthony Pham, Dan Seewer and Scott Spinetto Devian Logan and Phillip Clark

Audrey May and Greg May

Justina

TOP EVENTS

The Woman's Club Chocolate & Bourbon Rendezvous

October 28 • The Woman's Club of Louisville • photos by Marty King

Scott Neil and Gerald Goodman

Chris Tabler, Gail Deye, Kelly Duggins and Judie Henderson

Sandra Dodge and Deb Rayman

Mitch Rapp, Cindee Rapp, Danielle Spalenka and Liza Galler

Carl Simpson, Mary Reisert and John Reisert

Barb Kidwell, Luanne Smith and Rebecca Campbell

Trudy Wheeler and Charlie Barrett

Jeanine Triplett and Anna Franks

Denise Mitchell and Ingrid Hernandez

Laura Draven, Barbara Cruz, Lisa Ratterman and Susan Carpenter

Reggie Garcia, Mason Wilburn, Drew Newberry and Scott Donald

Karen Lamberton and Hal Lamberton

TOP EVENTS

Nanz & Kraft Holiday Open House

November 11 • Nanz & Kraft • photos by Marty King

Three Generations of Nanz & Kraft Owners: Eddie Kraft, Lydia Kraft, Ramsey Kraft and David Kraft

Samantha Fry, Erin Gookin and Maggie Kyser

Amy Ritchie, Tanya Bowman and Jody Howard

Simeon Phillips and Jan Brown-Thompson

Marsha Mineer, Patty Risavi and Connie Hayden

Lye, Beatrice, Ellison, Mia and Evelyn

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