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Supplement to theIosco County News-Herald and Oscoda Press November 25, 2020

Nor’easter November 26, 2020

Sales!!ShopLocalHoliday

HOLIDAY SECTION2A - Holiday Section, November 25, 2020

People of a certain age might remember the often hec-tic Black Friday of old, when shoppers would line up out-side stores in the wee hours of the morning hoping to land the best deals on gifts for their loved ones. While many shop-pers still make such early morning pilgrimages to their favorite stores, the internet has helped to thin the deal-crazed herds on Black Friday.

Though stampeding crowds might not be as common as they once were on Black Fri-day, shoppers may still face some stiff competition as they try to land great deals before the shelves empty. The follow-ing are a handful of tips to help shoppers make the most of the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

• Don't go shopping emp-tyhanded. Shopping on Black Friday without a list can lead to excess spending on items you or your loved ones may not even need or want. Creating a shopping list in advance gives shoppers time to research the best deals and where to find them. That organized approach can increase the likelihood that they land the best deals on a day that the National Retail Federation reported brought in $6.2 billion in online sales alone in 2018. That's stiff com-petition for deals that typically have limited supplies, which only highlights the importance of shopping with a list in hand.

• Shop local. Shoppers who want to venture out on Black

Friday but still avoid crowds should skip shopping malls and big box stores in favor of local retailers. Shopping local is a great way to keep money in your community, and lo-cal shops tend to have more unique offerings than chain stores. One-of-a-kind gifts can be a great way to show loved ones how much you appreci-ate them. And local shopping districts likely won't draw the massive crowds or produce the long checkout lines that con-sumers are likely to encounter at malls.

• Comparison shop. Com-parison shopping can make Black Friday even more deal-friendly. If you're stuck on a long checkout line, use the time spent waiting for the next ca-shier to look for the same item online. You might find it's less expensive somewhere else, and you can then present that price to the cashier at checkout. Many retailers are willing to match lower prices from other retailers, but you won't know unless you ask.

• Start early. The proverbial saying "the early bird catches the worm" is especially true on Black Friday. If you want to find the best deals, you should probably avoid sleeping in on the day after Thanksgiving.

Black Friday has changed, but many of the strategies that worked in the pre-internet era can still help shoppers land the best deals today. - Metro Ser-vice

Black Friday shopping tips

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A phenomenon called "cab-in fever" tends to set in around late autumn or in midwin-ter. Long hours of darkness coupled with cold, inclement weather often is a recipe for increased time spent indoors. For people who live alone, the effects of cabin fever might be more pronounced.

In addition to seasonal cabin fever, this year another factor comes into play: social distanc-ing and voluntary quarantine as a result of the novel corona-virus COVID-19. Even those who may venture outside to so-cialize, particularly around the holiday season, may be hesitant or unable to do so to help pre-vent the spread of the virus. In these instances, friends and loved ones can mitigate feel-ings of isolation in various ways.

• Schedule video chats. Vid-eo conferencing apps have be-come the communication ve-hicles of choice during the era of social distancing. Different applications and services con-tinue to evolve and help peo-ple stay in touch. Plan regular chats, either once or twice per week with isolated or vulner-able people. Try to organize a large group chat on the holiday itself so no one has to spend Christmas or Chanukah alone.

• Drop off supplies. Even though supermarket shop-from-home and other deliv-ery services have normalized somewhat since the start of the pandemic, treat individuals who may be isolated to some personalized attention. Put to-gether care packages of sup-plies or holiday treats and de-liver them in person so you can see the smiles that result from being able to visit with some-one familiar.

• Send uplifting messages. Children or even adults can make personalized cards and mail them to loved ones at home or those who may be in long-term care facilities. Send new mailings every week or

two so that residents always have something to look for-ward to in the mail.

• Start a virtual club. A book club or another shared interest can be the catalyst for more frequent communication. A club puts everyone on the same page and enables them to come together, via phone or video chat, for a discussion.

• Ask for help learning a new skill. Along the same vein as a virtual club, lessons on ev-erything from woodworking to crochet to making favorite

holiday recipes can be con-ducted online. Give an isolated individual daily purpose and distraction by engaging him or her with online lessons.

Isolation and feelings of loneliness can affect anyone who normally suffers from cabin fever. However, this year it may be more pronounced, as it could be coupled with so-cial distancing precautions that have already been in effect for some time. - Metro Service

Help isolated loved onesthis holiday season

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HOLIDAY SECTIONHoliday Section, November 25, 2020 - 3A

The holiday season some-times arrives with a frenetic pace. At the dawn of the holi-day season, there seems to be so much to fit into a relatively short period of time, includ-ing planning celebrations and shopping. The rush often be-gins the Friday after American Thanksgiving on a day called Black Friday.

Plaid Friday was born out of a recognition that the frenzied nature of Black Friday may not be for everyone. The event was created in Oakland, Calif., to transform holiday shopping for family and friends into a more connected, pleasurable activity than Black Friday. Plaid Friday promotes the diversity and cre-ativity of local and independent businesses. On Plaid Friday, customers are urged to shop lo-cally and enjoy choosing gifts in a more leisurely fashion.

According to event organiz-ers, the name "Plaid Friday" was chosen from the idea of weaving individual threads of small businesses together to create a strong fabric that celebrates independent busi-nesses. While Plaid Friday may have originated in California, it has now spread to local towns across the country. Plaid Friday precedes Small Business Sat-urday, meaning holiday shop-pers can turn their two-day, post-Thanksgiving shopping excursions into 48 hours of opportunities to support small businesses.

Shoppers have many differ-ent ways to support the Plaid Friday movement.

• Look for signage or social media advertising regarding Plaid Friday. Many establish-ments may advertise Plaid Fri-day sales. Keep an eye out for signs or hashtags on social me-dia, such as #plaidfriday, #sh-oplocal and #dinelocal.

• Let others know you're supporting local businesses. Spread the word about Plaid Friday to others who may not be aware of the movement.

• Wear plaid clothing on Plaid Friday to show local busi-

ness solidarity.• Search community blotters

and other local websites to find out more about Plaid Friday ef-forts in your community.

• Certain shops may have scaled-back sales due to CO-VID-19 restrictions. Continue to support these businesses as much as possible, taking advan-tage of curbside pickup or de-livery options that can further streamline holiday shopping.

• Explore new offerings. Some businesses you frequent-ly shop with may have altered their services and products to fit the changing times. As a result, you may be able to pur-chase a greater variety of items all in one store.

Local shopping is at the heart of Plaid Friday. Shoppers who want to avoid the typical rush of Black Friday shopping can visit small local businesses. - Metro Service

The fabric of Plaid Friday

The holiday season is a busy time of year. So many activi-ties are packed into a relative-ly short period of time, and it is easy to become a tad over-whelmed by it all. Once Black Friday arrives on November 27 (or Thanksgiving evening for those who can't wait until Friday), holiday shoppers have less than a month to get all of their shopping done.

Planning, decorating, enter-taining, and socializing takes time away from shopping. To find the time to get everything done - especially shopping -consider these time manage-ment tips and tricks.

• Shop during off-peak hours. The busiest times of the day for holiday shopping will be lunch hour during a business day and right before or after supper time. Wading through crowds can be time-consum-ing. Try to shop when the stores are more sparsely populated so you can get in and out faster.

• Shop local. Think about patronizing small, independent retailers. Not only will you enjoy customized, exemplary customer service, but the stores probably will not be able to fit as many customers as large chains. That means you can browse more readily and shop faster and more safely.

• Schedule online shopping blocks. Pepper your calendar with blocks of time devoted to online shopping. This way you can handle it without distrac-tion and easily check people off of your list.

• Delegate some tasks. Pool your resources with friends or family members and divide up your shopping lists. Each person can be in charge of a different category of shop-ping. For example, if you are in charge of gaming gifts, buy all of these and then distribute them to whoever needed them. Delegating saves time and lets shoppers avoid rushing from store to store.

• Take a day off. While it

may not be ideal to use vaca-tion time for holiday shopping, sometimes it can be an effec-tive way to check off a good portion of your list. Start in the early morning when the chil-dren are at school and visit as many stores as possible. Stow away those gifts until you have the opportunity to wrap them. Make the day off a little more special by treating yourself to a solo lunch or a midday meal with a friend.

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year. Finding the time to finish shop-ping and complete other tasks is challenging, but possible. - Metro Service

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Embrace delectable holiday scents in seasonal decor.

Holiday decor is as much about the sights and sounds as it is about the scents of the sea-son. Few things evoke the holi-day spirit as much as the aroma of fresh evergreen or spicy cin-namon and cloves. Incorporat-ing inviting aromas into holi-day decor can make homes feel even more special.

Filling a home with fragrant decor takes a little ingenuity and planning. Here are some ideas to incorporate the scents of the holiday season into your decor.

• Use a real Christmas tree. An easy way to create a pine-like scent indoors is to select a real Christmas tree. Ask the tree farm which varieties are the most fragrant. If a fresh tree is not possible, fill a decorative basket with pine cones and ev-ergreen boughs for that woodsy appeal.

• Create a seasonal scented simmer. Take to the stove to

make a homemade air infu-sion from ingredients in and around the house. Simmer pine branches, citrus peels, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and what-ever else can be placed in a pot or slow cooker with water. The scents will permeate the house for hours if enough water is added to the mixture.

• Make holiday sachets. Some of the same ingredients for the holiday simmer can be dried and sewn into sachets. Add ribbon and hang on real or artificial trees. Or tuck the

pouches into various areas around the house.

• Experiment with scented candles. Scented candles can be found at various stores dur-ing the holiday season. Select

among popular holiday aromas like pine, cinnamon, apples, and Christmas cookie varieties.

• Utilize essential oils. Natural food stores and other retailers may sell essential oils, which can be diluted and sprayed on surfaces or into the air. Exercise caution around upholstery, or test for staining before use.

• Spend more time in the kitchen. Add delicious scents to the home by way of freshly baked goods or holiday meals. Nothing beats the smell of cookies right out of the oven, and the scents can linger for hours.

• Make beeswax ornaments. Add scented oils to melted

beeswax and pour into molds. Hang these creations as orna-ments on trees or in other areas of the home.

• Craft some "gingerbread" ornaments. A mixture of cin-namon, applesauce and glue can be used to make orna-ments or gift tags that resemble gingerbread cookies, and these ornaments have more staying power than actual cookies.

• Design a pretty pomander. Stud an orange with cloves. Cut off the top of the orange and hollow out a place for a small tea light. The warmth of the flame will produce more scent.

Rich and inviting aromas can fill a home with the holiday spirit. - Metro Service

Decorate with a nose toward inviting holiday aromas


THE LADIES ROOM Just moved to the first block of Newman Street. A unique boutique with a personal touch featuring Cloth-ing sized XS-3X, shoes, boots, jewelry, scarves, home décor and so much more. Kara Timreck (pictured) and the rest of the staff will help you find the perfect gift for yourself or someone special. Gift Wrapping Too! - Photo by Penny Essary

TAWAS HARDWARE - Peggy MacDonald and Bolt are excited to show off some Pudus & Coco Carmen Merchandise for the Holiday Season! Christmas items are arriving daily and they have something for everyone on your list. They are a one stop shop for all of your home projects and gift giving this year! - Photo by Jen Gartland

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One of the most recogniz-able symbols of the holiday season, Christmas trees can be seen in private homes, public spaces and many prominent lo-cations beginning each Decem-ber. Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes, and fami-lies may prefer certain types of trees, including aromas, needle types and fullness.

Christmas trees have a di-verse history. The following are some facts about Christmas trees that holiday celebrants may or may not be familiar with.

• Many harvested Christmas trees do not grow in the wild, but are raised on farms. Christ-mas trees are an agricultural product.

• Roughly one million acres are dedicated to tree farming.

• Approximately 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States every year.

• The top Christmas tree-producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Washington.

• It can take as many as 15 years for a tree to grow to the typical height required of a Christmas tree.

• Every state in the United States grows Christmas trees.

• Germans are credited with bringing the first Christ-mas trees into the home and decorating them in the spirit of Christmas. The first recorded reference to the Christmas tree dates back to the 16th century.

• Tree farms are beneficial to the environment because they reduce the amount of car-bon dioxide in the air and help counter global warming.

• The most common Christ-mas tree species are balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine.

• Christmas trees can be re-cycled into mulch. - Metro Ser-vice

Christmas tree facts

Many families have their own unique holiday traditions, but one tradition that unites millions of Christians all over the world is the celebration of Midnight Mass. In many par-ishes, Midnight Mass is the first celebration of Christmas Mass. The origins of Midnight Mass are not exactly known. However, certain monks and nuns attended liturgical servic-es at midnight every day in an-cient times, and the Christmas Midnight Mass very well may have been adopted from these practices. Regardless of the basis behind the celebration, it can be a breathtaking and emotional service thanks to the memorable passages read and the inclusion of church choirs. Many Midnight Mass celebrants feel the Mass serves as an impressive reminder as to the true meaning of Christmas. - Metro Service

Celebrating Midnight Mass

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The 2020 holiday season fig-ures to be vastly different than seasons past. The novel coro-navirus COVID-19 has trans-formed daily life in many ways. The public has become accus-tomed to wearing masks while shopping, limiting the number of people in public venues and keeping their distance from friends and loved ones. Many events have been reimagined as virtual celebrations because of social distancing protocols. For those with large families or people with inherent risk fac-tors that make them more sus-ceptible to illness, sharing the holidays over video conferenc-ing apps may be the safest way to go in 2020.

The following tips can help holiday hosts make the most of a virtual holiday experience.Pick a bright, festive spot

Set up your tablet, smart-phone or computer in a bright area with a festive backdrop. You'll want others who join the virtual hangout to be able to see you clearly. A Christmas tree or a decorated fireplace in the background can set the scene.Choose the rightconferencing app

Certain programs may work better than others depending on your needs. For example, if ev-eryone has the same operating system platform (iOS or An-droid), you may be able to use an app inherent to that system, which won't require a separate download or login.

Apps also may be chosen de-pending on how many people can be invited in, as some set limits. Do your homework and conduct a test run prior to the holidays.Keep props nearby

If the goal is to open gifts virtually, be sure to have every-one gathered and gifts nearby so no one is scrambling in and out of view.Position the camera at eye level

Try to set up the camera so you're not looking up or down. Practice looking straight into the camera instead of at your-self in the minimized window or even others on the screen.

This way you'll appear en-gaged.Use mute when not speaking

Muting yourself (and en-couraging others to do the same) when you are not speak-ing will limit the amount of background noise. As the host, serve as the moderator and en-courage everyone to speak one at a time. Choose a visual cue to signal when someone has the floor to speak, such as raising a hand or even showing a festive picture.Tune into virtual worship

While some places of wor-ship have reopened to some capacity, others may still be of-fering hybrid services. If your place of worship offers services via YouTube or another video platform, gather around and watch together and participate just as if you were there in per-son. Better yet, share the link with other family and friends so they can tune in as well.Share dinner 'together'

Set up your camera source so it captures the holiday table. All parties gathering virtually can then sit down to the holi-day meal as one and enjoy one of the season's more endearing traditions.

Virtual celebrations may continue through the holiday season. Adapting with some video conferencing tips can ensure everyone enjoys the fes-tivities. - Metro Service

How to host virtualholiday celebrations

Many families gather around the dinner table and enjoy sea-food on Christmas Eve. Called the Feast of the Seven Fishes, this tradition traces its origins to Italy and was brought over to North America by Italian im-migrants.

For many Christians, Christ-mas Eve is a vigil or fasting day, and the inclusion of sea-food reflects the Roman Catho-lic custom of abstinence from eating meat and dairy products on the eve of certain holidays, such as Christmas. The number seven is traced to ancient times and it can be connected to mul-tiple Catholic symbols and bib-lical references.

While people can enjoy seven entirely different seafood options, it also is customary to serve one or two types of fish seven different ways. This reci-pe for "Cioppino" from "Soup's On" (Chronicle Books) by Les-lie Jonath and Frankie Fran-keny manages to include seven different types of seafood, and it can be modified according to your preferences.

CioppinoServes 41/4 cup extra-virgin olive

oil, plus extra for drizzling1 white onion, chopped1/2 cup thinly sliced leeks,

white part only4 garlic cloves6 anchovy fillets or 2 table-

spoons anchovy paste1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf

parsley4 sprigs fresh marjoram1/2 teaspoon red pepper

flakes1 live Dungeness crab (2 to

2½ pounds), cleaned and sec-

tioned, crab fat reserved8 ounces lingcod or other

white fish1 cup dry white wine1½ cups tomato purée or

peeled, fresh whole tomatoes8 ounces clams, well

scrubbed4 ounces mussels, scrubbed

and debearded8 ounces raw prawns or

large shrimp, peeled and dev-eined

8 ounces calamariKosher or sea saltFreshly ground black pepperWarm the oil in a heavy,

nonreactive pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, leeks and garlic and sauté until the garlic is golden. Add the an-chovies, parsley, marjoram, and pepper flakes and stir to mix. Add the crab and fish and cook until the fish begins to fall apart, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the wine and cook to reduce the liquid by one-third.

Mix together the reserved crab fat, 1 cup water and the tomato purée in a small bowl. Add to the pot, raise the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Add the clams, mussels, and prawns and cook until the clam and mussel shells begin to open and the prawns turn pink, ap-proximately 3 minutes. Dis-card any clams or mussels that do not open. Add the calamari and cook until opaque, approx-imately 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper. La-dle into soup bowls and drizzle with olive oil. Serve immedi-ately with a green salad, crusty country bread and white wine. - Metro Service

Delight holiday diners with savory fish stew

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Did you know?Christmas Day is the most popular day to get en-gaged. According to the 2020 WeddingWire New-lywed Report, more couples who were married in 2019 got engaged on Christmas Day than any other day during the year. Christmas Eve was the second most popular day to pop the question, while the Sunday before Christmas Eve came in fourth (New Year's Day rounded out the top three). The appeal of Christmastime proposals helped make December the most popular month to get engaged, as more than 19 percent of couples who married in 2019 got en-gaged in the final month of the year. July proved the second most popular month to pop the question, as 9 percent of couples who wed in 2019 reported getting engaged in July. Tradition still has a place in wed-ding proposals, as 84 percent of proposers reported asking on bended knee, while 65 percent acknowl-edged asking parents' permission prior to popping the question. - Metro Service


Many holiday traditions be-gin with family and friends gathered in the kitchen or around the dinner table. Food is an integral part of celebrat-ing Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chanukah, and key com-ponents of each holiday are tied exclusively to food.

Come the holiday season, many people gather to make delicious desserts for holiday dinners or even as gifts. The right ingredients are neces-sary to produce a bounty of baked goods. It's also essen-tial to ensure those ingredients are fresh, as age can compro-mise the taste of some spices, and leavening ingredients like yeast, baking soda and baking powder may lose efficacy over time.

• Flours: All-purpose flour is versatile and useful in many recipes. In addition, bread flour, cake flour and pastry flour have attributes that make them bet-ter suited for their respective jobs than all-purpose flour. In-dividuals who follow certain diets, including gluten-free di-ets, can find alternative flours that can be substituted in many different recipes.

• Baking soda: This leaven-ing agent is activated when it is combined with acid and heat. That is why it is often paired with citrus juice, buttermilk and sour cream.

• Baking powder: This leav-ening agent is baking soda mixed with a powdered acid and cornstarch. If baking soda is the only leavening agent, it will not require the addition of another acidic ingredient. "Double-acting" means carbon

dioxide bubbles will form dur-ing mixing and again during heating.

• Yeast: Yeast takes more time to metabolize and cause doughs to rise than other leav-ening agents.

· Sugar: Granulated sugar is the most common sugar found in recipes. Confectioner's sug-ar (powdered sugar) is used in frosting and icings. Brown sugar is refined sugar with mo-lasses added, and is used in cer-tain recipes, like gingerbread.

• Salt: Granulated table salt is used in everyday baking.

• Unsalted butter: Unsalted butter will be the default for baked goods unless the recipe specifically mentions salted butter.

• Eggs: Eggs help to bind in-gredients together. Large eggs are most often cited in many baking recipes.

• Milk: Dairy adds moisture and texture to batters. Alterna-tive milks, such as soy or al-mond milk, can sometimes be

substituted, but the resulting texture may change.

• Vegetable oil: Many reci-pes call for vegetable oil, which has a neutral flavor.

•· Shortening: Shortening is a solid vegetable fat used to make tender baked goods. Shortening also has a higher melting point, which helps cookies and other items retain their shape while cooking.

• Flavorings: It is help-ful to have various spices and extracts on hand. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and all-spice are some common bak-ing spices. Almond and vanilla extracts are quite versatile and add extra punch to recipes.

• Additions: Mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, cocoa powder, oats, nuts, and dried fruits, of-ten turn up in holiday recipes.

Certain ingredients are es-sential for baking and holiday cooks can take steps to ensure their pantries are stocked in time for the holidays. - Metro Service

Stock the pantry withholiday baking ingredients

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While supplies last

Shopping for kids this holi-day season and want to make a splash? Add some holiday cheer to the gift pile and wow kids with these big ideas that combine learning and fun!Calling All Helpers!

The Helping Heroes Fire Station is an imaginative and learning-packed play expe-rience that lets kids ages 18 months to 4 years old jump right into action. Kids can get ready for a rescue by checking equipment and pretending to be a firefighter. Then, when it’s time for action, they can drop firefighters, Fiona and Frankie through the opening and into the mini rescue vehicle. The multi-level fire station (which features areas for the firefight-ers to sleep, relax and work out) transforms into a fire truck with an extension ladder. By placing Frankie and Fiona on the Talking Point location, kids can hear sound effects, music and phrases to learn about the role of firefighters.A Win-Win Situation

Both a learning game and a

chance to get little ones’ mus-cles moving, the Count & Win Sports Center features a bas-ketball and hoop, as well as a soccer ball and goal. Kids can practice counting as they make a basket or score a goal, fol-lowing along on the animated LED scoreboard. Little fingers get a fine-motor workout, too, with buttons to press, gears that turn and a trophy that slides up and down. Babies grow fast, and this sports center -- great for ages 12-36 months -- grows with them, as it features two ad-justable height levels and teach-es shapes, colors, numbers and good sportsmanship.Race into Fun

For a fast-paced toy, consid-er the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Ultimate Corkscrew Tower. This versatile playset, great for ages 1-5, features two track configurations. Stack the tracks one atop the other to form a corkscrew track over three feet tall for dizzy downhill fun, or set up the tracks side by side for a dual-track racing experi-ence. The dual-track structure

features off-road adventures with diversions down a secret path, a switch track, trap doors and hazards that will leave op-ponents stuck. The playset also features fun songs and melo-dies!

This holiday season may look different than most years, but one thing remains cer-tain -- action packed gifts that combine learning and fun will brighten the season for every-one. (StatePoint)

Big gift ideas that will wow kids this holiday season

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Black Friday marks the un-official start of the holiday shopping season. Come Black Friday, shoppers strive to get the lowest prices on gifts for their loved ones.

Much of the focus of Black Friday is on finding the best deals, but it can be interesting to take a breath and learn how this phenomenon developed and how it has evolved over the years."Black Friday"

The term "black Friday" was originally associated with gold prices and manipulation on the

part of speculators Jay Gould and James Fisk. This scandal occurred in September 1869. Commodity prices plummeted 50 percent as a result, and the term "black Friday" was coined to refer to that drop.

The phrase "black Friday" also became famous for all the wrong reasons in 1966. Phila-delphia police used it to refer to the Friday traffic jams and crowding in downtown stores from tourists and shoppers who flooded into the city in ad-vance of the Army-Navy foot-ball game held the Saturday

after Thanksgiving each year. Bigger crowds and rowdiness contributed to long hours and stressful shifts for local police.Black Friday Reinvented

The retail industry started using the term "Black Friday" in the late 1980s. Spin doc-tors turned previously negative connotations into positive ones by associating the phrase with stores turning a profit and mov-ing accounting ledgers from "red to black" thanks to big year-end sales. Retailers and consumers rallied around low-cost "doorbusters" and other

discounted prices.Interestingly enough, ac-

cording to the National Retail Federation, Black Friday really hasn't been the most lucrative day for retailers over the years. In fact, greater profits and larger crowds are often seen on the last Saturday preceeding Christmas.Shopping Weekend Evolves

While Black Friday may have been the catalyst, in recent years shoppers have made the entire weekend of Black Fri-day a lucrative one for retail-ers. Many stores now open on

Thanksgiving and extend sales through the entire weekend. Small Business Saturday and Sunday promote patronizing mom-and-pop stores. Cyber Monday emerged when online shopping became a popular way to grab deals, and it marks the close of the opening week-end of the holiday shopping season. In 2017, Black Friday weekend attracted 174 million shoppers who spent an average of $335.47, according to the - Metro Service

The history of Black Friday

HOLIDAY SECTION2B - Holiday Section, November 25, 2020

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Certain foods are synony-mous with particular holidays or times of year. For example, few people can imagine cele-brating Valentine's Day without ample supplies of chocolate on hand. And what summer barbe-cue is complete without grilled hot dogs and hamburgers? While these foods and others are must-haves during certain times of the year, that doesn't mean they cannot be enjoyed whenever a craving arises.

Apples, and particularly apple pie, are a staple of many holiday season celebrations. But apple pie is just as delicious in March, April, May, etc., as it is during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That's especially true when the apples are fresh. Whether yours is a seasonal or non-seasonal craving for apple pie, be sure to satisfy it with this recipe for "French Apple Pie" from Mol-lie Cox Bryan's "Mrs. Rowe's Little Book of Southern Pies" (Ten Speed Press).

French Apple PieMakes one 9-inch pie1 recipe Plain Pie Pastry (see

below)Raisin Filling2/3 cup raisins6 tablespoons water1/2 teaspoon lemon juice1/4 cup light corn syrup1½ teaspoons all-purpose

flour1½ teaspoons sugar2 apples (preferably a tart

variety)1/4 cup brown sugar1/2 cup sugar1/4 teaspoon ground cinna-

mon1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg1½ teaspoons cornstarchIcing1 cup confectioners' sugar2 tablespoons water1 tablespoon butter, softenedTo make the raisin filling,

combine the raisins, water and lemon juice in a heavy sauce-pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally until the raisins are plump, about 15 minutes.

Separately, combine the corn syrup, flour and sugar and mix well, then add to the raisins and continue cooking, stirring oc-casionally, until thick and syr-upy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool until the mixture is just warm, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a 9-inch pie plate with 1 rolled-out crust.

Peel the apples, cut them into thin wedges, and put them in a large bowl. Separately, combine the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch, then add to the apples and gently stir until evenly mixed.

Spread the apple mixture in the crust in an even layer, then spread the raisin filling evenly over the apples. Brush the rim of the crust with water, cover with the second rolled-out crust, seal and flute or crimp the edges, and cut a steam vent in the center.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 to 2 hours, until completely cool.

To make the icing, combine the sugar and water and mix well. Add the butter and mix until smooth. Brush over the top of the cooled pie before serving.

Plain Pie PastryMakes two 9-inch pie crusts2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon salt2/3 cup vegetable shortening5 to 7 tablespoons cold milkSift the flour and salt into

a bowl. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until it is the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the milk over part of the flour mixture. Gen-tly toss with a fork and push to the side of the bowl. Sprinkle another tablespoon of milk over another dry part, toss with a fork and push to the side of the bowl. Repeat with the re-maining milk until all of the flour mixture is moistened.

Press the dough together to form 2 equal balls, then flatten into disks. Roll out the crusts right away, or wrap the dough tightly, smoothing out any little wrinkles or air pockets and re-frigerate for up to 2 weeks. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Use a light touch and handle the dough as little as possible. - Metro Service

It's always the right time of year for fresh apple pie

Whether you want to add greenery to your home this winteror offer a potted perennial as a hostess gift, here are sevenplants that are perfect for the holiday season.1.Poinsettia. With its red and green leaves, this plant is aChristmas classic.2.Christmas kalanchoe. The flower clusters on this plant come

in a variety of colours and last for months.3.Amaryllis. The large, beautiful blooms on this tropical spe-

cies are most common in red and white.4.Christmas cactus. The vibrant, bell-shaped flowers on this

sprawling succulent are sure to catch the eye.5. Persian cyclamen. The wispy blooms that sit atop long, thin

stems are reminiscent of butterflies.6.Orchid. This delicate, ornamental plant adds a touch of el-

egance to any space.7.Christmas chili plant. While too spicy for most, these edible

hot peppers resemble colourful holiday lights.To find these plants and more, visit a local garden centre or

flower shop.

Seven perfect plants for the holidays

A buffet-style meal is a prac-tical alternative to a sit-down dinner. However, there are sev-eral precautions you need to take to ensure your guests re-main safe. Here are a few basic tips to follow.1. PLAN YOURMENU CAREFULLYBefore you decide what you want to serve, ask your guests if they have any allergies or di-etary restrictions. Omit or sub-stitute ingredients as needed. For example, you can usechia seeds instead of eggs and swap cow’s milk for a plant-based alternative.2. KEEP YOUR PREPSPACE CLEANThoroughly wash your hands before and after you handle food. You should also use hot, soapy water to clean utensils and cooking surfaces between recipes and after preparing raw meat. If you need to cough

or sneeze, turn away from the food and cover your face.3. REGULATE FOODTEMPERATUREMeat needs to be properly cooked to prevent food poison-ing caused by salmonella or E. coli. Additionally, certain foods such as oysters must be kept cool at all times. Use bowls of ice and warming trays to con-trol the temperature of each dish.4. ENCOURAGE SAFESELF-SERVINGPut a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer at each end of the table to ensure everyone washes their hands before help-ing themselves to the buffet. You should also urge guests to weara face mask while they serve their meal to avoid contaminat-ing the food.Finally, avoid leaving food out for more than a few hours.

Four tips for serving a sanitary buffet

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While holiday celebrations usually involve eating a lavish dinner and staying up late, this tradition might not be a good fit for every family. Instead, consider hosting a Christmas brunch. This alternative to sharing an evening meal has numerous advantages, includ-ing the following five.

1. People who tend to be less energetic by the end of the day can remain for the duration of the event without dozing off.

2. Parents with infants and young children can put their lit-tle ones to bed on time, which means kids are less likely to get cranky.

3. People who dislike driv-ing at night or who live far

away can get home safely, which is crucial if you don’t have en ough space to accom-modate over night guests.

4. There’s more opportunity for ac ti vi ties, and children can spend hours playing outdoors if the weather permits.

5. Typical brunch dishes are widely enjoyed and can easily be made more festive, such as by adding red and green bell peppers to scrambled eggs, cranberries to scones and egg-nog to coffee.

If you want to embrace a new tradition that allows you to make the most of your holiday meal, swap your evening cel-ebration for a daytime event.

Christmas brunch: 5 perks of hosting your holiday meal early

The holidays are an ideal time to give back to your com-munity. If you have the means and want to help the less for-tunate, here are a few local causes you can support.Toy drives

Numerous local groups and businesses organize fundrais-ers to ensure every child in the community gets a present at Christmas. In some cases, you might be matched with a kid so you can use information about their age and interests to buy a personalized gift.Gift wrapping

Look for kiosks set up in stores and shopping malls where volunteers will expertly wrap your gifts in exchange for a donation to a local cause. This is a great way to give back to your community and check a task off your holiday to-do list. Food baskets

Many organizations collect non-perishable items to sup-port low-income families dur-ing the holiday season. As a volunteer you can help sort do-nations, pack boxes or deliver

baskets. Alternatively, you can make a donation to your local food bank.

To find out how you can help members of your community during the holidays, reach out to charities and organizations in your area. Anonymous donations

If you know someone who’s

experiencing financial hard-ship, there are plenty of ways to offer your support during the holidays without making the person feel uncomfortable. Consi der secretly dropping off presents for their children or mailing them a gift card from a local shop.

How to help people in need during the holidays

It begins to look a lot like Christmas when twinkling lights brighten up homes inside and out. Few things liven up the season more than holiday decorations, particularly clear and colored lights.

Prior to taking out the lights, ladder and thermos of coffee to get you through the job, it's important to note that there are right and wrong ways to hang holiday lights.

• Sketch out your plan. Start by taking a few photos of your home from various vantage points. Print out the photos on regular paper so that you can draw your lighting arrange-ment and decoration placement right on the photos to see how things will look.

• Measure the area. Use a measuring tape to roughly measure the width and height of eaves or other areas of the home where you plan to hang light strands. Calculate how much overall footage you will need so you can purchase all of the lights in one shopping trip.

• Test the lights first. Plug in the lights to be sure all strands are operational.

• Begin where the lights will be plugged in. Start where the lights will be plugged in and then work your way around the house.

• Add to shrubs and trees. Lights also can adorn shrubs and trees. Lowes Home Im-provement says a good rule of thumb is 100 lights for ev-ery 11/2-feet of tree or shrub to cover. A 6-foot evergreen needs at least 400 lights for a basic level of lighting.

• Exercise extreme caution. Accidents can happen when stringing lights. While many professionals use harnesses, homeowners are not always so cautious. Utilize a spotter to hold the ladder and make sure things are safe. Never set foot on a wet or icy roof. Do not at-tempt to string lights in inclem-

ent weather.• Know the wattage. Each

outlet can generally hold about 17 amps or 1,870 watts if the lights are not sharing a circuit with another outlet, says Par-rish. Plan accordingly to en-sure you have enough power to handle your lights.

•· Use plastic clips. Plastic light clips hang strands along eaves and gables. They're spe-cially designed for hanging lights over the gutters. Some slip under the edges of roof shingles. Lights can be hung without staples or nails, which can damage exterior surfaces.

Plastic zip-ties or deck clips also can attach lights along a handrail.

• Use only outdoor exten-sion cords. Be sure the exten-sion cords you use are designed specifically for outdoor use.

• Use a timer. Timers can make sure the lights turn on and off even if homeowners forget.

Once lights have been safely strung, sit back and enjoy the splendor of a well-decorated house. - Metro Service

Steps for hangingholiday lights outdoors

SHERNI’S CANDIES – The Hasty family celebrated in July 41 years in the candy business! Father and son, Keith and Brad are holding a ten pound chocolate bar. Stop in to see them and or-der your specialty chocolates to serve at your Holiday gatherings or give them as gifts. Sherni’s has handmade candies to satisfy any sweet tooth! - Photo by Penny Essary

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O’CONNOR’S - Has a wide selection of items from men’s and women’s clothing, accessories and gifts to furniture, accent pieces and custom framing. The friendly staff at O’Connor’s is always ready with creative gift ideas to assist you even with that hard to buy for person on your gift list. Let them wrap up your holiday shopping list literally, take advantage of the complimentary gift wrapping of your purchase. - Photo by Penny Essary

UNCLE WINNIE’S - Stop by on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday & Sunday to receive 10% off all merchandise We have great Christmas gift ideas for the collector on your list. - Photo by Jen Gartland

SHARE A CARING CHRISTMAS AT DEAN ARBOUR FORD & CHEVROLET, CADILLAC - It's that time of year again! This year BOTH Dean Arbour locations have teamed up with our local Toys for Tots in an effort to help the less fortu-nate children and families of Iosco County! Please bring in an unwrapped gift to help us "Fill the Truck"!! Gifts accepted for children of all ages, but greater need for ages 10+. Now through December 4th!. - Photo by Julie Carroll

SEYMOUR’S – YOUR HOME DÉCOR HEADQUARTERS – The Design experts at Seymour’s, Kathy Finley and Jim Alvey are proud to provide you with all of your home and office décor needs; furniture, flooring, blinds, accessories and mattresses. Come in today and choose from Smith Brother’s, made in America, huge selection of fabrics for your custom order. - Photo by Julie Carroll

THE HOLLYHOCK EMPORIUM - Jennifer Kozlow and Monica Spears show off some of the locally made artisan products and unique gifts available at The Hollyhock Emporium, also pictured Charlee, their customer service rep. Stop in to shop a selection of apparel sizes XS-3X, new arrivals daily, find quality handbags, jewelry, accessories, expressive gifts and Michigan made nail polish. Find a great gift or something for you. They are an environmentally conscience store. - Photo by Penny Essary

EUFLORIA FLORIST & GIFTS - Cold, cozy nights, warm blankets and hot chocolate…feel the warmth this year with the extra time at home and spruce up your Holiday Décor! We have the perfect gifts for all of your special family and friends on your Christmas list this year! Karli and her crew can create the most beautiful centerpiece for your Holiday table, fresh or artificial arrangements available! Come in today to get into the Holiday spirit! - Courtesy Photo

Did you know?There are numerous end-of-year holidays. Thanksgiving, Christ-mas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve are celebrated this time of year, but there’s an-other holiday that’s celebrated in December. Each December 23, le-gions of “Seinfeld” fans and many others who are familiar with the popular series pay hommage to “A Festivus for the Rest of Us.” This contrived, alternative holi-day was a plot line developed for the beloved Costanza family on the series and was billed as Frank Costanza’s creation. Festivus de-buted on December 18, 1997, on the episode, “The Strike.” Instead of a tree, candles or carols, Festi-vus celebrations involve a metal pole, the airing of grievances and feats of strength. Many believe Festivus was simply a television creation, but the holiday is loosely rooted in fact. Daniel O’Keefe, a former writer for “Seinfeld,” re-luctantly admitted that his father, Dan, actually invented Festivus in 1966. O’Keefe told CNN that his little brother let the Festivus tradi-tions slip out, and other writers for the show, including Jerry Seinfeld, felt it would make for a great epi-sode, particularly because the hol-iday wasn’t beholden to anything political or religious. That was the reason O’Keefe’s father developed it in the first place. The real Festi-vus had few similarities to the TV version. While there was an airing of grievances, the pole and feats of strength were absent. In addition, Festivus would be celebrated any time between October and May. O’Keefe has written that his father would also nail a bag containing a clock to the wall each year, but he doesn’t know why his father did this. Since 1997, the holiday has become a worldwide celebration, with people gathering around their own metal poles in late December every year. - Metro Service


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FUSION FASHION BOUTIQUE - Be fashion forward at Fusion's for the holiday season. Pictured Cyndi, Kimberly and Pam. - Photo by Penny Essary

VILLAGE CHOCOLATIER - At The Village Chocolatier, Allen and Jasmine Tubbs are caught in the act with Santa's helpers, Rosemary, Autumn and Crystal; making their annual traditional Christmas chocolate wreaths. Come in and order yours now for the Christmas season. - Photo by Jen Gartland

TAWAS BAY ART GALLERY - Make your gift giving special! Stop in to find your unique one-of-a-kind wall art and 3 dimensional Christmas Gifts for everyone on your list. Kids Craft Kits available for all ages. New winter scenes, clay kits, door hangers and T-shirt kits. Prices vary $7-$16. Available Thurs.-Sun. 12-4 or call to arrange pickup time 734-635-5334. Come in and get your creative on and visit our gallery this Christmas Season. - Photo by Jen Gartland

COLE’S APPLIANCE Serving Northeast Michigan since 1962, both the Tawas and Lincoln locations have a wide vari-ety of name brand appliances from which to choose. Alex and Karina (pictured) are the third generation committed to give ex-ceptional customer service during and after the sale to their val-ued customers. Stop in today and let them assist you in getting the right appliance for your home or cottage. Same or Next Day Delivery is available. - Photo by Penny Essary

Did you know?Mouthwatering turkeys are the centerpieces of many holiday dinner tables. Golden roasted turkey pairs well with many side dishes, and flavors can be cus-tomized depending on the guest list. Holiday hosts might want to serve wine with their turkey but may not be sure just which wines will complement the meal. Sommeliers may suggest a variety of options, including wines that provide undertones of plum, spices or berry. Wines that focus primarily on red fruit fla-vors typically pair well with har-vest foods and poultry. Consider a Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah or Beaujolais. For those who prefer white wine, the German Gewurztraiminer can be highly aromatic with floral touches and spice notes.- Metro Service


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The color green is synony-mous with the holiday season, as Christmas trees, mistletoe and holiday wreaths feature prominently throughout the month of December. But there are ways to make this holiday season even greener.

Going green around the house can save homeowners substantial amounts of money and benefit the planet in vari-ous ways. Yet come the holiday season, many people uninten-tionally eschew eco-friendly practices in an effort to make their homes as festive as pos-sible. Fortunately, there are several ways to enjoy an eco-friendly holiday season.

• Choose LED holiday lights. Holiday lighting dis-plays help make the season even more special. But tradi-tional incandescent holiday lights consume considerable amounts of energy and burn out much more quickly than more eco-friendly alternatives. According to Energy.gov, LED holiday lights consume less en-ergy than incandescent holiday lights, and they're also safer because LED lights burn cool, reducing the risk of combus-tion. In addition, LED lights are more resistant to breaking than incandescent bulbs, which should please homeowners who want to avoid broken or burned out bulbs that can ruin holiday lighting displays.

• Get creative with wrapping paper. The United States Envi-ronmental Protection Agency notes that household waste in-creases by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. That translates to about one million extra tons of waste in the roughly five-week holi-day season. Much of that waste is wrapping paper. Instead of purchasing holiday wrapping paper that will ultimately end up in landfills, wrap gifts in re-usable gift bags or old newspa-pers lying around the house. If you must use wrapping paper,

choose recycled paper. In ad-dition, save bows, ribbons and undamaged wrapping paper to use again next season.

• Turn down the thermo-stat. Holiday music fans know that the weather outside can be frightful during the holi-day season. But holiday hosts inviting friends and family over this year can turn down the thermostat to save energy and make conditions inside the home more comfortable. Extra bodies inside the house will warm the place up, allow-ing homeowners to turn down the thermostat during parties. If you're traveling for the sea-son, program your thermostat so you're not heating an empty home.

• Send e-cards. Holiday cards are a tradition in many families. But paper cards con-tribute heavily to that extra million tons of holiday-related waste noted by the EPA. In lieu of paper cards, send e-cards. E-

cards can be emailed to friends and family, saving the cost of postage and the fuel required to deliver those cards. In addi-tion, e-cards save families the hassle of signing each individ-ual card.

The holiday season is not the most eco-friendly time of year, but celebrants can take steps to reduce their carbon footprints between Thanksgiv-ing and New Year's Day. - Met-ro Service

Enjoy an eco-friendlyholiday season

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Many people may not get in the holiday spirit without deco-rations and all the trimmings. Chances are strong that if you have containers full of items just waiting to see the light of day again this holiday season, those items are red or green or some combination thereof.

Red and green have become the traditional colors of Christ-mas, just as blue and white symbolizes Chanukah. But how did this color palette come to evolve?

Just like many traditions of Christmas, the red and green scheme has origins that pre-date the Christian celebra-tion. Christmas has borrowed from many of the customs of winter solstice celebrations of ancient peoples, including the Celts. Ancient Celtic people revered holly plants, believing they brought beauty and good fortune in the middle of winter - a time when the landscape is normally bleak and holly plants thrive and stand out. Celts would regularly bring in sprigs of holly and decorate their homes with the plants, which feature shiny, serrated leaves and bright, red berries, as a way to guarantee a prosperous new year. Holly also came to be associated with the crown of thorns Jesus Christ was forced to wear during his crucifixion.

The custom of using red and green continued into the 14th century. Dr. Spike Buck-low, a research scientist at the University of Cambridge, says red and green also were used to paint medieval rood screens, which were partitions installed in churches to separate the con-gregation from the priest and altar. Dr. Bucklow notes that Victorians also extended the association of these colors as a physical boundary to another boundary: the marking of the end of the old year and the be-ginning of a new one at Christ-mastime.

While red and green had as-sociations with Christmas in

early times through holly and other sources, the connection was perhaps best solidified thanks to a man named Had-don Sundblom. Sundblom was an artist commissioned in 1931 by the Coca-Cola company to create an image of Santa Claus for the company's upcoming holiday ads. Until this point, versions of Santa were rarely consistent, with his clothing vacillating between green, blue and red. He also wasn't the plump, jolly fellow associated with Christmas as we know him today, but rather thin and elf-like. Sundblom portrayed him as a chubby man wearing red robes, likely as a nod to Coca-Cola's own red logo, even though the company denies the connection. Santa was featured in front of a green background. The ads proved popular and Sundblom's Santa became the preferred depiction. Santa's red robes perfectly comple-mented the green background and other green components of the holiday, such as Christmas trees and holly, thatalready had been solidified as Christmas imagery.

Color plays a strong role in creating Christmas nostalgia. Red and green are put on vivid display throughout the season. - Metro Service

Why are Christmas colors red and green?

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Ginger is not just spicy, sweet and delicious, it’s also tremendously good for you. And the holiday season is the perfect time to pack a punch with it in everything from the cookie tray to the cocktails.

Here’s why and how to in-clude this efficacious superfood in your holiday festivities.

• Be good to yourself: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season, a nutritious immu-nity-boosting diet can help you take good care of your health. With its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, ginger boasts a wide range of health benefits, making it a great in-gredient to include in your win-ter culinary repertoire. What’s more, ginger can help counter-act some of the effects of an indulgent holiday season, as it promotes digestive health and calms nausea.

• Embrace its versatility: Ginger goes far beyond such holiday classics like ginger-bread houses. With a little cre-ativity, it can be incorporated into every course of your holi-day meal, adding a rare depth of flavor few other ingredients can match. Reed’s Crystallized Ginger makes it easier than ever to add that burst of spicy sweetness to seasonal recipes with its diced, ready-to-eat baby ginger root.

So, consider wowing your family! Whip up a batch of gin-ger-carrot soup, prepare a gin-

ger-based salad dressing, top your roast with a ginger-gravy or simply garnish your favorite cocktail.

• Go for the real stuff: To amp up the flavor and health benefits, use only ingredients incorporating real ginger. Just be sure to read the label. If you’re like the one in three gin-ger ale drinkers who reach for this bubbly beverage because you’re looking for a drink with actual ginger, you may be sur-prised to learn that most main-stream ginger ales contain al-most no real ginger.

For holiday cocktails or en-joyed straight, try Reeds Real Ginger Ale, which is the only ginger ale on the market made with real, fresh ginger. Its original variety is non-GMO, packed with 2000 milligrams of organic pressed ginger and made with no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, no artifi-cial preservatives and no high fructose corn syrup. There’s also a zero sugar variety too. Certified-ketogenic, it uses the same ingredients without the cane sugar. For more informa-tion, as well as holiday gift-giv-ing and recipe inspiration, visit drinkreeds.com.

A satisfying spice known worldwide for its wellness ben-efits, you can give your family the gift of flavor and health by putting ginger front-and-center this holiday season. (State-Point)

‘Tis the Season for Ginger

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People have visited forests to select their Christmas trees for centuries. While tree sellers conveniently stationed in store parking lots and artificial trees displayed in various retailers have led fewer people to ven-ture into the wilderness, the Christmas tree is still an im-portant component of holiday celebrations.

Long before the spread of Christianity, evergreen plants and trees held special mean-ing for people during the win-ter. Boughs and garlands were hung in homes and over doors and windows to repel evil spir-its and illnesses. On the winter solstice, the greenery would represent that spring would once again arrive and banish winter's dreariness.

Germans who decorated trees inside of their homes are credited with starting Chris-tian Christmas tree traditions during the 16th century. Early Americans were late to adopt Christmas trees because early Puritan settlers thought the tra-dition - as well as carols and other concepts - were Pagan influences. It took the popular-ity of England's Queen Victoria and her German Prince Albert appearing around a decorated Christmas tree to eventually win over much of Europe, Can-ada and the United States.

Trees are very popular today. According to StatisticsBrain, 10 million artificial trees are sold in the United States each year, while 34.5 million real tress are sold annually. Such trees require decorating, and the following secrets and tips can help celebrants do just that.

• Prune the tree first. Be sure to shape the tree as desired, since natural trees will have branches sticking out. Wear gardening gloves to avoid be-ing covered in sap.

• Position trees away from heat sources, such as fireplaces,

vents or radiators, which can cause the tree to dry out pre-maturely and become a fire risk.

• For added safety, anchor a tree to a wall or ceiling, so it will not tumble over onto children or curious pets.

• In homage of the first German Christmas trees, decorate with natural ingre-dients, such as berries and pinecones. Also, use apples, nuts and marzipan candies.

• To free up more space for presents, place a narrow tree stand inside of a waterproof planting container. Place the tree inside. This will provide a more streamlined look that's neater than a tree skirt.

• The more lights the better, especially on dense trees.

• For a whimsical approach, match the tree decor to home decor and the color of furni-ture.

• Make handcrafted orna-ments with the whole family.

• Hang the most delicate pieces toward the top where

they won't be disturbed.• Step back and enjoy your

handiwork, which will also give you a chance to find any blank spots that need filling in.

Tree trimming is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the holiday season, and there are no rules other than safety guidelines when it comes to decorating. - Metro Service

Festive tree-trimming tips and techniques

Holiday baking is a tradition that stretches through time. What person doesn't look forward to the treats the season brings? Cook-ies are often gifted to friends and family members, and they usually help complete the dessert offer-ings after the holiday meal.

Sugar cookies are an ideal hol-iday cookie because of their ver-satility. They can be dressed-up however you see fit, whether iced, covered in sprinkles or enjoyed as they are dunked in hot cocoa. To make successful sugar cookies, try this triple-tested recipe cour-tesy of Monica Buck and Good Housekeeping.

Sugar CookiesYields: 5 dozen cookies1 cup (2 sticks) butter (no substi-tutions), softened1/2 cup sugar1 large egg

1 tablespoon vanilla extract3 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon saltFrosting (optional)Coarse sugar crystals, silver dra-gees, holiday decors (optional decorations)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. In large bowl, with mixer on low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high; beat until light and creamy. On low speed, beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour, baking powder and salt until blended.

2. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces; flatten each piece into a disk. Wrap each disk with plas-tic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until dough is firm enough to roll. (Or place dough in freezer 30 min-utes.)

3. On a lightly floured surface

with a floured rolling pin, roll 1 piece of dough 1/8 inch thick. With floured 3-inch to 4-inch cookie cutters, cut dough into as many cookies as possible; wrap and re-frigerate trimmings. Place cook-ies, 1 inch apart, on ungreased large cookie sheet.

4. Bake cookies 10 to 12 min-utes or until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough and trimmings.

5. When cookies are cool, decorate with frosting if you like; use along with sugars and candies to decorate cookies. Set cook-ies aside to allow frosting to dry completely, about 1 hour. Store in tightly covered container (with waxed paper between layers if decorated) at room temperature up to 2 weeks, or in freezer up to 3 months. - Metro Service

Bake a batch of sweet sugar cookies

The Iosco County News-Herald

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Like us on Facebookfor our 3rd Annual

12 Days of Christmas Sale in December.

NORDIC SPORTS - Tess is enjoying a pleasant day of cross-country skiing along the AuSable River, on the Highbanks Trail. Stop by Nordic Sports and have her show you their great selection of Fischer and Salomon ski equipment and Tubbs snowshoes for men and women. They also feature warm clothing and footwear from The North Face, Patagonia, Under Armour, Royal Robbins, Smartwool, Darn Tough, Stormy Kromer, Keen, Merrell and Kamik. - Courtesy Photo

VENDOR EMPORIUM - Huge selection of the Night Before Christmas items, beautiful unique jewelry, and one-of-a-kind creative finds from local artisans and crafters! We have gift ideas for all the hard to gift for family and friends. Support local this year and come and see us! - Photo by Jen Gartland

Sales!! - townnews.com

Documents

Transcript of Sales!! - townnews.com