Experience old-fashioned North Fork holiday traditions during the Historic Christmas event at Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead on Sunday, December 4 from noon to 3:30 p.m. Holiday displays in three historic residences on the 28-acre preserved farm will be staffed by costumed docents welcoming guests and sharing stories of past holiday celebrations. Historic Christmas at Hallockville is free and open to the public as the Museum Farm’s holiday gift to the community.
The Hallock Homestead, a mid-eighteenth-century structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will be decorated for a Victorian Christmas. Visitors may tour the residence while enjoying the aromas of holiday treats being baked in an antique wood stove as they learn how Christmas came to the North Fork primarily as a secular celebration.
At the Cichanowicz Farmhouse, guests will enjoy a Christmas Eve celebration as it would have been experienced by Polish immigrants to the North Fork in the 1930s, when the house was built. In Polish culture, Christmas Eve is a major holiday, highlighted by a special dinner, gift-giving and other traditions.
The Hudson-Sydlowski House will feature a display of dollhouses from the museum’s collection decked-out for the holidays. The exhibit will also include a two Victorian dollhouses loaned by Bonnie Zulli as well as a Christmas dollhouse, a miniature farmstand and several room vitrines loaned by Jeff Hallock and Debbie Bowen created by their parents, Norman and Joan Hallock.
For further information, call 631-29805292 or visit www.hallockville.org.
The Town of Smithtown Recreation & Senior Citizens Departments will host the annual Tender Years Treasury, a holiday shopping experience where kids can independently shop for family gifts. The unique independent shopping experience for children will be held on Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizens Center, 420 Middle Country Road, Smithtown.
“This is a crowd favorite! Kids enjoy surprising mom, dad, siblings, grandparents and good school friends with a special present they hand picked with allowance money. All of the gifts are handmade with care, by local and very talented senior citizens, all reasonably priced at $5 or less. The team at Smithtown Recreation & Senior Citizens Department love putting this annual event together and it shows on the faces of every family member participating,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.
The festivities include an upscale boutique, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, a homemade quilt raffle, balloon sculptures, free gift wrapping and refreshments courtesy of the PTA. Adults can rest and relax in a waiting area while kids independently choose their holiday gifts for family and friends. Additionally, children can bring a letter to Santa Claus with return address information to receive a letter from the North Pole in return.
Children, grades K-5, are chaperoned by Smithtown Senior Center & Recreation Department staff as they make their own decisions on purchasing handcrafted gifts made by local senior citizens. The gift items are all priced at five dollars and under. Parents and/or older siblings may walk little shoppers around after 12:45PM. For more details, residents can call Smithtown Recreation at 631-360-7644.
Photo courtesy of Councilmember Kornreich's office
Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright, members of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce, friends and family recently attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Taj Crown of India, a new restaurant located at 10 Woods Corner Road in East Setauket.
Taj Crown of India is owned by siblings Dr. Neeru Kumar, Paras Kumar and Nisha Sachdeva. Since they were children, they spent time in their parent’s authentic Indian restaurant, Shere Punjab, in Queens, New York. As this was a family business, they helped with customer service, waiting, deliveries and catering for 20 years. Their goal with their new restaurant is to introduce the authenticity of Indian food to Brookhaven residents.
“The opening of Taj in Setauket was a happy and exciting moment for local business in our area. Opening a restaurant is an ambitious undertaking and holding the opening during the holiday of Diwali added additional meaningfulness and optimism to the launch,” said Councilmember Kornreich. “The restaurant may be called Taj Crown of India, but this elegant and gracious restaurant will definitely be a jewel in the crown of our diverse and exciting local restaurant scene. Wishing nothing but good luck and success to all our friends at Taj,” he added.
“As you visit, try the food and look around, you will see we serve to provide the best quality, excellent ambiance and great service. Our goal is to introduce the authenticity of Indian food that has been missing in Suffolk County. People will no longer have to travel to Hicksville or Jackson Heights to find curries blended with perfect herbs and spices. Come, enjoy and let us make you feel like royalty,” said Nisha Sachdeva.
Pictured at the ribbon cutting, from left, are Three Village Chamber treasurer Martha Stansbury; NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright; co-owner Nisha Sachdeva; Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Three Village Community Trust President Herb Mones and Three Village Chamber Director Jane Taylor.
For more information, call 631-825-2345 or visit www.tajcrownofindia.com.
In Seinfeld‘s infamous episode #93, “The Soup,” Jerry is gifted a brand new Armani suit by fellow comedian Kenny Bania. In return, Jerry agrees to take Kenny out for a meal. When Kenny only orders soup, the two debate whether soup actually constitutes a meal and if Jerry is now obligated to take Kenny out to dinner for a second time.
If Kenny had ordered one of the following soups (instead ofconsommé), Jerry would’ve been off the hook. Hearty, delicious and perfect for this chilly weather, these recipes have remained popular in my family through the years and I’m sure your family will love them too.
Split Pea Soup
Split Pea Soup
YIELD: Makes 8 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon oil (canola or vegetable)
3 carrots, thinly sliced
2 stalks of celery, thinly sliced
1 Russet potato peeled and cubed
1 onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 ham bone with fat cut off
1 bag of green split peas
1/2 cup cooked diced ham
4 cups reduced salt chicken broth
4 cups water
DIRECTIONS:
In a 5 quart pot, heat oil and saute carrots celery, potato and onion for 10minutes. Add garlic, saute 1 minute. Add bay leaf, marjoram, ham bone and split peas. Add chicken broth and water and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove ham bone, cool, cut off meat and add to soup. Add diced ham. Serve with French bread or baked sweet potato fries.
Pasta, Sausage and Bean Soup
YIELD: Makes 8 servings
INGREDIENTS:
2tablespoons oil
One pound Italian sausages, casings removed .
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 celery stalk with leaves, sliced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper flakes (optional)
5 cups canned chicken broth
1 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup elbow macaroni
Salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Heat oil in a 6 quart Dutch Oven. Add sausages, and saute until beginning to brown, breaking up with back of spoon, about 5 minutes. Add onions, garlic, celery, basil, carrots, rosemary, and red pepper. Saute until vegetables begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes with their juices and beans. Bring soup to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add elbow macaroni and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with cheesy garlic bread.
Beef Barley Soup
Beef Barley Soup
YIELD: Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons oil
About 1 lb of beef shank cross cut
3 large carrots, sliced
3 celery stalks, sliced
1 onion, sliced
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
1 Russet potato, cut into cubes
1/3 cup barley
1/2 teaspoon oregano
4 cups of reduced salt beef broth
1 cup hot water
1/2 package of frozen, chopped spinach
Salt to taste
DIRECTIONS:
In a 5 quart pot, heat oil, add the beef and brown well on both sides. Remove to plate and let cool. Cut meat into very small juices; save the bone. In the same pot, cook all vegetables until slightly softened. Return the meat and bone, add barley, oregano, beef broth and water. Simmer until meat is tender, about 45 minutes. Add spinach, cook 10 more minutes. Remove bone. Taste and add salt if needed. Serve with cornbread muffins.
The Cinnamon Candle will be selling custom-scented soy candles at the Winter Holiday Market.
By Cayla Rosenhagen
Garland-bedecked main streets and ancient forests blanketed in sparkly snow aren’t the only idyllic qualities of wintertime in the Three Villages; it is the area’s warm and embracing community that invokes the holiday spirit above all else. That said, there’s nothing that says “community” and “holiday spirit” better than a winter market!
From farmers and chefs to crafters and artisans, vendors from all over are welcome to participate in the very first annual Three Village Winter Market, hosted by the Three Village Historical Society on Dec. 10 and 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As the TVHS says on their website, “Give big by shopping small”—and locally —this season. Not only does shopping locally at fairs and markets support the community we love, but it can also reduce our carbon footprint. Plus, you’re bound to find one-of-a-kind items that are homegrown, handcrafted, or home cooked. According to Dan Murphy, the TVHS staff member organizing the event, “There is something personal when you visit these small shops and vendors. I love the care that everyone puts into their work; it’s not just an item to sell, it is a passion, an art, and it’s worth sharing and certainly worth supporting that type of art and creativity.”
Located on the grounds of the Three Village Historical Society’s headquarters at 93 North Country Road in Setauket, the Winter Market is expected to feature at least 50 vendors selling everything from soaps, candles, beeswax, stained glass, and chainsaw art to wine, cheese, chocolate, and macarons.
Keep an eye out for adorable and skillfully made felted gifts at Ewes and Coos Felted; delectable, homemade treats at Barry’s Baked Goods; fragrant soaps; and balms at Amadeus Aromatherapy; beautifully crafted stained glass ornaments and hangings by Cashmere Pecan; custom scented soy candles by The Cinnamon Candle, woodworking inspired by our rich maritime history by The Nautical Arts Workshop and so much more. The event will also feature a children’s crafting station and is dog-friendly
Stop by the Society’s museum, located in the circa 1800 Bayles-Swezey house and decorated in Victorian-era holiday finery to check out their award-winning exhibits and the gift shop’s exclusive holiday offers. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are welcomed.
If you are interested in participating as a vendor, please reach out to the TVHS through their website at www.tvhs.org/wintermarket to sign up. Artisans and small businesses of all kinds are welcome to bring their wares to sell. Each space is 10×10 feet, and participants are required to bring their own tents and tables. Vendors can purchase a spot for $100 for one day or $150 for the whole weekend. These fees are non-refundable unless the whole event is canceled due to inclement weather. Please reach out to Dan via email for additional information at [email protected].
“It truly is so inspiring to see so many Long Island-based entrepreneurs that bring so much talent to the table,” said Mari Irizarry, TVHS director. “This Winter Market honors their struggles and their craft. Our one and only wish that we’ll be sending off to Santa is that the community comes out and helps each vendor completely sell out! … See you at the Winter Market!”
For more information, call 631-751-3730 or visit www.tvhs.org.
Ryan Hunt (The Old Man) and Ensemble in a scene from the show.
Ryan Hunt (The Old Man), Rachel Gubow (Mother), Jackson Parker Gill (Randy), Kaian Lilien (Ralphie) in a scene from the show.
Liam Polani (Schwartz), Quinn Oliver Lessing (Flick), and Ensemble in s scene from the show.
Jackson Parker Gill (Randy), Kaian Lilien (Ralphie) and Ensemble in a scene from the show.
Kaian Lilien as Ralphie in a scene from the show.
Kaian Lilien (Ralphie), Raquel Sciacca (Ensemble), Quinn Oliver Lessing (Flick), Liam Polani (Schwartz), Avery Sell (Ensemble), Sofia Jarmel (Ensemble), Lanene Charters (Miss Shields) in a scene from the show.
Jackson Parker Gill (Randy) and Rachel Gubow (Mother)
By Heidi Sutton
Many families have holiday traditions, whether it’s baking cookies, making their favorite side dishes, decorating the tree on a certain day, going to see the same show every year or wearing ugly sweaters. Among those traditions is the 24-hour marathon of A Christmas Story (1983) on TBS that began in 1997 and now also runs on TNT on Dec. 24 and 25. And if you know the name of the Lone Ranger’s nephew’s horse, then you are a true fan.
Based on semi-autobiographical stories by Jean Shepherd, who also narrates throughout, the funny holiday film follows the Parker family — 9-year-old Ralphie, his younger brother Randy, his father (the Old Man) and his mother — living in a house on Cleveland Street in fictional Hohman, Indiana and their days leading up to the Christmas of 1940.
When asked by his mother what he would like for Christmas Ralphie doesn’t say Tinker toys, a football and or a Radio Flyer. He wants a bb gun — a Red Ryder carbine-action 200 Shot Range Model air rifle with a stock and a thing that tells time, to be exact. When his mother tells him no, that he’ll “shoot his eye out,” he goes on a questto try to convince her otherwise. The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” in 2012.
Now the classic holiday story returns to the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport through Dec. 31 and is the perfect holiday gift for the entire family.
Directed and choreographed by Mara Newberry Greer with a live orchestra conducted by Daniel Mollett, the show follows the film closely with many of the scenes we have come to love. In the role of Jean Shepherd, narrator Michael Fasciano, stepping in for Mark Aldrich last Saturday night, sits on the right side of the theater and presents the story in a series of vignettes as he remembers “Another time, another place … and a gun.”
As with everything the Engeman does, the show is bold and fresh and pushes the limits of live theater to take the audience down a joyous trip down memory lane. The Old Man’s major award, the Bumpus hounds, Ralphie’s scuffle with Scut Farkus (what a name!) while fellow toadie Grover Dill looks helplessly on; the frosty flagpole scene with Flick and Schwartz, Randy’s snowsuit, the furnace, the trip to Higbee’s Department Store with Santa and the infamous slide, the flat tire, the pink bunny costume, when Ralphie almost shoots his eye out, Christmas morning around the tree and Christmas dinner at the Chinese restaurant — all the scenes we have come to love are there in all their glory.
The entire cast is phenomenal.
As the Old Man, Ryan M. Hunt brings the house down with “A Major Award” where he dances with multiple leg lamps. Rachel Gubow, stepping in for Jennifer Evans last Saturday night, was wonderful in the role of the mother, keeping calm in the household.Her rendition of “What a Mother Does” was heartfelt. Jackson Parker Gill is perfectly cast as Randy and even sounds like him, especially during the snowsuit scene.
Drawing the most laughs is Lanene Charters as Ralphie’s teacher Miss Shields. Obsessed with margins, Charters is hilarious in the big Speak Easy number “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” as she mercilessly mocks Ralphie in this terrific tap dance number.
However it is the amazingly talented Kaian Lilien in the role of Ralphie who commands the stage. His incredible performance in the opening number, “It All Comes Down to Christmas” is only topped by his rendition of “Ralphie to the Rescue!,” in one of the best scenes in the show.
The period costumes by Dustin Cross perfectly set the scene and the set, designed by Kyle Dixon, is impressive as well. Two rooms featuring an authentic 1940s kitchen and living room (the heart of the home) slide front and back on the stage to accommodate other scenes including Ralphie’s classroom and the alleyway, among others. The boys’ bunk bed slides out from the side. Beautifully executed!
Make this show part of your family’s holiday tradition. I triple dog dare you.
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents A Christmas Story through Dec. 31. Main stage theater continues with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from Jan. 19 to March 5, 2023 and The Scarlet Pimpernel from March 16 to April 30, 2023. Tickets range from $80 to $85 with free valet parking. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
A Durable Power of Attorney (“DPOA”) is a statutory form that enables a person to empower a loved one or trusted individual to manage finances and property on their behalf. The concept is, even if one lacks legal capacity to handle their own financial and business affairs, their appointed agent will be able to use the document to access bank accounts, sign checks, pay bills, and carry out essential estate planning for Medicaid asset protection purposes. Note that not all powers of attorney are the same, the particular powers that the agent will have will depend on how the document is drafted.
As long-term care, including home care and nursing home care, is not covered by health insurance, many people look to Medicaid as a pay source. Medicaid, however, is a means- based program for which qualification requires an individual prove they have no more than $16,800 in assets (in 2022). Further, there is a 5-year lookback period for nursing home Medicaid. This means that upon application, there is a scrutiny of the prior five years of the financial life of the applicant and their spouse, looking for any assets gifted within the 5 years prior to applying. While there are certain allowable or exempt transfers, all other transfers will result in a “penalty period,” a period of time during which Medicaid will not assist with the costs of care.
Fortunately, there are several exempt transfers that do not incur a penalty period, the most common being a transfer of assets to one’s spouse. Thus, if one urgently needs nursing home care, but has assets above the Medicaid limit, they can transfer assets to their spouse to bring themselves under the resource limit to qualify for Medicaid without penalty. In certain circumstances, assets can also be transferred to individuals other than the spouse,
This is where the DPOA comes into play because if the Medicaid applicant lacks mental capacity, they will not be able to transfer assets. And, contrary to popular belief, a spouse does not have the authority to access the other’s bank accounts or other assets simply because they are married—unless the spouse were a joint owner, they would need a DPOA or be appointed legal guardian by the court, a costly and time-consuming process.
Since the standard statutory form does not include any gifting over $5,000, modifications must be included with additional provisions supplementing the authority granted to the agent. For starters, the document must specifically authorize gifting. In the scenario where assets need to be transferred to the spouse and the spouse is the agent in the document, it must also specify the authority for self-gifting.
While authorizing your agent to gift assets to themselves can be critical to securing Medicaid coverage, it should not be done without careful consideration. Any assets transferred would no longer be governed by the will, trust, or other estate planning documents of that person. Once property is transferred to another person, it is theirs and, while one would hope they would follow the wishes of the principal, it raises the risk that chosen beneficiaries will be disinherited. Choosing an agent that a principal trusts completely to follow their wishes and only do what is in their best interest is a necessary part of this type of planning.
The decision whether to grant the agent the authority to self-gift under a DPOA is not an easy one and there is no “right” answer. On the one hand, allowing the agent to gift assets to themselves may be the only way to quickly qualify for nursing home Medicaid coverage if one lacks the legal capacity to transfer the assets. On the other hand, an agent may never be needed to gift or self-gift because Medicaid is not needed or there are other ways of gaining eligibility.
The moral of the story is to address estate planning with an experienced elder law attorney sooner rather than later to advise on these issues and draft the appropriate DPOA document. There are various strategies by which assets can be protected for Medicaid eligibility while effectively ensuring that assets are left to chosen beneficiaries at the time of death.
Nancy Burner, Esq. is the founder and managing partner at Burner Law Group, P.C with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, New York City and East Hampton.
Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine, Ward Melville Heritage Organization President Gloria Rocchio, state Sen. Mario Mattera and town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich were on hand for the ribbon cutting. Photo by Media Origin
Randy Jackson, right, of Zebra, takes time for photos. Photo by Media Origin
Randy Jackson, right, of Zebra, takes time for photos. Photo by Media Origin
Mark Mendoza from Twisted Sister, right, stops for a picture. Photo by Media Origin
Randy Jackson, right, of Zebra, takes time for photos. Photo by Media Origin
Carole Demas and Paula Janis from 'The Magic Garden.' Photo by Media Origin
Mark Mendoza, second from left, and Jay Jay French, second from right, both from Twister Sister, take time out for pictures with lead singer Dee Snider's family. Brother Mark, left, father Bob, center, and sister-in-law Melissa, right. Photo by Media Origin
John Gatto, of The Good Rats, second from left, Bonnie Parker of the Bonnie Parker Band, Jay Jay French from Twisted Sister, second from right, and Felix Hanemann of Zebra, right, take time out for some photos. Photo by Media Origin
Ernie Canadeo, LIMEHOF chairman, addresses the Nov. 23 crowd. Photo by Media Origin
Jay Jay French, of Twister Sister, and exhibit designer Kevin O'Callahan address the Nov. 23 crowd. Photo by Media Origin
A scene from the LIMEHOF red carpet event. Photo by Media Origin
The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame ribbon cutting was held on Nov. 23. Photo by Media Origin
The current exhibit at LIMEHOF celebrates the Long Island club scene of the 1960s-1980s. Costumes include contributions from Twisted Sister. Photo by Media Origin
The current exhibit at LIMEHOF celebrates the Long Island club scene of the 1960s-1980s, Photo by Media Origin
The current exhibit at LIMEHOF celebrates the Long Island club scene of the 1960s-1980s, Photo by Media Origin
The current exhibit at LIMEHOF celebrates the Long Island club scene of the 1960s-1980s, Photo by Media Origin
The current exhibit at LIMEHOF celebrates the Long Island club scene of the 1960s-1980s, Photo by Media Origin
The current exhibit at LIMEHOF celebrates the Long Island club scene of the 1960s-1980s, Photo by Media Origin
The current exhibit at LIMEHOF celebrates the Long Island club scene of the 1960s-1980s, Photo by Media Origin
The current exhibit at LIMEHOF celebrates the Long Island club scene of the 1960s-1980s, Photo by Media Origin
The current exhibit at LIMEHOF celebrates the Long Island club scene of the 1960s-1980s, Photo by Media Origin
Adidas signed by Run DMC. Photo by Media Origin
Members of Adam and The Metal Hawks stop for a picture. Photo by Media Origin
Parish from EPMD, left, and the grandson of inductee Sam Taylor, Lawrence Worrell, stage name L.A.W. from Planet 12, answer questions from the press. Photo by Media Origin
The Dogwood Hollow Amphitheater was once located behind Stony Brook Village Center. It was the place to see musical stars such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Liberace, Tony Bennett and more until 1970.
Now it’s the spot to celebrate music once again. The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame officially opened Friday, Nov. 25. On the night of Nov. 23, a ribbon cutting was held followed by a red carpet event, preview of exhibits and performances by LIMEHOF inductees.
The 8,800 square-foot building is the first physical facility of the nonprofit organization and was previously used as the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Educational and Cultural Center.
“We are thrilled our organization has found a permanent home in such a wonderful location,” said Ernie Canadeo, LIMEHOF chairman in a statement. “We’re excited to be able to share our world-class displays and unique memorabilia collection that showcases Long Island’s rich and diverse musical and entertainment history in new and exciting ways. We feature different and exciting exhibits, displays, videos and education
offerings that make the center a dynamic place for people to visit on a regular basis.”
The event was well-attended by entertainers, including members of Twisted Sister, Blue Oyster Cult, Zebra, Jen Chapin and Carole Demas and Paula Janis of “The Magic Garden.” Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine (R), state Sen. Mario Mattera (R-St. James), state Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), county Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket), Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) and WMHO President Gloria Rocchio were on hand to welcome the inductees and LIMEHOF organizers.
Attendees were able to preview the nonprofit’s first exhibit, “Long Island’s Legendary Club Scene — 1960s-1980s.” Designer Kevin O’Callaghan created the exhibit, featuring many of the LIMEHOF inductees, to be like a club crawl through the 60s, 70s and 80s club scenes.
Demas and Janis said they were honored to represent family entertainment in the hall of fame. While the show “The Magic Garden” went off the air in 1984, the duo have performed on stage occasionally through the decades. Janis said the two have known each other since they were teenagers in Brooklyn. The hall of fame includes artists who have lived in Suffolk Nassau, Queens and Brooklyn.
“We never imagined ‘The Magic Garden’ would walk us into something like this,” Demas said.
Mark Mendoza, who played bass in Twisted Sister, was also impressed by the facility. He said while it has taken several years for the LIMEHOF to find a permanent home, the wait was worth it because it enabled more time to collect impressive memorabilia from various artists.
He said Long Island is finally being recognized as music hotspot and the hall of fame will help to recognize even further the talented musicians from the Island.
“It’s definitely going to be a place for tourists to come — a lot of people to come here because of the music,” he said. “It’s great because it’s so diverse. The music is so incredibly diverse, and it’s great seeing all the other artists here tonight. This is definitely going to be a destination for people to show up at.”
The Nov. 23 event ended with performances by Demas and Janis, Harry Chapin’s daughter Jen, Elliott Murphy and Zebra.
The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at 97 Main Street, Stony Brook. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit limusichalloffame.org.
Holiday hosts toil for hours to create lavish meals everyone will enjoy. It’s not uncommon for Thanksgiving tables to be covered with more food than guests can conceivably (and comfortably) consume. Leftovers are the norm, but without a plan for what to do with leftovers, food can spoil or end up in the trash. Here are some delicious and waste-conscious ways to put Thanksgiving or other holiday meal leftovers to use.
Wrap it up promptly
Even though you may want to sit around and chat with guests when the meal is finished, leaving food out at room temperature for too long can create a breeding ground for microbes that may lead to food spoilage and sickness. With a few helping hands, all foods can be packaged away in no time, ensuring that drumsticks or stuffing can safely be served another day.
Collect containers
Be sure to have reusable food storage containers, zip-top bags, foil, and plastic wrap at the ready. Before all of the food is put away, encourage guests to make their own doggie bags.
Plan with other meals in mind
Shop for and prepare holiday fare with a nod toward what can be used in subsequent meals. Turkey is a versatile ingredient that can be made into everything from breakfast burritos to casseroles. Turn potatoes and sausage stuffing into latke patties that can be whipped up for breakfast or lunch. Sweet potatoes, squash and pumpkin can be mashed and reworked into batters for quick breads, pancakes and even doughnuts. Spoon leftover cranberry sauce over hot oatmeal in the morning or use it as a substitute for grape jelly in PB&J sandwiches. Try grinding up stale biscuits to make a breading for turkey slices and turn them into fried cutlets.
Take care of the needy
Find out which organizations accept food donations. Even if you cannot donate previously prepared foods, if you have surplus packaged, boxed or canned items, you can bring them to food pantries and soup kitchens to help others.
Organize a post-holiday pot luck
Turn leftovers into an opportunity to fraternize with friends or relatives who couldn’t make it to Thanksgiving dinner. Pool your leftover resources and enjoy the fruits of everyone’s labor. A pot luck can be a great place to gather after shopping Plaid Friday sales in the community. Thanksgiving leftovers can provide a few extra delicious meals when hosts plan ahead.
Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in a scene from 'Spirited.' Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
By Jeffrey Sanzel
No holiday season goes by without a new take on that perennial favorite, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Whether traditional or modern, serious or spoof, the story survives and thrives.
Reviews are expected to contain some sense of objectivity. However, having had a long and personal connection to this story, I would be disingenuous, pretending I do not have strong, protective feelings. Over the years, I have viewed every version possible.
Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in a scene from ‘Spirited.’ Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
Adaptations of A Christmas Carol are most often referenced by their principals. Among the finest of the traditional versions are, of course, Alistair Sim and George C. Scott. The stronger musicals include Albert Finney, Mr. Magoo (voiced by Jim Backus), and the Muppets (with Michael Caine as the miser). Henry Winkler, Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams, Robert Guillaume, and Susan Lucci barely scratch the surface of the updated undertakings. Many are fans of Bill Murray’s Scrooged, but I confess to have never been on board with its strident humor and ambivalent ending. I have endured Kelsey Grammar, Tom Arnold, Tori Spelling, and even Barbie.
This leads us to the newest addition, Spirited. Director Sean Anders has co-written the screenplay with John Morris. Composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen) provide the score. Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds star. And the film is pure, outrageous joy from beginning to end.
The plot is an absurdist mix of sentimentality and insanity, offering a fresh new vision that surprises and charms for the brisk two hours and ten-minute running time. Jacob Marley (phenomenal Patrick Page, looking and playing like a spritely Christopher Plummer) has managed the afterlife trio of Christmases Past (Sunita Mani, nailing both the earnest and the deadpan), Present (Ferrell at his best), and Future (voiced hilariously by Tracy Morgan), along with an enormous staff in what looks like a Victorian office meets twenty-first-century bureau.
Each year, one reprehensible human is selected to be studied and redeemed. Research is done; sets are built; plans are made. The world is Alice in Wonderland crossed with M.C. Escher—sort of The Good Place: Holiday Edition.
Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in a scene from ‘Spirited.’ Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
In a chance encounter, Present sets his heart on rescuing the seemingly unredeemable Clint Briggs (perfectly wry Ryan Reynolds), a media consultant lacking any conscience. Against Marley’s wishes, Present embarks on the mission to save the unsavable. Spoiler Alert (sort of): Present is Ebenezer Scrooge. The story then follows the intersection of these two who share a commonality. In essence, the question becomes, “Who redeems the redeemer?”
Ferrell is both genuine and hilarious, showing incredible restraint and real connection. He even succeeds as the traditional Scrooge in a few momentary flashbacks. Reynolds is the perfect foil, edgy and honest, and very funny.
The great Octavia Spencer is Briggs’ quasi-Bob Cratchit but also becomes the object of Present/Scrooge’s affections. Glimpses of Brigg’s family, including his late sister, Carrie (poignant Andrea Anders), and her daughter, Wren (unassuming and genuine Marlow Barkley), build background.
All these pieces are standard Christmas Carol tropes. But the zany, hyper-meta view matched by a fantastic score, jubilant dancing (outrageously choreographed by Chloe Arnold), and two lead performances that land every moment make Spirited something special.
From the opening (“That Christmas Morning Feelin’”) to Reynold’s psychotic call to commerce (“Bringin’ Back Christmas”) to the greatest send-up of “Consider Yourself” since Monty Python’s “Every Sperm Is Sacred” (“Good Afternoon”), the film’s musical sequences simultaneously celebrate and satirize. Spencer finds the right blend of humor and heartache in “The View from Here.” While none of the leads are powerhouse singers, the uniformly pleasant voices hit the right vocal and emotional notes.
Anders succeeds on every level as director and adaptor, supported by a production team that delivers strong visuals and whimsical designs. He makes the central message—our choices make us who we are—feel earned rather than saccharine. In addition to a range of Dickens Easter Eggs, the film contains one of the greatest cameos seen in years.
Two more Christmas Carols will be arriving this season. A Christmas Karen takes a comedic look, with a demanding woman coming to terms with her sense of entitlement. Netflix offers the animated Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, adapted from the 1970 film. With a star-studded cast, Luke Evans voices Scrooge. Whether they become valued additions to the canon remains to be seen. In the meantime, we have Spirited to keep us warm and happy.
I suspect many will disagree with this glowing assessment and see Spirited as one big “Bah, humbug.” As a good friend always said, “That’s why refrigerators come in different colors.” I went into this movie skeptical, dubious, and with my quill sharpened. But, like Scrooge, I left in a giddy state of Christmas euphoria.
Rated PG-13, Spirited is currently playing in local theatres as well as on Apple TV+.
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