A Bon Vivant's Guide to Drinking in the New Year

A prohibition guide to fabulous New Year's drinks.

“In all ages of the world, and in all countries, men have indulged in ‘Social Drinks,’” but “whether it is judicious that mankind should continue to indulge in such things … it is not my province to decide," wrote George A. Zabriskie, who owned “Cliff Dale,” the big 1911 estate whose two-story foundation ruins still stand atop the Long Path of the Palisades. He added, "The Eighteenth Amendment will soon be a dream. Drink hearty, and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” Eric Nelsen, Historical Interpreter for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and director of the historic Kearney House, has provided readers with a glimpse into Zabriskie's life through his book on alcoholic beverages, The Bon Vivant’s Companion: or…

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10 Ways to Volunteer in Bergen County

Gain valuable experience and meet new people through service to others.

Let's face it – we've all got some time to give if we just prioritized differently.  And many people, animals and causes could benefit from just a few hours of our time.  With that in mind, here are some ways to volunteer some (or a lot) of your time close to home this holiday season and beyond: Bergen County Volunteers The Holy Grail of finding a Bergen County volunteer opportunity on the web.  Have handyman skills?  They can hook you up with someone who could benefit from them.  Feel the urge to mentor teens?  They've got you covered.  Yoga teacher looking to build your resume?  Try teaching yoga classes for seniors. Bergen Family Promise Help our homeless, hungry, or otherwise needy community members get back on their feet by supporting…

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From the Archives

America 2011: The Nation Without a Christmas Tree

"The House Without a Christmas Tree" from 1946 to 1972 to today - a little known, forgotten TV classic.

America enters the 2011 Christmas season locked in the jaws of The Great Recession, the longest period of economic depression in our history since The Great Depression of the 1930s. Occupy Wall Streeters are more prevalent than sidewalk Santas across the nation, and there is no smiling, optimistic Franklin Delano Roosevelt to wipe away our fears with a bank holiday and a New Deal. Working Americans are seeing their wages and benefits cut at unprecedented levels, and we are told we should be grateful to have a job while one of the 2012 Presidential candidates advocates the abandonment of child labor laws– the stage is set for a very Dickensian Christmas season. How do we offer peace on earth and goodwill to all when we as a nation seem to …

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Fort Lee Lights Community Menorah, Celebrates First Night of Hanukkah

The Menorah is located in downtown Fort Lee where Main, Lemoine and Schlosser come together; each night for the eight nights of Hanukkah, one additional candle will be lit. Add your Hanukkah photos to the gallery.

Fort Lee’s community Menorah lighting took place Tuesday at the “triangle” in Fort Lee—the small area formed by Lemoine Avenue, Main Street and Schlosser Street. Sponsored by Congregation Gesher Shalom, the event was in celebration of the first night of Hanukkah. Rabbi Kenneth Stern welcomed those gathered, as a light rain began to fall, saying they would sing several Hanukkah songs before asking someone standing nearby the Menorah to “throw the switch.” “There’s an opinion in the public that said you start with eight and you go in descending order,” Stern said. “I’m almost happy to say that’s what we should do tonight, just so it isn’t one lonely candle.” He added, “But majority rules, and we have to start with one and go up.” Stern then …

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Christmas Shipping Deadlines Began Tuesday

The last day to send First Class through USPS was Tuesday, priority cutoff is Wednesday and and USPS express and UPS next day air is Thursday

Want to mail something out from Fort Lee post offices—there’s one on Main Street and one on Anderson Avenue—in time for Christmas? The time to hit the post office is now. FedEx, with locations on Bridge Plaza North and Linwood Plaza, is offering a variety of shipping options throughout the week, and on Sunday, Dec. 25, is offering FedEx Same Day shipping. USPS also recommends using its Web site to print shipping labels and pay for postage or using one of their Automated Postal Centers, which, like ATMs, perform many of the same functions of a trip to the post office. And if you want to overnight something by Thursday, USPS Express Mail may cost a little more, but it may also get your gift to the right door at the right time.

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Local Students Celebrate the Holidays With Music, Dance

Photos from Fort Lee School No. 1's holiday celebration Friday, Dec. 16

Students at Fort Lee School No. 1 put on two holiday concerts Friday for parents, guardians, classmates and others. In the morning, Kindergartners through third graders performed, and in the early afternoon the chorus, band and string musicians in grades four through six took the stage. Patch photographer John Ford captured these images of the holiday festivities.

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Deck Your House and Win $100,000 for Fort Lee Public Schools

Get out the lights and holly. Your decorating could net $100,000 to our schools. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to win a $100,000 gift to the Fort Lee Public Schools.

Patch.com is launching a nationwide contest to find the best dressed home in its Patch communities, and the winner’s school district will receive $100,000, no strings attached. Here’s how the contest works. Beginning on Dec. 8 and continuing through Dec. 26, you can nominate your home by uploading a photo to the contest entry form on the site. During that same time period you and your neighbors will also be able to vote for your favorite festive home. The winning entry will be forwarded to a national Patch judge that will select 24 finalists. Each finalist will receive $500 that they can apply to their December electric bill. From Dec. 30 through Jan. 8 you will be able to vote for the Best Decked House in all of Patch. The grand prize …

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Fort Lee Lights Up For The Holidays

Fort Lee’s third annual tree lighting celebration

Hundreds of people gathered at the Jack Alter Fort Lee Community Center Thursday evening for the borough’s third annual holiday tree lighting celebration. The event was complete with a DJ, hot chocolate and other treats, fake snow, a visit from Santa and, of course, the lighting of Fort Lee’s roughly 25-foot holiday tree. “Every time we do something like this, there’s a lot of volunteers, and there’s a lot of people that help us,” Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich said, addressing the many children and families gathered in front of the stage built to look like a sleigh. “And without volunteers, and without people helping the community, a lot of this is not possible.” The tree was donated by Robert and David Caffaso of Cafasso’s Fairway Market …

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