Monday, November 26, 2012
The annual Thanksgiving Day football game may be a thing of the past, but Fort Lee football lives on in the annual gathering of Bridgemen.
On a clear, crisp Thursday morning in late fall, they came together at the VFW with the same energy they once took the football field with--the hubris of their youthful invincibility still palpable, though scarred by age and experience. For years now, every Thanksgiving morning, Bridgemen travel from near and far to come back home to Fort Lee. They come together not so much to re-live their glory days, but to resuscitate every pass, every play, every laugh. Teammates from the 1940s to the 1990s were represented at the annual reunion of Fort Lee football players held at the VFW on Center Avenue. The gathering together of every team was the brainchild of Joe Viola ('70) and Frank Aiello ('72). Viola, who scored three touchdowns against …
Thursday, November 22, 2012
The strength of a child defines the meaning of Thanksgiving.
Editor's note: Some stories are worth re-telling. This is one of them. It's a story I share every Thanksgiving to remind myself of why we are gathered together--to remember all that we have, and never forget what so many others have lost. Her name does not matter; only her story does. She was three years old the day before Thanksgiving 2005 when my neighbor asked if I could care for her daughter at my house. She did not ask me to watch her daughter because there were last minute holiday errands to run, or appointments to be met. No, she asked me to care for her three-year-old daughter because her only son would die that day. He was 16-years old. He had cancer. “Joey has a weed growing inside of him that’s poison,” this little girl …
Sunday, November 18, 2012
A cheesy potato casserole and delicious cranberry sauce are sure to light up your Thanksgiving dinner table.
It’s time for Thanksgiving, my favorite time of the year! Not only do you get to see family, but the food is plentiful and delicious. If your family is anything like mine, there are multiple side dishes to choose from to accompany the all important turkey. Everything from green bean casserole to sweet potato pie has been served at our table and now, I would like to share some fantastic side dish recipes that may become a part of your Thanksgiving tradition. Ingredients Cheesy Potato Casserole 3 lbs red potatoes, sliced 1 lb broccoli, chopped 1 10.75 oz can cream of chicken 1 cup sour cream ½ lb ham, sliced 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp black pepper 1 tbsp kosher salt 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp basil ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated ½ cup Asiago, grated ½…
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Local food pantries struggling to keep up with the demand this holiday season.
For food pantries across Northern New Jersey, Hurricane Sandy dealt a double blow: It increased the number of families in need of assistance and shortened the span between Halloween (which Gov. Chris Christie moved to Nov. 5) and Thankgsiving, which comes early this year. Prior to the storm, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey reported more than 960,000 residents of Northern New Jersey are food insecure, meaning at times they lack access to enough food to maintain an active, healthy life. The Community Food Bank is hosting its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive this Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9am to 2pm at the following locations in Bergen County: The Center For Food Action is also collecting food to feed people in our community at the …
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thanksgiving weekend at the Historic Kearney House on the Hudson River
Sometimes in the bustle of life in Fort Lee we forget that we are a river town. Though situated atop the cliffs of the Palisades, Fort Lee continues to the base of the cliffs to the shore of the Hudson River. There is much history along this shoreline. Last week we commemorated Washington’s Retreat from Fort Lee. This retreat was prompted by British forces crissing the Hudson River and landed on the Jersey side very close to the Kearney House in Alpine in November 1776. As the leaves turn brown and thoughts turn to holiday gatherings and Thanksgiving meals with family and friends, my mind wanders to the shores of the Hudson River and to the paths that lead to the Kearney House. To get to the Kearney House you just travel to Exit 2 of the…
A turkey sandwich is just so lame. Try these ideas from around the state.
So the feast is over and everyone has had a good night's sleep fueled by an excess of food and drink. So what to do with the leftovers? We asked our own staffers and their friends and neighbors and of course, being Patch, scoured the Web, to find out what Jersey does the day after the feast. Of course, there's a turkey sandwich. But why not make it a bit more Jersey-specific, with a turkey Sloppy Joe? First, a bit of history: cooking enthusiast Ben Salmon explains the history of how the sandwich was invented in South Orange and rates three local purveyors. But now on to the recipe, complete with homemade Russian dressing. Ben has lots of other good ideas for leftovers, including what sounds to us like a Thanksgiving Dagwood. Want a more …
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Follow these tips and tricks and have a blast braving the crowds for a fun morning with marching bands, massive balloon characters — and millions of other enthusiasts.
For some, it's a chance to get away from peeling potatoes or running to the grocery store for last-minute provisions. For others, it's a chance to avoid Aunt Millie telling everyone — for the 20th year — about the time you Krazy-glued your hand to your head on prom night. Or maybe you just love a parade.... Regardless of your motivation, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the New York spectacle celebrating its 85th anniversary, is something that everyone living in the shadow of Manhattan has to do at least once in their lifetime. The Thanksgiving-day forecast for New York City reveals clear skies and a manageable high of 50 degrees. That said, anyone hoping to get close to Woodstock, the Smurfs, Kermit the Frog, Julius the Sock Monkey, …
Salad, soup, dessert, and leftover ideas for the holiday weekend
Still looking for some last minute Thanksgiving recipe ideas? Get some inspiration, with some of these recipes from some of the restaurants in the area. Chilled Seafood Salad with Herbed Olive Oil and Sea Salt According to George Georgiades, Executive Chef of Greek restaurant Varka in Ramsey, “Greeks just love their seafood even on Turkey Day.” Take a twist on the usual turkey and stuffing and impress your guests with this seafood salad. 1 pound cleaned squid 1 pound bay scallops 1 pound medium shrimp (about 25), shelled, leaving tail and connecting shell segment intact For herbed olive oil 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves (wash and dry before chopping) 1/2 cup chopped fresh chives (…
Vegetarians and vegans on a holiday revolving around turkey
So you've been trying out the whole vegetarian or vegan thing for the better part of the year. It's been going well, and you're happier than ever. And then ... bam! the holidays hit. Who in the world can skip the turkey on Thanksgiving? Talk about a road block. Yes, it's impossible to deny that Thanksgiving revolves around turkey. From the 2 a.m. alarm reminding you to pop it in the oven to the supermarket specials and children's school crafts, it's all about the bird. But this American tradition doesn't have to throw off your new lifestyle. There are hundreds—yes, hundreds—of vegan recipes for side dishes. Not convinced? Take a look at the New York Times' reputable health-and-wellness blog. Each year, the blog goes vegetarian for …
Patch is compiling your best Thanksgiving recipes
Does your grandmother make the moistest roast turkey? How about a time-honored recipe for mashed potatoes, candied yams or a unique take on stuffing or dressing? Do you bake up a perfectly spicy pumpkin pie? Or have you ditched the corn syrup-laden can and decided to make your own delicately bitter and sweet cranberry sauce? We want to hear about your favorite recipes from the main course, to drinks and dessert. Happy Thanksgiving!
Tracy Mattei
3:04 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Beautiful. just beautuful. Thank you. more ›