thanksgiving

Three Best Picks for Local Turkey Trots

October 24, 2018 by Stacey Pfeffer

Runners participate in last year’s New Rochelle Turkey Trot”
PHOTO BY JOY MALONE, JOY MALONE PHOTOGRAPHY

According to the Calorie Control Council, Americans can consume as much as 4,500 calories for Thanksgiving dinner. If you are feeling rather portly after eating your fair share of stuffing and sweet potatoes, lace up your running shoes and participate in one of these Westchester-based Turkey Trots to ward off the holiday weight gain.

52nd Annual Mamaroneck Turkey Trot and Gobbler Race

Sunday, November 18

Harbor Island Park

www.active.com

If you hate running hills or are newbie, be sure to check out this race dubbed the flattest certified course in Westchester. The race includes a one-mile run for kids 12 and under. Adults can partake in a 5K and every participant gets a turkey medal. Best of all, you get bragging rights for completing the race prior to the holiday as all of your friends and relatives complain about holiday weight gain during the Thanksgiving meal.

New Rochelle Turkey Trot

November 22, 2018

New Rochelle City Hall

www.newroturkeytrot.com

This race is the perfect 5K if you want to run with your pup or have ‘wee ones stuck in a jogging stroller. The family-friendly event features a free 200-meter tot trot for kids under five, a kids mile for children ten and under and then a 5K run or walk for adults. Students under the age of 18 receive a discount. A live DJ, face painting for the kids and local fare is available after the race. Plus there are several award categories including first dog finisher and first finisher pushing a stroller.

14th Annual Bedford Turkey Trot

Saturday, November 24

Course begins at Bedford Elementary School

www.bedfordturkeytrot.org

If you prefer a picturesque run, this race is the one for you in the quaint historic village of Bedford. You’ll pass some sprawling horse farms and take in some lovely vistas while running a challenging course. This race is not for the faint of heart but after running it, you’ll feel exhilarated and possibly exhausted. They usually cap the number of runners at 475 so be sure to register early online as there is no on-site registration.

A Table to be Thankful For

October 24, 2018 by Shauna Levy

The art of arranging stunning tablescapes has risen to new levels with the advent of social media. It’s only natural that America’s most celebrated holiday, Thanksgiving, raises the bar in the table setting game. This holiday stands apart as the tales of each family are woven within the artful arrangements of flowers, candles, found objects and china. Customs and nostalgia become infused within the beauty of the decor, serving up family traditions as the centerpiece.

A Flavorful Welcome

Notoriously the busiest travel time of the year, Thanksgiving officially commences with the arrival of road-weary travelers. Georgia Frasch of Chappaqua hosts approximately 25-30 people who journey from New England each year for what the family affectionately refers to as “Frasch-giving.” Though dinner is not served until the evening, Frasch’s home is decorated by noon with the fireplaces lit and the football game on. Champagne, shrimp cocktail and a three-foot custom-built charcuterie board awaits guests. Sharing her welcome strategy she says, “I put a lot of thought into the charcuterie board, which features a very well-curated selection of fresh, hand-cut vegetables, cheese and crackers, dips and more. The provisions are displayed in a very architectural, symmetrical way and have offerings for each of my guests’ unique palates.”

For Smeeta Khetarpaul of Armonk, hospitality is also a major focus. “My husband and I grew up in India,” she says, “so Thanksgiving was very new to us, yet similar to Diwali, a festival that takes place in India at a similar time of year and also focuses on celebrating thankfulness. Thanksgiving quickly became important to us and each year it becomes bigger and more special.” The family and friends that sit around Khetarpaul’s holiday table represents a melting pot of cultures as she explains, “My guest list is very diverse, so my Thanksgiving table represents a diversity of flavors. I do make traditional turkey and sides, but I add my own special twist to each dish and depending on who’s joining us, I try to prepare meals with a nod to their preferences. Everything is fresh, flavorful and personally made in my home.”

Thanksgiving isn’t necessarily glamorous. It’s more about being together. My kids are now older, but we still use the turkey hands they made in preschool as seating cards, which prompts conversation. We share old family traditions and make new ones. – Leslie Gustafson

An Organic Approach to Decorating

The typical Thanksgiving scene, which evokes images of Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing their bounty amidst a forest, inspires the décor scheme of many. Chappaqua resident, Leslie Gustafson, explains, “Thanksgiving just feels more earthy and nature-inspired than any other holiday. We love to bring nature inside to take the place of the typical centerpiece. My kids collect the greenery, which we intersperse with pumpkins, gourds and fresh flowers.” Frasch has a similar sensibility, adding, “Here in Chappaqua, we have no shortage of trees. My tablescapes are always very natural and organic incorporating the beauty of the greenery from outside, which I wash thoroughly, like boxwood, pine tree boughs and red berries. Tucked within those branches are leaves and acorns that my children gather.” Khetarpaul also looks to her own backyard for inspiration, gathering leaves and acorns to create handmaid wreaths that adorn her door and staircase. Of her creations, she says, “I may stain the acorns with food coloring or pick leaves from the garden and tie them together for placement on the tables.”

Each of these hosts passionately agree that Thanksgiving décor should set a blank canvas to accentuate the intoxicating smells and colors of the meal. Frasch emphatically describes her strategy, “I use a lot of white from the serving ware and napkins to the white candles of varying sizes that dot the tables. I believe in a monochromatic color scheme.” Gustafson shares that philosophy saying, “I use a white tablecloth so that everything on the table pops and white unscented candles that don’t take overpower the delicious smells of the food.” Khetarpaul sensibly adds, “White will always match everything and I’ll never have to stress about whether I have the right colors.”

Focusing on Family

A lens into each window on Thanksgiving will reveal variations in rituals, décor and menu, but the commonality is a focus on family. As Gustafson says, “Thanksgiving isn’t necessarily glamorous. It’s more about being together. My kids are now older, but we still use the turkey hands they made in preschool as seating cards, which prompts conversation. We share old family traditions and make new ones.” The Fraschs traditionally play the card game, “Hearts,” a ritual begun by the family’s matriarch who recently passed away at the age of 96. Frasch laughingly explains, “They play two ways–Hearts or ‘Hearts with Cheating.’ More often than not they choose with cheating!” For Khetarpaul, it’s about beginning new traditions for a holiday they are learning to love. She says, “I’ve made a conscious effort to write handwritten notes to people telling them why I’m thankful for them. It’s a tradition I’ll begin doing with my children as well.”

Chappaqua Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service and Dinner

November 8, 2017 by The Inside Press

The Chappaqua Interfaith Council will hold its annual Thanksgiving Service this year at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, 220 South Bedford Road, Chappaqua at 3 p.m. A free community dinner will follow the service. Everyone is welcome. Prayers, readings, music and songs will be performed by members of all the participating faith communities and some guests. This year the focus of the service will be the celebration of diversity and differences in our community.

The Rev. Canon Alan Dennis of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Episcopal will be the featured speaker. Rev. Dennis, who was born in South Africa, came to Chappaqua last year after a long career in parishes as far flung as Capetown, where he experienced the problems of apartheid, and Toronto and as close as New York City and Pelham.

This is the twelfth year the Chappaqua Interfaith Council has offered a meal following the service. Over 300 guests are expected to attend. Once again the Kittle House is graciously providing the turkey, mashed potatoes and sides for the dinner. Other village businesses will be contributing as well. Community members will also contribute favorite side dishes and desserts.

This year the Council will gratefully accept tax-deductible monetary donations and non-perishable food items for the Northern Westchester Community Center, which provides food, clothing and service to the needy in the area.

The Chappaqua Interfaith Council includes representatives, both lay and clergy, from the following faith communities: Baha’is of New Castle; Chappaqua Friends Meeting; The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Episcopal; First Congregational Church; Lutheran Church of our Redeemer; St. John and St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester and the Upper Westchester Muslim Society

For further information, please contact Candie Downing at 914 419-7216 or candiedow9@gmail.com

Thanksgiving Traditions

October 21, 2015 by The Inside Press

Volunteering, Shopping and Turkey OH MY!
By Heather Skolnick

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season for many. Thanksgiving triggers autumnal images of softly falling leaves and a feeling of chill in the air–a sure sign of what’s to come weather-wise. It signals the beginning of the holiday shopping season for those in retail with a daily countdown to Christmas. And for many, it evokes memories of meals and unique traditions that encircle the meal. These Thanksgiving traditions can be pretty wide and varied.

As a child, my Thanksgiving traditions were pretty straight forward–extended family came to eat. And eat we did. We enjoyed turkey with the standard carbohydrate-laden fixings, and enough desserts to satisfy the sweet tooth of a small nation. The meal was not complete until we all suffered from indigestion–all before 7 p.m. It was what we did before the meal that was different. Each year, my father and I awoke earlier than most on a holiday, put on sweats, and took a short drive to a neighboring town. We then participated in a local “Turkey Trot”–a five mile run in an attempt to help offset the meal we’d be eating a few hours later. That was our tradition.

My husband’s family didn’t believe in the “Turkey Trot”–instead, Thanksgiving was all about football. Neal, his brothers, cousins, dads and friends all got together to play a serious game of touch football. The colder, wetter and muddier it was outside, the better the game. While their game would end before dinner, the trash talking around that game could last an entire year. Area resident and brother Lyle said, “We would even keep track of records, from most touchdowns, consecutive games with a reception, best play, to worst mistake, and most times ‘giving in’!” Building on the football theme, after playing, they would all return home and begin watching the football games on TV before indulging in their meal.

Other Thanksgiving traditions abound as well. The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is, of course, available to one and all on TV. However, heading in to the city to watch it “live” is a popular tradition for some in our area. From seeing the balloons to watching the performers, the parade route is packed with onlookers of all ages.

Signaling the official start of the holiday shopping season, Black Friday shopping has long been a tradition for some. Amazing short-lived deals often abound on that day, with stores opening early and staying open late. Eager to squeeze an extra shopping day in before the holidays, shopping on Thursday evening has more recently become another (albeit, controversial) option. Many big-box retailers and shopping centers are now open for post-dinner shopping.

Katonah mom Samantha Holcman and her family spend their Thanksgiving doing a little bit of each of these things. They start celebrating at the Thanksgiving Parade. Samantha said, “It’s such an exciting, iconic way to spend the holiday and so easy for local New Yorkers…my kids love it and we love to watch the parade through their reactions.” Later, the Holcman family dines back in Westchester at one of our fabulous local restaurants, choosing a different restaurant each year. Lastly, Samantha’s husband Brad and his mother go shopping and scour stores for bargains, sometimes not returning until 10 a.m. the next day! Of shopping Thursday night, Samantha said, “For people that like a deal, it’s a unique and very fun experience.”

Armonk mom Abby Hollander will be doing just that. She, along with her family, will be serving Thanksgiving meals in coordination with local religious affiliates. Abby decided to begin volunteering on Thanksgiving because “I thought it was really important as my son turns five this December to expose him to those less fortunate and show him what he can do to help. “ She continued, “We want to teach him to appreciate and be thankful for what he has. We really want him to see how he can help make the world a better place. It’s a tough concept to explain to such a young child so we hope by showing him and participating he will also feel proud that he helped even in a small way.”

The common theme threaded through all of these traditions can clearly be identified as spending quality time together as a family and/or with those who are most important to you. So whether you are a traditionalist in your Thanksgiving approach or not, let’s remember that Thanksgiving is about being surrounded by those who are important to you and appreciating the moment.

Heather Skolnick is a New Castle resident with her husband and three young children. They will be enjoying their Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by family and food, with a little football mixed in.

Thanksgiving Traditions – Traditional and Not so Traditional

October 16, 2015 by The Inside Press

Lisa McGowan’s two children, Lexie and Spencer, enjoying the Macy’s parade several years ago

By Heather Skolnick

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season for many. Thanksgiving triggers autumn images of softly falling leaves and a feeling of chill in the air–a sure sign of what’s to come weather-wise. It signals the beginning of the holiday shopping season for those in retail with a daily countdown to Christmas or Hanukkah. And for many, it evokes memories of meals and unique traditions that encircle the meal. These Thanksgiving traditions can be pretty wide and varied.

As a child, my Thanksgiving traditions were pretty straight forward–extended family came to eat. And eat we did. We enjoyed turkey with the standard carbohydrate-laden fixings, and enough desserts to satisfy the sweet tooth of a small nation. The meal was not complete until we all suffered from indigestion–all before 7 p.m. It was what we did before the meal that was different. Each year, my father and I awoke earlier than most on a holiday, put on sweats, and took a short drive to a neighboring town. We then participated in a local “Turkey Trot”–a five-mile run in an attempt to help offset the meal we’d be eating a few hours later. That was our tradition.

My husband’s family didn’t believe in the “Turkey Trot”–instead, Thanksgiving was all about football. Neal, his brothers, cousins, dads and friends all got together to play a serious game of touch football. The colder, wetter and muddier it was outside, the better the game. While their game would end before dinner, the trash talking around that game could last an entire year. Area resident and brother Lyle said, ““We would even keep track of records, from most touchdowns, consecutive games with a reception, best play, to worst mistake, and most times ‘giving in’!” Building on the football theme, after playing, they would all return home and begin watching the football games on TV before indulging in their meal.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a popular tradition for some. Chappaqua resident Lisa McGowan has a deep rooted tradition of going every year with her family that began when she was a child. She and her family spend the night before in the city, and begin heading to the festivities at 6:30am to secure their spot. She says about the parade, “Now that my children are older, it’s no longer about the characters. The thing that is constant no matter their age is that it’s about being together, family and tradition–rain or shine.” Lisa is dedicated to the tradition, having gone in years when the weather was spring like as well as rain and snow!

Signaling the official start of the holiday shopping season, Black Friday shopping has long been a tradition for some. Amazing short-lived deals often abound on that day with stores opening early and staying open late. Eager to squeeze an extra shopping day in before the holidays, shopping on Thursday evening has more recently become an option. Many big box retailers and shopping centers are now open for post-dinner shopping.

Let’s not forget our local stores, many of whom offer great deals after Thanksgiving too! Best of all: Shopping local offers the convenience of holiday shopping nearby without the hassle of maddening crowds.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to enjoy the spirit of Thanksgiving while enjoying some quality family time. One option is to spend part of the day together, helping to provide a meal for others. Neighbor’s Link coordinates a food drive in anticipation of the holiday. Susan Aarhus spoke to me about what Neighbor’s Link provides to the community. She shared that on the actual day, they provide a full Thanksgiving meal and a full bag of groceries to take home. Area resident Nitasha Kumar said of her experience volunteering with the Westchester Basket Brigade last year, “My son along with three other kids had so much fun running around counting and setting out the boxes. But what hit him most was when the head coordinator talked to the group about the mission of the organization….bringing food to homeless. He then realized that there are others who are not as fortunate as we are.” What a wonderful way to spend the day.

While many think of a nice home cooked meal for Thanksgiving, another option is dining out. While many restaurants are closed for the holiday, some do remain open for those of us who are not so inclined to cook and many also provide catered take out options to eat in your own home.

The common theme threaded through all of these traditions can clearly be identified as spending quality time together as a family and/or with those who are most important to you. So whether you are a traditionalist in your Thanksgiving approach or not, remember that Thanksgiving is about being surrounded by those who are important to you and appreciating the moment.

Heather Skolnick is a New Castle resident along with her husband and three children. She works for a retailer designing their Omnichannel Process and Systems.