Missing Sodus
By Melissa White

mgoodcooke@yahoo.com

It is almost November and I'd like to say that any big snow that is coming to New York can stay in Buffalo. (I will bet that after the last snow, the kids will be only too happy to put the winter coats into the car before heading back after Thanksgiving break.)

We are now getting settled into our new lives in our new apartment. All the packing and moving are behind us and I am NEVER moving again. (I hope.)

There's a Country Craft Market & Cafe November 18, from 10 to 3 at Sodus Point United Methodist Church. Craft items for sale and lunch available. To benefit Volunteers in Mission trip to Mississippi in January 2007 in rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina. Vendors welcome; call 315.483.4820.

Friday, November 3 and Saturday November 4 and Sunday November 5 from 10 to 5 is the Winter Wonderland Shopping Fling. You can pick up those special one of a kind gifts for family members and friends. Many Wayne County gift shops will be open special hours for the weekend and offering refreshments, free gifts and drawings. The participants are: Wager's Country Apple, L&J Originals & Friends, Petal Pusher Florist, AKS Jewelry, Orchard View Country Market, Thorpe Vineyard, Alton Coffee Cup, Lukacs Pottery Studios, Sodus Point Trading Co., The School House Country Store, Primarily Primitive, Three Bears Olde Country Store, Heluva Good Cheese Country Store, Past & Present Antiques, Kraft Shack, My Sister's Side Door, Grandpa's Nursery & Gardens, Lagoner Farms, LW Emporium and Whistle Stop Antique Center.

Saturday, November 4, from 2 to 5 is a Chicken Barbecue at the Williamson Fire Hall. Take out only. Advanced ticket sales. For more information, call 315.589.9357.

Did you know? courtesy of momsmenu.com

The cranberry is one of only a handful of fruits native to North America - the Concord grape and blueberry being the others. As documented by the Pilgrims, cranberries were found in abundance in Massachusetts in 1620 and rumor has it that they may have been served at the first Thanksgiving dinner, although we have no way of knowing for sure.

Long before the Pilgrims arrived in to America in 1620, native Americans were mixing mashed cranberries with deer meat to make pemmican - a convenience food that kept for long periods of time. Cranberries were also used for medicinal purposes and their juice was a natural dye for rugs, blankets and clothing.

It's always nice to learn something new.

Tips On Preparing & Cooking A Stuffed Turkey

• A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed one.
• Never stuff a turkey until just before you are ready to place it in the oven. By stuffing it too early, bacteria is invited to take hold.
• Placing a roasting bag, or even better a cheesecloth bag inside the turkey cavity to hold the stuffing makes for easy removal of the stuffing when cooking is complete.
• Always stuff the turkey loosely. Compact stuffing will produce clumpy stuffing.
• Close the opening with either kitchen twine and poultry needle or with poultry skewers.
• Make sure the stuffing cooks to at least 165 degrees.
• Never store a turkey with stuffing still inside. Again, you would be inviting bacteria to grow.

Favorite Bread Stuffing (Low-Fat)

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cups sliced mushrooms (about 1/2 lb.)
• 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• 4 cups cubed bread
• 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
• 1/2 teaspoon sage
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup very hot water or vegetable stock

Heat 1/2 cup water in a large pot or skillet. Add the onion and cook 5 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms & celery and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Preheat oven to 350F. Stir in bread & spices, salt & pepper. Lower the heat & continue cooking for 3 minutes, then stir in the water or stock, a little at a time, until the dressing obtains the desired moistness. Spread in an oil-sprayed baking dish, cover & bake for 20 minutes. Remove the cover and bake 10 more minutes.

Hope everyone enjoys their Halloween. Don't forget the libraries have plenty of fun videos and books to help you get into the Thanksgiving spirit. Make festive plans early so you are prepared and everyone is looking forward to the Holiday. Enjoy your weekend with your families and stock up on plenty of cocoa for those chilly November nights.

What fun Thanksgiving traditions do you have? Send them along and we can share.

top of page

Copyright © 2006
Courier-Gazette, 613 S. Main St. Newark, N.Y. 14513 - 315-331-1000
All Rights Reserved