Onondaga Central
This Christmas will certainly be different. The Tiger Prowl sent out a poll to high school staff and students to fill out reminiscing on past Christmas memories, the Christmas season we are celebrating now and the Christmas Eve and day celebrations to come. Here is what they said:
Leah Schultz usually celebrates Christmas by having dinner and exchanging /opening presents with her family, grandparents and cousins. This year the Schultz’s might skip seeing their cousins because there are 4 of them, totaling to a gathering greater than 10 people. They also may have to wear masks inside. Leah’s favorite tradition is stockings because “because they are little presents that don't cost much, kind of like little trinkets or things you may need but only cost 3-5 dollars.” Her favorite Christmas memory is their first Christmas they spent with their now 4 year old dog. “We gave him a wrapped present and it was fun to watch him run around with it.” Leah’s favorite Christmas tree was a large tree with an abundance of decorations that she enjoyed. Her favorite food to indulge in on Christmas is the rolls! Leah’s favorite Christmas decoration is, “ a big heart ornament I got from the church when I was baptized as a child, it's my favorite because the pastor had them custom made with my name.” Leah is asking for more decorations for her room, since she is redoing it and “would just like things to add to the atmosphere.” Heather Thrope usually spends her Christmas at her grandparent’s house on her mom’s side of the family, which is also her favorite Christmas tradition. She enjoys going there because “I get to see a lot of family that I wouldn't normally see or that I don't spend a lot of time with .” Lilly Coonradt gets together with her close family and opens presents for Christmas. Her favorite tradition is eating a big dinner because her grandpa is a fantastic cook. Lily’s favorite memory is her grandfather making a huge ham. With food pilled high, her favorite dessert is coconut cream pie! Lily’s favorite decoration is mistletoe because “it’s a funny tradition.” This year for Christmas , Lily wants a cat. Mr. Solan and his wife usually stay home on Christmas. Before they sit down to a nice breakfast, they open presents. Sometimes, after eating an early dinner, they go to the movies. This year they will not being doing anything different because Mr.Solan’s mother in-law usually comes over and his brother lives out of state. Mr. Solan’s favorite Christmas tradition is “Every year for Christmas, my grandmother would buy us ornaments for Christmas so when we got older, we would have enough for our own Christmas tree. My mother has done the same for our kids.” His favorite memory was when he lived in Germany and went to the Christkindlmarkt in Mainz because “it is so beautiful in Germany during the holidays.” Mr. Solan says his tree is “the best:” since it holds ornaments from thier childhoods. Kolaczkis are his favorite Christmas cookie. Kilaczkis are a Polish cookie. “We aren't Polish, but these cookies are awesome.” This year Mr. Solan wants the ability to travel again as his Christmas wish. Mrs. King and her family spends Christmas Eve in Utica at her in-law’s house and on Christmas day, she spends the day at her parents and grandparent’s house. This year, however, she will probably stay home and facetime her family members. Her favorite Christmas is “When we were born, my mom embroidered stockings for my sister and me. "Santa" still fills our stockings every year and my parents deliver the filled stockings to my sister and to me.” Mrs. King’s favorite Christmas memory was when her daughter was four years old and received pink glitter sneakers from Mrs. Matthews and her daughters. “Her over the top joyous reaction to these shoes is definitely one of my favorite Christmas memories.” Her favorite Christmas tree was not her favorite because of the decorations but because their new kitten, Snowflake, made a spot under the tree his favorite napping spot. “I don't really remember the decorations, but the kitten curled up for a snooze under the tree is burned into my memory.” said Mrs. King . Every year, Mrs. King’s mother makes oatmeal chocolate chip no– bake drop cookies. “I could eat them by the plateful.” exclaims Mrs. King. Her favorite decoration is a Christmas plate that they have been using to give Santa cookies and reindeer carrots since her daughter was a toddler. Mrs. King’s teakettle rusting away and as a avid tea-drinker, she would like a new one for Christmas. Morgan Holsinger celebrates Christmas at her aunt's house with their whole family. “We share gifts and have brunch. On Christmas Eve, we host a party at our house, eat sushi, and play the Chinese gift exchange with our older family members.” Morgan may go to her Aunt’s house but is planning to stay home. She will not see much if any of her family. Morgan’s favorite tradition is the Chinese Gift Exchange. “It is really fun and it usually includes one of my uncles always getting a tool set and car wash tickets.” Morgan said. Her favorite memory is decorating her Grandma’s Christmas tree. Morgan loves her Christmas tree because “My tree is covered from head to toe in all different colors. There are Santa clauses, Irish ornaments, sparkly ones, lights wrapped around it, tinsel, and more.” All the food is delicious but Morgan eats on Christmas but she especially enjoys Christmas cookies and eggnog. Morgan would like a wooden spoon and reusable items for Christmas. Since it is his birthday, Mr. O’Rourke hosts Christmas with his wife. His kids and wife’s family comes. Mr. O’Rourke is not sure on his Christmas plans this year, it all depends on the pandemic. His son is deployed in Korea, his father-in-law recently passed away and his mother-in-law moved to Virginia, most likely making for a quiet Christmas with just Mr. and Mrs. O. Mr. O’Rourke’s favorite tradition is cooking Christmas dinner because “I love to cook, especially fancy meals, plus its my birthday dinner.” His favorite dessert is Eggnog Pie especially since it is a scrumptious family recipe. Mr. Miller spends Christmas with his immediate family and extended family. This year they will celebrate with their closest family but “probably will not be physically together with the extended family. We'll probably do a zoom.” Mr. Miller’s favorite Christmas tradition is opening presents on Christmas morning because “the kids (used to) get so excited. “ his favorite Christmas memory was when he was kid. “Coming downstairs and seeing the tree lit up with all of the presents under it. “ said Mr. Miller. His favorite food to eat on Christmas is “Cookies... real Christmas cookies.” Mr. Miller would like “time alone to just sit and relax with nothing to do” for Christmas this year. Senora Solan spends Christmas either at home of with friends and family or traveling to see friends and family. Due to the Coronavirus, they will not be traveling this year and will Facetime and Google Meet their friends and family members. Senora Solan’s favorite Christmas tradition is the Christmas Pickle because “it creates excitement and some friendly competition.” Her favorite memory is Christmas singalongs at her Aunt’s and Uncle’s house. Senora Solan’s favorite Christmas food is Sour Milk cookies. She “loves Christmas lights! They make the whole neighborhood a little bit brighter!” For Christmas, Senora Solan wishes for “Everyone to stay happy and healthy for the New Year. “ Hayly Martinez goes to church on Christmas and this year her family has yet to determine plans. Her favorite thing to eat on Christmas is cookies. Her favorite decorations is a Christmas tree because “it reminds me of the family being together.” For Christmas, she would like a camera. Mr. Hyland has his brother, children and grandchildren over for Christmas. All three his kids wear matching pajamas and his dog gets dressed up to! Due to the pandemic, only his son will be coming home. His favorite Christmas tradition is going to the Movie Tavern between Christmas and New Years because “it's fun to be together and going to the movies is always a treat!” Mr. Hyland’s favorite memory from Christmas is “When I was 5 years old, I wanted a GI Joe doll REALLY bad. On Christmas morning, we opened our gifts and no GI Joe! I did get a big guy's desk for my room. When I opened the drawer on the desk, there was GI Joe! Sheer joy!” He loves any real tree because of their fragment fresh pine smell. Mr. Hyland’s favorite food to eat on Christmas is Norwegian cookie his mother used to bake when he was a kid. This Mr. Hyland wants ‘The end of the virus!” for Christmas. Mr. Stanton celebrates Christmas with friends and family, “enjoying favorite foods.” Mr. Stanton and his family intend to celebrate Christmas the way they typically do. His favorite tradition is “decorating the Christmas tree.” Mr. Stanton’s favorite Christmas memory is “watching my kids excitement Christmas morning .” The entire Christmas Eve feast is Mr. Stanton’s favorite. When asked what he wanted for Christmas, Mr. Stanton said “for COVID to end.” Mrs. Hunter joins her siblings and their kids, who are mostly married with kids at her older brothers house. His house accommodates the tremendous amount of people. “There has been as many as 45-50 people in years past & the family is still growing!!!” said Mrs. Hunter. It is definite that their festivities will not be the same this year. Mrs. Hunter and her family are not sure how to carry on their annual Christmas traditions or just stay home, “It all depends on what is happening as it gets closer to that time.” Mrs. Hunter’s favorite tradition is playing the game Taboo. “We sit in a huge circle in my brothers family room...female, male- every other chair, girls vs. guys. It gets very competitive as the guys try to beat us every year (they try to cheat...lol) but we girls rule!!!!” she explains. Mrs. Hunter’s favorite holiday memory is the Christmas Eve that her mother-in-law was in a hospital bed in the family room set by the Christmas tree. “She felt bad that she had to be in her pajamas so we all surprised her and wore our festive pajamas, too!. She was so happy, it brought a huge smile to her face!! She has since passed and we still carry on the tradition of wearing our festive PJ's in her honor!!” continued Mrs. Hunter. She loves the white lights and the multi-colored tree topper adorning the tree. Mrs. Hunter has some nostalgic ornaments that are memories from past years as well as numerous color bulbs and is finished off with bows. Mrs. Hunter’s favorite part of their families main course is the ham and lasagna. “Homemade Christmas cookies are my favorite dessert!!! My mom baked cookies every year and made cookie trays to share with others, that tradition has carried on throughout our family.” Her favorite decoration is a unique ornament that was made by a friend because it was made “with a piece of silverware from my deceased parents set. It has each of their birthstones on it with a beautiful Swarovski iridescent star.” Mrs. Hunter wants her family to be “happy, healthy and safe” this year. Mrs. MacLachlan celebrates Christmas by; “On Christmas Eve we go to mass and then dinner including the feast of the 7 fishes with extended family. Christmas Day is my sister's birthday. We open presents with both families and celebrate her birthday as well. “ This year her family will not be seeing extended family or visiting their houses. Mrs. MacLachlan favorite Christmas tradition is the Feast of the 7 Fishes eaten on Christmas Eve because “it’s a big Italian celebration and I enjoy being with my family and obviously eating.” Her favorite Christmas memory is opening presents on Christmas Eve with her grandparents. On Mrs. MacLachlan’s Christmas tree holds lots of blue lights which she loves. Her favorite food is Italian Christmas cookies because “I make them with my family the week of Christmas and it's a lot of fun doing this together.” Putting up her blue Christmas lights because “it reminds me of my grandfather's house.” This year, she wishes everyone has health and safety for Christmas. Thank you to everyone who filled out the Christmas Poll! Your submissions were very much appreciated! Merry Christmas!
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Due to challenges from the COVID-19 Pandemic clubs across OCS have had to modify their usual plans, events, and activities. Both Key Club and Student Council have adjusted as necessary and are continuing to make a difference in the community and the school.
The Student Council Officers for 2020-2021 are: President- Dylan Price Vice President- Nicole Dooley Treasurer- Natalie Price Secretary- Belles Alaniz Christmas Event: Unfortunately, with school going remote the Christmas event planned was cancelled. We are exploring options to reschedule later this school year. Ugly-Sweater Contest: Student Council partnered with the Positivity Project through Character Ed Club to host an Ugly Sweater Contest. There are two divisions Staff and Student. Both the winning staff member and winning student will each get a trophy. Voting will take place online on Wednesday December 23, 2020. Virtual Pep Rally: Student Council will work to have a pre-recorded virtual pep rally, as we were unable to have an in-person pep rally. The goal is to include contests between grades 7-12, as we had last year. We also are exploring options for a school-wide trivia contest. With the promise of a vaccine, Student Council hopes to return some of the usual traditions in Spring of 2021 by having our Homecoming in March if football plays as planned and even a true pep-rally. If permitted in the Spring we hope to have at least one of our bi-annual Red Cross Blood Drive. *To offer suggestions or join Student Council contact any Student Council Officer or advisor Mrs. Ferris Key Club Halloween: Key Club collected Halloween Candy donations and passed out candy at the O.C.C Drive Through Halloween event. Food Drive: Key Club was unable to have their annual dodgeball tournament where students donate cans or contribute money to partake. This was how we raised the majority of food donations. Instead, this year we are doing the annual Food Drive as a competition between the classes. The grade 7-12 that donates the most cans will receive a party in the Spring. Christmas Cards to Soldiers: For the first time this year, OCS Key Club sponsored a "Christmas Cheer to the Troops". This is a program where students, parents & anyone in the community could write Christmas cards to soldiers and troops across the world to thank them for their service and show we appreciate them. In total, OCS Key Club received 215 Christmas cards to send to troops serving the U.S. Angel Stocking: Nicole Dooley organized an Angel Stocking drive, sponsored by Key Club, where students and the community could donate items which include books, socks, t-shirts, personal hygiene products, art supplies, crosswords and word searches. The Angel Stocking drive is to benefit those recovering from addiction. Many of you may have heard over the past three years about Onondaga's International Business Internship Program, newly renamed the International Internship Program (I.I.P.) now that the program includes a law and medical division. I.I.P. is overseen by Leadership Initiatives. The current members are Dylan Price- Senior, Nicole Dooley- Senior and Natalie Price- Sophomore. Over the years we have worked with different small business owners in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Two years ago, we worked with Shehu Garage, the owner of a fish farm. Garage has since graduated to a higher level where he works directly on the ground in Nigeria with staff from Leadership Initiatives to implement our solutions, the most notable which is purchasing a compressor/grinder to allow Shehu to produce his own fish feed with local ingredients, saving money compared to the alternative of importing foreign fish feed. Last year, we worked with Ukasha Alhassan, the owner of a motorcycle repair shop. With both businesses, we designed spreadsheets to assist with managing their finances, designed receipts and formalized a name for his business. In addition, we implemented a marketing strategy by designing a logo, creating flyers and business cards. This year we are working with Muzziddeen Muhamed, the owner of a welding business. He is married with two children and recently built a house for his mother to live. Also, his business has 12 apprentices. Currently, we are finalizing receipts and spreadsheets to record finances. One proposed solution is creating a referral system to gain new customers. Similarly, we proposed a reward system to promote customer loyalty and more return customers. Advertising is another aspect of his business we will work to improve. Unlike our previous partners, Muzziddeen has an official business name. We will build on this to create flyers, a business card and possibly a website to improve advertising. As of right now, his advertising predominantly relies on word of mouth. The products Muzzideen's business sells are doors, windows, gates, iron beds, handrails, overhead, and chairs. He is known for custom work with distinctive and intricate designs. Muzzideen is always looking for new designs to include in his work. One long term goal for Muzziddeen's business is to have larger construction where he has enough room to display his products. The monthly fundraising goal for the International Internship Program is $75 per month. In December, we are partnered with Key Club to sell Onondaga-themed Christmas ornaments. In previous years, we have fundraised at Homecoming through basket raffles or bake sales, which is not currently feasible. To help support Onondaga's International Internship Program contact Dylan Price at [email protected]. We also have a Global Giving page to accept donations: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/team1102/ As a three-sport athlete at OCS, I am writing in regards to why winter sports should not be canceled and the importance of sports. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, high school sports being canceled is a problem that will have severe unintended consequences. While athletes realize the concern regarding COVID-19 there are other negative impacts on society and mental health, as a result of canceling sports. These negative impacts on the health, opportunities and well-being of student-athletes are being overlooked. There are ways to have high school sports in a safe manner during this unprecedented time by social distancing, more frequent sanitizing, wearing masks, limiting spectators, and testing athletes before competitions. These are overlooked facts about sports.
Athletics is vital to health, serves as a positive influence on teenagers, and constructive use of time. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, students who did not participate in any school-sponsored extracurricular activity were: · 57 percent more likely to have dropped out by the time they would have been seniors · 49 percent more likely to have used drugs · 37 percent more likely to have become teen parents · 35 percent more likely to have smoked cigarettes · 27 percent more likely to have been arrested (Zill, Nord, Loomis, 2015). In addition, studies have shown, including one published in the Journal of Tourism, Hospitality & Sports playing sports leads to improved life satisfaction which leads to better mental health in teenagers (Aderonmu, 2016). As well as emotional well-being, there are numerous health benefits to playing sports in high school which include: lower rates of obesity for athletes. Dr. Keith M. Drake found in a study published in the highly-respected Journal of Pediatrics, obesity rates would decrease by 26% and the number of overweight adolescents would fall 11% if every adolescent participated in at least two sports seasons (O'Connor, 2012). Furthermore, according to the American Council on Science and Health student-athletes have a lesser chance of developing osteoporosis later in life (Lief, 2018). Undoubtedly, the positive impact sports have on teenagers and in turn, society shows their necessity of high school athletics. The financial impact and hardship of not having high school athletics is astounding. There are students particularly juniors and seniors, even some sophomores relying on athletic scholarships to pay for college but also to be accepted into college. If New York State is concerned about college affordability they would have a sports season. Similarly, canceling high school sports increases the disparity and inequality between students who are fortunate enough to have the money to afford club teams and traveling off-season while lower-income students are left unable to compete unless their high school provides sports. Many other states are having sports, meaning NY athletes will be at a disadvantage. They could be passed over by colleges that instead select an athlete competing in another state. NY athletes will be losing skill from not competing while their out-of-state competitors are improving their skills. Not to mention the financial impacts on Booster Clubs and sports teams. By not hosting sporting events sports teams and booster clubs will lose out on vital money to fund programs. These include uniforms, gear, clinics, and camps for athletes, supplies, banquets, and awards. Lastly, there is a strong correlation between athletics and academics. Athletes on average have a higher GPA than non-athletes. Students who play zero sports have an average GPA of 2.72, 3.1 for one sport athlete, 3.31 for two-sport athletes, and 3.51 for three-sport athletes. This trend holds true for school attendance. Athletes have better attendance than non-athletes with students playing zero sports missing an average of 11.55 days per school year, compared to athletes, with one-sport athletes missing an average of 9.08 school days per year, two-sport athletes missing 6.19 school days per year three-sport athletes missing 5.65 school days per year. A 2012 study of students in Kansas concluded its results with "High school athletes earned higher grades, graduated at a higher rate, dropped out of school less frequently, and scored higher on state assessments than did non-athletes” (Urdahl, 2018). State and Section officials have continually postponed and canceled high school sports. The sciences say that sports have essential health benefits. The science shows that there are minimal COVID cases in school-sanctioned high school sports teams. In the fall, Section III had sports that resulted in few, if any COVID transmissions and little impact on the number of cases. In fact, the recent increase in COVID-19 occurred after fall sports had already ended. A comprehensive study from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine that included 207 schools in Wisconsin, representing 30,000 athletes that had over 16,000 practices and 4,000 games combined, found that only 271 athletes contracted COVID, compared to 2,318 Wisconsin school-aged children 14-17 in September. Athletes were not found to have a higher rate of COVID-19 than 14-17 year olds. None of the cases among athletes resulted in death or hospitalization (Richmond, 2020). Clearly, high school sports are safe and necessary. The question I leave for you is: Why can S.U. play sports, but not high school athletes? Follow the science, have high school sports.
Senior year can be the most joyous year in one’s life or for some, the most sorrowful. For many, the year can be both, making it a bittersweet year. Senior year is, by far, the most memorable year. All one’s hard work finally pays off, they apply to the college of their dreams that will end one chapter of their life and start another. This edition highlights another two exceptional seniors: Emma Rumney and Evan Carter. Emma Rumney has her sights on the future, applying to numerous colleges. She has applied to the University of Rochester, University at Albany, Niagara University, Union College, and College of Saint Rose. At one of these colleges, Emma will work towards a degree in psychology with a focus on counseling psychology so she can one day become a mental health therapist. College is a brand new experience for young adults, the beginning of entering the world on their own. For Emma, she is most excited about meeting new people and encountering a new school environment. Emma’s favorite class was Mrs. Kurucz’s tenth grade Earth Science class because “The information was interesting and her teaching style worked well for me.” Also, each class period offered a fun learning experience, and “She is a wonderful person.” In high school, Emma wishes she took Careers or Public Speaking class- “Something that would better prepare me for life after high school.” Students at Onondaga have spent the past six years in the Junior/Senior High School creating close ties to the community and relationships with friends and staff members. She is going to miss the OCS teachers and faculty the most after graduating and moving onto college. High school is filled with highs and lows for all students. Emma’s proudest moment of her high school career is either winning the Weighted Ladies relay or winning an individual 400-meter race in her ninth-grade track and field season. As for extracurricular activities, Emma partakes in Envirothon, track and field, and band. Her favorite is Envirothon because “It’s always informative and it’s also a fun group of people to spend time with.” In her free time, Emma spends most of her time reading and enjoying time with her family. Some of her hobbies include: reading, writing, hiking, bird watching, and spending time in nature. One thing many people do not know about Emma is that she knows how to fold and create origami. Senior year is all about the future and inching towards it at whatever pace one wants. As each day passes, a Senior comes closer and closer to reaching their goals. In ten years, Emma sees herself as a “practicing therapist, with the financial stability to offer free therapy to people if they can’t afford it.” Seniors have quite a bit of knowledge on the ins and outs of navigating high school. Emma’s advice to underclassmen is; “If you are struggling with something, school-related or not, ask for help. There is nothing wrong with needing help, and it will probably benefit you in the future if you learn how to ask for it now.” Evan Carter is another one of Onondaga’s outstanding seniors. He has not specifically applied to any colleges yet, but is interested in applying to any college with a hockey team with a location in the Northeast, ranging from Boston to Buffalo. High school allows you to find courses and subjects you like and dislike, narrowing down your interests to choose a college degree and future job. Evan hopes to pursue a finance degree because “I’ve always enjoyed handling money and creating plans to make the most out of my money.” In college, he also plans on being a student-athlete and playing college hockey. Not only do college athletics allow athletes to set goals and better themselves physically and mentally, it also allows you to be a part of a team and make many friends. Playing hockey in college excites Evan the most since “It’s been a dream of mine for a long time.” However, college is a brand new chapter and it is not all fun and games. All seniors are nervous or scared about attending college. For Evan, he is most scared of all the independence required for college and all the responsibilities he will have. Not only does Evan play hockey, but he is also a member of the baseball team. In hockey, Evan is a goalie and in baseball, he is a catcher. Many multi-sport athletes have a favorite and Evan’s is hockey because “ It’s the place I forget about everything going on in my life.” High school sports are filled with wins, losses, and even life lessons. Evan’s favorite memory is assisting his hockey team towards their third straight Sectional Championship in 2020. The four busy years of high school are jam-packed with tests, quizzes, sports games, homework, and pep rallies. By the end of your high school career, you will have collected so many memories and one will especially stand out to you. Evan’s favorite high school memory is when he started his first game on his high school hockey team. He is going to miss high school sports seasons the most, particularly hockey. Evan’s favorite class was Mr. Melfi’s math classes because he always had fun in his classes. Outside of school, you will find Evan on the ice rink, playing hockey. One thing many people do not know about Evan is that he has four siblings. As Evan’s high school career winds down, his advice to underclassmen is this; “Be involved in things like school sports as well as start applying to college early.” Good luck, Evan, in all your future goals and pursuits! Finally Ours Diner, owned by Dave and Lisa Laffin, is a very popular and successful restaurant in our community. It wasn’t easy for them to get to where they are now. Along the way, they faced many challenges and were able to overcome them. Lisa has been working in restaurants since she was 17 and Dave had been in the business for about 25 years as well as serving in the military. Having worked as employees for so many years, they decided to try being a business owner and work for themselves. A customer came into a place they were working at and said they had a restaurant for rent. The Laffins checked it out, but they weren’t initially going to take it since it was in the middle of nowhere and they thought they weren’t going to get any customers because of it. They decided to start their restaurant there and in the weeks leading up to their opening, they were told that previous restaurants have never been successful in that location and they weren’t smart for opening theirs there. Dave says that it was the best thing they’ve ever done. When they opened Finally Ours, they received lots of support from their friends, family, and previous co-workers. When they started, they hired former co-workers and borrowed pans and silverware from a friend until they could get their own. Their business just took off from there. “We weren’t even going to open the other side of the restaurant when we started,” Dave added, “We were just going to do something small and within a month we had to buy more tables and chairs.” Their large menu has a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items. Some of their most popular dishes include the garbage plate, grilled cheese, and frittatas. They have daily specials as well as seasonal dishes like pumpkin pancakes in the fall and holiday pancakes and French toast in December. They offer both dine-in or take-out. So far, they’ve won several awards for their food and their successful diner. They won Best New Restaurant in the Syracuse New Times. They also won Best Reuben, Best Chili, and an award through Yelp. They’re currently being nominated for Best Diner and Best Brunch through Syracuse.com. If you are interested in starting your own business, Dave’s advice is “You have to put in the work. If you want to succeed in business, you have to be part of the business. If you think you can just open the door or turn the key and everything is going to flourish, it’s not like that.” “There’s too many things that can go wrong on a daily basis. There isn’t a week that goes by without something happening in the restaurant as far as breaks and you have to be able to know that stuff. You have to be able to trust the people that work for you.” They credit their success to their hard work as well as the community. “The support of our community is tremendous.” Dave and Lisa are in their diner from open to close every day to make sure everything is running smoothly and ensure their valued customers are given the best service as well as the best food. Finally Ours is located at 3788 W Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215 It's the time of the year. The deadline for many college applications are approaching. If you feel you are not prepared, here is a type of checklist for everything you will need to before you hit submit on January 1st.
Essay: On the Common App website, you will see a list of options of essays to choose from, but many students have hopefully completed these in their English classes. If you are still unsure about your essay, your teachers are willing to take a peak and help you with editing and making it the best it can be. Resume: A lot of times a resume is not necessary, but some schools will ask for one or allow you to send one in. The resume is where you will put down extra curriculars, college/AP courses, volunteer services, and work experience. A resume is a good way to set you apart from other applicants, especially if you participate in unique extracurriculars outside of school. Letter of recommendation: Most schools only require one, but you may want to have two, in case a certain school wants multiple. You will want a teacher you may have had multiple years, taught a subject you plan on pursuing, or know you very well from coaching or other extracurriculars. You will want to give them time to do this, so hopefully you have already asked around and have teachers in mind. You will also get a letter of recommendation from Mr. Ciereck, so make sure you meet with him so he knows what schools and what deadlines you have to meet. Common App questions and Additional Essays: After you have added the schools you have applied to, make sure you have answered all the questions including additional writing, SUNY questions, or major and extracurricular interests. This can all be done on Common App, but don’t wait until the last minute. FASFA: If you have an older sibling that attended college, there is a big chance your parent already has an account, even if it is from ten years ago. You will want to start by making yourself an account with an email address you check regularly. Make sure you write down your login information because you may have to make changes later on. Once on the FASFA website, it guides you through the process, but you will want to make sure your parents have information such as social security number, taxes from prior years (which can be obtained by their accountants), and assets. It is quite straightforward, as long as you have the necessary information prior. Be sure to do this well ahead of the day you are applying as it takes a couple days to process. You will be sent an email when it has been processed. CSS Profile: This is one of the hardest forms I have filled out with my parents for the application process. This is not necessary for all schools, but some more expensive private schools. If you have a College Board account, you can go to the CSS tab to see if a school you are applying to requires this from as well. If you do not have an account, see Mr. Cireck to help you create one and help lead you through the process. It is similar to FASFA questions but more in depth. You will want to know information about your parents' employment, retirement, assets, income, ect. A lot of this information will have to be given from their employers or accountant, so make sure if you have to do a CSS profile for a school, you gather this information ahead of time. Once complete, it may take up to a week to process, so get this done well ahead of time. This all seems like a lot, but the teachers and guidance counselors are more than happy to help you with any issues through this process or answer any questions you may have. Once you are done, you can relax and wait for your results. I wish everyone good luck with their application and good responses by the spring!! Who doesn’t love a nice Christmas tree? Some people use a fake Christmas tree and many people buy or cut down their own real Christmas tree. Everyone who has had a real Christmas tree has heard of Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Colorado Spruce, Concolor Fir and Balsam Fir to name a few, but what about all the other types of trees that could be used as a Christmas tree? What types of Christmas tree are used in other parts of the country?
In fact in some areas there are trees that may look like a Christmas tree in appearance but are not a pine tree, spruce tree, or fir tree, all of which are what we think of for a Christmas tree. In fact, they are cedar trees or cypress trees. Together these types of trees compose the Evergreen species. Evergreens are trees that keep their color year-round unlike deciduous trees (Maple, Oak, Birch trees) that lose their leaves, going dormant in the winter. Some of the Christmas tree options below would require leaving the state or even growing the tree yourself but if you ever plan to live in another region of the U.S. they are worth keeping in mind, and others are widely available in our area. Red Cedar: This tree, also referred to as a Pencil Cedar or Eastern Red Cedar, is most commonly grown in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. On Cedar trees there are no needles in the way of a pine tree. These trees are slow growing, have a dark-shiny green color and grow in a skinny pyramidal shape. As a matter of fact, this is the perfect tree for people who buy an artificial tree in order to have a tall skinny tree. It also will not require the maintenance of a pine or fir Christmas tree such as frequent water or needles shedding. Arizona Cypress: If you plan on living in Arizona, believe it or not there is a natural Christmas tree for you. No, you don’t just have to settle for decorating a cactus. The Arizona Cypress is native to the Southwest, has a bluish-gray color and is medium sized. This tree is very drought-resistant and would need less water than any Christmas tree in CNY. Leyland Cypress: This is an extremely fast-growing tree and commonly grown in most of the U.S. (not CNY) but does particularly well in Southern states and the West Coast. Christmas Trees in Utah: After research I found Utah appears to be an unexpectedly great place to get a Christmas tree. Utah has dozens of national forests and Bureau of Land Management sites where you can pay anywhere from $5-$20 to venture into the woods and cut down your own tree. Ashely National Forest, Dixie National Forest and Fishlake National Forest are some of the notable national forests that offer this (KSL.com). Pine Trees and potential Christmas trees in Utah include: Bristlecone Pine This tree is unique in that it grows well in the shade, droughts and mountainous areas- among the worst conditions a tree could. Similarly, other unique Pine trees in Utah that are drought resistant, can handle high elevation and prefer sun are: Limber Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Pinyon Pine and Singleleaf Pinyon (Utah State University Forestry). Florida Christmas Trees: Yes, Florida has native pine trees that could serve as a Christmas tree. They include: Loblolly Pine, Shortleaf Pine, Longleaf Pine, Pond Pine and Sand Pine. These pine trees tend to be less dense, with soft needles that are oversized and have a taller, slimmer shape than pine trees in the Northeast or Northwest (University of Florida). Virginia Pine: This tree grows along the Appalachian Mountains and can be found all the way in Alabama. This pine has also been introduced to Florida. Norfolk Pine: This pine is native to Australia and New Zealand. It can live in coastal Florida but is not hardy to the cold, making predominantly an indoor pine tree. The Norfolk Pine has a sturdy trunk with spaced-out and sagging branches. Grand Fir: This tree grows happily in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. These trees can grow up to 230 ft tall. Among the most uncommon aspects of this tree is the colors that include a yellow-green color and has white stripes underneath the needles. The foliage is dense. Like the Noble Fir below it provides strong branches for decorating. Noble Fir: This tree is also grown in the Pacific Northwest and also reaches 230 ft tall. This tree is dark green and has more evenly spaced branches than the Grand Fir. Just as the Grand Fir above this tree as a strong fragrance (ProFlowers.com). A visit to the Pacific Northwest for a Christmas Tree might just be worth it! More uncommon trees that could serve as a Christmas tree that would leave as the only one having this tree include Blue Point Juniper and Gold Cone Juniper, and my two favorites the Swiss Pine & Weeping Alaskan Cedar. Juniper falls within the Cypress family. The Gold Cone Juniper would provide a unique lime green color and the Blue Point Juniper would offer a blue color. Both would not be tall or hold ornaments but could be lighted and have garland/berries. The Swiss Pine has unique pine cones and a compact shape. The Weeping Alaskan Cedar has a blue color and an uncommon weeping shape. Less common trees that are still commonly available in CNY include Scotch Pine, Canaan Fir and White Pine. You cannot count out the Norway Spruce. These are perfect for a city or village Christmas tree because of the massive height. They tend not to be used as an indoor Christmas tree. With that said growing a Norway Spruce to decorate in your yard would be worth it. Who knows maybe someday it could be the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree? Every Christmas, we hang up our stockings with care, we blanket our house in luminous lights, make gingerbread houses, and so much more. We do have many Christmas traditions every year without realizing how long they have been around or why we do them.
When did the tradition of decorating with Christmas lights begin? There are many people who claim to have invented Christmas lights. In 1880, the famous Thomas Edison strung electric light bulbs around his office. In 1882, Thomas’ colleague, Edward Johnson, hung 80 red, white, and blue lights around his Christmas tree. In 1890, the Edison company published a brochure offering lighting services for Christmas. In 1900, Edison offered bulbs that you could rent. There are records in a diary from 1891 where settlers in Montana used electric lights on a tree. However, most people couldn't easily use electric tree lights at this time as electricity wasn't widely installed in homes. But rich people liked to show off with lights installed just for Christmas, this would have cost about $300 per tree then, more than $2000 today! Electric tree lights were first widely used in the USA, when President Grover Cleveland had a tree decorated with lights in 1895. The tradition of the National Christmas Tree on the White House lawn began in 1923, starting with President Calvin Coolidge. The first commercially available lights, which were somewhat more affordable and much easier to obtain, were advertised in 1903. A string of 24 lights cost $12 or you could rent lights for $1.50. A man named Leavitt Morris, wrote an article in 1952 stating that his father invented Christmas lights. Many fires occurred from candle lights being placed on Christmas trees. This caused insurance companies to encourage the USA to ban candles on trees. In 1917, a Christmas tree fire gave Albert Sadacca an idea. Albert thought of using the lights in long strings. He suggested painting the bulbs with bright colors as well. Years later, he and his brothers started the NOMA Electric Company. Why do you kiss under Mistletoe? Mistletoe grows from a variety of trees. Mistletoe is supposed to possess magical powers like bringing good luck to the household and warding off evil spirits. It was used as a sign of love and friendship in Norse mythology. That is where the tradition of kissing under Mistletoe began. In Western Europe, some tried to ban the use of Mistletoe. York Minster Church (U.K.), held a Mistletoe Service, where wrongdoers could come and be forgiven. The tradition of kissing under Mistletoe comes from England. It originally began that a berry must be picked from the Mistletoe before the person could be kissed and when all the berries had gone there was no more kissing. Actually, the name Mistletoe came from the Anglo-Saxon words 'Mistel', which means dung (poop), and 'tan', which means twig or stick! So technically, you could translate Mistletoe as 'poo on a stick'. Gross! Why do we decorate with Holly and Ivy? The use of Holly and Ivy at Christmas time began during Pagan times. Ivy represented the need to cling to God to support our lives. The prickly leaves of Holly represents the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when he was crucified. Some believed it was unlucky to bring either Holly or Ivy into a house before Christmas Eve. When was tinsel created? Tinsel was created in Germany. It was originally made from thin strips of beaten silver. Eventually, it was made from plastic. Then it became very popular, for it was much cheaper than real silver and lighter to go on the tree! Why do we send out Christmas Cards? Every year, many people mail out family pictures saying Merry Christmas, and receive jolly photos from our friends and families with similar messages. The tradition began in England in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. He had his friend, John Horesly, design them, and then he sold them for 1 shilling. Larger numbers of cards were produced when popularity grew by 1860. By 1870, the price to ship a card dropped to half a penny so many more people could then afford to send their loved one’s cards. Why do we give gifts? The main reason we give gifts on Christmas is that it reminds us of presents given to Jesus by the Wise Men. The color and/or gift of gold is associated with Kings and Christians who believe that Jesus is the King of all Kings. Frankincense is used in Churches and gifts given by the Wise Men showed that people would worship Jesus. Myrrh is a perfume that is put on dead bodies to make them have a pleasant odor. Christian believe that it showed that Jesus would suffer and die. These three items were gifts from the Wise Men to Jesus on the day of his birth. Christians believe the ultimate gift was given 2000 years ago by God. That gift was Jesus. Now even non-Christians and non-religious people give friends and family gifts at Christmas. Why do we make Gingerbread Houses? The term gingerbread has evolved tremendously from its first usage in Medieval times, when gingerbread was referring to preserved ginger. It was not until the 15th century that gingerbread was applied to a dessert. Today, the term is widely used to describe the sweet cookie filled with honey, ginger, and molasses. In French, gingerbread derives from the word “gingerbras,” literally meaning “preserved ginger.” In China, ginger was first produced for medicinal purposes and transported throughout the world on the Silk Road. It is believed that a monk invented gingerbread to cure indigestion. The first known recipe for gingerbread was created in ancient Greece. In Medieval fairs, the hard cookies were a staple of the festivities and were shaped like animals, gilded with gold leaf, and changed in style depending on the season. The actual construction of gingerbread houses originated in Germany. They especially rose to popularity when the Brothers Grimm wrote Hansel and Gretel, giving readers the visual of an entire cottage in the woods made of sweet, delicious treats. However, it is unclear whether the fairytale came first or the construction of gingerbread houses. The creation of these houses became popular at Christmas time due to the baking of ginger snap cookies and many other scrumptious ginger delights. Gingerbread and its houses came over to the colonies and were used to sway Virginian voters to vote one way or another. The soft version of gingerbread was an American spin on the classic cookies. Why do we hang stockings? The origin of a Christmas stocking was passed down orally, having no written records, and were illustrated through numerous legends. One legend tells of St. Nicolas wanting to help a poor father and his daughters. Since the father would not accept charity, Nicolas threw pieces of gold into the house through the windows and one happened to land in a stocking, hanging on the chimney to dry. With this gold, the girls could now afford their dowries, get married, and live happily ever after. There is another unsubstantiated claim that Christmas stockings have Germanic ties, coming from their magical figure, Odin. Phyllis Siefker, an author, describes this claim; children would fill their boots with sugar, carrots and other snacks for Odin’s flying horse to eat. Odin would reward the children by replacing the food with gifts. Then, stockings became a product of Christianization in Europe. Another legend states that Dutch children left their wooden shoes by the fireplace filled with straw for Santa's reindeer, along with a treat for Santa. The next morning, the children would find treats for them in place of the reindeer food. Folklore says the orange in a stocking represents the gold put in the stocking by St. Nicolas and you would get an apple if you were good and coal if you were bad. The first mention of stockings hanging by the chimney was in the famous poem “Visit from Saint Nick.” A combination of all these legends, cultivated the love of Christmas and the joy on Christmas morning. https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/christmas_or_xmas.shtml https://www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/history-gingerbread/ The holiday season this year is going to be the most boring one yet. Guests will be limited and stores may be closed so get your craft supplies before it’s too late!
Felt Pillows If you have felt, thread and stuffing for pillows, you can make this craft. First, cut two identical shapes out of felt. I would recommend a star, a bell or a tree if you have green or yellow felt. After you cut the shapes, you sew them so there’s an open space at the bottom and then you flip the sewed product inside out. After you do that, put your stuffing in, to your liking, and sew up the bottom! Snowball Wreath For this craft, all you need is different sized Styrofoam balls, a wreath form (and if you want, a bow or other decorations for your wreath.) First, glue your base Styrofoam balls to the wreath form. Next, glue the rest of the Styrofoam balls to the base. Finally, glue the bow or other decorations to your wreath to make it look all nice and pretty! Light jar All you need for this one is a string of festive lights, your choice of length and color, and any kind of jar, size depends on the length of the strand of lights, or vice-versa. Note: the jar should be close to an outlet. First, compress the strand of lights and put the wad into the jar, but leave the end of the cord that plugs into an outlet hanging out of the jar. Then, put the top of the jar on, loosely if you can. Finally, plug the strand of lights into an outlet and voila, you’ve got a light jar! During the Christmas season there’s plenty of opportunities to be around loved ones and show them how much we care. Some show this with physical touch, while others show it with the things they say, but other people show their appreciation and care by giving gifts. If you’re one of those people, maybe you can get a loved one something off this list this year.
If your loved one is ever stressed, a good thing to calm down with is just lighting a candle and trying to relax. A good place to find quality candles is Yankee Candle. Their candles range from $14.74(on sale) to $29.50. While COVID is going on, they have a very easy website that you can use and they even ship to your house which makes Yankee Candle a fantastic store to buy from! Another good place to shop from is Witty Wicks which is also an online website. Currently, we have a fundraising event going on with Witty Wicks for the Class of 2025! It’s very easy to use and all you have to do is use the link in your email or look up “Class of 2025 OCS.” The candles are around the price of $18.00 and they have many good aromas to make the receiver of this gift feel very relaxed. These times have been very stressful to many and it’s a great time to get someone a candle. A lot of the time, the best gifts are ones from your heart, so you could always consider a homemade gift too! Good gifts to give someone are baked goods and even a scrapbook. Baking goods ingredients and supplies can be found in a grocery store and there’s so many recipes online to try! Scrapbooks might be a little more challenging to make depending on how it’s made but you could always go to Walmart and get a picture album. However, if you’re feeling a little more creative, you could buy a book with fully blank pages and make a scrapbook for your loved one. So, while sometimes it’s good to plan out your gifts, other times the best gifts are just ones that can be handcrafted for the person you’re giving them to. A lot of people like their privacy and alone time, so maybe you can help enhance that experience by getting decorations to spruce up someone’s room. A fantastic place to find gifts easily is Amazon. Their room decor prices range from $8.99 to $60.99 and it’s so easy to find what you’re looking for. They also have LED Lights priced from $19.99 to $65.99 and they’re very high quality. It’s not too expensive depending on what you’re purchasing so there’s no reason to not get something from Amazon! Some other good gifts to get are clothes from Shein or Kohl’s. Shein is an online website that is very inexpensive and very easy to use. Your order usually comes in 2-3 weeks and the clothes are very durable and stylish. Their prices range from $5 to $25. The closest Kohl’s department store is about 20 minutes away if you want to shop in person but they also have an online website. Clothes from Kohl’s can be picked up in the store or delivered to your house. Their clothes are a little bit more expensive than Shein, but it’s still a good choice. Both options are good, which makes buying clothes a great option for a gift. This holiday season will probably be very different from any other we have experienced, but that doesn’t mean this time of year can’t be enjoyed. As long as you love the people you’re around safely, there’s nothing that can stop that! During COVID-19, we have all had one thing in common, complete and utter boredom. These past few months have been so depressing because of the fact that we couldn’t see each other, we have to wear masks, and there’s social distancing rules. However, it’s winter now and this time of year is full of entertaining things to do.
Activities on mountains and hills can always be fun. Two options to choose from are skiing and sledding. Some locations around here for skiing are Song Mountain and Labrador Mountain. Song Mountain is only about a 20 minute drive and they have so many trails to explore! Labrador Mountain has thorough instructors, affordable prices, and they serve food. It’s about a 24 minute drive and they close at 9 PM. Both places have a 4.3 star rating and all the reviews are positive. However, if you’re not the most coordinated, there’s always sledding. A convenient place for sledding is right in the back of the Jr. Sr. High School! It’s close and it always makes for a great time. The obvious thing most people think of when winter comes to mind is snow and being outside in the cold. However, there’s plenty of fun things to do inside too! If you ever want to spend time with family, some good options would be playing board games and card games. Another option would be binge-watching a tv series because if you can’t go outside. However, if you want to go somewhere while still remaining inside, there’s always bowling alleys like Bowlmor Lanes and AMF Strike ‘N Spare Lanes. Bowlmor is only about a 15 minute drive and stays open 24/7. AMF Strike ‘N Spare Lanes is about a 17 minute drive and has a 4 star rating. Their hours are usually 4 PM to 10 PM. Both have glowing reviews so there’s no reason to not try one of those this winter. While the cold might not suit you, there’s always something to do indoors! One thing you can do outdoors, which is my personal favorite, is ice skating. Over the years, I have made plenty of memories going ice skating with friends so maybe you could make some memories doing this too! Some places you can go are Meachem Ice Skating Rink and Clinton Square. Meachem Ice Skating Rink is only about a 7 minute drive and has a 4.1 star rating. Their hours are from 12pm to 10pm. It’s indoors, has a very nice set up, and you can rent skates there if you don’t have your own. Clinton Square is only about a 15 minute drive and on most days they’re open from 11AM to 8 PM. You can rent skates there too and they can even sharpen the blades if you need it! This is an outdoor rink in the middle of downtown and around Christmas they decorate a huge tree and play Christmas music. It’s even got a 4.5 star rating! However, there’s so many other great options for skating too! Another option would usually be the Reservation Ice Skating Rink, but right now, they’re temporarily closed due to COVID. The last activity you can do outside is snowshoeing. Some places you can go to snowshoe if you don’t want to go in your own backyard are Beaver Lake, Highland Forest, and Onondaga Lake. Beaver Lake is only about a 29 minute drive and they have many different trails, so the drive is definitely worth it. I’ve never personally gone there in the winter, but I’ve gone on the trails in the summer and they were absolutely beautiful. They have a 4.8 star rating and are open from 7:30 AM to 6 PM. Highland Forest is a 30 minute drive and is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. They have an indoor bathroom and a little restaurant and, not to mention, the scenery is beautiful. I went there for a cross country meet once and got to check out all the trails and gorgeous location. It has a 4.7 star rating so there’s no reason to not check it out. The last place to check out is Onondaga Lake Park because it’s only about a 19 minute drive and has a 4.6 star rating. They are open from 6am to 9:15pm and all the reviews are great. Snowshoeing can always be a good way to exercise in the winter and it’s always a ton of fun too! So, while we have been cooped up inside for quite some time now, winter is full of fun things to do so there’s no reason to not get outside and enjoy it. Just because most of 2020 was bad doesn't mean we have to apply that mindset to winter too. It's that time of the year! Chilly weather, warm socks, and time to turn on the oven. Here are a few personal recipes that are my favorite for the holidays! Hope you all enjoy it.
Snickerdoodles: A classic recipe that is so easy to make that everyone is sure to love! Ingredients: 1 ½ cup sugar ½ cup of SOFTENED butter ½ cup of shortening 2 eggs 2 ¾ cups of flour 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar (or 3 teaspoons of baking powder) 1 teaspoon of baking soda ¼ teaspoon of salt ¼ cup sugar (for outside) 2 teaspoons of cinnamon (for outside) You will first want to mix the sugar, butter, shortening, and the eggs in a large bowl until combined. Then you will want to stir in the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt into the bowl until there are no lumps. A hand mixer or other mixer would work best as the dough is a bit dry. Now you can begin rolling the dough into about ¼ inch balls. When all of the dough is rolled, you can begin making the sugar and cinnamon mixture. It is quite simple, just add the ¼ cup of sugar and 2 tsp of cinnamon in a small bowl and mix. Then you can take the balls of dough and dip them in the mixture and place them on an ungreased baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and bake for 8-10 minutes. Sugar Cutouts: These are also something everyone will love, and with a few colored frosting and sprinkles, this can be a craft for the family too! Ingredients: 1 cup of butter ½ cup of sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoons of vanilla 3 cups of flour ½ teaspoon of baking powder 2 cups of powdered sugar ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract 4 tablespoons of milk You will want to start by mixing the semi-softened butter and sugar until smooth. Then you can mix in the egg and vanilla extract on a low speed, if using a mixer. Once combined, you can stir in the flour and baking powder until blended. Once your dough is complete, you will want to split it into four sections, as it will make it easier to roll out later. Wrap the section of dough in saran wrap and place them in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. Once they have chilled, it is time to roll them out. You will want to have a clean surface sprinkled with flour, to prevent the dough from sticking. Use a rolling pin, or even a wine bottle, to roll out your dough until it is about ¼-⅛ inch thick. I like mine a bit softer, so if you do as well making them thicker will help. This is the fun part. You can use any cookie cutters you have that are festive and cut out the cookie dough and place them 1 inch apart on an ungreased pan and bake for 10-12 minutes. When you cut out the dough, roll the excess into another ball and repeat rolling and cutting out until all the dough is used. Once the cookies have cooled, you can begin to make the frosting. Just add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk into a small bowl and mix. You may need to add more powdered sugar if the consistency is too thin, or more milk if too thick. If desired, you can separate the frosting into separate bowls and add food coloring to decorate the cookies, as well as sprinkles! Gingerbread Cookies: Along with the sugar cookie cutouts, gingerbread cookies are a classic as well, and are so fun to make! Ingredients: 1 cup of brown sugar ½ cup of butter or shortening 1 ½ cups of dark molasses ⅔ cups of cold water 7 cups of flour 2 teaspoon of baking soda 2 teaspoon of ground ginger ½ teaspoon of salt 1 teaspoon of allspice 1 teaspoon of cloves 1 teaspoon of cinnamon 2 cups of powdered sugar ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract 4 tablespoons of milk For this recipe, a hand mixer or mixer will be best as the dough becomes quite thick. You will mix brown sugar, shortening/butter, molasse in water into a large mixing bowl until smooth. Then, add the remaining ingredients until all combined. Similar to the sugar cutouts, you will want to place the dough in the fridge for about 2 hours. Once chilled, you can remove the dough, split it into four sections and roll it out ¼ inch thick using a rolling pin or wine bottle. Make sure the surface is clean and sprinkled with flour. Use any cookie cutters you have to cut out festive shapes for the holidays and decorate with frosting and sprinkles. For the frosting, just add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk into a small bowl and mix. You may need to add more powdered sugar if the consistency is too thin, or more milk if too thick. Make sure to get creative and have fun! Pride and Prejudice is yet another fantastic classic written by the renowned author, Jane Austen. The novel, written in 1813, portrays a woman with courage and strength speaking her mind during a time when women were silenced, whose pure purpose in life was being demure, marrying, and bearing sons to create yet another generation of the family name. Elizabeth Bennett, the main character and second eldest of the four Bennet sisters, was brazen and shameless. She would not settle for a marriage she did not want, even if that was the status-quo. She was determined to marry for love in a time when women were to marry when asked, love or no love, and live a proper life. Her father, Mr. Bennett of Longburn Estate, owns property that only a male heir can entail. Therefore, it is crucial that at least one sister marries well to support all the others and their mother. This is pivotal to the plot of the story. The novel is set in the rural countryside of England in the early 1800s. The novel begins with a rich bachelor moving into a neighbor estate known as Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet, desperate and fanatical to met Mr. Bingely, begs her husband to visit Mr. Bingley. After pleading with Mr. Bennett, he visits Mr. Bingley, much to Mrs. Bennet’s surprise and pleasure. Mr. Bingley then goes on to hold a ball where Jane and Mr. Bingley hit it off and Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley’s friend, turns out to be a crucial character to the novel. Mr. Darcy, a proud man, finds himself allured by Elizbeth. Miss Bingley, Mr. Bingley’s sister, is wildly in love with Mr. Darcy and her jealousy drives the plot of the story, bringing twists and turns along the way. From first meeting Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth sets her mind to the fact that Mr. Darcy is an awful, proud man that she could never befriend, let alone love. But has Elizabeth judged Mr. Darcy too harshly? As the story progresses, Elizabeth and her sisters build and break many relationships. Their journey for marriage, or no marriage, is filled with turbulent and confusing times for the young ladies. Elizabeth, the head-strong Bennett sister, will face her challenges in satisfying her independent spirit and her uncontrollable love. Throughout the novel, unrequited and requited love hover above each and every character. While inheritance, marriage, and love may seem to be a central focus of the story, character and the cultural norms of the times play a more important role in the novel. Although the story may seem slow at times and overly detailed, I would rate this story a 5 out of 5 for its powerful moral and heart-wrenching plot twists. Elizabeth is a woman who steps outside the social norms in a society where a women’s reputation is of the utmost importance and can easily be tarnished. Elizabeth will find herself to be the “Prejudice” and Mr. Darcy to define the title’s “Pride.” But the question is how and why? You will just have to read to find out. One way humans could better relate to one another is to be less reluctant to discuss mental health. Any topics to do with psychological conditions tend to have negative connotations attached. In today’s world, especially in the U.S., mental illness is at an all-time high. It’s surprising how shameful it is to be a person with any sort of mental disorder, considering how common these problems are. In 2004, a survey showed that the U.S. had significantly higher rates of mental illness than any other country included in the measurements. Some examples of common disorders include: anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders (Zwillich). There are many reasons why illnesses like these are considered to be a “taboo”. People who have mental disorders can feel that they are looked at as being weak and insignificant. There is this stigma around the topic that makes people reluctant to talk about it. Poor mental health can affect everyone at some point in their life, yet people are still heavily discriminated against for something that they didn’t chose to have. Since the outbreaks of COVID-19, stress and anxiety have been on the rise. With families in crisis and the loneliness of quarantine, it’s easy for anyone to develop unhealthy mental habits. With the advancements in technology, people are able to stay in touch more. We’ve become more connected through social media platforms and sometimes can connect with people on deeper levels. However, social media can also have a toxic effect. It is helpful to get away from your phone and remove yourself from unrealistic lifestyles. This is a great time to get to know yourself. To further educate yourself on mental health, start reading books, talking to those who have overcome hardships, and start thinking from other points of view. If you find yourself struggling, try to start by talking to a trusted adult. You can ask your parents or guardians to set up a time to talk with a doctor or therapist. The journey of healing is not an easy one, but there is help available. “ If you are not sure where to turn, you can use TXT 4 HELP Interactive (www.nationalsafeplace.org/txt-4-help), which allows you to text live with a mental health professional. For more ideas and a list of health hotlines, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ (search words: children and adolescents)” (Teen Depression).
Staying fit and healthy during winter is arguably the hardest part about winter, especially when we have limited options. Most people want to wear cozy pajamas, watch movies, and eat warm cookies or drink hot cocoa. Covid has certainly not made it any easier. Gyms closing down has limited the obvious answer to many people. Exercising isn’t necessarily only for losing weight. It’s important to stay active in order to be healthy. Exercising boosts the hormones that make you feel well. Exercising gets you feeling good about yourself both mentally and physically. Not only that, but it also helps manage blood sugar and insulin levels, reduces the risk of heart diseases, and improves your mood.
Being able to think outside the box is very important during these times. Think of ideas other than going to the gym. In fact, people don’t need any equipment to be active; however, it’s better if you have a few types of equipment here and there. Some ways to stay active or exercise are running up and down the stairs a couple of times, tricep dips using a chair, sit-ups, and many more. You can do jumping jacks for some cardio if you don’t want to go out in the cold. Make your own gym at home by setting up a few things that you own. However, exercising is not the only way to stay fit. Food plays a huge role in staying fit/healthy. Eighty percent of being healthy and fit comes from the food you put inside you. For example, over-snacking and eating unhealthy can lead to being overweight and even future health problems. You should have fast foods and snacks once in a while rather than every day or night. You can accomplish this by eating fruits and veggies and being mindful of how much nutrition your meals have. This will add minerals, vitamins, and many nutrients into you that you will see and feel many improvements. Some benefits include, but are not limited to, improving acne, sleep patterns, and mental clarity. All in all, it is in your best interest to try your best to stay active and eat healthier. You’ll find yourself feeling put together and energetic. It is very important as shown above. It will make it much easier if you start by making subtle changes to your routine and habits. Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself staying healthy. |
Tiger ProwlCurrent Editon Archives
October 2021
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