Garbage Day!
The weather is starting to aim in that direction, too. It's nearly 55 degrees out, but sogginess will set in.
Weather forecasters are not predicting a snowstorm of any size, this weekend, but I think they might be wrong! My reasoning, you see, has to do with the fact the "Tapestry - the All-Centuries Singers" will be singing at a Service of Lessons and Carols at Grace Episcopal Church at 4 o'clock, that afternoon. For the past twenty years, as soon as Tapestry schedules such a December performance - even months before - it appears that word goes to the farthest reaches of the great North Pole and someone there arranges a mighty blizzard for that day! Not that the singers have ever actually cancelled an Advent appearance, but they've travelled through some pretty bad weather.
No matter how it may snow and blow, they'll be in Waterville on time, ready to sing traditional carols and a cappella selections that include compositions by Monteverdi, Palestrina, Tomas de Victoria’s “O Magnum Mysterium” and Orlandus Lassus’ “Videntes Stellam.” The Service will be followed by a Potluck Supper to which all are invited.
You MUST take time, if you possibly can, to ride around the village in the evening to see the Christmas lights. There seem to be more than ever! Even out in the countryside there are many. And don't forget to look UP! You can barely see it during the daytime, but at night the Christmas tree at the Richers Feed Plant in Sangerfield shines bright!
Thanks to Bill Staelens, the Christmas Tree once again shines bright to light the way to the Harding Nursing Home!
Social notes excerpted from the writer's column in this week's Waterville Times:
Mr. and Mrs. Louis C. Langone of Route 12 north were Thanksgiving guests of their son, Christopher and his fiancée, Jennifer, in Annapolis, Maryland where, we have been told by a source very close to the family, a wedding is being planned!
Mr. and Mrs. T. Heidel returned from a trip to visit their daughter Antonia in Altamont Spring, Florida, just in time for Mrs. H. to cook Thanksgiving Dinner for her New York State family. While in Florida, the Heidels went to Silver Springs, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach, and took the boat ride through the Dora Canals and the three surrounding lakes.”The weather was sunny and clear, but a bit cool at night and early morning. Winter Park was beautiful, probably the prettiest place we saw -they were all decorated up for Christmas.” Jean also mentioned that the traffic, there, was very heavy and “we are not used to that!” (I know just what you mean!)
The Browns of “Whiskey Hollow” had Thanksgiving Dinner in Clifton Park with their daughter Allison and her husband Rick and eight-and-a-half year old, Iain. Neither Mrs. B. nor Mrs. Methe - nor their husbands - felt inclined to cook, and so they all ate out and had an especially pleasant day because of it!
Amongst those who DO enjoy organizing and preparing family feasts were Mrs. Murray of Tower Street, who expected less than a dozen guests; Mrs. Meszler of Sanger Avenue, who - along with her husband - entertained just twenty relatives and friends. At Karl and Sandy Davis’ home on Sanger Avenue sixteen gathered to feast; Sylvia Crandall went over the twenty mark! Crandall guests included, of course, their daughter Crystal Langone and her family who had no trouble enjoying their second turkey dinner of the day. “Michael’s” made many families happy and, delighted yet more, were those within hearing of the bells upon which, at a minute or two past noontime, the Ayalas played a collection of traditional Thanksgiving hymns.
Although it was not a "Thanksgiving" meal, per se, "Michael's" Harvest Wine Dinner, which took place Tuesday evening, was probably one of the more outstanding dinner events of the season. Seventy diners enjoyed a beautifully presented seven-course meal in an elegant surround. On the menu:
- Zuppa -Butternut Squash Bisque accented with Roasted Apples and a Cider Crème
- Spoon Canapés of Fresh Lump Crab wth Lemon Zest and Smoked Salmon with Dilled Crème Fraiche
- Insalatta of Blackenned Scallop on a bed of Frisce and Arugula adorned with Fried Beet Chips, Pistachio-orange Vinaigrette in Parmesan Bskets
- Pasta - Pumpkin Sage Ravioli with a rich Parmesan-Mornay Drizzle
- Entreeés - Three Feathers Grill - Ostrich, Wild Duck, Chicken complemented with an array of seasonal dipping sauces - or - Red Snapper Bruschetta in Herb Crumbs with Sweet Peas and Polenta
- Cheese Course - P'tit Basque from France, La Tur, from Italy and Saputo Blue Cheese - the United States.
- For Dessert - Apple Caramel Parfait: layers of homemade cinnamon spiked caramel sauce, delicate molasses cake rounds, sautéd Granny Smith Apples with fresh Vanilla Sabayon.
And the appropriate wine was served with each course!
Those who attended give ecstatic praise and are already looking forward to a "Beaujolais Picnic in the Park" next summer!
