Local library raises money and spreads cheer

Contest winners

The Friends of the Greenwood Lake Public Library recently raised $462 with a holiday fundraiser to benefit the Library.  The Gingerbread Village was handmade and donated by Greenwood Lake resident and Chef, Hal Weinstein, who has donated a Gingerbread House for the Friends’ holiday fundraiser for the past six years.

Featured in the picture are Maria Alvarado with her sister, Astrid (left) and her daughter, Jacklyn (right) in front of the Gingerbread Village they won for the Friend’s  annual fundraiser. All three were thrilled to take home this holiday prize and promised that they will enjoy every last morsel!

Splash and Dash Summer Camp: Helping Working Families and Saving the Environment!

Splash and Dash Summer Day Camp is committed to providing enjoyment to children and has been an area favorite for several years running. With locations in New Windsor, Cornwall, and Harriman, they offer a range of activities for your youngster, to include swimming, sports, crafts, trips, and much more.

They are also very responsive to the community as they offer a scholarship program for working families who don’t qualify for DSS, but who may need some help with the camp costs. These scholarships are funded by their aptly titled “Cell Phones for Camp Scholarships” program. 100% of the proceeds go to fund the scholarships, not only helping area children who otherwise might not be able to enjoy Splash and Dash, but also helping the environment by collecting used cell phones.

The first open house is scheduled for Jan 13th, 2011, 6:15pm at Splash and Dash New Windsor, so get in before the spaces fill up. For more info call (845) 561-4700 ext. 2, or visit them on the web.

High Fructose Corn Syrup: Is It Really Just Like Sugar?

I see at least one PSA a night attempting to convince me that High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is no different than real sugar. In the immortal words of William Shakespeare, the lady doth protest too much methinks.

Since 1975, HFCS has been added to a wide variety of foods including bread, soda, yogurt, and processed foods as well. Over the past 25 years obesity rates have risen dramatically in this country. Are we eating that much more, or is what we are eating making us fatter?

A Recent Princeton study showed that rats given HFCS gained significantly more weight than rats given equal amounts of table sugar. The study also concluded that the rats which consumed HFCS gained abnormal amounts of fat in their abdominal region. Is it possible that a combination of corn subsidies and sugar tariffs have made HFCS a cheaper, but less healthy alternative to sugar?

Healthy Holiday Survival Strategies- Stressless Entertaining and Eating

For me, the holiday season is a special time that includes good food, fun, family and friends.  Like many, however, I am challenged each year with finding the balance between joy and happiness and guilt and stress.  As the founder of Time Savor Gourmet I help people just like you to make good food, fast and easy no matter how busy you are or how well you can cook.  As a result, I came up with some holiday survival strategies to help you eat well, entertain with less stress and not pack on the pounds, all while having a great time!  My next few blog posts will cover strategies for Entertaining, Cooking, Stress-Less Party Noshing and some general behavioral tips to help you get through the holidays with ease.

Entertaining

Tried and true, classic recipes that are low in fat and full in flavor are a tradition in my household.  At the start of the holiday season, I make sure to have my pantry & fridge armed with the items I’m going to need to whip up some of my favorite snacks when unexpected (or expected!) company arrives.  (I’ve listed a few of my favorites in the Holiday Appetizer 911 section on my website.)  By having good ingredients on hand and stocking your pantry, fridge and freezer with some basics (and NOT fat laden frozen appetizers!!!) you’ll be prepared and never caught off guard.

TSA’s New Procedures: Security or Security Theatre?

After 9/11/2001 things changed in America.   During this period of fear and uncertainty, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was born.  Since then we’ve dealt with the nuisance of taking off our shoes, and surrendering our water bottles in stride.  However, the TSA’s new screening methods go too far, may be unconstitutional, and don’t guarantee safety.

The fourth amendment guards against unreasonable searches and seizures.  If I’m not a suspect of a crime, and I am forced to choose between a potentially unsafe radiation scan, and allowing someone to grope me in a way that only my wife should, then I say we have a constitutional crisis on our hands.

I won’t be flying anytime in the near future.  Unfortunately, there are indications these measures will be adopted in train and bus stations very soon.  How long before these procedures appear in all venues where people congregate en masse?

Birthday party at Jumpin Jakes!!

LP just got an invitation to yet another birthday party. The envelope was even addressed to her! This time we get to go to Jumpin Jakes in Fishkill.  LP is only 6 months old so I am the one that is really excited! I can’t wait to see all of the bouncy houses, castles and mazes.

What great places have you gone for birthday parties?

Have homework woes? Try the Tutor Whisperer!

The Tutor Whisperer gives students, parents, teachers, and other tutors an innovative line of attack in improving academic skills and our educational system as a whole. The site is intended  for parents who are looking for tips and strategies to help their children academically. However, it is also a resource for students who are searching for ways to heighten their learning experiences, as well as tutors, teachers, and administrators who are interested in alternative, innovative educational methods.  The helpful sections are broken into different grades which make finding the help faster and more efficient. This site is definitely worth a look if you are in need of extra homework assistance. No apple for the tutor is necessary.

Learn more about the town of East Fishkill

The town of East Fishkill encompasses 12 surrounding towns in Dutchess County right along the Hudson River.  This town is far from boring, with so many activities going on, it’s difficult not to find something to participate in.  Red Wing Park is a 17-acre park with a lake and beach which is open daily from June 23^rd to Sept 6^th; it also has a bath house to clean off on those long exciting days at the park.  If you’re not into the beach scene then you can visit the basketball, volleyball, badminton and playground areas.  If you are looking for a more relaxing day; the fishing and picnic area, as well as the pavilion are perfect for some R & R.  

East Fishkill also offers sports programs for men, women and children.  Basketball, baseball, softball, roller hockey, soccer, field hockey, tennis and football are available and held at participating fields and schools.  Don’t overlook the East Fishkill Community Library .  The library provides almost 70,000 books, magazines, newspapers, audio books, music CDs and DVDs, there are also nine computers for use.

Teach financial responsibility in 4 easy steps!

I’m always on the look out for helpful articles or advice that I feel our Hudson Valley parents need to know. Even the girls (and gentleman) in our office know this and often tell me about the latest news they’ve heard. Today I found an article on a topic that I feel hits home in our current economy. “4 Ways To Teach Your Kids Financial Responsibility” presents four simple  ideas that the writer suggests for parents to try when educating their kids on financial topics. While these ideas are good starter points, teaching financial responsibility is a life long journey. How do you approach your kids when you want to teach them a lesson on fiscal responsibility?

Also be on the lookout for an upcoming article on teaching your preschooler money lessons in an upcoming Parent issue.

All kids can play Guitar Hero

Last week I met with Flo Hannes, the chair of the OT Department at SUNY Orange. The college just formed a new Center for Assistive & Rehabilitative Technology at their Middletown campus. Their role is to help those with disabilities use the new assistive technologies to lead a productive life.

What if your child can’t use a computer keyboard because of difficulties with eye-hand coordination? Call Flo, and she and her staff will arrange a demonstration of the new computer technologies that you can use at home.  At their center you can not only see the equipment but you can try it out as well.

But how does this relate to Guitar Hero? See what Flo has to say:

For more information about how assistive technologies can help you in your life call:

SUNY ORANGE

Center for Assistive & Rehabilitative Technology

845-341-4390