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Tag: meal

  • Parenting 101: Last-minute holiday shortcuts

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    Whether you’re just getting through Hanukkah or gearing up for Christmas, the holidays can be a stressful time. So here are some last-minute hoiliday shortcuts to save you time, money, and headaches!

    – Make use of leftovers. Or freeze em. Stash some leftover turkey and gravy into Ziploc bags and freeze them, or turn them into a great soup, pot pie, or club sandwich. There’s no reason to go through the trouble of preparing big meals unless you can make use of the leftovers (and save time cooking more lunches and dinners). Throw the carcass into a crockpot with leftover carrots and celery, some water, and let it do it’s thing all day for a terrific and flavourful (and easy) stock. If you really don’t know what to do with all those leftovers, make up some care packages for neighbours. Or donate it to a local soup kitchen.

    – Have extra Tupperware, baggies, and bins on-hand. Kids will be tearing through toys and playsets that have lots of little pieces, so it’s best to have a few organizational tools to keep things in order. That way, pieces won’t get lost. It will also make putting the new toys away later a little easier.

    – Have a potluck. Instead of hosting and being in charge of an entire meal, ask everyone to bring one dish so the food prep is more evenly distributed. Switch things up and do fondue or make-your-own pizzas.

    – Buy ready-made cookie, pastry and bread dough. Why make it from scratch when you already have so much to do?!

    – When baking, make extra and freeze it for last-minute gifts in a pinch. Package cookies in a brown paper bag decorated with your child’s artwork for a distinctly rustic look, or stack in a repurposed Pringles’ can for a creative touch.

    – Enlist help from the kids. Kids can do a lot around the holidays to lighten your load. Have them make homemade cards for neighbours and teachers, decorate cakes or cookies, or help with decorating by giving them simple projects like making paper chains. 

    – Take a little time for you. Stop for five minutes. Sip a cup of tea while watching the snowfall. I know you have lots to do, but you need to pause and rest, even for a few minutes.

    Happy Holidays!

    Melany xx

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  • Gift Guide 2025: Gifts for foodies

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    Do you have a foodie on your gift-buying list? If so, here are some great ideas for new products that will get them ready for holiday food and drink.

    Starbucks’ new Christmas mug is adorned with snowflakes and features a Christmas tree-inspired handle topped with a star. It’s made for cozy moments and warm festive sips. 

    This year’s newest CrockPot has a calming Ocean Fog green finish and modern-vintage design. This 4.5-quart slow cooker blends style and function, with flexible cook settings, oven-safe stoneware, and easy cleanup for effortless hosting. 

    Rubbermaid EasyStore Containers make kitchen organization effortless with stackable, nestable designs and secure lids. They’re perfect for storing, packing, and keeping food fresh at home or on-the-go (and they’re great for holiday leftovers).

    The Ninja SLUSHi Professional Frozen Drink Maker uses RapidChill Technology that eliminates the need for ice. It gives you the perfect frozen drink every time.

    Another great addition to the Ninja family is the Swirl by CREAMi Soft Serve & Ice Cream Machine. It can turn almost anything into ice cream, soft serve, and much more at the touch of a button.

    The Hamilton Beach Digital Air Fryer offers crunchy, golden perfection with less oil. It’s ideal for appetizers, sides, hearty mains, and warm desserts. With its sleek design and generous capacity, it’s a countertop upgrade anyone would be thrilled to unwrap. 

    Also from the Hamilton Beach collection, the Easy View XL Toaster Oven with Sure-Crisp Air Fry takes the pressure off during busy holiday gatherings, serving up crispy sides, bubbling bakes, and golden roasts with ease. It’s the multitasker every kitchen needs.

    The new Black+Decker 4-in-1 Multipurpose Grill offers tons of versatility with interchangeable plates: two waffle plates, two sandwich plates, two griddle plates, and two grill plates, which all work well for a variety of cooking applications. Plus, they’re all nonstick and dishwasher safe for fast and easy cleanup. 

    Boston Pizza recently launched their new Pizza Gravy. Packed with BP’s signature pizza flavour, it gives tastebuds a holi-break from the tired, usual holiday spread. It’s available at pizzagravy.ca while supplies last. A portion of proceeds from each jar will support local charities.

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    By: Jennifer Cox The Suburban

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  • United Way distributes thousands of Thanksgiving meal kits to families in Central Florida

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    IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, AND THE LONG LINES SHOW THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE IN NEED OF FOOD THIS YEAR. CARS STRETCHED AROUND THE BLOCK THIS MORNING AT VALENCIA COLLEGE. HEART OF FLORIDA, UNITED WAY DISTRIBUTED 6000 THANKSGIVING MEAL OR MEAL KITS TO FAMILIES IN NEED. MORE THAN A THOUSAND VOLUNTEERS PACKED THOSE MEALS THIS WEEK AT THE CENTRAL FLORIDA FAIRGROUNDS. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS LOCAL WORKING FAMILIES WITH LIMITED ASSETS AND INCOME. THEY SAY THAT THESE FAMILIES ARE OFTEN LEFT CHOOSING BETWEEN RENT, MEDICINE AND PUTTING A HOLIDAY MEAL ON THE TABLE. THAT’S ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED 24,000 PEOPLE. THIS THURSDAY MORNING FOR THANKSGIVING, WE GIVE AWAY MEALS THAT ARE UNCOOKED. FAMILIES GO HOME. THEY CAN COOK THEIR MEAL TOGETHER AND HOPEFULLY ENJOY THE SAME MEAL THAT WE’LL HAVE THIS COMING THURSDAY. NO MATTER WHAT’S GOING ON, EVERYBODY WANTS TO LEND A HAND. AND THAT’S SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE PEOPLE DON’T ALWAYS GET ALONG. AND RIGHT NOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING ALONG. AND THIS IS WHAT WE NEED. WE NEED PEOPLE TO GIVE, TO WELCOME AND TO EMBRACE. WE CERTAINLY DO. EACH KIT INCLUDES A SHELF STABLE, FAVORITES, CANNED VEGETABLES, MASHED POTATOES AND SEASONINGS, PLUS A GIFT CARD SO THAT FAMILIES CAN BUY THE PROTEIN OF THEIR CHOICE. VOLUNTEERS DISTRIBUTED MEALS AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ACROSS ORANGE

    United Way distributes thousands of Thanksgiving meal kits to families in Central Florida

    Updated: 11:27 PM EST Nov 22, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Heart of Florida United Way distributed 6,000 Thanksgiving meal kits to families in need in Central Florida, with cars stretching around the block at Valencia College.More than 1,000 volunteers packed these meals earlier in the week at the Central Florida Fairgrounds.The organization supports local working families with limited assets and income, who often face difficult choices between rent, medicine, and holiday meals.”It’s enough food to feed 24,000 people this Thursday morning for Thanksgiving. We give meals that are uncooked, families can go ahead and cook their meals and hopefully enjoy the same meal we are having this upcoming Thursday,” Jeff Hayward, president and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way, said. Volunteer Alisa Toro said, “No matter what’s going on, everyone wants to lend a hand, that’s so important because people don’t always get along, and right now not a lot of people are getting along, this is what we need, we need people to give, welcome and to embrace.”Each kit includes shelf-stable favorites such as canned vegetables, mashed potatoes, and seasonings, plus a gift card for families to buy the protein of their choice.Volunteers distributed meals at multiple locations across Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.

    , Fla. —

    Heart of Florida United Way distributed 6,000 Thanksgiving meal kits to families in need in Central Florida, with cars stretching around the block at Valencia College.

    More than 1,000 volunteers packed these meals earlier in the week at the Central Florida Fairgrounds.

    The organization supports local working families with limited assets and income, who often face difficult choices between rent, medicine, and holiday meals.

    “It’s enough food to feed 24,000 people this Thursday morning for Thanksgiving. We give meals that are uncooked, families can go ahead and cook their meals and hopefully enjoy the same meal we are having this upcoming Thursday,” Jeff Hayward, president and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way, said.

    Volunteer Alisa Toro said, “No matter what’s going on, everyone wants to lend a hand, that’s so important because people don’t always get along, and right now not a lot of people are getting along, this is what we need, we need people to give, welcome and to embrace.”

    Each kit includes shelf-stable favorites such as canned vegetables, mashed potatoes, and seasonings, plus a gift card for families to buy the protein of their choice.

    Volunteers distributed meals at multiple locations across Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.

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  • Commentary: Doctor who walked L.A.’s perimeter has a prescription for everyone: Escape your own neighborhood

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    Dr. Roy Meals, a longtime hand surgeon, likes to move his feet. He has climbed mountains and he has run three marathons.

    But when he shared his latest scheme with his wife a couple of years ago, she had a quick take.

    “You’re nuts,” she said.

    Maybe so. He was closing in on 80, and his plan was to grab his trekking poles and take a solo hike along the 342-mile perimeter of Los Angeles. His wife found the idea less insane, somewhat, after Meals agreed to hook up with hiking companions here and there.

    Dr. Roy Meals with his book, “Walking the Line: Discoveries Along the Los Angeles City Limits.”

    But you may be wondering the obvious:

    Why would someone hike around a massive, car-choked, pedestrian-unfriendly metropolis of roughly 500 square miles?

    Meals had his reasons. Curiosity and restlessness, for starters. Also, a belief that you can’t really get to know a city through a windshield, and a conviction that staying fit, physically and mentally, is the best way to stall the work of Father Time.

    One more thing: Meals’ patients over the years have come from every corner of the city, and the Kansas City native considered it a personal shortcoming that he was unfamiliar with much of L.A. despite having called it home for half his life.

    To plot his course, Meals unfolded an accordion style map for an overview, then went to navigatela.lacity.org to chart the precise outline of the city limits. The border frames an oddly shaped expanse that resembles a shredded kite, with San Pedro and Wilmington dangling from a string at the southern extremities.

    Dr. Roy Meals takes a break from his walk to talk with Louis Lee, owner of JD Hobbies Store in downtown San Pedro.

    Dr. Roy Meals takes a break from his walk to talk with Louis Lee, owner of JD Hobbies Store, along West 6th Street in downtown San Pedro.

    Meals divided his trek into 10-mile segments, 34 in all, and set out to walk two segments each week for four months, traveling counterclockwise from the 5,075-foot summit of Mt. Lukens in the city’s northern reaches.

    Day One began with a bang, in a manner of speaking.

    Meals slipped on loose rocks near the summit of Mt. Lukens and tumbled, scuffing elbows and knees, and snapping the aluminum shaft of one of his walking sticks.

    But Meals is not one to wave a white flag or call for a helicopter evacuation.

    “Later, at home, I employed my orthopedic skills to repair the broken pole,” Meals writes in “Walking the Line: Discoveries Along the Los Angeles City Limits,” his just-published book about his travels.

    Dr. Roy Meals walks along West 6th Street in San Pedro.

    Dr. Roy Meals walks along West 6th Street in San Pedro.

    Meals, now 80 and still seeing patients once weekly at a UCLA clinic, remained upright most of the rest of the way, adhering to his self-imposed rule of venturing no farther than one mile in from the city limits. To get back to his starting point each day, he often took buses and found that although it was slow going, riders often exited with a thanks to the driver, which struck him as “wonderful grace notes of acknowledgment.”

    The doctor ambled about with the two trekking poles, a cross-country skier on a vast sea of pavement. He carried a small backpack, wore a “Los Angeles” ballcap and a shirt with the city limits outline on the front, and handed out business cards with a link to his book project.

    Those who clicked on the link were advised to escape their own neighborhoods and follow Meals’ prescription for life: “Venture forth on foot, and make interesting, life-enriching discoveries. Wherever you live, be neighborly, curious, fit, and engaged!”

    Meals was all those things, and as his surname suggests, he was never shy about sampling L.A.’s abundant offerings.

    He tried skewered pig intestines at Big Mouth Pinoy in Wilmington, went for tongue and lips offerings at the Tacos y Birria taco truck in Boyle Heights, thoroughly enjoyed a cheeseburger and peach cobbler at Hawkins House of Burgers in Watts, and ventured into Ranch Side Cafe in Sylmar, curious about the sign advertising American, Mexican and Ethiopian food.

    Meals tried hang-gliding at Dockweiler Beach, fencing on the Santa Monica border, rock climbing in Chatsworth, boxing and go-kart racing in Sylmar, weightlifting at Muscle Beach in Venice.

    Dr. Roy Meals stops to take in the American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial Wall of Honor in San Pedro.

    Dr. Roy Meals stops to take in the American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial Wall of Honor while walking one of many paths he wrote about in his book.

    In each sector, Meals sought out statues and plaques and explored points of history dating back to the Gabrielinos and Chumash, and to the days of Mexican and Spanish rule. He also examined the history of those peculiar twists and turns on the city perimeter, mucking through L.A.’s long-simmering stew of real estate grabs, water politics and annexation schemes.

    What remains of the foundation of Campo de Cahuenga in Studio City was one of several locations that “stirred my emotions,” Meals writes in “Walking the Line.” There, in 1847, Andres Pico and John C. Frémont signed the treaty that ceded part of Mexico to the U.S., altering the shape of both countries.

    In Venice, Meals was equally moved when he accidentally came upon an obelisk marking the spot where, in April 1942, more than a thousand Japanese Americans boarded buses for Manzanar.

    “May this monument … remind us to be forever vigilant about defending our constitutional rights,” it read. “The powers of government must never again perpetrate an injustice against any group based solely on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion.”

    At firehouse museums, Meals learned of times when “Black firefighters were met with extreme hostility in the mixed-race firehouses, including being forced to eat separately. … Little did I know that visiting fire museums would be a lesson in the history of racism in Los Angeles,” he writes.

    Dr. Roy Meals walks past a display of an armor-piercing projectile in San Pedro.

    Dr. Roy Meals walks past a display of an armor-piercing projectile in San Pedro.

    Although Meals visited well-known destinations such as the Watts Towers and Getty Villa, some of his most enjoyable experiences were what he called “by the way” discoveries that were not on his initial list of points of interest, such as the obelisk in Venice.

    “Among those that I stumbled across,” Meals writes, “were the Platinum Prop House, Sims House of Poetry, and warehouses stuffed with spices, buttons, candy, Christmas decorations, or caskets. These proprietors, along with museum docents and those caring for disadvantaged children, bees, rescued guinea pigs, and injured marine mammals genuinely love what they do; and their level of commitment is inspiring and infectious.”

    His book is infectious, too. In a city with miles of crumbling sidewalks and countless tent villages, among other obvious failings, we can all find a thousand things to complain about. But Meals put his stethoscope to the heartbeat of Los Angeles and found a thousand things to cheer.

    When I asked the good doctor if he’d be willing to revisit part of his trek with me, he suggested we meet in the area to which he awarded his gold medal for its many points of interest — San Pedro and Wilmington. There, he had visited the Banning Mansion, the Drum Barracks, the Point Fermin Lighthouse, the Friendship Bell gifted to L.A. by Korea, the varied architecture of Vinegar Hill, the World War II bunker, the sunken city, the Maritime Museum, etc., etc., etc.

    Meals was in his full get-up when we met at 6th and Gaffey in San Pedro. The trekking sticks, the T-shirt with the jigsaw map of L.A., the modest “Los Angeles” hat.

    “Let’s go,” he said, and we headed toward the waterfront, but didn’t get far.

    Dr. Roy Meals takes a break from his walk to visit with famed San Pedro resident John Papadakis.

    Dr. Roy Meals takes a break from his walk to visit with famed San Pedro resident John Papadakis, 75, former owner of the now-closed Greek Taverna in the neighborhood.

    A gentleman was exiting an office and we traded rounds of “good morning.” He identified himself as John Papadakis, owner of the now-closed Greek Taverna restaurant, a longtime local institution. He invited us back into his office, a museum of photos, Greek statues and sports memorabilia (he and son Petros, the popular radio talk show host, were gridiron grinders at USC).

    San Pedro “is the city’s seaside soul,” Papadakis proclaimed.

    And we were on our way, eyes wide open to the wonders of a limitless city that reveals more of itself each time you turn a corner, say hello, and hear the first line of a never-ending story.

    Down the street, we peeked in on renovations at the art deco Warner Grand Theater, which is approaching its 100th birthday. We checked out vintage copies of Life magazine at Louis Lee’s JD Hobbies, talked to Adrian Garcia about the “specializing in senior dogs” aspect of his “Dog Groomer” shop, and got the lowdown on 50 private schools whose uniforms come from Norman’s Clothing, circa 1937.

    At the post office, we checked out the 1938 Fletcher Martin mural of mail delivery. Back outside, with a view of the port and the sunlit open sea, we met a merchant seaman, relaxing on a bench, who told us his son worked for the New York Times. I later found a moving story by that reporter on his long search for the man we’d just met.

    “Traveling on foot allowed me to reflect on and grow to respect LA as never before,” Meals wrote in his book.

    On our walk, while discussing what next, Meals said he’s thinking of exploring San Francisco in the same manner.

    We were approaching Point Fermin, where Meals pointed out the serene magnificence of a Moreton Bay fig tree that threw an acre of shade and cooled a refreshing salt-air breeze.

    Dr. Roy Meals walks along the L.A. Harbor West Path, one of many paths he wrote about in his book, in San Pedro.

    Dr. Roy Meals walks along the L.A. Harbor West Path, one of many paths he wrote about in his book, in San Pedro.

    “If anything,” Meals told me, “I’m quicker to look at small things. You know, stop and appreciate a flower, or even just an interesting pattern of shadows on the street.”

    The message of his book, he said, is a simple one.

    “Basically, just slow down and look.”

    steve.lopez@latimes.com

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    Steve Lopez

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  • ‘It’s happening everywhere’: 1 in 3 ICE detainees held in overcrowded facilities, data show

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    WASHINGTON — Mattresses on the floor, next to bunk beds, in meeting rooms and gymnasiums. No access to a bathroom or drinking water. Hourlong lines to buy food at the commissary or to make a phone call.

    These are some of the conditions described by lawyers and the people held at immigrant detention facilities around the country over the last few months. The number of detained immigrants surpassed a record 60,000 this month. A Los Angeles Times analysis of public data shows that more than a third of ICE detainees have spent time in an overcapacity dedicated detention center this year.

    In the first half of the year, at least 19 out of 49 dedicated detention facilities exceeded their rated bed capacity and many more holding facilities and local jails exceeded their agreed-upon immigrant detainee capacity. During the height of arrest activity in June, facilities that were used to operating with plenty of available beds suddenly found themselves responsible for the meals, medical attention, safety and sleeping space for four times as many detainees as they had the previous year.

    “There are so many things we’ve seen before — poor food quality, abuse by guards, not having clean clothes or underwear, not getting hygiene products,” said Silky Shah, executive director of Detention Watch Network, a coalition that aims to abolish immigrant detention. “But the scale at which it’s happening feels greater, because it’s happening everywhere and people are sleeping on floors.”

    Shah said there’s no semblance of dignity now. “I’ve been doing this for many years; I don’t think I even had the imagination of it getting this bad,” she added.

    Shah said conditions have deteriorated in part because of how quickly this administration scaled up arrests. It took the first Trump administration more than two years to reach its peak of about 55,0000 detainees in 2019.

    Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the allegations about inhumane detention conditions false and a “hoax.” She said the agency has significantly expanded detention space in places such as Indiana and Nebraska and is working to rapidly remove detainees from those facilities to their countries of origin.

    McLaughlin emphasized that the department provides comprehensive medical care, but did not respond to questions about other conditions.

    Groups of people in white clothes outdoors, some with hands outstretched

    Detainees do stretches outdoors as a helicopter flies overhead at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Krome detention center in Miami on July 4, 2025.

    (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press)

    At the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami, the maximum number of detainees in a day in 2024 was 615, four more than the rated bed capacity of 611. In late June of this year, the detainee population reached 1,961, more than three times the capacity. The facility, which is near the Everglades, spent 161 days in the beginning of the year with more people to house than beds.

    Miami attorney Katie Blankenship of the legal aid organization Sanctuary of the South represents people detained at Krome. Last month, she saw nine Black men piled into a visitation room, surrounded with glass windows, that holds a small table and four chairs. They had pushed the table against the wall and spread a cardboard box flat across the floor, where they were taking turns sleeping.

    The men had no access to a bathroom or drinking water. They stood because there was no room to sit.

    Blankenship said three of the men put their documents up to the window so she could better understand their cases. All had overstayed their visas and were detained as part of an immigration enforcement action, not criminal proceedings.

    Another time, Blankenship said, she saw an elderly man cramped up in pain, unable to move, on the floor of a bigger room. Other men put chairs together and lifted him so he could rest more comfortably while guards looked on, she said.

    Blankenship visits often enough that people held in the visitation and holding rooms recognize her as a lawyer whenever she walks by. They bang on the glass, yell out their identification numbers and plead for help, she said.

    “These are images that won’t leave me,” Blankenship said. “It’s dystopian.”

    Krome is unique in the dramatic fluctuation of its detainee population. On Feb. 18, the facility saw its biggest single-day increase. A total of 521 individuals were booked in, most transferred from hold rooms across the state, including Orlando and Tampa. Hold rooms are temporary spaces for detainees to await further processing for transfers, medical treatment or other movement into or out of a facility. They are to be used to hold individuals for no more than 12 hours.

    On the day after its huge influx, Krome received a waiver exempting the facility from the requirement to log hold room activity. But it never resumed the logs. Homeland Security did not respond to a request for an explanation of the exception.

    After reaching their first peak of 1,764 on March 16, the trend reversed.

    Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) visited Krome on April 24. In the weeks before the visit, hundreds of detainees were transferred out. Most were moved to other facilities in Florida, some to Texas and Louisiana.

    “When those lawmakers came around, they got rid of a whole bunch of detainees,” said Blankenship’s client Mopvens Louisdor.

    The 30-year-old man from Haiti said conditions started to deteriorate around March as hundreds of extra people were packed into the facility.

    Staffers are so overwhelmed that for detainees who can’t leave their cells for meals, he said, “by the time food gets to us, it’s cold.”

    Also during this time, from April 29 through May 1, the facility underwent a compliance inspection conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Detention Oversight. Despite the dramatic reduction in the population, the inspection found several issues with crowding and meals. Some rooms exceeded the 25-person capacity for each and some hold times were nearly double the 12-hour limit. Inspectors observed detainees sleeping on the hold room floors without pillows or blankets. Staffers had not recorded offering a meal to the detainees in the hold rooms for more than six hours.

    Sanitary and medical attention were also areas of concern noted in the inspection. In most units, there were too many detainees for the number of toilets, showers and sinks. Some medical records showed that staffers failed to complete required mental and medical health screenings for new arrivals, and failed to complete tuberculosis screenings.

    Detainees have tested positive for tuberculosis at facilities such as the Anchorage Correctional Complex in Alaska and the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California. McLaughlin, the Homeland Security assistant secretary, said that detainees are screened for tuberculosis within 12 hours of arrival and that anyone who refuses a test is isolated as a precaution.

    “It is a long-standing practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody,” she said. “This includes medical, dental, and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care.”

    Facility administrators built a tented area outside the main building to process arriving detainees, but it wasn’t enough to alleviate the overcrowding, Louisdor said. Earlier this month, areas with space for around 65 detainees were holding more than 100, with cots spread across the floor between bunk beds.

    Louisdor said a young man who uses a wheelchair had resorted to relieving himself in a water bottle because staffers weren’t available to escort him to the restroom.

    During the daily hour that detainees are allowed outside for recreation, 300 people stood shoulder to shoulder, he said, making it difficult to get enough exercise. When fights occasionally broke out, guards could do little to stop them, he said.

    The line to buy food or hygiene products at the commissary was so long that sometimes detainees left empty-handed.

    Louisdor said he has bipolar disorder, for which he takes medication. The day he had a court hearing, the staff mistakenly gave him double the dosage, leaving him unable to stand.

    Since then, Louisdor said, conditions have slightly improved, though dormitories are still substantially overcrowded.

    In California, detainees and lawyers similarly reported that medical care has deteriorated.

    Tracy Crowley, a staff attorney at Immigrant Defenders Law Center, said clients with serious conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer don’t receive their medication some days.

    Cells that house up to eight people are packed with 11. With air conditioning blasting all night, detainees have told her the floor is cold and they have gotten sick. Another common complaint, she said, is that clothes and bedding are so dirty that some clients are getting rashes all over their bodies, making it difficult to sleep.

    A person in a cap, white T-shirt and jeans, seen from behind, stands looking at a colorful mural

    Luis at Chicano Park in San Diego on Aug. 23, 2025.

    (Ariana Drehsler / For The Times)

    One such client is Luis, a 40-year-old from Colombia who was arrested in May at the immigration court in San Diego after a hearing over his pending asylum petition. Luis asked to be identified by his middle name out of concern over his legal case.

    When he first arrived at Otay Mesa Detention Center, Luis said, the facility was already filled to the maximum capacity. By the time he left June 30, it was overcrowded. Rooms that slept six suddenly had 10 people. Mattresses were placed in a mixed-use room and in the gym.

    Luis developed a rash, but at the medical clinic he was given allergy medication and sleeping pills. The infection continued until finally he showed it over a video call to his mother, who had worked in public health, and she told him to request an anti-fungal cream.

    A pair of clasped hands

    Luis was held at Otay Mesa Detention Center after his May arrest. It was at capacity when he arrived but by the time he left in June, it was overcrowded, he said.

    (Ariana Drehsler / For The Times)

    Other detainees often complained to Luis that their medication doses were incomplete or missing, including two men in his dorm who took anti-psychotic medication.

    “They would get stressed out, start to fight — everything irritated them,” he said. “That affected all of us.”

    Crowley said the facility doesn’t have the infrastructure or staff to hold as many people as are there now. The legal system also can’t process them in a timely manner, she said, forcing people to wait months for a hearing.

    The administration’s push to detain more people is only compounding existing issues, Crowley said.

    “They’re self-imposing the limit, and most of the people involved in that decision-making are financially incentivized to house more and more people,” she said. “Where is the limit with this administration?”

    Troops in fatigues standing near a covered truck

    Members of the California National Guard load a truck outside the ICE Processing Center in Adelanto, Calif., on July 11, 2025.

    (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP/Getty Images)

    Other facilities in California faced similar challenges. At the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, the number of detainees soared to 1,000 from 300 over a week in June, prompting an outcry over deteriorated conditions.

    As of July 29, Adelanto held 1,640 detainees. The Desert View Annex, an adjacent facility also operated by the GEO Group, held 451.

    Disability Rights California toured the facility and interviewed staffers and 18 people held there. The advocacy organization released a report last month detailing its findings, including substantial delays in meal distribution, a shortage of drinking water, and laundry washing delays, leading many detainees to remain in soiled clothing for long periods.

    In a letter released last month, 85 Adelanto detainees wrote, “They always serve the food cold … sometimes we don’t have water for 2 to 7 hours and they said to us to drink from the sink.”

    At the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Ga., Rodney Taylor, a double amputee, was rendered nearly immobile.

    Taylor, who was born in Liberia, uses electronic prosthetic legs that must be charged and can’t get wet. The outlets in his dormitory were inoperable, and because of the overcrowding and short-staffing, guards couldn’t take him to another area to plug them in, said his fiancee, Mildred Pierre.

    “When they’re not charged they’re super heavy, like dead weight,” she said. It becomes difficult to balance without falling.

    Pierre said the air conditioning in his unit didn’t work for two months, causing water to puddle on the floor. Taylor feared he would slip while walking and fall — which happened once in May — and damage the expensive prosthetics.

    Last month, Taylor refused to participate in the daily detainee count, telling guards he wouldn’t leave his cell unless they agreed to leave the cell doors open to let the air circulate.

    “They didn’t take him to charge his legs and now they wanted him to walk through water and go in a hot room,” Pierre recalled. “He said no — he stood his ground.”

    Several guards surrounded him, yelling, Pierre said. They placed him in solitary confinement for three days as punishment, she said.

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    Andrea Castillo, Gabrielle LaMarr LeMee

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  • Cape Ann news in brief

    Cape Ann news in brief

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    Listings may be sent to: Goings On, Gloucester Daily Times, 36 Whittemore St.,Gloucester, MA 01930, or emailed to Joann Mackenzie at jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com, at least two weeks prior to an event.

    Science writing contest

    High school students interested in astronomy and space exploration are invited to enter a new astronomical science writing contest. Accepted genres for entries include research reports, news stories, essays, biographical profiles, book reviews, speculative fiction, dramatic scripts, poems, and musical lyrics. Submitted pieces should be 500 to 2,500 words in length, depending on the genre. Submission deadline is March 15.

    Details about prizes and publishing opportunities may be found at https://bit.ly/4duz8AN.

    More information on submissions including topical prompts may be found at https://bit.ly/3MXaD4x.

    The contest is co-hosted by The Galactic Inquirer, a free online journal on diverse astronomical topics, the American Astronomical Society,vthe International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Education, and the Slooh remote telescopes service.

    Home upgrades

    Essex County Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair/Aging in Place program can — by using volunteers, donated construction materials and flexible sources of funding — offer very affordable house repairs to help Gloucester seniors age in place. The projects typically take a week, and the homeowner can usually continue living in the home while the work is done. Upgrades include wheelchair ramps, weatherization, handicap features, repairing structural rotting, stairs, roofing, etc. The program is not limited to elder and/or disabled homeowners, and does repairs necessary to maintain sound condition of the home, weatherization and energy efficiency, those needed to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations, and those that will help older adults age safely in their homes. Habitat staff inspects the property and determines financial qualifications based on total household income. If physically able, the homeowner must contribute sweat equity hours and the home must be owner-occupied. Learn more at https://www.essexcountyhabitat.org/critical-home-repair-program/.

    Teen task force

    High school students of all faiths are invited to join Lappin Foundation’s Teen Antisemitism Task Force. Students will hear from experts about ways they can combat antisemitism and all forms of hate, as well as put into action what they learn. There will be opportunities for teens to share their experiences and ideas as well. Meetings will be held Tuesdays from 7:30-8:30 p.m., once a month. For the complete calendar and list of speakers, visit LappinFoundation.org. There is no cost to join the task force and students can attend meetings as their schedules allow. For more information email dcoltin@lappinfoundation.org. The Teen Antisemitism Task Force is supported by CJP and the Jewish Teen Initiative.

    For job seekers

    If you need help with your resume, cover letter, or some job searching advice, contact jobseeker@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500 to make an appointment for in-person resume and cover letter assistance with a librarian. Computers, Chromebooks, tablets, Wi-Fi Hotspots, printing, photocopying, scanning, and saving via email and flash drive are all free at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main St. Questions? Visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.

    ClamFest

    ESSEX — The 39th Annual Essex ClamFest and Arts & Crafts Festival is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Shepard Memorial Park, 24 Martin St, Essex. While the events are free, for $15 festival goes can sample tastes of Cape Ann’s finest chowders from noon to 1 p.m. and vote for their favorites. Tasting only while supplies last. Lots of fun activities, arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment and plenty of food vendors on-site. Visit capeannchamber.com

    At Halibut Point

    ROCKPORT — Rockport’s Halibut Point State Park is a coastal gem of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, with free programs offered to the public. Fall is a particularly beautiful time to visit this singular seascape at 4 Gott Ave., Rockport, just off Route 127. An adult must accompany children. To book guided group tours please call 978-546-2997, visit or halibut.point@mass.gov Follow the park at @massdcr X (Twitter) and Instagram. ADA/reasonable accommodations.

    Halibut Rocks! Geology at the Point, Sundays, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at visitors center, billions of years of geological evolution under your feet at this extraordinary seascape. Ages 8-plus. Rain cancels.

    Atlantic Path trek, Sunday, Nov. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., meet at parking area. Great bird watching, curious geology, incredible views. Advisory: gorgeous but uneven rocky coastline. Prepare accordingly. Bring snacks/water. No amenities along the way. Rain Cancels. Ages 12 and older.

    Halibut Point Tower Talk, Saturday, Dec. 7, noon to 2 p.m. During World War II, Halibut Point’s tower provided valuable coastal defense. Learn its history. Ages 12 and older, all abilities.

    Halloween Mass

    On Sunday, Oct. 27, at 11:45 a.m., Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect St., welcomes all parents, grandparents, and children to join Father Jim for its third annual Halloween Faith & Family Mass, followed by treats on the lawn. Halloween is often described as a pagan holiday, but this is contrary to its true meaning and authentic origins. The word hallow actually means holy. All Hallows Eve is really a Catholic holiday with roots in both celebrating the lives of the saints and praying for the souls of our departed brothers and sisters. Following the mass, there will be treats on the lawn.

    Drug Take-back Day

    Monday, Oct. 26, is National Drug Take-Back Day and here in Gloucester, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Rose Baker Senior Center will host a collection site in its back lot at 6 Manual F. Lewis Street. The event will also serve to educate people on drug prevention strategies. All drug drop-offs are anonymous; no information is required. The service is free. Items accepted include prescription and over-the-counter medication, medication samples, vitamins, narcotics and liquid medication. Please note: Needles, thermometers, intravenous bags, infected or bloody material or inhalers will not be accepted.

    Pancake Breakfast

    ROCKPORT — Bring your appetite to Pigeon Cove Circle’s “all-you-can-eat” pancake breakfast Saturday, Oct. 26, from 8 to 11 a.m., 6 Breakwater Road, Rockport. On the menu are buttermilk, blueberry and buckwheat pancakes with sausage a real maple syrup. All for just $12. And at the bake table, everyone’s favorite Nisu.

    Archaeological dig

    Archaeologists from the Fiske Center for Archaeological Research at University of Massachusetts Boston will excavate land around the Babson-Alling House on Cape Ann Museum Green. (CAM Green) From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Oct. 25, 26, and 31, the public is invited to observe the excavations which promise to uncover new information about the history of the site. The Georgian house was built by William Allen in 1740 and acquired by the Cape Ann Museum in 2019. The findings will be discussed on Nov. 23 at 3:30 p.m., as part of the CAMTalk: History Series, with Christa Beranek and Laura Paisley of the Fiske Center for Archaeological Research at UMass Boston. Admission is free at CAM Green, 13 Poplar St., Gloucester. Please note: parking is limited..

    ‘Tell-tale Heart’

    From Oct. 24 to 27, the Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main St., Gloucester, presents an Edgar Allan Poe Double Header to put you in the mood for Halloween. Created and performed by Livy Scanlon and presented in partnership with The Hanover Theatre Reparatory, this imaginative one-person retelling of “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Cask of Amontillado” is staged as a seance, inviting audiences to conjure two of Poe’s darkest tales. This production runs for one hour with no intermission and is best best for adults and ages 13-plus. For tickets and information, and for schools interested in student matinees, visit gloucesterstage.com oremail Natascha Tretter at natascha@gloucesterstage.com.

    At Manchester library

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Fall is underway and with it, new programs and events at Manchester Public Library, 15 Union St., and new Sunday hours, 1-4 p.m. through April. Check out the schedule below and save the dates. Unless otherwise noted, all events will take place at the library. To register, visit www.manchesterpl.org, or call the library at 978-526-7711.

    Lego Time, Mondays, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Drop-in, unstructured Lego building fun for kids ages 6 and older.

    Cookbook Club, Saturday, Oct. 26, noon to 1 p.m., meets once a month to share recipes from a cookbook off our library shelves. October’s pick is “Diasporican : A Puerto Rican Cookbook” by Illyanna Maisonet. This month we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with recipes. Questions? Call 978-526-7711.

    Job search help, Monday, Oct. 28, 2 to 3 p.m. 10 Essential Ways To Avoid Job Scams & Conduct A Productive Modern Search (Virtual. Register on our website or by calling 978-526-7711.

    Dungeons and Dragons for Adults (Virtual), Monday, Oct. 28, 7 to 9 p.m. Whatever your level, MBTS’s Head of Adult and Reference Services — Maddy — will be your Game Master.

    Talent Show

    Spaulding Education Fund’s “Night of Stars” talent show is all set for Saturday, Nov. 2, in the Manchester Essex Regional High School auditorium from 4-7 p.m. The entire North Shore community is invited. Performers of all ages may audition — details can be found at https://www.spauldingeducationfund.org/events. Special early-bird pricing is available until Oct. 25.

    Blood drives

    The American Red Cross urges blood and platelet donors, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets, to make and keep donation appointments now to help hospitals restock blood products for patients. As a thank-you, all who give through Oct. 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Treat.

    For details on giving, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.

    Wednesday, Oct. 30: 2-7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave., Gloucester.

    Tuesday, Nov. 12: 2-7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave., Gloucester.

    Thursday, Nov. 14: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ipswich Community Center, 25 Green St., Ipswich.

    Friday, Nov. 15: Noon to 5 p.m., Our Lady of Good Voyage, 142 Prospect St., Gloucester.

    Monday, Nov. 18: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., True North Ale Company, 116 County Road, Ipswich.

    Appointments also are available at other locations and at the Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive in Danvers, and by calling 800-733-2767, visiting redcrossblood.org or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

    Exchange open

    The Annisquam Exchange opens its doors Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through October. Offering Folly Cove designs, silver, collectibles, estate pieces, linens, fine jewelry, kitchenware, cards, Annisquam apparel from Annisquam Sewing Circle, artworks, toys, candy, and more, at 32 Leonard St. in Gloucester. To learn more, visit www.annisquamexchange.com or email annisquamexchange@gmail.com.

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    jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com (Joann Mackenzie)

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  • Cape Ann news in brief

    Cape Ann news in brief

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    Blood drives

    The American Red Cross urges blood and platelet donors, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets, to make and keep donation appointments now to help hospitals restock blood products for patients. As a thank-you, all who give through Oct. 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Treat.

    For details on giving, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.

    Monday, Oct. 21: 1-6 p.m., Our Lady of Good Voyage, 142 Prospect St., Gloucester.

    Thursday, Oct. 24: Noon to 5 p.m., Essex Public Safety Building, 11 John Wise Ave., Essex.

    Wednesday,  Oct. 30: 2-7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave., Gloucester.

    Tuesday,  Nov. 12: 2-7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave., Gloucester.

    Thursday, Nov. 14: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ipswich Community Center, 25 Green St., Ipswich.

    Friday, Nov. 15: Noon to 5 p.m., Our Lady of Good Voyage, 142 Prospect St., Gloucester.

    Monday, Nov. 18: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., True North Ale Company, 116 County Road, Ipswich. 

    Appointments also are available at other locations and at the Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive in Danvers, and by calling 800-733-2767, visiting redcrossblood.org or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

    Creativebug

    ROCKPORT — The Rockport Public Library has Creativebug, an online database that offers more than 1,000 videos by artists and professionals detailing a wide variety of art and crafts projects for all ages. Videos cover painting, ceramics, knitting, quilting, jewelry-making, party crafts, and more. Some crafts can be learned in a single video, or skills can be honed over multiple videos. To get started, visit www.rockportlibrary.org, go to home page, enter your library card number and email address. After that, you’ll only need to enter your card number to get crafting! Questions? 978-546-6934.

    Indigenous Cape Ann

    Cape Ann Museum is presenting its exhibition of local indigenous artifacts from Cape Ann, on view in the downtown campus, 27 Pleasant St., Gloucester. The display also includes selections from the Annisquam Historical Society. For admission and information, visit www.capeannmuseum.org/event. 

    Women singers sought

    Sorellanza, a small, established women’s a cappella chorus with a diverse repertoire, is seeking new members. Experience is needed, and reading music is an asset. For an audition, please contact Patti Pike at Pikeharp@comcast.net.

    Comfort baskets

    A group of friends — participants of the Relay for Life for many years — have raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society. During that time one of its members had cancer and came up with the idea of providing comfort baskets containing products to help make the side effects of chemotherapy more bearable to patients. Many have been given away and are being donating to the Addison Gilbert Hospital infusion center each month. The bags contain, a blanket, knitted hat, gift card, lotions, mug, tea, a pillow and other varied items which can help the person undergoing chemotherapy treatments. To help continue this non-profit program, you can find Friends for Friends on VENMO or send a donation care of Sue Lovasco, 24 South St., Rockport MA 01966.

    Project 2025

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA —On Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 7-8 p.m., Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library in partnership with the Ashland Public Library, presents a virtual presentation of the document known as Project 2025, with Professor Brian Conley of Suffolk University delving into its origins during the Reagan Years, including how the idea for such a policy book originated at a 1979 meeting of the Heritage Foundation’s board. Conley will help us understand how this led to the current Project 2025. Registration is required; receive a Zoom link by calling 978-526-7711.

    Youth Climate Leadership Program

    New this year from Gloucester’s TownGreen is a Youth Climate Leadership Program in partnership with The Climate Initiative, a global youth climate education organization. The free virtual workshop provides Cape Ann and North Shore high school students with empowering youth climate leadership tools. On completion of the workshop, participants are ready to carry out environmental projects within their communities. The online program is open to any ninth- through 12th grader who lives on Cape Ann or the North Shore, including public, private, or home school students. Registration is required at https://forms.gle/3sMxDGwfSTockVJMA/. The sessions are Tuesday, Oct. 22, Managing projects to address environmental issues; Thursday, Oct. 24, Enacting climate solutions.

    At Sawyer Free

    Gloucester’s Sawyer Free Library has plenty going on this fall at its temporary location at 21 Main St., as well as at other locations and, for virtual events, online. For more information, and for all events, virtual and in person, requiring registration, go to sawyerfreelibrary.org.

    SFL Home Delivery, free for residents of all ages with special needs, illness, or disability. Questions? email:moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

    Interactive Storytime with Tricia, Wednesdays, 10:30-11:15 a.m., all ages. No registration. Questions? Contact: jvitale@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

    Protecting wildlife 

    On Monday, Oct. 21, join a gathering of Rescue Gloucester Wildlife from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Cape Ann YMCA, 7 Gloucester Crossing Road, Gloucester, for a presentation with MassAudubon’s Heather Packard. Learn of the vital need to protect the raptors, coyotes, and other predators that balance Massachusetts’ ecosystems, shocking numbers of which have been sickened and killed after eating poisoned rodents. Mass Audubon’s Rescue Raptors program supports groups in communities across Massachusetts to reduce the use of these poisons, and wildlife advocates in Gloucester have organized a local campaign team. For more information or to register for Zoom link, visit https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/policy-and-advocacy/94129-rescue-gloucester-wildlife-from-rodenticides. 

    ClamFest

    ESSEX —  The 39th Annual Essex ClamFest and Arts & Crafts Festival is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Shepard Memorial Park, 24 Martin St, Essex. While the events are free, for $15 festival goes can sample tastes of Cape Ann’s finest chowders from noon to 1 p.m. and vote for their favorites. Tasting only while supplies last. Lots of fun activities,  arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment and plenty of food vendors on-site. Visit capeannchamber.com

    At Halibut Point 

    ROCKPORT — Rockport’s Halibut Point State Park is a coastal gem of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, with free programs offered to the public. Fall is a particularly beautiful time to visit this singular seascape at 4 Gott Ave.,  Rockport, just off Route 127.  An adult must accompany children. To book guided group tours please call 978-546-2997, visit or halibut.point@mass.gov Follow the park at @massdcr X (Twitter) and Instagram. ADA/reasonable accommodations.

    Halibut Rocks! Geology at the Point,  Sundays, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at visitors center, billions of years of geological evolution under your feet at this extraordinary seascape. Ages 8-plus. Rain cancels. 

    Atlantic Path trek, Sunday, Nov. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., meet at parking area. Great bird watching, curious geology, incredible views. Advisory: gorgeous but uneven rocky coastline. Prepare accordingly. Bring snacks/water. No amenities along the way. Rain Cancels. Ages 12 and older.

    Halibut Point Tower Talk, Saturday, Dec. 7,  noon to 2 p.m. During World War II, Halibut Point’s tower provided valuable coastal defense. Learn its history. Ages 12 and older, all abilities.

    Socks drive

    The fourth annual Socks and Underwear drive is running during October, sponsored by the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. Donations of new socks, underwear, hats, gloves and mittens for women and men, girls and boys will benefit the clients of Pathways for Children, Younity and The Grace Center, all non-profits. Nelsons of Gloucester and The John Tarr Store of Rockport, will participate. For details, see the church website at https://www.gloucesteruu.org/ under “news and announcements.” 

    The Open Door

    Need help getting groceries? Let food be one less thing to worry about with The Open Door’s new programs. New clients and those returning after more than two years can create an online shopping profile at FOODPANTRY.org/newshopper or call 978-283-6776. New profiles will be processed within one business day. Active clients can place orders at FOODPANTRY.org/order or call 978-283-6776. Translation services are available in many languages. Groceries will be ready for pick-up, with limited delivery available. Need food today? Visit the Gloucester Food Pantry at 28 Emerson Ave., during business hours for basic groceries. Ordering online or by phone for pick-up or delivery within one to three business days allows you more choice. The Open Door is open Monday through Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Need SNAP (Food Stamps)? One-on-one, confidential prescreening for application, recertification, and interim report available at 978-283-6776 ext. 201 or snap@foodpantry.org. Community Meals? Pick-up and delivery, 3 p.m. to close Monday through Friday. Extra meals available on Fridays for the weekend. For more information, visit FOODPANTRY.org.

    Dory building class

    Join expert builder Jeff Lane at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum,  66 Main St., Essex, for a 10-day skills course and learn the art of boatbuilding by building an Essex Salt Marsh Dory. Designed by Charles A. Burnham, this capable little boat is perfect for single-handed rowing, allows for easy storage and car transport. Build and launch your own dory, with all tools, materials and instruction provided. Children welcome with parent.  Costs are $500 non-refundable deposit to register; 4- boat minimum to run session, 8-boat maximum; $2800 per boat. Sessions are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 21-25 and Oct. 28-Nov. 1. Registration/information at essexshipbuilding.org.

    Essex seniors

    ESSEX — The Essex Council on Aging offers events and trips for seniors. For more information or to register for an event, please call the office at 978-768-7932 or visit the Senior Center at 17 Pickering St. Also, tune in to the Cape Ann Virtual Senior Center for events and fitness opportunities on channel 67 sponsored by the Cape Ann Councils on Aging and the Friends of the Essex Council on Aging. Unless otherwise noted, events will take place at the senior center. Destination events require registration as noted for seat on CATA van.

    Walking Club, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., free at the Gordon College Bennett Center indoor walking track. Registration requested by calling Hamilton-Wenham Recreation at 978-468-2178. Transportation by CATA.

    Mobile Market at the Essex Senior Center, first and third Fridays of each month, 10:30 a.m.

    Balance in motion, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m., $5 donation requested.

    Cape Ann Virtual Fitness Senior Center: Tune into channel 67 for fitness programs sponsored by the Cape Ann COA and the Friends of the Essex Council on Aging.

     

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    jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com (Joann Mackenzie)

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  • Beat the heat with these no-sweat summer cooking hacks

    Beat the heat with these no-sweat summer cooking hacks

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    Sizzle up your summer without breaking a sweat with these easy cooking hacks. You’ll say goodbye to slaving over a hot stove and hello to more fun in the sun. With an emphasis on delicious flavors and minimal effort, you’ll make this summer your most relaxed and flavorful one yet.

    Start your day right

    Whip up quick and easy yogurt parfaits with seasonal fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and peaches. Layer yogurt with fresh fruits, granola, and a drizzle of honey for a simple yet delicious morning treat.

    Prepare a refreshing fruit smoothie for a cool start to your day. Blend together fruits like berries, bananas and mangoes with some yogurt or almond milk. You can even add in some healthy greens. Try making a strawberry spinach smoothie for a delicious and nutritious breakfast option.

    Overnight oats are another easy no-cook, hassle-free breakfast choice. Simply mix oats with your favorite toppings such as chia seeds, nuts and honey, then let it sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you’ll have a ready-to-eat meal that will keep you full and satisfied. Chocolate chip cookie dough overnight oats is perfect for satisfying your morning sweet cravings.

    Effortless lunch and dinner ideas

    Cooking on the grill allows you to effortlessly cook your favorite recipes while infusing them with a delicious smoky flavor. Grilled fish or chicken are just a couple of quick and satisfying grilling options for a refreshing meal.

    You can also create custom wraps or sandwiches by preparing a variety of fillings like grilled chicken, fresh veggies and flavorful sauces. This allows you to assemble the perfect meal tailored to your preferences.

    Cold pasta salads are another light yet fulfilling dinner option. Mix cooked pasta with an array of colorful veggies, proteins like chicken and zesty dressings for a tasty and easy-to-prep meal. A seafood pasta salad can be made by adding in canned crab meat and thawed pre-cooked frozen shrimp.

    Salads to keep you cool

    Salads are a great option for summer dining because they are easy to prepare without turning on the stove. Try incorporating seasonal fruits like strawberries or watermelons into your salads for added freshness. You can also experiment with nuts and seeds to add texture and crunch.

    Top your greens with a blend of watermelon and feta cheese for a refreshing blend of sweet and savory flavors. The juicy watermelon chunks and tangy feta cheese create a delicious combination that is perfect for hot summer days.

    For a cooling side dish, try making an Asian-inspired cucumber salad. This salad is easily made with thin cucumber slices, sesame seeds and a light vinegar-based dressing. It will add a zesty touch to any meal.

    Sip back and relax

    Infuse water with citrus fruits or herbs to add a refreshing twist to your hydration routine. The natural flavors will make staying hydrated in the summer heat more enjoyable.

    You can also create homemade iced teas or lemonades to quench your thirst without the sweat. These beverages are easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.

    Your favorite drinks can also be frozen into popsicles for a delicious and guilt-free summer snack. These treats are perfect for cooling down on a hot day without feeling like you’re overindulging.

    Takeaways

    These no-sweat summer cooking hacks let you breeze through meal prep and enjoy delicious dishes without the heat hassle. Start your day with refreshing breakfast options, whip up quick and easy lunches and dinners, savor cooling salads and sip on relaxing beverages. These tips will keep you cool, well-fed and satisfied all summer long.

    Take charge of your summer cooking with these simple yet effective strategies. You’ll enjoy the ease and convenience they offer, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time soaking up the sun. By implementing these hacks, you’ll make the most of the season.

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author based in Connecticut. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people.

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    By Lisa MarcAurele | Food Drink Life

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  • Cape Ann news in brief

    Cape Ann news in brief

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    Listings may be sent to: Goings On, Gloucester Daily Times, 36 Whittemore St.,Gloucester, MA 01930, or emailed to Joann Mackenzie at jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com, at least two weeks prior to an event.

    At Halibut Point

    ROCKPORT — Halibut Point State Park, 4 Gott Ave. in Rockport, offers programs and events, free to all. An adult must accompany children. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Guided group tours available with advance reservations by contacting 978-546-2997 or halibut.point@mass.gov, Questions? Email Ramona Latham at ramona.latham@mass.gov.

    When Granite was King!, Saturday, July 27, 10-11 a.m. Babson Farm Quarrying History Guided Tour, for ages 8 and older. Meet at parking area. Learn about the buildings, bridges, and breakwaters built to last. Touch tools of the trade. Find out how they moved these large, heavy stone pieces, and “paved” dirt streets in our nation’s growing cities.

    Club coffee

    ROCKPORT — The Sandy Bay Yacht Club, 5 T Wharf, hosts a coffee every Sunday morning from 9:30-11 that is open to the public. Folks can to check out the club and get questions answered.

    Summer at Windhover

    ROCKPORT — At Windhover Center for the Performing Arts, the evenings are for the enjoyment of great performances on the outdoor tented stage and in the studio and chapel. Here’s a line-up of what’s in store this summer at the performing arts center, 257R Granite St.For tickets and more information, visit: https://windhover.org/ Or call 978-546-3611

    Theater: Lanes Coven presents Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at Windhover’s outdoor stage through July 28. Tickets, $10-45.

    Dance: Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday Aug. 3, at 7 p.m. New York City’s Janie Brendel & Friends performs Brahms. Her seven dancers spent three years at a dance center retreat creating these works for the White Oak Dance Project, founded by dance legends Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mark Morris. Tickets, $20, $10 for students.

    Lanesville stories

    A free July 27-28 event, “Lanesville Stories — Forgotten, Remembered, Unforgettable,” will help attendees discover Lanesville’s forgotten, remembered, and unforgettable history from the 1700s on. The program includes talks, a panel, photos, documents and more during the inaugural event. This event begins assembling contents for a Lanesville time capsule. Everyone is welcome to participate. The program runs July 27-28 from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. at the Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan St., Gloucester. More information at lanesvillestories.com.

    Literary tours

    {div class=”elementToProof”}The free Literary Gloucester Walking tours started in 2023 under the auspices of the Gloucester 400+ Literary Committee, and were so popular, they are continuing under the sponsorship of the Gloucester Writers Center on Saturdays, July 27, Aug. 10 and 17, and Sept. 7 and 21. Gloucester has been home to great writers since the 1700s when Judith Sargent Murray penned her feminist poems and essays. For T.S. Eliot, Nobel Prize winner, Gloucester was his boyhood summer home and the sea themes are a signature part of his poetry. Charles Olson and Vincent Ferrini maintained a poetic dialogue in the 20th century. Rudyard Kipling wrote “Captains Courageous,” while staying in Rockport, Henry Wordsworth Longfellow’s “The Wreck of the Hesperus,” was inspired by a ship that wrecked off Gloucester’s coast, to name but a few. Tours start at 10 a.m. in front of the Sargent House Museum and run till noon, guided by noted raconteur Phil Storey. Rain or shine.{/div}

    Bandstand concerts

    David Benjamin, summer music director for the city of Gloucester, is helming free seaside concerts at Stage Fort Park’s Antonio Gentile Bandstand, on Sundays, through Aug. 25. Performances start at 6:30 p.m. A highlight of the season will be the Cape Ann Community Band “Barbie, Ken and Taylor” concert Aug. 17, with vocalist Alexandra Grace and her music students singing tunes from the Eras tour and the Barbie movie. The full season schedule is July 28, Compaq Big Band with Marina Evans; Aug, 4, Daisy Nell & Capt. Stan (acoustic fun); August 11, 4Ever Fab (Beatles tribute band); Aug. 18, The Continentals (pop-rock band); and Aug. 25, Martin & Kelly Band (country western). To learn more, visit www.DavidLBenjamin.com or telephone 978-281-2286. Parking’s free, bandstand located on Hough Avenue, Gloucester. Restrooms are ADA accessible. Bring lawn seating.

    GHS Sail auction

    GHS Sail is holding is an auction fundraiser Wednesday, July 31, at Maritime Gloucester, from 5-8 p.m. With only one loss in the season of matches, this is a testament to Gloucester’s determination and skill on the water. GHS Sail works to keep the barrier to entry at nothing, relying on fundraising for youngsters to have a chance to learn the skills of sailing and teamwork. Sail GHS’s summer drop-in program is open to any local child whose middle or high school does not have a sailing program. The silent and live fundraising auction offers items including a scenic flight out of Beverly Flight Center, a four-pack of Red Sox box seats, tickets to North Shore Music Theatre, a police cruiser ride to school, and a harbor sightseeing tour with Jimmy T, plenty of local gift cards, and a 100 to 1 odds raffle for an inflatable Zodiak including motor provided by Brown’s. Tickets at $25, including food, fun, music and cash bar. RSVP to Unis.Kathleen@gmail.com.

    At Essex library

    ESSEX — Stop by the T.O.H.P. Burnham Public Library in Essex for summer reading fun and programs for kids, teens, and adults. Visit essexpl.org for hours, events, and great new reads at the library.

    World’s Fair for children is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m. Register at essexpl.org.

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    Food drive

    MANCHESTER — “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” is the theme of the Manchester Knights of Columbus ongoing 24/7 food drive for The Open Door’s food pantry in Gloucester. The need on Cape Ann is greater now than ever before, so all are encouraged to leave food donations in the designated bins in the garage on Friend Street behind Sacred Heart Church, School Street, Manchester. Food items most needed are peanut butter; canned tuna, chicken, turkey; healthy snack items; breakfast cereal; 100% juice/juice boxes; hearty soups; canned vegetables and fruits; spaghetti sauce; macaroni and cheese; rice; noodles and pasta; and cake, muffin, and pancake mixes. (Please no glass items-jars, bottles, etc.) Knights of Council 1232 transport the donated food to The Open Door weekly. This food drive is an open-ended and on-going effort.

    Thrift Shop open

    ROCKPORT — The Unitarian Universalist Church thrift store is open every Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, through Sept. 28. Jewelry, art, toys and puzzles, indoor and outdoor decor, household wares, and beach reads. Donations gratefully accepted. More information available by calling the Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport at 978-546-2989.

    Zoom in on arthritis

    Arthritis relief without pills? Exercises can help functional movement, increase range of motion and improve ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living), and you won’t have to leave the house to do it. PACE at Element Care is offering a free virtual exercise program over Zoom every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Sit, stand, and join us. All are welcome, and it’s absolutely free. Register for your Zoom link at: https://elementcare-org.zoom.us/j/83819924499?pwd=N1N6ZHNmbUxUaXRtWm1EWmR1bzF1UT09. Meeting ID: 838 1992 4499.

    Meals on Wheels

    Home-delivered meals might be for you if you are age 60 or older, and unable to prepare a balanced meal because of physical, mental, or emotional limitations, or lack of home assistance from family, friends, or neighbors, to prepare balanced meal. If this sounds like you, and you are unable to participate in the congregate dining program comfortably or safely, Meals on Wheels delivers daily to your door. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program. For more information call SeniorCare Inc. at 978-281-1750 or call toll-free 866-927-1050.

    Creativebug

    ROCKPORT — The Rockport Public Library has Creativebug, an online database that offers more than 1,000 videos by artists and professionals detailing a wide variety of art and crafts projects for all ages. Videos cover painting, ceramics, knitting, quilting, jewelry-making, party crafts, and more. Some crafts can be learned in a single video, or skills can be honed over multiple videos. To get started, visit www.rockportlibrary.org, go to home page, enter your library card number and email address. After that, you’ll only need to enter your card. number to get crafting! Questions? 978-546-6934.

    Indigenous Cape Ann

    Cape Ann Museum is presenting its exhibition of local indigenous artifacts from Cape Ann, on view in the downtown campus, 27 Pleasant St., Gloucester. The display also includes selections from the Annisquam Historical Society. For admission and information, visit www.capeannmuseum.org/event.

    Women singers sought

    Sorellanza, a small, established women’s a cappella chorus with a diverse repertoire, is seeking new members. Experience is needed, and reading music is an asset. For an audition, please contact Patti Pike at Pikeharp@comcast.net.

    Old Salties Jazz Band

    Dave Sags’ Old Salties Jazz Band plays jazz every Monday at 1 p.m. at the Rose Baker Senior Center, 6 Manuel F Lewis St., Gloucester. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy some great live jazz. Just tell them at the entrance desk that you’re there as a guest of the Old Salties Jazz Band. Questions? Call 978- 325-5800.

    Comfort baskets

    A group of friends — participants of the Relay for Life for many years — have raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society. During that time one of its members had cancer and came up with the idea of providing comfort baskets containing products to help make the side effects of chemotherapy more bearable to patients. Many have been given away and are being donating to the Addison Gilbert Hospital infusion center each month. The bags contain, a blanket, knitted hat, gift card, lotions, mug, tea, a pillow and other varied items which can help the person undergoing chemotherapy treatments. To help continue this non-profit program, you can find Friends for Friends on VENMO or send a donation care of Sue Lovasco, 24 South St., Rockport MA 01966.{div class=”elementToProof”}

    GHS 1969 reunion

    Gloucester High School Class of 1969 will hold its 55th reunion Oct. 19, at the Castle Manor Inn, 141 Essex Ave,, Gloucester, from 6-10 p.m. with cocktail hour, dinner buffet, and DJ Leo Francis for $70 per person. If you or someone you know has not received notice, or has any questions, contact Linda O’Maley Martin at lilomartin@comcast.net or 978 281-0670. Checks are payable to GHS Class of 1969 and mailed to Linda O’Maley Martin, 3 High Popples Road, Gloucester, MA 01930 by Sept. 1.

    Cribbage

    A cribbage league plays Thursdays at 7 p.m., at the Pilot House, 3 Porter St, Gloucester. Cost is $5 a week and each round lasts ten weeks. For more information, call 978-491-8660.

    Magnolia Cribbage is on hiatus for the summer, returning after Labor Day. For more information, email dotsieradzki@gmail.com.

    The Open Door

    Need help getting groceries? Let food be one less thing to worry about with The Open Door’s new programs. New clients and those returning after more than two years can create an online shopping profile at FOODPANTRY.org/newshopper or call 978-283-6776. New profiles will be processed within one business day. Active clients can place orders at FOODPANTRY.org/order or call 978-283-6776. Translation services are available in many languages. Groceries will be ready for pick-up, with limited delivery available. Need food today? Visit the Gloucester Food Pantry at 28 Emerson Ave., during business hours for basic groceries. Ordering online or by phone for pick-up or delivery within one to three business days allows you more choice. The Open Door is open Monday through Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Need SNAP (Food Stamps)? One-on-one, confidential prescreening for application, recertification, and interim report available at 978-283-6776 ext. 201 or snap@foodpantry.org. Community Meals? Pick-up and delivery, 3 p.m. to close Monday through Friday. Extra meals available on Fridays for the weekend. For more information, visit FOODPANTRY.org.

    Transient moorings

    The Gloucester Harbormaster’s Office is taking reservations for the 30 transient moorings in the Inner Harbor, Southeast Harbor, and Western Harbor. Moorings include services and amenities such as WiFi, transient storage, floating docks, service and maintenance, as well as access to the state-of-the-art transient boaters lounge and launch services. Reservations fill up quickly for high traffic dates: weekends, and Labor Day weekend (Aug. 30 to Sept. 2). A waitlist is also available. To reserve moorings through Columbus Day weekend, visit https://bit.ly/43DLyTQ.

    Youth Chorus

    ROCKPORT — Rockport Music has announced the start of a regional youth chorus, the Cape Ann Youth Chorus, for young singers ages 8-18, starting in September under the direction of Kristina Martin and Thomas Smoker. The chorus provides a comprehensive musical experience in an inclusive and supportive environment for singers ages 8 and up, with weekly rehearsals, concerts at different events, and at Shalin Liu Performance Center. Mentorship applications will be available for advanced high school singers. The vision is to provide engaging and interactive programming and encourage curiosity, participation and creativity through music and the arts. Rehearsals will be Mondays, 4 to 5:15 p.m, at the Shalin Liu, starting Sept. 9. Tuition is $300 per year and there are sliding scale scholarships available; no students will be turned away. Registration is open through the summer. For more details, visit https://rockportmusic.org/youth-chorus/ or contact Rockport Music’s Director of Education and Partnerships Elizabeth Stefan at estefan@rockportmusic.org. For more, visit rockportmusic.org or call 978-546-7391

    EMT training

    Beauport Ambulance Service Inc. is offering EMT basic training at a new training center at its office at 19 Pond Road in Gloucester. Classes typically run Wednesdays from 6-10 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. Signups are ongoing for the 144-hour course incorporating lectures and hands-on skills practice. Those who are interested in the course or who have questions can reach out to Beauport Ambulance Service’s education coordinator at sclark@beauportambulanceservice.com.

    Rummage sale

    St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Middle St. in Gloucester, offers clothing and accessories for men, women and children. Hours are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mastercard and Visa accepted. Free parking at 33 Washington St.

    Tai Chi

    ROCKPORT — Amy Seabrook leads an Introduction to Tai Chi exercise each Tuesday, from 11 to 12:15 p.m., at Rockport First Congregational Church, 12 School St. This class focuses on simple, circling movements and the principles behind them. Participants will concentrate on weight transfer for balance and stability. Suggested donation of $7 pays for use of the hall and supports the church. Email Amy at seabrookarts@gmail.com for more information.

    First Light

    Now on view at Cape Ann Museum Green Campus, is “1st Peoples: Portraits of the First Light,” a new exhibition of photographic narratives by Matika Wilbur of the Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes made in consultation with SmokeSygnals, a Native creative agency based in Mashpee. These contemporary photographs of the original stewards of what is now known as New England include portraits of Nipmuc, Wampanoag, Shinnecock, Passsamaquody, and Penobscot peoples, all accompanied by excerpts from conversations around identity, culture, and sovereignty. The exhibit is on view in the Janet & William Ellery James Center at the Cape Ann Museum Green (CAM Green), 13 Poplar St. in Gloucester, through Sept. 1. For more information, visit capeannmuseum.org.

    School records

    ROCKPORT — Rockport High School folders for students who graduated 2019-2021 are scheduled for destruction on Aug. 15. Graduates who wish like to pick up their high school student folder should contact Connie Lucido at clucido@rpk12.org or 978 546-1234 x 30101 by Aug. 14.

    At Rockport library

    ROCKPORT — Rockport Public Library, 17 School St., offers programming for one and all. Zoom and in-person events require registration on the library event calendar at https://rockportlibrary.org/events/. Questions? Call 978-546-6934.

    Sit & Knit Circle, Mondays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., in the Trustees Room to work on your knitting and needlecraft projects while enjoying lively conversation with similar creatives. No instruction provided, but all are welcome to pull up a chair, break out your needlecraft, and join the conversation.

    ESOL English Conversation on Zoom, Mondays from 3-4:15 p.m., Wednesdays from 7-8:30 p.m., and Thursdays from 2-3:15 p.m. Requires basic English; must be a resident of Massachusetts. To register, email literacyservices@bpl.org, or leave a message at 617-859-2446.

    LEGOs and Crafting, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Mondays, in the Brenner Room to build with the library’s collection of LEGO bricks, or create with crafting supplies. Children under 9 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration required.

    Modern Drama Discussion Group, 4 p.m. Mondays, on Zoom and in the Trustees Room. Questions? email: baudano@rockportlibrary.org.

    Essex Regional Social Worker Open Office Hours: with Jessie Palm, social worker for the Eastern Essex Regional Public Health Coalition, every first and third Tuesday of the month (note date change) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Trustees Room. Support, information. No appointment necessary.

    Art & Sensory Class in the Garden, Tuesdays, 3 to 4 p.m. with Sarah Brown. Preschoolers to upper elementary. Please register and plan to remain with your child for the class.

    Summer Film Fun, Tuesdays at 4:15 p.m. in July and August. Following adult matinees, we will show a family friendly film. Cool off and have fun with a variety of adventures, characters, and stories.

    Dungeons & Dragons, Wednesdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Youth Group role plays in the Trustees Room. Registration required.

    Babies and Books, Thursday, July 25, 10:30-11 a.m., in the Brenner Room. A fun, relaxed introduction to early literacy for babies 0-2 with caregivers.

    Harvard Law School Legal Services Virtual Drop-in, Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, on Zoom. Consumer loans, criminal record sealing or expungement (CORI), disability rights, divorce, custody, child support, housing law and tenants’ rights, LGBTQ+ related concerns, military record corrections, Social Security, public benefits, SNAP and veterans, small claims court, tax issues. Register for Zoom link at: https://rockportlibrary.org/events/.

    Toddler Storytime, Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, and rhymes in the children’s room. Ages 18 months to 3 years with caregivers.

    Stitch and Snack, teen craft meetup, Fridays, 4 p.m. in the Trustees Room. Bring a knitting or craft project, or just snack and talk crafts. Supplies and snacks provided. Email Emily at esouza@rockportlibrary.org with questions, snack requests, or food allergies. For middle and high school students.

    Craft Saturdays, 10 a.m., a new craft each week at the craft table in the Children’s Room. No registration required.

    Let’s Get Growing with PlantGuyEric, Saturday, July 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn to successfully, affordably, and legally grow your own cannabis at home! No registration required for this free event at the Rockport Public Library.

    Comedy Night

    Four of Boston’s top comedians will perform at the 18th Annual Rotary Club of Gloucester Comedy Night on Thursday, Aug. 29. Dave Rattigan returns to host Brad Mastrangelo, Jody Sloane and Jeff Koen at Cruiseport Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester. Rattigan, who has performed internationally and locally, will introduce Mastrangelo’s unique routine. Sloane, a Coast Guard veteran, cut her entertainment teeth doing her sit-down shtick as a cheeky “conducktor” named Penny Wise on the Boston Duck Tours. Koen’s family won $10,000 on America’s Funniest Home Videos. He’s known for playing the offensive “Uncle Rick” in the 2010 cult film “Heavy Times.” Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $30, available by calling or texting Mark Vadala at 978-490-0939 or emailing mark@vadalarealestate.com.

    Photo contest

    The Gloucester Rotary will publish a 12-month Cape Ann photo calendar for 2025 as a fundraiser. All profits support Gloucester Rotary’s many community and international activities. The 2025 calendar theme will be Flowers of Cape Ann. The club is requesting high quality digital photos that reflect the natural beauty of Cape Ann year-round, so need images from each season, from Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea. For full contest details, visit www.gloucesterrotary.org. Deadline for entries is noon Tuesday, Aug. 15. Details at www.facebook.com/RotaryGloucesterMA.

    Music on the Green

    Music on Meetinghouse Green is underway with another summer of great free music concerts Fridays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. through Sept. 6. Concerts will be held on the green in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church at the corner of Middle and Church streets. In the event of rain, concerts will move indoors. Each concert features a different musical ensemble and benefits a local non-profit organization through 100% of the donations from the audience. Bring lawn seating and an appetite for some great picnic eats from local catering trucks. Details, www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org/summer-concerts.

    Stories under the Tree

    The Lanesville Community Center welcomes kids ages 3 to 8 to perk up their ears for some wonderful story telling at at the Virginia Lee Burton Writing Cottage, from 10 to 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The cottage is located at the community center, 8 Vulcan Ave, Lanesville, Gloucester. Visit lanesvillecommunitycenter.{div class=”elementToProof”}

    Chorus meets

    DANVERS — The Northshoremen Barbershop Chorus welcomes men of all ages who love to sing to join them. The chorus rehearses every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 46 Cherry St., Danvers. Come to the next rehearsal, or for more information call 866-727-4988.

    Carillon concerts

    Carillonneurs Luann Pallazola, Cynthia Cafasso, and Thomas Dort will perform a Christmas in July concert, rain or shine, on Friday, July 26, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect St. in Gloucester. The concert of familiar traditional Christmas songs and carols will be recorded for a special CD to help raise money for the parish. Our Lady’s guild members will also offer snacks and drinks for sale.

    Installed in 1922, the carillon bells in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church were the first toned set in the United States.

    The annual summer carillon concert series continues on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 9, 16, 23 and 30. More information is available by contacting Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com.

    Rockport renewals

    {div class=”elementToProof”}ROCKPORT — The Rockport Public Library offers automatic renewals on most items checked out from the library. Items will automatically renew if they have not been returned three days before their due date. Patrons will no longer have to take steps to renew items, even if the items came from a library in Rockport’s network of libraries. Items that cannot be renewed include lucky day titles, items on waiting lists, items that have reached their renewal limit, items borrowed from outside the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC), items checked out from a nonparticipating library. By initiating renewals automatically, the library complements its existing fine-free model, under which the library no longer charges fines for overdue items. Patrons who have registered their email addresses with the library will get an email notifying them that their items have been automatically renewed — and reminders of upcoming due dates. To add your email for this service, email info@rockportlibrary.org, call 978-546-6934 or speak with a librarian. Drivers license or two other forms of ID are required at check-in. In most states age 16 must have parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.{div class=”elementToProof”}

    Essex library

    ESSEX — TOHP Burnham Library, 30 Martin St., Essex, warms up for winter with a full house of activities to see you. Open weekdays until 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. For all event requiring registration, sign up at essexpl.org/events. Questions? 978-768-7410.

    Regional social worker office hours, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in first floor meeting room. Free, private and confidential, learn resources, strategies and skills to assist in stress reduction and management. Call 978-983-1771 for appointment.

    Essex seniors

    ESSEX – The Essex Council on Aging offers events and trips for seniors. For more information or to register for an event, please call the office at 978-768-7932 or visit the Senior Center at 17 Pickering St. Also, tune in to the Cape Ann Virtual Senior Center for events and fitness opportunities on channel 67 sponsored by the Cape Ann Councils on Aging and the Friends of the Essex Council on Aging. Unless otherwise noted, events will take place at the senior center. Destination events require registration as noted for seat on CATA van.

    Walking Club, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., free at the Gordon College Bennett Center indoor walking track. Registration requested by calling Hamilton-Wenham Recreation at 978-468-2178. Transportation by CATA.

    Creative Connections, Mondays, 10 a.m. to noon. Bring art projects or start a new one. Supplies while they last.

    Arts Group, Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m. Paint, knit, crochet, or sew? Bring a project or help create items for the Friends Boutique.

    Computer & Technology Assistance, Wednesdays, 1 to 3 pm. Help with computer, tablet, phone? Drop in and ask for Curt or Bill.

    Games with Gil at the Senior Center, Wednesdays, 1 p.m. All ages welcome, for board games or Scrabble, Boggle, cribbage, backgammon. Join us or bring a friend and come play

    Mobile Market at the Essex Senior Center, first and third Fridays of each month, 10:30 a.m.

    Balance in motion — Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m., $5 donation requested.

    Groove Fitness Video — Mondays, 9:30 a.m. Dance class to video, no instructor. $5 donation requested.

    Fitness with Gil — Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Strength and stamina through stretching, $5 donation requested.

    Cape Ann Virtual Fitness Senior Center — Tune into channel 67 for fitness programs sponsored by the Cape Ann COA and the Friends of the Essex Council on Aging.

    Grab and Go Meals, Mondays and Thursdays, noon (must be picked up by 12:30): Monday meals provided by The Open Door, Thursday meals provided by Senior Care. Please register two business days in advance at 978-768-7932.

    Sit ‘n Knit

    ROCKPORT — The Rockport Public Library, 17 School St., hosts Sit ‘n Knit (formerly Which Craft?) on Mondays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., New name and new time! In the Trustees Room. Pull up a chair, break out your needlecraft, and join the conversation. For more information, call 978-546-6934, or visit rockportlibrary.org.

    Exchange open

    The Annisquam Exchange opens it doors Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through October. Offering Folly Cove designs, silver, collectibles, estate pieces, linens, fine jewelry, kitchenware, cards, Annisquam apparel from Annisquam Sewing Circle, artworks, toys, candy, and more, at 32 Leonard St. in Gloucester. To learn more, visit www.annisquamexchange.com or email annisquamexchange@gmail.com.

    GHS 50th reunion

    Gloucester High School, Class of 1974, will hold its 50th class reunion on Saturday, July 27, at the Bass Rocks Golf Club. Cost is $75 per person. Cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner and music by our favorite DJ Leo’s Classic Hits follow. Seating is limited. If interested, please email GHS197450@gmail.com or call Cyndi Bolcome at 508-527-3377.

    Descendants’ sails

    To honor the legacy and heritage of Gloucester’s schooner fishermen, the schooner Adventure offers free sails to descendants of the men who worked, sailed, and fished on board any Gloucester schooner. If you have an ancestor or relative from Gloucester’s schooner fishery, you are a descendant and eligible for these free sails. Please call the Adventure office at 978-281-8079 to confirm descendant status and book a spot for Wednesday, Aug., 17, sailing at 4:30 p.m., from the Harriet Webster Pier, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester. Learn more at https://www.schooneradventure.org/.

    At Manchester library

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library, in partnership with the Manchester-by-the-Sea Cultural Council, has lined up an exciting month for readers of all ages and interests. In-person events will be held at the library, 15 Union St. For registration and more information about events all events and programs, visit www.manchesterpl.org, or call 978-526-7711.

    Summer Storytimes, for 0-3-year-olds, Wednesdays, from 10:30-11:15 a.m. with Miss Audrey.

    Manchester Reads 2024 is “Space themed.” Check out space-themed books, programs for all ages, crafts and a telescope! Recommended read: “Star Splitter” by Matthew J. Kirby, which imagines a future in which travelers get from point A on Earth to point B in deep space by running themselves through a 3D printer.

    Annual book sale on the library lawn during Festival by the Sea on Aug. 3.

    Tech Advice Appointments. Register for a session at noon or 12:30 p.m. Mondays, or drop in on most Fridays between 3 and 4 p.m. Questions answered. Problems solved. Learn app for library ebooks and digital audiobooks. Register your tech question with Maddy Willwerth at 978-526-2017 or email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org.

    Children’s library

    A Little Lending Library for Children is open at the Virginia Lee Burton Writing Cottage at the Lanesville Community Center, 9 Vulcan St

    Home upgrades

    Essex County Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair/Aging in Place program can — by using volunteers, donated construction materials and flexible sources of funding — offer very affordable house repairs to help Gloucester seniors age in place. The projects typically take a week, and the homeowner can usually continue living in the home while the work is done. Upgrades include wheelchair ramps, weatherization, handicap features, repairing structural rotting, stairs, roofing, etc. The program is not limited to elder and/or disabled homeowners, and does repairs necessary to maintain sound condition of the home, weatherization and energy efficiency, those needed to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations, and those that will help older adults age safely in their homes. Habitat staff inspects the property and determines financial qualifications based on total household income. If physically able, the homeowner must contribute sweat equity hours and the home must be owner-occupied. Learn more at https://www.essexcountyhabitat.org/critical-home-repair-program/.

    Teen task force

    High school students of all faiths are invited to join Lappin Foundation’s Teen Antisemitism Task Force. Students will hear from experts about ways they can combat antisemitism and all forms of hate, as well as put into action what they learn. There will be opportunities for teens to share their experiences and ideas as well. Meetings will be held Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., once a month. For the complete calendar and list of speakers, visit LappinFoundation.org. There is no cost to join the task force and students can attend meetings as their schedules allow. For more information email dcoltin@lappinfoundation.org. The Teen Antisemitism Task Force is supported by CJP and the Jewish Teen Initiative.

    For job seekers

    If you need help with your resume, cover letter, or some job searching advice, contact jobseeker@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500 to make an appointment for in-person resume and cover letter assistance with a librarian. Computers, Chromebooks, tablets, Wi-Fi Hotspots, printing, photocopying, scanning, and saving via email and flash drive are all free at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main St. Questions? Visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.

    Run for the Trails

    HAMILTON — Registration is open for the Essex County Trail Association’s 20th annual Run for the Trails to be held Saturday, Sept. 21. Registration fee is 5 Miles: $20 member, $30 non-member; 10 Miles: $25 member, $35 non-member. Proceeds go toward ECTA’s mission of maintaining trails in its member towns of Hamilton, Wenham, Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex and West Newbury for all types of passive recreation. Visit https://ecta27.wildapricot.org/event-5579436 for more details.

    At Sawyer Free

    Gloucester’s Sawyer Free Library offers fun and creative ways for kids of all ages to have a good time this summer with a host of ongoing activities, events and services at the library, temporarily located at 21 Main St., Gloucester. Unless otherwise noted, registration is required for all events at sawyerfreelibrary.org. For more details, email the contacts listed, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org, or call 978-325-5500.

    Open Play at the Library for ages 0 to 2 with caregivers, Thursdays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Books and toys provided. No registration needed. Questions? jvitale@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

    Stories and Fun, Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m. to noon. Children and their caregivers’ fun morning of stories, songs, rhymes, bubbles with Children’s Librarian Christy Rosso at MAGMA, 186 Main St., fifth floor. Questions? 978-325-5500.

    SFL Device Advice, Thursdays, noon to 2 p.m., one-on-one appointments with a Library staff member assisting with tech issues. Call 978-325-5500 for appointment.

    SFL Home Delivery, free for residents of all ages with special needs, illness, or disability. Questions? email:moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

    Sawyer Seed Library: Choose from a selection of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds for your own garden. The Library hopes people will explore the varieties and grow from seed to seed, enjoying the harvest and capturing seeds for future planting, or donating them back to the Seed Library. Questions? Contact: moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org.{div class=”elementToProof”}

    Balance workshop

    {div class=”elementToProof”}{div class=”elementToProof”}“A Matter of Balance” workshop is an eight-week free workshop focusing on educating and supporting older adults around falling and the fear of falling. it will be held Wednesdays, through Aug. 21 at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester. Through group discussion, practical strategies and light exercising, older adults will reduce the fear and risk of falling, helping them to stay active and involved. For information and to register, call Abby Considine of SeniorCare Inc. at 978-281-1750 x-581.{div class=”elementToProof”}

    Museum, zoo passes

    Local libraries offer cardholders passes to many regional cultural attractions.

    Funded by the Friends, Sawyer Free Library, 21 Main St., offers cardholders passes to the Boston Children’s Museum, Cape Ann Museum, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Maritime Gloucester , Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, Peabody Essex Museum, New England Aquarium, Sargent House Museum, Zoo New England and new additions North Shore Children’s Museum and Historic New England properties. Library patrons can visit sawyerfreelibrary.org to reserve passes. Questions? Contact 978-325-5500.

    Manchester Public Library offers passes to the Cape Ann Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Museum of Science, Peabody Essex Museum and Zoo New England. Manchester Public Library patrons may visit www.manchesterpl.org and click on Museum Passes to begin the reservation process. Click on the museum you are interested in visiting and there you will see instructions to reserve a timed ticket. If you have any questions, please call the library at 978-526-7711.

    Blood drives

    • The American Red Cross urges blood and platelet donors, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets, to make and keep donation appointments now to help hospitals restock blood products for patients. Those who give blood in July will automatically be entered for a chance to win a 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn. All who donate through July 31 get a Fandango Movie Ticketby email.

    Tuesday, July 30: Noon to 5 p.m., Manchester American Legion, 14 Church St., Manchester-by-the-Sea; and 2-7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave., Gloucester.

    Friday, Aug. 2: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., John T. Heard Masonic Lodge, 70 Topsfield Road, Ipswich.

    Monday, Aug. 12: 2-7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave., Gloucester.

    Monday, Aug. 19: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cruiseport Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester.

    Appointments also are available at other locations and at the Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive in Danvers, and by calling 800-733-2767, visiting redcrossblood.org or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

    Republicans meet

    The Gloucester Republican City Committee will meet Thursday, Aug. 1, at Gloucester Fraternity Club, 27 Webster St. Doors open 6 p.m.. Meeting starts 7 p.m.. All welcome. For information call: 508-284-2418.

    Manchester seniors

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — The Manchester Council on Aging, 10 Central St., Manchester, offers a full schedule of activities. Learn more or to reserve a seat on the van, please call the Council on Aging at 978-526-7500, or drop by the office at 10 Center St.

    Thursday, Aug. 1, trip to the Ipswich Farmer’s Market. Field-fresh produce, herbs, delicious treats. The van pick up starts 2:30 p.m. Return by 4:30 p.m.

    Friday, Aug. 2, trip to Wenham Museum’s Art Grows Here. Outdoor art created by members of the community throughout the towns of Hamilton and Wenham. Enjoy viewing art installations from the van. Van pick up starts at 10:15 a.m.

    Friday, Aug. 9, trip to Prince Pizzeria in Saugus. Pizza, pasta and all things Italian. Van pick up starts 11 a.m. Return is by 2 p.m.

    Monday, Aug, 12, trip to Beverly Farmer’s Market. Farm fresh produce and more. Van pick up starts 3 p.m. Return around 4:30 p.m.

    Wednesday, Aug. 14, trip to the Stonewall Kitchen Store and Café in York. Preserves, condiments, mustards, relishes, baking mixes, pancake and waffle mixes and more.

    Friday, Aug. 16, trip to Bearskin Neck in beautiful Rockport where you can check out the shops, look at the art, enjoy the view, or grab a snack at one of the many eating establishments. Van pick up seniors at 10:15 a.m., return around 2 p.m.

    Writers Center events

    The Gloucester Writers Center, 126 E. Main St., Gloucester, is a 501©(3) nonprofit founded in 2010. Its mission is to celebrate Cape Ann’s literary legacy and promote writing as an art and a tool. Here are some sessions coming up. Find more details at gloucesterwriters.org.

    Open Mic Nights, first Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., 126 East Main St., Gloucester. Come early, sign up, enjoy refreshments and camaraderie. Bring five minutes of work to share! in low-key, supportive setting. Parking is at Chapel Street + North Shore Arts, just down the road.

    Volunteer at the Gloucester Writers Center, a small, community-focused nonprofit.

    Women artists

    On view at Cape Ann Museum, 27 Pleasant St., Gloucester, is a major retrospective of a wealth of works by Cape Ann women artists, from 1870-1970, many of whom have gained national recognition. Drawing from the museum’s collection, the works of 42 women artists are organized around the themes of portraiture, summer on Cape Ann, illustrators and authors, new visions and the collaborative spirit. On Saturday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m., Sylvia Yount, Lawrence A Fleischman Curator in Charge of the American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will give a lecture exploring artist Cecilia Beaux’s Green Alley Days. To register, visit: https://www.capeannmuseum.org/event/camtalk-exhibition-series-cecilia-beauxs-green-alley-days/

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    jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com (Joann Mackenzie)

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  • SLOPPY JOES – Crock Pot or Stove Top

    SLOPPY JOES – Crock Pot or Stove Top

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    If you love sloppy joes you must try this recipe! It has wonderful reviews, super easy to make and can be made in the crock pot or on the stove top.

    Homemade Sloppy Joes

    If you love simple dishes, you will want to check out our Lazy Lasagna! It’s only 4 ingredients, super simple and a delicious recipe.

    ❤️WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE

    There are a few reasons why we love this recipe. It’s super easy to make which is always a plus, the flavor is incredible and it’s versatile. The meat really has a great taste and we also love it served over a sweet potato. Something about the sweetness of the potato with this recipe is really good. We love to serve this for family gatherings, we will make it up and put it in the crock pot and anyone can make a sandwich when the want. Just add some potato chips and you have a simple and delicious meal!

    🍴KEY INGREDIENTS

    • Hamburger
    • Onion
    • Tomato sauce
    • Ketchup
    • Yellow mustard
    • Minced garlic
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • Brown sugar

    🍽️HOW TO MAKE

    This is recipe is very easy to make and comes together really quickly. It’s great for a busy night if you want to make it on the stove or put it in the crock pot and let it cook for a bit.

    COOKING STEPS

    Step 1
    Crock Pot Method: Brown the ground beef and onions in a skillet on top of the stove and drain. Place hamburger and onions along with the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, garlic, Worcestershire and brown sugar in the crock pot on low for 3 to 4 hours or high for 2 hours.

    Step 2
    Skillet Method: Brown ground beef and onions, drain. Add remaining ingredients and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.

    Homemade Sloppy JoesHomemade Sloppy Joes

    ⭐TIP

    You can easily double or triple this recipe for a larger group. We like to make this one in the crock pot because it gives the ingredients time to marry and adds to the flavor.

    Also you can make any of our sloppy joe recipes with ground turkey or ground chicken. We have made it with both and love it.

    OTHER SLOPPY JOE RECIPES

    • Smokey BBQ Sloppy Joes – This is a different version and really good. The smoke flavor with the bbq sauce is delicious. We added cheese too, which is totally versatile.
    • Steak Sauce Sloppy Joes – These are made with a delicious steak sauce and these are great! Really unique but oh so good.
    • Sloppy Joe Pasta Casserole – Love sloppy joes and pasta.. try this combination! The same flavor of our favorite sloppy joes but in a skillet with pasta. DELICIOUS!
    • Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe Sliders – This recipe is wonderful and one you should definitely try. It’s a twist on a classic and always a hit!

    STORING, REHEATING & SERVING SIZE

    This makes about 6 servings, we reheat in the microwave or in a skillet and store in the refrigerator. This meat will keep for a few days!

    Homemade Sloppy Joes

    Judy Yeager

    This recipe for homemade sloppy joes can be made on the stove top or in the crock pot. It has wonderful reviews! Add some chips and you have a simple yet delicious meal.

    Prep Time 10 minutes

    Cook Time 15 minutes

    Total Time 25 minutes

    Course Dinner

    Cuisine American

    • 1 pound hamburger
    • 3/4 cup finely chopped onion
    • 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
    • 1/2 cup tomato ketchup
    • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

    • Crock Pot Method: Brown the ground beef and onions in a skillet on top of the stove and drain. Place hamburger and onions along with the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, garlic, Worcestershire and brown sugar in the crock pot on low for 3 to 4 hours or high for 2 hours.

    • Skillet Method: Brown ground beef and onions, drain. Add remaining ingredients and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.

    Keyword crock pot sloppy joes,, Homemade Sloppy Joes

    Let us know by commenting below!

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    Leigh Walkup

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  • Gobble gobble

    Gobble gobble

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    Me and my wife’s first ever attempt at a Thanksgiving meal. We’re calling it our trial run. Never made it before together normally go to other people’s houses which we still are this is just a small thing for me and my family. Hope you all have a good day.

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  • Supermom In Training: Parent challenge: Eat what your kids eat

    Supermom In Training: Parent challenge: Eat what your kids eat

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    The other day my 9-year-old wanted a bowl of Goldfish crackers. As usual, I told him if he wanted something “junky” like that, he had to eat something nutritional, like an apple, which he happily obliged. And it got me to thinking: what if I ate what I make my son eat? I’d be much healthier.

    When I’m chiming after him to drink some water, I’m busy making my third coffee. While I’m preparing him a well-balanced lunch of protein, fruits, veggies, and some dairy, I’m stuffing stale muffins in my mouth and washing it down with, what else, more coffee. I don’t get 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and instead sacrifice sleep for alone time to binge watch horrible reality TV shows. 

    We spend so much time focusing on our children’s health and give so much less attention to our own wellbeing. Why is that? 

    Oh yeah- because our kids always come first.

    But maybe it’s time that we come in at a close second. And it’s not just nutritional choices. What about limiting our own screen time? Reading more? Flexing our creative muscles and doing a craft or art project?

    I’d like to issue a challenge to all you parents in the New Year: let’s make our family’s health a priority, not just our kids. Let’s hydrate like we encourage our children to do and try to eat more balanced meals and snacks. Let’s wear sunscreen, let’s get regular dentist and doctor appointments, let’s put time aside for naps (or at least resting), let’s get good-quality sleep, and let’s read and create more.

    In the end, we’ll all be better parents for it!

    A full-time work-from-home mom, Jennifer Cox (our “Supermom in Training”) loves dabbling in healthy cooking, craft projects, family outings, and more, sharing with readers everything she knows about being an (almost) superhero mommy.

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  • Gift Guide 2022: Best gifts for foodies

    Gift Guide 2022: Best gifts for foodies

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    Friends and family who love spending time in the kitchen also love the latest in kitchen gadgets. Whether it’s cooking, baking, or entertaining, there are slews of fun, handy products that can make their holidays a little more magical. Here are a few of the best gifts for foodies.

    The Cuisinart Custom 14 14-cup food processor is made from brushed stainless steel and is a breeze to use. Whether making a weeknight meal or a weekend celebration, the large capacity work bowl will hold everything as the 720-watt motor makes quick work chopping fruits and vegetables, shredding cheese, or kneading dough.

    Kilne steak knives are the best you can get! These small but powerful knives have serrated blades that transition comfortably from meal prep to the dinner table. And they come in a beautiful acacia wood knife block.

    The KitchenAid 2022 Design Series Blossom Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is every baker’s dream come true. First off, it’s stunning: the soft green looks gorgeous matched with the hammered copper bowl. The soft thyme green colour and botanical accents are inspired by the aromatic herbs and edible flowers used in cooking and baking. The bowl even develops a unique patina over time.

    The gingerbread wood serving board, available at Indigo, is festive and adorable. It is made from acacia wood with a rich walnut stain and cute brass buttons to highlight the wood’s natural grain and add warmth to any holiday table.

    The rectangular roasting dish from Creuset will be the only pan you’ll ever have to buy your favourite cook. It always has even heat distribution and is extremely versatile. It can be used in a variety of ways by home cooks and chefs alike for roasting poultry, or even to prepare weekend comfort meals.

    – Jennifer Cox

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  • Supermom In Training: I’ve reached a new level of exhaustion

    Supermom In Training: I’ve reached a new level of exhaustion

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    I’m tired. But not yawn-and-stretch tired. Like numb.

    I dunno why. Maybe it’s the change of seasons. Although we’ve had incredibly warm fall weather, I’m feeling blah. 

    We’ve had a lot of visitors lately, and hockey season keeps us going 3-4 times a week at arenas all around our area. It was Halloween and I (as always) overdo it with the themed food, decorations, etc. I really want to get ahead on my Christmas shopping because I like December to be a month where I can instead focus on all the fun get-togethers and activities rather than frantically shopping. I’m working out my son starting sacrament classes with church. I’m helping take care of my 91-year-old grandfather. I volunteer at my son’s school one morning a week and have been helping with book repairs at home. I’ve got an energetic pup who needs his exercise and attention. My husband works different shifts at all hours of the day and night, so I’m the one keeping everything organized and going at home. There’s a lot of meal prep and lunch-making. Oh, and I have this thing where I work full-time too.

    And I feel burnt. I’m sick of grocery shopping and making the same boring meals for lunch and dinner, but I don’t have the “oomph” to come up with anything “different” at the moment. I have passion projects like book writing and podcasting on the back burner because I don’t have the creative juice for them by the end of the day. I’ll realize I haven’t chatted with a close friend in weeks because the days are rushing by in monotony.

    I know I’m not the only one. In fact, I’d venture a guess that almost every parent reading this could also write a paragraph-long rant about all the balls they’re juggling simultaneously like me. But it feels good to let it out. Cathartic. 

    How are you doing? Need to rant for a minute? Rant away in the comments… I’m listening. 

    A full-time work-from-home mom, Jennifer Cox (our “Supermom in Training”) loves dabbling in healthy cooking, craft projects, family outings, and more, sharing with readers everything she knows about being an (almost) superhero mommy.

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  • Supermom In Training: 8 Nutritious Halloween-themed snacks and meals to offset the sugar rush

    Supermom In Training: 8 Nutritious Halloween-themed snacks and meals to offset the sugar rush

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    For kids, the true essence of Halloween isn’t really about the pumpkins and the spookiness of it all – it’s about the sugar!! Undoubtedly, your kids are going to have their fair share of treats for Halloween, so prepare one of these 8 nutritious Halloween-themed snacks and meals to offset the sugar rush.

    Fearsome veggies and dip- make them festive by serving vegetable slices in hollowed out peppers, and carving little pumpkin faces in them.

    A frightful fruit platter. Ghost bananas, mummified strawberries, apple monsters and pumpkin clementines.

    A cauldron of dip. Make hot bean dip or pizza dip. Turn slices of cheese into ghosts and add black olive spiders for fun effects.

    DEVILled eggs. They’re filling, healthy, and devilishly delicious.

    Monster sliders. Use pickles, olives and cheese to turn ordinary little burgers into frightening monsters.

    Mummy-wrapped sausages. Get some protein into those kiddos!

    Mini pizza webs. Make extras because these will disappear quickly.

    Spooky spaghetti. Turn a round plate of spaghetti into a hideous monster face.

    A full-time work-from-home mom, Jennifer Cox (our “Supermom in Training”) loves dabbling in healthy cooking, craft projects, family outings, and more, sharing with readers everything she knows about being an (almost) superhero mommy.

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  • Supermom In Training: 4 Quick ways to simplify your life as a parent

    Supermom In Training: 4 Quick ways to simplify your life as a parent

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    I’m always looking for shortcuts – quick hacks that will make my life just a little bit easier. Whether it’s taking a few extra minutes to get organized, or a few extra dollars to save my overall sanity.

    If you’re hosting, get help! There’s no need to go at it alone. If you’re having a big group over, make it a potluck so everyone pitches in. Or, meal kit services like HelloFresh can streamline the whole process by delivering all the ingredients and recipes you need right to your front door (they even have an all-inclusive Thanksgiving kit too).

    Meal plan. Take the time on the weekend to plan the dinners for the week. Take it a step further and prep some stuff for breakfast and lunch too (cutup veggies and fruits, meal muffins, and more). It will save you the headache of figuring things out in the moment day-to-day.

    Organize some reciprocal playdates. If you need a few extra hours during the week, suggest to a fellow parent that you’ll take turns hosting playdates after school or on weekends. 

    Take time for you. You know what will make you a better parent – if you’re a happier, healthier parent. No, there’s isn’t always time in the day for alone time or a nap, but you can always find 10 minutes here and there for some quiet downtime, some yoga stretches, a walk, or just sitting quietly and decompressing.

    A full-time work-from-home mom, Jennifer Cox (our “Supermom in Training”) loves dabbling in healthy cooking, craft projects, family outings, and more, sharing with readers everything she knows about being an (almost) superhero mommy.

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  • Thai Direct, an Authentic Thai Meal Kit Company, on Kickstarter

    Thai Direct, an Authentic Thai Meal Kit Company, on Kickstarter

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    Thai Direct, an authentic Thai meal kit company, delivers fresh authentic Thai ingredients with 20 minute recipes. Follow the Kickstarter link for their campaign information https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1728100051/thai-direct

    Press Release
    –

    Jul 17, 2016


    New York, NY, July 17, 2016 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Thai Direct, an authentic Thai meal kit company, delivers fresh authentic Thai ingredients with 20 minute recipes. The company aims to ride the food disruption trend by offering the authentic Thai cuisine option. The starting price is $19.99 per meal for two servings per month. The subscriptions will range from 3 to 12 month periods. Customers can also choose to buy the products with no subscriptions. Packages include two people, family and party (6+). Thai Direct’s recipes, curated by real Thai home cooks, will be provided in the form of hard copies as well as online videos. In addition, they will offer other products including Thai pantry kits (free for 6 + month subscribers), frozen Thai sticky rice and frozen Thai Jasmine rice (non-flavor, lemongrass, cilantro and coconut flavor options). Currently Thai Direct is raising funds on Kickstarter for launching its beta in NYC. Follow the Kickstarter link for their campaign information https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1728100051/thai-direct

    Currently Thai Direct is raising funds on Kickstarter for launching its beta in NYC. Follow the Kickstarter link for their campaign information https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1728100051/thai-direct

    Lita Wall, CEO/Founder

    Source: Thai Direct

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    authentic, Cooking, ethnic, food, homemade, ingredients, meal, mealkit, mealplanning, mealprep, thaifood

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