Free Thanksgiving Dinner

There's no need to go hungry this Thanksgiving. There are a number of organizations in the area that will be serving free Thanksgiving dinner for those in need.

hat tip  Steven Duncan

Brown Friday

There are some things I just don't want to know about....

Things You'll Say On Thanksgiving If You Have Kids

Been there, done that ... Just pass the wine!

Thanksgiving With Kids

Grilled cheese wasn't just for Thanksgiving... it was for Christmas, New Years, Easter ....

November 21, 2016 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

Last week's Middletown Township Committee meeting was brief and sparsely attended, which was to be expected. It was the first meeting since Election Day and Thanksgiving was just days away.

Here are a few brief highlights:

• A presentation was made to recognize the library for receiving a Readers Choice Award from the Asbury Park Press.
• Two proclamations were presented, but no recipients came forward to accept them.
• An ordinance was introduced to add names of veterans to the street naming list.
• A resolution was authorized to amend resolution 16-210 to submit an open space grant application for $167K to be matched with Township funds to erect a lighting system at the Nut Swamp School artificial turf field.
• Another resolution was adopted to award a contract for Ideal Beach Improvements.

Public Comments begin at 20:01 of the video and included comments about deficiencies at the Lincroft Village Green Park, expanding parking lot at the Middletown Library and the reopening of satellite branches of the Middletown Library, the progress of the new municipal complex being designed and what's being done to address the flood insurance requirement maps for North Middletown and the Ideal Beach area as it pertains to the new levy system being built in Port Monmouth.



As always, you can download a copy of the Meeting Agenda that contains the discussion items and the proposed resolutions and ordinances that were voted on or presented during the meeting. A box around an item is a link, bringing you further into the document to that resolution or ordinance. At the end of the resolution there will be a link bringing you back to the agenda. Attached to this agenda is also the monthly bill list, so that everyone can see how the Township is spending our tax dollars.

President Obama's Weekly Address: Coming Together On Thanksgiving

In this week's address, President Obama wished the American people a happy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving reminds us that no matter our differences, we are still one people, part of something bigger than ourselves. Because what makes us American are the ideals to which we pledge our allegiance. And it's about our ability to live up to the creed "E Pluribus Unum" -- that out of many, we are one.

President Obama's Weekly Address11/26/15 : This Thanksgiving, Recognizing the Greatness of American Generosity

In this week's address, the President wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving, and reflected on America's history of welcoming men and women seeking a safer, better future for themselves and their families. On this uniquely American holiday, he recognized the greatness of American generosity, as evidenced by people are the country who use the day to volunteer and give back to others. And he shared stories of Americans who, in that same spirit of generosity, have written letters to him expressing their willingness to open their homes to refugees fleeing the brutality of ISIL. Like the pilgrims who set sail on the Mayflower nearly four centuries ago, these refugees are looking for safety and another chance. And it is important to remember that they undergo the highest security checks of anyone traveling to the United States. The President reminded us that providing refuge to some of the world's most vulnerable people is an American tradition, and part of what makes this country the greatest on Earth.

Safely Thaw Your Turkey Info Chart

Need to know how to safely thaw your frozen turkey in time for Thanksgiving? This info chart will show you how.

Huffington Post

Thanksgiving Planner Info Chart

If you've just started planning for Thanksgiving you're running a little behind but it isn't too late.

Huffington Post

Thanksgiving Safety Tips from the Middletown Fire Department

Middletown Public Information:

11/10/15

Did you know?

Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving

cooking equipment.

The Middletown Township Fire Department provides the following

safety tips for safe and happy Thanksgiving!

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. 
• The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids.
• The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffeemaker, plate warmer or mixer are not
• dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit a candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Games,
puzzles or books can keep them busy. Kids can get involved in Thanksgiving
preparations with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen.

Middletown Lions Declare November ‘ALLEVIATE HUNGER MONTH’

For Immediate Release;

Middletown, N.J. - In an effort to shine a spotlight on the hunger epidemic and to alert the public to the fact that many people both locally and globally do not have enough to eat, The Middletown Lions Club has declared the month of November ‘ALLEVIATE HUNGER MONTH. The club, which is part of Lions International, the largest service organization in the world, is hosting a series of events during the month and is asking members of the community for assistance and participation.


On Saturday, November 14 beginning at 9 a.m., the Lions will host Stop Hunger Now, a meal packaging event, and will prepare between 10,000-15,000 meals to be distributed to families in need around the world. Over 80 volunteers of all ages are participating along with several churches including the Middletown United Methodist Church, the Middletown Reformed Church, and Christ Episcopal Church, Middletown. Stop Hunger Now is an international organization dedicated to eradicating hunger through the preparation and distribution of simple but nutritious meals. The event will be held at the Middletown United Methodist Church, 924 Middletown-Lincroft Road, Middletown, N.J. 07748. Individuals, groups, and companies can help by sponsoring meals.

Sponsorship levels are available in increments of 100, for example, $29 for 100 meals; $58 for 200 meals; $87 for 300 meals; $116 for 400 meals; $145 for 500 meals, etc. A minimum of $2,900 in sponsorship dollars is needed to host an event. Anyone who would like to sponsor meals should make the check payable directly to Stop Hunger Now and can bring it to the event or mail it to the Middletown Lions Club, P.O. Box 75, Middletown, N.J. 07748. People may contact Lion President Beverly Bova Scarano with questions at (908) 896-1682 or by email at BeverlyBovaScarano@verizon.net.

Local businesses who have donated to the Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event are Gems Bagels and Duck Donuts. The Middletown location of Duck Donuts is owned by young entrepreneur Matthew Erickson, who is donating 5 dozen piping hot donuts for the volunteers, including the wildly popular bacon-topped and vanilla-iced donut.

The Lions will also host a free community Thanksgiving buffet on Friday, November 27 beginning at 11.30 a.m. at the Community Church in Keyport as part of the ‘Lion Tamer Fourth Friday’ Luncheon Program. Every month for the last seven years, the Lions have supported the Bayshore Lunch Program, which is headquartered at the church, by purchasing, preparing and serving a free hot lunch for people in need of food and fellowship. The Thanksgiving buffet is the 84th meal which the club will have served. The Community Church is located at 125 Division Street, Keyport, N.J. 07735.

Anyone wishing to contribute to help fund the meals can send a check payable to the Middletown Lions Club, P.O. 75, Middletown, N.J. 07748.

The club will also continue the tradition of helping to deliver holiday meals to the needy in conjunction with Middletown Helps Its Own, an organization that provides complete holiday ‘meals in a box’ to Middletown residents in need.

For more information, contact Lion President Beverly Bova Scarano by telephone at (908) 896-1682 or by email at BeverlyBovaScarano@verizon.net.

Patti Smith Performs 'O Holy Night' At The Vatican

My one rule for listening to Christmas music is that it needs to be after Thanksgiving. My one exception to the rule is if it's something exceptional, new or different. This video of  70's rocker Patti Smith covers all the bases.

This video is  from the 2013 Vatican Christmas concert where she managed to make one of the most beloved Christmas hymns all the more exquisite with her gorgeous rendition of 'O Holy Night'.

President Obama's Weekly Address 11/27/14: Happy Thanksgiving from the Obama Family

Washington, DC -- In this week's address, the President wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and reflected on the history of our country and its celebration of diversity. He gave thanks for the many Americans who sacrifice every day, from volunteer workers who serve their communities, to men and women in uniform who serve us all. On Thanksgiving, a holiday that is uniquely American, he reminded us to focus on what unites -- our commitment to American ideals like justice and equality and our gratitude and love for our country.

Have A ....

Here's wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Safe Thanksgiving to you and your's

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues. ~Cicero


Thanksgiving is nothing if not a glad and reverent lifting of the heart to God in honor and praise for His goodness. ~Robert Casper Lintner

President Obama Pardons a Thanksgiving Turkey

From the White House Blog:





Since 1947, the chairman of the National Turkey Federation has presented a turkey to the President. Each Thanksgiving, the President “pardons” that turkey, ensuring that the bird gets to spend the rest of its days living on a farm in Virginia. Today, President Obama celebrated the 67th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation by pardoning two 20-week old, 48-pound turkeys. And just like last year, the American public decided which of the two turkeys – Mac or Cheese – would become the National Thanksgiving Turkey by casting a vote for #TeamMac or #TeamCheese online.

During the ceremony, the President reminded us why we Americans look forward to Thanksgiving each year:

“Tomorrow is a pretty special moment when we give thanks for the people we love, and where we're mindful of the incredible blessings that we have received.”

President Obama has pardoned a turkey every year since he took office. However, during his first turkey pardon in 2009, Malia and Sasha had to intervene on behalf of Courage, that year’s winning turkey. On that occasion, President Obama said, “Thanks to the intervention of Malia and Sasha -- because I was ready to eat this sucker – Courage will also be sparred this terrible and delicious fate.”

This year, President Obama made sure to mention that he thought the turkeys looked “pretty happy” about their avoidance of their delicious fate.

It's All About That Baste

The First Thanksgiving...

http://luckovich.blog.ajc.com/

President Obama's Weekly Address 11/28/13: Wishing the American People a Happy Thanksgiving

Washington D.C. - In his weekly address, President Obama gave thanks to all the men and women defending our freedom and acknowledged their sacrifice might mean they can’t spend the holidays with their families. The President also recognized that as Americans, we gather together this Thanksgiving to lift up those who need a helping hand, letting us move forward as a country and lead us to a brighter tomorrow.

President Obama Pardons White House Turkey

Yesterday the President granted the traditional Thanksgiving pardon to Popcorn, this years Official White House Turkey, in a ceremony on the North Portico of the White House.

Here's wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Safe Thanksgiving to you and your's

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues. ~Cicero


Thanksgiving is nothing if not a glad and reverent lifting of the heart to God in honor and praise for His goodness. ~Robert Casper Lintner