Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 11-29-23

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28 I November 29, 2023 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE BE INFORMED, MEET ELECTED OFFICIALS Dec. 1 | Jamey Murphy, Legislative Assistant to Nick Schroer – 2024 Legislative Agenda Dec. 8 | John Tompkins, Club President – 2024 Club Plan of Action Dec. 15 I Member Christmas Party & 2024 Installation of Officers – Must RSVP by Dec. 8 Dec. 22 I NO MEETING – Merry Christmas Dec. 29 I NO MEETING – Happy New Year MEETING LOCATION: B. Hall’s Family Grill | 3782 Monticello Plaza Dr I O’Fallon 63304 FRIDAY LUNCH MEETINGS AT NOON St. Charles County Pachyderm Club FOLLOW US @St.CharlesCountyPachydermClub ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR Bundt Cakes $5 Off purchase of $25 or more Valid at: St. Peters Wentzville St. Louis - Chesterfield St. Louis - Brentwood Expires 11/30/2023. Limit one (1) coupon per guest. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Valid only at the Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery(ies) listed. Valid only on baked goods; not valid on retail items. Must be claimed in bakery during normal business hours. Not valid for online orders. Not valid with any other offer. Discounts applied before tax. Coupon may not be reproduced, transferred or sold. Internet distribution strictly prohibited. No cash value. For Bakery LIKE US ON Facebook.com/midriversnewsmagazine Gifts from the kitchen Nut Brittle By KATE UPTERGROVE Yes, you can buy candy for gift-giving but making it is somehow sweeter, especially if you customize your creations. For instance, Peanut Brittle is easy enough to buy just about anywhere. But what if your gift recipient likes it spicy, or extra Christmasy, or with a different type of nut? That’s where creativity in the kitchen comes into play. Handmade gifts say you cared enough to make something special. Here are a few recipes to jump start your imagination. NUT BRITTLE Ingredients 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup water 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/3 cup light corn syrup 1 teaspoon baking soda 12 ounces roasted salted peanuts, cashews, pistachios and/or pecans Flaky sea salt, optional but it does help balance the sweetness Cooking spray Variations Spicy Brittle: Add a sprinkling to 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder, depending on your heat preference. Christmas Brittle: Add 1/4 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice. Directions • Spray sheet pan with cooking spray; then line with parchment paper allowing some paper to rise above the sides of the pan. The cooking spray will hold the Christmas Fudge parchment in place. The parchment paper will allow you to remove the brittle easily from the sheet pan. A silicone mat could be used in place of the parchment paper. Hot mixture will be poured into this pan so putting a towel beneath it is a wise idea. • Measure out all your ingredients. • Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan; do not let it touch the bottom of the pan. • Now, you’re ready to get cooking. In a heavy 2-quart pan, add the sugar, water and corn syrup. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar is dissolved, the mixture is boiling and has reached 275º F on a candy thermometer. The mixture should be a light, golden brown. • Add the butter and nuts. Stir constantly over heat until the mixture reaches 300ºF. • Remove from the heat and quickly but carefully stir in the baking soda and optional flavorings. The mixture will bubble. • Pour the brittle into the prepared baking sheet, spreading it with a metal spoon to achieve a thin, even layer. • Lightly sprinkle with sea salt. • Let the brittle cool completely, about 30 minutes. Then, break it into large shards. CHRISTMAS FUDGE There are two schools of thought when it comes to fudge. Marshmallow fluff versus sweetened condensed milk. Both are pretty foolproof but the marshmallow variety can be too sweet, so this recipe goes old school. Ingredients 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Here are a few fun facts about fudge: • According to legend, this holiday favorite can trace its roots to Valentine’s Day, 1886, when a Baltimore chocolatier “fudged” a batch of French caramels.* • In the mid-20th century, the fudge recipe of choice was First Lady Mamie Eisenhower’s Million Dollar Fudge. It was published in “Who Says We Can’t Cook,” compiled by the Women’s National Press Club and sold for $2 a copy plus 15 cents postage as a fundraising project in 1955.* • The first marshmallow creme, as used in Mamie’s Million Dollar Fudge, was marketed commercially in 1917 as Toot Sweet Marshmallow Fluff. • Kraft introduced its Fantasy Fudge, perhaps the most famous “fluff” fudge, on the back of its Marshmallow Creme jar in 1979* *Find these recipes and more on midriversnewsmagazine.com @MIDRIVERS_NEWS MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM What you’ll need In addition to the ingredients for each recipe, you’ll need: • A candy thermometer • A heavy-bottomed 2-quart saucepan • A roll of parchment paper or a silicone may • A baking sheet pan with sides (jelly roll pan) • Flaky sea salt • Cute boxes, bags, or tins for wrapping up the final product. This is important When making candy, you are typically working rapidly with hot mixtures. So it is very important to be prepared and read all directions before beginning any recipe. Measure all ingredients before starting the candy-making process. Likewise, be sure to prep all surfaces and have all the equipment you’ll need ready to use. Don’t wait to gift your goodies. To ensure maximum freshness, deliver your handmade gifts within a day of making them. Most candies will retain their freshness for a week at room temperature. 24 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips or chopped 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature Dash of salt Variations With Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts as a final step. Peppermint Fudge: Substitute white chocolate chips and add in crushed candy canes. Mexican Hot Chocolate: Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon cinnamon to the melted chocolate. Instructions • Spray an 8 x 8-inch glass baking dish with cooking oil; then line with parchment paper allowing some paper to rise above the sides of the pan. • In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, chocolate, and butter. • Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is completely smooth. • Add in extra ingredients for variations if you desire. • Remove from heat and spread into the prepared pan. • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into slabs for gifting. • Fudge can be stored a room temperature for two weeks, in the refrigerator for a month, and in the freezer for two or more.
FACEBOOK.COM/MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Holiday Happenings Saint Charles Christmas Traditions continues on historic Main Street on weekends through Dec. 23. For a complete schedule of activities, visit discoverstcharles.com/events/christmastraditions. • • • Holiday Bazaar Art Show is on display through Dec. 24 at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre, 1 St. Peters Centre Blvd. Original art is available for purchase and can be picked up Dec. 21-23. • • • Holiday Night Lights is from 5:30-9:30 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 30 at Rotary Park, 2577 W. Meyer Road in Wentzville. Enjoy a one-mile light display that features large illuminated commercial scenes and tunnels of twinkling lights. The cost is $10 per vehicle with up to six passengers, plus $1 per additional passenger. Display is closed Dec. 3, 11 and 25. For details, visit wentzvillemo.gov. • • • Tractor-pulled “Sleigh Rides” through Rotary Park are on Mondays and Wednesdays through Dec. 28 in Wentzville to tour the Holiday Night Lights. Hot chocolate and cookies included. Maximum of 25 people, including lap children. Free rides are scheduled on a first-come, firstserved basis. Pre-registration is required. See the schedule for available dates at wentzvillemo.gov. To register, call (636) 332-9236. • • • Celebration of Lights is from 6-9 p.m. nightly through Saturday, Dec. 30 at Fort Zumwalt Park, 1000 Jessup Lane in O’Fallon. This festive one-mile route of holiday light displays was designed and funded by local organizations, churches and businesses. Drive-through tickets are $14 per vehicle and must be purchased in advance at ofallon.mo.us/ COL, or by calling (636) 474-2732. Closed to vehicles on Dec. 3, 4, 5 and Dec. 11. The entire display is closed on Christmas Day. The City Train tour of the park takes place on Monday, Dec. 11. Each carriage holds up to five adults and five children. Reservations are required. Bring a blanket to stay warm during the ride. To schedule a ride, visit ofallon. mo.us/celebrations-of-lights. • • • A Holiday Remembrance Candlelight Memorial is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30 at Baue, O’Fallon; at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Baue, Cave Springs; and at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4 at Baue in St. Charles. Remember loved ones with a name-reading ceremony, music, light refreshments and a candlelighting ceremony. To register, visit baue. com/events/holiday-remembrance or call (636) 328-0874. • • • Merry Makers Market is from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, and from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center in Saint Charles. Artists and other vendors will be selling their wares. Additional details at foundryartcentre.org/merry-makersmarket. • • • The Augusta Candlelight Christmas Walk featuring over 1,000 luminaries is from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 and Friday, Dec. 8 at 5577 Walnut St. in downtown Augusta. For details, visit augustachamber.org. • • • Las Posadas is at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 on Historic Main Street, Boone’s Lick-South Main in Saint Charles. Las Posadas is a re-enactment of the journey of Mary and Joseph as they seek shelter on their way to Bethlehem. The procession ends at Frontier Park with carols around a bonfire. For details, visit stcharleslasposadas.com. • • • The Choral Society of St. Charles’ Holiday Concert, “My Favorite Things” is at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Fort Zumwalt South High, 8050 Mexico Road in St. Peters. Tickets are available online only at brownpapertickets.com and search event. Adult ticket is $10; children ages 6-12 are $5 (plus service fees). Children 5 and younger are free. • • • The Choral Arts Singers presents “A Season of Joy” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Troy United Church of Christ, 725 S. Main St. in Troy; at 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 at Friedens United Church of Christ, 313 E. Main St. in Warrenton; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10 at The Chapel of Assumption Catholic Parish, 403 N. Main St. in O’Fallon. The concerts are free; donations are appreciated. Visit concertarts.org or Facebook @Choral Arts Singers for concert details and to learn about the choir. • • • An Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll is nightly from 6-8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3 through Tuesday, Dec. 5 at Fort Zumwalt Park, 1000 Jessup Lane in O’Fallon. Fireworks start at 7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. each night. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $5 per person. Ages 2 and under are free. To purchase tickets, visit ofallon.mo.us/ See HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS, page 30 November 29, 2023 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE I EVENTS I 29 Did you know SANTA CLAUS was Italian? (At least mine was!) Oh and here's a $10 offer! Buy a $50 Gift Card to Massa's and get a bonus $10. (Use this ad as much as you like...but do it before Christmas!) 3072 Winghaven Blvd. Lakeside Shoppes Plaza 636-561-5202 3761 New Town Blvd. Right at the Hwy. 370 636-925-2961 HAPPIER HOLIDAYS BONUS GIFT CARD EVENT GET $25 BONUS FOR EVERY $100 PURCHASED GET $10 BONUS FOR EVERY $50 PURCHASED NOW THRU DEC. 31, 2023 BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY TODAY! 4401 Hwy K | O’Fallon, MO | 636.685.0212 EATWALNUT.COM Locally Owned & Operated
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Page 6 and 7: 6 I OPINION I November 29, 2023 MID
Page 8 and 9: 8 I NEWS I November 29, 2023 MID RI
Page 10 and 11: 10 I NEWS I November 29, 2023 MID R
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Page 20 and 21: 2023 Holiday Gift Guide Give a gift
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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 11-29-23

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