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Review Brooks & Crowley
December 2023
781-251-0555
www.brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
This is the time of year when we celebrate the traditions of the holidays as well as family. As I think about this wonderful season, that blend is what means the most for me — enjoying these experiences with family and friends, the people I’m thankful for and have built strong bonds with throughout the years. Diane and I both grew up with lots of family traditions. Over the years, we have held onto many of them and also created some of our own that have been a part of our family since our daughters were young. Today, they are both college students, with one of them wrapping up her collegiate career as a senior and the other in the middle of her sophomore year. It is comforting to know that as we all pass through different life stages, some things stay the same. Embracing Tradition Keeping the Holiday Spirit Strong
When they come back for the holidays, even though they are older, we pick up where we left off. They even come with me to pick out our tree still — just like when they were young. We look forward to decorating the tree together because the ornaments we hang come from special places and hold memories we all share. We have them from everywhere we’ve been. As we take them out of the box and put them on the tree, we think about those memories we have created together. Plus, we have some older ornaments from the trees that my wife and I decorated when we were children. It’s heartwarming because the girls love the fact that those decorations come from their grandparents’ house. As we look forward to creating more holiday memories at our house, I’m sending wishes for you and your family to be able to do the same thing.
It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters, it’s who’s around it. –Charlie Brown
–Neil Crowley
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From Miracle Cure to Tasty Delight
The Unbelievable History of Ketchup
Ketchup, the popular tasty and tangy condiment found on tables and in refrigerators worldwide, has a surprising and somewhat peculiar history. In the 1830s, it was not just a topping for hamburgers and hot dogs; it was actually sold as medicine — yes, medicine! A Unique Origin Ketchup’s roots can be traced back to Asia, where it was called ke- tsiap (Xiamen), a sauce made from fermented fish sauce. It made its way to Europe in the 17th century, but it looked and tasted different from the ketchup we know today, as it included ingredients like mushrooms, walnuts, and oysters — no tomatoes.
their edibility and safety. In fact, some believed tomatoes were poisonous, but Dr. Bennett aimed to market them as a safe and healthy miracle ingredient. His tomato preparation was a precursor to modern ketchup. The Transition to the Table Over time, the medicinal claims surrounding tomato- based ketchup faded, and people began enjoying its taste. A tomato-based ketchup started to appear in cookbooks as an ingredient in recipes and was commonly paired with eggs, meat, and fish. By the late 19th century,
ketchup had become a staple in American households, and companies like Heinz began mass-producing it. Today, it’s tough to imagine ketchup as anything other than a delicious topping for our favorite foods, and while tomatoes do contain antioxidants and vitamin C, we know ketchup won’t cure a sickness. However, its transformation from fish sauce to tomato medicine to a beloved topping is a remarkable twist in culinary history!
The Medicinal Claim and Tomato Connection In the 1830s, an Ohio physician named Dr. John Cook Bennett began marketing a tomato-based concoction as a medicinal elixir. Dr. Bennett claimed his tomato extract had incredible healing properties and promoted it as a cure for a wide range of ailments, including diarrhea, indigestion, jaundice, and rheumatism.
During this time, tomatoes were still relatively new in American cuisine, and many people were skeptical about
Sharing Your Gifts
Many Ways to Demonstrate the True Meaning of Giving
One of the most meaningful parts of the holiday season is how each of us can make a vital difference in the lives of others. No matter what your interests, there are a number of ways you can donate your time
and talents. In turn, you’ll make the season glow like never before for those who will directly benefit from your actions. A popular method of giving goodwill is donating presents or money. You may choose to become involved in a toy drive that your company or local organization is offering, or you could personally adopt a family in need. Either way, your efforts will be sure to make Christmas morning brighter for your neighbors. Many older Americans are living out their lives in nursing facilities and senior centers. While they are in safe locations that deliver them the food and physical care they need, in many cases, these elders are cut off from the life and traditions of Christmas they once knew. It’s not uncommon for older residents to spend the holidays without family
or visitors. You can take positive action by checking with a local nursing or senior facility to inquire about how you can make a senior’s holiday celebration better. You might have a special gift like singing, storytelling, or comedy, or you may be a great listener. In either case, your gifts will be eagerly accepted. The gift of food is always welcome and much needed for people in need. Similar to toy drives, you can get involved with a local food pantry by donating food items. If you are looking for a way to become even more directly involved, you can volunteer to deliver donated food items or meals to those in need across the region. Consider sharing your holiday cheer in ways that others will truly hold dear. To find organizations near you that you’d like to support, visit VolunteerMatch.org.
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SMART STRATEGIES FOR A KID-FRIENDLY NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY MAKE IT TO THE COUNTDOWN WITHOUT A MELTDOWN
Holiday celebrations are some of the most exciting moments for kids, be it trick-or- treating or tearing open Christmas presents. But properly celebrating New Year’s Eve may be a struggle for the little ones. If you’ve
a little white lie. Changing all the clocks forward isn’t exactly new, but now, with the help of streaming services and YouTube, you can make a bulletproof fake countdown.
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Number colorful balloons and let your children pop one every 30 minutes or hour. You can even fill the final balloon with confetti to celebrate New Year’s Day! Have everyone dress up fancy to make your at-home party feel more like a New York celebration. Create a bucket list together for everything you want to do in 2024. Get outside and play with sparklers! Every hour, turn off the lights, play a song, and crack some glow sticks for a dance party! Make fun and easy party appetizers together. Look through old photos and videos of the past year together.
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let your kids try to stay up until midnight in previous years, you may have experienced sleepiness, tantrums, and cranky mornings the next day, which isn’t the best way to start the new year. Well, this time around, you can be better prepared! Thanks to countless clever parents sharing their tips and
At your preferred bedtime, play last year’s New Year’s
Eve countdown on the TV. Amp up the celebrations with a rowdy countdown, cheering, and glasses of sparkling apple cider! Then, bring the festivities to an end and get your kids ready for bed. It’s as easy as that!
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tricks, we’ve compiled the most genius hacks that will make this New Year’s Eve not just kid- friendly but actually fun! A little secret won’t hurt ’em. Have you tried a faux countdown? You can save yourself the headache entirely by implementing
If they do stay up, make it fun! Of course, if you would rather stay up with your children, feel bad lying, or don’t think you could pull the wool over their eyes, then there are some creative ways to keep them entertained until midnight without a meltdown.
When you plan ahead, you can ensure that your kids have enough activities to make it to midnight without any hassle. Of course, the fake countdown is always an option too!
Have a Laugh!
Tasty Holiday Chocolate Mousse
Add even more cheer to the holidays with this decadent chocolate mousse.
Ingredients
• 10 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped • 4 tbsp butter
• 4 large eggs, separated • 2 tbsp granulated sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
1. In a medium heatproof bowl, add chocolate and butter. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until chocolate and butter are melted and blended, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. 2. In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks until thick. Then gradually add melted chocolate mixture, stirring until blended. 3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Then gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. 4. In another bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold egg whites and then cream into the chocolate mixture. 5. Pour into individual serving dishes and chill for 3 hours or until set. directions
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439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026
Inside THIS ISSUE
1 Traditions We Hold Dear 2 How Ketchup Transformed From Cure to Condiment The Gifts That Mean the Most 3 Genius Hacks for Celebrating New Year’s Eve With Kids
Tasty Holiday Chocolate Mousse
4 December’s Best Holiday Attractions
What’s Going On, Boston? Celebrate the Holidays With Some Fun Events
When you think about the holiday season, what memories come to your mind? As you trim the tree, bake the tasty morsels, and package your gifts, be sure to make time to enjoy these entertaining adventures! ‘The Nutcracker’ Nov. 24–Dec. 31 Citizens Bank Opera House 539 Washington St. BostonBallet.org/performances/the-nutcracker
activities, and more. Plus, the big man himself, Santa, will be there! Visit the events calendar on the website to learn more about the daily activities throughout the months, as this event is running until March 2024. Miracle at Marlowe’s Nov. 24–Dec. 24 Kimpton Marlowe Hotel 25 Edwin H. Land Blvd. HotelMarlowe.com/miracle-pop-up-bar Ready to fill your cup with a bit of holiday cheer? Well, look no further than Miracle, the pop-up bar springing up at Kimpton Marlowe Hotel! From Black Friday to Christmas Eve, Miracle will be serving holiday-themed drinks and festive bites of food. And while you mingle around the fireplace, you can enjoy the lively decor and sing along to the many Christmas tunes.
If you’re ready to enjoy the majesty of a breathtaking musical display, you can treat yourself to the Holiday Pops, a spirited and timeless performance by the Boston Pops, led by Keith Lockhart. Snowflake Crossing Dates vary
If you’re looking for a classic holiday experience, one of the greatest is “The
Downtown Boston 101 Arch St. #160
Nutcracker” at the Opera House. Experience the classic story performed by Boston Ballet’s globally acclaimed dancers and elevated by the beautiful orchestra. Holiday Pops Dec. 1–24
DowntownBoston.org/explore-downtown- boston/downtown-boston-events-calendar
You can combine unforgettable visual displays with world-class shopping and a dose of festivity in Downtown Crossing. This fun event will feature amazing, interactive ice sculptures, performances by local artists, family
Boston Symphony Hall 301 Massachusetts Ave. BSO.org/events/holiday-pops-2023
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