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Category: holidays (35)

December 22, 2011

Wishing you a wonderful holiday...

The weather's perfect and Delray is decked out in its holiday finest so do take some time from your busy holiday schedule to enjoy a few of the many things going on in our area.

Personally, au naturel is my favorite. For me, that means a trip to Florida's greatest treasure - the beach. An early morning stroll with a cup of coffee can't be beat and getting there early before the other beachcombers ensures you'll find the best shells.

Or go at sunset and watch as old Sol performs its nightly disappearing act when it drops into the Atlantic. Immediately afterword you are rewarded with yet another one of mother nature's spectacular shows - star gazing from the darkened beach. When you've had your fill, it's just a short walk of a block or two over to Ben and Jerry's at 1155 E. Atlantic Ave for scoop of your favorite ice-cream. In my mind, a perfect ending to a perfect evening.

Walking up and down Atlantic Ave - day or night - is always upbeat and fun. Free entertainment abounds in the numerous bars and restaurants that dot the Avenue, and if you're still shopping, there are lots of unique and unusual stores with one-of-a-kind items. And for those of you who enjoy people watching, it's at its best during this happy time of year.

Spot Coffee at 44 East Atlantic Ave is another gathering place where most locals show up sooner or later. It's across the street from Old School Square, and the ginormous French doors that flank the shop are usually open making it the perfect place from which to enjoy Delray's huge Christmas tree and all of the hub bub around it.

And once again wishing you a wonderful holiday and a new year that is filled with more blessings than you can count!


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November 28, 2011

You get what you pay for...



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O Tannenbaum O Tannebaum


It's been a long time since I've celebrated Christmas in Florida. This year I will be and that got me to thinking that it would be nice to have a Christmas tree.

So when I saw that Big Lots had six-feet, pre-lit Christmas trees on sale for $20, I rushed to the store

When I returned home, I immediately put the tree together, partially to make sure everything was there and partially because I was so excited.

As you can see from the above photo, this is the ugliest Christmas tree ever - makes Charlie Brown's look good. Half of it is missing, the lights on the bottom are colored and the lights on top are clear and if it's 6-feet-tall so am I. And it's crooked.

Of course I'm returning it and now that I'm in the mood, I sure hope they have some left. My son-in-law said, "You know, you do get what you pay for."

Maybe so...but the display of the tree in the store looked perfect...absolutely nothing like the one standing in my house. Still every time I look at it, I laugh and that's a good thing.

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November 18, 2011

Thanksgiving in Delray Beach - Constanian Style...



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L to R - Erin holding Bunner, Manouk, and Alena holding Muffin. Not shown, Alec.


The Costanians are a very busy family. Manouk is an executive, Erin is earning a master's degree in social work, 17-year-old Alec, is a senior at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton and 14-year-old Alena, is a freshman at Pope. The family's two pets, Muffin, a Jack Russell Terrier and Bunner, their pet rabbit round out this active family.

But despite their ever crowded schedules, they're never too busy for the holidays.

Every year both sides of their family gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. Manouk says it is his favorite holiday. "I love being with family, and we have a great meal. I open my best bottle of wine and watch football," he said.

Erin said that for her this time of year is a reminder of her family's many blessings, and at the top of that list is the good health they all enjoy. But she also jokes that she is grateful that she never has to cook the turkey. "We always eat at Seta's (Manouk's sister) house," she says.

The Costanian Thanksgiving feast includes turkey and all the rest of the traditional trimmings but because Manouk is Armenian, they include some Armenian dishes. Rice pilaf with pine nuts, kufta (cracked wheat wrapped around spice ground beef) and Armenian cheese pie (phyllo dough triangles stuffed with cheese) share the table with the mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing.

Alena loves the eclectic feast and says, "One of my favorite traditions is we eat Armenian and American food at Thanksgiving."

However, this year the family's celebration is a little different.

Erin's sister, Kathleen Echezarreta, who lives in Argentina with her husband, Inaki and their four-year-old son, Liam usually make it to Florida for Thanksgiving. "This year they can't," Erin said.

But the two sisters aren't letting the over 4,000 miles that separates them prevent all of the family from being together.

Through the magic of technology, the Echezarreta's will virtually be at the table via Skype. "They will eat their turkey dinner at the same time we do," Erin explained. "It'll be fun."


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November 9, 2011

All gave some and some gave all...Veteran's Day - November 11th...

A huge thank you to all of you vets out there!

This video starts out a little slow but picks up quickly and is as moving as it gets.


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June 17, 2011

Happy Father's Day

Wishing all of you fathers out there who do so much and ask for so little, a very happy Father's Day.

I hope you enjoy reading about my dad.



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Arthur "Art Thurman 1919 - 1972


My Dad – for Father’s Day

by Mary Thurman Yuhas


Lots of people know about my mother and the debilitating mental illness that plagued her for most of her life, and I readily admit that growing up at my house was pretty crazy. So sooner or later almost everyone asks me how I turned out so normal – or at least sort of - and I always give the same answer. My Dad.

Dad wasn’t around when I was a baby because there was a war going on and he was a soldier. But World War II ended shortly afterwards, and by the time I was three, he was paramount in my life.

When I was very young before I went to bed, Dad and I would lie on the carpeted floor, side-by-side and listen to old, radio shows like Gene Autry and The Shadow. “Please let me stay up for just one more,” I would beg and every night he said, “Alright. One more.”

On Saturday mornings the two of would go to Walgreen’s on Main Street in Galesburg and sit on the cherry red stools in front of the soda fountain where he treated me to a Coke and a chocolate pastry. He never seemed to care that I licked the chocolate off and always left the rest of the roll behind. And he always found a nickel for me to put into the jukebox so we could hear the latest tunes.

Life got really tough when I turned eight. Dad changed careers and went from working as a licensed plumber into sales where he sold commercial heating and air-conditioning equipment all over central Illinois, a job he loved. The job required engineering so I know learning his new position had to be daunting. At about the same time Mom’s mental illness exploded. The fallout from it impacted every aspect of our lives - even my little brother's and Steve was only two at the time. Dad was thirty-five and had to cope with a wife who was paranoid schizophrenic, two young children, a mortgage and absolutely no help from anyone.

There were no safety nets for families back then and for whatever reason, no one in his family or my mother’s helped so we were on our own. If his mother had lived, the story would probably be different but she died a year before all of this happened. As an adult I have often wondered how he did it. Incidentally he did great at his job and became one of the top salesmen in the company and was a branch manager for several offices. He turned down a huge promotion because it would have required more travel.

Our home life was hell. My mother screamed and fought and swore at the voices all day and night, and our house was a pigsty. I imagine Dad’s traveling gave him some time to regroup and build up the strength to come back and endure the bizarre lifestyle we led. But through it all, Dad was my best friend. He was my Dad, my Mom and everything else wrapped up into one. He was there for my brother too.

He taught me to respect all creatures, great and small and that everything had a purpose whether I understood it or not. He taught me to judge people by their actions not by their net worth. “You’re to respect anyone who does an honest day’s work,” he would frequently say.

And way before it was fashionable Dad told me that women could do anything. He said he felt most people didn’t give females respect for all the hard work they did and that wasn’t idle talk on his part. He had a female accountant back in the ‘50’s. He encouraged me not to be afraid and to tackle challenges. “Mary Kay, you can do and be what you want.” But he cautioned, “Just always remember, you’re a lady.”

When I had a problem, he was always there. After a boy in high school broke my heart, Dad listened and gave me sage advice. When my best friend’s four-year-old niece died, Dad went with me to the funeral home to say good-bye to the sweet, little girl. And when I screwed up, like the time I made $100 worth of long distance phone calls (and that was a huge amount of money in the ‘60’s) or when I smashed up the car he was so proud of, he was still there for me. Of course he was angry, but he never belittled, berated or carried anger with him.

Dad was six-feet-tall, lanky and topped off with black hair and deep, blue eyes. He was movie star handsome and everyone noticed. I was so proud of him. But he was just as beautiful inside, and he was and still is my hero.

One day after an especially difficult night with my mother, my husband, John and I sat down and talked to him. “Dad, why don’t you leave her? She’s never going to get better?” I asked.

My heart ached for him to have some personal happiness. “I can’t,” he said. “Your mother would be homeless in no time.” And I knew that was the end of the discussion.

My father wasn’t perfect, but he was darned close. He died young - at fifty-three - well over thirty years ago but I will always miss him and occasionally I pretend like he is still alive.

Thank you, Dad for all the things you did for Steve and me and for being the person that you were. Selfishly, I wish you were still here with me although I know God made a very special place for you in heaven and nothing I could do for you would even begin to compare. If I could have chosen a father, it would have been you. You were the best and I will love you forever. When it is my time, I know you will come for me and once again we will rock back and forth on the cherry red stools and listen to music while we drink a Coke and lick the chocolate off a pastry. The only difference is we won’t be at Walgreen’s.

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December 20, 2010

I have always believed that love is the greatest force in the universe...Merry Christmas!

Mary Did You Know is one of my favorite Christmas songs and Clay Aiken's rendition is beautiful

But you may prefer Peacemaker's rendition of Mary Did You Know

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December 11, 2010

Devour uses iPad and iPhone for a great iBand

There's no code so I can't embed the music so you'll have to go to the link. But Devour's iBand is great! Thanks for sharing, Gary!

Devour iBand

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December 6, 2010

Has this ever happened to you at the shopping center...

Shoppers eating at a food court in Canada received an unexpected gift when this flash mob surprised them with their stunning performance of the Hallelujah Chorus. Over 11 million people have viewed this video so far. Notice all the happy faces!

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Plenty going on in Delray this week...

Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce
Delray & Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade

Friday, December 10
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Line up at Boynton Beach Inlet to Intracoastal Waterway to C-15 Canal in Delray Beach
Free


Greater Delray Beach Chamber Annual Holiday Parade
Saturday, Dec. 11
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Starts at Gleason & Atlantic and heads West
Free

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November 23, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...

When you're tired of the turkey, the parade and the football games, don't forget about the free 11th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Art Fair just off Atlantic Ave. in Pineapple Grove. Runs from 10 to p.m. this Saturday and Sunday.

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October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween!

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July 2, 2010

Happy Birthday America




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Delray Beach July Fourth Celebration all day on Sunday corner of A1A and Atlantic Ave.
*Sand-sculpting exhibition from 8 to noon.
*Hot dog-eating contest 3:15 p.m.
*Burger eating contest 3:45 p.m.
*Bike and scooter parade 3:45 p.m.
*Free Concert 5:30 p.m.
*Fireworks Salute 8:30 p.m. and fireworks on the beach 9 p.m.
*Questions - visit www.mydelraybeach.com


June 18, 2010

Happy Father's Day!

Three dads singing in a hoedown about their plans for Father's Day...like have a beer. Typical dads enjoying their day - funny.

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May 28, 2010

Enjoy the long Memorial Day Weekend...and remember those who made it possible

Thank you to all of the military heroes who have made all of the wonderful freedoms we all enjoy possible. We will never forget you.

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May 4, 2010

Some things just never change...

Any mom or dad for that matter can identify with this Barats and Bereta award winning, youtube video - in this skit, two brothers taking a photo for their mom for Mother's Day.

For more of these two funny guys go to BartsAndBereta.com

Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day!

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April 2, 2010

Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter or Happy Passover



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Mary, Lollipop and Bark


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December 30, 2009

Happy New Year!

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December 23, 2009

Wishing you the happiest holiday ever...

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and happy holidays!

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November 11, 2009

Thank you to all of you veterans out there!



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We will always remember your sacrifices

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June 29, 2009

Happy 4th of July

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April 10, 2009

HAPPY EASTER OR A JOYOUS PASSOVER

TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES!

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April 6, 2009

April 11 - 17th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

On April 11th, the City will hold it's 17th Annual Easter Egg Hunt for children from 1 to 8 at the Seacrest Soccer Complex, 2505 N. Seacrest Blvd., Delray Beach.

8:00 a.m. - Visit the Easter Bunny
8:30 a.m. - Hunt Starts
8:45 a.m. - Kindermusik Concert in the Park

Children are asked to bring their Easter Baskets. Over 10,000 Easter Eggs filled with candy and special prizes.

Volunteers needed to help stuff Easter Eggs with Candy:
April 6th and 7th
Community Center, 50 NW 1st Ave
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

For more information, call Danielle Beardsley at (561) 243-7277 or email Danielle at Beardsleyd@mydelraybeach.com

Sponsored by:
Delray Citizens for Delray Police/Kids and Cops
Delray Beach Parks and Recreation
Delray Beach Sunrise Kiwanis Club
Delray Beach Fire Local 2928
Delray Firefighter Benevolent Fund

Prizes Sponsored by:
Boomers!
South Florida Science Museum
Barrel O’ Monkeys
Kindermusik
Lion Country Safari
Chuck E. Cheese
and more!


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February 13, 2009

If love is blind, why is there lingerie? Anonymous

Now that I have your attention, here are some of the best deals in town to buy something special for your sweetheart. All of them are moderately priced.

For lingerie - Victoria's Secret

For candy - Hoffman's Chocolates

For a romantic dinner - Sazio's on the Avenue in Delray

For flowers - no web site Roses, $10 dozen
Nursery Outlet - plants & produce
13863 Military Trail (slightly north of The Boys Market on the west side of the road.)
Delray Beach
561.499.3774

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December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah - turn up the volume

Merry Christmas. Turn up the volume. This starts out a little slow - but it's great.

Happpy Hanukkah. Keep that volume turned up. Kosha Boy is a take off on Solja Boy and very funny.

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July 4, 2008

Delray Beach Fourth of July Celebration


Happy Birthday America



4th July happenings in Delray

* 8 to noon - Sand-sculpting contest - Call 561.279.1380 X17 for participant fee
A1A and Atlantic Ave.

* 10 a.m. Flag raising ceremony
A1A and Atlantic Ave.

* 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. Sweet Justice Regaee Band - Free
A1A and Atlantic Ave.

* 3 p.m. Decorate for Patriotic Bike and Scooter Parade - Free
4 p.m. - Bike and Scooter Parade
Veteran's Park.

* 4 - 8 p.m., Wild One 100-foot inflatable obstacle course - Free
A1A and Atlantic Ave.

* 5:30 - 9 p.m. Son of Man Concert and dance - Free
A1A and Atlantic Ave.

* 9 p.m. - Fireworks - Free
On the beach.

Traffic prohibited on Atlantic Ave. from 2 p.m. from 6th Ave. to A1A. Park west of the Intracoastal Waterway.

For more information call 561.279.1380, Ext. 17.

Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful


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Continue reading "Delray Beach Fourth of July Celebration" »

June 15, 2008

For all you great dads out there -

Happy Father's Day!

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May 23, 2008

Whether you are grilling, chilling or hanging out at the beach - have a great Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day


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May 8, 2008

Happy Mother's Day

Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up

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January 1, 2008

Broken any resolutions yet?

For 4,000 years folks have been celebrating the new year making New Year's the oldest holiday on the books.

And since 153 BC, people have been making resolutions...breaking them since then too I reckon.

I read somewhere returning farm tools was a biggie back in 153. Hmmmm. Wonder what kind of farm tools that would have been?

In 2008, I don't have to tell you what is the most common resolution because you know. Losing weight is followed by:

* Quit smoking

* Stick to a budget

* Spend more time with family and friends

* Find a better job

* Exercise more

* Be a better person

Some think resolutions are silly. I think they are optimistic.

Regardless whether you've made a bunch of them or are perfectly content...

I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!


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December 22, 2007

Christmas, Delray Beach Style

For the Drexler family of Delray Beach, Christmas is the most special and busiest time of the year. Whether it is decorating the house, shopping or going to one of their children's many sporting events, December is crammed with activity.
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Front Row: Art, Rob, Debbie, and Koo
Back Row: Riley and Chloe

In addition to the holidays, December is also Art's birthday. This year he turned 15 and all he really wants for Christmas is his driver's permit. Although he's growing up, he still manages to get into the spirit. "I like the food at Christmas," he says.

Eleven-year old Chloe likes to shop and wrap gifts. "I like to make cookies and write a letter to Santa," she says. She loves the music and the lights and everything about the season.

Riley's favorite part of Christmas is buying gifts for his family. The 12-year old says, "I also like being out of school and watching football."

In what has become a tradition, every year Art builds a large manager he builds out of wood. It is lighted, filled with statues of the holy family and sits in the front yard.

Riley makes an advent wreath that remains on the kitchen table throughout the month. Every Sunday the family lights one of the four candles in the wreath.

Chloe arranges the manger inside the home. It is prominently displayed in their family room. Chloe says on Christmas Eve they place baby Jesus in his bed.

Another Drexler tradition is celebrating St. Nick's Day. This year it fell on Dec. 5th.
On St. Nick Eve the children leave their shoes outside the front door. When they wake up, their shoes are filled with candy and small gifts.

Debbie says because most of their family lives in the Midwest, it is usually just the five of them on Christmas.

They go to Mass on Christmas Eve and when they return home, the children are allowed to open one gift.

Once everyone is up on Christmas morning, they open their gifts. "The kids are always waiting for me to get out of bed," Rob says. Even Koo has a gift under the tree he says.

Later that morning the other neighborhood kids eventually wander over. Everyone has something new they're eager to show to the others.

Christmas afternoon the family often goes to the beach. In the evening they have a festive dinner.

The day after Christmas it's back to normal and Debbie says, "It makes me a little sad to see Christmas end. The air of expectation is over."


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December 17, 2007

In this season of giving...

here are eight easy ways to practice random acts of kindness.

* Visit a nursing home and ask who seldom has visitors. Visit with him or her.

* Invite a stranger to step in front of you at the grocery store or a coffee shop.

* Call a friend or family member you haven't spoken with for a long time.

* See how many times you can say “thank you” and “you're welcome” in one day.

* Smile – at everyone.

* Give a genuine compliment to someone who has made you angry in the past.

* Pull up your neighbor's trash cans up to the house or deliver their newspaper to the
front door.

* When seated at a crowded restaurant, invite a stranger to sit at your table and strike up
a conversation.

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December 13, 2007

Try Decorating the Backyard for the Holidays

How much time do you spend decorating the front yard for the holidays?

Then ask yourself - how much time do you get to enjoy it ? Chances are not much.

This year try something a little different. Decorate the backyard too.

This trend is increasing for obvious reasons. Homeowners get to enjoy the fruits of their labor all month long.

Designers say when decking out the backyard to keep in mind that less is more.

Flashing lights, brilliant colors and dancing elves may look great to drive up to but looking at them all night long might become a distraction.

Start slow and light up a couple of trees or try a couple of lighted animals. If you have a pool, that's a great place to start. A colorful fountain is inexpensive and very festive.

Maybe this will become a new tradition for you. One everyone in the family can enjoy.

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December 9, 2007

More Hanukkah, Delray Beach Style


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Happy Hanukkah

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December 5, 2007

Hanukkah, Delray Beach Style

Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights lasts for eight days. The Barry family of Delray Beach share how they celebrate this beloved holiday.



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Front Row: Lisa, Kevin, Emerson and Dylan Barry
Back Row: Jeffrey and Lorraine Goldstein
and Nancy and John Cannella

For the next week every night as the sun goes down, the Barry's will be lighting the menorah and saying their prayers.

“We’re a non-traditional, traditional Jewish family,” Lisa says as a broad smile covers her face.

Traditional because they celebrate all of the Jewish holidays. Non-traditional because they do it with a “Barry twist.” Lisa is Jewish and Kevin is Protestant.

“I grew up in a neighborhood where half the kids were Jewish and the other half were Catholic. I was protestant,” Kevin says. So he always thought of the holidays rather than just Christmas or just Hanukkah.

On the first night of Hanukkah, Lisa’s parents, Jeffrey and Lorraine, and Kevin’s mother, Nancy, and his stepfather, John, gathered at the Barry’s.

One of the Barry’s family traditions is that all of the family always gets together for holidays. At Christmas Nancy says everyone will be at her house.

For dinner that first night, the family ate homemade pizza.

Lorraine says that’s because on Tuesday night when everyone - the aunts and uncles and cousins get together - the food will be traditional. Roast chicken, potato latkes and don’t forget the jelly doughnuts.

There will tons and tons of toys for the kids Lorraine says. “Hanukkah is for the children,” she says.

Four-year old Emerson clutching a bag of gold coins (made of chocolate) says they are one of his favorite things about Hanukkah.

Dylan, 7, wearing a mustache from his new spy kit says, “I like the toys.”

Lisa says later in the season they’ll put up a Christmas tree that will glow with traditional Christmas decorations. "And a few Hanukkah lights," she says.

“Seeing the boys say their prayers is my favorite part of Hanukkah,” she says.

Kevin says sharing the holidays has never been a problem for the two of them because, “We believe in each other,” he said.

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November 19, 2007

Thanksgiving, Delray Beach Style

Thanksgiving is all about family, friends and traditions. Two Delray Beach families share how they celebrate the holiday.


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The Killough's
Paula, Kevin and Brutis

For the Killough’s, Thanksgiving day starts early.

Paula dashes to the gym before the sun rises while chef extraordinaire Kevin prepares the big bird for the grill.

Later the pair will set the table, cook the rest of the meal, entertain their company and still manage to watch the Macy’s Christmas parade.

Since the couple began hosting Thanksgiving 10-years ago, the Connecticut transplants have always had an open door policy. Anyone is welcome to come. “The more the merrier,” Paula says.

Kevin says one of the highlights of the long weekend is spending it with his parents, Marilyn and William Killough.

His parents always fly down to spend the holiday with them. “Mom’s birthday is in November and we will celebrate it one night,” he says.

When Paula, Kevin, his parents and their guests sit down to dinner, they will feast on butternut squash soup, cranberry sauce (Marilyn’s specialty,) champagne, pumpkin pie – and don’t forget the turkey and stuffing.

As an acknowledgment to their southern lifestyle Kevin says, “We may add a sweet potato dish.”

Even Brutis, their 6-year old rescue cocker gets in to the holiday. Every year “Bruti” watches the dog show snuggled on the couch between Paula and Kevin.

Before day ends, the penguins that have been packed away in the attic will once again glow festively in their front yard. And the holidays will have officially begun at the Killough’s.

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The Vanzuela's Chelsea, Joeven and Cathy Front Row: Cathleen, Caroline and Grandma Mildred
Fifteen years ago when Cathy Valenzuela moved to the U.S. from the Philippines (12-years ago for Joeven,) they’d never heard of Thanksgiving.

But thanks to their American friends, it wasn’t long before the twosome knew all about turkey day.

This year the couple and their three children, Chelsea, 12, Caroline, 5, and Cathleen, 2, will celebrate Thanksgiving at home.

"We like to stay home and relax," Cathy says.

Grandma Mildred (Mildred Mana-ay, Cathy’s mother) will be there too.

For the girls, watching the Macy’s Christmas parade is a priority.

Chelsea would love to go to New York to watch the parade. And someday she hopes to have a snowy Thanksgiving.

The Valenzuela dinner will be a blend of American and Philippine favorites.

Joeven will tackle the turkey. “I think I might deep fry it this year. I heard it’s really good,” he said. Later he’ll catch some football games.

Cathy prepares the side dishes. She’ll make stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberries and noodles - a favorite in the Philippines.

And this year she’s starting a new tradition. She’ll make her first apple pie (from scratch.)

Mildred will add her specialty to the feast - egg rolls.

The Valenzuela’s think Thanksgiving is the best American holiday. Caroline and Cathleen boisterously agree.

Thanksgiving reminds the adults in the family of Fiesta in the Philippines. Each Philippine city has a patron saint. On that saint’s birthday, residents go to Mass. Later they eat a big meal with friends and family.

"Thanksgiving is more special than the other holidays because everyone celebrates regardless of race or religion," Mildred says.

The family will eat Thanksgiving dinner midafternoon. After the cleanup Cathy said, "We'll need to get out of the house for a while."

So they’ll wrap up the day with a walk on the beach.

On Friday they will buy their Christmas tree and start another new tradition – a real tree.

Once the tree is up, Cathy and Joeven can just kick and relax. “The girls take over now,” she says with a big smile on her face.

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About This Blog

The Get Local community blogs are written by residents of the community. The Sun-Sentinel does not edit the blogs, nor take responsibility for the contents.

MARY KAY
Kay has lived in Florida for the past seven years. Writing has always been her passion...

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