Most merciful and loving God, you have made this day holy by the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, and by the child-bearing of the Virgin Mary: Grant that we your people may enter with joy into the celebration of this day, and may also rejoice for ever, as your adopted sons and daughters through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Let us pray. Almighty God, whose Son, our Savior, manifest your glory in his flesh, and sanctified the outward and visible to be a means to perceive realities unseen: Accept, we pray, this representation of the Nativity and grant that as we look upon it, our hearts may be drawn to things which can be seen only by the eye of faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
The Town Board approved the addition of the crèche to the other holiday displays, a Christmas tree, a Jewish menorah and a Islamic cresent moon and star.
The nativity includes the figurines of a shepherd, the three wise men, Virgin Mary and Joseph in the manger. A figurine of the Infant Jesus will arrive on Christmas Eve. The blue holiday lights in the abutting trees canopy the setting, giving it an angelic aura.
One passerby said the figurines are hard to see when driving by the park, but she said she looks forward to next year's plan for a larger display.
In time for Christmas, The Reverend Joshua Condon of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church blessed the Nativity scene in Wampus Brook Park. A group of Christians gathered for the evening prayer:
"Let us pray. Almighty and everliving God, you have given us a new elevation of your loving providence in the Coming of your Son Jesus Christ to be born of the Virgin Mary. Grant that as he shared our mortality so we may share his eternity in the glory of your kingdom; where he lives and reins for ever and ever. Amen
Prays from The Book of Occasional Services
Our Community celebrates many traditions. The holiday displays include the Islamic symbols of a white
crescent moon
and star, the Jewish menorah and the traditional Christmas tree.
The traditional lighting and caroling at the Gazebo in Wampus Park followed "Frosty the Snowman" Parade on Saturday December 11. Check the calendar for more information.
Wampus Brook Park
Annual Decorating Contest and Festivities
December 2010
Armonk's 16th annual town holiday decorating contest will once again be sponsored by the Green Acres Garden Club,
says club president, Carolyn Salon. Awards will be given to businesses
who display the best holiday exhibits. We welcome holiday display photos
at edit@allaboutarmonk.com.
The
town-wide holiday decorating is only one of the holiday events held in
conjunction with the annual Winter Walk and the Armonk Players'
performance It Happened One Christmas Eve.
Armonk's
holiday events were held on Saturday afternoon and evening of December
11. See calendar for schedule. Everyone is talking about Armonk as the birthplace of Frosty the Snowman. Some
50 years later, Frosty is returning to Armonk as this year's holiday
parade Marshall. It's an event for everyone, young and old, to come out
and celebrate the holiday spirit with Frosty, Santa, hay rides, food,
caroling, decorations, lighting, and more.
Dressed for the Holidays
Town Center Pharmacy
The Olive Branch Plaza
North Castle Library
Prudential Holmes & Kennedy
Armonk Vision
Village Scribe
Main Street, Armonk
Opus 465
Mariachi Mexico
LaGravinese Jewelers
Armonk Wines & Spirits
Gavi Restaurant
David Chen
Made in Asia
Finnegan's Grill
Holiday Decorating 101
By Liane Rigano
December 2010
The Holidays are upon us! In addition to being the busiest time of year, the holiday season is the most popular time to entertain family and friends. That's why it's also the time for holiday party-givers to seek out decorating inspiration that's simple, yet adds warmth, cheer and style to their homes.
An important first step is to choose a theme and a color scheme to make it easy to harmonize the entire home. A theme provides interest and focus that can be carried through to every room in the home. Please read some fun, easy decorating ideas.
·Holiday Greenery: Holly berries, evergreen boughs, pine roping and pine cones all add a natural holiday sight and scent to banisters, doorways and centerpieces. For those allergic to natural, or who don't want the clean-up, silk evergreens are a great look.
·Holiday Scents: As an alternate to pine, use gingerbread, sugarplum or peppermint scented candles or simmering potpourri to create a festive mood.
·Holiday table "wrapping" : Something as simple as linens, placemats or runners can add holiday flair to tables. Turn functional items like chairs, doors, banisters and plant pots into decorations, by "wrapping" them in rich holiday fabric and bows.
·Holiday Color and Glitz: Use tall glass containers and fill with colored ornaments for a mixture of color. Change the throw pillows in your living room/family room with your choice of holiday colors. Or take your existing pillows and tie on ribbon embellished with floral bows so your pillows look like gift packages sitting on your sofa.
·Holiday Photos: Display photos of home, family and friends during past Holidays as decoration. Often inspires great conversations and memories.
·Holiday Sparkle: Use cut-glass bead strands and candles to create a holiday glow. String the beads on light fixtures or over drapes, and watch them twinkle in the candlelight.
·Holiday Books: Take out all your holiday books including children's, craft books, cook books and magazines and display them on coffee tables, shelves, in bathrooms, etc.
·Holiday Sounds: Have a diverse selection of festive holiday tunes - from jazz to classical, to pop, to big band - to set the mood for a party or for an unexpected guest - or even for you!
While there are many great decorating ideas available for every budget, the most important part of the party should be spending quality time with family and friends. Get your decorating done early, so you can sit down and enjoy it during your get-together, and for the entire season.
· Holiday table "wrapping" : Something as simple as linens, placemats or runners can add holiday flair to tables. Turn functional items like chairs, doors, banisters and plant pots into decorations, by "wrapping" them in rich holiday fabric and bows. · Holiday Color and Glitz: Use tall glass containers and fill with colored ornaments for a mixture of color. Change the throw pillows in your living room/family room with your choice of holiday colors. Or take your existing pillows and tie on ribbon embellished with floral bows so your pillows look like gift packages sitting on your sofa. · Holiday Photos: Display photos of home, family and friends during past Holidays as decoration. Often inspires great conversations and memories. · Holiday Sparkle: Use cut-glass bead strands and candles to create a holiday glow. String the beads on light fixtures or over drapes, and watch them twinkle in the candlelight. · Holiday Books: Take out all your holiday books including children's, craft books, cook books and magazines and display them on coffee tables, shelves, in bathrooms, etc. · Holiday Sounds: Have a diverse selection of festive holiday tunes - from jazz to classical, to pop, to big band - to set the mood for a party or for an unexpected guest - or even for you!
While there are many great decorating ideas available for every budget, the most important part of the party should be spending quality time with family and friends. Get your decorating done early, so you can sit down and enjoy it during your get-together, and for the entire season.
The Holidays are upon us! In addition to being the busiest time of year,
the holiday season is the most popular time to entertain family and
friends. That's why it's also the time for holiday party-givers to seek
out decorating inspiration that's simple, yet adds warmth, cheer and
style to their homes.
An important first step is to choose a
theme and a color scheme to make it easy to harmonize the entire home. A
theme provides interest and focus that can be carried through to every
room in the home. Please read Holiday Decorating Tips 101 to get some
fun, easy decorating ideas. Holiday Decorating 101 · Holiday
Greenery: Holly berries, evergreen boughs, pine roping and pine cones
all add a natural holiday sight and scent to banisters, doorways and
centerpieces. For those allergic to natural, or who don't want the
clean-up, silk evergreens are a great look. · Holiday Scents: As an
alternate to pine, use gingerbread, sugarplum or peppermint scented
candles or simmering potpourri to create a festive mood.
This time of year, we make a list of gifts to buy, things we want, and resolutions about how we are going to make the New Year better. But we rarely include planning for our current and future needs. Read more
As we gather around the table to eat and be merry this holiday season, consider serving healthy meals. Here are some delicious holiday recipes to follow:
Pairing Wine Buttery yellow apple and spiced pear notes interlaced with citrus and toasted hazelnuts - perfect pairing for most rich traditional holiday dishes ...Read more
Young families were treated to free films this week at the library.
AllAboutArmonk.com is on the lookout for North Castle's most spirited
citizen. The tone of our town needs a makeover, and we challenge every
North Castle resident to be kinder, gentler, and more respectful of one
another. Read about the nominees.
The garden club's traditional holiday wreath-making and displays are in full bloom this season. Read more
"For Innovative Gifts" 16 Banksville Avenue Banksville, NY 914.219.5260 www.tastefultreats.com
Chanuka, the Holiday of Redemption and Light
By Marla Shechtman
December 1* - December 9, 2010 *begins at sunset
The
Macabees, a small group of Jewish rebels, overpowered the mighty
Syrians in the pursuit of freedom to worship. A small drop of oil
miraculously kept the temple's "candle" burning for 8 nights. They
were flames of hope that burned brightly illuminating the surrounding
darkness. Light overpowered darkness - even in the darkest of times,
light prevailed.
As we look to an uncertain future, let this holiday of lights continue to bring us hope.
There's a Little Bit of Everything at Tasteful Treats and Treasures Gift Baskets
In 2002, with her daughter a senior in Byram Hills, Rose Colonna was determined to start a business. She had recently begun hand making candy topiaries as gifts. A friend called her looking for a condolence basket, which prompted the idea for the business. She hasn't stopped designing gift baskets since. She loves putting together "Tasteful Treats and Treasures Gift Baskets". Her business has flourished into a charming shop on the corner of Banksville Avenue and North Street, adjacent to Finches in Banksville.
Everywhere you look, there are treasures like ceramic purses filled with edible delights or the wreath filled with holiday candies. She looks for "items that I would like myself."
The unique gift boxes are filled with all sorts of appealing goodies; popcorn, taffy, pretzels, nuts and candy. If you're looking for a gift, she carries it. Rose can provide gifts for corporate gift baskets, baby showers, party favors, weddings, college packages, holiday gifts, get well, sympathy, birthday celebrations and every other occasion you can think of. Walking around the shop, everything is cheery and decorative and the samples are delicious, including the chocolate covered sunflower seeds available to ship in a $10 tube.
The gift baskets hold edible, healthy, and substantially sized products as opposed to small samplings. Rose is always thinking of sweet, salty and healthy items to put inside the baskets. There are healthy snacks of popcorn, pretzels, chips and veggie sensations. She also offers a large selection of gluten free and Kosher products. Rose tastes everything before offering it and doesn't skimp on flavor.
Her containers come in all shapes and sizes, and she is not just limited to baskets. One of her customers was looking for a gift for her son who was graduating from medical school and getting married. Rose found him a medical bag to fit all sorts of delicious items, including his favorite football team paraphernalia and items necessary for the soon-to-be-groom.
She finds custom orders challenging and says she has yet to be stumped, "if we don't have it, then you can't send it." She enjoys finding just the right thing and putting it together. "The gifts look nice and you don't have to spend a lot of money."
Rose is always visiting food and gift shows and conventions. Recently, she went to a tail gate show where she found a great gift item for sports fans: a toaster offering pro or college teams' name toasted onto the bread. Sports fans are fanatic and anything with the Yankees logo flies out of the shop.
A majority of Rose's business is done over the holidays. While we were in the shop, one customer said, "It looks like Santa's little workshop."
Custom orders are always welcome and Tasteful Treats & Treasures Gift Baskets ship or deliver local and national. This time of year the shop is open daily Monday and Friday 9am - 5pm. Visit the shop at 16 Banksville Avenue, Banksvlle, NY, call 914.219.5260, or view the website www.tastlefultreats.com.
Image:
The Nutcracker One year, my mother and I were invited as guests of a mother - daughter day culminated with a performance of The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet. What a wonderful experience for a little girl; especially a little girl surrounded by brothers. Read about our local young dancers in the holiday classic The Nutcracker at The Riverside Church, NYC.
On Dec 11, 2010, Armonk welcomed "Frosty the Snowman" home. As an Armonk resident in the 1950s, Steve Nelson co-wrote the famous song that still brings a smile to young and old alike.
Mariachi Mexico
Happy Holidays
• Happy holidays to All Students, Past, Present and Future -- COLLEGE ADVICE Ed Woodyard.
• Happy holidays from Brynwood Golf & Country Club!
• Enchanted Wishes wants to wish everyone, Happy and Healthy Holidays, and a Wonderful New Year! Follow us on Facebook to see what's happening at Enchanted Wishes!
• Warm holiday wishes from the volunteers at Treasures Thrift Shop! Heartfelt thanks to our community of generous donors and customers for another successful year supporting St. Stephen's outreach efforts.
• From our homes to yours, the North Castle Housing Board wishes one and all a very happy, healthy holiday and prosperous New Year. Peace on Earth and Good will to all!
• Happy holidays to all of our current, past, and future customers. May all of your homework be “light”. May all of your test scores be near perfect and for the seniors: may all of your envelopes be acceptances. --Tutoring Club celebrating our 7th year in Armonk, Neal Schwartz-Owner.
• Happy holiday wishes from Breezemont Day Camp. Give the gift of camp. Call to inquire about our holiday raffle: (914) 273-3162.
• Warmest wishes from Salon Bellezza for a "Beauty" filled holiday season.
Monday night's snow flurries made a pretty holiday scene on Main Street.
In the Christmas Pageant at St. Stephen's Church, Mary and Joseph welcomed the baby Jesus, played by a recently baptized parishioner.
In time for Christmas, The Reverend Joshua Condon of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church blessed the Nativity scene in Wampus Brook Park. A group of Christians gathered for the evening prayer. Read more
This holiday wreath is decorated with golden books, berries, birds and read ribbons. It is hanging at the library and was designed and donated by the Green Acres Garden Club.
The North Castle Historical Society's members opened Smith's Tavern to the public for their holiday party. Guests were entertained by holiday songs sung by Byram Hill's students and served homemade desserts and punch.
Middle school students throw a holiday party for Children's Village students, some that don't have homes to return to for the holiday vacation. Read more
Armonk's Santa, fairies, politicians, firemen, happy little kids and hundreds of others welcomed Frosty the Snowman home in a spectacular winter parade. SEE THE VIDEO HERE
