Warm and bright: Visit a drive-thru holiday light show

It’s Wednesday, New Jersey!

🌟✨It’s also great time to take in a drive-thru holiday light show from the comfort of your warm, cozy car. Jingle all the way along a one-mile-long drive-thru featuring over two million lights at Skylands Stadium Light Show and Christmas Village in Augusta. Looking for a holly-jolly holiday light show closer to your neck of the woods? We have all the brilliant details here!

☔Weather: Heavy rain, patchy fog, high 64 degrees.

👀What’s on tap today:

• Holiday concerts at the Monmouth County Library

• Aging news roundup

• Cookie exchange recipe

Up first…

Did you know?

Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) is a program that provides in-home services to seniors aged 60 and over who require a nursing facility level of care but wish to remain in their homes. Qualified individuals may have the opportunity to hire their own eligible family, friends, or neighbors to provide the care they need. Services available through JACC include the following: care management, personal care assistance, caregiver relief (respite), home modifications, special medical equipment and supplies, chore services, personal emergency response system, home-delivered meal services, social adult day care, and transportation. JACC has a monthly co-pay based on the participant’s (and spouse’s) income. For more information, visit: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/a-k/jacc/

Monmouth County News & Notes

1. Holiday Made in Monmouth Expo
   Date: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
   Location: Robert J. Collins Arena, Brookdale Community College
   Details: Over 250 local vendors will showcase a wide range of products including accessories, art, jewelry, food, home décor, and more. This free event supports small businesses and promotes local shopping for the holiday season.
   More info: www.MadeinMonmouth.com

2. Gift Cards Now Available at Monmouth County Golf Courses
   Details: Gift cards are now on sale at all six Monmouth County Park System golf courses. Perfect for the golfer in your life, these cards can be customized to any value and redeemed at any participating golf course.
   Courses: Bel-Aire (Wall), Charleston Springs (Millstone), Hominy Hill (Colts Neck), Howell Park (Howell), Pine Brook (Manalapan), Shark River (Neptune)
   More info: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com

3. Call for Entries: Optical Illusions Exhibit
   Dates: Feb. 7 – May 16, 2024
   Location: The Gallery at Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft
   Details: Artists are invited to submit works featuring optical illusions, surrealism, or mirages. All mediums welcome.
   Entry Deadline: Thursday, Jan. 9, 2024
   More info: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com

4. Take the grandkids! Winter Pine Barren Bonfire
   Date: Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, 6–8 p.m.
   Location: Turkey Swamp Park Council Ring, Georgia Road, Freehold
   Details: Enjoy an evening by the bonfire with games, s’mores, and a full moon. Dress warmly and bring the family! Additional bonfire sessions will be held on Jan. 13 and Feb. 12.
   Cost: $15 per family of four
   More info: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000

Aging news roundup

My Husband’s Hospitalization Became an Emergency Preparedness Drill: From paying bills to doing laundry, understand your partner’s household tasks. Next Avenue, Dec. 6.

Six Year-End Deadlines for Retirees in 2024: Here are six key end-of-year 2024 deadlines that retirees and those saving to retire won’t want to miss. Kiplinger, Dec. 6

A New Era of Women-Centric Health Research: Recent initiatives are tackling disparities in medical conditions between men and women. Next Avenue, Dec. 3.

Homebound Seniors Living Alone Often Slip Through Health System’s Cracks: Across the country, about 2 million adults 65 and older are completely or mostly homebound, while an additional 5.5 million seniors can get out only with significant difficulty or assistance. KFF Health News, Dec. 2.

Special events at the library this month

Tim McLoone and the Shirleys and the Atlantic Coast Band bring holiday fun, music, and song to Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. Doors open at 12:30 pm. This program is free, seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Visit Library Headquarters, Manalapan, on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. for an entertaining performance by the Sentimental Journey Big Band. The band specializes in the famous melodies from the 30’s and 40’s that will have you tapping your feet and singing along. Enjoy the best of the “swing era” accompanied by familiar tunes of the season. Doors open at 12:30 pm. This program is free, and seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Through centuries of art, much of it now in East Coast museums, learn how a Greek bishop in Roman-era Turkey evolved into one of Christianity’s most beloved saints. Then in American artwork see Nicholas change again—into Santa Claus. No registration required. Available to watch via the library website.

Today’s birthdays

Happy 82nd Birthday, Allison Mohan of Howell! 🎉🎂🎈 Wishing you a day filled with love, laughter, and all the joy you deserve! 🌸💖 May this year bring you health, happiness, and beautiful memories! 🥳🎁🎉 A few other notable people sharing a birthday today with Allison include: Singer Frank Sinatra (1915); Actress Cicely Tyson (1933); Singer Brenda Lee (1944); Singer Tina Turner (1939); Chef and TV Personality Bobby Flay (1964); Actress Rita Moreno (1931).

Quote for today

Quick question?

🧑‍🎄What’s your favorite holiday movie that you’ve watched year after year? Reply to: [email protected]

And here are the answers to last week’s poll question: Which holiday tradition from your past do you still continue today?

1. Baking cookies with my family every Christmas Eve. – Sarah P.

2. Driving around to look at Christmas lights in our neighborhood. – James T.

3. Making homemade ornaments to hang on the tree. – Emily W.

4. Watching A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve. – Michael H.

5. Opening one present on Christmas Eve before the big day. – Jessica M.

6. Having a big holiday breakfast with pancakes and cinnamon rolls. – Daniel R.

7. Writing and sending out holiday cards to friends and family. – Amanda L.

8. Attending midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. – John S.

9. Reading The Night Before Christmas to my children. – Laura D.

10. Exchanging stockings filled with small surprises on Christmas morning. – Robert K.

Elsewhere in New Jersey🎄🎅🎁

December 13 – Westfield Community Concert Band 35th Annual Holiday Concert (Westfield, Union County)
December 13 & 14 – Holiday Marketplace (Parsippany, Morris County)
December 13 – 15 – Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar (Asbury Park, Monmouth County)
December 13 – 15 – The Nutcracker (West Windsor, Mercer County)
December 14 – Bell Works Fresh Holiday Markets (Holmdel, Monmouth County)
December 14 – American Repertory Ballet presents THE NUTCRACKER (Trenton, Mercer County)
December 14 – Holiday Made in Monmouth (Lincroft, Monmouth County)
December 14 – Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas Market at Abma’s Farm (Hillsborough, Somerset County)
December 14 – Christmas with The Celts (Newton, Sussex County)
December 14 – Sensory Santa Event at Bierman Autism Centers (Ramsey, Bergen County)
December 14 – White Christmas Sing-a-long (West Windsor, Mercer County)
December 14 & 15 – Montclair Flea Holiday Market (Montclair, Essex County)
December 14 & 15 – Somerset County 4-H’s Holiday Craft Festival (Bridgewater, Somerset County)
December 14 & 15 – Annual Holiday Model Train Show (North Haledon, Passaic County)
December 14 & 15 – Christmas in the Village (Browns Mills, Burlington County)
December 14 & 15 – Holiday Pop-Up Weekend at the Basie Center (Red Bank, Monmouth County)
December 15 – Asbury Fresh Porta Holiday Pop Up Markets (Asbury Park, Monmouth County)
December 15 – Handmade Holiday at The Woodland (Maplewood, Essex County)
December 15 – Shoppes at the Arcade Holiday Vendor Market (Asbury Park, Monmouth County)
December 15 – Murder Mystery at Four Sisters Winery (Belvidere, Warren County)
December 18 – Bell Works Fresh Holiday Markets (Holmdel, Monmouth County)
December 19 – A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland (Englewood, Bergen County)
December 20 – 22 – American Repertory Ballet presents THE NUTCRACKER (New Brunswick, Middlesex County)

Holiday Cookie Exchange

🍪For a Christmas cookie exchange, you’ll want to bring something both delicious and visually appealing. Here’s a recipe for Classic Snowball Cookies, also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies. They’re buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies rolled in powdered sugar, making them perfect for the holiday season! 🎄🎅🎁

Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cakes)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, can be left out for a nut-free version)

• 1/4 tsp salt

• Powdered sugar, for rolling the cookies

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup.

2. Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/4 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). You can use an electric mixer or mix by hand with a wooden spoon.

3. Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients: Mix in the vanilla extract. Then, gradually add the flour, salt, and chopped nuts (if using), and mix until fully combined. The dough will be soft but should hold together.

4. Shape the Dough: Roll the dough into small 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. You should have about 24 cookies.

5. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops should remain pale.

6. Cool and Coat: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. While still warm, roll the cookies in powdered sugar until fully coated. Once cooled completely, roll them in powdered sugar again for an extra snowy effect.

7. Serve and Enjoy: Arrange your cookies on a festive plate or package them in a decorative box for your cookie exchange. These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to a week.

🙏Thanks for reading!

🎁🚂🧸🎄Special shout-out today goes to the Monmouth County Library for sponsoring a collection site for Toys for Tots, a charity program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve that has been collecting and distributing new, unwrapped toys to children in need since 1947. To date, the charity has delivered over 600 million toys to children across the U.S.

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🤶See you next week!

The Better With Age New Jersey team