Picking the Perfect Sparkling Wine

Something for every palate.

As New Years' Eve nears, there is really only one beverage everyone thinks of to ring in the evening with. Several local stores sell different champagnes and sparkling wines, and Rich Isel, an employee at Gary's Wine & Marketplace in Madison for over 20 years (12 years fulltime), has advice for which bottles are sure to please your guests—or yourself—this Dec. 31. "It's really the only time of year we sell a lot of champagne," Isel said, but sparkling wine is more versatile than most people give it credit for. "Champagne has very low sugar levels and high acidity. In combination with the bubbles, ... it can be really austere. These qualities make it a good food wine, even though it's not drank with food often." While proper champagnes, …

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Luminaria Make for a Magical Sight in Chatham

The annual Rotary fundraiser also raised spirits on a cold, clear night.

Christmas vigil Mass was just letting out at St. Patrick Church when my family drove into Chatham Borough for our annual Christmas Eve dinner at the Dey's beautiful home on Washington Avenue. "Why aren't they all lighted yet?" asked my 9-year-old son about the luminaria that line the street and are a highlight every year when we visit Chatham for the holidays. My husband explained that people were just getting started. Indeed, the candles in their humble brown paper bags aren't supposed to be lit until 6 p.m. At the Dey's, Uncle Fred (Fred Mann, Chatham High Class of '87) was lighting the luminaria, much to our children's delight. The luminaria are sold in kits of 12 bags, 12 candles and a bag of kitty litter to weigh down the bags and …

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Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa's Sleigh Arrives in Chatham

St. Nick makes annual Christmas Eve visit to Reasoner Park.

Santa made his annual Christmas Eve visit to Reasoner Park Saturday afternoon as a long line of children posed for pictures and made some last-minute gift requests.

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Bites Nearby

Serenade Takes On the Holiday Cooking

No matter what your traditional Christmas dish is, this Chatham restaurant has something for everyone.

Preparing a meal for the holidays can be a stressful undertaking. At Restaurant Serenade, Chef James Laird stays open Christmas Eve to offer a three-course menu packed with holiday favorites that can provide a restful alternative to holiday dining. "It's one of our busiest days of the year," Laird said, a time when families come and "they don't mind bringing their 2-year-olds." Laird's Christmas Eve menu is packed with reflections of his time spent in Europe, including traditional French holiday dishes such as fois gras and duck, and several fish options reminiscent of the Italian Christmas Eve tradition of eating seven kinds of fish. "The octopus is a great seller, we sell a ton of lobster, I think those are great dishes. The salmon [has…

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Marqus Fischer

1:57 am on Monday, January 2, 2012

Thank you for your time, marqus all so have a good new years to come   more ›

Jet Helps Festival of Lights Shine in Chatham

Michael Tannenbaum helps light menorah in Reasoner Park Thursday night.

The Jewish celebration known as The Festival of Lights, or more commonly, Hanukkah, is rooted in history and traditions. Perhaps the most recognized and celebrated Hanukkah tradition is the lighting, or kindling, of the Hanukkah menorah. According to sacred ordinance, upon reclaiming the Temple of Jerusalem, the Jews were only able to find a single vat of consecrated oil, enough to light the menorah for one day. They decided to light the menorah anyway in the faith that God would provide for them. The menorah, with one day's oil, continued to burn for eight days. This was exactly the amount of time required to prepare and consecrate more oil, hence the miracle of the oil.

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Parents Talk Q&A

How Do You Show Charity During the Holidays?

'Tis the season to give, but to whom?

Starting around Dec. 5, my telephone started ringing several times a day, and the postman started bringing noticeably thick envelopes. Every nonprofit or fundraising organization I've given to in the last year contacted me to ask for one more donation before Jan. 1. And that's not all. The local basketball tournament needs volunteers. The soup kitchen has a special feast, and they need servers. Last year, the Chatham High School basketball teams held the Cougar Classic to benefit the Senior Center of the Chathams. Each year the Chatham Jaycees benefit donate money from their Christmas tree sales to one local organization, and the Chatham Township Fire Department also sells trees to raise money for their needs. This is the time of year when…

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