What Does Thanksgiving Mean To You?

As Thanksgiving rapidly approaches, we tend to get caught up in the preparations of the meal, watching of parades and sporting events and spending time with family and friends. For some, the planning and strategizing for shopping the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday consume our thoughts. Have we forgotten the real reason we celebrate Thanksgiving?

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated as a way for the Pilgrims to give thanks for the opportunity to begin a life in the New World. To get to this day, many survived illness and the restriction of freedoms that we now take for granted.

Thanksgiving is the one day a year set aside to give thanks. So what are you thankful for? This is a question that for many can bring about a storm of emotion. This question means something different to everyone.

In recent years, I made a choice to include my closest friends at my family table because close friends are as important to me as family. I am thankful for the opportunity to make this possible.

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection for me. I think of those no longer with me to celebrate the holidays and the memories of years gone by. I am thankful for my husband whose love and support I could not live without, my children who teach me what the meaning of love is every day, my family that remind me of where I started and how far we have come, my friends who support me in good times and difficult times and for the opportunities that I have been afforded to make this life one that I am proud of and happy to share with the people I care about.

However you decide to celebrate this year, I urge you to take time to remember why it is that we celebrate this day and to make thankfulness a part of each day not just Thanksgiving. In this fast paced world that we live in, it is too easy to forget to take time to slow down and remember just how we got here.

The Management and Staff of C.H. Edwards, Inc. would like to extend our best wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with the opportunity to make memories with those you cherish the most!

Written by: Denise Visco

Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips

Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips

It’s finally here, Pumpkin carving time! Kids, teens and even adults wait all year to carve their spooky Jack-O-Lantern’s for Halloween night! Although carving pumpkins can be fun for the whole family, it can also be dangerous and turn Halloween into a nightmare. Pumpkins can be both slippery and tough, a recipe for accidents.

pumpkin carving 1

Follow some of these helpful safety tips when you’re carving your pumpkin this year:

Use the right tools: Consumer Reports tested pumpkin-carving kits a few years ago and observed that one advantage of the specialty tools was that they can saw through rinds, poke holes, and scoop out innards without being razor-sharp. The instruments were also generally small, which made them easier to control than knives and easier to use when making intricate cuts.

Carve before taking off the top of the pumpkin: Carving the pumpkin before cutting the top off will help you avoid accidentally sticking your hand in the pumpkin while cutting inwards.

Take precautions: Carve in a clean, dry, and well-lit area, keeping your hands and tools clean and dry. Most important, take your time. Remember, this is a fun activity and fun shouldn’t be rushed!

Don’t let kids carve: It is important to not let young children carve by them selves. Instead, have children draw markings on the pumpkin and help clean the innards out with a spoon or their hands. If you have a young teen and they are trusted with a knife, be sure they are using a short knife and supervise as they are carving.

Halloween and fall activities are fun for everyone. Make sure you are enforcing safety this year while you share these activities with the ones you love. Practicing safety can help prevent you from having your own “Nightmare before Halloween”.pumpkin carving 2

At C.H. Edwards, Inc., we take pride in offering you helpful information so that you can make the most of the time you spend with your family. Call us if we can be of assistance with any of your Halloween related claims.

The Management and Staff at C.H. Edwards, Inc. wish you a Happy and Safe Halloween!

 

A Visit To Seven Ponds Orchard

A Visit To Seven Ponds Orchard

Seven Pond 2Fall on Long Island calls for weekends filled with “Farm Fun”. This past weekend was a beautiful weekend to be out on thSevan Pond 1e east end! Taking a trip “out east” is always a fun way to spend time with loved ones. Not only for your time spent together, but the beautiful scenery you will experience. With so many “U Pick” farms to choose from, you’re sure to find something that you will love! Seven Ponds Orchard, in Water Mill was filled with many Long Island Folks this past Sunday.

The weather was perfect to pick apples, pumpkins and corn! In addition to their Apple Trees and Pumpkin Patch, the market was filled with other fresh produce, pies, homemade jams, apple cider, apple cider donuts and even flavored honey sticks! Kids were having a blast too, as they enjoyed the farms corn maze, and a special tractor ride around the farm! With reasonable prices, walking out of the farm with a full bushel of assorted apples, a large pumpkin (for carving of course), five ears of corn, a pint of fresh cider and a handful of honey sticks was a steal!

Seven Pond 4Seven Ponds Orchard is located at 65 Seven Ponds Rd, Water Mill, New York 11976 and is open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm! 

Enjoy the Fall Season while it lasts! Plan a trip to visit our Long Island farms this weekend!

Written by: Amanda Haase

Disney’s Not So Scary Halloween!

Disney’s Not So Scary Halloween!

 

It`s the most wonderful time of the year for all fall lovers out there. And whats better than a season filled with pumpkins, trick or treating and caramel apples? Well that’s adding Disney of course! This past week I attended Mickey`s Not So Scary Halloween Party in Orlando, Florida. This event runs from September 1st till October 31st from 7:00 PM to midnight on select nights. sandra 1
Fall is my favorite season and being in Disney made it even more magical. Here are my top 5 favorite parts of the Mickey`s Not So Scary Halloween Party. My favorite part was defiantly all the Halloween treats. From ghost cupcakes to candy corn ice cream to pumpkin spice cookies, there was a spooky treat to satisfy any sweet tooth. My second favorite part was the trick or treating. There were several candy stations set up around the park, which is any candy lovers dream. My third favorite part was the Happy HalloWishes firework spectacular. This magical firework show included clips from different Halloween themed movies and also included classic Disney Halloween tunes. My fourth favorite part was the Halloween decor. Disney is always known for going above and beyond for any sandra 2occasion and Halloween is no exception. There were pumpkins and other Halloween decor all over the park. It felt like a real life Halloweentown! And last but not least were the characters. Each classic Disney character was dressed up in different Halloween costumes. Minnie Mouse was dressed as a purple witch, Goofy was a pilot, Donald Duck was a pumpkin and there were so many more. Besides my favorite parts of Mickey`s Not So Scary Halloween Party, there are many other spooktacular events such as dance parties, a villain takeover of Cinderella`s castle, several rides and attractions,Villains Castle Show and Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade. No matter if you are a kid or a kid at heart, this is the perfect event for any Halloween fan.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Taking Control of Your Fall Season Allergies!

Taking Control of Your Fall Season Allergies!

Isn’t incredible how the weather can change in the blink of eye? As we approach the fall, many of us may be suffering from allergies. Allergens are the substances that cause you to experience allergy symptoms. You may be asking, “What can I do about them?” or “How can I control them?”

Whether its indoor allergies or outdoor allergies that have you down, know how to control them!

When suffering with Indoor Allergies:

  • Filter your Air with air conditioning systems and vacuums to trap small allergens.
  • Minimize dust mites by washing your sheets in hot water at least once a week and using hypoallergenic bedding.
  • Control pets by keeping them off the furniture and out of bedrooms.
  • Keep your household dry to avoid mold.

When suffering with Outdoor Allergies:

  • Know your comfort zone and how much pollen exposure you can handle.
  • Keeps doors and windows closed to keep allergens out!
  • Avoid contact with grass and weeds when enjoying fall outdoor activities.
  • Use masks when cutting the lawn or being involved in yard work. Wearing jeans and long sleeved shirts to protect your skin.

So now you have it! Better your fall season by controlling your allergies. Make time to enjoy all those wonderful fall activities and most of all, be in control of your own body!

 

 

Discover Long Islands East End!

Discover Long Islands East End!

 

Farm blogLong Island is known for salty beaches and wide open spaces. Many people may not know about the treasures you can discover on the east end of our Island. Small towns and wonderful Bed & Breakfasts are the back drop for a wonderful getaway.

A perfect weekend getaway or day trip for Long Islanders is to the east end to visit our beautiful farms. Every season there is something new to pick on our farms. From Pumpkins and apples in the Fall, to Blueberries, Strawberries, vegetables and Lavender in the Summer time. The Vineyards are a “must see” in both Summer and Fall. Fresh baked pies are available year round and for a limited time in the Fall, there’s Apple Cider donuts!

In addition to picking fresh fruits and vegetables in the Fall, you can also enjoy Hay Rides, Corns Mazes and the annual “Spooky Walk” at Camp Paquatuck in Center Moriches during Halloween season. (To learn more about the Spooky Walk, visit www.spookywalk.com)

Long Islands Farms and attractions are staffed by friendly locals willing to help you achieve the experience you are looking for. Not only is this a fun trip for a weekend but it is also an awesome and interactive way to spend time with your loved ones.

Visit www.eastendgetaway.com for a listing of Long Island farms as well as Vineyards, Shows and Attractions, Accommodations and even Dining and Shopping!

Take a trip and experience the beauty of Long Island’s East end.