Sigma Style: 10 ways to Have a Stress-free Thanksgiving
So, you're ho
sting Thanksgiving this year and you're worried because you have this vision in your head of a house decorated by Martha Stewart herself and a meal, the likes of which Julia Child would be envious of, laid out on a table that looks like the cover photo of Gourmet Magazine. Stop right there! None of that is what Thanksgiving is all about. Thanksgiving is a day to enjoy the company of your friends and family. It is a day meant for you to be together and be thankful. Here are a few ways you can be thankful to avoid stress this Thanksgiving.Plan early! Invite your guests early as well before they have made other plans.
Start thinking about decorations for the home and the table. Decide early if you will serve buffet style or sit down.
This is also the time to see if anyone is bringing a dish. This is the time of year that tradition is so important. If one of your guests has a specialty they want to bring, by all means, invite them to bring it and count it in your menu planning
Once you have decided on the number of guests and if you will be serving buffet style or sit down, you can start thinking of table 
Plan the menu. Write the menu out and a list of ingredients. Think about what items on your list can be purchased already made. A ham is a good example of that, people love the honey-baked hams and most times they taste better with a lot less trouble then your own ham. Don’t stop at the ham, prepared corn bread or rolls from the bakery are fine. Try the bagged salads that are already washed and add a few other items to make it special.
Shop early and buy items that are not perishable far in advance. Make sure you cross them off your list as you buy. Order your turkey and/or ham. If you are using a frozen turkey, make sure you have enough time to have it defrost.
The day before, have some one come in to clean if possible. Use other family members to help too, they can pick up last minute items, rake the leaves, decorate the house or whatever little things you need done.
Set the table and decorate it.
Prepare everything that can be done in advance, which for this holiday meal can be most of it.
The day of should be a breeze. Get up and prepare, stuff and cook the turkey. Set up a drink station where your guests can serve themselves. Have music on, candles lit, all setting a festive mood.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to seasonal flu, but may be more severe. These can include: cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and vomiting or diarrhea for some.
Anyone with flu-like symptoms should stay home at least 24 hours after being fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Pregnant women are at greater risk for getting very sick with the flu. If you are pregnant and become sick, contact your doctor right away.
To keep up on additional information about the H1N1 Flu here are some links:
Columbus & Franklin County Flu Planning, Preparing and H1N1 Vaccine Clinics
http://www.columbuspandemicflu.org/
Central Ohio Community Flu Hotline - 211
Call 211 or (614) 221-2255 for general flu questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Health Care Provider Guidelines
Communicable Disease Reporting System
Local Seasonal Flu Vaccine information
For Adults: http://www.vaccine4me.com/ or call (614) 437-2900 or toll-free at (888) 202-1319
For Children: Columbus Immunization Clinic or Franklin County Board of Health
Ohio information: http://www.odh.ohio.gov
U.S. information: http://www.flu.gov/
Central Regi
on News: 70th Annual Regional ConferenceMark you calendars for March 11-14, 2009 for the 70th annual Central Region Conference that will be held in Indianapolis, In. Come for the business and sisterhood of Sigma. Hope to see you there.
Chapter News: Upcoming Events
On November 7, 2009 the chapter will hold the first of a series of wellness programs. The program will take place at Thompsons Recreation Center from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm. Come for fun and healthy tips, facilitated by Soror Torri Fisher.
Calling Sorors, Rhoers and interested ladies to come in share in our annual Founder's Day dinner which will be held on November 15, 2009. Tickets are $20.00. No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, please contact us at DOS1922@yahoo.com
Come for gambling and shopping on December 5, 2009 when the chapter takes a bus trip to Michigan. Tickets are $20.00. For more information contact us at DOS1922@yahoo.com.
National News: Happy 87th Anniversary
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. will celebrate 87 years of service and sisterhood on November 12, 2009. Look where we started from and look how far we have come.....
Seven black women in Indianapolis, Indiana founded Sigma Gamma Rho sorority based on a desire to raise the standards of teachers in normal and other schools. These individuals included Mary Lou Allison Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Dublin Redford, Bessie M. Downey and Cubene McClure.
Sigma Sizzles: Hot Apple Cider
- 6 cups apple cider
- 1/4 cup real maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 6 whole allspice berries
- 1 orange peel, cut into strips
- 1 lemon peel, cut into strips
Directions
- Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.
- Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.
- Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling.
- Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.
Sigmannouncments
- Welcome back to all sorors who have reactiviated this sorority year.
- Happy Sigma Anniversary to any soror who celebrates an anniversary this month.
- Happy Birthday to all who have a birthday in the month of November.
- Looking for submissions for the December Poodle Post. Tell us your best holiday memory, gift or tradition. Please submit all submissions to butterfly1973_73@yahoo.com with the subject line stating best holiday. All submission should be turned in by
December 1, 2009.
Hope you have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.
