HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

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The Darien Times

New Canaan Advertiser

The Ridgeeld Press

The Wilton Bulletin

The Redding Pilot

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The Lewisboro Ledger

Gift baskets are always a pleasure to receive, especially ones with Chiapetta Olive Oil.

DELECTABLE OLIVE OIL IN ELEGANT BOTTLES

by Karen Kovacs Dydzuhn
For more than a century, the Chiappetta
family has produced first cold-pressed,
extra virgin olive oil in the Calabria
region of southern Italy. About a year
ago, family members living in Fairfield
County decided to bring their tasty,
homemade olive oil to the United States.
Tall, elegant, long-necked bottles bearing
the Chiappetta name can now be purchased in 21 specialty grocery stores and
markets in Connecticut.
Made from 100 percent organically

grown caroleo olives, Chiappettas olive

oil is best used on salads, with fresh
Italian bread for dipping and in sauces
and soups, said Pat Chiappetta, a resident of Norwalk. He and his brother,
Frank, of Stamford, were instrumental in
launching the new business, which they
both define as a labor of love.
In 2009, the brothers celebrated the
80th birthday of their father, Vito, by
traveling with him to Italy. While they
were sharing photos of the trip with Pats

two daughters, Leslie (of Milford) and

Lori (of Trumbull), and Franks daughter,
Ashley (of Stamford), the cousins were
impressed with their relatives lush olive
groves and asked why they couldnt
distribute the exquisite olive oil in the
United States. It all started as a tribute to their grandfather and the idea of
wanting to keep the family name going,
Pat explained.

and offered to spearhead the companys

Web and digital presence. The girls are
primarily responsible for the gift baskets, Pat said.
Though Chiappettas Olive Oil had only
been available for a few months by the
time the holiday season rolled around,
its gift baskets were extremely popular
last year.

Pats twin sons, James (of Wilton) and

John (of Norwalk), were also enthusiastic

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Olive oil continued on page 8

r
den Cente

Gar
Nursery &

Gift from

 Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

One of the most memorable gifts Ive ever

received was from a neighbor, who, to
thank me for helping her out of a tough
spot, gave me a boxed set of Penzeys
Spices baking extracts. The neighbor and
I, both avid cooks and bakers, usually end
up talking about food over our split-rail
fence, and we often share recipes, as well
as the fruits of our labors. It was the perfect gift for me, and showed just how well
she knew me.
To be perfectly honest, however, when
Penzeys Spices first opened in Norwalk
in 1999, I was a little skeptical. An entire
store devoted to spices? Dont most people
buy their spices in the supermarket? How
are they going to stay in business? I wondered, and gave them six months.
Well, its been 12 years, and not only have
I been proven completely wrong (the store
has continued to thrive), but Penzeys has
become one of my very favorite places to
shop. In fact, the phrase like a kid in a
candy store could be applied to me and
anyone else who loves to cook and bake
and who eschews the supermarket baking
aisle for Penzeys Spices.
Cooks Wanted!
Headquartered in suburban Milwaukee
County, Wis., the business actually began
as a mail-order company, with people purchasing their spices out of catalogs.
Owner Bill Penzey, who grew up in his
parents spice business, followed the tradition of their lifes work when he launched
Penzeys Spices 25 years ago, first from
a warehouse and then the companys

Tis the
for

first retail store. Today, Penzeys boasts

63 stores, with two more scheduled
to open soon. The Norwalk store,
the companys fourth, is conveniently located at 197 Westport Ave., a
stones throw from Stew Leonards
and just minutes away from I-95 and
the Merritt Parkway.
Our principal focus is the home cook
and baker, explains Margie Gibbons,
spokesperson for the company. There
is something kind, generous and wonderful in the notion of going into the kitchen
and making something to share with your
family and friends. We want to make it
easy for people, from beginner to expert,
to prepare the meal they have planned,
whether they are following a cookbook
recipe to the letter or improvising on an
old family favorite.
Shoppers who visit the retail stores are
encouraged to ask questions of the knowledgeable staff, who tend to be self-proclaimed foodies themselves. Customers
can come in and chat with us about what
theyre planning to make, and we can help
them find what they need to make every
meal special, Margie says. People dont
need to wait for the weekend ... why not
make Tuesday evening a little more interesting?
Penzeys products run the gamut from both
whole and ground spices, dried herbs, rubs,
custom and salt-free seasoning blends to a
variety of cinnamons (four different types,
to be specific), vanillas and cocoas, to
name just a few. Arbol chili peppers, Cajunstyle seasoning, Garam Masala (a saltfree all purpose blend called for in many

December 15, 2011

The Kind Heart Gift Box features four

jars of seasonings, all salt-free.
Courtesy of Penzeys Spices

Indian dishes), Penzeys

minced garlic, lemon
peel, mulling spices,
pizza
seasoning,
poppy seeds, saffron,
sausage seasonings,
Trinidad lemon & garlic marinade and whole
pink, green, black and white peppercorns are just some of the offerings that
home cooks can find at Penzeys to create
memorable family favorites.
We try and meet every baking and cooking need, and offer a wide variety and
type of products, Margie explains. These
ingredients can be used to make an Indianor Mexican-inspired meal, for example,
and we encourage cooks to experiment,
perhaps trying a spice or seasoning blend
on something theyre used to cooking, like
chicken or beef, and then if the dish is
a hit, they can take it a little further and

make something more layered, using additional spices or seasonings.

Its Beginning To Smell
A Lot Like Christmas
While the retail stores offer a veritable feast
for the eyes, nose and mouth and comprise
a large segment of the companys business,
Penzeys Spices continued on page 8

Season

Gift Giving

From simple stocking stuffers to thoughtful gifts, Stewarts has

everything to spread holiday cheer! Shop Stewarts for a delightful

assortment of handcrafted and festively-packaged holiday treats.
Imported Belgian chocolates from Neuhaus; classic foil milk chocolate
Santas, Snowmen & Sleighs from Madelaine and Thompson; and Vermonts
finest chocolate Santas, Pralines, and stocking stuffers from Lake Champlain.

Spread some holiday cheer with our gourmet gift baskets, made-to-order from
our produce team! And if you cant make up your mind why not give the gift
of Stewarts Gift Cards (available in our Market and our wine shop in any denomination).

Y ou're sure to find something

for everyone on your list at Stewarts!

Walter Stewarts Market

Your One Stop HOLIDAY Shop Since 1907

* 203.966.4848* 229 Elm Street * New Canaan * StewartsMarket.com *

 December 15, 2011

Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

 Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

December 15, 2011

LLAMAS, CHICKENS, GOATS

by Lois Alcosser

Its a question parents and grandparents ask themselves regularly:

What to give eight-year-old Lucy
or six-year-old Kevin or the 11year-old twins? There are probably a dozen or so new versions of
original electronic games, some
of them boasting about their educational benefits, but they dont
really satisfy the need to give
something meaningful ... something more than another form of
plastic entertainment.
The smiling faces of these Vietnamese children express their delight in a gift of rabbits, which are easy to care for and multiply rapidly.
Courtesy of Heifer International

different, something significant.

Then how about giving children
something they can give to other
children? A goat or a flock of
chickens or a share of a cow?
These are the living gifts available through Heifer International,
which has been sending animals
to needy families around the
world for years. Their mission is
to Pass on the gift to help poor
families receive nutrition, achieve
self-sufficiency and share their
new-found prosperity with others. Sending a goat to a family
in Peru, Honduras or Haiti, for

This year, especially, it seems like

a good idea to find something

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 Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

December 15, 2011

example, gives the family milk

and cheese to eat and sell, providing economic strength as well
as nutrition. Sending a flock of
chickens provides eggs and more
chickens that can be passed on to
a neighbor.
I began to give these kinds of gifts
to my grandchildren several years
ago.
They were disappointed at first.
They wanted a doll or a robot kit.
But with a brief explanation and
a small wooden plaque, on which
I painted: For her sixth birthday,
Jody sent a llama to a family in
Peru, their expectations changed
and they actually started looking
forward to guessing what animal
theyd be sending to what place. I
also noticed that the little decorative plaques were on the walls of
their rooms.
Ending hunger and poverty is
Heifers goal, and it has been
achieving that for women in Nepal,
small farmers in Zambia, Mexico,
Cameroon and Tanzania. From
their catalog, for instance, heres a
vote for goats: The goats temperament and size make it ideal for
families with limited resources. It
doesnt compete with humans for
food and it can thrive and reproduce in all climates. Goats are low
maintenance in terms of handling,
housing and health care. A goat is
$120. Share of a goat is $10.

A Flock of Hope may contain

chicks, ducks and goslings. In
almost no time, egg production
begins. Eggs are a life-saving gift
for a hungry child and by regularly
selling eggs, families can generate
income to afford food, clothes,
medicines and school fees. A Flock
of Hope is $60.
A gift of a beehive can double fruit
and vegetables yields. Income
from the sale of honey, wax and
pollen can make a big difference
in a familys life. A gift of honeybees is $30.
There are sheep, pigs, camels,
donkeys, rabbits, cows, geese,
oxen and more. And if youre still
wondering whether a living gift
can replace a toy, this is what Jean
Mudenda of Zambia says: These
cows have removed us from hunger. Before, we were even failing to have two meals in a day.
We couldnt even have a cup of
tea. Now we drink tea anytime
we feel like, with milk. Theres
no malnutrition. Our children are
very happy and healthy because
of Heifer. She also said that
the first night the family received
a dairy cow, her family couldnt
sleep a wink but just stared at the
cow to convince themselves that
it was real.

See heifer.org or call 877-448-6437.

Sheep, which can graze in even the hilliest, rockiest pastures of Peru, provide wool for clothing and food for sustenance.
Courtesy of Heifer International

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 Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

With Christmas fast approaching, parents

will begin the scramble to find the right
toys for their children, though they may
find its not quite as simple as loading up
a shopping cart. As you shop, remember
that children of all ages need a well-balanced assortment of toys to contribute to
their development and pleasure ones for
active play, make-believe play and creative
play. Also, most everyone is looking for
ways to save money these days, but, are
those cheaper choices safe for children?
The importance of play influences every

aspect of a childs development developing motor skills, critical thinking, language skills, self-esteem and social skills.
When children pretend to be firefighters,
astronauts or teachers, they begin to see
life is full of possibilities and opportunities. Overall, play is fun. When we recall
our childhood, its the happy times spent
playing with special people we remember
most fondly.
For infants between six and 12 months,
beginning to master motor skills helps
them see toys in a new and exciting way.

December 15, 2011

Older toddlers love trying out their newly

acquired physical skills jumping, climbing and throwing toys for active play
are now in the spotlight. Larger balls, small
slides and climbing apparatus help put
those skills to work.

Push-pull toys, busy boxes, cloth cardboard picture books and squeaky toys are
wonderful choices, for they begin to show
cause and effect.
Children become explorers in their second
year of life as they start to master the physical skills that make it easier to play and learn.
Feet-propelled toys, puzzles with knobs and
playhouses encourage experimentation.
This is also the age children begin to mimic
adults, so kitchen toys and household items,
such as play telephones or shopping carts,
make a child feel important.

Social activity after the age of three leads

to sharing and a combined creativity. Preschoolers and kindergartners can spend
most of their time in a make-believe world.
They enjoy role playing and dressing up as
well as expressing themselves through arts
and crafts. This is the perfect age for non-

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 Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

December 15, 2011

toxic art supplies, simple board games

and props for that imaginary world.
When it comes to choosing toys for children with special needs, the Toy Industry
Foundation publishes a guide especially
for them. There are profiles for toys
appropriate for children with visual, physical and hearing impairments, as well
as developmental disabilities including
Down Syndrome and Autism. These toys
have been tested, reviewed and recommended by the Alliance for Technology
Access and the American Foundation for
the Blind. For more information or to
order a copy of Lets Play visit toyindustryfoundation.org.
As you shop, keep in mind the interests
and abilities of the children you are buying gifts for and read the labels to help
you make the right choices.
Toys are labeled based on four criteria: the safety aspects of the toy, the
physical capabilities of the child (ability
to manipulate the toy), their cognitive
abilities, as well as a childs interests.
The most common safety labels warn
against choking, and any toy or game
directed at children ages three to six is
required to carry this warning if the toy
contains small parts, marbles or balloons. On electrically operated toys, other
labels to look for are Adult Assembly
Required,
Flame
Retardant/Flame
Resistant and Laboratory Certification or
UL (Underwriters Laboratories).
Cautionary labels may be added by the
manufacturer advising parents when spe-

cial care is appropriate. Science sets with

toxic chemicals, craft kits with sharp or
breakable items and mobiles which hang
over an infants crib should be supervised
and removed if any danger is suspected.
Its a competitive world out there, and as
tempting as it might be to give a young
child a toy labeled and intended for an
older one, its not advisable. The age
labels address not only safety factors,
for if children are given toys that are too
advanced for them, they may become
frustrated.
Once the toys are home and opened,
parents still need to insure safety prevails. Toys for older children should be
kept away from the younger ones, as
well as small visitors. Its best to throw
out or repair broken toys. Checking to
make sure all parts are accounted for is
well worth the time. Avoid any toy boxes
with heavy lids that can fall on heads and
fingers. Its best to stow toys in a low spot
so a child isnt tempted to climb to get
one. And always make sure there is a safe
area for play.
While labels help consumers with their
choices, no manufacturer can tell you
what is right for your child. Patronize a
reliable retail store where careful consideration is given when stocking merchandise. If buying online, make sure you
can return the toy if it doesnt meet your
standards. Dont go for the knock-off,
its not worth the safety risk. Its better
to move on to something else, which
will benefit and enhance your childs
development.

Guidebook
by NRWA Board Member David Park
Both the map and the book are available
through the NRWA website at norwalkriver.org/docs.htm. They make great holiday
gifts, and proceeds from each purchase
go toward funding NRWA efforts to protect the Norwalk River watershed. The
map is available in paper for $5 and in
water-resistant outdoor quality for $8
(100% of proceeds support NRWA). The
book is available for $10 (40% of proceeds go to NRWA).
The maps were produced by NRWA and
printed with funds from a grant from
Norwalk outdoor gear and apparel store
REI. The map charts existing and proposed trails from Calf Pasture Beach in
Norwalk north to Danbury and throughout
the watershed and surrounding vicinity.
Kayaking in and around
the Norwalk Islands
Kayaking in and around the Norwalk
Islands by David Park, NRWA board
member and kayak enthusiast, is packed
with excellent information on kayaking
the Norwalk area. The Norwalk Islands,

which are one mile off shore, include

islands open to the public for camping
and exploring, a few being part of the
Stewart McKinney Wildlife Refuge. The
guidebook, complete with color photos,
includes information on three local rivers,
complete descriptions of all the islands
including local wildlife, history and such
points of interest as the historic Sheffield
Island Lighthouse and other Norwalk
lighthouses, as well as other useful tidbits, such as where to launch, coastal and
off-shore paddling information and safety
guidelines.
The Norwalk River Watershed Association,
incorporated in 1996, is a not-for-profit
membership organization whose mission
is to improve the water quality and aesthetic value of the 40,000-acre Norwalk
River watershed; to encourage recreational
use of the existing trails and open space;
and to promote research, education, cooperation and action by the stakeholders in
the seven watershed towns (Ridgefield,
Redding, Wilton, New Canaan, Weston,
Norwalk and Lewisboro, N.Y.
For information on free programs, research,
volunteer opportunities, and membership,
contact norwalkriver.org.

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 Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Olive oil continued from page 1

Penzeys Spices continued from page 2

The Maglie basket ($34.95) which

contains a 250 ml. bottle of olive oil,
crostini, organic garlic spread and
organic sun-dried tomatoes is a perfect alternative to bringing a hostess or
a client a fine bottle of wine.

Pat describes his wife, Jean, an elementary school teacher in Westport, as one
of his top sales people because her
praise draws others to the product.
Shes a very good cook and she loves
to use our oil, he said.

Its much healthier, Pat remarked. In

fact, at many of our tastings, which we
sponsor at local markets every weekend, people tell us that theyre into the
Mediterranean diet and that good olive
oil is at the heart of healthy living.

Pat and Frank own and operate Point

and Click, a training and development
service company in Westchester County.
However, their weekends are spent
talking about their olive oil at Wiltons
Village Market and the Rowayton
Market. Were doing very well, Pat
said. After our tastings, I have to
go into these stores and restock their
shelves. Its hard for us to believe that
weve only been doing this for a little
more than a year.

Both the catalog, which is published eight

times a year, and the Web site feature
recipes that customers have submitted.
Our catalog is very home-focused, and
includes wonderful stories and recipes
that our own customers wanted to share,
Margie says. They like to tell us about
their families favorite meals and where
some of their recipes originated. Their
input has helped us learn more about
who is buying our products, how they are
cooking and baking and what they would
like from us.

For more information: go to chiappettaoliveoil.com. Gift baskets may be ordered

online at olio2go.com or by e-mailing
info@chiappettaoliveoil.com.

From gift boxes and crates, peppermills

and salt shakers to glass jars for storing
spices and gift certificates, there is likely
to be just the right item for the cook or

Chiappettas Dinner for Two Gift Basket

($59.95) is filled with a nice variety of
Italian specialty food items, including
extra virgin olive oil, so that you could
make yourself a good meal, Pat said.
The basket has a package of pasta,
fresh organic tomato sauce, an aged
balsamic vinegar to go on a salad, sea
salt, garlic paste and two Italian wafer
cookies for dessert.

CAPPY & SON and DAUGHTER INC.

December 15, 2011

a big portion of Penzeys sales also comes

from catalog and on-line orders, particularly at holiday time, when people looking
for gifts can just pick up the phone or visit
the companys Web site.

baker on anyones holiday gift list.

My principal recommendation for gifts
this season would be our Kind Heart Gift
Box, which includes a 1/4 cup jar Penzeys
Forward!, 1/4 cup jar 33rd & Galena, 1/4
cup jar Arizona Dreaming and 1/4 cup
jar Mural of Flavor ... all are salt-free,
and were offering an introductory price
of $7.95 per box through the holidays,
Margie says.
Gift sets come in a range of prices and
include Some Like It Hot 4 Jar, Ethnic
Milwaukee, Cheese Seasonings, Taste of
Mexico, Grill and Broil 8 Jar, Kitchen of
Provence Gift Crate and the Bakers Gift
Crate, among others. There is literally
something for everyone, Margie concludes. Simply stop by the store, pick up
the phone or visit the Web site.
For further information: 203-840-9088, or
penzeys.com.

 December 15, 2011

Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

As you jot down ideas on your Christmas list, be sure to include a visit to the Glass
House Design Store in New Canaan, where youll find a diversity of intriguing
gifts for adults and children. The store is within the Philip Johnson Glass House
Visitor Center at 199 Elm St., directly across from the New Canaan train station.

Govino Wine Glasses (set of 4 $12). Reusable, shatterproof, recyclable, Govino is the ultimate go-anywhere wine
glass that was originally created as a
trade tool to help wine salespeople
showcase their wines whenever and
wherever proper stemware wasnt accessible. They would eventually see a
bigger need in the consumer market
and voila, you have Govino.

Holiday shopping hours are 11 to 4 on Thursday, Dec. 15; Friday, Dec. 16;
Saturday Dec. 17; 203-594-9884 ext. 0; glasshouse@nthp.org. Sales support general operations, educational programs and the preservation of the site.

Chilewich Raytray ($125). First introduced in 1997, the RAYTray is

back! The design, which features a
metal frame covered with stretch
netting typically used in lingerie,
incorporates a simple, inventive
mechanism to hold the fabric in a
concave plane. The open, breathable mesh makes the RAYTray ideal
for storing fruit and vegetables. The
covers come o easily and are machine washable. In addition to functioning as storage in the kitchen or
on a buet, the RAYTray makes a
dramatic modern statement in any
area of your home.

Wasara Tableware (compote $12; coee cup $10; tray $14; medium square $12; large square $12.). Sustainable,
disposable tableware made from sugar-cane ber, bamboo and reed pulp designed by Shinichiro Ogata, an
award-winning designer based in Tokyo, Japan.

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 Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

10

Every holiday season I take down a

small, slightly battered black box from
my bookshelf and gently dust it off.
Opening it, I pull out a small pile of
recipe cards. I smile as I look at the familiar handwriting, the spindly, shaky hand
of my grandmother, and the perfectly
formed letters that my mother so carefully inscribed. These precious pieces of
paper, now slightly faded and beginning
to fray at the corners, are part of my own
personal history and a loving reminder of
gentler, sweeter, more simple days.
I love the ritual of baking for the holidays.
As I lay out the recipes on my kitchen
table, I reach for paper and pen to make
my shopping list. Flour, sugar, fresh baking powder and baking soda. Must be
sure to have plenty of confectioners
sugar, butter and both dark- and lightbrown sugar. Oranges and lemons, dark
chocolate and, of course, several dozen
eggs.
Soon my kitchen will be filled with the
fabulous fragrance of cinnamon and
spices, and my heart will be full with the
memories of being in my grandmothers
kitchen. I was given free (little girl) rein in
her kitchen to use the vast selection of tin
cookie cutters to cut out stars, trees, orna-

ments and Santa Claus cookies. Onto the

baking sheets they would go, emerging
light golden brown, and I could scarcely
wait for them to cool so the ultimate fun
of decoration could begin.
Our Santa Claus cookies were so beautiful. We would spread freshly made white
icing, brightened up with a touch of fresh
lemon zest over the beard and cap. The
beard would then receive a shower of
coconut flakes and the cap, sparkly red
sugar crystals. A little dab of icing would
secure small pieces of raisins for the
eyes, and a dab on the nose would get
a red cinnamon candy. This was one of
the most delicious combinations of sugary, crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie
experiences.
Once all the sugar cookies were baked
and decorated, we would start in on the
gingerbread men. The scent of ginger
and cloves was so intoxicating. My grandmother would mix up a dozen different
colors of icing, and there were just as
many different sugars to embellish with,
including the very regal silver and gold
shots and little white pearls. Many joyous hours were spent together, our heads
bent to our task. She would set out a glass
of milk for me and a cup of tea for herself

when it was time to sample our efforts,

and we would happily crunch away.
My mother would prepare many tins of
cookies and confections to present to
friends for holiday gifts. Haystacks were
a marvelously simple treat made from
pretzel sticks, red-skinned peanuts and
white chocolate. Once she had slowly
melted the chocolate and stirred in the
pretzels and peanuts, I would scoop up
spoonfuls and drop them on to wax
paper to harden as they cooled. The sublime mingling of sugar and salt makes
Haystacks one of my favorite holiday
indulgences to this day.
Mrs. Beaulys Snowballs were always
on the must-make list. I have no recollections of who Mrs. Beauly was, but
these tender little balls of buttery richness dusted in confectioners sugar were
superb. As I grew older and discovered
recipes on my own, I came to realize that
Mrs. Beauly was making her own version
of the widely popular Mexican tea cake,
also known as a Russian tea cake in some
circles.

Going Out of
Business Sale

Melt chocolate in a double boiler, stirring

until smooth. Stir in nuts and pretzels. Drop
by tablespoonfuls onto a waxed-paper-lined
cookie sheet. Refrigerate until solid. Will
keep in refrigerator for several weeks.
Mrs. Beaulys Snowballs
2 cups flour
2/3 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup soft butter
1/2 cup shortening
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Mix ingredients together until dough holds
together. Roll dough into small balls. Bake at
325 for about 20 minutes, until just turning
golden. Do not overbake! Remove from oven
and when slightly cool, roll in confectioners
sugar.

GET A GRIP

Just In Time For Those Last Minute Gifts!

I N R ECOR D TIME

EVERYTHING MUST BE SOLD!

Holiday Haystacks
12 oz. white or dark chocolate, chopped
1-1/2 cups salted Spanish peanuts with
skins
1-1/2 cups thin pretzel sticks, broken into
half-inch pieces

The true gift of Christmas is love, found

in treasured memories and in the sweetness of sharing time together.

Richard and Wendy

December 15, 2011

Six 1-hour tennis lessons for just $150.

Includes new racquet for beginners and former players!

Kings Highway Tennis Darien

Fairfield Indoor Tennis Fairfield
Milford Indoor Tennis Milford

Shippan Racquet Club Stamford

Trumbull Racquet Club Trumbull
Google us or call 203.655.2852

12 Belden Ave. Norwalk, CT 203-838-9966

Monday - Saturday 9:30 am - 5:15 pm
Open Sunday, Dec. 18 from 10 am - 3 pm

WESTPORT

CONVENIENT HOURS | OPEN 7 DAYS:

M-F 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm

 Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

December 15, 2011

11

1063 Hope Street

Stamford, CT 06907
(203) 968-9000

SANTA AND HIS REINDEER ARE BACK IN TOWN!

Santa and his live reindeer are back in
town. Prancer, Comet, Donner and Blitzen
have happily settled in at Santas Workshop
at McArdles Florist & Garden Center, 48
Arch Street, now through Christmas Eve.
McArdles has been transformed into a
winter wonderland of trees and seasonal

decor, an inviting setting for the reindeer

and Santa.
Hours for Santas Workshop are Monday
through Friday, noon to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday,
9 to 5:30; and Sunday, 9 to 4. Reindeer feeding times will take place daily at 9 and 4.

Daily Public Skang Sessions - Friday Night Teen DJ Skate

Learn to Skate Programs All Year
Youth and Adult Hockey Leagues, Clinics and Camps
4 Private Birthday Party Rooms
Large Video Arcade
Legends Caf and Ice View Sports Bar and Grill
Ballet and Dance Academy
New York Sports Club

Call Now For Details or

visit us online!

FREE
Gift Wrapping

Glass Ornaments, Shell Ornaments,

Glass Ornaments, Shell Ornaments,
Cloth Ornaments,
Sparkling Stars, Iridescent Birds,
Snowflakes, Snowmen,
Santas of Every Shape and Size,
Angels, Angels and More Angels,
Icicles, Chandeliers,
Bird Feathers, Birds Nests,
Wood Shaving Wreaths,
Kissing Balls, Seed Ornaments,
Rugs, Pillows, Place Mats,
Napkins, Aprons, Table Runners,
Wind Chimes, Moose Munch,
Lumps of Coal (Chocolate),
Tapestry Bags and Wallets,
Forever Candles, Tea Lights,
Scented Wax Accessories, Hot Pads,
Scented Soap, Soap Dishes,
Coffee Mugs, Hostess Trays,
Weather Vanes, Rain Chains,
Hand Carved and Painted Birds,

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Full secon of top-of-the-line hockey and gure skates

-Riedell, Reebok, Bauer, CCM
Variety of full hockey packages for adult and youth
at 15% discount
Expert ng on all hockey protecve wear and
gure skang apparel
Professional skate sharpening performed 7 days
per week
Special team discounts on hockey apparel and jerseys
Extensive hockey sck selecon
We accept skate trade-ins towards any new
skate purchase
We provide 5 free hockey skate sharpenings and a
free pair of skate protectors with the purchase of
any of our top-of-the Line hockey skates
GIFT CARDS ARE AVAILABLE - Great for the Holidays!

 Last Minute Gift Guide Hersam Acorn Newspapers

12

December 15, 2011