YOURS & MINE : Holiday Traditions

There are holiday traditions in aspirational books and television shows. Then, there are the real family traditions to celebrate the holiday season. Here are some good ones shared by local familiar faces. From an annual Christmas Eve date with a book to baking countless pies, locals celebrate this season in their own ways.
Bay of Fundy Salmon.

Welcome Home

When Allie’s Beach Street Cafe closed last spring, all of Manchester wondered what might be next for the space in the heart of downtown. The answer is 35 Beach, a completely reimagined eatery with a new, beautiful interior and a fusion menu.

Alex Pineda and Noe Ortega are The New Landing

The Landing in Marblehead has been a mainstay restaurant for decades, but in recent years a new operations team and two chefs with a big Boston pedigree has taken over. Kris McGinn checked it out.

Mushroom of the Week: Fungal Fruitings

All of our seemingly endless summer rains have produced some interesting fungal fruitings! Typically, we have a mid-summer drought, or worse, and can only collect fall species, but this year, we …

The Pink Moment: Mayflour Bakery Shines in Essex

For the past five years, Kris McGinn has been praying that a bakery would open in Essex. Wth Mayflour Bakery opening, her call is answered.

Mushroom of the Week: Chicken of the Woods

Chicken of the Woods is one of the “Top 4” easiest edible mushrooms to identify.   It is right up there with Morels, Puffballs, and the Shaggy Mane. Its bright orange colors can shine …

Mushroom of the Week: The White Button Mushroom

<p>Slate plate with cremini mushrooms on table</p>

The common White Button Mushroom is probably the most famous fungal fruiting body of them all.  It is found in virtually every grocery store in the world.   Eaten raw, or cooked, it is an …

The Caprese Fantastica (above) with burrata stracciatella, organic cherry tomatoes, and grilled Virgilios ciabatta is a popular new menu item, but the Cobb Salad (below) is a loved staple.
SPRING IS THE BUFFER SEASON, when daylight savings time brings an extra hour of sunlight, and the cool air starts to warm.  Summer’s coming, and locals start thinking about outdoor dining around …
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Vidalia’s — Hello Again
Melissa is trying to understand what the space should be.  She is standing in the middle of the sun filled room, toggling between produce, baked goods, artisanal groceries, and the insanely good …
Brick Caps, Hypholoma lateritium, (Photo: Bernard Spragg)
The Joys of Winter Mushrooms
It may be surprising, but one can find a few edible wild mushrooms during wintertime.  The good thing is that hunting them gives you something to do while you’re cross-country skiing or walking in …
<p>Black Trumpet Mushroom</p>
Mushroom Of The Week: Black Trumpet Martinis Anyone?
It is a long-standing tradition in Scandinavia, and more recently in North America, to infuse vodkas, aquavit, and other high-test distillates with local mushrooms, particularly Black Trumpets or …
Main Street in Telluride, CO just before the parade.
Postcards Home: Telluride, Colorado’s Amazing Mushroom Festival
WHAT KIND OF WIERD THING on earth is a Mushroom Festival one might ask?  Well, there are Garlic Festivals, Apple Festivals and Tulip Festivals, so why not one for mushrooms?   Mind you, it is …
<p>The Milky Caps</p>
Mushroom Of The Week: Milky Caps (Lactarius Species)
Milky caps are the only group of mushrooms that release liquid when their gills are cut.  Liquid can pour out of them in such huge volumes that it can drench your hands like someone turned on a …
<p><em>This is a group of 5<sup>th</sup> grade girls (rising Middle Schoolers) biked to and from Memorial together most days last school year when the weather was cooperative.  They met each morning at the corner of Pine and Pleasant at 8 a.m. (Left to right), Hadley Duncan, Lauren Scanlon, Chloe Marletta, Brooke Opal, Sophia Colarusso, Stella Mazzini, Kyra Wollach, Kinsley Gariano, Grace Burgess, Wren Lewis, Hadley Johnson, Antonia Vivanco, Emily Fedorowich, Annie Kent. </em> </p>
Important Bike Safety Suggestions For Summer
Hi! I have been a regular cyclist now for about 25 years. You will usually find me on my bike at least four days a week, I used to race and still ride in both Endurance and Charity ride events.  As …
Letter To The Editor: Fiduciary Responsibility = Taking Dispatch Regional
To the Editor, It is rare these days to see political office holders do the right thing, and not be concerned, or vote for their political survival.  Last week we saw courage displayed at a very …
<p><em>Seared Tuna Sandwich, Happy Humpback Cafe</em></p>
A Sandwich Lover’s Guide To Cape Ann
The popular origin story of the sandwich lies in the 18th Century when it’s said that John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich requested meat tucked between two pieces of bread, allowing him to continue …
Alfred Powers
Former Manchester Police officer, Alfred Powers, who served 20 years of service to the town from 1966 to 1986, passed away at the age of 88 on Friday morning.  Alfred and his wife Nancy Arena Powers …
Food stories from around the web

6 Spring Break Feel-Good Essentials

(BPT) - Sunsweet prunes are the feel-good addition to spring break. From fueling your adventures to supporting energy levels throughout the day and helping you recover from fun, prunes are there to …

Fermented foods sustain both microbiomes and cultural heritage

Many people around the world make and eat fermented foods. Millions in Korea alone make kimchi. The cultural heritage of these picklers shape not only what they eat every time they crack open a jar …

Scrumptious Ways to Simplify Springtime Meals: Make weekday dining a breeze with easy, delicious recipes

(Family Features) These Shrimp, Broccoli and Potato Skewers with Lemon and Thyme can let you put a little spring in your weeknight dinners when paired with Easy as 1-2-3 Potato Salad.
East Coast Shoppers Gain New, Convenient Grocery Delivery Options
(BPT) - Whether you need groceries for your weekly meal prep, last-minute ingredients for tonight’s dinner or stocking up for upcoming holidays, you can now have your groceries delivered …
3 expert tips to fight the 3 p.m. slump
(BPT) - Do you struggle to stay focused and alert in the afternoon? The 3 p.m. slump is very real and hard to avoid! Many people feel their energy and productivity tank during this time, but …
Into cafécore? It's the new trend for creating the coffee shop vibe at home
(BPT) - You may have heard of "-core" trends that center around a specific niche, like cottagecore (accessorizing your home like a lake house) or balletcore (a style that emphasizes elegance, ballet …
Sweet Solutions to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
(Family Features) From fajitas and tacos to everything in between, fueling your Cinco de Mayo fiesta starts with delicious food that brings everyone to the table.
Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
(NewsUSA) - Spring is here, so it’s time to bid farewell to winter soups and stews, and welcome fresh and festive salads.Take your salads to the next level this spring with the color, flavor, and …

Bring Joy Back to Family Meals

(Family Features) While meals savored with loved ones are intended to produce smiles and shared moments, the process of grocery shopping, planning and cooking has become a chore for many families.

Support the Planet with Sustainable, Plant-Forward Favorites

(Family Features) If lending a hand to planet Earth and the environment is a goal in your household, a sustainability mindset often begins as a consumer.

Simple, Convenient Salads to Celebrate Spring

(Family Features) Letting in a little fresh air with an open window or a screen door is a sure sign of spring, allowing the natural sights and smells of the outdoors to accompany you at the dinner table.

Subway’s New Wraps Elevate Eating on the Go
Subway’s New Wraps Elevate Eating on the Go
(NewsUSA) - Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes summer fun: school is out, shortened Fridays at the office, outdoor adventures, events, travel, and more. Balancing a busy schedule …
Spring Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Tips
(BPT) - Spring is here, which means a fresh start! Winter has officially had its send-off and we look forward to the return of flowers in bloom, longer days and sunnier moods.So how do we set …
Here’s advice you can get your teeth into: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables for good oral health.
Vitamins and Minerals: Fortifying Against Poor Oral Health
(NAPSI)— Practicing basic oral hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and going to regular checkups with a dental professional are some of the most important ways to maintain oral health. However, if …
Apples All Day: 5 ways to savor fruit-infused flavor from morning to night
(Family Features) You may not be able to plan every meal for every day, but a versatile ingredient can help tackle mealtimes (and snack time, too) by starring in recipes ranging from breakfast to dessert.
4 tips to ensure improved in-home water quality
(BPT) - A new Global World Water Day Report from Culligan International found that 67% of North Americans are somewhat to significantly concerned about the impact of increasing pollution on drinking …
More food ideas

(BPT) - Americans are increasingly aware of the impact of cholesterol on heart health and overall well-being, but it’s not always easy to know which foods will truly have a positive effect. To …
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Recipes, tips & food info

Celebrate Spring with Brunch Favorites

(Family Features) Few things go together quite like fresh spring air, warm sunshine and a menu made up of delicious brunch bites. From sweet to savory and back again, you can turn your mid-morning meal into a full-blown feast.

Put a Traditional Spin on Cinco de Mayo: Celebrate Mexican culture with pork stew and cinnamon sweets

(Family Features) Whether Cinco de Mayo means an opportunity to celebrate your family's heritage or it's simply an excuse to gather with the ones you love, every holiday truly is about the same thing: special moments together.

Expert ideas to take the grrr out of gardening

(BPT) - Gardening season is upon us, beckoning with the anticipation of flourishing plants, the vibrant hues of blooming flowers, and bountiful harvests. It’s an exhilarating journey for plant …

How to revamp and refresh your lifestyle this spring

(BPT) - There's something so invigorating and refreshing about springtime. The new season can bring out your best, motivating you to implement changes to your daily routine that will put a smile on …