Daily Archives: 12/22/2015
Investigators: Man shared child pornography online
LIBERTY — A 59-year-old Liberty man was arrested on nearly two dozen child pornography-related[cointent_lockedcontent]charges earlier this month.
Randy Charles Stafford, of Cartee Road, was arrested on Dec. 9 and faces 21 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to online Pickens County Detention Center records. Stafford is being held without bond.
The charges were filed earlier this month by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, and Attorney General Alan Wilson said each of Stafford’s felony charges is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Investigators believe Stafford was involved in uploading child pornography via file sharing, according to the attorney general. Assistance in the case was provided by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, a member of the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The case will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.
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Christmas ’15
Lord, thank you f
or these two special people in my life. [cointent_lockedcontent]Mama turns 90 on Christmas Day, and you healed Larry after months in a coma. You are most special in my life. Thank you again,
Judy Aiken[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Pickens County Farm Bureau offers holiday gift
COUNTY — Santa is getting a little extra help this holiday season from his friends at Farm Bureau Insurance and Pickens County Farm Bureau.
This Christmas, Farm Bureau launched a new holiday community outreach program called Farm Bureau Cares [cointent_lockedcontent]to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday by helping those in the community who are facing difficult times through no fault of their own.
Through Farm Bureau Cares, county Farm Bureau offices across South Carolina offered a monetary donation to help a family or charity of their choice. Each local donation made by the county Farm Bureau was matched, up to $500, by Farm Bureau Insurance. Together, Pickens County Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Insurance donated $1,350 to help a Pickens woman and her young son who is fighting Leukemia. Pickens County Farm Bureau Insurance agency manager Terry Sexton met the young boy at a local restaurant and was moved by his story. Sexton met with the boy’s mother and offered to help through the Farm Bureau Cares donation.
“Helping your neighbor is what the true spirit of Christmas represents, and I’m proud we could help this family in some small way,” Sexton said.
During December, more than $30,000 in donations raised through Farm Bureau Cares were presented by local Farm Bureau offices to families and charities across South Carolina.
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Rec department set to start volleyball, soccer signups next month
PICKENS — The Pickens Recreation Department will take registrations for the spring volleyball and soccer seasons [cointent_lockedcontent]during the month of January.
Signups for both sports will begin Jan. 4 at the Pickens Recreation Center on Sangamo Road in Pickens and run through Jan. 29.
For volleyball, the following age divisions are offered: 7-9, 10-12, 13-14 and 15-17.
For soccer, coed age divisions offered will include 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12. Depending on the size of leagues, the top two division may be combined.
Birthdate cutoff for both sports is Sept. 1, 2015.
Following registration, a skills/evaluation day will be held for each age division in each sport. The registration fee provides a jersey to be kept, and the fee is $45 for in-city residents and $55 for out-of-city residents. Birth certificates are required at registration.
If you are interested in coaching or need more information, contact the recreation department at (864) 878-2296.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Nice buck
Harvest Wolf Newton, son of Shana Cloer Newton, and grandson of Tom and Elaine Cloer of Pickens,[cointent_lockedcontent] took this eight-point buck on 
Thanksgiving in the Pickens mountains while hunting with his Grandpa Cloer.
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Memories make Christmas merry
When we were children, the excitement and anticipation on Christmas Eve at Grandmama’s was unmatched by any other night of the year. The old house seemed filled with joy and laughter. I remember how we’d run out into the front yard once it got dark and see how our Christmas lights looked on the front porch.[cointent_lockedcontent]
Uncle Walter would string lights throughout the wisteria vine that grew just beneath the porch roof from end to end. There’d always be fresh cedar, and a holly wreath would hang on the old front door.
We had a cardboard manger scene we put together each year before everything else began.
In the window of the front living room would be three red candles, plugged in and shining through the dark.
From the other window, our Christmas tree was seen in all its glory. Our precious strand of bubble lights would be front and center, and our angel would keep watch over all from the tree top. We always checked to make sure the tree could be seen from the road.
We wouldn’t be able to stay outside long, because even with our coats on we could feel the cold. We’d run up the steps and through the front door, fling our coats and hats in the general direction of the hat rack and fly into the kitchen to warm our hands.
There was a potbellied stove in the kitchen lit first thing every morning. But at night when we went to bed, none of the rooms were heated. There were gas heaters in bedrooms, but they weren’t used at night. And Christmas Eve was no different in that way.
They’d put us to bed early. We’d lie there in the dark and try to go to sleep, but it was impossible. The old house would pop and creak in the cold, and presently we’d hear footsteps going up and down the hall. The front door would open and close. We’d hear Uncle Walter thumping down the hall with his walking stick and the low murmur of voices.
Eventually we’d pass out from exhaustion. We’d usually wake up sometime during that long night and think it was time to get up, so we’d run down that cold long hall to Mama’s room and burst in, asking in piercing whispers, “Is it time to get up?”
We’d been told we could get up at 5 a.m., and surely it was that now.
Poor Mama would say, “No. You children go back to bed. It’s barely midnight.”
Sometimes she’d give us a baby aspirin. This was supposed to calm us down. She’d go with us back to the bedroom and shush us, tuck us in and cut out the light. Eventually we’d doze back off. And then, we woke up, somehow knowing that even though it was still dark, it was morning. We’d race down the hall to Mama to check and she’d say, “Go get your stockings and bring them back to bed.” She’d get up and put on her robe and follow us down the hall to the front living room. I’d always slip out onto the front porch to look up into the night sky to see if I could see the star. I always thought I could.
We’d take a quick look to see what Santa Claus had brought and take our filled stockings down from the mantle. Then we’d fly back to bed with our stockings while Mama lit the fire in the fireplace. We could hear Gramdmama in the kitchen putting on the coffee and Uncle Walter thumping along the hall.
And then we’d be in bed with our stockings and look at the wonderful things we found there.
We’d always have toy tin horns stuck in the top. They made an unholy racket when blown. There’d be hard Christmas candy, tangerines and oranges and nuts. And there’d be something special. I remember the year I got a big box of Crayola crayons and a thick roll of colored construction paper and my own scissors. It was thrilling.
And then we’d bundle into our clothes and race out to the car with Mama to go get Flora. We’d have our horns with us and would be blasting away when we rolled into her yard. There’f be a light on in her kitchen. We’d roll down the windows and yell, “Merry Christmas,” blowing our Christmas horns. Flora would come out with her coat and hat, wearing her big white apron.
We’d blow the horns as loudly as we could as poor Flora climbed into the car, and then we’d ride back to Grandmama’s, excited beyond description.
We’d all gather in the living room. We’d plug up our tree, the adults would have their coffee, the fire would be blazing in the fireplace and we’d get to really look at the larger item Santa had brought each of us and then take turns opening our gifts.
Most of the small gifts we children gave came from Woolworth’s dime store. The wrapping may have been a bit dog-eared, but those presents were beautiful to us. We were so proud that we could buy our own gifts for the others. Nickels and dimes would accumulate if they weren’t spent, and special jobs could bring in a little extra.
The year I’ll never forget is the Christmas we both got bicycles. It was the biggest day of my life to date. I have a picture of us with our bicycles taken that Christmas morning. Every time I look at it, I am taken back to that day.
I still love Christmas, all parts of it. Planning, cooking, preparing for family and friends, finding special things for those I love and even wrapping.
We still go out and cut our own tree and bring it home to decorate. Christmas is about loving and giving. That’s the important part. And each unique activity that goes into making Christmas happen is an important part of the whole. We love and are loved. We give and receive. And we open our hearts. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
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‘Tis the season to remember our blessings
Without a doubt, this has been a trying year for South Carolina. We have witnessed and experienced tough times — from the tragic killings at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston that left our great state shaken to its core, to the recent floods that damaged many areas across the state. We have endured the deaths of Walter Scott and Officer Greg Alia. It has truly been one of the most emotional years in the history of our great state.[cointent_lockedcontent]
As the Lord typically does, He has ensured we did not endure these trials and tribulations for no reason. I have had the opportunity to talk with almost all of the families involved in these events, and their strength, their dignity, has served as a guiding light for our state and our nation. Personally, each one of these tragedies has touched my heart in a unique way, and all those affected by these tragedies are certainly in my thoughts and prayers this holiday season.
So now, as Christmas is upon us, I hope we will all take time with our families and reflect on the many blessings given to us by the good Lord. For me, the holiday season is not only meaningful and special because it gives us the chance to be thankful for our blessings and the strength to overcome hardships as a country, but it is also an important occasion for us to remember and serve on behalf of those who are less fortunate during this time of the year.
I want to thank and recognize those all across our state who are actively making a difference and reaching out to help others in many ways. These folks have helped with preparing thanksgiving turkeys at church for families in need, tutoring kids after school, and taking the time out to support our veterans. They work with the homeless and those who cannot care for themselves, and dedicate their lives to giving other folks a hand up when they need it. Even in times of great tragedy, as we’ve experienced this year, the power of helping others and the generosity of our spirit cannot be dampened.
I came into the U.S. Senate with the expectation of making a significant difference in Americans’ lives — the Americans who lack hope and do not have access to many opportunities that would help them achieve the American Dream. As 2015 winds to a close and a new year greets us, I will continue to fight for those opportunities.
Looking forward to 2016, our nation still faces huge challenges, like tackling the threat of ISIS, getting spending under control and protecting our constitutional rights. I am working hard to ensure that we have a safer and brighter future.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and may you and your family have joy, peace, prosperity, and good health.
Tim Scott is a U.S. Senator from South Carolina.
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Courier Obituaries 12-23-15
FRANCES SUMMEY
LIBERTY — Frances Patterson Summey, 89, of 578 Five Forks Road, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at her home surrounded by her loving family.[cointent_lockedcontent]
Born in Liberty, she was the widow of Roy Benjamin Summey Sr., and a daughter of the late Robert Pearson and Nancy Crowe Patterson.
She was a member of Calumet Baptist Church and loved to do ceramics.
Surviving are two daughters, Nancy Hope Summey of Easley, and Cathy Summey Oliver of Liberty; a son, Ben Summey (Donna) of Easley; two sisters, Patsy Greene of Gaffney, and Hazel Andrews of Lincolnton, N.C.; six grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, John Summey.
Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Summey “MaHank” were held Dec. 18 at Calumet Baptist Church, with burial following at Westview Cemetery.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Open Arms Hospice, 1836 W. Georgia Road, Simpsonville SC 29680.
Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
DOROTHY MAE HASTINGS GANTT
PICKENS — Dorothy Mae Hastings Gantt, 94, wife of the late John Valley “Jack” Gantt, passed from this life Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at Brookdale Nursing Center.
Mrs. Gantt was born in Dimmitt, Texas, daughter of the late Joseph Wallace and Mary Jane Dixon Hastings.
Mrs. Gantt was a former secretary of Grace United Methodist Church and Pickens Soil Conservation Service. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens.
Survivors include a son, “Russ” Gantt of Pickens; a daughter, Mary Jo Edens (Randall) of Easley and three grandchildren, Lyndsey Jo Edens Sullivan (Greg) of Seneca; Benjamin Russell Edens (Jessica) of Easley; and Erin Jena Edens Wade (Josh) of Easley.
A private service was held.
Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hospice, 429 North Main Street Suite 3, Greenville, South Carolina 29601
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
DEBORAH HENSON HENDRICKS
LIBERTY — Mrs. Deborah Henson “Debbie” Hendricks, 61, wife of the late Roger C. Hendricks, passed away Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at her home.
Born in Spartanburg County, the daughter of the late James Henson and Helen Isler Whiteside, Mrs. Hendricks retired from Dollar General and was a member of Tri-City Baptist Church.
Surviving are a son, Chris Tesnar (Dixie), and a daughter, April Duncan (James); two brothers, Mike and Roger Henson; and two grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Hendricks was predeceased by a brother, James Henson.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
PAT WINCHESTER
PICKENS — Patrick Dale “Pat” Winchester, 67, husband of Betti Mentrikoski Winchester, passed from this life on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at his home.
Pat was born in Greenville, son of the late Calvin L. and Pearline Trotter Winchester. He was retired from Ohio-Richmond Gear in Liberty after 40 plus years of service. Pat was a U.S. Air Force veteran, and he was an avid Pickens Blue Flame sports supporter. He was also a great supporter of the Multiple Sclerosis Association, where he participated in walks over the past 14 years in Greenville, Charleston and Charlotte, raising donations for the cause. In addition to walking as a hobby, Pat loved motorcycles, cars and attending car shows.
Survivors include his wife, Betti M. Winchester of the home, and a number of extended family and friends, as well as his faithful dog, “Harley.”
Funeral services were held Dec. 20 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or Pickens County Meals on Wheels at http://www.pcmow.org/.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
MARTHA ANN MCJUNKINS REYNOLDS
PICKENS — Martha Ann McJunkins Reynolds, 91, wife of the late John Franklin Reynolds, passed from this life Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at St. Francis Hospital.
Mrs. Reynolds was born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late William Otis and Mary Melissa Masters McJunkins.
Mrs. Reynolds was a former seamstress at Swirl in Easley. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Not only was Mrs. Reynolds a church member at Pleasant Grove, she was part of the Ladies Sunday School Class, the W.M.U., a teacher for the Beginners Class, a former church clerk and was a cook at the Old Pleasant Grove two-room school.
Survivors include two sons, William Reynolds (Pat) and John Thomas Reynolds (Judy) of Pickens; grandchildren, John Thomas Reynolds Jr., Andrew Wyatt Reynolds, Amanda Turner, Melissa Lynne Hines, Robert Earl Reynolds and a sister, Mae Howard of Pickens.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Reynolds was predeceased by her daughter, Clara Ann Reynolds.
Funeral services were held Dec. 21 in the Dillard Funeral Home Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the W.M.U. of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 620 Pleasant Grove Road, Pickens, South Carolina 29671.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
JOHN DAVID PITTS
DULUTH Ga. — John David Pitts, 72, of Duluth, Ga., died Dec. 15, 2015.
Mr. Pitts was a member of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church. For many years he was with National Life Insurance Company as a staff manager. A U. S. Army veteran, he was also a lifetime member of the American Legion in Duluth, Ga. In 1995, he retired from Rock-Tenn Corporation, where he was the chief pilot. He started the aviation department and ran it for more than 20 years before his retirement.
Preceded in death by his parents, Able Grant Pitts and Addie Jackson Pitts, he was a loving husband to his wife of 53 years, Betty Pitts of Duluth, Ga.; and loving father to daughters, Angela Darlene Pitts of Duluth, Ga., Laura Lynn Pitts Cozens (Hal) of Orlando, Fla. He is also survived by a brother, Charles Pitts (Rachael) of Austell, Ga.; sisters, Ruth Hughes of Seneca, Edna Reese (Bob) of Piedmont; granddaughters, Megan Jackson (Dustin) of Martin, Ga., Mandi Vaughn of Lavonia, Ga.; great-grandchildren, Savannah Jackson and Maddox Jackson, both of Martin, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Dec. 18 at Bill Head Funeral Home Duluth Chapel, with Rev. Tandy Mayo officiating. Burial followed at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.billheadfuneralhome.com.
MARK HOXIT
PICKENS — Vesse Mark Hoxit, 44, passed from this life Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Pickens, Mark is a son of Palmer Hoxit Sr. and the late Eliza Jane Snyder Hoxit. He was employed with Kent Wool and was a member of Rocky Bottom Baptist Church.
Survivors include his father of Pickens; a brother, David Hoxit (Cathy); and sisters, Glenda Cassell (David), Ella Mae Reynolds and Mary Mauldin (Timmy), all of Pickens.
Funeral services were held Dec. 20 at Mt. Carmel Number 1 Baptist Church, with burial following in the church cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society (cancer.org).
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Hoxit family.
ROBERT JAMES CHAPPELL
PICKENS — Robert James Chappell, 68, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at St. Francis Hospital.
Mr. Chappell was born in Pickens County, a son of the late William B. and Clara Belle Evatt Chappell.
He was a self-employed carpenter, loved hunting and fishing and was a member of Kings Grove Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Treva Ragsdale Chappell; son, Jimmy Dale Chappell of Liberty; stepson, James W. Jones, Jr. of Lawrenceville, Ga..; step-daughters, Tracey Hurst of Seymour, Tenn., and Tara Griffin of Dallas, Ga.; one brother, Harry Chappell; two sisters, Christine Galloway and Edna Lyday; two grandchildren, Tiffany and Landon Chappell; one great-grandson, Kawliga Malpass.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Michelle Chappell; and three sisters, Cecile Oliver, Frances Chappell and Mary Johnson.
Funeral services were held Dec. 21, in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, with burial following in Kings Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at the funeral home.
DONNIE FOSTER
EASLEY — Charles Donald Foster, 76, of Easley, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home.
Born in Greenville, he was the son of the late Charles Luther Foster and Eva Sue Hinton of Greenville. He was a U.S. Army veteran and retired from John D. Hollingsworth. He was a member of Easley First Baptist Church and a member of the E.R. Eller Sunday School Class.
He is survived by the mother of his two children, Marlene Foster, a son, Joey Foster of Easley, and a daughter, Shannon Ballew, husband Alan, and two grandchildren, Adam and Addison Ballew of Easley.
A 1958 graduate of Parker High School and North Greenville College, he loved life and loved to shag. He was inducted into the Greenville Shaggers Hall of Fame. He was loved by many friends who may have known him as “Redfox.” He was an all-around athlete an avid Gamecock fan.
Services were held Dec. 19 in the Robinson Funeral Home chapel on Powdersville Road, with Dr. John Adams officiating, with committal service following at Robinson Memorial Gardens.
Much appreciation to Richard M. Campbell’s nursing staff, and Patriots Hospice staff for loving and caring for our dad.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org. Your contribution is matched if donated by Dec. 31.
Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.
THELMA F. FLETCHER
EASLEY— Thelma Reeves Fletcher, 76, of Brushy Creek Road and wife of the late Richard B. Fletcher, passed away Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015.
Born in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Fields and Sarah Breazeale Reeves.
Mrs. Fletcher was retired from the Greenville County School District and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.
Surviving are her son, Randy Orr of Piedmont; grandchildren, Jason and Kevin Orr; and brothers, Carl Reeves of Greenville, Ray Reeves of Pelzer and Bill Reeves of Welford.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by sisters, Etta Mae McRee and Edna Cox and brothers, Adolphus, Talmadge, Charles and Edward Reeves.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial to follow in Greenville Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers will be accepted. The family will be at their respective homes.
Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
BUNT MORGAN
PICKENS— Jesse Holmes “Bunt” Morgan, 72, husband of the late Jane Morgan, passed from this life Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in Greenville.
Jesse was born in Pickens County, son of the late Jesse H. and Rachel Anderson Morgan. He was retired as a bricklayer and was a member of Morningstar Baptist Church.
Survivors include his uncle, Bobby Morgan, and aunts, Betty Dooley and Willyne Butler Scott, and his caregiver and cousin, Betty Stephens (Tommy).
Services were held Dec. 22 at Dillard Funeral Home, with a graveside service following.
Memorials may be made to Morningstar Baptist Church, 111 North Cedar Rock Road, Easley, SC 29640.
VERA MAE POWELL CASSELL
PICKENS — Vera Mae Powell Cassell, 86, wife of the late I.V. Cassell of Sunset community and the daughter of Wick and Annis Powell Powell of Rosman, N.C., passed away Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015.
Ms. Cassell was also predeceased by two sisters, Beulah Powell Crowe and Edith Powell Cassell, four brothers, Roman, Clifford, and Glenn and Jack Powell, all of Rosman, N.C., and two son-in-laws, W.A. Cantrell and Charles Stewart.
Ms. Cassell is survived by two daughters, Linda Gail Cassell Cantrell of Pickens and Helen Renee Cassell Stewart of Pickens, and a son, Stanley Cassell of Sunset, seven grandchildren, Roslyn Cantrell Holcombe (Chris), Melissa Stewart Nicholson (Gary), Reginald Cantrell (Jennifer), Shane Cassell, Richard Cantrell (Stacy), Crystal Stewart Stone (Bradley) and Trenton Cassell, and eight great-grandchildren, Abigail Holcombe Baker (Brett), Seth Nicholson, Parker Cassell, Emmalee Stone, Maggy Holcombe, Colby Nicholson, Ivey Stone Parker Cassell and Jessa Cantrell.
Ms. Cassell was a retiree of Sangamo in Pickens and a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and listening to gospel music.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Dillard Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family will be at the home of a daughter, Linda Cantrell.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Cassell family.
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Holiday menu planning for first-time hosts
Novice holiday hosts often have a lot on their plates. Whether hosting family or friends or a combination of both, first-time hosts typically want to impress their guests while ensuring they get enough to eat and have an enjoyable evening. Since dinner is such a big part of holiday gatherings, hosts often place extra emphasis on what to serve, and that can be tricky when this is the first time they are hosting.[cointent_lockedcontent]
First-time holiday hosts can take a number of steps to ensure their menus appeal to all of their guests.
When planning the menu for your holiday soiree, consider the following tips.
• Get a head count. Though other factors will influence what to serve, the size of your guest list may ultimately dictate what to serve. For example, a small gathering of four to five people will likely rule out turkey, as even a small turkey will prove too much effort and produce too much extra food. On the same note, a small dish like lasagna might not be doable for a larger crowd, as it will force you to prepare multiple entrees, which means more time in the kitchen juggling the various cooking duties and less time with your guests. Once you have confirmed just how many guests you will be hosting, you can then choose a main course that suits the size of your guest list.
• Decide which type of party you want to host. The type of party you want to host also will influence what you serve. A formal gathering should include an appetizer, a main course and a dessert, including both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees. A less formal gathering gives hosts more leeway. For example, whereas a formal gathering may include soup as an appetizer, hosting a less formal gathering allows hosts to put out some snacks or bread for guests to whet their appetites before everyone sits down for the meal. The more formal the gathering, the more formal the menu. Hosts of less formal gatherings may even want to host a holiday pot luck buffet, inviting guests to bring a favorite dish or side dish while the hosts take care of the main course.
• Ask guests if they have any dietary restrictions. Upon being invited to a holiday dinner, some invitees may let hosts know if they have any food allergies or medical conditions that restrict which foods they can eat. Solicit such information from all of your guests, and do your best to cater to each of your guests’ needs. Some guests might be on a gluten-free diet while others may need to limit their sodium intake. You might not be able to meet everyone’s demands. Let guests know if they should bring an appropriate snack if you cannot provide one for them.
• Include traditional holiday fare. People have grown to expect certain things from holiday meals, be it sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving, brisket for Chanukah or holiday cookies or even eggnog at Christmas parties. When planning the menu, be sure to include at least one of these traditional items, even asking guests for suggestions. Such fare will give the party a genuine holiday feel, and guests will appreciate seeing some items on your dinner table they have enjoyed at their own holiday celebrations over the years.
• Don’t overdo it. First-time hosts want to ensure everyone gets enough to eat, so it’s easy to overdo things and prepare too much food. This can be expensive, and guests may feel obligated to overeat so hosts don’t have to discard any of the food they worked so hard to prepare. Though it might once have been a holiday tradition to overeat, many men and women now prefer moderation, and hosts should keep that in mind when preparing their holiday meals.
Hosting a holiday dinner for the first time can be nerve-wracking, But there are a variety of steps first-timers can take when preparing their menus to come off looking like old pros. HL13C742
CAPTION: First-time holiday hosts can take a number of steps to ensure their menus appeal to all of their guests.
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FOOD/BEVERAGE DINING/ENTERTAINMENT HOLIDAYS-WINTER HOLIDAYLIFESTYLEMICROSITE FITNESS/NUTRITION
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Preparing for Christmas guests
The holiday season is about more than just rushing to stores to stock up on presents. Socializing and hosting friends and family members to catch up on a year’s worth of news also makes this time of year so special.[cointent_lockedcontent]
Before friends and family arrive, holiday hosts must take steps to prepare their homes for their guests. The following home prep plan can make relatively easy work of tidying up the house and ensuring it is inviting to guests.
Start with the entrance
Hosting can motivate homeowners to finish certain home improvement projects that enhance the appearance of their homes. Tidy up your home’s entryway to make it more welcoming. Be sure the front door and walkways are well lit. Remove obstructions and trim back bushes and other plant life. Festive decorations can brighten up the space. Don’t forget a welcome mat to reinforce to guests that they truly are welcome at your home.
Quick cleaning
Sometimes the joy of hosting can be overshadowed by the task of preparing for your guests. Although a thorough cleaning of the home is great if you have the time, it may not be necessary. Go from room to room identifying spaces that are in need of a thorough cleaning. Spend time in the kitchen clearing clutter from the counters and make sure the dining space is clean and the table is presentable. A table runner and a centerpiece of festive flowers can brighten up the space instantly. Fluff cushions on sofas and give floors or carpets a quick vacuuming. Always be sure the bathrooms are clean and fresh, with laundered hand towels at the ready. Children’s bedrooms and other areas of the house may not require such a critical eye. Simply keep doors closed in off-limits rooms.
Create a guest sanctuary
Overnight guests should have a designated space they can use as a retreat. If you do not have a guest room, consider having children bunk with one another and designating one of the kids’ rooms for your guests. Fresh linens, an alarm clock, a television, and Internet access are nice touches.
A guest room also can be set up in a den or office with a pull-out sofa bed. Provide access to a nearby bathroom so guests can enjoy some privacy.
Hosting children is easier than hosting adults because they won’t require the same level of privacy and space. An extra mattress tucked under the bed in your child’s room can be an impromptu place for kids to retire.
Stock up on supplies
Purchase extra travel-sized toiletries at the drug store so your guests’ needs are covered in case they forget something. Store them in a zip-top bag and let guests know where these items are kept.
Purchase a guest set of towels, sheets and pillowcases. Keep these in an air-tight storage bag or bin, so when guests arrive, they will have their own set of linens. Launder these linens after use.
Stock up on food
Ask guests which foods and beverages they prefer and try to have some on hand. Use your spare time to prepare some meals and freeze them. This way if someone drops by unexpectedly, you can simply defrost a meal and have it ready in no time. Keep a tin of cookies and tea bags ready for those who pop in for a snack and conversation.
With the holiday season in full swing, holiday hosts must ready their homes for overnight guests.
Things to consider when hosting for the holidays
Holiday hosts have a lot on their plates. The work of holiday hosting does not begin when the first guest arrives. It starts weeks before, when homeowners begin preparing their homes for overnight guests.
Because the holiday season can be so busy, it’s easy for hosts to overlook certain things as the day their first guests are set to arrive draws nearer. But the following are a few things hosts should consider in the weeks before their guests show up.
Accommodations
It’s hard to overlook accommodations when hosting for the holidays, but it’s best to inspect linens and other items that might go largely unused throughout much of the year. Check foldout couches or air mattresses a few weeks before your guests are slated to arrive. This gives you ample time to address any issues and also allows you to comparison shop and find great deals on any items you need to replace. Hosts who are parents to young children may want to discuss sleeping arrangements before guests arrive if kids will be asked to sleep in different beds. Kids might embrace the change, while others might be less enthusiastic. If younger cousins will be staying over, let kids choose their new roommates, which might make them more excited about sharing rooms with their guests. Explaining the situation in advance gives youngsters time to ready themselves for their temporary move.
Pets
When hosting for the holidays, let your guests know if you have any pets. Some people have dog and cat allergies, and those allergies may make it difficult for them to enjoy their stay. Others’ allergies might be so severe that they have to find alternative lodging. Let guests know about your pets when you invite them to stay at your house so no one is surprised at the last minute. In addition, let guests know if they can bring their own pets along to your house.
Diets
Ask guests before they arrive if they have any particular food allergies or items they need to avoid because of any medications they might be taking. This is especially important for youngsters, who may forget to avoid homemade cookies with nuts despite having nut allergies. By asking in advance if your guests have any food allergies or foods and ingredients they must avoid, you will know to avoid serving particular dishes so no one accidentally eats foods that might make them sick and you can prepare alternative dishes for people who must avoid certain foods.
Activities
If guests will be staying for several nights, explore a few local activities so everyone can get out of the house for a night or two. Time spent with family is one of the best parts of the holiday season, but spending all of that time inside in cramped quarters can grow uncomfortable over time. Plan a family night or two out that everyone can enjoy.
Hosting for the holidays is a great way to welcome loved ones into your home. Considering and discussing a few factors before your guests arrive can ensure everyone enjoys their stay.
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