Traditions of America

Tag: holiday

  • Quite Possibly the Greatest Cranberry Sauce Recipe of All Time

    Quite Possibly the Greatest Cranberry Sauce Recipe of All Time

    During this festive time of coming together to give thanks, we are excited to share a cranberry recipe that will most certainly win ooh’s and aah’s at your Thanksgiving table. It’s super easy to prepare, makes a beautiful presentation, and is a treat for the taste buds. Put on your favorite apron, roll up your sleeves and prepare to be delighted:

    Cranberry Sauce on a plateIngredients:

    • 1 large bag of fresh cranberries
    • 1 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple (in pineapple juice from concentrate; no sugar added)
    • 1 six ounce carton of cherry Jello
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 1 cup chopped walnuts
    • 1 cup diced celery
    • Nonstick oil spray

    Preparation:

    1. Rinse cranberries and place in large glass or ceramic bowl (about a 10” or 11” diameter)
    2. Drain/strain the pineapple juice from the can of crushed pineapple and save the juice in a large measuring bowl
    3. Set aside the crushed pineapple that is still in the can (will be added later)
    4. To the large measuring bowl with the strained pineapple juice, add enough water to make 3 ½ cups of liquid
    5. Add this liquid to the large glass bowl with the cranberries
    6. To that same bowl, add ½ cup sugar
    7. Stir the berries, sugar and liquid mixture
    8. Cover the bowl with saran wrap and microwave for approx. 10 minutes, or until the cranberries have mostly popped and become soft
    9. Remove bowl from microwave – careful it will be hot! Use good oven mitts.
    10. Stir in and dissolve the cherry Jello
    11. Add 1 cup chopped walnuts
    12. Add 1 cup diced celery
    13. Add the drained pineapple from the can
    14. Stir the contents
    15. Spray the inside of a large gelatin mold with a nonstick oil spray
    16. Carefully pour (or ladle) the cranberry liquid mixture into the large gelatin mold
    17. Cover with saran wrap and place in the refrigerator
    18. The Jello will set in about 5 hours or overnight
    19. To serve, carefully take a thin knife and gently insert it around the interior circumference of the mold so it is loosened from the edge all the way around
    20. Put a serving plate on top of the gelatin mold and while holding the plate on top, carefully turn it upside down so that the mold presents itself onto the plate, right side up.
    21. Garnish with fresh sprigs of parsley or mint
    22. Enjoy!

    Trick: before turning the Jello mold out onto a plate and loosening with the knife, you can submerge the exterior of the mold into a large bowl of hot water for about 20 or 30 seconds to help with the unmolding process!

    From our family at Traditions of America to yours, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  • Honoring our Veterans: One Community at a Time

    Honoring our Veterans: One Community at a Time

    On Saturday, November 11, Traditions of America communities across Pennsylvania honored Veterans in moving ceremonies with the raising of flags that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol and provided by Senator Bob Casey. In addition, each community undertook the commemoration in their own unique and personal style.

    At Lititz, nearly 150 people turned out to pay their respects. The day began at the flagpole with the ceremonial raising of a new flag, and retiring the old. Befitting of the tradition, the venerable Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard performed the flag raising and lowering ceremony. The Honor Guard performed a three-round volley – where each member of the 7-member Guard fired a volley of three shots in succession. The flag ceremony was followed by a solemn rendition of Taps. The “Silver Singers” – Lititz’ own singing group – sang patriotic numbers and the “Sew What’s” group presented a commemorative quilt to the Veterans of the community.

    Here are some fantastic photos shared by Becky Wise, the Lititz Lifestyle Concierge, that captured the day:

    Military people standing in front of the clubhouse

    Choir singing inside the Traditions of America community clubhouse
    People standing around outside in a traditions of America community

    At Summer Seat, the Lifestyle Concierge, Gayle Mayes, engaged the community in a guessing game of sorts! She printed photos of each of the resident Veterans from their days in the service, but purposely omitted their names. During the “Meet & Greet” after the flag raising ceremony, she challenged all in attendance to guess who the veterans were in their service-time photos. It was a fun and engaging day for all!

    Here are some photos of our revered Veterans in the Welcome Center and their certificates:

    six men standing inside the traditions of America community clubhouse Laptop with info flyers from Traditions of America

    At Saucon Valley, it was a day filled with speeches and stories by the resident Veterans offering the community a special glimpse into the past. It was a wonderful way for neighbors and friends to connect and share their lives. Judy Parrey, Saucon Valley’s Lifestyle Concierge, who helped organize the event, shared some photos from the day, including a photo collage of the Veterans:

    Photo board of veterans  people standing outside while raising the flag People standing outside while raising the flag

    And, at Silver Spring a festive ceremony was shared by many family and friends. Jon Evans, the Lifestyle Concierge at Silver Spring, helped arrange the JROTC Color Guard from Cumberland Valley High School to post and retire the colors. Diane Wilburger, a Silver Spring resident, was on hand for patriotic piano playing, while Joan Brodisch, another Silver Spring resident, introduced the Keynote Speaker of the Day: Kathleen Gainey, LTG, Retired.

    People standing outside while raising the flag

    All across Pennsylvania, the skies were sparkling blue, making the perfect backdrop to honor our extra-special Veterans and the red, white and blue!