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10 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, December 23, 2010 It's down to the wire-- Christmas is in two days-- will you make it? A couple of last minute tips for you... If you are using a frozen turkey and haven't started to thaw it yet, now is the time-- those suckers can take forever to thaw. Make sure you are thawing in the fridge, on the bottom shelf and that the turkey is sitting on a tray or pan so that any drips will not flow all over your fridge! If you end up Christmas Day, still staring at an only partially thawed turkey, then fill your kitchen sink with COLD water and submerge the bird. Change the water frequently and it should be thawed in a couple of hours. Be sure to clean the sink · · What's Cookin': Last minute Christmas dinner tips for you and boxes of chocolates look REALLY good right now but will they look so good on your waistline in January? Spend the money you would've spent on those items on some extra goodies -- like pomegranates, clementines and fresh berries! Make some things in advance if possible, to make your life easier on the big day-- chop your veggies in advance and seal in Ziploc bags. Make your gravy in advance so you can just add the drippings on the day of. Make, thoroughly when you're done! Check the final grocery list and make sure you have the extras like cream, sugar, milk (I always forget the staple supplies when buying for a big meal!), soap, toilet paper, dish soap/dishwasher detergent, candles, non-alcoholic drinks (once again, usually forgotten at my place). Don't buy it if you don't want to eat it-- a little Weight Watchers tip for you. I know the jars of cashews, bags of chips shape and freeze your pastry so you just have to add the filling on the day of and bake. And when it comes down to the big day, just do what you can and then relax-- enjoy your family, enjoy your day and don't sweat it! From Gerry and Lori and both of our families, have a very Merry Christmas! Have fun and keep cooking! Email comments and questions to whatscookin@independentfreepress.com Cranberry Pecan Coffee Cake Ingredients Topping · 2/3 cup brown sugar · 1/3 cup butter · 1/4 tsp cinnamon · 1 1/4 cup cranberries · 1/2 cup pecans pan, sprayed with non-stick spray. Sprinkle with the cranberries and pecans. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Using a wooden spoon, stir half of the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Stir in sour cream. Then stir in remaining flour mixture. Spread batter over cranberry mixture, pushing batter high on edges. Wrap bottom of pan with foil. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cake NOTICE OF MEETING 2011 BUDGET MEETING (Capital Budget & Capital Forecast) Budget Committee will be commencing Capital Budget and Capital Forecast deliberations on Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Please note all delegations for Capital matters will be heard on Tuesday, January 4th, 2011. Accordingly, if you wish to address Budget Committee, please register by Noon on January 3rd, 2011 with Corporate Services ­ Clerk's Division at (905) 873-2601, ext. 2333. 139 __________________________________________ PUBLIC LIBRARIES Acton Branch 519-853-0301 Georgetown Branch 905-873-2681 The Acton and Georgetown branches of the Halton Hills Public Library will be closed December 24th at 12 noon until December 28th and December 31st at 12 noon until January 4th. RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT Gellert Community Centre Please check the holiday swim schedule or www.haltonhills.ca for daily swim times December 24 open until noon December 25 closed December 26 closed December 31 open until noon January 1 closed · 1/2 cup butter · 3/4 cup sugar · 2 eggs · 1 tsp vanilla · 1 1/2cups flour · 1 1/2 tsp baking powder · 1 tsp baking soda · 1/2 tsp cinnamon · 1/2 tsp salt · 1 cup sour cream Method In a saucepan, bring the brown sugar, butter and cinnamon to a boil. Pour into a 9" springform HOLIDAY CLOSURE 2010 MUNICIPAL HOLIDAY SCHEDULE CIVIC CENTRE ­ 905-873-2600 The Civic Centre will close for the holidays Friday, December 24th at 12:00 p.m. and will re-open on Monday, January 3rd at 8:30 a.m. Acton Indoor Pool December 24th Closed December 25th Closed December 26th Closed December 31st Closed January 1st Closed :\UKH` >VYZOPW H[ ! HT 5\YZLY` HUK 1Y >VYZOPW MVY JOPSKYLU ACTIVAN - 905-873-2601 ext. 2617 The booking office will be closed 12:00 noon December 24th, to December 28th and again on Friday, December 31st. The ActiVan Service will be available on an after hours basis. Please book your trip no later than Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 ARENAS Acton Arena & Community Centre, Mold-Masters SportsPlex & Memorial Arena December 24th Closed at Noon December 25th closed December 26th closed December 31st Closed at Noon January 1st Closed 4HPU :[YLL[ ZV\[O VM 4HWSL ^^^[VNL[OLYH[NHJJVT KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH God's Word for Today's World. www.knoxgeorgetown.ca REV. DR. JAMES COOPER 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, ON 905-877-7585 Chair-lift access available. 'Sunday's Cool' youth ministry program for ages 4 & up. CANINE CONTROL - 905-877-6235 December 24, 2010 from noon until January 1, 2011 ­ Emergency Call Only K9 Centre closed to the public for retrieval of dogs on Dec 25, 26, 2010 and Jan 1, 2011 Service Dial-in: 905-702-1629 SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES: 11:00 A.M. GEORGETOWN SENIORS CENTRE December 24 Closed at 12:00 noon December 25 Closed December 28 Closed December 29 Open 8:30AM ­ 4:30PM December 30 Open 8:30AM ­ 4:30 PM December 31 Closed at 12:00 noon January 1 Closed GEORGETOWN CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH welcomes you! Lead Pastor: Rev. Gary vanLeeuwen Youth Pastor: Brian DeBoer Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 am & 6:00 pm FIRE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS 14007 10 Sideroad - 905-877-1133 Halton Hills Fire Department Administration will be closed at noon Friday December 24, 2010 until Monday January 3, 2011. 11611 Trafalgar Road (north of Maple Avenue) www.gcrc.on.ca 905-877-4322 ACTON SENIORS CENTRE December 24 Closed at Noon December 25 closed December 26 closed December 27 Open 8:30AM ­ 4:30PM December 28 Open 8:30AM ­ 4:30PM December 29 Open 8:30AM ­ 4:30PM December 30 Open 8:30AM ­ 4:30PM December 31 Closed at 12:00 noon January 1st Closed Ken & Ginger Curry of Georgetown are thrilled to announce the engagement of their daughter Shannon Lee Courtney Curry to INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES ­ PUBLIC WORKS Office will be closed from 12:00 noon December 24th, through December 31st, 2010. Public Works Emergency After-hours Telephone Contact: 905-873-2600 and press 4 to page the On-duty Public Works Supervisor or, 905-873-2601 and press 0 to connect to the live after-hours answering service. Michael Paul Salter son of Paul & Mary Jane Salter of Cambridge. Wedding to take place June 2011. Forever & Always Love & Best Wishes from your family FOR EMERGENCIES FIRE/POLICE/AMBULANCE: DIAL 911 138 SUNDAY SERVICES · Lord's Supper 10 A.M. · Ministry Meeting 11:00 A.M. · Fellowship Lunch 12:00 P.M. · Ministry Meeting 1:00 P.M. Meeting In: Georgetown Seniors Centre Address: 318 Guelph Street Phone: 905-873-1005 Website: www.haltonhillsbiblechapel.com 1 Halton Hills Dr., Halton Hills ON L7G 5G2 Tel.: 905-873-2600 · Fax: 905-873-2347