Thursday, February 14, 2013
Here's a history of Valentine's Day as told by the Medfield Historical Society.
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Thursday, February 14
Do You Know the Origins of Valentine's Day? Every February 14, across the United States and in many places around the world, loved ones exchange candy, flowers, gifts, and especially, cards, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and where did our present-day traditions come from? The history of Valentine's Day--and the story of its patron saint-- is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? The legends are numerous. St. Valentine The most commonly accepted …
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Hank Zona, local wine expert, gives you suggestions on how to pick the best one for the holiday.
Editor's Note: This article first ran on Patch on Feb. 14, 2011. But we love it so much, we're posting it again! It was written by Hank Zona, the proprietor of Swirl Wine Events. Valentine's Day means different things for different folks. I offer wines for every approach to the day. First, let me focus on a wine for those who see February 14 as a dark day. Perhaps the darkest of wines are the wines of the Cahors region in France. They are malbec-based, but not nearly as approachable as the malbecs of Argentina. Besides, if you are anti-Valentines Day, who wants approachable? Marketed over 100 years ago as "the black wines of Cahors," this is a brooding wine — if you plan to brood. Of course, if wine won't do the trick, may I suggest a …
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Check out the latest video, set to music from the 60s, from Wayne Robbins
Wayne Robbins from Inside Montclair takes you on a walking musical tour in celebration of Valentine's Day. Enjoy the many special items—jewelry, clothes, candy, yummy desserts, and unique sculptures—available around town for that special someone. The segment ends with a perfect candlelight dinner for two, (or share with the table), from Tapastry Resterant/Catering on Church Street. You'll see Chef Gonzalo prepare a special culinary delight—Paella, which includes clams, shrimp, scallops, mussels, and calamari, in a saffron bomba rice blend. And it's all set to some of the biggest love songs of the 60s. Happy Valentine's Day to All.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Haven't met Mr./Ms. Right? Get inspired by the following love story written and submitted to Montclair Patch by Elinor Meeks
- VALENTINE'S DAY GUIDE
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Monday, February 13, 2012
Was it her big hazel eyes? Was it his dapper moustache? When Pat Moulton and Jim Snodgrass are asked what attracted them to each other, they don’t cite these or any other winning feature. No, for her, “It was his real interest in helping.” For him, it was the thought that, “Here’s someone working full-time and then giving so much” to Toni’s Kitchen, the soup kitchen in Montclair, where the two met in 2006 and where they still avidly volunteer. This is their love story, and they’re sticking to it. Actually, evolutionary psychologists also claim altruism has been attractive since the beginning of time. And here we are in the 21st century, with two bright-eyed 60-somethings originally smitten by each other’s selflessness. It was 2004, when …
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tell us who has been married a very very long time.
New Jersey may have the lowest divorce rates—only 6.1 per 1,000 men and 6 per 1,000 women get divorced here according to a 2009 survey—but happily ever afters still don't come easy. When it comes to well-known couples, for example, only a few such as Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have managed to stay together longer than 20 years. And that's why, with Valentine's Day only a heartbeat away, Montclair Patch is looking for the couple who's been married the longest in Montclair. The couple can win a $50 gift certificate to their favorite local restaurant. We also will profile the lucky couple—and find out how they stayed together. All you have to do is send an email to Shelley@patch.com. Please let us know of any couple who has been married a …
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Belleville deli finds inspiration with Valentine's Day upcoming
Though Connie Francis loves Pepe Sisters Italian American Deli for their beef brachiole, the singer and 1955 Belleville High School graduate would likely also enjoy the eatery's new Valentine's Day-inspired creation: heart-shaped ravioli. “Somebody told me they had heart-shaped ravioli,” Annamaria Pepe said. Added sister Fran: “We wanted to try it out.” This prompted Annamaria – who runs Pepe Sisters with Fran and their mother, whom everyone affectionately calls Mama – to retreat into the kitchen where the deli's queen of pasta often freshly creates cavatelli, gnocchi, spaghetti and the noodles for the always-popular lasagna. These new heart-shaped ravioli are created much like Pepe Sisters' other macaroni dishes, only this creation some…
Friday, February 10, 2012
Local chocolatiers have got the goods on Valentine’s Day.
- VALENTINE'S DAY GUIDE
- Stacey Gill
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Friday, February 10, 2012
On Valentine's Day, “It’s all about the heart-shaped box.” So says Ginny Monk of Bromilow’s Homemade Chocolates—and she ought to know. As the granddaughter of the founder, Monk said she's been working in the family business her "entire life.” Opened more than 50 years ago in West Paterson, Bromilow’s still crafts their chocolates on site using their exclusive family recipe. “Our base chocolate has not changed since we started,” said Monk. “We try to make everything ourselves,” Monk stressed. “We make the centers, the marshmallows and the jellies all ourselves. A lot of places don’t do that anymore.” It’s a chocolate area residents have appreciated for the past 34 years, ever since the family expanded their business to West Caldwell with a…
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Want to know where to eat? Need a gift idea? Here are five specials for the big day.
The day of wine and roses is just around the corner, which means Montclair businesses are rolling out specials right and left. Here are just five. If you know of any others, Patch wants to know about them. Let us know in the comments section below or email Shelley@patch.com. —Tapastry at 12 Church Street Currently appearing on American Idol, Kennedy Grey will serenade lovers with passionate blues, jazz, ballads and love songs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Chef Gonzalo will be cooking up a special Menú para los Amantes (Menu for Lovers). Seating is limited, so call ahead. —Bangz Salon & Spa Treatment at 23 S. Fullerton Ave. All sorts of specials including a "Chocolate Covered Strawberry Manicure and Pedicure" that marries the aroma of fresh …
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
A unique gift idea and Patch offer for that special someone in your life
Looking for that special gift that says I love you? Think outside the (chocolate) box this year. Tell her you love her with a unique gift that will empower her and make her feel her best—an Ayurvedic Consultation. Ayurveda is India’s 5,000-year-old healing art, also known as yoga’s sister-science. It helps people understand themselves and their unique constitutions. A consultation in Ayurveda offers lifestyle and nutritional recommendations, aromatherapy suggestions, and possibly yoga, breathing, and meditation techniques, to help women stay in balance and feel rejuvenated. The hour-long personal Consultation is conducted by local Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Yoga Teacher Alana Layne Greenberg, who has 20 years of experience and is co-…
Friday, February 3, 2012
From CulinAriane to Costanera, Hot From The Kettle has it covered
Hank Zona
1:06 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Thank you Mike and Montclair Patch! I'm happy to update this some time and especially interested in anyone's own selections. The name of my business is no longer Swirl Wine Events, but changed to the name of my tv show, The Grapes Unwrapped. Look for it on YouTube...or write to hank at thegrapesunwrapped.com. Cheers. more ›