November 2026 newsletter

Important Days in November

November 1 – All Saints’ Day

November 1 – Daylight Saving Time Ends

November 2 – All Souls’ Day

November 3 – Election Day

November 11 – Veterans Day – We are closed.

November 13 – World Kindness Day

November 15 – National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day

November 18 – Apple Cider Day

November 18 – Mickey Mouse Day / National Princess Day

November 23 – National Adoption Day

November 25 – We close at 12:00 p.m. *

November 26 – Thanksgiving – We are closed.

November 27 – Black Friday – We are closed.

November 28 – Small Business Saturday

Stay Alert: Deer & Driving Safety

November brings shorter days, changing driving conditions, and increased wildlife activity. With Daylight Saving Time ended on November 1, 2026, evening darkness arrives earlier, meaning more drivers may be on the road after sunset during their normal commute.

Help reduce your risk of a deer collision with these reminders:

·         Be especially alert around dawn and dusk, when visibility is limited, and deer may be active.

·         Scan both sides of the road, particularly near wooded areas, fields, and deer-crossing signs.

·         Slow down when you spot a deer. Deer often travel together, so watch for others nearby.

·         Use your high beams when appropriate to improve visibility on dark, rural roads, but dim them when approaching traffic is near.

·         Avoid sudden swerving. If a deer enters your path, brake firmly while maintaining control of your vehicle rather than making a sharp maneuver that could cause another collision.

·         Always wear your seat belt and make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained.

Daylight Saving Reminder: When the clocks “fall back” on Sunday, November 1, take a little extra care during your evening commute. Earlier darkness can make pedestrians, cyclists, animals, and roadway hazards harder to see.

Laurie’s Chili

I came up with this chili recipe after saving small amounts of leftover steak or hamburger.    With food prices high, no one wants to waste anything.   So, I saved those small pieces of leftover steak or an occasional hamburger.  I’d put each piece in a Ziploc bag and freeze it until I had at least a pound of meat, then cut it into small pieces.     And if the steak was grilled, it just adds a little smoky flavor to the chili.   

This recipe is not exactly, as I’ve never written it down before. So, use your judgment. 

Ingredients:

A pound of saved cooked meat (steak, pork chop, hamburger, chicken, etc.)

A can of Rotel 

A can of tomato sauce

A chopped onion

A chopped bell pepper (any color)

Garlic-add as your heart desires. 

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Chili powder to taste (I’d say about a teaspoon. More if you like it spicy)

A can of chili beans

Instruction

Put everything except the chili beans in a crockpot on low if you want to eat in 7-8 hours, or on High if you want to eat in 4 hours. 

Add the chili beans in the last hour.   

Stir occasionally, or not at all.  It’s up to you. 

Serve with your favorite toppings:

Cheese. Sour Cream, Chopped green onions

Thanksgiving Kitchen & Fire Safety

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends, but a busy kitchen can bring extra risks. Keep your celebration safe by:

·         Staying in the kitchen while cooking food.

·         Keeping towels, oven mitts, paper products, and other flammable items away from the stovetop.

·         Keeping children and pets away from hot appliances and cooking areas.

·         Keeping a fire extinguisher easily accessible.

·         Checking that candles and cooking appliances are safely extinguished before heading to bed or leaving home.

Turkey Fryer Safety

Planning to fry your Thanksgiving turkey?

Take extra precautions. Always use a turkey fryer outdoors on a level, stable surface and well away from your home, garage, deck, or anything that could catch fire. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and dry before it goes into hot oil, since water and hot cooking oil are a dangerous combination.

Never overfill the fryer with oil, and don’t leave it unattended while it’s heating or cooking. Keep children and pets at a safe distance, wear appropriate protective gear when handling the fryer, and allow the oil to cool completely before moving or disposing of it.

A few simple precautions can help keep the focus on good food, gratitude, and time together.

Is Your Home Ready for Winter?

Cold weather can arrive quickly, and a little preparation now can help protect your home from winter damage. Before freezing temperatures settle in, take time to complete these simple maintenance tasks:

·         Disconnect garden hoses and drain them before storing them for winter.

·         Protect outdoor faucets by shutting off and draining exterior water lines when possible and using insulated faucet covers.

·         Have your furnace checked and replace the air filter as recommended by the manufacturer.

·         Clean leaves and debris from gutters so rain and melting snow can drain properly.

·         Know where your main water shutoff valve is located. If a pipe bursts, shutting the water off quickly can help limit damage.

·         Check windows and doors for drafts and repair damaged weatherstripping or caulking.

Don’t Let Frozen Pipes Ruin Your Winter

Pipes in unheated or poorly insulated areas, such as garages, basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls, can be especially vulnerable when temperatures drop.

Help prevent frozen pipes by insulating exposed plumbing, keeping garage doors closed when water lines are nearby, and maintaining heat throughout your home. During particularly cold weather, opening cabinet doors beneath sinks can allow warmer indoor air to circulate around the pipes.

Let your faucets drip during extremely cold weather. For faucets connected to pipes that are vulnerable to freezing, turn on the water just enough to create a slow, steady drip or very thin stream. You do not need to leave the faucet running at full flow. Keeping water moving through the pipe can help reduce the risk of freezing. If the faucet has both hot and cold-water lines that may be exposed to cold temperatures, allow both to drip.

If you suspect a frozen pipe: Keep the affected faucet open and gently warm the pipe with a heating pad, hair dryer, or warm towels. Never use an open flame.

If a pipe bursts, turn off your home’s main water supply immediately and contact a qualified plumber. Once the immediate problem is under control, document any resulting damage and contact your insurance agent or carrier if you need guidance about a potential claim.

Shop Small, Support Local: Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is a great reminder to celebrate the locally owned businesses that help make our communities special. This year, Small Business Saturday falls on November 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

When you shop small, you’re supporting more than a business. You’re supporting neighbors, families, local jobs, and people who are invested in the community they serve.

Here are a few easy ways to participate:

·         Shop locally for holiday gifts, food, and services.

·         Purchase gift cards from your favorite small businesses.

·         Recommend a local business to friends and family.

·         Leave a positive online review for a business you appreciate.

·         Follow and share local businesses on social media.

·         Remember that professional service providers, independent contractors, and other locally owned companies are small businesses too.

As a small business, we understand how meaningful every customer, referral, and recommendation can be. Thank you for choosing to support local businesses throughout the year. Your support truly makes a difference!