We’ve done a little “scouting.” This page is a sampling of a few of the unique and special gift selections available right here in the West Sound. As The Content Scout’s CEO (Chief Exploration Officer), I find that one of my very favorite places to discover is my own “backyard,” the West Sound community where […]
Christmas
Posted inHome
Decking the Halls
Christmas starts in October at Ann Ryan’s home on Oyster Bay. That’s when she hauls out the boxes and boxes of holiday decorations she’s collected over the years and starts decking the halls of the 100-year-old home. Ryan’s collection includes Christmas-themed paintings, dozens of carved Santas and little ceramic Dickensian villages set in wintery scenes. […]
Posted inPeople & Places
A Visit with Santa
Yes, there is a Santa Claus. He lives on the Key Peninsula when he is not at the North Pole tending his reindeer or supervising the elves in the toy shop. His “Ho! Ho! Ho!” is most convincing, and he has a bag of magic tricks that confound even the most skeptic onlooker. This Santa […]
Posted inAt Home
Five Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with Family while Social Distancing
Although heading into the holidays looks a bit different this year, that doesn’t mean those who are staying home have to miss out on all of the spirited activities and quality time that we look forward to all year. There are many ways to spend time with your loved ones while following local guidelines and […]
Posted inAt Home
Savor Holiday Fun with Seasonal Sweets
Festive fun and baking holiday treats go hand-in-hand, and these Christmas Tree Cheesecake Brownies provide a perfect way to enjoy a holiday tradition in the kitchen with loved ones. Decorate your own version using green and white frosting, sprinkles of your choice and candy canes for “stumps” in the tree-shaped sweets. Visit milkmeansmore.org to find […]
Posted inAt Home
Tips for Decorating Interior Stairways for the Holidays
Greenery? Stockings? Lights? Decorating interior stairways can take many forms. This holiday season, as people are quarantined indoors, they can expand decorations beyond the tree and mantel to include unique stairway accents. L.J. Smith Stair Systems, experts in manufacturing stair parts for more than 135 years, has gathered stairway decorating tips from several influencers across […]
Posted inAt Home
Three Delectable Desserts for Holiday Celebrations
Whether you’re a chocolate lover or prefer traditional seasonal flavors like peppermint and gingerbread, these tasty, dairy-inspired treats from Milk Means More provide heartwarming ways to tingle your taste buds while bringing everyone together. Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding provides a sweet, fruity, hearty dessert while Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies combine chocolatey goodness with creamy cheesecake and […]
Posted inAround West Sound
How to Help Families Struggling this Christmas Due to COVID-19
Nearly half of low-income Americans reported that they or someone in their household experienced some type of income loss during the pandemic, according to information published by Pew Research Center. Because more people are facing hardship this year due to the impacts of COVID-19, more families in the community will likely be in need of […]
Posted inAt Home
Christmas Presents for Caregivers to Give to Themselves
Holidays are stressful for everyone, but even more so for those who are caregivers to loved ones. Peter Rosenberger, author of “Hope for the Caregiver,” offers these great tips for caregivers to give to themselves for this holiday season and time of visiting family and friends. A caregiver for more than 30 years for his […]