Making Cents

Winter Fun

Places to skate, sled and swim during winter break.

During winter break it's tempting to hunker down and not do much of anything, especially after the rush of Christmas. Yet sooner or later, after we have eaten all  the leftover desserts, we feel the need to haul ourselves up and out and get our blood pumping again. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun and healthy opportunities for the kids (and us) that are  free. Lace up your ice skates and visit any one of the dozen or so Department of Conservation and Recreation skating rinks located on the South Shore. The DCR schedule offers free skating during vacation week and weekends (http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/rink_decvac.pdf). While the Shea Rink, at 651 Willard St. in Quincy, may be the closest, its scheduled free skate is also the most …

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Student Singers Bring Holiday Cheer to Seniors

Entertaining For A Cure, a group of middle, high school and college students, take to the road and stage, performing song and dance numbers at senior living communities across the South Shore. EFAC has raised $25,000 for the American Cancer Society.

As Entertaining For A Cure sang a rousing a cappella rendition of Joy to the World Sunday night, one audience member arrived late to the holiday concert at 1000 Southern Artery in Quincy. Pushing her walker slowly down the auditorium aisle, she slipped into her seat, a broad grin creasing her face. "My, they're good!" she enthused, tapping her feet and humming along. Linda Roach, activities director at the assisted living center, agreed. "These kids are fabulous —talented and with such great hearts," she said of EFAC, a performance group made up of 17 middle, high school and college students.  "My senior residents really enjoyed the show." Started in 2004, EFAC is the brainchild of Lisa DiGiusto, a UMass Amherst junior and 2008 graduate of…

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Plaza Decorations Set the Holiday Mood

South Shore Plaza leads the way in big holiday decorations, making it a pleasure just to take in the ambiance.

OK, maybe you'll have to work at finding a parking space, but in the end it's all worth it to walk around the South Shore Plaza during the holiday season. Located at 250 Granite St. in Braintree since 1961, its appearance and its stores have changed dramatically over the years. The major renovation of the mid-90s added a second story with a beautiful canopy-style atrium, giving the corridors an open airy feel -- a perfect showcase for big decorations. As you walk down each side corridor, you'll see holly garlands looped across the ceilings. As you go down the main walkways, enormous bells, music clefs, and candle-topped wreaths greet you along the way. The bells are covered with holly and dangling streamers catch the light as you move …

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Holiday Safety Tips

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services and the Braintree Fire Department have some important tips for staying safe around the holidays.

"'Twas the night before Christmas... All wiring was new, not a break could be seen. And wet sand at its base kept the tree nice and green." This take on the traditional holiday poem, by an unknown author, is posted on the website of the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services as part of a long list of safety notices for this time of year and beyond. Residents should check the site for tips about Christmas trees, lighting procedures, candles and much more, said Rich Nigrelli of the Braintree Fire Department. Trees are probably the highest profile area of danger, and keeping them moist will help avoid fire. "It's very important if [people] have real trees to water them often," Nigrelli said. Just as dangerous are candles, which result …

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Real Life Nutrition

All I Want For Christmas is My Jeans to Zip

Enjoying the holidays while maintaining your physique... and sanity.

Champagne hangovers. Sugar cookie-induced belly aches. Your favorite pair of jeans that just won't zip. Yup, it's December alright.  As a Certified Nutrition Coach for the past eight years, I know how challenging it is to stay fit this season. Between the holiday parties and office treats, blistery weather and comfort food cravings, temptation is everywhere.  Inevitably, we cave. We barely hesitate while reaching for a third slice of bread or skipping yet another workout in favor of curling up on the couch. We're especially clever this time of year too; hiding our newfound "curves" under layers of heavy clothing and attempting to justify that extra glass of eggnog ("I mean it's got eggs, and eggs are protein, right?").  Though the …

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Holiday Trees Abundant in Braintree

You don't need to leave Braintree to find the perfect holiday tree.

It's still early December, but not too soon to get your holiday tree. In Braintree, residents are fortunate to have many choices close to home. Here is a sampling of favorite Christmas tree lots and full-service garden centers. Located across the street from the Braintree Cemetery, the Quincy Adams Garden Center II has offerings both simple and sophisticated. With Balsam Fir trees from New Brunsick, owner Ginny Cherubini has trees starting at four feet tall for $16.99, up to the largest offering at seven feet tall for $60. An in-between size, six feet, is retailing for $49.99. To ensure freshness all season long, be sure to have the garden shop make a "fresh cut" of about two to three inches off of the bottom. Other special offerings this…

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