 Listen, people: I know 2021 did not turn out to be what we all wanted, but that doesn't mean that we can't get our hopes up for 2022! This New Year's, there are more places to go and things to do for those who are looking for it and, better still, the free shared-ride taxi will be running from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. for any Ozaukee County resident who needs it (just call 262-284-8294). Whether you're looking for a grand dinner out or a place to celebrate into the wee hours, we've got you covered, but be sure to make calls or keep an eye on social media before you go, as Covid just won't seem to leave us alone. NYE Dinner Unfortunately, Brandywine in Cedarburg is sold out and Twisted Willow had to cancel their Champagne Celebration due to Covid, but you can preorder a take-and-bake Prime Rib Dinner for Two from Stilt House in Cedarburg or reserve your spot for a Prime Rib Dinner at Singing Salmon Saloon in Port Washington by calling 262-536-4024. Reservations are recommended for Juice's Ghost Town Restaurant in Grafton, where they're serving up a special New Year's Eve dinner from 4-9, including prime rib, lobster, surf & turf and seafood scampi (call 262- 376-9003). No reservations required at the new Boots Q 'n Boogie in Waubeka and they're serving until 8 p.m., or grab a fish fry until 9 at The Hub at Cedar Creek. Kyotes Bar & Grill in Belgium has a New Year's Eve Surf & Turf Special featuring your choice of Ribeye or Filet topped with Lions Mane and Blue Oyster Mushrooms; 2, 3oz Lobster Tails; Twice Baked Potato and pan seared Broccoli for $48, along with a NYE party featuring live music and more until 1 a.m. Plier's Full Circle Pub & Restaurant in Port is open until 9 p.m. Seven Hills Pub & Grill in Port has a special NYE dinner from 4-9, including a fish fry, and reservations are accepted. NYE Party The Bridge Inn in Grafton has their Cheers to the New Year Party with DJ Infotek, including a champagne toast at midnight and a free saferide from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Inventors Brewpub in Port is bringing back their New Year's Family Pajama Party from 6 p.m. until close, featuring games, snacks, prizes and early 10 and 11 p.m. ball drops, as well as Sprite for the kids, who are encouraged to wear PJ's and bring blankets and pillows. Sir James Pub in Port brings back their Hogwarts New Year! Wear your house colors and earn points for your Hogwarts house and a free shot, if you're so inclined. Enjoy a Butterbeer or other house-themed cocktails, plus snacks all night and a champagne toast at midnight! The Union House in Cedarburg will be open until 12:30 a.m., beginning at 4 pm. on the 31st. On New Year's Day, the Port Washington Polar Bear Club brings back the Polar Plunge at South Beach, which is always fun to watch. Should the day prove fine, spending time along the lakeshore at Lion's Den, Harrington Beach or the parks around Port Washington is still a great way to start the new year. Happy New Year, Oz!
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 By Sara Dahmen The snow has officially begun to whisper in Oz. As I write this; it’s whirligig-dancing outside my window, but let’s be real – it’ll probably melt in time for Christmas Eve. It’s the time of year when the “dragon” or the “Green Man” is deep underground; when the warmth of summer is ever further away, and when we think of knits and hot food, spicy mulled wine, and building a fire inside instead of outside. My children have asked when the next fire feast is, and Winter Solstice is the perfect time for it! So, light a fire and loads of candles and make a wreath and honor grandparents; it’s the start of a new season and marks the end of the dark. Essentially, it’s the celebration of the light to return! (See how it’s all linked? Beautiful, ain’t it?) BASIL SHRIMP PASTA We consider shrimp a treat, but it is the holidays, so it’s a perfect time to have one! This meal is super simple. I always start the pasta water first, then boil the pasta and make the shrimp at the same time, so it’s all hot and ready together. You can always change this up by using different pastas! **This recipe is for 2 people. 2lbs raw shrimp, deveined and detailed 1lb pasta noodles 3 cloves garlic, minced ½ yellow onion, finally chopped 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper ¼ cup dried basil 1/3 cup almond milk, regular milk, cashew milk or whipping cream (I mean, it’s mainly all about how decadent you want to be!) Bring a pot of water to boil, sprinkle in a pinch of salt and add the pasta, stirring so it doesn’t stick and following your pasta packaging instructions for length of time to boil the pasta. Meanwhile, add the garlic and onion to a pot and add in ¼ cup of water. Heat the onion and garlic on low until almost translucent, then add in the salt, pepper, and the shrimp. Cook the shrimp (adding a tablespoon of water as needed) until pink. Add in the basil and whatever dairy/milk you chose. Mix and heat. Drain the pasta noodles and add them to the shrimp pot. Fold together gently until the noodles are coated. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve very warm direct from the pot. SWEET IMMUNITY TEA Since the holidays mark a time when we all hang out indoors with extended family and share germs and hugs and wildcat hors d’oeuvres, it helps to bolster the immune system whenever possible. This tea is best taken daily to get the full effects. All of the herbs are easy to find and can be used without restrictions on how often you take them. 1 tsp elderberries 1 tsp elderflowers 1 tsp rosehips (crushed) 1 tsp echinacea flowers and leaves 1 tsp nettle leaves ½ tsp peppermint Mix all the ingredients together and place ½ of the mixture (save the other half for another cup of tea later!) in a tea sieve. Boil water. Pour the water over the sieve or in the cup and leave the tea to steep for 7 minutes. Remove the tea, let it cool to your preference and drink! Why these herbs? Elderberries and flowers for anti-viral protection – the berries especially enhance immunity Echinacea as a potent counter to viral and bacterial infections – a high immunity plant that is anti-microbial and ideal for preventing illness Rosehips are wonderful for fighting viral infections in general Nettle is an overall health tonic, excellent for everyday use Peppermint for taste, as well as for digestion – so many illnesses stem from gut issues [ I’ll make greenwitches out of all of you yet! ;) ] Happy Holidays!  About the Author
Sara Dahmen is a coppersmith, award-winning author and novelist, and entrepreneur. Her expertise is of vintage and modern cookware; she manufactures pure metal kitchenware in her Port Washington, Wisconsin garage for her company, House Copper & Cookware. All of her current designs are based on American traditions and wares and are sourced in the USA. When unable to recreate traditional elements, she uses only small family owned and operated makers or Armed Forces veterans to help with the production of her cookware pieces. Her work also includes refurbishing and restoring old and damaged copper using vintage tools. Learn more about Sara at: https://www.saradahmen.com/ Order Sara's book! Full color, hard-cover COPPER IRON AND CLAY (Morrow/HarperCollins)  The cover of Gary Beaumier's first book of poetry, "From My Family to Yours," is the familiar site of Cedar Creek in downtown Cedarburg, painted by local artist and architect, Tom Kubala. By Mary Boyle Gary Beaumier always liked words and language, and even majored in English in college; yet, while he worked as a teacher, bookseller, and even taught a poetry class in a women's prison, it wasn't until the past ten years that he really began to write his own poetry in earnest, most of which, the poet says, never saw the light of day. His first collection, From My Family To Yours, was published in 2019, followed in 2020 by an expanded collection entitled Dented Brown Fedora, which Beaumier will read from, and sign copies of, at the Grafton Public Library on Wednesday, December 8th at 6 p.m. Response to Beaumier's writing has been gratifying. A finalist and semi finalist for the Luminaire Award for several of his poems, Beaumier has also been a finalist for the Joy Bale Boone award and was nominated for Best of the Net Award for his poem "Rio Grande." He was awarded first place in Streetlight Magazine for his poem "Night Train to Paris," and his work has appeared in numerous other publications. The poetry is largely an exploration of relationships, particularly between Beaumier and his father, who is the owner of the hat for which both the book and poem is named. My father, "It's kind of a harvest of memory. With fathers and sons, it's a complicated relationship, in general," Beaumier mused. "I think men are more reticent; that's something I reflected on." Beaumier's words pull on the heartstrings; though the memories explored are his own, they resonate with anyone who has been in a relationship of any kind, which is to say, everyone. Melancholy, passionate, brooding, sentimental; in short, a perfect winter read and a lovely gift for those who are interested in poetry or local authors. "You know Sally Field at the Oscars? 'You like me, you really like me!' That's what keeps me writing," Beaumier shared. "Knowing that I've made an impression on or a connection with somebody else is very gratifying. It's a thrill every time." A member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, Beaumier is absolutely passionate about poetry and would love to find a group of local poets to convene with. He is often found walking around Oz, particularly anywhere near or on the lake, especially just before the sun comes up. Sailing on Lake Michigan and working on wooden boats has a poetry of its own for this writer. "Poetry," he says, "is songs without music." Join Gary Beaumier for a reading of Dented Brown Fedora at the USS Liberty Memorial Library on Wednesday, December 8th at 6 p.m. The event is free and no registration is required. Signed copies of his book will be available for purchase, or go to therawartreview.com/books-for-sale. |
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