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For many families, the Fourth of July is a very special holiday. It’s a mid-year chance for friends and relatives to come together and celebrate America. Whether you’re viewing fireworks, having a get-together, or just relaxing, here are some tips for having a safe, fun July 4th holiday.
Safe Tips for Viewing Fireworks
Fireworks displays are one of the most recognizable symbols of Independence Day. On July 4, folks will head to fireworks festivities throughout Western New York, at such sites as the University at Buffalo and behind Orchard Park Middle School.
But there are risks. Each year, thousands of people across the country suffer serious eye injuries because of fireworks, and nearly three-quarters of those injuries occur around the July 4th holiday.
About 2,000 eye injuries are reported each year, with nearly half by bystanders, not the people who set off the fireworks. Even sparklers can be dangerous — they are the leading cause of eye injury to children. Sparklers consist of metal shrapnel burning at about 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Despite our many advances in the ability to repair severely injured eyes, the damage can be devastating, often resulting in blindness, permanently impaired vision or loss of one or both eyes,” says Dr. Christopher Andreoli, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary’s chief resident and director of eye trauma.
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Photo courtesy the Buffalo Bisons.
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But Andreoli says that most eye injuries caused by fireworks are preventable. Here are some sight-saving tips:
• Leave it to the pros. Pack a picnic and attend a professional fireworks display instead of lighting your own.
• Leave it to the adults. Don’t let children ignite fireworks or stand near others who do.
• Keep your distance. View fireworks from at least 500 feet away, and keep away from a lighted firework. Many injuries occur when checking on a firework that has failed to ignite.
• Wear eye protection. Eyeglasses or sunglasses can help protect the eyes from smoke, falling ash and stray sparks.
Courtesy of NewsUSA.
Celebrating Independence Day With The Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons Independence Day celebration is a downtown tradition, even if the festivities take place a day early — Thursday, July 3. This is the 14th annual year, and it’s an evening that sees Dunn Tire Park filled with families and baseball fans from across Western New York. In addition to the Bisons-Rochester Red Wings game, which kicks off the fun at 6:05 p.m., there are pre-game ceremonies, a post-game concert from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, and, of course, the season’s biggest fireworks extravaganza. It’s a glorious night, and a wonderful way to celebrate America, and baseball. —C.S.
Party Tips for a Patriotic Soirée
Having a Western New York Fourth of July celebration? Capture the patriotic excitement of the holiday with festive invitations, centerpieces, party favors and more.
Here are some easy-to-make projects to create a spectacular holiday soiree for you and your family.
• Star-studded invitations: Print party details on white cardstock and trim to the desired size and shape. Apply a thin line of glue to the edges of the card and glue onto a larger piece of patterned cardstock. Glue a piece of patterned ribbon on the back, along the top of the invitation, then glue a star cutout in the center of the ribbon.
• Star-embossed table runner: Turn the edges of your runner fabric under and glue. (You can speed the drying time by covering the area with a clean towel and pressing with a steam iron.) Trace a star template onto heavyweight fabric and cut out. Arrange the stars along the runner. Put glue on the backs of the stars and apply to the runner. Dry for one hour before handling.
• Firecracker favors: Cut patterned paper to fit mailing tubes and glue into place. Embellish with patterned ribbon at the top and bottom of the tube. Glue a star cutout to the front. Cut strips of red, white and blue paper five inches to six inches in length. Make a hole in top of the mailing tubes’ plastic lids with a nail. Stack the strips of paper together and insert into the holes. Fan papers out; fill the mailing tubes with candy or other favors.
• Replace the lids.
Courtesy of NewsUSA.
Let Freedom Ring with “Wave the Flag” Cupcakes
A great way to top off your Independence Day celebration this year is to make special “Wave the Flag” cupcakes.
These cupcakes look adorable and will be a hit with your family and guests. With their patriotic colors, they’re perfect for a July 4th picnic, or anytime you feel like “waving the flag.” The secret in these sweet delights is that there are more blueberries baked inside — and thanks to a quick trick or two, they’re lower in fat and calories than cupcakes made the traditional way.
Need another reason to celebrate? July is National Blueberry Month. Blueberries are most abundant and least expensive in mid-summer, making it an ideal time to get your fill of these little blue gems. Stock the fridge and freezer with blueberries to make meals, snacks and desserts that are easy on the cook. Blueberries never need to be peeled, pitted, stemmed or chopped — just a quick rinse and they’re ready to eat or add to recipes.
Try these ideas for making quick, delicious desserts and snacks that are enjoyable any time:
• Layer fresh blueberries with yogurt and crushed cereal in tall glasses for tasty breakfast parfaits.
• Toss fresh blueberries, chopped pineapple, melon and mint in a bowl; drizzle with thawed apple juice concentrate to serve as a fruit salad or a light dessert.
• Whirl frozen blueberries, cranberry juice, yogurt and ice cubes in a blender; pour into cold glasses and serve for breakfast or snack.
Recipe for “Wave the Flag” Cupcakes
Ingredients:
• 1 package (18- to 19-ounces) yellow cake mix
• 1/3 cup applesauce
• 3 egg whites
• 3 cups fresh blueberries, divided
• 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 red fruit-roll snack (from a 4.5 ounce box)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix with applesauce, egg whites and 1 1/4 cups water for 30 seconds on low speed, then two minutes on medium speed. Spoon batter into 24 (2 inch) aluminum or paper lined muffin cups. Evenly divide 1 cup of blueberries onto tops of batter; do not stir. Bake cupcakes following package directions; remove to a wire rack and cool completely. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spoon onto cooled cupcakes; spread to the edges. Unroll fruit snack and, with a sharp knife, cut into strips 1/8-inch wide by two-inches long. On half of each cupcake, arrange strips, trimming each to fit. Arrange remaining two cups blueberries on the frosting on other halves of the cupcakes, about 10 blueberries per cupcake.
Makes 24 cupcakes
Per cupcake, including frosting and toppings: 135 calories; three grams protein; 24 grams carbohydrate; 3 grams total fat (1.8 grams saturated fat).
Courtesy of ARAcontent.
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