5 Things for Dec. 7: Ahern Drama Club Presents ‘Run for the Money,’ Holiday Crafts, Hanukkah Recipes and More

Editor's note: Five Things You Need To Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. If you know of something happening in town that did not make our list, please add it in the comment section!

1. Chance of Rain Friday in Foxborough

Today’s weather in Foxborough, according to the National Weather Service based in Taunton, calls for a chance of rain, mainly after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Friday night: Rain. Patchy fog. Low around 37. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

2. Ahern Middle School Drama Club Presents ‘Run for the Money’

The Ahern Middle School Drama Club will perform “Run for the Money” at 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium.

3. Troop 7 Christmas Tree and Wreath Sales

Foxborough’s Troop 7 is selling Christmas trees and wreaths Sales the Steamer Shed on Central Street from 4 to 8 p.m. Trees begin at $15.

4. Patriot Place Events:

• Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops: Enjoy a free photo with Santa, games crafts and more at Santa’s Wonderland.
• Help the Foxborough Food Pantry at Old Navy: From now through Dec. 19 Old Navy will be collecting non-perishable food items to benefit the Foxborough Food Pantry. Help those in need this holiday season and make a donation today.
• 10 a.m. - Raise Money at Tech Superpowers: Join the staff at Tech Superpowers as they play video games to help raise money for the Baystate Children's Miracle Network Hospital.
• 11 a.m. - Winter Wonder - Creation Station: Join Patriot Place for hands-on art activities that explore a wide range of art media and tools. Today you can make Handprint Reindeers.
• 8 p.m. - The Smithereens at Showcase Live: Their new album was recorded at Fidelitorium in North Carolina and at DiNizio’s home in Scotch Plains. It’s the seventh Smithereens album of original material and the first all-new effort since God Save The Smithereens in 1999.
• 9:30 p.m. - Chad Burdick at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill: This Groton native has opened for big names such as Lee Ann Womack, Josh Gracin, Jason Aldean and has been a part of The Nashville Star Tour.

5. Try These Hanukkah Recipes During the Festival of Lights

This year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 8 and ends on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 16.

Observing the Festival of Lights goes hand-in-hand with making special Hanukkah foods. Before you light the menorah, make sure you have all the ingredients for some great brisket, latke, and sufganiyot. Although there are many recipes, below are a few to try during the eight nights.

Potato Latkes

Ingredients

• 3 medium/large potatoes - washed, peeled and grated
• 1 egg for every 3 potatoes
• Approximately 1/4 cup of flour per every 3 potatoes
• 1 TBS onion powder per every 3 potatoes
• 1 TBS garlic powder per every 3 potatoes

Instructions

• Grate potatoes, drain off excess juices, add egg(s), flour, onion and garlic powders.
• Mix well.
• Place enough oil in a large frying pan to have approximately a half-inch of oil, or enough to cover the bottom half of the potatoes. 
• Take a heaping soup spoon full of potato mixture and place in hot oil and flatten to make a pancake, approximately a quarter to a half-inch thick. 
• Cook on medium heat and watch carefully as they go from being done to burnt very quickly. 
• At medium heat, cook approx. 4 - 5 minutes on each side. 
• Remove from pan when a medium to dark golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels then remove to plate. 
• Best to use tongs to turn the latkes, so oil doesn't splatter. 

Once they are ready to eat, try them with some apple sauce mixed with sugar & cinnamon, sour cream or just a sprinkling of salt.

Brisket

Ingredients

• 1 Brisket any size
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 1 can jelled cranberry sauce
• Orange juice

Instructions

• Line deep baking pan with foil.
• Place brisket in pan.
• Dice up cranberry sauce and place on top of brisket.
• Sprinkle onion soup mix on top of brisket.
• Pour in enough OJ to cover brisket about half way.
• Cover with foil and bake at 350 until you can stick a fork in it and the fork slides out easily.
• Approx. 1 hr. per pound.
• Let cool and cut on the bias

 
Sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) from chabad.org

Ingredients

• 2 packages yeast
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 or 5 cups. flour
• 3 egg yolks
• Jelly of your choice for filling
• Powdered Sugar

Instructions

• Mix water, sugar, juice, and yeast.
• Let stand 10 minutes.
• Melt margarine and add to yeast mixture.
• Beat in eggs and salt.
• Add flour, mixing and kneading by hand to form a soft dough.
• Let rise 1-1/2 hours.
• Roll dough 1/4 inch thick and cut circles (approximately 2 inches).
• Let circles rise 1/2 hour.
• Deep fry at 400° F about 3 minutes, turning once.
• Pipe in jelly and roll in powdered sugar.

TELL US: What are your favorite things to eat during Hanukkah? Do you have any special or traditional Hanukkah recipes in your family?