Janet Davis Cleaners - November 2019

Janet Davis Cleaners - November 2019

“HOT OFF THE PRESS” Dry Cleaning News

(248) 543-0340 | www.janetdaviscleaners.com 27607Woodward Ave., Berkley, MI 48072 | 3645 Maple Rd., Bloomfield, MI 48301

NOVEMBER 2019

TO 2 OF THEWOMENWHO HELPED SHAPE MY CHILDHOOD

My Grandmothers, Helen and Joan!

As my wife and I start making preparations for this upcoming holiday season, I often find myself thinking of memories I shared with my family growing up. Holidays are all about spending time with family, so my nostalgic tendencies this time of year aren’t really all that surprising. But this year in particular, I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about my grandparents, specifically my grandmothers, Helen and Joan. My grandma Helen (my mom’s mom) turned 95 this year, and she is still one of the most independent and determined people I know. She grew up the youngest of four kids, and, while her older siblings have since passed, they all lived into their 90s as well. They must have healthy genes because they all grew up during the era when the daily breakfast staple was a heaping plate of bacon and eggs! While my grandma was the youngest in her family, she always served as the matriarch, hosting holiday dinners, organizing reunions, and keeping everyone in line. After spending the early years of her adult life as an OR nurse, she was great at taking charge without ruffling any feathers. I’ve always been extremely close with my grandma Helen. In fact, I spent three out of my four spring break vacations during college at her house in Arizona. We would spend our days lounging in the pool, reading, and doing projects around the house. She also liked to take me shopping

and golfing even though I don’t pride myself on being great at either activity. Out on the golf course, I’d try to drive the ball as far as I could, and it would end up in the woods. My grandma would slowly move her way through the middle of the course until she reached the green. She always poked fun at me by saying, “The game costs the same whether you’re railing the ball or playing in the middle like me. We’d play a lot faster if you did the latter!” I also had plenty of fun growing up with my grandma on my dad’s side, Joan. For several years, my family and I had a tradition of visiting her and my grandpa at their house in South Carolina during the summer. It seemed that every year, something big was going on in the world. For example, I remember the OJ Simpson Bronco “chase” and Michael Jordan leading the Chicago Bulls to several NBA national championship wins playing on the TV in the background. Being a kid, I didn’t really care much for these events, but I remember my grandparents and parents anxiously watching them unfold. After spending time at my grandparents’ house, we travel together to Myrtle Beach. My Nana would sit on the beach and watch as my siblings and I spent the day enjoying the sunshine, sand, and ocean water. While she wasn’t one to jump in the salty waves with us, if anyone saw the way she watched us play on that beach,

they would never doubt her love for her grandchildren. She was and still is a caring, good-hearted person. She lives with my uncle in Florida now, but my family and I take trips to pay her a visit there, and she comes here when she can. In fact, just this year, she ventured up to our neck of the woods to see the Woodward Dream Cruise for the very first time. With at least 40,000 classic cars from around the globe lining the street for miles, she was blown away by the experience, and we thoroughly enjoyed being able to show her around. While my grandmothers are very different people, they both made a huge impact on me as a kid. They are independent, thoughtful, and wonderful women who helped make my younger years as fun as they were, and I’m thankful my kids now have the opportunity to know them as great-grandparents. To my grandmas Helen and Joan, thank you for all the fun and happy memories!

–Kyle Matthews 1 (248) 543-0340

Get Ready for Good Nutrition in November!

CHALLENGES MAKE FOR THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES How Our Team Helped Save the Day for These Nervous Brides!

3 TIPS TO GET YOUR PICKY EATERS TO EAT THE VEGGIES THEIR BODIES NEED

It might seem strange that November —

when millions of Americans gather around the dinner table to show

One of the most rewarding aspects of running a business that provides a service to people in our community is taking on

gratitude through lavish Thanksgiving feasts — has recently been dubbed Good Nutrition Month. But it’s true; now is the time to pay extra attention to the nutrients your body needs to maintain its healthy state through the new year. While mindful eating is a habit families know they should practice year-round, once the holiday season kicks into full gear, it becomes much easier to overlook. With colder weather keeping you inside, the cravings for heartier meals and delicious baked goods leave parents struggling to encourage their picky eaters to consume anything nutritious. If you’re finding it more difficult than usual to convince your child to eat their greens, here are some tips to keep in mind! 1. LET THEM HELP. If your child has grown out of the toddler stage and is still resistant to eating their vegetables, child psychologists say you should have them help with the cooking process. The excitement and anticipation that comes with getting to prepare the vegetables can encourage kids to try a couple bites during dinnertime. 2. CHEESE IT UP! Cheese can undoubtedly make veggies more appealing for your little ones. When making their favorite mac ‘n’ cheese dish, consider adding broccoli and peas to the sauce. The cheese will mask most of the veggie flavor, and your kids won’t care as much! Another option for really picky eaters is to purée vegetables, like sweet potatoes, into the cheese sauce. The bright orange color will mask the inclusion, ensuring your little one gets a good share of fiber-rich nutrients while being none the wiser. 3. GET ‘BEEFY’ WITH YOUR VEGGIES. If your kids are fans of meat-based pasta sauces, meatballs, or sloppy Joes, you can substitute some of the ground beef with finely chopped mushrooms. Since the meaty texture of the tasty fungi is similar to ground beef, it’ll be hard for kids to notice the difference. Riced cauliflower can also be mistaken for tender ground beef when cooked in darker sauces and gravies. While it can be frustrating to negotiate with a picky eater, especially during the holidays, don’t lose hope. Try out these three tasty tips and observe Good Nutrition Month with a little more ease.

new challenges. No matter who you are or what your story is, you’ve likely faced several of your own challenges head on. While no one can escape life’s curveballs, everyone has their own approach to conquer them. Here at Janet Davis Cleaners, we meet with several clients who have exquisite garments or delicate vintage items they need cleaned. Keeping in mind the limits to the services we can offer, we view these challenges as a wonderful opportunity to help preserve a client’s heartfelt item and help our team’s ability to grow! In recent months, we met with two clients who asked us to clean some very important items: their wedding dresses. Check out their stories below! “I really wanted to wear my mother’s wedding gown for my own wedding, but several decades after my mother originally wore it, it had NEVER been cleaned. Because the dress was 52 years old, my mom and I took her delicate and vintage dress to Janet Davis Cleaners and waited with bated breath. After looking the dress over, they did not guarantee the dress would survive the cleaning process. But, when it came out on the other side, it was definitely worth the stress of not knowing. Janet Davis Cleaners can work miracles, but be sure to give them the time they need to work on delicate projects!” –Kate C. “If I had to describe my experience working with Janet Davis Cleaners in one word, it’d be ‘amazing!’ I was a huge procrastinator when it came to cleaning my wedding gown. In fact, I did not take it in until seven months after the wedding. Looking at it, you can tell I had a great time at my wedding. With its numerous stains (including spray tan) and a rip in the train from dancing the night away, I thought all hope was lost for restoring this gorgeous dress. Needless to say, Janet Davis saved it: every stain gone, the rip repaired. It literally looks brand new and back to its original color. The price is 100% worth it!”

–Kristen G.

If you have a delicate or challenging item you’re worried about dry cleaning, bring it down to consult with one of our experts or give our office a call!

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GET A HEAD START ON YOUR HOLIDAY PREPARATIONS

How to Set the Perfect Thanksgiving Table

NAPKINS If you’re using nicely designed plates, show them off by placing the napkins either underneath the knife and spoon or on a side plate if you have them. If you’re using more basic plates, consider folding the napkin in a fun and creative way, and then place it on the entree plate as a focal point. CHINA Jacqueline Whitmore, etiquette expert and author of “Poised for Success” uses the “B & D Rule” when organizing

It’s hard to believe, but in just a few short weeks, Thanksgiving will be upon us. Whether you’ve hosted the entire family at your house for the last two years or 10, finding new ways to make the process a little more fun for the other diners and, more importantly, a little easier on you is always welcome. As a family-owned and operated company, our team at Janet Davis Cleaners understands cooking a delicious Thanksgiving feast is a big task, so we wanted to provide some helpful tips for setting the perfect holiday table now — to save you time later on! CUTLERY Despite what the nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle” says, when it comes to setting the table, you shouldn’t let the fork run away with the spoon. Start by putting the fork on the left side of the plate and the spoons and knives on the right. Then order them by which utensils will be used first and always be sure to turn the knife blades toward the plate.

own tablecloths, ironing them to get that nice crisp look can take up a lot of your preparation time. Since you already have a lot on your plate this Thanksgiving, why not allow us to lend you a hand. Bring your tablecloth down to our team of cleaning and pressing experts, so we can help you check a time-consuming task off your busy list! Burnished POTATO NUGGETS

plates. The rule specifies that bread plates (B) go on the left and drink glasses (D) go on the right. TABLECLOTHS Nicely cleaned and pressed tablecloths can both help elevate the formality of your holiday meal and protect your table from stains and spills. While you can launder your

SUDOKU

INGREDIENTS

• 5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 8 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 sprigs rosemary • Kosher salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a large pot, pour water over potatoes to cover by 2 inches. Salt water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes. 3. Thoroughly drain potatoes and let stand for 10 minutes. Toss gently and season with salt. 4. Meanwhile, combine both oils in a large pan and heat in oven for 10 minutes. 5. Remove pan from oven and add potatoes, turning to coat thoroughly. Return to oven and cook for 30 minutes, turning every 10. 6. Toss in garlic and rosemary and finish cooking for 8–10 minutes. 7. Drain and serve. 3 (248) 543-0340 Inspired by Bon Appétit

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(248) 543-0340 www.janetdaviscleaners.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE

27607Woodward Ave. Berkley, MI 48072

1 To 2 of the Women Who Helped Shape My Childhood 2 Trick Your Picky Eaters

How Our Team Helped Save the Day for These Nervous Brides! 3 How to Set the Perfect Thanksgiving Table

Burnished Potato Nuggets

4 The Gift of Giving

Celebrating Giving Tuesday

SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE YOU BELIEVE IN

November is usually all about Thanksgiving, but it isn’t the only holiday that encourages generosity. Giving Tuesday is a phenomenal celebration in which millions of people from across the globe are inspired to spend 24 hours giving back to the communities they love. ORIGIN AND GOAL Giving Tuesday is celebrated every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, and this year, the holiday lands on Dec. 3! It was established in 2012 by the United Nations Foundation and New York’s 92nd Street Y as a response to consumer-driven holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The purpose of the holiday was to spread the spirit of giving, not only for the people in our nation but individuals across the world. The goal is “to create a massive wave of generosity that lasts well beyond that day and touches every person on the planet.” TECHNOLOGY AT ITS BEST Through the use of social media and technology, the organization hopes to encourage and spread generosity on a global scale using the hashtag #GivingTuesday. The website states that “... technology and social media could be used to make generosity go viral; that people fundamentally

want to give and talk about giving.” Through massive social media platforms like Facebook and

Twitter, the individuals and companies participating in Giving Tuesday can spread their missions and messages all over the world, encouraging others to do the same. HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE Now is the perfect opportunity to support your community and the causes you believe in. The best part of this holiday is that “giving” doesn’t just refer to donating money. People can give back by volunteering their time to help a nonprofit business, donating goods and food, or just buying a stranger some lunch. Even the smallest actions can have the biggest impact. If you’re interested in participating in Giving Tuesday, get together with your friends, family, sports team members, or neighbors to brainstorm on how you can give back. To learn more about how you can participate, visit GivingTuesday.org .

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