Pope Leo XIV met with Hollywood actors and directors on Saturday. They included Cate Blanchett, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Adam Scott, Spike Lee, Chris Pine and George Miller.

In this context, a few days before, he named four of his favorite movies during an interview with Variety: “It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946,” “The Sound of Music, 1965,” “Ordinary People, 1980,” and “Life Is Beautiful, 1997.” [All but “It’s a Wonderful Life” won Oscars.]

Edward Segarra, USA Today, quoted a statement from the Vatican that the Pope “has expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the world of cinema … exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values.” [A little stuffy but….]

“Casablanca,”1942, and “Brief Encounter,” 1945, headed my husband’s list of favorites.

And some of mine? “Roman Holiday, 1953,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” 1961, “The King’s Speech,” 2010, “Moonstruck,” 1987, “Uncle Buck,” 1989, “A little Romance,” 1979, “Arthur,” 1981, “Philomena,” 2023, “An Affair to Remember,” 1957, and “Good Morning Vietnam,” 1987.

I hardly–if ever–go to the movies anymore. I fear it’s a habit a lot of people have dropped. I see a bunch at home, mostly on Netflix, PBS or TCM.

What are some of your favorite films? Will movie houses survive?

   

Visits to hallmark annual holiday markets in cities like New York are always fun. We always look forward to seeing what the booths in Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park and Union Square have in store.

There are also many less known events that are treasure troves of gift ideas. Here are some on Long Island and in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York:

OH FUDGE!

You’ll want to drop in to the dazzling events on Long Island, in New Jersey and Connecticut where you’ll meet Francine Ryan [photo top] selling Francine’s Outrageous Sauces: Cherry Chocolat, Toffee Sauce, Raspberry Coulis and Fudge Sauce. In addition to her toothsome treats, you’ll find other perfect gifts for the hardest to please at the following:

• Saturday, November 22, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, The Garden City Historical Society’s Holiday Market at The Garden City Community Center, Garden City, NY.
• Wednesday, December 3, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Monmouth Conservation Holiday Style Luncheon & Shopping Spree, at Shadowbrook in Shrewsbury, NJ.
• Thursday, December 4, 2025 9:30 am – 4:30 pm The Greenwich Historical Society Holiday Boutique, at the Greenwich Country Club, Greenwich CT.

GIFT PUZZLE SOLVED

Members of the 33 Club Senior Citizens art class—part of the Kips Bay Community Association–have prepared enchanting puzzle vases for the 54th Christmas Holiday Sale that supports their activities. The 33 Club, part of the Kips Bay Community Association, serves its older members through recreation, education and socialization programs.

It takes place Friday through Sunday, December 5-7 at 323 East 33^rd Street between First and Second Avenues in Manhattan, Friday and Saturday,10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sunday,10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

The artists have handcrafted a handsome collection of intriguing puzzle vases in a range of styles inspired by iconic Greek and Japanese motifs to name just two. The versatile vases can hold fresh or artificial flowers or can be transformed into night lights when lit from inside by a flameless tea candle [Photo below].

There will also be an impressive lineup of professionally wrapped gift baskets that are a winning raffle ticket away [$15 for 20 tickets]. The drawing is scheduled for Sunday at 4 pm. In addition, members of the community have donated new and slightly used jewelry, porcelain, linens, glassware, decorative items and more.

LONG AND SHORT OF IT

Local artists such as Rose Hittmeyer will sell pottery, photography, abstract and landscape watercolors, jewelry, tote bags—even artisanal chocolates—at the Fine Arts & Crafts Fair in Long Beach, NY, 522 Shore Road, Party Room at Franklin Blvd., November 22 and 23, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Hittmeyer’s work has been featured, and sold, at Scandinavia House in Manhattan. Tote bags are made of Long Beach street banners, a spectacular example of recycling. The fair is about a 25-minute walk from the Long Island railroad station.

BRUSH UP ON YOUR SWEDISH

Order Swedish treats at the cafe during a visit to the century old Church of Sweden’s Julmarknad/Christmas Market.  On the menu: Swedish meatballs, pastries, buns, rolls and cakes. The market will sell traditional Swedish treasures such as mugs, ornaments, mittens, cookie cutters, napkins and chocolates. It’s at 5 East 48^th Street, Manhattan, Wednesdays-Saturdays November 21-December 21, 12-6pm; Sundays: 12:30-4pm, (Closed on Thanksgiving).

Are there memorable holiday fairs in your neighborhood that support local artists and/or causes?

   

With so many furloughed, fired or citizens forced to forage for food due to missed SNAP payments it’s tricky for lots of people to do their jobs or follow through with long laid plans without appearing insensitive and/or out of line. Regardless of the outcome of the government shutdown, cards are on the table as to who would flick away support of those who need it and pull the rug out from under what once was considered a steady job. The good news is that I think some who thought food insecurity didn’t exist in this country may realize that it does.

Back to the subject of this post.

Toothsome Treats

What if your beat is food for the New York Times?

My first reaction to the “little treat” segment on a recent Alison Stewart “All of It” program on WNYC was to think “WHAT?” The guest, New York Times senior staff food editor Nikita Richardson inspired the subject based on her article about this favorite of Gen Xers. What at first raised my eyebrow was the $20 ceiling on the treats. But I quickly remembered that her market is NYC where one ordinary croissant can cost $6.00. And then I thought: “Give the woman a break. She’s not covering $50 entrees at the restaurant du jour in this environment?”

How does Richrdson define little treats? In addition to the ceiling of a sawbuck, she said, “you can get it on the fly. You don’t need a reservation and you’re usually going to eat it right there. It’s not something that you’re taking home or saving for later.” And then “I think that everyone always is like, ‘You know what? I deserve that.’ I always say like 3:00 PM is actually a little treat time, time for a little something sweet.

“They don’t have to be Gen Z,” Richardson continued. “I think that people are always looking for that small pleasure they could afford for themselves. Especially even right now, I’m thinking about, like, SNAP benefits and all these things. Food insecurity is real. Food is such a source of comfort for all of us, and I think that was at the heart of what we were trying to do with this story, is trying to touch on the comfort of a little treat.”

It doesn’t have to be a sweet, it can be savory she said. The point is that it’s affordable. Some of the treats mentioned in the segment: Kellogg’s icebox pie, Kellogg’s Diner, Brooklyn and Culture Espresso chocolate chip or corn cookies. A caller suggested the chocolate cake with a cup of tea from Alice’s Tea Cup on the UWS.

Destination Wedding

New York Times “Social Q’s” columnist Philip Galanes shared the anxiety of a groomsman invited to attend a destination wedding abroad. He couldn’t afford to stay at the official wedding hotel which cost $800/night and wondered if it would be OK to ask if he could stay next door. That hotel cost $150/night.  

I have my troubles with destination weddings to begin with which I’ve outlined previously. To be fair the wedding was planned ages before the paper published the groomsman’s predicament and the government shutdown and SNAP closure. I wonder whether vish events will be off the table for some even if money is no object.

Do you think that the national belt-tightening for millions ever impacts the lighter side of news coverage—not only restaurant coverage but a reduced price range of holiday gift ideas? Will special events by those who are not impacted by layoffs or food insecurity be taken down a notch?

   

A friend’s IT advisor suggested that she change carriers. He blamed the one she had for her problem sending emails from her laptop. This seemingly simple procedure caused an avalanche of issues resulting in wasted hours and frustration.

She admitted, “If I had known how much of a pain it would be to accomplish this, I wouldn’t have done it. My friend and I were at the new carrier’s store from 10:00 am to 1:45 pm.”

To begin with, she had been on her daughter’s phone plan. It took time for her daughter to call that carrier to authorize the company to remove her.

While at the new carrier’s store, she bought a phone that was on deep dish sale. This triggered another set of challenges.

It turned out Bluetooth between the phone and her hearing aid didn’t work. She had to go to the hearing lab for someone to make the connection. This required an appointment.

The same thing happened with her bank. Someone there must connect her phone to her account requiring another in person visit.

She said “I was given a free smartwatch with 14 days to return it. The additional fee will be $10 a month; I will probably return it. Just another piece of technology to frustrate me!”

I asked her if all the trouble was due to the new phone or because she changed carrier. She replied: “Both.”

Have you been surprised by what you thought would be a simple, seamless, speedy transaction that developed into a time-consuming project?

   

Not all unintended consequences are bad. I know someone who met her soulmate on a flight to Paris. But because the word consequence usually has a negative connotation, side effects from drugs might first come to mind.

The obvious and well publicized consequences of the delay if not deletion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—SNAP—will be the suffering of those who depend on the support and the adverse fallout on bodegas and supermarkets with standard measly 1 percent profit margins.

But there are other consequences that I didn’t think of. One inspired this post after a conversation with an acquaintance.

She understands the potential desperation of people without the means to feed their kids. She once was on food stamps for herself and her son. She lives in the NYC projects and is afraid to go to the grocery store for fear of getting in the way of looters frantic for food so she placed an order with Instacart. She is also concerned about being held up on her way to work. She takes two buses and a subway starting at 5:30 a.m. when there aren’t many other commuters. She anticipates being held up.

A friend on the west coast who volunteers at a food bank reported that some families are afraid to visit because ICE might be there to harass them.

Fortunately, as a result of this crisis, generosity is a lovely consequence.

Some governors such as Kathy Hochul of New York are stepping up to the emergency. She’s committed $65 million. USA Today reported that “This funding aims to provide 40 million meals to New Yorkers in need, reinforcing the state’s food assistance programs. The funds will support food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens, and will be deployed to assist with staffing shortages and other emergency needs.”

To help fill the gap, citizens are donating both goods and cash to local pantries and food banks. My nephew posted on social media the location of a Dutchess County resource, the Fishkill Food Pantry, 717 Route 9, Fishkill, NY 12524. In Manhattan there’s the St. Francis Breadline, 144 West 32nd Street NY, NY 10001.

What food bank or pantry do you support?

What unintended consequences would you like to mention?