Westchester County Executive George Latimer Reminds Residents to Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely
Photo by N. Bower
By Carolyn Fortino, Deputy Communications Director, Office of Westchester County Executive George Latimer
Nov. 23, 2022: Westchester County Executive George Latimer is reminding residents to plan ahead for a safe and healthy Thanksgiving celebration.
Latimer said: “As we prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, we should be reminded of our many blessings – family and friends, good health and happiness. But it is also important that we celebrate the holiday safely.
If you are planning to hit the road to gather with relatives make sure to drive responsibly, and if you have a drink, please do so in moderation. If you are going to play host or hostess on Thursday, make sure to follow the Health Department’s guidelines to cook your Thanksgiving meal properly.”
Whether you take to the road to visit with family and friends, or plan to celebrate at home, it is important to drive, cook and drink responsibly to enjoy a healthy Thanksgiving. Leave early to allow extra time for traffic, follow the Health Department’s food safety advice, and always let moderation be your guide.”
For a healthier holiday, the Health Department recommends residents go for a turkey trot, take a long walk or add some other exercise to their holiday traditions. When preparing the meal, boost flavor with herbs, skip the salt and cut down on the amount of fat and sugar in recipes.
Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said: “To avoid germs, wash hands thoroughly after exchanging greetings or reading a menu, and before you take that first bite. With viruses circulating and flu season here, good hand hygiene is critical.”
Follow these food safety tips for a fabulous feast:
To thaw a turkey, the USDA recommends placing it in a refrigerator and allowing one day for every four to five pounds of weight. A 16-pound turkey will take four days to thaw. On Thanksgiving, remove your turkey from the refrigerator, but do not wash it as this spreads germs onto kitchen surfaces.
Keep raw turkey separated from all other foods at all times. Use separate cutting boards, plates and utensils when handling raw turkey to avoid cross-contamination. Wash items that have touched raw meat with warm soap and water, or in a dishwasher. Cook the turkey until it reaches 165 °F, as measured by a food thermometer. Check the turkey’s temperature by inserting the thermometer in three places: the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing.
The Health Department also recommends holiday hosts and their helpers follow these seven food safety tips:
-Wash hands and food-contact surfaces with hot soapy water thoroughly and often.
-Thaw turkey in a pan in the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours for every five pounds.
-Keep raw meat and poultry and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods.
-Rinse all fruits and vegetables in cool running water and remove surface dirt.
-Cook turkey and stuffing to an internal temperature of 165°F.
-Refrigerate turkey, stuffing and sides within two hours.
-Reheat leftovers to at least at least 165°F before serving. (Check the temperature with a metal probe thermometer.)
For more food preparation safety tips, go to www.westchestergov.com/health. The USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline can be reached at 1-888-674-6854.
Government & History Directory
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400
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