Enter Patch's 'Deck the House' Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000

Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our 'Deck the House' contest and you could win $100,000 for the Upper St. Clair School District and $500 to pay your electric bills!

We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16. Here's the link: http://deckthehouse.patch.com/contest/upperstclair. Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local school district. …

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Enter Patch's 'Deck the House' Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000

Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our 'Deck the House' contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!

We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16 (Check back here next Monday for a direct link to our contest page so you can enter). Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local …

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Thanksgiving Leftovers: What Do You Do with Them?

Share your best recipes for the day after.

Dinner's done, and the only thing more stuffed than the bird is you. Now, the question becomes: What to do with all of those leftovers? While many say that simple reheating is all that's necessary to have a "day after" feast, others have used elaborate recipes for turning Thanksgiving leftovers into gourmet delights. From savory turkey soups to sinfully delicious pot pies and mile-high sandwiches, everyone has their own ideas on what to do with what's left over. The Food Network even has an entire recipe collection dedicated to the topic. But we'd prefer to hear from you! What are your favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipes? Share them in the comments section below or upload them as announcements.

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Too Tired to Leave Your Couch? Try a Thanksgiving Movie at Home

Patch brings you a list of Thanksgiving-themed films to view from the cozy comfort of your home. Laugh, cry and give thanks for video verification that other people's families are every bit as quirky—if not more so—than yours.

You're stuffed, and the tryptophan is kicking in. You're beat from battling for all those Black Friday bargains. You just can't face those lines yet for Silver Linings Playbook or Red Dawn. Your couch may be calling, but some members of your family are likely to be clamoring soon for entertainment alternatives to football. Why not keep the spirit of the day alive with a stock of Thanksgiving-themed films to watch in the cozy comfort of home sweet home? Christmas may be tops in holiday movies, but Thanksgiving isn't far behind in providing cinematic backgrounds or plot twists. Patch brings you a list of films about other people's Thanksgivings that should satisfy your need to laugh, cry, warm your heart—and give thanks that other families …

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Teachers and Parents of Gifted Students Form Holiday Gift Guide

Gift ideas to stimulate your child's thinking.

GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) parents put together a gift idea guide. According to their page on the Upper St. Clair School District website, the ideas came from GATE members and gifted teachers.     Games: Toys and Trinkets: Books and Magazines: Movies: Suggested Websites: What other gift suggestions do you have? Tell us in the comments.

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Becky Brindle

9:54 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

I like the Indie movie idea!   more ›

Thanksgiving Travel Weather Forecast

Slightly more Americans will hit the road this Thanksgiving, according to AAA.

Thanksgiving week is shaping up to be beautiful with the high temperature each day expected to be in the high 50s. Forecasters are also predicting sunny skies with light wind and no precipitation. The only chance for rain this week appears to be on Friday. Good for all of you hitting the road or traveling by air to visit Grandma, and for all those Turkey Bowls. AAA predicts 43.6 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday, up just 0.7 percent from last year. Air travel is expected to decline, one sign that many households continue to feel financially pinched. Here's the forecast for Upper St. Clair, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh: By car or by airplane, how do you like to travel on …

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Recipe of the Week

Thanksgiving Dessert: Splenda-Sweetened Apple Pie

I'm going to make this pie this week!

I am known for my delicious apple pies in my family, so that's what I am going to be making for Thanksgiving this year! I've been trying to reduce the amount of sugar in my desserts for a while, and I decided to try it out with my apple pie a few weeks ago. I substituted sugar for Splenda, and it's was still really tasty. I couldn't tell the difference, and neither could my mom or sister. I first learned how to make apple pie in my high school foods class, and I've been tweaking it ever since. I hope you enjoy this recipe! Ingredients: For crust (or you can also buy unbaked pie shells) 2/3 cup and 1 tbsp. shortening 2 cups of flour 1 tsp. of salt 5 tbsp. ice water For filling 3 large apples sliced (you might need more) 1/4 cup of Splenda …

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Celebrate Light Up Night a Night Early

Norman Centre is holding a Light Up Night celebration on Thursday, Nov. 15.

Celebrate Light Up Night a night early this year! Norman Centre in Bethel Park is holding its first annual Light Up Night celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15. There will be holiday music, refreshments and a special appearance by Santa Claus in the Pier 1 Imports parking lot. Attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped gift to contribute to a Children's Hospital toy drive. The 52nd Annual Light Up Night in downtown Pittsburgh is Friday, Nov. 16.

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Recipe of the Week

Thanksgiving Dessert Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

Change up your pumpkin pie routine and try serving a pumpkin cheesecake (or both)!

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away and preparations are under way. Are you looking for a rich, decadent dessert to serve alongside your turkey? Maybe something different, but still following the holiday theme? I'll tell you a secret—try making this pumpkin cheesecake. It was a major success when I brought it to my Thanksgiving celebration last year. And as ABC news reported, pumpkin anything is popular this year. I got my recipe from Paula Deen, because we don't care about calories on Thanksgiving, right?! Pumpkin Cheesecake Crust: Filling: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For crust: In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside. For filling: Beat cream …

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Becky Brindle

10:21 pm on Sunday, November 11, 2012

That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing! Can't wait to try!   more ›