The Idea Specialists™ at the Villas at Carrington Square in Overland Park, Kansas, are already getting excited about Thanksgiving! They’re once again having the great “stuffing vs dressing” debate, researching all things cranberry, and making sure they’ve signed up for the annual Turkey Trot. And this year, they’re also going to try something new to them—tandoori turkey!
Veterans Day
But before Thanksgiving comes Veterans Day, which honors U.S. veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
For the 17th year, Black & Veatch is joining the city of Overland Park and other local community sponsors in hosting a free public, patriotic Veterans Day observance, set for Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the company’s global headquarters on Lamar Avenue. Immediately after opening remarks and the national anthem, a flyover will give way to landings of CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopters (weather permitting), to be displayed along with other military and public safety equipment. There also will be a BeechNutz formation team flyover, along with patriotic music and dozens of military and community ground displays, including an Army recruiting trailer, Overland Park Fire Department ladder truck, Overland Park Police Department mobile command post, a bomb truck, SWAT truck, police canine handler and more.
More Upcoming Events
Even before Veterans Day there is all kinds of fun to be had in Overland Park in the month of November. Don’t take our word for it—check out this comprehensive event guide.
Through November 22, 2024, you can trade four canned goods for a free cactus at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Bring your non-perishable food donations to the LongHouse Visitor Center and take home a cute, water-conserving plant. What a neat way to support Harvesters, an organization dedicated to creating access to nutritious food and addressing hunger in our community.
And of course this year’s Mayor’s Holiday Festival is not to be missed! This FREE community event set for Friday, November 15, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. promises to be filled with magic and festive delights! Food trucks and live music will set the perfect mood, and the holiday tree will be lit at 6 p.m., marking the official start of the season in a dazzling display of lights and cheer. Meet Santa Claus, the Grinch and Disney Princesses—and don’t miss the special appearance by a Taylor Swift impersonator!
The Thanksgiving Table
So, dressing or stuffing? What’s the difference?
The Villas at Carrington Square Idea Specialists™ will let you in on a secret—they actually like both! And there’s no way they’re going to try to settle the great debate about what the difference is…..they’ll let certain culinary experts do that.
Instead, knowing full well that everybody thinks their grandma’s recipe is best, they’re sharing two they like: Southern Living’s Cornbread Dressing and Food & Wine’s Mushroom-and-Chestnut Stuffing with Giblets.
Either would go great with tandoori turkey, a culinary delight that combines the best of East Indian flavors with that perennial American favorite roasted bird. Just think about the tandoori chicken you had on Diwali earlier this month—same concept!
Cranberry Creations
Another perennial American favorite at Thanksgiving is cranberry sauce. Some people swear by homemade, others prefer it right out of that familiar comforting can.
Another popular spin is cranberry chutney, a sweet, spicy, and tangy blend of cranberries cooked with a mix of Indian spices like cumin, coriander, and a touch of cayenne. Yep, you guessed it—it pairs beautifully with tandoori turkey!
This is also the time to try out some different cranberry juice mock- and cocktails while gathering in your luxe Villas at Carrington Square apartment home. The Ginger Shandy (another name for a Cranberry Mule) is a perfect mix of sweet, zest, and effervescence that nicely balances out the heavy holiday foods (we’re looking at you, macaroni and cheese, and sweet potato casserole!).
Fun For Runners & Strollers Both!
Sign the whole family up to make memories at the 35th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K Run & Family Stroll presented by T-Mobile. Starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Aspiria on Spring Parkway, this is one of the few road events in the Kansas City area that officially allows not only those who stroll while walking, but also strollers on wheels! Connect with the community, enjoy the outdoors, and kick off Thanksgiving with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.