New Years Eve With The President And Mrs Trump

.@POTUS and @FLOTUS arrive for the New Year's Eve Celebration at Mar-a-Lago.@POTUS says his wish for 2026 is "peace on earth." 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/8laOp60NMd

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 1, 2026

Oh, My! How About That Drop In Egg Prices?

 

WOW! Look At The Washington Monument Now!

Thank you, President Trump! 

🚨 BREAKING: Incredible sight on the National Mall as BEAUTIFUL projections are seen on the Washington Monument for the start of 2026

"The Illumination of America"

We get America 250th under Donald J. Trump. LET'S GO! 🇺🇸🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/SeOqTyakEJ

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 1, 2026

As 2026 Begins, THIS Makes A Lot Of Sense!

 

The CRAZIEST New Year's Eve Drops Ever!

 

The Times Square Ball Drop is a New Year's Eve tradition -- a dumb tradition, but still a tradition. And we'll say this much for it: they've managed to turn it into a dazzling spectacle with a sparkling new ball this year that will shoot out reflected light in all directions.
But did you know that many other cities have their own midnight "drops" on New Year's Eve? 

They typically don't attract New York sized crowds of course, but each drop has its own personality and its own curious appeal.
Here is a list of some of the most unusual "drops" around the country:

Raleigh, N. C. - Acorn drop
Carlisle, PA - Car (KABOOM!)
Miami - Orange
Kennet Square, PA - Mushroom
Atlanta, GA - Peach
Bethlehem PA - Peeps (yes, those funny marshmallow chicks)
Marion, Ohio - Popcorn
Harrisburg, PA. - Strawberry

Orlando, FL. - Orange

Winter haven, FL. - Lego brick

Indianapolis, IN - Indy car (CRASH!)

Eastport, ME - Sardine

Frederick, MD - Giant key

Princess Anne, MD - Stuffed muskrat (WTF?)

Traverse City, MI - Cherry

Niagara Falls, NY - Gibson guitar (TwangTwang)

Elmore, OH - Sausage

Lebanon, PA. - Lebanon Bologna

Hilton Head Island, SC - Golf ball

Folly Beach, SC - Flip flops

Fredericksburg, VA - Pear

New Orleans, LA - Fleur-de-lis

Bartlesville, OK - Olive (Do they drop it into a giant martini?)

Nashville, TN - Musical note

Plymouth, WS - Cheese wedge

Flagstaff, AZ - Pine cone

Boise, ID - Giant Potato 

Las Cruces, NM - Chile pepper 🌶

Prescott, AZ - Boot

Temecula, CA - Bunch of grapes

And my two personal favorites:

Mechanicsburg, PA.. - Wrench (Whoa - Watch out when that wrench drops!)
Dillsburg, PA.. - Pickle (Beats me why anyone would celebrate a "pickle drop" -- or droop.)

Groundhog Day. And strawberry, car, wrench, mushroom and pickle drops. The Mummers. Something about Pennsylvania seems to attract unusual, faux-folk customs.

The Absolute Folly Of New Years Eve And Day

I suspect that for a long time, most of us have pretty much hated New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

But perhaps we couldn't exactly figure out why.

Now, we finally get it: They're downright innocuous.

Here then, in no particular order are the Ten Big Reason why the New Year's "holiday" is dumb, dumb, dumb:

1) There is absolutely no significant historical meaning to the day.
2) How many bowl games can you watch, anyway?
3) The day celebrates not the beginning of anything but rather the end -- the end of the joyous holiday season.
4) The Tournament of Roses Parade and other New Year's spectacles are all pretty much the same year-after-year. 
5) You know it's true: Nobody keeps New Year's resolutions.
6) Celebrating the passing of time is like celebrating the inexorable march to your own death.
7) After Christmas, no other holiday on the immediate horizon can compete.
8) By January 1 you're completely stuffed and don't even wanna look at food. You're facing the grueling regimen of a diet.
9) All you have to look forward to are the two bleakest months of the year: January and February (and March ain't much better).
10) It'll take you weeks to get used to writing 2026 and you may still be thinking 2025 even in April.
The bottom line: New Year's Day is just another day on the calendar BUT with one important exception and that is Philadelphia's annual Mummer's Parade, a marvelous spectacle quite unlike anything anywhere else. All hail the Mummers!

ABC News Faces It, Admits It, Lauds It!

🚨BREAKING: ABC News just ADMITTED and CELEBRATED President Trump gifting the United States with the "cheapest December for Gas prices in 5 YEARS!"

Trump's Golden Age is UNITING America.

Thank you, Mr. Best President!

Follow: @BoLoudon
pic.twitter.com/RgcsODgul0

— Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) December 30, 2025

Poll: Trump Total Approval Tops 50%!

 

Far As We Can Tell, This Guy Is Doin' A Great Job!

Marco Rubio: "If you invite me into your home for dinner, and I go to your house & I start putting mud on your couch & spray-painting your kitchen... you're going to kick me out. We're going to do the same thing if you come into the U.S. as visitor."pic.twitter.com/uwNBUn616a

— Thomas Sowell Quotes (@ThomasSowell) December 30, 2025

A Truly Proud And Historic Moment!

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Yoav Kisch informed US President @realDonaldTrump that they have decided to award him the Israel Prize for his unique contribution to the Jewish People pic.twitter.com/LyD8PKabVx

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 29, 2025

Look At This: Overdoses In US Are Plummeting!

Note that the deep drop began with Trump's election in 2024. Also, note that the steep climb began after Biden's election in 2020.

No Tax On Tips? NOT in Joizee, Hon!

 

In Joizee, you'll still have to pay state income taxes on those tips!

2028 Presidential Odds? Here They Are!

New - 2028 presidential winner (Odds)

Vance 31% Newsom 17% Polymarket

Kid Rock Plays FDR's White House Grand Piano

Kid Rock playing President FDR’s Grand Piano at the White House.pic.twitter.com/j3KGeL1JTZ

— Thomas Sowell Quotes (@ThomasSowell) December 28, 2025

This Will Leave You With Much To Contemplate

 

He's A FIGHTER; No Question About That!

Good Song 🎶 @MrWhiplash_ pic.twitter.com/7qF33LMUar

— Whiplash347 (@MrWhiplash_) December 28, 2025

Oh, How Quickly Some Have Forgotten!

 

Good Advice, But Democrats Won't Listen

Sen. John Fetterman to Democrats:

— Stop calling Trump an autocrat
— Don’t force a govt shutdown
— Accept Trump’s help on crime
— Stand with Israel against Islamism
— Mamdani “doesn’t reflect our party”

pic.twitter.com/tDX4o0kIpa

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) December 28, 2025

Keep Voting Democrat; Keep getting FLEECED!

In 2024 18 states paid more to the federal government than they received back.

What do you notice about this list? California — $276 billion New York — $90 billion New Jersey — $50 billion Massachusetts — $45 billion Washington — $40 billion Connecticut — $30 billion Illinois — $30 billion Minnesota — $25 billion Colorado — $20 billion Florida — $17.2 billion Delaware — $15 billion Texas — $15 billion Oregon — $12 billion Pennsylvania — $10 billion Georgia — $8 billion Ohio — $5 billion Utah — $5 billion Nebraska — $5 billion

104-Year-Old Vet Plays N'tl Anthem On Sax!

104-year-old World War II veteran Dominick Critelli played the national anthem on the saxophone at the Rangers-Islanders game

Pretty special stuff 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/duou98CQ72

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) December 27, 2025

Absolutely amazing! 104-year-old World War II veteran Dominick Critelli played the national anthem on the saxophone at the Rangers-Islanders game!

Can YOU Remember These TV Kiddy Show Hosts?

Local hosts of Philly kiddy shows when TV was young, live and local:

Clockwise, from top left: Chief Halftown, Pixanne, Wee Willie Webber, Gene London, Dr. Shock (aka Roland or Zachelry)London, Captain Noah.

Incredible Economic Numbers Under President Trump!

Remember, all this is happening under President Trump:

- Stock Markets at record levels, everyone's 401k UP! - GDP (4.3%) WAY above predcited level! - Income up (2.4%) Outpacing inflation! - Spending up (3.5%) Consumer driven economy rebounds!

- Government revenue at new levels! - Gas prices down under ($3) a gal and even lower in some states - Inflation is way down from record 9% under Biden

Hollywood Preaches Tolerance, BUT . . . .

ROB SCHNEIDER: “Mark Ruffalo could say whatever he wants against Trump and he'll still get work as an actor. But if an actor like me … dares question the tribe of Democrats, that's it. You're out of Hollywood.” pic.twitter.com/C7U4O4zp1h

— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) December 27, 2025

President Trump Is In This Fight To WIN!

YOU paid higher costs.

BIG INSURANCE companies got RICH from BILLIONS of dollars that should have gone to the American people.

BUT NO MORE.

President Trump is taking on GREEDY BIG INSURANCE to LOWER YOUR COSTS.

JOIN THE FIGHT NOW >>>

— Americans For Open Government (@usaforopengov) December 23, 2025

Fantastic, Unprecedented News!

Times Square to hold second ball drop in July to mark America’s 250th birthday

https://trib.al/G0vGr8G

The Results Of THIS Poll Will Tell You A Lot!

Which party do you trust to handle crime

Republicans 42% Democrats 26% GBAO #B - RV - 11/26

An Important Announcement From President Trump

 

The Beloved Patina Of Christmas Through The Years!

 

As the years go by, Christmas memories appear like an old black-and-white movie -- or so it seems.

Anyway, it's once again Christmas, a joyous time of the year.
And I see dead people.

They are all around me and they are here to celebrate Christmas with me.

I turn on the TV and Jimmy Stewart is racing down Main Street in Bedford Falls hoping to escape the confines of a small town but knowing that he never will.
And Alastair Sim, the quintessential Scrooge, is grimacing in the classic version of everyone's favorite Christmas tale.
And I still see Judy Garland and Bing Crosby and Perry Como and Dinah Shore and Andy Williams singing Christmas songs. Judy's still full of pathos as she tenderly sings Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
Jack Benny is here too and so is Lucy in a tender episode that ends with five Santas where there should be only one. One of the Santas just may be . . . could it really be?
And when I turn on the radio. I hear Christmas carols by Luciano Pavarotti and Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra and Mahalia Jackson and Mario Lanza.
On You Tube I watch President Reagan deliver a Christmas message from the White House. The President is warm and reassuring and he speaks confidently of faith in God and our Judeo-Christian heritage. 

And my mind tumbles back to the gritty, industrial city that I grew up in -- a riverfront city that didn't realize back then that its glory days were already behind it. It's a bleak, damp, gray December day but I'm warm and secure in the confines of my father's old Plymouth as we rush from place to place through narrow city streets marked by row houses and the occasional corner store.

We don't speak very much but I'm so happy to be with him. He's making lots of stops, picking up small treats and gifts from a variety of friends and businesspeople for whom he may have done odd jobs during the year. Whatever he manages to gather will help to make our Christmas a bit happier.

Even in the run up to Christmas, he's a tough negotiator. He barters with merchants and grocers. as he tries to select just the right provisions for our Christmas feast.
He maneuvers through and around streets, neighborhoods and landmarks with the swiftness of a true native.
His energy fills the room wherever he goes. He's not a big guy but he makes a huge impact. And I know that as long as I'm by his side, no harm can come to me.

On Christmas eve aunts, uncles, cousins and neighbors come and go as the all-night feast of the fishes drifts into the wee hours of Christmas day. The front door remains unlocked and all are welcome.
On Christmas morning the uncles begin their ritual home visitations, gathering more participants as they move from house to house. Demonstrative, boisterous and well-lubricated, they pass out silver dollars to the children. These will be accepted as treasured tokens and saved in a safe place.

Through it all I see my mother, full of wry wit, optimism and just the right perspective on the whole panoply. She's got a sharp eye and she's a great mimic as she jokes about people, places and personalities.
If you press her, she may even remember some of the people from her own earlier Christmases but she'd rather dwell in the present. She's very much about her own family, right here, right now.
Of course, now I understand why she took that approach.

As you get older, this is what happens.
Christmas isn't totally joyous. It isn't always candy canes and sugar plums.

Now, I'm the only one left from my immediate family of origin. My parents, my sister and my brother-in-law are all gone.

So many Christmas memories; so many Christmases past.
But Christmas in your heart means Christmas not just with your present-day family but also with those who have passed on, as loved ones never leave you since love is eternal.
So, while Christmas glows mightily in the eyes of your children and grandchildren, Christmas is also bittersweet.

Not to worry, though.
The memories are good. And the sights, sounds and glad tidings live within me.
Plus, at this time of year all of these people seem to come alive once again -- alive in a very special way. They are with me. They are part of me. And I treasure them even more as these memories are shared with present and newly arriving family members.

And I suppose that's one of the lessons of Christmas: Let all the people and the events and the memories of the Christmases past deepen and enrich your understanding of this wonderful holiday. Savor it all.
Bring them along with you. Let them walk by your side. Be strengthened by their presence and pass on what you know, who you are, how you feel, what you have learned.

And be proud, strong and tender -- especially for the children who watch you more closely now than at any other time of the year.

In that way, you'll keep the true spirit of Christmas.

This Christmas story has appeared (with slight modifications) every year since 2009 on the Dan Cirucci Blog as our gift to you.
Merry Christmas!

Drummer, Honorees LOVED Kennedy Center Event!

Watch Kiss drummer Peter Criss' comments on the Kennedy Center Honors broadcast last night!

“His wife, she came, and his daughter, and the President came out and hugged them personally... I wish he were here, and Ace Frehley's very important to our band. It's a big loss, but we're here, and I'm enjoying it. I'm going to wear my medal to bed tonight."@KISS Drummer… pic.twitter.com/IiBuI2tivI

— The Trump Kennedy Center (@kencen) December 24, 2025

Sumptuous Secrets Of The Seven Fishes Feast

 

Tonight's the night -- the Night of the Seven Fishes! 

Yes, the Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes is traditionally served on Christmas Eve. In fact, the idea of the seven fishes has now become sort of legendary. 

And so strong is this tradition, that I can honestly say that in my lifetime (and we're talking many decades) I've never spent a Christmas Eve without a variety of fish dishes spread before me. Never! 

This is a hallowed custom that is passed from one generation to another. Where and how did it start? I've heard all kinds of stories trying to explain it, yet I'm not sure anyone really knows definitively. But I do think it's rooted in the Italian-American immigrant experience. It's something that Italian-Americans kept and expanded upon over the years. And, as they prospered, it came to be more elaborate.To begin with you must have at least seven fish selections on the table.

Why seven?

Well, seven is a very important number. It stands for the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and the seven days of creation. In Biblical numerology, seven is a number of perfection.

And fish is the featured dish because Italians have customarily abstained from eating meat on Christmas Eve.  In fact,  for a long time the Catholic church prohibited the eating of meat the day before Christmas, This is the Christmas vigil. For my part, I still observe the "no meat on Christmas Eve" rule. I now do it in memory of my father who strictly followed this rule.

There is no set menu for this feast.
But here are some of the fishes that are traditionally used: calamari (squid); scungilli [skuhn-JEE-lee] (conch); baccala [bah-kah-LAH] (dry, salt cod); shrimp; clams (usually served with pasta); mussels, snapper, trout, tuna or salmon. I remember my father cleaning and preparing the various fishes (especially the baccala, calamari, smelts and scungilli) for hours.
We have adapted this menu over the years and updated it somewhat.

My father's recipes came from my grandparents who were Italian immigrants to this country, settling here at the turn of the last century. They came from the Marche and Molise regions of Italy: Ascoli Piceno and Campobasso. 

Our annual feast usually includes calamari, baccala, shrimp, crab, tuna, smelts and salmon. The cod and shrimp are served in both cold and fried (or sautéed) varieties. Shrimp is served as a shrimp cocktail and as shrimp scampi. Crab is served as both breaded and fried crab balls and fresh, cold crab claws. The baccala is served fried and in a salad. The calamari is served baked and stuffed. The tuna is served with spaghetti in a red sauce. The smelts are fried and the salmon is broiled. In addition to all of this, it is customary to serve fried cauliflower and Italian bitter greens, commonly known as e verdes. 

Our feast is usually preceded by cocktails (that's where the cold shrimp and crab come in) with much chatter and anticipation.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes takes up the entire evening -- usually beginning with the preliminaries at around 5 or 6 PM and often continuing into the wee hours of the morning. The bountiful array of food remains on the table for everyone to enjoy. Any guests who happen to arrive are also welcome to partake.

When he was alive, my father always prepared the bulk of the meal. He was an outstanding cook and accomplished "foodie" before there was such a term. His recipes were all in his head though, as I've noted,  the dishes were passed down from his parents. My mother, however, always insisted on preparing the crab balls. That was her special forté. My father loved a household full of relatives, friends and neighbors enjoying his culinary creations all night long. The busier and the louder it got, the more he liked it.

After my father passed on, my sister and brother-in-law took over the tradition and kept much of it intact while adding a few updates including shrimp scampi, cold crab claws, salmon and shrimp cocktail. Now that they are gone, the meal has largely become the domain of my niece along with her family and friends. Thank goodness, they are insistent on continuing this grand tradition -- something that goes back six generations of the family begun by Domenico Cirucci and Annunziata Santone Cirucci when they arrived here . We're talking more than 100 years, folks!

Desserts are not a mainstay of the feast. In fact, they are more of an afterthought. But, as more American elements have been introduced over the years, they have taken on their own prominence.

So, desserts now include an assortment of rich cakes, pies and cookies as well as cannoli and espresso.

Our feast is somewhat more casual than it was in years past but fine china, linens and glassware are still used on the table and when I say "casual" I mean business casual. So, this is definitely not a night for jeans or sweat suits or any kind of lounge or athletic gear. It's a night to look your best and add some glittery baubles to the jingle bells.

And since it's Italian, it's an evening of high drama. All emotions (and generations) are at play. So, it's grand opera one minute, a Broadway musical the next and then lots of rap, in no particular order. At any given moment several family members are competing for attention. 

The whole thing can become boisterous but there are also quiet and reflective moments as these dishes and this event evoke powerful memories that bring emotions to the surface. While it helps to have your wits about you as conversation ebbs and flows, there are also moments of pathos.

To survive the evening, you need to pace yourself.
It's fine (and expected) to eat more than you usually would -- even much more. But you must take your time. That's the Italian Way -- to savor every moment and engaging all your senses. 

It's best to taste a bit of everything, moving through the huge menu in a careful, measured manner. My favorites are the crab cakes, shrimp and tuna pasta. So, I have to be careful not to eat so much of those dishes lest I not have room for anything else. If you do not partake of a bit of everything you're liable to offend your host.

Like I said, for Italian families this ritual feast is sacrosanct and intense feeling abounds. Why? Because the meaning of the evening is all wrapped up with loved ones (including those who have passed on) and our most cherished values. Consequently, one must drink in moderation. In fact, if you feel an urge to lift your glass frequently make sure you're lifting a glass of water.
With all the fish on the table, you will need it.

BTW: For Italians, Christmas Day is not as much of a Big Deal as Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day lasagna and chicken cutlets are more than enough. That's what we call decompressing. 

Enjoy these photos from one of our recent feasts:

Icy old shrimp, usually part of the cocktail hour.

Crab balls -- large or small but firm and tempting.

The spaghetti with tuna in red sauce -- a longtime specialty!

The bitter Italian greens -- an acquired taste.

Salmon -- plenty for everybody!

Smelts, crab and fried cauliflower.

Cod and fried cauliflower.

Chocolates, miniature cupcakes, cookies, key lime pie and the tree.