Your Thanksgiving Playbook

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This Season’s Turkey Table Rundown

Alright, Brandon fam, the big day is closing in fast. It’s almost time for stretchy pants, questionable family debates, and a bird that hopefully doesn’t come out looking like something from National Lampoon. So here are your official Brandon Buzz Thanksgiving Tips to keep the feast flowing and the fire department off your guest list.

1. The Great Thaw-Off

If your turkey is still a frozen bowling ball by midweek, you’re already behind.

• The rule is simple: 24 hours of fridge thaw time for every 4–5 pounds.

• Please don’t set it on the counter and hope for the best. Brandon already has enough chaos without adding “Turkey Flu” to the mix.

• In a pinch, the cold water bath trick works, just remember to change the water every 30 minutes and rotate like you’re training for the culinary Olympics.

2. Flavor Like You’re Being Judged

Because you are. Quietly. By your entire family.

• Salt it early. Season it well. Butter it up like you’re trying to make peace with last year’s dry turkey trauma.

• Don’t be afraid to get creative—herbs, citrus, garlic, a little magic.

• And if someone says it tastes “fine,” that’s basically a cry for help. Try harder next year.

3. Deep Fried Turkey: Brandon’s Most Dangerous Tradition

Every Thanksgiving, at least three people in Brandon decide they’re professional turkey fryers. Two succeed. One ends up with a story that begins with “Well, the thing is…”

Don’t be that person. Follow the rules.

Where you fry matters:

• Fry outside and away from anything you love, like your home, your garage, your HOA-approved landscaping.

• Absolutely not on the lanai. Your screen enclosure cannot handle that kind of drama.

Prep like your life depends on it (because it kinda does):

• Turkey must be 100% thawed and dry. Damp turkey in hot oil is how you summon the fire department.

• Remove every bag, bit, and plastic surprise hiding inside the bird.

Oil & fire safety:

• Test your oil line with water first. No one wants an oil overflow reenacting Old Faithful.

• Turn the burner off while lowering the turkey. Turn it back on only after it’s safely in the oil.

• Keep kids, pets, and the “I can help!” uncle far away.

• Keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher nearby. Water + hot oil = Thanksgiving fireworks.

4. Traffic Control in the Turkey Zone

Thanksgiving kitchens get crowded quicker than the Brandon Costco parking lot.

• Appoint one kitchen commander. If you’re not the commander, your mission is simple: stay out of the way.

• Keep handles turned in and mops ready for the inevitable gravy slip-n-slide.

• Maintain order. Protect the rolls at all costs.

5. Handle Food Like a Pro

Leftovers are wonderful. Foodborne illness is not.

• Get everything into the fridge within two hours.

• Use shallow containers so things cool evenly.

• Reheat leftovers until they’re piping hot—not “this should be fine.”

• If you’re standing there wondering, “Is this too old?” the answer is yes.

6. Hosting & Guest Etiquette — Brandon Edition

For hosts:

• Create a drop zone for keys, bags, shoes, and the random items guests scatter around like confetti.

• Label cups to avoid running a full-blown dishwashing operation by 3 PM.

For guests:

• Do not bring a dish that needs oven space unless you coordinated it ahead of time.

• Don’t arrive fashionably late if you’re bringing something important—like stuffing.

• Even if the host says “don’t bring anything,” show up with a dessert or a bag of ice. Those are universal peace offerings.

7. The Aftermath Agreement

After everyone succumbs to the turkey coma, don’t leave the host staring at a battlefield of dishes.

• Offer to help, even if it’s just consolidating leftovers or clearing plates.

• Hosts: accept the help. You have earned it.

Brandon knows how to do Thanksgiving big—big gatherings, big flavors, big laughs, and sometimes big fires if people get reckless with the deep fryer.

Follow these tips, stay safe, cook boldly, season generously, and may your turkey turn out golden, juicy, and free of disaster.

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The Buzz on Thanksgiving Recycling

Turkey time is around the corner, and you know what that means: deep-fried birds, family chaos, and trash cans working overtime. But before you cram everything into the recycling bin and roll it to the curb like a holiday piñata, here’s the deal: not everything deserves a spot in there. Clean, dry, loose cans, bottles, jars, and flattened cardboard? Yes. Greasy pans, food-crusted containers, plastic bags full of recyclables, glittery wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, and those cursed, tangled lights? That’s a no. When the wrong stuff goes in, it can jam the machines and send the whole batch straight to the landfill. So this year in Brandon, do your future self (and your trash crew) a favor: recycle the right stuff, toss the rest, and let the only holiday mess be in your living room, not at the recycling center.

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That’s right, for the rest of the year, we’re bringing you all the fashion, tech, and perfect gift ideas from around Brandon so you can shop local this season. From too-chic-to-speak styles to spy-level gadgets and everything in between, Brandon is packed with local gems that deserve a spot on your holiday list. Starting next issue, we’ll be showcasing the shops, deals, and must-grab gifts you won’t want to miss.

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A Final Note

The Brandon Buzz, more than news, it’s a lifestyle.

Until next time,

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