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PANDEMIC
UPDATES
Virtual Adventures
Our ACTIVITIES 4 U link and our COMMUNITY RESOURCES link are two places to find important information. You can always access them here on our PANDEMIC UPDATES PAGE and on the HOME PAGE of our website. We add information regularly and welcome your ideas.
Monday, February 1, 2021
A Message from Kathleen Stauffer,
CEO of The Arc Eastern Connecticut
Hello Everyone,
VACCINATION PAYS! Connecticut is a leading COVID-19 vaccination state, and I am inviting you NOW to join me in getting vaccinated. Please register to get both vaccine doses as soon as possible – and speak with your team leader TODAY about The Arc Eastern Connecticut’s VACCINATION INCENTIVE. Yes, team members of The Arc will receive a generous incentive upon successful completion of the coronavirus vaccination process.
And please remember—even if you’ve gotten the vaccine, it’s important to still wear a mask and practice social distancing. The vaccine takes a few weeks to be optimally effective, AND the people we serve as well as your family likely will not have been vaccinated. SO PLEASE PROTECT THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AND YOUR LOVED ONES post-vaccination by washing your hands, social distancing and wearing your mask.
ADDITIONALLY . . . The Arc US offers great plain-language COVID-19 videos for disability advocates, explaining the pandemic and how it’s affecting daily life. [COVID-19 Resources | The Arc]
Topics include:
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What is COVID-19?
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How is coronavirus affecting people with disabilities?
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Supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic
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Wearing masks to help prevent the spread of coronavirus
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What's next? Getting back to normal after COVID-19
NEW PODCAST!
Finally, please tune in to The Arc ECT’s latest podcast, Answers from The Arc ECT - Vaccine Facts, where I answer your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Please join me in getting vaccinated today!
Please share our latest podcast!
This Month's Recipe
A WARM FEBRUARY MEAL FOR COLD DAYS
TOMATO BISQUE
When it’s cold and dark outside, this easy-to-prepare, hearty soup will help warm you right up!
Ingredients
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4 tbsp. butter
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1 tbsp. minced bacon
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1 sweet onion chopped
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1 carrot chopped
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1 stalk celery chopped
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4 cloves garlic minced
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5 tbsp. flour
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5 c. chicken broth
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1-28 oz can whole, peeled tomatoes
(with liquid) roughly chopped -
3 parsley sprigs
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3 thyme sprigs
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1 bay leaf
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1 c. heavy cream
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1 ¾ tsp. salt
Directions
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Start by tying the parsley sprigs, thyme, and bay leaf together with kitchen twine and then set aside.
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Next, crisp the bacon in a large soup pot set over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and butter and cook until crisp but not burned, about a minute. Then transfer the bacon (use a slotted spoon if you need) to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
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Leave the butter and bacon fat in the pot and add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot and reduce the temperature to medium. Cover and cook the vegetables (stirring occasionally) until they are soft and fragrant, about 8-10 minutes.
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Next, add the flour and whisk into the mixture. Cook the flour for about three minutes before adding in the broth and tomatoes. Then bring the whole mixture to a boil, whisking constantly.
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When the mixture begins to boil, add in the tied herbs and lower the heat until you reach a simmer. Allow everything to simmer for 30 minutes before removing from the heat and allowing the mixture to cool.
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When the mixture has cooled, remove the herb bundle and discard. Then, using an immersion blender if you have one, blend the soup until you have reached the consistency you desire. Alternatively, you can strain the soup through a sieve to remove any chunks or seeds.
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When the soup is the desired texture, return it to the stove and reheat over medium heat before whisking in the heavy cream and salt. Season with pepper to taste before serving!
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Garnish with the crispy bacon, sour cream, and cheese if desired.
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This soup is great by itself but even better when paired with some warm and crusty garlic bread.
