By now you’ve heard that this year menorahs come out in time for the big cooked bird celebration — yes, that woody turkey that Americans have ever feasted on for years as symbol for the lean years. Now, for the first time in some 100 years (or since old Abe officially announced “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heaven” in 1863), Hannukkah and Thanksgiving intersect on the calendars. Happy Thanksgivukkah.

It’s the lunisolar Hebrew era  meeting the Gregorian Easter moon calendar. 5774 and 2013.

Thanksgivukkah then is the convergence of two things unrelated but put together and charged with meaning. In this case, turkeys stuffed with potato latke because the second candle of Hanukkah this year will be lit on Thanksgiving sunset. Praise of the Puritans and lighting of candles intertwine in time. It’s a Hanukkah Thanksgiving instead of Christmas.

Ramapo Central Schools are closed Thanksgiving Day as well as Friday, the third day of Hanukkah.

With the Thursday holiday in mind, remember that the Sloatsburg Library will be closed. Give thanks to that small, vital Sloatsburg stone-faced hive of activity. The Library will be open on Friday from 12 to 4 p.m.

The Village offices also close Thursday. The Village Board itself for its annual Reorganization meeting on Monday, December 2, at 7 p.m. The mayor assigns chairs, hats are traded and other appointments made. The regular board meeting follows directly after the reorganization.

Also, there will be regular Friday garbage pickup, so be sure to get your cans and bags and bulk out early. Leaves are Monday.

Kudos go out to the guys who meet on the Great Lawn in front of Harmony Hall for their annual challenge. Thanksgiving Day football game. Come what weather, come out. Sling the ball but don’t get intercepted. Score.