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The Virginia Department of Education’s Cooperative Extension Service Tiffany 1837 Loop pendant the following news release:

Judi M. Lynch, director of special initiatives in the Office of the Dean at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, has been named to First Lady Maureen McDonnell’s advisory council to support the First Lady’s Initiatives Team Effort (FLITE).

The First Lady’s Initiatives Team Effort, which was launched in late April, will recognize programs, activities, organizations and individuals who embody the ideal of creating a Commonwealth of Opportunity in their communities. FLITE will bring attention to the work being done by people around the state, specifically focused on preventative healthcare, economic development, military families, and women’s issues, that leaves the commonwealth a better place for future generations.

Lynch has been with the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Tiffany 1837 pendant since 2003 where she has served as director of special initiatives and director of outreach. She also worked in the College of Engineering as director of undergraduate recruitment and for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association as the student and alumni programs coordinator.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Longwood College and a master’s degree and Ph.

D. from Virginia Tech.

For more information please contact: Tiffany 1837 ring Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) will soon show-case its recently tiffany launched Anant diamond jewellery with the ‘Made-in-India’ tag in West Asia. The move follows encouraging response for Anant in the domestic market.

Mr Sanjay Kothari, convenor of promotion, marketing and business development at GJEPC, said, “We wanted to introduce Anant in Dubai by April, but it has been delayed due to the recent financial crisis in Dubai. It would now be launched in July.” The Council has already spent Rs 9 crore on various promotional activities including advertisements and refurbishing retailers’ outlets to highlight the brand.

Actor Sonam Kapoor has also been roped in as a brand ambassador, said Mr Kothari.

Retailers stand to gain as the Council will take care of promotional expenses.

RS 11-CR CORPUS GJEPC formed a corpus of Rs 11 crore, with retailers chipping in with Rs four money clips lakh each, and manufacturers Rs 10 lakh each while the Council itself set aside Rs 2 crore for the promotional activities.

The Council in September had taken upon itself to promote diamond jewellery after De Beers cut its promotional activities in the country, said Mr Kothari.

GJEPC created a new brand Anant Diamond Jewellery by bringing together top 100 retail jewellers including GRT, Khazana Jewellers, Joy Alukkas, Reliance, Tanishq, Orra, TBZ, Rio Tinto, Anmol Jewellers and Carbon.

With the gold prices rising, many people are now considering the single line Anant Diamond jewellery to offer as gift, said a Mumbai- based jeweller.

DIAMOND SHORTAGE Rough diamond prices have risen sharply in the past few months after most miners pendants such as De Beers, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Alrosa cut their production following the economic downturn and financial constraints. De Beers recently revealed that it has reduced its first quarter production by almost 90 per cent in 2009.

The De Beers Diamond Trading Company (DTC) has raised the prices of rough diamonds by about five and 10 per cent since March this year, said a Mumbai-based jeweller. Most of the DTC’s Indian sightholders were the worst-affected as prices of smaller roughs being supplied to the Indian market were raised between 3 and 7 per cent. Surat, the hub for diamond processing, imports about Rs 30,000 crore worth of roughs per annum, with De Beers supplying about 60 per cent.

By JONATHAN BIRCHALL and JAMES POLITI

Nelson Peltz, the US activist investor, has taken a 3 per cent stake, worth about Dollars 1.7bn, in Kraft, and willput pressure on the USfood company to buy back shares and consider thesale of brands including Maxwell House coffee and Post cereals.

According to people familiar with the matter, Mr Peltz had not yet held talks with management at Kraft, which was spun off from Altria, its former parent company,earlier this year. However, it was likely that contact would be made shortly, these people said.

Kraft shares closed up 6.6 per cent at Dollars 36.74.

Mr Peltz’s pursuit of Kraft follows a largely successful series of campaigns by Trian, his investment fund, against managements at Wendy’s International, the US hamburger chain, Tiffany, the jewellery retailer, and Cadbury Schweppes, the UK drinks and confectionery group.

In addition, Mr Peltz last year emerged victorious from a proxy fight that pitted him against HJ Heinz, the ketchup and baked beans manufacturer, where he now sits on the board of directors.

Kraft and Trian yesterday declined to comment.

But one person familiar with Mr Peltz said he viewed Kraft in a similar light as Heinz: a company with strong brands that was not performing to its potential.

The right recipe for Kraft was a combination of changes to the balance sheet, including share buy-backs that would lift the company’s debt load and a realignment of its businesses, the person said.

The person added that after raising money from the sale of brands such as Post and Maxwell House, more investment could be ploughed into better performing segments such as groceries and frozen foods.

Irene Rosenfeld, Kraft’s chief executive, is pursuing a three- year plan aimed at improving its performance that includes cost- cutting, accompanied by increased spending on marketing ofits core brands such asOreo cookies and Maxwell House.

The company has not discussed any disposals of its collection of brands, though underperforming segments such as cheese and salad dressing have been earmarked for overhaul.

Damas, the leading international jewellery retailer in the Middle East, unfurls the exclusive Hysek timepieces in Dubai which were launched during Baselworld recently. Hysek has always been an avant-gardist and atypical brand which heckles and dares the difference. Its philosophy is to imagine and create objects with strong personalities which ally a refine and high-tech style for customers eager to own singular objects.

Commenting on the latest brand, Tawhid Abdullah, Managing Director of Damas, raved: “The brand Hysek is recognised for its creativity and exclusive typology which has enriched the traditional sector of the Swiss watchmaking industry. The Hysek concept is characterised by very creative models, with singular and distinctive cases. The brand has created its own manufacture and introduced its first tourbillon with amazing features at Baselworld this year. Thus we are proud to bring the same stunning collection to Dubai which will surely please watch collectors and connoisseur.”

The main features of the Hysek identity are not only the dial displaying numbers 1-5-7-11, but also the fold-over buckle, and exclusive design of the brand in perfect harmony with the case. This year the brand has introduced six new lines with a strong design which reflects Hysek spirit, superior identity and a unique personality.

Abyss TourbillonHysek’s Abyss Tourbillon – a complicated watch is introduced this year. This model is a visual and technical marvel and presents a power reserve and a big date. The date’s disc is visible behind a marvelous sapphire dial which covers half of the tourbillon, housed in a splendid case in titanium. It comes in the limited edition of 30 pieces.

Abyss Dual Time Limited EditionThis model presents a double GMT, the horns, crown protection and bezel blocking system are in titanium and the unique dials stamped with Hysek impress providing a more sportive touch to the watch. The bezels show the city’s name fitting with the time zone thanks to a simple adjustment. Three versions in gold and titanium, titanium and gold set with diamonds or bicolore and titanium will seduce those who are in search of exclusivity and refinement.

Abyss Second RetrogradeThis model is a new variation of the Abyss Explorer. You can read the seconds thanks to a retrograde needle on a 60 seconds counter situated at 6 o’clock and a big date at 12 o’clock. This piece with a strong character has a bezel in black PVD with polished figures and decorative lines. It is available in rose gold, steel or bicolour.

The three exclusively feminine models are Abyss H, 10 Quartz and Duna. Abyss H is a big date watch. Its dial is set with diamonds and a bezel in black PVD. The 10 Quartz claims to seduce a less demanding public though they long for design and unique objects. The elegant and refined Duna model is fit to wear at all occasions. The new version is smaller in size and more discrete but more glamorous. The model will be available in steel and gold.

ColossoAs hanged up in wheels Milky Way, a three dimensions earth of 12mm diameters at 12 o’clock turns itself in 24 hours and can be set at the local time or at the GMT time. The precious minute repeater mechanism is set in an extraordinary complicated case.

FurtifThis exceptional model has a sapphire glass suspended to the case which gives the impression of wavering. A manual winding tourbillon it is decorated and hand engraved with a 18k gold frame bridge which reminds on of the brand’s historical background.

VKing HesperosThe name ‘Hesperos’ finds its inspiration in the Greek mythology meaning ‘The God of Time’ and thus it enriches Hysek’s complication offer. This dual time GMT retrograde tourbillon allies the excellence and refinement of the Swiss traditional watch-making and offers a unique design and personality in line with Hysek’s style. A sapphire glass situated at the backside of the watch allows one to observe its mechanism.

The exclusive collection of Hysek watches is available at Damas Les Exclusive Boutiques in Saks Fifth Avenue, Burjuman; Burj Al Arab, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre, Wafi City, Emirates Towers, Festival City, Madinat Jumeirah and Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi.

About Damas:The journey of Damas began in 1907, and today it has grown from a UAE based company into a global fashion and jewellery network spanning UK, Italy, Libya, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Maldives, India, Lebanon, and throughout the GCC countries with about 400 sales points worldwide. Damas houses internationally acclaimed jewellery and watch brands such as Tiffany & Co., Mikimoto, Daniel K, Gucci, Faberge, Carrera y Carrera, Paspaley, Pasquale Bruni, Roberto Coin, Fope, Chronoswiss, Parmigiani, Perrelet, Quinting, Montega, Frederique Constant, among many others. The innovative in-house collections include the majestic Bridal jewellery, exclusive jewellery brands such as Boudoor, Hayati, Riwaya, Jawaher, Farasha, Fairouz, Harmony, Farfasha, Al Manthura; watch brands Varotti and Aquamarin; and a wide range of other classic and contemporary jewellery and watch collections. Quality consciousness, inspirational leadership and international reputation have led Damas to win prestigious awards including the exclusive De Beers Award 2000, 2004 and 2007 for jewellery design.

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued the following press release:

Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to fall in love with nature. Go outside to experience tiffany jewelry on sale the excitement of a majestic bald eagle or the thrill of a bright red cardinal, whether in your own backyard or at one of America’s national wildlife refuges. There is a national wildlife refuge or fish hatchery just an hour’s drive from most major metropolitan areas, and all are inviting portals to the natural world.

The Service’s “Let’s go Outside” Web site (www.fws.gov/letsgooutside) contains a wealth of information to help families connect with nature, including:

* Electronic Valentines, featuring bald eagles, red foxes and even turtles, that are great to send to friends and family.

* Fact sheets about numerous wildlife species, including bald eagles, moose, sea turtles and cardinals.

* Tips on how youngsters and their families can start tiffany necklaces observing wildlife.

* Links to maps and a special events calendar that can help families find places to go and see nature up close.

The following are just a few highlights:

* Among the dozen or so national wildlife refuges where bald eagles are common is Klamath Basin Refuges (Tulelake, California, 530-667-2231, http://klamathbasinrefuges.fws.gov), which hosts the largest wintering concentration in the lower 48 states. In February, the refuge plays host to the nation’s oldest birding festival: the Bald Eagle Conference.

* Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Cambridge, Maryland, 410-228-2692, http://blackwater.fws.gov/), winters more than 200 bald eagles and supports the Atlantic Coast?s largest nesting population north of Florida.

* Quivera National Wildlife Refuge (Stafford, Kansas, 620-486-2393, http://quivira.fws.gov) tiffany bangles was recently named one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas. The refuge has two large salt marshes, and both are excellent places to look for wildlife. A photo blind, accessible to people with disabilities, sits at the trail head of the Migrant’s Mile walking trail near Park Smith Lake, while a second photo blind is available near the Little Salt Marsh. A 14-mile auto route goes through the heart of the Refuge, giving visitors many chances to spot white-faced ibis, great blue herons, American avocets, wild turkey and even coyotes lurking about during the heat of the afternoon.

* Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge (Jefferson, Oregon, 503-588-2701, http://www.fws.gov/willamettevalley/ankeny) Many types of crops are grown on the refuge to provide winter browse for wintering waterfowl, but other species benefit from the bushy edges and hedgerows left around the farm fields. Red foxes feed in the fields but seek protection from predators among the thick growth on the edges.

* Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge (Naples,Florida, 239-353-8442, http://www.fws.gov/southeast/TenThousandIsland/). The 35,000-acre refuge is part of one of the largest expanses of mangrove estuary in North America and protects a rich diversity of native wildlife, including loggerhead, green and Kemp’s ridley tiffany money clips sea turtles. Manatees use refuge waters year-round. Boating and fishing are allowed on the refuge. The fishing in the tidal mangrove estuary is outstanding. The refuge, home to nearly 200 species of birds, including egrets, wood storks, tri-colored herons, swallow-tailed kites and peregrine falcons, is an equally great destination for bird watchers. Throughout the year, visitors can see river otters and bottle-nosed dolphins, among other wildlife.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Contact: David Eisenhauer, 703/358-1858.

While people across the Kingdom bought flowers, exchanged love letters and went out to restaurants to celebrate Valentine’s Day last weekend, a group of Jordanians had a different take on the occasion.

One day after breaking up with his girlfriend, one 19-year-old Jordanian spent the eve of tiffany jewellery Valentine’s Day dancing at a cafe.

The bachelor was one of more than 300 singles attending an “Anti-Valentine’s” party, which organisers said targeted “lonely singles” in the Kingdom at a time when most other establishments restrict entry to couples.

“We ended our relationship yesterday due to certain issues, so I came to this party tonight alone,” he told The Jordan Times, requesting to remain unnamed.

The young man added that although he enjoys being single he wanted to celebrate the holiday.

Not being in a relationship is no reason to shun Valentine’s Day, according to party organiser DJ Flava.

“This party is for singles so they don’t feel lonely on the Valentine’s Day,” he told The Jordan Times silver cufflinks, adding that “all parties on this day are usually designated for couples only,” excluding those who are without a date.

Flava explained that the dance party aimed to celebrate singlehood, hosting black balloons instead of the traditional red ones, in a sign of an anti-Valentine sentiment.

“I don’t celebrate for the sake of Valentine, I celebrate for myself,” said Leen, a 19-year-old party goer.

Also on Friday, youth at the Saint John De La Salle School in Jabal Hussein hosted a silver money clips Valentine’s Day party without restricting entry to couples, an event the organiser said was for all people, regardless of relationship status.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated across the world on February 14.

Although stories vary, some legends state the holiday dates back to the reign of third century Roman Emperor Claudius II who banned marriage for young men as he thought celibacy would make his forces better soldiers.

Despite the ban, Christian preacher Valentine continued to facilitate marriages between young men and women, and was later arrested and executed by the Roman emperor.

Before being executed, one version of the story claims that Saint Valentine passed a letter to a woman he was in love with, the world’s first valentine.

Don’t break the bank … or any hearts, by celebrating this tiffany jewellery Valentine’s Day, or any other special day, at participating Hilton Garden Inn hotels (see also <http://www.newsrx.com/library/topics/Hilton-Garden-Inn.html> Hilton Garden Inn).

A 2008 U.S. Travel Association survey reveals that four out of 10 Americans feel “more romantic” on vacation, taking the time to reconnect with their loved ones. With couples scrambling for gift ideas this year, a romantic getaway is a great option. In fact, a recent survey by the research firm Synovate revealed that approximately one in every three women (thirty six percent) chose a romantic overnight getaway as the top gift of choice for Valentine’s Day, followed by dinner and jewelry.

“We want to help couples celebrate romance with our value enticing Romance Package,” money clips said Jim Cone, vice president of marketing, Hilton Garden Inn. “In these stressful times, treating each other to a weekend getaway gives our guests time to relax and reconnect … uninterrupted.”

The Hilton Garden Inn Romance Package provides guests with deluxe accommodations for two, an early check-in and late check-out* option (based on availability), sparkling wine* or sparkling cider upon check-in, and complimentary made-to-order breakfast for two at the hotel’s restaurant. And with the Garden Sleep System(R), Hilton Garden Inn hotels also feature one of the most comfortable beds ever designed. For those who want to postpone their romantic getaway and celebrate later in the year to honor an anniversary or other special occasion, the package can be booked year-round at HGI.com.

With Valentine’s Day falling on Saturday this year, the holiday is the perfect time for a short weekend escape, whether at a local Hilton Garden Inn or one of the more than 450 participating Hilton Garden Inn hotels across the country. The package offers couples the flexibility to retreat and enjoy the hotel’s whirlpool and other pendants amenities or to get out and explore the local nightlife and attractions. About Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, mid-priced brand that continually strives to ensure today’s busy travelers have everything they need to be most productive on the road — from complimentary wired and Wi-Fi Internet access in all guestrooms and PrinterOn remote printing to the hotel’s complimentary 24-hour business center to the Garden Sleep System(R).

So whether on the road for personal or business reasons, Hilton Garden Inn offers the amenities and services for travelers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well, work smart and treat themselves while away from home.

Melissa SanMarco and Jennifer Tookoian have been friends since high school, but they have something else in common that led them to start a business they hope will help others.

SanMarco and Tookoian’s mothers are cancer survivors, and Tookoian’s father died from cancer. So to raise money for cancer research, the two friends formed Miss Mantra, a company that combines SanMarco’s jewelry-making talent and Tookoian’s marketing expertise.

They sell bracelets with a handmade silver coin hanging from a pink or brown silk and nylon cord. The front of the coin has the familiar breast cancer ribbon design. The back has the words “Believe in miracles.”

“Jennifer and I wanted to raise money for breast cancer research because this is the generation, money clips we feel, when a cure is going to be found,” says SanMarco, who lives in Los Angeles and visits her Fresno family monthly.

“There’s so much more awareness” of all forms of cancer, Tookoian says. Her mother survived colon cancer, and SanMarco’s mother is a breast-cancer survivor.

“Cancer is just in our families,” she says.

They came up with the bracelet idea over the summer, and it followed a fast track, Tookoian says. It was about eight weeks from idea to design to production and, finally, to the creation of the Miss Mantra Web site (www.missmantra.com).

A message on the Web site says: “These pieces are dedicated to the 202,000 women who will get breast cancer in the U.S. this year and the millions of other women who are beating breast cancer with strength, dignity, courage and faith. The stuff miracles are made of.”

After the mad dash to create the bracelets, things slowed down, Tookoian says. “Then it was hurry up and wait. This has really been a learning year for us, or a learning couple of months.”

The bracelets, which sell for $35 each, are available on the Web site and at She She, a local boutique. “Buyers have been mostly people who are touched by breast cancer,” Tookoian says.

But sales were slow until October, when the California Cancer Center bought 500 tiffany jewellery bracelets.

Alec Beach, manager of the California Cancer Center’s radiation therapy department, said the bracelets have been sold at the recent Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the Clovis Women’s Festival, a golf tournament and other events. All of the proceeds will go to education, through outreach, and for research, Beach says.

Pamela Hutton, a marketing consultant for Community Medical Centers, has one of the bracelets.

“I wear mine every day. It’s a conversation piece,” Hutton says. “I have meaningful conversations with people” when they ask about the bracelet, she says.

Hutton especially likes the “Believe in miracles” motto on the back of the coin. “Your attitude helps you fight the fight in any kind of cancer,” she says.

While the original idea was to raise funds for breast cancer, SanMarco and Tookoian say they’re happy to see the money go for research and education about all forms of cancer. And they’re working on more ideas for the holidays to raise even more money.

“Our ultimate goal is to set up grants for women to pay for medical bills who can’t afford to,” SanMarco says.

The reporter can be reached at plloyd@fresnobee.com or or at (559) 441-6756.

A suspect police believed snatched a young girl from a Centreville tiffany jewelry elementary school Tuesday while wearing an electronic-monitoring bracelet remained in custody Wednesday afternoon.

Police said the man is on parole for another crime, but would not elaborate. After entering the school through a door that had been left ajar, the suspect told the girl, who he’d found drinking from a water fountain, that a teacher wanted to see her outside, police said.

The suspect also is accused of attempting to sexually assault the child. A witness saw him lying on top of the girl on the ground outside the school building near the Dumpsters.

Police were not releasing the identity of the 20-year-old suspect pending charges, Centreville Police Detective Kiwan Guyton said. Police expect to complete their investigation and send the case today to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney, he said.

The girl was kidnapped from Lalumier Elementary School at 6702 Bond Ave. at 2:32 p.m. Tuesday.

The man entered the school through a door off the gym/cafeteria, went through the multi-silver cufflinks purpose room and approached the girl in a hallway, Cahokia School District 187 Superintendent Jana Bechtoldt said.

“Obviously we’re very distraught over this situation,” Bechtoldt said. “Our policy is to have all the doors in the school building locked during the school day except for one door by the office. Unfortunately, in this instance, the door was locked but the door was slightly ajar. The last person that had either entered or exited that door did not make sure the door was latched. The door was locked, but it didn’t shut all the way. The doors were apparently out of alignment.”

The door was repaired Wednesday to ensure it will close automatically, Bechtoldt said. All other doors throughout the school building were being checked Wednesday to ensure they all closed fully.

Lalumier has about 370 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The suspect approached the girl as she was getting a drink from a water fountain and told her a teacher wanted to see her outside.

“She went outside with him,” Bechtoldt said. “She was just doing what she thought she was supposed to do.”

Guyton said the mother of the 7-year-old girl called police when her daughter came home crying and in silver money clips disarray. He added that the girl did not know her kidnapper.

“We were advised that the young man came into the building and possibly took one student out,” Guyton said. ” We caught him a short time later.”

Police arrested the suspect in the 6900 block of Missouri Avenue.

A man from a nearby apartment complex saw the two and shouted at the man. The man took off on foot, and the girl ran home

“I knew something was wrong when my daughter came home without her coat and book bag. She ran home to me,” the child’s mother said.

The child’s mother is not being identified because her daughter is the victim of a sex crime and identifying the mother could also identify the child. The News-Democrat does not identify victims of sex crimes.

“He took my baby outside. He was lying on her. Somebody saw him lying on her and yelled at him and scared him. He got off of her. The man who saw him told my baby to run home,” the mother said.

The mother said she wants the suspect “to stay in jail so he has no chance of doing what he did again silver pendants. He might harm somebody else’s child,” she said.

The mother said her daughter was so upset she had to calm her down.

The child was not injured during the kidnapping and attempted assault and was not taken to a doctor.

“I just thank God for protecting my baby. God is good. God is always good,” the mother said.

She said she is unsure whether she will allow her child to return to Lalumier.

School officials reviewed security policies and are considering several options to beef up security at the school, Bechtoldt said.

“We are looking at adding 17 new video cameras in the building so all the doors, entrances and hallways can be monitored continuously throughout the day,” Bechtoldt said. “We are also looking at the possibility of having all the doors locked during the day and having everybody buzzed in and out of the school. I know it won’t be very popular with some parents, but it’s something we are looking at to protect our children.”

Social workers were at the school throughout the day to meet with children and parents and discuss any fears or concerns following the incident.

The autumn leaves, red and yellow and brown, are tumbling from the trees, resigned to their fate. Weekends are full of football and the scritching of rakes. Lazy squirrels are still munching on moldering jack o’ lanterns left over from Halloween. In other words, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas tiffany jewelry.

Disney released a new version of the Dickens Scrooge story last week, timing it so that “A Christmas Carol” will be lucky to be in distribution past Thanksgiving Day.

Starbucks has already retired its white cups for the duration, replacing them with cranberry-colored, snowflake-flecked seasonal substitutes. Wal-Mart is just one of the retailers already Kringling away like crazy, running television ads with Andy Williams crooning “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Who knew that the weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving were the hap-happiest season of all?

The day after Thanksgiving used to be the official launch of the commercial Christmas season. Now Sears is running “Black Friday” specials all through November.

Given half a chance, retailers would probably try to get their plastic garlands hung just after Labor Day. (Ho-ho-ho, it’s back to school!) But we’ve been spared that particular encroachment, thanks to a holiday that has proved capable of standing athwart the relentless forces of Christmas-creep — Halloween. Once a quaint bit of Americana built around the simple pleasures of costumes, candy-grabbing and petty vandalism, Halloween has become a marketable and profitable holiday, putting many official holidays to shame. If only Presidents Day had some sort of free-candy angle.

In contrast to Halloween’s stalwart ability to keep Christmas from jumping the queue, Thanksgiving has lost its cultural muscle. The early advent of the Santa season may have less to do with the red-and-green imperative than with the weakness of Turkey Day. What happened to this quintessential American holiday cufflinks?

Lydia Maria Child’s ode to going over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house is a good place to start in decoding Thanksgiving’s decline. First, there is the anachronistic attention given to grandmother. Thanksgiving is one of the few occasions left, in our fanatically kinder-centric culture, to honor the elderly. Picture the famous Norman Rockwell illustration “Freedom From Want” — at the Thanksgiving table grandpa and grandma have pride of place. No wonder the day gets short shrift.

And then there is all that over-the-river-and-through-the-woods business, which in our day means a choice between stripping for the nice TSA agent or creeping along I-95. Thanksgiving is the official holiday of planes, trains and automobiles. What the modern travel experience lacks in charm it makes up for with sheer ordeal. And what’s the payoff for all this effort? A chance to make small talk with in-laws.

The Food Network may be the only institution in America unapologetically boosting the holiday. For weeks, the cable channel’s programming is packed with turkey tutorials, stuffing suggestions and investigations into the mysteries of cranberry sauce. But Food Network’s programming is less an indication of popular enthusiasm for Thanksgiving than a measure of the fear the holiday engenders. Hostesses know that they will be judged on the juiciness of their turkey, the cooking of which is an exotic undertaking chanced but once a year. And the result must be achieved while juggling a half-dozen side dishes, all the while making the above-mentioned small talk.

None of which would be so daunting if the day meant more to us. Could it be we’ve lost our capacity for gratitude? A successful harvest occasioned thanks back when it was all that stood between us and a long, cold, hungry winter. But now we’re divorced from the seasonal rhythms of the farm, where the harvest is celebrated as the payoff of all the year’s labors. Even in the midst of this Great Repression we enjoy perpetual plenty. What resonance does a cornucopia have to people who have come to expect ripe blackberries in February? If anything,money clips we should be more grateful, but that’s not our nature. Anything we struggle for, we hold dear; anything that comes easy, we take for granted.

Not only don’t we celebrate the astonishing abundance that is our good fortune, we whine and moan about how it makes us fat. Lydia Maria Child’s poem ends, appropriately enough, with dessert: “Is the pudding done? / Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!” A version for our time would read, “Is the pudding sugar-free?” And if that weren’t enough to squeeze the pleasure from the day, no modern Thanksgiving is complete without a college student home from school, lecturing the family on the cruelty of meat. (To which the only appropriate response is: “Does that mean you don’t want the drumstick?”) That same sophomore is also likely to bemoan the grim fate of the Native Americans who made the strategic mistake of helping the Pilgrims avoid starvation. In some circles, Thanksgiving is second only to Columbus Day as an occasion for grieving.

There will be plenty of time next month for all the secular manifestations of Christmas: shopping, trimming the tree, shopping, mugs of frothing Tom & Jerry, shopping, and watching Ralphie get his Red Ryder BB-gun and Clarence get his wings. Oh, and yes, shopping. But before we break out the ornaments and dust off the Vince Guaraldi soundtrack, let’s make the most of autumn and its particular pleasures. Jump in a pile of leaves. Savor the waning daylight. And go ahead. Week after next, eat that second slice of pumpkin pie –pendants just be thankful for it.