today

Strong medicine

At this point in the season, most of us have finished our first cold weather illness and are stockpiling vitamin C in anticipation of our second. Hot Toddy Day, celebrated in honor of the traditional cold cure, couldn’t have come at a better time.

A hot toddy typically consists of brandy, bourbon, rum or whiskey mixed with hot water or tea, topped off with honey and a slice of lemon. Cloves and a cinnamon stick can be added, if desired. Those with stronger colds that are depriving them of sleep may choose to omit the hot water or tea from the recipe.

The word “toddy” is of uncertain origins, but scholars believe it may have come from the Indian palm wine known by the same name, which would have made its way back to the British Isles with members of the East India Company.

Another theory is that the word refers to Tod’s Well, one of the springs that supplied water to Edinburgh, Scotland. Just as the word whiskey was derived from Irish and Scottish Gaelic words for water, “toddy” may have been a colloquialism for “water” taken from the name of a local spring.

Wherever the name may have come from, the hot toddy has been handed down from generation to generation as a home remedy for the common cold and the flu. Some health professionals advise against them, as alcohol can cause dehydration, but Dr. TWiP recommends all things in moderation.

Wednesday

Education aid education

With the cost of a college education rivalling the price tag of a small country, knowing your options for financial aid has never been more important. Find out what’s available for your student at a financial aid night for high school seniors and their parents from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Nashua Public Library Theater at 2 Court St. in Nashua.

You’ll learn what types of financial aid are out there and how to apply for them, plus you’ll pick up tips on how to successfully complete financial aid and scholarship applications.

That most daunting of financial aid acronyms, the FAFSA form, will also be explained in detail. That way, it won’t be quite so intimidating when you sit down to fill it out.

For more information, call the library at 589-4600 or visit http://nashualibrary.org.

Saturday

High-flying fun

Before the advent of large commercial passenger planes, flying was mainly the territory of daredevils and rogues. Relive the adventurously airborne days of yore at a free showing of “Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines” at 11 a.m. at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire at 13 E. Perimeter Drive in Londonderry, on the east side of the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

Based on the air races held in Reims, France, in 1909, this classic film follows the misadventures of a group of international pilots as they try to beat each other across the English Channel in order to win a substantial amount of money and newspaper-front-page glory.

Equal parts madcap comedy and fast-paced action with a dash of romance, the film features historically accurate reproductions of period aircraft and daring aerial stunts.

Although admission is free, space is limited. To reserve your seats, call 669-4820 and leave a message as to the number of people attending. Details can be found online at www.nhahs.org.

Sunday

Multicultural moves

If the last “ethnic dance” you learned was the Macarena, you’re in for a treat. Experience the music and dance of the variety of cultures that make up New Hampshire at “Keeping the Dream Alive,” a festival sponsored by the New Hampshire Cultural Diversity Awareness Council, from 1-5 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel at 700 Elm St. in Manchester.

Enjoy an afternoon of performances by musical groups and dance troupes representing some of the ethnicities in the Granite State, such as Nashua’s own Raymond Street Klezmer Band, the New England Irish Harp Orchestra, and the Lykeion ton Ellinidon Hellenic dance troupe.

Chinese, Asian Indian, and Native American musical and dance traditions will also be represented.

Admission is $5. For more information, visit http://nhcdac.org or contact the council at 487-3851 or nhcdac@aol.com.

The Week in Preview (written by Teresa Santoski) won’t cure the common cold, but it can, perhaps, double as a tissue in a pinch. Know of an event worthy of filling this space? Call 594-6467 or e-mail tsantoski@nashuatelegraph.com. Information should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event. Follow TWiP, Daily TWiP, Tete-a-tete, and Teresa’s other writings at twitter.com/TeresaInPreview.