Best Travel Times to Avoid Thanksgiving Traffic

PEKIN, Ill. –– Are you planning to travel this Thanksgiving? Many Americans take to the roads each November to visit family members and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, but this holiday can be a rough one if you haven't planned your trip ahead of time!

Last year an estimated 46.9 million Americans took to the road to enjoy turkey and stuffing somewhere away from home, according to AAA. It's safe to assume many of the families who squeezed into cars for those trips found themselves squeezed between other vehicles caught in bothersome traffic jams.

But after two years of monitoring traffic conditions around the holidays, Google uncovered a few insights that could potentially keep you out of the gridlock game throughout your holiday travels. If you're planning on crossing state lines this year to enjoy your feast, take a look at these best travel times to avoid Thanksgiving traffic.

Best Travel Times to Avoid Thanksgiving Traffic

• If possible, avoid making travel plans for the day before Thanksgiving. According to Google's data, Wednesday is the worst day of the week to travel on before Thanksgiving. It's no wonder seeing as everyone else in America is also scrambling to get to their Turkey Day destinations. If your plans require you to travel on Wednesday, try to leave before or after the timeframe of 3–5 p.m., which is considered the worst time on the worst day to travel.

• It might sound crazy, but the best time to travel for Thanksgiving is, well, Thanksgiving Day. Thursday tends to be the day with the least amount of traffic all week, and since typical Turkey Day feasts take place between 12 and 2 p.m., you're less likely to run into any traffic during this time.

• If you're heading to a new destination for the first time this Thanksgiving, prepare for your trip with directions from more than one source––don't put all of the pressure on Siri. We recommend using reputable map sites like Google maps and MapQuest, plus GPS technology of some kind. And, of course, it never hurts to bring along a more dated yet still handy technology, the road map. 

• So you've reached your destination, consumed more turkey than you should have, and packed up the leftovers. It's the day after Thanksgiving and you're probably thinking you can beat traffic by heading home early on Saturday. Unfortunately, this idea runs through just about every other traveler's head. Traffic can be up to 40% worse on Saturday, so spend a little extra time with those long-lost family members and head back home on Sunday instead.

If you're staying around the Pekin area during Thanksgiving, stop by our East Peoria area Ford dealer for some incredible auto service! At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com


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Santa Claus Approved Christmas Cookie Recipes

PEKIN, Illi. - Let the countdown to Christmas begin! With only a few weeks left to check everything off of our holiday to-do list, we realized that the last thing we want is to run out of time before we are able to enjoy all that this season has to offer. One of our favorite holiday activities that we always make time for? Baking festive treats for ole' St. Nick, of course!  

Think about it: Santa travels around the world to visit hundreds of thousands of children in one single night and has A TON of cookies to taste! If you want your Christmas treats to stand out from the rest of the crowd's, check out our list of Santa Claus Approved Christmas Cookie Recipes: 

Santa Claus Approved Christmas Cookie Recipes

The Best Soft Gingerbread Cookies
One warning about these gingerbread cookies: be prepared to make two batches. You will definitely want one to share with others and one to keep for yourself, haha!

Perfect Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

A few special ingredients in this dough ensure that you get a flawless cookie cut-out every single time.

Peppermint Topped Brownies
We know these technically aren't cookies, but they looked way too delicious not to share with you all! Peppermint + chocolate = one delectable combination. 

Peanut Butter Toffee Turtle Cookies

You couldn't pack any more flavor into this recipe! Chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, and toffee; what more could you need?

Hazelnut Chocolate Biscotti

These Italian cookies pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee after dinner. 

Peppermint Butter Cookies

This cookie is super soft and full of peppermint flavor, making it the ideal holiday treat!

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Who doesn't love a rich, chocolately glass of hot cocoa? Now you can turn a classic winter beverage into a scrumptious Christmas cookie!

Velde Autos would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! If a new car is on your wish list this year, let the experts at our Ford dealership help you find the perfect vehicle that will meet all of your driving needs!

At Velde Autos, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

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Must-Try Thanksgiving Dinner Side Dishes

PEKIN, Illi. - It's almost time to gobble until you wobble! With Thanksgiving on the brain, we thought it was time we turn to Pinterest for some scrumptious recipes to add to our holiday menu. Since our screen was just flooded with dozens of delicious dishes, we decided to narrow it down to a list of recipes that we believe are the best of the best!  

From tasty twists on some of our holiday favorites to a few new mouth-watering combinations, we are sure this list contains a side dish suggestion that will satisfy any one of your guest's taste buds. Now it's time to decide which of these Must-Try Thanksgiving Dinner Side Dishes will round out your turkey day feast ––

Rosemary Roasted Carrots

 Rosemary Garlic Fingerling Potatoes 

Roasted Vegetables

Cranberry Brie Bites

Green Bean Casserole

Asparagus and Tater Toss

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Loaded Sweet Potato Skins

Remember you can find these Must-Try Thanksgiving Dinner Side Dishes plus everything from holiday decorating tips to gift ideas on our Pinterest page!

We have a great idea for a stocking stuffer! How about the keys to a beautiful new vehicle from Velde Ford? Come by your East Peoria Ford dealer and take any of our cars or trucks for a test-drive. We're happy to help you with anything you need this winter. 

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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2016 Ford Escape and Fiesta Introduce SYNC 3

PEKIN, Illi.– As the world’s most innovative auto manufacturer, there is no slowing down for Ford Motor Company. The automaker will prove itself once again when the 2016 Ford Escape and Fiesta introduce SYNC 3 to North America this summer.

SYNC 3, Ford’s newest version of its communications and entertainment system, will showcase a broad range of new features, including:

• Faster performance
• Conversational voice recognition
• A perceptive touchscreen
• A simpler graphical interface
• AppLink to incorporate smartphone apps
• Siri Eyes-Free capability for Apple iPhone
• Software updates via Wi-Fi
• Enhanced 911 Assist

The decision for the 2016 Ford Escape and Fiesta to introduce SYNC 3 is a strategic one. The Escape is one of Ford’s most popular vehicles, and the Fiesta is its most affordable. These vehicles will become technologically savvy and safer thanks to SYNC 3. With SYNC 3, drivers can safely connect their smartphones and use them with their vehicles without taking their focus away from the road.

Ford is already on top of the auto tech mountain, and SYNC 3 cements their position even more. It’s safe to say SYNC 3 isn’t the first time Ford has made driving more convenient than ever. All you have to do is look at the New Ford Cars and New Ford Trucks at our Morton Area Ford Dealership to know that!

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

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Ford Electrified Vehicle Patents Opened to Competitors

PEKIN, Illi.– The word is out! Ford electrified vehicle patents are open to competitors! It was a surprising move by the automaker, which, like its competitors, is generally protective of its technology. But what may seem like an unusual move in such a competitive industry is actually one of the best things Ford could do!

With a total of 650 electrified vehicle patents and 1,000 pending, it’s no secret that Ford is a driver in automotive technology. In an effort to show its seriousness about the future, Ford applied for over 400 electrified vehicle patents in 2014, and this year the automaker plans on hiring 200 engineers to work in Ford Engineering Laboratories – where the electrified vehicle technology magic happens. Other automakers have made advancements of their own, but no one brings innovation to the table like Ford.

Progress like this has given Ford room to determine its own goals while also influencing the future of the automotive world at large. In the end, Ford electrified vehicle patents were opened to competitors in order to share invaluable insight that could ultimately benefit the industry and society much more so than keeping secrets.

While sharing its patents is definitely an act of generosity on Ford’s part, competitors can’t expect to piggyback off all of Ford’s hard work! For a fee, competitors can get their hands on Ford’s electrified vehicle patents and published patent applications by getting in touch with their technology commercialization and licensing office, or via the automaker collaborative innovation and licensing marketplace known as AutoHarvest.

It’s safe to say that no other automaker gets technology like Ford does but we’re expecting to see industry technology advance at a rapid pace in the name of collaboration. One thing is for sure: We’ll always be able to trace this technology back to vehicles like the New Ford Cars and New Ford Trucks that we carry at our Morton Area Ford Dealership!

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

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Ford F-150 Top Vehicle Driven by Military Members

PEKIN, Illi.– A few times a year we take holidays from our stressful lives to acknowledge the efforts of our military, remembering all they do and have done to earn our country its freedom. The job of defending our country doesn’t stop for these men and women. They’re a tough bunch, and their job is even tougher, so of course they need a vehicle that can match that toughness. Which is why it comes as no surprise that in 2014, the Ford F-150 was the top vehicle driven by military members across every branch!

Call us overconfident, but it’s hardly surprising that the men and women serving in the U.S. military prefer the Ford F-150 above other vehicles. Ford’s top pickup held this honor in 2013 as well, when it was also a Top Safety Pick, and if you ask us, it’s on its way to being the top selling vehicle for military members yet again in 2015. To the men and women serving in our Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard, we thank you for your service and for making the Ford F-150 the top vehicle driven by military members.

Military members aren’t the only people who see the value in driving a Ford F-150. For the 38^th year in a row it has been the top selling vehicle nationwide! This track record speaks for itself, and that’s why we’re confident in our inventory of New Ford Cars and New Ford Trucks at our TremontArea Ford Dealership!

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Velde GM Facebook, Velde Ford Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram

2015 Ford Edge Earns Five-Star Safety Rating

PEKIN, Illi.– One glance at the 2015 Ford Edge and it’s plain to see that this crossover embodies characteristics sought after by drivers of the 21^st century. We’re not just talking about style either. The new Edge means safety! Most recently, the 2015 Ford Edge earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, confirming its prominence as a crossover that glows with safety at its core.

How the 2015 Ford Edge earned a five-star NHTSA safety rating is a simple question to answer! The new Edge was redesigned with safety as its top priority to elicit the safest driving from its customers. Coupled with its innovative technology, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration deemed the Edge worthy of the distinctive, 5-star safety rating.

The Ford crossover’s safety traits run the gamut and include technology features such as: 

Adaptive Cruise Control: Radar identifies moving vehicles in front of you to alter your cruising speed accordingly. 

Collision Warning with Brake Support: As you approach another vehicle, if the following distance diminishes too quickly and the system senses a potential collision threat, it will give you visual and audio alerts while pre-charging your brakes to allow you to stop suddenly.

Inflatable Rear Safety Belts: A combination of the standard safety belt and airbag technologies to drastically reduce head, neck and chest injuries sustained in accidents. 

Standard Active Glove Box Knee Airbag: A cutting-edge design repurposes the glove box front to improve protection for passengers’ knees during a collision.  

Sensors and Cameras: To help you drive with more awareness than ever, Curve Control, side parking sensors, the new 180-degree front camera with a washer, and standard rear camera are all now available on the 2015 Edge.

The safety features available on the 2015 Ford Edge make it clear why the NHTSA has awarded this crossover with the highest safety rating from the U.S. government! Safety is one reason why we choose to provide our customers with Ford vehicles. You can find plenty of other safe, reliable, and stylish New Ford Cars and New Ford Trucks at our Tremont Area Ford Dealership!

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Velde GM Facebook, Velde Ford Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram

Ford F-150 Proves its Towing Capabilities

PEKIN, Illi.– Repeatedly celebrated for its performance, style, and reliability, the Ford F-150 is the most consistently sought-after truck. And to bolster its position as the best truck around, Ford has equipped the F-150 with some of the most advanced towing capabilities found in a pickup.

First and foremost, the Ford F-150 proves its towing capabilities with its high strength steel frame. This durable foundation enables you to control your trailer with ease and stability. Switch on the F-150’s tow/haul mode and with the support of your truck’s high strength steel frame you can tow your trailer up and down the most daunting hills with ease!

The F-150’s brawn helps you get the job done, but the brains that keep you safe are in its towing technology. The Smart Trailer Tow Connector informs you of your trailer’s connection status, gives lighting and battery alerts, provides warnings, and offers stats like gain, pitch and steering angle. To further accommodate you, it also stores information on up to ten different trailers!

Another added safety feature, Trailer Sway Control, determines if your trailer is swaying and, if necessary, applies the breaks or reduces your engine power to prevent any dangerous wavering. On top of that, the Trailer Break Controller adjusts your truck breaks to the trailer breaks to guarantee you come to smooth, safe stop.

To give you the best experience possible, the Ford F-150 proves its towing capabilities by offering the ultimate convenience. Instead of asking someone to spot you as you maneuver in reverse, the rearview camera featuring Dynamic Hitch Assist saves you the strain of looking over your shoulder and helps you line up your hitch with the trailer simply by looking at a screen. This means you can hitch up and go without wasting time!

                                                    

The F-150’s towing capabilities are further evidence that Ford makes the best vehicles in the industry. That’s why we offer a vast inventory of New Ford Cars and New Ford Trucks at our Tremont Area Ford Dealership!

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Velde GM Facebook, Velde Ford Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram 

Crazy Kabob Recipes for Memorial Day

PEKIN, Illi.– Is it your turn to tame the grill this Memorial Day? If your family and friends are giving you grief because they don’t want to eat the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs, give them something to write home about and try out some of these crazy kabob recipes for Memorial Day! You could say these kabobs are outlandish, but we prefer out-of-this-world! Take a look for yourself:

Antipasto Salad Kabobs

Steak Fajita with Cilantro Pesto Kabobs

Low Country Boil Kabobs

Honey and Beer Glazed BBQ Chicken Kabobs

Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

When your guests notice the absence of bland burgers and hot dogs, smiles will stretch across their faces and you’ll be glad you opted for these crazy kabob recipes for Memorial Day! Something else that might make you smile is a New Ford Car or New Ford Truck parked in you driveway, and we have a huge inventory for you to choose from at our Tremont Area Ford Dealer!

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Velde GM Facebook, Velde Ford Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram 

2016 Ford Mustang Package Options Available

PEKIN, Illi. – Once again, the Ford Mustang will claim its territory as a first-rate muscle car. With a number of impressive 2016 Ford Mustang package options available, we think the new Mustang will definitely beat out competitors in both performance and style.

Two major package options at the helm of the 2016 Ford Mustang are the new Mustang California Special Package and the Pony Package. Initially popularized in the 1960s, these two package options will make a comeback for the 2016 model year. Alongside them, the Mustang GT package will bare an iconic feature making a comeback of its own – hood vent turn signals that were first used on the 1967 model, and became emblematic of the pony car category. 

The Mustang GT's available package preferences don’t end there. Various options will be available for the 2016 Mustang GT and Mustang EcoBoost®, such as over-the-top racing stripes in black or silver, and a painted black roof option. If performance trumps aesthetics in your eyes, the Performance Package on the Mustang GT convertible with manual transmission will include improved structural bracing and an updated suspension, brakes, wheels and tires, making this a Mustang GT ready to effortlessly traverse rough terrains.  Going for a tougher look? A Black Accent Package will also be available on the Mustang GT featuring 19-inch black-painted alloy wheels, a black decklid spoiler, dark taillamp trim, and black 5.0 pony logos.

While performance and style are a main focus for the 2016 Ford Mustang package options, the Mustang's technology suite is super impressive as well, featuring Ford’s new SYNC®3 communication and entertainment system. Available for Mustangs sporting the Premium Package, SYNC®3 delivers a convenient interface with enhanced voice commands and AppLink™ technology that is able to update system software through any open Wi-Fi network.

The 2016 Mustang clearly exemplifies Ford Motor Company's success in manufacturing some of the most alluring performance cars in the industry, but Ford’s capabilities don’t end with the 2016 Mustang. Check out these other New Ford Cars and New Ford Trucks that scream excellence, or stop by our Ford Dealership near Tremont, IL. 

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Velde GM Facebook, Velde Ford Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram 2016 Ford Mustang Package Options Available

Healthy Dinner Recipes For Spring

PEKIN, Illi. – Spring has finally arrived! While we're excited about the nicer weather, it has also sent us into a panic knowing that summer is around the corner, and therefore bathing suit season will be here before we know it. (Insert nightmares.) BUT, the good news is that thanks to our Pinterest obsession, we have tons of healthy dinner recipes for spring at our finger tips!

Below we have gathered up a few of our favorite recipes that taste like spring and will help us slim down for summer without sacrificing taste! Try them out! After a few weeks of tasty dinners and a few good workouts, we bet you'll be running to the beach!

Healthy Dinner Recipes For Spring

Cranberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Chicken

Sriracha Lime Chicken Chopped Salad

Quinoa Enchilada Casserole

Baked Chicken with Spinach & Artichokes

 Easy Shrimp & Broccoli Stir Fry

Orange Chicken with Asparagus

If your vehicle needs help getting in shape for summer too, let us take care of it for you! The service centers at our Buick Dealership and Ford Dealership are equipped to handle any of your auto needs and we're more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Velde GM Facebook, Velde Ford Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram