Blog
New Year Celebrations
on December 27, 2023
There are hundreds of good luck rituals woven among New Year celebrations, all practiced in the name of exercising a little control over fate. The Dutch, for whom the circle is a symbol of success, eat donuts. (Powdered Sugar has not been confirmed). Greeks bake special Vassilopitta cake with a coin inside, promising good luck in the coming year on whoever finds it in his or her slice. Fireworks Fireworks on New Year’s Eve started […]
Christmas Stockings
on December 17, 2023
The tradition of Christmas stockings originated in the generous deeds of a nobleman named Nicholas who was born in 280 A.D. in Asia Minor. Nicholas dedicated his life to following the principles of Jesus Christ, using his wealth to help impoverished and suffering people. He became the Bishop of Myra in his young years, and was immensely popular for his kind, generous heart. Living a lifetime of celibacy, Nicholas never married or had children, but […]
Christmas Tree
on December 10, 2023
Christmas Tree Lore is an established part of modern life. In 16th-century Germany, fir trees were decorated, both indoors and out, with apples, roses, gilded candies, and colored paper. In the Middle Ages, a popular religious play depicted the story of Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Religious Roots A fir tree hung with apples was used to symbolize the Garden of Eden — the Paradise Tree. The play ended with the […]
Candy Canes
on December 2, 2023
Candy Canes are a long cherished holiday tradition. The first recorded ‘candy stick’ came from 1837 at a candy exhibition in Massachusetts in the USA. They started as straight white sugar sticks and a few years later the red stripes were added. The first time they are documented as being called ‘candy canes’ comes in 1866; and their first connection to Christmas comes from 1874. Early recipes had them as simply ‘sugar’ flavored. But we’re […]
Colors
on November 26, 2023
There are several colors which are traditionally associated with Christmas. We know we see Red, Green and Gold. But why do we have them and what do the colors represent? Most the colors and their meanings come from the western/northern European traditions and customs, when Christmas is in the middle of winter and it’s dark and cold. Green Evergreen plants, like Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and […]
The Thanksgiving Bird
on November 20, 2023
Serving the Thanksgiving bird Every year, families cringe as the annual carve the turkey debate rages on. Carving, and serving, the perfect turkey Many Thanksgiving feasts have been spoiled when the golden brown turkey is hacked to pieces by an improperly trained carver. Whether you are looking to improve your technique, confirm that you are doing it right, or getting ready to pass the knife to Junior this year, here’s a quick look at the […]
Thanksgiving
on November 12, 2023
Thanksgiving History From fall feast to national holiday The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621, to commemorate the harvest reaped by the Plymouth Colony after a harsh winter. In that year Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving. The colonists celebrated it as a traditional English harvest feast, to which they invited the local Wampanoag Indians. A New National Holiday By the mid–1800s, many states observed a Thanksgiving holiday. Meanwhile, the poet and […]
ELECTION DAY
on November 4, 2023
Election Day in the United States of America is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. It can fall on or between November 2 and November 8. It is the day when popular ballots are held to select public officials. These include national, state and local government representatives at all levels up to the president. What Do People Do? On Election Day, citizens of the United States of America can vote by popular ballot […]
INDEPENDENCE
on October 29, 2023
Going solo is fun but independence goes hand in hand with a greater risk. With a friend on board, if you’re injured or fall in the water, there’s someone there to take the helm, help you back in the boat and radio for assistance if necessary. A lone boater has far fewer resources at his disposal if an accident occurs. Safety First If you boat independently, make safety your primary consideration. Prepare by taking a […]
Halloween
on October 22, 2023
It’s rapidly approaching Halloween is one of the oldest holidays with origins going back thousands of years. The holiday we know as Halloween has many influences from many cultures over the centuries. From the Roman’s Pomona Day, to the Celtic festival of Samhain, to the Christian holidays of All Saints and All Souls Days. Hundreds of years ago in Great Britain and Northern France, lived the Celts. The Celts worshiped nature and had many gods. […]