Celebrate Every Day

Did You Know That Donald Duck Has Middle Name?

Welcome to June 9th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the bird that still quacks us up and Summer’s best dynamic duo. 

Donald Duck made his big-screen debut in 1934, but he was first introduced to the world 3 years earlier in a children’s book called The Adventures of Mickey Mouse. In the story, he and several other animals join Mickey and Minnie for a hoedown at a local barn. The story isn’t that significant, but something in the book is—it’s the first and only time that Donald ever wore pants. Plus, the pants and matching hat were green, so maybe that just means he hadn’t yet joined the Navy. Today, we celebrate the crazy little duck who plays second fiddle to Mickey, Mr. Donald Fauntleroy Duck. (Yes, that’s really his middle name.) Happy National Donald Duck Day!

It will probably come as no surprise that rhubarb was initially produced as a medicine.  The first recorded use dates back to 2700 BCE. Today we know that rhubarb is high in oleic acid, although the leaves are toxic and the stalks must be cooked before they can be eaten.  It’s also a food that tastes much better when paired with sugar or sweet fruits.  Strawberries to the rescue!  This winning combination was first discovered in England and Germany, but we have gladly adopted its sweet, tart flavor here in the United States.  On National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day, pucker up and celebrate a seasonal super star!  

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

What's Your Drink Of Choice?

Welcome to June 8th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate pre-picked poison and pals who are the perfect fit. 

Most people saunter up to a bar and aren’t sure what to order. They typically settle for a beer or wine. But wouldn’t it be cool to have a signature drink that you can order with confidence? Like Carrie Bradshaw, who loves Cosmopolitans. Or The Dude from Big Lebowski, who wouldn’t be caught drinking anything other than a White Russian. Or perhaps the most famous drink order of all time—James Bond. As we all know, his drink of choice is a vodka martini. Shaken, not stirred. It’s National Name Your Poison Day and while you can’t possibly be as smooth as Mr. Bond when you order your drink, knowing your beverage of choice will save you time—and may get you some cool points with your friends.

Most of us choose our friends because they like the same things we do.  That makes them good  companions through thick and thin and our “go to” for having a good time.  But best friends aren’t necessarily our twin.  Take Bella the Labrador retriever and Bubbles the elephant. This pair met at Myrtle Beach Animal Safari after Bubbles was rescued from Africa.  Their unlikely friendship was featured in the movie Ace Ventura II and even a Janet Jackson Video!  What makes these besties so special is their love of water.  They can be found splashing around, playing catch and cuddling afterwards.  And while your bestie might not double as a perfect leather sofa, On Best Friends Day, be sure to show them love for being the perfect fit in your life! 

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Do You Remember Watching Movies On A VCR?

Welcome to June 7th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate an old relic and a frozen favorite. 

Once upon a time, dinosaurs ruled the Earth. And now there are only traces of their existence. And through the 1980s and 90s, another giant ruled the world of home entertainment—video cassettes. Instead of sitting on a couch and scrolling endlessly through Netflix, people drove to Blockbuster and roamed the aisles searching for movies to rent. And then one day, those stores were gone. As were VCRs. They were replaced by DVDs which were replaced by streaming content. But it was the VCR that kicked off the era of home entertainment. On National VCR Day, celebrate with a movie trip down memory lane and if you still own one of these dinosaurs be kind and rewind.

While the most popular ice cream flavor is vanilla, it may surprise you that chocolate ice cream was invented first.  The recipe for chocolate ice cream appeared in an Italian cookbook in 1692, but like most frozen treats, it came from popular drinks that were poured over ice.  When the Spaniards conquered Mexico in 1519 they discovered the irresistible Mayan chocolate drink that would become the basis of the first frozen chocolate. Spanish explorer Alberto Garcia reportedly exclaimed, “In all my life I have never made a discovery so fine.  This is not a taste, it’s an emotion.”  On National Chocolate Ice Cream Day, celebrate your favorite scoops that still hold the spirit of the nectar of the gods! 

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Do You Remember Going To The Drive-In Movies?

Welcome to June 6th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a blast from the past and a toy that’s come full circle.

If you’re looking for a novel way to spend a Summer’s night with the whole family, consider the drive-in movie. While they’re not exactly new, once upon a time, these theaters looked a lot different. In Long Island, New York one of the largest drive-in theatres boasted 29 acres that could fit 2,500 cars.  It also had a full-service restaurant with rooftop seating, a trolley system to take kids to the playground and indoor seating in case of bad weather.   Though drive-in theatres fell out of fashion for a time, today they’re making a comeback. With better sound, digital projection, and more restaurant-like concession stands, you can celebrate National Drive-In Movie Day in futuristic comfort.

You may be surprised to learn that yo-yos have been around since Ancient Greece.  A boy and his yo-yo were depicted on a piece of pottery that dates back to 500 BCE.   And yo-yos were seen as a fashion accessory in 18th Century France.  In the Philippines, they were used by hunters, who hid in trees and dropped a yo-yo on the head of their prey.   In the United States a young boy named Pedro Flores brought a similar toy called a bandalore from the Philippines. He eventually created a company to manufacture the toy, which was purchased by Donald Duncan.  On National Yo-Yo Day we celebrate Duncan’s birthday, as the man who made this toy popular.  Which just goes to show that what comes around, goes around.  

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

If You've Never Had A Close Encounter With A Bear You Might Want To Learn A Few Tips.

Welcome to June 5th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate primal plant protein and a downward facing bear. 

It used to be that vegetarians were a bit on the outside of cookouts. Sure, there were veggie burgers, but they were made of beans or soy and most of the time they didn’t hold up on the grill. So maybe you ended up eating some... potato salad…or maybe a roll with cheese on it. But now there are options for people who avoid animal protein: plant-based burgers that taste like…well, actual meat. Thanks to the Impossible Burger and similar brands, non-meat eaters can feel more included at backyard barbecues. On National Veggie Burger Day, celebrate the plant based stuff you can really sink your teeth into.

If you live in the coastal area of North Carolina, you may want to get friendly with the idea of encountering a black bear.  This is where the largest black bears on the planet make their home and enjoy mild winters and abundant food.  Kristen Jones was enjoying some backyard yoga, when she felt a sniff on the back of her neck.  Thinking it was her neighbor’s dog, Kristen stayed in her upside down pose until the creature gave her a lick.  Realizing it was no dog, Kristen stood up to find an equally surprised black bear! Fortunately, neither of them got hurt.  On National Black Bear Day, take time to learn about these mostly docile creatures, that may just be celebrating in your neck of the woods! 

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Welcome to June 4th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate small carbs with a big impact and the world’s rarest cheese. 

You think you like doughnuts? Probably not as much as Jamie McDonald, a guy who would make Homer Simpson jealous. In 2012, Jamie ate 5 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts in 9 minutes, 17.28 seconds. But if eating fast isn’t your thing, how about a piece of the biggest doughnut in history? That record belongs to a bakery in Utica, New York that created a jelly doughnut with a 16 foot diameter that weighed nearly 2 tons. On National Doughnut Day we celebrate the Salvation Army’s first fundraiser honoring the Salvation Army Lassies.  These gals served doughnuts to soldiers on the front lines during World War I.  And while they weren’t fancy or record breaking, we know they had an impact on the guys who missed home! 

Today we celebrate another favorite comfort food - ooey, gooey cheese! This all time favorite can be found in every corner of the world, though it’s made from a variety of ingredients.  One of the rarest of these is the cheese that’s made from moose milk. At the Elk House farm in Sweden, three moose produce milk at the rate of 5 liters a day and only between May and September.  But the price tag makes it all worthwhile at $500 per pound for the finished cheese.  Kinda makes good old cheddar seem like a bargain.  If you’re up for adventure visit the Swedish farm on National Cheese Day.  Or grab a slab of something a little closer to home.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Welcome to June 5th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate primal plant protein and a downward facing bear. 

It used to be that vegetarians were a bit on the outside of cookouts. Sure, there were veggie burgers, but they were made of beans or soy and most of the time they didn’t hold up on the grill. So maybe you ended up eating some... potato salad…or maybe a roll with cheese on it. But now there are options for people who avoid animal protein: plant-based burgers that taste like…well, actual meat. Thanks to the Impossible Burger and similar brands, non-meat eaters can feel more included at backyard barbecues. On National Veggie Burger Day, celebrate the plant based stuff you can really sink your teeth into.

If you live in the coastal area of North Carolina, you may want to get friendly with the idea of encountering a black bear.  This is where the largest black bears on the planet make their home and enjoy mild winters and abundant food.  Kristen Jones was enjoying some backyard yoga, when she felt a sniff on the back of her neck.  Thinking it was her neighbor’s dog, Kristen stayed in her upside down pose until the creature gave her a lick.  Realizing it was no dog, Kristen stood up to find an equally surprised black bear! Fortunately, neither of them got hurt.  On National Black Bear Day, take time to learn about these mostly docile creatures, that may just be celebrating in your neck of the woods! 

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Did You Know That Echo Was A Greek Character Who Talked Too Much? Not Everything Is Fun To Repeat!

Welcome to June 3rd, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate “favorite do overs” and a coconut lover’s dream. 

Anna: Everyone has found themselves in a conversation with someone who talks too much. Even the Greek goddess Hera. The nymph Echo started talking her ear off and just. wouldn’t. stop. Hera was so annoyed that she put a curse on Echo—from that day on, the nymph could only repeat the last word that someone else said. Over the years, it got worse and worse until Echo simply faded away into just a sound. And if you’ve ever been near a canyon, you’ve heard her. On National Repeat Day, try doing the things you love over and over. Or repeat what others say. Just be careful who you do that to. 

John: Do that to.

Some things are simply perfect and if you’re a coconut lover, then macaroons fit the bill.  These cookies have very few ingredients and trace their roots back to an 8th or 9th century Italian monastery.  From there they traveled to the French court of Henry II, and that’s where the technique for making them became complicated.  Today, the recipe for French macarons remains complex, while the coconut macaroon is still blissfully simple.  On National Chocolate Macaroon Day, we raise the celebration bar even higher by dipping these chewy treats in chocolate, but don’t let that keep you from making them from scratch! 

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Do You Know The History Behind The Length Of A Marathon?

Welcome to June 2nd, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate going the distance and the rocky road that makes life smooth. 

During their war against the Persian Empire, the Greeks won a key battle near the city of Marathon. One of the Greek soldiers ran to Athens to report the news, a distance of about 25 miles. As a tribute to that event, the modern Olympic Games established a long-distance race of 25 miles called “marathon” as a tribute. When the 1908 Olympics were held in London, organizers lengthened the race to 26 miles—the distance from Windsor Castle to the finish line at the stadium. However, the Royal family wanted the race to end in front of their seats. So organizers tacked on a little more distance at the end. Which is why marathons are 26.2 miles rather than a round number. On National Running Day, you don’t have to go the distance to get the benefit of this aerobic exercise.

Around the time of the Great Depression, ice cream makers William Dreyer and Joseph Edy decided to try something new.  Up until then, ice cream came in basic flavors, but a new refrigeration technology allowed for more ingredients to get mixed in.  They dubbed their creation Rocky Road, which swirled walnuts and marshmallows into chocolate ice cream. This was a nod to the difficult times people were facing, and this silver lining flavor was a huge hit.  At this point we should mention that Dreyer was likely forgiven by his wife for using her sewing scissors to snip up the marshmallows in the first test batch. On National Rocky Road Day, celebrate the good things in life and the small things that make the road a little smoother.  

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

These Pen Pals Were So In Sync, They Passed Away On The Same Day!

Welcome to June 1st, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate bridging the gap in a single stroke and a life saver that stands the test of time. 

Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were what you might call frenemies. They were very close as they worked on the Declaration of Independence, but had a big falling out after the presidential election in 1800. For the next 12 years, they didn’t speak. But when a mutual friend died in 1813, Jefferson wrote a letter to tell Adams the bad news. Adams wrote back to say thank you and shared some of his memories. They slowly rebuilt their friendship over the next 13 years, corresponding until the day they died. And, ironically, they passed on the same day—July 4th 1826. On National Pen Pal Day, take some time to reach out to a friend or strike up a correspondence with someone new.

It’s hard to say how many lives have been affected by Dr. Henry Heimlich.  Some estimate that his abdominal thrust technique has been performed successfully over 50,000 times since 1974!  This procedure is so simple that even young people with very little training have been able to save choking victims.  Dr. Heimlich did not use the method himself until he was 96 years old, when he saved a woman that lived in his nursing home. What an amazing testament to the power of a method that can still be used by both young and old. On National Heimlich Maneuver Day, we celebrate this life saving technique and the man who invented it.  

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.