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Today is Memorial Day! A federal holiday, it was declared to occur annually on the last Monday in May in order to give federal workers a three-day weekend. It’s been a cultural and social event since the 1860s and was previously known as Declaration Day. It is meant to honor and remember military personnel who lost their lives to war. Read more about Memorial Day HERE!
on Today is National Water a Flower Day! Flowers are wonderful natural occurrences that have many beneficial properties. Humans use flowers for medicinal, therapeutic, and aesthetic reasons. Flowers, and by extension herbs, are used by scientists to help develop medicines and beauty products such as lotion. Studies have also shown that caring for plants and flowers can have a positive therapeutic effect on people.
Rember, the best time to water flowers is in the morning between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.; as the weather is cooler during this period, plants receive more water because there is less soil evaporation. Use today as an opportunity to celebrate the beautiful little creations by watering the flowers you have, planting some new ones, learning more about various flowers, or even by gifting someone you care about with some potted flowers in order to spread happiness.
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The Marianna Police Department wants to remind the community that Click or Ticket begins today and ends June 6th. There will be a crack-down on driving without a seatbelt; it is an event designed to get drivers to make buckling up an automatic habit. Everyone, regardless of age or seat in the car, should buckle their seat belt before the car begins moving. Seatbelts are designed to keep riders safe and secure inside the vehicle, reducing the harm caused by everything from fender benders to severe collisions. Did you know that 55% of individuals who died in nighttime vehicular accidents in 2019 were not wearing their seatbelts?
For more information on how seatbelts save lives, visit the CDC website HERE or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website HERE.
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This special day is sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue, a nonprofit organization established in 1990. This is a special day for the state of Florida as it ranks as the most diverse turtle state in the United States. Additionally, it was one of the turtle diversity hot spots around the world. Visit the official World Turtle Day website HERE, and learn more about Florida Panhandle turtles HERE.
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Today is the International Day for Biological Diversity! Biological diversity is the pillar upon which civilizations are built. 2021’s theme is “We’re part of the solution”. To read a more in-depth description of this international awareness day, visit the United Nations website HERE.
on If you live in the rural areas of the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas, you’ve likely had to deal with the determined, seemingly Houdini-like rascals that are raccoons. There are two easy, DIY recipes you can use to repeal curious raccoons from your home, porch, and other areas you’d rather keep wildlife-free.
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Today was Endangered Species Day! This annual observance aims to bring awareness to the national conservation efforts created to protect the nation’s endangered species and their habitats. Check out the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website HERE to see youth art submissions, audio introductions to endangered species, landowner advice to conservation, and more!
on While not a federal holiday, today is a culturally significant national holiday – Cinco de Mayo!
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated annually on May 5th in honor of the anniversary of an early victory by Mexican forces over French forces in the Battle of Puebla, 1862. These days, it is an opportunity to celebrate the culture, achievements, and experiences of people with a Mexican background. Celebrations include food, drinks, and music. You can learn more about the history and current state of Cinco de Mayo here: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo
on Yesterday was the first day of the Friends of the Library’s ongoing Mini Book Sales! The book sales are held at multiple libraries: the Main Library (445 North Oates Street), Westgate Library (535 Recreation Road), and the Ashford Library (305 6th Ave). Sale hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds from the sale help support the Friends and the Dothan Houston County Library System.
There will be many great finds being sold at a steal: new and gently used fiction and nonfiction books on a variety of subjects (hardback books are $2.00; paperback books are $1.00 each), children’s books (50 cents each), vintage books, vinyl records, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, book sets and surprise bags!
For more information, contact friends@dhcls.org or 334-796-1594.
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Support the local Gulf Coast State College students artists this week by visiting the Student Art Show. The show will be held in the Student Union Building at 5230 W Highway 98, Panama City.