Thanksgiving 2021

Fun Thanksgiving facts to share at the table today:

  • Apple pie accounts for 20% of the type of pie consumed today, beating out pumpkin pie (at 16%). 
  • The world’s biggest pumpkin pie was made in Bremen, Ohio. It was 20ft wide and weighed 3,669lbs!
  • The Macy’s Day Parade has been shown on NBC for 69years as of 2021. Catch the parade on NBC, Telemundo, or Peacock from 9am-12pm or 2pm-5pm. 

Black Friday or Buy Nothing

The widely popular holiday Black Friday is just two days away. 

However, Black Friday is not the only event occurring on November 26th – it is also Buy Nothing Day in the United States. Black Friday can be a great opportunity to save money on holiday gifts or expensive investments like new computers but can also encourage needless spending and competitive shopping that can lead to physical harm. Buy Nothing Day is a movement started by artist Ted Dave in 1992, and is an international day of protest against consumerism and the harm it causes to individuals, communities, and the environment. 

 

Family Volunteer Day

Today is Family Volunteer Day, an annual event held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving or two days after the third Thursday in November. Family volunteering is a specific subtype of volunteering; families work together to support their communities/neighborhoods which further strengthens the community and the families involved.

Family Volunteer Day was created in 1990 by Points of Light; it is sponsored by Disney’s Friends for Change and managed by generationOn. The event is designed to help inspire community involvement and the opportunity to help raise kind, compassionate children. Family volunteering allows families to come together and give back, creating a holistic community that thrives on collaborative compassion and empathy. 

Clean Out Your Fridge

When was the last time you cleaned out your fridge? Today is National Clean Out Your Fridge Day; it was created to remind everyone of the importance of keeping your refrigerator clean and tidy. Here are 1 reason to tackle the fridge today:

  1. Cleaning it out will help get rid of any bad smells.
  2. You can assess what goes to waste and save on your next grocery trip.
  3. Fridges can last 15years or more if treated well; occasionally wiping down the insides to remove built-up dust and spills is important for longevity. 
  4. The wonderful feeling of taking in a freshly cleaned and organized fridge when you go to get a job-well-done snack!

World Diabetes Day

New figures from the 10th Edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas reveal that 537 million adults around the world are living with diabetes. That means 1 in 10 adults live with diabetes!

This year’s theme for World Diabetes Day is Acess to Diabetes Care. Despite it being a century since the discovery of insulin, many afflicted individuals do not have consistent access to it and other fundamental components of diabetes care. This must change; if not now, when?

Visit the official website of World Diabetes Day here for more information, or head straight to this link to pledge your support to this cause! 

Halloween 2021: Fast Facts

Tomorrow is Halloween! To celebrate, keep reading to learn some fun facts about the history and current celebration of the holiday:

  • Halloween did not reach mainstream consciousness in the U.S.A until the 1800s when the mass immigration of Scottish and Irish people allowed their traditions to flourish here – traditions that helped form the modern celebration of Halloween as we know it. 
  • The largest Halloween Parade in the world is held by New York’s Greenwich Village; over 50,000 participants in costume make up the parade while millions of spectators visit Manhattan to observe the fun. 
  • Trick-or-treating is a product of the medieval practice of mumming. Mumming refers to the practice of costumed actors parading streets and performing at homes for feast days such as Hallows Eve, Christmas, Shrove Tuesday, and Twelfth Night. 
  • Trunk-or-treating was created as a safer, easier alternative to trick-or-treating for rural communities who live farther apart. 

Black Cats

Today is National Black Cat Day! In order to fight the misleading reputation in the United States that black cats are bad luck, this annual celebration was created to spread awareness and appreciation. The idea that a black cat crossing your path is a sign of bad luck comes from old European superstitions, some linking black cats to witches. This superstition was only furthered by the presence of famous black cats such as Salem from the show Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Binx from Hocus Pocus.

However, many other cultures and countries consider black cats to be signs of good fortune. For instance, sailors used to keep black cats on board for good luck while 19th-century fishermen’s wives’ kept black cats at home to bring back their husbands safely. In Japan, they are believed to improve your love life and are often gifted to newlywed couples. In France, it was thought that if you released a black cat at a crossroad with five routes it would lead you to treasure.

Did you know there are 22 feline breeds that can feature black coats? That’s 22 amazing breeds to love! 

National Pumpkin Day

Today is National Pumpkin Day, an annual event of unknown origins that celebrates the versatile and much-loved winter squash. Did you know Floridians prefer pumpkin pancakes to other pumpkin-themed treats such as lattes, cookies, bread, and pie(1)? Pumpkins are botanically classified as fruits, and there are over 30 varieties to enjoy. There are great nutritional benefits to eating pumpkins(2): being 94% water, they offer a high vitamin and mineral content with low calories. They also have a high antioxidant content which can help the human body fight chronic diseases. So consider visiting a pumpkin patch near you to get some delicious pumpkins to enjoy this fall season! 

International Coffee Day

Did you know that coffee has been around since the 15th century? In this modern day-and-age, coffee is celebrated nationally in the U.S.A. on September 29th and internationally on October 1st. The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is responsible for the international recognition of Coffee Day as of 2015. The U.S. has been celebrating nationally since 2005. Thanks to these annual events, awareness and appreciation of the art of sustainable coffee has grown.

Business Women

Debbie Roney-Smith

Today is America Business Women’s Day, celebrated annually on September 22nd to mark the founding date of the American Business Women’s Association. Created in 1949, this day is designed “to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership; education, networking support and national recognition.” It was officially recognized in 1983, and thrives to this day as female entrepreneurship flourishes in the 21st century. Below are just three of many local women-owned businesses to support today:

Our very own Debbie Roney-Smith with American Gold Realty, located in Marianna, FL. Debbie offers specialized information gained from over 20yrs living and enjoying the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas. With 25yrs of realtor experience, Debbie is a wonderful choice for your future buying, selling, and renting needs!

Black Dog Cafe. Located in Tallahassee, FL. Women-owned for over 20yrs, this cafe offers excellent customer service, locally sourced baked goods, sustainable coffee, and more! 

Florida Star Nurseries & Supply. Located in Marianna, FL. This is a local contractor who has been operating for almost 40yrs. They specialize in landscaping, nursery plants & trees, nursery equipment, and more!