NEWS/EVENTS

June 19th:       World Sauntering Day World Sauntering Day is a day to saunter here and there, wherever you go.   You can spend your life walking through life, jogging through life, or being dragged through life. But, life is far more enjoyable if you saunter through it!  It’s doubly true if you saunter with a friend or loved one.   Sauntering is not a walk, jog, trot, or run; sauntering is a form of strolling.  Sauntering is a very casual, yet stylish, form of movement from point A to Point B.  The dictionary defines sauntering as walking along slowly, happily, and aimlessly.  Now, doesn’t this sound like a grand way to get around?   On World Sauntering Day, practice your sauntering technique. Saunter everywhere you go!   The Origin of World Sauntering Day: This day was created in the 1970′s by W. T. Rabe at Mackinac Island, Michigan while he was the Public Relations Director for a hotel on the island.  Rabe was well known for his publicity stunts.   Which wine to drink on June 19th:  Did you know white wine can saunter, too?  Yes-huh!  Haven’t you heard about the magic of ageable white wine?  If not, read below.  But, in honor of this day…take your time.   Take a look around a few ...

June 18th:       International Panic Day Try to stay calm.  Take a deep breath.  For today is Panic Day!  Can you handle today? Good – we were worried for a moment!   Hopefully, everything’s going just swell in your life, and you have no need for this day.  But, if problems and troubles are looming, try to hold off hitting the panic button until this day arrives. Don’t worry.  Don’t fret.  And, above all, don’t panic!  However, if ever there was a day to panic… today’s that day.   Origin of “Panic Day”: Sorry, but we came up empty handed as far as researching who the creator was for this day, or the day’s origin.  Perhaps whoever’s responsible was too rushed and panicked to record his/her creation.   Which wine to drink on June 18th:   It’s International Panic Day – not to be confused with International Picnic Day, which is also observed on this same day.  Why not observe the event by slowing down a little and enjoying life a lot more? Turn off the electronic devices, put your feet up, stop stressin’, and relaaaaaaaaaax!   Let’s face it.  Stress is just part of our lives.  But because everyone handles stress differently, it’s important to learn how to better manage the stress ...

WineNot – Whimsical Wine Pairings for June   June 17th:       Eat Your Vegetables Day Strategically created in the middle of National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, this day is the perfect opportunity to re-introduce a healthy portion of vegetables into your diet.  No doubt about it, Eat Your Vegetables Day was created to promote a more healthy diet…….for life!   On this day, you’re encouraged to eat vegetables for every meal, and for a snack.  Better still, try to be a vegetarian….for the day.  Short of that, any additional vegetables at meal time today will honor the event, as well as make you a little healthier.   We encourage parents to let the kids help with dinner, preparing the salad and vegetables. Along the way, you tell your kids a little about the importance of vegetables for a long and healthy life.   Origin of Eat Your Vegetables Day: We discovered no substantial information about the origin of this day.  We can only speculate that a medical or health organization or group created this day to promote a healthy diet and lifestyle.  Either that, or it was your mom.   Which wine to drink on June 17th:   May we suggest your favorite red wine… coupled with these five fantastic veggie combinations:   Tomatoes, which are ...

June 16th:       National Hollerin’ Contest Day & Father’s Day National Hollerin’ Contest Day is the perfect opportunity to yell and scream at the top of your lungs!  DID YOU HEAR WHAT WE JUST SAID???  J   Spivey’s Corner, North Carolina has a population of about 50 people.  But, on National Hollerin’ Contest Day, an estimated 5,000-10,000 people come to enjoy the annual National Hollerin’ Contest.  Can you imagine the honor of winning this contest!? It’s definitely something to yell about.   Did you know…there are different types of “hollers”?  It’s true! Don’t believe us?  Check the facts yourself: http://www.ibiblio.org/hollerin/hollerin.htm.  Now, rev up the decibels on your vocal chords, and spend today hollerin’.   People have been hollerin’ about this day every year since its beginning in 1969, although we didn’t find any documentation confirming this to be a “National” day.  We couldn’t find any Congressional records or presidential proclamation, either.  However, there does appear to be some national recognition of this event.   Which wine to drink on June 16th:   Would you believe there’s actually a wine with the word, “hollering” in it?  There is!  Although it’s pretty $$$$!  But if you’re up for spending the big bucks on this delectable wine – or another very expensive wine – today just ...

  “Half a pound of tuppenny rice, Half a pound of treacle. That’s the way the money goes, Pop! goes the weasel.”   What does this nursery rhyme, which originated in the 17th century, mean?  “Pop” means pawn and “weasel” refers to coat.  It was traditional for even poor people to own a suit, which they wore as their ‘Sunday Best.’  When times were hard they would pawn their suit, or coat, on a Monday and claim it back before Sunday.  Hence the term “Pop goes the Weasel”!   Supposedly, the poor people of London would spend what little money they had at the Eagle Tavern, drinking their sorrows away. They would then have to pawn their Sunday clothes for more money to feed themselves and their families.  So the original lyrics read: “Up and down the City road In and out the Eagle, That’s the way the money goes, Pop! Goes the weasel” Somehow, we think “pop goes the weasel” sounds much better than “Pawn the coat”.  But then again, maybe it’s just us.   Which wine to drink on June 14th:  You know, on this whimsical holiday we think it would be appropriate to drink whichever wine/s you like!  Just make sure you can afford it, first – so you don’t have to “pop” ...

 June 13th is National Kitchen Klutzes of America Day!  This post is in honor of all those in the kitchen who try so hard – yet fail so big.   This day is for the mom who cut herself in a knife-skills class (a class given to her as a gift) so that she’d learn to stop cutting herself in the kitchen.   This day is for the girl who couldn’t figure out why her challah dough wasn’t rising, later realizing she used salt instead of sugar.   This day is for the aspiring pumpkin pie maker who dropped a pumpkin down the stairs as a last resort after unsuccessfully trying to slice it with a knife.   What’s been your klutziest moment in the kitchen?  Go ahead – shed the shame and share it with us!  Think of it as therapy.  And remember – we’re not laughing at you… we’re laughing with you!  (Yeah, that’s it.  With you.  At least that’s our story, and we’re sticking to it).   Which wine to drink on June 13th:  If you happen to be a “WK” (full blown Wine Klutz), don’t despair!  You can enjoy this fun holiday in spite of your ineptitude!  For starters, we’ll give you some great wine pairing info ...

Today is Sewing Machine Day!  Thomas Saint patented the first sewing machine in 1790.  Since then, the sewing machine has become one of the iconic symbols of the Industrial Revolution, representing the transition from traditional handmade goods to automated production.   For many decades the sewing machine was a standard household appliance, but it’s no longer considered a domestic necessity.  Although the heyday of the sewing machine has come and gone, we can still recognize its significance in our history.  Without this important invention, the process of making clothing (and any sewn item) would be extremely tedious.  Each article would have to be sewn by hand, stitch by stitch!   To celebrate Sewing Machine Day, dig out your sewing machine and start a new project, or sign up for a sewing class to learn this important handcraft!   Which wine to drink on June 12th:  Sometimes it’s not just the wine that makes a holiday special, but the events during which the wine is enjoyed on that day!  Who would’ve ever thought that sewing and drinking wine would be a match made in heaven?!  Read the fun and creative idea below, and then see if there’s a similar event in your neighborhood or community to which you ...

 What a great day! This is an opportunity to give and to receive.  Give a hug, and you automatically receive one in return.  Sure, someone might not hug back.  But, really, how often does that happen!?!   Hugs are loving.  Hugs are therapeutic.  Hugs are caring.  Hugs are celebratory.  Hugs make you feel good inside.  Have you ever received a hug from someone who didn’t care?  We didn’t think so.  That’s proof positive that you’re loved and cared about!   Origin of National Hugging Day: National Hugging Day was created in 1986 by Rev. Kevin Zaborney from Caro, Michigan. Strangely, this day is copyrighted.  You would think that hugs should be given freely and without recourse.  Regardless, we’re thankful to the Reverend Zaborney for creating this day and would love to thank him with – what else – a big hug!   We found no reference to this day as a “National” day, which requires an act of congress.   Which wine to drink on June 11th:   Which wine pairs best with the holiday of National Hugging Day?  We say any wine that you and your best friend love!  We invite you to read the sweet story below by Jennifer Podis, Palm Beach Post staff writer, about a woman, her ...

Yo-Yo day is here…hooray!  (Not that you need an excuse to play with your Yo-Yo).  Wherever you are today, bust out your Yo-Yo and impress your friends, family, and co-workers with your Yo-Yo skills.  Why not “walk the dog” or “shoot the moon” at work today!  If you don’t think it’s appropriate at work, consider the fact that three U.S. presidents (Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon) showed off their Yo-Yo expertise while in office!   Yo-Yo Day’s origin is hard to factually prove.  Many believe that the Yo-Yo originated in China as early as 500-1000 B.C.  However, there’s some evidence that it was first used in Greece even earlier.  Over the centuries the Yo-Yo has had its…ups and downs (Baaaa haaaaa!).   The Yo-Yo was made wildly popular in America by businessman Donald F. Duncan Sr. Thus, (we’ve always wanted to use that word – “thus” – in a sentence, so this seemed just as good a place as any) National Yo-Yo Day was established in his honor.  Duncan manufactured the “Duncan Yo-Yo” in the early 1900′s.   Which wine to drink on June 10th:   Okay… we must confess we couldn’t find a special, specific wine that would be appropriate to drink on this holiday.  But – we ...

Happy Birthday, Donald!   Donald Duck Day is celebrated in honor of Donald Duck’s cartoon debut.  Donald, one of Disney’s most popular and beloved characters, first appeared in “The Wise Hen” on June 9, 1934.  While Donald is over 70 years old, he doesn’t act a day over 20.  While we’re not exactly sure who created this daffy holiday… we strongly suspect it was Daisy (Duck).   Did you Know… that Donald has a middle name?  Donald F. Duck’s middle name is “Fauntleroy”.  With that piece of impressive knowledge, you’re armed and ready to win the championship on Jeopardy!     Which wine to drink on June 9th:   In its heyday Baby Duck was a very successful product!  It’s a sweet, fuzzy wine modeled after Mateus, the popular wine of Portugal.   Hugely successful, Baby Duck was the best-selling domestic wine during the 1970’s and it hatched numerous imitators: Canada Duck, Love-A-Duck, Kool Duck, Daddy Duck, and Fuddle Duck were joined by Cold Turkey, etc.  All of these wines driving the runaway expansion in the wine trade in the 1960’s and 1970’s were concocted from water, sugar, and grapes that were judged unsuitable for making good quality dry table wines.   Baby Duck peaked in 1973, selling over eight million bottles.  ...