JUNE - Every Day this Month

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Flip a Coin Day - June 1st

Today's the day to make decisions as easy as flipping a coin. It's "Flip a Coin Day" - a tradition that dates back to Julius Caesar. On the first of June, Caesar would take a coin and flip it to make decisions when a choice was unclear to him. The correct answer was "heads" - because the coin carried his image. So how do you celebrate this day? You guessed it... flip a coin!

National Bubba Day - June 2nd

"National Bubba Day" honors anyone nick-named or called "Bubba" - a term of endearment typically used in the South.

Celebrate National Bubba Day: Act like a Bubba today and you qualify. Bill Clinton was called "Bubba." Celebrate the day by watching Forest Gump - the movie that introduced the beloved character "Bubba Gump." Pictured is our late Labradane "Bubba" - aka "Bubbis D. Doggus" - the "D" stands for doofus - a true Bubba.

National Donut Day - June 3rd

National Donut Day memorializes the Doughnut Day event created as a fund raiser for the Chicago Salvation Army in 1938 to honor their "Lassies" of World War I who served doughnuts to soldiers. Still a fund raiser run by The Salvation Army, legend has it that the provision of doughnuts to US enlisted men in WWI is the origin of the term "doughboy," to describe US infantry. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]

National Cheese Day - June 4th

Cheese is an ancient food whose origin predates recorded history.  In Homer's Odyssey the Cyclops is described as making cheese.

The first cheese factory opened in Switzerland in 1815, but it was in the U.S. where large-scale production first found real success. Jesse Williams, a dairy farmer from New York, started making cheese in assembly-line fashion in 1851. There are 500 different varieties of cheese, recognized by the International Dairy Federation. With it's calcium, protein and phosphorous content, some studies claim that cheese can help prevent tooth decay.

Germany is the world's largest consumer of cheese. Finland second. The United States ranks 11th behind Iceland, France, Switzerland & other countries. Mozzarella is America's favorite cheese and accounts for nearly a third of all cheese consumed, mainly because it is a major ingredient of pizza.  [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]

So c'mon and celebrate National Cheese Day... in the immortal words of John Belushi, have a:

World Environment Day - June 5th

Five elements sustain the environment: earth, air, fire, water - and spirit.

Earth nourishes life. We must take care of Mother Earth. Air is essential to survival, representing mind and knowledge.   Fire symbolizes the energy of the sun as well as the energy of our bodies.   Water, like our emotions, can cleanse with love or devastate with rage.   Spirit represents our ethics and responsibility as protectors of the Earth.

First celebrated in 1972, World Environment Day is the United Nations attempt to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and encourage political attention and action. "Forests: Nature at Your Service,' to underscore the intrinsic link between quality of life and the health of forests, has been one of its themes.    Seems that we don’t mind recklessly pulling down trees to make way for broader roads and bigger residential/commercial establishments, despite the fact that our summers have become hotter and our winters cooler.

What of it? We have our cooling and heating systems, and who cares about the majority of the world’s population that does not. We systematically pollute and deplete our natural water resources, and cling proudly to our bottled water.

A love for our environment cannot be created merely by introducing Environmental Education as a compulsory subject in schools. It has to become a way of life from infancy. If only we could encourage our children to love and appreciate nature as much as the iPod; help them to realize the importance of trees by making them plant and nurture at least one; teach them to conserve resources by simply turning off lights when not in use; instill in them the dignity of labor by making them do small household chores; develop their taste buds by serving healthy food and limit “fast food;”. and teach them to be sensitive, loving, sharing, and caring. [SOURCE:   Shobha Shukla, mangalorean.com]

Have you been meaning to start buying organic, remembering to turn off lights, buy a reusable grocery bag, or start recycling but just haven't gotten around to it? Start today! You CAN live a greener life year-round:

- Switch from plastic to reusable cloth grocery bags.
- Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth & you'll save up to 3 gallons of water every time!
- Green your office: print double sided, turn off monitors, start an office recycling program.
- Bike, walk, take public transportation or carpool.
- Jog outdoors to save the energy needed to run a treadmill.
- Plant a tree, start a garden, and a compost heap.
- Think outside of the bottle. Bottled water costs 1900 times more than tap water!

For more ideas on how you can help the environment: http://www.unep.org/wed/A-Z

June 6th - D-Day

160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion. By day's end the Allies gained a foot-hold in Normandy, but the cost was high - more than 9,000 soldiers were killed or wounded - but more than 100,000 Allied forces began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler.

June 7th is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day

Today we celebrate one of the most popular ice cream flavors of all time. Thomas Jefferson took a fancy to ice cream while living abroad during the 1780s when he was ambassador to France. It's likely that he is responsible for bringing this delicious frozen treat to America. The United States produces @ 1.6 billion gallons of ice cream each year. Whether you prefer your ice cream in a cone, a cup, in a sundae, or a milkshake - indulge in a scoop or two today. Happy National Chocolate Ice Cream Day!
[ source: www.punchbowl.com ]

June 8th - World Oceans Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tSEbPSrKkp4

June 9th - Donald Duck's Birthday

Donald was born in 1934 and appeared in 150 theatrical films. Clarence "Ducky" Nash was the original and iconic voice of Donald Duck.

June 10th - Ballpoint Pen Day AND National Iced Tea Day

New York retailer Gimbel's Department Store placed a full-page ad in the New York Times promoting the first sale of the ballpoint pen in the U.S. The ad described the new pen as a "miraculous fountain pen... guaranteed to write for two years without refilling!" Gimbel's sold out its entire stock of 10,000 pens that October day in 1945 - at $12.50 each.

Since ancient time tea has had a wide range of medicinal uses, and modern research has identified more potentially credible results. Known or suspected medical applications of drinking tea include: reducing the risk of heart disease, as defense against cancer, tumors and stomach ailments, soothing sore throat, and promoting relaxation.

Iced tea was first served in 1904, when an English tea plantation owner set up a booth to sell hot tea at the St. Louis World's Fair. It was a sizzler of a day and fair visitors wanted something cold to quench their thirst. Richard Blechynden dumped his hot tea into ice and served it cold - an immediate hit and the first known use of iced tea.

June 11th - Kamehameha Day

KAMEHAMEHA DAY (kah-may-ha-may-ha) is an Hawaiian holiday celebrated
the 11th of June.

Hawaiian legend has it that a great king would one day unite the islands, and that the sign of his birth would be a comet. Kamehameha, son of Hawaiian royalty, was the child born while Halley’s Comet traversed the skies in the 1700s, during the reign of King Alapai'i. The king's priest (the kahuna) warned that a fiery light in the sky would signal the birth of a "killer of chiefs" and Alapaʻi grew nervous at the thought of a child eventually usurping his rule. Taking no chances, he ordered the death of children born under the comet. (Sound familiar?)

But Kamehameha’s parents somehow anticipated that their son was in danger and, as soon as he was born, he was given into the care of the noble Naeʻole and disappeared from sight. Then, five years after his birth, a remorseful Alapaʻi had a change of heart and invited "the child born under the comet" to be recognized by - and live with - the royal family. Under the guidance of a kumu (teacher), the child, Kamehameha, was given to the royal family and learned the ways of diplomacy and war. Kamehameha's fame increased when, according to legend, the long awaited king would lift the 5,000 pound Naha Stone. At age 14, Kamehameha lifted the stone. The Naha Stone still exists in front of the Hilo Public Library on the island of Hawaii.

In his lifetime, Kamehameha ended the practice of human sacrifice (to the ancient Hawaiian gods) and entertained the notion of Christianity. In accordance with ancient custom, his body was hidden in death and his final resting place remains unknown to this day. In the Hawaiian language “Kamehameha” means: “the lonely one."

Click on the recording that follows: "E O Mai," by the late, great contemporary Hawaiian artist Keali'i Reichel. It's beauty in its native language transcends the need for translation.

Whether you've visited, it's one your "bucket list," or know you never will, we hope that you'll enjoy the slideshow of beautiful Hawaii - Kamehameha's home.

Click on the musical selection below to begin the journey.

June 12th - National Peanut Butter Cookie Day

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Classic-Peanut-Butter-Cookies/Detail.aspx

June 13th - National Weed Your Garden Day

Be sure to celebrate today by weeding for an extra 5 minutes. Oh, you don't weed? Be sure to celebrate by weeding 5 minutes today - or bring a plant to care for into your home.

June 14th - Flag Day

The idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag originated in 1885 when a schoolteacher, BJ Cigrand, arranged for pupils of a public school in Wisconsin to observe June 14th (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of the Stars and Stripes) as "Flag Birthday." Cigrand reportedly spent years failing to get Congress to declare June 14 as a national holiday. In 1888, while still a schoolboy in Pittsburgh, William T. Kerr founded the American Flag Day Association and became known as the 'Father of Flag Day.' In 1894, the governor of New York directed that on June 14th the Flag be displayed on all public buildings.

In 1916, after three decades of state and local celebrations, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that June 14th was "Flag Day." In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge once again issued the proclamation - but it wasn't until 1949 that President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

June 15 - National Flip Flop Day!

Started in 2007 as a promotional gimmick by the Tropical Smoothie Cafe and their customers to celebrate the beginning of summer. Anyone who walks through the door of one of the 300-plus TSC locations across the US wearing their finest, floppiest, most fashionable flips receives a free smoothie. In addition to offering free drinks to their customers, TSC raises money for Camp Sunshine - a retreat in Maine that offers refuge and support for children with life-threatening illness (and their families).

In honor of National Flip Flop Day, stop by a TSC and make a donation to Camp Sunshine - or simply support a non-profit in your own hometown. It makes perfect sense for there to be a charitable aspect to National Flip Flop Day. Today is a day when many of us are reminded that we have the kind of life that allows for "flip-flopping." Not everyone is so lucky. [ Source: www.yoursole.com ]

Among the flip flops pictured are those of Jackson's own "Queen of Flip-Flops," Sally Penix - who never "flip-flops" in being a friend for all seasons.

June 16 is Fudge Day

Go to the banner on our homepage. Select IN THE KITCHEN and scroll to Recipe #18 for "Sister Sue's Fudge."

June 17 - Eat Your Vegetables Day!

WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY? JUST EAT 'EM!

June 18th is "Go Fishing Day"

The first American fly-casting tournament was held in Utica NY on this day in 1861 - and is the origin of "Go Fishing Day," some say.
Celebrate today on the shore or in a boat, with a fishing pole in one hand, and your favorite beverage in the other.

June 19th - GO BACK TO THE BANNER and click Father's Day

June 20 - Celebrate National Dairy Month

First Day of Summer - June 21st Click > above to begin the music - then Click PLAY below.

June 22 - Take Your Dog to Work Day

http://www.takeyourdog.com/

(Drinks after - optional.)

June 23 - Pink Flamingo Day nod to my niece, Jenny. Her mom was a big fan of the distinctive bird and (at least) once celebrated her likewise one-of-a-kind second daughter's birthday with a front lawn full.

June 24 - FAIRY DAY

It’s International Fairy Day! Today is a day for fairy believers young and old to celebrate the stories, magic, and history of the Fair Folk. For centuries, fairies have been an important part of Celtic culture. In all of the ancient legends, these mythological creatures are described as intelligent, mischievous, and magical.

In his 1904 play Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie wrote that when the first baby laughed, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and that was the beginning of fairies.

International Fairy Day is the perfect opportunity to relive your childhood fantasies and celebrate the joy and magic of the fairy world. Read a classic fairy tale or take a stroll through the woods.

You never know when you might stumble across something magical - like a fairy ring that suddenly appears in your lawn!