Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Creative Connections for August


8/2 National American Family Day: The first Sunday in August is for spending time with our families.  Unlike some other familial holidays, the proclamation of “National American Family Day” discourages gift giving.  Instead, the observance urges focusing on family relationships.  There are many ways to do this:  Play games outside or go for a walk, Pick some fresh fruit together, Visit grandparents and have a picnic, take an art class together, tour a museum, or try a new recipe and get the whole family involved in cooking a meal.  So how will you spend the day with your family?

8/3 National Watermelon Day:  According to the Watermelon Board, watermelon is considered both a fruit and a vegetable.  Like fruit, watermelon has seeds & a juicy sweet flesh.  A watermelon is also considered a gourd related to cucumbers and pumpkins and it is cleared from the field like a vegetable crop.  Here is a great recipe for a watermelon smoothie.  So, enjoy eating both vegetables and fruits with just watermelon on this day!

8/4 On August 6th, join your local police department in building police-community partnerships and help make your neighborhood safer, by attending a local National Night Out initiative. Neighborhoods host block parties, parades and other community events helping to bring the police and public together under positive circumstances

8/6 National Root Beer Float Day:  On this day we remember an all-time great pastime beverage I’m sure we all grew up having.  It’s the perfect time to float a scoop of vanilla ice cream in an ice-cold mug of frothy root beer!  It’s the classic beverage that’s loved by all generations.

8/10 National S’mores Day:  Another great summer pastime is roasting some s’mores on an open campfire!  Today, may variations on the original recipe find their way around the campfire though.  Here are a few ideas to change it up next time you make them:  Try spreading peanut butter on the graham crackers before adding the other ingredients, Substitute peanut butter cups in place of the chocolate bar, Replace the graham crackers with fudge-dipped cookies, or Add banana slices to it!  Need a recipe for one?  Here one for a S’mores Bar.  Give it a try and enjoy!

8/16 National Tell A Joke Day:  Why do seagulls fly over the sea?  Because if they flew over the bay they would be called baygulls!  A day to be filled with smiles and much laughter form morning till night.  Fun fact-Jokes have been a part of human culture since at least 1900 BC.  I remember sharing great laughs with my family growing up over funny jokes.  Here is a few jokes to share with the whole family.

8/19 National Soft Ice Cream Day:  Another great day to have this summer!  Nothing like a cup or cone of ice cream to cool off during a hot summer day and on this day you are encouraged to pick your favorite flavor of soft serve.  Here is an easy recipe for some homemade ice cream to try out.  Make sure to stop by your local ice cream shop and celebrate the day! 

8/21 To honor our population over the age of 60, President Ronald Reagan issued a Proclamation creating National Senior Citizen Day! To quote his Proclamation, “For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older.” On National Senior Citizen Day, we should spend time to appreciate those grandparents and older adults in our lives for all they have done for us and society.
8/24 In honor of the anniversary of the waffle iron, National Waffle Day is observed on August 24th. Waffle’s are created by heating waffles between two iron plates which give the waffle it’s unique characteristics. Belgian waffles originated in the U.S. at the New York World’s Fair in 1964. Do you prefer your waffles as a breakfast food or a dessert?
8/26 The Women’s Equality Day Proclamation was passed in 1973. The U.S. Congress designated August 26th, as the official day to commemorate the 19th amendment which granted women the right to vote.

8/30 National Beach Day:  Whether we spend time on beaches oceanside, at ta lake or river, they provide recreation all summer long!  Swimming, water sports, and sunbathing are just a few of the relaxing things that our beaches can provide.  But when it comes to swimming at the beach be sure to be safe at all times  Here are some excellent tips provided by the American Red Cross. 
There are great websites that detail fun & often free things to do in New Jersey every month! Call ahead and make sure the activities are happening before you head out for your day!