Greetings, fellow Avilones. It’s February, and we remain stuck in the Pandemic hamster wheel. Fortunately, there are some holidays coming up this month to act as diversions from the drudgery of the times. Not counting my wife’s birthday, also looming are Valentine’s Day, Ground Hog Day, and President’s Day. How many of us know the history of these three days? Or once knew but have forgotten over the years? Well, let’s take a stroll down memory lane.
According to Wikipedia, Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, “ was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honor of Saint Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in AD 269. The day became associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries when notions of courtly love flourished, apparently by association with the "lovebirds" of early spring. In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. In Italy, Saint Valentine's Keys are given to lovers "as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver's heart", as well as to children to ward off epilepsy (called Saint Valentine's Malady). “
Groundhog Day “is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks. If it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early. While the tradition remains popular in the 21st century, studies have found no consistent correlation between a groundhog seeing its shadow and the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather. The weather lore was brought from German-speaking areas where the badger (German: Dachs) is the forecasting animal. This appears to be an enhanced version of the lore that clear weather on the Christian festival of Candlemas forebodes a prolonged winter.”
Presidents' Day, officially Washington's Birthday, “is a holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February to honor all persons who served in the office of president of the United States. The federal holiday specifically honors George Washington, who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and was the first president of the United States. The day is a state holiday in most states, with official names including Washington's Birthday, Presidents' Day, President's Day, Presidents Day, and Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday. Washington's Birthday was celebrated on February 22 from 1879 until 1971, when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the third Monday in February, which can occur from February 15 to the 21st. The day eventually also became known as Presidents' Day (though the placement of the apostrophe, if any, varies) and is most often an occasion to remember all U.S. presidents, or to honor Abraham Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays together.”
Okay, now that I’ve dazzled you with my widespread knowledge, er, ability to call upon Wikipedia, here’s something you may find more useful. Though I rarely speak out to promote specific businesses, I make exceptions when it comes to making life a bit easier for us. I recently needed a document to be notarized, and through the magic of Google found a Notary Public right here in Avila Beach. Her name is Gabriela Florence, she lives in the San Luis Bay Estates, and conveniently comes right to your door to provide her notary services. Available mostly in the evenings and weekends, Gabriela can be reached at 831-320-0979. It sure beats having to drive into SLO or South County!
On a side note, winter weekdays – especially evenings - are the best time of year for us locals to more tranquilly enjoy the downtown area and shores of Avila before the invasion of tourists descend upon us come spring. It’s a brief but welcome window.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
According to Wikipedia, Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, “ was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honor of Saint Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in AD 269. The day became associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries when notions of courtly love flourished, apparently by association with the "lovebirds" of early spring. In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. In Italy, Saint Valentine's Keys are given to lovers "as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver's heart", as well as to children to ward off epilepsy (called Saint Valentine's Malady). “
Groundhog Day “is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks. If it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early. While the tradition remains popular in the 21st century, studies have found no consistent correlation between a groundhog seeing its shadow and the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather. The weather lore was brought from German-speaking areas where the badger (German: Dachs) is the forecasting animal. This appears to be an enhanced version of the lore that clear weather on the Christian festival of Candlemas forebodes a prolonged winter.”
Presidents' Day, officially Washington's Birthday, “is a holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February to honor all persons who served in the office of president of the United States. The federal holiday specifically honors George Washington, who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and was the first president of the United States. The day is a state holiday in most states, with official names including Washington's Birthday, Presidents' Day, President's Day, Presidents Day, and Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday. Washington's Birthday was celebrated on February 22 from 1879 until 1971, when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the third Monday in February, which can occur from February 15 to the 21st. The day eventually also became known as Presidents' Day (though the placement of the apostrophe, if any, varies) and is most often an occasion to remember all U.S. presidents, or to honor Abraham Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays together.”
Okay, now that I’ve dazzled you with my widespread knowledge, er, ability to call upon Wikipedia, here’s something you may find more useful. Though I rarely speak out to promote specific businesses, I make exceptions when it comes to making life a bit easier for us. I recently needed a document to be notarized, and through the magic of Google found a Notary Public right here in Avila Beach. Her name is Gabriela Florence, she lives in the San Luis Bay Estates, and conveniently comes right to your door to provide her notary services. Available mostly in the evenings and weekends, Gabriela can be reached at 831-320-0979. It sure beats having to drive into SLO or South County!
On a side note, winter weekdays – especially evenings - are the best time of year for us locals to more tranquilly enjoy the downtown area and shores of Avila before the invasion of tourists descend upon us come spring. It’s a brief but welcome window.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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