“NATIONAL MERRY-GO-ROUND DAY”
NATIONAL MERRY-GO-ROUND DAY
National Merry-Go-Round Day on July 25th recognizes the amusement ride associated with carnival music. Invite a friend. Pick your horse or tiger take one for a spin!
Along with the roller coaster, the merry-go-round is one of the oldest amusement rides. Also known as the carousel, the merry-go-round rotates on a circular platform around a pole. The platform holds seats for riders. A motor spins the platform around the large central pole. Between rows of seats, passengers ride wooden horses and other animals. Poles anchor the animals in place. Once in a while, the colorful animals move up and down. The movement simulates galloping. Meanwhile, calliope music plays, adding a light-hearted atmosphere.
Often, carousels name their horses. The names add personality to the horses and bring them to life. Undeniably, names like Galloper, Jumper, and Roundabout became favorites among riders. While horses dominate the carousel world, lions, tigers, and many other exotic animals fill the platforms, too.
Not only are carousels fun to ride, but each one is unique. Artists carve each animal, bench, or car passenger ride. Ornately detailed elements decorate the poles and canopy of every carousel. What’s more, there was no limit to their imaginations! Ferocious tigers and docile lambs carry riders around. All the while the music plays its lilting tune. Undoubtedly, no two carousels are alike.
Besides carousels, any rotating platform may also be called a merry-go-round. By comparison, children power the playground merry-go-round. They push off using the bars or handles. The riders cling to the same bars as the platform spins. Since the riders determine the speed, the harder they push, the faster they go. Not surprisingly, one of the thrills of riding the merry-go-round included becoming dizzy.
Carousel Facts
- The earliest known depiction of the merry-go-round is in 500 A.D. The Byzantine Empire’s ride depicts baskets carrying riders suspended from a central pole.
- In the 1840s, Franz Wiesenoffer created the first merry-go-round in the United States in Hessville, Ohio.
- July 25, 1871 – The first carousel patent.
HOW TO OBSERVE #MerryGoRoundDay
Go find a merry-go-round and have fun. Visit your favorite carousel and take a spin. Of course, you can always introduce the next generation to carousels, too. Post on social media using #MerryGoRoundDay.
NATIONAL MERRY GO ROUND DAY HISTORY
In 2014, Bette Largent, President of the National Carousel Association, and carousel historian, Ronald Hopkins founded National Merry-Go-Round Day. They created the day to shine a spotlight on these beautiful, historical creations. The date commemorates the first U.S. patent issued in 1871 to William Schneider of Davenport, Iowa for the modern carousel.
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“July is a Better Time for Vacation”
“January – VACATION – Florida”
This is my brother-in-law Al … with the lady in the center… being his wife and the small child next to her and on her right, sitting so nice and secure is their son.
So… on the left of the photo is “Grandma to their baby,” as that is Al’s wife’s mother. It is a shame that I do not remember their names … as this photo was taken way back and in January 1968!
Looks like I will have a job… to do some checking out … if and when… that will even be possible… of old information.
Every photo has a special “story” for “why else take a picture … if there were no good reason… for taking it!”
Just the year before and in “JANUARY” … my husband, Lee died.
Al in the above picture is one of Lee’s younger brothers and had invited me and my boys, Lee jr., and Al … to come down to Florida …as we all did live in Florida… but Lee was getting to the point of special needs… medical help that could only be done better in Missouri and so we moved back… but at the time of the Funeral … Al had said that we should come on down to Florida anytime for a visit. – ANY TIME –
Well… when Lee died… it was just too much for me to continue working in the nursing home as bookkeeper… too many people reminded me of Lee and how sick he was just before dying.
It was just too much and I could not just quit working… Social Security was not enough for the boys and me… plus the house payment and other expenses… and since I was young enough to still work… that was what I was going to do and just forfeit the little amount from Social Security.
So… I called the telephone company and talked with my last supervisor… told her all that had happened since I had last been working for the telephone company…and ask her if they could use me ….again???
I had worked for the telephone company for… four (4) other previous times and NOW… this would be the fifth (5) time… if they would hire me???
Lucky for me… the best friend you can have is a really good “Supervisor” … she did know that I had a terrific record… always there to work any hours any and all the overtime and including any shift and or even nights … never take a day off just because I might feel sick.
I just figured this out that … that is long before I would take a job… once and if …you will start to get ready for job/work… it’s like a miracle starts to happen… how amazingly fast you can be cured of whatever you thought that you may have had or might be getting!
With my mind set right… my Supervisor had made all the arrangements… all I then had to do … was just get busy and ready to show up for re-employment!
I was really surprised… when the clerk came around … this is several months after having been back and on the job… and was asking “me” … when in JANUARY 1968 … do you want to take your one week of… “VACATION?”
I even asked her… “are you sure … so soon and I would be now ready to think about a VACATION… that I have enough work time in… and would be entitled???”
So… there you are… if you need a job… this is my review … I enjoyed working every day and most probably would … do it again… check it out!
I have friends that stayed longer than me and retired… my problem… just needed to move and try out other things… but if “steady” good work and good pay… is the name of the game that you are looking for… where else would you want to go???
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“NATIONAL AMELIA EARHART DAY”
NATIONAL AMELIA EARHART DAY
Each year on July 24th, National Amelia Earhart Day honors the achievements of the aviation pioneer on the date of her birth.
Author and American aviation pioneer, Amelia Mary Earhart was born on July 24, 1897. One of Earhart’s most impressive achievements took place on May 20th, 1932. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo flight across the Atlantic. He flew from New York to Paris in 33 hours and 30 minutes.
Earhart took off from Grace Harbor, Newfoundland four years to the day Lindbergh completed his flight. Throughout the flight, she faced many technical difficulties. Her goal was to land in Paris, France. The previous year, Ruth Nichols also attempted to fly solo across the Atlantic. Had she succeed, she would have been the first woman to do so. However, Nichols’ crashed while attempting to land for refueling in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia.
Due to Earhart’s challenges in flight, she landed the red Lockheed Vega 14 hours and 16 minutes later in Derry, Ireland. All in all, the flight was a success. She became the first woman pilot to complete the journey. Following Earhart’s record-setting accomplishment, she earned the United States Distinguished Flying Cross.
More Earhart Facts
- Broke many other records
- Wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences
- Instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines (an organization for female pilots)
- Joined the Purdue University aviation department faculty in 1935 as a visiting faculty member to counsel women on careers and help to inspire others with her love for aviation.
- Member of the National Woman’s Party
- A supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment
In 1937, Earhart attempted to circumnavigate the globe. Unfortunately, her Purdue-funded Lockheed Model 10 Electra disappeared over the Pacific Ocean near Howland Island in July.
Today, her successes continue to draw women around the globe to the world of aviation. Fascination with her life, career, and disappearance continues to this day. Whether or not the mystery will ever be solved remains to be seen.
HOW TO OBSERVE #AmeliaEarhartDay
Celebrate the day by researching and reading more about this famous female aviator. Add to your research other women aviation pioneers that led the way such as Bessie Coleman and Louise Thaden. Another way to celebrate includes exploring other amazing firsts in flight. We get you started with these 8 amazing aviators. You can also cast your doubts or share your wonder by using #AmeliaEarhartDay on social media.
NATIONAL AMELIA EARHART DAY HISTORY
We know this day commemorates the birth date of Amelia Earhart of July 24, 1897. However, our research was unable to find the creator of National Amelia Earhart Day.
and Today…
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“Remembering My Friend Kelly Uzzetta”
Happy Birthday “Kelly”
Happy Birthday to another dear friend, Kelly Uzzetta. Have a lot of friends who are having a birthday all around this time of the year!
Kelly was looking for a new home when I first met her. I was a real estate agent at the time and we spent a couple of weeks looking for a nice property… something with some land and lots of room for their seven (7) children. We found just the right property and her family moved in, and we had struck up such a good friendship, which was fun for both of us, and our families.
Over the years her children grew up and I was invited to birthdays and then to weddings and to children being born, making “Kelly” a “Grandma!”
Also, Mr. Uzzetta was in the construction business and I was in need of having a new “bay window” being installed in my house. Mr. Uzzetta and his son were able to complete this job, perfectly. There were several other jobs we needed and Mr.Uzzetta was able to do these as well and at reasonable rates.
There were times when we had the Uzzettas come over for dinner and we were also to their home just as many or more times. It was just one of those times when you just click into a good friendship, and not knowing what the future has in store … and we did enjoyed so many good years associating!
The time for an unforeseen accident … though is something that we just could not comprehend. Kelly had just come home from work and had dinner with her family, and was going to enjoy a short time watching Television, when without any warning and no way to know… just what would be happening in just a very few minutes that evening?
Coming down the highway… a driver “drunk” and having been arrested so many times and still having possession of a driver’s license… crossed over the highway… up and over another road-way and right into “Kelly’s” living room front window and “Kelly was right there suiting, on the sofa… so unaware this was her last day… here on Earth!
Instantly, she was killed. The living room and front entrance to the house, all damaged beyond belief. How could this have happened? The drunk- driver came right between two (2) very large trees – and he, without a scratch. What a night-mare for my very good friend, Kelly and her family.
Her funeral followed in a few days. Such a good life… killed by a drunk-driver, who should have been without a license to drive… while he still had to drink???
Kelly… You may not be here on earth, right now… as you are in a for greater place and that is being in Heaven…
I will never ever be able to forget you… as we always had so many nice times celebrating with our Family extra special occasions… as they came up on the calendar … I still remember so well… some of the places we would go with our husbands… all so many terrific good memories…You were and always will be, a most “terrific friend… to me… to remember!”
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Gene Patrick – Posted on Facebook…Ref; Year 1964/1965
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“GORGEOUS GRANDMA DAY”
GORGEOUS GRANDMA DAY
On July 23rd, Gorgeous Grandma Day recognizes all women of a certain age, whether they are grandmothers or not.
Not all women become grandmothers. Those who do, don’t necessarily fit the traditional mold any longer. Others still reach a point where many assume grandmother status, even though no grandchildren are about. Gorgeous Grandma Day embraces the age of the nana and encourages all women to flaunt their granny attitudes with purpose and style.
While some grandmas fit the traditional mold with gray hair and cookie-baking, home-making, hug-giving, child-spoiling energy to spare, many grannies sport a whole new role. Many take on the part of grandma to the children in their lives.
No matter the type of grandmother they are, they’re all different. Some play the hippest games, wear the latest styles, and know how to find the best deals on technology. Even the grandkids can’t keep up! Funny, sassy and energetic grandmas, rebel grannies and smart grannies make the grade, too.
In many scenarios, grandmother-types step into the role where no grandmother remains. These women lend ears, laps, and hugs, much like the nanas of memory. Of course, they build foundations and set young men and women on their path.
Nearly all of these fantastic women pass down family traditions while teaching children to stand on our own. Full of wisdom and wit, what would anyone do without their nanas? They go by many names, but they’re all gorgeous in their own way.
On Gorgeous Grandma Day, let the grandmothers in your life know how much they mean to you.
HOW TO OBSERVE #GorgeousGrandmaDay
No matter your age, be your gorgeous self. Maybe you’re a grandma, and perhaps you’re not. It doesn’t matter. Own the attitude and celebrate. Use #GorgeousGrandmaDay to share on social media
GORGEOUS GRANDMA DAY HISTORY
Alice Solomon created Gorgeous Grandma Day in 1984 to honor women of a certain age, whether they were grandmothers or not. It’s a time to recognize their accomplishments and their abilities. Their lives have only just begun.
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