Kim McMahill

Memorial Day in the United States honors all of the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is formally known as Decoration Day, the day that commemorated the Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the American Civil War, and was later extended to honor all American soldiers who died while in military service.  On the last Monday in May every year, please take a moment to remember and honor all those who died in service to their country.  

September 21 is designated as International Peace Day. It was created by a vote of the United Nations General Assembly in 1981. This day is dedicated to establishing and promoting World peace, and is celebrated by countries around the world. It often seems that international peace is an impossible goal, but I hope that on this day the world can pause for a moment and consider how wonderful the prospect could be and ponder how we can achieve such a lofty goal.

On September 17, 1787, the Constitutional Congress of the United States of America held its final meeting to sign the Constitution of the United States of America. After the meeting, individual states still had to meet and vote on it. The U.S. Constitution did not go into effect until two years later on March 4, 1789. So, September 17 of each year is recognized as Constitution Day.

September is a month of transition from summer to fall, and there are a number of dates worth remembering. Here’s what’s happening in September.   7 th – Labor Day 11 th – 911 Remembrance 13 th – Grandparents Day 17 th – Constitution Day 18 th – Rosh Hashanah (begins at sundown) 19 th – Oktoberfest begins in Germany 21 st – International Peace Day (UN) 22 nd – Fall Equinox 25 th – Native American Day 27 th – Yom Kippur

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May each year. Memorial Day is dedicated to the service men and women who gave their lives for freedom and country. It is also a time to honor those currently serving and their families, and to remember loved ones who have passed away. This year, I think it is appropriate to also honor those who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic, risking their lives for all of us. THANK YOU!

I hope everyone has a wonderful July Fourth holiday surrounded by family and friends. Have fun, but most importantly, be safe.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It was changed to Memorial Day in 1882. The roots of Memorial Day observance go back to 1865 and the end of the Civil War. Memorial Day is officially celebrated on the last Monday of May each year. This day is dedicated to service men and women who are currently serving or who have given their lives for freedom and country. It is also a time to remember loved ones who have passed away. I hope you take the time to remember loved ones lost and the service men and women who secure our freedom. I also hope you can share this day surrounded with friends and family. Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day

I'd like to give a special shout out to all the Mother's out there. Have a great day - this one is for you!

February is jam packed with special days, especially when you consider it’s the shortest month. Here’s what’s on tap. February 2 – Groundhog’s Day February 3 – Feed the Birds Day February 4 – Super Bowl Sunday February 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday February 13 – Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday February 14 – Ash Wednesday February 14 – Valentine’s Day February 15 – Singles Awareness Day February 16 – Chinese New Years February 19 – President’s Day February 22 – Washington’s Birthday

Christmas pretty much overshadows all the other mentionable days in the month of December, but there are a number of significant and silly days in the month to take note of. Here are just a few.  Advent Begins – December 3 Pearl Harbor Day – December 7 Poinsettia Day – December 12 Winter Solstice – December 21 Boxing Day – December 26 National Fruitcake Day – December 27 New Year’s Eve – December 31

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I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and has the opportunity to celebrate with family and friends. For a twist on the traditional Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, I often make pumpkin cheesecake. If you want to give it a whirl this year, here’s my favorite recipe. Enjoy and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.   PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE Crust : Crush 10 whole graham crackers and mix with 3 tablespoons of sugar and 3 tablespoons of butter. Press into a 10 inch cheesecake spring pan (bottom and 2 inches up the sides). Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove. Filling : Beat together until smooth, 2 (8-oz) packages of cream cheese (works best if softened), 1 cup of light cream, 1 cup of canned pumpkin, ¾ cup of sugar, 4 egg yolks (save whites in a separate bowl), 3 tablespoons of flour, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon each of ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Beat egg whites until stiff and gently fold into the pumpkin mixture. Pour over prepared crust a...

There’s a lot going on in November. To make sure you don’t miss any of the fun, make sure you change your clocks for Daylight Savings time on November 5. Here are a few more dates to keep in mind. U.S. General Election Day – November 5 Veteran’s Day – November 11 Caregiver Appreciation Day – November 13 Great American Smoteout – November 16 Universal Children’s Day – November 21 Thanksgiving Day – November 23

There’s a lot happening in October, including one of those infamous “Friday the Thirteenth” days (if you are superstitious). Here’s a few other special days to keep in mind. International Day for the Elderly, October 1 World Smile Day, October 6 (first Friday of the Month) Columbus Day, October 9 (second Monday of the Month) Thanksgiving Day in Canada, October 9 Boss’s Day, October 16 Sweetest Day, October 21 (third Saturday of the Month) United Nations Day, October 24 Make a Difference Day, October 28 (fourth Saturday of the Month) Halloween, October 31

Here’s a small sampling of what’s happening in September. September 4 – Labor Day September 10 – Grandparents Day September 11 – 911 Remembrance September 17 – Constitution Day September 21 – International Peace Day September 22 – Fall Equinox September 22 – Native American Day September 23 – Oktoberfest begins in Germany

I hope everyone has a fun and festive Fourth of July holiday with friends and family. Celebrate your independence and be safe.

The first Father’s Day was observed in Spokane, Washington on May 18, 1910, and it continues to be celebrated on the third Sunday in June of each year. I hope all the Dads out there have a very special day.

Here are some important dates coming up in June: D-Day, World War II – June 6 Flag Day -  June 14 Father’s Day - June 18 The Summer Solstice – June 20

Memorial Day is officially celebrated on the last Monday of May. The holiday is a time to express our gratitude to the service men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, and to remember loved ones who have passed away. Memorial Day traditions include parades, picnics, and a visit to the cemetery to decorate the headstones of loved ones or pay tribute to veterans, often distinguished by flags placed near their headstones. However you choose to celebrate, please take a moment and remember those who have sacrificed so much for our country and our freedom. No words can adequately express my gratitude. Thank you!

Wishing my mom and all the mom’s out there a wonderful Mother’s Day. Did you know that the first Mother’s Day was recognized on May 10, 1908 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?