by Robin Charin | Nov 2, 2023 | Party Tips |
1621: Thanksgiving as we know it in the U.S. is modeled on the first ever autumn harvest celebration shared by 90 Wampanoag Native Americans and 50 Plymouth colonialists (Pilgrims). The celebration lasted three days; only five women were present.
1782 (more or less): Thomas Jefferson thought a Federal holiday for Thanksgiving was “the most ridiculous idea” ever. Benjamin Franklin, however (having proposed and advocated for selection of the turkey as U.S. National Bird) didn’t appreciate Jefferson’s slight; it’s believed that Franklin named the male Turkey “Tom” to spite Jefferson.
1846: Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent writer, editor and women’s activist who’d also written, “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” began writing letters to the president to propose Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Her campaign spanned five presidents.
1863: Ms. Hale’s 17-year campaign finally reached success when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving Day a national holiday. For her dedication, many consider Sarah Hale the “Mother of Thanksgiving.”
1870s: The sacred correlation of Thanksgiving with football has existed since the mid-1870s, beginning with college football.
1981: Butterball established their “Turkey Talk” hotline (1-800-BUTTERBALL) when six home economists answered 11,000 turkey preparation questions between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Today Butterball turkey experts receive about 100,000 turkey-related calls in November and December. Advice is now also available through social media, texting or live chat.
1987: During the yearly National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, President Ronald Reagan granted the first presidential pardon to a turkey; the lucky recipient was then retired to a petting zoo. (President George H. W. Bush made the turkey pardon a permanent addition to the annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation in 1989.)
by Robin Charin | Oct 18, 2023 | Party Tips |
The Teal Pumpkin Project was created to ensure that all children are included in Halloween traditions by promoting safety, inclusion and respect for individuals managing food allergies. This worldwide movement offers an alternative for kids with food allergies, as well as for other children for whom candy is not an option. It keeps Halloween a fun, positive experience for all!
Halloween can be a tricky time for families managing food allergies. Many Halloween candies contain common allergens and are off limits to some. Additionally, many miniature or fun-size versions of candy items contain different ingredients than their full-size counterparts, and some miniature candies may not have labels either. All of this makes it difficult for parents to determine if the treats are safe for their kids.
Participation in The Teal Pumpkin Project is as simple as displaying a teal pumpkin at your home or place of business to alert trick-or-treaters that you have non-food treats for them. You can paint a pumpkin teal-colored OR print a sign online to post on your door. Many stores carry teal-colored pumpkin decorations as well.
These small, inexpensive items can be glowsticks, small toys, small craft items, and similar. Craft and dollar stores can be a gold mine of potential goodies. Here are some to look for:
glow sticks
bubble sticks
wristbands
pencils
erasers
lip balm
pens
sticker booklets
super balls
fidget spinners
crayons
mini bath bombs
yo-yos
key chains
playing cards
pencil toppers
mini notepads
Pick up some non-food items wherever you pick up your treat or treat candies!
#TealPumpkin #TealPumpkinProject #TealPumpkinProject2023
#Halloween #Halloween2023 #HalloweenEntertainment
#RTClown #RTClownOfficial #RobinCharin #Spooky
by Robin Charin | Sep 28, 2023 | Party Tips |
Ahh…cooler nights, falling leaves, and pumpkins on the porch — all dead giveaways that it’s Halloween time! Professional event planner R.T. Clown (310.376.2250) has helped schools, corporations and private residents celebrate since 1985, so we know a thing or two about Halloween. These days, just about everyone associates Halloween with costumes, candy, and children who yell, “Trick or treat!” But Halloween’s roots reach much further into history than many people realize.
Roots in Really Old Europe
Halloween has its roots in ancient European history. According to many historians, Halloween started as part of the ancient Celtic festival of “Samhain,” which celebrated the end of harvest and the beginning of the “darker part of the year.”
Part of Samhain included lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off evil spirits. Participants also burned fruits, vegetables, grain, and possibly animals as offerings to the gods. It’s a time when the veil between the natural and supernatural worlds was at its thinnest. Many Celts believed the dead could walk among the living during Samhain! Today, many historians believe that Halloween’s association with scary creatures, food, and curses began with these pre-Christian customs more than 2,000 years ago.
Halloween in the Anno Domini
As Christianity gained hold in the 8th Century A.D., Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as the day to honor all saints. This became known as All Hallows Eve (and later, Halloween) and included some of Samhain festival traditions. The evening before was a day of trick-or-treating, dressing up in costumes, and carving jack-o-lanterns. These traditions grew around the world, and soon Halloween became synonymous with shorter days, colder nights, gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.
Halloween and R.T. Clown
Halloween is a big deal at R.T. Clown – in fact, we’ve coordinated more than 40,000 successful events since the company was founded! Because R.T. Clown has a full roster of 200+ professional entertainers to call on, we can create great Halloween fun. Want magicians, musicians, superheroes, jugglers, unicyclists, caricaturists, psychics, animal acts, fire eaters, and more? Give R.T. Clown a call at (310) 376-2250, and we’ll get you set up, tout suite! Call NOW for best availability!
by Robin Charin | Aug 10, 2023 | Party Tips |
Neighbors, Colleagues & Friends — can R.T. Clown get your help?
Our Manhattan Beach (California) Chamber of Commerce is having its yearly “Best of Manhattan” Awards, and R.T. Clown would like your vote in their “SMALL & MIGHTY” category!
Nomination takes only a minute! Use this form: http://tiny.cc/vxs9vz
R.T. Clown in Manhattan Beach has been around since 1985. We’ve provided delightful entertainment to local companies, preschools, corporations, and individuals since then – over 40,000 events! In doing so, we’ve provided employment and exposure for 200+ local performers in the Southland. And, R.T. Clown owner has supported the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly the Actors Fund) since 1978.
R.T. Clown has conducted business from Manhattan Beach since 2003, and it will continue to do so until it closes its doors!
Nominations end very soon, so please do this now while you’re thinking of it.
And if you could post here to say, “I Voted!” – that would be awesome, too!
Many thanks to you all from our entertaining hearts!
by Robin Charin | Aug 1, 2023 | Party Tips |
August May Be the Most Delicious Month of All!
August 2 – National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
August 3 – National Watermelon Day
August 4 – National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
August 6 – National Root Beer Float Day
August 10 – National S’mores Day
August 14 – National Creamsicle Day
August 21 – National Spumoni Day
August 22 – National Eat a Peach Day
August 24 – National Waffle Day
August 27 – National Banana Lovers Day
August 30 – National Toasted Marshmallow Day
Whew!
And for the Over-21 Crowd:
August 7 – International Beer Day (first Friday of every month)
August 25 – National Whiskey Sour Day
August 28 – National Red Wine Day
Some August Facts & History
August was named in honor of Augustus Caesar, Roman emperor and adopted son of Julius Caesar. Eventually, Augustus was shortened to simply August.
August 11, 1929: Babe Ruth became the first baseball player in history to hit 500 home runs.
August 15-18, 1969: Legendary music festival Woodstock was held in Bethel, NY.
August 28, 1963: Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on the Lincoln Memorial steps in Washington, DC.
Talk to you again soon!
Enjoy Your August!
Comments