National Roots Day - December 23rd

     National Roots Day is observed annually on December 23 across the United States. National Roots Day encourages us to look into our heritage, families, family history, and ancestry. Collecting information about family roots is made easier when families are gathered together during the holiday season.

     People do like to know their background -- how did their family get to a certain location, achieve what they did, etc. Many times these questions can be answered with some solid family history research. Even spending just a few hours with family members might reveal some new information.
Knowing more about your parents, grandparents, great aunt’s lives, and learning how they conquered the unknown, provides character and personality to the individuals.

     Your family roots are all the ingredients that helped make you the person you are today. The classical example is if your great grandfather had not taken the chance to leave his European homeland and come to America, you just might still be a resident of a European nation, rather than the United States. Even better is when you discover an ancestor with a certain skill such as dance, playing an musical instrument, art work, mathematics, sports, etc., that you have inherited. In a way that ancestor has immortality by you continuing in that same or similar activity.
     Enjoy the search and be proud of your roots.

Love Your Red Hair Day

Red hair is caused by a relatively rare recessive allele (variant of a gene). The gene is recessive and can skip several generations The MC1R gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 16. For a child to have red hair both parents must be carriers of the recessive gene and there is a 25% chance that their offspring will have it.  Having red hair isn't the only thing that makes some redheads unique. They are also more likely to be left handed. Both characteristics come from recessive genes, which like to come in pairs. The MC1R gene is expressed in many cells, and is responsible for more than hair color. MC1R plays a role in inflammatory response, pain sensitivity, and the immune system.

 Love Your Red Hair day encourages you to remember the myths and histories of redheads, but also to revel in the strength and beauty that is often associated with it. Remember, when the world is at your feet, you’re a blonde, when it’s carrying you on a chaise, you’re obviously a redhead. So go gather with other red heads and set the world on fire!

November is Family Stories Month

       This Thanksgiving or any time in November, get the whole family together and share some stories. Ask the older generation to reminisce about their first job, their favorite radio or TV show, price of candy, favorite toys,  high school memories, etc. Memories are great family possessions that genuinely bond hearts together.

        If you are not fortunate enough to have family near you this season, go to a senior home and interact with them by playing cards or board games.  You’ll find yourself listening to lots of stories about how generations before grew up and what life was like in years past.  Furthermore, you may also meet a great friend.

       Create new memories. Start an annual tradition with your kids.  Find a time with your kids that will always be just yours. No relatives. No friends. No interruptions. Teach them a new game. Bake a favorite recipe or cookie. Do something that builds a memory together – without technology.  Family stories live on for years to come. Never tire of sharing them with your family. Make new family memories together – after all, one day your kids will need those great stories to tell!

        What about family legends and myths?

You might hear family lore or other stories about your ancestors. Almost everyone has a story that has been handed down about their ancestors. Some of these traditional stories may be quite factual; others are myth. Almost all family stories have some grain of truth, however. Family legends aren't usually conjured up out of nothing, and that smidgen of truth may be the clue that leads you to genealogical success. Maybe you have already heard some of these stories. Often, they are about how the family came to America or ethnic origins. So take note and take the time to research those family tales, even if only one proves to be true in the end.

It's National Candy Corn Day

Candy Corn was invented by George Renninger, an employee of the Wunderle Candy Company.  He was born December 14, 1856 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of John Renninger from Germany and Johanna Kimmerle of Ireland.   He married Sarah Lunney of Irish descent. They had eight children.  George died September 28, 1944 of lung cancer.

      His recipe was bought by The Goelitz Confectionery Company, now called Jelly Belly Candy. The recipe for candy corn was simple: sugar, corn syrup, water, and other ingredients were put into massive kettles that could hold up to 45lbs of the mixture. It was cooked into slurry and, once well blended, marshmallow and fondant were added to the kettles. This served to smooth out the texture and make the candy soft to the bite. The mixture was poured into buckets called “runners” and workers called “stringers” would walk backwards while they poured the mixture into large kernel-shaped, cornstarch molds. The workers passed over with the buckets three times, each time with a different color: white, orange, and yellow. Fun fact: candy corn is made from bottom to top. The yellow bit is the top and the white is the bottom.