National Punctuation Day – Sept 24
A comma, a semicolon, a period. To most people, these are simple punctuation marks, to take or leave, especially in this day of text messaging. But to other people, punctuation is an important part of written communication, a roadmap to understanding the intentions of the written word. A much-used example of how improper punctuation can change the meaning of a sentence is: Let’s eat, Grandma. vs Let’s eat Grandma. Certainly, in this case, Grandma is in favor of the comma! Another example of punctuation gone wrong appeared on the cover of Tails magazine. On the front cover, the headline about Rachael Ray’s sources of inspiration read: “Rachael Ray finds inspiration Click to Read more… |
National Stepfamily Day – Sept 16
National Stepfamily Day, founded by Christy Borgeld in 1997, is observed on September 16 each year and is a day for stepfamilies to recognize and celebrate their unique family structure. One in 3 Americans is part of a stepfamily, or blended family. It takes time and effort for a stepfamily to come together as a strong family unit. Parenting differences between the two blending families can lead to stress within the marriage. Studies show that it can take, on average, 4 years to build a strong, steady relationship with a stepchild. There will also likely be at least a little bit of jealousy, a feeling that the stepparent is trying Click to Read more… |
National Read a Book Day – Sept 6
National Read a Book Day is celebrated September 6 each year, and encourages book reading by everyone. Whether you curl up in a comfy chair with your favorite book, read this summer’s romance on the beach, or get in a few minutes of reading during lunch break, reading is an enjoyable activity for many of us. Surprisingly to those who are avid readers, though, is the fact that 28% of Americans have not read a book in the past year. How is it possible that so many people don’t want to learn, grow, or go on adventures? There are added benefits to reading. Reading reduces stress and improves memory. Books Click to Read more… |
Christie Black — GCU June Challenge Winner
Christie Black’s Creations from the Heart Please add any awards or contests you’ve won outside of GCU. I really hadn’t entered many contests, but when I was in 7th grade, I won 2nd Place in a contest held by the city with my drawing of a historic building on our Main Street. In 2001, my design was chosen in a logo contest for a program the city was doing. I had many of my designs chosen as “Today’s Best Awards” on Zazzle. Please add the URLs of your favorite cards in your storefront. My three favorites for now are very recent cards. I think they represent what I like to Click to Read more… |
Gorgeous Grandma Day – July 23
Gorgeous Grandma Day was invented by author and radio show host Alice Solomon to celebrate women over 50 who have grandchildren and who are growing old gracefully – also known as Glammas. What is a gorgeous grandma? She’s a grandmother who lives life to the fullest, takes care of herself, is a lifelong learner, is open to new ideas, loves life, shares her enthusiasm for life with those around her, Examples of gorgeous grandmas: Idiosyncraticfashionistas — Two grandmothers who describe themselves as style bloggers for women of a certain age. And style they have! Actress Susan Sullivan — Martha Rodgers on Castle — Actress Susan Sullivan plays Martha Rodgers, Click to Read more… |
French Fries Day — July 13
Whether you call them “chips”, as in the UK, “pommes frites” in France, or “patatas fritas” in Spain — it all means the same thing: French fries, that glorious comfort food that can be eaten in many forms: waffled, Cajun-style, or curly, just to name a few. Belgium and France both claim that French fries originated in their countries. Wherever they come from, French fries are popular, with Americans eating an average of 30 lbs each year. American president Thomas Jefferson is credited with introducing French fries to America when he served them at a White House dinner in 1802. While Americans typically each their fries with ketchup, people Click to Read more… |
Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day
A webmaster — also referred to as a web developer/architect, website administrator, or website publisher, among other titles — is responsible for the development and maintenance of your website. July 6 is the day designated to show your appreciation to your webmaster by taking them to lunch. What would you do without their magic coding fingers, their dedication to developing and keeping your website up and working, and the long hours they work? Your webmaster is a key player on your team, is available 24/7 in case of a website emergency, and is required to keep up with a constantly-changing industry. How can you celebrate Take Your Webmaster Click to Read more… |
Fourth of July
Fireworks, roasted marshmallows, family get-togethers … no holiday is more all-American than the Fourth of July. A commemoration of our adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Independence Day is celebrated in big towns and small towns all across America with parades, barbeques, red, white, and blue decorations, political speeches, and a patriotic feeling shared by all. The Declaration of Independence is the document that spells out the thirteen American colonies’ freedom from British rule. Voted on by Congress on July 2 and ratified on July 4, this important document contains, in its second sentence, what is widely regarded as the most meaningful statement on human rights: Click to Read more… |
Father’s Day
Father’s Day, celebrated this year June 19, is a day to celebrate the man who tells dad jokes, sings along to the radio when your friends are in the car with you, gives threatening looks to your dates — and dries your tears when the boy you like doesn’t give you a second look, surprises you by picking you up after school to bring you for ice cream “just because”, and is the man with whom you compare all other men. Father’s Day was first celebrate in 1910. Sonora Smart Dodd, after hearing the sermon for Mother’s Day the year before, wanted a day to recognize the importance of Click to Read more… |
Betsy Bush — GCU May Challenge Winner
Visit Betsy Bush’s store Dragonfire Graphics Please add the URLs of your 3 favorite cards in your storefront. Please list any of your professional social media sites: I have a few social media sites but must confess I don’t pay attention to them the way I should. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Blog What was your inspiration for your winning card? Please walk us through the process of how this card went from an idea to a greeting card. I browsed all of the available June International/National days and 2 jumped out at me, National Nature Photography Day and National Cancer Survivors Day. I wrote them both down and had them Click to Read more… |
