International Newspaper Carrier Day honors everyone who is now, or once was, a newspaper carrier. This October 10 holiday also includes anyone who hawked the paper on the street, or at a newsstand. The list includes thousands, if not millions, of people. Years ago, this job was primarily populated by kids, from pre-teen through approximately sixteen. At that age, many, but not all, kids moved from newspaper delivery to restaurants, grocery stores, and retail type of jobs. Newspaper circulation has been dwindling for a few decades and will likely continue to do so. Online sources of news and information are replacing newspapers.

For the record: In 1950, there were 1,772 daily newspapers in the United States. Today, there are only 1,033. The number is expected to continue to drop. As a matter of fact, every time we check this number, it is lower.

Now, few kids deliver papers anymore except in small towns. But, the “Carrier Day” tradition lives. This job is now largely held by adults, many of them delivering the paper from their cars.

This day recognizes the importance of newspaper carriers in getting the newspaper each day into the hands of millions of readers. This day honors carriers all over the world, as they deliver the paper diligently in all kinds of weather conditions.  

Even President Ronald Reagan got in on the act. On October 6, 1982, he wrote a brief message supporting this day.

As we approach Halloween, is any place safe from ghosts, demons, and paranormal activity!? Apparently, not. As Halloween night nears, ghosts are haunting pretty much everywhere you look. Today, the night before Halloween is Haunted Refrigerator Night. The title of this holiday suggests a nighttime haunting. However, we have it on good authority that refrigerators are haunted during the daytime, too.  On this October 30 holiday, it is imperative that you stay out of your refrigerator. Who knows what evil lurks inside!? And, you certainly don’t want to open the refrigerator door and let loose the demons and ghosts that are hiding behind the moldy cheese in the back of your refrigerator. And, you never know, there could be all sorts of ghoulish creatures in there, too.

Refrigerator ghosts and demons tend to hide in the back of the refrigerator. They like to hide behind week-old leftovers and moldy cheese. When the door is shut, they emerge from their hiding places and frolic throughout the refrigerator. If you open the door quickly, you can catch sight of them. But, don’t let them out! Slam the door as fast as you can. If these lost souls get out of your refrigerator, it’s all but certain they will find a way out of your home, too. Then, they will turn your community into a ghost town by Halloween night. And, that’s tomorrow night!

Important Note: The garlic in your refrigerator will not protect it from ghosts and demons. However, it will keep vampires out of your refrigerator. 

Today’s Favorite Movie: Ghost Busters (1984)

Everyone’s Favorite Ghost: Casper the Friendly Ghost.

First responders are a special kind of people. During a crisis, a tragic event, or a medical emergency, the general public is largely helpless to assist. But, these brave souls are there to help us. Often, their assistance is not without risk to themselves, too. For example, a firefighter risks his life running into a burning building to save someone trapped inside. Today is National First Responders Day. This October 28 holiday recognizes the important role they play in society. And we honor them for their courage and valor. Their vital jobs are tough. But, at the same time it is rewarding. On this day, we give thanks and recognition for being there when we need their help. It is a day to show our appreciation for all that they do.  

First responders are a very special kind of person. Many types of people and jobs are first responders. They can be paid positions. Or, they can be volunteers who do it out of a sense of duty to the community where they live. If you’ve ever come upon an accident, crisis, or tragedy, you see the average person running away from the trouble area.  This is not what you see first responders do. They are the brave men and women who run TOWARDS the calamity. And, many of these selfless individuals are volunteers. These volunteers offer their time and services without monetary rewards.

Seafood lovers, this is your day. Today is National Seafood Bisque Day. It’s definitely going to be a fishy kind of day. On this October 19 holiday, we dig into rich and flavorful bowl of fish soup. No one will complain if you slurp your soup today. Just make sure to get every tarty morsel and every last drop. 

Seafood bisque was first created in France in the 1700s. French fishermen based in ports in the Bay of Biscayne on the western shores of France were the first to create and enjoy it. The words “Seafood Bisque” comes from the French words “bis cuites”. It means “twice cooked”. It is aptly named, as the soup is first heated to make the stock from shellfish in their shells. Then, after straining the broth, it is heated a second time to add the other ingredients and the cream. The resulting fish soup is a culinary delight.

Do you wake up in the morning bright-eyed, bushy-tailed with a smile on your face? Or, do you begrudgingly arise from your bed like a grumpy old curmudgeon with a scowl in your voice? If you are the latter, then you’re going to love this holiday. Today is National Grouch Day. On this October 15 holiday, it is perfectly acceptable to whine, moan, and complain. Go ahead and be a “Negative Nancy”.  If someone calls you a miserable old coot, just growl at them and say “That’s right!” Don’t let anyone spoil your miserable day. Tomorrow, we can call you out for bellyaching, but not today. 

The world has its share of grouches who spend their days being miserable and downtrodden about the whole world. And, they enjoy bringing others down to their level. More often than not, we shy away from them. However, today we pay more attention to their antics. Often, we can see the humor in their behavior and antics. On this holiday, we can even behave like them, if we prefer. However, if you do, be prepared for unpleasant reactions from your family and friends. And, make sure they know why you’re acting like a grouch.

Today’s Theme Song: “I Love Trash“, sung by Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street. 

Nowadays, there’s a holiday for just about everything imaginable. So, it is only logical that we celebrate the cute little hard-shelled M&Ms. Today is National M&M Day.  On this October 13 holiday, we can eat as many of these sweet and chocolatey little guys as we want. Even if you are on a low-calorie diet, you can have a couple, can’t you? The trouble is, once you eat one or two, how do you keep from consuming a handful or two?  Of course, you can’t stop.

As the marketing slogan says: “They melt in your mouth, not in your hands”. Carry them in your hand on a hot day, and they still do not melt. Of course, if it’s hot enough any candy will melt. But, these amazing little candies are the toughest guys on the beach or in a hot car. While this is a great feature for candy to have, it’s not the biggest reason we all love M&Ms. Rather we love the rush of chocolate flavor when we bite into each and every little piece.  

What’s your favorite M&M color? The basic colors are: brown, blue, yellow, red, orange, and green. Every package has 13% each of blue, brown, and green. And, it has 11% of orange, red, and yellow. Mars Candy Company, makers of M&Ms, offer no explanation for the percentages. Over the years, Mars Candy Company has made M&Ms in 50 different colors. Some are retired, while others are still on the market.  The original candy has a semi-sweet chocolate filling. Currently, there are 63 different kinds of M&Ms. This includes several different kinds of nuts, and several kinds of chocolate. 

Do you have a roof over your head? If so, be thankful you’re not living in a cardboard box. Undoubtedly, homelessness is nothing short of a tragedy. And, sadly it is all too common. World Homeless Day brings to light the plight of hundreds of millions of people around the world who are in need of shelter. Some of these people live right in your community. Small towns and villages are not immune to this problem. This October 10 holiday serves to raise awareness as we often don’t see those in need. Also, the goals of this holiday are to find ways to prevent homelessness. And, this special day also encourages us to support efforts to eliminate homelessness. 

There are several key basic things that all human beings need. Shelter is among Maslow’s five basic needs. Like all of these basic needs, homelessness and shelter insecurity is of the utmost human concern over any other wants and needs. Shelter from the elements is a physical and security need.  Without it, one cannot focus upon much else in life. During weather extremes, safe shelter goes to the top of the list, as it can be a matter of survival. 

Homelessness has been in existence since the dawn of time. And, the problem is pervasive. Perhaps, there will always be homeless people. But, we should not and cannot accept this possibility as a fact of life. Rather, each of us can and should play a role in eliminating homelessness wherever we find it. We can make a real difference. And, that’s what World Homeless Day is all about. So, use this holiday to help put a roof over the heads of those less fortunate than us!

Every culture brings to the world some fantastic foods to tantalize our taste buds. Polish cuisine is no exception. Polish Pierogies are one of the favorites for people of Polish descent. And, people around the world love it, too. So, it is only fitting that today is National Pierogi Day. It’s a delicious Polish food holiday. On this October 8 holiday, we celebrate their culture, their cuisine, and of course Polish Pierogies! 

If you are of Polish descent, your mom has a Polish pierogi recipe that was passed down to her from her grandmother. Your grandmother got it from her Mother. The recipe likely has been in your family for dozens if not hundreds of years. If you married into a Polish family, lucky you. However, all of the rest of us need to find some Polish friends. Then, you will be ale to enjoy real, homemade Polish pierogis. Until that happens, check the frozen section of your local grocery. Then, bring some home and cook them for dinner tonight. They are easy to make.

Did You Know? From the 16th to the 18th century, what is now Poland and Lithuania were joined together in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. SO, Pierogis are popular in Lithuanian cuisine, too.

In October, pumpkins are on our minds. How can they not be!? They are everywhere you look. And we just love them. We bake pumpkin pie, cookies, fudge, and an endless variety of other pumpkin goodies. However, you can’t make any of these great Fall treats without pumpkin pie spice Accordingly, we recognize the importance of this spice as we celebrate National Pumpkin Spice Day. Also called National Pumpkin Pie Spice Day, this October 1 holiday is a time to express our appreciation for a spice combination that makes so many fall foods and drinks taste fantastic.

Pumpkin pie spice is not a single ingredient. Rather, it is a combination of several spices. And, not all pumpkin pie spice is the same. Manufacturers use similar, yet different combinations and amounts of each individual spice. As a result, there are many recipe variations. Some people can distinguish the differences. yet others can’t. The typical ingredients are cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and mace.

During the Fall, we can’t get enough of it. Are you ready to celebrate this food holiday? Then, sit down with a pumpkin latte, or a pumpkin beer, and think about how much you love the flavor of this spice. It brings to mind Fall festivals, colorful leaves, and chilly nights by the fireside.