Category: Holidays

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May the Fourth be with you!

By Sheryl Dunn

Stories from the Star Wars universe have been delighting and enthralling fans young and old alike since “A New Hope” first debuted in 1977. “May the force be with you” became a catchphrase, and eventually, as with many things on the internet ⎯ a pun and a holiday were born.

May the Fourth be with you! Regardless of your opinions on the prequels (Episodes I through III) and sequels (Episodes VII through IX), the popularity of the Star Wars franchise continues with the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando and with “The Mandalorian,” the TV show on Disney+.

However, you don’t have to travel all the way to Orlando and brave the crowds just to have some Star Wars−themed fun. Even though May 4th is a Tuesday this year, you can still have fun dressing up at school, at work, or at home and having watch parties with your friends and family.

What can hard-core Star Wars fans do if they want to up their costume game or meet other diehards? There are, in fact, international, nonprofit social clubs ⎯ the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion ⎯ with local chapters in South Florida. Founded in 1997, the 501st Legion is an international, 501(c)(7), nonprofit social club first organized by Albin Johnson. As of April 2, 2021, they have 14,188 members in 69 countries. In Florida, there are 602 members who make up the Florida Garrison. The garrison is further divided into five squads with South Florida covered by the Everglades Squad, which was first founded in 2003.

Since then, the 501st has participated in thousands of events and currently has 101 active members in its service. Active members are defined as those members who participate in at least one event, or “troop,” per year; complete their annual organizational census; and own, via building or commissioning, at least one screen-accurate costume that has been reviewed and approved according to specifications listed in the costume reference libraries (CRLs). These CRLs include not only stormtroopers, but also any antagonist or morally gray character from the Star Wars galaxy.

In January 2000, in response to the rise of the 501st, and wanting to celebrate the heroes of the Star Wars galaxy, the Rebel Legion was officially founded by Tony Troxell, Richard Fairbrother, Doug Fesko, and Ed O’Connell.

The 501st Legion and the subunits thereof have three primary missions: (1) to promote interest in Star Wars, (2) to facilitate the use of costumes, and (3) to contribute to a variety of charitable causes. To accomplish these missions, they attend various private and community events throughout the year at no charge to event organizers. For private events, they generally encourage organizers to donate any amount to a charity of the organizer’s choosing in the 501st Legion’s name. This request is by no means mandatory, though. For public events, the 501st Legion visits libraries, schools, children’s hospitals, fundraising initiatives, weddings, birthday parties, comic conventions, municipal parades, movie premieres, select Disney events, and many more. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, the Everglades Squad attended approximately 142 different events in South Florida throughout the year.

For more information, visit the following websites:

The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd., it follows generally accepted ground rules for Star Wars fan groups. Star Wars, its characters, costumes, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm.©™ Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

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Let’s Fiesta! – A Cinco de Mayo collaboration

Let’s Fiesta! – A Cinco de Mayo collaboration

By Rachel Hunter

Owner of Celebrate You Events offering bespoke party planning for all occasions.

Tel: 305.389.0550

CelebrateYou2020@gmail.com

While Cinco de Mayo originated as an historic battle won in the city of Puebla, Mexico, here in the US, it has become a celebration of Mexican heritage. So, grab your sombreros and get ready to party! Here are some family-friendly ideas to liven up your hump day.

A few days before the holiday, get the kids involved in creating the decorations. The local dollar store has tons of seasonal, inexpensive crafts. Make them together, or give them the tools and enjoy a few minutes of downtime. (Wishful thinking, I know!)

On the actual day, I like to set up a festive kids table with more activities. Don’t put the Easter eggs away just yet! Save a few for them to make their own maracas. Simply have them put dried beans inside the egg, grab a couple spoons and secure the egg in the spoons with some colorful tape. They’ll enjoy decorating them as well as dancing around afterwards with their new musical instrument. I also found a free, downloadable Cinco de Mayo themed “I Spy” for them to play. Throw in some adorable avocado cookies, and you’ll have some happy kids!

While the kids are busy with their crafts, make yourself a well-earned margarita. Instead of a salted rim try using Tajin for extra bite. Order food from your favorite Mexican restaurant, or whip up some quick fajitas like we did. But be sure to treat yourself to some almost-too-cute-to-eat sweets like these festive cookies and stunning cakes. Believe me, these coconut lime cactus cupcakes will not disappoint.

 

Stay safe and enjoy your Cinco de Mayo!

 

For information on any of these activities contact:

Rachel Hunter of Celebrate You Events (IG: @celebrate.you.events) – Concept creation, party styling & banners

Kelley Jomant of Caked with Love by Kelley Inc (IG: @cakedwithlovebykelleyinc) – Custom cakes

Ana Ortiz of AO Craft Décor (IG: @aocraftdecor) – Extra-large paper flowers

Claudia Ovalle of Claumellows (IG: @claumellows) – Custom cookies

Crystal Aguila of Riley Black Designs (IG: @rileyblackdesigns) – Custom signs & acrylic lime wedges

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The spirit of agave

By Curiously Thirsty

Tequila will be part of many Cinco de Mayo celebrations. The nectar extracted from the blue agave plant is often enjoyed as a shot, or part of a cocktail, including one of my favorites ⎯ the margarita.

Founded by Franciscan monks in 1530, the city of Tequila is in the Jaliscan Highlands of Mexico, and it is the home of the distilled beverage. In the pre-Columbian era, the locals near Tequila had enjoyed a fermented beverage derived from the agave plant. The drink was popular until it was displaced by beer in the 19th century. The legacy of the agave beverage is still preserved by the European distillation methods introduced by the Spanish.

Starting in 1600, the mass production of the distilled spirits began at Tequila. Soon in 1608, King Carlos IV of Spain granted the local governor the license to commercially produce the drink. And 266 years later, the Mexican government officially nationalized the name “tequila” in 1974.

Tequila comes in many forms. The silver tequila, also known as Blanco, is made with no, or very little, aging. The resulting taste profile highlights the skill of the distiller, and the agave used; there is no oak to mitigate it. It’s often enjoyed in a cocktail or a shot.

As you age tequila, usually in oak barrels, the flavor of the wood gets absorbed. As the alcohol ages, the color and flavor from the oak get imparted into the tequila. Reposado is tequila that is aged two months to a year, and Anejo is aged past one year. A well-aged tequila, which has picked up the flavors of the oak, is often with a golden hue and a taste profile similar to a fine whiskey, along with the unique fruity aroma from the agave plant.

Most of us often have our first experience with tequila as a component in popular cocktails, like a Long Island iced tea, or on a warm day at the beach or pool, in a margarita. For the connoisseurs of Anejo tequila, the drink is best enjoyed straight, optionally with lime and salt.

If you are a fan of whiskey and have not tried Anejo tequila, you will be pleasantly surprised. When a good tequila is aged in oak barrels for a few years, the result is often smooth and fruity, reminiscent of good scotch, but with distinct tequila flavors. A good starting point for experimenting for Costco members is the Kirkland Signature Anejo tequila. You will find it creamy, and it’ll remind you of tropical fruits, which pairs well with most desserts.

 

If you are in the party mood, celebrate with the spirit of agave with the following margarita recipe. Say a cheer to the Aztec civilization who first recognized the potential of agave for making this Cinco de Mayo cocktail.

 

Ingredients:

2 ounces Blanco tequila

½ ounce orange liqueur

1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

½ ounce agave syrup

Garnish: lime wheel

Garnish: kosher salt (optional)

Steps:

  1. Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake until well chilled.
  2. Strain into a glass over fresh ice.
  3. Garnish with a lime wheel and kosher salt (optional).
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Earth day celebrations

Multiple local events mark the 50th year of Earth Day celebrations.

Just to be clear, the first Earth Day was held April 22, 1970. That means the 50th Earth Day was April 22, 2020. But this April 22, 2021 marks the 50th year of observations.

It’s like those folks who thought the 21st century began in 2000, when, in fact, that was the last year of the 20th century. Get it?

According to earthday.org, “Senator Gaylord Nelson, a junior senator from Wisconsin, had long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States. Then in January 1969, he and many others witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.

“Senator Nelson announced the idea for a teach-in on college campuses to the national media, and persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican Congressman, to serve as his co-chair.”

They chose to choose April 22, a “weekday falling between spring break and final exams, to maximize the greatest student participation.”

By 1990 Earth Day became a global event. But, sticking
close to home, here are Earth Day events in South Florida.

April 22
Coconut Creek: Earth Day Arts and Crafts Fair
3:00 to 5 p.m. Recreation Complex, 4455 Sol Press Boulevard. $15 for Coconut Creek residents, $20, non-residents.

Participants will learn about the origin of Earth Day, read a related story and create fun recyclable green crafts. All activities are structured, safe, and meet the CDC guidelines.

Broward Lotus Sangha (Virtual) Earth Day 2021: Participate from wherever you are in easy steps. Details at https://www.meetup.com/fr FR/LotusSangha/events/270198561/

Lotus Institute for Mindful Living (Virtual)
Details at https://www.meetup.com/ru-RU/MindfulLiving/events/270197490/

April 25
Heal the Planet Day
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd St., Fort Lauderdale Heal the Planet Day celebrates Earth Day by bringing together the South Florida community for a day of fun, family-friendly activities. The focus is on small, local acts that have a global impact. Heal The Planet Day offers an array of activities. (Free admission)

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Celebrating Passover

Growing up, all Jewish holidays were a big deal for my family. We were five; my mother had a sister with a husband and two kids; their brother had a wife and five kids. And, of course, there was my grandmother, the matriarch of the tribe and solo cook for all feasts. She was a wonderful cook.

I would have loved to have helped, but I was a kid and wasn’t getting anywhere near her food. She was a clean freak. She eschewed germs. And to her, when she cooked, I was a germ. We were all germs, every last one of us. But I did get to taste.

My mother and her family grew up in an orthodox home and followed
all the rules, with which she really didn’t always agree. By the time
my mother was an adult, she had joined the Army, met and married my non-Jewish father, and began her life with her children as Jewish, but with a sprinkling of rules.

As I said, holidays were a big deal. Food was plentiful as were the mouths ready to consume it; all of us: Cousins, aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, and one very strict grandmother.

She made gefilte fish, charoset, chicken soup with kneidlach (matzo balls), chicken liver, brisket with potatoes and carrots, and sponge cake with fresh fruit.

It was difficult for any of us to get up from the table to clean. Jewish food is very filling and fattening. While it took me many years to appreciate and finally love gefilte fish — maybe because they look like little brain dumplings — the rest was just fine with me.

I’m offering two recipes today, exactly how my grandmother and my mother made them. I have not changed anything. The recipes are at least a century old, probably older, but I suggest using fresher ingredients. I’m happy to say that our two daughters also have carried on these recipes.

Chopped chicken liver

  • 1 lb. chicken livers – fat removed
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 5 hard cooked eggs
  • chicken fat (schmaltz) 2 tablespoons to sauté livers and onions and more to mix with eggs and raw onion salt and pepper

Make sure the livers are dry. Melt the 2 tablespoons of fat in a 10-inch fry pan. Add livers and onions and cook until cooked through. No pink in livers, but do not overcook because it will taste dry.

Add this mixture to a wooden bowl and chop that along with the raw onion and the hard cooked eggs. As you mix, taste for seasonings and texture. I like the moisture the added chicken fat brings. I also don’t chop it to death. I like a few lumps in my chicken liver.

I use the fifth egg chopped fine in the food processor to sprinkle on top of liver.

In my family we would eat this before the soup and after the gefilte fish.

Chicken soup

  • 2 roasting chickens, quartered. Do not use the liver.
  • 1 bunch of fresh dill
  • 3 to 4 medium yellow onions, peeled and quartered
  • 1⁄2 bunch curly parsley
  • 4 to 5 large, peeled carrots
  • 4 to 5 celery stalks, leaves included
  • 2 turnips, peeled
  • 1 parsnip
  • Kosher salt
  • 10 to 15 peppercorn 

Using a 14-quart pot, add chicken and allow cold water to run into pot until it runs clear. Add enough water to cover by about three inches. Bring to a slow boil. Do not allow to come to a hearty boil which will darken the soup. As it boils, slowly remove the scum that comes to the top.

When all scum has been removed, take out the chicken parts that have the breast meat. Allow to cool to the touch and remove the meat from the breasts. I leave this meat intact until the next day so it doesn’t dry out. Then I pull the chicken apart to use in the soup when served. Return the bones to the soup and add onions, carrots, celery, turnips, dill, parsley, salt and pepper. Bring again to a slow boil. Allow to cook, uncovered, for about two to three hours. If any other scum has come to the top, remove it also. At this point I turn the soup off and allow it to cool. Strain the soup and put back the chicken parts. Refrigerate overnight, UNCOVERED.

The next morning you will have a layer of fat on the top. It can be removed easily with a large spoon. Discard. Bring the soup to a slow boil and add new vegetables. I use the same amount of new onions, celery, carrots, turnips, parsnips, parsley, and dill. Allow to simmer until the vegetables are tender. Usually about one and a half hours. If they are not tender, continue to cook until they are. Now you can taste for seasoning. Add kosher salt and white pepper.

I make white rice and/or noodles to go with the soup. If you make matza balls, follow the directions on the box of Manischewitz or Streit’s matzo meal. They will be delicious. Either of these recipes can be cut in half if you’re serving fewer people or you have the same aversion to leftovers as my husband.

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Happy Passover holiday ‘Chag Pesach Sameach’

Let all who are hungry come and eat ~ Kal dichfin yeitei v’yeichul.


This phrase, found in the Passover Haggadah, follows the teaching about matzah, the bread of affliction. It is one of many important symbols found on a Passover Seder table – all edible reminders of how the story is retold of the Israelites journey from slavery to freedom. The Passover holiday is one of the major Jewish festivals that occur yearly each spring. Beginning on the 15th of the Hebrew month Nisan, it lasts for seven days for Israeli or Reform Jews, or eight days if you are an Orthodox or Conservative Jew living outside of Israel.

We learn about the passage from slavery to freedom, led by Moses, in the Book of Exodus in the Bible. Moses beseeches Pharaoh, “Let my people go!” Pharaoh repeatedly denies his request and God intervenes, sending ten plagues to torment the Egyptians. From blood, frogs, insects, wild  animals , livestock disease, boils, fiery hail, locusts, darkness, to eventually the death of male first-born Egyptian children. This final plague motivates Pharaoh to release the Israelites. However, when they were alerted that they could depart, they rushed, which did not give them enough time to allow their bread dough to rise. As a result, the Israelites created Matzah, a flat cracker, which is eaten throughout the holiday and is one of the most recognizable symbols of Passover.

While most Jews celebrate holidays in community, this is the perfect  pandemic holiday as it is celebrated at home with family. It is also one of the most observed holidays by Jews. A special meal is prepared, called the Seder, and the service preceding the meal is written in a Haggadah. Seder means “order” and Haggadah means “the telling.” Throughout the service and the meal, families retell the story of the Exodus in Egypt. All of the ritual foods are explained, each with a blessing recited before eating them. A Seder plate often sits in the center of the table with six symbolic foods:

  • Maror, the bitter herbs, to remind us of the bitterness of slavery in Egypt.
  • Charoset, a sweet mixture of chopped apples, nuts, cinnamon, and sweet red wine, represents the brick and mortar used by the Hebrew slaves to build Pharaohs’ pyramids.
  • Karpas, a vegetable, brings hope of spring and renewal as new seedlings begin to sprout. Many families use lettuce or parsley and these are also dipped into saltwater to remind us of the tears shed by the slaves.
  • Zeroah, the shank bone, while not eaten at the meal, is meant to remind us of the Passover sacrifice, when a lamb was offered in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
  • Beitzah, the roasted hard-boiled egg, recalls the festival sacrifice. We eat hard-boiled eggs during the meal as they serve as a symbol for mourning when mourners consume an egg after a funeral.
  • Three stacked matzot (plural of matzah) found on the Seder plate serve multiple purposes. The Seder leader breaks the middle matzah, putting aside half to be used as the afikoman, or “dessert.” Many families hide the afikoman and the children are sent to search for it and offer it back to the leader at a price. The Seder cannot continue or finish without the eating of the afikoman.

During the Seder, families also sing joyous melodies such as Dayenu, “it would have been enough,” as we recall all of the miracles God bestowed, and The Four Questions, often asked by the youngest member of the family. This begins with the question: Why is this night different than all other nights? It is actually answered with four statements about the differences such as eating matzah only instead of other breads, eating bitter herbs, dipping them twice in the saltwater, and reclining as if we are royalty when eating (and not slaves).

Wishing those who celebrate a wonderful Passover holiday. As the Seder concludes we say, “Next year in Jerusalem!” but I think we can all agree that we may want to amend it to just say, “Next year with more family and friends” as we all hope the pandemic ends swiftly.

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Can you catch a leprechaun?

St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year, so why not liven up hump day with these fun kid-tested activities? It’s easy to create a festive experience while still practicing COVID safety.

Start the morning with rainbow necklaces! Grab some yarn, tape, and your favorite colorful cereal and get those fine motor skills working. Tape one of the ends to make it easier to thread the O’s. The kids can wear, eat, and enjoy. If you’re lucky they’ll make one for you too!

Spread some joy. My kids love to leave surprise treats for their friends and neighbors. I found some inexpensive containers for them to fill with gold nuggets and printed off festive tags. It is a great excuse to hop on their bikes and get some exercise while delivering these small gifts.

The grand finale is a leprechaun scavenger hunt! The kit includes the clues, a hiding cheat sheet for the parents, and a pack of gold cookie “coins” as the treasure. The clues are simple and offer great reading and problem-solving practice. Hide the clues all around the house to get your kids running around. The sheer joy and sense of accomplishment as they find each clue will make your heart melt, and I think it makes the treasure taste even better.

Stay safe and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

For information on any of these activities contact:

Rachel Hunter of Celebrate You Events (@celebrate.you.events) – Party styling, scavenger hunt kit & banners

Amanda Fletcher of Cookies by Amanda (@cookiesbyamanda) – Scavenger hunt kit & Cookies

Daniela Herrera of Tulle & Tools (@tulleandtools) – Cake pops

Maribel Giraldo from Designs for You (@maribel_designsforyou) – Balloon garland

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Celebrate the ones you love

Valentine’s Day is a holiday filled with love, discounted chocolates,
and flowers galore. No matter how you choose to celebrate, here are a few ideas for a memorable Valentine’s Day with the ones you love.

If food is the way to your significant other’s heart, wake them up with breakfast in bed or, following COVID safety guidelines of course, go to a nice Valentine’s Day dinner. Many restaurants off er a special menu and decorate to add to the experience. Call ahead and make the evening a night to remember.

If you want to enjoy the outdoors, pick up food and bring it to a nearby park or beach to enjoy your partner and the atmosphere around you.

If you are looking for something more lowkey, order takeout from one of your favorite restaurants, snuggle up with a romantic Valentine’s Day movie, and spend time together. After the crazy year we had, why not keep the night simple and enjoy each other’s
company?

If you want to be in the comfort of your own home, but spice things up, try an online cooking class. You and your partner can create a dish and enjoy it together. Sur La Table and Cozy Meal are just a few online cooking class options.

Galentines 

Gather your best girlfriends and get ready to have the best Galentine’s Day. Stay in and have a spa night or go out on the town for an outdoor dinner. Whenever you are with your closest friends you are guaranteed a good time.

At the end of the night, cozy up with a classic chick-flick. Mean Girls, Bridesmaids, and Valentine’s Day are a few options to get your Galentine’s movie marathon started! Whatever you do, focus on your girlfriends and realize that you do not need a significant other to have a fun time.

However you decide to celebrate the holiday, remember that Valentine’s Day is to show your appreciation and admiration to your loved ones, whether that be family, friends, or romantic partners. Get out there and show some love!

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Valentine’s Day origin hardly romantic

How did our current Valentine’s Day celebration come about? As with many of our favorite holidays, there are dark and murky tales surrounding its origins.

Not-so-lovely beginnings

One school of thought is that the Valentine’s Day holiday originated with the Roman fest of Lupercalia, held February 13 – 15, which included fertility rites.

Another possible explanation is that Roman Emperor Claudius II executed two men, both named Valentine, on February 14th back in
different years during the 3rd century. The martyred men were recognized by the Catholic Church with sainthood and thus the recognition of St. Valentine’s Day.

Yet another interpretation says that a jailed priest named Valentine was in love with his jailor’s daughter, and sent her a letter before he was beheaded. The Feast of Saint Valentine was recognized by Pope Gelasius in 496 A.D.

Through the years, Valentine’s Day evolved into a celebration
of love. The first mention of this is in Chaucer’s late 14th century poem, “The Parliament of Fowls.” Shakespeare mentions St. Valentine’s Day in A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream and Hamlet.

Heartfelt cards 

While Valentine’s Day cards were previously imported from Europe, in the mid1800’s, Esther Howland of Worcester, MA started designing and selling Valentines domestically, and is credited with starting the Valentine’s Day card industry in the United States.

By the late 1800s, cards were mass-produced, and by 1916, Hallmark began producing them. According to the Greeting Card
Association, with nearly 150 million Valentine’s cards sent each year — not including kids’ classroom cards—it’s the second largest card-giving occasion, Christmas ranking number one.

Cupid 

Perhaps you are familiar with Sam Cooke’s 1961 hit, “Cupid,” which begins:

“Cupid, draw back your bow And let your arrow go Straight to my lover’s heart for me…”

Bows, arrows, and a flying cherub, how did they become symbols of Valentine’s Day?

Cupid is known as the god of affection. In Greek mythology,
he was known as Eros, the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. In Roman mythology, he was the son of her counterpart, Venus, but in a chubby- cheeked, child-like form.

While our Valentine depiction of him is shooting arrows to pierce the heart and make someone fall in love, legend has it he might carry two arrows, one golden arrow with a sharp tip to make people
fall in love, the other a blunt lead arrow to make someone fall out of love. Ouch!

Those sweet Valentine’s Day treats
Heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, or pink and red M&Ms, are among the most popular candies to give and get for Valentine’s Day, but what about those little candy hearts or conversation hearts, as
they’re known?

Their story dates back to 1847, to Boston pharmacist Oliver Chase’s candy machine invention that rolled lozenge dough into wafers, ultimately known as Necco wafers (an acronym for the New England Confectionary Company).

Supposedly inspired by the growing market for Valentines, in 1866, his brother, using vegetable dye, found a way to print words on candy. The iconic little heart shapes weren’t made until 1902, however.

Wishing you a sweet Valentine’s Day!

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LOVE YOU TO PIECES- A Valentine’s Collaboration

This Valentine’s Day is going to be different for our kids, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be special. What has been reinforced these past 11 months is that what our children want most is quality time with us. Here are a few fun, easy, and inexpensive activities you can do together.

First, set the scene with bright colors. We used pink, peach, white, and marigold. When the kids saw their Valentine’s craft station they immediately got excited and wanted to participate. To make it extra  make sprinkle rimmed paper cups for their juice by dipping them into corn syrup and then sprinkles.

We started with a puzzle craft. Simply spray paint the pieces different colors beforehand, and the kids can glue them onto a heart shape. I printed off small banners that said “I love you to pieces”, and then hung them up with ribbon once dry.

Supplies:
Inexpensive puzzle
Spray or acrylic paint
Tacky glue
Heart shape
Printed banner
Ribbon

The highlight for the kids was making, and then devouring, the DIY cake pops. The kits come with pre-made cake shapes, chocolate, sprinkles, and sticks. They are super easy to make and my kids loved making them! Of course, half the sprinkles ended up in their mouths or on the floor, but it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your children’s faces too.

Stay safe and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Party styling and fringe banner by Rachel Hunter of Celebrate You Events (@celebrate.you.events)

Balloon garland by Yadi Baker of Bria Styles Balloons (@briastylesballoons)

Puzzle sign and heart shapes by Crystal Aguila of Riley Black Designs (@rileyblackdesigns)

Cake pop kits by Daniela Herrera of Tulle & Tools (@tulleandtools)

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Asians welcome the year of the Ox

Across eastern Asia on Feb 12, 2021, people will be celebrating Chinese New Year, ushering in the year of the Ox. For the growing Asian population of South Florida, this year’s celebration will be subdued compared to previous years.

Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year because it’s based on the lunar calendar and often called the Spring Festival. It’s the most important holiday in several Asian countries including China, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Philippines.

Spring Festival is when extended families come together and celebrate the beginning of the new year. Gifts are often exchanged and parents often give red envelopes filled with money to children. Lavish dinners with many dishes symbolizing unity and good luck are served. New Year’s rituals span two weeks, so you will often find businesses in east Asia taking a long vacation during this period.

In the US, you will find many of the traditional celebrations, such as dragon and lion dances and the hanging of red lanterns in many China towns across the country. But this year, this is expected to be more subdued, and many families will be celebrating at home.

The Ox from the Chinese Horoscope symbolizes someone who is honest and hardworking. As we all recover from a difficult 2020, I hope the spirit of the Ox imbues us with the strength to take on the recovery, and leads to a prosperous 2021.

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Hindu Heritage Month

In 2003, the Florida House of Representatives designated February as Hindu Heritage Month to honor the Hindu residents of the state that add to its diversity and help better the state by promoting their cultures and traditions, spreading knowledge and culture. The month was selected more due to the fact that many Hindus worship Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and learning, in February.

The Hindu culture is both diverse and rich as Hinduism dates back to the Indus Valley over 4,000 years ago, making it the oldest religion in the world. Hindu Heritage Month gives people an opportunity to learn about and appreciate the Hindu culture. The South Florida Hindu Temple in Southwest Ranches in conjunction with other organizations holds events for the public to learn about myths and misconceptions about the Hindu culture, but also to experience the rich culture. However, temples are not the only place to learn about Hindu heritage, as there are programs, classes, and monuments everywhere.

In Davie, you can find Mahatma Gandhi Square, which features a seven-foot tall bronze statue of the man who helped gain India’s independence. Not only is he known for helping with independence, but Hindus focus more on how he accomplished the goal through nonviolence. Hindus practice ahimsa, non-violence, which Gandhi exemplified in a time of great conflict and struggle.

Throughout South Florida, many cultural programs can be found as well. Bharatnatyam, the oldest classical dance in India, serves as a way for many Hindus to express their devotion to god and to tell
stories of their culture through a beautiful dance form. Kathak
dances originated in North India and are known for their storytelling through rhythmic foot movements. There are many traditional music and dance programs that are offered to the public through the Broward arts council that offer a way to learn about this rich aspect of Hindu heritage.

Besides giving the community a chance to learn about another religion and culture, Hindu Heritage Month is an opportunity for Hindus to celebrate and appreciate their heritage in a society that is continuing to move away from traditions as popular culture grows in influence. February gives Hindus a chance to strengthen their ties to their heritage and culture. Fully immersing themselves in Hindu  traditions and celebrations may help them come to accept themselves and their lifestyle. Normally February holds activities like cultural programs, day of service activities, and a time for reflection and learning. I hope that everyone uses this month to learn and appreciate the lives of others and themselves as this diversity is what makes society better for everyone, giving all the opportunity to learn about the world and everyone that inhabits it.

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