NATIONAL TAILGATING DAY

September 5, 2026August 21, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

On the first Saturday in September National Tailgating Day reminds us what the autumn colors and scents already do. Those colors signal grilling time and a season of cheering on our favorite teams!

Tailgating is the custom of gathering outside the stadium before the game with fans of the same team for food, beverages and socializing. Gatherings often take place at the tailgate of a pickup truck or the trunk of a car. However, neither are required. Staples of a tailgate party include grilling and beer, though chili competitions and recipe challenges encourage friendly competition before the game. Come hungry!

The original tailgate is unknown. Many teams take pride in claiming this title, as they should. Some writers even suggest the many observers in attendance at the Battle of Bull Run in 1861 to be the very first tailgaters, with their picnic baskets and bottles of claret prepared to watch opposing teams. Perhaps this can be considered tailgating.

Today, tailgating centers around the sport of football. While football has its roots in the game of rugby, it is generally accepted that the first football game in United States history was on November 6, 1869. The match took place between Rutgers and Princeton Universities. On that day fans arrived early to enjoy each others company and some food.

Much like building a community, tailgating hearkens back to a time when pioneering villages would come together to raise the framework of a building. Often followed by a large meal and perhaps a sporting competition of sorts, communities looked forward to these harvest traditions year after year.

Those who tailgate come back every year, weekend after weekend. Couples meet. Families grow. Bonds are forged – all
through the community of tailgating.

NATIONAL TAILGATING DAY HISTORY

Luke Lorick, president of Tailgating Challenge, founded National Tailgating Day as a way to share his passion for the sport of tailgating.

Tailgating Challenge is one of the largest tailgating companies in the world, and Lorick sees the joy and friendships tailgating brings to many Americans every day. To learn more about Tailgating Challenge visit the website at www.tailgating-challenge.com.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalTailgatingDay

Put on your team colors. Bring your game face. Whip up your best batch of jalapeno poppers and get outside to watch your favorite team play this weekend! Use #NationalTailgatingDay to post on social media.

Post your tailgating pics on one of Tailgating Challenge’s social media pages:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tailgatingchallenge
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tailgatingchall
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tailgatingchallenge

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College Life

July 31, 2026July 16, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

While some students attending college will stay at home. The vast majority will be moving into a dorm room, first apartment, or another living arrangement; some close by, others across the country, I’ve compiled a list of things you will need. Some of these are obvious, some not so much. Make sure you double-check the amenities of your new home. Get great savings on everything you need. Students can get a 6 months free trial of Amazon Prime. Just click here.

One last note. If you are traveling make sure you have your important papers in a safe, easy to access place. Take pictures on your phone and put in secure hidden storage. Things like Drivers license, insurance papers, bank information, school administration paperwork, and dorm assignment papers. You might need a copy of your birth certificate or your social security card. You should also have a master list of credit card numbers, insurance policy numbers, important emergency contact numbers, and vehicle plate and vin number. Everyone should have this information in a safe place. Travel or disasters natural or man made can happen anywhere or time. This information will make everything easier to deal with. We keep a second copy.

School Needs

Laptop or 2 in 1 laptop\tablet
Hotspot device or ethernet cable
Headphones
Powers strip
Extension cord(s)
Printer, Ink, Paper(some places provide this. Check with yours).
USB Flash drives
Tv
Speakers
Chargers and portable charger
Backpack
Day Planner
Calculator
3 Hole Punch
Index cards(I like mine in color for each subject but plain whitewill work)
Highlighter pens
Folders
Notebooks
Pens and Pencils
Post-it Notes
Scissors
Sharpies black, assorted colors
Scotch Tape

Dorm Life

Bedside fan
Bulletin board with a whiteboard
Desk lamp ,extra bulbs if not led
Full length mirror
Curtains, Curtain rods(will make it feel more like home).
Closet Shoe Hanger(might want 2 or 3, these are great for organization beyond shoes)
Laundry basketor Tote
Door Stop
Extra-tall bed risers(most dorm beds are now adjustable)
Underbed storage
3 drawer storage
Comforter or duvetwith cover (full-size bedding will make it more comfortable. It will look and feel more like home)
Extra-long bed sheets
Pillowsand pillowcases
Mattress topper
Bed bug cover
First Aid kit
Bedside desk
Bedrest pillow

Dinning

Brita filter, or pitcher with filter(save money not buying bottled water)
Microwave
Mini refrigerator
Plastic silverware, plates and bowls
Ziplock bags(for both organization and storing snacks)
Food storage containers
Chip clips and more
Mugs
Water Bottle
Coffee pot or electric kettle (save money brewing your own. You can also get things like Starbucks Via or Folgers singles) Cappuccino mix is a good choice if you like cream.

Decorating

Cleaning Stuff

Bathroom

Personal Items

Other Stuff you will need

Rain boots
Umbrella(s) I keep one in my bag, one in the carand at least one at home.
Gym Bag
Computer Lock
Duct Tape
Weekend Bag
Wrinkle release spray
Combination lock
Humidifier
Command Hooks
A Safe for Valuables
Streaming Device
Medicines – Rx and basic over the counter (You do not want to make a trip to the store if you wake up sick.)
Emergency sewing kit

Off to College shopping — College shopping

A Girls Night

September 21, 2025September 4, 2025Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

Stress…What is so stressful in a woman’s life? Kids, meals, after school activities, job, laundry, house work, homework, school course load, errands. I’m sure I can find women— even women with strong support systems, and helpful partners that need to blow off steam every now and again. September 22nd is National Girls Night.

Women to a large degree juggle a lifestyle that would make most men have a coronary and yet, we not only make it work, we usually do so with joy and love. With so many people who depend on us, we have a lot going on. If a woman tells you she needs a break, it’s probably well over due. A girls night is a chance to relax, recharge, and yes, share parts of our lives with women who totally understand, without the unbearable explanations, required when speaking to alot of the men in our lives.

Men let off steam with hobbies, football, beer and usually a TV. Most whom would never consider taking on our lifestyle and responsibilities. To effectively manage all this chaos make sure in that super organized schedule that you take some time with the girls to refill your batteries.

Mothers, daughters, best friends, friends, co-workers, aunts, cousins, grandmothers, all these can be on the list. Choose just a few or the whole group. My group almost always has my mom who says my father did something similar, and lets face it there are some who we can drop our inhibitions.

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If it’s gonna involve alcohol or a male review please choose accordingly and just because it seemed like a brilliant idea after several margaritas it might not be appropriate to share with coworkers or on social media.

Plan a fun spa night…. invite a representative from a cosmetics
company. Plenty of wine laughter and good friends make for a fun filled night.

Board games…Monopoly, Sorry, or Several for Adults like Scattagories, or Dirty Minds can be an outrageously funny night depending on whom is attending and how their mind works.

Movie night….For the women you can do the tearjerkers that I have to bribe my husband to see, or in recent years some including Magic Mike, Sex and the City, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, took a girls night by surprise since we had no idea about the nudity until we had chosen it as only one to fit time slot and theatre after another was sold out. Either way in theatre or at home it still gives you the outlet needed.