The origin of this tasty snack is credited to the entrepreneur Alec Barnum. However, the first recorded version of the recipe can be found in the 1927 publication of Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. Even though the Girl Scouts were not the first ones to make s’mores, Girl Scout groups describe them in their reports as early as 1925. Earlier recipes used the name “Some Mores.” It is unclear when the word “S’mores” became the more common name.
Today, many variations on the original s’more find their way around a campfire.
Try spreading peanut butter on the graham crackers before adding the other ingredients.
Substitute peanut butter cups in place of the chocolate bar.
Replace the graham crackers with fudge-dipped cookies.
Add banana slices.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSmoresDay
Try this S’more Bar recipe at home. Enjoy and share with your friends and family. However, if you think s’mores are too messy for you but enjoy the flavor, add the s’more ingredients to delicious desserts. Cakes, pies, dips, trifles also offer a terrific way to enjoy the taste of a s’more. Make it a delicious part of Family Fun Month this August too!
No matter our preferred mode of enjoying the great outdoors – hiking, biking, kayaking to name a few – nature is calling. Pursue the beauty and majesty of the big skies and open spaces the outdoors offers.
This month also raises awareness of the accessibility of the great outdoors. Depending on where we live, sometimes reaching nature is more difficult. Many cities create relaxing and vibrant green spaces with trails and paths designed for easy access by the community. However, in some inner-city neighborhoods, access to parks or the ability to get outside the city to visit State or National Parks is difficult.
See National Barrier Awareness Day for more great ideas for beaches, the great outdoors, as well as simply getting around town.
National Great Outdoors Month is an excellent time to consider making access possible.
HISTORY
Great Outdoors Month was founded in 1998 to celebrate nature. Visit www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org to learn more.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Visit a State or National Park. Volunteer as a summer camp counselor. Take an outdoor photography class. Sign up for Northern lights tour. Get blisters where you’ve never had them before. Go deep sea diving. Learn how to identify birds and go birding. Share your enthusiasm for nature with a group of students and take them on a nature hike. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister and go on a group nature bike trail.
Share your ideas on social media using #GreatOutdoorsMonth.
On March 1st, the Land of 10,000 Lakes is recognized on National Minnesota Day. The 32nd state to join the union shares its northern border with Canada.
Angle Township on the north edge of Lake of the Woods makes Minnesota the northernmost state of the continental forty-eight. Also known as the Gopher State, it extends along the northern shore of Lake Superior.
Dakota Sioux and Ojibwa, Menominee, and other tribes populated the area when the first Europeans began to explore and later settle the area. Fur trading in the densely wooded territory led to French treaties in the late 17th century.
The Mississippi River divides a portion of the state; its source is Lake Itasca. This natural boundary also divided the region when the Treaty of Paris determined United States’ western border after the Revolutionary War. Minnesota would not become whole until 1836 when it became part of the Wisconsin Territory, 33 years following the Louisana Purchase.
Official Minnesota
State Capital – St Paul State Nickname – The Gopher State State Motto – L’etoile du Nord State Song – Hail! Minnesota State Bird – Loon State Reptile – State Flower – Pink Lady’s Slipper State Wildflower – State Animal – State Fish – Walleye State Beverage – Milk State Fruit – Honeycrisp Apple State Stone – State Shell – State Tree – Norway Pine State Gemstone – Agate State Butterfly – Monarch
The state capital of St. Paul, once called Pig’s Eye Landing, was founded in 1838 along the Mississippi River and was named the territorial capital in 1849. Minnesota became the 32nd state in 1858. Just upriver from St. Paul, Minneapolis formed from Ft. Snelling, built in 1819.
Today, the metropolis spans both sides of the river for nearly 60 square miles. Downtown Minneapolis includes the world’s most extensive uninterrupted network of indoor pedestrian pathways. The skyway system boasts eight miles connecting restaurants, shopping, businesses, hotels and apartment complexes. Head north along Lake Superior into the Arrowhead Region where the air stays cooler longer and lake effect will have real meaning. Duluth and points north with an industrial history benefit from mild summers, access to clear summer nights, Aurora Borealis and unspoiled views.
Hidden Treasures
The Quietest Place on Earth, Minneapolis
Devil’s Kettle, Grand Marais
Frank Lloyd Wright Gas Station, Cloquet
Museum of Quackery and Medical Frauds, Saint Paul
Wabasha Street Caves, Saint Paul
Niagara Cave, Harmony
House of Balls, Minneapolis
City Salvage, Minneapolis
Spam Museum, Austin
Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis
Birthplace of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Saint Paul
For a complete list of Minnesota State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks and www.nps.gov. Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below.
From the founders of the Mayo clinic to the creators of inline skates and cheerleading, Minnesotans find time to create, explore and celebrate. Tour the cities or 10,000 lakes and all the history in between! Use #NationalMinnesotaDay to share on social media.
National Florida Day on January 25 recognizes the 27th state to join the United States.
The Sunshine State is home to the oldest established city in the country. With over 400 years of history, St. Augustine’s streets and colonial architecture have stories to tell. Founded by Spanish explorers in 1565, visit the city and walk in the same footsteps as 16th-century bishops, ponder the escapades of pirates and the whereabouts of lost gold and learn about the lives of European settlers.
East and West Florida became the 14th and 15th British Colonies after the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. However, in 1783, after the end of the American Revolutionary War, The Treaty of Paris returned Florida to Spain.
The present-day borders of Florida were absorbed through two transactions: The Louisianna Purchase in 1803 brought East Florida with it (but not without dispute from the French) and through a U.S. intervention in an uprising in West Florida in 1812 causing West Florida to join the Mississippi Territory.
With an average high temperature of 79.5°F, it should be no surprise that Floridian John Gorrie brought refrigeration and air conditioning to the world in 1851.
Add to that, more than half the year with partly cloudy to sunny days, the invention of sunblock would be a necessity, too. Hungary born pharmacist, Benjamin Green, invented a sunscreen in 1944 which later became a tanning lotion known as Coppertone.
Launching astronauts into space, Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard Country, is a fun and unique visit. While Disney, Universal, and others have rides, themes, and shows. This place makes both history and the future a tangible experience. We just happened to be there on a day they launched a new satellite!
Cape Canaveral and the home of the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County has come a long way from its first launch in 1950. From Appollo missions to Hubble Telescopes and Mars Rovers, Cape Canaveral continues missions well into the future. Missions include commercial ventures including SpaceX launches.
Florida offers more than enough to do and see. From man-made worlds and relaxing beaches to long, colorful and intricate history, the Sunshine State’s open spaces and sunny faces require more than one visit.
Official Florida
State Capital – Tallahassee State Nickname – The Sunshine State State Motto – In God We Trust State Song – Old Folks at Home State Bird – Mockingbird State Reptile – American Alligator State Flower – Orange Blossom State Wildflower – Coreopsis State Animal – Florida Panther State Fish – Largemouth bass State Beverage – Orange Juice State Stone – Agatized coral State Shell – Horse Conch State Tree – Sabal Palm State Song – Swanee River, Old Folks at Home State Gemstone – Moonstone State Butterfly – Zebra Longwing Butterfly
Florida is also home of the oldest noncontinuous settlement in America. The City of five flags know as Pensacola is actually older than St Augustine. The original settlement was wiped out by a hurricane. So St Augustine claims the oldest continuous city.
For a complete list of Florida State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.floridastateparks.org and www.nps.gov. Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below.
Cuban Sandwhich Conch Fritters Stone Crab Key Lime Pie Strawberry Shortcake Apalachicola Oysters Craft Beer Gator Bites Orange Juice Kumquats
HOW TO OBSERVE
Join a local as we dig into Florida’s sunny beaches and rich history. Seek buried treasures and explore all Florida’s fascinating culture! Look to the past or look to the future and use #NationalFloridaDay to share on social media.
On December 30th each year, bacon lovers celebrate one of nature’s favored gifts on Bacon Day!
Everything is better with bacon. Someone said that once. And our research shows very little to dispute this assertion.
In the United States and Canada, bacon is made from the pork belly. Elsewhere in the world, the side and back cuts of pork are used. The meat is cured in either a salt brine or in a salt pack. It is then either dried, boiled, or smoked.
Bacon is a very popular food in the USA. You can find many items also flavored or scented with bacon, including popcorn, soap, candles, air fresheners, and much more. While these uses are options, we suggest cooking with bacon.
It’s not just for breakfast anymore, either. Bacon improves everything from beverages to dessert. Some cocktails such as the Bloody Mary and Caesar add bacon to the olives, pickles, and other assorted ingredients. Bacon improves the flavor of many appetizers, sandwiches, and soups. Incorporate bacon into salads as a topping or mix it into the dressing. When it comes to dessert, bacon pairs well with maple frosting or maple ice cream. Thanks to the salty, smoky flavor of bacon, it compliments sweet quite well. The possibilities are endless.
Bacon is both Keto and blood sugar friendly. Turkey bacon is also a good alternative. My favorite is leaf lettuce used as a wrap. Add Miracle Whip, tomatoes, and two strips of extra cripy bacon for a great tasting BLT without the carbs from bread. Two of these tucked into your lunch box with some cheese sticks and some blueberries makes for a great lunch that will give you plenty of energy till dinner without the 3:00 sleepies.
Share your favorite recipes with us. Here are some of our favorites featuring bacon!
According to the founders of Bacon Day, we are encouraged to eat a variety of bacon while watching Kevin Bacon movies, or movies with bacon in the title. Since Bacon Day was created before the Discovery Channel show How It’s Made debuted, it’s safe to say, we can eat our bacon and watch those, too. Giving and receiving gifts of bacon is also recommended. Other suggested traditions such as bacon toasts and kissing under pork fat mistletoe are mentioned as well. Use #BaconDay to post on social media.
