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

NATIONAL PICNIC DAY

April 22, 2026April 5, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

On April 23rd, National Picnic Day encourages everyone to pack up their lunch and take it outdoors.

There are a variety of ways to take part in a picnic. This meal hearkens back to mid-18th-century al fresco French dining when all you needed was a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, some cheese and fruit and you could have a party under the sky.

From the French for piquenique, picnicmeans a meal eaten outdoors.

From barbecues to simple cold plates, picnics are light informal affairs intended to be relaxing and fun for everyone to enjoy the day. Some favorite picnic foods include sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit and vegetables, light salads, and homemade bars. However, picnics can be expanded to include grilled items, too. Burgers and corn on the cob cook up nicely on a portable grill. During large picnics, guests often bring a dish to share creating a pot luck atmosphere.

The fresh air tends to rev up our appetite, so getting in some physical activity while enjoying a picnic is nice, too. Games of horseshoe, Frisbee, catch or flying a kite add to the fun of the day.

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Now is a great time to get ready for National Picnic Month in July.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPicnicDay

Celebrate this day by having a picnic of your own. Pack up a cooler or basket with a few of your favorite items. Make sure to include a beverage or two. Be sure to keep perishable items on ice so no one gets sick. Visit a favorite park or recreation area. Lay the blanket out in the sun or shade (whichever you prefer) and enjoy the day with a meal under the sky. Bring a Frisbee or a ball to toss around, too.

If the weather does not cooperate, have a picnic in your home on the living room floor! Share your photos on social media using #NationalPicnicDay.

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National Decorating Month

March 31, 2026March 5, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 5 Comments

Brighten up your home during National Decorating Month in April! A fresh coat of paint, stylish fabrics, and furnishings give a tired space a fresh look and make something old look new again.

It’s amazing what we can do with a few strategically placed items. Whether a decorator’s trained eye or a natural sense of color and space leads to a beautiful new space, the achievement is always satisfying.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating projects around the home. No matter where you decide to update, be sure to do your research and prepare. The do-it-yourself handbook has been written multiple times. If you’re hesitant, help can be found in the form of videos, the service counters of hardware stores and decorators, too.

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HISTORY

National Decorating Month originated in 1968 as National Home Decorating Month. The National Decorating Products Association (now known as the Paint & Wallpaper Association of America) in association with House and Garden Magazine launch the event.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Decorating Tips and Ideas

Form a painting club. Each member gets a room painted by the club. An ideal size would be six members. If you paint one room every other month, everyone gets a room painted in a year. The member whose room is being painted provides snacks and painting supplies.
If you smoke in your home and are trying to quit smoking, a great motivator is to paint the interior of your home. The freshly painted (and possibly decorated) home may be a deterrent from smoking in the home.
If you’re uncertain of a color choice, purchase a small amount of the paint or swatch of fabric. Paint a small patch or leave the swatch in the room where it will be used. Let the sun rise and set in that room so you can see how the color changes. You will soon know if you love it or hate it.
When choosing furniture for a room, be sure to measure more than just the space for the furniture when deciding on a piece. Measure the openings and corners leading into the room even if there are no stairs. If you cannot get the furniture into the room, you may have to return your new furniture.

Don’t settle for a plain square room. Add your personality to it with some expert advice or do-it-yourself redesign. Use #NationalDecoratingMonth to share on social media.