NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY DAY

The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) along with millions of photographers and photography lovers across the nation observe Nature Photography Day on June 15th.

SIGNFORD Canvas Print Wall Art Waterfall Pool at Sunset Nature Wilderness Photography Realism Rustic Landscape Colorful Multicolor Ultra for Living Room, Bedroom, Office – 24″x36″
arteWOODS Green Forest Canvas Wall Art Living Room Wall Decor Large Nature Pictures Canvas Artwork Contemporary Wall Art Modern Landscape Pine Trees for Kitchen Office Home Decoration 20" x 40"#NaturePhotographyDay
arteWOODS Green Forest Canvas Wall Art Living Room Wall Decor Large Nature Pictures Canvas Artwork Contemporary Wall Art Modern Landscape Pine Trees for Kitchen Office Home Decoration 20″ x 40″

HISTORY

Nature Photography Day was designated by NANPA in 2009 to promote the enjoyment of nature photography.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Use your dedicated camera and/or the camera on your phone to take some photos of nature.  Use #NaturePhotographyDay in social media.

Fuji Mountain Large Wall Art Japanese Cherry Blossom Pictures Wall Decor Nature Moonlight Canvas Landscape Painting Modern Artwork Home Decoration for Living Room Bathroom Bedroom Office Framed
#NaturePhotographyDay
Fuji Mountain Large Wall Art Japanese Cherry Blossom Pictures Wall Decor Nature Moonlight Canvas Landscape Painting Modern Artwork Home Decoration for Living Room Bathroom Bedroom Office Framed
DBLAKI DB3275 Canvas Wall Art Beach Sunset Ocean Nature Pictures Beautiful Cloudscape Over The Sea Photography Canvas Print Framed and Stretched Ready to Hang for Living Room Bedroom Office#NaturePhotographyDay
DBLAKI DB3275 Canvas Wall Art Beach Sunset Ocean Nature Pictures Beautiful Cloudscape Over The Sea Photography Canvas Print Framed and Stretched Ready to Hang for Living Room Bedroom Office
Botanical Wall Art Forest Landscape Art Colorful Room Decor Blue Artwork Picture on Canvas Decorations for Living Room Bedroom Office Dining Room 29x58 Inch#NaturePhotographyDay
Botanical Wall Art Forest Landscape Art Colorful Room Decor Blue Artwork Picture on Canvas Decorations for Living Room Bedroom Office Dining Room 29×58 Inch

Just Enjoy June

Celebrating the Joys of Summer’s Kickoff

June bursts onto the scene as a month brimming with sunshine, longer days, and endless opportunities to celebrate.

As the official gateway to summer, June brings longer days, blooming gardens, and the perfect excuse to trade our busy schedules for a little bit of fun. While we often think of June for weddings and school letting out.  This month is packed with quirky holidays and heartfelt observances designed to help us savor the season. So, grab a glass of iced tea, put your feet up, and let’s dive into why this month deserves to be celebrated.

Wedding Season

Fun facts abound: June beetles make their appearance, and no other month starts on the same weekday as June in quite the same way. Flag Day honors patriotism in the U.S., while outdoor activities beckon everyone to get moving.

National Months in June encourage meaningful awareness alongside the fun.

National Give a Bunch of Balloons Month
National DJ Month                        
National Portuguese Heritage Month
African-American Music Appreciation Month
National Zoo and Aquarium Month
LGBTQIA Pride Month
Men’s Health Month
National Accordion Month
National Adopt a Cat Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
National Candy Month
National Camping Month
National Caribbean American Month
National Country Cooking Month
National Dairy Month
National Great Outdoors Month
National Headache and Migraine Awareness Month
National Homeownership Month
National Iced Tea Month
National Papaya Month
National Pollinators Month
National PTSD Awareness Month
National Safety Month
National Soul Food Month
Rose Month
Turkey Lovers Month                
June’s Birthstone;Why the Pearl is the Ultimate Gem of Romance and Grace                                                         Hurricane Readiness

With something for everyone turn ordinary dates into mini-festivals. Try National Say Something Nice Day, National Go Barefoot Day. Don’t forget to include National Hug Your Cat Day, National Cheese Day, Flag Day on the 14th, and National Go Fishing Day on the 18th. From National Game Show Day to celebrations honoring ice cream, donuts, and more, there’s truly something for every interest and personality.

June shines for sports enthusiasts too, with NBA Finals, Stanley Cup playoffs, baseball in full swing, and the NBA Draft.

Famous June birthdays—from Marilyn Monroe and Paul McCartney to Michael Phelps and Elon Musk—add star power.

Zodiac signs Gemini and Cancer add a touch of curiosity and emotional depth, while birth flowers like the rose and honeysuckle, along with stones such as pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone, celebrate love, devotion, and generosity.

This June, embrace the spirit of “Just Enjoy.” Whether you’re marking personal milestones, joining community events, or simply taking time to appreciate longer evenings and blooming gardens, the month offers countless ways to create memories. Gather with friends, try new recipes tied to food-themed days, explore nature, or reflect on what brings you joy. Here’s to making June unforgettable—happy celebrating!

NATIONAL WATER SAFETY  MONTH

National Water Safety Month in May prepares us for recreational activities. 

Water is an attraction during the summer months. Whether we’re drawn to lakes and rivers or public pools and water slides, safety is a necessary concern. We use the water for leisure, sport, and general outdoor relaxation. Boating with or without motors, swimming, fishing and many other kinds of recreation take place in and around the water.

  • Protecting children around water should always be a number one safety concern.
  • An adult should always be supervising children around water, whether it’s a pool, lake.
  • Follow all facility rules and don’t rely on floatation devices for keeping your child safe.
  • In the water, make sure an adult joins the child.

HISTORY

The World Waterpark Association, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, The National Recreation & Park Association and the American Red Cross created National Water Safety Month. 

HOW TO OBSERVE

Practice water safety. For more water safety tips, visit www.nationalwatersafetymonth.org the website below.  Use #NationalWaterSafetyMonth to share on social media.

Summer Fun Playlist

Summer is here and for most of us it comes with a soundtrack that inspires fun in the sun, beaches and cool memories. So grab your sunscreen, flip-flops, and beach towels, as these songs give you the perfect vibes of Summer. Tell me yours in the comments.

In the Summertime

In the Summertime

Mungo Jerry
In the Summertime

Mungo Jerry

Surfing USA


Surfin' U.S.A. (Remastered)

The Beach Boys

Surfin’ U.S.A. (Remastered)

The Beach Boys

Strawberry Wine, Deana Carter

Strawberry Wine
Deana Carter
Strawberry Wine

Deana Carter


Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffett

Margaritaville

Jimmy Buffett
Margaritaville

Jimmy Buffett

Happy, Pharrell Williams


Happy (Live)

Pharrell Williams

Happy (Live)

Pharrell Williams

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay

Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay

Otis Redding
Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay

Otis Redding

Caribbean Blue, Enya

Caribbean Blue (Single Version)

Enya
Caribbean Blue (Single Version)

Enya

Pocket of Sunshine, Natasha Benningfield

Pocketful Of Sunshine

Import

Natasha Bedingfield 
Pocketful Of Sunshine

Import

Natasha Bedingfield 

O’ America, Celtic Woman


O, America!

Celtic Woman

O, America!

Celtic Woman

Route 66


Route 66

Chuck Berry

Route 66

Chuck Berry

California Girls Beach Boys


California Girls (Remix/Remastered)

The Beach Boys

California Girls (Remix/Remastered)

The Beach Boys

California Girls, Katy Perry


California Gurls (Feat. Snoop Dogg)

Katy Perry

California Gurls (Feat. Snoop Dogg)

Katy Perry

Summer In The City


Summer in the City (Remastered)

The Lovin' Spoonful

Summer in the City (Remastered)

The Lovin’ Spoonful

Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys

Good Vibrations (Remastered)

The Beach Boys
Good Vibrations (Remastered)

The Beach Boys

Summertime, Lena Horne

Summertime (From "Porgy and Bess")

Lena Horne
Summertime (From “Porgy and Bess”)

Lena Horne


Havana - Playback - Camila Cabello

Playback Show

Havana – Playback – Camila Cabello

Playback Show


Best Sellers in Digital Music
Best Sellers in Digital Music

NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH

National Black History Month, also known as National African American History Month, during February is a time for all Americans to celebrate the achievements of African Americans. In addition, the month recognizes the central role of Black Americans in history.

Other countries, including Canada and Great Britain, have also set aside months to honor Black History. February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and noted civil rights advocate Frederick Douglass. A privateer ship named the White Lion records the first Africans brought to the colonies in 1619. Captained by John Colyn Jope, the White Lion landed at Point Comfort, Virginia, now modern-day Hampton, Virginia. There, Jope traded the Africans as slaves in exchange for provisions.

Notable Black Americans

African-Americans impacted our society throughout history and in numerous ways.

  • Thurgood Marshall – The jurist was the first African-American appointed to the Supreme Court. We recognize Thurgood Marshall every year on National Maryland Day.
  • George Washington Carver – As a man of science, Carver developed over 300 products from peanuts. Celebrate George Washington Carver and his contributions to the peanut industry on National Peanut Day.
  • Shirley Chisholm – In 1968, New York’s 12th congressional district elected Chisholm as the first Black woman in Congress. She served seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • Rosa Parks – The Civil Rights advocate helped initiate the Civil Rights Movement by refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Celebrate Rosa Parks and learn more about her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Louis Armstrong – As a talented musician and performer, Armstrong became a pioneer in jazz. Satchmo Summerfest honors his contributions to music for a week each year in August.
  • Colin Powell – The 4-star General became Secretary of State. Colin Powell dedicated the Buffalo Soldier Monument at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, establishing the first Buffalo Soldiers Day.
  • Barack Obama – Americans elected Obama as the first Black President of the United States in 2009. He served two terms.

NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH HISTORY

Carter Woodson, the twentieth-century historian, created Black History Month. He believed Black Americans were not adequately represented in the study of American history. Carter Woodson also hoped for the day when Americans would accept Black history as a part of American history. President Gerald Ford declared Black History Month (formerly Negro History Week) in 1976.

More Heritage to explore….

HOW TO OBSERVE #BlackHistoryMonth

Learn more about African-American history. Here are a few books we suggest reading during Black History Month:

Use #BlackHistoryMonth on social media and start a book discussion.