On April 22, millions of Americans and people from all over the world will take time to honor and celebrate planet Earth. They’ll plant trees, dedicate parks, clean up rivers, take public transportation and participate in hundreds of other activities that heighten awareness of environmental issues. Earth Day is a time to reflect on our planet’s fragility, resilience and recovery. It’s a unifying event that brings people together, no matter their age, race, nationality or political agenda. The thread that binds them is their desire to respect, honor and protect the planet.

The environmentally concerned statesman

Earth Day was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin, who in 1962 was concerned that “the state of our environment was simply a non-issue in the politics of the country.”

“All across the country,” he wrote, “evidence of environmental degradation was appearing everywhere, and everyone noticed except the political establishment. The people were concerned, but the politicians were not.” In 1963, he persuaded President Kennedy to take a national conservation tour. While it did little to bring the issue to the forefront, it did become the seed of what was to become Earth Day.

Overwhelming response

Through the ‘60s, Nelson continued to speak on environmental issues. While on a conservation speaking tour in 1969, he saw how non-violent protests called “teach-ins” were effectively used on college campuses to protest the war in Vietnam. He believed this grassroots approach would work well to heighten public awareness of environmental issues. Nelson announced that in the spring of 1970, there would be a nationwide “demonstration” on behalf of the environment.

“The response was electric,” Nelson said. “Inquiries poured in from all across the country. The American people finally had a forum to express its concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes and air.” The country was ripe for such a demonstration, as evidenced by the participation of two thousand colleges and universities, ten thousand high schools and grade schools, and thousands of communities. In all, 20 million Americans participated in that first Earth Day on April 22, 1970.

From activism to acts

This was the beginning of the environmental movement in the United States. That same year saw the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency. By 1980, multiple environmental acts became law: the Clean Air Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act, among many others. What started as a grassroots effort is now an international event celebrated by billions of people from around the planet. Until his death in 2005 at the age of 89, Nelson remained dedicated to improving and protecting the environment.

Get involved

Want to know what activities are planned for Earth Day in your community? Contact the mayor’s office, city hall, newspapers, radio and TV stations, children’s and science museums, colleges and universities, and non-profit environmental groups. You may not find a “teach-in,” but you’re sure to find an activity you and your family can participate in to show your concern for the planet.

Tidbits about Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day:

Governor of Wisconsin 1959-1962

• U.S. Senator from Wisconsin 1963-1981
• Earth Day founder
• Co-sponsor of the National Environment Education Act
• Counselor of the Wilderness Society
• Created legislation to:
  • Preserve the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail
  • Mandate fuel efficiency standards in automobiles
  • Control strip mining
  • Establish the St. Croix Wild and Scenic Riverway (MN/WI), and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (in Lake Superior off the Wisconsin shoreline)

Originally posted in 2008.

Every February 2nd, Americans eagerly await the groundhog: will the sleepy rodent’s appearance herald the arrival of spring…or foretell another six weeks of winter?

Groundhog Day has its origins in a Christian festival called Candlemas , which is traditionally celebrated on or around February 2nd. A European tradition stated that a sunny Candlemas meant an additional six weeks of winter weather, while a cloudy Candlemas signaled an early spring. According to German folklore, the matter was clinched by the appearance of a hedgehog: if the sight of his own shadow frightened the shy creature back into hibernation, Candlemas was officially “sunny.”

Because hedgehogs are not indigenous to North America, early German settlers adopted the groundhog, or woodchuck, as their weather predictor. In 1887, a newspaper editor named Clymer H. Freas along with a newspaper publisher and American Congressman named W. Smith organized a Groundhog Day festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The festival’s mascot, a groundhog dubbed Punxsutawney Phil, “told” the Groundhog Club president his prediction regarding winter’s end. On that historic morning, Phil saw his shadow at 7:32.

Now an annual event, the festival continues to be popular, inspiring films, fiction and other events and festivals around the country. Even Canada is in on the fun – our neighbors to the North look to “Wiarton Willy” to predict the arrival of spring.

Even if you can’t make it to the big game, you can enjoy a great game-day party at home! With the right preparations, you and your guests will have a good time, even if all are not big football fans.

Decorations

Have enough TVs.
Set up multiple TVs so all guests will have a clear, unobstructed view.

Tip: If you expect really rabid fans, maybe set up a TV in the bathroom for those inevitable interruptions.

Continue Reading Put the Super in Your Bowl Party

January 23rd is Yoga Day USA! Many of us at Solutions love the way yoga makes us feel – in fact, we have an on-site class once a week after work. Great for all fitness levels, yoga eases physical and mental stress, offers relief from pain without medication, increases your flexibility and even helps you manage your weight!

Check out your local gym, community college or recreational center for a yoga class near you, or visit your local library to check out a book or video with postures you can practice at home. And don’t miss these great products from Solutions to help you get started with your new activity!

84109 Stainless Steel Water Bottle: Safer to drink from than aluminum or plastic.
83786 Yoga Stick-e™ Socks (pictured above): No slipping as you exercise.
80817 Car Seat Vest Cover: Keep seats clean after a workout.

Post: R.E.M. Spring – Facial Hair Removing Spring – Review Roundup

Category: Recipes

Recipe: Fast and Easy Avocado Dip

Freebie: How to Set a Table, Detailed Proper Place Setting Instructions

Help us celebrate Kitchen Month at Solutions by sharing your favorite kitchen shortcut with our readers! The writer of our favorite tip will receive a handsome, neoprene Market Tote packed with our popular Gourmet Getaway Bag, nonstick Silver Dollar Waffle Griddle, neoprene Fishnet Wine Tote, an Egg Pet Plant and an e-gift card for $100 at Solutions.com. Altogether, this wonderful gift has a total value of over $235 – you can even share it with someone else!
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“Mom browned cube steak and put it in the oven to cook slowly and tenderize, then made a gravy with Campbell’s mushroom soup to put over mashed potatoes. A serving of Bisquick biscuits added to the treat, one we loved so much that we did not complain about the serving of green vegetables we had to eat. We were poor, but that meal made us feel like royalty!”

-Sheryl B.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their favorite “comfort food’ dishes. Check out all the meals in the original Remember your family’s favorite “comfort meal?” post.