Faux Ho Ho: Why are there so many made-up holidays?
Plus: Top news stories of the week — New data shows drop in CMS test scores — Prison time for couple who stole from booster club — Report examines whether hospitals profit from Medicare patients
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Did you know today is National Cat Day? The growing number of made-up holidays are threatening traditional ones. November and December are full of opportunities to celebrate everything from Raisin Bran to time travel.
By Colleen Brannan
While the rest of you are celebrating Halloween this weekend, I’ll be wrapping up National Sarcasm Awareness Month that takes place every October. Imagine an entire month dedicated to the snarky, competing with real causes such as breast cancer, Down syndrome, dyslexia and ADD/ADHD. While that seems downright blasphemous, the fact is, there are just not enough months to go around.
With faux holidays at every turn, it’s difficult to keep up. Where did they all come from? Should we calendar them? And, if so, what will colleagues think who can see my calendar availability?
Some must be created by companies and industries to make you buy more of their products. Case in point: National Raisin Bran Cereal Day on Nov. 15 and National Play Monopoly Day on Nov. 19. Even the non-brand-specific National Donut Day on Nov. 5 is capitalized on by Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts with their offers of a free donut (with a purchase, of course).
Other invented holidays are dreamt up by crafty PR people needing a timely news hook to tell their story. I’d like to believe there are even a few authentic ones created by true enthusiasts, but the PR pro in me doubts it. In fact, at my first job out of college in 1992, at Ketchum PR in Washington, D.C., my supervisor made me aware of a hard-copy book named Chase’s Calendar of Events — the ultimate go-to guide for every imaginable celebration.
This became my event bible when planning product launches and press conferences or trying to look smart in a brainstorm. I had not thought about that trusty weapon in decades, so I googled it recently. It turns out it has been around since 1957 and still exists in hard copy but now has a companion website and Twitter handle @chasescalendar. I followed them and learned I had just missed World Menopause Day on Oct. 18. Who knew that one called for confetti?
The good news is, no matter the origin or sponsor, there seems to be something to celebrate daily.
November is best known for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, but those traditional holidays are being threatened by food-related celebrations for nachos, deviled eggs, french dips, pickles, spicy guacamole and baklava, just to name a few. Sadly, calzones and deep-fried clams have to share Nov. 1, which sounds like poor planning and, if you dare to celebrate both, gastrointestinal distress. Also, why couldn’t National Sundae Day actually be on a Sunday instead of messing with Veteran’s Day on Friday, Nov. 11?
And, if you thought December was about Christmas and New Year’s, think again. I’m particularly intrigued by Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day on Dec. 8. Of course I’m in, but how might I do that? Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day on Dec. 18 (referencing the 2003 movie “Elf” starring Will Ferrell) seems much more doable. Evidently, all I have to do to spread sunshine across the land is wear something green and answer my phone “Colleen, the Elf. What’s your favorite color?” I’m baffled by National ReGifting Day which takes place the Thursday before Christmas, on Dec. 22, but National Thank You Note Day on Dec. 26, the day after Christmas, makes perfect sense.
By the way, if you’re celebrating any of these faux holidays, they all have their own hashtag (e.g. #nationalcatday) so make sure you include that in your social media posts to join the conversation. I’ll admit, Instagram has done its part to pressure me into posts for National Daughter, National Son and National Dog days. And know there are serious repercussions at home if you do it for one and not for all.
How To Score Your Own Day: In Charlotte, if you want to get a special day or milestone recognized, you seek a Mayoral Proclamation — a formal declaration of a day, week or month in honor of a special event, typically used to make a public announcement. If you’re successful in your application, sometimes, in addition to a ceremonial certificate signed by the mayor, she may even appear for a formal presentation. One I am considering submitting:
Take Your Spouse to Work Day: My husband has worked directly across the street from me for 16 years and I have never seen his office. Perhaps he doesn’t really work at Bank of America? If you can take your children and pets to work, why not your spouse or significant other, so you can lay eyes on the people you hear about at dinner every night?
Whatever you’re celebrating this season, traditional, modern or faux, have some fun with it. And, if you decide to celebrate National Llama Day on Dec. 9 with a party, please invite me!
Colleen Brannan is a 30+ year PR professional, owner of Charlotte, NC-based BRANSTORM PR and lifelong proud member of the NSS (National Sarcasm Society). Email her colleen@branstorm.com about your favorite holiday, real or fake. You can follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Linked In.
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This week in Charlotte: It’s time to vote on next year’s CMS calendar; early voting ends Nov. 5; Charlotte brewery fights its landlord in court
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
Student test scores plunge: (Observer) New data from the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that basic math and reading scores in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools slid to their worst on record, following state and national trends.
CMS seeks input on calendar: (Observer) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is asking for input on its two calendar options for the 2023-24 school year that could extend winter and spring break lengths for students. The board will vote on the calendar Nov. 9.
Politics
City Councilman back under microscope: (QCNews) Charlotte City Council member James “Smuggie” Mitchell failed to disclose his economic stake in city contractor J.E. Dunn Construction, at the same time his possible ownership of city contractor Bright Hope Construction is under scrutiny.
Voter guide: (Observer) Early voting for the 2022 election ends Nov. 5. and election day is Nov. 8. The Charlotte Observer has a voter guide with information on candidates and races.
Local news
Couple imprisoned for bilking South Meck High booster club: (Observer) A U.S. district judge sentenced a Charlotte husband and wife to prison Monday for bilking the South Mecklenburg High School booster club out of nearly $240,000.
Charlotte affordable housing short $32M: (WSOC) The city is $32M short for its planned 886 affordable housing units across 11 developments, for which the City Council has already committed $23M. The City Council will vote on what to do next month but is not contractually obligated to provide additional funds.
Business
Hospital finances questioned: (Kaiser Health News) A new report from the state treasurer’s office found that while N.C. hospitals often claim they lose money on treating Medicare patients, they’re actually making money off of them. Atrium Health and other hospitals dispute the findings, saying they are flawed and inaccurate, and that they lose money on Medicare.
Rent hike and possible eviction for Charlotte brewery: (Observer, subscriber-only) Blue Blaze Brewing in Seversville is fighting in court with its landlord, Atlanta-based Portman Holdings, after Portman proposed increasing Blue Blaze’s rent by 5x, from $42,000 a year to $200,000 a year.
Sports
Charlotte FC coach signs contract extension: (Charlotte FC) Christian Lattanzio signed a contract extension with Charlotte FC on Wednesday that officially makes him head coach through the 2024 season with an option for 2025.
UNC Charlotte football coach fired: (Observer, subscriber-only) UNC Charlotte fired football coach Will Healy, whose team started 1-7 this year.
Good reads
Sikh student speaks about religious discrimination on UNC Charlotte campus: (Teen Vogue) N.C. State student Arfan Warraich, the brother of Amaan Warraich, the Sikh student who was detained on campus of UNC Charlotte for carrying a Kirpan in September, shares his similar experience while visiting his brother at UNC Charlotte two years ago and speaks about the lack of religious and diversity training at schools.
Spooky stories: (Queens University News Service, via WFAE) Having ghost stories associated with businesses like restaurants and bars can help boost revenue, but some Charlotte establishments that have a history of paranormal activity shy away from talking about it. Queens University students Caroline Willingham and Caroline Rojas explore the hesitation and take us to some local places with ghost stories.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Independence Park plan: The $5.9M Independence Park renovation project is expected to come to a close by the end of the year, and while the park is getting a modern update, it will also be closer to the 1905 design of the original creator of the park, a nationally renowned landscape architect named John Nolen.
Cheerwine beer in the works: NoDa Brewing Co. appears to be working with the company that makes Cheerwine to produce a “Cheerwine Ale” and is asking hardcore Cheerwine fans to vote on one of two label designs.
Crystal Lagoon coming to Huntersville: A Cornelius developer has plans to build a mixed-use development with a Caribbean-style resort called Crystal Lagoon on 270 acres of farmland in Huntersville that he says is currently under contract.
Black Political Caucus endorsements: The Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg is not endorsing any of the four members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education who are running for re-election, but instead, is endorsing their opponents.
Wednesday (🔒)
Inside the world's largest furniture show: The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling takes us inside the off-limits-to-the-public High Point Furniture Market, an industry trade show that attracts up to 75,000 attendees and 2,200 exhibitors from across the globe for five days of events, meetings and buying.
Fowl play goes viral: Selwyn Elementary 5th-grader Braxton Snyder shares his perspective of his sideline brawl with the Atlanta Falcons mascot during the “Sir Purr Bowl” halftime entertainment at the Carolina Panthers game Sunday, saying, “it was just a cool experience.”
Greenway update: Mecklenburg County greenway planners have plans for a 2.8-mile greenway trail along Sugar Creek, near the old Charlotte Coliseum area by Tyvola Road, which will be the first greenway on Sugar Creek.
Friday (🔒)
Dig out the ugly holiday sweaters: After two years of subdued or nonexistent company holiday parties, end-of-year corporate celebrations seem to be coming back in full swing this year, with many venues already booked.
Financial disclosures: The Ledger sifted through the financial disclosure forms submitted by Charlotte’s 11 city council members and Mayor Vi Lyles, to see what companies and nonprofits they reported that they have connections to.
South Charlotte development question: The Ledger examines a reader question about plans for a vacant 8-acre lot in Rea Farms, as part of our “You Ask, We Answer” series.
Park overhaul: Ballantyne’s Brixham Park is getting an overhaul, with turf lawns, free Wi-fi and covered seating.
Ways of Life (🔒)
Marilyn Price, founder of the Charlotte Folk Society, fell in love with folk music when she met her future husband at a square dance. She died this month at age 91.
WFAE’s Steve Harrison provides background on the proposed express toll lanes on I-77 and explains what it would mean if the N.C. Department of Transportation partnered with a private firm to build and manage the toll lanes instead of the state maintaining control of the project.
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