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Issue 430
SNIPPETZ SINGS ABOUT THE GRAMOPHONES by Deborah Stumpf "I just got an award given to me by a Beatle. Have you had that happen yet, Kanye? ... Just kidding."
- Vince Gill, accepting the award for best country album from Ringo Starr. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead: Which band has won the most Grammy Awards? None of the above. It’s U2, with a total of 22 Grammys. The Beatles won 29 Grammy Awards, but some were for individual performances. The Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead have won Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Grammy Awards as well. The world will soon find out the big winners of this year’s Grammy Awards, which takes place Jan. 31 in Los Angeles when the Grammy Awards will celebrate 52 years. Grammy History The first-ever Grammy Awards were held May 4, 1959, in two different cities: Beverly Hills, Calif., and New York City. They were sponsored by both chapters of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, established in 1957. The concept of the Grammy’s was launched two years prior to the awards show. In 1957, rock ‘n roll music had hit the airwaves, taking the country by storm. Songs like Elvis’s “Jailhouse Rock,” the Everly Brothers’ “Wake up Little Suzie" and Buddy Holly’s "That'll be the Day" had changed the face of the music industry and captured the hearts and souls of the baby boomers. The post World War II generation became huge fans of rock ‘n roll, but some of their parents and grandparents – those of the Frank Sinatra music era – were stunned and offended by the new music and the hip-swinging gyrations of Elvis and others. Some called rock ‘n roll “devil music.” As a result of the rock ‘n roll backlash, the music industry formed the Record Award Society on May 28, 1957, in Hollywood, Calif. To preserve the integrity and culture of the music industry, the society initiated an award system for recording artists. Musicians, writers, producers and engineers would be the voting members of the society and choose their peers for the awards. The award – initially called the Gramophone – would honor artists in 28 categories. Eventually, the society led to the formation of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; the first chapter chartered in June 1957. Founding members included Rosemary Clooney (George’s aunt), Nat King Cole (Natalie’s dad), Doris Day and Henry Mancini (one of his greatest hits – “Moon River”). In New York City, another chapter was added under the direction of Guy Lombardo. Today, the Academy has 12 chapters and more than 16,000 members. Henry Mancini, Ella Fitzgerald, Perry Como and the Kingston Trio were among the first “Gramophone recipients” voted on by their peers. Music icon Frank Sinatra was nominated for record of the year and best vocal performance. He didn’t win that year, but took home the Grammy for best album cover design. The Colorado Grammy The trophies are created piece by piece, assembled and sent to Colorado for the finishing touches. John Billings, owner of Billings Artworks in Ridgeway, finishes the awards in gold plating. The trophies presented at the awards show are replicas – referred to as “stunt” trophies. Billings holds on to the real trophy until the winners are announced. He then engraves each trophy with the winner’s name and category and delivers them in person to the Academy, making the trek from Colorado to California. The Big Winners • Most Grammys in a lifetime: Sir Georg Solti, who conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 22 years. He personally won 31 Grammys. • Most Grammy Awards for consecutive albums: Pat Metheny and Pat Metheny Group won 17 Grammys. • Most Grammy Awards for solo artist male: Stevie Wonder has won 28 Grammys. Quincy Jones has won 27 Grammys. • Notables: Frank Sinatra, “Old Blue Eyes, won 10 Grammy Awards. Elton John has won five. • Most Grammy Awards for solo artist female: Alison Krauss has won 20 Grammys. • Most Grammy Awards for best R&B vocal performance female: Have a little respect for Aretha Franklin who won 11 Grammys. • The youngest Grammy winner is LeAnn Rimes, who won at age 14 in the category of best new artist. • Michael Jackson and Carlos Santana are tied in the category of most Grammys won in a single award show. In 1984, Jackson was nominated for 11 awards and won eight. In 2000, Santana tied Jackson’s record win. • Lauryn Hill (1999), Alicia Keys (2002), Norah Jones (2003) and The Dixie Chicks (2007) all tie for the record number of wins by a female in one single Grammy night. They each won five Grammys. Those who’ve had the most nominations but no wins: Alan Parsons and Joe Satriani have had 13 nominations each but zero trophies. Some inarguably phenomenal musicians have never won a Grammy: • Janis Joplin, Bob Marley, Neil Young, Buddy Holly, ABBA, the Spice Girls, Led Zeppelin, Diana Ross, Backstreet Boys, Queen • Although Elvis Presley was the “king” of rock ‘n roll he never won a Grammy for the genre that made him a star. He won three Grammys for gospel music; and, in 1971, he attained the Lifetime Achievement Award. The High Achievers of Music The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented each year to those who have made a significant contribution to the music industry throughout their recording careers. Bing Crosby was the first winner in 1962. From Ella Fitzgerald to Willie Nelson, the list is comprised of the best songsters spanning five decades. A sampling of winners from each decade:
Memorable Grammy Moments We can usually count on something funny, weird, controversial or even lewd to take place at the Grammys. After all, some of the world’s most eclectic, creative, unique and gutsy individuals and groups sustain the music industry.
Jennifer Lopez wore a Versace green dress to the 2000 Grammy Awards that caused more than a few raised eyebrows and near heart attacks. The neckline of the dress was cut to the waist, baring enough to give the Grammys an R rating. The following year, Toni Braxton appeared at the Grammys in what Jon Stewart, the 2001 host, called “a white scarf.” Grammy Snub and Dub Sinead O’Connor was the only Grammy winner to refuse an award. In 1990, she won for best alternative music performance. However, she snubbed the Academy, citing the commercialization of the Grammy Awards. In 1989, Milli Vanilli was stripped of the best new artist of 1989 award when it was discovered that the two-man band had never sang the songs on their album. Rumors had it the Grammy had been seized because they had lip-synched live. They did lip-synch – to the real voices behind their album. The Grammy Museum In celebration of the art of music and its legacies, the Grammy Museum opened in December 2008, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards. The museum has 30,000 square feet and four floors featuring more than two dozen exhibits, highlighting the best of Grammy music – rock ‘n roll, country, jazz, hip hop – all of the genres that have graced the industry throughout its history. The museum includes a sound stage with 200 seats, a roof top terrace for special events and private parties, and it provides educational and public programs that include films, lectures and performances. Grammy Nominating The process of achieving a Grammy begins when record companies and individuals submit nominations to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. More than 150 music experts from the industry review the nominations for eligibility and make certain the entries are placed in appropriate categories for official nomination. The reviewers may vote to nominate artists in the general field, which is Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist and no more than nine nominations in the 30 fields on the ballots. Only five artists are nominated for each category. Those nominees are determined by the most votes from the initial reviewers and then sent to Academy members, who choose the winners. Since that first Grammy in 1959, many other music-related award shows have popped up. The MTV Music Video Awards, Country Music Association Awards and the American Music Awards rank in the top 10 of award shows for song artists. But the Grammys remain the crème de la crème of the music industry. Issue 431 - 2/1/1010
SNIPPETZ PONDERS THE INFLUENCE OF PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL by Deborah Stumpf 
By February, winter has worn out its welcome in many parts of the country. Cold weather dwellers are thinking green grass, budding trees, singing birds and flowering plants as they anxiously await a calculated (sort of) sign that spring is on its way – that sign is none other than Punxsutawney Phil – America’s beloved groundhog.
Groundhog Day, strictly akin to North America, is an intriguing tradition of predicting weather through the eyes of a groundhog. Every year on Feb. 2, the seemingly calendar-minded groundhog comes out of its winter burrow to look for its shadow. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it’s a sign that winter will linger for another six weeks. If there is no shadow, the groundhog foretells that spring is around the corner. Based on the groundhog’s findings, it either goes back into its burrow to wait out winter’s last stand or stays above ground to enjoy the induction of spring. The Hedgehog Held The First Crystal Ball The tradition of Groundhog Day was born in the 18th century out of the Catholic holiday of Candlemas, a commemoration of the Virgin Mary’s purity. Candles used for sacred purposes were blessed on that day, which is Feb. 2, the same day as the groundhog appearance. The Europeans believed that sunshine on the day of Candlemas meant that winter would stick around another six weeks. The Romans brought the idea of the Candlemas weather forecast to the Germans, who introduced the hedgehog. The Germans decided that if the sun appeared on Candlemas, the hedgehog would see its shadow – another prediction of six more weeks of winter. And so it went. German settlers brought the tradition to America and adopted the groundhog as the prognosticator of the weather. Thus, the groundhog got its own day. Just What Is A Groundhog? The groundhog or woodchuck lives in various parts of North America but is more common in the East, from Alabama and Georgia to Quebec and Ontario. In the West, groundhogs can be found in Northwest Territories and northward to Alaska. A member of the rodent family, the groundhog is related to squirrels, prairie dogs and chipmunks. Among rodents, the groundhog is a marmot and close cousin of the whistler marmot, which lives in the mountains of western North America. The groundhog is a stocky mammal with a flat head and bushy tail – 20 inches long and weighs from 12 to 15 lbs. The color of the fur ranges from a yellow shade to dark reddish brown. Because they burrow, their claws and legs are sturdy. They escape from enemies by diving into their burrows. Groundhog Facts • Groundhogs have 22 teeth. • They each have their own burrow for hibernation, and the burrow has two doorways. • Males emerge before the females each spring. • Groundhogs lose up to 50 percent of their body weight during hibernation. • They can swim and climb trees. • A groundhog can whistle when it is in danger. They also whistle in the spring when they begin courting – maybe they think that’s dangerous, too. • Insects don’t like groundhogs, and they are resistant to plagues. • Groundhogs have been known to live 10 years, but the average lifespan is six to eight years. • The groundhog is mainly vegetarian, with a taste for fresh green vegetation – plants, clover, alfalfa and garden vegetables. Punxsutawney, Penn. Punxsutawney, Penn., is home to the largest Groundhog Day celebration in the U.S. Up to 30,000 people have participated in the annual “holiday.” Originally a Native American campsite, Punxsutawney is located in the hills of western Pennsylvania – about 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The Native Americans, which included Shawnee, Delaware, Seneca or Iroquois tribes, named the area after an Indian name for its numerous sand flies. The name “town of ponkies” transitioned over the years to Punxsutawney. Almost 7,000 people live in the town itself, with more than 10,000 in surrounding townships. Rev. David Barclay, who was among the first white settlers, came to the area in 1816 and is considered the founding father of the town. The Germans, who brought the Groundhog tradition to America, had settled in the area. In the late 1800s, Clymer Freas, a newspaper editor, and W. Smith, a congressman and newspaper publisher, organized and advertised the first festival in Punxsutawney, Penn., to celebrate the groundhog and its penchant for predicting weather. The first Groundhog Day took place Feb. 2, 1887, and became an annual event. Groundhog Day became nationally known as newspapers around the country picked up information about the tradition and fun-filled festival. It didn’t take long for the rest of the country to catch on. Groundhog Day advanced commercial ventures such as the movie, “Groundhog Day,” which put Punxsutawney on the map. Punxsutawney Phil Named after King Phillip, Punxsutawney Phil is the famed resident groundhog of the town that bears his name. On Groundhog Day, he is the king. Every year on Feb. 2, Phil is transported to Gobbler’s Knob, about 2 miles east of Punxsutawney by his handlers, who care for him year round. The elite group of handlers, who call themselves the Inner Circle, plan the ceremony and make sure that Phil is protected from the paparazzi. Phil is placed in a temporary burrow in Gobbler’s Knob before dawn and then rousted out for his annual forecast, which is often broadcast nationwide. After being in the media spotlight, Phil is treated to a breakfast of nuts and apples. He invites others to chow down on a human menu of eggs and pancakes. Phil lives year round in the town library with his wife, Phyllis. Phil has been predicting the seasonal weather situation for 120 years. The Inner Circle claims that Phil is the original Phil – his lifetime has been extended by a magical “elixir of life” drink he consumes every Feb. 2 – the special potion adds seven years to his life each year that he consumes it. Phil also has his own club – the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. There are 50 chapters throughout the U.S., from California to Florida, with names like Traveling Marmots to Phil’s Dragon Shadows. Phil’s influence has been widespread. • During prohibition times, Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter if he didn’t get a drink. • In 1981, Phil wore a yellow ribbon in honor of American hostages in Iran. • In 1986, Phil visited President Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C. • In 1993, Columbia Pictures released the movie, “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray. Phil starred in the movie as well. • In 1995, Phil was on the Oprah Winfrey show. • In 2001, Phil toured New York City and appeared on “Regis Philbin Live,” the CBS Early Show and CNN. The annual prediction was broadcast live from Times Square. • In 2003, Gov. Edward Rendell was the first governor of Pennsylvania to participate in the annual trek to Gobbler’s Knob with the Inner Circle. • Phil is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and sported one of the Steelers famous “terrible towels” in 2009 to celebrate the Super Bowl victory. The Punxsutawney Party Although many other cities celebrate Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney is the original and the largest. However, Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney has turned into Groundhog Days. The festivities are as varied as a groundhog – and seemingly endless. Jan. 30 marks the first day of celebration. An art show, a wine dinner and a concert kick off this year’s festivities. From Jan. 30 through Feb. 2, there’s a beer dinner, a chili and wing cook off, more concerts, dances, a magic show, a puppet show, a family picnic, a banquet, a comedy club night, a pancake breakfast, the crowning of Miss Groundhog Day, an Oreo stacking contest and gobs more. The actual weather prediction begins before dawn on Feb. 2. Besides Pennsylvania, a myriad of celebrations take place each year all over the U.S. and Canada as well. Groundhog Day is popular in Canada, and the resident groundhog weather forecaster there is Wiarton Willy. He also is privy to the same fanfare. It’s been a rather cold winter across the country, so it might be a blessing if Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t see his shadow. Then again, the naysayer might remind us that the official start of spring is actually March 21, regardless of Phil’s prediction. But Phil doesn’t care. Only his shadow knows. Issue 432 - 2/8/2010
SNIPPETZ HEARTILY SUPPORTS HEART MONTH by Deborah Stumpf 
"Great hearts steadily send forth the secret forces that incessantly draw great events."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson Every year on Feb. 14, people worldwide celebrate relationships by giving from the heart and in the form of a heart. From hearts made of chocolate to gold heart-shaped pendants, the heart is the reigning insignia of love. Where from art thou, dear heart The origin of the heart as the symbol of love crosses continents and ideologies. In the Bible, there are references denoting emotions in relation to the heart. Exodus 5 through 12, for example: “hardening Pharaoh’s heart” and Genesis 6:5 “thoughts of evil men in their hearts.” In the Book of Jeremiah 17:9, it is written that the Lord is the judge who “tries” the human heart. Aristotle is among early philosophers and scientists who considered the heart as the center of thought, reason or emotion, valuing the heart over the brain. Heart Taking Shape Many believe the heart icon has been around since man, but they say it wasn’t always shaped as we know it today. Some say the shape looked more like a cow’s heart or a combination of female and male organs and simply evolved over time. Others argue that the heart design was taken from a seed pod. The silphium seed is a type of fennel that was distinctly heart shaped. The Greeks believed the plant was a gift from Apollo, the god of medicine and healing, light and truth. Because it was used to heal, the plant was harvested to extinction but the “love trademark” lived on. It is believed that the seed became the symbol of love because siliphium was also the most effective natural birth control medicine during that period. Plus, the heart icon was formed by the back and wings of a dove, which was associated with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. More Than love Besides directing our emotions and passions, the heart is a badge well worn in medicine. The heart is the force behind how long we’ll live to enjoy those love-wrapped relationships. In keeping with the Valentine spirit, in 1963, the American Heart Association succeeded in their efforts to persuade Congress to establish February as American Heart Month. As Americans wore their hearts on their sleeves in honor of Valentine’s Day, they would also be aware of their own heart and how to care for it. After all, if you haven’t got a heart … you’re not much good to those loved ones, said the Tin Man (the Wizard of Oz). Heart-related diseases remain the country’s No. 1 killer. The latest statistics from the American Heart Association: (for 2006 – last recorded)
The good news is that from 1996 to 2006 the death rate from coronary heart disease declined by 36.4 percent. Go Red Perhaps the good news is related to the fact that “heart healthy” information has been more available in the past couple of decades. To corroborate the honing in on heart health, heart disease has traditionally been associated with men, for the most part. In the past few years, however, organizations like Women Heart: The National Association for Women with Heart Disease and Go Red, a program sponsored by the AHA, have raised awareness about heart disease among women, especially with personal stories of women who never thought they would have a heart attack. Go Red has also jumped on the Valentine month bandwagon by setting aside a day in February to publicly acknowledge heart disease in women. Each year on a designated day in February, women throughout the country are encouraged to wear red – the obvious color of Valentine’s Day. This year, the “celebration” of women who have survived heart disease takes place Feb. 5. In many cities around the country, Go Red and business sponsors host luncheons, where heart healthy food is provided, along with women sharing their heartfelt stories about survival. Food For Thought Heart issues have become food for thought in this era of obesity and stressful lifestyles. And “food for heart” has been a solid focus in promoting heart healthy living by organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control. Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables each day used to be the guideline for maintaining a healthy heart. But now the CDC and other organizations are touting seven to 13 cups of produce per day as the best way to achieve the health benefits associated with fruits and vegetables. If you’re disheartened by the thought of fixing all those veggies and trying to eat all those fruits. Here are some examples of how to get your heart healthy minimum when time is a factor.
Hearts A’Flutter Keeping the heart healthy includes not only taking care of the physicality of the heart but also the emotional connection related to heart. Getting to the heart of the matter are songsters, writers, poets and philosophers. Songs of the heart Singers and songwriters have used “heart” to inspire romance in music. A sampling of the hundreds of titles with heart:
Words With Heart The English language is “heart heavy” with words and phrases related to “heart.”
The online Phrase Finder lists words associated with body parts, from A to Z. The heart tops the organs used in representing expressions of all kinds.
Then there are quotes about the heart.
Movies With heart
Books With Heart There are plenty of books out there about how to have a healthy heart in the physical sense, but there are equally as many disseminating encouraging words in the realm of heartache. “Journey of the Heart” by John Welwood is a self-help guide to understanding the “desires and directions of the human heart.” Welwood gives advice in a poetic kind of style to couples on how to grow in relationships and as individuals. Dr. Phil McGraw’s wife, Robin, wrote a book about how to live with passion and purpose. “Inside my Heart” made the New York Times bestseller list. So, take heart this Valentine’s Day. As Dolly Parton (and others) sang, “Put a little love in your heart” (and love your heart with a lot of fruits and veggies). Issue 433
SNIPPETZ HAS ATTITUDE! by Deborah Stumpf 
"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes."
-Hugh Downs When life hands you lemons, make lemonade; don’t worry, be happy; the power of positive thinking…we’ve heard it time and time again. Not only is a positive attitude healthy on many levels, but most of us want to be around the optimistic and cheerful person. As Winston Churchill said, “For myself I am an optimist – it does not seem to be much use being anything else.” Meet the Optimist The optimist believes that the glass is always half full. They think they can, they think they can, just like the little train chugging up that hill in the children’s book “The Little Engine That Could.” They never give up. Optimists believe they are in control of their destiny. They attribute positive events in their lives as happening because of their own abilities and actions; negative events are attributed to something else. Once positive things happen in an optimist’s life, they naturally believe that more positive events will take place. Meet the Pessimist The glass is always half empty for the pessimist. They believe any negative events are their own fault and blame themselves for everything that goes wrong. They tend to be black and white thinkers with no middle ground. More and more negative events will likely happen and they anticipate the worst. Anything positive that happens to the pessimist is seen as happenstance and not likely to come their way again. Should Be Obvious, But… Optimists just have it better. They have • Longer life spans • Fewer illnesses • Career success • Less depression • Fewer common colds • Better coping skills • Less stress • Less signs of aging A positive attitude in the workplace is better for everyone. Employees feel less stressed; there is improved teamwork, better decision-making, better leaders, fewer sick days, higher productivity and improved sales. Laugh and the World Laughs With You Laughter is contagious and one way to bring about a more positive attitude. It’s simple biology: laughter increases the body’s production of endorphins (feel good hormones), neurotransmitters and antibody-producing cells. It also increases the effectiveness of disease-fighting T cells which makes for a stronger immune system. Laughter reduces the stress hormone cortisol, epinephrine and dopamine that can wreak havoc on good heath. Laughter is a mini workout for the shoulders, muscles and heart. Laugh and Lose Weight? It’s true and there is an emerging industry to support this. There are laughter clubs, trained laugh leaders, laugher CDs and an entire exercise movement called “laughtersizing.” It’s possible that some day dieters around the world will pop in a laughter CD instead of raiding the refrigerator. It makes sense for emotional eaters. If you experience an emotional high from laughter, you won’t need it from chocolate. “The Secret” Frenzy Author Rhonda Byrne claimed to know the secret of wealth, health and happiness and released a film and a self-help book in 2006 that seemed to take the world by positive storm. “The Secret” is simply that one’s positive and focused thinking can bring about life-changing events. The popularity of the book soared to Byrne’s expectations (of course) after Oprah Winfrey featured the book on her show twice. The Secret is not without its critics. Some say that Bryne’s and other books like hers promote a blame-the-victim mentality: If only I could think more positive, my cancer would go away. Many physicians will tell stories of patients whose cancer DID go away unexpectedly. Can a positive attitude help? Experts say it can’t hurt. Put on a Happy Face Body language says a lot about attitudes. Someone who walks around frowning with slumped shoulders, keeps their head down and avoids eye contact clearly appears unhappy and/or depressed. On the other hand, meet someone who walks with their head up, makes eye contact, has a pleasant facial expression, upright posture and a spring in their step, and we think they are happy and exuding confidence. If not convinced, try on those two personas and see how you feel after a few minutes. Your attitude will likely begin match your body language. The message is that body language messages sent to others can also be internalized to affect attitude. Put on a happy face and positive posture and before you know it – positive attitude! According to Albert Mehrabian, professor emeritus of Psychology at UCLA, body language plays a key role in attitude. He calls it the “7%-38%-55% Rule.” Essentially, he is saying there are three elements in communication – words, tone of voice and body language – elements that impact how we feel about the person communicating. Mehrabian says that 7 percent of communication is in the actual words said, 38 percent is in the tone of the voice and 55 percent comes from body language. The problem is when these elements don’t match up or support one another. When the tone of voice and body language doesn’t match the words being said, people will tend to believe the tone and body language more than the words. Mehrabian cautions that this theory only works when a person is communicating their thoughts or feelings. For example: Words: Sure, I’d be very happy to do that for you. Tone of voice: Monotone or sarcastic Body language: Crossed arms, rolled eyes LET'S GET POSITIVE! A pessimistic attitude does not have to be a cross to bear. Positive change can happen no matter how we are genetically predisposed. The benefits from making the effort toward becoming an optimist are substantial. Eliminate the negatives… • Stop watching the evening news • Don’t read the newspaper • Avoid negative people • Be aware of negative self-talk – “I can’t do that,” “That won’t work,” “I’m never going to learn this” Accentuate the positives… • Seek out positive people to associate with • Read books about people you admire • Change your body language – smile and walk tall • Laugh, even if you have to force it • Change negative self-talk into positive self-talk – “I can make it work,” “Maybe I’ll learn something new,” Let’s try this again” • Exercise and practice healthy eating habits • Do something creative – cook a gourmet meal, compose poetry, paint • Play with a child Positive Reads There’s a million of them, but here are a few: • Love, Medicine & Miracles, Bernie Siegel (surgeon, author and motivational speaker) • Peace, Love & Healing, Bernie Siegel • The Power of Positive Thinking: A Practical Guide to Mastering the Problems of Everyday Living, Norman Vincent Peale • Positive Attitude: A Dilbert Collection, Scott Adams • Attitude: Your Most Priceless Possession, Elwood Chapman, Wil McKnight • The Power of a Positive Attitude: Discovering the Key to Success, Roger Fritz • Positive Words, Powerful Results, Hal Urban • Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, Napoleon Hill and W. Stone • A Kick in the Attitude: An Energizing Approach to Recharge Your Team, Work, and Life, Sam Glenn WHISTLE A HAPPY TUNE Songs with a positive spin… You’re Only Human, Billy Joel I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor Only the Strong Survive, Jerry Butler Is That All There Is? Peggy Lee A Little Help From My Friends, The Beatles Don’t Worry Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin Feel Good Movies • Toy Story • Dead Poets Society • The Polar Express • Jerry Maguire • Mr. Holland’s Opus • City Slickers • Field of Dreams • It’s a Wonderful Life • The Pursuit of Happyness Issue 434
SNIPPETZ BELIEVES VOLUNTEERS MAKE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY by Deborah Stumpf "Everyone can be great because anyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't even have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve... You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love..." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. You see them in many places, from schools to hospitals to voting precincts to animal shelters and at natural disaster sites, and sometimes their presence is not so obvious. They run the gamut in age from children to seniors and come from all walks of life and all skills and education levels from clerks to engineers to presidents. They are volunteers. Millions of people are out there working in our communities for NO PAY. Who are they and why do they do it? Well, maybe it’s the fringe benefits. A Country Built on Volunteerism Volunteerism isn’t just the latest trend in the United States. Certainly our last several presidents have encouraged citizens to serve others to help make the country stronger. But the volunteering spirit has been around since the colonies were forming. Historians document the helping spirit that came along with settling in the new land from the early colonial days to the pioneers as they moved across the west. There was no such thing as hiring someone in town to build the barn. The neighbors helped. They also helped with farming the land, getting through difficult diseases and anything else that needed to be done in the community. Other notable volunteer firsts:
It was the 20th century that saw the real boon in altruistic activity beyond churches and neighbors.
Twenty-first century volunteerism has many faces – from good old fashioned helping and working in the community to activism for causes such as the environment, animal rights and equal rights for everyone no matter race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. Some Stats The numbers are astounding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of September 2009, 63.4 million or a whopping 26.8 percent of the population volunteered at least once for or through an organization during the prior 12-month period. • Women volunteer more than men across all educational levels and age groups. Just over 29 percent of women volunteer versus 23.3 percent of men. • The most likely age of volunteers is between 35 and 54. The rates are lowest at 18.8 percent in the early 20s group as well as those age 65 and older. • Married folks volunteer more than unmarried – 32.3 percent versus 20.6 percent respectively. And parents with children under the age of 18 volunteered at the rate of 34.4 percent versus 23.9 percent for the married without children group. • Those with higher levels of education volunteered more than those less educated, dispelling a common myth that volunteers are uneducated women or the neighborhood busybodies. • More employed people volunteered than unemployed – 29.7 percent as compared to 22.9 percent. What Do They Do? More from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: • Older volunteers as well as less educated ones tend to volunteer for religious organizations. • Those with a higher level of education tend to volunteer for sports, hobby, cultural or arts organizations. • Not surprisingly, parents tend to volunteer for schools or scouting groups whereas those without children tend to volunteer for health organizations such as hospitals or social community organizations. • Volunteer activities mostly center around fundraising, as well as food-related activities that involve collecting, preparing, distributing or serving. Men most likely volunteer for general labor, coaching or refereeing in sports activities as well as providing management assistance. Women’s activities also involve fundraising, activities involving food, and tutoring or teaching. Who Seeks Out Whom? About 44 percent of volunteers were asked to help whereas about 41 percent sought out volunteer opportunities on their own. Now For The Fringe Benefits Volunteering provides significant health benefits: • Longer lifespan • Less depression • Better functional abilities Older persons tend to experience more of the health benefits than younger volunteers, possibly because volunteering is a way to stay more active, which in turn increases life expectancy. The nontangible benefits: • Stronger connections with others • Strengthening communities in which we live • Improving and changing the lives of others • Improving and changing the life of the volunteer • A sense of pride and satisfaction Benefits From the Mouse Need a little incentive? In order to entice a million people to volunteer one day of service at any time over this year, Disney is offering a free day at a Disney Park as a reward. Not just a stroke of marketing genius, the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program is a huge success and has already enticed 600,000 to sign up for the program as of Feb. 15. The caveat is that the service must be performed for a Disney approved organization or activity. Some examples are Habitat for Humanity, animal shelters, Destination ImagiNation and hundreds more. Children are eligible if accompanied by a parent for their volunteer service, so the entire family can earn a free day. To register and find opportunities in a geographic area of your choice, visit their Web site at www.disneyparks.com. But hurry, the offer expires once the numbers hit 1 million or Dec. 15, 2010, whichever is sooner. Got an Hour? The benefits are there but where to start. Here are some ideas: • Schools, schools, schools. Schools have always needed volunteers, but with massive budget cuts, they need even more help. And, stronger, healthier schools increase property values for everyone. Another fringe benefit. • Libraries and the arts – facilities that always need volunteers and provide much for the community in the way of services and more of those fringe benefits. • Hospitals and blood banks • Animal shelters • Food banks • Homeless shelters Still Looking? There are numerous Web sites that offer information about volunteer opportunities. One developed by President Obama and the First Lady in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service is United We Serve. Individuals and organizations can register their need for volunteers on the Web site at www.serve.gov, as well as find service opportunities in the geographic and interest area of their choice. The Points of Light Institute is an organization which was formed in 1990 after President George H.W. Bush’s inaugural address in which he expressed his vision for “a thousand points of light” in service to the country and community. The organization is nonpartisan as is Serve.gov and promotes volunteerism as well as acting as a source of volunteer opportunities. No one could say it better than Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Issue 435
SNIPPETZ MUSHES AT THE IDITAROD by Deborah Stump 
"If you aren't the lead dog, the view never changes."
-Author Unknown Men, women and dogs will line up in Anchorage, Alaska, March 8 to begin what some have deemed the “last great race on earth:” the Iditarod – the largest dog sled race in the world. They call them “mushers” and along with their dogs – 12 to 16 on each team – they will cover 1,150 miles of beautiful yet challenging terrain, from mountain ranges to dense forests, to frozen tundra to icy rivers to coastlines stirred by heavy wind gusts. Teams will make the trek in 10 to 17 days amidst below zero temperatures and extended periods of darkness. From Anchorage through south central Alaska to Nome on the western Bering Sea, the Iditarod is arguably the most “dog-eat-dog” standoff between man and Mother Nature. Honoring The Forefathers … And Foredogs In the early 1900s, the Iditarod Trail, now designated a national historic trail, was the only thoroughfare in the winter from Alaska’s coastal towns to interior towns. Mushers and their sled dogs were used to run mail, supplies and gold from village to village. Priests, judges and doctors also jumped on board to visit those who needed their services. In 1925, the city of Nome was plagued by a diphtheria epidemic. The mushers and their sled dogs became heroes – some legends – as they carried much needed serum to Nome. As the gold mining industry slowed, there was less activity on the Iditarod Trail. In the late 1920s, the airplane became the mode of transportation for mail and supplies. And the sled dog teams disappeared with the advent of the snowmobile. By the 1960s, many Alaskans were clueless about the Iditarod and the sled dogs. Dorothy Paige, a Wasilla resident, wanted to change that. Paige thought a race commemorating the history of Alaska’s sled dog teams would bring awareness to the trail and highlight some of the heroic efforts of both dog and man. The First Race Dorothy Paige enlisted an active musher – Joe Redington Sr. – to help promote the idea of a sled dog race on the Iditarod Trail. In 1967, the Aurora Dog Mushers Club and others cleared the overgrowth on the first 9 miles of the trail for the first-ever “short” race. Redington donated a 1-acre parcel of land as a fundraiser to help with a purse of $25,000 for that initial race. The race covered 27 miles, and Alaskans from all over participated, as well as two teams from Massachusetts. Isaac Okleasik from Teller, Alaska, won with a team of large working dogs. The Route In 1973, the race was lengthened to 1,000 miles, starting in Anchorage and ending in Nome. Many said the teams would be greatly hindered by Alaska’s wilderness, making it impossible to go the distance. But 22 mushers proved them wrong and finished that year. To date, more than 400 mushers have completed the race. What’s a Musher? Mushing describes a sport or transportation method using dogs and sleds and is thought to come from the French word “marche,” which means “go” or “run.” From French to slang, “mush” was a word used to command the sled dogs at the beginning of the race. “Hike” is more commonly used today. The mushers are men and women who steer the sled dog teams. Alaska natives introduced the concept of sled dog teams. The native people also bred dogs for the purpose of transport. The Malemiut Inupiat people of the Seward Peninsula in Alaska developed a species favorite: the Malamute. Modern-day mushers come from all walks of life: fisherman, lawyers, doctors, artists – and many countries – Canada, Switzerland and France among them. Musher Records Many records have been broken in the Iditarod. • In 1986, Susan Butcher broke Rick Swanson’s 1981 record after she completed the race in 11 days, 15 hours and 6 minutes. Butcher broke her own record in 1987, finishing in 11 days, 2 hours and 5 minutes. In 1990, Butcher again broke a record, finishing in 11 days, 1 hour and 53 minutes. • In 1990, Jeff King broke all records when he finished the race in 10 days, 15 hours and 38 minutes. In 1994, Buser beat that record with 10 days, 13 hours and 2 minutes. • In 1995, Doug Swindley of Montana became the first winner from a state other than Alaska and also broke the record as he finished in 9 days, 2 hours and 42 minutes. • Martin Buser rose again in 2002, completing the Iditarod in 8 days, 22 hours and 46 minutes. Others • Carl Huntington won the 1974 race with the slowest winning time – 20 days, 15 hours, 2 minutes. • Dick Mackey and Rick Swenson still hold the title for the closest finish. Mackey was 1 second ahead of Swenson – 14 days, 18 hours, 52 minutes and 24 seconds. The nose of the lead dog determined the winner. • The largest number of mushers to finish a single race: 77 in 2004. • Rick Swenson is the only musher to win the Iditarod five times in three different decades – 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. • Susan Butcher won the Iditarod four times before retiring to have children. She died of leukemia in August 2006, leaving behind her husband and two children. • The youngest musher to run the race was Dallas Seavey, age 18. He ran in 2005. The oldest musher to complete the race is Col. Norman Vaughan – at 88 years. • Lucky number? Rick Mackey became the only son of a winner to place first when he won the 1983 Iditarod. His father, Dick Mackey, had won in 1978. Dick’s other son, Lance, matched his father and brother when he won in 2007. All three Mackeys – father and sons – wore bib No. 13 when they won, and all three placed first in their sixth Iditarod race. Lance Mackey also won the race in 2008 and 2009 and is a favorite this year. The Dogs Alaskan Huskies have been the predominant sled dog of the Iditarod. The Alaskan Husky is not AKC registered; thus, a number of mongrels or mutts have been labeled as a husky. Iditarod race officials were concerned that not all of those “Alaskan Huskies” fit the profile of a sled dog. Instead of defining the Alaskan Husky, officials established criteria for all canine Iditarod team members. Measures for Mutts • All dogs must “demonstrate a willingness” to be harnessed. They must also demonstrate a desire to participate. How they interview for the job was not addressed! • All dogs must be vaccinated and dewormed. • All dogs must be able to withstand environmental extremes as specified by race officials. • Dogs must be able to pass a pre-race physical by a veterinarian with knowledge of sled dogs. A number of health issues are evaluated through protocols endorsed by Iditarod veterinarians. The majority of sled dogs are at least 75 lbs. In other words, the Dachshund, the Beagle, the Chinese Crested hairless are examples of dogs not to expect at the Iditarod. Dog … Gone New sled dogs cannot be added once the race begins. The musher has to finish with the original dogs; however, any one of the dogs can be dropped from the race if necessary. The dropouts are flown back to Anchorage via small planes – not sleds. During the race, the dogs are closely guarded for any problems. The mushers must make sure they journal their dogs’ progress. There are checkpoints where veterinarians peruse the doggy diaries and examine the dogs. The dogs also are subject to random drug testing. Iditarod in the Dog House The Sled Dog Action Coalition believes the Iditarod violates animal cruelty laws defined in 38 states and the District of Columbia. Alaska’s anti-cruelty stance on “overworking or overdriving” laws is more lax, according to the SDAC. They maintain that no other state could get away with the Iditarod. According to the SDAC, 142 dogs have died in the later years of the Iditarod. In early years, the deaths were not recorded. The SDAC also defies the way sled dogs are raised – some outdoors on short leashes for most of their lives, others forced to carry heavy loads in preparation for the Iditarod. Injuries to dogs during the race include spinal injuries, bone fractures, sore and wounded paws, ruptured tendon sheaths, torn muscles, sore joints, stress and dehydration – and freezing to death. One dog died of an ulcer. On average, the SDAC states that 50 percent of all dogs that begin the race do not make it across the finish line. Dogged but still popular Thousands of people, journalists and former and wannabe mushers will converge on Alaska in March. Seventy-one entrants are scheduled for this year’s Iditarod. Thirty-three are from Alaska, nine from other states and seven from abroad. Besides Mackey, past winners participating this year include Rick Swenson, Jeff King and Martin Buser. From last year’s Iditarod, 19 of the top 20 finishers will return, and 23 rookies are entered in Iditarod XXXVIII. THE TERMINOLOGY Mushers and team members have their own language. It’s been said the lead dog and the musher communicate through ESP. Lead Dog: leads the pack in front of others Line Out! – command to lead dog to pull the team to a straight line from the sled Mush! Hike! All Right! Let’s Go! – commands to start the team Swing Dog: the dog running directly behind the lead dog; also identified as right or left swing dog; this dog helps swing the team in the turns or curves Whoa: command to stop the team Pacing: leading a team with a motorized vehicle to set the “pace” Pedaling: pushing the sled with one foot while the other remains on the runner Rigging: collection of lines that attach to the dogs, including tow lines, tug lines and neck lines Trail: request for right-of-way on the trail Tug Line: line that connects dog’s harness to the tow line Wheel Dogs/Wheelers: dogs placed directly in front of the sled; their job is to pull the sled out and around corners and trees Issue 436
SNIPPETZ HONORS THE GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA by Deborah Stumpf 
“Girl Scouts offered a wonderful group of girls where common concerns and interests could come together. We could learn, be challenged, and support one another. It was a very positive aspect of my life and played an important role in shaping who I am today."
-Judy Woodruff, Senior Correspondent, PBS NewsHour & Girl Scout Alumna Girl Scouts of the USA is 98 years old this month! In 98 years, the organization has grown from 18 starting members to 3.4 million. About 50 million women have been members of Girl Scouts since its inception. The girls’ organization is committed to providing a nurturing environment enabling girls to attain skills for success in childhood and adulthood. Their mission: build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Coming Up Daisies Girl Scouts was founded in 1912 by Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia. Low was born in 1860 and grew up with parents who encouraged and supported her in all her endeavors. She liked everything but school – animals, outdoors, sports and art. She attended boarding school during her high school years and was privileged enough to travel extensively as an adult. On one of her trips to England, Low became friends with Lord Baden-Powell who founded the boy scouts along with his sister Agnes. Excited about the scouting organization in England, Low believed girls in the United States needed this kind of opportunity. As soon as she returned home from her transatlantic trip, she went to work starting the scouting organization for girls in Savannah. Although she was an unlikely candidate to begin an endeavor like this – she suffered health problems and did not possess especially good business skills – she believed in the cause and went forward. And what an organization it has become. The Organization The national headquarters is in New York City and there are more than 100 Girl Scout councils (offices) around the country that support the local troops. The home office and councils have employees, but by far the largest “staff” is made up of volunteers – parents and others who act as troop leaders. Speaking of Leadership Girl Scouts is all about teaching girls leadership skills. Their philosophy is that there are three keys to leadership – discover, connect and take action. Within these keys are leadership outcomes. Discover – girls develop a strong sense of self; positive values; gain practical life skills; seek challenges in the world; and develop critical thinking skills. Connect – girls develop healthy relationships; promote cooperation and team building; resolve conflicts; advance diversity; and feel connected to their communities, both locally and globally. Take action – girls can identify community needs; become resourceful problem solvers; advocate for themselves and others, both locally and globally; educate and inspire others to act; and feel empowered to make a difference in the world. And Then There Were Cookies Ever wonder how the Girl Scout cookie got started? Well, it started with scout mothers and their girls baking sugar cookies at home and selling them to raise funds for scouting activities. This started as early as 1917. The Girl Scout Web site reports that the earliest recorded cookie sale took place in Muskogee, Oklahoma where girls baked cookies to sell at their high school as a service project. By 1922, Girl Scouts published a sugar cookie recipe for all scouts to bake for fundraisers if they so desired. The girls packaged them in wax paper bags and sold them, usually door-to-door, for 25 to 35 cents per dozen. • In 1934, scouts in Philadelphia became the first to sell cookies commercially baked, followed by a large council in New York to do the same in 1935. • In 1936, the national organization began selling commercially baked cookies. Apparently selling like hot cakes, the cookies were being sold by 125 local councils by the next year. • In 1942, the cookie was temporarily set aside for calendar sales due to rationing of baking supplies during World War II. • In 1948, 29 commercial bakers held a license to bake Girl Scout Cookies. • By the mid 1950s, there were four flavors of cookies – shortbread, chocolate mint (now called Thin Mints), a filled chocolate cookie and a filled vanilla cookie. • In the mid 1960s, the baby boomers became scouts and introduced additional cookie flavors including peanut butter. • In the 1970s, packaging became more standardized and colorful. There were also fewer licensed bakers in the country to fulfill orders, ensuring even more standardization of product. • In the early 1990’s, there were only two licensed bakers providing cookies, and low fat and sugar free options became available. By the end of that decade, it was back to three bakers. • Now there are two licensed bakers and about eight varieties of cookies. Levels of Girl Scouts Girls work through the ranks based on age. With the goal of leadership skills in the forefront, girls have an opportunity to learn valuable life skills and earn badges and other awards. The youngest girls are Daisies (kindergarten age). Then the girls move to Brownies (first through third grades); Juniors (fourth through sixth grades); Cadettes (seventh through ninth grades); and Seniors (ninth through twelfth grades). Beyond the Badge Girls in the older levels can also earn the very prestigious bronze, silver and gold awards, which are awarded for completing service projects that have extensive requirements. Girls are honored at an end-of-year ceremony in their communities and can include these impressive awards on their college applications. The original awards: • From 1916 to 1919, Girl Scouts could earn The Golden Eagle of Merit by making a difference in their communities. • The Curved Bar Award was the highest award in scouting from 1940 to 1963. • From 1963 to 1980, First Class was the award to earn. This designation meant that a girl was an “all around” person with many skills. Interesting Facts • The first Girl Scout handbook was named “How Girls Can Help Their Country,” published in 1913. • The first Girl Scouts were called Girl Guides. • Learning how to play basketball was the very first group activity done by Juliet Gordon Low’s inaugural troop of 1912. • The Thin Mints are the hottest seller of all cookies with 25 percent of sales. The Samoas or Caramel deLites come in as a close second at 19 percent. • The same cookie is named differently in different regions of the country depending on who the cookie supplier is. • The first uniform was blue. • First Lady Lou Henry Hoover was elected twice to be president of the Girl Scouts of the USA. • By 2005, about 67 percent of women in the House of Representatives were Girl Scouts and over 71 percent in the Senate were scouts. That’s a Lot of Cookies In 2008, 15-year-old Jennifer Sharpe of Dearborn, Michigan sold 17,328 boxes of cookies by tenaciously selling cookies on a street corner in her neighborhood. Although Girl Scouts does not track individual sales, it is likely Sharpe set a world record. Famous Girl Scouts
Girl Scout Promise While holding up your middle three fingers, recite: On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, And to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. Issue 437
SNIPPETZ COOKS UP SOME POTATO SNIPS by Deborah Stumpf 
“Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we cannot get on without it any more than we can without potatoes."
-Louisa May Alcott, American novelist A burger and fries; steak and baked potato; turkey and mashed potatoes: They go together like a horse and carriage; love and marriage; peanut butter and jelly; bees and honey; cup and saucer. Americans love their potatoes! Potato products are the second – dairy products are No. 1 - most consumed food in the United States. Potato chips rank first among snacks worldwide. To celebrate, every year March 14 is designated as National Potato Chip Day. But the snack is just a chip off the old block – the potato, that is. Contrary to popular belief, the potato did not originate in Ireland. The potato had its beginnings in the Andes Mountains of South America. The Roots Of The Potato Around 200 B.C., the Inca Indians of Peru began to cultivate potatoes, which were not only used for eating. Raw slices were placed on broken bones to promote healing; a few potatoes slung over the shoulder prevented rheumatism; and potatoes eaten with other foods prevented indigestion. The first European to discover the potato was a Spaniard, who came across the potato on an expedition to South America in 1536. Although the potato was hardy and nutritious, the Spanish colonies considered the potato food for the under classes. It took three decades for the potato to filter throughout Europe, but it was still regarded as food for the paupers. The upper class also thought the potato was poisonous. A potato exposed for too long turned green; the green skin harbored solanine, a bitter tasting substance, which caused illness in humans, which caused a belief that potatoes were unhealthy. In the 1780s, Ireland began to cultivate potatoes because they were abundant and nutritious. According to historians, the potato could have been the reason for a population explosion in Ireland in the early 1800s. One acre of potatoes could feed 10 people. The potato became a staple in Ireland; and, when a fungus destroyed Ireland’s potato crop in 1845, a severe potato famine devastated the Irish. The Potato Famine of Ireland During the summer of 1845, soon after the farmers had dug their potatoes from the ground, the potatoes turned into a black, slimy, decayed mess. Much of Ireland’s potato crop was a failure. When news of the blight reached London, the British prime minister established a commission to research the situation. The commission reported that more than half of Ireland’s potato crop could perish because of the “wet rot.” An airborne fungus believed to have originated in Mexico was the culprit behind the potato crop destruction. The Irish relied heavily on the potato as food. Without it, they would starve. But during the first year of the potato famine, deaths from starvation were minimized when the British began importing Indian corn from America. Much to their chagrin, the potato blight continued the next year and two more – not a potato to be found in most of Ireland. Even so, the British government put a halt to the Indian corn import because they didn’t want to rely on food from abroad, although they continued to export grain that could have been given to the Irish. Without the corn, the Irish began to live off wild blackberries, cabbage leaves, seaweed, turnips and even green grass. Ireland’s poor also sold their livestock and possessions, including their clothes, to buy food, but then food costs soared. Although plentiful, fish weren’t an option. The waters off the West Coast of Ireland were too deep for the small fishing boats. To top off their misery, in 1846 and 1847, the usually mild winters of Ireland turned bitterly cold, and a change in wind direction brought one blizzard after another, burying houses in drifts. Throughout the famine years, many of the Irish died from hunger; some died from related diseases like typhus, dysentery and a highly contagious fever, named Black Fever because it blackened the skin and was spread by lice. Doctors, priests and others who helped the sick also died from the fever. Ireland’s potato famine cut the population in half and then some, from 9 million to 4 million. People either died or migrated to places like Great Britain, Canada and the U.S. Finally, in 1883, French botanist Alexandre Millardet developed an effective fungicide. America and the Potato The first potato in the U.S. was planted in 1837; but, through the 1850s, Americans considered the potato food for the animals. Even in mid-19th Century, the Farmer’s Manual recommended that farmers grow potatoes near hog pens “as a convenience for feeding the hogs.” But the potato industry started to bloom when American horticulturist Luther Burbank developed the Russet potato. The Russet was more disease resistant, so Burbank introduced the Russet to Ireland. At the same time, the “Russet Burbank” potato began appearing throughout Idaho. And so it goes – Idaho’s fame as the U.S. capital of potatoes. Potato Production • Thirty-six states in the U.S. produce potatoes. • Idaho is the No. 1 in potatoes in the U.S., producing one-third, followed by Washington, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Colorado. • Potatoes yield 39,300 pounds per acre. • The average farm price is $7.33 per 100 pounds; the yearly value of potato production is $3.2 billion. There are seven types of potatoes. The Russet is the most popular in the U.S. • Russet • Long White • Round White • Round Red • New (any potato that comes in from the field, instead of storage) • Yellow Flesh • Blue and purple (originated in South America – becoming more popular in the U.S. Potato Stuff • The potato is 80 percent water and 20 percent solids. • England is home to the largest potato ever grown. It was 1795 and the potato weighed 18 lbs. 4 ounces, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. • The restaurant that serves the highest volume of baked potatoes in the world is in San Juan, Puerto Rico – aptly called, The Hot Potato. • Potato-based alcohol fueled German planes in World War II. • During the Alaskan gold rush, miners traded gold for potatoes because of the vitamin C value. • On the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, potatoes were at one time used as the country’s unofficial currency. • The Scottish refused to eat potatoes because the vegetable was not mentioned in the Bible. • The average American eats 126 pounds of potatoes a year. • The potato was the first vegetable grown in outer space. The spud in space experiment took place in 1995 aboard the Columbia. • French fries were first served in the U.S in the White House in 1802, under President Thomas Jefferson. Today, more than 4 million tons of French fries are consumed in the U.S. each year. A Spud for Health Sometimes potatoes get a bad rap nutrition-wise, but they have nutritional value. • One medium size potato has 45 percent of the recommended daily dose of Vitamin C. • A medium potato is 110 calories, with no fat or cholesterol (hold the butter and sour cream, please). • Potatoes contain more potassium than bananas – 18 percent of the recommended dose per day. • A medium potato has 3 grams of fiber, which is great for the digestive system and reducing risks of cancer and heart disease. • The potato is a complex carbohydrate – an excellent source of energy for the body. • Antioxidants in potatoes are among the highest of all vegetables – and to set the record straight, the potato is a vegetable. Antioxidants protect cells by neutralizing the effects of free radicals. Potatoes also contain glutathione, an antioxidant that protects against some cancers. Spud Folk Remedies Many thought the potato was the end-all for everything from illness to good luck. • Wash your face daily with cool potato juice to treat blemishes. • Apply a raw grated potato or potato juice to frostbite or sunburn. • Relieve a toothache by carrying a potato in your pocket. • Put a slice of a baked potato in a stocking and tie it around your throat to relieve a sore throat. • Rub aches and pains with the water leftover from boiling potatoes. Potato Myths • Laying a potato peel at the door of a girl on May Day denoted a dislike for her. • Rub a wart with a cut potato and bury the potato in the ground. As the potato rots, the wart will disappear! • A pregnant mother should not eat potatoes or her baby will be born with a big head (see Mr. Potato Head). Mr. Potato Head The potato was the model for one of the most popular toys in the 1950s and 1960s. A plastic replica of a potato was used as a base for attaching a wide array of plastic parts, from eyebrows to eyeglasses, to create different faces. In 1949, George Lerner manufactured the first Mr. Potato Head and began distributing it in 1952. Mr. Potato Head was the first toy ever advertised on television. In 1953, along came Mrs. Potato Head and a variety of accessories. Over the decades, Mr. Potato Head enjoyed immense popularity and widespread notoriety. • In 1986, Mr. Potato Head became the "spokespud" for the annual Great American Smokeout. In a display of cooperation, Mr. Potato Head gave up his little plastic pipe (one of those attachments) to then Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. • In 1995, Mr. Potato Head hit Hollywood head on with a lead role in “Toy Story.” Four years later, he starred in “Toy Story 2.” • In 2000, Mr. Potato Head was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. • In 2001, Mr. Potato Head had his own comic strip. Last But Not Least: The Potato Chip In 1853, at a fashionable restaurant/resort in Sarasota Springs, New York, railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbuilt sent his fried potatoes back to the kitchen because they were too thick. Just to spite Vanderbuilt, Chef George Crum sliced the potatoes thin as paper, fried them in oil and salted them and sent them to Vanderbuilt’s table. Surprising everyone, Vanderbuilt loved what would first be referred to as “Saratoga Crunch Chips.” The potato chip was born. About 1.2 billion lbs. of chips – America’s favorite snack food – are consumed each year. In 1932, Herman Lay founded the Lay potato chip factory in Atlanta, Georgia. Lay promoted the chips throughout the South, creating the first successful national brand. Issue 438
SNIPPETZ INDULGES IN SCRUMPTIOUS AND SUMPTUOUS CHOCOLATE by Deborah Stumpf “A day without chocolate is like a day without sunshine.” -Author unknown Without presidential proclamation or an act of congress, somehow the third week of March became American Chocolate Week. Perhaps it was brought about by chocolate manufacturers or a desperate group of chocoholics. Nonetheless, does it really matter? This is the week to indulge in luscious chocolate in all shapes and sizes – for the whole week! In the United States, we consume 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate or 12 pounds per person annually for a total of $7 million spent on the sweet confection. The majority of Americans, about 92%, still prefer milk chocolate. However, this number is shrinking as the popularity of dark chocolate grows. Chocolate comes with a rich heritage beginning with the cacao tree which grew wild in Latin America. It was around 1000 BC that the Olmec in Mexico gave the tree the name kakawa, eventually becoming cacao. It was the Mayans who turned the beans into a beverage, referring to the cacao as “food of the gods.” The Aztecs called the drink “chocolatl,” meaning “warm liquid.” The Aztecs also used the drink for royalty and special occasions. After Cortes and the Spanish explorers arrived in Mexico and brought about the fall of the Aztec empire, the Spaniards discovered the potential of the cacao bean. They added vanilla and cinnamon to the drink and thought it was best drank hot. Good Things Take Time Once chocolate spread across Europe, there was no stopping it. Here’s a brief snapshot of chocolate’s illustrious history:
Dispelling a Few Myths There are many common myths about chocolate and we at Snippetz are pleased to dispel a few: Acne It has been long thought that chocolate both caused and aggravated acne. Much research over the past 20 years has proven that neither chocolate nor diet is responsible for acne, but it is thought that hormones deserve the bad rap. Headaches Once again, hormones can take some of the blame for migraine headaches. According to a study at the University of Pennsylvania, chocolate was not found to be a factor in migraine headaches in women. Caffeine Contrary to popular belief, chocolate is not high in caffeine. There are only 5 milligrams of caffeine in one ounce of milk chocolate. There are 100+ milligrams in a 6 ounce cup of coffee. Cavities It is thought that carbohydrates found in starch and sugars that sit on the teeth are the major contributors to tooth decay. In contrast, it is thought that the cocoa butter in chocolate actually helps clear the teeth and may contribute to less decay. Some Interesting Side ‘Bars’
While you’re sitting around eating truffles today, how about enjoying a good book or movie about chocolate? For movies, there is “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “Four and a Half Women,” “Chocolat,” “Like Water for Chocolate,” and for you lovers of documentary, “Milton Hershey: The Chocolate King.” If you prefer to flip the pages of a book while gnawing on a giant milk chocolate bar, consider “Chocolat” by Joanne Harris, “Candy Freak” by Steve Almond, “The Great Book of Chocolate” by David Lebovitz, “The Chocolate Bible” by Christian Teubner, or for the kids, “Chocolate Fever” by Robert Kimmel Smith. More Notable Chocolate Days Don’t be too disappointed that there is only one American Chocolate Week. There are many more opportunities to indulge during the year. That is, if you need an excuse: National Chocolate Chip Day – May 15 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day – June 7 National Chocolate Milkshake Day – September 12 International Chocolate Day – September 13 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day – December 16 National Chocolate Day – December 28 National Chocolate Day – December 29 (we don’t know why there are two of these, but that must be a good thing) A wise person once said: “Put ‘eat chocolate’ at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you’ll get one thing done.” Link: More facts about Chocolate Issue 439
SNIPPETZ GIVES A THUMBS UP TO THE RED CROSS by Deborah Stumpf “I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them.” - Clara Barton, American Civil War Nurse, Founder of the American National Red Cross President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the month of March 1943 as “Red Cross Month.” The designation was actually a campaign gimmick to raise funds for the Red Cross. Within six weeks, the Red Cross had reached its goal of $125 million. Roosevelt called the response “the greatest single crusade of mercy in all of history.” The celebration stuck. Although March is famous for St. Patrick’s Day and “March Madness” (college basketball), there’s still room for “Red Cross Month.” Who Was Clara Barton? Clara Barton was the founder and first president of the American Red Cross, established May 21, 1881, in Washington, D.C. Barton’s penchant for service started when she was just 15 years old. Born Dec. 25, 1821, in Oxford, Mass., Barton was the youngest of five children. She was educated at home and began teaching school at age 15. Later, she established a free public school in Bordentown, N.J. She also cared for her invalid brother for two years, which was her only medical experience before the Civil War. Despite a lack of medical training, in 1861, following her successful efforts to create a program to provide medical supplies to wounded soldiers during the Civil War; the U.S. surgeon general at the time, Gen. William Hammond, allowed Barton to travel with army ambulances to help nurse the sick and wounded. She then worked at hospitals in Virginia and South Carolina providing nursing services to wounded soldiers and others who had become casualties of the war. Barton also served as the superintendent of nurses under Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler’s command. And she organized a program for locating men listed as missing in action. After the Civil War, Barton traveled to Europe and came in contact with the International Red Cross network, initiated by the Swiss. When she returned to the U.S., Barton successfully campaigned for an American Red Cross society. At age 60, Barton became the first president of the Red Cross, heading the organization for 23 years. Barton died at age 90 April 12, 1912. The Early Red Cross In 1900, the Red Cross received its first congressional charter. That same year, the Red Cross was faced with the Galveston, Texas, hurricane – which killed 6,000 people and still holds the record for the largest death toll in a U.S. disaster. Four years later, in 1905, the second charter, which is in effect today, set forth the purpose of the Red Cross: to provide relief to members and families of U.S. armed forces and serve as a means of communication between soldiers and family members; to provide national and international disaster relief and mitigation. World War I When WW I began, the Red Cross had already established a first aid, water safety and public health nursing program. The war prompted a surge in growth for the Red Cross. • The number of local chapters grew from 107 in 1914 to 3,864 in 1918. • Membership grew from 17,000 to more than 20 million adults and 11 million Junior Red Cross members. • Americans contributed $400 million to support the Red Cross and its programs for U.S. and allied forces and civilian refugees. • The Red Cross recruited 20,000 registered nurses to serve the military, and the organization staffed hospitals and ambulance companies. • In 1918, during an international influenza epidemic, numerous Red Cross nurses were called to duty. Postwar, the Red Cross focused on programs for veterans and provided relief to victims of major disasters like the 1927 Mississippi River flood and the Great Depression. Then, along came – World War II Once again, the Red Cross responded to wartime casualties, with the following: • Enrolled 104,000-plus nurses for military service • Prepared 27 million packages for American and allied prisoners of war • Shipped more than 300,000 tons of supplies overseas • At the request of the military, established a national blood program, which collected 13.3 million pints of blood for armed forces After World War II, the Red Cross expanded its wartime national blood program to a nationwide civilian blood program. Today, Red Cross blood donations provide 50 percent of the blood and blood products in the U.S. The Red Cross also became active in biomedical research and human tissue banks. More Wars - Expanded Efforts The Red Cross also provided services to members and families of the armed forces during the wars following WW II: the Korean War, Vietnam and the Gulf wars. The Red Cross took on more: CPR/AED training, HIV/AIDS education, emotional support to disaster victims and survivors. It’s not associated with the U.S. government, but the Red Cross worked closely with government leaders to help establish FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and is now the principal provider for mass care in federally declared disasters. Lead By Volunteers Leading the organization today is a 50-member volunteer board of governors – the U.S. president appoints eight of the governors and acts as the honorary chairman of the Red Cross. The board elects the president, who manages its policies and programs. The American Red Cross is a member of the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent societies, which it helped establish in 1919. More than 175 national societies are part of the IFRC. Red Crescent is the term used in many countries to avoid any religious affiliation since the word “cross” is often associated with a religious meaning. Disaster of the Financial Kind In 2009, Red Cross revenues from fundraisers, grants and campaigns exceeded $715 million. The total revenue for the Red Cross that year was more than $3.1 billion; expenses – more than $3.4 billion. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, commanded the most money ever from the Red Cross, at a cost of more than $997 million. The 9-11 relief efforts also prompted the largest mobilization of Red Cross volunteers – a total of 54,577 onsite workers. Then, on Aug. 29, 2005, the American Red Cross was hit with an even costlier relief operation. As the Red Cross already was responding to hurricanes Rita and Wilma, Hurricane Katrina came along and not only wiped out New Orleans but also the resources of the Red Cross. To meet the immediate needs of the people of Louisiana and Mississippi, the Red Cross had to borrow money for the first time in its history. The organization took out a loan for $340 million. Although incoming donations following Katrina had mirrored the enormity of the hurricane, the following Red Cross efforts drained its pocketbook.
The financial toll: More than $2 billion. The Red Cross at Home Colorado has five chapters that provide services in specific areas. The Pikes Peak Chapter of the Red Cross provided these services in the fiscal year 2009 (July 1 through June 30).
Overall Colorado chapters’ contributions during the same fiscal year:
More Red Cross Facts The first disaster the American Cross responded to was a forest fire in Michigan in 1881. Thousands of people were left homeless and 125 people died. The newly formed Red Cross chapters collected food and supplies. Other famous disasters of the past:
The Red Cross responds to about 70,000 disasters a year – one every eight minutes.
Small Successes The American Red Cross responds to worldwide disasters, such as the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chili; and, of course, Red Cross volunteers are clearly visible during national disasters like Hurricane Katrina or Sept. 11. But the Red Cross is active every day in American cities. From responding to fires to helping the homeless to CPR training, the Red Cross is a community player – directly or indirectly. • Patrick Green, a sophomore at the Philadelphia Military Academy at Leeds, had just completed his Red Cross CPR and first aid training two months prior to an emergency that would require quick action and his newly found skills. In May 2008, Green was riding home from track practice in a van with coaches and classmates when he saw a motorcyclist thrown off his bike. Green told the driver to stop, and he and a coach pulled the victim to the side of the road. Green performed CPR and saved the man’s life. He also administered first aid to the man’s injured head until the paramedics arrived. • After Nancy Geer retired as a probation officer, she wanted to get involved in her community. Geer volunteered for the Red Cross and traveled cross country to respond to emergency situations. She spent a month in Texas in August and September of 2008 after Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast. During a visit to a shelter in San Antonio, Geer found a 94-year-old woman hovering on a cot, with a look of despair on her face. The woman couldn’t remember her granddaughter’s last name or where she lived. After a bit of research (the granddaughter was looking for her grandmother), Geer was able to reunite the two. • In Toledo, Ohio, on a cold March night, Dawn Bell and her daughter awoke to a fire in their home. Bell was able to get all five children to safety, and they watched as flames engulfed their home. Not long after the arrival of the firefighters, Red Cross volunteers showed up with hot chocolate and teddy bears. The Red Cross provided temporary shelter at a hotel that night for Bell and her children along with food and clothes. Later, a Red Cross caseworker gave Bell a voucher to replace the beds she had lost in the fire. • Jonathan Kahrs of Seattle, Wash., wanted to know more about relatives whom his family had lost contact with during World War II. The Red Cross Holocaust Tracing Program helped him find his mother’s cousin and her son. The Red Cross located the death certificate of Verona, the cousin, which led to a flood of information and a meeting with a long, lost family member. Verona’s grandfather had been killed in Auschwitz, and Verona, her sister and mother were sent to a work camp in Auschwitz. The women were moved to a concentration camp in Germany and eventually freed. After marrying another camp survivor, Verona moved to her native Slovakia and they had a son, Robert. Because of the Red Cross, Kahrs was able to learn about the fate of his relatives and visit with Robert. |
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