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Paul Bunyan & Folklore Fun

25 Thursday Jun 2020

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Sunday, June 29, is Paul Bunyan Day, and we thought it might be fun to offer tales that you may have not already heard from the most well-known folklores of all time.

  • As a child, Paul Bunyan was so big that five storks were required to deliver him home.
  • The first time he clapped his hands as a child, he broke all of his house’s windows.
  • Ever wondered where Paul might have acquired his big, blue ox? Many believe that Babe was a gift to Paul from his fellow woodsmen, Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone.
  • Legend says that the Grand Canyon was created by Paul, dragging his ax behind him.
  • A common myth behind the Great Lakes Formation is that Paul needed to create a watering hole for Babe to drink.
  • One winter, it has been said that Paul and Babe were lost in a Minnesota snowstorm. The 10,000 lakes were created from their footsteps.
  • While camping in northern Oregon, Paul needed to find a way to extinguish his campfire. His solution was to pile up a bunch of rocks, thereby forming Mount Hood.

Paul Bunyan Events, where you might find log rolling competitions or chainsawing demonstrations, have become a tradition in cities all across the Midwest. Sadly, many of them have already been cancelled due to COVID-19. Though, we can all still celebrate everyone’s favorite lumberjack through the power of folklore.

It seems that tales just don’t get taller than Paul Bunyan! What is your favorite story about the largest lumberjack ever known to man? Please share with us in the comments below.

Happy Paul Bunyan Day from Lions Pride!

Celebrating National Park Week with Virtual Tours

16 Thursday Apr 2020

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agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

Each April, the National Park Service (NPS) teams up with the National Park Foundation to celebrate America’s natural treasures. The week encourages Americans to get out and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer than through exploration, education and discovery. This year, of course, is different than any other year in recent memory due to the novel coronavirus.

Like many other organizations all over the country, the NPS has modified its operations by following the CDC as well as other state and local public health experts. At this time, the majority of national parks have closed their facilities and canceled their events to prevent the spread of COVID-19; however, operations are decided on a park-by-park basis.

Luckily, despite the current social distancing limitations, we all still have an opportunity to commemorate National Park Week. In 2020, NPS has placed its focus on digital experiences.

That’s right, it is still possible to visit the parks during National Park Week (April 18 to April 26); that is with the help of technology and a little imagination. Review this list of available virtual tours:

  • Clara Barton National Historic Site
    You can visit the home of founder and first president of the American Red Cross. Clara Barton’s house in Echo, Maryland, served as the first national headquarters of the organization, and was her home for the last 15 years of her life.
  • Crater National Park
    You can take a virtual trip to the deepest lake in the US. Crater National Park. Located in Southern Oregon, Crater Lake was formed by a volcanic eruption and collapse and currently holds the honor of the ninth-deepest lake in the world with the deepest measured depth coming to 1949 feet.
  • New Bedford Whaling National Park
    New Bedford, Massachusetts, was known as the capital of the 19th century whaling industry and a prominent safe haven along the Underground Railroad. You have the opportunity to take an interactive or video tour of the Nathan and Polly Johnson House, a home that welcomed and helped those traveling along the Underground Railroad.

If you don’t have time for an entire tour but are interested in a change of scenery, you might be interested to know that NPS also has live webcams placed all over the country. You can catch glimpses of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Yellowstone National Park, Katmai National Park & Preserve and more.

We understand that life feels challenging right now, we must keep reminding ourselves that the social distancing is just a temporary setback. Before long, this period will just be a distant memory that we can look back on and be proud that we got through it together. But until that day comes, be sure to keep looking for joy – it might be right outside or in a virtual tour.

Happy Early National Park Week from Lions Pride!

 

 

 

Fun Facts About Labor Day

30 Thursday Aug 2018

Posted by in Holidays, News, Special Events

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It may be hard to believe, but this Monday marks the unofficial end of summer. Families Labor-Daywill likely find themselves partaking in the same festivities that they took part in on Memorial Day – camping, parties and other outdoor events, before heading back to their regular school year routines. Let’s celebrate the unofficial end of the season with fun facts about the upcoming holiday, Labor Day!

  • During the 19th Century, American workers typically worked long, 12-hour workdays, seven days a week.
  • On September 5, 1882, NYC workers took a day without pay to protest. They wanted 8-hour workdays and fair working conditions. The protest became an annual event.
  • Oregon was the first state to officially recognize the holiday in the year 1887.
  • Labor Day became a national holiday after a political fiasco. Illinois railway workers were on strike, protesting higher wages. President Grover Cleveland was under pressure to end the strike. He deployed 12,000 troops and violence ensued; two workers were killed as a result. The disaster made national headlines and upset workers all over the country. To make amends, Congress passed a bill making Labor Day an official holiday.
  • According to historians, the common expression, “You can’t wear white after Labor Day,” comes from the early 20th People of the upper class would return home after their summer vacations and pack away their lightweight, white clothing as they returned back to work and school.
  • The Adamson Act was passed on September 3, 1916, establishing 8-hour work days.

There you have it! Six fun facts that you can use this weekend to impress your friends and family.

Although many of us consider Labor Day as merely an extended weekend, it’s important to remember the origin behind the holiday. Just think about how different our lives would be if our forefathers hadn’t protested for fair working conditions. We think we can all agree that we’re glad that they took a chance and stood up for their rights.

The Lions Pride office will be closed on Monday, September 3, in observance of the holiday. Have a safe, enjoyable Labor Day weekend!