How did the shortest month of the year become so busy before it even began?
From Super Bowl Sunday to the Jaycees Mardi Gras on Feb. 27, the weekends are booked with things to do and places to go.
With images from the movie Frozen, folks sing “Let it go! Let it go! Can’t hold it back anymore.”
And when the tune changes and the weather forecast turns frightful, other folks sing, “Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow!”
The second day of this month marks the midpoint between the first days of winter and spring. Legends tell us Ground Hog Day can be trumped by Candlemas Day in a message by an unknown author, “If Candlemas Day brings snow and rain winter is gone and won’t come again. If Candlemas Day be clear and bright, winter will have another fight.”
Folks love heart-shaped chocolate valentines on February 14. And here’s a tasty tip: Stroll over to Frost Gelato in the Main Street Promenade and warm your heart with the smoothest hot chocolate you’ve ever enjoyed. Truly!
February honors the birthdays of past Chief Executives Washington, Lincoln, William Henry Harrison and Reagan. Yet President’s Day on Feb. 16, officially celebrated since 1971 on the third Monday to recognize Lincoln and Washington, creates a 3-day weekend for getaways. Invite friends and family for an overnight stay in Naperville.
And the following day, Feb. 17, is Fat Tuesday when Mardi Gras is celebrated in sparkling colorful beads of green, gold and purple New Orleans style at Heaven on Seven in downtown Naperville.
All month it’s Black History Month, a designation officially recognized by President Gerald R. Ford in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
So allow your PN editor to express gratitude to Dr. Harvey Thomas, her family dentist who practiced orthodontia on her overbite, helping to give her many reasons to smile. Dr. Thomas also founded the Omega Psi Phi fraternity at Ball State University. He served as president of the Indiana Dental Association and led many charitable causes. Doc was quite a role model!
“All great change in America begins at the dinner table,” President Ronald Reagan once said.
So dine in or dine out with family and friends. Remember! 2015 Naperville Restaurant Week runs Feb. 16-March 1.
And what else is a Napervillian to do? Pay attention and keep turning the pages!
With 28 days already overflowing featuring all the usual February festivities, add public forums, meet and greets as well as coffees to get to know all 39 candidates running to serve Naperville’s governing bodies that include City Council,
Naperville Park District and School Districts 203 and 204.
Yes! We’re grateful this isn’t Leap Year. Cheers!
—PN
