APRIL 17, 2014 – NATIONAL HIGH FIVE DAY – NATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY – NATIONAL CHEESEBALL DAY

                           NATIONAL HIGH FIVE DAY

Each year, in the United State, on the third Thursday of April, we celebrate National High Five Day.  This is a fun day where you can “High Five” everyone that you see.   High five those you pass on the sidewalk, those in the subway line, people in the movie line, office workers by the water fountain, strangers in the elevator and everyone that will “High Five” you back!

NATIONAL HIGH FIVE DAY HISTORY

In 2002, college students at the University of Virginia, Conor Lastowka (San Diego, CA), Sam Miotke (Corvallis, OR) and Wynn Walent (New York, NY) together created National High Five Day, an “unofficial” national holiday.

The National High-5-A-Thon For Cancer Research:   http://www.nationalhighfiveproject.org/

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NATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY

Celebrated on April 17, it is National Haiku Poetry Day.  This special poetry day encourages all to try their hand in creativity.  Haiku poetry is a form of Japanese poetry that is generally non-rhyming and normally consist of 3 lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5.  Haiku poems are usually inspired by an element of nature, a season, a moment of beauty or a special experience or event.  Sensory language is used to capture a feeling or image.
“Whitecaps on the bay:
A broken signboard banging
In the April wind.”
Geese resting on sand
The old fence needs some painting
Everything is quiet.
English haiku does not always follow the strict syllable count that is found in Japanese haiku.  The typical length of haiku found in main English language journals is 10-14 syllables.
Now, using your imagination, create a haiku poem of your own and have a great National Haiku Poetry Day.
NATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY HISTORY
National Haiku Poetry Day, an “unofficial” National holiday, was registered by Sari Grandstaff in 2007 and implemented as a project of The Haiku Foundation in 2012.
http://www.thehaikufoundation.org/national-haiku-poetry-day/
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NATIONAL CHEESEBALL DAY

April 17 celebrates a food holiday, it is National Cheeseball Day.  There are two ways a person can celebrate this day and you get to choose which one you would like to celebrate with.

• A cheese spread in the shape of a ball, (Cheeseball) usually served around Christmas in the United States however often served at parties with crackers throughout the year.  They are often made with softened cream cheese.

• Cheese puffs:  A puffed corn snack, coated with a mixture of cheese or cheese flavored powders.  They are manufactured by extruding heated corn dough through a die that forms the particular shape.  They may be ball shaped. (CHEESE BALLS)
  Serving size for National Cheeseball Day: unlimited

BACON NUT CHEESEBALL

2 – 8 oz pkgs cream cheese (softened)
2 1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
1 small pkg real bacon pieces
1 cup finely chopped pecans

In medium bowl, smooth cream cheese.  Mix and blend dressing mix, cheddar cheese and bacon into cream cheese.  Shape mixture into a ball shape.  Roll into nuts until covered.  Chill at least 2 hours.  Serve with crackers.