November 1, 2015 – NATIONAL AUTHOR’S DAY – NATIONAL BRUSH DAY – NATIONAL DEEP FRIED CLAMS DAY – NATIONAL VINEGAR DAY

                                     NATIONAL AUTHOR’S DAY

Every year on November 1, millions of people celebrate authors and the books that they write on National Author’s Day.
After her grandmother’s death in 1968, Sue Cole promoted the observance of National Authors Day.  She urged people to write a note to their favorite author on November 1, to “brighten up the sometimes lonely business of being a writer”.  She also suggested flying the American flag as another way of showing appreciation for the men and women who have created American literature. 
For a list of American novelists, see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_novelists
CELEBRATE
Purchase some books by your favorite author to support them. Use #NationalAuthorsDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
In 1928, Nellie Verne Burt McPherson, president of the Bement, Illinois Women’s Club had an idea of setting aside a day to celebrate American authors.  McPherson was a teacher and throughout her life, an avid reader.  While she was recuperating in the hospital during World War I, she wrote a fan letter to fiction writer Irving Bacheller, telling him how much she enjoyed reading his story “Eben Holden’s Last Day A’ Fishin”.  Upon receiving her letter, Bacheller sent her an autographed copy of another story and it was then that McPherson realized that she would never be able to adequately thank him for his gift.  McPerson decided to show her appreciation by submitting an idea for a National Author’s Day to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.  A resolution was passed declaring November 1 as a day to honor American writers.  The United States Department of Commerce recognized this day in 1949.

National Brush Day November 1

NATIONAL BRUSH DAY

National Brush Day is observed annually on November 1st.  Sometimes referred to as National Brush Your Teeth Day, National Brush Day is a reminder to all individuals to follow the American Dental Associations guidelines.
The day follows Halloween, which traditionally is the single largest day of candy consumption in the USA.  The simply act of brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes can have a significant impact on cavity prevention as well as a myriad of oral diseases such as gingivitis.
OBSERVE
Spend some extra time explaining the importance of brushing your teeth to children.  Replace your toothbrush.  Use #NationalBrushDay when posting on social media.
HISTORY
National Brush Day began in 2013 as an extension of the Kids’ Healthy Mouths public service advertising (PSA) campaign by The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives.  The coalition of more than 35 leading oral health organizations and the Ad Council launched the campaign in August 2012.  National Brush Day is designed to remind and encourage parents to get their kids brushing their teeth for just two minutes, twice a day.

National Deep Fried Clams Day – November 1

NATIONAL DEEP FRIED CLAMS DAY

In 1865 fried clams were found on the menu of the Parker House hotel restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts, so it is known that fried clams have been served and enjoyed for more than 140 years.   Now, on November 1, we observe National Deep Fried Clams Day.
According to legend, it was 300 years ago that the modern deep fried, breaded version of clams is credited to Lawrence Henry “Chubby” Woodman from Essex, Massachusetts.  It is believed that his first batch was cooked on July 3, 1916 in his small roadside restaurant, now Woodman’s of Essex.
It was later on that Thomas Soffron of Soffron Brothers Clam Co., based in Ipswich, Massachusetts, created clam strips, which are made from the “foot” of hard-shelled sea clams.  Soffron sold these to Howard Johnson’s in an exclusive deal and as the chain expanded, they became popular throughout the country.
In themselves, clams are low in cholesterol and fat,  however, when fried they absorb cooking fat. 
“Fried clams to New England are what barbecue is to the South.”
CELEBRATE
Enjoy this “tried and true” Battered Fried Clams recipe.
Use #DeepFriedClamsDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
Our research was unable to find the creator of National Fried Clam Day, an “unofficial” national holiday.

National Vinegar Day – November 1

NATIONAL VINEGAR DAY

A common household product that is mostly used for cooking and is found in most homes across America is observed each year on November 1 as it is National Vinegar Day.

Vinegar is produced either by a fast or a slow fermentation process.  Slow methods are used generally with traditional vinegar and the fermentation proceeds slowly over the course of months or up to a year.

There are many varieties of vinegar:
* Apple cider * Balsamic * Beer * Cane * Coconut * Date * Distilled vinegar * East Asian black * Flavored vinegar * Fruit * Honey * Job’s tears * Kiwifruit * Kombucha * Malt * Palm * Raisin* Rice * Sinamak * Spirit vinegar * Sherry vinegar * White * Wine *
Vinegar is:

• Most commonly used in food preparation such as pickling processes, vinaigrette and other salad dressings
• An important ingredient in mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce and mayonnaise
• A popular condiment for fish and chips
• Used as a flavoring for potato chips
• Used as a dip for crab meat
• A substitute for fresh lemon juice
• Used as a sauce when roasting lamb
• Used in sushi rice
• Used as a flavoring
• Commonly put into mint sauce
• Used in making some beverages
• Used for medical remedies and treatments
• Used for cleaning
• Used in gardening and pest control

Some forms of vinegar are believed to have health benefits.

To learn more about vinegar, see:http://www.versatilevinegar.org/vinegarlore.html