There is a lot to celebrate

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Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, those are both on the horizon, but there are a profusion of other, less-recognized days to celebrate right around the corner, too. For instance, National Doughnut Day.

How many of you knew that was a real thing? Not only is there a whole day devoted to doughnuts, but it has been celebrated for nearly 80 years.

I did not know any of that until last year’s National Doughnut Day. And after hearing the announcement on the radio, and that the day devoted to this particular pastry perfection warranted my getting a free one, I did not waste time procuring that doughnut all for myself.

This year, the day will be celebrated on June 3.

According to the Salvation Army’s website, National Doughnut Day was first celebrated in Chicago in 1938 to help raise funds during our country’s Great Depression, as well as “to commemorate the work of the ‘doughnut lassies.’” These gals used the limited ingredients on hand to make the sweet treats for homesick soldiers in World War I. And that first event in 1938, the website says, “established the doughnut as a long-standing symbol of the services The Salvation Army continues to provide.”

I never would have thought that the day recognizing the calorie-filled delicacy had such a noble beginning. For whatever honorable reason the day began, it is a day worth celebrating, especially for those of us who try to stay away from these tasty tidbits.

The doughnut, sadly, falls into that realm of things we should avoid. And I have tried particularly hard to avoid them of late, even though it seems they call my name, begging me to take just one.

Glazed, the Boston Cream (my favorite), Long Johns, jelly-filled, bear claw – you name it, there is a whole world of doughnut goodness to explore and I want to mightily.

Whether I can wait until June 3 to partake is yet to be determined, but I will give it my best shot.

In looking more into this sweet day of celebration, I’ve come across a question mark or two.

One of those is the spelling itself – doughnut versus donut. Honestly, I prefer the shorter and simpler spelling, but according to a number of sources, the longer one is the correct one, though both spellings are prevalent. The shorter, easier version, they say, is attributed to Dunkin’ Donuts.

My Associated Press stylebook only recognizes doughnut.

Another matter is there could be two national days devoted to the doughnut (or donut). There is the one in June, and perhaps another in November, though information on the latter is not so easily found. I saw it pop up on a website, but could find no corroborating information. Regardless of whether there is more to know or not, it is worth mentioning, because why not have another day to celebrate this confection?

Speaking of national days (and there seem to be plenty), here’s a list of some more just in case you are curious.

According to nationaldaycalendar.com, Wednesday, April 13 alone is the national day to celebrate peach cobbler, Scrabble and Thomas Jefferson. April 14 celebrates dolphins, ex-spouses and pecans. Thursday is reserved for the celebration of glazed spiral ham, rubber erasers, taking a wild guess, and silence. Friday belongs to orchids, bean counters, eggs Benedict, and wearing pajamas to work (one which I can wholeheartedly get behind).

This week is also littered with national days devoted to literacy, as this week is National Library Week (go read a book!).

Some of the perhaps more somber recognized days in the near future are National Titanic Remembrance Day (April 15), Holocaust Remembrance Day (May 5), and Memorial Day (May 30).

While I was on that website, I thought the list of things that have their own national day seemed a bit ridiculous, but perchance a different perspective is the better one. They are a reminder to celebrate each and every day, from the little, seemingly inconsequential things, like rubber erasures, to the more profound, like equal pay and literacy.

It is easy to get all wrapped up in the day-to-day rigmarole, to be sure. But maybe it is prompts like National Doughnut Day that can help pull us from the ruts and remember to be thankful for every little thing, because no matter your position at the moment, there is plenty for which to give thanks and to smile about.

Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.

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By Angela Shepherd

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