March Activity Celebrations
NATIONAL PIG DAY
National Pig Day, observed annually on the 1st of March, recognizes the domesticated pig.
Pigs are a clever and intelligent animal, however most people are not aware of their high level of intelligence. They are a household pet to some that can be trained and taught tricks.
In Dublin in 1772 there was a trained swine called the Learned Pig who was trained to tell time, count and other such tricks to entertain crowds in the streets.
There was a famous, if fictitious, Learned Pig in London in the late 1700s which seemed to gain his learnedness from his mother eating an entire volume of Sir Robert Filmer’s manuscripts and “Saobeverel’s Sermons” before she delivered him into the world. He was born with an intelligence that seemed obvious just by looking. When one day he feasted upon the garden of the great Milton himself he began waxing poetic.
Pigs have been popular story book characters for generations. From A.A. Milne’s Piglet to E.B. White’s Wilbur, pigs have an endearing and flavorful quality about them that makes us love them.
There are hundreds of different breeds, most of which are descended from the Eurasian Wild Boar. The female is called a gilt and can produce 10 piglets in a single litter.
They also produce bacon, ham, baby back ribs, spare ribs, sirloin, pork belly and oh, so many more delectable barbecue items it would be a shame to not honor the swine on this day of all days.
HOW TO OBSERVE
· Have a Pig Party
· Movie Ideas: Charolettes Web, BABE pig in the city, My brother the pig, or The Many adventures of Winnie the Pooh
· Ask your local zoo or farmers to bring in a baby pig.
· Intergenerational Program invite a local daycare or residents and staffs children into the facility and have residents read to them and make pig cupcakes. Have the residents ahead of time bake cupcakes and assist the children with decoration.
Method
1. Cool the cupcakes and prepare the icing.
2. Tint the icing with the tiniest amount of pink food coloring. Mix very, very well.
3. Spread a layer on each cupcake, making the surface smooth.
4. Place the eyes on the Piggy's using the choc chips.
5. Place one marshmallow for the nose.
6. Take a cotton bud and dip it in the food coloring. Make 2 dots on the nose marshmallow to make nostrils. You can re-do this again if the color is too pale.
7. Take one marshmallow and cut through the center. Pinch each end so they are pointy. Using the scissors cut one point off and place as ears on the face.
· Have residents also make additional cupcakes frost and then add crumbled bacon on top of cupcake.
PEACH BLOSSOM DAY
(You choose the Day)
Peach Blossom Day is a day to celebrate peach blossoms, and for girls to celebrate being girls. Does that sound a little confusing or complicated? Read on......
The attributes of peach blossoms include: pretty, delicate, dainty, and sweet smelling. These are all feminine traits. As a matter of fact, calling a young lady "peach blossom" is a term of endearment to some. Guys, give it a try and see if love blooms. (We think it will!)
The roots of Peach Blossom Day also trace directly back to Japan. A Doll Festival is held in Japan every year on March 3rd. This is also when peach trees bloom in Japan. Simply said, it's an opportunity for girls to celebrate being girls.
Now, put these threads of information together, and you have a celebration of sweet and lovely girls... our wonderful peach blossoms!
HOW TO OBSERVE
· Invite a photographer in and bring props in and take pictures of residents and display pictures as Peach Blossom Stars.
· Make peach cobbler
· Peach Trivia & Facts
· Make Peach Necklace
Mini Peach Cobbler
Directions. 1 Preheat oven to 375°F. Line cups of a regular-sized muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Add
1. Make a vanilla cake (follow directions on cake mix)
2. Fill cupcake lines ½ full.
3. Add 1 tablespoon peach pie filling on top of the batter in each tin.
4. Make a crumb topping and sprinkle on top.
5. Bake for 20 minutes.
May serve with a side of ice cream
Peach Trivia & Facts
Interesting facts, trivia and tips about the Georgia Peach.
· The Georgia Peach Festival is an annual event in Peach County with events scheduled in Byron and Fort Valley.
· Georgia's peach industry is concentrated in Crawford, Peach, Taylor and Macon counties.
· There are two commercial peach-growing regions in Georgia. The central region produces approximately 83 percent of the state's production. The southern region produces approximately 17 percent of the state's harvest.
· Fresh Georgia peaches are available only 16 weeks each year, from mid-May to August.
· Georgia produces more than 40 commercial varieties of peaches, which are divided into general categories - freestone, semi-free and clingstone.
· The peach is a member of the rose family and should have a pleasingly sweet fragrance. You should never squeeze peaches; they bruise easily.
· When buying Georgia peaches look for a creamy gold to yellow under-color. The red or "blush" is an indication of variety rather than ripeness. The crease should be well defined and run from the stem end of the peach to the point. A peach should smell "peachy." A peach should be soft to the touch.
· The grounds of the former Berckmans Nursery, also known as Fruitland Nursery, in Augusta, Ga., is now the site of the Augusta National Golf Club, home to the annual Masters Tournament. The old manor house is now the famous Augusta National Clubhouse seen so often on tv.
· Peach production in Georgia reached an all-time high of almost 8 million bushels in 1928. Since then, production has decreased to approximately 2.6 million bushels annually.
· Franciscan monks introduced peaches to St. Simons and Cumberland Islands along Georgia's coast in 1571.
· By the mid-1700s, peaches and plums were cultivated by the Cherokee Indians.
· The first peaches were planted in Georgia in the 18th century. The first commercial production did not occur until the mid-19th century.
· Raphael Moses, a planter and Confederate officer from Columbus, was among the first to market peaches within Georgia in 1851 and is credited with being the first to ship and sell peaches successfully outside the South.
· The first Georgia peaches were shipped to the New York market between 1858 and 1860.
· In 1870, Samuel H. Rumph, a Marshallville, Ga., peach grower, perfected a new peach variety, which he named Elberta, for his wife.
· The Elberta remained the leading peach in Georgia until 1960, but was replaced by newer varieties created for commercial use.
Easy PEACH NECKLACE
Items needed:
1 Large Orange Button
Green Felt
Brown Cord or Yarn
1. String Cord through button
2. Cut a leaf shape out of felt and push through button add a dab of glue
PEACH MILKSHAKES
Ingredients
· 2 c. good quality vanilla ice cream, very frozen
· 1/2 c. cold, whole milk
· 1 (about 1 c.) large peach, peeled and sliced (reserving about 1/3 c., diced)
· 1 Tbsp. sugar
· whipped cream
· maraschino cherries
Instructions
In a blender, add the ice cream, milk, 2/3 c. of peaches, and sugar. Blend together until smooth. Stir (not blend) in the remaining 1/3 c. of diced peaches. Pour into two glasses and top with whipped cream and cherries. Enjoy right away.