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Richard Pogue's

Richard Pogue Office: 573-247-1470

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Dear Friends,

Trees put on their Autumn best with vibrant displays of reds, golds and oranges. The succulent smells of roasting turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie fill the crisp air.

Football insanity seizes most members of the male species and some of the female as well.

Oh glorious November! The time of family and insanity!

This month in Welcome Home magazine you will find answers for your most common Thanksgiving dilemmas! Want to impress your date with your football prowess, but don't know much about the sport? We got you covered! Chewing you nails to the quick worrying about your diet? Discover a superfood that's a Thanksgiving staple and tasty to boot. Ever wonder what happened after the first Thanksgiving was over? Find out now! So grab yourself some turkey and enjoy having all the answers at the click of your mouse!

Please enjoy this issue of the magazine! Have an tasty November, and as always, Welcome Home!

If you have comments or suggestions please email us at welcomehome@activeezine.com , we love to hear from you! Also if there is a subject that you would like to see covered, let us know! We look forward to hearing from you!

Richard Pogue www.richardpogue.com 573-247-1470

Welcome Home!

Table of Contents Recipe And Design

4

A tasty recipe and a stylish home design how to.

Mystery Ingredients

5

A Russian Thanksgiving Dinner.

6-7

A Brief History Of American Football

How American style football got it’s start.

Timeless Football Wisdom

8-9

Tips to help not look like an idiot in front of football fanatics.

10 - 11

Thanksgiving: Understanding The Holiday Have a look at where the holiday really came from.

12 - 13

Pumpkin: The Superfood of the Season.

Learn why this holiday favorite is great for your health!

14 - 15

What Happened After The First Thanksgiving?

Ever wonder what came next for the Pilgrims? Find out here!

16 - 17

Thanksgiving Facts Fun and interesting facts about the origin of Turkey Day!

18 - 19

Products To Love!

Hot trends, technological wonders of tomorrow and so much more!

20

City Spotlight Boston, MA. Historical beauty at it’s finest!

21

Businesses That Make A Difference Nestle, making a tasty difference in the world.

Welcome Home is for entertainment purposes only. This magazine is not intended to solicit other brokersʼ listings. If you are currently working with another broker, please disregard this information.

All pictures courtesy of sxc.hu unless otherwise noted. Thanks to Wikipedia for Random Fact information and aid.

Editor in Chief - Phly Jambor The information provided in this publication of Welcome Home or on any website maintained

by U.S. Cybertek, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees (collectively Publisher) is intended as a general guide illustrating common methods of common practices, and the publisher makes no warranty or guarantee whatsoever of the safety, effectiveness, or other characteristic of any methods or products described herein. Neither does the Publisher assume any liability for information published in any website or other publication to which reference may be made herein. Readers are cautioned to review and comply with all written instructions, safety bulletins, and other materials provided in connection with any of the products mentioned herein and all products used in connection with any of the methods described. Neither Published nor any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees shall in any case be liable to you or anyone else for any loss or injury or any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special punitive or similar damages arising out of your use of or failure to use any of the methods and/ or products described in this publication or any other publication or websites to which reference may be made herein. Publisher disclaims all warranties, and any warranty or guarantee of safety, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose lies solely with the manufacture(s) of any product described or recommended or used used in connection with any methods described or recommended.

Recipe and Design Turkey Salad with Cranberry Dressing

Cattail Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning 4 medium-size dinner rolls, cut into 2-inch cubes (about 2 cups) 1 (5.5-oz.) package spring greens mix 1 small head romaine lettuce, chopped 2 cups coarsely chopped turkey or ham 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup canola oil 1/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preparation: 1.

2.

Preheat oven to 425°. Stir together first 2 ingredients in a bowl. Add bread cubes; toss to coat. Bake cubes in a single layer in a jelly-roll pan 3 to 5 minutes or until golden, stirring once. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 15 minutes).

Combine spring greens, next 3 ingredients, and toasted bread cubes in a serving bowl. Process vinegar and next 6 ingredients in a blender until smooth. Serve with salad.

What You Need:

• • • • • •

Square Glass Vase Birdseed or very small Pebbles Raffia Cattails and Reeds Water (for live version) Glue

Instructions: 1. Wrap raffia around vase in desired pattern and secure with glue.

2. Pour in base element (pebbles for live version and birdseed for artificial) 3. Arrange the reeds and cattails in the desired fashion.

(Remember to add a small amount of water if using live greenery) 4. Enjoy!

Southern Living NOVEMBER 2011 Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.com

Mystery Ingredients A Russian Thanksgiving Dinner

Living for a year in Siberia was bound to results in a few laughs. There was no funnier time than my effort to celebrate Thanksgiving.

The Set Up As an American male, my idea of cooking was dropping by the local Chinese restaurant on my way home from work. We are talking about a person who considers cooking rice a culinary challenge of the highest order. This lack of skill came to the forefront while spending a year teaching at a university in the Siberian city of Chita.

Thanksgiving Experiencing the Russian culture was one of my primary reasons for moving to Siberia. Experiencing the American culture was apparently one of the prime reasons the University hired me. These conflicting view points resulted in every Russian and American holiday being celebrated, even if it wouldnʼt have been otherwise. As the end of November approached, I started getting questions about Thanksgiving. My Russian peers and students were particularly interested in the concept of Thanksgiving dinner. In turn, I started asking seemingly innocent food related questions and was pleased to learn most of the necessary food items were not available in the local market. This included turkeys, cranberries and so on.

Then I made my mistake. Since the ingredients werenʼt available, I began to mouth off about the injustice of missing Thanksgiving dinner. Oh, how I could cook a turkey. To bad everyone would miss out on it. The moral trifecta of justice, fate and karma rose up to put me in my place. The uncle of someoneʼs brother was flying in from Moscow. If I created a list, he would buy everything and bring it on the flight.

I was in deep, deep trouble.

Reverting to the times of my youthful indiscretions, I immediately did what anyone in my situation would. I

emailed my mother for help. The first response was, “Very funny. Youʼre going to cook?” After explaining the situation, I received a very long list of instructions written at a third grade level. “This is a knife” and so on…

Well, the magic day came and everything went shockingly well. The turkey tasted like turkey. The stuffing tasted like stuffing. Heck, the cranberries even came out red. Then it was time for the gravy.

In Siberia, you do not buy ingredients in pre-packaged bags. Instead, you buy everything in a clear plastic bag with no label. In theory, you should arrange everything at home so you know what it is when it comes time to cook.

Thus did the flour adventures again. Cooking instructions were read. Turkey juices went into the pan. Instructions were read. Flour went into the pan. Instructions were read. Constant stirring was undertaken. Instructions were read. Water was added. Feeling cocky, I then did a tasting sample and nearly choked. The gravy was incredibly salty and exceedingly chunky. I added more water, but there was no change. For the next 20 minutes, I kept adding water and stirring. The gravy just kept getting chunkier, tasted horrible and actually began to smoke!

After awhile, one of my female students came into the kitchen to find out what was going on. She blanched as she tasted the gravy. We went through the instructions and I made a passing reference to my suspicion the flour might be bad. She took one look at the flour and started laughing. Hysterically. She was laughing so hard she couldnʼt tell me the reason in English and my Russian was pretty bad. She recovered after a few minutes and gave me the English translation. I had grabbed the stuff used to paste over holes in the wall, not the flour. Put another way, I was making turkey drywall. No wonder it was so chunky! After the crowd left, I repaired a door knob hole in my bathroom. Thanksgiving lasted for months!

Written by Nomadrick Chapo. Courtesy of Isnare.com

A Brief History Of American Football American Football was derived from early versions of soccer and rugby football, both of which originated from the United Kingdom, mid-1800s. Both soccer and rugby, and thus American football, have the objective of kicking the ball to a goal or over a line. Similar to soccer, American football also involves twenty-two players on the field. American football terms such as “fullback” and halfback,” which refer to positions, were also derived from the soccer sport.

American football resulted from a major divergence from the rules of rugby football, as instituted by Walter Camp, considered to be the “Father of American Football.”

The Father of American Football Walter Camp instituted the rules of American football in 1879. Born April 17, 1859 in New Haven, Connecticut, Walter Camp studied medicine and business in Yale from 1976 to 1882. He was a man of many talents, being an author, director of the Pecks Brother Company, and chairman of the board for the New Haven Clock Company. He was also the head advisory football coach and general athletic director at Yale from 1888 to 1914, as well as chairman of the Yale football committee. He had a major role in the evolution of American Football from the game of Soccer and Rugby, as we know the sport today. Chief to Walter Camp’s influence in changing the rules of the game was William Ebb Ellis, a student in an English Rugby School who was the first person known for picking up the soccer ball during a game and running with it towards the goal. It was in the Massosoit Convention in 1876 when the first attempt of establishing the rules for American football was made. Walter Camp edited the American Football rulebook until his last days in 1925.

Newly Established Rules The important changes that were made by Walter Camp to establish American Football as a sport include the down-anddistance and line of scrimmage rules. He also standardized the scoring system using a numerical scoring and created the interference, safety, penalties, and neutral zone. He also established the rule that one side had undisputed possession of the ball until the ball is given up due to the said team’s violations. He also created the center and quarter-back positions, the forward pass, and the eleven on a team instead of fifteen. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, further developments to the rules of American Football were made by college coaches such as Knute Rockne, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Eddie Cochems, and Glenn “Pop” Warner.

Going Pro By the first half of the 20th century, college football became more popular than rugby football and soccer. Bowl games, an inter-collegiate competition attracted a national audience, bolstering fierce rivalries among college football teams. The American Professional Football Association was soon formed in 1920 and two years later was changed to the National Football League (NFL), which became the major league of American Football. Today, there are numerous Pro American Football teams representing different states such as the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants.

Written by Rick Grantham. Courtesy of Isnare.com

Timeless Football Wisdom Football FAQ: So You Won't Look Too Stupid Watching Football With Your Date

What are the positions in football?

There are two types of position, an offensive position and a defensive position. One of the most essential offensive positions is the quarterback. The protectors of the quarterback are the offensive line.

As an additional protection there are the running-the-ball positions of running back and fullback. These positions are located in the backfield, behind the quarterback. The last offensive position is the wide receiver. This position has the main objective of receiving (catching) the ball when the quarterback throws (passes) it.

The defensive positions are: defensive end, linebacker, cornerback, and safety, who has the last thing to say about defense. Safeties are located at the back, while the defensive ends are out front.

What does each position in football do?

Offensive positions are: quarterback, offensive line, running back, fullback, and wide receiver. The quarterback is the leader of the team. He gets the ball at the beginning of each play and he makes the decision whether to throw the ball or run it.

The offensive line's job is to defend the quarterback or the running back, especially while they have the ball.

Another thing the offensive line does is block or catch passes.

Running backs and fullbacks are the major hurrying unit.

The wide receiver is the one who will usually catch the ball when the quarterback throws it. He must be tall and quick.

soccer. Football got its name because in soccer the hands cannot be used to move the ball. Later, rugby came into popularity, wherein the hands are allowed to be used.

American football has been widely influenced by rugby, and is known throughout the world today as (guess what) "American football."

Where did they get the shape of the football?

The shape of the football comes from the shape of the ball in the game of rugby. Football has an elongated ball with pointed ends. The ball is perfectly designed for the player to hold it easily and have a nice aerodynamic motion when it is perfectly thrown. It also has an unpredictable bounce when it hits the ground.

The ball is eleven inches long and about nine inches wide. All of the manufacturers put some laces on one side so the players can grip and hold it easily. This is the reason why rugby and football have almost the same shape of ball, in contrast to soccer, which has a round ball that is manipulated mainly by the feet.

Defensive positions are: defensive end, linebacker, cornerback, and safety. The defensive ends are the outer part of the defensive team. Linebackers are the most important line-up of the defense. They are the quick, hard hitters. Cornerbacks are in charge of defending the wide receiver so he can catch the ball and run with it, while the safeties guard and defend the cornerbacks.

Where did the name football originate?

A form of football called harpaston was first played by the ancient Greeks. In the United States it was played as early as 1609 in Virginia, though in a simpler form. For the ball, they used the inflated bladder of a slaughtered pig.

Most "football" today is played in Europe and South America, and is the sport that North Americans call Written by sschelum44. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com

Thanksgiving

Understanding The Holiday

Thanksgiving to most folks means family and friends and Turkey, or maybe beer and football. Many do not know or even care about the significance of the Holiday. Way back in the 1600's a group of people who were members of the English Separatist Church (Puritan's) in England fled their homeland to escape religious persecution. They boarded a ship and sailed to Holland in the Netherlands. In Holland the people enjoyed a brief time free from the religious persecution they faced back in England, but they soon became frustrated with the Dutch peoples bad morals and what they considered sinful lifestyles.

Seeking yet a better way of life, the Separatists made a deal with a stock company in London to finance a trip to America on a ship named the Mayflower. There were others from England that were not separatists, in fact the majority that made the trip on the Mayflower were not.

The group arrived in America on Dec 11, 1620 and they set ground at Plymouth, Massachusetts. The first winter season the pilgrims encountered in America was horrible. With extreme cold and blizzard conditions, they lost 46 of the original 102 who came over on the Mayflower.

But the spring and summer of the next year was wonderful with most of the days pleasant and nice and most of the pilgrims staying healthy. The local indians showed them where and how to hunt and trap for the available game, and shared their secrets on growing and storing of the native crops. The harvest of 1621 was very bountiful and the pilgrims along with the local indians who had helped them survive their first year, decided to have a huge feast to celebrate and give thanks.

The feast or as it's commonly called 'The First Thanksgiving' was probably held outside on handmade tables and benches, most of the people sat on blankets on the ground while eating, because records show that the colonists didn't have a building large enough to accommodate all the people.

From an original letter of a member of the colony, Edward Winslow, here is the actual account of the First Thanksgiving celebration: "Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, Many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest King Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

From the hand written letter we can see that 1 Indian Chief or King and 90 others (91 total indians) that were invited as guests attended the event along with the pilgrims, and that the feast or celebration lasted 3 days.

The celebration or feast was not repeated again until the year 1623, when during a severe drought the pilgrims all gathered and prayed for rain. The next day, a long steady rain occurred, and Governor Bradford proclaimed another day of Thanksgiving, and again the pilgrims or 'colonists' invited their indian friends to celebrate.

The next Thanksgiving celebration did not occur until the year 1676, when the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting on the best way to celebrate and give thanks for the good fortune their community had experienced. By voting, they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29th as a day of Thanksgiving.

The next Thanksgiving celebration did not occur until the year 1676, when the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting on the best way to celebrate and give thanks for the good fortune their community had experienced. By voting, they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29th as a day of Thanksgiving.

Other dates that were important to the Thanksgiving Holiday were October of the year 1777, when there was a Thanksgiving holiday that was celebrated by all 13 colonies that had been established. In 1789 George Washington proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving, and after a campaign of letter writing to presidents and governors, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. The date was altered a couple more times, but finally in 1941 it was sanctioned by Congress as a legal holiday, on the fourth Thursday in November, where it remains yet today.

Written by Robert W. Benjamin . Article courtesy of Isnare.com.

Pumpkin:

The Superfood of the Season

The importance of good nutrition is nothing new. While ideas vary concerning what good nutrition actually is most experts agree that it is more than just calories. Good nutrition is the basis for healthy eating which is vital in achieving or maintaining good health.

Because good nutrition is so important for good health, it is necessary that every adult have a basic knowledge of proper nutrition. The importance of good nutrition is even more important to people whose health is compromised by chronic disease. Many conditions can be improved or even reversed with the proper nutritional habits. Whether you are a world-class athlete, exercise enthusiast, or simply a couch potato, one fact applies to all – nutrition is fundamental to good health.

calcium, potassium and iron. It is truly a nutrition standout.

Including pumpkin in your diet doesn't need to be difficult since pumpkin can be purchased in canned form at your local supermarket. In fact, in terms of both dietary fiber and beta-carotene, the canned pumpkin nutrition profile exceeds that of fresh. Canned pumpkin is popular and widely used due to its convenience, quality, nutritional value and great taste.

There are numerous recipes available that use pumpkin as a main ingredient. Get creative by using cooked, pureed pumpkin in your favorite recipes. The wholesome taste and inviting color of pumpkin complements soups, sweets, and breads while boosting the nutrition of these dishes.

If you prefer using fresh pumpkin, be sure to save the seeds. Pumpkin seeds are loaded with nutrition, too. They can be an alternative to sweets and make a healthy snack that can be enjoyed all year long. Pumpkin seeds can be cooked and eaten with the husk on or off. For convenience, pumpkin seeds can be purchased in ready to eat form.

While most of us know that good nutrition is essential to good health, many find it difficult to practice healthy eating. Keep in mind that you really are what you eat and you deserve to live a life full of health. Including superfoods such as the pumpkin in your diet will go a long way toward reaching nutritional and weight loss goals.

The term "superfood" has been gaining a lot of popularity in the nutrition world. In order to determine if this recent attention is valid or just a lot of hype, it is important to understand what is meant by the term. Many believe the secret to health is in superfood nutrition. Such a method of healthy eating is said to allow those who practice it to function with more vitality and energy.

But what exactly is a superfood? Superfoods provide rich, dense, high quality nutrition essential for building and maintaining a healthy resilient body. Generally speaking, superfoods give you a big bang for your calorie buck. One of the tastiest of the superfoods is the pumpkin. With virtues beyond carving, the pumpkin is a superfood indeed.

Of course everyone is familiar with family traditions such as carving pumpkins for Halloween and eating pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. And, the pumpkin is a sure symbol of autumn and its beautiful colors for many. But what many don't realize is the superfood benefits the pumpkin contains. The pumpkin boasts a low calorie and high fiber count – both great factors in weight loss. In addition, pumpkins contain significant amounts of vitamin A, Written by C Lynn Bebee. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com

What Happened After The First Thanksgiving?

Various stories of the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving exist. Some are conflicting while others have been greatly embellished.

But, everyone concurs that the first winter at Plymouth was brutal, and deadly, with half of the colony losing their lives.

It is not my intention to prove or disprove some of the stories told about that first Thanksgiving. Instead, I hope to share with you a story you may not be familiar with.

While there are many stories that have emerged around that first Thanksgiving, you may not have ever heard what you are about to read. It is more than a story. It is based on accounts from the diary of William Bradford, the first governor of Plymouth.

Anyone who takes the time to read what Bradford wrote will not only learn a great deal about the early days of the Pilgrims, but, in many cases, gain an accurate and true account of what really happened.

Some may even been shocked to find out that some of the things that have been told about the Pilgrims are absolutely false.

What happened after the first Thanksgiving, after a very brutal and deadly year? The colonist decided to make a major change. They agreed that what had been set up was not working, and, that their very survival depended upon making a drastic change.

Before they sailed to America, the investors financing the trip entered into a contract with the Pilgrims on July 1, 1620. It was a seven year partnership. In the contract, the investors were called, "Adventurers," while the Pilgrims were called, "Planters." At the end of the seven years, all profits would be "equally divided betwixt the Adventurers and Planters."

The contract called for all property, as well as the fruits of all labor, to go into a common pool to be divided equally among all the Pilgrims. There was to be no private property. They called this arrangement a "commonwealth." Today, it would be easily identified and labeled as, socialism, or communism.

But after that first Thanksgiving, the leaders of the colony decided to make a very big, and in their eyes, a very critical change in how the colony operated.

Seeing the results of the commonwealth, they chose to replace it with a system of private property. In observing how the commonwealth operated, they noticed the resentment by those who were working very hard only to have the fruits of their labor given to others who chose to not apply themselves equally as hard.

The leaders realized that in a commonwealth society people could not be expected to do their best work without some personal incentive. The solution was more than just private property. Each family was assigned its own parcel of land to work. They not only kept and enjoyed the fruit of their own labor, but they could then market what they did not need.

Bradford later wrote, "This had very good success, for it made all hands industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been." They began to set up trading posts with the Indians. With their profits they were then able to pay off their debts to the Adventurers back in London.

And as you might imagine, news of their success traveled fast. Their prosperity began to attract more and more Europeans who also wanted to live in a society where there was promise and reward for hard work. The Great Puritan Migration began.

Even though this account is rarely taught in schools, it was recognized by the founding fathers as they labored to put together a viable government and constitution more than 150 years later. The phrase, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" echoes what the Pilgrims decided to do. They worded it as, "the pursuit of happiness," not "the guarantee of happiness."

One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, James Wilson, who was later appointed as an associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, mentioned that critical decision by the Pilgrims. In 1790 he wrote, "The introduction of exclusive property immediately produced the most comfortable change in the colony, by engaging the affections and invigorating the pursuits of its inhabitants."

On that first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims were grateful to God for all that they had. They were thankful to God to be alive. They celebrated their thankfulness to Him. And then they made a very important decision. A decision we ought to be very thankful for, and never forget.

Bradford noted this at length in his diary: "For this community was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort." He also referred to those who imposed such an operation, "vanity of that conceit...as if they were wiser than God."

Written by Michael A. Verdicchio. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com

14 Thanksgiving Facts

Because it is unclear that the Pilgrims ate turkey at their inaugural Thanksgiving meal in the 1620s, the writer Calvin Trillin mock-campaigned for years to have the national Thanksgiving dish changed from turkey to spaghetti carbonara.

The people who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower weren't even called Pilgrims. Most of them, dissidents who had broken away from the Church of England, called themselves Saints while others called them

Separatists. Some settlers were known as Puritans, dissidents but not separatists who wanted to "purify" the Church. Not until roughly the American Revolution did the name Pilgrims become associated with the Plymouth settlers.

But for the World War II years of 1939 to 1944, the Detroit Lions have hosted a football game every Thanksgiving since 1934. Of the 70 games they have so far played on that date, they have lost 84 of them. Only NFL fans will find the previous sentence mildly amusing, if that.

The busiest air travel day of the year in America is the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The second-busiest is the Wednesday before. People who travel on those two days do not find it even mildly amusing.

In a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin wrote of his disappointment, if not entirely serious, that the bald eagle – "a Bird of bad moral character" – was chosen to be the U.S. national bird. Franklin preferred the turkey – "though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage."

Accurate or not, archaic or not, this scene is far and away the most enduring image of Thanksgiving in America. Approximately 25 million prints of this image (along with its three companion images) were bought during the 20th century.

This may strike some as blackly funny, others as not funny at all: When the U.S. Air Force conducted test runs which broke the sound barrier, fields of turkeys would drop dead of heart attacks.

attributable to the enormous consumption of carbohydrates, which triggers the release of insulin.

"Cranberry Day," not "Turkey Day," would seem a fairer nickname for Thanksgiving: Approximately 88% of Americans eat turkey on the day but more than 94% of Thanksgiving dinners include cranberry sauce.

Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor and author, influenced American life in a way few people have: Not only did her campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday finally bear fruit in 1863, after many decades and editorials, when President Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation; she also wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

For the first few years of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, animals from the Central Park Zoo marched along with bands, other entertainers and store employees. 1927 saw the appearance of the first big-animal-shaped floats, such as Felix the Cat, but they were filled with air, not helium. The following year, floats were filled with helium; at the parade's conclusion, the balloons were released – and burst.

In 1929, the floats were equipped with safety valves so they could float for a few days. Address labels were sewn into the floats; anyone who found and mailed back the discarded balloon would receive a gift from Macy's.

In 1815, the country celebrated two Thanksgivings.

Of the turkeys eaten annually in the U.S., one in five is consumed on Thanksgiving.

John F. Kennedy spared a turkey on November 19, 1963, three days before he was assassinated. There was yet no tradition of turkeys being granted presidential pardons around Thanksgiving; Kennedy simply did it spontaneously. The bird wore a sign that read, "Good Eatin' Mr. President," and Kennedy said, "Let's just keep him."

While we have come to believe that we nod off easily after the Thanksgiving meal because of unusually high levels of tryptophan in turkey (and because we are watching the Detroit Lions play football), the level is comparable to that in most other meats. The drowsiness is likely more Written by Andrew Postman. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com.

Products To Love In November A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting tops my personal list for children始s holiday books.

This sweet and super cute book gives children a fun new look at the turkey始s roll in Thanksgiving festivities. The story starts with Mrs. Moose deciding that they simply must have a turkey for Thanksgiving, so Mr. Moose sets out to find one for her! The ending will surprise and delight children and adults of all ages. This book also comes highly recommended by my very charmed 4 year old little girl. Please click here for more information.

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Reviewed by Rural Jungle Testing

November and Thanksgiving for many people means one more very important thing: Football! Make your house the ultimate Thanksgiving sports spot with the Samsung UN55B7000 55-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV. This super sweet piece of football enhancing technology is practically guaranteed make this year始s Thanksgiving one that will be remembered for many years to come. It even offers Internet connectivity to allow those diehard fans to check the stats between plays! The only problem you may have is getting everyone to stop staring long enough to eat dinner. Please click here for more information.

This sweet, heartwarming cartoon from the Peanuts gang once again shows Charlie Brown in a pickle, as his erstwhile friends impose upon the hapless wouldbe-host to provide a memorable and traditional Thanksgiving feast. And as much as Charlie Brown would rather forget the whole thing, he just can't help but try for fear of being labeled a failure. Ultimately it's up to Snoopy and Woodstock to save Charlie from certain embarrassment, and it falls to Linus to impart to all assembled the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

This very special Emmy Award-winning cartoon features the usual sweet unassuming humor that only the Peanuts can provide, this is one of those childhood classics meant to be enjoyed again and again. Please click here for more information.

Products To Love In November Your oven is crammed full and yet more things that need baking are lined up on your counter.

Tired of the same problem every Thanksgiving?

Not enough oven space because of the turkey?

Let us ease your fears! Nesco Professional 18Quart Convection Roaster Oven in beautiful Stainless Steel is the answer! This kitchen saver will roast up to a 12 pound turkey and adjusts up to 425 degrees for perfectly cooked, well anything! So take a deep breath, sit back and relax, because help is here! Please click here for more information.

Tired of squabbles over who has to hold the ball for the kick off? Well check out this little wonder! Kick like a winner with the Wilson Pro Kick. It makes your practice or warm-up session a snap by holding the ball at just the right angle for that perfect kick. Durable, all metal construction collapses easily for transport to and from the game. This football tee holds the football at any kicking angle and it is ideal for practice or warm-up sessions before games. Sturdy, all-metal construction gives stability and durability and it works on any kicking surface! Please click here for more information.

Tired of you old boring plates? Sad looking mugs got you dreading a visit from the in-laws? Check this out! The stylish Mikasa Gourmet Basics Donavan Set is just what you have been longing for! With 4 place settings, each place setting consisting of: 1 Dinner Plate, 1 Salad Plate, 1 Soup/Cereal Bowl, and 1 mug you will be well set for Thanksgiving dinner. Fashioned from clay, these Stoneware settings are exceptionally pretty, but heavy duty tough. The pattern features multiple half circles in colors of red, tan and bone and best yet, they are microwave and dishwasher safe! Please click here for more information.

City Spotlight

Boston, MA The city of Boston is frequently referred to as the gateway to New England. It is the capital of Massachusetts, and the largest city in New England. There is plenty to do for young and old alike in Boston, making it a great destination for a holiday to New England.

Boston lies on a peninsula, with the Massachusetts Bay on one side and the Back Bay on the other. It became one of the wealthiest cities in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries, which led to a great many cultural buildings being built during this era.

The Public Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the USA, with its flower gardens, trees, grassy lawns and lakes. The most famous part of The Public Garden's is of course the Swan Boats, to take you on a graceful ride around the lakes.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace was built in 1742, and now houses over one hundred shops and restaurants. Great for shopping or for sampling the local cuisine, Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a "must see" in Boston. The restaurants feature many local favorites such as clam chowder, and Boston baked beans!

The Museum of Fine Arts is Boston's oldest and most respected art institution. It is home to a lot of early American art, as well as Egyptian and Impressionist collections. There is also a fine collection of French art.

Many of the famous historic buildings make up the Freedom Trail, which is marked out with red lines or

bricks. These are buildings that played some significance in the American Revolution. The trail includes Paul Revere's house (home to the night time messenger that warned Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the British Army's planned movements), Faneuil Hall (a meeting point for revolutionaries), Granary Burial Ground (where Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Paul Revere are buried), Bunker Hills, the site of Benjamin Franklin's birth, and the Old State House (where the Declaration of Independence was first read).

Not on the trail for obvious reasons is the USS Constitution. This ship is 200 years old and is the oldest commissioned warship in the US Navy. Still afloat the ironclad/ironside ship gives some of the most spectacular views of the city of Boston.

One of the most visited attractions in Boston is the New England Aquarium. With a massive 200,000 gallon tank, with giant turtles swimming in it, it is a fantastic sight to behold.

Home to the universities of Harvard and MIT, the city has a vibrant atmosphere in the evenings. There are plenty of restaurants and venues with live music to entertain you after a day of sightseeing or retail therapy!

Steeped in history, great for shopping and abundant with evening entertainment, Boston makes a great destination for your New England holiday.

Written by Fiona Napier, courtesy of Isnare.com, Photo by John Burk

Businesses That Make A Difference

Here at Tom’s Of Maine we We believe that people are the know an awful lot about how to critical element in the success make great natural products in a of a mission, so we focus our grants on core mission and leadership development goals and then get out of the way!

We are also passionate about water. A supply of clean water positively impacts community health, business, recreation opportunities, and overall quality of life. That’s why Tom’s of Maine is dedicated to improving water quality and supporting those who work to achieve this in their own towns. sustainable way — but we certainly can't claim to always know what's best for our communities down to every last detail. That's why we donate 10% of our pretax profits each year to charitable organizations: because they know best how to serve their own communities.

Since the very first product our cofounders Tom and Kate made in 1970 – a non-polluting phosphate-free laundry detergent called Clearlake – Tom's of Maine has advocated for clean water. Today, we're working with River Network and American Rivers, the two

largest nonprofit rivers organizations in the United

States, and their thousands of dedicated volunteers. Their efforts large and small add up to one huge positive impact on the health and safety of our nation’s rivers. So come on and help us lend a hand. . . . naturally of course!

Check out www.tomsofmaine.com to find out more.

Random Facts

This month's random fact gives us further insight into one of November's most hallowed shopping traditions, feared and revered the world round - Black Friday.

Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On this day, most major retailers open extremely early, often at 4 am, or earlier, and offer promotional sales to kick off the shopping season, similar to Boxing Day sales in many Commonwealth Nations.

Black Friday is not actually a holiday, but some non-retail employers give their employees the day off, increasing the number of potential shoppers. It has routinely been the busiest shopping day of the year since 2005, although news reports, which at that time were inaccurate, have described it as the busiest shopping day of the year for a much longer period of time.

The day's name originated in Philadelphia, where it originally was used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic which would occur on the day after Thanksgiving. Use of the term started before 1961 and began to see broader use outside Philadelphia around 1975. Later an alternative explanation began to be offered: that "Black Friday" indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or are "in the black".

For many years, it was common for retailers to open at 6:00 am, but in the late 2000s many had crept to 5:00 or even 4:00. This was taken to a new extreme in 2011, when several retailers (including Target, Kohls, Macy's, Best Buy, and Bealls) opened at midnight for the first time.

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About Richard Pogue I have 40 years experience in real estate.

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