HOT DIGGITY DOG, IT’S AMERICA’S BIRTHDAY!
America will celebrate its 245th Birthday on Sunday. We’ve come a long way baby, but surprisingly the celebrations for this Fourth will be similar to that first big birthday party held in Philadelphia in 1777. According to an article in The Virginia Gazette, the Williamsburg, Virginia newspaper founded in 1736, the first celebration included a dinner of the Continental Congress, toasts, speeches, prayers, fireworks, and a 13-gun salute. There was a big parade and leaders reviewed the troops. Boats anchored in the harbor were decked out with red, white, and blue bunting. Nearby, in New Jersey, General George Washington celebrated with his men and gave them all a double ration of rum.
On Sunday, I plan to do all of those things, except dining with Congress. Oh, and I’ll be eating some hot dogs. What’s more American than a hot dog? Don’t say baseball, apple pie, or Chevrolet. Think about it. A hot dog is the most American food; a melting pot of meat and toppings. Wieners are from Germany. We make them with beef, chicken, and pork. Sometimes they’re Kosher, oftentimes they’re not. They can be topped with almost anything; from southern coleslaw to Texas chili to jalapeños from south of the border. You just can’t put ketchup or catsup on them. That would be unAmerican.
I will not be alone. Americans will consume more than 15,000,000 (15 Million) hot dogs on July 4th. This doesn’t count the 75 that will be consumed by Joey Chestnut alone at the Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island. Americans consume an astounding 20,000,000,000 (20 Billion) hot dogs every year, an average of 70 per American. I consider myself waaaay above average in this area. (Owning two Texas Inn locations ensures that.)
Whatever you do this weekend and however you celebrate, I hope that you have a ton of fun and eat some hots, franks, weenies, footlongs, or dawgs this weekend. Let me know what your favorite hot dog topping is.
Happy Birthday, ‘Murica!
MONDAY:
FRONTLINE HEROES
On Monday I learned about the smashing success of the Virginia-West Virginia Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society’s first fundraising event this year: “A Night at the Big Screen Under the Stars: Honoring Our Frontline Heroes.” The event took place at the Goochland Drive-In Theater and was one of the first in-person events nationwide, in over 14 months, for the organization. Funds were raised, cheers were made, and our Fearless Leader Molly Whitfield lit up the big screen in a video thank you to our local nonprofit partners The Doorways,Hitting Cancer Below the Belt,Housing Families First, and Camp Hanover for their efforts throughout the pandemic.
TUESDAY:
ROAD TRIP!
On Tuesday, Director of Business & Marketing Leanne Ferry, Creative Director Art Webb, Account Executive Marita Cardenas, and Communications Director Kent Brockwell hopped in the car and headed down I-64 to meet with their counterparts at The City of Chesapeake Economic Development. Together they hashed out key details for some upcoming web and digital media projects we’ll be working on. You’ll get a sneak ‘peake of the Chesapeake work soon.
WEDNESDAY:
WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER?
This Question Wednesday the team was asked “What is your ordinary superpower?” Although I have many talents, I shared that I can spot a typo without actually reading the copy. I was fascinated to learn about the quirky talents of my team. Katie Rossberg, our Client Services Manager, told us all she can drive using only her knees. Next time I know she’s on the road, I would stay home, folks. Derek Fair, our Copywriter extraordinaire, has the incredible ability to slide a Dad Joke into any conversation. Jr. Communications Specialist Kennedy Heidel can put a USB cord into a device on the first try…every time. What’s your ordinary superpower?
THURSDAY:
LET’S GET QUIZZICAL
Trivia Thursday at Tang & Biscuit may have to become a regular event for the Madison+Brain-iacs. After figuring out the first tough question of “where can I park?,” the team was quizzed on all things StarWars, English literature, and Olympic sports. They didn’t win this week, but don’t worry, they’ll be back. If not for the intellectual stimulation, at least for the trendy craft beer.
FRIDAY:
BRINGING LOVE TO COMPASS
As you head into the long, holiday weekend, swing by COMPASS Entertainment Complex before July 8th to see a traveling Virginia Tourism LOVEworks sign! The iconic tagline “Virginia is for Lovers” is the inspiration for Virginia Tourism as they created 275+ LOVEworks around the state. It’s an opportunity for folks to snap pictures and share some good ol’ Virginia love for the Northern Neck! I also hear COMPASS has tasty hot dogs…
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
Hermitage Richmond’s Concert Under the Stars
Summer | 7 P.M. | Historic Ginter Park
Join Hermitage Richmond for a Concert Under the Stars on our Front Lawn for an evening of live music. Bring your picnic dinner and chairs/blankets. Social distancing and masks required.
Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education Quarantine Creations Art Show Opening
Friday, July 2, 2021 | 5:30 P.M. | Perkinson Center for Arts & Education
Got an upcoming event you want to share? Can we come? Send us the deets!
“Nobody, I mean nobody, puts ketchup on a hot dog.” — Clint Eastwood, as Dirty Harry (Sudden Impact)