C RY D E R P O I N T 14 MAY OOuutt & A Abboouutt Here’s more than you ever wanted to know about MOTHER’S DAY, which this year falls on Sunday, May 14. Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother back in 1908 at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, and campaigned for Mother’s Day to become a recognized national holiday. Congress rejected her proposal, joking that they would have to proclaim also a “Mothers-in-law Day” (those Congressmen are so witty, aren’t they?). But Anna didn’t give up, and by 1911 all U.S. states observed the holiday, and in 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday of each May as Mother’s Day. In an ironic turn, Anna became resentful of the commercialization of the holiday when Hallmark and other companies began to sell Mother’s Day cards. She went so far as to organize boycotts of Mother’s Day and threatened to issue lawsuits against the companies involved. Her protests included one at a candy makers’ convention in Philadelphia in 1923, and another at a meeting of American War Mothers in 1925, where she was actually arrested for disturbing the peace! MEMORIAL DAY is Monday, May 29. While we tend to think of it just as the beginning of the summer season, this holiday is very important: It started as an event to honor Union soldiers who had died during the Civil War, and after World War I it was extended to include all men and women who died in any war or military action. Did you know…Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, and the current name didn’t come into use until after World War II. The holiday used to be on May 30 regardless of the day of the week on which it fell, and it’s been officially observed on the last Monday of May since 1971. Let us honor and remember all of the armed services men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, as well as all of the families who have lost loved ones in military action. Aretha Franklin Saturday, May 13, 8pm 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury thetheatreatwestbury.com 516-247-5200 The Queen of Soul will be appearing at Westbury for one night only singing her classics as well as selections from her current album, “Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics,” covering songs by Adele, Gloria Gaynor, Chaka Kahn, and others. Aretha was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987) and announced earlier this year that she will be retiring after she collaborates with Stevie Wonder for one final album in 2017. So I’ll say a little prayer for you that you can nab tickets and show this legend some respect before she hangs up the mic! Mother’s Day at Queens Botanical Garden Sunday, May 14, 10am and 1pm 43-50 Main Street, Flushing queensbotanical.org 718-886-8300 Treat mom (and yourself) to a delicious farm-to-table brunch at Queens Botanical Garden. There are two seatings, and guests will enjoy freshly made hot dishes from an Italian Market menu, muffins, scones, fair-trade coffees, teas, and more. The prix fixe menu includes one complementary glass of wine for the grown-ups and organic milk and apple juice for the kids. There will also be a cash bar for sodas and alcoholic beverages. Tickets are $55 per adult/$30 per child. Contact the Garden or purchase tickets at: bgmothersday2017.eventbrite.com. 14 CRYDER POINT COURIER | MAY 2017 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM Queens Farmstand Opening Day Wednesday, May 17, 11am-3pm Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park Queensfarm.org 718- 347-3276 Nothing beats really fresh veggies, and the Farmstand is open through the first week of November. If you can’t make it during the week, you can drop by from 11am-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. They grow more than 50 varieties of vegetables, which change throughout the season, and fresh eggs are available each day starting at noon. Antique Car Show Sunday, May 21, 9am-12pm Bayside Historical Society at Fort Totten 208 Totten Avenue, Bayside baysidehistoricalsociety.org 718-352-1548 If you know anyone who’s into classic cars, tell them about this event. Vintage autos will be showcased on the side yard of Fort Totten Castle (and admission is free!). Great Neck Street Fair Sunday, May 21, 10am-6pm (Rain or shine) 607 Middle Neck Road nassaucountyfairs.com 516-442-6000 There’s been a nice street fair happening in Great Neck each May since 1999. Who knew? The organizers promise that their vendors sell “handmade, unique creations” and “hand-picked, hard-to-find quality items.” Sounds like fun! BY JILL DAVIS
CP052017
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