Don't Forget Fathers Day

Story of Father's Day

 Father's Day is about acknowledging and appreciating the important role played by a father in raising their child. The tradition to celebrate Father's Day was recognised thousands of years ago where studies have claimed that over 4,000 years ago in Babylon a son called Elmesu carved a father's day message on a clay card. In his message Elmesu wished his father a long and healthy life.

The tradition of celebrating Father's Day as seen today originated in the last century. Though there are several people who are credited for furthering the cause of Father's Day, there is far greater acceptance for Ms Sonora Louise Smart Dodd's contribution. A doting daughter from Spokane, Washington, Ms Dodd is recognized as the Founder or Mother of the Father's Day Festival.

Sonora recognized the hardships her father must have gone through while bringing up his six children alone. When Sonora was 16, her mother had died during childbirth. Sonora's father a Civil War veteran by the name of William Jackson Smart raised six children including the newborn on his own. Sonora questioned that if there is a day to recognize mothers then why is not there a day to honour fathers?
She began a sincere campaign lobbying for the cause of Father's Day. Her hard work began to show signs of success when Spokane celebrated its first Father's Day on June 19, 1910 with the support of Spokane Ministerial Association and the local Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). To pay tribute to her affectionate father, Sonora wished that Father's Day be celebrated on her father's birthday on June 5, but it so happened that there was not enough time for preparation and the day came to be celebrated on third Sunday in the month of June.

Father's Day has now become a hugely popular festival. World over people thank their father and pay tribute to them. Most commonly children gift Father's Day cards and flowers to their father. Neckties are a popular gift on the occasion of Father's Day. Due to the tradition of giving gifts, cards makers, florists and gift sellers campaign for Father's Day Festival in a big way and cash in on the sentiments of the people.

Ideal Gifts for your Father

• Weekend Golf Break at any Talbot Hotel

• Enjoy an evening meal for two in any of the Talbot Hotels Award Winning Restaurants

• Enjoy a spectacular show at Wexford Opera House along with accommodation and an evening meal at the Talbot Hotel

• Talbot Hotel Gift Card

• Bar Food Voucher

Out of Your Tree 2 launched in aid of the Irish Cancer Society

Stillorgan Chamber of Commerce continues to boosts its profile in the local community with its latest networking event last Tuesday night attracting over 100 local business people to the Stillorgan Park Hotel. The Guest of Honour at the event was Minister Conor Lenihan.
On the night we saw Dominic Lee of Priory Studios, Stillorgan presenting €20,000 in proceeds from his latest book Out of Your Tree 2 to the Irish Cancer Society. Out of Your Tree 2 is a beautifully designed book of photographs featuring well known national and international figures enjoying their leisure hours.

This anthology has been skillfully shot and arranged by Dominic Lee award winning Dublin born and globally renowned photographer. Out of Your Tree 2 comes on the crest of the popularity of Out of Your Tree I but the second edition is a big bolder more colourful one and includes a kaleidoscope of people and activities. Highlights include; Sir Richard Branson kite surfing off the beautiful Necker Island in the Caribbean, Darina Allen tending to her pet chickens in Ballymaloe County Cork, RTE Gardener Dermot O’Neill singing with the RTE Concert Orchestra, Ross O’Carroll-Kelly (Aka Paul Howard) at his home with his collection of Star Wars toys. This is to name just a few of the many highlights in this book.

For more information about the book or to purchase a copy of the book visit http://www.priorystudios.ie/publications/index.htm

Start your Summer the Health Way with our Executive Chef, Enda Dunne's Summer Salad Video Tutorial

Summer Salad Recipe

Ingredients:
4 slices of Watermelon
130gm Feta Cheese
Handful Toasted Pumpkin & Sunflower Seeds
10-15 Kalamata Black Olives
Bunch of Mixed Salad Leaves of Choice

Method:
1. Remove rind from watermelon and cut into triangular bite size pieces
2. Lightly toast the pumkin & sunflowers seeds in a pan & let cool
3. Mix all ingredients together
4. Dress with a vinaigrette dressing if you wish