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Debunked: The myth of Hallmark holidays (and the sliver of truth)

Who will you be gushing over in your cards this year? | Photo by KCtoday

You may have heard the term “Hallmark holiday” as a way to describe those seemingly random, extra days of celebration and gift giving. While there are certainly lots of cards involved, Hallmark actually has no part in the creation of these holidays. We would also like to add:

Each holiday has a unique history
There’s never a bad time to give someone a card
You gotta fight for your right to party

With Mother’s Day coming up and Father’s Day shortly after, here’s a look at the origins of these two holidays — abridged.

💐 Mother’s Day

This day of matriarchs all started with (you guessed it) a mother. Ann Reeves Jarvis was an 1800s activist and organizer. In 1858, she created Mothers’ Day Work Clubs to improve sanitary conditions and curb infant mortality. After the Civil War, she organized Mothers’ Friendship Day, where veterans from the North and South came together for the first time in years.

After Ann died in 1905, her daughter, Anna Jarvis, organized the first formal “Mother’s Day” commemoration in honor of her mom on the second Sunday in May. It becomes an official West Viriginia holiday in 1910, and President Woodrow Wilson made it national in 1914.

👔 Father’s Day

Dads actually owe their special day to the moms. After hearing a sermon on the topic of Mother’s Day, Sonora Smart Dodd wanted to honor her father, who raised six kids after their mom died during childbirth. Sonora convinced local religious leaders, and the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19 (Sonora’s dad’s birthday).

The celebration spread, and President Calvin Coolidge gave his support in 1924. However, it wasn’t until 1972 that it became a national holiday on every third Sunday of June under President Richard Nixon.

Asked

Write a short message to your mom, and we’ll share some leading up to Mother’s Day.

We want to celebrate her (almost) as much as you do.

✏️ Take 30 seconds

Events

Wednesday, May 3

Garnacha Fest | Wednesday, May 3 | 12:30 p.m. | Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, KS | Free | The Student Organization of Latinx is preparing a spectacular party, with music, Latinx food, and games.
Ed Sheeran “Subtract” Intimate Album Listening Experience | Wednesday, May 3 | 5 p.m. | Vinyl Renaissance, 9038 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS | Free | Hear the pop artist’s new album before it’s released and check out limited edition giveaway items.

Thursday, May 4

JAM Sessions: Leonardo da Vinci Flying Machines | Thursday, May 4 | 10:15-11 a.m. | Museum at Prairiefire, 5801 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS | $0-$5 | Kids will learn the history of human flight + attempt to recreate an early flying machine.
Underdog Wine Classic | Thursday, May 4 | 4-8 p.m. | The Guild, 1621 Locust St., Kansas City, MO | $20-$65 | This wine festival will feature small producers, smaller distributors, and under-represented grapes + regions.
Brooks & Dunn | Thursday, May 4 | 7 p.m. | T-Mobile Center | $25-$165 | This country music duo from Nashville comes to KC with guest artist Scotty McCreery.

Friday, May 5

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss | Friday, May 5 | 8 p.m. | Starlight Theatre | $35-$175 | Two music legends — one in bluegrass and the other from Led Zeppelin — join forces to tour their recently released “Raise the Roof” album.
Anat Cohen Quartetinho | Friday, May 5 | 8 p.m. | Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St., Kansas City, MO | $25-$35 | Ever charismatic, prolific, and inspired, Grammy-nominated clarinetist-saxophonist Anat Cohen has won hearts and minds the world over with her expressive virtuosity and delightful stage presence*

Saturday, May 6

Shop Small Saturdays | Saturday, May 6 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Brew Haha Coffeehouse, 10332 Mastin St., Overland Park, KS | $0+ | Check out this sidewalk sale featuring 10+ local vendors.
Cookie Decorating Workshop: Airbrushing and Stenciling | Saturday, May 6 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Culinary Center of Kansas City, 7920 Santa Fe Dr., Overland Park, KS | $80 | Learn about equipment, supplies, designs, and everything else related to cookie decorating mastery.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Leaders with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum announced they will build a new museum + research center within 18th & Vine — which would be the only dedicated campus in the nation. The “Pitch for the Future” campaign is accepting donations. More in tomorrow’s newsletter.

Award

Restless Spirits master distiller Benay Shannon won two golds at the Denver International Spirits Competition. The GullyTown Straight American Single + American Single Malt received top marks in the double-blind judging. Find them at the distillery — 109 E. 18th Ave., North Kansas City.

Opening

Barrio (locations in Brookside, Red Bridge, and Briarcliff) is adding a fourth restaurant on Martini Corner in Midtown — at 408 E. 31st St. Partners hope to open the Barrio Taqueria, complete with a 75-person rooftop patio, in early June. (CityScene KC)

Sports

Super Bowl LVII (Chiefs vs. Eagles) was the most-watched Super Bowl in history, according to a recent TV analysis. 115.1 million people tuned in, breaking the previous record held by Super Bowl XLIX (Patriots vs. Seahawks). (KSHB 41)

Concert

Shinedown is bringing “The Revolutions Live Tour” to the T-Mobile Center on Monday, Sept. 4. The rock group, known for hits like “Simple Man,” will perform with Papa Roach and Spiritbox. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 5.

Closing

Dallas-based Tuesday Morning is closing five area stores as a result of the discount retail company going out of business. There are two stores in Overland Park with the rest in Lee’s Summit, Lenexa, and Mission. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Walmart is planning to close its Neighborhood Market store near Shawnee Mission South High School — at 10303 Metcalf Ave. Its last day will be Friday, June. There are nine other Walmart stores in Overland Park. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Watch

The KC Current released new video renderings of the stadium coming to the Berkley Riverfront. While the design remains the same, each fly-through clip provides a closer, more in-person look at what it will be like to be inside.

Finance

The average retirement savings by age may be shocking, but it’s not too late to seek advice. A financial advisor could help increase your returns and alleviate stress. Try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*

Fun Fact

National Beverage Day is this Saturday, May 6. In celebration, we’re featuring some of our Six & Main beverage brands across our markets including Blanchard’s Coffee, a|dash, Sarilla, Matcha Nude, and more. Start sipping now.

Kids

The perfect family-friendly activity does exist, and you can even do it all spring and summer long, rain or shine. We’re talking about Kids Bowl Free — a national program that connects you with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling each day. Learn more + sign up.

Sports

These boots were made for riding

Rodeo stampedes into Kansas City’s West Bottoms

Giddy up, KC. | Photo by Peggy Gander via American Royal

The American Royal Center is back at it again with ProRodeo this week. Some of the country’s top cowboys and cowgirls will compete in events like bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. If you’ve never been to a rodeo, it’s a ripsnortin’ good time.

🗓 Themes

International Firefighter’s Day | Thursday, May 4 | $5 discount for firefighters.
Cinco de Mayo | Friday, May 5
Kentucky Derby | Saturday, May 6 | Join for a watch party and a hat contest.

🎶 Food + entertainment

Food trucks
Makers market
Beer garden: Drinks before the show + live music by local bands afterward

🎟 Time + tickets

Gates open at 5 p.m. (4 p.m. on Saturday), arena doors at 6:30 p.m.
Shows start at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $50 for adults and $20 for kids (free for children 3 and under)

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Travis

From the editor

My fiancée and I have been rewarding ourselves for wedding planning by doing preparation at various breweries. Ever heard of Pavlov’s Dog? Here are a few local brews I recently really liked:

Joker’s Wit | Boulevard Brewing Co. | A Belgian-style double witbier with flavors of orange peel and peppercorn (tapped at Brick River Cider Co.)
Hipster Cigarettes | River Bluff Brewing | A hefeweizen with a little more breadiness on the palate
Slacktivist | Casual Animal Brewing Company | This farmhouse ale is akin to medium Belgians with spices and even a caramelly undertone.

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