Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Happy Valentine's Day!



Happy Valentine's Day!!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful day filled with cards, flowers, chocolate parties (thank you to all the Sea Coast Realty chocolate lovers!), and special plans to pamper yourself or your loved ones.
And for those of you who just don't have the best luck on Valentine's Day, here is a little joke to brighten your day (men, please don't take offense):

Q:How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet paper?
A:We don't know... it has never happened!

LOL!

A little history lesson...

The History of Valentine's Day

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

**Information courtesy of www.history.com**

Valentine's Day aside, here are some weekend happenings in the Wilmington area:

Thursday-

Wilmington Wine Shoppe
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
at Downtown Wilmington, 110-A South Front St. Wine tasting every Thursday night. Free. Public contact: 772-2077.

A Wedding Affair Workshop
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
at 380 Graybridge Rd., Shallotte. Info at the Thursday workshops will include learning how to make your own: bouquet, bridal veil, favors, floral arrangements, and bridal jewelry. $12 each session or $50 for all sessions. Public contact: 287-5510; weddingworkshop@atmc.net.

Friday-

Fright Night Massacre Haunted Wilmington Tours
6:30 PM
at End of Market in downtown Wilmington, Wilmington. Special tours are a celebration of love, both misguided and tragic. Ghost Walk departs at 6:30; Haunted Pub Crawl departs at 7:30. Advance ticket purchase required. Public contact: 794-1866; 341-4030, ext. 20; www.hauntedwilmington.com/ValentineTour.htm.

Polar Plunge
at Pleasure Island’s Carolina Beach Boardwalk, next to the Courtyard Marriott. Third Annual Polar Plunge will take place. Schedule: 8 p.m. Feb. 16: Kick-Off Amateur Shag Contest at the Carolina Shag Club, 103 N. Lake Park Blvd. Carolina Beach (register by 7:30 p.m., $5.00 cover/donation to Special Olympics); 11 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Feb. 17 A day at the beach, featuring live music, face-painting, clowns, ice-carving contest, funnel cakes, and a costume contest. At 3 p.m. join hundreds of plungers as they race to the frigid Atlantic (or just come to cheer them on!) 8-11 p.m. Feb. 17. Post-Plunge dance at the Courtyard Marriot featuring the The Luminas band. Public contact: 681-0838.

Saturday-

New Play Festival
at Big Dawg Productions, P.O. Box 12086, Wilmington. Wilmington area students ages 8-18. Write an original play, send it to Big Dawg; if selected as a winning play,
Big Dawg will produce it on stage at Thalian Hall May 17-20. Deadline is March 1 for play submissions.
. Public contact: Virginia Davis, 799-5043; Martha Rusnak, 256-7962; www.bigdawgproductions.org.

'Rosaline & Baldasar'
at Soapbox Speakeasy Micro-theatre, 255 N. Front St., Wilmington. Feb. 14-18 and 22-24; Feb. 18 will be a special 3 p.m. Matinee for $5. $10. Public contact: Richard Davis, 233-9914; Craig Travis, 200-8340.

Heart Ball
6:00 PM
at Hilton Wilmington Riverside, 301 N. Water St. The American Heart Association presents the Cape Fear Heart Ball. “A Night on the Red Carpet, Part II” is a black-tie event that includes dinner, auctions and dancing. Music provided by Heart and Soul. Cocktails at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7:30 p.m. $150 per person. Public contact: 794-5507.

Symphony concert
8:00 PM
at Kenan Auditorium, UNCW, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington. The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra celebrates Black History Month. $20; $4 youth. Public contact: 962-3500.

**Information courtesy of www.starnewsonline.com**


And now a special edition of "Wendy's Helpful Valentine's Day Hints"--

Since today is Valentine's Day, it's time to brush up on ways to keep your treasures in top shape. Whether you are the gift giver or the gift reciever, use the following tips to extend the life of your heartfelt presents...

Liven Up Your Flowers. Your beautiful bouquet may come with a little packet to add to your water for longer lasting freshness, but if not, a shot of vodka added to the water in a vase will keep give your flowers staying power.

Freeze Your Candles. Whether rose, lavendar, or honeysuckle is a scent you prefer, if you freeze candles before you use them, they will burn for a longer period.

Hook Your Buttons. If you have a pesky button come loose on your delicates or valentines day outfits, re-stich it using fish line for thread. This will keep it place for a very long time.

Give Your Glass Sparkle. To clean special champagne glasses or glass containers such as vases, use a solution of salt, lemon juice, and crushed ice. Swirl them around inside to achieve a sparkling clean. If the glass is very fragile, just eliminate the ice from the process.

Shine Your Silver. If Silver trinkets are your preferred Valentines Day delight, keep your silver jewelry in an air tight container, such as a Tupperware or Rubbermaid container when you are not wearing it. This will prevent the silver from discoloring or tarnishing.

Wash Your Gold. Keep your gold jewelry in tip-top shape by filling a small bowl with warm water and a dash of mild liquid detergent, such as Woolite. Soak the items for a minute, then using an eyebrow brush or a toothbrush, gently brush any particles or dirt off the jewelry, while shining it up. Strain the jewelry, rinse off with warm water, then pat excess water off allow the gold jewelry to air dry.

Note: This process works well for diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds too. Take care not to rub the stones against eachother, though, when cleaning.

Primp Your Pearls. These gorgeous treasurer from the sea are fragile and a bit finicky when it comes to care. The best way to clean your pearls is with a soft, non-abrasive cloth which may be slightly dampened with water for hard to remove spots. Pearls will last longest if cleaned and then stored in a soft jewelry bag, or a square of linen cloth after each wearing.

Dust Your Displays. If you receive a portrait or framed print, preserve the life and color by developing regular dusting habits, keeping the picture out of direct sunlight, and away from unusually hot or humid areas of the home. These simple practices will keep your picture alive for a lifetime.

Cover Your Chocolates. It's easy to indulge on the delight of chocolate gifts, but if you wish to savor the experience or stretch out the calorie impact by eating the goodies over a period of time, then you'll need a preservation plan. Fine chocolates may be refridgerated for two months, or frozen for up to six, but both of these option may lead to discoloration and sometimes alters the taste. It's best to keep your chocolates goodies cool, dry, and away from bight lights and odors. Upper kitchen cabinets may be a good choice, as well as pantries. Storing the chocolate in an airtight container may also be a good choice, provided it is kept away from heat and light sources.

*Information courtesy of http://www.associatedcontent.com/**


I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day and a great weekend!!

www.wendyinwilmington.com


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