Page 9 - Scene Magazine January 2024 4901

Scene Around Town
BY PETER PHELPS
their love for others. So, who was St. Valentine and what’s up with all the hearts, flowers, and candies?
How else can you make it special for your Valentine this year? Well, there are a wide range of fine eateries in our community that have special meals for lovers, but reservations are in order, not the apprehensions, but the prearrange- ments. Don’t overlook flowers. They can promote positive passions too.
It turns out that this namesake was
a fairly common name back in Rome during the third century. As far as anyone can tell, Saint Valentine was one of two or three characters who went around preaching the lexes of love. One of those was martyred on February 14 269, thus giving us the date for his self-named
day. What makes this idea a bit suspect however is that the Roman Catholic Church has recognized at least two saints named Valentinus, Valentine for short. The most famous Valentine was singled out for performing marriages for Roman soldiers in secret. When discovered he was ‘heartily’ put to death.
been carried down through the eons. Ah, being a prisoner of the heart is no doubt the reason so many exchange ‘Valentine’s’ cards today.
And how about the often-overlooked heart-shaped candied hearts? Those were a staple of the New England Confectionary Company, better known as NECCO for over a century. Legend has it that those wafers, carried by Civil War soldiers, morphed into love notes... and eventually into Valentine cards. And as oft happens, the two... notes and cards merged into candy with messages in heart shapes.
Another legendary Valentine might be remembered for sending the first Valentine greeting. In this version,
Val fell in love with a girl who visited him while he was in prison. Before his death, he sent her a letter signed, ‘From Your Valentine,’ an expression that has
These sweets were so popular that the Spangler Candy Company just across the border in Ohio, which pur- chased NECCO after it went bankrupt, manufactures about 100,000 chalky, candy conversation hearts per day for our favorite sweethearts. That’s eight billion with a ‘B’ a year. Sweet!
Happy New Year. In the next couple of weeks, millions of Amer- icans will not only open their hearts, but also their wal- lets for Valentine’s Day all to express
U R My Q T 3.14159...
Speaking of which, if you’ve not thought of it, why not take the time
to send your Valentines cards to one
of the many ‘love-ly’ named cities to have them postmarked and sent to your amor? Among the most popular sites are Bliss, Idaho; Darling, Mississippi; Honeyville, Utah; Kissimmee, Florida; Loveland, Colorado; Romance, Ar- kansas; or my favorite for the past half century – Valentine, Nebraska. All you do is send your self-addressed, stamped Valentine in an envelope to the post- master/mistress and ask them to mark your card with their special holiday postmark. They’ll do their best to make you even more special in the eyes of the
receiver. Try it; believe me, it works. Or I guess you can go electronic and be a ‘tweet-heart.’
SCENE’S WOMEN IN Business
So, this Valentine’s Day, don’t play ‘heart’ to get... “Go 4 It” and “Say Yes” and mail your honey a love note; pick up some posies or send some sweet hearts and... B Scene N town.
COMING IN APRIL!
iSSUE!
Scene Magazine will publish its annual Men in Business Issue
in April of 2024. This popular issue of Scene will feature your portrait photo, your logo, and a 30-word description.
Call or email Christyn McCleary... (269) 979-1410 or cmccleary@scenepub.com
AND REMEMBER... SCENE WILL TAKE YOUR PHOTO FOR FREE!
EDUCATION ISSUE I SCENE 4901 9
SHERII SHERBAN
ALYSSA BARRETT
CHRISTYN McCLEARY
SCENE MAGAZINE’S WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Chief Operating Officer. Responsible for community advocacy and engagement. Executive Editor for Scene Magazine. Publisher for Senior Times of SCMI and the Senior Housing Directory. Host for Be Scene On Air.
Hair Stylist. A graduate of Douglas J. Aveda Institute, Alyssa is professionally trained and state certified in hair styling, coloring, manicures, and pedicures.
Publications Mgr. of Scene. Assists busi- nesses with creative solutions for their advertising and promotional needs, which include multiple media options. Ten years of media background inspires a complete approach for the customer.
(269) 979-1410, ext. 2 – scenepub.com
(269) 979-1470 – scenepub.com
or the
District Affairs Director at Michigan Senate. Manages legislative and con-
President and CEO. Protecting what has been entrusted to us by demonstrating, encouraging, and teaching conservation principles locally and globally.
(269) 565-1134 – circa6salon.com
Office of Senator John Bizon, M.D.
KAREN TODD
DIANE THOMPSON
munication; represents the District. Handler
Public
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