Outdoor kitchens were trendy in 2021 — and they are still a must-have! If you plan to either build an outdoor cooking space or level up the one you have this summer, consider these game-changing features. Level Up Your Outdoor Cooking Space With These Handy Features!
The history of Fourth of July traditions is more interesting than you would expect — especially since there was so much debate on which day to celebrate our independence. On June 7, the Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. After Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for the Colonies’ independence, a long, heated debate followed and postponed the vote. But on July 2, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee’s resolution for independence with a near-unanimous vote. By July 4, the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted. Some believed that July 2, the day of the final vote, should have been our Independence Day. At the time, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival,” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade … Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.” Even after the U.S. was formed, Adams believed so deeply that July 2 was the correct date, that he would turn down invitations to appear on July 4th events in protest! Still, Adams’ imagination for future American independence celebrations remains quite true today, although they are slightly different from the very first parties. In pre-Revolutionary times, colonists used to celebrate the king’s birthday, which included ringing of bells, bonfires, processions, and speechmaking. In contrast, in the summer of 1776, colonists celebrated the birth of our independence by holding mock funerals for King George III.
1. The Flat Top Grill: With a flat top, you can cook anything outside. Imagine outdoor breakfasts with pancakes and eggs! You can also cook burgers with lots of toppings without worrying about food falling into the flames. 2. The Warming Drawer: Warming drawers make even the biggest barbecues easy to use. You can pre-grill your corn and stash it inside, keep sides toasty while you pour drinks and socialize, or warm up the buns for your dogs and burgers.
By the time of our liberation, festivities included concerts, bonfires, parades, firing of cannons and muskets, and usually included public readings of the Declaration of Independence. The very first commemoration of independence was held at the Philadelphia State House on July 4, 1777, while Congress was still occupied with ongoing war! You would think that fireworks became a tradition later in U.S. history, but that is not true. Fireworks were used during the very first celebration — that same place and day on July 4, 1777. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported of the day: “At night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.” We are so excited and proud to continue that tradition, right here in our Anthem community. Every year, our tradition is to commemorate Independence Day with community fireworks and a huge event at the Anthem Community Park on the evening of July 3. We celebrate with live music, rides, fun activities, and festival food in addition to the traditional fireworks display. Everybody grabs a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the free evening.
3. The Outdoor Ice Machine: Install one of these, and you will never have to sprint inside for ice again. An ice maker is a particularly handy feature if you have an outdoor bar and love to mix cocktails for your guests.
We look forward to seeing you at the park!
–Dennis & Lisa Jones
Good luck and happy cooking!
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Extraordinary Realtors
602-677-4130
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