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We finally moved into the new house, although we missed July 1 by a couple of days. It’s been interesting to see how the animals have adjusted to the move. Our dog, Sake, follows us around the house and makes sure we’re in his sight. Our blind cat, Charlie, is still learning the new layout, but seems okay as long as he’s lying on familiar furniture. Our diabetic cat, Ninja, seems to have taken the change in stride — a new domain for the queen of the household. If only the pool was ready for summer! We’re still waiting on the new liner that we ordered to be installed, which should be “any day now.” Since we have a big hole in the backyard, we’re afraid that Sake will fall in and be unable to climb out, as he’s a mini-Dachshund, so we’ve been taking him out on a leash. The hole is filling with rainwater and the frogs have moved in. I’m considering stocking it with fish if the liner doesn’t come in soon! FROM THE DESK OF Bob
AMIDSUMMER NIGHT’S FESTIVAL A ugust B ucket -L ist E vents
August may be void of any major U.S. holidays, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t events worth celebrating during the eighth month of the year. Perhaps owing to its location on the calendar, right at the peak of summer, August plays host to some of America’s most unique festivals and events. No matter where you are on the map, there’s something remarkable going on this month in or near your neck of the woods. Here are a few of the August’s bucket-list events.
MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL August 1–5 Rockland, Maine
For much of American history, lobsters were considered the“cockroaches of the sea”and awarded no culinary prestige. Around the turn of the 20th century, however, their reputation as a delicacy began to grow. Diners in Boston and NewYork helped raise the prestige of Maine lobsters, which are now as prized as truffles from Piedmont and bluefin tuna from Japan. It’s no surprise, then, that Maine lobsters have an entire festival devoted to them. During the first weekend in August, upward of 30,000 seafood fanatics from all over the country head to Rockland, Maine, to dine on the country’s most famous crustaceans. In addition to lobster in every form imaginable — grilled, boiled, served in bisques, and heaped on buns — the Maine Lobster Festival features local art, music, and games for kids. It also crowns a “sea goddess” during its yearly pageant. Oh, and if you want to burn off some calories, there’s a 5K and 10K race during the festival.
127 YARD SALE August 2–5 Addison, Michigan, to Gadsden, Alabama
Summer is yard-sale season, and they don’t come any bigger than the 127 Yard Sale. Billing itself as“the world’s longest yard sale,”it features more than 2,200 vendors from the Midwest
-Bob Norton
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to the Deep South, all clustered along 690 miles of Highway 127. It passes through six states and features an uncountable number of treasures just waiting to be discovered. Because of its vast nature, the 127 Yard Sale offers travelers the chance to combine two of America’s most storied pastimes: road trips and bargain hunting. There are plenty of scenic destinations to stop and admire between looking for antiques, collectibles, and everything else you could imagine. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t miss an episode of “Antiques Roadshow,” you might mistake the 127 Yard Sale for paradise.
in 1938, the 10-day rally has become a mecca for motorcycle enthusiasts of all stripes.
Get dressed up in your fanciest lord or lady outfit, enjoy some jousting, and shop for artisanal products made by local craftspeople. Each weekend during the festival, you can also enjoy themed events. This year, for example, August 18 and 19 will host the “Buccaneer Beer Bash,”while September 8 and 9 will feature “Shamrocks and Shenanigans.”Whether you love Shakespeare, mead, or “Game of Thrones,” you’ll find something to interest you at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. The next time somebody tells you, “There’s nothing happening in August,” direct them to one of these or many other festivals and events. You don’t need a federal holiday to have a reason to mark your calendars.
The centerpiece events of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally are the rides themselves, which include trips around Devils Tower, Bear Butte, and Deadwood. There are also rally races and hill climbs. Hop off your bike to take in the concerts, enjoy some street food, and participate in the tattoo and beard contests. Bike lovers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Sturgis, so you can bet you’ll see some jaw-droppingly cool rides, from pristine vintage bikes to one-of-a-kind custom creations. MINNESOTA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL Weekends, August 18–September 30 Shakopee, Minnesota With an annual attendance of 300,000, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival has grown to be the country’s largest Renaissance fair. Technology may not be advanced enough to actually transport you back to the 16th century, but you’d never know it from the sights, sounds, and smells of the fairgrounds.
THE 78TH ANNUAL STURGIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY August 3–12 Sturgis, South Dakota
Even if you only have the most passing interest in motorcycles, odds are you’ve heard of Sturgis. The country’s most famous motorcycle rally attracts more than a half-million visitors every year, all eager to show off their bikes, rev their engines, and have some fun. Since its inception
GAME NIGHT GOES (REALLY) RETRO
The Oldest Games You Can Play Today
BACKGAMMON
People love to play games. When you play Angry Birds while waiting in line at the grocery store, you are actually participating in a long history of gaming that dates back to the earliest civilizations. Through the discovery of ancient game boards, archaeologists learned that the ancient Egyptians played a game called Senet in 3500 B.C. The rules were lost to time, but fortunately, there are plenty of other ancient games we still have the rules for! Sometime during the 2nd century A.D., people in India started playing a board game associated with aspects of traditional Hindu philosophy — namely, the contrast between karma (destiny) and kama (desire). A dice was rolled to navigate a game board where good virtues, represented by ladders, allowed players to move up on the board, and evil vices, represented by snakes, would drag pieces back down. The phrase “Back to square one” is believed to have originated from this game. Snakes and Ladders made its way to England before being brought over to the United States, where it was introduced as “Chutes and Ladders” by none other than Milton Bradley in 1943. SNAKES AND LADDERS
A blend of luck and strategy, backgammon originated in the Middle East around 5,000 years ago. Possibly an evolution of the ancient Mesopotamian game, the Royal Game of Ur, backgammon has players take turns rolling the dice to move their pieces off the board while trying to outsmart their opponent. Backgammon grew in popularity, spreading from the Middle East to the rest of the ancient world, and is still played by many today. Originating in China around the 5th century B.C., Go — or “weiqi,” as it’s called in China — focuses on the virtues of balance, discipline, and focus. Two players go head-to-head, placing their pieces on the board to claim as much territory as possible while simultaneously capturing their opponent’s pieces. Go is likely the oldest board game still being played today, with an estimated 40 million players worldwide. Though the rules are simple, the strategies take a lifetime to master. These are a just a few games that people have been playing around the world for centuries. If you’re ready to add something new to family game night, try something old instead! GO
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HOWTO ACHIEVE AMORE RESTFUL NIGHT’S SLEEP
A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your mind and body. One study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that the quality of your sleep is much more important than the quantity — that is, if you want to feel rested. And we all want to feel rested. So, what can you do to improve the quality of your sleep and get the rest you need? LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. This, above all else, is crucial to a good night’s sleep. Your body knows when it’s time for bed. Generally, you want to go to bed when you feel tired, whether that’s at 8 p.m. or 1 a.m. Whenever your body tells you it needs rest, you should make a habit of going to bed then. The more consistent you are, the better your sleep will be. WAKE UP NATURALLY. Jolting yourself awake with an alarm or radio isn’t doing your brain and body any favors (it can be stressful on the body and even elevate blood pressure, which is not good first thing in the morning). If you do need an alarm, consider a wake-up light. Wake-up lights mimic the sunrise, slowly brightening the room, waking your body in a natural, gentle way. KICK THE SCREEN HABIT. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: Looking at an electronic screen — a TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone — before bed is detrimental to sleep quality. Light from these devices is disruptive to your brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which
helps regulate your circadian rhythm, and screen time before bed can throw off normal SCN function.
Put your excuses for staying up too late to bed. Say no to “one more episode.” And all those emails? They can wait until tomorrow. Not getting enough quality sleep is harmful to your mental and physical health. When you get into the habit of following these three tips, you’ll find yourself feeling rested and refreshed in no time.
Take a Break!
SUMMER GRILLED HALIBUT
Ingredients
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4 boneless, skinless halibut fillets, about 5 ounces each 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
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1/2 cup hearts of palm, drained
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Basil leaves, for garnish
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Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
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1 lemon
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2 pounds mixed tomatoes, sliced
Directions
1. Lightly oil grill grates and heat grill to medium. 2. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest onto halibut fillets. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Grill halibut, turning just once, for about 5 minutes on each side. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, hearts of palm, juice from lemon, and oil. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish salad with basil. Spoon salad over grilled halibut. Serve.
PAR BIRDIE DRIVER GREEN
STROKE HOLE IN ONE PGA CADDIE
SWING PUTTER GOLF CART DRIVING RANGE
Recipe courtesy of Bon Appetit
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Bob PAGE 1 August Festivals Throughout the US PAGE 1 Have You Played the Oldest Games in the World? PAGE 2 Sleep Better and Feel Great PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Summer Grilled Halibut PAGE 3 How to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking PAGE 4
BECOME A ‘DOG WHISPERER’ Train as a Pack for Better Results Your whole family adores your dog—but not the barking. This issue can lead to feelings of frustration, and the more frustrated you get, the more your dog barks. It’s their only way of communicating, and they’re telling you, “My needs are not being met.” As Cesar Millan, the original “dog whisperer,” explains, “A barking dog needs exercise, discipline, and affection, in that order.”
EXERCISE
when he’s barking — even yelling, “Rover, stop!”— teaches him to keep going, because you’re rewarding him with attention. Wait until your dog has stopped barking to give him any sort of attention, including looking at them. “To be successful with this method, you must wait as long as it takes for him to stop barking,” advises the Humane Society. Of course, your dog needs love and attention to thrive — a lack of it could contribute to barking behavior. Reinforce silence by giving your dog a treat and an encouraging pat when she demonstrates good behavior, like not barking. “Our pups want to work for our attention,” Cesar Millan reminds us. “Allowing AFFECTION
Part of the barking issue may be due to pent- up energy. According to the humane society, “A tired dog is a good dog and one who is less likely to bark from boredom or frustration.” If you already take your pup on a morning walk, try adding in an evening walk. You could add it to your child’s chore list and help get out some of the kid’s pent-up energy, too. It may also be beneficial to practice obedience exercises and games that challenge your dog.
her to do that and to see your happiness is, to your dog, the biggest reward of all.”
DISCIPLINE
To make your training program successful, consistency is key. Enlist the help of the whole family to stick to the principles. Together, you can foster a calm, peaceful home where you and your dog happily coexist.
To put a stop to the behavior, you’ll first need to change any of your behavior that’s reinforcing it. Any attention your dog gets
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