The history of Father’s Day
As a tribute to all fathers, Council on Aging would like to share the following story.
The idea of Father’s Day was conceived by Sonora Dodd of Spoke, Washington, while she listened to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm. A day in June was chosen for the first Father’s Day celebration—June 19, 1910, proclaimed by Spokane’s mayor because it was the month of Smart’s birth.
The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Father’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent. (Source:Communitydispatch.com)
On Friday, June 19th, join the Council on Aging Senior Dining Centers for the Father’s Day special meal of lasagna, peas and onions, garden salad, garlic bread and an orange. Call a day in advance for lunch reservations. Suggested meal donation for seniors 60 + is $2.25, non-senior meals are $5.00. A beverage is included. Ask the site manager about the new secondary “Take Home” cold lunch meal program that starts the second week of June.
To contact your area dining center for additional information call:
Clare County Centers; Clare Senior Center at 386-7130, Hayes Center at 539-5161, Lake DAV Center at 544-2836, Lake George Center at 989-488-9841 and Clare County Center (Farwell) at 588-4271.
Gladwin County Centers; Beaverton Community Center at 435-3481, Billings Center at 435- 8430, Bourret Center at 345-2833, Maple Manor Center at 426-2210 and Gladwin Center (Antler Arms) at 426-6951.
—
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad
~~Author Unknown.~~
