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Annual fundraiser from our friends at One Love Foundation Inc.!🌟 New Year, New Opportunity to Win an Amazing Stay in Aru...
18/02/2025

Annual fundraiser from our friends at One Love Foundation Inc.!

🌟 New Year, New Opportunity to Win an Amazing Stay in Aruba! 🌴

Start 2025 right with a chance to escape to paradise!

ONE ticket gives you TWO chances to win a Luxurious 7-Night Stay in Aruba!

Your chance to win:
1️⃣ A 7-night/8-day stay at a Private Villa, complete with its own pool, for up to 4 people, in the exclusive, gated golf community of Tierra del Sol.

OR

2️⃣ A 7-night/8-day stay at Eagle Aruba Resort, for up to 4 people, in a one bedroom premium suite, just steps away from the pristine white sands of Eagle Beach. Enjoy a tranquil escape in Aruba’s low-rise district, away from the crowds but close to limitless adventures.

Details:
• Airfare not included and winner is responsible for all costs except accommodations.
• Villa stay must be used in 2025, at a mutually agreed-upon time with the owner.
• Non-transferable: stays must be used by the winner.
. Eagle Aruba Resort stay must be used before 6 January 2026.

Tickets:
• $100 per ticket or $450 for 5 tickets.
• Only 100 tickets available, giving you excellent odds!

Drawing Date:
• March 21, 2025, during the Paws-itively Hilarious Standup Comedy Benefit in Aruba.
You DO NOT need to be present to win!

🎟️ First ticket drawn wins the Eagle Aruba Resort stay.
🎟️ Second ticket drawn wins the Private Villa stay.

All proceeds support One Love Foundation, Inc.’s spay and neuter efforts on Aruba, helping local animals.

Don’t miss this chance to bask in Aruba’s sunshine and support a meaningful cause. Get your tickets now before they are gone!

Venmo:
Last 4 digits 6144

Paypal:

Credit Card: https://onelovefoundationinc.org/donate%2Fhow-to-help

Note: If fewer than 50 tickets are sold, only the Eagle Aruba Resort stay will be drawn as the prize.

  | The Bali Restaurant: a touristic hot spot and lost gem on the islandOnce located in what is now the Renaissance Mari...
18/02/2025

| The Bali Restaurant: a touristic hot spot and lost gem on the island

Once located in what is now the Renaissance Marina, the Bali Restaurant was once both a touristic and local hot spot, and nowadays it’s considered a forgotten gem on the island.

Known as “the floating restaurant”, Bali first opened in 1955 by Willem “Bill” Strijland, who had experience in Javanese cuisine. At the time, the restaurant was pretty exclusive—with space to host only 25 guests. Yet, 4 years later, it was named the best restaurant in the Caribbean by the Caribbean Tourist Association.

The restaurant was probably most iconic for its Javanese-inspired exterior with its pointy, slanted roofs. However, the first version of Bali did not look like that at all but was still considered as one of the most popular restaurants on the island at the time. The restaurant saw three different owners during its existence, during which it underwent various renovations and rebranding.

In 1964, the restaurant was taken over by Karel “Carl” Schmand. Over the years, the restaurant needed constant renovation and repair, mainly due to its vulnerability to leaks and the unstable pillars underneath the foundation. However, the biggest change made to the restaurant happened in the year 1970—still under the ownership of Schmand, when it got its iconic pointy roofs. The restaurant was also expanded to host a total of 85 guests. This was “The New Bali”, who had its official (re)opening in 1972.

After 1972, when Ronny Schmand took over, the restaurant saw yet another expansion; this time complete with a long bar and dance floor, where guests enjoyed live music from legendary Aruban musician and composer, Toti Arends.

After 1989, the restaurant was again handed over to other owners, and since then suffered from unstable pillars underneath the foundation, resulting in various leaks and overflowing of water into the restaurant. And as most great things come to an end, so did the survival and maintenance of the Bali Restaurant. However, folks today still reminisce its legacy, and it’s now considered a lost monument.

Be apart of the conversation: if you or any family member of yours have a memory of the Bali restaurant, whether it be a picture or just a story, share it with us! We would love to see this legendary hot spot through the lens of our visitors!

Source and pictures credit to: “De Kolibrie op de Rots (en meer over de geschiedenis van Aruba)” by Evert Bongers.

  | Aruba Tourism Authority honored loyal visitors at Marriott's Aruba Surf Club! Mr. Mark & Mrs. Lisa LisaThe Aruba Tou...
18/02/2025

| Aruba Tourism Authority honored loyal visitors at Marriott's Aruba Surf Club! Mr. Mark & Mrs. Lisa Lisa

The Aruba Tourism Authority recently had the great pleasure of recognizing Goodwill Ambassadors of Aruba. The honorees were respectively honored with a certificate for their years of visits, loyalty, and love for the island of Aruba.

The honorary certification is presented on behalf of the Minister of Tourism as a token of appreciation and to say “Masha Danki” to guests who have visited Aruba 10, 20, or 35 years or more consecutively.

The honorees were: Goodwill Ambassadors, Mr. Mark & Mrs. Lisa Lisa from Cedar Knolls New Jersey, United States.

Mr. Jorgino Willems representing the Aruba Tourism Authority, and staff members of Marriott`s Aruba Surf Club bestowed the certificate upon the honorees, presented them with gifts, and thanked them for choosing Aruba as their favorite vacation destination, as their home away from home.

The top reasons for returning to Aruba provided by the honorees were:
Aruba’s people.
Aruba’s weather.
Aruba is easy to fly to.
“Hotel is beautiful”
“The feeling of safety &comfort on the island”

On behalf of the Aruba Tourism Authority, we would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the honorees for their continued visits to the “One Happy Island”.

  | Paseo Herencia Mall; An exciting destination for leisure and entertainmentPaseo Herencia, situated in the heart of P...
18/02/2025

| Paseo Herencia Mall; An exciting destination for leisure and entertainment

Paseo Herencia, situated in the heart of Palm Beach and within walking distance from the high-rise hotels, beckons with a diverse array of shopping, dining, and entertainment options in an outdoor setting.

Shopping
Paseo Herencia presents a captivating selection of stores catering to various preferences, encompassing beachwear, apparel, fragrances, footwear, jewelry, keepsakes, and much more. Unwind at Maggy’s, indulging in their salon services while exploring a range of beauty products. For a memorable gift crafted from natural ingredients, explore Aruba Aloe's offerings. Iconic brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Aldo, Carmen Steffens, Nike, and Pandora stand among the favorites.

Dining
Embark on a global culinary journey at Paseo Herencia's diverse array of restaurants, each offering a unique dining experience. From the vibrant flavors of Iguana Cantina's Mexican cuisine to the Spanish elegance of Xixon Spanish Restaurant, the innovative fusion of Pizza and Sushi at Fusion Cuisine, the grilled delights of Skewers Grill, the comfort of The Lazy Turtle, the creativity at Drunk's Denial, and the seafood sensation of Sexy Shrimps Bar, and the familiar warmth of Starbucks, indulge in an unforgettable gastronomic adventure that spans the world's finest cuisines, all within the charming ambiance of our outdoor center.

VIP Cinema
Indulge in an unparalleled cinematic experience at Caribbean Cinemas VIP, nestled on Paseo Herencia's second floor. Relax in supremely comfortable reclining seats while enjoying movies on high-quality screens with state-of-the-art projection and 7.1 Dolby surround sound. Don’t forget to relish the delectable buttery popcorn.

Entertainment
Paseo Herencia offers live entertainment from Sunday to Thursday at 8pm on the center stage, as well as captivating nightly watershows at 7:30pm, 8:30pm, and 9:30pm. Thrill-seekers can explore the Airsoft experience, located behind The Lazy Turtle. For picture-perfect moments, capture Instagram-worthy shots at the Angel Wings installation between Pandora and Free Spirit, or amidst the Flying mosaic hearts behind King Churros. There's more fun in store with delightful kids' activities, including a Kid’s carousel and train ride, available every day from 6 pm to 10 pm.

Parking is complimentary for up to two hours when shopping, dining, or enjoying a movie at Paseo Herencia. Simply present your purchase receipt to the parking cashier. For more details on specials and events, visit the Paseo Herencia website at www.paseoherencia.com.

  | 'No kings on Presidents Day' rings out from protests against Trump and MuskBy MICHAEL CASEY Associated PressBOSTON (...
18/02/2025

| 'No kings on Presidents Day' rings out from protests against Trump and Musk

By MICHAEL CASEY
Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Protesters against President Donald Trump and his policies braved frigid temperatures to demonstrate Monday at rallies corresponding with the Presidents Day holiday.

Dubbed "No Kings on Presidents Day" by the 50501 Movement, the latest protests came less than two weeks after a similar nationwide event on Feb. 5 drew participants in dozens of cities. Both protests denounced Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, the leader of Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency, an outside-government organization designed to slash federal spending.
Nearly 1,000 people marched in the snow from the Statehouse in Boston to City Hall, chanting "Elon Musk has got to go" and "No kings on Presidents Day!" The temperature was below freezing with wind chills in the teens.

Boston protesters, some dressed in Revolutionary War-style clothing from the 1700s, carried signs saying such things as "This is a Coup" and "Cowards Bow to Trump, Patriots Stand Up." One sign had a depiction of Uncle Sam saying "I Want You to Resist."
"I thought it was important to be here on Presidents Day to demonstrate for what America stands for," said Emily Manning, 55, a Boston engineer who came to the rally with her two teenage sons. "American values are not the values of the plutocracy or the limited few rich people."

Organizers of Monday's protests, which were focused on state capitals and major cities including Washington, D.C.; Orlando, Florida; and Seattle, said they were targeting "anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration and its plutocratic allies."
One sign at the rally that attracted hundreds in the nation's capital said, "Deport Musk Dethrone Trump."

Many demonstrations were slated for cities where temperatures were well below freezing as a polar vortex worked its way across the country.
The rallies followed a series of Trump executive orders and came just days after layoffs across federal agencies as part of an effort to reduce the government workforce.

  | Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane crashBy TARA COPP Associated P...
18/02/2025

| Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane crash

By TARA COPP
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has begun firing several hundred Federal Aviation Administration employees, upending staff on a busy air travel weekend and just weeks after a January fatal mid-air collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Probationary workers were targeted in late night emails Friday notifying them they had been fired, David Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union, said in a statement.

The impacted workers include personnel hired for FAA radar, landing and navigational aid maintenance, one air traffic controller told the Associated Press. The air traffic controller was not authorized to talk to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said in a brief statement Monday it was "analyzing the effect of the reported federal employee terminations on aviation safety, the national airspace system and our members."

Other FAA employees who were fired were working on an urgent and classified early warning radar system the Air Force had announced in 2023 for Hawaii to detect incoming cruise missiles, through a program that was in part funded by the Department of Defense. It's one of several programs that the FAA's National Defense Program manages that involve radars providing longer-range detection around the country's borders.

Due to the nature of their work, staff in that office typically provide an extensive knowledge transfer before retiring to make sure no institutional knowledge is lost, said Charles Spitzer-Stadtlander, one of the employees in that branch who was terminated.
The Hawaii radar and the FAA National Defense Program office working on it "is about protecting national security," Spitzer-Stadtlander said. "I don't think they even knew what NDP does, they just thought, oh no big deal, he just works for the FAA."
"This is about protecting national security, and I'm scared to death," Spitzer-Stadtlander said. "And the American public should be scared too."
Spero said messages began arriving after 7 p.m. on Friday and continued late into the night. More might be notified over the long weekend or barred from entering FAA buildings on Tuesday, he said.

The employees were fired "without cause nor based on performance or conduct," Spero said, and the emails were "from an 'exec order' Microsoft email address" — not a government email address. A copy of the termination email that was provided to the AP shows the sending address from the address "[email protected]."

The firings hit the FAA when it faces a shortfall in controllers. Federal officials have been raising concerns about an overtaxed and understaffed air traffic control system for years, especially after a series of close calls between planes at U.S. airports. Among the reasons they have cited for staffing shortages are uncompetitive pay, long shifts, intensive training and mandatory retirements.

In the Jan. 29 fatal crash between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines passenger jet, which is still under investigation, one controller was handing both commercial airline and helicopter traffic at the busy airport.
Just days before the collision, President Donald Trump had already fired all the members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, a panel mandated by Congress after the 1988 PanAm 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland. The committee is charged with examining safety issues at airlines and airports.

Spitzer-Stadtlander suggested he was targeted for firing for his views on Tesla and X, formerly Twitter, not as part of a general probationary-level sweep. Both companies are owned by Elon Musk, who is leading Trump's effort to cut the federal government.Spitzer-Stadtlander is Jewish and was angered by Elon Musk's straight arm saluting at Trump's inauguration. On his personal Facebook account he urged friends to get rid of their Teslas and "X," or Twitter, accounts in response.

That post drew the attention of a DOGE Facebook account, which reacted with a laughing emoji. Soon after, he saw the same account reacting to much older posts through his personal Facebook feed.

"The official DOGE page started harassing me on my personal Facebook account after I criticized Tesla and Twitter," Spitzer-Stadtlander wrote in a post over the weekend on Linked In. "Less than a week later, I was fired, despite my position allegedly being exempted due to national security."

He added: "When DOGE fired me, they turned off my computer and wiped all of my files without warning."

Spitzer-Stadtlander said he was supposed to be exempted from the probationary firings because the FAA office he worked in focused on national security threats such as attacks on the national airspace by drones.

The Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The firings were first reported by CNN.

Bon dia friends! Do you guys remember The Bali Restaurant back in 1955? This restaurant was named the best restaurant in...
18/02/2025

Bon dia friends! Do you guys remember The Bali Restaurant back in 1955? This restaurant was named the best restaurant in the Caribbean by the Caribbean Tourist Association back in its heyday. If you wish to learn more about The Bali Restaurant check out page 11 of today's newspaper!

  | Cocktails with a Story: CAYA House Restaurant Aruba Brings a Unique Flavor Experience to ArubaThis season, Caya Hous...
17/02/2025

| Cocktails with a Story: CAYA House Restaurant Aruba Brings a Unique Flavor Experience to Aruba

This season, Caya House invites guests to discover a cocktail menu that blends unique flavors from Latin America and the Caribbean into every drink. Under the direction of mixologist David Posada, each cocktail at Caya House tells a story, designed to take guests on a sensory journey that captures the vibrant essence of the region through every ingredient.

“At Caya, we believe cocktails are more than just drinks. They’re an opportunity to experience the distinctive flavors and aromas of our lands,” says David Posada, mixologist. Each cocktail is crafted with precision, combining modern and traditional techniques with exotic fruits, spices, and artisanal spirits.

Among the menu favorites are:
Warawara: A refreshing mix of Caravella orancello, Sloe gin, pumpkin spice, and banana syrup, served over spear ice. This cocktail evokes the essence of autumn in the tropics.
Tu Corazon: A standout drink with açai-infused cachaca and a hint of raw sugar, topped with a crisp slice of red beet for a unique, earthy finish.
Un Recuerdo: A bold fusion of mezcal with tree tomato, butter infused with parmesan and shiitake, green tea cordial, and green chartreuse. Perfect for those looking for a robust, one-of-a-kind experience.

Caya House also features its signature Lulada, made with Flor de Caña rum infused with lulo, condensed milk, and lime leather—a perfect balance of sweetness and freshness for those seeking a tropical twist.

These cocktails are part of the “Caya Experience,” with a wider variety of options for guests to explore, notes David, highlighting the creativity behind each one. With this unique offering, Caya House continues to stand out as an iconic destination for those in search of authentic Caribbean flavors in Aruba.

Caya House invites alike to enjoy this innovative cocktail menu in the heart of Palm Beach, Aruba. Each drink is a celebration of Latin-Caribbean culture and flavor!

  | This weekend was full of color and sequin; A look at this year’s Children’s Parade! This past weekend, Aruba enjoyed...
17/02/2025

| This weekend was full of color and sequin; A look at this year’s Children’s Parade!

This past weekend, Aruba enjoyed two children's parades: the Children's Parade in Noord and the Children's Parade in Oranjestad. Both parades were full of a festive carnival atmosphere and fantasy.

On Saturday, the streets of Noord were filled with participants dancing to the rhythm of carnival songs and dressed in their creative fantasy costumes. With a little over 350 participants on foot, the parade was a beautiful and lively event.

This year, Noord had the theme "Neighborhood Roads", which was represented in various ways by the different groups participating in the parade.

On Sunday, the Children's Parade took place in Oranjestad, where children danced and jumped in the streets to the rhythm of different carnival songs.

The Children's Parade in Oranjestad featured a total of seven groups. Centro di Bario Noord opened the parade, accompanied by Aruba's Children's Carnival Queen, Camila-Victoria Feliciana.

The parade groups included:
Champagne Kids Carnival Group as the second group, with the theme "World of Museums".

Don Flip Carnival Group as the third group, with the fantasy theme "Let’s Rodeo".
TOB Kids Carnival Group as the fourth group, with the theme "Art is Us".
Empire Kids Carnival Group as the fifth group, with the theme "Moon and Sun".
Unity Carnival Group as the sixth group, with the theme "Let’s Celebrate".
Little Groovers Carnival Group as the seventh and final group, with the theme "Future Professionals".

The Children's Parade in San Nicolas will take place on February 23, and as is tradition, the children's carnival season will conclude with the burning of "Momito" after the parade.

  | Infini Aruba Reopens: A Story of Resilience, Gratitude, and RenewalAfter several challenging days of recovery follow...
17/02/2025

| Infini Aruba Reopens: A Story of Resilience, Gratitude, and Renewal

After several challenging days of recovery following the severe flooding that impacted our operations, Infini by Urvin Croes is pleased to announce that we are fully open once again.

Seeing our kitchen flooded was a moment of great concern for our entire team. However, thanks to the unwavering dedication of our staff, the support of our families, friends, suppliers, and the encouraging messages from our community, we found the strength to rebuild, return stronger than ever, and do so in record time.

A Safer and More Resilient Infini
In response to this unprecedented challenge, we have implemented significant measures to ensure the safety and integrity of our restaurant moving forward. New drainage systems have been installed to effectively manage any potential future flooding, protecting our space from similar incidents. We have also reinforced our infrastructure, including repairs to the front windows and an updated inspection protocol for critical equipment, creating a safer environment for our guests and staff alike.

These efforts are part of our unwavering commitment to excellence—not just in culinary artistry, but in the overall experience and security we provide to everyone who steps into Infini.

A New Chapter Begins
This experience has reminded us of the power of unity and resilience. We are filled with gratitude for each and every one of you who supported us through this journey. We are thrilled to welcome you back to Infini with our new Menu 12, which our team has worked tirelessly to create. This exciting menu celebrates the art of gastronomy and the rich culinary heritage of Aruba and the Caribbean, all in partnership with our valued local suppliers.

However, we must note that due to the damage sustained, some of our equipment is still out of operation. This temporarily limits our ability to accommodate dietary restrictions, allergies, or preferences with the level of care we usually provide. We will inform you as soon as we are able to offer vegan options or other dietary accommodations once again. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and deeply appreciate your understanding as we continue to improve our operations.

Reserve Your Experience Today
We are open and ready to welcome you back to rediscover the limitless possibilities of fine dining. Book your table now and be part of this exciting new chapter:
📞 +297 6993982
📧 [email protected]
Let’s create unforgettable moments together once more.

  | Aruba Tourism Authority honored a loyal visitor at Casa del Mar Beach Resort Aruba! Mr. Jorge De NapoliThe Aruba Tou...
17/02/2025

| Aruba Tourism Authority honored a loyal visitor at Casa del Mar Beach Resort Aruba! Mr. Jorge De Napoli

The Aruba Tourism Authority recently had the great pleasure of recognizing an Emerald Ambassador of Aruba. The honoree was respectively honored with a certificate for his years of visits, loyalty, and love for the island of Aruba.

The honorary certification is presented on behalf of the Minister of Tourism as a token of appreciation and to say “Masha Danki” to guests who have visited Aruba 10, 20, or 35 years or more consecutively.

The honoree was: Emerald Ambassador, Mr. Jorge De Napoli from Massachusetts, United States.

Mr. Jorgino Willems representing the Aruba Tourism Authority, and staff members of Casa del Mar Beach Resort bestowed the certificate upon the honoree, presented him with gifts, and thanked him for choosing Aruba as his favorite vacation destination, as his home away from home.

The top reasons for returning to Aruba provided by the honoree was:
Aruba’s people.
Aruba’s beaches.
Aruba’s weather.
“Casa del Mar Beach Resort”

On behalf of the Aruba Tourism Authority, we would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the honoree for his continued visits to the “One Happy Island”.

  | Trump administration cuts reach FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and to***co productsBy MATTHEW PERRONE...
17/02/2025

| Trump administration cuts reach FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and to***co products

By MATTHEW PERRONE
AP Health Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration's effort to slash the size of the federal workforce reached the Food and Drug Administration this weekend, as recently hired employees who review the safety of food ingredients, medical devices and other products were fired.

Probationary employees across the FDA received notices Saturday evening that their jobs were being eliminated, according to three FDA staffers who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The total number of positions eliminated was not clear Sunday, but the firings appeared to focus on employees in the agency's centers for food, medical devices and to***co products — which includes oversight of electronic ci******es. It was not clear whether FDA employees who review drugs were exempted.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to fire 5,200 probationary employees across its agencies, which include the National Institutes of Health, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People who spoke with the AP on condition of anonymity on Friday said the number of probationary employees to be laid off at the CDC would total nearly 1,300. But as of early Sunday afternoon, about 700 people had received notices, according to three people who spoke on condition on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. They said none of the CDC layoffs affected the young doctors and researchers who track diseases in what's known as the Epidemic Intelligence Service.
The FDA is headquartered in the Maryland suburbs outside Washington and employs nearly 20,000 people. It's long been a target of newly sworn-in health secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., who last year accused the agency of waging a "war on public health" for not approving unproven treatments such as psychedelics, stem cells and chelation therapy.

Kennedy also has called for eliminating thousands of chemicals and colorings from U.S. foods. But the cuts at FDA include staffers responsible for reviewing the safety of new food additives and ingredients, according to an FDA staffer familiar with the firings.
An HHS spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday afternoon.

Nearly half of the FDA's $6.9 billion budget comes from fees paid by companies the agency regulates, including drug and medical device makers, which allows the agency to hire extra scientists to swiftly review products. Eliminating those positions will not reduce government spending.

A former FDA official said cutting recent hires could backfire, eliminating staffers who tend to be younger and have more up-to-date technical skills. The FDA's workforce skews toward older workers who have spent one or two decades at the agency, and the Government Accountability Office noted in 2022 that the FDA "has historically faced challenges in recruiting and retaining" staff due to better money in the private sector.
"You want to bring in new blood," said Peter Pitts, a former FDA associate commissioner under President George W. Bush. "You want people with new ideas, greater enthusiasm and the latest thinking in terms of technology."

Mitch Zeller, former FDA director for to***co, said the firings are a way to "demoralize and undermine the spirit of the federal workforce."
"The combined effect of what they're trying to do is going to destroy the ability to recruit and retain talent," Zeller said.

The FDA's inspection force has been particularly strained in recent years after a wave of departures during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of the agency's current inspectors are recent hires. It was not immediately clear whether those employees were exempted.
FDA inspectors are responsible for overseeing thousands of food, drug, to***co and medical device facilities worldwide, though the AP reported last year that the agency faced a backlog of roughly 2,000 uninspected drug facilities that hadn't been visited since before the pandemic.

The agency's inspection force have also been criticized for not moving faster to catch recent problems involving infant formula, baby food and eyedrops.q

  | George has his day, and so does Abe. But states honor US presidents in lots of waysBy JOHN HANNA Associated PressTOP...
17/02/2025

| George has his day, and so does Abe. But states honor US presidents in lots of ways

By JOHN HANNA
Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Is Presidents Day the most confusing holiday in the U.S.?
States seem to have as many names for it and ideas about whom to honor as there have been presidents. The federal government doesn't even recognize Monday as Presidents Day. It's officially Washington's Birthday, honoring the first president and the original American yardstick for measuring greatness.

The holiday hasn't been celebrated on Washington's actual birthday of Feb. 22, or any other president's birthday, for more than 50 years. Presidents Day became the popular name after the holiday was fixed to a Monday.

The result is a jumble, causing some people to yearn for the holiday to just celebrate Washington again.
"The concept of Presidents Day is a confusing mishmash of ideas," Hunter Abell, a Republican state legislator from Washington state, said recently. "By celebrating all the presidents, I believe that we inadvertently celebrate none."
Abell's interest is more than academic: he wants his state to rename its Presidents Day holiday and made his remarks during a hearing on that proposal.
First in war, first in peace, first with a holiday
The federal holiday for Washington started in 1879, but the current date was fixed by law as of 1971.

States, of course, have been left to their own devices for decades. Thirty-four still use some form of Washington's name in their laws, while 19 use some form of Presidents Day. A few use both, while California law goes with "the third Monday in February."
Forty-seven states will celebrate a public holiday on Monday. Indiana and Georgia celebrate Washington by giving state workers the day after Christmas off.
Delaware has no holiday. In 2009, its lawmakers started giving state employees "two floating holidays" instead of honoring individual presidents or having a Presidents Day, according to the state archives.

What's in a name? Plenty, some say
Washington's Mount Vernon estate in Virginia wants to return to a federal holiday on his birthday. Its website says Washington's character and accomplishments shouldn't be "muddled" by a "vague" holiday.
A dozen states celebrating Washington by name make him share the day with someone else.

In Alabama, Washington shares the spotlight with friend-turned-rival Thomas Jefferson, the nation's third president and primary author of the Declaration of Independence. In Arkansas, it's Daisy Gaston Bates, a civil rights leader best known for her work to integrate Little Rock's Central High School in 1957.
Most often, it's Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War president who sometimes outranks even Washington among historians for keeping the Union intact.
Fourteen states have a separate holiday just for Lincoln. Most are on Honest Abe's Feb. 12 birthday. Indiana honors him with a day off for state employees on the day after Thanksgiving, which Lincoln is often credited with starting in 1863.
Other presidents have their days, too.

A few states have special days for presidents identified with them: Herbert Hoover in Iowa, Dwight Eisenhower in Kansas, Harry Truman in Missouri, Lyndon Johnson in Texas and John F. Kennedy in Massachusetts.
On JFK's May 29 birthday, his home state also honors favorite sons John Adams, John Quincy Adams and Calvin Coolidge, who was a Vermont farm boy before becoming Massachusetts' governor and, later, the country's 30th president.
Since 1958 in Kentucky, Jan. 30 has been Franklin D. Roosevelt Day, though the president who guided the country out of the Great Depression and through most of World War II was a New Yorker.

In Oklahoma, a Republican state senator has proposed a new holiday for Nov. 5, the anniversary of last year's presidential election, to celebrate President Donald J. Trump Day.
What if you had a holiday and people forgot?
A presidential day doesn't necessarily inspire public fanfare.
Take Herbert Hoover, whose Depression-marked White House work gets low marks from many historians, though he is highly regarded for nonpresidential humanitarian work.

Iowa set aside a day for him in 1969, but it appears to get little notice outside Cedar County, the home of his presidential library.

"Most Iowans are not aware there is a Hoover Day," said Leo Landis, the state historical society's curator, who acknowledged in an email that he once was among them, despite living in Iowa for more than 45 years.
First in reenactments?
Presidential impersonators pop up in hundreds of places each year. It's not just Lincoln and Washington. The Association of Lincoln Presenters website even lists a portrayer for Rutherford B. Hayes, the often-neglected single-term 19th president.

But Lincoln stands head, shoulders and stovepipe hat above the rest when it comes to presidents audiences want to see, and he dominates the association's roster of historical presenters.

John Cooper, the association's president and a Lincoln impersonator himself, said that in scores of professional presentations since 2008, only two people have been displeased with meeting Lincoln. Honest Abe appeals to all groups and is many people's favorite president, he said.

"Everybody is happy to see Lincoln," he said. "When I go to a county fair, I usually don't have to wander far before I have people come up to me, and they want to talk and they want to get a picture."

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