It’s fun to follow the Facebook chatter as SNPJ members and friends share their anticipation for the one weekend a year when, even if only for a few days, everyone is Slovenian. What’s interesting, though, are the many different reasons why our friends look forward to Slovenefest.

Some come for the music. Obviously, if you’re a Slovenian polka and/or waltz fan, Slovenefest is the place to be. As the 2014 Slovenefest entertainment schedule shows, we have a wide range of performers offering an equally wide range of styles. Musicians from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, even Canada, will be taking the stage -- or stages, I should say, since there are four!

Some come for the food and drink. Aside from the traditional fare of funnel cakes, apple dumplings, gyros and corn dogs, Slovenefest will offer Slovenian specialties like potica (nut roll), klobase (sausage) and krofi (donuts). Of course, no Slovenian heritage festival is complete without pivo (beer), specifically Laško, and Slovensko vino (Slovenian wine). You’ll also have your choice of domestic beers, sodas, lemonade, water, ice cream and slushies – cold drinks and treats are always necessary to beat that July heat.

Some come for the history. Attending Slovenefest is a tradition for many families. History repeats itself as many adults who once came to the festival with their parents now attend with their children and grandchildren. On the other hand, Slovenefest is the perfect setting to explore the history of Slovenia and Slovenians in America. The SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center will be open all weekend for tours, and its gift shop will be offering many hard-to-find Slovenian delicacies as well as SNPJ and Slovenian souvenirs.

When it comes down to it, it doesn’t matter why you decide to attend Slovenefest. Be it the music, the food, the drinks or the history - you’re guaranteed a great time. Whether you’re a first timer or a repeat visitor, we hope you’ll join the thousands who gather at the SNPJ Recreation Center in July to celebrate the Slovenian culture.

A few days ago, a friend of mine called from her vacation in the Outer Banks to fill me in on some exciting news – her boyfriend proposed on the beach where they first met, making her next in our group of friends to say “I do.” She also warned that I should prepare myself for hours of wedding talk and party planning as soon as she returns home. This won’t be a problem, though, as I am super excited for her and look forward to helping make her day as special as possible. And with the 2014 wedding season in full swing, we shouldn’t have to look too hard for “I do” ideas.

Just this morning I caught a story out of Minnesota about a bridal party’s exceptionally memorable photo shoot. With a scenic lake as the backdrop, members of the bridal party made their way out onto a dock to snap a few pictures before the ceremony. (I’m sure you can imagine what happens next.) Perhaps the dock was old and weathered, or maybe the combined weight of the wedding party – all 22 of them – was too much, but the platform slowly collapsed and dunked nearly everyone on the dock… and I can only imagine how cold a Minnesota lake is this time of the year!

Another recent wedding story emanated out of Tennessee. This time, however, the head-turning factor came by choice, not by accident, when a bride put her own spin on the “something old, something new, something borrowed something blue” tradition. As the bride walked down the aisle, guests in attendance were shocked to see her 1-month-old daughter attached to her dress! The baby was swaddled in fabric that was secured directly to the train, dragging behind the bride as she walked. An interesting way to include someone in the bridal party, don’t you think?

I’m looking forward to the next get-together with my newly-engaged friend as many congratulations are in order. And although I’ve never orchestrated a wedding myself, I feel confident in offering two bits of information as I help her plan her big day: stay on dry land, and don’t attach anything – or anyone – to your dress.

I returned home from a week-long vacation a few days ago, and as I was collecting my thoughts for a blog post I soon began to realize that there are a lot of signs out there that we probably don’t give much thought to. I’m talking about signs in the literal sense here – you know, the type affixed to sign posts, mounted on walls and doors, dangling from ceiling hooks or chains... in short, signs.

Having traveled through two airports en route to my destination and then taken up residence (albeit temporarily) in two separate venues during my stay, I became acutely aware of the fact that we are bombarded with signs, some of which are more meaningful than others. I mentioned this fact a couple of years ago in a similar vacation-related post, and this year’s annual get-away only served to reinforce my theory: we see so many signs that we’re often blind to them.

“Sign-blindness,” I suppose, could be blamed for one of the most ironic motor vehicle accidents that I have ever witnessed, an accident that involved a police officer, no less. It played out something like this:

My wife and I were in the process of loading groceries into the rental car following one of our mid-morning visits to a nearby supermarket. As we were shuffling items from the grocery cart into the trunk, I noticed a police cruiser (of the SUV variety) circling a nearby plaza, looping from the main road into the parking lot, then back onto the road again at various intervals. I didn’t think much of it at first, and eventually the cruiser headed off out of my line of sight. I thought the officer had left the area completely, but as we were in the process of returning the grocery cart to the store, we again caught sight of the cruiser, and from my vantage point it appeared as though the officer was steering the vehicle through the well-manicured median just in front of the entrance to the grocery stone.

Nah, that couldn’t be the case. Why would a law enforcement officer drive purposefully through the median? I shrugged it off, and we proceeded back to our vehicle. Now mind you, this entire scene had transpired in the span of just a few seconds, and by the time I had refocused my attention on the police cruiser – PLAN-N-N-N-N-G!

I was stunned. What just happened? I turned to my wife, who was as wide-eyed as I was, for her input. “I think that cop just lost the light bar off the top of his SUV,” she proposed. I looked at the cruiser, now stopped dead in the median turn-around lane, and shrugged. “Maybe. But how did that happen?” We decided to walk the short distance from our parking space to the cruiser. We were curious, but told ourselves we were doing so to see if the officer needed assistance (right... from two out-of-towners on vacation). We didn’t make it very far – by the time we had taken three or four steps, the officer had exited the vehicle and was conducting a visual inspection of the vehicle’s front bumper.

Ok, the light bar might have broken free from its mounts, slid down the windshield and hood, and bounced off the plastic front bumper. Sure, that’s a plausible explanation, but the sound we’d heard didn’t match that scenario. We heard a definite “plang” – more metallic and resonating than plastic on plastic. Still puzzled, we left the scene via the far parking lot entrance. And that’s when we discovered what had happened.

Remember the “sign-blindness” I mentioned a paragraph or two back? From all indications, the officer involved in this incident was attempting a U-turn, but in the process he failed to notice that he was headed straight for the “No U-Turn” sign at the far end of the median. The “plang” we’d heard was made when his vehicle impacted the sign, which in turn was launched some 20 yards out of the median and into the traffic lanes. We passed the scene of the accident, dropping our speed to a crawl (and laughing hysterically) as we watched the police officer attempt to reposition the now-mangled sign and post back into its concrete receptacle – quite unsuccessfully, mind you. I can just imagine the call he made to have the sign repaired: “Dispatch, can you send out public works to repair a downed ‘No U-Turn’ sign? And can you have them move the sign, say, maybe 20 feet or so. I think it might pose a hazard in its current position.” Oh, the irony of it all...

My wife and I joked about spilled coffee, runaway jelly donuts and nearby auto body repair shops on our short drive back to the condo. Needless to say, we were quite aware of all the signs we passed on that return trip, and we even learned a little something that day: keep your eyes on your goal, but don’t forget to watch for the signs!

That being said, I wanted to take a moment to highlight just one of SNPJ’s fraternal benefits, the Teens Experience Leadership (TEL) Workshop. If you’ve recently thought about enrolling your child or grandchild in the SNPJ, the TEL Workshop is just another membership benefit that you can add to the “pro” column on your decision-making list. So, what the heck is the TEL Workshop? I'll let Fraternal Director Kevin Richards explain all the ins and outs of the TEL Workshop through this easy-to-follow Q&A format:

When and where is the TEL Workshop held?
This year’s TEL Workshop will be held July 18-20 at the SNPJ Recreation Center in the Borough of SNPJ, Pa. — between Youngstown, Ohio, and New Castle, Pa.

How can my child attend the TEL Workshop?
The TEL Workshop is open to all 13- to 17-year-old SNPJ members. Your child must have an SNPJ insurance policy in force at the time of the workshop. Lodges and Youth Circles are eligible to send delegates to the TEL Workshop based on their number of youth members. Contact your Lodge secretary or Youth Circle director if you are interested in attending. If your Lodge or Circle already has a delegate, the Fraternal Director will find another Lodge in your region for you to represent.

How much does it cost?
Once your child is selected as a delegate, all travel expenses (airfare, mileage, tolls, etc.) are covered by SNPJ. Once your child reaches the SNPJ Recreation Center, all meals and lodging are also paid for by SNPJ.

What happens after my child is elected to represent his/her Lodge or Circle at the TEL Workshop?
Once the Lodge or Circle delegate election form is received at the Home Office, the Fraternal Director will e-mail an introductory packet to each delegate. The packet will include instructions for making travel arrangements as well as general information about the TEL Workshop weekend.

What will my child do during the TEL Workshop?
An icebreaker session is planned during Friday’s dinner to introduce the entire group. Your child will also be served breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. While we can’t specify the TEL Workshop activities, you should know that your child will participate in many teamwork and leadership activities. The TEL Workshop ends on Sunday morning with an awards program that parents are invited and encouraged to attend.

Who will be there?
An average of 30-40 SNPJ youth members between the ages of 13 and 17 from across the United States attend the TEL Workshop. In addition, we usually have around 10 SNPJ young adult members who serve as Team Leaders (counselors) throughout the weekend. Delegates also have an opportunity to meet the SNPJ Executive Officers and members of the SNPJ Recreation Center staff.

How will my child get there?
All travel plans will be coordinated by the Fraternal Director. TEL delegates who arrive by car will be reimbursed by SNPJ for mileage, tolls, etc., for ground transportation up to 500 miles one way from the SNPJ Recreation Center. Delegates who require airline transportation must make their own travel arrangements through the Fraternal Director.

What should my child bring?
The attire for the TEL Workshop is very casual. Jeans and shorts are ideal. There are many hands-on activities that your child will perform, so be sure to pack comfortable clothes. Linens will be provided for those delegates who are flying to the TEL Workshop; delegates who arrive by car should bring their own linens and towels. The SNPJ Recreation Center has an Olympic-size swimming pool, and since some of the activities may involve the pool, please bring a swim suit. It has been known to get cool in the evenings, so it might be a good idea to bring a light jacket.

Where will my child stay?
TEL Workshop delegates are housed in the Recreation Center cabins. Typically there are four to six delegates in each cabin, and all cabins are chaperoned by an adult Team Leader.

How will my child benefit from attending the TEL Workshop?
In addition to the many leadership and teamwork skills that your child will bring home, they’ll also learn about the many benefits they are entitled to simply by belonging to SNPJ. They’ll also meet other SNPJ members their age from across the country.

For more information on the TEL Workshop or any of SNPJ’s fraternal programs, please contact Fraternal Director Kevin Richards at krichards@snpj.com or 1-800-843-7675 ext. 144.

That was then, and this is now. A recent study by a commercial life insurance company found that less than half of those surveyed believe that the American dream is still “work hard and get ahead.” There is no longer a collective goal of upward mobility, and the dream for many is based more on personal goals and values. Seventy percent of those surveyed said you don’t have to be wealthy to achieve your dreams, 70 percent said marriage and children are not essential, and 60 percent said you don’t need to own a home. The American Dream has morphed into more philosophical aspirations such as self-fulfillment, and maintaining meaningful and rewarding relationships.

Even though the survey found that people are pursuing their own personal version of the American Dream, one aspect remains a common component. Almost three quarters of those surveyed said that an important piece to attaining the American Dream is having a financial safety net in place. Most Americans still agree that financial protection is needed in case of an unexpected loss, and they are looking for the safest and most economical products to provide that security.

SNPJ has all the products you need to build your own personal safety net. Our Century Series annuities offer competitive interest rates and provide a savings vehicle that is both flexible and secure. The variety of SNPJ life insurance plans available can be customized to fit just about any situation where a financial cushion is essential in the case of an unexpected death.

Contact the SNPJ Home Office (phone 1-800-843-7675), your local agent or Lodge secretary to find out how we can help you achieve a very important part of your American Dream.

A friend’s Facebook post the other day caught my eye. He simply wrote “Coke > Pepsi” (“Coke is greater than Pepsi”). It was interesting to see the feedback he received, some choosing to “Like” it in agreement, while others fired back in protest. I’m not much of a pop drinker (or “soda drinker” for our non-Western Pa. readers), so I couldn’t fairly defend either side. Although my grandmother always had, and continues to have, at least a six pack of Pepsi in her fridge at all times, my mother has been a staunch Coke supporter, mostly of the diet variety. I can even recall hearing sighs of disappointment from both my mother and my grandmother when their brand of choice wasn’t offered at restaurants. The Coke vs. Pepsi argument is filled with dedicated consumers who are “pro” one brand and “anti” the other, much like the debates of Ford vs. Chevy, Nike vs. Reebok or Apple vs. Microsoft.

No matter your preference, every brand had to start somewhere. In fact, today marks the 128th anniversary of the Coca-Cola brand, which got its start on May 8, 1886. It just so happens that Coca-Cola’s beginnings are rather interesting, to say the least. It wasn’t the sweet, fizzy refreshment we’ve come to know and love, but it also didn’t include the controversial ingredient that many believe it did.

John Pemberton, inventor of Coca-Cola

In 1865, John Pemberton, a lieutenant colonel in the Confederate Army, was wounded during the Battle of Columbus when a sword sliced him across the chest. Like many soldiers with battle wounds at that time, John eventually became addicted to the morphine he was given to ease his pain. As a pharmacist by trade, he was determined to develop an alternative form of pain relief that would be far less addictive. Pemberton began experimenting with coca and coca wines, and eventually developed a concoction similar to Vin Mariani, a tonic made of Bordeaux wine and coca leaves. “Pemberton’s French Wine Coca,” as he called it, was marketed towards those battling depression, drug addiction and alcoholism, as well as those who were considered “high strung.”

When prohibition legislation was enacted in Georgia in 1886, Pemberton was forced to create a non-alcoholic recipe in order to continue sales. Through trial and error, and with help from friend and fellow druggist Willis Venable, John came up with a non-alcoholic version of his French wine coca that used carbonated water. In order to rebrand his product as a fountain drink, he needed a new name. Marketer Frank Mason Robinson came up with the name Coca-Cola, incorporating the drinks main ingredient (coca) and the alliteration sound that was popular among similar brand names of that time. It was later widely believed that the name derived from the product’s use of cocaine, but there is no evidence that Coca-Cola ever used cocaine as an ingredient.

Although a successful billion-dollar company today, the father of Coca-Cola died in 1888 at age 57, poor and battling an addiction to morphine – the exact reason he created the product in the first place. Much has changed since Coca-Cola’s early days; it certainly doesn’t include alcohol anymore and is no longer touted as a “valuable brain tonic.” But its name and the script of its logo have remained unchanged, making it one of the most recognized trademarks in the world.

Did you happen to catch the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby this past Saturday? Since I have the feeling that most everyone either tuned-in for those “most exciting two minutes in sports” or caught at least a glimpse of the race results, I have a question to ask all of you: Which horse finished second?

No, this isn’t a trick question. It’s simple – name the horse that placed (finished second) in this year’s Kentucky Derby.  Having a difficult time coming up with the answer? That’s really not surprising, even though the race was run only a few days ago. You’re likely to remember the name of the winning horse, which was California Chrome (and by much more than a just nose), but spitting out the name of the second-place finisher is a little tougher.

It seems that very few people can recall the “also-rans” with any degree of certainty, even in the case of naming the second-place horse at the Kentucky Derby (which some will likely to refer to as the “first loser”). And that bit of uncertainty puts me in mind of why it’s so important to own a sufficient amount of life insurance coverage: outside of death and escalating taxes, nothing in life is certain.

If you’ve been an SNPJ member for a while, you’re well aware of how much – and how often – we at the Home Office preach of the need for members to purchase additional life insurance coverage. And why do we do so? That’s an easy answer: to provide our members with some financial means to assist them in uncertain times. When you purchase a permanent or term SNPJ life insurance policy, or invest in an SNPJ IRA or Century Series annuity, you are helping your loved ones face the future with at least a bit of certainty – the certainty that the benefits offered by that SNPJ product will be available when they’re most needed. Who knows when those uncertain times will roll around? You don’t, and we don’t either. But your foresight and planning are backed by SNPJ, and we’ve insured thousands of members’ lives over the past 110 years.

Since you’ve read this far, I’ll reward you with the answer to my question: Commanding Curve finished second in this year’s Kentucky Derby, followed by Danza in third. (Just in case you missed the race, you can catch it on the video below.) Will you remember that win-place-show order now? Maybe, or maybe not.

Oh, there is just one other thing certain in life: SNPJ is second to none when it comes to fraternal life insurance, which further illustrates why your investment in an SNPJ life insurance policy is far from a gamble (like betting the ponies) – quite the contrary, it’s a win-win proposition!

Whether you’re of Slovenian descent or not, getting started on your genealogy journey is often the hardest part. But there are a few simple (yet very important) steps that you may have overlooked. Here are some tips from FamilySearch, the largest genealogy organization in the world.
 

Sometimes, when trying to come up with articles and topics for this blog or SNPJ’s The Voice of Youth, I find myself with writer’s block. As defined by Wikipedia, writer’s block is a “condition, primarily associated with typing, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work.” I’ll wrack my brain and search the Internet high and low for something, anything, of interest to write about, but turn up empty handed. It can be very frustrating! I eventually give up and turn my focus to another project, if for no other reason than to avoid wasting valuable time.

During my latest quest for inspiration, I came across an article on HealthCentral.com that shared the results of a recent scientific study. One hundred and seventy six college-aged participants were given the task of successfully and creatively solving various problems in a small amount of time. Participants were scored on the uniqueness and applicability of their answers. The catch: some were asked to sit during the questionnaire while others were asked to walk. According to the results, those who completed the test while walking scored, on average, 60 percent higher than those who were sitting. It was concluded that walking helped boost the participants’ thinking and creativity during the test, and it seemed that these levels remained heightened even after the walk ended.

If I still find myself battling writer’s block even after a little stroll, I could always try to laugh it off. It’s true; turns out that the old adage of “laughter is the best medicine” isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. A second (unrelated) study from Loma Linda University in Southern California showed that incorporating laughter into your everyday routine can reduce stress, improve brain health and help keep you mentally sharp. Those big-belly, laugh-until-you-cry chuckles help exercise the brain and allow a person to “think more clearly and have more integrative thoughts,” according to the study’s co-author, Lee Berk.

Suffering from writer’s block probably isn’t the best excuse to spend an hour of my work day strolling the hallway or watching funny YouTube clips, but these little distractions might be just enough to power through those “creativity clouds” that I find hanging over my head every now and then.

When Christianity was introduced in Slovenia, rituals involving the pagan god of spring were replaced by religious stories, which in turn were altered into stories of folklore and legend. As the story was first told, Saint George was honored for his bravery while defeating a dragon. The legend of Green George developed from this tale, giving people an opportunity to celebrate the victory of spring over winter. Green George symbolically ushers the season of spring into their villages.

Green George Day is traditionally celebrated April 24. In Bela Krajina, village boys cut down a tree, leaving a few branches on top and peeling off the bark. Young girls decorate the tree with handkerchiefs and streamers. The boys and girls then head to the village together. The boys enter first, carrying the decorated tree. Behind them, the girls enter singing. Green George, who is portrayed by a boy wrapped in ivy and the branches and leaves of a beech tree, is introduced to the village by his companions.

Green George is tied to a grape vine branch and walked from house to house throughout the village. The procession stops at every home, and paraders blow into whistles made of the bark peeled from the trees. They wish luck and health to all the villagers, animals and fields, with the hope that they will find a prosperous season of growth. The people thank the paraders with gifts of bread, eggs, drinks and even money.

At the end of their parade, the children build a fire over which they cook the eggs and create a feast from all the gifts received from the villagers. Cheering, whistling and singing echo throughout the village. All this noise is meant to chase away the bad spirits which could adversely affect the growth of the crops. Bonfires are lit in the evening to greet the young spring sun. The entire village is decorated in green, and Green George is hailed as the village's spring hero.

Just last week I read an interesting column devoted to the newest online trends in the life insurance industry. One of the case studies included in the column focused on a commercial life insurance company that will soon be partnering with Facebook in a bid to stay “ahead of the competition and [redefine] the customer experience.”

The social media network is an interesting and personally interactive medium for conducting business nowadays. And let’s face it, the life insurance industry is neither terribly interesting nor particularly interactive no matter how you look at it, so drawing consumers in by partnering with Facebook, the world’s leading social media platform – at present, anyway – makes a lot of sense from a marketing standpoint. The sheer potential of attracting more new customers and further engaging current policy-holders via a dominant social media network has been touted as a game-changing experience in the life insurance industry, and justifiably so, considering the level of success similar consumer-driven industries have enjoyed by simply maintaining an active presence on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.

This word-of-mouth case study – word of mouth is the exact function of social media as a business dynamic – started me thinking about SNPJ and fraternal benefit societies in general. Yes, fraternals now engage their members through social media networks, but all fraternals have been doing business word-of-mouth for many, many years.

Here at SNPJ, our grassroots marketing started 110 years ago, and it continues to this very day. SNPJ members share their experience of interactions with our fraternal benefit society on a daily basis, enticing family and friends to join SNPJ not only for our affordable life insurance products, but for the extra “fraternal benefits” that we offer. Those benefits include athletic tournaments, cultural activities, social events... the list goes on and on. All of these fraternal benefits generate discussion about SNPJ; in particular, about how SNPJ members enjoy receiving the “perks” of their membership.

In essence, SNPJ has its own game-changer in the insurance industry. We call our game-changer a fraternal benefit, and we’ve offered the majority of these benefits for many years. The word-of-mouth social media marketing strategy may be a revelation to commercial insurers, but it’s really a way of life for SNPJ members. As Yogi Berra might remark of this newest life insurance marketing trend in light of SNPJ’s extensive history, “It’s like déjà vu all over again.”

We hope you’ll stay connected with SNPJ through Facebook and through our blog, but even more importantly, we enjoy seeing SNPJ members taking advantage of our Society’s fraternal benefits, experiencing the many programs we offer throughout the year, to keep in close contact with fellow members and help spread the word about SNPJ. To borrow a line from SNPJ Fraternal Director Kevin Richards, “We’ll see you at a fraternal event soon!”

As a child, we learn the enchanted stories of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Each year at the appropriate time, we hear story after story of their kindness and generosity to children. Jolly ol’ Santa Claus visits the homes of children around the world on Christmas Eve, delivering presents and cheer to those who have been good all year long. The soft and cuddly Easter Bunny merrily hop-hop-hops from house to house on Easter Sunday with colorful baskets of chocolates and candies for children and adults alike. We put these characters so high on a pedestal that, when we’re finally given the opportunity to meet them, it can only be the happiest day of our childhood, right?

Unfortunately, any parent can tell you that’s not always the case. Although, by the looks of some of these Easter Bunnies, I’d probably cry too!
 

Happy Easter from SNPJ!

Although there is snow falling today, I was happy to sport flip flops and shorts the last three days. Yes, that’s Western Pa. weather for ya – sunny and 75 one day, snow and sleet the next. But that small glimpse of what’s to come was enough to get me excited for summer. For most, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off of the summer season, though technically it doesn’t begin until June 21. And if you’re as antsy as me to get the season started, you already have plans in place for May 23-26. This Memorial Day weekend is taking me camping, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Camping has always been a favorite pastime of mine. As a child, my family and I seemed to camp almost every weekend. We traveled to campgrounds all around the tri-state area, rarely visiting the same place twice. When we weren’t exploring new destinations, we’d travel just a few miles down the road and head out into the woods to spots you couldn’t reach by car. We were lucky enough to have a ton of friends and family that enjoyed camping as much as we did, so we were never alone on our adventures. I have so many great memories from camping trips that it’s no wonder I still love it as much as I do.

Of course, with so many years under my belt I’ve managed to work my way up the “camping social ladder,” as I like to call it. My early days were filled with leaky tents and sleeping bags, long before inflatable air mattresses were a common accommodation. We cooked with tinfoil and fire, and relied on jugs of water for cleaning both our utensils and ourselves. Over the course of a few summers, we moved from a tent to pop-up camper to travel trailer. With each increase in size came more amenities: mattresses, sinks with running water, even heating and air conditioning! About four years ago, my parents “graduated” to a permanent site at a campground just an hour away. Although this newer and larger trailer may have converted them from campers to “glampers” (those who mix the great outdoors with comforts of hotel-style living), it has become their home-away-from-home each summer.

In late August of last year, I purchased a camper. After going through three tents in just as many summers, it was time to move on up the camping social ladder. It’s certainly not one of those mansions-on-wheels that you see on travel shows, but it’s perfect for me. Compared to tent camping, there’s very little set-up involved and I stay much warmer when it’s cold and cooler when it’s warm. Not to mention I don’t have to worry about soggy blankets and clothes if (and when) it decides to rain. Since it was so late in the summer when I purchased it, I was only about to take it out twice before it was time to park it during the winter months. Now, with camper in hand and a full summer ahead, I’m ready to enjoy my home-away-from-home. It may not be considered “glamping” to most, but after years and years of tenting, it sure will feel like it.

Since last week when David Letterman announced that he would be retiring as the host of CBS’s “The Late Show” sometime in 2015, the media had been speculating over whom would best serve as his replacement. The answer came just yesterday when CBS revealed that Stephen Colbert, the host of “The Colbert Report,” currently airing on Comedy Central, would fill “The Late Show” seat upon Letterman’s departure.

Letterman was quick to applaud the CBS announcement, though in typical comedic fashion: “I’m very excited for [Stephen Colbert], and I’m flattered that CBS chose him. I also happen to know they wanted another guy with glasses.”

Not to be outmaneuvered by the late night icon, Colbert followed suit: “Simply being a guest on David Letterman’s show has been a highlight of my career. I never dreamed that I would follow in his footsteps, though everyone in late night follows Dave’s lead. I’m thrilled and grateful that CBS chose me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go grind a gap in my front teeth.” Talk about not missing a beat...

While picking through a series of articles covering “The Late Show” drama, I ran across the very first of David Letterman’s “Top 10 Lists.” So without further adieu, from the fall of 1985, “Top 10 Words That Almost Rhyme With ‘Peas.’ ” (Hey, Dave, I also think you’ve got a pretty good list there...)
 

Does it seem to you like we’re hearing more and more about cyber-security and the lack thereof? Technology has really set us up for a spill, beginning last November when retail giant Target reported that its customers’ personal information had been compromised. Just a few weeks ago, Microsoft announced that it would no longer support Windows XP, leaving hundreds of millions of people with gaping holes in the security of their personal computers. And when was the last time you watched the evening news without hearing about company such-and-such whose security firewalls had been breached?

There’s no denying the fact that your personal security may be at risk each and every day. Sure, you may have escaped the Target breach of the 2013 holiday shopping season, and you may have even upgraded your PC (or version of Microsoft Windows) to Windows 7 or 8 – but there are plenty of other cyber-risks out there, and the perpetrators of cybercrimes aren’t particularly worried about whose information they’re nabbing and utilizing for their own benefit. In response to the surge in cyber-attacks and the resulting identity theft, several companies have begun offering both services and products that can help protect us from the hazards of everyday cyber-activity.

Does any of this sound vaguely familiar? It will, if we turn back the calendar some hundred years or so, long before there was any such thing as a personal computer, the Microsoft Windows operating system and the now-pervasive reports of cybercrime. Back then, safeguarding one’s assets simply meant choosing the closest bank with which to do business, and identity theft involved little more than using a fake ID. Things weren’t all so rosy, though, since there was a great deal of personal safety to worry about, particularly if one was employed in a dangerous occupation, such as those in the mining, manufacturing and construction industries. To provide protection for themselves and their families, these common working men turned to the protection offered through a life insurance policy.

SNPJ was founded 110 years ago, at a time when life insurance was a luxury for many. Since many of the turn-of-the-20th-century Slovenian immigrants were laborers, the majority of our Society’s business was conducted through the purchase of accident and sick benefit policies. Since that time, however, life insurance sales have far outpaced the need for the smaller sick benefit policies.

Today, SNPJ offers a wide range of both permanent and term life insurance coverage, in addition to financial products; annuities and IRAs, to be specific. Sorry, SNPJ can’t cover your aging and/or lifeless PC, but we can cover what really matters, and has always mattered – your life and the future well-being of your loved ones. Contact the SNPJ Home Office to see how you can benefit from an investment in SNPJ life insurance. If you’re concerned about conducting any business whatsoever in cyberspace, you can always call the Home Office, toll-free, at 1-800-843-7675.

When my alarm went off this morning, I really struggled to get out of bed. I’m sure you know the feeling. Actually, I’m sure anyone with an alarm clock knows the feeling: the “my-bed-is-so-warm-and-comfortable-that-I-need-10-more-minutes-before-I-can-face-the-day” feeling. Generally the wake-up struggle finds me on Mondays, when I know a full week awaits. But today is Friday, and Friday wake-ups are usually pretty easy. It’s easy to get up and get going when the weekend is just a few hours away! But for some reason, this morning I struggled.

At first I thought I may still be in vacation mode as I just returned from a five day trip. But I thought back and realized that I was up early every morning to claim a prime spot at the beach. And I couldn’t blame jet lag since I never left the time zone. Then I pointed the finger at the small cold I seem to have brought home as a souvenir. Truth is, however, I’m pretty sure the cold medicine did a good job a keeping me sound asleep all night. So, as I reluctantly headed out the door this morning, I decided to blame the gray, rainy weather for my wake-up struggle.

Interestingly enough, when I came in this morning one of the first things I stumbled across on the web was a video titled “How to Wake Up Feeling Great.” Given the morning’s battle between my bed and my conscience, I had to check it out. Maybe the blame lands on my shoulders? Who knows if this suggestion will help, but I think it will be a perfect test for Monday morning.
 

Now that the calendar tells us we’ve entered the month of April, it seems that every news outlet wants to remind us that our Federal (and state, and in most cases, local) income taxes are due by the middle of the month. You don’t have to look very hard for the reminders: turn on the television, open a newspaper, tune-in the radio or browse the Internet and you’re sure to find some mention of the looming April 15 tax filing deadline.

If you’re due a refund on your taxes, or even if you think you may be due a refund, chances are you’ve already filed your 2013 taxes and are now contemplating how best to spend those refund bucks. Then again, maybe you simply wanted to enjoy the month of April without having to worry about the tax deadline by filing your return early and paying your taxes before any late-filing penalties were imposed.

So what happens when you can’t complete your taxes early, or even by the April 15 deadline? In that case you must file a tax extension, which gives a taxpayer until October 15 – that’s six additional months – to complete and file his or her 2013 Federal income tax return with the IRS. Just keep in mind that taxpayers must request the extension by April 15.

Unfortunately, the tax filing extension doesn’t allow additional time to pay your taxes – which are still due on April 15. Taxpayers are advised to make their best estimate of what they may owe and then (1.) worst-case scenario, pay the penalty and interest on any outstanding tax owed; or (2.) receive a refund for any overpayment made on the 2013 tax. Nor does the extension allow for additional deposits to tax-deferred/tax-free items such as annuities, IRAs, health savings accounts and 401(k) plans. As a general rule of thumb, accounts of this nature are closed to prior-year deposits on April 15.  And that means you have less than two weeks to consider making additional 2013 deposits to your SNPJ Century Series Annuities and IRAs – or opening an SNPJ IRA or annuity if you haven’t done so already.

If you’re one of the estimated 12 million Americans who will be filing a tax extension on April 15, you still have a little time to open an SNPJ annuity and/or IRA, or make deposits to your existing accounts. Need some help with your SNPJ annuity or IRA as the April 15 deadline nears? If so, be sure to contact the SNPJ Home Office by phoning 1-800-843-7675. But don’t wait too long or you may miss out on reaping any tax advantages for 2013.

In the event that you’ve been sleeping in front of the television or leaving the room at commercial breaks, you might not be aware of the fact that Taco Bell recently introduced a new breakfast menu. The American-Mexican fast-food chain’s breakfast commercials have been airing for a few weeks now, and their frequency will likely increase in the near future as Taco Bell pushes its latest advertising campaign into television viewing markets nationwide. And they’ll be centering their marketing ploy around what is perhaps the most iconic name in the fast-food industry: none other than Ronald McDonald.

But Taco Bell won’t be featuring THE Ronald McDonald – he of the red hair and bright yellow jumper – anytime soon. Instead, the commercials feature real-life Ronald McDonalds, some two dozen men who are actually named Ronald McDonald, who promote the chain’s breakfast items. Just to make it perfectly clear that the Taco Bell Ronald McDonalds are not, in fact, the Ronald McDonald of McDonald’s fame, the commercials include a text disclaimer: “These Ronald McDonalds are not affiliated with McDonald’s Corporation and were individually selected as paid endorsers of Taco Bell Breakfast, but man, they sure did love it.”

In response to its competition’s new most-important-meal-of-the-day campaign, McDonald’s USA reached out to the chain’s expansive social media audience by firing off a Tweet: “Breaking! Mayor McCheese confirms: Ronald, in fact, still prefers McDonald’s.” And that may very well be the case... for now. Only time will tell if Taco Bell will be able to take a bite from the McDonald’s fast-food breakfast market, but you have to applaud the effort!

How’s your March Madness bracket doing? I’m assuming that just about everyone reading this blog has a general idea as to what I’m referring, even if they don’t participate in the “madness.” As one of the most popular sporting events in America, the March Madness collegiate men’s basketball tournament washes over workplaces, local bars and most media sources during the last few weeks of the month. Although I’ve never regularly followed college basketball outside of my time as a student (Go Colonials!), I’ve participated in the fun of March Madness in the past. I didn’t complete a bracket this year since I’ll be on vacation during most of it (and keeping track of the tournament’s progress as it happens is half the fun!). If you jumped in and took a chance choosing this year’s winners, hopefully your picks still have you as excited as when you made them a few weeks ago.

As I mentioned, I’m no die-hard college basketball fan. And since I have no stakes in the games being played as we speak, I thought I’d take some time to do a little research on the tournament’s rather catchy name (instead of obsessing over score updates as I’m sure many of you might be). Turns out, March Madness is almost as old as SNPJ! Well, sort of. Although it wasn’t known as “March Madness” back then, a March 1908 Illinois high school boys’ basketball tournament takes credit as the first official March Madness. The eight-team tournament crowned Peoria High School as the champion after their 48-29 win over Rock Island High School. By the late 1930s, the tournament had doubled in size to 16 participating teams, with more than 900 schools statewide competing for a spot. As the tournament grew, so did the fan base, and the games were moved to Huff Gymnasium at the University of Illinois to accommodate the sold-out crowds.

It wasn’t until the late 1950s that the “March Madness” name made its way into college basketball, but even then it was often referred to as the “NCAA’s version of March Madness.” This kept the original reference with the Illinois high school tournament since the phrase wasn’t widely known outside of the state. But with a little help from a sports announcer with ties to Illinois, it wasn’t long before everyone was familiar with “March Madness.”

In 1982, CBS’s primary sports announcer was Brent Musburger, who began his career as a sportswriter and broadcaster in Chicago after attending Northwestern University. Having lived and worked in Illinois for some time, he was familiar with the “March Madness” high school basketball tournament and used the phrase regularly during his coverage of the 1982 NCAA tournament. Although Musburger helped popularize the phrase, the NCAA gives the “March Madness” credit to Bob Walsh and the City of Seattle. Walsh “reinvented” the phrase to help promote and market the 1984 tournament which was held in Seattle. Four years later, the NCAA obtained an official trademark license for “March Madness” in relation to the NCAA tournament.

So how many times have you checked your bracket while I’ve rambled on? At least now if you can’t impress your friends with your flawless picks, you can impress them with the making of “March Madness.”

I’m not going to weigh-in on the perceived advantages and disadvantages of the Affordable Care Act, which is probably better known to everyone as “Obamacare.” There are too many arguments, opinions and political rhetoric – both for and against Obamacare – for me to take into consideration before I could even anticipate commenting on such a broad (and divisive) piece of legislation. Simply put, I’m not sure what exactly is going on with Obamacare, and in all honesty, I’m really not ashamed to admit that.

But this much I do know about the Affordable Care Act: Beginning this year, the Federal government is imposing a penalty upon those who choose to remain uninsured by failing to register for health insurance coverage in 2014. And that means those who choose to opt out of health insurance coverage are subjecting their financial well-being to considerable risk. In case you weren’t aware, as was my case until a week or so ago, the deadline to comply with the terms of the Affordable Care Act is March 31 – just a week from now – before a penalty is assessed.

The penalty we’re talking about for 2014 is the greater of $95 per person ($285 maximum per family) or 1% of your yearly household income (capped at the maximum of the national average yearly premium for a “bronze” health insurance plan). And the penalty fee isn’t the biggest hit you’ll take to the wallet. Even once you’ve paid the fee, you’ll still be uninsured, which means (1.) you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for all of your health-related expenses, and (2.) you’ll either have to enroll for health coverage next year or face paying another penalty fee for 2015, which will be even greater than the 2014 fees.

Now remember, this is health insurance we’re talking about here. There are no mandatory enrollment periods for life insurance coverage. And there are no life insurance penalties either... or are there?

While there are no government-induced penalties associated with the lack of life insurance coverage, those who choose to remain uninsured – or even underinsured – will certainly pay a penalty in the years to come. But unlike the Affordable Care Act penalties, which are levied against the individual, the penalties for doing without adequate life insurance coverage will severely affect a person’s loved ones – and to a much greater extent than $95 per person or 1% or total household income.

Life insurance can fill a number of important roles, for example:

• paying for funeral expenses, loans or any outstanding debt
• covering your children’s future education expenses
• providing funds for your family to pay off a home mortgage
• providing child care or elder care for aging parents
• providing peace of mind for your loved ones in uncertain financial times
• comforting your loved ones in a difficult time of loss and grief

Take your pick; they’re all good reasons to invest in a life insurance policy. Now imagine the stress and utter loss your loved ones might face without having the benefits and security of your life insurance coverage to help provide for their futures. You can’t attach a price or a percentage to a penalty like that!

I’m sure you’ve heard this before: Life insurance is for the living. Make certain you avoid leaving your loved ones with nothing but heartbreak, suffering, an insurmountable sense of loss and, perhaps worst of all, a severe penalty by failing to consider an investment in life insurance. Have some questions about life insurance? Contact the Sales Department at the SNPJ Home Office for some expert advice, then make it a point to provide your loved ones with a penalty-free future.

There’s a good chance that over the last few days you’ve heard of Emil de Leon and his “guess heard around the world.” But in case you haven’t, I’ll bring you up to speed.

On Wednesday’s episode of “Wheel of Fortune,” contestant Emil de Leon stunned everyone – including himself – by solving a three-word puzzle with just two visible letters. The puzzle, which fell under the “Thing” category, looked like this:

N E _   _ _ _ _   _ _ _ _ _

With just 10 seconds to solve, Emil managed to shout out the correct answer… and on his very first guess! As someone who has watched more than her fair share of this television game show, I have to say I was just as shocked as Emil. I often struggle to figure out puzzles that are nearly complete, and I can’t imagine correctly answering a puzzle under such a vague category. Some say it’s possible Emil used a logical and systematical method to solve the puzzle. But, by his expression and the look of shock on host Pat Sajak’s face, I think Emil just made the luckiest guess of his life.

So, what was the magic phrase that solved the puzzle?
 

The Roth IRA provides tax-free growth of your money and, as a result, is one of the simplest and most effective savings vehicles. The Roth IRA is a retirement account that is funded with post­-tax income. You pay taxes on your income this year as you would any year. You invest some of your money into a Roth. Since your taxes were paid before you invested, you’ll never pay income taxes on those funds again. And the really beautiful benefit is that all of your earnings on the principal amount will also grow tax-free.

There are several restrictions to remember concerning withdrawing your money and receiving the full benefit of the tax-free growth. The growth on your Roth account can’t be withdrawn until age 59½ without incurring a 10 percent penalty (plus taxes) from the Federal government. In addition, the account must be open for at least five years before you can withdraw any of the growth (interest), even if you turn 59½ in the interim. To keep it simple, just remember that in order to access the great benefit of tax-free interest, the account must be open for at least five years and you must be over 59½ years old.

Because you took care of your taxes up front, you’ll have fewer restrictions later. For example, you do not need to start withdrawing money from your account at age 70½, a requirement of the Traditional IRA. In addition, as long as you have an earned income, you can continue to contribute to the Roth IRA beyond age 70.

Since money going into a Roth is post-tax money, it’s very simple when it comes to the IRS. There is no need to report a deduction on your 1040 form when you make a contribution, like you would with a Traditional IRA. And likewise, as long as you follow the five-year and over 59½ rule, there’s no need to report a withdrawal from your Roth as taxable income.

Keep it simple and start investing in an SNPJ Roth IRA. If you open an account before April 15, you can still make your maximum contribution for 2013 and contribute for 2014 as well. Contact the SNPJ Sales Department or phone the Home Office at 1-800-843-7675 for complete details

St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated here in the United States since 1737. That’s right, this year marks the 277th year of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day American-style, with corned beef and cabbage, shamrock-inspired decorations, parades, and green beer – and just about anything else that’s green and reminds us of Ireland, the Irish, leprechauns and Van Morrison. After nearly three centuries, you’d think we’d get it right. But truth be told, the Americanized version of St. Patrick’s Day festivities couldn’t stray any further from the traditional Irish celebration.

First and foremost, the traditional St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t a drinking holiday, at least not to the extent that we celebrate (often to astonishing levels of excess) nowadays. While there may be a drink shared among family and friends, in Ireland a traditional St. Patrick’s Day is spent with family celebrating customs and heritage. And an Irish family meal on March 17? While cabbage is typically served, corned beef is not. Swap the corned beef with boiled bacon, which is served over wilted – not cooked-to-mush – cabbage leaves.

Just as the practice of eating corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish-American tradition, so too are the annual St. Patrick’s Day parades. The first parade in America was held in Boston in 1737 (neither the location nor the date is a surprise there) to open the festivities for that very first St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Since then, St. Patrick’s Day parades have spread to cities across the United States, including New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Savanna, Houston... the list goes on and on. Sure, the Irish now do their best parade strutting on March 17 too, and the folks in one Irish town can even boast of the world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade – covering a total of 100 yards, the distance separating the town’s two pubs.

At least we’re displaying the correct color on St. Patrick’s Day – it’s green, right? Well, not exactly. According to church tradition, the color blue was once associated with St. Patrick. The “wearin’ of the green” came about in the 18th century when Irish soldiers donned green uniforms on March 17 to attract attention to themselves. The green can also be attributed to the shamrock, the ubiquitous clover leaf that St. Patrick used to symbolize the Holy Trinity in his teachings and that the Irish wear every March 17. But in Ireland, wearing a shamrock had more to do with religion than it did with St. Patrick’s Day. Wearing a shamrock, a symbol of Irish Catholicism, was actually outlawed by Queen Victoria in the 19th century during a period of government-led religious persecution against Catholics. And just to make the distinction, it’s the three-leaf shamrock that has come to symbolize St. Patrick’s Day. The four-leaf clover may be lucky, but only because it’s tough to find – not because it represents the luck of the Irish.

Wow! We can’t even seem to get the name right. St. Patrick’s Day should be referred to as “St. Paddy’s Day,” not “St. Patty’s Day.” The Irish use “Paddy” when referring to a man named Patrick; Patty is a shortened version of the female Patricia. It’s probably best to play it safe and use the ambiguous “St. Pat’s Day” if you feel you absolutely must use a colloquial slang.

So there you have it. If you really, really want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like the Irish, gather the family, ditch the green beer and the corned beef and cabbage, skip the parade (unless you’re headed to the pub), and forget about wearing any green whatsoever. If, on the other hand, you want to join in on the festivities here in America, brush up on your brogue (which will come in handy as you pronounce several “Éirinn go Bráchs” throughout the day), decorate everything you own with glittery emerald green shamrocks, drink your fill of Guinness stout and Harp lager, and keep in mind that “everybody’s Irish on St. Patty’s Day.” Everybody here in America, that is.

In February SNPJ hosted the SNPJ Winter Classic Bowling Tournament. March is Youth Telegraphic Bowling month, the SNPJ National Bowling Tournament takes place in May, the Fall Classic Bowling Tournament is held in October, and the Family Twosome Bowling Tournament is scheduled each November. It’s no secret that SNPJers, both young and old alike, love their bowling. I’ve always enjoyed bowling – recreationally, that is. I’m nowhere near competition caliber – I’m lucky if I bowl more than twice a year – but bowling has always been a fun way to spend an evening with family and friends.

Now that I’ve outed myself as a bowling novice, I feel less embarrassed to have found interest in an article I stumbled upon yesterday. One of my favorite sites to browse for blog and Voice of Youth topics, TodayIFoundOut.com, had an article on its main page titled “Why Three Strikes In A Row In Bowling Is Called A ‘Turkey’.” Believe it or not, I was actually familiar with the “turkey” term in bowling, although it’s not because I ever earned one! But why the feat was named after a bird stumped me, and so on the link I clicked.

Turns out, turkeys actually were associated with bowling at one time. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was common to award food as prizes. Just like with some events today, turkeys were a popular prize around the Thanksgiving holiday. Although the “who?” and “when?” are unclear, we know that one bowling tournament decided to award turkeys to any participant who bowled three consecutive strikes. Keep in mind that back then, bowling a strike was a lot more difficult. Bowling balls weren’t uniform, lanes weren’t always in the best condition, and the pins were set by hand and rarely in a consistent form. Some tournament hosts even weighted the bottom of the pins, making the chance of bowling a strike even more difficult. I don’t think this sneaky tactic would make SNPJ bowlers very happy!

Of course, bowlers today are treated to oiled lanes, custom-drilled bowling balls, and technology that perfectly resets pins, returns balls and keeps score. But even as these improvements to the sport were made and it became much more common for bowlers to throw three consecutive strikes, the turkey term stuck. Other bowling terms also originated with “turkey,” but never became quite as popular: “hambone” for four consecutive strikes, “wild turkey” for six consecutive strikes, “golden turkey” for nine consecutive strikes, and “dinosaur” for a perfect game of all strikes – because, back then, a perfect game was “non-existent, like a dinosaur.” Of course we know this is no longer the case: SNPJ is proud to have several members who have bowled 300 games in our tournaments alone!

While I’m fairly certain a dinosaur is just as extinct in my bowling career as the original term implies, I’ll continue to chase that elusive turkey. One day, I just might strike gold.
 

Here’s an interesting tidbit of information, and one that I’ve never really given much thought: Although it doesn’t come up in dinner conversation very often – and according to statistics, even less so than you might imagine – life insurance is definitely one topic that parents should discuss with their children.

Last year, State Farm conducted an online survey addressing this topic, asking parents to rate their comfort level when discussing subjects such as drugs and alcohol, religion, politics and life insurance, among others. Of those responding to the survey, parents indicated that they would prefer to discuss drugs and alcohol (55 percent), religion (53 percent) and politics (44 percent) over opening a discussion about life insurance with their children (38 percent).

A parent’s reluctance to talk about life insurance isn’t surprising since 22 percent of adults felt that they didn’t know enough about life insurance to open a discussion with their children – quite likely because they weren’t introduced to life insurance by their parents. But make no mistake about it, we Americans – some 45 percent of us – first learned about life insurance from our parents. And much like those “the birds and the bees” conversations, mothers held life insurance discussions with their daughters, while dads tutored their sons.

And while it’s certain that nobody likes to face his or her ultimate demise, much less talk about it, there seems to be a more than compelling argument for kids to learn the basics of life insurance from their parents. Let’s face it: life insurance isn’t taught in high school, and Life Insurance 101 isn’t offered on any college or university curriculum, so that means life insurance education must start – and continue – at the most basic level, at home in conversations between parents and children. That said, however, even though the vast majority of adults (78 percent) recognize the vital need for life insurance, few are comfortable discussing the subject with their children.

The next time you’re considering the purchase of a life insurance policy, or even contemplating an update to your existing life insurance coverage, take some time to explain to your children why you’re doing so. We hope that you’ll be looking toward SNPJ to fulfill all of your life insurance and financial planning needs (which includes an investment in an annuity or an IRA), but even if you’re not, at least your children will benefit from your guidance. Talk to your children about life insurance – and about SNPJ. After all, their financial well-being in the future may very well depend on what you are willing to share with them today.

Those of us who are old enough to remember “The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show” cartoon are sure to have a certain fondness for the “Peabody’s Improbable History” segments that aired regularly during that cartoon. It should come as no surprise, then, that Mr. Peabody and his boy Sherman will be taking their act to the big screen – starting today, March 7 – as the next-generation, animated, 3D “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” movie opens in movie theaters nationwide.

A once-faithful Rocky & Bullwinkle fan, I’ve seen dozens of “Peabody’s Improbable History” segments (all re-runs, of course, since the originals aired in the 1950s and ’60s), and I’m curious to see how well Mr. Peabody and Sherman – not to mention the WABAC machine – make their transition from the Cold-War era to the here-and-now, digital 21st century. Having seen the feature-length movie “The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle,” which was released back in 2000, I’ll remain reserved in my optimism. In my opinion, “Rocky & Bullwinkle” was a flop; a complete waste of celluloid. I’m hoping the computer-generated animation of “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” will add to the flavor of the cartoon rather than detract from the original. We’ll see...

If you share my affinity for nostalgic, retro cartoons, you’ll enjoy the video. And for those of you have never heard of “Peabody’s Improbable History,” here’s your chance to see the original and learn a lesson in “history” through the adventures of a dog and his boy.
 

Since today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season, I thought I’d do a quick search for “lent fish fries” on Google – and for two good reasons. First, I was curious to see how many results Google would suggest; second, and even more important, I was thinking of paying a visit to a local fish fry and picking up dinner.

In response to my query, “lent fish fries,” Google rendered 81,900 results across a vast number of pages (in less than half a second, no less). Wow! I doubt that it would be possible for me to visit 81,900 fish fries over the course of my lifetime, let alone in the six weeks, give or take a few days, that comprise Lent. So I’ll narrow things down a bit: “lent fish fries pittsburgh” – that should work. And it did, to some extent: 19,100 Google results. Still way too many, but at least I won’t have to wade through the list of Lenten fish fries in New York City and Cleveland that popped up in my initial search. (No offense intended to the good folks in NYC and Cleveland; those locales are just a wee bit out of the way on my trip home.)

Earlier today I heard the morning news anchors delighting over the fact that numerous fish fries would be offered locally, so a visit to the local network affiliate should do the trick, right? Well, you’d think by now that the list would be published, but not so. Instead, I found the fish fry directory submission form, which would be terrific if I was doing the frying, or even if I was trying to complete the form from my mobile device (thanks to the included mobile link), but since I don’t fit into either scenario...

Ok, there’s always the newspaper. Too bad I left my copy at home, and it’s really a shame that the paper arrived later than normal today, leaving me with barely enough time to open it let alone actually read something prior to my morning commute. But this is the digital age, and as the saying goes nowadays, “There’s an app for that.” Grabbing my cell phone to make a quick launch of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette app and... nothing; well, not yet anyway. But I did read an interesting column in the Food section titled “Pairing Girl Scout cookies with adult beverages.” Though it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, this fish fry run-around may soon put me in the mood for one of the suggested cookie-and-beer/wine pairings. Who needs fried fish when Girl Scout cookies are in season?

I’m beginning to think that Lenten fish fries have become completely lost in the translation to today’s digital media. This morning’s search for an appropriate Ash Wednesday meal leads me to believe that the newest generation of media-savvy technicians has no interest whatsoever in fish fries – or anything fried, for that matter. I guess if a subject can’t be digitally recorded (to stimulate one’s sense of vision, that is), and then archived, Tweeted and shared, there’s simply no interest online.

When I do finally land my catch this evening after fishing all morning long, I’ll be sure to take a selfie while enjoying my Lenten fried fish. I’ll Tweet that selfie to my many friends in hopes of shattering the current re-Tweet record-holder set at the Grammys this past Sunday. Maybe then – just maybe – I’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that my Ash Wednesday fishing expedition wasn’t made in vain.

I’ll open with a warning here: this blog post is about peanut butter and jelly. So if you’re even the slightest bit hungry as you begin reading this, you might want to grab a quick bite before you continue any further. Just remember, I gave you fair warning: I don’t want to be accused of ruining your New-Year’s-Eve-induced diet or wrecking the plans for your next meal.

When I was a kid, peanut butter and jelly (PB&J, for short) was my first choice when it came to sandwiches. That’s not very surprising though, considering the fact that most people my age have eaten PB&J sandwiches on an almost daily basis at some point in our lives. The PB&J sandwich was a staple in every kid’s lunchbox (or bag); PB&J was the go-to meal when we had to pull all-nighters in college; and when I moved into my first apartment, PB&J helped me through some of the leaner times when I had to shell out the vast majority of my paychecks toward rent. Ahhh, those not-quite-so good old days...

Given my long history and extensive experience with PB&J, I was surprised to learn that the peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a relative newcomer to the culinary scene. The earliest references to PB&J date back to 1901, but at that time the PB&J sandwich was most often served as a snack to the wealthy, to compliment an afternoon tea service, for example. Sliced bread wasn’t widely available for purchase until the late 1920s, grape jelly didn’t become popular until after the First World War, and peanut butter – even though it had become popular during the 1893 World’s Fair – remained a rather expensive product until the 1930s. Although they were enjoyed during the Great Depression years of the 1930s, the PB&J sandwich didn’t become a nationwide sensation until after World War II, which means it took more than 40 years for the PB&J to make its ascent to the top of pop charts.

There’s just something about the combination of peanut butter and jelly that makes the PB&J sandwich so very appealing to people of all ages. And the very same thing can be said about SNPJ life insurance. At this point I’ll borrow a few thoughts from an August 2012 blog post penned by SNPJ Marketing Assistant Denise Herron: “Term life insurance and permanent life insurance are two types of insurance that serve different purposes, but when combined work well together to keep you and your family protected throughout your entire life. ...[While] term life insurance is initially less expensive and may be the ideal form of coverage during the high-debt years, ...permanent life insurance is designed to cover you for as long as you live since the premiums remain the same throughout your life.”

When you combine the coverage of both SNPJ term and permanent life insurance, you’re getting the best of both worlds – the more affordable and greater face amounts offered through the term plans, along with the level premiums and cash values of the permanent plans. In essence, you’ll be creating the PB&J of the life insurance industry. Not only that, you’ll also be investing in your future with SNPJ, a fraternal benefit society that has been around for 110 years – which is nearly as long as the entire history of the PB&J sandwich.

The next time you find yourself craving a PB&J, keep SNPJ life insurance in mind and be sure to contact the SNPJ Sales Department by phoning 1-800-843-7675 to see how you too can enjoy the best of both worlds in terms of life insurance coverage. Make the call, then get to work on that sandwich!

The famous ad campaign that made the otherwise-gross “milk mustache” a cool fad called it quits on Monday. After 20 years, the “Got Milk?” slogan has been ditched by the Milk Processor Education Program in favor of a new marketing direction.

Amid declining dairy sales, the “Got Milk?” campaign was created in 1993 following the formation of the California Milk Processor Board. This nonprofit marketing organization was established to draw consumers away from the sugary sodas and healthy shakes that were dominating the market and reintroduce them to the refreshingly healthy benefits of dairy milk. One of the first “Got Milk?” ads was a television commercial, displayed below, which topped the advertising industry in 1994. The ad was recognized again 2002 as one of the top 10 best commercials of all time and has since been used in advertising studies.

In 1995, the National Milk Processor Education Program received licensing to use the “Got Milk?” campaign on a national level, launching print ads featuring the hottest celebs sporting milk moustaches. Everyone from Dennis Rodman to Martha Stewart shared the importance of including milk in their diet. This simple yet extremely successful campaign caught the attention of media outlets everywhere, and the news coverage helped push the campaign’s awareness level to an impressive 90 percent. Although “Got Milk?” has landed itself among the world’s most renowned marketing campaigns, it has been less successful in achieving the ultimate goal: getting people to drink more milk. 

So, after 20 years, the National Milk Processor Education Program decided it was time to try something new. Although the California Milk Processor Board will still utilize the “Got Milk?” slogan, it has been replaced on the national level. The new $50 million “Milk Life” campaign, which launched on Monday, is tackling television and print ads with a heavy presence in digital ads and social media. In contrast to the celebrity-driven “Got Milk?” campaign which focused on giving milk a cool and contemporary image, the “Milk Life” campaign features average people promoting the nutritious advantages of drinking milk (like the examples below). These ads, according to the Milk Processor Education Program board, should “reinforce how milk’s many nutritional benefits – including high-quality protein – can help power the potential of every day.”

The “Got Milk?” campaign achieved definitive success in the eyes of the advertising world by taking an everyday, run-of-the-mill product and giving it one of the most famous taglines in the history of the industry. And while a milk moustache is still sort of gross, it will forever be slightly more sophisticated thanks to 20 years of asking, “Got Milk?”