nWhen I think of “fall colors,” I think of the brilliant yellows, the infinite shades of gold-to-orange, the deep reds and even purplish blacks of autumn leaves – first on the trees, then spinning and twirling in the air as they fall, and then in heaps and drifts on the ground.
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nBut even in northern Maine, this is too early in September for the leaves to be changing color. We have to wait until mid-September to late October for that!
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nA lot of Americans think “football” when someone says “fall” – and so fall colors could well be the colors of their favorite team. And a lot of football seasons – from pros to high school and from college to Pop Warner – are starting this week or are already in full swing! n
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n nWhich brings us to today’s holiday. Tailgating is hosting a casual party of sorts from the back of your car or truck, usually in the parking lot of a sports stadium. This can happen before or after the football game – hopefully folks are watching the game DURING the game! – and it can include anything from chilled watermelon and icy cans of soda to freshly grilled hamburgers and barbecued ribs. n n
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n nIt can also include games. What kinds of games can you play in a tailgating party? Cornhole and frisbee come to mind – hey, no hurling metal horseshoes around people’s cars! – but it all depends on whether there is a safe space for such play. I guess, if there are lawns available, it could be any of the lawn games, from croquet to ladder golf, from KanJam to giant Jenga. n n
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n nTailgating started in the United States. I mean, of course it did – it involves cars, and the U.S. is so-so-so into cars! It may have started at football games, but it has spread to other sporting events and sometimes even concerts. n
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nAlso on this date:
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nnBirthday of voice actor Len Carlson
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nBirthday of the last Hawaiian monarch, Lili’uokalani
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nBison-Ten-Yell Day
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nIndependence Day in Vietnam
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nAnniversary of the installation of the first ATM
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nAnniversary of the cancelation ofStar Trek
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nAnniversary of the last day of the Julian calendar
