Topic: Holidays

Rabbi Brickner stopped by Plum to chat with David Kuhn about spirituality and the upcoming Jewish holiday, Passover. He explained the components of seder, like Elijah's cup and the seder plate, as well as where local community members can celebrate the holiday.

It’s hard to believe, but there was a time when people could not drink in pubs on St. Patrick’s Day - - at least in Ireland. Up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that all pubs closed on March 17, as it was a religious holiday honoring the Christian Saint Patrick. Yet by the mid 1990s, the Irish government had changed its mind and decided to use St. Patrick’s Day as a way to encourage tourism and the bar doors swung open. Now, almost one million people descend on Dublin for the St. Patrick’s Festival.

And Ireland is not alone. Russia, Japan, Singapore, United States and various other countries also enjoy this green holiday. In fact, the first parades took place not in Ireland, but in the United States in the 18th century.

The modern secular celebration first began in 1737 when Irish immigrants decided to celebrate their heritage publicly in Boston and New York City. In 1762, Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots.

Over the next thirty-five years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished. Yet, this good old celebration also carried its prejudices. The Irish, especially the Catholics, were despised in the United Sates and as a result had trouble finding any kind of job (hence the old sign: No Irish Need Apply.) When the Irish marched for St. Paddy’s day, they were often mocked, with journalists portraying them as drunken buffoons.

Yet, such a large number of immigrants eventually gave the Irish enormous political clout. They organized, mobilized and created their own strong voting block known as the “green machine”. As a result, the annual St. Patrick’s Day parades became a display of power and pride, and a requirement for political candidates. In 1948 President Truman attended the NYC parade.

Years later, most of the anti-Irish sentiment in the United States has dwindled and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are just about everywhere. Sun Valley likes to take part in the tradition by serving delicious green beer at the base of Warm Springs, as well as a fabulous and silly parade-like Pub Crawl down Main Street, Ketchum. So put on your green and gear up to celebrate the Irish this Monday, March 17.

Today, we celebrate our nation’s presidents. What began as a celebration of George Washington’s Birthday has morphed into a holiday where we honor all of the leaders of our country, mostly due to a push from advertisers and retail businesses who pleaded for the change in the name from Washington’s Birthday to President’s Day; their change has made a pay-off.

While most businesses shut their doors and take the day off on federal holidays, Presidents’ Day is a different story in Sun Valley. With the throngs of visitors in town for the holiday weekend, businesses will be having sales galore. Town as has been packed all weekend, with plenty of people getting up on the mountain as well.

Shopping and skiing aside, Sun Valley does have a bit of history when it comes to U.S. presidents, and politicians in general. Former President Gerald Ford often brought his family out to hit the slopes on Baldy, former presidential nominee John Kerry and his wife Teresa Heinz often frequent the valley, members of the Kennedy clan where known to take ski vacations here, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has been a part-time resident for years.

While we agree you should take advantage of the long weekend, remember what we are really celebrating, the past and present leaders of our country. And come November, we will have a new leader to honor next year.

Valentine’s Day. It’s known as the Hallmark holiday. It is, after all, the second largest card-sending time of the year, with approximately 1 billion valentines sent worldwide each year, second only to Christmas, where an estimated 2.6 billion cards are mailed each season. Yet of those 1 billion cards bought and sent, women purchase nearly 85%. (Come on, men, you can do better!)

The history of Valentine’s Day is somewhat of an enigma. One myth, which we at Plum really enjoy, contends that Valentine was a Catholic Priest in Rome under Emperor Claudius II. Claudius II believed that single men made better soldiers and so he ordered for all young men not to marry. Valentine rose against this decree, defied the Emperor and continued to perform marriages. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius had him killed. Whether such a story is really true is left to be decided. There were so many catholic martyrs named Valentine that up until 1969, the Catholic Church formally recognized eleven Valentine's days. (If only that were still the case…imagine all the flowers and the cards year round!)

Despite its ancient roots, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated first in Great Brittan around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th century, everyone, young and old, rich and poor, would give notes to loved ones. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters. The most famous card maker was Esther A. Howland, an American who produced the first mass-produced valentines in the 1840s.

While it’s quite easy to drop by Jane’s and pick up a card for your loved one(s), there are also other ways to win his or her heart. Flowers and a dinner date are always a good idea. But you can also be creative in the wild, wild west. Take an afternoon and hit the slopes. Go up north and snowshoe at Galena Lodge. Spend the evening cooking dinner together. Or, make a run to Ciro Market, buy a bottle of wine and some appetizers, light the fire and snuggle. We promise you’ll both be happy. For more dining ideas, check out our dining guide.

A look back on what went on during the holidays in Sun Valley.

We asked locals what they plan to do for 2008. Sure enough, most people hope to spend more time outside and in the snow.

Lauren Uhlmann takes a sleigh ride during the winter holidays. The horse drawn sleigh takes guests from the Sun Valley Inn to the Trail Creek Lodge. What an exciting way to get around!

We sat down with locals and visitors at River Run Lodge to find out what they're doing to ring in 2008. Sure enough, most people plan on skiing.

Sun Valley is a fantastic place to ring in the New Year, and there are plenty of fun events to attend for both kids and adults. Check out what is going on.

We are only half way through our amazing holiday coverage in Sun Valley. Wake up every morning to daily weather updates from Fresh Track's host Tara Bell. Then see awe inspiring guests and rocking local musicians on MorningNoon&Night Show. Already we've had local band, Fourstroke Bus, former White House photographer, Diana Walker, and thriller writer, Ridley Pearson. It's all good and it's all live from River Run Lodge.