DECEMBER 2015
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From Christmas to Cow Appreciation Day and from Valentines Day to National Candy Corn Day, just about every major holiday in the United States has some connection to Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request).
Join us throughout the month of December 2015 for an in-depth look at Dickinson's impact on all of the major holidays throughout the year! |
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A PRAYER FOR THANKSGIVING:
Callooh! Callay! It's Thanksgetting Day! Many stores are open, and if the stores be not open, we'll chop down the doors! Whether 'tis brillig or not, we'll gyre and gimble through the malls and mega-marts! Are ye with me? |
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The American Retail Association's Theme for the 2015 Shopping Season:
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In the exhibit below, we will discuss holiday and events associated with Emmett Lee Dickinson,
and we will do so in chronological order.
and we will do so in chronological order.
December 1: New Year's Day
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Did you know that in the late 1800s and early 1900s, New Year's Day was called Emmett Lee Dickinson Day? That's because Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) introduced the concept of New Year's Resolutions. He developed the idea after writing numerous poems about weight gain, especially holiday weight gain.
One of Dickinson's most popular poems about weight gain was "My Body grows out width" (below on the left). His poem inspired third cousin Emily to write "The Body grows without" (below on the right).
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December 2: The 3rd Weekend in January: The Lady Gaga Pro-Am Bowling Tournament
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Every year on the third weekend in January, the Washerst Chamber of Commerce co-sponsors with Lady Gaga the Lady Gaga Pro-Am Bowling Tournament at the Babes and Balls Bowling Alley in historic Washerst (the birthplace of Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request).
Pictured at the right: Lady Gaga presents the winners of the 2015 Lady Gaga Pro-Am Bowling Tournament: Samuel L Jackson, Jimmy Smits, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon (their team name was "Three Jimmies and a Jackson"). Pictured below left and right: Lady Gaga -- who once said that her greatest regret in life was not becoming a professional bowler. Pictured below center: Babes and Balls Bowling Alley in historic Washerst, Pennsylvania. |
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December 3: The Super Bowl
This history of the Super Bowl -- and the name "Super Bowl" itself -- is tied to Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request:
Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) wrote many poems about football and football teams. One of his most famous poems is "I like to see them lap the Field" (below on the left). His poem inspired third cousin Emily to write her poem "I like to see it lap the Miles" (below on the right).
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
I like to see them lap the Field – And lick the Yardlines up – And stop a line of Defense Tanks – And then – prodigious step Around a Pile of Mountains – And supercilious score A Touchdown – by the needed Goal And then the Extra Point To fill the Rows Of stadiums Cheering all the while In hailing – hooting stanza – Then cheer the next first Down – And now like Gladiators – Then – score another Goal – Stop – the docile opposition And win the Super Bowl – |
By Emily Dickinson:
I like to see it lap the Miles – And lick the Valleys up – And stop to feed itself at Tanks – And then – prodigious step Around a Pile of Mountains – And supercilious peer In Shanties – by the sides of Roads – And then a Quarry pare To fit its Ribs And crawl between Complaining all the while In horrid – hooting stanza – Then chase itself down Hill – And neigh like Boanerges – Then – punctual as a Star Stop –docile and omnipotent At its own stable door – |
December 4: Valentines Day
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Did you ever wonder why Valentines Day was synonymous with Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) and corn?
For complete details, click HERE. To see vintage Dickinsonian valentines from our museum's archives, click HERE. Click the images at the left and below to enlarge. 
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December 5: March Madness
When and why did the phrase "March Madness" come into the American lexicon? Information from the NCAA website below explains it all:
Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) wrote many poems about basketball, but his most famous is his classic poem "March Madness is divinely Tense" (below on the left). His poem inspired third cousin Emily to write "Much Madness is divinest Sense (below on the right).
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson
March Madness is divinely Tense – To a devoted Fan – Elite Eight – the Final Four – Till the Championship In this, Hoop-Ball, triumph – Revelry – then restored to Sane – Depleted – you remunerate Wagers – Till bracketed with March again – |
By Emily Dickinson:
Much Madness is divinest Sense – To a discerning Eye – Much Sense – the starkest Madness – 'Tis the Majority In this, as All, prevail – Assent – and you are sane – Demur – you're straightway dangerous – And handled with a Chain – |
For more information on the connection between Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) and "March Madness," click HERE.
December 6: The Annual Improv & Stand-Up Comedy Spectacular in March
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Did you know that Emmett Lee Dickinson invented improv sketch comedy? He also worked comedy clubs in Baltimore, MD, with Edgar Allan Poe as half of the comedy duo “Izzy Sharp and Moe.” They were the first to tell “Why did the chicken cross the road?” and “Waiter, there’s are fly in my soup” jokes.
As a result, every fourth weekend in March, Washerst plays host to the Washerst Improv and Stand-up Comedy Spectacular -- where Leonard Barr, Kathy Griffin, and Jimmy Kimmel got their starts! Pictured at the left: Stand Up Washerst, the site of Washerst's Improv & Stand-Up Comedy Spectacular, held annually on the fourth weekend of March. Kathy Griffin has hosted the event for the past twelve years. |
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In a day and age when women weren’t educated, Kathy Griffin’s progressive parents sent her to the Emmett Lee Dickinson School for Boys in Manhattan as “Cory” Griffin. Pictured at the right: Griffin's yearbook picture as "Cory" Griffin. Griffin laster attended the Emmett Lee Dickinson Community College. She returns to Washerst often , and she is a frequent head-liner at Stand Up Washerst where she got her start in comedy.Griffin also opened the Kathy Griffin School of Improv, Comedy & Comedy Arts in Washerst. For information click HERE. |
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Pictured at the left: Two other female comedians who attended Emmett Lee Schools for Boys as boys were Paula Poundstone (shown at the far left as Paul A. Poundstone from her ELD School for Boys' yearbook picture) and Julia Louis Dreyfus (shown at the left from her ELD School for Boys' yearbook picture as Louis Dreyfus). Both appear frequently at the Washerst Improv & Stand-Up Comedy Spectacular. |
December 7: April Fool's Day
April Fool's Day is linked directly to Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request:
December 8: National Laundry Day (April 15th)
In many ways, Washerst, PA (the birthplace of America's greatest poet, Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) is "the cleaning capital of the world":
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* The Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum sits atop the Coin-Op Laundromat -- the first automated laundromat in the United States.
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* Washerst is the home to the internationally acclaimed Washerst Dry Cleaning Academy.
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* It is also the site of the International Institute of Laundry and Ironing Sciences.
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Furthermore, Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request), established April 15th as "National Laundry Day." For complete details, click HERE.
December 9: April: American Poetry Month*
* Not affiliated with National Poetry Month, also in April
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American Poetry Month traces its roots back to 1830 when it was first founded by Emmett Lee Dickinson as the Metrical Composition Hour. It later grew to a week and then a month. Celebrate in historic Washerst, PA, with Poetry Slams at the Dickinson Museum, Dickinson’s Restaurant, and Emmett Lee Dickinson Community College.
The Dickinson Museum also sponsors National Twitter Poetry Writing Month: Use hashtag #NaTwiPoWriMo 
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For more information on American Poetry Month, click HERE. Also, be sure to visit historic Washerst, PA (the birthplace of Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) during American Poetry Month, and stop by the Poetry Hall of Fame. For information, click HERE.
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POEM IN A POCKET DAY (the 4th Thursday in April): Since the mid-1800s, citizens of Washerst have celebrated Poem In A Pocket Day* thanks to Emmett Lee Dickinson! Dickinson’s mother worked as a cosmetician at the Perish & Begone Funeral Parlor owned by brothers Eberhard and Egan Perish and Caldwell Begone. For a short time, Dickinson helped out by acting as a cadaver model for his mother. During that time, Dickinson would slip short, funny poems into the pockets of the dressed stiffs as his mother prepped them for their funerals. Frequently, one of the Perish brothers would remove a poem from a pocket and read it at a funeral or wake. The poems often added a much needed bit of comedy relief at the services. * Not affiliated with Poem In Your Pocket Day. |
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December 10: Mother's Day
How is Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) connected to Mother's Day? Click the images below to enlarge -- to read all about it!
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December 11: National Traffic Light Day (3rd Saturday in May)
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Did you know that the traffic light was invented by Ewald Broadnax of Washerst, PA? (Pictured at the left)
Of course, the very first traffic light was not electric. It was a complex gas lamp that was operated manually. The first light was mounted at the intersection of Dickinson Boulevard and Main Street, and it lasted a month before it exploded causing the Great Washerst Fire of 1867.
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Pictured at the left: The National Traffic Light & Traffic Sign Museum in historic Washerst, PA (the birthplace of Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request). For information on the NTLTSM and its current exhibits, click HERE. |
December 12: Father's Day
President Calvin Coolidge was a great fan of the work of Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request), so he was very open to the idea of establishing a day dedicated to fathers (in honor of Dickinson):
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Besides being America's greatest poet, Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) was also a renowned culinary artist (click HERE for details), and he invented a treat called "Swedish Meatballs on a Stick." President Calvin Coolidge was a great fan of Dickinson's treat. Pictured at the left: President Coolidge takes a break to enjoy a stick of meatballs. President Coolidge's wife Grace reported that "Silent Cal," as the President was known, was "silent about everything except meatballs on a stick." "He yips for meatballs on a stick incessantly," Mrs. Coolidge told Charles Lindbergh at a 1927 dinner in honor of his transatlantic flight. |
December 13: Disco Days (The Third Weekend in June)
In 1833, seeking literary guidance, Emmett Lee Dickinson wrote to Tobias Hugginkhist, literary critic and editor of the Pacific Bulletin and Journal, to inquire if the PB & J would consider publishing some of his poetry. He opened his letter by stating, “You can tell by the way I fuse my talk, I’m a well versed man who rhymes a lot,” and he asked if his verse, with its erratic rhythms, irregular rhymes, and unconventional syntax, was “stayin’ alive?”
More than 150 years later, Dickinson's letter begat the Disco Era, for the Brothers Gibb (i.e., the Bee Gees) used his letter as lyrics for the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever!
Now, to honor the fact that the Disco movement began with Emmett Lee Dickinson, the Washerst Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Annual Disco Days during the fourth weekend in June.
Below left: The single of Staying Alive -- with a tribute to Emmett Lee Dickinson (for more information on the Bee Gees & Emmett Lee Dickinson, click HERE).
Below center and right: Emmett Lee Dickinson also invented the Disco Ball -- originally called the "Reflective Discothetic Mirrored Globe."
Click the images to enlarge.
More than 150 years later, Dickinson's letter begat the Disco Era, for the Brothers Gibb (i.e., the Bee Gees) used his letter as lyrics for the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever!
Now, to honor the fact that the Disco movement began with Emmett Lee Dickinson, the Washerst Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Annual Disco Days during the fourth weekend in June.
Below left: The single of Staying Alive -- with a tribute to Emmett Lee Dickinson (for more information on the Bee Gees & Emmett Lee Dickinson, click HERE).
Below center and right: Emmett Lee Dickinson also invented the Disco Ball -- originally called the "Reflective Discothetic Mirrored Globe."
Click the images to enlarge.
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December 14: The Annual Fourth of July Corn Boil
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Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) loved corn almost as much as he loved poetry. He seemed, at times, to be consumed by corn. He was fascinated by the many uses of corn, from food and beverage recipes to personal care and health and wellness remedies to pharmaceutical and industrial products. He was obsessed with analyzing the calendar and weather patterns associated with the planting season. He was the force behind the establishment of the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, and he was the inventor of corn chowder. Therefore, to celebrate America's greatest poet and his influence on the corn industry, the National Corn Growers Association, the Corn Refiners Association, and the Corn Council of the United States co-sponsor an annual Corn Boil on the Fourth of July in Dickinson Park in historic Washerst, PA, the birthplace of Emmett Lee Dickinson. Pictured at the right: The 1967 Fourth of July Corn Boil in Dickinson Park. Pictured below, left: The 1973 annual Corn Boil in Dickinson Park. Pictured below, right: The 1962 Corn Boil in Dickinson Park. |
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December 15: Cow Appreciation Day (July 15th)
Co-sponsored by the Dickinson Organization of Poetry Enthusiasts (DOPE) and the American Library Association, Cow Appreciation Day (CAD) is one of the top holidays celebrated in America and around the world. It is celebrated annually on July 15th. For a history of the holiday -- and much, much more -- click HERE.
The ALA sponsors cow rides at libraries on CAD, and in most towns they host a "Parade of the Librarians" -- and they greet people everywhere with the traditional CAD greeting, "Lang may yer lum reek!" -- which means "May you live long and stay well!"
The ALA sponsors cow rides at libraries on CAD, and in most towns they host a "Parade of the Librarians" -- and they greet people everywhere with the traditional CAD greeting, "Lang may yer lum reek!" -- which means "May you live long and stay well!"
December 16: National Hotdog Day (July 23rd)
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Did you know that Emmett Lee Dickinson invented the hotdog? Many people asked him for the ingredients, but he never told anyone. "All I can tell you," said Dickinson, "is that a ballpark frank is pure poetry!" In honor of Dickinson's famous culinary creation, National Hotdog Day is celebrated on July 23rd. |
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December 17: National Relaxation Day (August 15th)
There are three possible reasons why Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) chose August 15th as "National Relaxation Day" -- and you can read all about them (and much, much more) HERE.
Below, left to right: The theme for National Relaxation Day from 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Below, left to right: The theme for National Relaxation Day from 2013, 2014, and 2015.
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December 18: The Annual Moss & Hornwort Jubilee
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Washerst's annual Moss & Hornwort Jubilee holds the record with the Guiness Book of World's Records as the longest running annual civic event, held every year in Washerst since 1802. In the picture of the right, one of Emmett Lee Dickinson's older sisters, Ethelene Etheline, opens the Jubilee in the extravagant spectacle called "The Pageant of Herbivores." |
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December 19: Band Books Week
Did you know that Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) invented the Marching Band? For information about this -- and about Dickinson's other inventions -- click HERE. Therefore, every year during the fourth week of September the Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum (above the coin-op Laundromat on Dickinson Boulevard) and the American Library Association sponsor "Band Books Week."
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Below, left and right: Some of the many band books celebrated during Band Books Week, co-sponsored by the ELD Museum (above the coin-op Laundromat on Dickinson Blvd) and the American Library Association). Click the images the enlarge.
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December 20: National Punctuation Day & CommaCon (September 24th)
Due to Emmett Lee Dickinson's irregular and experimental use of punctuation in his poetry, the Washerst Chamber of Commerce sponsors CommaCon every year in historic Washerst, the birthplace of America's greatest poet.
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Pictured left and below: Posters from the 2015 CommaCon in historic Washerst, Pennsylvania.
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December 21: Emmett Lee Dickinson's Birthday (October 12th)
One of the biggest days in the world of poetry is October 12th, the birthdate of Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request). To celebrate, the Dickinson Organization of Poetry Enthusiasts (DOPE) sponsors a conference on the weekend on or closest to the date. Celebrites and dignitaries from around the world converge on historic Washerst, the birthplace of America's greatest poet!
December 22: National Candy Corn Day (October 30th)
One of the biggest annual holidays associated with Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) is National Candy Corn Day. Dickinson invented candy corn, and to this day, most of the candy corn made in the world is manufactured at the Dickinson Candy Corn Company in historic Washerst, PA (birthplace of Emmett Lee Dickinson).
For complete details on National Candy Corn Day, click HERE.
For complete details on National Candy Corn Day, click HERE.
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December 23: National Twitter Re-Tweeting Month
Some people start November with the idea that they'll write novels for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), but then November 2nd rolls around and reality sinks in. Who's got time to write a novel? With the Christmas Creep demanding more and more of November, there just isn't enough time! BUT -- there's always time to re-tweet a tweet on Twitter, so the Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum (above the coin-op Laundromat on Dickinson Boulevard) sponsors National Twitter Poetry Writing Month (NaTwiReTweMo). For more details, click HERE.
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December 24: Deja Vu Days
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On the first and second weekends in November, Washerstians celebrate "Deja Vu Days" to commemorate two early meetings of the Dickinson Organization of Poetry Enthusiasts (DOPE). The first meeting took place on November 2, 1871, and the second meeting occurred one week later on November 9th. Since 1959, the city of Washerst has celebrated with a Deja Vu festival! Both of the November 1871 meetings are pictured at the left (click to enlarge). For complete details about Washerst's Deja Vu Days, click HERE. |
December 25: Deja Vu Days
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On the first and second weekends in November, Washerstians celebrate "Deja Vu Days" to commemorate two early meetings of the Dickinson Organization of Poetry Enthusiasts (DOPE). The first meeting took place on November 2, 1871, and the second meeting occurred one week later on November 9th. Since 1959, the city of Washerst has celebrated with a Deja Vu festival! Both of the November 1871 meetings are pictured at the left (click to enlarge). For complete details about Washerst's Deja Vu Days, click HERE. |
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December 26: Thanksgiving
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In 1856 Dickinson received a patent for the Gastro-Ocular Correlation Modulator, a device used to see if someone's eyes are, in fact, bigger than his stomach. The use of the apparatus is particularly prevalent on Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season. Pictured at the left: The Gastro-Ocular Correlation Modulator Dickinson also wrote many poems about Thanksgiving. One of his most famous poems about the holiday is "He gave away his Life" (below on the left). The poem inspired third cousin Emily to write a poem by the same name (below on the right). |
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
He gave away his Life – For Us – Gigantic Bird – Delicious – for our own esteem – And succulent – Concurred – Until it burst our Guts That fancied they could hold – When swift it slipped its limit – With mashed Potatoes – and rolls – ’Twas Ours – to eat – and eat – And gobble – and devour By Stuffing’s gradual process – We chose – Gluttony – And sickening – as we gorged – Unto a sated Trance – And when We turned to note the Growth – Broke – the clasp – from the Pants – |
By Emily Dickinson:
He gave away his Life – To Us – Gigantic Sum – A trifle – in his own esteem – But magnified – by Fame – Until it burst the Hearts That fancied they could hold – When swift it slipped its limit – And on the Heavens – unrolled – 'Tis Ours – to wince – and weep – And wonder – and decay By Blossom’s gradual process – He chose – Maturity – And quickening – as we sowed – Just obviated Bud – And when We turned to note the Growth – Broke – perfect – from the Pod – |
December 27: Thanksgetting & the Shopping Season
Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request), was more than a warrior in the War on Christmas -- he was a leading general! He even wrote the now-classic "The War on Christmas March" (click HERE). Dickinson is also responsible for coining the terms "Thanksgetting," the "Shopping Season" (formerly known as the "Holiday Season"), and "Black Friday."
As a matter of fact, Dickinson wrote a celebrated poem about Black Friday entitled "I had a Cause to be awake" (below on the left). That poem inspired third cousin Emily to write a poem called "I had no Cause to be awake" (below on the right).
As a matter of fact, Dickinson wrote a celebrated poem about Black Friday entitled "I had a Cause to be awake" (below on the left). That poem inspired third cousin Emily to write a poem called "I had no Cause to be awake" (below on the right).
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
I had a Cause to be awake – The Rest – were still asleep – And Morn a new urgency took-- I did not wake them up – But left the others – clear – And passed their Curtains by – Sweet Morning – when I rose from sleep – Flocked – To Select – to Buy – I left at Sunrise – Fast – And then I hurried On – And wishfulness in me arose – Ere Christmas deals were gone – ‘Twas such an Ample Pace – I could not Lay Away – ’Twas Black Friday – with the Sales begun – ’Twas Shopping – all the Day – So putting money Down – And taking as a Payer – I journeyed to the next big sale I hustled – and was There – |
By Emily Dickinson:
I had no Cause to be awake – My Best – was gone to sleep – And Morn a new politeness took – And failed to wake them up – But called the others – clear – And passed their Curtains by – Sweet Morning – when I oversleep – Knock – Recollect – to Me – I looked at Sunrise – Once – And then I looked at Them – And wishfulness in me arose – For Circumstance the same – 'Twas such an Ample Peace – It could not hold a Sigh – 'Twas Sabbath – with the Bells divorced – 'Twas Sunset – all the Day – So choosing but a Gown – And taking but a Prayer – The only Raiment I should need – I struggled – and was There – |
December 28: The Annual Deflatable Festival
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Every December the Washerst Chamber of Commerce sponsors an annual Deflatable Festival where homes and businesses alike decorate with deflated inflatables. Pictured at the right: A delightful scene of Santa and some snowmen with deflated inflatables outside the 7 Star Dry Cleaners. Charming scenes with deflatables are seen throughout the town during Washerst's annual Deflatable Festival. For details, click HERE, and scroll down the page to enjoy many of the most popular deflatable exhibits. |
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December 29: The Annual Festival of Lights
Every year throughout the month of December, the Washerst Chamber of Commerce sponsors a spectacular Festival of Lights. The annual event in historic Washerst is rated as one of the Top Ten Festival by Home & Garden TV (HGTV). Check out the pictures below for some of the stunning displays around town.
December 30: "Word of the Year" Countdown
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Due to the fact that Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) loved words and word play, and because he coined so many words and phrases (like "typewriter," "Qwerty," "23 Skidoo," "balloon animal," 'catawampus," and many more), the Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum (above the coin-op Laundromat on Dickinson Boulevard) sponsors an annual countdown of the "Words of the Year." The final "Word of the Year" is always announced on New Year's Eve.
Currently we are counting down the "Words of the Year" for 2015. The "Word of the Year" will be announced tomorrow. For details, click HERE. |
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December 31: New Year's Eve
Are you going to watch the ball drop in Times Square tonight to welcome in the new year? Did you know that that tradition is tied directly to Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin twice removed -- at he request)?
