Look at a September calendar and you’ll notice three holidays: Labor Day, Grandparents Day, and Rosh Hashana. Take a closer look (or some online surfing) and you’ll discover the ninth month of the calendar year marks 69 monthly observances, 34 weekly celebrations, and 159 daily commemorations.

            You may not immediately think of a correlation between some of these reasons to party like its 2011 and the Cornhusker State. But dig a bit further and you may be surprised at how these topics are not only current, but they also create a Nebraska connection.

            It’s Atrial Fibrillation Month. AF, the most common type of heart arrhythmia, occurs when the atria sends erratic signals that do not work in rhythm with the ventricles. 

            Through 2007, 20,009 Medicare beneficiaries in Nebraska used healthcare services due to AF. Those services totaled $14.7 million, according to AF Stat, a health policy foundation.

            Just last week, singer-songwriter Barry Manilow spoke at our nation’s capital to raise AF awareness. Manilow is one of 2.5 million Americans who live with AF.

            During his visit, U.S. Senator Ben Nelson presented the singer with a gift: a CD of “Western Town,” a song Nelson recorded years ago as part of a charity album for the Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children.

            On Sunday, Farm and Ranch Safety Week kicked off and continues through September 24.

            Every year around this time, Scott reminds me about taking precautions since harvest is coming up, I’m sharing the road with farm vehicles, and my Kia Sorento is a heck of a lot smaller than a combine or farm truck.

            In the past two weeks, several fatal accidents have occurred on Nebraska’s country roads. One main reason for the crashes: tall corn and obstructed drivers’ views.

            I spoke with Cheryl Stubbendieck, vice president of public relations for Nebraska Farm Bureau, about the importance of farm and ranch safety.

            She suggests highlighting a seasonal concern at monthly meetings.

            “It’s important that farm families not become complacent about safety. It’s a good idea to review safety procedures at regular farm business and/or family meetings.”

            What about farm visitors? It’s important that farm/ranch dwellers don’t assume guests know basic farm rules.

            Reviewing safety procedures may seem tedious, but those appraisals could ultimately save lives.

            On September 29, VFW Day honors the organization and its members who courageously served our country.

            The 2011 celebration denotes the 112-year establishment of the VFW. In 1899, a group of Spanish-America war veterans joined forces and started the organization for combat veterans.

            Nebraska’s oldest VFW post – All American St. Mihiel Post #247 – is the oldest, continuously active Post in the Cornhusker State. And, the Omaha organization also represents the second oldest post in the United States. The organization formed November 8, 1919. The Ladies Auxiliary began January 25, 1923.

            What an amazing tribute to everyone who has fought for this great country!

            Days may rush together in a flurry of activities, but take a closer look and see how a date on the calendar affects all of us.

Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack. I don’t care if I ever get back…

Nebraska’s fascination with the boys of summer most likely began after Alexander Cartwright’s modernized game gained favor and swept the frontier in the mid-1800s. Omaha’s first organized club assembled in 1867.

In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings stopped in Omaha, pounding the locals, 65 – 1. The Omaha catcher vanished during the 7th inning stretch. His teammates couldn’t find a replacement.

A decade later, the Northwestern League came together, including Davenport, Rockford, Omaha and Dubuque. This lineup formed the first minor league not located on the East Coast.

Around the turn of the century, baseball promoter Guy Green coordinated the formation of the Nebraska Indians baseball team, scouting players from the schools at both Genoa and Santee, as well as the Omaha and Winnebago reservations.

The team fireballed its way across the Cornhusker state, playing local town teams and creating a Wild West ambiance for zealous crowds. This team overcame its initial flash-in-the-pan persona, becoming a top exhibition team.

Nebraska has fielded its share of Hall of Famers, too. Add these names to the scorecard:  Grover Cleveland Alexander, who was born in Elba; Tilden’s favorite son, Richie Ashburn; Omaha native Wade Boggs; “Wahoo Sam” Crawford from – you guessed it – Wahoo;  Bob Gibson, Omaha native;  manager Billy Southworth was born in Harvard; and Arthur “Dazzy” Vance grew up in Hastings.

Currently, Nebraska natives Alex Gordon and Joba Chamberlain make headlines for KC and NY Yankees, respectively.

My dad and I share an appreciation for the game. When I was a kid, we’d travel to Hastings and watch the local American Legion team. Nothing better on a summer evening than watching baseball, eating a cherry Sno-cone and battling a few mosquitoes. (My husband would disagree. He doesn’t understand the allure of the game.)

But the stories about baseball that intrigue me come from my dad when he was a kid. He talks about the town teams from Wausa and Crofton, games against farm team players, some-day major leaguers, where the love of the game reverberated as loudly as the crack of the wooden bat.

These were the games that brought communities together. These were the games that provided entertainment and seemed to connect everyone. Something bigger was at stake during these simpler times, and baseball was the vehicle that united them all.

I remember Wausa’s ballpark on summer Sunday evenings, or sometimes during the week (Wednesdays, maybe?), watching the locals swing and sometimes miss or send a grand slam over the outfield fence.

Even a generation later, a baseball game was a social event, where neighbors and friends congregated to cheer on the neighbors and friends on the field.

When the last batter was called out, we walked back to my grandparents’ house, the glow of field lights filtering above cottonwood trees, slowly fading into darkness.

Baseball is a tradition that’s as American – and Nebraskan – as hot dogs and apple pie.

It’s time for another round of Trivial Pursuit, Nebraska Edition. Let’s match wits on all things Nebraska based on May holidays or celebrations.

How many drivers with Nebraska ties have raced at the famed Brickyard during the Indianapolis 500?  My research shows seven.

Earl Cooper, born in 1886, was one of auto racing’s first superstars. Beginning in 1913, Cooper experienced a rash of tough luck on the bricks. Between spin outs, broken wheels and valve failures, Cooper’s best finish came in 1924. He finished second.

In 1910, Eddie Rickenbacker ran a Firestone-Columbus auto agency in Omaha before the racing bug bit. He started racing in the Indy 500 in 1913. Then, WWI hit and Rickenbacker won the Medal of Honor. By 1927, he owned Indianapolis Motor Speedway and sold the track in 1946.

Ronney Householder competed in 1937 and 1938.

Carl Forberg raced in the 1951 500.

Omaha-born Bob Mathouser raced in the 1964 race.

Lincoln native Roger Rager tried several times before qualifying for the 1980 Indy, clocking the tenth fastest qualifying time.

Gordon Smiley, another Omaha driver, ran in the 1980 and 1981 races. On May 15, 1982, Smiley set out to qualify after Kevin Cogan and Rick Mears turned in record-breaking times. On Smiley’s second lap, the car started to oversteer. Smiley tried to correct the problem, and the front wheels gripped, sending Smiley’s car across the track and into a wall at a speed of 200 mph. He died on impact.

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How often do you partake of an incredible edible egg? At our house, the answer is nearly every day.

Where does Nebraska rank nationally in commercial egg production?  Eighth.

According to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska’s laying hen population is close to 10 million birds. They produce over 3 billion eggs a year, laying close to 95 million dollars into the state’s economy. Wakefield’s M.G. Waldbaum Company, a subsidiary of Michael Foods, Inc., is the largest processed egg company in the world.

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Beef Month wrapped up on Tuesday in the Husker state. What’s Nebraska’s ratio of cattle to people?

The Nebraska Beef Council reports that cattle outnumber Nebraska residents nearly 4 to 1. The organization sponsored a “Best Burger” competition. Who won? The Cellar Bar and Grill in Kearney. Been there, done that, tasted great. Still, nothing compares to a fresh burger grilled at home.

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You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, assuming you want to catch flies.

Is vinegar processed in Nebraska? Yup, and Once you’ve tried it, you’ll want to test every flavor and start concocting gourmet recipes.

Located in Cody, George Paul Vinegar began operations in 2009. Owners George and Karen Johnson began growing grapes just over a decade ago to make wine. Now the vinegary operates from a cozy straw-bale building. Locally-grown fruits – grapes, wild plums, chokecherries, and sandcherries– are processed “Old World” style.

Scott and I stopped last summer, toured the facility, and taste-tested several flavors. Peach vinegar = simply delicious.

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Are you a Nebraska trivia master?

Every state has some odd laws on the books, but some of Nebraska’s rules and regulations make you wonder what the heck?

• Persons with gonorrhea may not marry. (Protection?)
• It is illegal to fly a plane while drunk. (Good! I have enough trouble flying when I”m sober!)
• If a child burps during church, a parent may be arrested. (Obviously, my church congregation did not know about this law.)
• It is illegal to go whale fishing. (Right. Because there are so many in the Niobrara River.)
• It is illegal for bar owners to sell beer unlease they are simultaneously brewing a kettle of soup. (I’ll take a bowl of minestrone to go with my pale ale.)
• It is illegal for a mother to give her daughter a perm without a state license. (OK, I can maybe understand this one. Hair is a delicate matter!)
• In Omaha, a man is not allowed to run around with a shaved chest. (But it’s ok if he waxes, right?)

Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery, so…. Hello, I’m LuAnn and I am a candle junkie. Step into any room in our home and you’ll undoubtedly find a candle.

A number of the candles come from the Cornhusker state. In my opinion, a number of these candle makers came about as a way to supplement income and grew into some booming businesses.

One of my first Nebraska-made came from Sugar Shack Country Candles, made in Edgar, Nebraska, which isn’t too far from the town I grew up.  Sugar Shack began making candles in 1994.

A family-owned candle business located in Weston, Nebraska is Bloom’n Soy Candle Company. Candles by Blazin’ Saddles also offers western-themed candles made from soybeans. Don’t forget about Heritage Falls Candle Company from Falls City. 100% soy candles also available from EcoScents in Omaha.

Master’s Hand Candle Company took shape by turning homemade Christmas gifts into a full-line candle shop. They also make chocolate! Visit their factory in Tekamah, Nebraska. Tours available by appointment.

Another favorite candle maker is located in Hastings. The Barn Candle Company offers a variety of options and have hand-poured their candles since 1997.

Try a wooden wick candle from Cryin’ Creek Candles in Weeping Water.

Let a Nebraska-made candle light up your world.