By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
Happy Hour in Pagosa Springs at one of our favs: Cork & Board. Check them out if your summer travels bring you through Pagosa!
When left alone to my own devices, I tend to ponder things. I’ve been on my own, sans Mr. Kaminski, for 11 days now, so I’ve piddled and pondered – a lot.
I put together a new floor lamp. It’s a bit dark in my work area so I purchased a multi-purpose floor lamp that has shelves to hold my office supplies. It took two days and an assist from my neighbor Korin, but it got done.
We’re not going to discuss the leaf blower situation. Changing the battery on said implement is not for the weak – the new one and the old one, as I might have broken the old one. That took neighbor Pat’s involvement, but new battery is in place.
And the skunk situation, well that took neighbor Carl who has already trapped and relocated one odorous offender, but really I’m tackling projects. Well maybe I’m delegating projects – or at least getting an expert assist?
I’ve cooked as well. Sasha is on her way even as I write this to try to get the scorched milk off the stove top. I’ve tried – for two days. And it has minimized, but it’s still there. Who knew a quick overboil could leave such a situation? Think I’ll abandon the culinary catastrophes for the rest of my stay here. Less piddling, more pondering.
All of these issues that have required expert assistance got me to thinking – about Happy Hour. You see, my Pagosa people and I appreciate a good Happy Hour, and we take turns hosting and planning. Since they tend to go well into the dark night, and there’s the stumbling home situation, Happy Hours around here typically turn into adventures. I’ve learned: wear boots or tennis shoes because you can’t see where you’re going, and your agility tends to be a bit compromised.
I know what Happy Hours mean to us here in Colorful Colorado. But then I got to thinking – yep, too much free time again – where did Happy Hours come from?
Turns out one of our favorite pastimes came from one of our best, brightest and bravest: the US Navy. The term “Happy Hour” was first coined by the Navy in the 1910s to describe periods of entertainment and recreation for the sailors to combat the monotony of life at sea. What type of entertainment? Boxing matches, other athletics and movies. That first group of sailors called themselves the “Happy Hour Social” and began hosting these events twice weekly aboard the battleship USS Arkansas.
During Prohibition, the term became synonymous with speakeasies referring to drinks prior to dinner. That’s when the phrase “cocktail hours” began, and “Happy Hour” became a phrase that described these illegal activities.
Post Prohibition in the mid-1930s, bars and restaurants embraced the phrase in an effort to attract customers during the week – or slower periods – offering discount drinks and appetizers prior to the dinner hour.
Today, Happy Hour is a cornerstone of American culture, and as Jimmy Buffet and Alan Jackson have taught us, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.”
“Semper Fortis,” which means “Always Courageous,” to our US Navy for creating an all-American activity that centers around liquid courage. Gotta bounce – I’m due at my neighbor’s Happy Hour. See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
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