Arts and Entertainment

Several places have called themselves the birthplace of Memorial Day, sometimes called Decoration Day. But, in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo as the official birthplace. On May 5, 1866, there was a ceremony to honor local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. It was a community-wide event; businesses closed and residents flew the American flag.

Think Maine! People who visit Maine for the first time leave planning their next visit. The choice of places to stay is many from backwoods camping to cozy inns to all-inclusive resorts. Reserve accommodations early during high season.

Ohio is known as the “Mother of Presidents.” Seven United States presidents were born in Ohio; plus William Henry Harrison made Ohio his home. On a recent trip to Ohio, John and I had the pleasure of meeting James Garfield. Well, not the original President Garfield but Edward Haney, a Garfield portrayer.

Several members of our family decided to spend Christmas in San Felipe, where our oldest son has a vacation house. San Felipe is a small, sleepy fishing village on the east coast of the Baja Peninsula, 125 miles south of Calexico. The area had changed from the one and only other time my husband, John, and I had visited, 20 years earlier. At one point, we went into the village to a restaurant for dinner, where we had what my son said was his favorite meal while in San Felipe. The dish was the Seven Seas Soup served at Chuy’s.