It’s back to school...it’s "summer’s over"...it’s the end to the free-wheeling, fun-loving season we call summer. However, one doesn’t have to stop celebrating. Check this out.

September is…

• National Coupon Month - Yep, it’s time to celebrate the "four billion dollar savings American consumers receive each year by redeeming coupons for their favorite brands." 
• Shameless Promotion Month - Go out and promote yourself, your business, your book, or your product shamelessly. For outrageous tips, visit our website. 

Other Holidays

September 1

Chicken Boy’s Birthday - This is something to celebrate. Have everyone over for fried chicken in a basket and go wild. "Chicken Boy is a 22 ft. statue of a boy with a chicken’s head, holding a bucket of chicken. Formerly the signage for the restaurant for which he is named, he was rescued from destruction by Future Studio of Los Angeles, a graphic design studio, when the restaurant went out of business. Chicken Boy has since become a pop culture icon." 

Emma M. Nutt Day - She was the first telephone operator, well...female telephone operator.

September 3

Anniversary of "Search For Tomorrow" TV Premiere - "This soap lasted for 35 years. It began as a 15 minute program and expanded to 30 minutes in 1968, when it also began to videotape performances instead of doing them live. Notable cast members have included: Don Knotts, Robert Mandan, Ken Kercheval, Jill Clayburgh, Natalie Schafer, Susan Serandon, Robert Loggia, Hal Linden, Morgan Fairchild, Joe Morton, Robby Benson, Kevin Kline, Cynthia Gibb, and Olympia Dukakis.

September 10

Swap Ideas Day - "To encourage people to explore ways in which their ideas can be put to work for the benefit of humanity, and to encourage development of incentives that will encourage use of creative imagination." Sounds like a good plan.

Video Games Day - Have everyone over for a Mario Kart marathon!

National Grandparents Day - Presidential Proclamation 4679, of Sept 6, 1979. Yeah, another one of those holidays for which you have to by a card. But it’s okay. Your grandma and grandpop deserve it. Have them over for dinner.

September 17

Anniversary of the Premiere of "M*A*S*H" - It was 1972. "This popular CBS series was based on the 1970 Robert Altman movie and a book by Richard Hooker. The show aired for 11 years. Set during the Korean War (actually, the show lasted longer than the war), it followed the lives of doctors and nurses on the war front with both humor and pathos…Its final episode, "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen" was the highest rating program of all time, topping the "Who Shot J.R?" revelation on "Dallas." A great theme for a party!

Anniversary of "Mission: Impossible" TV Premiere - It was 1966. "This action-adventure espionage series was produced by Bruce Geller, appearing on CBS for seven years. The premise of the show was simple: each week the IMF (Impossible Missions Force) leader would receive instructions on a super-secret mission to be carried out by the crew." Well, Mr. Phelps, your mission is to party.

Anniversary of "Bewitched" TV Premiere - In 1964. "A witch married to an ordinary man cannot resist using her magic powers to solve the problems her family faces."

September 18

Big Whopper Liar’s Contest - Murphy Auditorium, New Harmony, IN. "Thirty 'story tellers' compete to see who can tell the biggest whopper." Since you can’t be there, there’s no reason you can’t hold your own contest right in your living room. Sounds like fun.

Greta Garbo’s Birthday - Born on this day in 1905, this film star became a famous recluse. But no one ever forgot her. To this day, she seduces film-goers.

Premiere of "Wagon Train" - It was 1957. "Wagon Train" was about a journey on the trail from Missouri to California. Each week the travelers encountered new surroundings and interacted with different guest stars. It was one of my favorite shows. Great reason for a BBQ.

September 24

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Birthday - It was on this day in 1896 that one of America’s greatest writers was born. Best known for The Great Gatsby and Tender is The Night, he died in Hollywood in 1940. He knew how to live. You can learn from him.

Premiere of "The Love Boat" - It was 1977, and we obviously had nothing better to do because this cruise ship comedy became a huge hit. So if you need a theme for your party, use this. It’s easy and fun.

September 25

Major League Baseball’s First Double Header - 1882. Played between the Providence and Worcester teams. If you love baseball, this is a day to remember.

National One-Hit Wonder Day - What a great theme for a party. "Anyone who ever had a hit single deserves eternal remembrance." And we can sing along.

September 26

Johnny Appleseed’s Anniversary - He was born in 1774 as John Chapman. As you probably know, he planted apple trees throughout our great land and was "regarded as a great medicine man by the Indians." Have your own apple festival in honor of the occasion.

National Good Neighbor Day - The perfect day for a block party. For information, Good Neighbor Day Foundation, Rebecca E. Mattson, Box 379, Lakeside, MT 59922. (406) 844-3000.

Shamu’s Birthday - Born in 1985 at Sea World in Orlando, FL, Shamu is the first killer whale born in captivity to survive. Have a birthday party with water sports as the main attraction. A cake shaped like a whale would be a nice added touch.