Mexican Independence Day Celebration at the Inn

Fietas Patrias

Join us at the Franklin Inn as we celebrate Fiestas Patrias this Weekend

Enjoy a Free Sopaipillas a week

from now until Cinco de Mayo

and other cool prizes. Winners names will be pulled from customer survey cards.

So please make sure you fill one what.  Care about your input.

You can share your winnings with an Amigo. This is a nice sized dessert!

Similar to our 4th of July, Independence day is celebrated in Mexico on September 15th and 16th. They call it the Fiestas Patrias (Patria means Country) and it is their biggest national holiday even more so than Cinco de Mayo. The history of this day goes back to September 16th in 1810, when Father Hidalgo rang the church bells in his church in Dolores and called on the people to take up arms to gain independence from Spain. That same bell is now rung each year. On the night of the 15th, the President of Mexico comes out on the balcony of the National Palace and rings Father Hidalgo's bell. He repeats some of Hidalgo's words, starting with: "Mexicans, Long Live Mexico!" (¡Mexicanos, que Viva México!). The crowds gather in the Main Square, and answer; "¡Viva!", as he waves the flag from the balcony. At the end of the third ¡Viva Mexico! the crowd goes wild waving flags, ringing noisemakers and spraying foam. Then fireworks light up the sky as the crowd cheers. After this, there are fireworks, music and a great fiesta that lasts into the night. This ceremony is repeated in cities and towns all over Mexico. The Governor, or the Municipal President gives the Cry of Dolores. In foreign lands, the Ambassador or Consul does it. Houses are decorated and flags are placed in windows and on cars. The next morning, on September 16th, most cities in Mexico have a big parade.

You can find more information regarding this holiday at the following links:
www.mexonline.com/mexican-independence.htm
History.com
Wikipedia

When was your last visit to the library?

Bread for Books Program
Tuesdays this Month at the Inn to Benefit
Northland Public Library.

"It was from my own early experience that I decided there was no use to which money could be applied so productive of good to girls and boys who have good within them and ability and ambition to develop it as the founding of a public library." - Andrew Carnegie

Last night Grace asked if I would drive her to school early. I was shocked. She loves riding the bus with her friends and she sleeps through the alarm that wakes the rest of us up. "Why early?" My new middle schooler explained that the IMS Library opens at 7:30 am but the bus doesn't get her to school in time to take advantage of it. With coffee in hand and hoping no one would notice that I was still in my pjs, I dropped her off this morning "early" before school. She was delighted at this new school freedom to visit the library on her own. 

This little event reminded me of how much all my children love the library and how important the library is to us. I have loved the library from my youth to motherhood for my own personal fact and fiction seeking adventures and for those of my children. My first paycheck even came from a library where I worked as a page. I guess that is why I was so excited when Traci (she's on the Foundation Board) approached me to be a restaurant for Northland Library's Bread for Books Program. I enthusiastically agreed to participate in Bread for Books. 

I know what the library has meant to me and my family. What about you? I'm sure you have your own memories and ways that you've utilized this valuable resource: maybe for a job search; perhaps you joined a book club; borrowed a classic; watched travel films; attended a seminar; helped your children with homework; checked your email; met a friend; etc. The library offers so much. 

You'll probably be visiting the Inn this week (or you wouldn't be bothering with this blog). Why not come on Tuesday and support the Northland Public Library too. Tuesdays this month 20% of your sales will go to benefit Northland Public Library. Visit this link for more info and for their coupon [Editor's note: link updated for June 2013]which you need to present to your server on Tuesday.

Thank you in advance for your support of this community treasure.

Update:  We are again participating in this program.  This time Tuesdays in June.