Hearts and harps. Sweets and suites.
Who can resist Valentine’sDay? It strives to define the month of February. At least in the eyes of
retailers.
And though there are other noble reasons to commemorate February
along with Cupid – World Radio Day (13th),
Presidents’ Day (16th),
and Marijuana Awareness Month
– for the 39 and Holding Club, February 14th is also “Grandpa” Jack Benny Day!
Jack Benny was
a deadpan funnyman who segued from family night around the console radio to
family night in front of the TV, with delightful dry humor and self-deprecating
one-liners.
A Valentine baby, Mr. Benny (February
14, 1894-1974) is the sole reason the 39
and Holding Club exists. Having celebrated his 39th
birthday on-air with fans, he looked forward to it again the following year.
He leaned toward the microphone to
declare his 40th birthday … and couldn’t do it. “There’s nothing
funny about 40,” he said, and declared instead, “I’m 39 and Holding!”
Appropriate to his Valentine
birthday, “Love in Bloom*”
became Mr. Benny’s television theme song, in spite of its incongruous
application to the man and his show. (*1934, music by Ralph Rainger, lyrics by
Leo Robin.)
Other famous Valentine babies: the
infamous Jimmy Hoffa;
danceman, Gregory Hines; and
the Brady Bunch mom, Florence Henderson.
At 39AHC though, we celebrate the whole month of quirky Aquarians making way for the dreamy Pisces folks. February mixes it up with unpredictable and mystical
imagination.
Neither are shrinking violets,
although the violet is February’s
lovely flower, and complements the spiritual clarity of amethyst, the month’s gem.
As you prepare to party with your
February birthday friends, remember to make it a fun, UN-birthday party, the 39
and Holding Club way!
Happy
UN-Birthday February 39ers,
Share on Twitter: @39HoldingClub
Musical Memories at Blast from Your Past - February 1965!
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