National Donut Day 2017!

There are many more holidays and commemorative days than I had growing up.  Sure we have Christmas and Fourth of July and Chanukkah and all of the religious holidays. And Memorial Day. But then National Secretary's Day came into the forefront. Then National Take your kid to work day.  My cousin even started his own, Dinner Day, when you should have dinner with a neighbor that you don't know that well!  (and it's made into a state commemorative holiday in Pennsylvania!)

Well, one of these unofficial holidays since 1938 is tomorrow, and this one is near and dear to my heart.  Tomorrow, June 2, is National Donut Day.

Salvation Army Doughnut Lasses.  (photo courtesy Salvation Army)

First started in 1938, the first Friday in June commemorates the Doughnut Lassies, brave young women who were part of the Salvation Army's mission to provide emotional and spiritual support to our troops during World War I.

A vat of Salvation army donuts.  For the recipe, look below.

Exactly 100 years ago, over 250 volunteers went to France to help.  They lived in huts near the frontlines and were there to provide clothing, food, and support for the soldiers.

Because of rationing and the conditions of the huts, it was difficult to make baked goods for the soldiers, but some clever volunteers of the Salvation Army (Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance ) came up with the idea of frying donuts (7 at a time) in soldier's helmets.  The soldiers loved them, it became a big thing, and the soldiers ended up with a new nickname (doughboys).  One can probably trace this as the beginning of  the American love affair with the donut.

In the Chicagoland area, National Donut Day means some delicious and tasty snacks are for people who aren't soldiers also.  And it gives an opportunity to perhaps give back a little also!

A dozen of Glazed and Infused's finest 

GLAZED AND INFUSED:  As an official partner of the Salvation Army, they are donating 50% of all of the sales of the "Salvation Army Donut", a Vanilla bean glazed with The Salvation Army colored sprinkles.  They are $3.00 each or $30 for 12.  You can stop by any of their 5 city locations tomorrow, and if you act quickly, you can even order a donut delivery for your office!

JEWEL/OSCO:  The Salvation Army will also be at Jewel Osco tomorrow and Saturday collecting donations.  Anyone who donates will get a coupon for two free Clyde's donuts, which are sold in store. Visit the link to see times and specific locations

STAN'S DONUTS:  You get a free donut with any purchase!

DUNKIN' DONUTS:  You can get a free classic donut with the purchase of a drink (while supplies last.

KRISPY KREME: There are only two locations in the Chicagoland area (Elk Grove in the North adn Homewood in the South.  But if you live near there, you can grab a free donut with no purchase necessary!

Some of Clyde's donuts available
 for free at Jewel/Osco

BRIDGEVIEW BANK:  While not specifically about National Donut day, the first Friday of each month is free donut day at Bridgeview bank.  Donut day 12 times a year!  They give away Stan's Donuts, coffee, and even some free financial advice!

DORITE DONUTS:  They don't have anything listed on their website as a special, but their donuts are awesome.  I queried them in case they add something last minute.

FIRECAKES DONUTS:  Another great donut shop that may or may not have something special for #donutday.  But you should definitely check them out.

DONUT DELIGHT: I've never been here, but I hear its' amazing.  As far as I know, they don't have any specials for tomorrow.

DOUGHNUT VAULT:  I don't know about these guys either, but wanted to list them as well, because you can never have too many artisanal donut listings in one blogpost! UPDATE: They will be featuring their most popular special: salted caramel old fashioned.  Sounds delicious!

If you are feeling more in an artisan DIY frame of mind., check out a couple of these links:

A Parenting Production: Doughnut Day Freebies and Recipes
Salvation Army Famous Doughnut Recipe
NY Times- Mark Bittmann
Food Network
Huffington Post: Greatest Donut Recipes

And if you'd like to read even more about Donut Day, check out the Salvation Army Page

Happy Donut Day!  Let me know how you celebrated in the comments!

The King and I at the Lyric: Half Off Opportunity!

The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic musical The King and I recently opened at the Lyric Opera, and it is supposed to be wonderful.

The sets are reported as being lavish, elegant, and beautiful, and the talent (as always) is fantastic.

The show features Broadway stars Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as the British schoolteacher and the King of Siam.

 I've had my eye on this show for quite some time.  I think it will be great. And so far all the critics bear out my thinking.

We are planning on going towards the end of the run, but I just got an offer too good to refuse that I had to share with you!

SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE

If you use the code “SIAMBLOG” when purchasing, you can get 50% off your tickets for  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances. Offer is subject to availability and not valid on previously purchased tickets or in combination with any other offer. #LyricKing

This will definitely make you Whistle A Happy Tune!
(one of the many classic songs from the show)

Please see lyricopera.org/promo for full offer details. Code expires 5/19/2016.

For more information on The King and I, or to purchase tickets, visit www.lyricopera.org/kingandi.
You can also call the box office directly at 312-827-5600 for more information.

I also want to say that I took a look at the program, and they are doing everything they can to make this show accessible to kids.  Here's a word-search from the program!

And here's a video clip with a number of review pull quotes.

Gale LaJoye's Snowflake in Chicago- last 4 performances.

This weekend is the last weekend for Gale LaJoye's magical and wonderful show Snowflake, which is performing at the Chicago Children's Theatre through February 14.

I would be remiss if I didn't encourage you to run out and buy tickets to this show immediately. It's been in town for 2 weeks and this is the last weekend.

I saw this show about 15 years ago and it was amazing then, I'm sure that it's only gotten better. This is the 25th anniversary of Snowflake being performed by LaJoye (I featured Gale on my clown blog here: Gale Lajoye )

Gale has performed this show thousands of times: In Japan, he performed it in over 280 cities alone. He recently brought it to the acclaimed Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company where it was a rousing success.

As Snowflake, Lajoye stages a tale of a kindhearted soul who, with little more than imagination and hope, breathes life into what others regard as useless, transforming the simplest of objects into comedic treasures. Without uttering a single word, this incredibly versatile actor amazes an all-ages audience while speaking volumes about humanity, innocence and our need for compassion, understanding and joy.

Snowflake entertains himself by recycling discarded objects into comic treasures, and turns sorrow into joy, He breathes life into toys, floats in mid-air, makes music out of a bedframe, and dances the Nutcracker on skis.

Here's a great video of Gale performing, as well as some in-the-know commentary on his work.

Snowflake is an All Ages show.

The last week of performances, shows are Saturday February 13 and Sunday February 14 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Saturday 2 pm show is a sensory-friendly performance.

GET A DISCOUNT

Tickets are $10 to $39. However, you can use the special code DADA20 to get 20% off. For tickets and information or to redeem your discount, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (877) 222-9555.

You can find out more about Gale's work at http://www.lajoye.com

Brickworld Chicago- The top Lego Exposition in the area!

Brickworld, one of the premier Lego events in the country, is coming to Chicago June 20-21.

 The exposition, which will be held at the Renaissance Convention Center in Schaumburg, will feature over 66,000 square feet of displays, interactive activities, stop-action lego films, and vendors.

 Nearly 400 artists and engineers will display their creations, which include everything from scenes from mythology and history to futuristic space stations.  Also on display will be replicas of famous paintings, replicas of actual buildings, robots,working trains, cityscapes,  and many more things built entirely of Legos.   Last year they presented the largest LEGO great ball contraption in North America, and that will be back this year as well. (see video to the right)

There will be a play area with 20,000 bricks for kids to build their own Legos, and plenty of Lego vendors and enthusiasts on hand to give tips and sell models and other Lego gear.

There are a number of regional Brickworld expositions, but Chicago is one of the largest.  Says Bryan Bonahoom, organizer of the festival, "Chicago is the crowning jewel of our shows."


(Brickworld is a private company not connected with the Lego company.  Brickworld brings together Lego enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate the creativity, diversity, and inventiveness that characterizes the best of what Lego can represent.)





Brickworld Chicago will be held on June 20 and 21, 2015 at the Renaissance Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL.

Hours are 10 AM – 4 PM on Saturday and 10 AM – 3 PM on Sunday.

General admission tickets are $10 in advance, $11 at the door and kids under 3 are free.

DISCOUNTED TICKETS: Readers of this blog before June 17 can get in for $8.50.  To do so, purchase tickets online at https://brickworld.thundertix.com/events/59051 and use the code DADA15.

Click the image to the left.

This is going to be an awesome event for everybody who likes Legos.  Hope to see you there!







If you are unsure of what to expect, you can take a VERY VERY COMPLETE video tour of the 2014 event.  This video is presented by BEYOND THE BRICK.

And here are some more photos of past events (click to enlarge):