Franklin Matters: Putter Day

Showing posts with label Putter Day. Show all posts

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Franklin TV: Putter Day - 2024

Celebrating the 1st Decade of Puttering

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 12/31/2023

New Year’s Day (often spent recovering from New Year’s Eve) is less holiday and more hangover for some – a day of rest, recuperation (regret?). For me, 2024 marks The Tenth Anniversary of my unflagging effort since 2014 to transmogrify the empty aftermath of New Year’s Eve – Jan 1, and set it apart to become – Putter Day.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s on Monday – Ugh! Srsly? But, it’s a holiday. We’re supposed to celebrate Putter Day by puttering – by doing useful stuff? Really?

In a word – Yes. That’s the point.

Want a strong new year? A strong new year deserves a strong start. Putter Day! After New Year’s Eve is over and done, Putter Day is that affirming, actionable start. Putter Day is our industrial strength holiday; propelling us on to the New Year.

Dictionaries describe to putter (verb) as a perfunctory engagement in a desultory, yet pleasant activity. ( I say, ‘No.’ Putter Day is purposeful, deliberate, delightful. )

For me there is nothing perfunctory nor desultory about a full-on, earnest puttering that leads to accomplishment, an abiding sense of self-satisfaction, total control of my manifest destiny, a good reason to feel smug, and yes – all of the myriad laurels, distinctions and accolades that freely flow therefrom. ( - Too much? Over the top? )

Regarding our other major national holidays, the most meaningful among them have clear purpose and a palpable sensibility. July Fourth is without question a biggie. Each of us knows in some personal, almost visceral way what it means to celebrate our hard-fought, precious freedoms. Our Spirit of Independence runs deep, and we have great empathy for those still fighting for their own freedoms. The patriotic music – ‘Star Spangled Banner’, ‘America the Beautiful’ and others fortify our depth of feeling and understanding. Memorial Day, Flag Day, Veteran’s Day are all tied to July Fourth. These holidays share the gravitas and solemn gratitude reflected in their ceremony and sentiment. Music? We add ‘Taps’. These other patriotic days also share our flag and its colors. Red, White and Blue swags and bunting adorn podiums and stages – the visual paradigm for patriotic days.

President’s Day tries to tag along, but meaning? Gravitas? Ceremony? Nothing. All that President’s Day conjures in our collective – is ‘Fantastic Savings on Car Deals’ – with Red/White/Blue balloons all over the showroom. Music? ‘Yankee Doodle’.

Thanksgiving is a big day with its deep roots in family and a tradition of gratitude. Like the patriotic holidays, Turkey Day has a clear raison d'être. It’s the capstone event of fall and the harvest. A bountiful table set with autumnal golds, browns and a cornucopia make up a warm visual backdrop. Then comes –

Christmas! Wowwerz! As holidays go, this one’s the biggie. From its origin story, add ‘Rudolph/Frosty’ lore, a zillion ‘TV Specials’ for the kiddies, Mom, Dad, the whole family – the Red/Green thematic colors, the sparkling lights, the gifts and carols – Christmas commandeers the entire month after Turkey Day. Then –

New Year’s Eve happens to us. Partypartyparty – confetti, streamers, noise makers, sparklers and sparkly beverage toasts to our future, the countdown, a midnight smooch – and for those among us of a certain age, bedtime (Yawn! - Nighty-nigh-z-z-z-z-z- - )

Title Card: – Sooo – here we are. January First, the vaguely circumspect start of all things new deserves better. It’s too important to be propped up against the tail end of ‘The Holiday Season’ like a bookend. Hence, Putter Day. After a decade of enthusiastic Puttering on New Year’s Day I wish only to share the grand opportunity to enjoy Putter Day with you, good reader. You can do it. In fact, together, you and I can work to make the ‘can-do’ spirit of Putter Day go viral across the nation – perhaps even around the globe. Putter with a pal. Just imagine all those fun projects that you could plan, organize, design, install, fix and/or improve.

To further clarify the Constructive Spirit of Putter Day – It’s about taking action. Putter Day is not someone else’s responsibility. Owning the Day means owning the opportunity to make progress, big or small, real or abstract, on Day One of the New Year. Day Two? Doesn’t cut it. There’s no putting off Putter Day. The new New Year holiday needs you, my friend. So, grab that duct tape and get puttering. Put your good shoulder into it. On Jan 2nd with accomplishment and self-satisfaction, you’ll know you got it right ( all other failed New Year’s resolutions notwithstanding ).

May 2024 smile warmly, kindly upon us all. (If we puttered on Putter Day, we deserve it.)