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Community Corner

Beyond the Tie: Some Father's Day History

Here are some last-minute gift ideas for Pop.

The idea of formally recognizing a day to celebrate dads came from a father’s daughter 101 years ago. Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash., was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon when she decided to lobby the Spokane Ministerial Alliance about honoring a day for fathers. Dodd’s mother died giving birth to her sixth child, leaving the parenting of five boys and a girl to her father, William Smart. 

Dodd asked that the day be June 5, her father’s birthday, but the city clergy settled upon the third Sunday in June. As a result of her efforts, the first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane in 1910. 

In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson attended Father’s Day celebrations in Spokane and 50 years later President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation declaring the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day from then forward. In 1972 President Nixon established it as a permanent day of national observance.

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It is certainly cliché, but I always associate Father’s Days with neckties. I know we gave my dad a few, and I’m pretty sure I’ve received a few.  They were of use back in the days when I had to wear them but now I can’t think of anything less useful to me than a colored piece of cloth that seems to serve no purpose other than to restrict blood flow to my brain.  I abhorred ties then as I abhor ties now. 

That said, the gesture of giving a tie was always appreciated.  The authoritative symbolism of a tie somehow validated that dad was the king of his domain, even if at least it was just for this one day of the year.  My own dad always received his Father’s Day gifts with great humility and the same level of appreciation, no matter if the gift was a tie or a pair of binoculars that he’d always been wanting.  His true joy was in having his family around him. 

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My father is 3 ½ years gone, and I only wish I could bring him a tie, because he would be there to receive it.  I look forward to this Father’s Day the same way my dad did, to have those I love around me and to just enjoy their presence.  I won’t even hint at a grimace if I receive a tie.

But in case you are thinking beyond the tie for a Father’s Day gift, here are a few local Novato sources for some necktie alternatives. 

How about a book on one of your dad’s interests, politics, sports, cars, history, etc.?  Although we keep hearing talk about wanting to bring one to town, let’s not overlook the fact that Novato does indeed already have a bookstore. And there are some great deals to be had there as my daughters and I recently discovered.

Check out the at 1608 Grant Ave.  You’ll be glad you did.  It’s actually a used bookstore, but the books that we recently purchased there still had that new book cracking sound when you opened the cover.  I doubt they ever made it to the coffee table, and these were best sellers.

Speaking of coffee tables, if dad loves his coffee, how about some gourmet organic coffee straight from the roaster?  Yes, Novato has one of those places too. Masterpiece Coffee on 31 Pamaron Way.

Speaking of masterpieces, how about appealing to Dad’s artistic appreciations?  You may find something that will stimulate his visual tastes at Studio 4 Art at 1133 Grant Ave.  The kids will enjoy making something special for a dad or granddad.

If Dad isn’t a page-turner or a caffeine-junky, then maybe he’s a hands-on kind of guy. Nothing like a hardware store to get dad’s own fix-it juices flowing. Perhaps a gift certificate to Pini Ace Hardware will be his thing.

Of course, the best thing any dad could hope for this Father’s Day is spending some time with the people he loves the most.  And giving the gift of time is something you can’t buy anywhere.  If dad is too far away to visit, you might spend some time on the phone with him.  He’ll appreciate it.

What are you doing to honor your dad this Father’s Day?

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