On President’s Day, I tried to convince my seven year-old granddaughter that my sister was married to a president (her last name is Kennedy). As I pondered this holiday, I started to wonder: do we have too many holidays in the month of February?

My February calendar has Groundhog’s, National Freedom, Valentine’s and President’s Day. February 2016 also includes the Chinese New Year, Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays, and the Super Bowl (an unofficial holiday), not to mention the presidential debates. I have a hard time keeping up!

To simplify things, I propose merging President’s and Valentine’s Day and renaming the Super Bowl the “Groundhog Bowl,” where at halftime the groundhog comes out of his burrow to make his prediction. I recommend a two- hour National Freedom celebration at which time all presidential candidates come together on mainland China to have one debate and celebrate the New Year. These ideas would help reduce the many holidays and events that we all have to remember in the second month of the year.

One special event that seems easy to remember and is fun for all is the annual Winter Wonderland in the Woods held at Reinstein Woods. This year’s event on February 6 was a great success. Despite the lack of snow, attendance was the best ever. Activities included ice rescue and ice fishing demonstrations, kids exploring an artificial snow tunnel, guided nature walks and live animal presentations by the SPCA, to name just a few. Thanks to the outstanding Reinstein Woods’ staff, the enthusiastic volunteers and all the community participants, the event has become a WNY winter favorite. Maybe next year the Reinstein Woods’ winter festival will become a national holiday! (Just a thought.)

Michael Gettings

Friends President

As the season change (it’s still fall as I write), we at Reinstein Woods look forward to the upcoming Holidays. It seems that the general trend lately by the retail community is to extend the holiday “season” by pushing the end of year holidays earlier and earlier.

Nature has a different way of doing things, and we are reminded of that every day. Nature ignores the commercial rush, instead following its own time table. At Reinstein Woods we are lucky to have the opportunity and environment to witness nature at its best – we simply have to slow down and enjoy it!

I think another way to appreciate nature, and in turn, the holidays, are through the eyes of children. I’m always amazed at the excitement expressed by kids when they explore nature.  That excitement is also expressed during the holidays. But we always ask our children to be patient, waiting for the big day, when we ourselves are busy fighting crowds and trying to grab the best deal. Like nature, it’s sometimes better to slow down and to appreciate the moment.

On behalf of Friends of Reinstein Woods, I wish you joy as you share the Holiday season with family, friends and those you love and care about. Don’t forget we are all part of a larger environment, and take the time to appreciate it.

Share in Nature’s Harmony, 

Mike Gettings, President
Friends of Reinstein Woods