Guscio: Don’t jump to conclusions about Leap Year

Leap year here we are.

If you look up the meaning of Leap Year, you will find all parts of the world celebrate in many different ways. We might think our calendar in America is the only one in the world, but there are an abundance of them in many countries and in many religions, all of which are very interesting.

There are many customs that surround Leap Year. The most famous of them is that women may propose marriage to bachelors, and if the gent refuses he must pay a fine. In the old days, he had to hand over leather gloves or a silk dress and a bit of money if he said “no thanks.”

Sadie Hawkins Day is a pseudo-holiday that was originated by Al Capp in his beloved comic strip Li'l Abner. The women of Dogpatch, a mythical hillbilly town, who were not married got to chase batchelors and marry them if the men were caught. This inspired Sadie Hawkins Dances throughout the country where girls get to ask boys to dances. We used to have them in school and they were lots of fun.

Babies born Feb. 29 will have exclusive membership in the Honour Society of Leap Year Babies. The Leap Year Capital of the year is Anthony, Texas, a town that straddles the border of New Mexico. They have a four day festival to celebrate. Leap years also mark presidential elections and modern day olympics.

So girls get your running shoes on and go catch the object of your affection and if he rejects you make him take you to Cahills or The Pearl for supper.

IF THE SHOE FITS

Did you know that until the 1880s shoes were only made in one shape? Thank heavens someone wised up with the brilliant idea that feet are not straight. No wonder everyone hobbled around.

DONALD’S NEW WORD

According to the Oxford Dictionary, we are in the midst of a "Trumpmenttum". Trumpmenttum is a newly coined word that you will be hearing a lot about if you haven't already.

NEWS FOR THE BIRDS

Matthew Gonshaw might be a real “egghead.”

The Londoner is very interested in the nesting habits of rare birds. Mr. Gonshaw kept private journals about the birds and went to all manner trickery and camouflage to snitch eggs from Pied Avocets , Ospreys and other endangered species.

He was put in jail for stealing eggs and arrested several more times for the same offense. His home was raided by Scotland Yard where they discovered nearly 700 blown-out eggs arranged by species and housed in beautiful handmade cabinets.

He has been banned forever from Scotland during bird breeding season. He should be banned everywhere during nesting season, silly man.

Meanwhile in India the Supreme Court is getting ready to hear a case that would settle the belief that all birds have the right to fly freely and should not be caged. It all started with a case brought against the caging of 500 birds in cruel conditions in an Indian market. The pet bird market thrives in the country and illegally trapped birds make up 80 per cent of those offered for sale. I hope the birds win because I have seen pictures of them in cages and it is sad.

SHUCKIN’ AND SHAGGIN’

The Old Town Merchants Society invites you to a fun evening of Shuckin" and Shaggin' from 5 to 9 .m. Saturday, March 12 at The Bluffton Oyster Factory at the corner of Bridge and Wharf Streets.

Enjoy oysters for $10 a bucket, music and Bluffton ambience. Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12 are free. Information oldtownbluffton.com.

CLYDESDALE COUNTDOWN

Don't forget March 15 will be a clippety, clopping day on Calhoun Street.

The beautiful Budweiser Clydesdale horses make a return visit to old town.

So plan to be in the heart of Bluffton for this wonderful treat.

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 10:13 AM with the headline "Guscio: Don’t jump to conclusions about Leap Year."