Thanksgiving Fun Facts

In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims — early settlers of Plymouth Colony, held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. This event is regarded by many as the nation's first Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag Indians in attendance played a key role. Historians have recorded ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America. These include the British colonists in Virginia as early as 1619.

The legacy of thanks and the feast have survived the centuries, as the event became a national holiday 151 years ago (Oct. 3, 1863) when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. Later, PresidentFranklin Roosevelt clarified that Thanksgiving should always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month to encourage earlier holiday shopping, never on the occasional fifth Thursday.

Where to Feast

115 million Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2014's second quarter — all potential stops for Thanksgiving dinner. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership, Table 8 http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/histtabs.html

4.4 million Number of multigenerational households in the U.S. in 2013. These households, consisting of three or more generations, no doubt will have to purchase large quantities of food to accommodate all the family members sitting around the table for the holiday feast ─ even if there are no guests! 
Source: 2013 American Community Survey, Table B11017 
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_13_3YR_B11017&prodType=table

4 Number of places in the United States named after the holiday's traditional main course. Turkey Creek, La., was the most populous in 2013, with 435 residents, followed by Turkey, Texas (410), Turkey, N.C. (291) and Turkey Creek, Ariz. (294). There are also two townships in Pennsylvania with "Turkey" in the name: Upper Turkeyfoot and Lower Turkeyfoot. (Please note that the Turkey Creek, Ariz., population total pertains to the 2010 Census). 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 Population Estimates and American FactFinder, Table DP-1, 2010 Census Summary File 1 
http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012-3.html
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US0477415
http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer.html

8Number of places and townships in the United States that are named Cranberry or some spelling variation of the acidic red berry (e.g., Cranbury, N.J.), a popular side dish at Thanksgiving. Cranberry Township (Butler County), Pa., was the most populous of these places in 2013, with 29,490 residents. Cranberry township (Venango County), Pa., was next (6,583). (Please note that population totals for the two places on the list that are census designated places ─ Cranbury, N.J., with a population of 2,181, and Cranberry Lake, N.Y., with a population of 200 ─ pertain to 2010.) 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 Population Estimates and 2010 Census Summary File 1http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/index.html 
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table 
http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer.html

42 Number of counties, places and townships in the United States named Plymouth, as in Plymouth Rock, the landing site of the first Pilgrims. The two counties, both named Plymouth, are in Massachusetts (2013 population of 501,915) and Iowa (24,957 in 2013).

Plymouth, Minn., is the most populous place, with 73,987 residents in 2013; There are two places in the United States named Pilgrim: One, a township in Dade County, Mo., had a 2013 population of 128; the other, a census designated place in Michigan, had a 2010 population of 11. And then there is Mayflower, Ark., whose population was 2,299 in 2012, and Mayflower Village, Calif., whose population was 5,515 in 2010.

Note: Townships have been included in these counts from 12 states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin) where the primary governmental or administrative divisions of a county serve as general-purpose local governments that can perform the same governmental functions as incorporated places. These county subdivisons are known as minor civil divisions, and the Census Bureau presents data for these in all data products for which place data are provided. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Summary File 1 2013 Population Estimates 
Counties: http://www.census.gov/popest/data/counties/asrh/2013/index.html 
Cities and Towns: http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/index.html 
2014 U.S. Gazetteer Files
http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer.html

Participants in the First Feast

24.5 million  Number of U.S. residents of English ancestry as of 2013. Some could very well be descendants of the Plymouth colonists who participated in the autumn feast that is widely believed to be one of the first Thanksgivings ─ especially the 664,000 living inMassachusetts. 
Source: 2013 American Community Survey, Table B04006. 
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B04006 
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B04006/0400000US25

6,500 Number of members of the Wampanoag American Indian tribal grouping, as of 2010, roughly half of whom reside in Massachusetts. The Wampanoag, the American Indians in attendance, played a lead role in this historic encounter, and they had been essential to the survival of the colonists during the newcomers' first year. The Wampanoag are a people with a sophisticated society who have occupied the region for thousands of years. They have their own government, their own religious and philosophical beliefs, their own knowledge system, and their own culture. They are also a people for whom giving thanks was a part of daily life. 
Sources: 2010 Census American Indian and Alaska Native Summary File, Table DP-1 
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table 

American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving, National Museum of the American Indianhttp://nmai.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/education/thanksgiving_poster.pdf.

Preparing the Feast … Enjoying the Day … and the Aftermath

98.6% Percentage of households in 2013 with a gas or electric stove ─ essential for cooking their Thanksgiving feast. Another 96.8 percent had a microwave, also helpful in preparing the meal. 
Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States: 2013, Table 3www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p70-136.pdf

98.3% Percentage of households with a television in 2013. No doubt, many guests either before, after, or perhaps even during the feast will settle in front of their TVs to watch some football. 
Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States: 2013, Table 3www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p70-136.pdf

35.8% Percentage of households with a stand-alone food freezer in 2013, which they may want to use to preserve their Thanksgivingleftovers. Far more (99.2 percent) have a refrigerator. Once all the guests leave, it will be time to clean up. Fortunately, 69.3 percent have a dishwasher to make the task easier. 
Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States: 2011, Table 3www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p70-136.pdf

Culinary Delights

66,047  The number of supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) stores in the United States in 2012. These establishments are expected to be extremely busy around Thanksgiving, as people prepare for their delightful meals. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS Code 44511 
http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

3,240 The number of baked goods stores in the United States in 2012 — a potential place to visit to purchase refreshing desserts. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS Code 445291 
http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

2,788 The number of fruit and vegetable markets in the United States in 2012 — a great place to find holiday side dishes. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS Code 445230 
http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

242 million The number of turkeys that were forecasted to be raised in the United States in 2014. That is down 5 percent from the number raised during 2012. Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1498

45 million The forecast for the number of turkeys Minnesota will raise in 2014. The Gopher State was tops in turkey production, followed byNorth Carolina (35 million), Arkansas (29 million), Indiana (17 million), Missouri (17 million), and Virginia (16 million). Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1498

$19 million The value of U.S. imports of live turkeys for 2013, with 99.9 percent of them coming from Canada. When it comes to sweet potatoes, the Dominican Republic was the source of 47.8 percent ($5 million) of total imports ($10.4 million). The United States ran a $13.6 million trade deficit in live turkeys during the period but had a surplus of $86.1 million in sweet potatoes. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics 
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/data/.

856 million pounds The forecast for U.S. cranberry production in 2014. Wisconsin was estimated to lead all states in the production of cranberries, with 538 million pounds, followed by Massachusetts (estimated at 210 million). New Jersey, Oregon and Washington were also estimated to have substantial production, ranging from 16 to 55 million pounds. 
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/Cran/Cran-08-14-2014.pdf

2.4 billion pounds The total weight of sweet potatoes — another popular Thanksgiving side dish — produced by major sweet potato producing states in 2014 
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProd/CropProd-10-10-2014.pdf

Following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau's Facts for Features series:

African-American History Month (February)	Labor Day
Super Bowl	Grandparents Day
Valentine's Day (Feb. 14)	Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
Women's History Month (March)	Unmarried and Single Americans Week
Irish-American Heritage Month (March)/	Halloween (Oct. 31)
St. Patrick's Day (March 17)	American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May)	(November)
Older Americans Month (May)	Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
Mother's Day	The Holiday Season (December)
Hurricane Season Begins (June 1)
Father's Day
The Fourth of July (July 4)
Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)
Back to School (August)

Holiday Cocktail Punch

Twinkle lights are being hung and it's time again to start planning those holiday gatherings. EPIC Vodka has a couple of punch recipes to help make this season even more memorable.

Made with vodka imported from France, EPIC is inspired by centuries-old distilling traditions and is made with hand-selected wheat harvested from the Champagne region in France. The vodka is distilled in the Cognac region and delivers a clean, crisp taste at an attractive price point.

"It's all about the memories you make with good family and friends during the holidays," said Tracey Clapp, marketing director, vodka. "These holiday punch recipes from EPIC Vodka are an easy and delicious way to make the most out of time spent with the people that you love."

Named for the great moments found in our lives, EPIC Vodka is a favorite during the holidays when there are so many exciting moments to be had. During the season that's all about sharing, what better way to do that than with an inviting punch bowl promising delicious seasonal flavors?

"At an accessible price point, EPIC Vodka takes the pressure off the host to create something special that will have all the guests talking," Clapp said.

EPIC received a 92/Excellent/Strongly Recommended rating at the 2013 Ultimate Spirits Competition.

The brand is available in 1.75 ml, Liter, 750 ml and 50 ml. Suggested retail pricing for EPIC 750 ml is $12.99.

EPIC Holiday Cocktail Recipes:

(Note: High Res Photos of all cocktails are available)

Peach Rosemary Mule Punch.1/2 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Sprig of Fresh Rosemary
60 Ounces Ginger Beer
Juice from 2 Limes
8 Ounces Water
8 Ounces EPIC Peach Vodka

Add sugar, water, and rosemary to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat and mix until sugar dissolves completely. Let slightly cool.

Combine ginger beer, lime juice, water and vodka in a large punch bowl. Mix in the rosemary simple syrup. Garnish punch with fresh thyme sprigs and lime slices. Serve over ice.

Pumpkin Pie Punch24 Ounces Apple Cider
12 Ounces Water
16 Ounces Hard Cider
8 Ounces EPIC Classic Vodka
1/2 Cup Canned Pumpkin Puree
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl. Use a whisk to mix and break apart the pumpkin puree. Garnish punch with slices of apple and oranges. Serve over ice.

All recipes and photos are by Stefanie Bundalo, http://www.sarcasticcooking.com/.

EPIC vodka is available in a classic unflavored vodka at 80 proof plus nine different flavors in 70 proof each; Peach, Whipped Cream, Kiwi Strawberry, Cherry, Cake, Citrus, Grape, Red Berry and Coconut.  The brand is supported at retail by case cards, large displays, channel cards and recipe booklets.

Facts About U.S. Veterans

Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary marking the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. The day honors military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

Veterans

19.6 millionNumber of military veterans in the United States in 2013.
Source: 2013 American Community Survey 
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/DP02

1.6 millionNumber of female veterans in the United States in 2013.
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B21001

11.3%Percent of veterans in 2013 who were black. Additionally, 79.3 percent were non-Hispanic white; 1.4 percent were Asian; 0.7 percent were American Indian or Alaska Native; 0.2 percent were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; 1.2 percent were some other race. (The numbers for blacks, non-Hispanic whites, Asians, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, and some other race cover only those reporting a single race.)
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/S2101

6.0%Percent of veterans in 2013 who were Hispanic.
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/S2101

9.3 millionNumber of veterans 65 years and older in 2013. At the other end of the age spectrum, 1.6 million were younger than 35.
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B21001

When They Served

7.0 millionNumber of Vietnam-era veterans in 2013. Moreover, there were 5.2 million who served during the Gulf War Era (representing service from August 1990 to present); 1.3 million who served in World War II; 2.1 million who served in the Korean War; and 4.7 million who served in peacetime only. 
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B21002

58,445

Number of living veterans in 2013 who served during the Vietnam Era and both periods of the Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001and September 2001 or later).

Other living veterans in 2013 who served during three wartime periods:

• 39,890 served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam Era.

Number of living veterans in 2013 who served during two wartime periods:

• 1,006,501 served during Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) and Gulf War (September 2001 or later).
• 294,251 served during Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) and the Vietnam Era.
• 175,676 served during the Korean War and the Vietnam Era.
• 92,670 served during World War II and the Korean War.

Sources: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B21002

Where They Live

3Number of states with 1 million or more veterans in 2013. These states were California (1.7 million), Texas (1.5 million) and Florida(1.5 million).
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/S2101/0100000US.04000

Education

26.8%Percent of veterans 25 years and older with a bachelor's degree or higher in 2013. In comparison, 29.9 percent of nonveterans had a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/S2101

29.1%Percent of veterans 25 years and older in 2013 whose highest educational attainment was a high school diploma or equivalency in 2013, compared with 27.7 percent of the nonveteran population.
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/S2101

Income

$36,381Annual median income of veterans in 2013, compared with $25,820 for the nonveteran population.
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B21004

On the Job

7.7 millionNumber of veterans 18 to 64 years old in the labor force in 2013, of those 7.1 million were employed.
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/C21005

Service Connected Disabilities

3.6 millionNumber of veterans with a service-connected disability rating in 2013. Of this number, 957,504 had a rating of 70 percent or higher. A "service-connected" disability is one that was a result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Severity of one's disability is scaled from 0 to 100 percent, and eligibility for compensation depends on one's rating.
Source: 2013 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_1YR/B21100

Voting

14.7 millionNumber of veterans who voted in the 2012 presidential election. Seventy percent of veterans cast a ballot in that election, compared with 61.8 percent of all U.S. citizens 18 years and older.
Source: Table 13. Reported Voting and Registration, by Sex, Veteran Status, and Age: November 2012
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/socdemo/voting/publications/p20/2012/tables.html

12.4 millionNumber of veterans who voted in the 2010 congressional election. Fifty-seven percent of veterans voted in that election, compared with 45.5 percent of all U.S. citizens 18 years and older.
Source: Table 13. Reported Voting and Registration, by Sex, Veteran Status, and Age: November 2010
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/socdemo/voting/publications/p20/2010/tables.html

Cooking is the Leading Cause of Fires During the Holidays

According to the US Fire Administration*, holiday cooking accounts for 41 percent of all residential building fires in the month of December. Heating fires follow at 28 percent and open flame fires at 9 percent. With more cooking, decorations and open flames, the risk of house fires and burns increases drastically during winter months.

To help families "Be Burn Aware" this holiday season, Shriners Hospitals for Children® is joining forces with actor Charlie Barnett of NBC's popular television show Chicago Fire.  As the newest Love to the rescue® Ambassador, Barnett will participate in public service announcements and other activities to let parents know what they can do to reduce the risk of house fires and burn injuries this holiday season.

"Working closely with the fire fighters of Chicago, I know a fire can turn a family celebration into tragedy within seconds, especially when there are young children in the home," said Barnett.  "Shriners Hospitals and I want to make sure parents know what they can do to keep their homes fire safe and kids burn free."

As the experts in pediatric burn treatment, Shriners Hospitals for Children's staff provide critical, surgical and rehabilitative burn care to children, regardless of a family's ability to pay.  Shriners Hospitals for Children recommends a few simple precautions parents can take to help reduce the risk of house fires and burn injuries this holiday season:

• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so children cannot reach them.
• Never leave a hot stove or oven unattended.
• Keep a lid or cookie sheet nearby to cover a pan if it catches on fire.
• Water trees regularly. Discard when dry.
• Keep trees away from heaters and flames.
• Discard lights with bare wires, frays or kinks.
• Never leave lit candles unattended.

"A serious burn or scald can be a life-altering injury with an extremely painful recovery, especially for a child," said Dale Stauss, chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. "We want to do everything we can to reduce the risk of children sustaining burn injuries.  Working with Charlie Barnett to prevent house fires and burn injuries is just another way we send Love to rescue."

Visit BeBurnAware.org for additional tips to prevent burn injuries, activity books for children and educational materials for the entire family.

* U.S. Fire Administration, Topical Fire Research Studies, Volume 6, Issue 4

Host a Farm-Fresh Holiday Feast with Recipes and Wines from Bonterra

Let's get into the organic spirit this holiday season! Bonterra wines, paired with these delicious recipes, will bring California's farm-fresh flavors to your holiday feast.

The leading organically farmed wine brand and a green pioneer since 1993, Bonterra offers pure, flavorful wines that are perfectly in tune with nature. With Winemaker Robert Blue at the helm for the past 20 years, Bonterra wines are food-friendly, fresh and crowd pleasing—and made with environmentally sound organic practices. They are an ideal way to combine the spirit of organic with the holiday spirit at celebrations both formal and casual.

So, just in time for the first soirees of the season, Bonterra offers these holiday recipes that shine when paired with Bonterra wines.

Crostini with Wine-Glazed Mushrooms and Goat Cheese
As an appetizer or first course, pair these bites of crunchy, tangy goodness with Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Merlot.

Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup with Diced Pear
A great first course, the sweet layers of roasted squash, shallot and caramelized pear in this soup come to life when paired withBonterra Viognier's bright, refreshing "peaches and cream" flavors and distinctive floral top notes.

Braised Short Rib and Mushroom Ragu 
Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon brings sip after sip of bright cherry and layers of currant with hints of vanilla—a luscious counterpoint to the depth and richness of the braised meat and porcinis.

Roasted Pork Loin with Allspice and Burst Grapes
The grapes in this dish are a sweet counterpoint to the pork's savory flavors; Allspice, coriander and garlic complement the spicy notes in Bonterra Zinfandel or Pinot Noir.

Fennel, Chard and Turkey Panade 
Bonterra Chardonnay's profile of buttery cream, bright lemon zest and tropical fruits complement the lush flavors and rich texture of this comforting holiday dish. It's also a handy "day after" dish to use up any leftover turkey!

For more pairings and recipes, visit www.bonterra.com/recipes.