ST. CROIX EDC

BY BILL RUBIN, ST. CROIX ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dads, naps and ATMs

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Fa- ther's Day as an ovcial national observance in the U.S., thanks to President Richard Nix- on's 1972 proclamation. "Ladies first" as they say, meaning the recognition of Mother’s Day came 58 years earlier from President Woodrow Wilson in 1914.

A Hall of Fame for Dads likely does not exist, but it should, covering all the bases, including compassion (“kid, you’re not hurt, get back in the game”), understanding (“kid, when I was your age . . .”), protection (“kid, let me know who’s bullying you”), leader- ship ("kid, follow me, I'll go first"), indus – trious ("kid, it can be fixed with duct tape"), provider (“kid, let’s order a pizza”), and adventurous (“kid, don’t tell your mom”).

In reality, it’s Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Ouspring Day 24/7/365. Dads and moms lack manuals titled, How To. It gets figured out. Mistakes are made. Kids grow up. And the cycle repeats itself, at which time dads and moms become proud grandparents.

Here's to dads, fathers, father figures, and grandpas in Wisconsin’s St. Croix Valley and around the globe. On June 19, here’s to burgers, brats, weenies, and steaks on the grill. A thirst-quenching pint. Maybe two. A baseball game, amateur or pro. Eighteen holes of golf (a good walk spoiled). A boat or dock, and fishing poles. And here are some light-heart –

ed reflections for Father's Day 2022: “I’m a Dad, Grandpa, and a Veteran. Nothing scares me.” -Unknown “Because I said so.” -Universal Dad “I don’t need Google – my kids know everything.” -Unnamed North Hudson resident “My daughter got me a ‘World’s Best Dad’ mug. So we know she’s sarcastic.” -Bob Odenkirk.

“Dad taught me everything I know. Unfortunately, he didn’t teach me everything he knows.” -Al Unser “By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.” -Charles Wadsworth “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” -Mark Twain “I just taught my kids about taxes by eating 38 percent of their ice cream.” -Conan O’Brien “How do you spell Dad? Answer: ATM.” -Universal Dad “Remember: What Dad really wants is a nap. Really.” -Dave Barry Cheers to all Dads, past, present, and future!