The Friday Flyer, June 16, 2006 - Article: Happy Father's Day

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Invited to draw pictures of their Dads and to let their Canyon Lake neighbors know why their fathers were so special, many boys and girls turned their masterpieces into The Friday Flyer this week. At left, Chris Janes drew this rendering of his father, Tim, and said, "My Dad is special because he goes sailing with me." At right, is a picture of Tom Brunner, drawn by Tayler, who said, "I love my Dad because he loves me and he is my Dad." To see more of the colorful drawings, pick up this week's printed issue of The Friday Flyer.

Happy Father's Day – Canyon Lakers celebrate Dads

     Father’s Day is this Sunday, and Canyon Lakers will be celebrating with special dinners, picnics and fun on the lake. The Friday Flyer has invited a group of children to draw pictures of the special man in their life and to tell the world just why their Dad is the best. Those submissions are printed thoughout this week’s paper.
     Father’s Day is a popular holiday, but how many people know just how and why this day began?
     Contrary to popular misconception, Father’s Day was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards. In fact when a “father’s day” was first proposed there were no Father’s Day cards!
     Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a “father’s day” in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd’s mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.
     The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate a “father’s day.” In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father’s Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
     Father’s Day has become a day not only to honor fathers, but all men who act as father figures. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers and adult male friends are all honored on Father’s Day.