When it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations, very few places are dropping the ball these days. Instead, they are dropping wenches, wrenches, pickles, potatoes and bologna—and that’s no bologna.
The New Year’s Eve bologna drop in Lebanon, PA is a bunch of bologna
Pennsylvania may reign supreme when it comes to dropping things on New Year’s Eve. There are more than a dozen drops around the Keystone State, ranging from a button in Carlisle to a sled in Duncannon to the aforementioned wrench in Mechanicsburg (naturally).But certainly, Lebanon’s Bologna Drop takes the cake as a must-see New Year’s Eve event. You never sau-sage a thing as a 250-pound lunch meat plunging 16 feet to the excitement of adoring peeps. Speaking of PEEPS, the marshmallow concoction is usually associated with Easter. But inBethlehem, PA, where the treats are made, the drop of a 4.5-foot tall, 85-pound illuminated PEEP chick makes New Year’s Eve egg-stra special. What’s the dill with pickle drops? While it’s a “no-briner” that Dillsburg, PA drops a six-foot Mr. Pickle, why is a place called Mt. Olive celebrating with a cucumber? It turns out the North Carolina burg is home to the largest independent pickle company in the country. But an unanswered pickle is why Mt. Olive opts to drop its three-foot cuke down a flagpole at midnight Greenwich Mean Time (7pm EST). We wish you a happy bleu year! | Photo courtesy of Plymouth Arts Center
Dairy gets its due on New Year’s Eve in Wisconsin. In Plymouth, the former home of the National Cheese Exchange, a giant cheese wedge gets lowered from a 100-foot crane. But come early. The cheese roars at 10pm. Sounds gouda to us.
Boy oh Boise
Famous Potatoes, indeed. On New Year’s Eve, Boise, Idaho’s most notable spud is a luminous 16-foot tuber known as the Glowtato. Here’s the dirt: Thousands of spectators take to the streets to watch the s’mashing potato plummet in front of the State Capitol at midnight.
Female impersonator Gary Marion, known as Sushi, hangs in a giant replica of a woman’s high heel shoe in Key West, Fla. | Photo courtesy of (Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)
In Key West, Sushi gets dropped on December 31…but she’s actually a drag queen and not a piece of raw fish. Sushi sits in a giant red stiletto that goes down at midnight. But plenty of actual sea creatures are celebrated along the Eastern seaboard on New Year’s Eve. Key West also drops a conch (and a wench, but that’s off-topic). Easton, Maryland lowers a crab. And in Eastport, Maine, the country’s easternmost city, they drop a sardine. An hour before the sardine goes down, a maple leaf falls in Eastport, sweetly celebrating the city’s neighbor just across the border. Why 11pm EST? Because it’s midnight in Canada. O.
Looking for a holiday gift for your favorite traveler? This post offers all sorts of suggestions and includes a recent Gadget Guru segment from Great Day Washington as well.
Picture Keeper Connect
It's happened again. You've taken so many darn pictures that you've run out of space on your phone. Back up those images so you can take new ones this holiday season. After purchasing the Picture Keeper Connect ($119.99 for 16 GB), download the app to facilitate the super-easy transfer of photos and videos from a smartphone or tablet to a computer or a portable compact USB drive.
Weego
How about a battery pack that not only charges your mobile devices, but your car as well? Weego is a pocket-size jump starter battery pack that can do it all. You can give juice to the main power pack at home or in your car (cables included), and then throw Weego in your glove compartment for those times when something in your car is in need of a charge. There's even a built-in flashlight. There are three Weego models, ranging in price from $99.99 to $289 (depending on type of engine you need to charge). Easy-to-follow-instruction are included, as are jumper cables.
HumanCharger
Sometimes, it's the traveler who needs the charge. Could it be that the quickest way to alleviate jet lag is... through the ear? That's the claim of HumanCharger's Finnish inventors, who say their device cuts typical jet lag recovery time in half by emitting light into the ear. The operating principle of the HumanCharger: The headset beams UV-free, blue-enriched white light through ear canal for 12 minutes at a time to the light sensitive regions of the brain that keep circadian rhythms in sync. The HumanCharger ($269.99) comes with a smartphone app that tells you when to take the needed 12-minute bursts of light (after you enter details of your trip). I haven’t tried it myself, but the HumanCharger has been certified to meet the EU Medical Device Directive.
Clean Wave Sanitizing Wand
Germs are everywhere when you travel. Airplanes and hotel rooms can be cesspools of microscopic bugs and bacteria. But the Verilux Clean Wave Sanitizing Wand ($69.99) can zap your these worries away. The wand uses powerful ultraviolet-C light to significantly reduce microscopic germs, mold and dust mites. Take the 10" battery-operated wand and wave it over doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures and the remote control in your hotel room. On the airplane, you might want to zap the tray table and the seat back pocket, two of the dirtiest places around. Frankly, I might be tempted to zap my seatmate as well, particularly if he's hogging the armrest. But the instructions do not sanction that usage.
Black Starry Night Arcopedico Boots
When a traveler is sightseeing, (almost) nothing is more important than footwear. Yet, for women, it can be difficult to find comfortable and good-looking shoes, particularly for winter weather. Well, these Arcopedico boots were made for walking. The knit upper, the soft textile lining, a twin arch support system and a cushioned insole provide all-day comfort. Just as important, the soles are non-slip.
While you are enjoying these images of sites along the Via Emilia, take a listen to my recent segment on Italy's Emilia Romagna region on Around the World Radio. Go to the December 1 show and forward 12 minutes in.
If you are actually thinking about moving out of the country, here are some excellent alternatives.
In the comments section, let me know what your post-election travel plans are.
Interested in luscious male bodies, scrumptious food, deluxe mansions or sexy beach resorts? Then this round-up of stories I have recently written has something just for you. Indulge.
Heading off for the holidays, kids? It's never too early to start planning your road trip, so here is some early advice designed for those traveling by car. For a televised version of these suggestions, please watch here. Before you head out of town, check the weather forecast. That will help you pack more efficiently. Also, download apps that can make travel easier, such as those that provide the skinny on rest stop locations or cheap gas. Of course, try to avoid traveling at peak times. If you can actually drive on the holiday itself, you may end up having the road to yourself.
In terms of getting your car road ready, Autotrader* has a number of important tips to get to your destination safe and satisfied.
1. Before you go, check the oil, other fluids and tire pressure. If you can't do it yourself, bring your car to a dealer for a pre-holiday check-up.
2. Keep the kids happy and quiet on road trips. Plan ample stops, bring along healthy snacks and load up devices with movies and games to keep kids occupied.
3. Have patience. Allow yourself plenty of time. During the holidays, traffic and bad weather can slow you down. So, be prepared...and have your GPS available to opt for alternate routes. Driving slowly and having the proper tire pressure will save on fuel costs. But if you want to reduce your fuel fee to $0, go electric. For shorter holiday trips, an electric vehicle like the Kia Soul EV* is a great money saver. The car itself--which has been named a Motorweek Best Eco-Friendly Vehicle--is very affordable--and, of course, you never have to pay for gas. Plus, you can charge it at home. Another nifty feature--using the Kia Soul smartphone app, you can actually warm up your car before you hit the road. Even if you are visiting family or close friends, sometimes it's nice to have a place of your own to escape to at day's end. Particularly if you are traveling with kids, look for hotels with spacious accommodations. Embassy Suites by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton both offer rooms with separate sleeping and living areas. Both brands offer a lot of value-added extras as well. Embassy Suites* has a nightly social hour with snacks. Even better, it serves up free cooked-to-order breakfasts, which can save a family a ton of dough. Meantime, Homewood Suites by Hilton* have fully-equipped kitchens, and complimentary grocery shopping services. Cooking in can save big money on food costs while traveling. Plus, having the in-room kitchen lets you bring something homemade to holiday feasts.
Even if you find a comfortable room with a cozy bed, getting a good night's sleep on the road can be challenging. You're in unfamiliar territory, plus you may be amped up from eating too many holiday cookies For those occasional bouts of sleeplessness, pack ZZZquil.* You take it and 20 minutes later, you're off to a full night of sleep. You wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the holiday activities ahead, including more cookies. Another thing that will make you feel better--exercising. Move around as much as possible throughout your trip to work off some of those holiday pounds before they get packed on.
Carry-On Spinner – This case stows takes dirty clothes and squeezes them into a tiny space to keep luggage tidy.
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8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Occles – These odd-looking eye shades claim to help aid sleep in airplane by blocking out all daylight.
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8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
EgeeTouch Smart Travel Padlock – This lock requires no key, no dial, and no code, but is opened by a special fob or smartphone app.
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8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Trunkster – Trunkster is part of a new-wave suitcases that dispense with zippers in favor of a roll-top sliding door.
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8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Arm-share – Could this device end armrest wrestling? Perhaps, but it might spark new arguments over who goes top and who goes bottom.
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8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Healthy Back Bag – This teardrop-shaped satchel is designed to distribute weight across the back and help improve posture.
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8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Airpocket – Is there really a need for a travel organizer that fits neatly into airplane seat pockets? There is if you're freaked out by the germs that lurk inside those seat pockets.
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8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
ORGO Lite – Tiny hotel rooms often create big problems when it comes to stowing toiletries. This case creates its own counter to prevent bottle-balancing catastrophes.
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8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Carry-On Spinner – This case stows takes dirty clothes and squeezes them into a tiny space to keep luggage tidy.
Hide Caption
5 of 8
8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Occles – These odd-looking eye shades claim to help aid sleep in airplane by blocking out all daylight.
Hide Caption
6 of 8
8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
EgeeTouch Smart Travel Padlock – This lock requires no key, no dial, and no code, but is opened by a special fob or smartphone app.
Hide Caption
7 of 8
8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Trunkster – Trunkster is part of a new-wave suitcases that dispense with zippers in favor of a roll-top sliding door.
Hide Caption
8 of 8
8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Arm-share – Could this device end armrest wrestling? Perhaps, but it might spark new arguments over who goes top and who goes bottom.
Hide Caption
1 of 8
8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Healthy Back Bag – This teardrop-shaped satchel is designed to distribute weight across the back and help improve posture.
Hide Caption
2 of 8
8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
Airpocket – Is there really a need for a travel organizer that fits neatly into airplane seat pockets? There is if you're freaked out by the germs that lurk inside those seat pockets.
Hide Caption
3 of 8
8 photos:8 hottest new accessories for travelers
ORGO Lite – Tiny hotel rooms often create big problems when it comes to stowing toiletries. This case creates its own counter to prevent bottle-balancing catastrophes.
Hide Caption
4 of 8
(CNN)Roll-top suitcases, germ-busting bags and sleep-inducing face spoons — these are likely to be this year's headline-making travel gadgets.
That's the takeaway from this year's Travel Goods Show, held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Crowdfunded products and 2.0 smart technology seem to be the prominent trends in the travel accessories arena.
That translates into a wide selection of innovative products, from the practical to the posh.
Here's our pick of the best:
EgeeTouch Smart Travel Padlock
This high-tech padlock looks like an old-fashioned lock.
It isn't.
It claims to be the first of its kind to require no key, no dial, and no code.
This product, crowdfunded on Indiegogo, relies on the concept that the only thing keeping us from getting a decent in-flight snooze is ambient light seeping into our eye masks.
The makers of Occles say their goggles will keep the illumination out, even if they make the user look like they're wearing spoons on their face.
If used for sunbathing, they'll keep the UV rays out as well.
Light, durable, strong and bridgeless (to avoid a tan line across the nose), the eye covers are padded with soft rubber.
The adjustable fit works for a wide range of head sizes.
Available in a variety of vibrant colors, the eyewear retails for $31.
The Airpocket comes with a wide band that can be secured to a suitcase.
Airline seat back pockets can be a cesspool of germs.
That's why the Airpocket, crowdfunded on Kickstarter, may come in handy.
This Australian-designed bag, made from somewhat pungent neoprene, organizes travel essentials into a neat package that fits in the seat back pocket.
A wide band across the back allows it to be secured to a suitcase handle during crazed dashes across the airport.
Add-on accessories include the Travelbook ($35) which holds documents in a slim flat case with RFID blocking and the Amenities Case ($20) with a see-through top.
The suggested retail price for the Airpocket alone is $71.
