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 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honored on Father's Day.

Throughout time men have been a source of protection, comfort, inspiration, education  and love for their children and often for many other youngsters.  Fathers, whether by nature or deeds deserve this day to commemorate their importance to children or all ages.

"If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right." -- Bill Cosby

Get Dad Out of the House!

Friday, June 16 - Jazz on the Avenue
JOA is a refreshing Friday after-hours gathering for the entire family from 6 - 10 p.m. in the Grand Casino Ballroom on the fourth floor of the Walker Building. This evening’s atmosphere will be filled with the jazzy sounds of Lonnie Lester and lots of southern style food. Admission is $10 and an additional $9 for the buffet.
Call the Center at 317.236.2099 for details.

Saturday, June 17 - Gospel Play: “Breaking the Cycle”
This Father’s Day weekend HG Productions and The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus will present the gospel play “Breaking The Cycle” at 7 p.m. Saturday at the historic Madame Walker Theatre. The play has a strong message from Ephesians 6:4 that targets fathers and sons. Doors open 1-hour before show time. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. All tickets are for general admission. Tickets are available at The Walker Box Office (317.236.2099) and Light of the World Christian Church (317.254.5922). “Indiana State Representative Vanessa Summers is on her way... in the third year of “Breaking the Cycle” her message will get out,” —HG Productions
Call 317.972.0971 for details.

Sunday, June 18 - Father’s Day Dinner and Comedy Show
Actor, Comedian Jonathan Slocumb brings his Father's Day Tribute to the Madame Walker Theatre. His show is titled: "I Got NuttinBut Love for Ya Daddy & Diva Daddy." Performances are at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For more information call 317-236-2099. What better way to celebrate Father’s Day this year than at a special event filled with delicious food and sidesplitting comedy. Endless Affairs and the Walker would like for you to join us for a cabaret show and dinner (meal time 1-3 p.m.). The matinee is at 4 p.m. and the evening show is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available Monday through Friday at the Walker Box Office. Only tickets to the evening show will be sold the day of the show.
Call the Center at 317.236.2099 for ticket prices.

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard.  Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass."  "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply.  "We're raising boys."  ~Harmon Killebrew

California Father of Six Offers Father's Day Advice
By Mike O'sullivan- Los Angeles- 14 June 2006

  A California man who rose from poverty, built a successful business and raised six sons along the way has some Father's Day advice for other fathers and their sons.  In Los Angeles, VOA's Mike O'sullivan spoke with Joe Massengale about his recent book, "Six Lessons for Six Sons."

Joe Massengale was born in poverty in Marshall, Texas, and suffered the jeers of other children for being so poor.  An African American, he also saw discrimination, and once watched as a mob threatened to lynch his father.  He was determined, however, not to become bitter, or let resentment hold him back from pursuing his dreams.

He decided to head to Los Angeles, were some of his brothers were living, and asked the railway clerk for a ticket.

"And he said, the fare will be $40.86. And I said, Oh my goodness!  He said, I guess that will stop you from going out there," Mr. Massengale recalled.

The high fare did not stop him, and neither did other obstacles he encountered along the way.

In Los Angeles, Joe worked at tree trimming with his brothers, and later decided to start his own tree-trimming business.  He and a friend rented a truck and walked up and down the street, knocking on doors.

"You knock on the door.  You don't even have a card.  You just talk to the people, tell them what you're there for," he explained.  "And they were nice enough to talk to you.  And if you could come across to them, they'd give you a job."

He says that after unsuccessfully visiting 150 houses, the young men finally persuaded a woman to give them a chance.  That first day on the job was the start of a successful 60-year business.

Later, there were business cards, a marketing plan, and long-term relationships with wealthy and sometimes famous customers in Beverly Hills.  But he says his early hardships taught him rules that he would later pass on to his sons, about the importance of confidence, strength of character, pride, persistence, and other qualities.

Joe's reminiscences are woven together with comments from his sons, and others who speak of lessons learned from their fathers.  The book include short contributions from ex-boxing champion George Foreman, from the first African American in space, Guy Bluford, as well as Oscar-winning actress Anjelica Huston and Olympic gold medallist Rafer Johnson.

Joe has had a varied career, with forays into radio, breeding racehorses and running a restaurant.   He says, in whatever he has done, success has come from persistence and hard work.

He adds that young people today have big ideas, often too big. 

"They want to jump the gun," he explained.  "That's what they want to do.  It's the wrong thing to do.  If it's a gardening job, take it.  Take it.  Take an honest job."

Throughout his life, Joe Massengale says he has focused on his family and has tried to convey to his sons the importance of character. 

His sons now range in age from 26 to 53, and live in various cities, from Los Angeles to Philadelphia and Seattle.  Most have their own businesses in fields that include catering, real estate and high tech investment.  But he says they are always willing to help in his tree-trimming business.

"They never did get too big," he said.  "When I call, I say, hey look, I've got a job.  I need you guys to come out here and help me.  And they would do it."

Joe Massengale lives today in a very different world from the one he grew up in.  But he says the qualities that helped him endure discrimination and poverty are helping his sons lead successful lives today.

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. ~Author Unknown

Most dads don't want much for Father's Day, survey finds
BY JENNIFER MARTINEZ - Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON - He taught you how to ride a bike, warded off the monsters under your bed and was your No. 1 fan on game day. So have you bought Dad anything for Father's Day yet?

Fear not. All he probably wants for the holiday is a greeting card, according to a new shopping trend survey. One-third of the dads in a survey sponsored by Discover Card said they considered a card their ideal gift.

"Fathers don't want to give the impression that they wish to be fussed over," said David Stewart, a consumer-behavior specialist at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business. ``It's all a part of the way we define the traditional masculine role."

A quarter of the dads surveyed said they'd be happy with a nice meal at a restaurant. Gift certificates, dinner at home and sports gear rounded out their top choices.

Gift-buyers planned to spend less on dads than they did on moms, the survey found. Respondents estimated their Mother's Day outlay at $41 on average, compared with $31 for dads.

Women who were polled estimated that they'd spend $43 on Father's Day. Men estimated their Mother's Day outlay at $63.

What's going on here?

"Men don't share emotions and they're not all that communicative about what they want and need," said Gilda Carle, an author and TV commentator on domestic roles and relationships. "As a result, their kids will spend less money because they don't know what to buy for Dad other than the usual tie."

Dads also get fewer gifts than moms do because "lots of things we do for moms aren't appropriate for most dads," USC's Stewart added. "You don't send your Dad flowers, typically."

Hallmark Cards of Kansas City, Mo., estimates that Americans will buy 102 million Father's Day cards this year.

The survey's findings are based on a representative U.S. sample of 500 women and 500 men that comprised parents and nonparents. The 291 fathers surveyed answered questions tailored to them. The margin of error on their preferences is 4.5 percentage points.

Henry James once defined life as that predicament which precedes death, and certainly nobody owes you a debt of honor or gratitude for getting him into that predicament.  But a child does owe his father a debt, if Dad, having gotten him into this peck of trouble, takes off his coat and buckles down to the job of showing his son how best to crash through it.  ~Clarence Budington Kelland

Tiffany & Co. opens 1st Indiana location
Tiffany & Co., 8701 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis

Tiffany & Co., made its debut in the Fashion Mall at Keystone June 9.

The store is also the first Midwestern Tiffany location to debut the Frank Gehry jewelry collection. For those looking for Father's Day gifts, Tiffany & Co. customers can choose from Tiffany Atlas golf accessories including a sterling silver, 3-prong golf turf repairer for $75 or the golf tee for $85.

Earnhardt Jr to run special scheme at MIS

Dale Jr. to Race Vintage Earnhardt Paint Scheme on Father's Day No. 8 Car Honors Three Generations of Earnhardts at Michigan Race

Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Budweiser will honor three generations of racing success with a commemorative Father's Day paint scheme for the No. 8 Budweiser car that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will race at Michigan International Raceway on Father's Day, June 18. The paint scheme is based upon the No. 8 cars driven by Ralph Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt during their NASCAR careers.

The predominantly cream-colored car will feature vintage Budweiser bow-tie logos which were introduced in 1956 -- the same year Ralph Earnhardt won the NASCAR National Sportsman title, a series that eventually became the modern-day NASCAR Busch Series. Fans can see the paint scheme at http://www.Budweiser.com or at http://www.DaleEarnhardtInc.com.

"I love that era, and I like the look of the car," said Earnhardt Jr. of the vintage Bud machine. "If I can't go back in time and race in the 1950s or the 1970s, at least I can drive a car that looks like it's from the '50s. I've always liked bold, simple paint schemes, and it'll be cool to drive a car that looks so similar to what my dad and grandpa drove."

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around.  But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.  ~Mark Twain, "Old Times on the Mississippi" Atlantic Monthly, 1874