Your weekly guide to the events and happenings in and around Boyertown, PA

What to do? Where to go? Here is your one stop list of community events, music, arts, food, business specials, and historic events for Boyertown and beyond…

As a Boyertown graduate, a real estate agent at Glocker Realty, and also a proud member of Building a Better Boyertown, I have had the joy of watching our little town grow. I enjoy having any part in helping our community to move forward. I hope this weekly blog will help shine a light on all the great things happening in and around Boyertown, PA

Here is what’s going down during the week of 3/11/2021 – 3/17/2021

THE LUCK OF THE IRISH

With St. Patrick’s Day less than a week away, I started thinking about the luck of the Irish. Why are the Irish so lucky? Where did this phrase come from? So, I did a little research, and this is what I found out.

During the gold and silver rush in the second half of the 19th century, a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish American birth. Over time this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the expression ‘luck of the Irish.’

Now that I answered that question, it got me thinking about all the good luck charms and superstitions in our culture. How did they start? Are these things actually lucky? I dug up the backgrounds on some of the most common symbols of fortune and prosperity and found that they all have long histories that were passed along through generations and cultures. Whether you believe in lucky numbers, charms, or symbols… or not, it doesn’t hurt to have something in your life that brings you positivity. I think, writer, George Bellairs said it best “Luck is what we make it, not what is thrust upon us.”

Four-Leaf Clover and Shamrock

The three leaved shamrock is an Irish symbol of the Holy Trinity and is also said to represent faith, hope, and love. The fourth leaf on a clover represents luck. Four-leaf clovers were Celtic charms, presumed to offer magical protection and ward off bad luck. It is said that the odds of finding a four-leaf clover is allegedly 1 in 10,000, which is why it’s considered so lucky. So, start searching your backyards for a little luck this St Patrick’s Day!

Lucky #7

The number seven has been connected to luck throughout history. It is quite significant in the Bible. From the creation story, God made the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. From the biblical days to now the number seven is found throughout our lives. There are seven days of the week, seven colors of the rainbow, seven notes on a musical scale, seven seas, seven continents, and seven is the winning roll in many games of chance. Whatever the reason, seven is by far the most popular number for people.

Ladybug

Ladybugs are popular insects worldwide and are believed to bring good luck. In German-speaking countries, they are literally called lucky bugs: “Glueckskaefer”. It is said that if a ladybug lands on you it will bring you luck, fortune, and sometimes even love. This symbol of good luck most likely started from farmers long ago. Ladybugs like to feast on pests, such as aphids, that eat crop plants. When many ladybugs were around, the crops did well. Therefore, ancient farmers found luck in these bright colored creatures. The next time you get a visit from these red and black bugs, remember that they are a gardener’s friend, and they might just give you a little luck too.

Horseshoe

Have you ever seen a horseshoe hanging above a door in someone’s home? There is a reason for this. It goes back to the Irish story of the blacksmith and the devil. One day a blacksmith was working hard in his shop forging horseshoes. Suddenly, the devil appeared and demanded his own shoes. The blacksmith, recognizing the devil, took a burning hot shoe and nailed it deep into the devil’s hooves. The devil howled in great pain and begged for the blacksmith to remove the hot shoe. He agreed under one condition — the devil must respect the horseshoe and never enter any place where one was hung above the door. Because of this, people believed that the horseshoe could keep evil spirits and bad luck out of their homes, and thus bring in or keep in good fortune.

Rainbows & Pot of Gold

The most well-known origin story of the leprechaun’s pot of gold at the end of the rainbow involves a poor Irish farmer and his wife. When they pulled their very last carrot out of their garden, they found a leprechaun dangling from the roots. Being captured, the leprechaun promised one wish in exchange for his freedom. The husband and wife could not decide on just a single wish, so they began wishing for everything—new tools, a house, jewelry—and the list continued until the leprechaun interrupted them. Dismayed by their greed, the leprechaun told the couple they might have all they wished for and more if they could find his pot of gold hidden at the end of the rainbow. The leprechaun winked and left the farmers to chase rainbows forever, looking for a fictitious fortune.

Lucky Rabbits Foot

The association between rabbits and luck began with the Celts back in 600 B.C. They believed rabbits spent so much time underground that they could communicate with gods and spirits, so, naturally, carrying a rabbit’s foot would be lucky. The luck of the rabbit’s foot endured generations and crossed into modern culture. By the 16th century, the rabbit’s foot was mentioned in literature as a way to ward off aches and pains. By the 20th century, obtaining a lucky rabbit’s foot had taken on a strange and specific set of rules. These rules stated that in order to get the most luck, you must sever the left hind foot of a rabbit, in a graveyard, at midnight, on Friday the 13^th. This would not only bring you luck, but also ward off evil magic. Please do not try this at home. Just purchase a faux rabbit’s foot from the store. I am sure it will bring you just as much good luck as the real one, if you just believe.

Lucky Penny

Have you ever heard the saying: “Find a penny, pick it up. All day long, you’ll have good luck.” This stems from ancient civilizations where metals, like copper, were thought to be gifts from gods intended to protect people from evil. Plus, metal currency, like pennies, were linked to more wealth and thus, more luck. In more recent times, the lucky penny has become a battle between good and evil, which is like two sides of the coin. Finding a penny heads up meant you would have luck on your side, but tails up would mean the opposite. Some people say that if you find a penny tails up, you should flip it over to make it heads up so that it can bring luck to whomever finds it next. Everyone could use some extra luck.

Acorns

The origins of this lucky nut begin with the legend involving Thor, the god of thunder. Thor once sought safety under an oak tree during a storm. Ever since then, oak trees were thought to be under Thor’s protection. From this legend Scandinavians believed that putting an acorn on the windowsill would protect a home from lightning strikes. It is also said that the English used to carry acorns to protect themselves during battle. The dry acorns are believed to have saved the soldiers from serious injuries and brutalities that may otherwise have been inflicted upon them. For these reasons and more, it is now said that carrying an acorn can bring luck, health, and even fertility. Remember, all the wonder in a Mighty Oak grows from a single acorn.

EAT LOCAL MARCH MADNESS CONTEST! – There are three rounds left to vote for your favorite restaurant! Hello 422 has set up as bracket competition consisting of 64 local restaurants. There are six rounds, with three days allowed for voting in each round. The winning restaurant will win an awesome prize pack of goods/services worth $3,000, courtesy of Hello 422, Signarama Limerick, SEO Locale and Toast Chesco! One voter will win a $100 gift card to the winning restaurant! Make sure your favorite restaurant/s make it to the final four! Only one will win. Make your vote count! VOTE HERE

GIRLS NIGHT OUT BASKET RAFFLE – Help the Junior Women’s Club of Boyertown support the Boyertown Library with an exciting two day event w/ over 100 baskets, door prizes, and grand prizes! The event will be held at the Boyertown Library on March 19th and 20^th. Tickets are limeted, so pre-order now. The admission fee of $25 which allots you 25 raffle tickets. More raffle tickets will be available on the day of the event. Get your ticket befor you run out

See some of the great baskets at BJWC 4th Annual “Girl’s Night Out” Basket Raffle

For admission tickets, order through email at gfwcraffle@gmail.com or in-person at the Boyertown Library

LEARN ABOUT PEOPLE FROM YOUR COMMUNITY on The Cast at Glocker! Livestreaming at Glocker Realty & Insurance on Facebook or YouTube every Wednesday at 6pm. Hosts Matt Green & Jeff Frederick talk with people and businesses from the Boyertown and surrounding communities and also discuss local events. Join us live and be part of the conversation!

This week we discussed buying and selling homes in the spring market with the owners of Glocker Realty & Insuerance. Watch episode below…

https://youtu.be/pU1vICJAXY8&vq=hd720