Today, January 27 - is the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. It also marks #InternationalHolocaustRemembranceDay. To start off, this post is not to offend or hurt anyone in anyway with my way of honoring those who lost their lives or are scarred by any genocide in history. I have a lot of interest in WWII and Holocaust, stemming from my Grandpa being a WWII Veteran - listening to his stories, his experiences, and the lessons he taught me before he passed away. I have a lot of links to share with you for today.

First I'll direct you to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website for some history and to see how people across the world are getting involved in stopping genocide across the world.  This website is based in the UK, but is full of information, not just on what to do with today, but history, survivor's stories, ways to fight for a better future, not just for yours and mine, but the whole world. This site has so much information on it. Dive in!

Secondly, I want to direct you to  The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's website to see their remembrance  day page, and to invite you to browse around their website for lots of information about the Holocaust. HERE you can find out more on the Holocaust itself. You can find more out about visiting the museum HERE.

If you would like to lean more about the day from the Jewish stand point, please visit the Jewish Virtual Library and read on   Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Memorial Day.  PLEASE NOTE: I'm not pushing any type of religion on anyone. it's all for education, clarification, and understanding.

While you are at it, head over to X (formerly Twitter), and use the hashtag #InternationalHolocaustRemembranceDay and see all the amazing stories of people remembering their loved ones today with stories , pictures and videos.

~*Z*~

​Disclosure: Z's Place receives products in order to conduct reviews. No monetary compensation was provided unless noted otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own. Some posts may contain affiliate links that I receive commission or payment from in exchange for referrals. In the event of a giveaway, the sponsor is responsible for delivery of the prize, unless otherwise noted in the posting. I only recommend products or services I personally use and believe will be a good fit for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 225: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"

There are a lot of people all over the nation, and the world actually, that await Punxsutawney Phil's prediction for the upcoming Spring. I've been lucky enough to attend the fun and festivities a few times over the years, but it's been a while since I've gone.

While the party starts on Thursday February 1, 2024 - Groundhog day falls on a Friday this year, which means - my husband and I can attend! We are planning on going over and seeing Phil's prediction and joining in on the fun. I'll get some pictures and videos the best I can.

These events are so popular most of them sell out the day tickets go on sale. There are people who come from all over to celebrate this now 138 year old tradition. I had never really thought much about the history of Ground hog Day, as its just something here in PA that everyone chuckles about, there's also Bill Murray's movie Groundhog Day, and normally we just see on the local news.  Even after going to the celebration I had not really thought about the roots that lead to these events. From what I read, the Pennsylvania Dutch (or Pennsylvania German as some call them now) brought over the tradition of Candlemas, a Catholic rooted festival, the Presentation of Jesus or The Feast of  the Presentation of Jesus,  celebrated 40 days after Christmas.  The weather predicting animal for this was  the badger, in some regions a bear or  a fox, mostly a hibernating animal that could emerge form its burrow and give the prediction for farmers.  The lore has been altered a few times over history, but does pretty much remain the same.  The prediction period used to be 4 weeks  of the forecast instead of 6 weeks that it is now. If you're interested in learning more,  go to the Groundhog Day Wiki page for more information. There's also some history here at The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's website.

I have compiled some information for Groundhog day in Punxsutawney, PA on  Friday, February 2, 2024, if you'd like to attend the events and partake in the fun.  I will say it was not easy to get the information to plan the trip and to know what to expect.  I have emailed The Punxsutawney Groundhog  Club and received no response. I headed to their Facebook page hoping to find some more detailed information in event form or another link to a better list of events, without success.  I ended up asking on a post from the page for some information, they didn't respond, but some residents and Groundhog Day lovers did their best to help me gather the information I was seeking.  Thank you all!

I have found out that if you want to get into the inner circle events, you need to be online and ready on January 1 of the year for the opening of the ticket sales and just hope that you get them.  If you prepay for your bus tickets to the shuttle, it has to be with enough time for them to be shipped out, or you will have to repurchase them at the venue in the event they are not delivered in time.  A few fellow Groundhog Day event goers gave me some tips on what to expect and how to get the best experience out of it.

They had advertised parking for $75 a vehicle, wow! However, it was sold out.  I then was trying to get information on the shuttles and their locations to figure out a way to get into Gobbler's Knob and a way out.  I am really hoping that when we get there that it all comes together, and is actually simpler than it appears to be.

One Groundhog Day goer gave the advice to park at the shuttle and walk the mile and a half to Gobbler's knob, so as not to be stuck waiting on a shuttle with all the event goers the wait time may make us miss the actual emerging of Phil. I'm finding that they run from 3 am until 6:30 am to Gobbler's Knob.  Return shuttles run from 8 am until 2 pm. The bus passes cost $5 per person, with sales opening at 2 am, and they run from 3 locations. I found this information between the followers on Facebook and The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Website.
​
The 3 shuttle locations are:
Barclay Square
Aldi
Wal-Mart

I am planning on using this years trip as a way to find out more information to give to those who are interested in attending in the future, without having to go through all this research.

I will definitely post lots of pictures and hopefully a few videos of our fun at Gobbler's Knob on Groundhog day. So stay tuned for that, and I as I said, I hope to have more information and possibly more things to look for at the events in the future.   Have a great day everyone!

​~*Z*~

​Disclosure: Z's Place receives products in order to conduct reviews. No monetary compensation was provided unless noted otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own. Some posts may contain affiliate links that I receive commission or payment from in exchange for referrals. In the event of a giveaway, the sponsor is responsible for delivery of the prize, unless otherwise noted in the posting. I only recommend products or services I personally use and believe will be a good fit for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 225: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"

Hey everyone, thanks for heading over here to the blog for my birthday Giveaway!   I chose to have a The Nightmare Before Christmas  giveaway  (valued at $75) to celebrate my birthday with you! Hopefully, you'll follow along with me on my adventures and read some of my posts I publish here, as well as visit on Facebook  for daily postings.  Thank you to everyone for supporting the page and blog. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
​
Now on to the boring stuff, some terms and conditions.

Open to US Residents only. This giveaway is in no way sponsored by Facebook or any brand or product named within the giveaway. I myself will provide the prize to the winner. Contest ends tonight 1/14/2024 at 11:59pm. Winner will be contacted 1/15/2024 via the information recorded on the Rafflecopter form.  Full terms and conditions available through the Rafflecopter form under under the agreement for the entries. Winner will be announced after confirmation of winner.

Thanks for supporting Z's Place and stay tuned for more great content, event shares and giveaways!

​~*Z*~

​Disclosure: Z's Place receives products in order to conduct reviews. No monetary compensation was provided unless noted otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own. Some posts may contain affiliate links that I receive commission or payment from in exchange for referrals. In the event of a giveaway, the sponsor is responsible for delivery of the prize, unless otherwise noted in the posting. I only recommend products or services I personally use and believe will be a good fit for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 225: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"

This is where the Swag Button comes into play. You just install the extension to Google Chrome (this is the browser I use, the process and function may be different on other browsers.) The button will alert you when you are shopping if there is an offer to earn Swagbucks at that site you are on.  It will also tell you when there is a Swag Code available to earn some bonus Bucks.  There is also a daily goal they give you, if you meet that goal of daily Swagbucks earned, you get even MORE BONUS BUCKS! There is also a mobile app that helps you on the go with alerts about Swag Codes, special offers, and you can watch videos on Swagbucks TV to earn if you're bored at a Dr office or something.

​Disclosure: Z's Place receives products in order to conduct reviews. No monetary compensation was provided unless noted otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own. Some posts may contain affiliate links that I receive commission or payment from in exchange for referrals. In the event of a giveaway, the sponsor is responsible for delivery of the prize, unless otherwise noted in the posting. I only recommend products or services I personally use and believe will be a good fit for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 225: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"

I wanted to welcome everyone, local and afar, back to the blog.  I retired the blog back in 2019 to go on a new journey with my own contracting business.  A lot has happened in the past 5 years, but I think I love this blogging thing.  I started blogging in 2010 as a review blogger for many different companies.  My blogging experience evolved over time to helping out local folks, sharing sweepstakes, sharing local (as well as national) events, and remaining true to the brands I love.

I will continue to find products to share with you, as well as share sales, coupons, deals, sweepstakes, family topics, events, and just some random awesome stuff I love and find interesting.  Truth be told, I am a nerdy, metal head, mom of 3 kiddos & 2 huskies, just trying to live the good life with my family and friends. I plan on adding a little more of myself to the blog instead of all ambassador, product review and giveaway type things. I know there are a lot of you out there that only follow blogs for the giveaways and deals, but I really have a lot to bring from my little world. Since I am coming back from a pretty long hiatus, it will take a bit to get back up and rolling, and get to know you all again, so until then, I  plan on hosting my own giveaways for you all to enter and enjoy!

Thanks for sticking around and waiting for my return! And thank you to everyone who just joined in at Z's Place as well, I'm going to get started on some Valentine's day posts, as well as a US Family Guide events that are nationwide, however, I will be posting for my region, Western PA and surrounding areas. If you have something in or around you, I have no problem sharing it as well, just email me at [email protected] or send me a message on the Facebook Page.

My family makes  road trips to check out some pretty cool places  as well.  I hope to do some live streams coming up at some of the venues and events I will be attending.  A lot of you  know, from following previously, my husband was an over the road trucker and  I have seen some pretty awesome places going out on the truck with him.  I've been to almost every state in the contiguous United States!  I plan on sharing some really cool places to visit as well as some pictures from my trips with him. I also have my bucket list, and I am all into adventures!  Stay tuned.

Have a great day!
​~*Z*~