Atwood area, February 2022 file photo. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — As “the month of love” begins, InkFreeNew is sharing special days and trivia associated with February as well as information about local events taking place.

SPECIAL DAYS THIS MONTH:

• Feb. 2 — Groundhog Day — the day we find out whether or not winter will stick around for six more weeks.
• Feb. 12 — Super Bowl Sunday 
• Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day

 TRIVIA:

• “February” is one of the most misspelled words in the English language.
• Americans are estimated to have spent $23.9 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2022—up from $21.8 billion in 2021 and the second-highest year on record.
• If you were born in February, your birthstone is an amethyst and your flower is a primrose.
• Zodiac signs include Aquarius, Jan. 20 – Feb. 18, and Pisces, Feb. 19 – March 20.
• February is Black History Month.
• February is the only month in the year that could miss having a full moon completely. Some months get a blue moon (two full moons in a month), but February often ends up with none.

THIS MONTH IN MUSIC:

• Feb. 13, 1981— Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” finished 402 consecutive weeks (more than seven years) on the Billboard charts.
• Feb. 1, 1964 — The governor of Indiana declared that the song “Louie Louie” by the Kingsmen was pornographic. He requested that the state’s radio stations not play the song. 
• Feb. 3, 1959 — American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and “The Big Bopper” J.P. Richardson were all killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, along with  pilot Roger Peterson. The event later became known as  “The Day The Music Died” after singer-songwriter Don McLean referred to it as such in his 1971 song “American Pie.”  

THIS MONTH IN SPORTS:

• Feb. 1, 2014 —  Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning became all-time record-holder for MVP trophies, winning his fifth at the NFL Honors in New York.
• Feb. 22, 1980 — “Miracle on Ice”: U.S. ice hockey team beats heavily favored Soviet Union 4-3 at Lake Placid in one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history; Americans go on to win the gold medal.
• Feb. 22, 1959 —Inaugural Daytona 500: Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp cross finish line side by side; Beauchamp declared unofficial winner; ruling overturned after three days by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr.

EVENTS:

• Feb. 3 — Daddy’s Little Sweetheart Dance, 6-8 p.m., Pete Thorn Center, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw.
• Feb. 4 — Wawasee Marching Warrior Pride Pancake Breakfast, 7-11 a.m., Knights of Columbus Council, 414 S. Sycamore St., Syracuse.
• Feb. 4 — Parks Bingo Night, 6:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus Council, 414 S. Sycamore St., Syracuse.
• Feb. 23 — Modern Gardening: Covers, Companions, Flips, 6 p.m., Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams, 806 Connection Circle, Winona Lake.
• Feb. 28 — KCV Swap Meet, 7:30 p.m. Mad Anthony’s Lake City Tap House, 113 E. Center St., Warsaw.