Happy National Scrabble Day!

Today is National Scrabble Day. As a writer, you’d think this would be my number one favorite game. While I love playing it, there are a few other word games that I prefer. However, I’m always up for a game of Scrabble and I love watching people play.

The history behind the game is interesting. Scrabble was invented in 1938 by Alfred Mosher Butts in Jackson Heights, New York. 

Butts was an amateur artist working as an architect in New York. When he was unemployed in the 1930s, he became determined to create a board game. He studied the existing games of the time to understand the market and what was already created. Seeing that there were three main categories of games — movement games like checkers, number games like bingo, and word games — Butts decided on word games and combined elements of the two popular games of the day, anagrams and crossword puzzles.

Butts analyzed the English language and calculated how often each of the 26 letters was used. From there, he determined the number of times he would include the letters, as well as the weight (point value) of each letter. He didn’t want to make it too easy!

Originally, Scrabble was named Lexiko. It was later called Criss-Cross Words after Butts made some changes in how the game was played. In 1948, Butts teamed up with James Brunot to help him manufacture and distribute the game. Brunot changed the name to Scrabble and made a few tweaks, such as simplifying the rules.

Sales grew slowly until 1952 when then Macy’s president, Jack Straus, discovered the game and added it to the store’s offerings. Due to the new high demand for Scrabble, James Brunot’s factory was unable to keep up with production and licensed the manufacturing rights to a local game company, Selchow and Righter, that went on to purchase the trademark in 1972.

Scrabble is now produced in the United States and Canada by Hasbro and by Mattel everywhere else. It has influenced numerous other games, such as Boggle, Words with Friends, and Scribbage. There are online versions, travel versions, versions in other languages, video games, competitions, dictionaries, and even TV game shows, one of which was hosted by Chuck Wollery in the 1980s.

From an inspired idea to a trial-and-error development process in Alfred Butts’ living room to the larger-than-life game we all know today, Scrabble is firmly embedded into our gameplay.

Celebrate National Scrabble Day. 

Grab your Scrabble board and dictionary, and let’s play! 

#NationalScrabbleDay

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A Taste for Chick-fil-A

It’s no secret that Chick-fil-A has a reputation for great service and the most courteous employees of any fast-food restaurant. In fact, they just ranked number one in customer satisfaction according to a poll by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). They also toppled burger giant “In-N-Out” in Food & Wine’s Market Force survey of America’s top fast food chains.

While every location I’ve gone to has provided excellent service, the Bob Mancini locations in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey have been, hands down, the absolute best franchises I’ve visited. Their commitment to their customers and community is above par. From their weekly family nights to their spirit night fundraisers to their special events (like summer camps, Halloween parties and Easter egg hunts), they go out of their way to give back to the community and make their customers feel valued and part of a family. No one is excluded. Everyone is treated like they belong. No judgement. No negativity. Just pure acceptance and welcoming. In this day and age, that’s hard to come by and a needed relief.

In addition to their regular slate of family-friendly activities, the marketing team at this franchise is constantly developing ideas to keep their customers engaged. For example, on August 10, 2019, they will host their first COWchella event, a fundraiser for the Hearing Loss Association of America and just one of the many ways they give back. The event will include an evening of music, crafts, and other activities provided by community partners.

Other fun events they’ve done include movie nights, gingerbread house decorating, trivia nights, pirates and princesses night, father/daughter and mother/son events, and more! There’s always something fun to do there. Whether it’s East Gate Square or Centerton Square, be sure to check out their Facebook page for information and then stop by. You won’t be disappointed.

Will I continue to support them? Of course. It’ll be “my pleasure.”

 

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Come on Down to Wiggle Town

The time is here. The Wiggles are back in North America for their Wiggle Town Tour. If you have kids, and even if you don’t, make sure you secure your tickets for a show near you. They are excellent performers and kind, super-talented people. You won’t be disappointed.

My son is an avid fan of The Wiggles. Many of his first words came from listening to and watching them. From traditional toddler tunes like Open, Shut Them; Twinkle Twinkle Little Star; and The Wheels on the Bus to Wiggle originals (and fan favorites) like Hot Potato and Rock-a-Bye Your Bear, he loves to sing along and imitate their actions.

So, it was a no-brainer for us to attend a show at our first opportunity, which was the Rock and Roll Preschool Tour in September 2015. We had a great time. Everyone in the room was smiling from ear to ear the whole show. When Lachy came into the audience to shake hands and collect bones for Wags the Dog, he became the first non-family member to get a high-five from my son, which was the highlight of our day and explains why his favorite colors are purple and black.

Now, we’re excited to see them again for this year’s tour and we can’t wait for show day to arrive in October.

Don’t miss out! Get your tickets now and enjoy the show.

G’day, mate!

Marty Panzer: An Interview with a Master Lyricist

Written by Virginia Emrick for The Muse’s Muse

Those who can, do…and if we’re very lucky, they also teach.

In a throw-away world, finding something that’s built to last takes effort. Learning to build such a thing takes skill, perseverance, and a bit of guidance.

Since 1994, master lyricist Marty Panzer has provided songwriting guidance to all levels of writers, encouraging them to write lyrics that succeed and endure. Something Marty knows a lot about.

Continue reading “Marty Panzer: An Interview with a Master Lyricist”

Master Class from a Master Lyricist

If you’re planning to be in the LA area this winter and are ready to take your lyric-writing to the next level, hurry over to the UCLA Extension website and register for Marty Panzer’s Master Class: Writing Lyrics that Succeed and Endure. The upcoming winter 2008 class features the Sixth Annual Concord Records Scholarship, where six students will receive additional classes and a private, one-on-one mentor session with Marty. Continue reading “Master Class from a Master Lyricist”

Get Schock-ed

If you’re interested in becoming a great songwriter, Harriet Schock is your go-to gal. Not only is she an amazing songwriter herself but she’s also an amazing songwriting coach and mentor. Harriet created one of the best step-by-step writing programs you’re likely to find. Using her techniques, you’ll break through the stumbling blocks that hold you back from creating unique and powerful songs that say exactly what you want. She offers her classes either privately or in a group setting. Plus, you can also learn online or by correspondence…whatever suits your needs and location. Visit Harriet’s website and begin your journey. You won’t regret it.