Stories this week at Wake Forest
Professor Traces Origins of Thanksgiving
J. Edwin Hendricks, chair of Wake Forest’s history department, can trace the development of the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving feast in 1621 into an important national holiday. In 1789, George Washington proclaimed the first national day of Thanksgiving, says Hendricks. But it didn’t become an official holiday until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln declared that the nation “set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise.”
Late Thanksgiving is Good News for Shoppers
Fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas mean more bargains for consumers, according to Eddie V. Easley, a business professor with the Wayne Calloway School of Business and Accountancy. The pressure is on retailers to move more merchandise in less time, Easley said. As a result, consumers should expect more sales and lower prices.
Take Precautions for Cold Weather Exercise
Exercising in cold weather presents fewer problems than exerting yourself in hot weather, but there are still some necessary precautions for a problem-free workout, according to Don Bergey, an instructor with Wake Forest’s health and exercise science department. It’s important to protect exposed skin and avoid overdressing, says Bergey, who also is the exercise coordinator for Wake Forest’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. He also suggests dressing in layers that can be unzipped or removed as your body heats up. Because water drains heat from the body, exercise enthusiasts should wear clothing next to the skin that “wicks” away moisture.
Categories: Research & Discovery, University Announcements, Wellbeing
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