Obscure Games & Events of the Past and Present
Jon Waiksnoris
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Today, the opening ceremony of the 33rd iteration of the summer games takes place. Flag bearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff will lead the USA onto the world’s stage. The upcoming events have inspired us to uncover some of the most obscure, quirky, and unusual events that have taken place in iterations past and present. Take a look at some of our favorites!
Solo Synchronized Swimming: If you’ve tuned into synchronized swimming you may be slightly confused by it, but you understand that the point is to be in sync with your teammates and fellow swimmers and dancers. Well, all that went out the window in 1984, 1988, and 1992 when solo synchronized swimming took place. Good luck being a judge of that event!
Plunge for Distance: Plunge for Distance, or “competitive floating,” is known as being the lamest event to ever take place at the games. In fact, any attempt at being athletic was strictly forbidden in this event. Competitors would dive into the water, surface, and lay flat and motionless, until they had to pick their heads up out of the water for air. Whoever floated the furthest was crowned the winner! But any attempts to swim or perform a move to float further would get you disqualified. Electric!
Tug of War: Most of us have probably taken place in a good, old tug of war bout of some kind. Whether it’s messing around with friends, playing with your dog, or participating in an athletic competition of the highest regard. Wait, what? Yes, tug of war used to take place during the games in the early 1900s.
Modern Pentathlon: In order to compete in the pentathlon event of today’s game, you must have a well-rounded skillset. This seemingly random and chaotic event requires competitors to compete in fencing, show jumping, pistol shooting, swimming, and running. You know, like your one annoying friend who’s good at everything.
Hot Air Ballooning: There have been a number of hot air balloon competitions that have taken place over the years, like distance traveled, altitude reached, even best photo taken from a hot air balloon. In 1900, French balloonist Henry de La Vaulx was crowned the winner of a distance competition, traveling his balloon 768 miles from Paris to Poland. When he finally landed, he was rewarded by being arrested for not filing a passport request.
The summer games are a great time to gather with friends and family, enjoy the events, and root for your favorite athletes. And no watch party is complete without the proper snacks and meal options. From catering and platter options, to snacks and beverages, we’re your one stop shop for enjoying this year’s games!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
We are celebrating mangoes all July long, and today, July 22nd, we’re kicking it up a notch for National Mango Day! We’re so excited to share our passion for this versatile fruit with you. From enjoying mangoes in their natural state to crafting smoothies or baking sweet treats, we’ll teach you how to select the best mangoes, cut them properly, and more!
How to Choose a Mango:
Unlike other fruits, color is not always the best indicator of a mango’s ripeness. Believe it or not, mangoes come in a variety of shapes and colors. In order to discover if a mango is ready to eat, give it a gentle squeeze. An unripe mango will be firm, whereas a ripe mango will be a little soft.
However, mangoes can be enjoyed at all different stages of life depending on preference. The flavors vary from sour-tart to sweet.
How to Cut a Mango:
Step 1: Choose your mango, of course!
Step 2: Rinse off the mango.
Step 3: Place the mango on a cutting board with the stem end facing up.
Step 4: Cut down along the flat sides of the mango, starting just off-center to avoid the large seed in the middle.
Step 5: Slice from top to bottom on both sides of the seed.
Step 6: Using a knife, make vertical and horizontal cuts in the flesh, creating a grid pattern. Be careful not to cut through the skin.
Step 7: Use a knife or a spoon to remove the mango from the skin.
Step 8: ENJOY!
Mango Recipes:
Source:
Summertime means firing up the grill with a variety of meats and veggies, including sausage! While sausage & pepper sandwiches are a traditional summertime meal, you may find yourself with some leftovers, but don’t let them go to waste! We have a very simple recipe for you and your family to enjoy with your leftovers. Let’s see what’s grilling this week…
Sausage & Peppers:
1 pack Premio Italian Sausage
1-2 large Bell Peppers
1 pack Market 32 Sub Rolls
1 bag Dole Salad Kit
Shop Sausage & Peppers with a side salad here!
Pasta with Sausage:
Leftover Premio Italian Sausage
1 jar Rinaldi Marinara Sauce
1 box PICS Angel Hair Pasta
1 bag Birds Eye Steam Fresh Veggies
1 bag Dole Salad Kit
Shop Pasta with Sausage here!
Check out our YouTube page on how to perfect your sausage & peppers on the grill!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
July is National Picnic Month!
Picnics encompass far more than simply enjoying tasty food; they involve gathering friends and family together to embrace the beauty of the outdoors. The warm sun hitting your face while simultaneously smelling the bright flowers awakens the senses and brings joy from one person to the next.
This being said, it’s time to plan your next picnic! Let’s take a look at some local parks to have a picnic as well as delicious recipes for you to make!
New Hampshire
(Colburn Park link takes a minute to load!)
Once you have your picnic location, it’s time to plan what you will bring. Check out some ideas from our recipes site below!
Price Chopper/Market 32 made history on Friday, June 14, by opening four new Market 32s in New York’s Capital Region. As part of our commitment to nourishing life in the communities in which we operate, Price Chopper/Market 32 donated 5% of sales from each grand opening to local organizations making an impact in our neighborhoods. These new stores, located in Albany, Colonie, Niskayuna, and North Greenbush, NY, raised over $50,000 for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, Westland Hills Baseball and Softball, Niskayuna Baseball League, Colonie Little League, and Southern Rensselaer County Baseball Association at East Greenbush Inc.
We presented checks to all 5 organizations at our new Colonie store on Monday, July 15. Check out some pictures below!
We are beyond grateful to teammates across the company for working tirelessly to transform all four stores in a short period, and for supporting programs that help build strong communities. We are so proud to be able to show our customers that we’re not just in your neighborhood, we’re your neighbor!
Brian Rivers, Store Manager, Albany
Damian Dylewski, Store Manager, Colonie
Russ Dyer, Store Manager, Niskayuna
Jason Gabree, Store Manager, North Greenbush
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
It’s National Corn Month, and we think that is something to celebrate! We’ve been partnering with local corn farmers here in the Northeast since 1932. Corn is one of our region’s top agricultural products. Our farmers love to eat this local treat fresh-off-the-stalk, and so do we!
Leading up to the month of July, our corn takes quite a journey. During the month of May when local farmers are tending to their fields, we will tap into Florida’s sweet corn season and supply those delicous ears. Fast forward to June and we start to move up the coast into the state of Georgia. While we are getting corn from here, our local corn has started to sprout. Exciting things await!
Finally, the month of July comes and we are popping with excitement (pun intended)! The first half of the month, we move even further up the coast to North Carolina and Delaware, since their corn season is in full swing. However, by mid to late July, our local sweet corn season is finally underway! This lasts only until mid September, but we enjoy every minute of our corn season. Let’s take a look at a few local suppliers.
Shaul Farms:
We are proud to partner with Shaul Farms located in Fultonham, New York. Amazingly, eleven generations have worked on this farm. They produce cider and vegetables.
Paul Mazza Farms:
We are proud to partner with Paul Mazza Farms located in Colchester, Vermont. For 38 years, Paul Mazza Farms’ goal is to connect the community to fresh local foods.
Check out some summertime recipes you can make with our locally sourced corn!
Mexican Street Corn: Have you ever tried Mexican Street Corn? Well, now you can with this easy and delicious recipe!
home.grown. Corn Fritters: This meal is similar to fried dough with a savory cornmeal-based batter. Try our PICS Cheese varieties or PICS Maple Syrup to go on top.
Grilled Shrimp, Corn, & Tomato Rolls with Lime Mayo: This will be a summertime favorite! Top with fresh cilantro for a burst of flavor.
Summertime Steak Lettuce Wraps: Craving a taco but don’t want the shell? Try these lettuce wraps with similar ingredients as your traditional taco. As always, feel free to add or omit any item.
As the games capture the world’s attention with incredible athletic ability, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate not just the athletes but also the rich tapestry of cultures they represent. What better way to connect with diverse traditions and stories than through the universal language of food? Let’s take a tour of some fabulous meals & desserts to try while you watch your favorite team compete.
Your meal isn’t complete without dessert! Check out our recipes below, and be sure to try our NEW Market 32 Seasonal Macarons. Macarons are a classic French dessert, and with the Olympics happening in France, there’s no better time to try our new treat.
Looking to eat at home more oppsoed to dining out? It’s time to enjoy the comfort of delicious, homemade sandwiches made right in your kitchen! This week’s menu features Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Bagels along with restaurant-style chicken sandwiches. Let’s take a deep dive on what we are serving…
Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Bagels
1 pack Market 32 Breakfast Sausage
1 pack Thomas Bagels
PICS Large White Eggs (BIG sale on 18 ct. PICS Large White Eggs this week!)
1 pack PICS Sliced Cheese
Restaurant-Style Chicken Sandwiches
1 lb. (or 4 cutlets) Market 32 Gourmet Panko Breaded Chicken Cutlets
1 pack PICS Hamburger Buns
1 pack PICS Sliced Cheese
Vlasic Pickle Chips
Wise Potato Chips
Shop for Restaurant-Style Chicken Sandwiches!
Restaurant-Style Sauce:
Our chicken sandwich is not complete without the sauce!
What you’ll need:
1/4 Cup PICS Honey
2 Tablespoons PICS Yellow Mustard
1/4 Cup PICS BBQ Sauce
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
1/2 Cup PICS Mayo
Whisk all the ingredients together, refrigerate, and there you have it!
Recipe from Family Fresh Meals
Written by our friends at Green Mountain Energy
Taking a trip? You booked the tickets, bought a new outfit and told your friends. You packed sunscreen, your IDs, and some extra cash. There’s one more thing to do: make sure your home stays green and energy efficient while you’re gone.
The pros at Green Mountain Energy have shared a few tips to help maintain your eco-friendly home, live a more sustainable lifestyle and keep costs low when you’re away.
Before we dive in: Get a head start on living greener by choosing a 100% clean energy plan from Green Mountain Energy. Plus, you’ll earn 10,000 AdvantEdge Rewards points ($100 value) after 2 months of service and 1,000 points ($10 value) every 6 months for as long as you keep your plan!
You checked your destination, but what about at home? Is it going to be blazing hot or a little cloudy while you’re out? Decide the highest temperature you’re comfortable with so it won’t be stuffy when you get home — about a 5° difference usually does the trick. And don’t forget to close the blinds and pull the shades. All that extra light can heat up your place when you’re not there.
The best way to lower your impact on the planet and save on energy costs is to not use energy at all. You don’t need to unplug your oven, but many electronics use “phantom energy.” They quietly use power even as they sit idle. TVs, air fresheners, alarm clocks — every little bit makes a difference. Even a small appliance like a printer passively uses electricity while it’s plugged in. Try using surge protectors or power strips to make turning everything on and off a breeze.
Smart technology apps and electrical timers can come in handy when you’re away. If you’re worried about your plants getting proper hydration, or if there’s a pet keeping watch at home (or napping all day), create presets to keep them cool during the day and cozy at night. Check out smart thermostats and pre-programmed lights, too. As a safety precaution, you can also set a timer to turn on a few lights when you’re out, so it looks like someone’s at home.
Many of us clean out our refrigerators before we leave town. According to our cool friend science, refrigerators are more efficient when there are more items on the shelf, since cold items help keep other items cold. You can save a little on your bill and help the planet by letting your appliances work for you. If you have liquids or water that’ll keep until you get back home, feel free to leave them on the shelves so your fridge won’t have to work as hard while you’re gone.
This is a more advanced tip, since most of us don’t touch the water heater unless there’s a problem with it. It’s a huge appliance that uses a lot of energy to keep hot water ready for washing dishes and showering. But since you won’t need hot water while you’re gone, why not adjust the water heater for energy efficiency? Many water heater models have a vacation mode, but you can also turn it down manually. Once you return, make sure to follow the Energy.gov recommendations for powering up your water heater when you get home.
Everyone’s lifestyle is different, so no energy tip will be one-size-fits-all. Do what works best for your home, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation, all while knowing your home is on an energy-efficient staycation.
Safe travels!
home.grown. Farm Feature: Paul Mazza's Fresh Produce
Jack Marquette
Marketing Intern
The Operation
Paul Mazza owns over 250 acres of farmland in Essex, Jerico, Williston, and Colchester. After visiting only the Essex and Colchester locations, we could tell each acre was used with purpose of growing some of the freshest produce in Vermont. An operation like this takes a group of employees who love to work for Mazza’s Fresh Produce and provide for their families in the snow seasons. Using busses, they can easily transport them around the farms. This operation leaves Paul working long days and is a reason why his Fruit and Vegetable Farmstand in Essex is so trusted.
Community Connection
We visited the Essex Farmstand location on a Wednesday afternoon and still there were cars consistently pulling in and purchasing the fresh produce from the stand. The community relies on trusts and respects Mazza’s stand and his work for delivering great produce. Their website, paulmazzas.com, displays that their mission statement has not changed. For 38 years they still want to “connect our community with fresh local foods.” Their website provides information on most services covered in this blog, but with much more detail. We encourage you to check out their website to learn more.
Pick-Your-Own
Even with the massive success of the stand, Mazza still says the people’s favorite is the “Pick-Your-Own”. You have the availability of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and apples. They encourage everyone to make memories along with collecting fresh produce at a great price. More information can be found on their website.
Overview
Paul Mazza offers many options to his loyal local customers. Whether it is his Fruit and Vegetable Farmstand in Essex, the popular Pick-Your-Own, or the hard work that goes in behind the scenes, there is a reason the community trusts the farm. Building through a community is something Paul Mazza and Price Chopper both take pride in and is one of the many reasons why he still provides fresh produce in our stores today.