Father's Day

By: William I. Lengeman III

Celebrate Dear Old Dad! Make his favorite foods for a fun, Dad-pleasing day.

Beyond the Barbeque

Break out of the backyard barbeque routine by planning something different for Father's Day this year. If miniature golf, a trip to the lake, or the latest blockbuster at the movies don't sound like your Dad's cup of joe, take him to a music festival, cook-off, or food festival, or sign him up for a class or workshop.

Father's Day Past

Bet you thought Father's Day was dreamed up by a certain greeting card company in order to boost summer card sales, huh? Not true, believe it or not.

There are a couple theories floating around, but most people credit Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, with the idea. While listening to a Mother's Day sermon, she decided she wanted a way to honor her father who had raised her and her five siblings after the death of their mother. June being the month of his birthday, the first Father's Day was celebrated June 19, 1910.

Though the holiday was supported by Calvin Coolidge when he was president in 1924, Father's Day didn't become official until 1966 when Lyndon Johnson signed the presidential proclamation that made it so.

Father's Day now lands on the third Sunday of every June in the United States, though it's celebrated on various days throughout the year around the world.

Dad may not know cooking, but it's probably safe to say that he knows what he likes. Not all fathers favor simple fare--after all, some of the world's most renowned chefs are dads--but it doesn't hurt to stick with uncomplicated dishes. Plus, that allows everyone in the family to spend most of the day outdoors.

Waking Up Father

What better way to get Dad up on the right side of the bed than with a great breakfast? If you're really keen on treating the paternal unit like King for a Day, why not serve it to him in bed?

Scrambled eggs won't tax even the most rudimentary chefs. Other great breakfast options include burritos, bacon and egg sandwiches or any one of a mind-boggling array of pancake variations.

Great Grilled Grub

Your Father's Day observance is likely be favored with balmy weather, so why not do what dads love best--or so it's been said--and fire up the grill? Go with the tried and true backyard favorite, the almighty hamburger. If burgers sound bland, then you've been living a sheltered life. Check out an assortment of Best Burgers to see just how much zing you can put into the time-honored bun and beef combo.

Pop's One-Pot Favorites

It's hard to mess up chili, the ultimate one-pot dish. Let the purists sweat out intricate details like whether or not to use tomatoes or beans and just go with whatever grabs your taste buds.