“One of the greatest gifts my father gave me—unintentionally—was witnessing the courage with which he bore adversity…He was always unshaken, completely tranquil, the same ebullient, laughing, jovial man.” – Ben Okri
By the time Father’s Day was proclaimed an official holiday in 1972, it had already been unofficially celebrated for 63 years—since Sonora Smart Dodd, who was raised by a single father after her mother’s untimely death, was inspired by a Methodist sermon to commemorate a day that would be dedicated specifically to fathers. With the holiday a few days away, this week we honor the admirable fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and all the men in our own lives who have raised us, inspired us, and positively affected our lives in a myriad of invaluable ways.
Jackson Pollock’s letter from his dad
“I want them to remember that they were loved.” Two fathers’ experiences with foster care.
The data behind stay-at-home-dads
Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
“Doing the Best I Can. Fatherhood in the Inner City.”
The history of Father’s Day on the Journal
Martin Luther King, Sr. on his son’s death
Portrait of my Father Wilhelm Kahlo by Frida Kahlo
Find ready-to-ship gifts for dad in our Cook + Dine section, like the Hawks and Doves Knife Roll and Sean Brock’s Heritage cookbook. Give us a call at 256-760-1090 to check on shipping deadlines. The Factory Store is preparing Father’s Day gift bundles this week. Stop in to create a gift set for dad.
In Alabama: “Beef for Father’s Day”
@ Alabama Chanin
Tomorrow, Bldg. 14 launches The Clean Tees, continuing Alabama Chanin’s mission to create clean and fair clothing manufacturing in our community of the Shoals.
@ The School of Making
A few seats are still available for our week-long Patternmaking Workshop at The Factory, beginning June 18th. Find the details here. Registration closes tomorrow.
@ The Factory Store + Café
Lunch + Saturday brunch menu here. Don’t forget to place your order from the café for smoked ribs and all the fixings by June 26th, to perfect your Independence Day celebrations. We’ll even deliver to select locations in the Shoals.