April is the first of four months with only 30 days.
April Fools’ Day is the first day of the month. Mid-month on April 15, income tax returns are due. Officially, April 22 is Administrative Assistants Day — little noted except by administrators and their employees.
For the Christian community, April holds significant celebrations. On Thursday, April 2, it is Holy Thursday, on Friday, April 3, it is Good Friday, on Saturday, April 4, it is Holy Saturday, and on Sunday, April 5, it is Easter Sunday. Moreover, on Sunday, April 12, Christians observe Divine Mercy Sunday.
For the Jewish community, Passover begins at sundown on Friday, April 3.
According to the World Almanac, April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Humor Month and Stress Awareness Month.
The two astrological signs in April are Aries, the sign of the Ram (March 21 to April 19) and Taurus, the sign of the Bull (April 20 to May 20). According to the Jewelry Industry Council, the birthstone for April is the diamond.
Easter is a celebration that many of the men in blue celebrated with their families, so it brings back good memories. Asked on the Line posed two questions to mainliners: “What was your favorite Easter activity? What was your Easter dinner like?”
Jesus Flores said that he loved the family reunions during Easter. “When I was a kid, Easter was a big celebration, like Christmas, and we always got dressed up and went to church on Easter morning. Then, we came home to have lunch and visit with relatives and then had a big dinner. My favorite thing to eat was all the Easter candy!” said Flores.
Juan Arballo said, “We used to go to a procession in a small town about 3km from where we lived. I liked it because they made it look real, like the Passion of the Christ. We used to eat Mexican staples like enchiladas, carnitas, cueritos (boiled pig skin) and chicharrones with salsa and lemon.”
Eddie Herena said, “When I reflect on my Easter experiences as a kid, religion was not a part of it, but I really liked going to the park with my family. We used to eat barbecue. I loved the barbecue.”
Tim Thompson recalled, “When I was younger, I used to go to Sunday School and then we’d have Easter egg hunts. I would like eating the Easter eggs.
Phil Phillips said that during Easter he loved to sleep in because it was one of the few times he didn’t have to get up early. “We’d have boiled eggs for Easter egg hunts, but I didn’t like them. I liked chocolate eggs.”
David Le explained, “My family is not Christian; we are Buddhists. But I liked the Easter bunny and Easter eggs. Who doesn’t like Easter candy? Who doesn’t like chocolate-covered eggs? Go to Walgreens!”
Eddie Hollingsworth said, “I used to like to go over to family gatherings and eat, drink and listen to old family stories. My favorite food to eat during Easter was homemade macaroni and cheese and fried perch fish.”
Lenny Rideout remembered, “My favorite thing to do was to get together with my family. We’d get in our Sunday best and go to church with the family. I loved to eat ham, turkey, potato salad and everything that my mother and grandmother used to cook. It was a family tradition to get together, eat and go to church.”
Quinton Walker said, “My favorite thing to do during Easter was the Easter egg hunts! My favorite thing to eat during Easter was chocolate. The chocolate-flavored Easter eggs.”
Raymond Bodine said, “For Easter, I liked attending Holy Saturday services at church. I liked to eat See’s Candy’s chocolate Easter eggs.”
