Barbara Hardt, Peak to Peak. Valentine’s Day, also called St. Valentine’s Day, is a holiday when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. The holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day. It came to be celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14th century. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on Sunday, February 14, 2021.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. That means it’s time to submit your special Valentine for print in the February 11 edition of The Mountain-Ear. Send a message to your love, your crush, your parent or child. A message of hope to your neighbor or friend. Valentine messages are free this year. Email your message to publisher1977@gmail.com.

Does your business have a special event planned? A special Valentine meal for dine-in or takeout? Do you offer gifts to celebrate the holiday?  Submit your advertisement to be included in all print and online editions between now and Valentine’s Day. Podcast ads and print/online holiday ad pricing available by emailing publisher1977@gmail.com. 

(Originally published in the January 21, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)