At Occano, the Sound is a gift we unwrap day after day—and share with the ones we love most. And we look forward to sharing it with you.

St. Patrick’s Day observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green. Celebrated annually on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday known for parades, shamrocks and all things Irish. From leprechauns to the color green, find out how symbols we now associate with St. Patrick’s Day came to be, and learn about a few that are purely American inventions. The Shamrock The shamrock, which was also called the “seamroy” by the Celts, was a sacred… Read More »

Tickets are now available for the authentic, one-of-a-kind Viking Experience Festival happening right here in North Carolina on March 25-26, 2023. This second-annual event will take place at The Barn at Vino, a breathtaking vineyard with rolling fields and elegant ponds, featuring talented reenactors, a Fairy Glen, food, two stages, vendors, and music in the Great Hall. Let’s take a look inside this magical experience. Walking into this long-ago kingdom is nothing less than extraordinary. Come see for yourself, and before you know it you are a part of something bigger — and something much, much older. Try on the… Read More »

The powerful roar of your disposal’s motor may convince you it can take on any garbage you throw its way, but it’s important to remember that your disposal is not a trash can. Garbage disposals are designed to grind small bits of biodegradable food waste to help prevent clogged drains. Proper use and maintenance will not only extend the life of your appliance, but will also spare you unnecessary and costly service calls. Do: Small amounts of skinless, boneless, pit-less and non-fibrous foods are safe to grind. Don’t: Shells, skins, husks, rinds and other hard or fibrous materials should not… Read More »

Summer vacations have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean all work and no play. With cooler weather, beautiful scenery and an array of local festivals, fall is the perfect time of year for weekend getaways close to home. For travel ideas, activity suggestions and trip planning, visit www.Recreation.gov. A partnership of 12 federal agencies, including the Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Archives, Recreation.gov offers advance reservations at 2,500 federal areas for more than 60,000 facilities and activities. The website’s interactive maps and searchable database make it easy to discover parks, forests,… Read More »

As the days begin to shorten and the nights become longer, we often look for things to give us some warmth and comfort through the autumn season. And one of the things that we look forward to every year is enjoying a cup of hot mulled cider. Mulled cider is a sweet cider that’s been infused with a variety of citrus fruits and spices. The “mulling” parting of the term mulled cider refers to the product being heated, sweetened, and then enhance it using mulling spices. It’s a great drink to enjoy while you celebrate National Hot Mulled Cider Day… Read More »

National Great American Pot Pie Day is a holiday that’s observed on September 23rd every year and encourages everyone to make them one of the greatest comfort foods ever created: a pot pie. These little pies are filled with a variety of ingredients and have been enjoyed by people for quite a long time now. Pot pies are a savory dish that’s easy to make, especially since frozen pot pies were introduced to the American public in the 1950s. And because this holiday is observed after the beginning of autumn, it’s the perfect time to place this warm food into… Read More »

Is your dishwasher in danger of catching fire? Do the outdoor lighting fixtures on your home pose a shock hazard? Will the peanut butter in your pantry send you to the hospital? Every year in the United States, countless products ranging from power tools to plush toys are recalled by manufacturers. In the first half of 2010, major recalls included several million vehicles and 43 over-the-counter children’s medicines. In December 2009, virtually every Roman blind and roller shade on the market was recalled due to strangulation hazards posed by their cords. To help consumers stay aware of unsafe, hazardous or… Read More »

National Gooey Butter Cake Day is celebrated on August 12 every year. The holiday is dedicated to the tasty treat that is loved by many. Gooey butter cake is a dessert or pastry delicacy. It has a yeast cake foundation with a ‘goo’ mixture on top, sprinkled with powdered sugar. It’s a sticky, chewy dessert and can be found at most bakeries in and around St. Louis. Typically, gooey butter cake is served as a coffee cake. Gooey Butter Cake is a dessert like no other. I’m not even really sure why it’s called a “cake”.  The magic of cream… Read More »