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.

Armed Forces Day is a special holiday for people all over the world to come together and thank the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. First conceived by President Harry S. Truman, the holiday was established in 1949. The creation of a single day celebration for all five branches of the United States military made sense due to its recent unification under the Department of Defense. Today, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of every May, this year falling on May 20. Be sure to mark your calendar & support our military! HISTORY OF… Read More »

When you’re doing desserts, why go halfway? Rich in flavor and moist in texture, devil’s food cake is a favorite for chocolate-lovers. They get their chance to celebrate their love for the dessert on National Devil’s Food Cake Day, held on May 19. With devil’s food cake, you get all the taste, and all the chocolate. Devil’s food cake is not your ordinary chocolate cake. It’s a unique mix of ingredients that brings out the chocolate. Recipes often call for boiling water, instead of milk, and some even add coffee to bring out the chocolate flavor! Mixing science with desserts,… Read More »

Mother’s Day is a time-honored tradition of recognizing the women in our lives who raised us, dried our tears, and well, mothered us. Everyone has one or has someone who is like a mother to them. On the second Sunday of May, we honor those women who are our mothers. Whether we shower her with gifts, take her to a fancy dinner or make her a homemade card, what moms want most is to be surrounded by the love of her family. Knowing the people, they love are safe, sound, and healthy is a mom’s number one priority. HOW TO… Read More »

NATIONAL MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY Always the Friday before Mother’s Day, National Military Spouse Appreciation Day recognizes the significant contributions, support, and sacrifices of the spouses of the Armed Forces. National Military Spouse Appreciation Day is also sometimes known as Military Spouse Day. #MilitarySpouseAppreciationDay Along with the tremendous strength and patriotism they have, military spouses endure frequent change and unexpected developments in their lives. They prepare for many unknowns during military life, often unable to make a plan for more than a few days in advance. The hold down the home front during deployments, training, and many other circumstances while… Read More »

You’ll want to make sure you have earplugs on the ready this spring when billions of cicadas will emerge in 16 eastern states, including North Carolina. This year marks the 17th year for the Brood X (that’s Brood 10) emergence, last seen topside back in the spring and summer of 2004. Brood X is the largest in mass of the 15 different broods of cicadas. If you remember the sound cicadas make, then you know how significant the largest group of them in the world will be in terms of enjoying a quiet evening this spring or early summer. Actually,… Read More »

Sometime between 1916 and 1918, James Barber constructed the first miniature golf course on the gardens of his Pinehurst estate “winding in and out among the shrubbery” “a kind of glorified and elongated putting green,” said part of the famous article published Saturday, Feb. 2, 1918, in “The Pinehurst Outlook.” The article’s headline, “Miniature Golf” seemed to help preserve the name of the new game. Let’s find out about the father of this popular pastime and the birth of miniature golf in North Carolina.     James Barber, who owned the Barber Steamship Lines of New York, is credited with building the first… 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 tell a joke day is observed on 16th August every year. This national tell a joke day has to be filled with laughter from the morning till night. The joke is not just an easy thing; it has to have humorous stories, and often it will end with a punchline; usually, best jokes will be short. You can try to deliver a good joke to your friends on this national tell a joke day, remember joke comes in many forms, so try your favorite one on this beautiful occasion. Timing and delivery are the two essential things for a… Read More »

When firing up your grills this summer, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds you to barbecue safely whether you use gas or charcoal. Gas Grills Liquid petroleum (LP) gas or propane, used in gas grills, is highly flammable. Each year about 30 people are injured as a result of gas grill fires and explosions. Many of these occur when consumers first use a grill that has been left idle for a period of time or just after refilling and reattaching the grill’s gas container. To reduce the risk of fire or explosion, consumers should routinely perform the following… Read More »