The Freedom to Connect

When it comes to occasions that strengthen community, the Fourth of July is second to none. Winter celebrations are cool – literally – but are mostly limited to indoors. For spring and summer, festivities move to the great outdoors and are more amiable for friends and neighbors.

On the Fourth of July, however, an entire country comes together to mark the birth of the nation (247 years old if you’re counting) and revel in our shared values, ideals, and freedom. The patriotic nature of the occasion gives strangers something to talk about and celebrate with each other.

The Fourth has been defined by community-focused traditions for generations. Parades march up and down streets in cities and towns big and small. Beaches and backyard pools are filled with merrymakers. And, of course, the nighttime sky flashes with fireworks from sea to shining sea.

This week and all its festivities are an opportunity to reach out to your fellow celebrants and use your power to make connections. Everyone has a story to share about what America means to them, and yours might just trigger a new friendship with someone from your neighborhood.

Red, white & blueberries

If there’s a common thread to all July Fourth celebrations, it’s food. Sometimes, it rains on parades, beach parties, and fireworks shows. Even when that happens, there are always hamburgers, hotdogs, mom’s potato salad, and grandma’s blueberry pie to help us celebrate.

If you think about it, the culinary delights of July Fourth are one of the things that bond us. Recipes are not only passed down through generations but also shared with friends, and those get passed across generations. Your mom’s potato salad? It might have come from her mother – or from her next-door neighbor!

Share your recipe at [email protected].

Our family’s new food tradition

The hamburger is one of the most classic American foods, and during summer a grilled burger becomes the Great American indulgence. The number of ways to dress your burgers is endless: cheddar cheese, raw onion, bacon, and relish. Some folks even put avocado on theirs. But what about the bread? That’s what started our family’s newest food tradition.

Last year, I had the opportunity to chat with Geoffrey Zakarian, the world-famous chef and?culinary ambassador?for Harry & David. During?the conversation, Geoffrey mentioned that Wolferman’s English muffins have been his go-to burger buns for over 30 years (!), having used them in one of his early restaurants, 44 at the Royalton Hotel in New York City?way?back in 1987. “I didn’t know who Wolferman’s was. I just knew it was the best.” And he’s been using them ever since.

With an ample supply of muffins, I immediately tried the muffin burger, and it’s quickly spread as the go-to bread of choice for all our outdoor celebrations. As Geoffrey said, it’s the perfect mix of bun and meat. Watch Geoffrey share the secret to a better burger:

To put it plain and simple, we really enjoy food! We might overindulge, but we enjoy every bite along the way. Food is a great source of joy, pleasure, happiness, and a sense of satisfaction. And the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy each other, let loose, and just dig into watermelon, macaroni salad, peach pie, and some really good burgers!

Happy Fourth Everyone!