2nd         Groundhog Day

10-12th    IIABA Agent’s License Review, Jackson, MS

16th          President’s Day

                CISR Insuring Commercial Property, Grenada, MS

17th         CISR Insuring Commercial Casualty, Jackson, MS

18th          IIABA ACSR Mod#3 Jackson, MS

19th          Monthly Business Meeting of IW of SW MS

                 I Can! Class – Home Business

18-20th    CIC Commercial Casualty, Jackson, MS

21st          South Pike Chamber of Commerce Mardi Gras Parade, Magnolia, MS

24th          Fat Tuesday

25th         Ash Wednesday

Congressional leaders set their legislative agenda upon returning to Capital Hill the week of January 19th, but asbestos reform -- a bill that could impact insurers by more than $100 billion – isn’t yet scheduled on the agenda.

A mad cow run triggered the withdrawal of government insurance.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s livestock insurance program sold more policies on the day it was announced that mad cow disease had been found in Washington state than the program had sold in its entire existence, and the government doesn’t yet know when it will make the policies available again.

Pennsylvania became the latest state to adopt a new mortality table for life insurance products, bringing the total to at least 13 states.  Seven other states have taken action that will lead to adoption.  The new table, adopted as a model regulation in December 2002 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, reflects improved longevity.

Citing both a lack of standing on the part of the plaintiffs and a lack of constitutional authority on the part of the court, a federal judge has dismissed a suit brought by descendents of African slaves seeking reparations from 18 corporations, including five insurers, for allegedly profiting from slavery.

See how well you do on this Valentine’s Day quiz.

1. Which one of these was not a saying on the original Sweethearts candies?

a. Be Mine
b. You’re Hot
c. Kiss Me
d. Sweet Talk

2. According to Hallmark, what percentage of Valentine’s Day cards are bought by women?

a. 30%
b. 50%
c. 60%
d. 80%

3. According to the Floral Index of Chicago, what was the most popular color of roses purchased on Valentine’s Day 2001?

a. White
b. Pink
c. Red
d. Yellow

4. In what year did Esther Howland publish the first commercial American valentine?

a. 1849
b. 1889
c. 1909
d. 1929

5. Who is Cupid?

a. The Greek god of love
b. The Roman god of love
c. A medieval superstition about a magical love archer
d. A Biblical Angel

The answers:  1.  B   2.  D   3  C   4.  A   5.   B
 

The roots of St. Valentine’s Day lie in the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia, which was celebrated on February 15th.  For 800 years the Romans had dedicated this day to the god Lupercus.  On Lupercalia, a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a sexual companion for the year.

Pope Gelasius I was not very happy with this custom.  So he changed the lottery to have both young men and women draw the names of saints whom they would then emulate for the year.  Instead of Lupercus, the patron of the feast became Saint Valentine.

St. Valentine was a priest in the Roman Empire who helped persecuted Christians during the rein of Clauduius III.  He was thrown in jail and beheaded on February 14th.

For Roman men the feast day continued to be an occasion to seek the affections of women, and it became a tradition to give out handwritten messages of admiration that included Valentine’s name.

There was also a conventional belief in Europe during the Middle Ages that birds chose their partners in the middle of February.  Thus the day was dedicated to love, and people observed it by writing love letters and sending small gifts to their beloved.  Legend has it that Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent the first real Valentine card to his wife in 1415, when he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Mary and new husband Tim Stogner have moved into their new home.  They are busy unpacking boxes.  Mary has invited everyone to come and see their new house, but has said visitors are required to unpack a minimum of 2 boxes!  She is looking forward to settling in and is busy preparing for two grandbabies this year.

Virginia Zeigler’s mother turned 89 this month.  Virginia & family took her mother out to eat to celebrate.

Bea Jones’ name has appeared on the NAIW Winner’s Circle.  This makes five out of six member’s names on the list.  Mary Stogner has finished her requirements and mailed in her paperwork, so keep a lookout for her name to be added to the list soon.

Ruth Phillips has earned her CPIW designation and is busy working on earning her AAI designation.  She has set a personal goal of earning 4 new designations this year.

Keri Morrell has been extremely busy lately.  She has spent most of her time at her income tax business, training new employees.  She has also been busy working with PIA of MS.  In her spare time she has been hunting.  She recently killed a beautiful buck and their picture was in the Enterprise Journal.  She has also been listening to Ruthie practice her CWC speech.