Friday, December 30, 2011

What Does the New Year Mean?


Danilo Rizzuti
Celebrating the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first practiced in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (the first day of spring). 

The beginning of spring is a reasonable time to start a new year. Besides, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming.  January 1, in contrast, has no astronomical or agricultural significance. It is absolutely arbitrary. 

Bringing Luck
Traditionally, it was believed that someone could influence the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for people to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year with family and friends. Parties often last until the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once thought that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man. 


Witthaya Phonsawat
Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. As a result, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune. 

Many parts of the United States celebrate the new year by eating black-eyed peas. These legumes are usually accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The hog, and thus its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day. 

Raine would like to wish you a very happy and healthy 2012!


For a complete list of Raine’s products, go to www.raineinc.com.
Source:  30 December 2011. http://wilstar.com/holidays/newyear.htm.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Nylon vs. Canvas

Photo Map Bag
When I first got into this business in 1986, nylon was still being introduced into the military. Nylon was being sold as a light weight, water resistant substitute for cotton canvas, the main material used for gear in the 19th century up through the mid 20th century. Even in the mid 1980’s, there was still resistance from the “old timers” against nylon arguing it made too much noise. The same argument was made against the use of Velcro®. They also liked the smell of canvas.

Today, all uniforms and most gear are made of nylon and use some Velcro.   Because of this, gear is lighter and stronger than it used to be while the smell and sound of canvas took a back seat.

John Raine
President
The above shown Photo Map Bag can be found at http://raineinc.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1970
For a complete list of Raine’s products, go to http://raineinc.com. 

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Trivia Time: Holiday Locations

The movie, “Miracle on 34th Street”, is in what city?
Suat Eman

What country created eggnog?

Which state, Maine or California, has the “World’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree”?

Christmas Ridge is located in what underwater mountain range?

Which state was the last one to declare Christmas a legal holiday?



Answers:  New York, England, California, Pacific Ocean, Oklahoma
Source:   8 December 2011. http://browinelocks.com/Christmasquiz.

For a complete list of Raine’s products, go to http://raineinc.com. 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

What MOLLE Gear Is All About


Raine’s Warrior Combat Gear is designed for the MOLLE attachment system.  MOLLE is an acronym for MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment.  It is used to define the current generation of load-bearing equipment and rucksacks utilized by the U.S. armed forces and its use is also growing in the British Army in the form of the Osprey Modular systems. 

The system's modularity is derived from the use of PALS webbing, rows of heavy-duty nylon stitched onto the vest and to allow for attachment of various MOLLE-compatible pouches and accessories. This method of attachment has become a de facto standard for modular tactical gear, replacing the click and stick system used in the earliest modular vest systems (which is still in use with most Western police departments). 

Raine’s MOLLE attachment can also be converted to a belt mounting configuration. 

For a complete list of Raine's products, go to www.raineinc.com.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Holiday Trivia: Dates


Darren Robertson
In 1937, the first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in what country?
                  
On this day every year, what is the largest government mailing day?

December 24, 1814 ended what war?
            
 What river did General Washington cross on December 25, 1776?

                 
       
Answers:  Austria, December 26,  The War of 1812, The Delaware River
Source:  8 December 2011. http://brownielocks.com/Christmasquiz.

For a complete list of Raine’s products, go to http://raineinc.com.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

It’s All in the Details: Raine’s Military Sewing Kit

When I acquired this company 25 years ago, there were only 36 products. One of those items was the Military Sewing Kit. Not being in the military, I wondered why tough soldiers would want a sewing kit. It did not take much thinking to determine that perhaps they may tear things in the field and need to have those things repaired. Right off the bat, the Military Sewing Kit was one of our best sellers. It consists of a small compact nylon zippered case with three pockets, a spool of thread, sewing needles, pins, replacement buttons and folding scissors. The case fits easily in any pocket or pouch and can be easily refilled.
Raine's Military Sewing Kit (Model 0024Various)

To me, the sewing kit was a big hassle. It required a meticulous effort to sort and pack very tiny items and at first, we could not find an affordable set of high quality folding scissors. I remember I had to assemble everything from scratch myself for a rush order to the Marine Corps 25 years ago. We fixed all those problems and today the Raine Sewing Kit is a major seller in the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps exchanges.

John Raine
President
The above shown Sewing Kit can be found at http://raineinc.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1986     
For a complete list of Raine’s products, go to http://raineinc.com. 
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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Trivia Time: Holiday Treats

Stuart Miles

What is the main ingredient in gingerbread cookies:  Flour, Ginger or Molasses?

What are round or oval candies filled with fruit preserves or cream covered with chocolate called?

St. Nick’s nose is often compared to what fruit?


Answers:  Flour, Sugarplums, a Cherry
Source:   8 December 2011. http://browinelocks.com/Christmasquiz.

For a complete list of Raine’s products, go to http://raineinc.com.