Bobshannah 2008

Happy Bobshannah!  We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.  

This year Bobshannah was celebrated in St. Cloud, FL at the home of Nostrobobus. There were record numbers of celebrants in attendance.  

Many changes have occurred for the Neveu clan in the past year.  Kristen and Micah were married in April 2008.  It was a beautiful event in Memphis, TN attended by the King himself (Elvis, that is). 

Drew graduated high school in May.  He has been busy working ever since.  Drew works for Universal Studios at the Jurassic Park attraction.  The family enjoys all the perks like discount tickets and VIP line jumping.  

On July 10, 2008, we welcomed baby Connor (aka Peanut) to the family.  He has filled all our lives with much joy and laughter.  Nathan and Lindsay also both finished their Master's degrees this past summer.

Cathy has picked up a fifth job teaching Yoga Stretch for seniors.  Bob has been able to stay on day shift for 18 months (the "duck blind" may officially be retired) and has done a superb job spoiling his grandson.  

This year we have started some new Bobshannah traditions we would like to share:

1. Above is the Bobshannah carole "Que Cigar Cigar."  This song is in the running for the official Bobshannah anthem. The winning song will be announced in Dec. 2009 following the first annual Bobshannah Idol contest.  Also all cigars must be lit by blowtorch.  

2. Cathy demonstrates the shaving of candles with beer cap.  This is now the official candle trimming method endorsed by Bobshannah.  

3. The Beerorah in all of its glory.

Bobshannah 2007

'Twas the night after Christgiving**

and in Louisville, Kentucky

the Neveu Family stood 'round the beerorah,

feeling lucky.

2007 had been a great year

with Lindsay and Nathan wedding in Jamaica

and the graduation of Kristen dear.

Cathy's travel business was a successful endeavor

and Bob was at Continental,

fixing more planes than ever.

Drew began a new career

as a SeaWorld photog

and all were celebrating with beer,

not nog.

For Bobshannah is the festival of beer and lights.

And for those who forgot,

it lasts for 5 nights.

They were also celebrating

with joy and much glee,

as a new addition, Peanut,

would soon join the family.

For more news on Bobshannah,

Keep reading

and we hope you enjoy this holiday greeting!

Bobshannah 2004

Last year, Bob, Cathy, Lindsay, and Drew (with Kristen celebrating from afar) observed the first Bobshannah.  In order to fulfill prophesy, Bob went to his work bench and with nails, wood, a hammer and divine inspiration, he created the beerorah, the symbol of Bobshannah.  Word of Bobshannah spread through the land (via email) and people rejoiced.  

This year, Bobshannah participants have traveled to Florida in nearly double the numbers seen in years past.  Joining the original celebrants (the Neveu family) are Micah Bell the "Tennessee Tower of Power"  in the world of information management and Ultimate BopIt dance champion; Nathan Hufford, potato eating champion of Idaho and soon to be Finance Master after graduating from Pitt in May.  Micah and Nathan are currently courting Bob's daughters.  

Many causes for celebration this year will heighten the intensity of Bobshannah.  Lindsay and Micah both obtained their Bachelor's degree this December.  Cathy received top honors for the high quality of her aerobics classes.  Nathan was offered and accepted a position with a Fortune 3 company.  Kristen passed all her classes with flying colors and Drew received all A's on his report card.  Happy Bobshannah!

The History of Bobshannah

Bobshannah, the festival of beer and lights, originated in the mind of Bob Neveu, Nostrobobus, on a cold Christmas Eve in the Great White North of Erie, PA.  While prophesying and predicting weather, Nostrobobus began a comparison of traditional winter holidays.  Noting that the Jewish people have 8 days of celebration for Hannukah, he declared an extension of the Christian holiday celebration.  Thus Bobshannah was born, lasting from Dec. 26 to 30.

Bobshannah is a simple holiday revolving around beer and lights.  The incorporation of beer in Bobshannah can be traced back to Benjamin Franklin's famous quote, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."  The symbol of Bobshannah is the beerorah.  The beerorah is similar to a mennorah but has 5 positions, each for a beer bottle which holds a candle.

Celebrating Bobshannah consists of opening a bottle of micro or macro brew on the first night of Bobshannah.  The contents of the bottle are shared in shot glasses among the celebrants.  Once the bottle is empty, the bottle is placed in the beerorah, a candle placed in the mouth and the candle lighted.  This ritual continues each of the 5 nights.  Other optional components of Bobshannah include cigar smoking and game playing such as Scrabble, CatchPhrase and BopIt tournaments.