Happy New Year! My hope is that you’ll enjoy good health and prosperity in the days to come.

As we begin 2016, there are a few leftovers from 2015 I want to address.

Boxing Day, which Brits, Canadians and other United Kingdom-related countries celebrate on the day after Christmas, may have escaped your notice. It was the day for giving boxed gifts to people who rendered services to us. Did you remember those people?

How about Kwanzaa? It first came about in 1966 to recognize traditional African harvest festivals.

The day following Christmas was National Whiners Day, recognizing people who return Christmas gifts and needed lots of attention. It’s a good thing none of us know any such people.

Chase’s Calendar of Events gives us several more items.

We’re now in the post-Christmas season – the season of the 12 Days of Christmas. Many think they refer to the days before Christmas, but in fact they take place after the fact. The 12th day comes on Jan. 6, the traditional Epiphany.

Some of us are old enough to remember the kids’ TV show, “Howdy Doody.” It premiered on Dec. 27, 1947.

Dec. 28 is the day when Congress in 1945 officially recognized the “Pledge of Allegiance.” And on Dec. 29, back in 1851, organizers in Boston established the YMCA.

Dec. 30 is the anniversary of two other TV shows many of us watched. The “Roy Rogers Show” began in 1951, and “Let’s Make a Deal” premiered on that day in 1963.

The final day of the year commemorates establishment of the first modern bank in the United States – in 1781 in Philadelphia. Dec. 31 also was “Make Up Your Mind Day” for all those who had trouble with that task – they were supposed to make a decision and then follow through on it.

It was also “No Interruption Day,” when your fellow employees were supposed to leave you alone – and let you ponder what foolishness you were planning for that evening – New Year’s Eve.

With the start of 2016, we all have to remember to put the correct year on our checks. Lots of us will still write “2015” on them. But it might be noteworthy to recall that in December, we commemorated “Bingo’s Birthday Month,” “Impaired Driving Prevention Month” and “Safe Toys and Gifts Month.”

Moving to the future, when the first Atlantic hurricane of the year develops, weather people will name it Alex. Bonnie, Colin and Danielle will follow.

Maybe you don’t realize that 2016 is a Leap Year. Most of us know of someone born on Feb. 29. Those born on that day in 1996 can celebrate their fifth birthday this year if they like.

Most of us know that we now have just 10 months to go before the presidential election (thank heavens), and that Rio de Janeiro will host the Summer Olympics this year.

January is “Be Kind to Food Servers Month.” These folks generally receive low wages, so it’s important to reward their service to you. A 20-percent tip has become the norm.

Jan. 1 is “Polar Bear Swim Day.” I’ve never participated in jumping into ice cold water but know someone who has. Go to one of the taverns on the river to watch the spectacle, or turn on your TV this evening for video coverage – it’s one of the stories TV stations feel compelled to broadcast, even though there’s little news value in it. But it does help fill the newscast on what usually is a droll day. Also watch your TV for a story about the first baby born in the New Year.

Of course, Jan. 1 commemorates the circumcision of Christ, but in more modern times, it celebrates the Solemnity of Mary.

I haven’t mentioned New Year’s Resolutions, which people make on this day. The problem is that within a month of two, almost all who made resolutions have broken or abandoned them.  I gave up making resolutions years ago. Jan. 1 to Jan. 7 is “Diet Resolution Week,” in case you need to know.

January also is “Get a Life Balanced Month” and “Get Organized Month.” Both of these won’t hold up. I’m sure I could improve if I embraced either one. Likewise with “Clean Up Your Computer Month.”

And don’t forget January is “National Skating Month,” and if you get cold during that activity, remember it’s also “National Hot Tea Month” and “National Oatmeal Month.”

People whose last names begin with “Z” also get recognition Jan. 1 – also “Z Day.” These poor folks have usually been at the end of the line.

What else is on the docket in the next week? Jan. 2 is “Happy Mew Year For Cats Day.” The next day commemorates the 1888 patent of the invention of the drinking straw. “Queen for a Day” premiered on TV on this day in 1956.

On Jan. 4, 1893, President Harrison issued a proclamation granting amnesty and pardon for all those “living in sin” – unlawful cohabitation and polygamy. This day is also the 80th anniversary of the introduction of Billboard’s Pop Music chart. It’s “Trivia Day,” too.

When reports come out of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in the days after Jan. 6, word of new technologies will dazzle many of us. The day also marks the premier of “Wheel of Fortune” on TV in 1975. (Pat Sajak and Vanna White took over the show in 1981.) And Jan. 7 marks Orthodox Christmas.

There you have a list of noteworthy events. I’m not sure how you use them but at least I’ve presented them for you to do with as you wish!