From Cliché to Culture Club - Author Opens "39 and Holding Club" for Baby Boomers
Author LinDee Rochelle readily admits she's a Baby Boomer. However, she believes it's still rude to ask a woman or anyone "over a certain age" how old they are. When it happens though, 40-plus of both sexes often respond with tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek, "39 and holding." Rochelle is making that reply official.
- (1888PressRelease) June 19, 2012 - The 39 and Holding Club (www.39AndHoldingClub.com) tweaks the old cliché to offer lifetime memberships that basically consist of just one thing-an official 39 and Holding "license." The laminated card states that the bearer is "Certified fun and forever young." Validated age is listed as "DOB: 11-20-None of Your Beeswax" (Rochelle's example)-another old cliché.
Membership costs reflect the premise, all prices ending in "39" cents. A downloadable PDF print-your-own card is $1.39; the standard laminated, mailed card is $3.39; and a laminated card with an official handcrafted Club Thirty-Nine keychain (the club's nickname) is $9.39. Prices barely cover product costs, says Rochelle, but her aim is to provide "a little comic relief in life, and a cheap birthday gift."
An honorary, posthumous membership is being prepared for Jack Benny, the consummate "39 and holding" guy, often credited with initiating the phrase when celebrating his 40th birthday on his radio show in 1934. Why "39 and holding?" Benny was asked. "Because there is nothing funny about 40," he replied. And he was all about being funny.
"The idea for the 39 and Holding Club," says Rochelle, "came one night on yet another 39th birthday, while whining on the phone to my cousin. As soon as we hung up, I bought the domain name." That was nearly four years ago. The idea languished, but Rochelle periodically mused, "someday."
Someday came in April 2012 when friend, Lois Stern, responded to Rochelle's birthday wishes to her on Facebook, "Many thanks, LinDee. Now I want to know one thing: Does that mean I can stop counting?" Rochelle told her about the dormant 39 and Holding Club to which Stern replied, "Love it! Count me in as a member." That started the Boomer ball rolling again.
Rochelle is kicking off the 39 and Holding Club's soft launch with a contest soliciting suggestions for a list of "39 Ways to Stay Young." Top prize is the coveted "00039" lifetime membership (plus other prizes). The contest deadline of Saturday, June 23, 2012, celebrates Baby Boomer's Recognition Day.
The 39 and Holding Club and Club 39 blog are sister-sites to Rochelle's Blast from Your Past, dedicated to preserving behind-the-microphone stories of pioneering Rock & Roll Radio DJs from 1954-1979. LinDee Rochelle is owner of Penchant for Penning, a writing, editing, and consulting firm in San Diego. Contact, LinDee ( @ ) PenchantForPenning dot com, 858-292-5288, www.PenchantForPenning.com, www.39AndHoldingClub.com, www.BlastFromYourPast.net.
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