We’re almost four months through 2008 — so we’re through New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and Passover.
Today is a holiday for some people: Hope you put up your wreaths for Secretaries’ Day!

My friends at Frank Gallo and Son Florist reminded me about the event through a postcard; Frank and company are sending along a dozen free bagels with Wednesday floral deliveries to the office. Wish I could help Frank out, but I do not have an office, nor a secretary, just a cluttered desk on the outskirts of the Gazette newsroom.

I kind of figured Secretaries’ Day is one of those manufactured “Hallmark Holidays,” and I kind of figured right. Reference sources say Harry Klemfuss, of New York City advertising giant Young and Rubicam, invented the day in 1952. It’s actually part of National Professional Secretaries Week.
Back then, it was more of a salute to women who really got things done around the office — typing letters, opening mail, brewing coffee and buying the boss man’s birthday presents for his wife. And Harry probably drummed up some extra business for clients.

Times have changed. The word “secretary” has faded away, and both women and men are running the office these days. They’re known as administrative assistants, executive assistants or administrative professionals.
Still, it’s the thought that counts. If people aren’t calling Frank for flowers and bagels, they might be giving their staffers greeting cards and shopping certificates, candy or taking them to lunch.
I think the lunch option might be the most popular one.

Sorry about that, Frank.