One of my favorite “reads” is almanacs. of the aforementioned Information please almanac to the Old Farmer’s AlmanacThese handy pocket books contain a wealth of information on just about any subject, particularly the more popular tomes like Information Please.

In November of 2005, I visited my local pharmacy and discovered that they had free copies of Grier’s Almanac available to customers. Similar in design to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, I took a copy home with me.

Although not peppered with stories like those found in the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Grier’s contains the usual “zodiac” information that farmers in the past relied on to help them determine when to plant. In addition, you can find information on daily weather forecasts, a fishing calendar, an exhaustive list of holidays of the year and interesting chronological information on events that have occurred on specific dates throughout history. At the back of the almanac there is a section dedicated to all kinds of classified ads.

As with most almanacs in this particular genre, Grier’s has its share of commercials. Some are helpful and include insurance and gardening ads, while others are bizarre and include oil and candle ads to help make the opposing attorney stupid. Okay, if it works, great!

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Grier’s is that 2006 represents its 200th anniversary edition. For two consecutive centuries, the almanac has been published even during the entire period of the Civil War, a remarkable feat.

Grier is written for the southern states only from Virginia to Texas. As mentioned, copies are free and can be found at many pharmacies, food and seed stores, and retail stores throughout the South. Annual circulation reportedly exceeds three million copies.

Congratulations to Grier’s Almanac Publishing Company of Atlanta for 200 consecutive years of service!