Facts about August

August is the eighth month, renamed by the Romans from Sextilis’, meaning sixth, to honor their emperor, Augustus. August is the height of the summer time in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. The longest days of the year have passed, but the hot days remain. In the northern regions and mountains, cool nights and early frosts lets one know that the summer is about to come to an end. In the Southern Hemisphere, August means the winter will soon be over.  The birds are already planning to fly south for the winter. The insects are noisier and more numerous than in any other month. This is perhaps the busiest month for businesses, since most people take their vacations in August. The sardonyx and peridot are the gems for August. The poppy and gladiolus are the flowers for the month of August.

August is Healthy Senior Month:

• Flu can be dangerous for people over 65. A simple flu shot is safe and effective in protecting you and others.
• Compensate for short-term memory loss by writing down facts and making lists.
• Slip-proof your shower and tubs by placing non-skid mats or abrasive strips on slick surfaces.
• Avoid walking on wet floors.
• Do not wear long/wide sleeves while you are cooking.
• Keep all stairways well lit, with a switch at the top and the bottom.
• Wait for the green signal before crossing the street, looking both ways.
• Read the label of any medication you use, especially if you take more than one (This information is quoted from Pan American-CAC Medical Center Wellness Services pamphlets).

August Is…

• National Smile Week (first week in August).
• American Artist Appreciation Month.
• National Sandwich and catfish month.
• National Golf Month.
• Romance Awareness Month.
• National Neighborhood Day (last Saturday in August)
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National Marshmallow Toasting Day

When : August 14th
During eleven out of the twelve months of the year, we enjoy a wide range of holidays. When we get to August, there is a major shortage of big holidays to celebrate. Perhaps that is why many Europeans take the month of August off for vacation.

Perhaps it as just as well that there are no big holidays to compete with National Marshmallow Toasting Day. After all, how could any holiday compare with this day!?! 

Enjoy today or tonight by a campfire or bonfire, toasting a big, soft, sticky and sweet marshmallow, or two, or three, or more. Summer would not be the same without a campfire and this great campfire treat. Summer is short. Summer is good. So enjoy it while it is still here. Toast a marshmallow and forget about everything else. And don't forget to make a few S'mores. The recipe is below.

Ingredients:

• Chocolate candy bar
• Honey Graham Crackers
• Marshmallows

Instructions:

• Break off a square of Graham cracker
• Add a piece of Chocolate.
• Toast a big marshmallow over the campfire.
• Add the hot marshmallow.
• Top it with another graham Cracker.
• Eat , savor and enjoy!

Note: You can make S'mores in the microwave. Just put them together and pop them into the microwave on high for 15 to 20 seconds.

National Friendship Week

During National Friendship Week, which always begins the third Sunday in August, honor those who intertwined in your lives and make them complete with a special display.  Ivy symbolizes Friendship. It can be potted by itself or blended in a European Basket or fresh arrangement.  During National Friendship Week, say, "Where would IVY without you?" to family and friends.

National Friendship Week

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to carve out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life." "No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of." And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.

Friendship

Eleanor Roosevelt wrote:

• Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
• To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others use your heart
• Anger is only one letter short of danger.
• If someone betrays you once, it is their fault; if someone betrays you twice, it is your fault.
• Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.
• He, who loses money, loses much; he who loses a friend, loses much more; he who loses faith, loses all.
• Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.
• Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
• Friends, you and me. You brought another friend. And then there were 3. We started our group. Our circle of friends. And like that circle. There is no beginning or end.
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True Friend

By Andy Rooney

• I've learned…that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
• I've learned…that when you're in love, it shows.
• I've learned…that just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.
• I've learned…that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
• I've learned…that being kind is more important than being right.
• I've learned…that you should never say no to a gift from a child.
• I've learned…that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
• I've learned…that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
• I've learned…that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
• I've learned…that simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
• I've learned…that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
• I've learned…that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
• I've learned…that money doesn't buy class.
• I've learned…that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
• I've learned…that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be held when it is a life-threatening situation.
• I've learned…that the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
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Tasty Summer Snacks

The last thing you want to do in the summer is spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing food for your guests. An assortment of tasty edibles will impress your friends, and since preparation is done in advance, you'll have more time to enjoy playing the role of host. Prepare the following for your guests:

• Butter lettuce salad tossed with sliced Granny Smith apples, blue cheese and toasted pecans in a light vinaigrette.
• Platter of crisp fresh vegetable pieces with dilled sour cream dip.
• Arrangement of Brie, sharp cheddar and smoked Gouda cheeses with baguette slices and assorted crackers.
• A crunchy candy-coated snack your guests will love to munch.
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Left-Hander's Day

When: August 13th
Left-handers, also commonly referred to as Southpaws, are the brunt of more than their share of jokes all year long. The world is built for right-handers. Examples are everywhere. For example:

• In school, have you ever seen a left-handed desk? They don't exist.
• Many left handed items cost more.
• Novelty coffee mugs are made with the picture or text for a right-handed pick-up.
• Scissors for right-handers. Only a lefty would understand this.

Left-hander's certainly earned the right to have a day dedicated to them, and August 13th is that day. So take a minute to appreciate your left handed friends and loved ones. Remember today and every day: "Lefties have rights!"

Did you know? Right-handed people operate in the left side of the brain. Left-handed people use the right side. Therefore, only left-handed people are in their right mind. While many people are left handed, very few are 100% left-handed. For example, many Left-handers golf and bat right handed. On the other hand, there is a high percentage of righties who are 100% right-handed. Here's one for you: Sinistrophobia is the fear of left-handedness.

School Bus Stop

It’s that time again – Back To School time that is. This is just a reminder that the school bus stops at LOCATION. We’d like to wish al the students at ___ Good luck for a great school year.

I’ts That Time Of Year Again…

Back to school time that is! Hope all the ___ kids enjoy this New Year of teachers, friends, lessons, and of course, all that fun homework. Good luck for a great school year.

Back to School Party

After those long summer months of kids who are “bored” and who are always asking you “what can we do?” it’s time to celebrate Back to School.  Come join us for some food, drinks and neighborly conversation, after all you deserve it!  Join us in the LOCATION on DATE at TIME to relax, and to share time with your neighbors.