Labor Day

(Aug. 31, 2012) This Monday, Sept. 3, is Labor Day, an American federal holiday that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. It is observed annually on the first Monday in September.

Labor Day also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, parades and athletic events. Government and financial offices are closed, but stores offer many sales especially for back to school. Most schools will resume sessions this week if they have not already begun.

Check out your Recorder Community Newspaper for details of what's happening in your town. Also, Recorder bloggers right here online at newjerseyhills.com share their insights of the times.

Anyone community individual or organization representative interested in becoming a Recorder blogger is invited to call me at (908) 932-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com. Blogging is simple and free; all you need is access to the Internet.

Dog days to school days

(Aug. 28, 2012) Ending are the dog days of summer, which typically feature the warmest summer temperatures. The name comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star, in proximity to the sun, was responsible for the hot weather.

Soon school again will be in session for almost all students from kindergarten through college. Usually classes begin after Labor Day, this year Monday, Sept. 3, the unofficial end of summer, but some schools opened already this week.

In fact, this school year started for three of my grandchildren on July 9. Their school district in North Carolina operates year-round: nine weeks in session, then three weeks off, on four tracks. Talk about confusing!

Hopefully, cooler temperatures will prevail for the first days of school, even though fall will not begin officially  until Sept. 22.

Read about school openings and the activities around the first days of school in Recorder Community Newspapers and their blogs right here online at newjerseyhills.com. Any community individual or organization representative who would like to join our growing group of  Recorder bloggers is invited to contact me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com or (908) 832-7420 and I will let you know how to take advantage of blogging, a free 21st century communication tool.

Almost scammed

(Aug. 18, 2012) An attorney called last Thursday letting us know that he needed $2,200 right away to get our son released from Mexico following an auto accident that caused facial injuries. "Son John" could barely talk, but could mumble for help. The attorney very helpfully advised us to rush to our local Walmart for a Moneygram to be sent to him in Cancun. Mumbling John, however, could not answer our trick question, so we calmed down and knew the whole story was a fraud. John was fine and at work here in New Jersey. Walmart said that the company has a protocol regarding such Moneygram requests and most are stopped at the Walmart counter.

Then, through Craig's List, a fraulein from Germany wanted to rent an apartment with our granddaughter while attending Penn State. On Saturday, she sent our Sarah her deposit check via Federal Express, and also included an extra amount to cover a car payment, asking Sarah please to rush the overage right away to the car person. Of course, being a weekend, there was no time to verify her check. Some investigation on Craig's List showed this also to be a scam. So, no money went anywhere and the FedEx package went to the FBI.

Scammers have been on the prowl this past week; imagine two attempts within days in the same family! Police said anyone can find out anything about anybody for $9.95 on the Internet. So, be on the alert.

Going to the fair

(Aug. 9, 2012) It's the fair season. Farmers and 4-Hers are strutting their stuff at area county fairs. Even regular folks are getting into the act with their talents from crafting to baking. The public is invited to share the fun of contests, animals, food, booths and carnival attractions at a variety of outdoor venues. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, a visor and plenty of sunscreen.

Check out Recorder Community Newpapers for times, places and other details, in paper and online too. Also online see the 50+ blogs written by your friends and neighbors on various topics, including one by a local chiropractor serving the USA Olympic wrestling team on-site in London.

Anyone interested in joining this group of 21st century communicators is invited to contact me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com or (908) 832-7420. I will tell you how to use this free, simple Internet tool.

Happy Birthday, USA

(July 3, 2012) Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 4, is Independence Day, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, celebrated as America's birthday.

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the 13 Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain.

After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on Aug. 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.

In a remarkable coincidence, both Adams and Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but another Founding Father who became a U.S. president, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831, thus becoming the third president in a row who died on this memorable day. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, is the only president to have been born on Independence Day.

Commonly known as the Fourth of July, Independence Day is a federal holiday in the U.S. Almost all government offices are closed and there is no mail delivery. Financial institutions also are closed.

The holiday is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government and traditions of this country. It is the national day of the United States.

For details of community activities, check out Recorder Community Newspapers and their online blogs at newjerseyhills.com. In fact, you could join the growing number of Recorder bloggers. Just give me a call at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com and I will tell you about this simple, free communication tool called blogging.

Record breaking

(June 21, 2012) With temperatures nearing 100 degrees in our area, many weather records were broken yesterday, the start of summer 2012. It was hot and humid, and today promises more of the same from a front coming out of the west.

Health professionals recommend staying inside air-conditioned spaces or keeping cool in swimming pools or at guarded beaches.

Cooler weather is forecast to begin this weekend.

All in all, it's a good time to check out Recorder Community Newspapers and their online blogs at newjerseyhills.com. In fact, you could join the growing number of Recorder bloggers. Just give me a call at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com and I will tell you about this simple, free communication tool called blogging.

Longest day of the year

(June 18, 2012) Summer begins here at 7:09 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, at the summer solstice. It is the longest day of the year, with the shortest night, but not necessarily the warmest.

Each year, the timing of the solstice depends on when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator. This occurs annually on June 20 or 21 in North America, depending on the time zone. The word solstice is from the Latin solstitium, from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice).

Summertime features a variety of warm weather activities and special events. Check out Recorder Community Newspapers for details as well as comments at the online blogs here.

Any individual or group representative interested in becoming a Recorder blogger may call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com to find out more about this simple, free communication tool.