Thanksgiving Celebrations Around the World

BY MEGAN TAYLOR

Every year, on the fourth Thursday in November, family and friends gather for food and companionship. On this day, known as Thanksgiving, tables are filled with turkey, potatoes, corn, bread, stuffing and pumpkin pie, and many people take in a football game or two. Since 1941, when Thanksgiving became a national holiday, our celebrations have honored the original feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. While the American version of Turkey Day is well-known, there are different versions of the holiday throughout the world. Some being days of thanks and gratitude, while other countries center Thanksgiving around the autumn harvests.

CANADA

First celebrated in 1578 by English navigator Martin Frobisher who wanted to give thanks for the safety of his fleet, Canada’s Thanksgiving, Jour de I’Action de Grace, is very similar to the United States. While this is the originally documented Thanksgiving, historians believe that the holiday was observed by the First Nations, the indigenous peoples of Canada and Native Americans many years beforehand. Today, Canadians eat turkey and watch the Canadian Football League classics. The main difference is that Thanksgiving in Canada is honored on the second Monday in October.

LIBERIA

Located in West Africa, Liberia was established in the early 1820s for freed slaves from the United States. With the help from the American Colonization Society, Christianity spread throughout Africa. About 60 years later, Liberia’s government passed an act stating that the first Thursday of November is Thanksgiving. Fast forward to modern day. Now, a Christian holiday, churches auction off baskets of fruit after their services for families to eat. Roast chicken and mashed cassavas, a vegetable like potatoes, are served instead of turkey. As for football, live music and dancing take its place.

JAPAN

Known as Kinro Kansha no Hi, Japan’s Thanksgiving started as a rice festival in the seventh century. Throughout the years, the meaning of the holiday has changed. It is now observed as a day honoring workers on November 23rd. Children thank police officers, firefighters and municipal workers. In addition, labor organizations host events, promoting hard work and community involvement.

PUERTO RICO

As a territory of the United States, Puerto Rico’s Thanksgiving mirrors the United States’ festivities. They celebrate on the same day, eat turkey and even have their own Black Friday shopping experiences. However, there are a few unique spins Puerto Rico puts on the holiday. As for turkey, many consume a pavochon meal, a turkey similar to pork, or a turkey stuffed with mofongo, a mashed plantain dish. Roast pork is also popular for many people and is served with plantains, rice and beans.

GERMANY

Erntedankfest, which is known as the harvest festival of thanks, is Germany’s holiday. During the first Sunday of October, Germans join together with their churches and give thanks for their good fortunes. People also carry Erntekrones, or harvest crowns, made of grains, fruits and flowers in a procession to churches. A feast is also held.

ISRAEL

On the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (between late September and late October), Sukkot, or the Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles is observed in Israel. For seven days, Jewish people remember the Israelites and their 40 years of travel after their exodus in Egypt. Participants attend special prayer services and holiday meals.

There are many other countries throughout the world with their own Thanksgiving holidays. Some may be based on a day of giving thanks and gratitude, while others focus more on the autumn harvest. No matter how the day or days are spent, each Thanksgiving is special and holds a unique and valuable meaning to everyone involved.

HAPPY

Celebrating How Giving Back Makes a Difference

BY CAROLYN S. PETERSON

For over 30 years, November 15th has been designated to celebrate the spirit of philanthropy and those dedicated individuals who work hard to make a difference in philanthropic circles. National Philanthropy Day honors the tradition of caring for each other and improving the world.

From large foundations to the smallest of non-profits, the impact of philanthropy across our country is undeniable. Simply put, philanthropy is “goodwill to fellow members of the human race.” Being part of change for the good may be easier than you think.

Simple Ways to Tap into Your Philanthropic Side

Most of us have good intentions to make giving to others a priority, but unless you make it a concerted effort, that good intention will never make it past being a good idea. You have to make a decision yourself to increase your household budget directed towards giving to a cause or a charity. Make an extra gift to your church in honor of your pastor, give to an educational cause to honor your favorite teacher, or support your local animal shelter by giving funds or by seeing how you can help the staff.

We all like a little competition, so think about involving friends in giving to a charity by matching their donations. Let’s say a friend gives $100 to the local homeless shelter, you match that donation, and on and on with other friends. If you have kids, grab a shoebox, choose a charity your kids can get involved in and have them give a little each week from their allowance. It’s never too early to teach kids the importance of giving back.

When you start talking about philanthropy, people get the idea of making a grand donation of a house to a disabled veteran or a car to a single mom working two jobs, but there are very small ways to be philanthropic, as well. An act of kindness falls under the “philanthropic” column. If you’re in line at a fast food restaurant, pay for the person’s order behind you. If you see a homeless person, stop to talk to them. Carry someone’s groceries to the car. Go to a nursing home and offer to play music for the residents. Giving doesn’t have to always involve a dollar sign.

Teachers are some of the most giving people we ever cross paths with, and letting them know they made a difference in our lives means a lot to them. Several years ago, I got in contact with my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Shirley Hedrick and my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Susie Jaynes, and we went to lunch. We talked about the “good old days” and I shared with them what their investment in me meant and how I am a better person for it. These two ladies are amazing and caring, and their touching the lives of students over the years, including mine, has made an impact on this world. Teachers need to know that, so tell them.

If you have the financial means, make a single or an ongoing donation to a charity that serves a need you are personally passionate about. Women’s services, animal rescues, homeless shelters, hospitals, whatever means something to you, give—and remember, no amount is too small.

Philanthropy is the backbone of who we are, both individually and collectively. Whether it’s a financial donation or the gift of time and talent, it feels good to do good. Non-profits bring people together, unite and inspire us, and improve our daily life. Through conversation, education, events, and kind acts, giving keeps us all connected, and as a connected body, we can take on anything.

Child Safety Series

COMMON HOUSEHOLD DANGERS

BY TARYN JEREZ

Each month this series will provide important facts and tips surrounding child safety in an effort to support parents and caregivers as they navigate reducing risks and creating the safest environment possible for the children in their lives.

You can have a playroom filled to the brim with toys, and children will find the one item that was never meant to be played with. The truth is, children are drawn to the things in your home that they aren’t supposed to touch or consume because of their curious nature. “Wow, I wonder what that does!” he or she thinks. While innocence and curiosity are a beautiful part of childhood, they also breed the opportunity for accidents and injuries inside your home. In honor of Child Safety Month, let’s explore common household dangers, how to avoid accidents from happening and what to do if an accident should occur.

Understanding Common Household Dangers

A sobering statistic from KidsHealth.org states that “More than a third of child injuries and deaths happen at home.” This isn’t shared to scare you, but to echo the importance of being aware of what possible risks are in your home so you can create a plan to avoid them.

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) the most frequent areas with the highest possibility for injury in the home occur where there is/are:

• Water: in bathrooms, kitchens, swimming pools, hot tubs and outdoor bodies of water.

• Extreme heat and fire: in the kitchen, in the fireplace or at a barbeque grill.

• Toxic substances: bathroom cabinets, under-sink storage, medicine and first aid storage, outdoor sheds and garage areas.

• Risk of falling: stairs, windows, rugs, clutter creating tripping hazards. areas, drawers and storage containing small parts such, as batteries, coins, etc.

Reducing Risk of Household Injuries

Childproofing your home is the best way to protect your kids from accidents and give you peace of mind. Remember, no amount of childproofing is better than intentional supervision over the children in your home; moreover, that also serves as an additional barrier to keep them safe. While lots of parents and guardians put forth effort in child proofing around the baby and toddler periods of childhood, it is important to continue taking inventory of high-risk areas for older children as well.

Add safety devices around your home to ensure children cannot access harmful substances and dangerous zones of the house. Here are a few simple childproofing steps and devices to consider to protect the kids in your home:

• Outlet covers to avoid electrocution and putting power strips and plugs out of reach;

• Safety latches for all cabinets, drawers and storage areas to reduce risk of ingestion or choking;

• Corner bumpers to eliminate sharp edges of tables and other furniture that can lead to head, eye and other bodily harm;

• Knob covers to stop children from opening doors they should not enter without supervision;

• Baby gates at entrances and exits that lead to areas where children should not be alone, especially if water is present on the other side;

• Shortened cords for blinds and other area to eliminate strangulation risk;

• Furniture and appliance anchors to keep heavy pieces from falling on kids;

• Safes for guns and other weapons to keep them out of reach of children; choking risks for younger children;

• Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in the event there is a fire or gas leak.

Creating Intentional Safety Habits in Your Home

Your home is where your children will spend most of their time the first few years of their life, and feel safe and find comfort when being there. As caretakers, it’s important to create intentional safety habits the whole family can follow with the goal to keep that safe and comfortable feeling intact long-term.

Here are a few simple ways to get started:

• Have adults and teens complete a

CPR and first aid course to help build confidence and skills should you need them.

• If you see something, say something.

Even if you think another adult doesn’t need to be reminded about a safety risk, say it anyway.

• Set supervision guidelines for both adults to ensure, and children to understand safety.

• Always check that access points are shut off to household dangers.

• Dispose of hazardous and questionable substances and items properly.

• Get in the habit of closing baby gates and safety latched items, even when kids aren’t present to build muscle memory.

Establishing a Plan if Injury Occurs

Anyone who has ever been through a freak accident or serious injury can tell you the importance of having a plan prior to actually needing it. Human beings’ “flight or fight” response is triggered when trauma occurs, and you never know which kind you will experience until you are in the moment. Having a reactive safety plan in the event that your child (or any family member) experiences an emergency, can sometimes make the difference between life or death.

Here are a few suggestions on how to create your family’s safety response plan:

• Keep all emergency contact phone numbers in the cellphone of each parent, guardian and caretaker, as well as in an easily visible place in the house.

• List any and all medications family members are taking long-term and have them ready to grab or view on a smart device to easily provide for EMTs or doctors.

• Prepare a “go bag” with changes of clothes and diapers in children’s current sizes, as well as first aid supplies and important documents that can easily be taken with you should you need to leave in a hurry for the hospital.

• Establish and practice a fire escape plan twice per year with a focus on making sure young children understand the different ways to exit the house safely.

• Discuss the possibility of being an emergency contact for your family and/or close friends, should you need to have them be contacted or to lean on if something happens.

Remember, Always Better Safe Than Sorry

Despite every avoidance, sometimes unfortunate accidents can still occur. If you see a child directly experience a safety hazard or injury, or suspect something has happened even if you did not witness it, it’s always better to get it checked out. Depending on the severity of what has happened, you’ll want to contact your child’s pediatrician immediately or head to your closest Emergency Room. If your child has experienced a true emergency, call 911 immediately to get an ambulance on the way.

Helpful Resources to Learn More

• CDC Centers for Disease Control - Child Safety & Injury

Prevention Resources {ONLINE ARTICLE HYPERLINK: https://www.cdc.gov/safechild/index.html}

• Safe Kids Worldwide {ONLINE ARTICLE HYPERLINK:https://www.safekids.org/}

of Old Salem

Reconstructed to its 1840’s appearance by historic home builder Steven Cole. 4 Bedrooms 51/2 baths 6 fireplacesPhillips RansonOffered at $1,050,000

Toni Phillips 336.354.5052 Kristin Ranson 336.817.2560

toni.phillips@goLRB.com

kristin.ranson@goLRB.com www.camelcityproperties.com