Celebrate November

Hi neighbors. November has a lot going on. And you thought turkey day was the only celebration this month!t

It is Aviation History Month -- we have an airport in Nevada for a field trip and a library for the research. Have fun!

Child Safety Protection Month is in November as well. It involves more than locking your cabinets and putting those plastic things in your wall sockets. Do a search, find some reliable tips and make you home safe for the children and the grandchildren.

Know someone you want to get even with? Buy their 3 year old a cheap drum set. Hey, it's International Drum Month! I guess people are getting even all around the globe. Remember when Uncle George got that toy battery-powered chainsaw for your 2 year old son? Drums are a good way to repay the noisy gifts of Christmases past.

November is also National Adoption Awareness Month. If you know families with adopted children you know what a great blessing these parents have invited into their homes. For a child with no home, adoptive parents are a God-send.

National Epilepsy Month is in November. If you don't know much about epilepsy, do some research and gain some understanding of this condition. You might be surprised about the history of and modern treatment of this "falling sickness."

National Model Railroad Month is near my heart. I've often imagined an entire basement filled with model trains and elaborate doll houses. I love miniatures! When we visited The House on the Rock this summer I was thrilled to see rooms of doll houses, model circuses and trains. Now I just have to win the lottery to buy my favorite collectables.

National Novel Writing Month is in November. Come on -- you know you want to -- write the Great American Novel. We all have it in us. The secret between talking the talk and walking the walk (at least in novel writing) is the secret connecting word -- writing. Just do it. Which reminds me, I've had some people ask when the Creative Writers group will start up again. It's just a matter of enough people showing an interest. Anyone interested should drop me an email at nancymalcom@sbcglobal.net.

This is also Native American Heritage Month. Many of us have Native American ancestors in our family trees. Native American history and modern cultures are different than those portrayed in movies and some books. If you have ancestors from a native tribe, or if you are just curious about Native American culture, do some research on one nation or many.

Peanut Butter Lovers Month is this month as well. I love my peanut butter! Particularly the natural and unsalted variety. There is no finer snack than a fresh apple dipped in peanut butter --yum-yum!

Of course, November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. The National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association are both reliable sites for research booklets on this disease. The Alzheimer's Association also has a phone number 800-272-3900. Locally the Barone Alzheimer's Care Center is a non-profit entity that offers printed information, one-on-one talks and an informational group meeting for caregivers the second Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Barone Care Center building.

Rob Hulstra from the Alzheimer's Association Chapter in Springfield, will talk about the Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease on November 22 at a Lunch & Learn in the Nevada Regional Medical Center. Call 417-667-3355 and ask for Stacy to find out more.

Until the next time friends remember there are lots of reasons to celebrate this month and every month. Enjoy the season.