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November 11, 2022
To you, and especially to all who’ve served our country, Happy Veterans Day! While thinking about the meaning behind the day, we came across an editorial in the Washington Post from a few years back. It was written by a veteran named J. Mark Jackson, who served in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions in Afghanistan in 2009. In the article, he answers the question, “What does it mean to be a veteran?” His answers to the question bring to light the knee-jerk reactions and emotions of what it truly means to be a veteran in the course of daily […]
October 28, 2022
When Halloween rolls around each year, we put out our jack-o-lanterns, spooky yard decorations, and candy – copious amounts of candy. We always like to do a little quality control each year to make sure each type is fresh and tasty for the kids. Sometimes our sampling goes a little too far, but we always make sure there’s plenty of candy left for the neighborhood trick-or-treaters. The subject of candy reminds us of a favorite game we had as kids. You probably had it, too! It’s the time-honored board game, Candy Land®. But who would have thought that the bittersweet […]
September 28, 2022
What does community mean to you? Com·mu·ni·ty (noun) a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals We would imagine most of us see our own community as people living in the same place. But with just a little time, love, and effort, our communities can become the second definition, too. We recently saw a story that really demonstrates what a true community should look like. Within the first three weeks of the school year at Southwood […]
September 2, 2022
For most of us, this three-day weekend is a great opportunity to enjoy some of the last great weather for outdoor fun before the chill of winter sets in. But is that what Labor Day should be about? To answer that question, let’s take a look at the history of this holiday. Labor Day is a federal holiday here in the U.S. that’s observed on the first Monday in September. Holidays are often a celebration of achievement, and this holiday is no exception. It’s a day for Americans to celebrate the economic and social success of workers – the people […]
July 18, 2022
Now that summer is underway, we’ve had several friends tell us about their vacation plans. Listening to them talk, it’s clear they’ve put a lot of thought and effort into planning their trips. That got us thinking: what if people put as much time into planning their retirement as they do their vacations? Unfortunately, this isn’t usually the case. It’s a common saying that “most people spend more time planning their vacation than they do their retirement”. That’s a problem, because the average vacation lasts only a week or so. Your retirement, on the other hand, can span years. We […]
July 4, 2022
Whether on TV or online, it seems like most of the stories and headlines these days are negative. It can feel like nothing good is going on in our country. But as we prepare to celebrate another Independence Day, we think it’s a good idea to reflect on the many wonderful things that make America special. The Fourth of July is not only about celebrating our nation’s birthday, but also an opportunity to appreciate how lucky we are to call America home. So, in honor of Independence Day, here are some of the things we personally appreciate about the United States […]