Tuesday, July 4, 2023

 

July 04, 2023
Newsletter #61

Hi Member,


Happy Independence Day! While you prepare to celebrate with family and friends, relax with coffee or tea and enjoy catching up with your fellow Royal Arcanum members.
 

In Memory of Paul F. D’Emilio


The Royal Arcanum mourns the passing of Brother Paul F. D’Emilio last month.


Air Quality Alerts


Dangerous air quality from the Canadian wildfires that have ebbed and flowed over our jurisdictions triggered air quality alerts over the past few months. Learn how to protect yourself when the alerts reach your community.


July is the Month of...


Grab a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade, relax in the shade, and freshen up your knowledge of the month of July.


Charitable Activities Highlights

Read about the latest charitable fraternal activities.

Inspirational Quote

This month's quote offers a new way to think about the word "charity."

Upcoming Dates

Update your calendar with these important dates

   In Memory of Paul F. D'Emilio

 

On June 19, the Royal Arcanum lost Paul F. D’Emilio. Paul has been a bedrock for the Royal Arcanum for more than a half-century, when he first joined Integrity Council #586 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Paul’s commitment to the Royal Arcanum lead him through the chairs in his local council and the Grand Council of Pennsylvania, and he joined the Supreme Council in 1986. Paul served as a member of the Supreme Council Committee on Laws since 1990 and has long served as the Chairman of that committee. He was awarded Life Membership in the Supreme Council in 2016.

His legal expertise was well-respected, and he has served as Legal Counsel for the Royal Arcanum for the past 27 years. His skill was recognized beyond our Society. He held multiple positions in the National Fraternal Congress of America, the American Fraternal Alliance, and the Association of Fraternal Benefit Counsel. 

Paul was a true Arcanian, ensuring his family became members of the Royal Arcanum and promoting our organization constantly. His extensive production in signing up members was recognized by awarding him the Founders Ring of Distinction with Diamond, the highest award a volunteer recommender in our Society can achieve.

Many will fondly recall his calm, smiling demeanor and soft-spoken approach at our Sessions, bringing a sense of dignity and peace to whatever issue was at hand. Outside of the business of the Royal Arcanum, his laugh would announce his arrival at dinners, events, and in the hallways. It was never a surprise to find Paul joining game night or other social events and would lend his hand to add joy to the occasion, perhaps with an impromptu song on a piano that was found in the corner.

Paul will be missed by all of us, and the many others he touched beyond the Royal Arcanum. May he rest in eternal peace.

   Air Quality Alerts


At the beginning of June, New York recorded their worst air quality ever and was noted for having the worst air quality in the world. At the end of June, that unenviable title was passed to Chicago. Unhealthy, even dangerously unhealthy air has covered much of the nation due to harmful smoke from more than a hundred wildfires combined with other atmospheric conditions.

The smell of Canadian wildfires has extended as far south as Alabama. The National Weather Service issues air quality alerts when needed, and you should familiarize yourself with the Air Quality Index (AQI), and how to reduce your risk from unhealthy air.

 

Air Quality Index

 

The Air Quality Index (https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/) has been developed by the EPA to easily convey information about the health effects of the five most common air pollutants, and how to avoid their effects. The AQI is divided into five colored levels of concern:

 

Green represents good air quality, where air pollution poses little or no risk. The AQI measurement is from 0 to 50

 

Yellow represents moderate first. Measured at an AQI of 51 to 100, the air quality is acceptable for most, but there may be a risk for those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

 

Orange represents unhealthy air for sensitive groups, with an AQI of 101 to 150. Members of sensitive groups may experience negative health effects from normal breathing.

 

Red represents unhealthy air for some of the general public. At an AQI of 151 to 200, inhaled air particles could cause problems for anyone. For those in sensitive groups, those problems can become serious.

 

Purple represents very unhealthy air, and health risks are increased for everyone. An AQI of 201 to 300 is considered a health alert.

 

Maroon is used for an AQI of 301 or higher and represents hazardous air. A health warning of emergency conditions will be issued, and everyone is likely to experience an effect from the air.

 

The AQI is determined based on five major air pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Activity guides are available based on ozone (https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/air-quality-guide-for-ozone_0.pdf) and particle pollution (https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/air-quality-guide-for-particle-pollution_0.pdf).

 

Safety During an Air Quality Alert

 

These simple tips can help you to stay safe when there is an air quality alert:

 

Stay Informed. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite weather news station.

Stay inside if possible, particularly if you have respiratory concerns or other health problems, or are a senior or child.

If you must go out, try to limit the amount of time you are outside to strictly essential activities. Wear N95 masks to help filter out particle pollution.

Minimize your use of items that increase pollution, such as cars, gas-powered lawnmowers, and other polluting vehicles.

Do not burn debris or other items during an air quality alert.

 

If you find you are being affected by poor air quality, find cleaner air indoors. Seek medical attention if the poor air quality causes coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, if you have trouble breathing, have headaches, a sore throat beyond a minor irritation, or experience dizziness.

 

Remember to regularly change your air filters, perhaps more often if you live in an area that’s been under air quality alerts.

   July is the month of...

 

 

Awarenesses

 

MONTH

National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month


July is set aside to raise awareness and improve understanding of orofacial clefts, clefts of the lip and palate, and other conditions of the head and face. Babies born with a cleft palate, cleft lip, craniosynostosis (skull sutures fusing prematurely), anotia/microtia (ear is missing or underdeveloped), and anophthalmia/microphthalmia (missing or abnormally small eye) can suffer from an inability to feed, develop their language skills, and have an increased risk for a greater number of ear infections, hearing issues, and problems with their teeth. Learn about the cause of and treatment of these debilitating conditions and consider aiding those organizations that work with those afflicted.

http://www.nccapm.org

 

Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month


Sarcomas are cancers that develop from bones or soft tissues anywhere in the body. It can affect either adults or children, but while rare for adults, it represents about 15% of all childhood cancers. Because of its rarity, it is often called “the forgotten cancer”, even though tens of thousands of Americans suffer from it. Sarcoma research represents less than 4% of all active clinical trials for cancer in the United States. 

https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/awareness-months/sarcoma-and-bone-cancer-awareness-month/

 

UV Safety Awareness Month

 

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays causes most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer. Sun protection is critical to use when outdoors in the sun, especially during summertime outdoor activities. Learn how to protect yourself while still enjoying warm-weather activities.

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm

 

Hepatitis Awareness Month


Hepatitis Awareness Month calls into focus the inflammatory liver disease and encourages learning about the advantage of medications used to treat the condition. There are five recognized types of hepatitis. Type A is transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated by the feces of Type B is transmitted through infected body fluids or shared needles and razors. Type C is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids. Type D is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood and only occurs in conjunction with Hepatitis B. Type E is transmitted by infected water supplies.
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/awareness/HepatitisAwarenessMonth.htm

 

WEEKS


Clean Beaches Week - July 1 - 7

 

Clean Beaches Week celebrates beaches and focuses on the importance of clean beaches. The Clean Beaches Coalition challenges us to follow 7 simple principles: 1. Leave no trace and carry out what you carry in; 2. Move your body by walking, running, or swimming; 3. Don’t tread the dunes and instead use a walkover or walk-thru; 4. Know your limits when you swim, surf, or boat; 5. Eat healthy seafood; 6. Feed your mind by reading books; and 7. Respect the ocean, especially riptides, storms, and natural resources.

http://www.cleanbeaches.com/events.html
 

Birth Trauma Awareness Week - 3rd week of July (July 16 - 22)

 

Current estimates are that up to one in three people describe their birth as traumatic, where the mother, father, or other witness believes the mother’s or her baby’s life was in danger, or that a serious threat to the mother’s or her baby’s physical or emotional integrity existed. From 5 - 9% of these patients develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This week intends to raise awareness of birth trauma and provide a path to sharing feelings and stories of traumatic births, opening the way to seeking treatment.

https://birthtrauma.org.au/birth-trauma-awareness-week-2023/
 

Coral Reef Awareness Week - 3rd full week of July, starting on Monday (July 17 - 23)

 

 

Coral reefs are home to more than 25% of aquatic species, form natural coastline barriers that reduce coastal storm damage, and support the economy through fishing, tourism, and recreation industries. Human disregard for them has led to bleaching, where higher water temperatures, chemicals, oil pollution, and other threats cause them to die — and with them, their ecosystem. Sadly, scientists estimate that more than 90% of all coral reefs will die by 2050. Learn what you can do to help protect them and our world.

https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/endangered-species-profile-coral-and-coral-reefs


DAYS


Panic Attack Awareness Day - July 10


A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Although panic attacks themselves aren't life-threatening, they can be frightening and significantly affect your quality of life. Some people never experience a panic attack, and many only experience 1 or 2 in their lifetime. For some, repeat occurrences can mean they have a panic disorder and should seek treatment.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms

 

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) Awareness Day - July 13

 

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors that form in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, also known as the digestive system. The GI tract begins when you chew and swallow food and includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The ultimate goal of GIST Awareness Day is to bring so much attention to GIST that knowing what it is will no longer be so “rare”. 

https://nycancer.com/blog/2021/07/09/gastrointestinal-stromal-tumors-gist-awareness-day/

 

Shark Awareness Day - July 14

 

Share Awareness Day is not a day to warn of the dangers of Sharks, but to celebrate the sea creatures and work to remove the hysteria created by Hollywood and the unreasonable fear of them. The odds of a shark attack are small: it’s more likely you will be struck by lightning than be attacked by a shark. Fear of them, along with the overharvesting of them for their skin, meat, and fins, have driven them onto the endangered species list. 

https://www.sharktrust.org/blog/shark-awareness-day

 

Glioblastoma (GBM) Awareness Day - 3rd Wednesday of July (July 19)

 

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most complex, deadly, and treatment-resistant brain cancers. The five-year survival rate for glioblastoma patients is less than 7%. The average length of survival after diagnosis is estimated to be only 8 months. These statistics have remained virtually unchanged for decades. While this disease strikes men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds, the mean age of diagnosis is 65. GBM Awareness Day hopes to raise awareness of this killer disease and work for finding effective treatments, cures, and prevention.

https://www.gbmresearch.org/glioblastoma-awareness-day

 

Samaritans Awareness Day - July 24

 

Samaritans Awareness Day is intended to emphasize the need for listening to persons with mental health issues. More than 700,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide. Listening to someone who is experiencing depression or thinking about taking their own life can be crucial to saving them. Lend a nonjudgmental ear and let them share their sentiments; it can give them a sense of security and be assured there is a place to be heard and find help. Gastroschisis is fatal if left untreated, but with treatment, about 90% of infants can survive.

https://pybhealth.com/samaritans-awareness-day-the-big-listen/

 

Gastroschisis Awareness Day - July 30

 

Gastroschisis is a serious and uncommon birth defect in which an infant is born with part of its intestines protruding outside of the body through a hole in the abdomen. The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors include alcohol consumption during pregnancy, tobacco smoking during pregnancy, and the age of the mother being less than 20 at the time of birth. 

https://averysangels.org

 

Holidays and Observances

 

Canada Day was celebrated on July 1st. It is traced back to July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act merged the provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into a single Dominion called Canada.

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/canada-day-history.html

 

Independence Day honors the day on July 4, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed by the American colonies of Great Britain and is celebrated as the beginning of what was to become known as the United States of America.

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th

 

Bahamas Independence Day on July 10 celebrates the day in 1973 when the Bahamas gained its independence from 250 years under British rule.

 

World Population Day on July 11 focuses on raising awareness about global population issues and the importance of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health, and human rights.

https://www.bestonbahamas.com/bahamas-independence-day/

 

Bastille Day Celebrates the birth of the French Republic. On July 14, 1789, the Bastille prison was stormed by the people of France and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The largely symbolic act freed only 7 remaining prisoners in what traditionally held political dissidents, but by 1789 it was already scheduled for demolition.

https://www.parisdiscoveryguide.com/bastille-day-paris.html

 

Nelson Mandela Day on July 18 seeks to celebrate the political and social achievements of the former South African President. Mandela spent more than 30 years in prison for his political activism. He became the first black president of the Republic of South Africa in 1994 at the end of apartheid.

https://www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/

 

Islamic New Year is celebrated on July 19. Also known as Hijri New Year or Arabic New Year, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

https://www.almanac.com/islamic-new-year

 

National New Jersey Day on July 27 calls for the entire nation to celebrate the Garden State.

https://www.jerseysbest.com/community/its-national-new-jersey-day-this-is-why-we-love-living-in-the-garden-state/

 

The International Day of Friendship on July 30 highlights the importance of friendship and how it can help to spread peace and bring cultural understanding among diverse communities.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/friendship-day

 

Fun Days

 

 

World UFO Day was on July 2nd and hopes to encourage governments around the globe to share any knowledge they have about UFOs and extraterrestrial life. July 2, 1947, is the date of the Roswell incident

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_UFO_Day

 

International Kissing Day is on July 6. It celebrates the act of kissing as a sign of affection and love between people.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Kissing_Day

 

All American Pet Photo Day on July 11 encourages people to share pictures of their pets and raise money for animal-related charities.

https://www.lifesongmilestones.com/blogs/blogs/all-american-pet-photo-day-and-what-to-do-with-your-photos-afterwards

 

National French Fry Day is on July 13 and celebrates one of the most popular side dishes in America. French fries can be traced back to 17th-century Belgium, where potatoes were fried in a way that was similar to fish. Of course, the French argue that the delicacy was invented in Paris by pushcart vendors in the late 18th century. In any case, since this is an unofficial holiday, the origins of this being National French Fry Day also remain elusive.

https://www.nationalfrenchfryday.com

 

National Avocado Day on July 31 calls for a celebration of the fruit that gives us guacamole and has become recognized as a healthy fruit owing to its rich monounsaturated fat content and essential nutrients such as potassium, vitamin E, and fiber.

https://www.nationalavocado.day

 


Historical Events

 

July 1, 1862: President Abraham Lincoln signed the first income tax bill, instituting a 3% income tax on annual incomes from $600 to $10,000, and a 5% tax on incomes over $10,000.

July 2, 1881: President James A. Garfield was shot as he entered a railway station in Washington, D.C., leading to his death on September 19.

July 2, 1917: In St. Louis, Missouri, a race riot resulted in the death of around 75 African Americans, with hundreds of others injured.

July 2, 1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race in public accommodations, publicly owned or operated facilities, employment and union membership, and voter registration.

July 2, 1908: Future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall was born. He became the first African American to sit on the Supreme Court.

July 4, 1863: Confederate General Pemberton surrendered to General Grant, ending the Battle of Vicksburg after a 6-week siege.

July 6, 1885: The first-ever anti-rabies shot was administered by Louis Pasteur to a boy who had been bitten by a rabid dog.

July 7, 1898: Hawaii was annexed by a resolution signed by President William McKinley.

July 9, 1868: The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, prohibiting individual States from abridging the rights of any American citizen without due process, and barring individuals involved in rebellion against the U.S. from holding public office.

July 10, 1943: The Allied invasion of Italy began with an attack on the island of Sicily.

July 16, 1769: Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded by Father Junipero Serra.

July 16, 1945: The first atomic bomb was exploded. The experimental bomb nicknamed "Fat Boy" was set off at 5:30 a.m. in the New Mexico desert. The mushroom cloud rose over 40,000 feet high, reached a temperature three times that of the interior of the sun, and wiped out all plant and animal life within a mile.

July 17, 1918: The Bolsheviks murdered deposed Czar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their 5 children.

July 19-20, 1848: A women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York to discuss the rights of women to vote, own property, and divorce marked the beginning of an organized women's rights movement in the U.S.

July 20, 1969: Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to step foot on the moon.

July 22, 1934: Bank robber John Dillinger was shot and killed by FBI agents in Chicago as he left the Biograph Theater after watching the film Manhattan Melodrama.

July 25, 1909: The world's first international overseas airplane flight was completed by Louis Bleriot, flying from France to England.

July 27, 1953: The Korean War ended with the signing of an armistice between the United States and North Korea.

July 30, 1975:- Former Teamsters Union leader Jimmy Hoffa disappeared after leaving a restaurant near Detroit, Michigan.

July 31, 1790: The U.S. Patent Office was established.

   Charitable Activities Highlights

 

Boys and Girls Club of Silicon Valley

 

In 1944, the Boys and Girls Club of Silicon Valley was founded to fill the needs of low-income, at-risk youths in Santa Clara County. For nearly 8 decades now, they have been at the forefront of providing quality after-school and summertime programs for children in underserved communities. They have grown to serve in 11 locations in Silicon Valley and serve nearly 3,000 children aged 6 through 18, providing them with a safe place to play, learn, and grow. Their mission is to inspire and empower all young people, especially those who are most in need, to achieve their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring adults. Their cause is close to the heart of the Arcanians in their area. Both the Grand Council of California and San Jose Council #2384 made it their IFS Project to support the Boys and Girls Club of Silicon Valley to help them in their mission. 

https://www.bgclub.org

   Inspirational quotes

 

“[The] Hebrew word for ‘charity’ — tzedakah — simply means ‘justice,’ and as this suggests […] giving to the poor is no optional extra but an essential part of living a just life.”

―     Peter Singer

   Upcoming dates

 

Mark your calendar with these important dates:

  • Summer Bulletin article submission deadline: July 8, 2023
  • Summer Bulletin publication: August 19, 2023
  • Dime A Day program completion: October 18, 2023
  • Donald E. Ferry Jr. Spirit of Service Award project completion by: November 20, 2023

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