Jul 26, 2022 Newsletter #49

Hi Member, Some eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that the last newsletter was #47. Don't worry, you didn't miss an issue: our review found that we had two issues numbered 44 back in May, and we're just correcting it now. If you caught it back then, congratulations! Summer is here, the Session is coming, and the outside is calling to us. Enjoy this short newsletter to help you enjoy the lazy summer days. July is the month of Protecting against extreme heat Inspirational quote Upcoming Dates    July is the month of...   There are only a few more days in July, but that’s enough time to recognize a few different things marked during this month.   National Blueberry Month July is National Blueberry Month! Blueberry Month was first introduced through a joint resolution of Congress on June 13, 1974, and re-affirmed with a proclamation by the USDA Secretary in 2005. Did you know that blueberries were commercialized back in 1916 when a variety of wild blueberries were created to be sold on the market? They are now commercially available in every continent except Antarctica. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and have a lot list of health benefits, including helping to boost your immune system and your brain function. They have been linked to helping diabetes management, lowering the risk of cancer, and increasing bone strength. Plus, they are sweet and delicious! Enjoy some today! World Watercolor Month One hundred years after the commercialization of the blueberry, World Watercolor Month was founded in 2016 by Charlie O’Shields. It is dedicated as a month to inspire people to paint with watercolor while raising awareness for the importance of art and creativity in the world. Maybe you, too, used to paint in watercolors as a child. Why not try your hand at it again and create your masterpiece!   National Anti-Boredom Month During these lazy days of summer, are you getting bored? Established nearly 40 years ago, the goal of National Anti-Boredom Month is to encourage people to identify what makes them bored and to try to find ways to combat boredom in their lives. Being bored isn’t just about having nothing to do: sometimes, we have plenty of things on our plates, but they are not exciting to our minds. With boredom can come irritability, being tired, or a lack of caring about things. Combat those feelings with a few tricks. Play a new game, forcing your mind to think in new ways. Go outside, maybe take a hike in a new part of town that’s unfamiliar to you. That also brings in doing physical activity, which is a great stimulus to your mind, too. Learn something new or try a new hobby. Find a friend to share your new activity with and you’ll be well on your way to avoiding boredom.    Protecting against extreme heat   Last week, more than 100 million Americans in 28 were under an extreme heat warning. With temperatures worldwide rising and setting new record high temperatures, it’s prudent to familiarize yourself with the risks that might apply to you and your family, and how to protect yourself against excessive heat. When your body is unable to properly cool itself, heat-related illness can ensue. Older adults, young children, and those with chronic medical conditions are more at risk. Here are some of the more common heat-related illnesses, how to recognize them, and how to avoid or treat them.   Heat Rash   Red clusters of small blisters appear on the skin — even unexposed skin, usually the neck, chest, groins, or elbow creases. They look like pimples on the skin. Should you notice these, move to a cool, dry place. Try to keep the rash dry, using powder to soothe the rash.   Sunburn   The skin appears red, feels warm, and may blister. It becomes painful to the touch. Sunburn is dangerous, as even one case of sunburn can increase the risk of skin cancer. If you have gotten sunburned, stay out of the sun until the sunburn heals. Put cool cloths on the sunburned areas or take a cool bath. Put moisturizing lotion on the sunburned area, ideally containing aloe. Do not break the blisters.   Heat Cramps   Heat cramps can occur when heavily sweating during intense exercise in the heat. Muscle spasms and muscle pain can occur. Should you recognize these symptoms, stop the physical activity and move to a cool place. Drink water or a sports drink to help your body restore its balance. Wait for the cramps to go away before doing any additional physical activity. Should your cramps last longer than an hour, or if you have heart problems or are on a low sodium diet, seek medical help immediately.   Heat Exhaustion   Heat exhaustion is recognized by heavy sweating, cold, pale, and clammy skin, a fast but weak pulse, and can include nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, overwhelming tiredness or weakness, dizziness, headaches, and fainting. Immediately move the victim to a cool place. Loosen any restrictive clothing, and put cool, wet cloths on the body or take a cool bath. Sip water, but do not gulp a lot down at one time. Get medical help right away if the victim is throwing up, or if symptoms get worse or last for longer than an hour.   Heat Stroke   In extreme cases, heat stroke can occur, where the body temperature rises to 103℉ or higher. The skin becomes hot, red, and dry or damp. There is a fast, strong pulse with headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and losing consciousness. The victim is now in grave danger, and this is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately, move the person to a cooler place and help to lower their temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do NOT give them anything to drink.   Prevention   Stay informed and stay cool. Monitor weather reports, and beware of high humidity, when sweat won’t evaporate as quickly, and heat alerts in your area. Personal factors such as age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, prescription drugs, and alcohol can all play a factor in the body’s ability to regulate its temperature in very hot weather. Those over 65, children younger than 2, and those with chronic diseases are most at risk and should be monitored by others. Ensure they are drinking enough water, and have access to air conditioning.   Do not rely solely on a fan as a main cooling device during extreme heat. Drink more water than usual — do not wait until you are thirsty. Limit the use of the oven or stove to avoid adding heat to your residence. Limit outdoor activity, especially during the hottest part of the afternoon, usually the hours on either side of around 3:00 pm.   With planning and care, you can still enjoy the summer weather safely.    Inspirational quotes   “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” ―     Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart    Upcoming dates   Don't forget the upcoming deadlines: Session arrival: August 21 Session meetings: August 22 to August 24 Session check-out: August 25 Scholarship and Grant applications open: September 1

 

Jul 12, 2022 Newsletter #47

Hi Member, July is nearly half over, and the Session that was delayed for two years is now just over a month away. We're looking forward to seeing all of you in Annapolis after the long interval. Power outage and food safety IFS Donation highlight PerkSpot reminder Inspirational quote Upcoming dates    Power outages and food safety   Summertime can come with storms or wildfires that can interfere with our power supply. This causes many inconveniences, temporarily removing the modern conveniences of electric lights, television, and the Internet. If your place has sump pumps, it can also lead to basement flooding. But there is one more severe loss it can cause: the loss of power to your refrigerator can cause your food to spoil. Worse, you may not be sure what is now dangerous to keep and what is safe. Some guidelines help you ensure your food remains safe, even if you have to throw away some or all of your food. Familiarize yourselves with these food safety guidelines before the power goes out. The CDC highlights some of the basics of food safety and power outages. Before the power goes out The CDC recommends setting your refrigerator to 40 degrees or below. Other experts suggest that the ideal temperature is actually between 38 and 35 degrees. Many newer refrigerators have digital temperature settings, but they can be off by a degree or two. Experts recommend erring on the side of colder to ensure the temperature doesn’t rise above 40 degrees. Consider using an external calibrated thermometer to get a correct reading. The freezer is generally best kept as close to zero degrees as possible. There are also strategies on how warm your food should be before being stored and other food safety hints that you might want to review. When the power goes out To keep the temperature as cold as possible in the refrigerator and freezer, keep the doors closed during a power outage. A refrigerator will keep food safely cold enough for up to 4 hours of a power outage, and a freezer can keep foods frozen for up to 48 hours if your freezer is full, or up to 24 hours for a half-full freezer. If power is out for more than 4 hours, consider moving perishable foods to a cooler with ice or cooler packs, if available. You might also ask a neighbor if they have a generator and have room for a few items to tide you over until the power comes back on. After the power comes back on Throw out any perishable food in your refrigerator if you have been without power for 4 hours or more. This includes meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers. Remember that 4 hours can be considered a maximum: also throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture. Never taste food to determine if it’s safe, though smelling it is usually safe to do. You can also measure the temperature of the foods you’re unsure about. If any of them are over 40 degrees, discard them. Remember, with a little bit of planning and some careful checking, your power outage can stay only an inconvenience and not a life-threatening event.    IFS donation highlight   The International Fraternal Service (IFS) Program was created to assist Subordinate and Grand Councils to promote and participate in community projects, with the Supreme Council reimbursing half of the costs of approved projects, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year. This popular program has been used by 17 different Subordinate Councils and 7 different Grand Councils over the past 5 years, with the Supreme Council reimbursing the councils more than $80,000 during that 5-year period. The donation process is simple and can be completed electronically by emailing the IFS form and required documentation to the Home Office for processing. One recent request came from Integrity Council #586 for a project supporting the Brandon Caserta Foundation. Brandon was a member of Integrity Council and was an active duty service member whose death was an effort to draw attention to the need for changes in the military. The foundation has made it its mission to provide assistance, guidance, education, and resources to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families to help to stop the suicide epidemic in the Armed Forces and in veteran communities. The foundation championed The Brandon Act, which was passed into law this past March. Integrity Council has given a great example of how to support the organizations your council cares about most, and make their donations count for more. The IFS Committee encourages all councils to connect with community needs in their area and support them with an IFS project.    PerkSpot reminder   Last month we introduced the new PerkSpot Mobile app that makes it easy for you to access one of the most money-savings benefits of being a member of the Royal Arcanum. As a reminder, you can download the app or just log in or sign up. The Royal Perks program provides terrific savings for our members, and summertime is no exception. Save on travel and hotels, tickets and attractions, movie tickets, groceries, and move. If you haven’t yet created an account, you’re missing out on the savings you deserve. Sign up now and start saving!    Inspirational quotes   “Give for the right reason — and that is, give for no reason at all.”  ― Frank Sonnenberg, The Path to a Meaningful Life    Upcoming dates   Don't forget the upcoming deadlines: Nominations deadline: July 15 Session reservation deadline: July 15 Session arrival: August 21 Session meetings: August 22 to August 24 Session check-out: August 25

 

Jun 28, 2022 Newsletter #46

Hi Member, Welcome to Summer! As the temperatures go higher, the days will slowly get shorter. Summertime seems like an idyllic time of year, especially when the snow piles up in winter, so don't waste the precious days of summer now that they're here. Summer for us includes the 105th Supreme Council Session, ideas for fraternal gatherings, an update on our Summer project, and a not-summer-specific topic to think about while enjoying the relaxing summer days. Supreme Council Session - COVID safety Summertime event ideas Summer Project Update Life events and your insurance needs Upcoming deadlines    Supreme Council Session - COVID Safety   CDC reports that Annapolis, Maryland, which is in Ann Arundel County, is at a Low community level! They are also currently on a downward trend, which appears to be favorable for the timing of the Supreme Council Session, now only 54 days away. The Executive Committee continues to monitor the situation and is making plans to prepare for our Session with safety in mind. What can you do? The CDC recommends you stay up to date with your COVID-10 vaccines and get tested if you have symptoms. Those with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask, and they remind us that you may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. For those who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, the CDC has additional protective recommendations.          Summertime event ideas   Many of our councils take a break from meetings during the summer, but that doesn’t mean our fraternal events have to stop. Why not plan a fun summertime event with your council! Here are some quick ideas that your members can easily enjoy. Plan a picnic Who doesn’t enjoy a shady spot and a cold drink enjoying friends, food, and fun? Invite your friends and neighbors (members and non-members alike) to join together for a day in the warm weather. Kids will enjoy races and games, and it’s a great opportunity to talk about the Royal Arcanum. Make it a combination charitable event by having your members bring some non-perishable food for the local food pantry. Scavenger Hunt This activity is always a hit with our junior members at our Supreme Council Sessions and mini-vacations. Why not plan a scavenger hunt for your members? Adult members will enjoy trying to find things in the area. Members can take pictures of an obscure landmark or see how many different Royal Arcanum pens they can. Local businesses will be happy to have members get a receipt from their store or a takeout menu from their restaurant — and it allows you to talk about the Royal Arcanum in your local community. It’s fun for everyone. Parades and Festivals Does your local community sponsor a parade, a community block party, or a larger festival? There are a lot of great opportunities to get involved. They are usually looking for volunteers for different things, often with limited volunteer time so you can still enjoy the event. You can get more involved by signing up to march in the parade or even sponsoring a booth at a festival. You can even keep it purely fun — wear your Royal Arcanum hat, shirt, or pin and go as a group. Theme gatherings Pick any theme your members are interested in and ask everyone to bring a food or beverage related to the theme. Dressing up in keeping with the theme is a plus. This easy-to-arrange activity just needs an idea and a place to gather. Pick an idea and get started:        - Island Luau - island wear, tropical fruits, and luau music        - Wild West - jeans and cowboy hats, grilled meats, and lively music        - Underwater - Coral and aqua clothing, seafood, and of course drinks of all kinds        - Colors - Bold colors to wear, drink, and eat These are just starters. Create your theme, get together with your Royal Arcanum friends, and have fun!      Ukraine Project update   The unjust war in Ukraine is continuing, and the suffering it is causing is sadly continuing, too. Here's an update on the Ukraine Fraternal Project that provides some hope, an understanding of the needs, and what you can do to help. Phase 1 - Providing immediate help The war is now into its fourth month, and the suffering it has been causing continues every day. It has been especially hard on the children, who have left behind their homes, and often their fathers, who are trying to save their country. The children will run and hide when they hear an ambulance or police siren, having become accustomed to seeking shelter when the warning sirens have sounded. We're happy to report that to date we have collected and donated over $22,000to the Ukrainian Fraternal Project! A well-deserved thank-you goes out to all the councils, members, and friends who have contributed to help provide this much-needed help. Everything has been confirmed as received by those churches and organizations that are helping the Ukrainian refugees. Monies wired directly over have been securely received, and shipments, which typically take about 10 days to clear customs, are confirmed by emails, texts, or phone calls. Every dollar matters and everything you have given has been used to provide for the families in need. No, not refugees: they refer to them as their Ukrainian guests, and what a powerful image that portrays. The families who have had to flee their homes and seek safety are welcomed as guests and treated as guests by their hosts. Sometimes their guests will return home during periods of safety, to reconnect with their homeland and see what can be salvaged. 95% of them become returning guests since it isn't safe for them to remain in Ukraine. We're proud to say that all donations that are sent over to help have been brand new, not used items. Specific needs are requests -- sometimes towels for all their Ukrainian guests or clothing, or recently, for a washing machine to help lauder the clothing for a converted Parish Center that is now a guesthouse. Your donations are making a difference in everyday lives!   Phase 2 - Our Summer Project Our Summer Project is a Newborn and Toddler Shower for the many young children who are forced to be away from home. We're collecting clothing for children, targeting sizes 6 months to 4T, and will be shipping them after our Session directly to those hosting the guests from Ukraine. If you're able to bring new clothing to the Session, know that it will be sent very shortly afterward to those who have been forced to flee their homes. In addition to the Shower, the "Share Some Sunshine" facet of the project focused on monetary donations. For a five-dollar contribution, you can reserve a sunflower that will be sent along with gifts and donations to the child guests from Ukraine. This gesture of sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, has become a worldwide symbol of support for Ukrainians against their Russian invaders. You can make your donation to honor someone or as a thinking-of-you gesture. Please contact our Fraternal Director Cindy Macon to make a donation and Share Some Sunshine.    Life events and your insurance needs   Life events can be fun, exciting, scary, and exhausting. There are often many details to take care of, and when they're finished, we can feel like it's time to take a deep breath and relax. There's one item, though, that is often skipped in the list of things to do - how the events have changed your insurance needs. Have any of these life events happened to you recently? Perhaps they've occurred elsewhere in your family, or among your friends? Direct them to us to be sure these life changes are matched by any needs to change their insurance protection. Change in marital status Your new family status may need changes to your existing policies (think of a change in the amount of coverage, payment method, or beneficiaries) or call for new coverage. Parenthood - each time! Welcoming new children into your family is a moment of great joy! Don't forget that our Royal Arcanum policies are the least expensive for newborns, and can with significant additional benefits, such as eligibility for scholarships or grants in the future. Homeownership Buying a home is likely the single most expensive purchase of your life; selling your home may be the single greatest income event of your life. It's a great time to remember to be sure you're covered so your family keeps their roof over their heads, or if selling, to consider an annuity with a guaranteed return -- especially during these trying times in the economy. Changing jobs Insurance coverage is often a benefit provided by employers. But in many cases, leaving a job means leaving that insurance behind. New jobs may not provide coverage, may provide less coverage, or may have a waiting period before its available. Don't be caught uninsured. Retirement Congratulations on your retirement! Don't forget that, like changing jobs, it may mean your work-provided insurance is no longer covering you. If it is offered, it may be an excessive term policy at a time you might be better served by a whole life policy. Perhaps it's time to consider an annuity? Whatever life events you experience, be sure your needs are met. Review your insurance, and if you need a change, contact us today.      Upcoming deadlines   Don't forget the upcoming deadlines: Bulletin article deadline: July 8 Nominations deadline: July 15 Session reservation deadline: July 15

 

Jun 14, 2022 Newsletter #45

Hi Member, The 105th Supreme Council Session is just over 2 months away, with only 1 month left to submit reservations and nominations. If you haven't yet completed your reservation or sent in your nomination, now is the time to ensure your room is ready and your desire to serve as an officer is registered. The 105th Supreme Council Session New RoyalPerks mobile app Bulletin deadline    Official Call for the 105th Supreme Council Session August 21-25, 2022 The Official Call to the Supreme Council Session has been sent to the officers and Supreme Council members of the Royal Arcanum. The Session in Annapolis is open to all Royal Arcanum members, and attending the Session is also available to guests at our discounted rate. Below are the key portions of the invitation, the reservation requirements, and a few highlights of the trip.   Official Call Dear Members: The 105th Session of the Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum is hereby called to convene on August 21, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Annapolis Hotel, 173 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The phone number of the hotel is 1-410-266-3131.   It is important that all Officers, Representatives, Members, and Guests arrive on Sunday, August 21, 2022, beginning with Registration in the hotel’s– Ground Floor –Arundel A Foyer from 1:00 P.M to 5:00 P.M.  Dinner will be at 7:00 P.M. in the Queen Anne Room.  The meeting will begin Monday, August 22, 2022 at 8:30 A.M in the Arundel A Room and continue through Wednesday, August 24, 2022.  Guest room check-in time is 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 21st.  Check-out time is at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 25th.   Reservations All attendees (officers, representatives, members, and guests) MUST submit a completed reservation form and send with a $50 deposit per adult to the Supreme Treasurer by July 15, 2022.   Please see the Royal Arcanum Bulletin for a reservation form; you may also print a form from the Royal Arcanum website (www.royalarcanum.com).  The deposit is non-refundable for cancellations made on or after July 15, 2022 or if penalty by the hotel is applicable. Please Note:  Changes made after July 15, 2022 to hotel (room accommodations/dates of stay) reservations are subject to penalty charges by the hotel.  Except for emergencies, officers, members and guests will be responsible for any charges incurred.  The reservation form is available in the Spring 2022 Bulletin, on page 30.   COVID Precautions The Supreme Council looks forward to hosting this year’s event.  Being mindful of lingering COVID-19 effects or possible surges, the site committee is being attentive to arranging the activities with everyone’s safety in mind and for all to be comfortable while being respectful of other guests. The meeting and meal rooms are spacious to accommodate our attendees.  Social distancing measures will be followed as needed.  Hand sanitizers and disposable masks will be available for the meeting for those who wish to use them.  Although there are no restrictions currently in place in Annapolis for indoor mask-wearing or for providing a ‘Proof of Vaccination’ card, kindly be aware that situations may change as our event approaches.  Please be prepared!  As a global community, we’ve experienced a change to routines; everyone’s cooperation to policies and procedures that will be in effect for the Session will be appreciated.   Charitable Project At the request of the Fraternal Events Committee volunteers, this year’s fraternal project is being sponsored on Wednesday, August 24th as a Newborn and Toddler Shower to aid Ukrainian refugee babies.  Monetary donations and gifts (Sizes 6 Months thru 4 Toddler) for the project are welcomed and will be gratefully accepted.  In conjunction with the 145th Anniversary milestone of the Royal Arcanum being recognized this year, the “Share Some Sunshine” facet of the project is an easy way for members and friends who wish to participate to do so.  For a five dollar contribution, you can “reserve” a sunflower in honor or in memory of someone (family, friend, officer, member, etc.) or as a “Thinking of You” gesture.  The sunflowers will be included with the gifts and donations to be sent for the Ukrainian infants and toddlers.   Other Key Event Information   Daily breakfast buffet is included The Fraternal Celebration Dinner will be on Tuesday, August 23, replacing the formal banquet. Neat attire suggested, no need for tuxedos or evening gowns. "Seeing Purple" Theme Party and Dinner is on Wednesday, August 24. All are encouraged to wear something purple as we celebrate the Royal Arcanum's 145th anniversary. A Special Ceremony will be held, details to be given at the Session          Get the new PerkSpot Mobile App   Save everywhere you go with the new PerkSpot Mobile App The new PerkSpot mobile app makes maximizing the benefits of your Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum private discount portal easier than ever. Download the app from the Apple App Store or from Google Play today for on-the-go access to thousands of deals on everyday essentials and big-ticket items, including premium perks that are negotiated and verified by PerkSpot for Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum members to be the best of the best. Login to the PerkSpot mobile app with your Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum discount portal email address and password and start saving!    Bulletin Deadline Reminder   The summer bulletin article deadline is July 8 Does your council have any event updates and pictures for the Summer Bulletin? There's less than a month left: the article deadline is July 8. Send your story in today.

 

May 31, 2022 Newsletter #44

Hi Member, We have just a few short items for you in this edition: celebrating our scholarship and grant winners and previewing some of the awareness days for June.    2022 Scholarship & Grant Winners The Royal Arcanum is proud to announce the winners of our 2022 scholarships and grants!   Joseph E. Hallinan $10,000 Scholarship Justin Koplinka of Dobbs Ferry #1823   Lloyd E. Williams $10,000 Scholarship Nina Pantaleone of Sons of Poland #2016   $8,000 Scholarships Penelope Aboud of Integrity #586 Amanda Butto of Versatility Council #2501   $5,000 Scholarships Matthew Crawford of Fort Dearborn #278 Judith Kolek of Pawtucket #537   $1,500 Scholarships Sydney Jacobs of Woodside #1358 Caden Fowler of Group Colorado #1998 Jaclyn Giurintano of Sons of Poland #2016 Alyson MacDougall of Integrity #586 Connor Deboda of Integrity #586 Emma James of Integrity #586 Anthony Torricella of Claremont #1655 Michael Tomaszkowicz of Sons of Poland #2016 Paytyn Bavaro of Fort Dearborn #278 Javonta Hairston of Home Office - ACA #13   $750 Grants Kiersten Echon of California Group #1999 Wanda Marfo of New York Group #5100 We’re proud of all our winners and all applicants! The Royal Arcanum is happy to award this $62,500 in total to our deserving members. Spread the word on this and all the benefits of Royal Arcanum membership.    June is the month of... Global Day of Parents is observed on June 1st. This worldwide celebration, founded by the United Nations, marks a day to focus on the key role that parents play in the full and harmonious development of children for the well-being of families and society as a whole. June 5th is World Environment Day, a day to connect with nature and understand environmental issues in order to move towards sustainable consumption. International Albinism Awareness Day is observed on June 13. Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that occurs in all racial and ethnic groups throughout the world. It reduces the amount of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. Many people with albinism have impaired vision or are legally blind. They can sunburn easily, and the condition sadly causes social problems because since they look different, they are ostracized. World Blood Donor Day is on June 14. This day was set aside to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving donations. World Music Day is an annual summer solstice music celebration. Celebrated since 1981, it encourages all musicians to perform on the streets and organize free concerts. It is now celebrated in more than 120 countries. United Nations Public Service Day is celebrated on June 23, which celebrates the value and virtue of public service to the community. How fitting that it’s also Royal Arcanum Day, the celebration of the founding of the Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum in 1877.