October Newsletter
“Ah, Lovely October, as you usher in the season that awakens my soul, your awesome beauty compels my spirit to soar like a leaf caught in an autumn breeze and my heart to sing like a heavenly choir.” ― Peggy Toney Horton (Source: goodreads.com)
Reminder: HOME, Inc. will be closed the following days in November:
Friday, November 11th Veterans Day
Thursday, November 24th Thanksgiving
Friday, November 25th Thanksgiving Holiday
The History of Halloween
Halloween or Hallowe'en (a contraction of "All Hallows' evening"),[5] less commonly known as Allhalloween,[6] All Hallows' Eve,[7] or All Saints' Eve,[8] is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It begins the observance of Allhallowtide,[9] the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the departed.[10][11]
One theory holds that many Halloween traditions were influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain, which are believed to have pagan roots.[12][13][14][15] Some go further and suggest that Samhain may have been Christianized as All Hallow's Day, along with its eve, by the early Church.[16] Other academics believe Halloween began solely as a Christian holiday, being the vigil of All Hallow's Day.[17][18][19][20] Celebrated in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, Irish and Scottish migrants brought many Halloween customs to North America in the 19th century,[21][22] and then through American influence, Halloween spread to other countries by the late 20th and early 21st century.[23][24]
Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (or the related guising and souling), attending Halloween costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, divination games, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories, and watching horror or Halloween-themed films.[25] For some people, the Christian religious observances of All Hallows' Eve, including attending church services and lighting candles on the graves of the dead, remain popular,[26][27][28] although it is a secular celebration for others.[29][30][31] Some Christians historically abstained from meat on All Hallows' Eve, a tradition reflected in the eating of certain vegetarian foods on this vigil day, including apples, potato pancakes, and soul cakes.[32][33][34][35] (Source:Wikipedia.org)
A Message from Our Executive Director
Families and communities worldwide have endured some very difficult times these last couple of years. We want our families to know that if you are experiencing hardships of any nature, please let us know. We will do our best to provide you with community resources that can assist in getting you the help you need. As our mission states, H.O.M.E. Inc.’s purpose is to assist persons who are developmentally disabled and their families to attain a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
~ Take Care, Shaneika
Nurse’s Corner
As we are exiting summer and experiencing these beautiful fall days, we are reminded that it is time to prepare for the coming winter months and expected illness.
Flu: It is anticipated that this will be a severe Flu season. As we have been mitigating and masking for Covid-19, we have seen little flu in our communities. However, now that these restrictions are being lifted, our bodies have little immunity to the seasonal Flu. The Flu vaccine is one which is administered yearly, as it does tend to change each year. If anyone needs help getting a Flu vaccine, please let me know. If we have enough interest, we could even set up a Flu clinic at the office, where individuals and staff could receive their vaccines here.
Covid-19: Unfortunately, this virus is not finished with us, and continues to mutate, and infect people daily. Up to 400 deaths, nationally, are being reported daily.
Last week the new Bi-Valiant (meaning a combination of the original Covid-19 and the Omicron B.4 and B.5 viruses); Booster became available. It is now carried at most local Walgreens pharmacies, some Wegmans, some Walmarts, and the Onondaga County Health Department. It will soon become available at CVS, and perhaps other pharmacies. This can't be given as a FIRST Covid-19 Vaccine. You must have had the original Johnson & Johnson, or 2 Moderna, or 2 Pfizer Vaccines first., then you must wait 5 months after these initial vaccines. You must wait at least 2 months from your last Covid-19 BOOSTER to receive this one. If you have been sick with Covid-19, or the Omicron Variant, you must wait at least 90 days, or 3 months, before you can get this shot. If you choose, you MAY receive this vaccine along with the Flu shot, safely at the same time.
At this point in time, as it appears that Covid-19 is here to stay, and will continue to mutate (change), we are, likely looking at yearly boosters, much like the Flu vaccine. This new Pfizer booster is for those 12 years old, and older. The Moderna Booster is for those 18 years old, and older.
For locations and to schedule your booster, check out: https://www.vaccines.gov
Creative Corner and Quote
Goodbye to Setting Sun by Sheala Burks
As the last of the sun’s rays fade into darkness,
The warmth that we once felt passes from our bodies.
The sun turns from a cheery white to an orangey-yellow
And the sky turns to a rainbow of pinks, yellow, orange and red.
Clouds become cotton candy purple
As the sun goes into hiding for the night,
The other stars start to shine in the luminous glory.
Cool breezes bring magic to the darkening landscape
As the moon brightens up the cold waters of the lake.
As long as we know the sun will be back tomorrow,
We can be sure the warmth will return again.
“October had tremendous possibility. The summer's oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles.” ― Sarah Guillory, Reclaimed (Source: goodreads.com)