The Power In You Times

Transcription

1 In This Issue Greetings. 1-2 Holiday Traditions 3-4 Members. 5-6 Statistics. 6 Birthdays. 7 Power in You Times Is proudly produced by members and staff of the Clubhouse Chief Executive Officer Barbara Harmon Executive Editor Melissa Karpf Publisher Babara Harmon Designer Brian Robinson Contributing Writers Melissa, Barbara, Sandra, Erika, Jorge, Richard, Manny, Tom, Wesley, Fred, Lenny, Bill, and Michael 1 December 2012

2 Greetings to All! How did we get to the end of the year? It seems that in one billionth of a second this year has come and gone! Before I start talking about anything else, I really need to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us to get where we are today. Sandra, Beverly, Ferial, David, Raphe, Erika, Melissa, Brian and Lesley, I appreciate all the hard work you have put forth this year. What with our website being reconstructed and updated, our addresses being changed, legislative presentations, community presentations, employer meetings and the day to day operations of the Clubhouse, it has not been easy. And let s not forget the physical work and knowledge gained from working in our organic gardens. It has been a fulfilling year to say the least. (For more on our garden please go to our website: ) intends to continue to serve adults in from mental illness by providing them with meaningful work experiences. Thus due to this purpose we need donations, from individuals like yourself, corporations and foundations. Recover a life and donate to our Clubhouse! I hope you can support our Clubhouse so that we may continue to provide meaningful work experiences to our members. Please go to our website and click on WAYS TO DONATE. Thank you and Have a Wonderful Holiday Season! Barbara Harmon 2 December 2012

3 Holiday Traditions Christmas If I was rewriting the World Encyclopedia, I wouldn t have enough space for the diversity of Christmas traditions that I found on the Internet spread throughout all cultures and ethnic locations. Therefore, I will do my best to highlight Christmas traditions I researched and found most interestng or popular. At the top of the list was becoming engaged and even married on Christmas. Other traditions involve decorating the tree and house, sending Christmas cards, hanging stockings on the banner, baking cookies, creating candy-laden gingerbread houses, and singing carols. Another tradition worth mentioning is the tinsel (shiny ribbons of silver) that people put up on their Christmas tree which originated from Germany in the 1600 s. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was invented by an ad copywriter for Montgomery Ward. And Christmas trees and ornaments have their roots in the symbol for life enduring the winter. Christmas tree ornaments were apples, emblematic of the Garden of Eden. Chanukah On Chanukah, the victory of the Jews over the Syrian-Greeks who were evicted from Israel and the restoration of the Second Temple are celebrated. This was the first ideological war for the Maccabees who were not warriors by training. Astonishingly, they were academics and men of piety, stirred to action by their beliefs. The high priests of that time found only one jug of oil to use on that day so that the oil was pure and unused. Thus, there are many traditions involving latkes and donuts. Although the oil was expected to last one day, it lasted eight days and that is why Chanukah is eight days long beginning on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Kislev. Kwanzaa This holiday is celebrated from Dec. 26th through Jan. 1 st in recognition of African American Heritage. Traditional African values of family, community, commerce and self-improvement are the main themes of the holiday. Dr. Maulana Karenga thought up the idea and he was concerned with the loss of identity of the African American people. It is based on the Nguzo Saba (7 guiding principles), one for each of the 7 days of the observation. For the African American people, it is a way of bringing the community together, teaching younger members to be proud of who they are and reaffirm the commitment to family and community. 3 December 2012

4 Seven Guiding Principles of Kwanza Ujimah (oo-mo-jah) or unity. It is to remind people to come together as a family, community, nation and race. Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-lee-ah) or self-determination. To have a separate identity, and to let others know about it. Ujima (oo-jee-mah) or cooperation and working together. Helping to build a community and solve problems together. Ujamaa (oo-jah-mah) or supporting one another. To build businesses and places of work especially to support others in the community. Nia (NEE-yah) or purpose. To rebuild the community ties and maintain them. Kuumba (koo-oom-bah) or creativity. To improve the community and make it a better and more beautiful place. Imani (ee-mah-nee) or faith in the leaders and the community. Submitted by Melissa, Barbara and Erika Latin American Festivities Las Tradiciones de Navidad Los latinoamericanos celebramos nuestras festividades de una manera alegre y distinta. La comida es muy tradicional donde el puerco asado, arroz con Gandules y pasteles son los protagonistas principales de una gama extensa de comidas tipicas Navidenas. Todas las reuniones son caracterizados con musica alegre, comida en abundancia y la compania de amigos y familia. Usualmente celebramos " Parrandas" donde un grupo de personas se reunen con buena musica o espiritu de cantar y visitan otras casas de amigos cantando afuera hasta que te abren y luego ellos se unen a la Parranda para "asaltar" otras casas. Se le llama Parrandas o Asaltos pues los amigos no saben que van a recibir la serranata. Y asi comparto un poco de lo que hacemos en Navidad. Submitted by Sandra/ Puerto Rico 4 December 2012

5 What does some of our member s do to celebrate these holidays? Jorge: We go to church at midnight, go out to a nice restaurant and we open presents. Richard: We go out to lunch. Manny: I go out to eat as a family. Tom: We go out to dinner. Wesley: I spend Christmas day with family and open gifts. Fred: We go out as a family. Lenny: I used to go to my grandparent s house. I miss those days Bill: We eat ham and prime rib, and I help do the cooking with the family. We hang up a lot of lights Michael: I celebrate Chanukah and Christmas with my family. Reflections The holiday season is not just about joy and celebration. It is also a time for reflection about an important date in American History. December 7, Pearl Harbor, often referred to worldwide a day that will live in infamy. On this day 71 years ago, 2,402 Americans were killed and 1,282 wounded-in the horrific attack. To commemorate this day, according to the President, the American flag should be flown at half-mast to honor those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Special services are held for survivors and family members. Memorial services are held at venues, such as the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Other activities include: wreath-laying ceremonies; keynote speeches by those associated with the event; luncheons; media stories on survivors recollections of the Pearl Harbor attack; and school activities to educate students about the attack on Pearl Harbor in relation to World War II History. 5 December 2012

6 Orlando Trip We didn t take this recent road trip to be dazzled by the wonders of the Disney Land theme park. Thus, believe it or not you can go to Orlando for other purposes. Our road trip to Orlando was about a meeting with the Florida Clubhouse Coalition. which represents all Florida Clubhouses, that involved combining our resources to address common issues and problems. Each of us was given the opportunity to introduce ourselves and our Clubhouse roles and experiences to the other people who were present at the meeting. One of the hot topics was reaching out to your legislators as a way of opposing budget cuts and garnering public support for your Clubhouse through testimonials from Members. We also held elections for President, Vice President and Treasurer, and our Clubhouse took the lead on being responsible for the Coalition newsletter on a quarterly basis. Jorge s impression of the meeting was the following. He said it was inspiring, interesting, motivating and educational. Barbara and Melissa agreed. Submitted by Melissa Column1 Month: December 2012 Unit: Membership Report 6 December 2012

7 7 December 2012