By David Daggett on 6/23/2008 6:49 AM

See and Be Seen

     Bicycling seems to be growing in popularity. It is a great form of recreation, fitness exercise and, with higher fuel prices, even transportation. This week we will focus on bicycles and bicycle safety.

     The increasing number of bicycle riders makes this a good time to review some safety tips - for drivers and riders. Motorists need to know that cyclists have the same rights on the road as they do. Likewise, cyclists have the same obligation to follow the traffic laws as motorists.

     First, please wear a helmet whenever riding a bicycle. It is now the law in North Carolina that helmets are required for riders under 16 years old. Look for a safety label that the helmet is approved by ANSI or the Snell foundation. This safety certification is also required under the law.

     More than half a million people are injured each year in bicycle mishaps and thousands are killed. Children 15 and younger account for one-third of the deaths and two thirds of the injuries. Three-fourths of all deaths are due to head injuries.

     Cyclists have an obligation to make sure they can be seen. Selection of cycling attire can affect the distances that cyclists, or pedestrians, are visible. Amazingly that range can be from a low of around 200 feet to a high of over 2000 feet just by selection of clothing.

     Most cyclists try hard to be considerate to motorists and follow the rules of the road. Experienced cyclists know that obeying the rules and looking out for their own safety also earns more respect from drivers.

     Likewise, most motorists really do try to look out for bike riders. However, both drivers and cyclists need to be aware that they are sharing the road in order to look out for each other. Lastly, a friendly wave goes a long way toward keeping our roads safe.

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By David Daggett on 6/16/2008 6:45 AM

THE HEAT IS ON

     Wow! This past week we got suddenly hit with a large dose of mid-summer heat. Perhaps that means it is a good time for us to review some summer safety tips.

     Believe it or not, there are more illnesses, injuries, and deaths due to the heat of summer than to lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes. Accordingly, the effect of heat on us and our families should not be taken lightly. There are several heat safety recommendations and tips to help us through the heat such as we have had recently:

   1. Drink Water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.

   2. Dress For The Heat. Wear lightweight, light colored clothing. Light colors will reflect some of the heat’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats, or even use an umbrella. To make a fashion statement, call it a parasol.

   3. Eat Small Meals, and Eat More Often. Avoid foods high in protein, which increase your metabolic heat. Increasing metabolic heat is like putting fuel on your internal fire, and also increases water loss.

   4. Slow Down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is close to dawn.

   5. Stay Indoors When Possible. When heat is excessive, avoid staying outside for long periods of time.

   6. Take Regular Breaks. When engaged in physical activity on warm days, take time out to find a cool place. If you recognize if you, or someone else, is showing the signs of heat related illness, stop activity and find a cool place.

   7. Don’t Get Too Much Sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation much more difficult. Further, too much sun drastically increases the risk for skin cancer. Be particularly careful with the tender skin of young children.

     Remember to have fun! But, please be safe and stay cool during our hot weather.

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By David Daggett on 6/9/2008 6:44 AM

The Path Continues

     This past week has been busy and exciting all across the Triad. Our high school seniors celebrated graduation. We are proud of them and wish them the best in pursuing future successes.

     Of course, we want to congratulate these young people for completing one forward, positive step in the road of life. We personally met many of the graduating seniors over the past couple of months during our Safe Sober Prom Night program. We thank them for their participation, and are already preparing for the class of 2009! We continue to enhance our efforts to connect with them online.

     Meeting these students brings to mind several thoughts and life lessons. First, we are proud of our graduates. We enjoyed meeting them and getting to know them. As they come of age the future should be very exciting.

     Next, these graduates make us optimistic about the future for all of us. We have a coming group of adults who are very diverse, talented, and motivated. They are our future leaders and decision makers. They even get to vote in a Presidential election for the first time this fall!

     We also want to thank our teachers, educators, and parents. They, too, are part of our future. In the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant." A lot of seeds have been planted! Take a moment to thank those who have helped along the way.

    Graduation is not an end, but a beginning. It is the beginning of the next stage in life. One of the ironic parts of finishing is that it is simply the start of the next chapter. A lesson they will learn, is that part of success is to never stop learning. Life is a journey. Enjoy the ride, but keep your wheels on the ground!

     So, graduates, our expectations are high for you. You make us proud and optimistic for the future. We love you and are excited for you. Please be safe, make good decisions, support each other, and enjoy all the good things life has to offer.

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By David Daggett on 6/2/2008 6:45 AM

Memorial Day Encore

     Last Sunday at New Philadelphia Moravian Church we hosted a Memorial Day celebration to remember our military heros, and honor veterans and current service persons. As part of the evening we featured a flag folding ceremony.

     Boy Scouts from our Troop 715 presented the flag, and demonstrated the folding. They stopped at each fold for a reading of the meanings. The ceremony was quite dramatic. The meanings of each fold of the flag are poignant and relevant, and are probably not known to most people.

1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
4. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
5. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
6. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
7. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
9. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
10. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

     After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

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