Here We Are, 2012! Whataya Got?

The start of a new year.  Hope all of you had a great holiday season.

The start of a new year brings new opportunities, resolutions (?), tax season (!) and hope that the New Year is better than the last.  And for our members, it means added benefits/discounts. 

Woodmen of the World and/or Assured Life Association has secured additional fraternal benefits/discounts for our members.  It is too early to announce just what they are, but watch this Blog and our Website for future announcements as they will roll out during the first quarter of 2012.   We will also be doing email announcements to the members we have email addresses for.

Here’s a hint.  Do you like to travel?  Do you own and drive a car?  Do you like to shop for deals?  Stay tuned…

2012 National College Scholarship Program – Deadline to Apply is March 15, 2012

Don”t forget to tell your college-aged kids and grandkids about our college scholarship program.  The deadline for application is March 15, 2012.  Eligible applicants include benefit members or Children/Grandchildren of benefit members. 

Important Note:  Because of the increasing number of applicants each year we are strictly enforcing the requirement of Official Transcripts that include the 2011 Fall semester or quarter.  So make sure your college-bound student requests those transcripts early so as not to delay their application. 

2011 National Member Food Drive Update

Our National Member Food Drive was a huge success again last year.  Early numbers indicate that nearly 35,000 lbs of food (actual food collected and monetary donations) was collected for various food banks/pantries throughout the country.  That is amazing.  And I know that there are still reports to come in.  DBIA Lodge 35 in Chicago, for example, collects food every month and I have not seen its final numbers for 2011 yet.  For a full, up to date report click on the 2011 Food Drive Report at the top of this blog.

Operation Purple

Our first service campaign of the year is the National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple to send the children of military parents to summer camp.   “The Operation Purple program was created in 2004 in response to the call from military parents to “help us help our kids.” The mission of the Operation Purple program is to empower military children and their families to develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military environment.”  This is done through summer camps.

This service campaign is not a volunteer event, but a fundraising effort.  We hope you consider Operation Purple in your charitable giving this year and help the kids of our military have some normalcy through the experience of a summer camp.  And remember, you can double your contribution by requesting a Growth Ring Matching Gift.  Here’s an Operation Purple Donation Form for your convenience.

Focus on Health

A Balanced Approach To Exercise And Activity

As always in a New Year, many of us resolve to lose some weight, become more active, exercise, etc.  You will notice a difference in your health and fitness if you give the following suggestions a try as you consider what kind of activity you want to do.

About the Author-Raymond Lee is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is the Founder of Bodyfixes Group specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He is currently the author of the latest edition of “Neck Exercises and Workouts.” Visit http://www.bodyfixes.com for more information.

During a pain flare-up you will likely limit your activities. After a flare-up, it is important to gradually return to a more active life. How much physical activity is appropriate? How much is too much? What type of activity is best? There are no absolute answers for these questions. Each person needs to decide what activities they will engage in to stay healthy and fit. Activity will keep you healthy, physically fit, and safe from injury; it will also help lessen your pain. Different types of activity need to be balanced for optimal fitness. Here are a few suggestions that can help you.

Activity For Flexibility – To maintain flexibility in your muscles, ligaments, and tendons, you should stretch daily. This takes only a few minutes and pays off in many ways. You will likely feel better in general, have less pain, have fewer flare-ups, and also be at less risk for injury. In addition, without adequate flexibility, you will not be able to use the correct body mechanics for daily activities, putting you at greater risk for pain or injury.

Activity For Strength-Maintaining strength in your muscles will allow you to do more with less effort and pain. You will be able to perform activities with safer technique, for example, lifting with your legs, not on your back. Having strong trunk muscles will allow you to keep your back in a comfortable neutral position while engaging in a variety of activities.

Activity For Endurance-Endurance will allow you to maintain activities for longer periods. You can build endurance for any activity – whether it is walking, gardening, or sitting in a chair – simply by gradually performing the activity for slightly longer periods. The result will be greater energy and the ability to participate more in the things you want to do.

Activity For Aerobic Fitness-Aerobic fitness is accomplished by engaging in activities that moderately raise your heart rate. Such activities include walking, riding a bike, dancing, and working in the yard. We know that this is good for your heart, lungs, and health in general; and it helps you to maintain a proper weight and also releases endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers.

A Balanced Program-It is recommended to consider a balanced program, including activities for flexibility, strength, endurance, and aerobic fitness. Strengthening muscles without proper attention to flexibility could make you feel worse. Similarly, overworking some muscles while neglecting to strengthen others can cause more problems.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ – Free Articles Directory

On the Lighter Side

Those of you that know me, know that I am kinda into Ole and Lena jokes.  Some are tell-able and publishable; others not so much.  This was shared with me by a fellow Iowan; at least that is where we spent our childhoods.  And, of course, I couldn’t resist. In any case, I hope you enjoy this Ole story (author unknown).

After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, New York scientists found traces of copperwire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago.

Not to be outdone by the New Yorkers, a California archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet and shortly after, a story in an LA newspaper read: “California archaeologists’ discover 200 year old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the New Yorkers.”

One week later, a local newspaper in Iowa reported the following: “After digging as deep as 30 feet in his pasture near Carroll, Iowa, Ole, a self-taught archaeologist reported that he found absolutely nothing.  Ole, has therefore concluded that 300 years ago, Iowa had already gone wireless.”