Page 28 - March Banner 2018_Neat

Page 28 March 2018 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com

C atoctin

K IDs For kids and parents alike

by Anita DiGregory

“March Madness”

I am pretty sure that “March path a true spiritual journey from flu are generally seen throughout the
Madness” means something different darkness to light. year, “flu activity most commonly
to some moms than it does to peaks in the United States between
some dads. “In like a lion, out like 3. Declutter your life. Both the December and February.” (Happy
a lamb,” March is generally that season of spring and that of Lent dance reprisal!).
month when the plagues of winter— are the perfect time to declutter. A
snow, frigid temperatures, endless popular challenge, “40 Bags in 40 6. Appreciate the circular…or
sicknesses—start to recede. Days,” encourages participants to at least consume it. March 14,
With the melting snow, the break down areas of their home into otherwise known as 3.14, marks the
reintroduction of the sun, and the more manageable chunks, collect celebration of Pi Day. Those of us
kiddos temperatures starting to unnecessary or non-used items, and who aren’t math enthusiasts can at
return to normal, we moms start to bag them. Once collected, the bags least do our part in upholding the
see the light (pun intended) at the end can be disposed of, gifted, or donated celebration by enjoying a slice…be it
of the long, dark, cold, winter tunnel. to others in need. Some wonderful peach, apple, or pizza pie.
We look for relief from the forced outlets for donation include: church
hibernation (which feels more like thrift shops (such as St. Peter the 7. Immerse yourself and the
being under house arrest) that comes Apostle Thrift Shop in Libertytown), kiddos. With the National Education
from all the illnesses spread back and animal shelters and rescues, Dress Association’s (NEA) Read Across
forth on the family share plan! for Success (a program offering America Day (weekday closest to
This year was particularly hard low-income women needed business March 2), Dr. Seuss’s birthday (March
for many. With a virulent flu being attire for the workplace), homeless 2), and Tolkien Reading Day (March
passed around, many of my family shelters, consignment shops, and 25), all falling within the month of
and friends experienced extensive used bookstores. The end result is March, how can we not take some
sickouts and multiple trips to the both freeing and rewarding. extra time for reading this month?
doctor’s office and ER. According to the NEA, “motivating
As a result of winter and its 4. Be inspired. March 10 marks children to read is an important factor
assorted plagues, it is about this time the celebration of Harriet Tubman in student achievement and creating
of the year that many experience Day. A model of courage and lifelong successful readers. Research
a new, contagious fever: cabin heroism, Tubman, born a slave, has shown that children who are
fever. Cabin fever is real, alive, was a humanitarian, American motivated and spend more time
and one of the most prevalent abolitionist, a spy for the U.S. reading do better in school.” Experts
causes of March Madness. For all Army, an Army scout, a women’s recommend reading aloud to your
those who were more than a little suffrage movement activist, and a children, as well as motivating them
discouraged with the groundhog’s “conductor” on the Underground to read daily.
shadowy prediction, before you Railroad. Nicknamed “Moses,”
head back into hibernation or head Tubman continually risked her life But no matter how you choose
up to Punxsutawney with torches, to lead countless slaves to freedom to spend your March, truth is
pitchforks, or protest signs, here are along the Underground Railroad. you survived another Maryland
a few encouraging ideas. Marylanders can conveniently visit winter, and, for that, you are to be
many sites, marking the history of commended. May you and your
1. Look for the light. Literally! this amazing woman. Only about family have a blessed spring.
Daylight Savings Time is in sight! ninety minutes from Baltimore,
At 2:00 a.m. on March 11, we will the Harriet Tubman Underground
“spring forward.” As a result, we Railroad Visitor Center is easily
will begin to see more light in the accessible to guests. Here, visitors
evening, a sure sign of spring! can learn more about Tubman and
her remarkable life.
2. Continue an important
journey. For many, the month 5. Enjoy a new “spring” in
of March is right smack dab in your step. The 2018 Spring
the middle of Lent. Although this Equinox is March 20 at 12:15
season is a time of sacrifice and self- p.m. Astronomically, this event
discipline (which includes prayer, marks the first day of spring in the
fasting, and almsgiving), it is also a Northern Hemisphere (see me do
period of renewal and rejuvenation, my happy dance!). Historically, this
culminating in the celebration of event usually sees a decrease in new
Easter and a closer, more intimate flu cases. According to the CDC
relationship with God. This time of (Centers for Disease Control and
reflection and preparation makes this Prevention), although the cases of the