Making September a Month to Remember

Aaaah... September! Such a wonderful month! Contrary to what we've been hearing over the past few days, Labor Day is only the UNofficial end of summer with autumn arriving on September 22nd, and September is hands-down my favorite month of the summer season. Temperatures are still high with North Carolina continuing to regularly enter the 90ºs, many of my favorite fruits & vegetables are in season, like apples, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, peaches, squash and tomatoes (all of which I love, love, love!), and it's the perfect time to visit Atlantic Coast beaches without 4th of July crowds. Plus, as a huge sports fan, I'm thrilled to add watching football and soccer in with all my outdoor adventures for the month of September. I can get pretty competitive at NFL fantasy football while I cheer loudly for my Demon Deacons... And shall we not forget that September 20th is my birthday. Happiness!

However, it's really not all about me. There are several very important events happening during the month of September, about which I'd like to make sure you're aware. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency with the Department of Homeland Security, September's National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to take steps in preparing for emergencies that may strike their homes, businesses, schools and communities. To assist in disseminating information that will help you prepare for and respond to emergencies which might impact your workspace, I will be providing the "When Disaster Strikes, Will Your Business & Your Team Be Ready?" workshop at Executive Office Suites in Lafayette Village on Thursday, September 26th. For details or to register, please visit this website. Alternatively, to learn more about National Preparedness Month in general and how to prepare BEFORE an emergency, please go to http://www.ready.gov. While the thought of something bad happening might be too difficult to consider, it's vital to take simple steps to protect yourself, your team and your overall business, and I look forward to seeing you at this workshop on the 26th.

Additionally, as someone who lost my grandfather to Alzheimer's disease, I want to make certain you know that the month of September is World Alzheimer's Awareness Month. The highlight of the month is Alzheimer's Action Day on September 21st, when everyone is encouraged to "Go Purple" to show your support to end Alzheimer's disease. Please mark your calendar now to wear purple on Saturday, September 21st, and visit http://www.alz.org to learn more Alzheimer's and dementia as well as how you can help.

Whether you celebrate the last few weeks of summer by enjoying what tasty treats are currently in season, by catching some great sporting events or by vacationing in our mountains or on our coast, please take a moment to see how you can better prepare for potential disasters or what you can do to help those suffering from the debilitating Alzheimer's disease. You really can make a difference!