Au Pairs can find several helful links regarding tax filing by going to the right side of this blog and scrolling down to Tax Information for Au Pairs. Counselors have held, or will soon hold, cluster meetings to review the process of filling out the form.
Author Archives: Patty Antreasian
Winter Driving Tips
Au Pairs need to be very cautious about driving in the U.S., especially during the winter months when snow and ice prevail. It is best to not drive at all in these conditions. Open the link above for good information in the event you find yourself driving in this weather.
Great Halloween Lantern Parade – October 26, 2013
The Baltimore cluster had a great time seeing the very creative lanterns parade around Patterson Park on the Saturday before Halloween. Afterwards we went over to Matthew’s Pizza on Eastern Ave. They’ve been baking pizza in Baltimore since the 1940’s. A good time was had by all. A definite repeat for next year!
What to do with all these pumpkins!?!?!
Whether you have one or several pumpkins at your house by now, you may want to transform them from simple orange balls into something scary, funny, or otherwise creative. Open this link http://www.pumpkinmasters.com/free-patterns.asp and you’ll find many inspiring designs. Find one you like and then can print it out, tape it to your pumpkin and carve out the design. Be sure to have lots of paper underneath to catch all the inside flesh of the pumpkin that you’ll scoop out, and of course be careful with your knife! When you are done, you can put a tea light candle in the bottom of the pumpkin and display it at nighttime in the front of your house. Voila! This is a “jack o’lantern”.
Pumpkin Patches and More….
October brings with it all things “Autumn”. This is the month of one of our most unique holidays, Halloween. But there is way more than just that one night to celebrate! Hayrides, apple picking, pumpking picking, jack o’ lantern carving, corn mazes. The list is long my friends. Visit this website to find farms and other places near you in Maryland to do these activities. www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/MDpumpkins.php
Free Museum Day this Saturday
A thoughtful host mother in the Baltimore cluster has sent me the following link to share with everyone in the area. A few of the local museums are offering free admission for 2 people this Saturday. She has printed out tix for Port Discovery. See what you can find!http://www.smithsonianmag.com/
Rosh Hashanah
September 4- Rosh Hashanah – Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown and is a solemn celebration of the beginning of the Jewish year. Synagogue services are held on Rosh Hashanah. During the services, the shofar, a ram’s horn, is sounded. During Rosh Hashanah special dishes are prepared. Many of the dishes contain honey which symbolizes the desire for a sweet year. A round bread represents the fullness of the year.
To help insure your new year gets off to a sweet start, visit http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Just-as-Sweet-as-Honey-Cake-369050
September 2, Labor Day
September 2 -Labor Day – Labor Day is the first
Monday in September and was first celebrated in the United States on September
5, 1882 as a trade union holiday. Now
Labor Day is seen as the end of summer and the beginning of school for many
students. The day is often celebrated with picnics, sporting events and
reunions.
Surprise your friends and family this year with some interesting Labor Day facts and trivia that you may have not known before.
The first Labor Day Parade held in the U.S. was on September 5, 1882, in New York City. The first week in September was chosen by workers because it was in the middle of Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
The first Monday of every September was designated as a national holiday by a law signed by President Grover Cleveland. The national holiday has been celebrated in the U.S. and Canada since 1894.
In European countries and China, workers celebrate May Day on the first day in May to celebrate workers and labor unions.
Here’s wishing all host families and au pairs a fun and safe Labor Day Weekend 2013!
Independence Day, July 4th
While you may have heard and seen fireworks already this past weekend, Independence Day is actually this coming Thursday, July 4th. Few Americans, unless they are history enthusiasts or better yet, American history professors, can tell you the complete story on this quintessential holiday of ours. For some fun and interesting facts, click the link below. http://lasvegas.about.com/od/historylandmarks/a/A-History-Of-The-Fourth-Of-July.htm
Memorial Day May 27, 2013
Memorial
Day is a patriotic holiday in the United States of America, celebrated on the
last Monday in May. It is a celebration of remembrance for the brave service of
men and women who gave their lives for their country. Memorial Day was declared
a federal holiday in 1971. We now, designate this day to remember loved ones who
have passed on, as well as remembering our service men and women. Flowers and
flags are placed on graves in remembrance of them. Parades and dedications of
memorials usually are part of the day’s activities. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,
local marching bands, members of the armed service, fire departments, police
departments, and fraternal orders often march in parades and attend ceremonies
to commemorate the day.