Welcome Fall and Wrapping Up September

 Hello, Friends. 

Welcome Fall! It is official: Thursday the 22nd the Northern Hemisphere experienced the autumnal equinox.  This week our Indiana temperatures took a dip. In Indiana we are happy to have the season of:

• Apples (see our Kid's Conversation Notes below)
• Pumpkin Spice
• Sweater Weather
• Bon Fires
• Apple Cider
• Corn Mazes
• Tailgating
• Football
• Festivals 

It was fantastic to see Friends at the Oktoberfest. We are forming a new Meet-Up where we can get together for socialization with our husbands (and our kids, maybe).

Monarch Migration

Look to the skies. Indiana is a Monarch butterfly flyway. Read this detailed and interesting report about the Indiana initiative to increase public awareness and grow the population of this amazing insects that are born in Indiana, travel to winter in central Mexico (like many Hoosier snowbirds), and then return back home again in Indiana to "have a family".

Festing Season and Fun

Indy International Festival: October 14, 15, 16 at the Exposition Hall, Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Wolf Park: See wolves and learn more about these magnificent animals.

Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Read more to understand the background to this Amendment during Mid-Term season.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:30 PM, Zoom

Free flowing conversation helps us to check our vocabulary. ASL helps us to target the words we need in our lives. Sometimes we can structure this and sometimes our current story drives what we need. Interestingly enough, ASL and American English do not always have the same words or expressions.

September 26: Join us as we visit the all critical words for Fall.

American English: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 AM, Zoom

We are beginning to target what our class as a whole needs to work on this year. 

September 29: This week we are following structure activities. 

• Look over the A words in this list and bring your questions.
• Find the discrepancies in the picture.
• Tell us three goals for learning English.
• Check your number skills.

American Accent Training: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 AM, Zoom

American Accent Training videos to help all of us work on how we pronounce unique American English sounds.

Understanding "schwa"

The two "th" sounds

Voiced and voiceless consonant sounds

September 29: The class is meeting for fellowship at A2Z Cafe. If you can not physically join, but want to practice your English, join our American English class via Zoom. You should have the link for the semester. If you need me to resend it, shoot me an email. I will also send you the notes from our last class so that you can participate fully.

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM, Zoom

We had a nice conversation about apples. There is a saying that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away". Do apples have magical health properties? This Web MD article tells the nutritional story. 

Here in Indiana, it is apple picking time. We have You Pick orchards where you pick (and eat) your own apples. You can buy wonderful treats like candied or caramel apples, apple fritters, apple cider, and apple slushies. We have apple sauce, apple butter, apple pancakes, apple pie, apple salsa. Apples go great with peanut butter and cheese. 

There are there are thousands of varieties of apples to enjoy and each of them have special characteristics, flavors, or uses.

October 1: Welcome to October. October is a favorite month in the U.S. What is your favorite thing about October.

as a whole: all together as a group

discrepancies: incorrect or incompatible facts

explanation or one could also note

initiative: a strategy to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation 

interestingly enough: this filler or bridge-type of phrase can mean coincidently or by way ofofficial: recognized as 

shoot me: send quickly

to target: focus 

Week 2 of Classes and Fests Around Indiana

Hello, Friends. 

Things we need to get:

• Driver's License: America is a car culture
• Library Card: you can borrow books, music, videos and more. With your card you have access to apps like Hoopla and Libby to download audio and ebooks.

These two "passes" open your world. Your license let's you move around the area, work, study, play and expands your horizons. Your library opens your mind and expands your horizons.

Informal Meet-Ups

Here are two informal opportunities for you and all of us to meet up.

Porch Fest in Carmel, Saturday, September 18, 12:00-6:00 PM

Oktoberfest at CLC, Friday, September 23, 4:00-10:00 PM

Cold and Flu and COVID and Allergy Season

In the States, we start thinking about cold and flu season in the fall. Back to school and colder weather has everyone gathering indoors more and then colds and flu are shared with others (I always say the best way to get rid of a cold—or a song that keeps going through your head—is to give it to someone else).

Signs outside pharmacies tell you when the new flu vaccine is in. When is the best time to get your flu shot? Pharmacists we know suggest not until late in October to have coverage into the spring.

This year we have an updated booster that includes protection against the original COVID as well as the latest variants. Read more from the CDC. You can choose between Moderna or Pfizer. The booster is bivariant or has protection against two strains of COVID.

Allergy season is big in the fall in Indiana. Pollen, ragweed, leaf mold are all out floating in the air. Is it a cold or an allergy? That is a good question!

What To Do In Indiana

Visit Indiana: Whether you are new to Indiana or have lived here all your life, there is always something or some place to see

Only In Your State: A site that lists unique finds by state. This particular page is about bakeries. Two great local bakeries (Cake Bake and Titus) are listed. I would add Muncie's Concannon's Bakery to the list.

Fall Overlooks from Only In Your State: Plan ahead for the views to visit.

The Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Income tax is how our state and federal governments are funded. Be sure to read the notes about this amendment. Notice: if you gain income from illicit means, you still have to pay tax on that income. This includes money from illegal business or embezzlement. 

American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:30 PM, Zoom

We caught up with each other and met new friends. We signed where we could in conversation. We reviewed the signed alphabet.

September 19: Cover some basics of ASL. Build our conversation skills.

American English/American Accent Training: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 AM, Zoom

We continue to get to know each other. Accent Training talked about Bill's Tip: Play it by ear. 

September 22: Bring to class three things you want to learn this year. Describe five things that are wrong in this picture:

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM, Zoom

We enjoyed a science report on stag beetles and listened to Coldplay.

September 23: Tell us one wonderful thing from this week.

coverage: protection

embezzlement: stealing or misappropriation of funds

expand your horizon: see beyond current circumstances, broaden your view, learn or experience new things

illicit: forbidden by law or custom

keeps going through your head: repeating over and over and over and over

International Friends Is Back In Session!

 Hello Friends.

It was wonderful to be Zooming together again. We were happy to discover that Friends that have moved away can continue to Zoom with us from other countries. Check our Meetings and Classes and join us.

Back To Class

It was good to be back to class. This year we are continuing our classes on Zoom. We have Friends Zooming from beyond the greater Indianapolis area. You

Our Friends made great observations about moving from speaking in our

• Mother language
• Mother tongue
• Native language
• Home language
• First language

to a new language. 

Our English Classes made these key observations:

• Listening is important.
• Hearing is important.
• Being mindful of how others hear us is important. (American Ears)
• Accents and speech patterns are key to understanding.
• Acceptable words and ways are important to know.
• Understanding the culture is important to language learning.
• Knowing casual or formal word usage as well as inappropriate language is important.

The Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

The Right to Vote is important for American citizens. Free and fair elections have been the hallmark of our country. Election "season" is an important time for Americans to get to know the candidates and their stand on issues. 

Section 1
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude–

Section 2
The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

This Week in Review

American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:30 PM, Zoom

Class begins September 12. 

American Accent Training: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 AM, Zoom

Bill's Tip is "over the top".  

American English: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 AM, Zoom

We are getting to know each other these first weeks. A level of trust is important to communicate. 

September 15: Bring three goals or things that you would like to concentrate or learn.

Kids Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM, Zoom

We learned about one of our Friend lives in Japan and they had a family camping trip through their school. Ten families set up and slept in tents, cooked over fires, and made crafts. We learned about Baumkuchen (Tree Cake) and French toast. Both of these dishes came to 

September 18: Try making French toast. Tell us about it.

through: 

Welcome September!

Hello, Friends.

It is football season! College and high school games are in full swing. Football is an important part of American culture. Whether you follow the sport or not, we are impacted by this sport.

The professional football season begins September 8. Pick a team or players to follow and learn about the game from the NFL (National Football League).

International Friends Registration Is Open: Classes Begin the Week of September 12

Register to get the Zoom links. Links will be issued Friday, September 9. You can enter either a phone number (for numbers outside the U.S., include your country code) or email to get a confirmation code to confirm that you are a real person and not a spammer or bot.

Welcome September! Mark Your Calendars for Indiana Fall Fun

Now that the pools have closed, the lazy days are over and the fall festival season has begun.

Hamilton County has so much to offer. September festivals and fun are on. Click to see all or see our favorites below.

Jupiter Balloon Flights at Connor Prairie: September 9 and 10. Join for free at 7:30 AM or get tickets to the park and celebrate.

Chinese Mooncake Festival: September 10, 6:30-8:30 PM, Art and Design District, Carmel.

St. George Middle Eastern Festival: is held annually at 10748 E 116th street, Fishers. This year it is a three day event: September 16, 5:00-10:00 PM, September 17, 1:00-10:00 PM and September 18, 1:00-5:00 PM. Free admission, tours of the 

Cornerstone Lutheran Church Oktoberfest: September 23, 4:00-10:00 PM, on the corner of Main and Gray Streets in Carmel.

James Dean Festival: Fairmount, IN, September 23-25.

The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Citizenship, Equal Protection, and Other Rights of Citizens

This amendment is quite long and describes how the rights of the citizens of the United States are upheld and enforced. Many cases have come before the Supreme Court to inform how this amendment is upheld. Most current events are informed by this amendment and understanding this right and the history supporting this right is critical for understanding current American issues. There is a wonderfully long outline and discussion that is well worth looking into The Fourteenth Amendment: Citizenship, Equal Protection, and Other Rights of Citizens

Section 1 Due Process of Law

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Section 2 Apportionment of Representation

Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

Section 3 Disqualification from Holding Office

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Section 4 Public Debt Clause

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Section 5 Enforcement Clause

The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

abridged: shortened or condensed

apportioned: divide and share

assume (a debt): take over the payment of a debt

bot: a computer program that imitates the behavior of a person

come before: presented for judgement

disability: (law) lack of legal qualification to do something

disqualification: to deprive of a right after a hearing

quite: considerably, very

spammer: a person or organization that sends irrelevant or unsolicited messages over the internet, typically to large numbers of users, for the purposes of advertising, phishing, spreading malware, etc:

upheld: supported or given support