Welcome August! Let's Get Together Again (Meanwhile, be careful about those "a's")

Hello, Friends.

Everyone is going back to school here in Indiana. The changes to our schedules are disruptive but some people welcome the structure of the winter months. We are happy to be getting back together again!

Labor Day signals the end of the summer holidays. Join us the first weeks of September.

International Friends Meetings and Classes Sign Ups Are Open

Click here to sign up for our 2023-2024 classes and meetings.

This year we are offering:

American English and Culture Class: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 on Zoom and in person

Pick topics that best help you grow in your American English and Culture knowledge and skills. We meet monthly to celebrate American life and cultural events.

First meeting in person at Cornerstone Lutheran and on Zoom, September 7.

American Sign Language (ASL): Tuesday, 5:00-6:00 PM on Zoom

Join us at American Sign Language to:

• Communicate with deaf and hard of hearing community.
• Limit frustrations in communicating with young children
• Enhance your efficient adult learning brain with meaningful gestures.

First meeting on Zoom: September 12

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 4:30-5:00 PM on Zoom

School-aged kids all over the world meet and refresh their English skills. Join the conversation!

First meeting on private Zoom: September 22.

International Bible Study: To Be Announced (Sign up and we will work it out!)

Back by popular demand! Read in your home language and discuss in English. The Bible is available in almost ALL languages and offers a starting point for great discussion historically, politically, spiritually, and practically. You do not have to know anything about the Bible or the Christian religion to join the important conversations.

Pronunciation 

We had a fun conversation at our Drop-In dealing with the pronunciation of the word "erratic". Basically, be careful with the pronunciation of the "a" or people hear an unintended and startling word.

• "A" can sound short and sharp and nasally: alphabet, fast.
• "A" can sound soft and long, like a sigh: watch, water.

Try saying erratic substituting the "a" sound.

Check your work. Do you hear two completely different words using the different "a" sounds in each of these words and their attached sentences. 

• cat    Please put the cat out tonight before you go to bed.
• flag   You can flag another motorist when you are in trouble.
• cab   (No sentence here. We are straightforward...Are you riding or eating?)

Drop-In

In person Drop-Ins are super casual opportunities to meet with each other and chat. Drop in any time and meet with Friends.

The Drop In was shifted to Cornerstone Lutheran Church. We anticipated weather and moved our picnic to CLC. Delicious food and conversation 'round all the tables was enjoyed by all.

Next Drop-In

September 11, 2023

Picnic at Founders Park

11:00-1:00

11675 Hazel Dell Parkway, Carmel

Bring a picnic dish to share.

Backup rain location: 

Cornerstone Lutheran Church

4850 East Main Street, Carmel

disruptive: something that does not continue as usual 

straightforward: uncomplicated, simple

startling: surprising or unexpected; shocking

structure: plan or arrangement

Drop In Changed to Cornerstone Lutheran Church

We are moving our picnic indoors! Come to Cornerstone Lutheran Church!

When:  Monday, August 7th at 11:00

Where:   Cornerstone Lutheran Church, 4850 East Main Street, Carmel, IN and enter Door 6

What:  Bring a dish to share and your own drinks.  I will bring paper plates and cutlery. If your dish needs a serving spoon, please bring that too.

Looking Forward to August

Hello, Friends.

August is just around the corner. Summer speeds by with:

• Vacation
• Camps
• Swimming in pools or at the beach
• Farmers markets
• Roadside stands
• Festivals
• Summer jobs 
• Summer reading
• Flexible schedules
• Long days of sunshine

Now our sights are raised toward back to school:

• Wardrobe
• Supplies
• Ice cream socials
• Bus routes
• Registration for fall sports and other activities

International Friends Classes and Meetings

Our classes and meetings begin after Labor Day (which is the official end of summer). Watch for the invitation.

• About Us
• Meetings and Classes

Online registration opens mid-August.

Summer Study 

• 100+ First ASL Words: Common words to speed communication.
• Sentence Starters: Setting the scene for information to follow is important to gain interest and set direction for the rest of the information. Add these phrases to your lists and practice them by creating sentences.

People Are Saying:

Hamilton County Reporter Week in Review: Catch up on Indiana news and culture with the Hamilton County Reporter. 

Outdoor Eating in Hamilton County: Take advantage of the great weather and eat on a rooftop or patio.

Studying for the Citizenship Test: Go to the source for all news about American citizenship. USCIS (U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). Here is the link for a four part video series about interviewing for the Naturalization Interview and Test. There are many other resources available to help with preparing and applying.

August 7 at a park TBA (To Be Announced) beginning at 11:00 AM

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day, Friends  

I hope you have a great time celebrating our National birthday! Enjoy the picnics, parades, music, fairs, and fireworks.

Below is an article from the 1440 Daily Digest   

Congratulations, America—Tuesday marks the 247th commemoration of the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress. The Congress actually voted to separate from Great Britain two days earlier, and most didn't sign the document until August ... and some argue the US didn't really become a country until we began operating under the Constitution in 1789.

 

Still, since then, the country has grown from 13 colonies with about 2.5 million people to 50 states and 14 territories with a population of more than 330 million. The economy has swelled to over $26T, with a median household income above $70K. 

 

Scientific and technological advances—public sanitation, the germ theory of disease, and more—have revolutionized public health, with our citizens living 35 years longer on average since the mid-20th century. Deaths during childbirth have dropped fiftyfold, while the child mortality rate—the percentage of children dying before age five—has plummeted from 45% to 1%. 

 

We've built almost 4 million miles of paved roads and more than 5,000 public airports. More than 2.7 million miles of power lines electrify the country, with about 85% of households having access to broadband internet and 92% having at least one computer. In 1800, 95% of the population lived in rural areas, and now about 83% live in urban areas.

 

Almost 90% of adults have a high school degree or equivalent, while just over one-third have a college degree. About 45 million immigrants call America home—the most of any country—while a roughly equal number of international tourists visit each year.

 

While there will always be challenges to face and improvements to make, we've come a long way since the beginning. So grab a hot dog (or alternative) and your drink of choice—here's to the next 247 years.

 

PS—Please be careful with fireworks, unlike this family

Drop In and Language Learning Tips

 Hello, Friends.

We had a nice and noisy drop in at Lemons. Our July Drop In is July 10 at Juniper on Main in Carmel. Kathy has reserved space on the deck!

Summer Vocabulary 

Scott introduced us to important summer words. Everyone was becoming fluent in ASL (American Sign Language) to talk with our Friends. ASL supports spoken English language learning (in addition to being another language to help us talk with people around us). ASL gives physical connections to words and concepts. The more connections or hooks that can be built the better 

• Hello my name is [Scott Wilson]
• Summer break
• Rest/relax
• Boat/fishing
• Hot/cold
• Beautiful weather
• Graduation party
• Enjoy your vacation/travel
• Drive safe trips
• Happy
• Family
• Church
• Sun
• Rain
• Camping/tent
• Good morning/good afternoon/good night

If you are stuck, you can "finger spell". Anyone can use this tool to either communicate with deaf friends or to help get past a mental block and access the word or concept.

Forgetting

We all worry about what we are forgetting over the summer break. This article by Daniel Schacter about the Seven Sins of Memory is a great explanation of how and why we forget. In the 2001 book of the same name explains these properties in more depth as well as some solutions. Knowing the mechanics of memory helps us to understand why we forget and concentrate on remembering rather than worrying about forgetting!

mental block: when you can't remember a specific word or idea. We often say that something is "on the tip of my tongue" or I know everything aroudn that word or name, I just cant remember that tiny specific thing

June Weekend Fun and More Constitution Reading

 Hello, Friends.

This weekend is an exciting time to be in Hamilton County! 

Top Events in Hamilton County

June 17

Hatch Fest Art Show: Courthouse Square, Noblesville, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM, Free

Hotel Tango in Zionsville will be closing (but the distillery and tasting room in Fletcher Place will remain open) Last call with tunes in June 17.

June 18 is Father's Day. Celebrate the dads in your life.

Things to Do for Father's Day in Hamilton County, Indiana

The Constitution of the United States. Article. 2. Section. 3.

What is the job of the senators? Read the job description and find out. Click the link to learn more about legal rulings and details. Remember, this is in the original language of that time. do you see differences in capitalization and spelling and grammar than today?

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

tunes: music

Good Bye May, Hello June!

Hi Friends.

I hope your summer is off to a great start. Here are some events to look forward to in Indiana.

Come when you can for part or all of the time to say hi and catch up with your Accent and English class friends!

When: Monday, June 12th, 10:00-12:00. 

Where:  Needlers Grocery Store coffee shop Lemons....at the front of the store

4755 E 126th St, Carmel, IN 46033 

Just a few blocks south of Cornerstone Lutheran Church where we meet in person for classes and meetings.

Safety on the Water

As you get out on the waterways, be sure you and your family members wear your lifejackets and flotation devices. We want you to keep safe this summer! Read more here.

Indiana Fun 

National Taiwan University of Arts: Enchanting Dance and Music Show

June 7, 7:00 PM ET, at the Palladium, Free (you need get a ticket)

Vera Bradley Outlet Sale

The big sale is back June 14-18. June 17 and 18 are non-ticketed days (free, but fair warning, there is a long line. Head up to the Fort Wayne Coliseum for a shopping experience 4000 Parnell Ave, Ft. Wayne.

Hamilton County Indiana in May (and Beyond)

May is wrapping up, but there is so much to see and do in this last week (and not just the Indy 500!). Check out the Memorial Day celebrations and swimming pool and beach openings. Find a list of summer concerts (both free and famous).

Visit Madison County

Just a hop, skip and jump from Carmel and Indianapolis is Madison County. There is plenty to see and do. Click on this calendar link to see events that are happening on specific days.

Indiana Parks and Lodges

Book a vacation stay! Discounts for two or more nights.

Indiana State Nature Passport

Have fun visiting parks and attractions and earn points! Get a nature passport. It is free. You may be charged entrance fees at parks.

Indiana Free Fishing Days June 3-4

Fish without needing a license on these days. You will get hooked! Check the pages for more to see and do.

Recommended Resources 

Upwardly Global: provides training and education specific to jobs.  Employers, employees, and individuals have the opportunity to advance workforce to be certified locally in their field (many counties have different certification requirements).

The Constitution of the United States

We are getting hot and heavy into election season. As the candidates cue up for president, it is good to look at the job description...

The Constitution of the United States of America: Article 2, Section 2

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

just a hop, skip and a jump: close

get hooked: become addicted to an activity or substance

hot and heavy: intense