Debbie Roney Smith, REALTOR®

October is the 10th month of the year and has 31 days. With the month of October, autumn moves into full swing. Who doesn’t like putting on a sweater and talking a walk through the leaves in the crisp air. With the autumnal equinox in late September, foliage season has officially began around much of the US. The foliage color is triggered by the amount of daylight not the weather. Fall is the best time to plant garlic and bulbs for spring. The birthstone of October is opal which symbolizes faithfulness and confidence.

October is a full month in the panhandle. We have fall festivals, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, Halloween and trick or treating, and the 1 year anniversary of Hurricane Michael. Be sure to check the blog regularly for details.

October 31st, the last day in October is Halloween and also National knock-knock jokes day. Here’s one for you. Knock-knock. Who’s there? A broken pencil. A broken pencil who? Nevermind… it’s pointless.

A few folklore for the season: ~When deer are in a gray coat in October, expect a hard winter. ~A warm October means a cold February. Much wind in October, much wind in December.

 

The burn ban got voted on today Monday, September 30th and will be lifted as soon as conditions improve and there is more rainfall. In a special commission meeting this morning a burn ban was suggested by Fire Chief Charlie Brunner for Jackson County. The ban includes outdoor cooking fires, camp fires, and all yard burning. The fire department has responded to 52 outdoor fires in Jackson County since September 13th.

Blountstown in Calhoun County also has a burn ban.

According to the Florida Forest Service website Holmes and Washington County also have a burn ban as of September 25th.

You can always call you local city/county fire department to determine if a local burn ban is in place where you live before you burn.

It is the last day of September already! This month has flown by. Summer has come and gone and fall has arrived. Well, the calendar says that even if the weather doesn’t. It has been HOT and DRY. We are still in hurricane season and September is Preparedness Month. Even though it is the last day it is never to late for a few reminders to help your family stay safe year around!

National Preparedness Month culminates on September 30th with National Preparedness Day, the national day of action. Step 1~Learn your risks and responses. Sign up for emergency alerts, learn where your local shelters are and what kind of national disasters happen in your area. Step 2~Make a plan! Make sure to include kids and pets. Step 3~Build a supply kit. They recommend 3 to 7 days of food and water for each person. Don’t forget medicines, first aid, and batteries. Step 4~Get Involved. Find opportunities to support community preparedness. There are many ways to get involved before disaster strikes. ex. Red Cross, Neighborhood Watch.

*Reporting emergencies: ~Call 911 if you are in immediate danger, if someone is injured, has troubling breathing, or in unconscious. ~To report oil, chemical or hazardous substance releases or spills call the National Response Center at 800-424-8802. ~Pesticide poisoning call 800-222-1222.

*Download the FEMA app for disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips.

Below are some photos with more planning ideas. Be safe!

 

National Voter Registration Day(NVRD) is a holiday celebrated on the forth Tuesday of every September. To see if you are registered to vote or need to do so, you can go online here: http://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote or visit your local DMV.

This day was first observed in 2012 and has been growing in popularity ever since. National Voter Registration Day is a day of civic unity. It’s an opportunity to set aside differences and celebrate democracy and the rights and opportunities we all share as Americans.  Every year millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they missed a registration deadline, didn’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. NVRD wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote. NVRD seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise.