Veterans Day is observed on November 11, commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany, declaring a cessation of WWI hostilities on the Western Front. It took effect at the 11th hour (am) of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.   However, the official end of WWI came on June 28, 1919, with the signing of [...]

For the holidays each year, Wreaths Across America ("WAA") coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies to "Remember, Honor, and Teach" about the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. This tradition began in 1992 as The Arlington Wreath project with the laying of 5000 Christmas wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery by Morrill Worcester.  WAA remained relatively obscure until a photo of the snow-covered, wreath-adorned Arlington [...]

Attention, 73+-Year-Olds  Congratulations if you are turning 73 in 2026—or have already reached this milestone!  At age 73, you must begin taking a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your 401(k), 403(b), Traditional IRA, or Inherited IRA. Roth IRAs have no required distributions. Your RMD is calculated using your IRS-determined life expectancy and the value of your account on December 31 of the previous year.  [...]

In a June 16 public alert, the FBI outlined a property theft scheme built around a disturbingly simple idea: Criminals don’t need to break into your property. They impersonate you instead.  Title fraud happens when a criminal steals your information to forge a fake deed and uses it for their financial gain. This includes using your home equity as collateral and even selling your [...]

November is National Family Caregivers Month—a time to recognize and support the millions of family members who provide essential care to loved ones. In the U.S., more than half of those providing care don’t identify themselves as caregivers, even though their role is vital. This month-long campaign shines a spotlight on the crucial role of family caregivers in our society. It was officially [...]

By Claire Gunster-Kirby  November’s Native American Heritage Month began at the turn of the 20th Century as a day of recognition for the contributions of Native Americans to the growth and establishment of the United States. In the early 1900’s, Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a “First Americans’ Day”, which they did [...]

In Montgomery County, the earliest native sites are believed to be late Pleistocene Paleoindians, dating back more than 12,000 years. The Native American lands in our area of the Potomac River valley were called Cohongorooto, “land above the falls”. The climate at the time was colder and the area was forested with conifers. The Paleoindians lived in small bands, moving seasonally to hunt [...]

More than a billion people will celebrate one of the largest and most significant religious observances in the world, Diwali, falling between November 6 and 10, is more than a religious festival—it is a cultural phenomenon that unites people across India and the world. With its deep spiritual roots, joyous traditions, and universal message of light conquering darkness, Diwali remains a festival of [...]