Holland • Springfield Town Money Saver | July FOM 2022

PERMISSIBLE FIREWORKS MAY BE USED IN YOUR COMMUNITY. SUBJECT TO PURCHASING RESTRICTIONS. MASSACHUSETTS LAW PROHIBITS ALL AND NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK LAW PROHIBITS THE TRANSPORTATION, SALE, POSSESSION, AND USE OF CERTAIN FIREWORKS WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT. BY POSSESSING AND USING FIREWORKS IN THESE STATES WITHOUT PROPER PERMITTING, YOU COULD BE SUBJECT TO ARREST AND PROSECUTION

UNITED STATES FLAG FACTS AND HANDLING ETIQUETTE

THE UNITED STATES FLAG WAS FIRST IMAGINED AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN 1776. e Continental Congress authorized creation of the rst national ag on June 14, 1777. It was decided that the ag should have 13 stripes, alternating red and white, to represent the original 13 colonies, and that the new union be represented by 13 white stars in a blue eld to signify a “new constellation.” Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, is most o en credited with the original design.

Today there are 50 stars on the ag to represent the 50 states, while the 13 stripes still represent the 13 British colonies that became the rst states. While this may be common knowledge, Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, may not be as widely known. e code dictates that the ag is to be treated with respect and proper etiquette. e code is extensive, but the following guidelines can help private individuals interested in displaying their ags do so in accordance with the law.

• Flags should only be displayed in public from sunrise to sunset, unless the ag can be properly illuminated during darkness. In this instance, it may be displayed at all times.

• When displayed with other ags, such as on a single sta or the U.S. ag should be above all other ags. If ags are displayed in a row, the U.S. ag goes to the observer’s le .

• State and local ags are traditionally own lower than the American ag.

• During marching ceremonies or parades with other ags, the U.S. ag should be to the observer’s le .

• e ag should be displayed at every public institution and at schools during school days.

• When displayed vertically and not on a sta , the union should be on the le when observed. It should be suspended so its folds fall freely as though the ag were sta ed.

• e ag should be hoisted briskly & lowered ceremoniously.

• e ag is o en displayed at half-sta on days of mourning, including Memorial Day. e ag should rst be hoisted to the peak for an instant, then lowered to half-sta position, which is half the distance between the top and bottom of the sta .

• On a vehicle, the U.S. ag should be displayed from a sta rmly xed to the chassis. It should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle.

• e ag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the oor, water, or merchandise. It also should never have anything placed on it.

• A ag in poor condition should be destroyed with dignity, preferably by burning. Most American Legion posts and local Boy Scouts troops will have the resources to retire ags accordingly. Many will host annual ag retirement ceremonies on Flag Day.

HOW TO CONSERVE ENERGY WHILE KEEPING THE A/C ON

AIR CONDITIONING IS A WELCOME LUXURY COME THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER. Few people can imagine getting through a hot summer a ernoon without turning their AC on, and that can make July and August some of the more costly months on the calendar in regard to energy consumption.

ough the months of July and August may not seem wellsuited to cutting energy consumption, there are ways to conserve that don’t require turning o the AC.

RECONSIDER THE LOCATION OF YOUR THERMOSTAT.

e Performance Building Institute, Inc. notes that thermostats are sensitive to heat. ermostats located near heat-generating appliances like lamps, televisions and computers may be fooled into thinking a home’s interior is warmer than it actually is. at will keep a temperature-controlled AC running longer and more frequently than is necessary. If necessary, move the thermostat to a part of the home where there are no electronics and appliances.

EMPHASIZE MAINTENANCE OF THE AC UNIT. Even the most energy-e cient AC unit will be forced to work harder, and consume extra energy, if it’s not well-maintained.

e O ce of Energy E ciency and Renewable Energy notes that ENERGY STAR-certi ed HVAC equipment can yield annual energy savings of 10 to 30 percent. But such products must be maintained. Annual maintenance appointments with an HVAC technician can ensure the unit is clean and refrigerant levels are correct, helping it run as e ciently as possible.

EMBRACE NATURAL WAYS TO KEEP A HOME’S INTERIOR COOL.

Cranking the AC is not the only way to maintain a comfortable temperature inside a home during the months of July and August. Closing curtains on especially warm days keeps the sun out and makes it easier to maintain comfortable temperatures inside without lowering the temperature on the thermostat. Avoiding the stove on hot nights and preparing cold meals or ring up the grill outside is another way to keep the house cool.

ADDRESS INSULATION ISSUES.

Cracks around windows and doors a ect the temperature inside the home, making it colder in winter and warmer in summertime. Seal cracks around doors and windows to keep the cool air in during the summer. Keeping that air in should allow you to raise the temperature on your thermostat without compromising comfort.

Come the dog days of summer, conserving energy needn’t come at the cost of comfort. Various strategies can help people reduce their energy consumptions and keep their air conditioners on.

GAME BREAK

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TONGS

VEGETABLES WOOD

SUDOKU CRYPTO FUN

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HOLLAND • SPRINGFIELD

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