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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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A Thank You Letter

Dec 02, 2021 08:23PM ● By Joe Dunne

In September 2012, my wife, Asta, and I printed our first Natural Awakenings magazine here in central New Jersey. At the time I was in my late 60’s and my financial forecast and resources were exhausted. Often my mindset was fear, concern and worry. Yet, as I have often proclaimed—Buddha, God, and all the spirits of all the heavens got together and gifted upon us our new business. It changed our lives in so many ways, and we are so grateful.  

It’s now December 2021 and we are still here. Thanksgiving is only a week away as I write this, and I would like to express my gratitude to all the people that make a difference in our world. I would like to thank Kathy, our managing editor, who guided me into the print business. Without a doubt she is a backbone of constancy and friendship. (Don’t get your ego up here). In addition, to our distributors and everyone that supports the back end of Natural Awakenings–thank you! 

I would also like to express our gratitude and thankfulness to our readers. You rock! Your feedback, calls, emails and expressions of support have carried us over the last 9+ years.  Knowing how much you enjoy reading Natural Awakenings is no doubt a driver for our energy.  Readership is everything to us and our advertisers. That is why I would like to ask you to support our advertisers.  Without them we would not have a publication to deliver. 

To our advertisers—we would not be here without you. Your loyalty, support and consistency humbles me. We try but never can say thank you enough.  We are so lucky to have established bonds, friendships and business relationships with each of you. We have so much gratitude for your business.   

Entering into the new year, my thoughts, prayers and mindset are centered around clearing the old, letting go of the past and focusing on our future. We wish everyone peace, and prosperity of life, a 2022 filled with hope, and belief that our future is bright.  

With much gratitude,

Asta and Joe

Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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