Why is Friday the 13th Considered Unlucky?? Interesting Historical Information or Our Favorite Phobia!!

Today, people around the globe will feel uneasy about getting out of bed, leaving their homes, or going about their normal daily routines, all because of a superstition. These unfortunate folks suffer from  “paraskavedekatriaphobia,” a common neurosis familiar to us all—the fear of Friday the 13th. But just where did this superstitious association come from, and how did it catch on?
The truth is that no one is absolutely sure where the idea that Friday the 13th is unlucky originated. Donald Dossey, the founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina suspects the fear can be traced back to a Norse myth about twelve gods who had a dinner at Valhalla—the fabled hall where legendary Norse heroes feasted for eternity after they died—that was interrupted by a thirteenth guest, the evil and mischievous god Loki. According to legend, Loki tricked Höðr (the blind god of winter and son of Odin, the supreme god in Norse mythology) into shooting his brother Baldr (the benevolent god of summer who was also Odin’s son) with a magical spear tipped with mistletoe—the only substance that could defeat him. Thus the number thirteen was branded as unlucky because of the ominous period of mourning following the loss of such powerful gods by this unwanted thirteenth guest.
For whatever reason, among many cultures, the number twelve emerged throughout history as a "complete" number: There are twelve months in a year, twelve signs of the zodiac, twelve Gods of Olympus, twelve sons of Odin, twelve labors of Hercules, twelve Jyotirlingas or Hindu shrines where Shiva is worshipped, twelve successors of Muhammad in Shia Islam, and twelve tribes of Israel. In Christianity, Jesus was betrayed by one of his twelve Apostles—Judas—who was the thirteenth guest to arrive for the Last Supper. Surpassing the number twelve ostensibly unbalances the ideal nature of things; because it is seen as irregular and disrespectful of a sense of perfection, the number thirteen bears the stigma of misfortune and bad luck we know today.

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Why Friday?

Friday joins in the mix mostly because all of the early accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion agree that it took place on Friday—the standard day for crucifixions in Rome. As Chaucer noted in The Canterbury Tales, "And on a Friday fell all this mischance." Yet perpetuating Friday as an unlucky day in America came from the late-nineteenth century American tradition of holding all executions on Fridays; Friday the 13th became the unluckiest of days simply because it combined two distinct superstitions into one. According to the Oxford University Press Dictionary of Superstitions, the first reference to Friday the 13th itself wasn’t until 1913. (So despite actually occurring on Friday, October 13, 1307, the popular notion that the Friday the 13th stigma comes from the date on which the famed order of the Knights Templar were wiped out by King Philip of France is just a coincidence.)
The repercussions of these phobias reverberated through American culture, particularly in the 20th century. Most skyscrapers and hotels lack a thirteenth floor, which specifically comes from the tendency in the early 1900s for buildings in New York City to omit the unlucky number (though both the Empire State Building and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel have 13th floors). Street addresses sometimes skip from twelve to fourteen, while airports may skip the thirteenth gate. Allegedly, the popular Friday the 13th films were so-named just to cash in on this menacing date recognition, not because the filmmakers actually believed the date to be unlucky.
So, is Friday the 13th actually unlucky? Despite centuries of superstitious behavior, it largely seems like psychological mumbo jumbo. (One 1993 study seemed to reveal that, statistically speaking, Friday the 13th is unlucky, but the study's authors told LiveScience that though the data was accurate, "the paper was just a bit of fun and not to be taken seriously." Other studies have shown no correlation between things like increased accidents or injuries and Friday the 13th.) And Friday the 13th isn't a big deal in other cultures, which have their own unlucky days: Greeks and Spanish-speaking countries consider Tuesday the 13th to be the unluckiest day, while Italians steer clear of Friday the 17th. So today, try to rest a little easy—Friday the 13th may not be so unlucky after all.

Information as written on the pages of www.mentalfloss.com

Maine DEP looks to amend Chapter 415: Reasonable Costs for Handling and Recycling of Electronic Wastes

 

11/12/2015 09:37 AM EST

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is proposing to amend Chapter 415, regarding the handling and recycling of Electronic Waste within the state.
 

The proposed changes and goals are outlined as follows..........

1. Make the Department's rule consistent with Maine's Electronic Waste Law, 38 M.R.S. § 1610, which has been amended since the last time the Department undertook rulemaking (e.g., the term "covered entity" is defined and integrated into the rule);

2. Update and clarify certain definitions, clarify various terms and expectations (codifying the Department's implementation of the Chapter), and remove unnecessary language; 3. Reorganize and clarify various sections of the rule;

4. Update and provide television and game console manufacturers with the opportunity to receive credits for implementing their own independent electronics recycling programs in Maine;

5. Ensure the Department may request records and reports from consolidators- anytime not only when there is a "significant change"-to determine compliance with Maine's Electronic Waste Law and Chapter 415; and

6. Clarify that the Department may request records identifying all downstream handlers of electronics, electronic components, and hazardous waste and also to request shipping records of those materials.

Hard Work and Progress by Lebanon Fire and EMS Continue to Erase Lasting Negativity From Mutual Aid Community.

 

Slowly but surely, one baby step at a time, Lebanon Fire and EMS Chief Daniel Meehan and his group of Firefighters and EMS workers are hard at work building confidence within the town's Mutual Aid community.

 

It has been so interesting to watch over the course of the last 10 months, the process of rebuilding the separate Fire Department and Rescue Department, combing personnel and then budget, and then setting to work on the morale of the department as well as training and bonding them as one cohesive team.

 

One by one, other towns and agencies have taken notice, releasing the town from past "fees" charged when our town departments did not respond to calls.  Witness here, the latest letter received by the Town of Lebanon Fire and EMS Department, releasing the town from a $2,000 invoice, as charged last December by Frisbie Hospital, Rochester's EMS Department.

 

We are so grateful for our local Mutual Aid Departments for seeing the positive changes in response and morale that have been taking effect over the last 10 months!!

 

GREAT job Lebanon Fire and EMS Department!!!

 

 

Firefighter / EMT Rudnicki Once Again Cleared of Wrongdoing by Maine State Police Records Department.

Originally, the report was that sometime during the month of October, citizen complaints were lodged against Firefighter / EMT Windy Rudnicki for texting and driving.

When the Lebanon Fire and EMS employee took her own time, and that of the Maine State Police records department to go through every call generated in Lebanon for the month of October, the results came back that there had never been a single complaint logged in at the State Police regarding texting and driving, and a letter was issued to Ms. Rudnicki by the State Police at that time, and dated October 28, 2015.

When Ms. Rudnicki provided proof that the Lebanon Maine Community News was making an erroneous report against her, the anonymous reporter at that facebook page changed their story, to state that the report against Rudnicki was made on July 3, 2015 and that it was a report of tailgating and running a stop sign in the ambulance.

While many people in Lebanon will shake their heads and wonder why Ms. Rudnicki is even bothering to respond to such nonsense, I understand her need for vindication all too well. Ms. Rudnicki is a professional emergency responder. To leave such claims out there hanging around out there in the town where she works, is not only detrimental to the town's perception of her or her abilities, but could later be cause for concern should she ever choose to change her place of employment. Driving the ambulance or fire apparatus is a very large part of a responder's job. To state that it was done incorrectly or without public safety in mind, is a large black mark on the name of a responder of otherwise good record.

In light of the new complaints lodged on the Lebanon Maine Community News against her, Ms. Rudnicki has once again asked for the aid of the Maine State Police Records Department in proving the allegations against her as false and unsubstantiated. As provided proof, Lebanon Responder Rudnicki has provided the following letter from the Maine State Police Records Department.

It is further stated that the Maine State Police are interested in speaking with anyone that is providing false claims against the good driving record of Firefighter / EMT Rudnicki.

President Barack Obama Issues Proclamation For Veteran's Day.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION 

The United States military is the strongest, most capable fighting force the world has ever known.  The brave men and women of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard demonstrate a resolute spirit and unmatched selflessness, and their service reminds us there are few things more American than giving of ourselves to make a difference in the lives of others.  On Veterans Day, we reflect on the immeasurable burdens borne by so few in the name of so many, and we rededicate ourselves to supporting those who have worn America's uniform and the families who stand alongside them. 

Our true strength as a Nation is measured by how we take care of our veterans when they return home, and my Administration is committed to ensuring our heroes and their loved ones have every chance to share in the promise they risked their lives to defend.  We have made it easier for veterans to convert their military skills to the civilian workforce, enabled more veterans and their family members to attain Federal education benefits, and expanded access to timely, quality health care for all veterans.  Just as every veteran deserves the support and benefits they have earned, those who have given everything to defend our homeland deserve a place of their own to call home.  To uphold this ideal, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's Joining Forces initiative has forged partnerships with local leaders across America to uphold the dignity of every veteran and work to end veterans' homelessness.  No one who fights for our country should have to fight for the care they deserve.  Earlier this year, I was proud to sign the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which fills critical gaps in mental health care by raising awareness and taking steps to improve access to care for those suffering from the invisible wounds of war.

Our veterans left everything they knew and loved and served with exemplary dedication and courage so we could all know a safer America and a more just world.  They have been tested in ways the rest of us may never fully understand, and it is our duty to fulfill our sacred obligation to our veterans and their families.  On Veterans Day, and every day, let us show them the extraordinary gratitude they so rightly deserve, and let us recommit to pledging our full support for them in all they do.

With respect for, and in recognition of, the contributions our service members have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2015, as Veterans Day.  I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers.  I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities.  I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortieth. 

 

BARACK OBAMA

 

 

Obituary: Patricia M. Hamilton

 

 

Patricia M. Hamilton
November 6, 2015
Lebanon

Patricia M. Hamilton, 89, of Lebanon, died at her home on Friday, November 5, 2015.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, November 10th at the Oakdale Cemetery, located on Twombley Road in Sanford.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

Obituary: Jason Trevor Chase

Lebanon, Maine-
Jason Trever Chase, 22, of 30 Blaisdell Corner Road died Sunday Nov. 8, 2015 at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH.
He was born Aug. 3, 1993 in Sanford, ME and has resided in Lebanon all of his life. He enjoyed going four wheeling, playing video games and hanging out with friends.
Members of his family include his mother, Charlotte Chase and step father, Robert Libby, Jr. of Rochester; maternal grandparents, Charles and Susan Libby, Rochester; maternal great grandmother, Charlotte Marcou, Lebanon, ME; aunts, Stacy Cunningham, Marie Frank; uncles, Dale Marcou, Ed Chase, Craig Cunningham and many cousins.
Family and friends may visit Thursday Nov. 12, 2015 from 5-7PM at the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main Street, Rochester, NH.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to his family in memory of Jason.
To sign the online guestbook, please go to www.edgerlyfh.com.