Flag Day

Today is Flag Day! On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14. Many Americans celebrate Flag Day by displaying the Red, White and Blue in front of homes and businesses. The day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.

Do you know the flag’s history? According to American legend, in June 1776, George Washington commissioned Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, to create a flag for the new nation in anticipation of a declaration of its independence.

On June 14, 1777, John Adams spoke about the flag at a meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He said, “Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.” There have been twenty-seven official versions of the flag so far; stars have been added to it as states have entered the Union. The current version dates to July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became the 50th state.

Do you say the Pledge of Allegiance at your school, perhaps with your hand over your heart? Or sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” the national anthem, before a baseball game? Many Americans sing, pledge, and pay respect to the flag, “Old Glory,” as a symbol of the country’s democracy and independence. Saluting the flag is a way to celebrate and honor the United States of America.

After reading the history of Flag Day, let’s look at our American flag with thankfulness for what our founding fathers did for our Country. Where would we be without these great men?

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Memorial Day

Memorial Day is an American holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the US military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

The Civil War claimed more lives than any conflict in US history and required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries. By the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.

Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those fallen in war—a tradition that began with a World War I poem. We encourage you to take time and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day. Be thankful for those who gave their lives for our freedom.

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Septic Customer Rave Review

So enjoyable to get comments from loyal, happy customers like Janet in Michigan: “I just had to write to tell you how extremely happy my husband and I are with your septic treatment……we sold our house, and had the septic tank inspected today. We have NOT HAD the septic tank pumped for several years (I’m thinking 3-4). We used to have it pumped when we could tell by the slowness and sounds it made, at least every 2 years. My husband showed the inspector what we use. He said, “this system does NOT need pumping.” I will write it on the report and my report overrides the county. Using your product faithfully around the first of every month has saved us several hundred dollars. The community we are moving to has sewer system, so we won’t need your product, but I will notify the new owners, AND I am going to tell my kids about it. I am so glad to know about your company.  Thank you!” 

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How to Get Rid of Algae

If you were doing research to find the best product for getting rid of ugly algae in your lake or pond, how would you approach the challenge? Since there are so many products on the market, it can be overwhelming. Should I choose a quick fix or a natural, balanced approach?

Think of it this way; if you wanted to lose weight, what would be the smart choice? Sure, liquid diets work by starving you. But would you be able to do this for the rest of your life? If you knew exercising would add 7 years to your life, would you be able to exercise every day and keep it going forever? These are life challenges we all face. It comes down to believing and challenging yourself on a daily basis. It can be very rewarding to see the transformation into the new you.

If you’re wondering how this relates to algae, the correct answer for which product works best for your lake or pond is the natural product that achieves balance over  a reasonable time period. You start slow, getting used to the change. Just like dieting and exercise, you may not see any big results at first.

With our natural algae treatment product, it may look worse when you start the process. And let’s face it, seeing green algae turning brown and floating on top of your pond is not pretty. But think of the billions of microscopic algae microbes out competing the algae for the nutrients in the water and taking away this food source. Little by little they also eat away the dead matter floating on the top.

The same concept of eating less and exercising more shrinks the fat cells and builds muscle. It all comes down to being in better shape than when you started.  The goal is to create a healthy, balanced plan of attack and soon you will reap the rewards.

 

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Marathon of Hope

On April 12, 1980 Marathon of Hope began!

Having lost a leg to bone cancer three years earlier, 21-year-old Canadian athlete Terry Fox began a journey dubbed the Marathon of Hope to raise money for his charity. Today, The Terry Fox Run will become the biggest single-day charitable event in history to benefit cancer research.

Here is Terry’s Story:

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Types of Pond Algae and Treatment

Filamentous Algae

The two most common forms of algae that pond owners struggle to control are filamentous algae and planktonic algae.

Filamentous algae (also called pond scum, pond moss, string algae, hair algae, frog spittle or water net) begins growing on the bottom of ponds on surfaces like rocks and logs and resembles green fur. As the clumps grow, they break loose from the bottom and float to the top, causing ugly green mats on a pond surface. Filamentous algae begins growing in the early spring and is first noticed around the edges of a pond in shallow water. It has little redeemable value to a pond and can even ruin a recreation pond during the summer.

BioWorld Algae Treatment is nearly 100% successful in eliminating filamentous algae and balancing a pond ecosystem. At the first signs of algae formation, we recommend starting weekly treatments. The goal is to get the algae under control in the first 6 weeks of treatments.

Planktonic Algae

Planktonic algae (also called green water algae, blue green algae or pea soup algae) are extremely small microscopic organisms that give ponds a green color. A normal population of planktonic algae is mandatory for a healthy pond, as they are the base of the food chain, essential for the health of aquatic life and beneficial for a pond ecosystem.

Planktonic or blue green algae are commonly found during the summer in ponds, lakes and water features. A combination of warm temperatures, sunlight and nutrient rich waters causes blue green algae to bloom. This can look like green paint floating on the water.

Since blue green algae can produce toxins, it is dangerous for humans, animals or pets to drink the water or swim during a bloom. Signs of toxic algae may include dead fish or waterfowl, unexplained sickness or death of a pet, or skin rashes on humans.

Even though blue green algae blooms are known to be very patchy in nature, avoid all contact with water when this kind of algae is present. If planktonic algae gain a foothold in a pond, getting rid of the algae can be very difficult. Typically an approved aquatic herbicide is needed to chemically treat the algae.

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