5th Column with Emily Ruane

O, October! What a funny little month you are. You lack the frenzied, back-to-work energy of September and the cozy fatitude of November. The quiet middle child of fall, it’s a month where we wear hoodies during the day, and then zip them up and pull the drawstring really tight so that our faces are squished and moan about forgetting our jackets at night. October is a little unpredictable, a little crazy – will it cool down quickly or will summer-like temperatures prevail?

Whatever ends up happening this month, I can’t help but notice the number of ethnicities, associations, and vocations that are taking advantage of this sleepy little month to celebrate their awesomeness. If you spend any significant amount of time on campus (which, if you’re reading this, I assume you must) you’ve probably noticed that we are in the midst of both Filipino American History Month (thanks for the bubble tea, it was delicious!) and National Hispanic Heritage Month (the theme of which is “Honoring the Awesome Way of Life.” And how!) There’s beaucoup Pryzbyla signage instructing us on how to party in the style of either of these months.

However, some other nationalities are trying to get in on the action. New York (”the largest Italian city outside Italy”) celebrates Italian Heritage and Culture Month in October – a month of Italian-themed hang sessions that began as a mere week in 1976. The festivities of this month include the Third Annual “All U Can Eat” Family Spaghetti Fest (that’s their abbreviation, not mine) that is inexplicably taking place in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Does “you forgot Poland” ring any bells? Not this time, my friend! Compensate for John Kerry’s omission by remembering that October is Polish American Heritage Month, headquartered at the Polish American Cultural Center Museum in Philadelphia. One way to show your love for these pierogie-popping party animals is to participate in their annual Coloring Contest. Go to their website and download a PDF of a black-and-white drawing of Polish settlers in Jamestown. (Colonial outfits and Native Americans serve to authenticate this vignette.) Color it in (”using crayon or crayon pencils only”) and send it in to the museum – first prize is $100!

You should also boogie because National Physical Therapy Month is upon us. There does not appear to be stringent protocol for honoring this month. Last year, the Cape May County Health Department (of New Jersey) made a presentation to a local second-grade class, instructing them on stretching, posture, and “proper body mechanics while lifting and bending.” Judging from the thank-you notes that the department received from the second grade class, the presentation was a runaway success. Some excerpts: “Thank you for coming Mrs. Fish and Mrs. Recipi. Happy Halloween Mrs. Fish and Mrs. Recipi. Sean lifted the chair”; “Dear Mr.s Fish and Mrs. Recipi Thank you forcomming I learn abuot pikkinup chars”; “hank you for shoin my haw to do srgaches. I lyrod the srach.” I, for one, would lyrod to get in on whatever party these physical therapists are having. Shine on, you crazy diamonds!

Did you know that it’s National Dental Hygiene Month, too? Each week of this month has a theme – my favorite is week four, the theme of which is “Take a Potential Member to Lunch.” (This instruction is aimed at American Dental Hygienist Association members.) “ADHA is the community for all dental hygienists,” instructs the organization’s website. “Show them the value, but remember, it’s not a sales pitch – just a friendly gesture on behalf of yourself and the profession.” Alert: seriously posi vibes coming your way courtesy of the ADHA. This month gets the Tower seal of approval for supporting one love. Jah provides, you know?

In sum, I would posit that Months rule. While all of these cultural and vocational celebrations honor different, like, modes of self-identification or whatever, they all seem to agree that their Months should involve eating, partying, hanging out, and talking about how awesome their respective modes are.

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