Fall Tasty Tips from Tina
October 27, 2009
When I was growing up I have great memories of visiting the relatives around the holidays. You would never go empty handed. You knew that on Thanksgiving you were going to get a container of lupines from Uncle Vince. Not until I got older did it finally dawn on me that my family really didn’t like lupines but because Uncle Vince did, he brought them. Lupines come in a clear jar. They look like a large yellow kidney bean but harder and have a clear skin over them. You would take a couple of lupines, pop them out of the skin, salt the bean and eat them. The best part of eating a lupine was popping it out of its shell. The worst part of eating a lupine.. was eating a lupine, but heaven forbid the grownups would let you enjoy yourself and shoot the little buggers at your cousins. I also remember my Grandmother’s bracciole. Bracciole is, for lack of a better term, stuffed steak. Awesome! You know how most normal grandma’s make banana bread and share it, not my Italian grandma. Angeline would make bracciole and bring it to people. There was the Justice of the Peace, Mr. Jappalucci and of course, Mr. Graziano, the funeral director. She pretty much had an “in” with some of the more “influential” people in the community. No wonder. Her braccioli was something special.
Bracciole
1 1/2 lbs top round steak
2 tblsp. parsley
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 loaf Italian bread hardened and soaked [run under water then squeeze the water out] [pull into little pieces]
2 tblsp. parmesan cheese
1 lb bacon diced
1 tsp. salt
1 tblsp. course ground pepper
3 tblsp. olive oil
3 tblsp. butter
2 cans tomato sauce
Cut steak into 4 to 6 pieces. Pound the steak thinly to about 1/4 in thick and rub with pepper. Mix the parsley, garlic, cheese and diced bacon. Add the bread. Mix well. Spread bread mixture evenly on meat. Roll up meat and tie with string. In a large skillet heat oil and butter. Brown meat for about 10 minutes. Add tomato sauce, cover and cook on med/low heat for about 45 minutes to an hour until tender.
Italian Green Beans
Fresh or frozen beans
1/2 stick butter
2 cloves garlic minced
Parmesan cheese
In medium skillet melt butter and add garlic. Add the green beans and cook until tender. Remove and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
What to do with all the delicious apples?
Cheddar-Apple Bundles
Ingredients:
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups white shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
½ cup butter, cut up
6-8 Tbsp. cold water
2 medium Granny Smith or Jonathan apples
(Peeled, cored & chopped)
2 Tbsp. apricot preserves
Prep:
1. Combine brown sugar & pecans, set aside. In processor combine flour, ½ cup of the cheese, granulated sugar and ¼ teaspoon salt; cover & process with several on/offs turns until size of small peas. With processor running slowly add water to make dough come together in a ball. Gently knead until smooth.
2. 2. Preheat oven to 400º. Divide dough in 8 pieces. For each bundle, (on floured surface) roll dough in 8-inch circle. Place 3 tablespoons cheese & ¼ cup apple in center. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon nut mixture. Bring dough edged and press together to seal; sealed sides up. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes or until pastry is golden. Spoon preserve on each bundle. Cool 20 minutes. Serve warm (From: Betty Crocker prize fall recipe)
Business Time
October 25, 2009
Why pay more for insurance? by Vickie Grinder
That is a question Rodney Powers continuously asks. “Why would you want to pay more for insurance when you could be saving money? It only takes a phone call to get a quote.” Rodney Powers of Powers Insurance, Thurmont, believe individuals become comfortable with a company they have established a long relationship with, and have faith they are receiving the best possible premium. But are they? Maybe yes, maybe no. Rodney says his parents are a prime example. He remembers his them always loyal to the same insurance company, and never thought about switching to a different company. My parents were no different. But today there is an entirely new market for purchasing insurance. The competition Rodney says is fierce, and there are so many new companies (along with the old ones as well) which give you choice, options and sometimes come with a lower premium. A quote costs you nothing. A few minutes could save you hundreds annually, just by making the call. When entering Powers Insurance you will see the wall of savings. Rodney has decided to chart (with the customer’s approval) the savings for each customer he has recently signed on. You will see the customer’s name, old company and the amount of savings annually for that customer. The chart currently tallies over $50,000 in savings for their customers since charting their successes and savings. Powers Insurance offers a wide variety of insurance companies. A few samples are Erie, The Hartford, Travelers’, Progressive and Ohio Casualty just to name a few. This is how your savings generally occurs. Powers will take your information and explore a variety of company pricing, not just one. Powers Insurance offers auto, home, health, workman’s comp, business liability, commercial auto, umbrella and life. Rodney just recently celebrated his one year anniversary in his Thurmont office. Prior to this location, Powers was previously located in Emmitsburg and initially began in Middletown, Maryland in 2006. I asked Rodney what his future goals were and smiled, “To see his wall charts hit $75,000 in savings to his customers in 2010.” Rodney commented, “People are apprehensive to change. But one phone call could save you a considerable amount, and if I can’t beat your current price I revert to, if it’s not broke don’t fix it. But what if it is?”
Call Powers Insurance for your free quote, it is as simple as that! Ask for Rodney or Jackie
Powers is located at 204A East Main Street, Thurmont., 301.271.3888. Powers is open Tue, Wed, and Thurs, until 7pm, Mon and Fri until 4pm.
Safety Time-Thurmont Ambulance September Stats
October 25, 2009
We responded on 87 calls during the month of September
Colorfest is over and what a huge success. We sold 7100 apple dumplings during the two day event. Thanks to everyone who helped make this such a great fund raiser.
Again for the months of November and December we will have our take and bakes.
We have pans of six apple dumplings for $12, pies will also be available for $8. Pies include apple, cherry and peach. Each Saturday morning between 9-12 you can stop by the ambulance building and pick up your order. If you would like to place an order in advance please call 301-271-3820.
Lowman
Safety Time-Guardian Hose Co. September Stats
October 25, 2009
Ems Assists 12
Vehicle Accidents 10
Service Calls 4
Transfers 1
Vehicle Fires 2
Automatic Alarms 2
Building Fires 5
Electrical/Wires Down 1
Total Calls 37
First Due 26
Mutual Aid 11
There Was No Fire Loss For The Month.
Average 9 Personnel Per Call
Equipment Traveled 401 Miles
Safety Time-Police Stats for September 2009
October 25, 2009
|
Offense |
September 2009 |
YTD 2009 |
|
Rape |
0 |
1 |
|
Aggravated assault |
0 |
9 |
|
Burglary |
0 |
14 |
|
Theft |
2 |
32 |
|
Vehicle Theft |
0 |
4 |
|
Calls for service (Non-Traffic) |
818 |
6090 |
|
Traffic Citations |
60 |
491 |
|
Traffic Warnings |
111 |
946 |
|
Municipal Citations Issued |
0 |
35 |
|
Municipal Citations Paid |
0 |
33@$1925 |
|
Patrol Checks |
267 |
1868 |
|
Adult Arrests |
7 |
1385 |
|
Juvenile Arrests |
1 |
27 |
|
*CDS Arrests |
0 |
30 |
|
*CDS Seized |
No |
17 |
|
Weapons Seized |
1 Hand Grenade |
5 |
|
DUI Arrests |
4 |
20 |
|
Destruction of Property |
1 |
46 |
|
Parking Meter Citations |
39 |
139 |
|
Total Cases Reported |
33 |
370 |
|
Total Cases Closed |
32 |
265 |
|
|
|
|
|
*Controlled Dangerous Substance |
|
|
Busness Time
October 25, 2009
Thurmont Bar and Grill Has Long History
by Eleanor Crampton
The Thurmont Bar and Grill is owned and operated by Skipper & Penny Misner, who purchased the bar and grill in 1992. A former plumber and backhoe operator, Skipper has also tended bar since 1970. He operated a bar and grill in Emmitsburg for five years, until he purchased the property at 10 East Main Street when the former owner passed away. Penny does all the cooking at the grill.
The Citizens Bank occupied the building at 10 East Main Street in 1921. After that, several owners occupied the building, including the Fry Family who operated a pool room with sodas and sandwiches. Eventually, it was turned into a restaurant.
The Thurmont Bar and Grill is unique. It has a pool table, a juke box, a TV, a Mickey Mantle wall, and three deer heads. Skipper shot all three deer. There are many memories in pictures and memorabilia hanging on the walls of the restaurant.
Hamburgers and hotdogs are the specialty of the house, which is open every day, except Wednesdays. Thurmont Bar & Grill hosts daily specials and soups. The bar and grill’s hours are Monday through Friday 7 am-10 pm, Saturday 6:30 am-12 midnight, and Sunday 11 am-8 pm. The phone no. is 301-271-7422 if you want to call and check out the special for the day.
If you visit the Thurmont Bar and Grill on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday, be sure to say Hi to the grill’s favorite customer, Billy Wilson from Gettysburg, PA. Mr. Wilson is a Viet Nam veteran. You will even see a sign on the wall that says Mr. Wilson is quite and humble.
Support your local businesses, stop by and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Thurmont Bar and Grill. Be sure to ask Skipper about the history of the building.
Business Time
October 25, 2009
Introducing Melaleuca, The Wellness Company
Melaleuca is a 24-year old consumer direct marketing company that offers green products for your home, body, and health. Melaleuca’s 350 products include cleaning, laundry, vitamins and nutritional supplements, bath and body, hair, oral hygiene, children’s, medicine cabinet, weight-loss and fitness, pet products and skincare and cosmetics. Melaleuca was green long before green was popular. Their products are powered by naturally derived enzymes and natural oils, such as the oil of thyme and Melaleuca (tea tree) oil instead of caustic chemicals like ammonia, chlorine bleach, and phosphates. All products are better for your health, gentler on the environment, and a better value. When Melaleuca started in 1985, they manufactured eight (8) products containing Melaleuca oil. The oil is naturally antiseptic, has fungicidal properties and is very healing for all types of skin conditions. Some people call it a first aid kit in a bottle! The nickname is “tea tree” oil because the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia bush are often dried and brewed for tea. Today, only about 30-50 percent of Melaleuca’s products still contain Melaleuca oil, so you might say that they have outgrown their name.
Melaleuca products have no added cost of retail middlemen, expensive advertising, warehousing or stocking shelves because Melaleuca is the direct source and manufacturer of their products. Customers shop factory direct using a toll-free phone number or the internet. Therefore, quality products are manufactured in the United States and marketed for less money. The savings is passed directly to the customer. Many of the products are concentrated; therefore, the consumer gets more for his/her money, and there is less environmental waste. I personally have been using Melaleuca products for about ten years. I love everything that I use. Having peace of mind knowing that I am using products that are free of toxic chemicals and are safer for everyone in my home is invaluable to me. Melaleuca products do not contain any formaldehyde, or other carcinogens, as so many popular products do.
Following are some of my favorite products.
Ecosense cleaners are inspired by the trees, mountains, rivers, and sunshine. They are highly effective, eco-friendly formulas powered by nature that are safer for your home and a better value for you. One of these products is sol-u-mel. It is a deodorizer, stain remover, antibacterial fighter, and more. Hard to get out stains, even old stains, can be removed with sol-u-mel. You can mix sol-u-mel in a bottle and use it as a room deodorizer. You can put a capful of sol-u-mel in your laundry to remove bacteria from your clothes. You can even put a capful of sol-u-mel in the bucket of water that you wipe your floors up with. Your floors are spotlessly clean and smell nice, because sol-u-mel contains naturally derived solvents like Melaleuca oil. If you are looking for a safe disinfectant that naturally kills 99.9 percent of bacteria, sol-u-guard botanical is your product. You will not endanger your family and pets just to kill bacteria! Renew is another wonderful product sold by Melaleuca. It is intensive dry skin therapy. It has been shown to help skin retain its moisture better and longer that the leading dermatologist-recommended brand. Remember the less moisture your skin loses, the healthier your skin stays and the better it protects you. Clinical studies show that Renew beats the leading “over the counter product” in healing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. PreSpot 4x is another great Melaleuca product. The three main types of stains are protein, starch, and grease, and Pre Spot 4x gets them all out. It is a triple enzyme, non-caustic, ph-neutral formula. The 4x concentration saves money. Another Melaleuca product that I love is their French-milled Bath Bars. French milled is a process that thoroughly mixes the ingredients and presses out excess air so every bath bar is smoother and denser, making them last longer than some other brands that quickly melt down the drain. Light some candles, sink in the tub filled with Melaleuca Bath Bar bubbles and enjoy a relaxing evening.
Following are some customer testimonials about Melaleuca products.
Last week my daughter Jessica delivered her third baby, a boy, in the front seat of my CRV while enroute to the hospital. Carter Rhodes arrived on the shoulder of 695 being caught by his dad. All is well and mom and son are at home doing well. My point is a birth can leave quite a mess in ones car especially if it has fabric seats which mine does. As I had no opportunity to get the car professionally cleaned. I thought Solumel may do the trick sooooo I went to work with the solumel and my wet vac and of course it worked beautifully. All stains and odors were completely eliminated without very much effort. (Becky)
I was making dinner, turned off the stove, a few minutes later, I saw something like salt on the stove top. Not thinking and in a hurry, I put my whole flat hand on the stove top to wipe the salt into my other hand. I burned my right hand so bad, I was in so much pain, it was unreal!! I went and got the melagel and kept putting that on my hand over and over, then I would put the melaleuca oil (T36-C5-which refers to the high quality grade of the oil) on my hand different times. I could not bend my fingers because they were burned so bad, my palm of my hand was red as can be and was starting to blister. Within an hour the pain was gone and the redness was going away. I have no blisters anywhere and my hand was like new the next morning. Hans said that if he was not right next to me and had seen it for himself, it would be hard to believe. Yes, we should have taken a before and after picture, but unfortunately we did not. These stories have to be told so people realize that the melagel and oil should be close by at all times, in case of burns or cuts. (Marlene)
Melaleuca is a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Hall of Fame and recently received the BBB Torch Award. This award is given to companies with outstanding business practices. Their products are currently sold in 15 countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. To see all the wonderful Melaleuca products, check out the Melaleuca web site at http://www.melaleuca.com/
Fitness Time
October 25, 2009
Fitness Matters
Expert answers to your health and wellness questions
By George Puvel
Question: I would do almost anything to get a nice 6-pack. Can you give me some tips and hints?
Answer: Absolutely! But first, I can assure you that you can’t get it by doing twelve oz. curls… But seriously, not everyone has this particular goal, but the ones that do seem to be very passionate about it. First of all, you have to do some serious core work, focusing on the abdominals, obliques and low back area. In doing this, most people make one of two mistakes. The first mistake is working these muscles too many days of the week. Some think you need to do abs almost every day, but you wouldn’t do this for chest, back, and legs, so why would you do it for your abdominals? The other common problem is that people don’t push themselves when doing core work. I’ve seen plenty of people stop their set right when they start to feel the “burn.” Others may only use their bodyweight, never thinking that weights might actually challenge them even more. Remember, the harder you work your abdominals, the less you’ll have to do them—and you’ll get better results. Aside from strength training, the other key components to getting a firm, lean mid-section include cardiovascular exercise and, of course, proper diet. You should try to do cardio 5-6 days per week, especially if you have some extra flab to lose, and try to follow a well-balanced, calorie-controlled diet.
Question: With the weather getting colder and flu season almost upon us, can you provide a little refresher on working out when you’re sick?
Answer: There seems to be about as many opinions on this as there exists strains of virus, but here’s my take: You often hear people say that working out is fine if it’s just a head cold—stuffy nose, coughing, and other stuff that you don’t like, but can deal with. This is generally true, but if you have a fever, body aches, or other more serious symptoms, you should leave the exercising to the rest of us until you’re over it. When working out, you probably wouldn’t want people that are sneezing and coughing around you, right?—So, keep that consideration in mind for others if you are under the weather a bit. Plus, if you like to work out with intensity, and put a premium on the quality of your exercise, you’ll do better to rest up for a day or two even if you just have a head cold. Once you’ve recovered and get back to exercising, you can pick-up right where you left off.
Question: Can you tell me the main difference between whole grains and refined grains? What are we really talking about here?
Answer: The main difference between whole grains and refined grains is the way in which they’re processed. During milling, whole grains are often stripped of their bran and germ in an effort to make them easier to cook with. The bran is the protective outer layer of the seed, which contains B vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, and the germ is the “embryo” of the seed, which contains even more B vitamins, some minerals, healthy fats, and protein. When these are removed, the endosperm (say what?) is all that is left, which is primarily just starch. Despite being enriched with some vitamins and minerals, these refined grains lack much of their original nutritional value. In an effort to provide healthier options, more and more companies are pulverizing the entire grain, resulting in what we call whole grain products. These are healthier for you, but you have to be a savvy shopper. Look for whole grains on the food label—ideally, they should appear at the beginning of the ingredient list.
About the author: George Puvel is the club owner at Anytime Fitness in Thurmont, MD. To submit a question for future articles, please contact the author at ThurmontMD@anytimefitness.com.
Comments & Observations by George
October 25, 2009
Broadway: It’s Closer Than You Think George Wireman
Back in the mid 1980’s, I was a frequent visitor to Hagerstown and enjoyed spending a lot of time at Hagerman’s Dinner Theatre located a short distance from the Square on North Potomac Street. Hagerman’s was a very popular place for those who enjoy an inexpensive evening of entertainment and dining. Each time a new production was featured I would gather some friends together and after a half hour’s ride, we would find ourselves seated at my favorite table, ready to enjoy an evening of good food and fine entertainment.
To really appreciate any theatre production, whether it be on Broadway or at the Thurmont American Legion featuring the Thurmont Thespians’ latest hit, it is always nice to have some background knowledge of the theatre itself. Being a member of the cast of Walkersville Southern’s Dinner Mystery Train for the past eight years and enjoying the superb productions of the Thurmont Thespians, I have recently been engaged is some research on the theatre and its beginning in the United States and pass it on to the readers of this column.
The word “theatre” comes from the Greek verb Theasthai, which means “to see”, a place where dramatic performances are produced and viewed.
The real beginnings of the theatre in America are somewhat hazy, and it is hard to draw a line between amateur and professional play-producing activities. Williamsburg, Virginia; Charleston, North Carolina, New York City, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were the early focal points. The first colonial acting company of any stature was that of Thomas Kean and Walter Murray, playing in converted warehouses and public halls in Philadelphia and New York. This Virginia based company of comedians soon became overshadowed by Lewis Hallam’s company, which arrived from London in 1752. After Hallam’s death, his widow with her second husband, David Douglass, carried on the fight of the American Company against Puritan intolerance. In 1766 Douglass built the Southwark Theatre in Philadelphia and the John Street Theatre in New York a year later in 1767.
After the American Revolution, Lewis Hallam, Jr. was old enough to look after the affairs of the company. In 1791Hallam, Jr. had to face the dangerous competition of a rival troupe, organized by Thomas Wignell, the builder of the Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. The American Company met the challenge by erecting the Park Theatre in 1798, which was to become the most outstanding theatre of New York for the next fifty years. By the end of the eighteenth century, Boston got into the act, and had two playhouses, the Federal Street Theatre and the Haymark Theatre.
Florenz Ziegfeld, one of the great American theatrical producers, began producing musical comedies in 1897. He was very successful with vaudeville shows and became very famous when he produced the Follies of 1907, which was the first of a series of revues. The Follies were produced annually for more than two decades which was commonly known as The Ziegfeld Follies. Broadway soon became known as the “show place of the nation” featuring outstanding entertainment which included musicals, revues, comedies, and even drama. It is indeed a very hard task for the younger generation of Thurmont to visualize just what the older generation did for entertainment. Little do they know some 80 years ago, a group of Thurmont citizens got together and formed the very first theatre guild in Frederick County and produced some of the finest stage productions in this part of the country. Organized in 1929, ”The Romany Players” produced many outstanding productions which gained for them a reputation of high standing, not only in Frederick County, but throughout the state of Maryland as well. If Broadway could do it, so could Thurmont! And they did !
I remember well their big production. “It Happened In Hollywood,” a three-act comedy produced in 1933 by special permission from the Dramatic Publishing Company of Chicago. This presentation turned out to be one of the very best performances of “The Romany Players”. Built around the ever-amusing theme of mistaken identity, a lot of hidden talent surfaced. The members of this theatre guild worked extra hard on this production and in addition to the acting, several special choral numbers, dancing acts and special readings were presented. Musical selections were provided by a local group known as the “Blue Ramblers of Thurmont.”
The chorus of “It Happened In Hollywood,” was directed my Miss Helen Keefer, and consisted of Jeanette Sigafoose, Charlotte Creager, Margaret Krone, Kitty and Ruth Taylor, Betty Lee Creeger, Ruth Creeger, Mary Barbara Baxter, Jean Fraley and Becky Eyler, all from Thurmont High School. Several girls, dressed as men, did a great job and performed well. The humorous readings were given by Margaret Sherwood who had a tough time keeping a straight face during the reading. One of the highlights of the performance was a special dance number given by John Keefer and Jeanette Sigafoose. Music before the show and during brief intermissions was furnished by the Blue Ramblers of Thurmont, a local dance band who also provided music for an informal dance which always followed the show. Ushers, garbed in Gypsy costumes, included Ruth Kelly, Evalene Finneyfrock, Louise Brown and Katherine Roddy. Head usher was Ray Taylor, a member of the guild.
Whenever the Romany Players presented a production, tickets went on sale at Carback’s Drug Store, which was the center of attraction until the night of the show. Admission price for this top entertainment was….Adults 35 cents…children 25 cents. H.Q. Miller, Editor of Thurmont’s weekly newspaper The Catoctin Clarion , was director of “It Happened In Hollywood” and the cast of professional characters included Grace C. Kelbaugh, Ruth E. Krone, Ethel Lewis, Helen Keefer, Margaret Sherwood, Blanch Beard, P.D.Ewing, Lloyd Mackley, Paul Stottlemyer, Edward Moser, Earl Kelbaugh and A.D. Flory, all truly able and talented thespians. Furniture and props for the Romany Players productions was provided by M.L. Creager & Son.
As the Broadway playhouses drew large audiences for their many productions back in the early 1930s, it must be remembered that it was the Romany Players who packed ‘em into the old Town Hall on Church Street for each performance. As Thurmont grew and other forms of entertainment entered the local scene, Frederick County’s first theatre guild, The Romany Players, became another page in Thurmont’s past history.
They say history repeats itself and as a historian, I find it to be true in so many cases. For example….Thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Watson for establishing the Thurmont Thespians and bringing to Thurmont some outstanding productions and discovering another round of Thurmont’s hidden talent. The coming of this unique group was timed just right, as television program ratings were dropping lower each year. Thespian productions provide enjoyment for all members of the family and they are not interrupted every five minutes for a commercial. Dinner theatre productions are on the increase. Thanks to the Thurmont Thespians, Cozy Restaurant now features a dinner mystery night. For the past 15 years the Dinner Mystery Trains, sponsored by the Walkersville Southern Railroad, has been a major part of their Special Events Program.
If you are tired of watching television and are looking for an evening of enjoyment, a delicious meal, and topped off with a touch of Broadway entertainment…. may I suggest a visit to the nearest restaurant featuring a dinner theatre production. It is a most unique experience and one you will long remember.
Yes, Broadway is a lot closer than you think!
George W. Wireman
Pet Time
October 25, 2009
Whose Flu Are You? Dr. “JB” Bramson
The influenza viruses (“flu”) include a variety of virus types. One type is the Canine Influenza Virus (CIV), H3N8. This is NOT a human virus and it is not seasonal. It originated 40 years ago in horses. Since 2004, it has jumped species to the dogs.
The virus causes acute respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose; fever much like the human flu viruses. These are not specific signs for the flu. Other infectious diseases, such as kennel cough, can look very similar.
About 20% of exposed dogs can be asymptomatic (no signs of illness). 80% of dogs get a mild form. A small number of these develop severe signs with pneumonia developing secondary to bacterial infection which can lead to death in rare instances. There is no specific age or breed susceptibility for developing pneumonia. Symptomatic dogs should be kept away from other dogs and dog facilities where a lot of dogs would congregate (dog kennels, dog day care, dog parks, training facilities, dog shows).
The only way to confirm canine flu is by testing respiratory secretions or blood samples and sending the samples out to an outside reference laboratory. The virus is spread by:
1) Direct contact with a dog’s respiratory secretions
2) Contact with contaminated objects
3) People acting as carriers of the virus transferring it from infected dogs to uninfected dogs
Infected dogs shed virus in respiratory secretions for 7-10 days; therefore, sick dogs should be isolated for 2 weeks to be safe. The virus is inactivated by soap and water.
Influenza viruses are constantly changing and that is why there has been crossover between species. There has not been any human crossover yet; however, this is being monitored. Nor has there been crossover to cats or pet birds.
A new development is the creation of a canine influenza virus vaccine. This has just come out recently. It cannot cause the disease, but can control severity of disease. The severity and length of disease can be reduced while reducing damage to lungs and the amount of virus that is shed. Symptoms are less severe and there is less contagion to other dogs.
We have not yet carried the Canine Flu Vaccine. However, after researching this article and seeing what others in the veterinary profession are doing, we will be ordering it and offering it to those dogs at risk(i.e. in high dog traffic areas).
For more info. Go to: www.cdc.gov/flu or www.cdc. gov/healthypets
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