At Occano, the Sound is a gift we unwrap day after day—and share with the ones we love most. And we look forward to sharing it with you.

Social media has many benefits—it allows you to maintain connections with friends, make new contacts, build support networks, express yourself and share your interests. However, information should be shared with caution to protect yourself and your family. Here are eight top tips for social media safety: Your personal information should be just that—personal. As hackers become more and more sophisticated, identity theft becomes a greater risk. And while it may be tempting to post pictures of your fabulous vacation, bear in mind that you’re also letting others know you’re away from home—making you vulnerable to a break in. Use privacy… Read More »

Many of us regularly recycle soda cans and water bottles, but did you know that many other food and beverage containers and household items also are recyclable? Take a look at the list below for some guidelines for what you can put into your community-provided recycling bin and what should be handled by a waste management professional. EVERYTHING isn’t recyclable. However, these six items are recyclable in most of NC: plastic bottles, jugs and jars; metal cans; paper; and cardboard. That’s it! That means all of those other plastic items (pouches, cups, to go containers, etc.) are trash! Most plastic… Read More »

Why do we celebrate the 4th of July? You may wonder, “Why do we celebrate the 4th of July? What does it mean?” Well, this day is incredibly significant in American history, as it marks the day the United States officially became its own nation. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776—and thus, America was born. American citizens celebrate America’s birthday with festivals, parades, fireworks, barbecues, fireworks, sparklers, and other festive activities. Fourth of July is a momentous day in every American’s lives, for they had earned their long-cherished freedom on this very day. Through parades, feasts,… Read More »

With the advent of smartphones, it’s easier than ever to take and share photos. We have many people within the association that take amazing photos with their phones. Here are 10 tips for making the most of every photo opportunity: Perfect your lighting Use natural light whenever possible, with the sun behind you or over your shoulder. When shooting indoors, find the brightest spot in the room and position your subject directly under it. Forget the flash Because the duration of a smartphone’s flash is too long, it doesn’t freeze the action in a frame the way a traditional flash… Read More »

There are 37 species of snakes in North Carolina and seven are venomous. There are basically three families of snakes in North Carolina. The first to consider is the non-venomous Colubridae, which includes the garter snakes, king snakes and rat snakes. These snakes are technically harmless. They don’t have a potent venom that could hurt a person or pet. The Elapidae is the fixed, front fang venomous snake family. Cobras are in this family, but we don’t have cobras in North Carolina. We do have the coral snake, but only in the most southeastern part of the state. They’re small… Read More »

Even though many of us first heard of Juneteenth over the past few years, it’s a holiday that has been celebrated for over 150 years. Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is also called Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day. The name “Juneteenth” references the date of the holiday, combining the words “June” and “nineteenth.” In 1863, during the American Civil War, Pres. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than three million slaves living in the Confederate states to be free. More than two years would pass, however, before the news reached African Americans living… Read More »

The nation’s first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. However, it was not until 1972—58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official—that the day honoring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States. Father’s Day 2022 will occur on Sunday, June 19. A Spokane, Washington, woman named Senora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by a widower, tried to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents. She went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers and government officials to drum up support for her idea, and she… Read More »

Today June 14 is Flag Day, a day of national observance for all Americans, but it is not a federal holiday. Each year, the President proclaims the commemoration and encourages all Americans in the country to display the flag outside their homes and businesses. Usually, during Flag Day, the flag is flown from all public buildings, speeches are made in public places, and ceremonies take place in towns or cities. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson unofficially declared June 14 as Flag Day.  “A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation’s flag, sees not the flag, but the nation itself.” –… Read More »

Until recently, organic produce was found mainly in home gardens, quaint farmers’ markets and specialty health food stores. Over the past few years, however, the heightened eco-consciousness of the green movement and health concerns about chemicals used in conventional farming have led to consumer demand for fruits and vegetables grown without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, irradiation or biotechnology, making organic the fastest growing sector in the food marketplace.   In addition, research is beginning to support the contention that chemicals used in conventional farming can have a negative impact on health. The 2008-2009 annual report from the President’s Cancer Panel,… Read More »