Closer Than You Think

Have you ever watched a Christmas episode of one of your favorite shows during the summer? No matter how well-done it is, it just feels wrong, especially when it’s hot and sunny outside.  To an extent, that’s how I feel writing this particular blog, because while everyone’s still enjoying Indian Summer I have to be […]

What Is ALAN Doing For The Bahamas?

If you look up the expression “mixed emotions” in the dictionary today, you might find my picture. On the one hand, I’m hugely relieved that Dorian didn’t strike the U.S East Coast as a Category 5 and that so many communities were spared a direct hit.    On the other, I am heartsick about what […]

The (Not-So) Calm Before The Storm – Dorian Edition

Years ago, the swimming star Esther Williams had a question she was asked so often, she had a card printed with the answer, “Yes, I still swim.” Although ALAN isn’t quite that famous (or aquatic), we can relate.  Because each time a hurricane starts to form, we have one question that seems to pop up […]

Lessons Learned

There’s a funny story about Abraham Lincoln. After agreeing to pardon a woman’s son who had been sentenced to death for treason, Lincoln confessed that he pardoned the son reluctantly.  “Still, I wish,” he said, “that we could teach him a lesson.” Lincoln’s quote comes to mind when I think about hurricane season, because each […]

Finally, A Food Blog!

Whenever there is a birthday, funeral, or other special occasion in my family, someone inevitably bakes “Jo Helen’s Lemonade Cake.”  I don’t know where the recipe originated, although I’m guessing it was probably clipped from a popular women’s magazine or even some product box.   Regardless it’s always attributed to our Grandma Jo, and the tradition […]

One Small Step For Man; One Giant Leap For Disaster Relief

As I write this, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing – and the epic soundbite that Neil Armstrong delivered as he became the first person to set foot on the moon.   “That’s one small step for man . . . one giant leap for mankind.”   Change a couple of words, […]

The (Not-So) Calm Before The Storm

  Years ago, the swimming star Esther Williams had a question she was asked so often, she had a card printed with the answer, “Yes, I still swim.” Although ALAN isn’t quite that famous (or aquatic), we can relate.  Because each time a hurricane starts to form, we have one question that seems to pop […]

I’m Not A Doctor, But…

Complete this sentence:   I’m not a doctor, but . . . . Believe it or not, that expression immediately came to mind when I found out I had the opportunity to tackle the subject of logistics professionals and what they bring to the table for disaster relief. After all, like those actors who only “play […]

Happy Brag Day

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] It’s almost Flag Day here in the United States.  But until then, all of us at ALAN are busy celebrating another important holiday that we like to call Brag Day.  (And in case you’re wondering, yes, we did invent it.  How could you tell?)  It’s a day when we remember some of the many […]