Columbus Day is observed on Oct. 9. And while it may be true that Leif Erikson and the Vikings beat Columbus to the New World, Columbus Day nonetheless remains important in the public eye, signifying themes such as exploration and discovery.

As an investor, you don't have to "cross the ocean blue," as Columbus did, to find opportunities — but it may be a good idea to put some of your money to work outside the United States.

So, why should you consider investing internationally? The chief reason is diversification. If you only invest in U.S. companies, you might do well when the U.S. markets are soaring, as has happened in recent years.

But when the inevitable downturn happens and you're totally concentrated in U.S. stocks, your portfolio will probably take a hit. At the same time, however, other regions of the world might be doing considerably better than the U.S. markets — and if you put some of your investment holdings in these regions, you might at least blunt some of the effects of the down market here.

Of course, it's also a good idea to diversify among different asset classes, so, in addition to investing in U.S. and international stocks, you'll want to own bonds, government securities and other investment vehicles. (Keep in mind, though, that while diversification can help reduce the effects of volatility, it can't guarantee a profit or protect against loss.)

International investments, like all investments, will fluctuate in value. But they also have other characteristics and risks to consider, such as these:

•Currency fluctuations — The U.S. dollar rises and falls in relation to the currencies of other countries. Sometimes, these movements can work in your favor, but sometimes not.

A strengthening dollar typically lowers returns from international investments because companies based overseas do business in a foreign currency, and the higher value of the U.S. dollar reduces the prices, measured in dollars, of individual shares of these companies' stocks. The opposite has happened in 2017, when the weaker dollar has helped increase returns from international investments.

•Political risks — When you invest internationally, you're not just investing in foreign companies — you're also essentially investing in the legal and economic systems of countries in which those companies do business. Political instability or changes in laws and regulations can create additional risks — but may also provide potentially positive returns for investors.

•Social and economic risks — It is not always easy for investors to understand all the economic and social factors that influence markets in the U.S. — and it's even more challenging with foreign markets.

U.S. markets are now worth less than half of the total world markets, and growth in the rest of the world is likely to keep expanding the number of global opportunities. You can take advantage of that global growth by putting part of your portfolio into international investments, including developed and emerging markets.

In any case, given the more complex nature of international investing, you'll want to consult with a financial professional before taking action. If it turns out that international investments are appropriate for your needs, you should certainly consider going global.

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: International investing: still a journey to consider

When you were a child, did you enjoy the stories your grandparents, aunts and uncles told? I did, and feel they are a valuable tool to transfer information from one generation to the next.

The problem with storytelling is that over the years, facts can be forgotten and specifics may be remembered differently. How does your family preserve its history?

I highly recommend writing down familial stories to preserve them. I dearly wish I had written down stories from my grandparents before they passed away, as they had lived through so much during their lifetimes.

My dad's mother was born in 1896 and certainly saw a plethora of changes in her lifetime: from every home having electricity, to air conditioning, microwaves, cars for everyone, jets, computers and a man walking on the moon. What an amazing era in which she lived. I wish I had been able to question her more about her childhood and write down her wonder about the new inventions.

My mother's dad was quite a storyteller and I am sorry I didn't write down his wonderful stories about growing up on a farm in rural Missouri. He was a very positive and upbeat person that could make work seem like play. We loved being around him as he made everything fun, even pulling weeds.

When I first moved to Crestview, I would hear the ladies at the beauty shop talk about how much Crestview has changed, and that when they moved here there was only one stoplight. It was very different from when we moved here and there were multiple traffic lights. Visit the Baker Block Museum (http://bakerblockmuseum.org/clouds/intheclouds/index-a.html) for more historical information on this area.

A friend of mine just took a three-generation family vacation and had the opportunity to share with her grandchildren stories from when she was young; as well as amusing stories about their parents when they were children. These are fun stories for families to know and share.

Make your family a grandparents book. Write down memories from your childhood, special moments that you treasure, recipes you enjoy and special photographs so that your family will remember specifics after you are in heaven.

Your family will certainly treasure such a book.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The importance of recording your family's history

With the weather changing and cooler temperatures on the way, get out the slow cooker for simmering soups and stews that will be waiting for you when you get home.

Slow cookers are popular and allow us the convenience of prepping ahead of time and having a hot cooked dish when we get home from a long day of work.

The advantage of slow cooking is to set it and then forget it. Stirring is not usually required and remember to keep the lid on as the food simmers.

Today’s slow cookers are food safe and keep food at a safe temperature of 170 degrees to 280 degrees. The low heat allows use of less expensive and leaner cuts of meat as the slow cooking will tenderize and shrink less.

Cooking with a slow cooker means planning ahead but the payoff is a great meal. You can prepare all the ingredients the night before like chopping of vegetables, cutting up the meat and gathering the other items and have them handy for the next morning. Remember to refrigerate all items needing refrigerating until it is time to place in the slow cooker.

Here are some tips for using your slow cooker safely and economically.

•Start with a clean cooker and utensils. Always use a clean work area and make sure to wash your hands during the preparation.

•Keep perishables in the refrigerator until ready to use. Store meat and vegetables separately if preparing ahead of time.

•Always thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. If frozen pieces are used, they will not reach 140° quick enough and could possibly result in a food-borne illness.

•Do not lift the lid unnecessarily during the cooking cycle. Each time the lid is raised, the internal temperature drops 10 to 15 degrees and the cooking process is slowed by 30 minutes.

•After enjoying your meal, do not leave cooked food to cool down in the cooker. Store leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate immediately.

•Do not overload the slow cooker. Fill to a minimum of 1/2 full and a maximum of 2/3 full.

Try some of these favorite recipes to get you started.

Hamburger Soup

2 pounds lean ground beef, browned and drained

2 teaspoons dried basil

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons garlic powder

5-6 cups tomato juice

1 cup stewed tomatoes

1 large onion, chopped

2 cups chopped celery

1 cup sliced carrots

2 cups sliced green beans, fresh or frozen

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

salt & pepper to taste

Place browned meat in slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients and stir to mix well. Cover and cook on low for at least 5 hours. Makes 6 servings.

Old-Fashioned Chicken & Rice

2½ cups chicken broth

1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast meat, cut into 1-inch pieces or strips

1½ cups long-grain rice, uncooked

1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced or

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 cup chopped onion

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 small red bell pepper, cut into thin strips

1 (6-ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, undrained

1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until chicken is no longer pink and rice is plump and tender.

Favorite Beef Stew

3 carrots, sliced

3 potatoes, cut in 1-inch cubes

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut in 1-inch cubes

1 cup beef broth

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

salt to taste

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker in order listed. Stir just enough to mix seasonings throughout. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours, or on high for 5-6 hours. Makes 6-8 servings.

Pamela H. Allen is the interim county director and an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Slow cooking ideas for the busy family

Earlier this week my wife and two friends had lunch at one of Crestview's downtown restaurants. After enjoying their meal they went to the cashier to pay.

As they were getting their payment ready, a gentleman walked up and placed a large amount of money on the counter. The cashier simply said to him, "How many?" and he replied, "Three."

And just like that he paid for the meals of my wife and friends. They were a bit stunned. They did not know him, and he did not know them. They talked briefly, expressed their thanks and extreme gratitude for this gentleman's generosity, and went their separate ways.

Several thoughts went through my mind when my wife related this story to me.

First, it seemed obvious to me this was not the first time the gentleman paid for someone's meal. The cashier's question, "How many?" led me to believe he had previously informed the cashier of his intent to do this. How many meals he previously paid for I have no idea, but I wonder if his generosity had the same impact on others as it did for those three women that day.

Another thought was the quiet witness of kindness and generosity this gentleman displayed. There was no fanfare or "look at me" demeanor. It was simply a generous gesture of thoughtfulness.

A third thought was a reminiscence of the movie "Pay It Forward" back in 2000, a movie based on acts of a 12-year-old boy's goodwill. The intent of paying it forward was, instead of repaying someone for their kindness, that an act of kindness or generosity be done for another person, who would then do the same for another, and so on.

The gentleman in the restaurant may never know the impact he has had on those for whom he has bought lunches. But I would like him to know he left an indelible impression on three women and this pastor.

Sir, I thank you for being a living example of a teaching by Jesus: "Do to others as you would have others do to you."

I thank you for exemplifying what is says in the letter of James, "Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

My challenge to you, dear readers, is to find a way that you, too, can do a similar act of kindness in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The impact of paying it forward