Newsletter - August 2020
AUGUST 2020 Newsletter
Dog Days Are Upon Us
It’s that time of year again for those three favorite words of the forecaster: hazy, hot, & humid. Being outside can make you “dog-tired” while you “dog it” performing yard work, being careful not to overdo and become “sick as a dog” and finally let it all just “go to the dogs”.
Did you know there’s a source for all this canine blaming? It’s actually a reference to a star – Sirius – named after an Ancient Greek word seirios which means scorching. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major or Greater Dog and is called the Dog Star. The Ancient Romans believed Sirius was a second sun which gave off immense heat during the time of year in the northern hemisphere when it would rise in the east and set in the west at the same time as the Sun.
The specific dates of this occurrence differ greatly from days of old but are generally considered to be the months of July and August. Scientifically speaking, we know this to be the time of year when the tilt of the Earth causes the Sun’s rays to hit the northern hemisphere longer and more directly, bringing longer and hotter days. Yes, WE know this, but THEY didn’t!
This time of the Dog Star was believed to be a time of drought, bad luck, and unrest when man and beast alike would be driven mad by the extreme heat. The Roman poet Virgil referred to Sirius as a “bringer of drought and plague to frail mortals, rises and saddens the sky with sinister light”. Not a good time to be outside! In fact, in 1817, The Old Farmer’s Almanac was quoted as saying, “Dog Days are approaching; you must, therefore, make both hay and haste while the Sun shines, for when old Sirius takes command of the weather, he is such an unsteady, crazy dog, there is no dependence upon him”.
EEEK! Sounds like we all should stay inside with a cold drink, put our feet up, and lead the “dog’s life” until old Sirius relinquishes control and moves on out of here!
Until next time…keep it cool!
- Sue
News and Updates
Membership – Mona Jones
Despite Covid-19, we have 2 new members:
Welcome, Marilyn La Combe and Bonnie Rodgers!
We look forward to meeting you in person.
We have 230 members; however only 77 members have renewed their 2020-21 membership.
If you have not renewed, please send your check ASAP.
I appreciate the messages you enclose with your checks. They brighten my day and, Virginia,
I miss playing Mah Jongg with you also!
I look forward to seeing both new and long-time members soon.
Mona Jones
3011 N. Sheryl Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72703
479-366-3948
Service Project – Magdalene Serenity House – Paulette Lilly/Mary Cay:
Please consider mailing monetary gifts, gift cards or Uber cards to them during this social distancing time. Those who wish to participate can mail to:
April Bachrodt, Executive Director
Magdelene Serenity House
P. O. Box 3394
Fayetteville, AR. 72702
Please include that your gift is from the Fayetteville Newcomers Club. Thank you and stay safe.
Sunshine Report – Jill Trolinger:
Get well cards were sent to Trish Beland’s husband Lou, who had back surgery and Steve Burk, who had foot surgery.
Newsletter Updates -Jann Gorman – Chair - Please email all newsletter updates to Jann Gorman, honk3rs@yahoo.com, for the next newsletter by the 20th of the month. Thank you.
It’s a great day to be a Newcomer!
