Non-Profit Internet Source for News, Events, History, & Culture of Northern Frederick & Carroll County Md./Southern Adams County Pa.

 

October 2014

"On Hallowe’en the thing you must do
Is pretend that nothing can frighten you
An’ if somethin’ scares you and you want to run
Jus’ let on like it’s Hallowe’en fun"
         From an Early Nineteenth Century Halloween Postcard

Mid-Atlantic Weather Watch: Showers (1,2,3,4) with fair and mild weather (5,6,7,8,9). Showers, cooler (10,11,12) retuning to fair and mild temperatures (13,14,15). Showers, mainly in the southern part of the region (16,17), turning fair and warm (18,19). Showers again (20,21); fair and mild (22,23,24) with yet more showers then storms (25,26). Fair and warm (27,28,29) turning fair windy and a little cooler (30,31).

Full Moon: The Full Moon in October will occur on October 18th and is the Hunter's Moon for 2014. The Cree Indian Tribe called it the Moon of the Falling Leaves because so many trees lose the last of their leaves in October. It has also been known as yellow Leaf Moon because of all of the bright foliage yet to fall while many tribes called it the Big Feast Moon because of the bountiful harvests and Fall celebrations going on at this time.

Holidays: Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 13th and United Nations Day is celebrated on Friday, the 24th. Children's favorite holiday (second only to Christmas!) is Halloween, which falls this year on Friday, October 31st. Plan for early evening activities that will end by dusk. Be sure to have older children wear reflective clothing (or costumes!) after dark. On the home front, consider giving sensible treats like sugar-less candies and gums, or nonfood alternatives like stickers, whistles, toy animals, etc. And be sure to check all treats when the children return from their fun!

The Garden: Now is the best time to have your soil tested. Treat the soil according to the results and it will be rejuvenated, revitalized, and ready when the warm weather returns in the Spring. Also, now is the time to plant those spring bulbs. Remember to add just a pinch of bone meal to the hole. Do not prune or fertilize any trees or shrubs. They need to go into a resting phase to prepare for the colder months ahead. Do cut back perennial foliage and shrubs to discourage winter pests. Leave flowers with seeds for the birds.

J. Gruber’s Thought For Today’s Living

"Whenever you feel blue or depressed, let a child show you the wonders and the beauty of the world we live in"

Index of Past Month's Entries