Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
The “Dog Days of Summer” refer to the hottest, most humid days of the year, traditionally running from July 3 to Aug. 11.
Ancient Romans named these days after Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, often called the Dog Star. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major, or the Greater Dog.
During mid-summer, Sirius rises alongside the sun. Ancient people thought the combined brightness of the sun and the Dog Star created extra heat. They believed this extreme heat caused drought, fever, and bad luck.
Today, one knows that Sirius does not affect Earth’s weather. The heat comes from the Earth’s tilt. During the summer, the sun’s rays hit at a direct angle.
It takes weeks for the land and oceans to fully heat up. This means the hottest part of the year happens in late July and August, which perfectly aligns with the dates of the Dog Days.
Long ago, the farmers would cut brush, especially along fence lines, during this time of the year. It was thought the brush had a greater chance of dying with little chance of returning. Oftentimes, the state road workers would assist with the cuttings from the other side of the fence rows.
Folklore indicated that should rains fall in the beginning of the Dog Days, the end of the season would go out dry, or vice versa. It would be interesting to tell whether that will be what takes place this year.
Life’s little instructions include the following:
1. Massage tense muscles.
2. Go out to lunch.
3. Think positively.
4. Avoid dangerous drugs.
5. Wish everyone a person meets with a “Have a great day.”
At one time, it was thought that Sugar Grove was the driest section of West Virginia. Whether that holds true is determined by rainfall. The community was blessed with about 3 inches of rain from last Monday through Wednesday. Even the river took on a muddy appearance. Meadows and pastures are taking on a greener outlook, making the farmer happy at the prospect of having a second cutting of hay.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“The best way to guarantee a loss is to quit.” — Morgan Freeman
“Encourage independence in your children by regularly losing them in the supermarket.” — Erma Bombeck
“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” — Harry S. Truman
“Then came July like three o’clock in the afternoon, hot and listless and miserable.” — Alle Ray
“One of the best ways to measure people is how they behave when something free is offered.” — Ann Landers
Carrying an umbrella is the best way to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
On Friday, Joel and Betsy Farrar of Lynchburg, Virginia, visited in the home of Willard and Judy Rader.
Mother Nature has decided to assist the state road by cleaning out ditches from the rains. Reddish Knob Road is fast turning into a dirt road, with pot holes appearing along the way. The Lick Run culvert is one to slow down for as it is quite precarious to travel at a regular speed. Be sure to watch for falling trees when navigating this road. Carrying a chain saw would be beneficial.
Friday, the joint churches of St. John and Calvary had a wellattended Vacation Bible School. The theme was “Galactic Starveyors.” The attendees had a blast regardless of the rainfall, especially when walking to Kathy’s store to pick up a bag lunch. Much work went into this cosmic experience to make it a memorable day of learning about God’s creation.
There are 11 more Mondays until fall, and then Christmas is just around the corner.
•Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•A blue whale’s heart is so large that a human could swim through its arteries.
•More people have access to mobile phones than to toilets worldwide.
•Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world and can grow up to 35 inches in a day.
•The United States is one of the top producers of garbage in the world, generating about 254 million tons of waste every year.
There are more trees on Earth than stars in the Milky Way.
More July birthdays include Kenny Wilfong, 17th; Lucas Kiser, 19th; Vicky Simmons, 20th; Ann Marie Weese, 21st; Johnny Thompson and Lauren Williams, 22nd; Johnny Cook, Barbara Parker and Brenda Cook, 24th; Judy Patch and Kevin Rexrode, 25th; Shirley Wimer, Wilma Pitsenbarger Rexrode and Hannah Rexrode, 26th; Kent Gardiner, 29th; Delbert Rexrode, 30th; and Colby Simmons, 31st.
Concerns are for Charles Anderson, Sheila and George Armstrong, Roger and Joan Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” Boggs, Jeff Craig, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Carl Gant, Sue Hall, Clyde Hamilton, Armanda Heavner, family and friends of the Mary Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Keith Hoover, Mickey Huffman, Cynthia Hurry, Gary Jamison, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Tara Kelley, Stanley Kile, Keith Kimble, Lori Ann Lambert, Melissa Lambert, Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Dottie Mitchell, Rhonda Nash, Willa Nelson, Ronald Pitsenbarger, Alda Propst, Sheldon Propst, Jimmy Rexrode, Bernie and Margaret Sasscer, Robbie Sites and Edwin Wimer.
