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

 

July 2012

"The flames kindled on the 4th of July, 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism;
on the contrary, they will consume these engines and all who work them"
Thomas Jefferson (1762-1826

Mid-Atlantic weather watch:  Storms, mainly from the South (1,2,3) with severe storms from the West (4,5). Hazy, hot, and humid (6,7,8,9,10 with showers and more storms (11,12,13). Hazy, hot, and humid again 14,15,16,17,18,19) with scattered STORMS (20,21). Cloudy and humid (22,23,24,25) with the possibility of a tropical storm (26,27,28) with the 3 "H’s" return (29,30,31).

Tornado Watch: The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack sees some tornado activity in the Mid-Atlantic Region from July 25th to the 28th.

Full Moon: There are many names for July’s Full Moon which rises on the 3rd at 1:52PM EST. Many Native Americans referred to it as the Thunder Moon because of the frequent thunderstorms that were most severe during this time of year. Others called it the Hay Moon since hay tended to ripen at this time. It is also known as the Buck Moon due to the rapid growth and appearance of antlers on young bucks in July.

Special Notes: Those ol’ Dog Days of Summer begin on Monday, July 3rd! Get ready for some hot, hazy, and humid days (and The Almanack is predicting quite a few of them throughout the month!). On July 4th in 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution saying, "these United Colonies are, and of right, ought to be, free and independent states".

Holidays: Celebrate the 4th with safety in mind. Some good advice if you are planning a picnic with the family or friends -- keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold with the proper containers. If boating, don’t mix your fun with alcohol. Poor judgment and "boater’s hypnosis", which can affect you after long periods exposed to the sun, glare, noise, and vibration can be equally deadly.

The Gardens: During the coming dry weather, continue to keep the garden adequately watered. Remember, a deep, thorough soaking once a week is more beneficial than a daily light sprinkling. Be sure that all tall annuals and perennials are securely staked so that they will remain upright during the afternoon thunderstorms that are so common for this time of year. Allow roses to rest in July and August. Do not fertilize, but continue spraying, and give them a light pruning in July to encourage new fall growth. Repot houseplants that have been kept outdoors if roots start to crowd their containers. If you have to divide plants, give them a chance to recover from having their roots disturbed by keeping them in the shade for at least a week.

J. Grubers' Thought for Today's Living:

"It is more important to be politically informed than politically correct"

Index of Past Month's Entries