December 2011

”I heard the bells of Christmas Day; their old familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet the word repeat of peace on earth, good will to men!”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1802-1882

Northeastern Region Weather Watch: Cloudy and cold (1,2) turning stormy with snow in the northern part of the regions and rain in the southern part. Fair, windy, and cold (6,7,8,9) with an Arctic cold wave and a chance of snow flurries (10,11,12,13). Nor’easter with heavy snows (14,15) turning fair with rather cold temperatures (16,17,18,19,20,21,22). Heavy snows in the north, rain in the south (23,24,25) returning to fair weather but windy and cold (26,27,28,29). The month ends with even colder temperatures and possible snow flurries (30,31) .

Full Moon: December’s Full Moon will rise on Saturday, December 10th at 9:36 AM EST and has been best known by Native Americans as Cold Moon (for obvious reasons!). It also has been known as Beaver Moon because beavers are very active now trying to complete their dams and lodges so that yearlings and kits will have protection during the coming Winter. It has also been called Ice-forming Moon, because the dropping temperatures are causing the streams, lakes, and ponds to freeze over. 

Holidays: Celebrate Christmas on Sunday, December 25th. Enjoy family and friends during this festive time and try to keep that joyful and giving spirit alive throughout the coming year. Make plans to watch a classic Christmas movie such as Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Carol (the 1951 version with Alistair Sim is the best!), White Christmas, or the very funny, The Christmas Story (written by humorist, Jean Shepard). New Year’s Eve is Saturday, December 31st. Make plans to attend a First Night Celebration and enjoy family-oriented fun, food, and entertainment on the very first night of the year. To find one nearest you, check out www.firstnight.com/cities. Some have huge fireworks displays planned at midnight that are simply marvelous. You won’t be disappointed!

The Garden: Rake up all remaining leaves and place them on a compost heap. If left on paths they become a hazard when the colder weather comes. When cutting evergreen foliage from the garden for Christmas decor, cut just above a bud. This ensures that no spurs will be left to encourage decay. To avoid rodent damage during the winter, keep a couple of inches clear of vegetation and mulch around the base of young trees. Plastic or metal hardware cloth can be wrapped around the base to deter chewing on bark. Remember to put plenty of seed out for the birds, especially if the ground is covered with snow.

J. Grubers' Thought for Today's Living:

“The thought that goes into the giving of a gift to a friend or loved one is so much more important then the value of the gift itself”

Index of Past Month's Entries