News

In the 1930s the Chicago retailer, Montgomery Ward, gave away children’s Christmas-themed coloring books each year as a promotion. By 1939, after the Depression ended, the department store decided to save money and publish a coloring book in-house.   

Robert L May, a 34-year-old copywriter and aspiring writer who had entertained his boss at Montgomery Ward with his limericks, was given the task of writing the story. Inspiration came when Mr. May looked out […]

The Ursids meteor shower is active annually approximately between December 13 and December 24. The shower usually peaks around just before Christmas, this year on December 22. At its peak, observers may be able to view as many as 10 meteors in an hour. 

The shower is named the Ursids because the meteors seem to radiate from the direction of the constellation Ursa Minor in the sky. The Ursids are associated with the […]

Many of you are familiar with the Seinfeld episode “Strike” in which the Costanza family initiates Jerry, Kramer, and Elaine into the traditions of Festivus. So, is Festivus really a “thing”? 

As depicted in the Seinfeld episode, Festivus is celebrated on  December 23rd as an alternative to the often pressure filled, commercialized, and hectic winter holidays we celebrate. The celebration includes a Festivus dinner, meatloaf; an […]

Centuries before the birth of the central figure of Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth, many countries and cultures celebrated the promise of light and rebirth that would follow the Winter Solstice.  

The end of December was a perfect time for a celebration in most areas of Europe. Most cattle were slaughtered before they had to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply […]

Stay Active – Community Activities

If you are out holiday shopping, please shop local … pick up tickets to the Heart ‘n Soul Gala, or something from The Sweet Lemon, Locals Farm Market, the new Deere Valley Farm Market, Calleva Farm Store, or one of our local Countryside Artisans.

December 20th – Riverworks Art Center presents The Reserve Wind Ensemble in a free concert at Poolesville Baptist Church – 7 -8 pm

January 8th -Montgomery County […]

St. Lucia’s (St. Lucy) Day is a festival of lights, celebrated widely in Scandinavia and Italy. It signifies the beginning of the Christmas season on December 13th. St Lucia, whose name means light, was a young girl martyred in 304 A.D. under the Christian persecution orders of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.  

Travel writer Rick Steves explained the legend this way, “the Scandinavian version of the legend is that a young woman […]

The best shooting star show of this year runs from Dec. 4 to 20. At its peak in the Washington area, the Geminids Meteor Shower may produce 150 multicolored meteors per hour from 9:30 pm on December 13th to dawn on December 14th.  

The Geminids meteors radiate from near the bright stars Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini. Some of these spectacular shows may be blocked at […]

For the holidays each year, Wreaths Across America (“WAA”) coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies to “Remember, Honor, and Teach” about the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. This tradition began in 1992 as The Arlington Wreath project started with the laying of 5000 Christmas wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery by Morrill Worcester. 

WAA remained relatively obscure until 2005 when a photo of the snow-covered gravestones adorned with wreaths went viral, […]

In 1878 when Wilbur and Orville Wright were 11 and 7 years old, their father gave them a toy based on the model airplane, the planophore, designed by French aeronautical engineer Alphonse Penaud. The small model helicopter was made from bamboo, paper, and cork and was powered by a rubber band. The toy fascinated the boys and sparked their lifelong interest in flying and aeronautics. The rest is history. 

They followed accounts of […]

Stay Active – Community Activities

If you are out holiday shopping, please shop local … pick up tickets to the Heart ‘n Soul Gala, or something from The Sweet Lemon, Locals Farm Market, the new Deere Valley Farm Market, Calleva Farm Store, or one of our local Countryside Artisans.

December 11th -Montgomery County Aging and Disability Resource Unit ADRU – Find the resources that you need for senior and disability problems at the Maggie Nightingale Library […]