Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Stoddard County, Missouri - Twice each year this controversial practice gives rise to various questions: Why do we spring forward and fall back?
Daylight saving time 2014 will begin at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, when most U.S. states will spring forward an hour. Time will fall back to standard time again on Sunday, November 2, when DST ends.
But the federal government doesn't require U.S. states or territories to observe daylight saving time, which is why residents of Arizona (except for residents of the Navajo Indian Reservation), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Marianas Islands won't need to change their clocks this weekend.
Ben Franklin—of "early to bed and early to rise" fame—was apparently the first person to suggest the concept of daylight saving time, according to computer scientist David Prerau, author of the book Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time.
While serving as U.S. ambassador to France in Paris, Ben Franklin wrote of being awakened at 6 a.m. and realizing, to his surprise, that the sun rose far earlier than he usually did. Imagine the resources that might be saved if he and others rose before noon and burned less midnight oil, Franklin, tongue half in cheek, wrote to a newspaper.
"Franklin seriously realized it would be beneficial to make better use of daylight, but he didn't really know how to implement it," Prerau said.
It wasn't until World War I that daylight savings were realized on a grand scale. Germany was the first country to adopt the time changes, to reduce artificial lighting and thereby save coal for the war effort. Friends and foes soon followed suit. In the U.S. a federal law standardized the yearly start and end of daylight saving time in 1918—for the states that chose to observe it.
During World War II the U.S. made daylight saving time mandatory for the whole country, as a way to save wartime resources. Between February 9, 1942, and September 30, 1945, the government took it a step further. During this period DST was observed year-round, essentially making it the new standard time, if only for a few years.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Miss Heart of Hope Pageant will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the Dexter High School Auditorium. This pageant is a fundraiser for HOPE INTERNATIONAL’S 250,000-meal food packaging event to take place on March 1, 2014.
Every entry fee will feed 175 hungry children in our area. The Queens will have a televised appearance opportunity to represent their area with poise and grace.
Attire is formal wear for all groups. Contestants will be judged on poise, stage presence, facial beauty and smile, personality and overall presence. No previous experience is required. Age categories are as follows: birth-12 months, 1 – 3 yrs, 4-6 yrs, 7-9 yrs, 10-12 yrs, 13-15 yrs and 16-18 yrs.
They are excited to offer a photogenic category of the competition. The photogenic category can be entered for an additional $10 fee and will be divided into the following age groups: birth – 5 yrs, 9-13 yrs and 14 and up. You may submit any size photo up to 8x10 for the judges’ review. Photogenic photos will be judged on originality, pose, facial beauty, personality, and confidence.
There is also a fundraising opportunity for the contestants to help sponsor meals for the HOPE food-packaging event. The contestant who raises the most money will receive the Grand Supreme Title of “Miss Caring Heart” which includes a crown, sash and special recognition at the pageant. Please refer to the meal sponsorship page for further information on this exciting opportunity.
As a final bonus opportunity for the contestants to take home a crown, they will be awarding a People’s Choice Title. This title includes a crown and sash. Contestants are invited to bring in a small box decorated as they choose and the boxes will be placed in the foyer for the audience to vote for their favorite contestant. Votes are $1 each with all funds to benefit the HOPE International packaging event. A shoebox would work well for this event.
For questions about the Miss Heart of HOPE contact Rachel Watson at 573-625-9545.
Entry fee is only $35 if you register after February 8th. You may also enter at the door the day of the event up to 15 minutes prior to your age group.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Emily is the 18 year old daughter of Michael and Jenny Brown. She is a senior at Dexter High School and will be graduating in May.
She is involved in FCCLA, Student Council and the Pep Club. After high school she plans to attend Three Rivers College for one year and then transfer to Murray State University. She plans to major in Criminal Justice.
Miss Emily Brown is an attendant to Miss Dexter 2013 which is sponsored annually by the Dexter Senior High School Music Department. Each year the attendants are chosen as Calendar Girls throughout the year.
Congratulations Emily!
Photo provided by Mrs. Shannon Putnam.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Missouri - This February will mark the 202nd anniversary of one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in the continental United States, which was centered in the southeast Missouri town of New Madrid. The Feb. 7, 1812 earthquake is a key reason Missouri observes Earthquake Awareness Month each February and encourages residents to think about earthquake safety.
“Missouri experiences a wide range of natural disasters, from ice storms and blizzards to tornadoes and flooding, but an earthquake provides no warning and a major quake would have a large and long-term impact on our state,” said State Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Barrett. “Earthquake Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity to learn about and prepare for a potential earthquake and many of the safety steps apply to other emergencies as well.”
On Oct. 17, 2013, more than 406, 000 Missourians participated in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut earthquake drill, which teaches participants to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On” – drop to the floor, cover under a desk or table and hold on in the event of an earthquake. But there are other simple steps that people can take, particularly those who live in or near the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
· Put together an emergency kit, including a flash-light, first aid kit, radio, drinking water and blankets.
· Develop a family communication plan. Identify a relative living at least 100 miles away; everyone can call to “check in” to tell family you’re safe.
· Bolt bookcases to wall studs, install strong latches on cupboards and strap the water heater to wall studs—if it tips over it could start a fire or gas leak, and you could lose a valuable source of water.
· Know how to turn off your gas and water mains.
· Understand that earthquake coverage is not included in most homeowner insurance policies. It must be purchased as separate coverage, called an “endorsement.” This type of insurance requires that the earthquake is the direct cause of damage to the property. The Missouri Department of Insurance has more: http://insurance.mo.gov/consumers/home/EQTable.php
Missouri is home to the New Madrid Seismic Zone, centered in southeast Missouri and the nation's most active earthquake zone east of the Rocky Mountains. At least three of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in the continental United States are believed to have occurred in that area in 1811-12 – the largest of which occurred on Feb. 7, 1812.
Events scheduled during Earthquake Awareness Month include:
· Feb. 4 – The Missouri Seismic Safety Commission holds its quarterly meeting in Jefferson City at 10 a.m. in Room 494 of the Truman State Office Building, followed by a reception for the general public on the third floor of the State Capitol at1 p.m.
· Feb. 8 – The St. Louis Science Center will host an earthquake awareness day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering hands-on activities that teach participants how to prepare homes, families and businesses for earthquakes. The event is free and open to all ages.
· Feb. 22 - “The Earth Moves Under Our Feet” program from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Onondaga Cave State Park near Leasburg. Representatives from SEMA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Missouri Geological Survey will present a program about earthquake history, preparedness, and impacts on society. A video about earthquakes in the Midwest will be shown. Admission is free. Onondaga Cave State Park is located seven miles southeast of the Leasburg exit off of Interstate 44 on Highway H.
SEMA has information about earthquake safety and resources, including videos, to help citizens prepare for an earthquake. Check out SEMA's Earthquake Preparedness Web page: http://sema.dps.mo.gov/earthquake_preparedness/ .
In Missouri, a major New Madrid Seismic Zone earthquake would likely be felt throughout the state, as well as in nearby states to the south and east. Missouri has a comprehensive earthquake response plan in place to assist the 47 counties that likely would be impacted most directly. Visit the Department of Natural Resources’ website for information about the science and history of earthquakes in the state at: http://dnr.mo.gov/geology/geosrv/earthquakes.htm.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
United States - Have you ever wondered where Groundhog Day came from or why we celebrate a rodent emerging from his home after winter?
Each year on February 2nd, Groundhog Day is celebrated across the nation by millions of people wondering if the groundhog will see his shadow.
According to folklore, on this day if it is cloudy, when a groundhog comes out of its burrow, then spring will come early; if it is sunny and the groundhog sees its shadow and retreats back into its burrow, then winter will continue on for six more weeks.
On Groundhog Day, people participate in early morning celebrations and festivals to watch the groundhog emerge from its burrow.
- Southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges – Celebrates Groundhog Day with fersommlinge ( a Pennsylvania Dutch social event where food is served, speeches are made and one or more play or skit are performed for entertainment). Those who speak English at this event must pay a penalty as the Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language allowed to be spoken.
- Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania – Hosts the largest Groundhog Day celebration since at least 1886. Crowds have numbered 40,000.
- Other Pennsylvania Groundhog Day celebrations – Quarryville in Lancaster County – the Anthracite Region of Schuylkill County – The Sinnamahoning Valley – Bucks County.
- University of Dallas-Irving, Texas – Has Groundhog Day as an official university holiday and organizes a large-scale celebration every year. It is claimed to be the second largest Groundhog celebration in the world.
- The day is observed with various ceremonies at other communities in North America.
- The first documented American reference to Groundhog Day was found in storekeeper James Morris’ diary entry dated February 4, 1841:
~~~
Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.
In Scotland, the poem:
If Candle-mas Day is bright and clear,
There’ll be two winters in the year.
An English poem:
If Candle mas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.
(Wikipedia)
Today may be a good day to watch the 1993 film
“Groundhog Day”.
