ENews July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

• Alerts & Notices
• Dance Club Interest Meeting
• Dog Days of Summer
• Photo of the Month
• Poet's Corner
• Obituary: Norman Eric Nelson
• Arts & Music at George Mason
• Meetings & Clubs
• About OLLI E-News

Alerts & Notices

• OLLI Personal Computer User Group meets Saturday, July 20 (tomorrow) in person and via Zoom; check the OLLI daily-schedule email for the Zoom link and other information.

• The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, July 26; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, July 23, at 6:00.

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Dance Club Interest Meeting

 

By Lila Goldstein, Dance Club Coordinator


Do you like to dance, listen to music, meet people, and have fun? Join us for a "dance club interest meeting" via Zoom on Tuesday, July 30 at 2:00. The Zoom link will be included in the OLLI daily schedule.
     
No expertise in dancing is needed. Your ideas and suggestions are welcome for making this another great OLLI activity. 

If you have questions, please email Lila Goldstein at
mailto:lwgoldstein@gmail.com.

Editor’s note: This article appeared in a prior E–News issue; it is repeated here to foster interest in an OLLI dance club.

Dog Days of Summer

 

By John Nash, E-News editor

Is it hot enough for you? Summer heat always seems to occur during the summer―a no brainer, huh?―but in the last few years, the summers have seemed to be hotter and sooner. You recall the pronouncement last year that “2023 will be the coolest summer we will have for a long time.” And it was HOT last summer! These are definitely the "dog days of summer!"

So how did we get the term “dog days of summer?” Since there is some space in this week's
E-News―and I'm the editor―a little research will tell us.

This reference to the hot summer months is nothing new. The "dog days of summer" refers to the hottest and most humid period of the year, traditionally lasting from July 3 to August 11. This term originates from ancient Greek and Roman times and is connected to the star Sirius, known as the Dog Star, which is part of the constellation Canis Major (the Greater Dog).

Ancient Greeks noticed that Sirius rose and set with the sun during this period, coinciding with the hottest days of the year. They believed that the combined heat from Sirius and the sun caused the extreme temperatures. The term "dog days" comes from the Latin phrase "dies caniculares," meaning "days of the dog star.”

In ancient Egypt, Sirius's rising also signaled the annual flooding of the Nile, an event crucial for agriculture. However, in Greek and Roman mythology, this period was often seen as a time of misfortune, associated with drought, fever, and bad luck. The Old Farmers' Almanac helped readers (mostly farmers) blame any crop disasters, like no rain or intense summer heat, on the "dog days of summer."

While the appearance of Sirius does not actually affect the weather, the association with the hottest part of summer has persisted. Today, the "dog days" are still recognized as the peak of summer heat, influenced primarily by the Earth's tilt and the resulting direct sunlight. And maybe a little "global warming" is helping, too!

So now you know about the “dog days of summer.” Advice: stay inside, stay cool, and be glad we're not in Arizona!

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