No Kidding. It’s a Corn Moon!

by Mary Jane | Sep 2, 2020 | Breaking News, The Kindness Connection Blog

SOMETHING CORNY COMING THIS WAY

Are you ready for something a little corny? For the first time in three years, September’s only full moon is early this year. Breaking News They call it the Corn Moon. Hey everyone. I’m Scoop, the Cub Reporter here at my desk in The Shady Pines Gazette office. This is so cool. I just had to tell you about it.

The Corn Moon is known as the final full moon of the summer. Do you want to see it? If you live on the east coast like New York City, or like us here in Shady Pines Story Town, the moon will rise tonight (Wednesday September 2nd) at 8:06 p.m. local time.

This moon is part of the constellation of stars called, Aquarius. (You might want to look that up) The Corn Moon will fade from view at 7:32 a.m Wednesday morning. You should be able to see it again on Wednesday night. That ‘s what the folks at the space agency NASA are telling us.

Here’s another reason why 2020 is not like any other year. Normally, the full moon in September rises closer to the beginning of the fall season, around the 22nd of the month. When it does, it’s called the Harvest Moon according to the Farmers’ Almanac.

WHY IS IT CALLED THE FULL CORN MOON?

So, I did some research. Here’s the deal. Full moons got their names from Native Americans. Based on where they lived, the Indians named full moons after natural events during the season. That way they could keep track of the time of the year. Since this moon showed up earlier than expected, it’s called the Full Corn Moon because the farmers are about to start harvesting corn.

Here’s what it says in the Farmer’s Almanac: “Corn requires up to 100 frost-free days to reach harvest depending upon variety and the amount of heat during the growing season. That would take us to around the end of August to early September. So, for a full moon in early September, it seems appropriate to brand it as a Corn Moon.”

WHEN TO SEE THE FULL CORN MOON

Remember, you can start watching it rise after tonight’s sunset. For the best view of the last full moon of the summer, look toward the eastern horizon.

If you miss this one, the next big moon event will appear full twice in October’s skies with the Blue Moon. You’ll be able to see that one – wait for it – on Oct. 31. Halloween!

Happy skywatching!

– Scoop out!

Shady Pines Prepares for Coronavirus

by Mary Jane | Feb 27, 2020 | The Kindness Connection Blog, Breaking News

“Oh, my,” says Zulah Talmadge. “Folks are really worried about this Coronavirus, especially parents with young children. The phones haven’t stopped ringing here at The Shady Pines Gazette.” There are no cases of the flu-like illness in Shady Pines Story Town, but that hasn’t stopped people from being afraid. What started in China where people of all ages were getting sick and even dying, has now spread to other countries all over the world.

As editor and reporter for the hometown newspaper, Zulah wants to make sure she stays up to date on all the latest information. She is looking through any report she can find to help her tell parents what they can do to keep their kids and family members safe.

“I guess there’s one thing I really want to know,” says Zulah. “What role do children play in spreading this virus?” Lucky for Zulah, she found an article written by two reporters who write about health issues and have taken on this very topic. They are HELEN BRANSWELL @HelenBranswell and MEGAN THIELKING @meggophone.

Zulah will post their article in our FORUMS section for members of the Shady Pines community to read in full. But basically, this is what caught Zulah’s attention.

“From what I can tell, these reporters say parents are frightened because no one can say for sure that this virus won’t cause severe disease in children,” says Zulah. “And, since its symptoms are like the flu, kids may be helping to increase the spread of the virus. We know that during flu season, kids often get sick and pass flu viruses on to their parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers.”

There are some things parents can do right now. I’ll keep updates coming as we learn more. In the meantime, stay safe and lean on other members of our wonderful community for support. After all, that’s The Shady Pines Way!

Make sure everyone in the family is covering their mouth when they cough. staying home if they feel sick and washing their hands many times during the day with warm, soapy, water. (All good things to do during flu season)
Use a disinfectant cleaner to wipe surfaces you use all the time, like your phone.
You might want to do some homework on whether Shady Pines Elementary School is considering closing if and when the virus starts circulating here. I’ll be asking those questions, too, and we’ll all want to know how those dismissals would be handled. I’ll also check with the middle school and high scool in nearby River City.

“Listen everybody, Scoop, the Cub Reporter and I will keep updates coming as we learn more from our own reporting. In the meantime, stay safe and lean on other members of our wonderful community for support. After all, that’s The Shady Pines Way!”

Proud To Be a Girl Dad

by Mary Jane | Jan 30, 2020 | The Kindness Connection Blog

Until this week, I’d never heard the term, “Girl Dad,” but now it’s popping up everywhere on social media and beyond! Hi everyone, I’m Zulah Talmadge with news for you from The Shady Pines Gazette office.

The death this week of basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna (known as Gigi), and seven other wonderful people, has been a big topic of convesation. Bryant was only 41 at the time and his daughter was just 13 years old. The helicopter in which they were flying fell to the ground in the hills of Calabasas, California.

The shock of this deadly event could be felt all across the country. How did this happen? Was it the dense fog at the time? Was that the reason? It may take investigators a long time to answer that question.

In the meantime, memorials have been springing up in public places, including outside the Staples Center where the Los Angeles Lakers play. Kobe was king of that court for the twenty years he wore the purple and gold Lakers’ uniform. People of all ages and backgrounds have expressed their grief and shared memories of a man who was an icon and sports legend. In a city filled with celebrities, Kobe Bryant managed to stand out.

He was not a perfect man. But he was a Lakers hero and was working on giving back to others in his second act.

Since his retirement from basketball, Kobe has put his family first. He and his wife, Vanessa, have four daughters. His devotion to his wife and to his girls was obvious to everyone who talked to him.

He was a very proud, Girl Dad.

Even when interviewers would ask him if he wished he had a son to carry on his basketball legacy, he would just smile and say, “No. She’s got this.” He was referring to his second daughter who he said was even better than he was at the same age. Gigi wanted to a professional women’s basketball player when she grew up.

That’s why it was even more painful to learn that the daughter who loved playing basketball and being coached by her famous father, died alongside him on their way to a game.

One of the tributes, along with all the others that have poured in since this unfortunate event, has started a viral sensation. The hashtag,#GirlDad, is trending on social media like crazy. Inspired by Kobe’s example, famous and not-so-famous dads are posting pictures and messages in support of their daughters.

It all started when a reporter with ESPN Sports Center, Elle Duncan, posted an emotional video. In it, she shared her encounter with Kobe Bryant when she was eight months pregnant with her daughter. Her video can be seen in this report from Yahoo Entertainment, along with some of the responses she’s been getting. You’ve gotta see this. GO HERE

If you’re a proud Girl Dad, or if you known one, please leave us a comment to inspire others. This spreading of kindness is The Shady Pines Way!