COUNTY LIFE

Welcome spring!

Published

6 years ago

03/20/2018

From the Farmer’s Alamanac

On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 12:15 p.m. EDT, we welcome the official arrival of spring with the Vernal Equinox. This is the moment in the Northern Hemisphere when the Sun crosses the equator and the days and nights are equal in hours.

What Does Vernal Equinox Mean?

Vernal translates to “new” and “fresh,” and equinox derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). Regardless of what the weather is doing outside, this day is the official start of the spring season.

So what does that mean? Essentially, our hours of daylight — the period of time each day between sunrise and sunset — have been growing slightly longer each day since the Winter Solstice in December, which is the shortest day of the year (at least in terms of light). Even after three months of lengthening days, though, we still see less light than darkness over the course of a day. The Vernal Equinox marks the turning point, when daylight begins to win out over darkness.

Spring has sprung! And while most of us are familiar with “April showers bring May flowers,” there are many weather folklore sayings associated with spring, which is a season notorious for wild, crazy weather. Have you heard any of these?

March

Is’t on St. Joseph’s day (19th) clear,
So follows a fertile year;
Is’t on St. Mary’s (25th) bright and clear,
Fertile is said to be the year.

April

If it thunders on All Fool’s Day, it brings good crops of corn and hay.
A cold May and a windy April, a full barn.
March’ll search ye, April try ye; May’ll tell, whether live or die ye.
If the oak is out before the ash then we are in for a splash;
But if the ash is out before the oak we are in for a soak.
April cold and wet fills barn and barrel.
When April blows its horn
Then it stands good with hay, rye, and corn.
A cold and moist April fills the cellar and fattens the cow

COUNTY LIFE

Yard of the Month nomination deadline April 26

Published

3 hours ago

04/19/2024

bowienews

Spring has sprung and it is time to nominate top yards from your neighborhood to be considered for The Bowie News Yard of the Month.
The first award will be made for April and nominations may be submitted through April 26. The winner will be announced in the May 1 edition of The Bowie News.
Call the Bowie News office at 940-872-2247 or email it to [email protected]. Please include the address and name of the resident if you know it or a contact phone number for the nominee.
Sponsored by The Bowie News and Beautify Our Bowie, the contest winner gets to show off the brightly colored Yard of the Month sign in their yard during the month. A winner will be named for April, May and June.
The names of nominees may be submitted more than once throughout the contest if they are not a winner. Winners from last season will not be considered to allow for others to have an opportunity to participate.
A group of experienced gardeners volunteer their time to visit all the nominees and select a winner.
This contest will recognize a beautiful yard which is not necessarily the most fancy or elaborate, but one that shows care and upkeep in their neighborhood. The goal is to encourage all Bowie residents to keep their properties clean and looking nice for everyone to enjoy.
Criteria for judging will include ongoing maintenance of the yard and landscaping. The yard needs to be clean and free of trash, junk or other unsightly objects. Grass and shrubs need to maintained at reasonable levels.
Landscaping also will be considered, but are encouraged to include not only annuals for the season, but permanent items such as shrubs, vines or hardscape, as well as decorative structures like a gazebo or benches

COUNTY LIFE

Comic Book Day mini-convention planned

Published

2 days ago

04/17/2024

bowienews

Enjoy a free comic book day mini-convention 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 4 at the Bowie Public Library in conjunction with Freakz & Geeks of Bowie.
There will be arts and crafts, comics, a costume contest, special guests, BTXFG exclusive swag give-aways, a video game high-score tournament, vendors and more.
Whether you’re a cosplayer ready to break out your costume, a gaming fanatic looking to throw down, or simply looking for a day of family-friendly fun and entertainment, there’s something for everyone at the Mini Con.
Don’t miss out – come join the festivities and support your local Freaky Geeky community.

COUNTY LIFE

Gold-Burg Bears earn spot at regionals with one-act play

Published

3 days ago

04/17/2024

bowienews

Gold-Burg High School’s one-act play, “Interview,” advanced out of area competition Friday earning a place on the stage for regionals along with Slidell and Avery. Saint Jo received the alternate play.
The Bears will travel to Plano on April 26 for regional 1A University Interscholastic League competition, the last stop before state. Director Linda Fitzner said she will provide additional details on times and locations as soon as they are released to her.
Corbin Gilbert received All-Star cast, Arin Turner and Levi Hellinger, received honorable mention All-Star cast and Lexie Eat received the outstanding sound award. Fitzner said she is so “Proud of our Bears.”

Read the full story that includes results for Saint Jo and Bowie in the mid-week Bowie News.

Pictured above: Gold-Burg High School’s cast and crew of its one-act play at area. (Courtesy photo)