'Turnback Tuesday' features story of the Jack-O-Lantern

Turnback Tuesday tells the story of the Jack-O-Lantern.

The name Jack-O-Lantern comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack. According to stories Stingy Jack played tricks on the devil twice and made the devil promise not to bother him.

When Jack did die, God would not allow an unsavory person into heaven. The devil kept his part of the bargain and would not take Jack's soul or allow him into hell. The devil gave Jack a piece of coal to light his way in the darkness. Jack put the coal into carved out turnip and has been roaming with the lighted turnip ever since.

In Ireland and Scotland, people made their own versions of Jack-O-Lanterns by carving out scary faces into turnips or potatoes then placing them in windows to frighten Stingy Jack and other evil spirits away.

Immigrants from these countries brought their traditions to the U.S. and soon found that the American grown pumpkins made a perfect Jack-O-Lantern.

Stingy Jack was referred to as “Jack of the Lantern” and later became Jack-O-Lantern.

This book and others can be found at Derby Public Library.

Thanks goes to the Library staff for sharing interesting history each week.

Derby to celebrate 350th anniversary Friday at The Lodge at The Hops Company

 

Youths sought to park cars at Ansonia Nature Center Autumn Fest

Here's a Great Opportunity for Youth Volunteers!

This is Ranger Dan with exciting news.

I have an opportunity for youth volunteers who were too late for signing up (things filled up fast for the student volunteers).

We have parking duties split into two shifts so that all of the parking volunteers can enjoy either the first part or the latter part of the festival.

This is where a chance for your youth volunteers has opened up: minors ages 12 - 17 who have one parent who will accompany them to volunteer specifically for parking duties are invited to fill out the form that I will be sharing in this email. (If a student has already signed up to volunteer, they cannot fill out this form as well because I am already working on their placement.)

Parent/youth duos who will commit to one of the two shifts are to fill out the form, which can be found by clicking HERE.

This is Great News for those who want to be a part of what we do here at the Ansonia Nature Center. If you have questions, reach out to me here: 203-736-1053.

Sincerely,

Ranger Dan

Seymour Congregational Church to host Snowflake Fair

 

Derby Public Library to show movie 'Flight Risk' today

 

From the photo archives: Fall foliage found

 

Fall colors on this date last year in Ansonia.