'Turnback Tuesday' highlights holiday traditions

Turnback Tuesday checks out two Holiday Traditions: The “Yule or Yule Log,” originally a Nordic tradition, started with the gathering of an entire tree to burn in the fire. 

One end was placed in the fireplace and the rest in the room. The Log would be slowly fed into the fire for the 12 days of Christmas.

Next is the poinsettia plant, native to Central America/Mexico. Joel Roberts Poinsett was the 1st ambassador for the US to Mexico in 1825. He was introduced to the native flower and became interested. He sent the plant home to South Carolina, grew them and gave them as gifts to friends. Thus, the poinsettia tradition began.

Thanks as always to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting history each week.

Master's Table to host 2 meals in January at Assumption Church Hall in Ansonia

 

Derby Police on the lookout for The Grinch

BOLO for The Grinch

We have received several reports of sightings in Derby.

Stay vigilant. The season depends on it.

Wolf Moon meteor-watching event slated Jan. 3 at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - Join Ranger Jeremy at 6 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Ansonia Nature Center for a special Wolf Moon meteor‐watching experience during the peak of the Quadrantids! 

Enjoy crisp winter skies as we learn about this brilliant but brief meteor shower and search for shooting stars together. 

Grab a blanket/chairs, some snacks, and your friends for a night of celestial wonder. Don't forget to make a wish on the shooting stars!

The Quadrantids get their name from Quadrans Muralis, a former constellation created in 1795 by the French astronomer Jérôme Lalande that included portions of Boötes and Draco. 

They are an annual shower that peaks typically in early January, with the peak in 2026 being on January 3rd.

Come join us at the nature center for a relaxing viewing event of the Quadrantids that will be taking place in one of our fields away from as much light pollution as possible. At its peak, this meteor shower averages about 25 meteors an hour that can be see by the naked eye.

During the event there will also be a telescope set up for people to check out the moon as well as other celestial bodies visible in the sky that night.

The Nature Center is at 10 Deerfield Lane.

Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../wolf-moon-quadrantids...

Shared from the Nature Center's Facebook page.