Thursday, June 29, 2017

Simply unacceptable

Ever since inauguration day I have tried diligently to stay above the political fray in spite of ample justification. I regret to say I have lost the battle. I can no longer stay quiet about our disgusting president's recent remarks about TV journalist Mika Brzezinski. Mr. Trump is a bully and a pig. He does not merit scrubbing the rest room in the oval office much less sitting at its desk. How can any decent citizen make excuses for this horrible human being? Speak up. Our elected re

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

A week in the sun

It's off to Cancun, my first time there although we've been to many different places in the Caribbean.
This time we're taking the whole family on this trip to celebrate our 50th anniversary and Sandi's 70th birthday.
Both of these events actually occur later in the year-September & October.  Then it's home for a few weeks after which we'll be meeting my long-lost nephew.
More on that later.  In the meantime this is probably my last post for at least a week or 10 days.
Later.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Happy "official-first-day-of-summer"

Yesterday was the official first full day of summer soltice-the longest day of the year-15 hours and 18 minutes to be exact. That's the good news. The bad news is that today it is 1 minute shorter and by the end of this month daylight time will be down to 15 hours and 14 minutes.

It doesn't sound like a lot until you look at the length of day tables in an almanac and realize the inevitable.

However, we all know it's part of that never ending seasonal cycle and to me it's part of what keeps life interesting.   I wouldn't want to live somewhere where there were no seasons like the equatorial belt where there are only two.

Many children and, I suspect,  adults don't fully understand why our climate is seasonal.  Back in my teaching days I would explain by showing them a model of the earth, sun and moon.  The tilt of the earth on its axis is of course the cause so showing a model of how it actually happens is very helpful.

Anyway, happy summer.  To learn more about the summer season, click here georgeswebpage.com/almanac

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Happy Last Day of School, Newtown.

Today is the last day of school for Newtown Public School students. It's also the end of the first year in the new Sandy Hook School.

The move into the new school this year was difficult for many of the staff and faculty because of the circumstances that necessitated a new school but everyone made it through with flying colors.

Have a well deserved, restful summer. I hope to be back in classrooms again this fall as a volunteer.



Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Three cheers for the red, white and blue. Happy Flag Day

Here's everything you've ever (or never) wanted to know about our flag.


Thirteen Star U.S. Flag, 1777 ~ 1795
The First Official United States Flag: This
13 star Flag became the Official United States Flag on June 14th, 1777 and is the result of Congressional action that took place on that date. Much evidence exists pointing to Congressman Francis Hopkinson as the person responsible for its design.The only President to serve under this flag was George Washington (1789-1797). This Flag was to last for a period of 18 years, until April 30th, 1795.
Each star and stripe represented a Colony of which there were thirteen, united nearly one year earlier by the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen Colonies are listed below with the date that each ratified the Constitution and became a State.
(1st) Delaware, December 7th, 1787. (2nd) Pennsylvania, December 12th,1787. (3rd) New Jersey, December 18th, 1787. (4th) Georgia, January 2nd, 1788. (5th) Connecticut, January 9th, 1788. (6th) Massachusetts, February 6th, 1788. (7th) Maryland, April 28th, 1788. (8th) South Carolina, May 23rd, 1788. (9th) New Hampshire, June 21st, 1788. (10th) Virginia, June 25th, 1788. (11th) New York, July 25th, 1788. (12th) North Carolina, November 21st, 1789. (13th) Rhode Island, May 29th, 1790.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

 
Fifteen Star U.S. Flag, 1795 ~ 1818
This
15 star, 15 stripe Flag was authorized by the Flag Act of January 13, 1794, and became the Official United States Flag on May 1st, 1795. Two stripes and two Stars were added for the admission of Vermont (the 14th State on March 4th, 1791) and Kentucky (the 15th State on June 1st, 1792) and was to last for 23 years, until April 12th, 1818. This flag is the only U.S. Flag to have more than 13 stripes.
During the bombardment of Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key was inspired by the sight of this Flag flying over the Fort to write the song which became known as "The Star Spangled Banner", now our national anthem. The 15 Star Flag is, itself, affectionately known by the same name.
The five Presidents who served under this flag were; George Washington (1789-1797), John Adams (1797-1801), Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), James Madison (1809-1817), and James Monroe (1817-1825). Top of Form
Bottom of Form
 
Twenty Star U.S. Flag, 1818 ~ 1819
The 1818 Flag of
20 Stars: Realizing that the addition of a new star and new stripe for each new State was impractical, Congress passed the Flag Act of 1818 which returned the Flag design to 13 stripes and specified 20 stars for the 20 states.
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on April 13th, 1818. Five stars were added for the admssion of Tennessee (the 16th State on June 1st, 1796), Ohio (the 17th State on March 1st, 1803), Louisiana (the 18th State on April 30th, 1812), Indiana (the 19th State on December 11th, 1816), and Mississippi (the 20th State on December 10, 1817), and was to last for just one year until July 4th,1819.
The only President to serve under this flag was James Monroe (1817-1825).
Top of Form
   

Twenty One Star U.S. Flag, 1819 ~ 1820
The
21 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th,1819. A star was added for the admission of Illinois (December 3rd, 1818) and was to last for just one year.
The only President to serve under this flag was James Monroe (1817-1825).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Twenty Three Star U.S. Flag, 1820 ~ 1822
The
23 star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1820. Two stars were added for the admission of Alabama (the 22nd state on December 14th, 1819) and Maine (the 23rd state on March 15, 1820) and was to last for 2 years.
The only President to serve under this flag was James Monroe (1817-1825).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Twenty Four Star U.S. Flag, 1822 ~ 1836
The
24 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th,1822. A star was added for the admission of Missouri (August 10th, 1821) and was to last for fourteen years.
The Presidents who served under this flag included James Monroe (1817-1825), John Quincy Adams (1825-1829), and Andrew Jackson (1829-1837).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Twenty Five Star U.S. Flag, 1836 ~ 1837
The
25 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1836. A star was added for the admission of Arkansas (June 15th, 1836) and was to last for just one year.
The two Presidents to serve under this flag were Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) and Martin Van Buren (1837-1841).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Twenty Six Star U.S. Flag, 1837 ~ 1845
The
26 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1837. A star was added for the admission of Michigan (January 26th,1837) and was to last for 8 years.
The four Presidents to serve under this flag were; Martin Van Buren (1837-1841), William Henry Harrison (1841), John Tyler (1841-1845), and James Polk (1845-1849).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Twenty Seven Star U.S. Flag, 1845 ~ 1846
The
27 star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1845. A star was added for the admission of Florida and was to last for only 1 year.
The only President to serve under this flag was James Polk (1845-1849).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Twenty Eight Star U.S. Flag, 1846 ~ 1847
The
28 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1846. A star was added for the admission of Texas (December 29th, 1845) and was to last for only 1 year.
The only President to serve under this flag was James Polk (1845-1849).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Twenty Nine Star U.S. Flag, 1847 ~ 1848
The
29 star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1847. A star was added for the admission of Iowa (December 28th, 1846) and was to last for only 1 year.
The only President to serve under this flag was James Polk (1845-1849).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Thirty Star U.S. Flag, 1848 ~ 1851
The
30 star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1848. A star was added for the admission of Wisconsin (May 29th, 1848) and was to last for 3 years.
The three Presidents to serve under this flag were; James Polk (1845-1849), Zachary Taylor (1849-1850),and Millard Fillmore (1850-1853).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Thirty One Star U.S. Flag, 1851 ~ 1858
The
31 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th 1851. A star was added for the admission of California (September 9th, 1850) and was to last for seven years.
The three Presidents who served under this flag were; Millard Fillmore (1850-1853), Franklin Pierce (1853-1857), and James Buchanan (1857-1861).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Thirty Two Star U.S. Flag, 1858 ~ 1859
The
32 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1858. A star was added for the admission of Minnesota (May 11, 1858) and was to last for just one year.
The only President to serve under this flag was James Buchanan (1857-1861).
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

   

Thirty Three Star U.S. Flag, 1859 ~ 1861
The
33 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1859. A star was added for the admission of Oregon (February 14, 1859) and was to last for 2 years.
The two Presidents to serve under this flag were James Buchanan (1857-1861) and Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865).
Top of Form
Select your 33 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

   

Thirty Four Star U.S. Flag, 1861 ~ 1863
The
34 Star FlagThis Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1861. A star was added for the admission of Kansas (January 29th, 1861) and was to last for 2 years.
The only President to serve under this flag was Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865).
Top of Form
Select your 34 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

   

Thirty Five Star U.S. Flag, 1863 ~ 1865
The
35 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1863. A star was added for the admission of West Virginia (June 20th, 1863) and was to last for 2 years.
The two Presidents to serve under this flag were Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) and Andrew Johnson (1865-1869).
Top of Form
Select your 35 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

   

Thirty Six Star U.S. Flag, 1865 ~ 1867
The
36 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1865. A star was added for the admission of Nevada (October 31st, 1864) and was to last for 2 years.
The only President to serve under this flag was Andrew Johnson (1865-1869).
Top of Form
Select your 36 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

   

Thirty Seven Star U.S. Flag, 1867 ~ 1877
The
37 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th 1867. A star was added for the admission of Nebraska (March 1st,1867) and was to last for ten years.
The three Presidents who served under this flag were; Andrew Johnson (1865-1869), Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877), and Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881).
Top of Form
Select your 37 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

   

Thirty Eight Star U.S. Flag, 1877 ~ 1890
The
38 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1877. A star was added for the admission of Colorado (August 1st 1876) and was to last for 13 years.
The five Presidents to serve under this flag were; Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881), James A. Garfield (1881), Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885), Grover Cleveland (1885-1889), and Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893).
Top of Form
Select your 38 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

   

Forty Three Star U.S. Flag, 1890 ~ 1891
The
43 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1890. Five stars were added for the admission of North Dakota (the 39th State on November 2nd,1889), South Dakota (the 40th State on November 2nd,1889), Montana (the 41st State on November 8th,1889), Washington (the 42nd State on November 11th,1889), and Idaho (the 43rd State on July 3rd, 1890) and was to last for just 1 year.
The only President to serve under this flag was Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893).
Top of Form
Select your 43 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

   

Forty Four Star U.S. Flag, 1891 ~ 1896
The
44 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1891. A star was added for the admission of Wyoming (July 10, 1890) and was to last for 5 years.
The Presidents to serve under this flag were Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893) and Grover Cleveland (1893-1897).
Top of Form
Select your 44 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

   

Forty Five Star U.S. Flag, 1896 ~ 1908
The
45 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1896. A star was added for the admission of Utah on January 4th, 1896, and was to last for 12 years.
The Presidents to serve under this flag were Grover Cleveland (1893-1897), William McKinley (1897-1901),and Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909).
Top of Form
Select your 45 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

   

Forty Six Star U.S. Flag, 1908 ~ 1912
The
46 Star Flag: On July 4,1908, the U.S. flag grew to 46 stars with the addition to the Union of Oklahoma (November 16, 1907). This was the official flag for 4 years.
Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) and William H. Taft (1909-1913) served as President under the 46 star flag.
Top of Form
Select your 46 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

 
Forty Eight Star U.S. Flag, 1912 ~ 1959
The
48 Star Flag: On July 4,1912, the U.S. flag grew to 48 stars with the addition of New Mexico (January 6th, 1912) and Arizona (February 14, 1912). This flag was official for 47 years, longer than any other flag before it, through two World Wars and the emergence of the United States of America as the leading nation of the world.
Eight Presidents served under this flag; William H. Taft (1909-1913), Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921), Warren Harding (1921-1923), Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929), Herbert Hoover (1929-1933), Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945), Harry S.Truman (1945-1953), Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)
Top of Form
Select your 48 Star Flag size here.
Bottom of Form

   

Forty Nine Star U.S. Flag, 1959 ~ 1960
The
49 Star Flag: On January 3rd,1959, Alaska was formally granted statehood placing the 49th star on our Flag. The 49-Star flag was official for only one year, from July 4th, 1959, until July 4th, 1960.
On July 4th, 1960, our current 50-Star Flag was born, after Hawaii achieved its Statehood on January 3rd, 1959.
President Eisenhower was the only President to serve under this flag.