A New Year
Because of the dreaded covid-19 the celebration in the good ol’ U. S. of A was somewhat muted and rightly so. Times Square was closed to the public however attendance in the Times Square area was limited to families of first responders and other essential workers from the New York area in other words “Heroes of 2020”. In accordance with the New York State health orders - - face masks were mandatory along with the social distancing . With all of this change - - the ball dropped and people cheered. Things are different here in Marshall County - - sort of like no Blueberry festival, different kind of Thanksgiving and Christmas - - 2020 was so completely different for us. Our need to stay home, to limit our outings, to socially distance ourselves caused us to cancel so many of our usual activities. We’ve been doing these things for 9 and a half months. I liked the message at the Rees Theatre marquee which read “2021 is almost here- - virus, virus disappear”.
I would like to quote pastor Rev. Toni Carmer in a message to her congregation in the First United Methodist Church news letter: “The vaccine is coming and we will eventually be able to resume a new normal routine. We’ll be able to see each other face-to-face. I’m guessing hand washing and masks will be around for a while, but hey, I’ve noticed I’ve forgotten to take mine off several times in the past couple of weeks when I’ve returned to my car, because it keeps my face warm! There are actually perks to masking besides keeping us well! Jesus came to us once, and he’ll come back to us again. So continue the practice of preparing your heart. There are more “little windows” yet to open, as you consider what resources are available to grow your faith. But, may you be blessed in this time you’ve been given.”
There are many traditions formed on New Year’s Eve and probably the most famous tradition in the United States is the ball drop at Times Square in New York City. At 11:59 P. M. the countdown begins as thousands gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent, arriving exactly at midnight. Also millions of people watch this on TV.
The first New Year’s Eve Ball, made of iron and wood and adorned with one hundred 25-watt light bulbs, was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds. It was built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, and for most of the twentieth century the company he founded, sign maker Artkraft Strauss, was responsible for lowering the Ball.
It used to be traditional to have all the football bowl games played on New Year’s Day but as you probably can guess um, oh it’s - - MONEY- - is the big deal so they spread the bowl games over a twoweek period. However the Rose Bowl football game is normally played between the Big 10 and the Pac- 12 college teams. The people in charge are messing with this tradition. H m m m m.
NEW YEAR’S TRIVIA
• There were two years that the New Year’s Ball did not drop in Times Square since its inception in 1907. It was in 1942 and 1943 when WWII ushered in “black outs” throughout New York City. Despite the circumstances, a crowd still turned out below Times Tower and rang in the new year with a minute of silence followed by the sound of chimes.
• Warmest New Years Eve celebration in New York was on Dec. 31, 1965. It was 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Coldest New Years Eve celebration plummeted to one degree in 1917.
• The original 700pound iron and wood ball was first replaced by a lighter 400-pound version made of wrought iron in 1920. A 150-pound aluminum ball was the next replacement in 1955 and was later updated again in 1995 with rhinestones and computer controls.
• It was in 1907 that the New Year’s Eve Ball made its maiden descent from the flagpole atop One Times Square.
There you have it folks. One last quote for you to remember and that is: “The new year lies before you like a spotless tract of snow. Be careful how you tread on it, for every mark will show.”
HAVE A HAPPY and HEALTHFUL 2021 and MAY GOD BLESS
POP QUIZ: this will be a two-part question. Ok, are you ready? Who wrote the song Auld Lang Syne and what does it mean? Hmmm m now you are going to have to think. Oh if you are luck enough to guess these questions your prize might be a cup of kindness.
Answer to the last POP QUIZ. And the question was: Who wrote the song: “Here Comes Santa Claus” 73 years ago? (A) Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (B) George Burns and Gracie Allen (C) Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman (D) Charlie Brown and Linus (E) Percy Dove-tonsils and Boo Boo Klingendale (F) Santa and Mrs. Claus. ANSWER: C, Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman. If you knew the answer to this one you just might win the opportunity to clean-up the stalls of Santa’s reindeer. H m m m m now that is a great prize.
Well that’s it for now . . . So until next time . . . This is my view from the Pilot house.