Wednesday July 31st Topics with KC1HHK: Nat'l Mutt Day.....and... The Paris 2024 Olympics
Wednesday July 31st Topics with KC1HHK: Nat'l Mutt Day.....and... The Paris 2024 Olympics
NATIONAL MUTT DAY
National Mutt Day encourages us to embrace, save and celebrate mixed breed dogs twice a year on July 31 and December 2.
#NationalMuttDay
Desperately longing for a new home, millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs in shelters wait for someone to come and adopt them. National Mutt Day provides an excellent opportunity to find the perfect canine companion. Despite the name, a mutt learns, obeys and trains much like purebred animals. While their lineage cannot be traced and their features a bit murky, their companionship will be faithful.
According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year. When these abandoned and often abused animals find their way to a shelter, each one needs a forever home. Whether you know it or not, their potential is limitless. Some of the benefits of adoption are often hidden. Human and canine both enjoy increased physical activity. Another boost is social interaction through daily walks. While humans develop patience, their four-legged companion learns to trust and new limits.
No matter the breed, size or demeanor of the human, er, canine, the shelter will take the time to find the right home for their animals. They schedule visits and have procedures in place to promote healthy adoptions for families and individuals. While some dogs experience injury or illness, the shelters work with veterinarians to heal the animals before making them available for adoption.
Of course, shelters always welcome donations and volunteers. Dogs love walking, playing and being loved even if they haven’t found their forever home. Every moment they spend socializing increases their opportunity for adoption.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MUTT DAY
Visit a shelter; if you are unable to adopt a dog, you can always volunteer. Post on social media using #NationalMuttDay and encourage others to join in.
NATIONAL MUTT DAY HISTORY
Celebrity Pet Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige, founded National Mutt Day in 2005. Celebrate the day on both December 2 and July 31 of each year. Learn more at www.nationalmuttday.com.
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
The Olympic Games are the world's only truly global, multi-sport, celebratory athletics competition. With more than 200 countries participating in over 400 events across the Summer and Winter Games, the Olympics are where the world comes to compete, feel inspired, and be together.
New Olympic Sports and Events Coming to 2024 Paris Games
Breaking makes its Olympic debut while surfing and skateboarding return for their second Games along with sport climbing and 3x3 basketball.
Breaking — or breakdancing — has gone from its beginnings at block parties in the Bronx in the 1970s to an official Olympic sport in Paris. It's the only new sport making its debut at the Paris Games, but a few sports have added or tweaked some events, and a quartet of other non-traditional sports return for their second Olympics.
Breaking makes debut
Over the decades, breaking has evolved from a dance party to a competitive sport that's contested around the world, but the 2024 Paris Games will be the first time breakdancers will compete for Olympic gold. And it might be awhile until we see it again at the Olympics.
Breaking was voted into the 2024 Games but didn't make the cut for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, so the earliest it could return to the Olympic stage is 2032 in Brisbane.
True to its roots, the breaking competition will be held not in a stadium but a public square — Place de la Concorde — in the heart of Paris alongside skateboarding, BMX freestyle and 3x3 basketball.
Newish sports return
Surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing and 3x3 basketball each made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, and each returns for a second time at the Paris Games.
Surfing
Surfing is back at the Olympics, but you won't see any surfers hanging out in the Olympic village. The surfing competitions will take place nowhere near Paris or anywhere else in France. The Olympic surfers will be catching waves more than 9,000 miles away from Paris in Tahiti in French Polynesia.
Skateboarding
Skateboarding will take place at Place de La Concorde and will feature separate street and park events for the men and women.
Sport climbing
Sport Climbing returns for a second Olympics and will now feature two events for the men and women.
3x3 basketball
Not all basketball is played at full court, as proven by the 3x3 basketball competition that was first played four years ago in Tokyo.
New events to watch
Kayak cross
In kayak cross, four kayakers will race against one another as they navigate six downstream gates and two upstream gates. It'll be the first time in canoe slalom in which athletes race against each other instead of just the clock. I'd have to imagine whacking your opponents with your paddle is against the rules.
Artistic swimming
For the first time, men are included in the artistic swimming competition.
Track and field
Slight tweak to the track and field lineup: An event called the marathon race walk mixed relay is in, and the men's 50km race walk is out.
Boxing
A new women's weight class has been added, and a men's weight class has been cut, to bring the total to seven weight classes for the men and six for the women.
Net Discussion Questions
· Do you or have you ever owned a mutt?
o What is your favorite breed of dog?
· 2024 Paris Olympics, will you watch?
o What events interest you?
Friday July 26th Topics with KC1SOO: Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes emerged in the 1930s as a counterpoint to the more wholesome Disney cartoons. Produced by Warner Bros., these animated shorts quickly gained popularity for their irreverent humor, fast-paced action, and iconic characters. Inspired by the success of Disney's Silly Symphonies, Looney Tunes initially focused on musical compositions but soon evolved into a platform for showcasing wild and wacky storylines. A talented group of animators, including Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, Friz Freleng, and Chuck Jones, brought these cartoons to life with their unique styles and groundbreaking techniques.
Over the years, Looney Tunes introduced a colorful cast of characters who have become beloved cultural icons. Bugs Bunny, with his nonchalant wit, Daffy Duck's manic energy, and Porky Pig's stuttering charm, are just a few of the stars that captured the hearts of audiences. The series' impact extended beyond the silver screen, with the characters appearing in television shows, films, and merchandise. Looney Tunes continues to entertain and inspire new generations, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of animation history.
Net Discussion Questions
Are you a Looney Tunes fan?
What would your favorite Cartoon be?
Wednesday July 24th Topics with KC1HHK: Window Tax.....and Drive-Thru Day
Repeal of the Window Tax
Light and Air for All – With No Charge!
July 24, 1851 — This was the day when citizens of the United Kingdom were allowed light and air in their homes without having to pay for it. The long-hated Window Tax had finally been scrapped.
Imposed in 1696, it was a banded tax, so that the more windows a house boasted, the more its owner would pay in tax.
Inevitably, property owners and developers did what they could to avoid the levy. The rich built new houses with the minimum number of windows, while the poor in their tenement housing simply bricked up the windows, making their cramped, dark dwellings even more gloomy.
Another ploy by the rich was to apply only one layer of bricks in parts of their new homes where they thought windows could be added later when the tax was withdrawn. A simple job just to knock away a single layer of bricks and install a window in their place.
In the darkened tenements, the bricked-up windows came to be known as “Pitt’s Pictures” – a scathing reference to Conservative Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, who enthusiastically supported and extended the Window Tax.
Its abolition came after campaigners successfully argued that it was a “tax on health” and a “tax on light and air.” The medical profession argued that the lack of windows tended to create dark, damp homes that were a source of disease and ill-health.
The taxman certainly saw glass as a handy source of income, even if the number of windows was being reduced. The Glass Tax, introduced in 1746, lasted 100 years until, once again, protests led by doctors caused its abolition.
The medical journal “The Lancet” protested against “the enormous tax on glass, amounting to more than three hundred per cent on its value,” and described the burden as “one of the cruelest a government could inflict on the nation.”
It added that “the deficiency of light in town habitations, in a great measure caused by the enormous cost of glass, is universally admitted being one of the principal causes of the unhealthiness of cities.”
Benjamin Franklin remarked in 1789: “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” He could perhaps have added that equally certain is the capacity of finance ministers to stretch their imaginations and dream up new taxes.
Before the Window Tax, for example, came the Hearth Tax, which was a levy on “every Fire Hearth and Stove within every House, Edifice, Chambers and Lodging" in England and Wales.
It was introduced in 1662 but was so unpopular and difficult to assess – officials had to enter homes and count the number of fireplaces – that it was scrapped about 20 years later.
A report by one of the officials became of interest to historians when it was noted that Thomas Faryner, a baker, of Pudding Lane, London, owned five hearths and one oven. A spark from this oven is believed to have started the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Other dreamed-up levies include the Wallpaper Tax, which was introduced in 1712, and was not abolished until 1836. And in recent times, ex-Chancellor George Osborne introduced an “under-occupancy penalty” which meant that tenants of local authority housing deemed to have a spare room would receive a cut in welfare benefits. It was quickly dubbed the “Bedroom Tax.”
NATIONAL DRIVE-THRU DAY
National Drive-Thru Day on July 24 recognizes an innovation conveniently going strong today. The drive-thru reached its iconic zenith in the 1950s but stayed strong through the 60s, 70s and beyond. People have enjoyed this service since the 1930s.
#NationalDriveThruDay
The ease of dropping off or picking up an item without getting out of the car may be something we take for granted. Of course, many studies point to the benefits and drawbacks associated with using the drive-thru.
The first and most obvious thing that comes to mind is the ease of dropping off or picking up and item. Whether it’s the mail, a prescription or the dry cleaning, pulling up to a window or a slot and passing the article through is eminently easier than even finding a parking spot. Then, if we have children, we collect our children, our item and wait in line. After waiting, we usually search for our parking spot while juggling children and once again pile them back into the car. When multiple stops are involved, repeat the previous steps. Check the ease-of-use box.
Secondly, many people think the drive-thru is faster. While that might be true at some locations, it will depend on the type of service, time of day, and where you are located. For example, a long line in the drive-thru at the bank may mean no waiting inside. The same may also be true at your favorite fast-food restaurant. However, if you only need to drop off a letter at the post office, use the drive-up option.
Finally, accuracy tops the list of some drive-thru specialists. Again, this criterion is hit or miss. Depending on the type of business, time of day and location, accuracy varies. Interestingly, in 2018, Chic-fil-A mastered this arena with 97.3% accuracy.
Did you know?
There are more than 211,000 fast-food restaurants in the United States.
The drive-thru format was pioneered in the United States for banking services.
Hamburgers sold for just 18 cents at some of the first drive-thru restaurants.
Restaurants, coffee shops, liquor stores, pharmacies, and many more services utilize drive-thrus for quick service.
Net Discussion Questions:
The Window tax, how crazy is that?
What are some other odd taxes that you might know about?
Drive thru’s, what are your favorite or least favorite?
Friday July 19th Topics with KC1SOO: "Summer Reading"
This weekend marks the 16th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was a monumental day for fans worldwide.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released on July 21, 2007. It was a global phenomenon, marking the end of an era for millions of fans who had grown up with the young wizard.
Record-breaking sales: The book shattered sales records, with millions of copies sold within the first few days.
Midnight releases: Bookstores worldwide held midnight release parties, creating a magical atmosphere for fans.
Global anticipation: The excitement and anticipation leading up to the release were unprecedented.
Audiobook success: The audiobook versions, narrated by Stephen Fry (UK) and Jim Dale (US), were also highly acclaimed.
The release of Deathly Hallows was a cultural event that brought together fans of all ages to celebrate the conclusion of one of the most beloved book series of all time.
Net Topic Questions:
Are you a Reader?
If so,
Have you read any good books lately?
What kind of books do you enjoy the most?
Wednesday July 17th Topics with KC1HHK: A trifecta of summertime living...A/C, Beer and Hot Dogs
Willis Haviland Carrier (November 26, 1876 – October 7, 1950) was an American engineer, best known for inventing modern air conditioning. Carrier invented the first electrical air conditioning unit in 1902. In 1915, he founded Carrier Corporation, a company specializing in the manufacture and distribution of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Willis Haviland Carrier was born on November 26, 1876, in Angola, New York, the son of Duane Williams Carrier (1836–1908) and Elizabeth R. Haviland (1845–1888). He graduated from Angola Academy in 1894 and from the Buffalo High School in 1897.
He studied at Cornell University starting in 1897 and graduated in 1901 with a Master of Engineering degree.
After graduating, Carrier joined the Buffalo Forge Company as a research engineer.
In Buffalo, New York, on July 17, 1902, in response to an air quality problem experienced at the Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing & Publishing Company of Brooklyn, New York, Willis Carrier submitted drawings for what became recognized as the world's first modern air conditioning system. It was so humid in summer that the paper grew and shrank, which resulted in poor quality images, because the color printing process involved running the same piece of paper up to four times, each with a different color ink.
The 1902 installation marked the birth of air conditioning because of the addition of humidity control, which led to the recognition by authorities in the field that A/C must perform four basic functions:
control temperature
control humidity
control air circulation and ventilation
cleanse the air
For his contributions to science and industry, Willis Carrier was awarded an engineering degree by Lehigh University in 1935 and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by Alfred University in 1942; Carrier was awarded the Frank P. Brown Medal in 1942; and was inducted posthumously in the National Inventors Hall of Fame (1985) and the Buffalo Science Museum Hall of Fame (2008).
The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 (MLDA) was passed by the United States Congress and was later signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on July 17, 1984. The act would punish any state that allowed persons under 21 years to purchase alcoholic beverages by reducing its annual federal highway apportionment by 10 percent. The law was later amended, lowering the penalty to 8 percent from fiscal year 2012 and beyond.
Despite its name, this act did not outlaw the consumption of alcoholic beverages by those under 21 years of age, just their purchase or public possession. However, Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, New Hampshire, and West Virginia, extended the law into an outright ban. The minimum purchase and drinking ages is a state law, and most states still permit "underage" consumption of alcohol in some circumstances. In some states, no restriction on private consumption is made, while in other states, consumption is only allowed in specific locations, in the presence of consenting and supervising family members, as in the states of Colorado, Maryland, Montana, New York, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Some states even allow persons under 21 years of age to drink alcohol in public places, such as in Ohio, Texas, Massachusetts and Louisiana as long as the parent or guardian consents to it and is the one that buys the alcohol and is at least 21 years old. The act also does not seek to criminalize alcohol consumption during religious occasions (e.g., communion wines, Kiddush).
The act was expressly upheld as constitutional in 1987 by the United States Supreme Court in South Dakota v. Dole.
Application on college campuses
College campuses across the nation continue to struggle with issues of underage drinking, despite the nationwide MLDA of 21. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) took special interest in this issue, and compiled a list of recommendations for colleges to implement in order to combat underage drinking on campus. However, few schools have actually implemented these recommendations, and according to a recent study, most of the intervention programs currently in place on college campuses have proven ineffective. Underage drinking is nearly impossible to prevent on college campuses because access to alcoholic beverages is extremely easy.
Though it is not the only factor that contributes to student drinking, liquor's contraband status seems to imbue it with mystique. As a result, use and abuse of liquor is seen as sophisticated and is expected.
Of the colleges surveyed, 98% offered alcohol education programs to their students. Only 50% of surveyed colleges offered intervention programs, 33% coordinated efforts with the surrounding community to monitor illegal alcohol sales, 15% confirmed that surrounding establishments offered responsible beverage service training, and 7% restricted the number of alcohol outlets within the community. Special services for "problem drinkers" were available at 67% of the surveyed schools; 22% of the schools referred problem drinkers to off-campus resources, and 11% offered no intervention program whatsoever. 34% of the surveyed schools were located in communities that actively instituted compliance checks, but 60% of these checks occurred without university involvement. One-fifth of surveyed schools were altogether unaware of the NIAAA's recommendations.
Many factors may explain colleges' failure to implement the NIAAA's recommendations to control underage drinking on campus: a lack of university funding, a lack of time, a perceived lack of authority or jurisdiction within the community, or even a lack of interest on the part of the university, many universities even see the program as a waste of resources. Whatever the reasons may be, a multitude of options are available should colleges choose to institute programs to decrease instances of underage drinking on campus. These options include, but are not limited to, alcohol education programs, social norms campaigns, substance-free housing, individual interventions, parental notification policies, disciplinary procedures for alcohol-related violations, and amnesty policies to protect the health and safety of students.
National Hot Dog Day in July celebrates a summertime staple on a bun. Enjoy one piping hot and add some relish and mustard to go! One thing we want to know - is it a sandwich or not?
#NationalHotDogDay
Celebrated every year during National Hot Dog Month, this day pays homage to the frankfurter, the footlong or wienie, wiener, wienerwurst or even red hot. They taste just as great no matter what we call it.
We make them a variety of ways. They're portable and easy to make. While many of us prefer them grilled or toasted over a fire, we also boil, pan-fry, and rotisserie-cook them. The list of toppings are numerous - from the basic ketchup, mustard or relish to onions, mayonnaise, cheese, bacon, chili and sauerkraut - the list keeps growing. Adults and children alike love them, too.
On May 31, 2012, a world record was set for the most expensive hot dog. The “California Capitol City Dawg” sold for $145.49 at Capitol Dawg in Sacramento, California. The “California Capitol City Dawg” features:
A grilled 18″ all-beef, in natural casing frank from Chicago
Served on a fresh-baked herb and oil focaccia roll spread with white truffle butter, then grilled
Topped with whole grain mustard from France, garlic and herb mayonnaise
Sauteed chopped shallots, organic mixed baby greens, maple syrup
Marinated/fruitwood smoked uncured bacon from New Hampshire
Chopped tomatoes, sweetened dried cranberries, chopped tomato
Expensive moose cheese from Sweden
Basil olive oil/pear-cranberry-coconut balsamic vinaigrette and ground peppercorn
Proceeds from the sale of each 3 lb. super dog donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HOT DOG DAY
There are so many ways to celebrate the day!
Host a hot dog roast.
Share your favorite toppings.
Take a poll to find out which is most preferred - blackened hot dogs or just cooked through?
Explore the best hot dog eateries near you and give them a shout-out.
Challenge people to defend their position on this question: Is a hot dog a sandwich?
7-Eleven sells the most grilled hot dogs in North America - 100 million annually.
Net Discussion Questions:
· Air conditioning: are you a fan? (no pun intended!)
· What type of AC do you operate in your home?
o Central / window / portable / other
· Do you remember the MLDA and what effect did it have on you in 1984?
· Are you a hot dog lover?
o Is a hot dog a sandwich?
Friday July 12th Topics with KC1SOO: Summer Vegetable Gardening
Do you participate in any summer gardening?
How's your summer vegetable garden doing this year? With this hot weather, summer veggies are really thriving!
Tomatoes are a classic summer staple, and luckily they thrive in warm weather. Here are some key things to remember for a bountiful summer tomato harvest:
Choosing the right tomato:
Heat tolerance: Summer heat can stress tomato plants. Opt for heat-tolerant varieties like 'Heatmaster,' 'Solar Fire,' 'Summer Set,' or 'Phoenix.'
Plant size and type: Consider your space. If you have limited room, cherry tomatoes are a space-saving option. Do you want slicing tomatoes for sandwiches or smaller cocktail tomatoes for salads?
Planting and care:
Sunlight: Tomatoes need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering: Consistent watering is crucial, especially in summer heat. Aim for 1-2 inches of water per week, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of your plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Support: Most tomato varieties benefit from staking or caging to keep the plant upright and fruits off the ground.
Beating the summer heat:
Shade: If your summers get very hot, consider providing some afternoon shade for your plants with shade cloth or planting them near taller plants that offer dappled shade.
Mulch: As mentioned earlier, mulch helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially important in hot weather.
Bonus tips:
Fertilize: Use a balanced fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season to promote healthy growth and fruiting.
Harvesting: Pick tomatoes when they reach their full size and turn a vibrant red (or the specific color for your variety). Don't wait for them to get too soft!
With a little care, you can enjoy delicious, homegrown tomatoes all summer long! Happy gardening!
Wednesday July 10th Topics with KC1HHK: End of the Beetle & Nikola Tesla
German automaker Volkswagen ends production of the Beetle in 2019
German automaker Volkswagen ended production of the Beetle, the first model of which had been introduced in 1938.
The Volkswagen New Beetle is a compact car, introduced by Volkswagen in 1997, drawing heavy inspiration from the exterior design of the original Beetle. Unlike the original Beetle, the New Beetle has its engine in the front, driving the front wheels, with luggage storage in the rear. It received a facelift in 2005 and was in production until 2011, almost fourteen years since its introduction.
The New Beetle carries many design similarities with the original VW Beetle: separate fenders, vestigial running boards, sloping headlamps, and large round taillights, as well as a high rounded roofline. It was assembled in VW's Puebla factory in Mexico.
In June 2005, Volkswagen announced a facelift of the New Beetle featuring revised bumpers, wheels, lamps, VW emblems, sharper lines and a different interior. In the USA it went on sale for the 2006 model year.
In the 2012 model year, a new Beetle model, the Beetle (A5), replaced the New Beetle. Various versions of this model continued to be produced in Puebla, Mexico, until the final car left the assembly line on 10 July 2019.
Happy 168th Birthday Nikola Tesla!
Nikola Tesla (10 July 1856 – 7 January 1943) was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist. He is known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.
Nikola Tesla is portrayed in many forms of popular culture. The Serbian-American engineer has particularly been depicted in science fiction, a genre which is well suited to address his inventions; while often exaggerated, the fictionalized variants build mostly upon his own alleged claims or ideas. A popular, growing fixation among science fiction, comic book, and speculative history storytellers is to portray Tesla as a member of a secret society, along with other luminaries of science. The impacts of the technologies invented by Nikola Tesla are a recurring theme in the steampunk genre of alternate technology science-fiction.
Net Discussion Questions:
Were you a VW owner?
What is a Tesla invention that we use today?
Friday July 5th Topics: Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest & 2024- The Year of the Hydrangea
It is the Fourth of July in New York City, and that can mean only one thing. No, not fireworks, sweaty subway rides and family cookouts. It is time for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.
The contest has long been a holiday mainstay in New York, and must-see midday TV across the country. But this year’s event, which tests “competitive eaters” on how many hot dogs they can frantically scarf down in 10 minutes, promises to be unusually suspenseful.
For the first time in almost a generation, the men’s competition has no clear front-runner.
Joey Chestnut, the 16-time champion, was forced to part ways with the contest last month after he signed an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a rival to Nathan’s that makes vegan hot dogs.
Many viewers tuned in year after year just to watch Mr. Chestnut go through a pile of hot dogs like a wood chipper. News of his departure from the contest was met with the sort of public anguish one might expect for a major-league baseball player, not a man who ate 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes last July 4.
Even Senator Chuck Schumer, a Brooklyn native, mourned what he called “‘impossibly’ hard-to-swallow news.”
In an interview last month, George Shea, the charismatic showman who helped elevate this whole spectacle into the sort of event that is covered by The New York Times, said he was “devastated” by the situation.
He said Mr. Chestnut’s endorsement deal had left Major League Eating, which bills itself as “the governing body of all stomach-centric sport,” with no choice but to bar him.
“It would be like back in the day Michael Jordan coming to Nike, who made his Air Jordans, and saying, ‘I am just going to rep Adidas too,’” Mr. Shea said. “It just can’t happen.”
“It’s sort of hard to believe that it’s real,” said Cohen, 47, who lives in Boston.
By all accounts, this season has brought one of the most stunning displays of hydrangeas in many years, particularly for the macrophylla variety, also referred to as bigleaf. Commonly planted in gardens, the type is known for its prolific blooms and large mophead flowers in a variety of bright colors.
Long associated with the maritime climate of Cape Cod and the Islands, the flower has bloomed in spectacular fashion all across New England this year, inspiring awe and curiosity over their abundance.
For almost five decades, Mal Condon, who is known as the “Hydrangea Guy” or “Hydrangea Whisperer,” has spent hours toiling in the soil with the woody ornamental landscape shrub.
The curator of hydrangeas at the Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, which will take part in the 10th annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival beginning July 5, Condon, 86, said that “it’s a very good year” for the flower so far.
Why might that be? “It’s pretty simple,” said Condon, who lives in Yarmouth.
There are six major species of hydrangeas, but “all of the focus is on just one of them: hydrangea macrophylla,” which he said is both the least cold-hardy and most temperamental. Of the 25 million produced annually, approximately 85 percent of hydrangeas are macrophyllas, which are adored for their flowers, he said.
Whether the flower thrives is largely dependent upon the weather that winter, Condon said. Last year, for instance, hydrangeas suffered.
A polar vortex that February dropped the temperature on the Cape from 40 degrees in the afternoon to -5 degrees the next morning. Because macrophyllas cannot withstand such a sudden change, “all the stems were literally shattered,” he said.
Native to the coastal regions of Japan, macrophyllas set their flower buds in the autumn, which must survive the winter to be “the next summer’s flowers,” he said.
If it is cold, windy, and dry, the blooms become desiccated and die.
But this year, the weather was kind to hydrangeas.
“We have to have an easy winter, and we did this year,” Condon said.
In Boston, for instance, the lowest temperature was 14 degrees. As a result, nearly all the blooms that were established last summer, the second rainiest on record in Boston, made it through the winter and are now on full display.
Along with a lack of extreme cold in the winter, adequate moisture in the growing season is also crucial, said Michael Dosmann, keeper of the living collections at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston.
After last summer’s heavy rainfall, the plants were healthy heading into the fall, when the hydrangeas “set a lot of flower buds,” Dosmann said. “They had a nice, pampered winter. And then spring arose, and they came to grow, and all of a sudden, the flowers are starting to explode.”
Net Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever watched the Nathan's Contest live or a replay?
2. How many hot dogs do you eat in a summer?
3. Have you noticed the hydrangeas this year?
4. What do you think of the warmer winters and summers?