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Holiday

Daily Bread for 11.28.24: Happy Thanksgiving

Good morning.

Thanksgiving in Whitewater will be partly cloudy with a high of 30. Sunrise is 7:03, and sunset is 4:22, for 9 hours, 19 minutes of daytime. The moon is a waning crescent with 6.6 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

Via www.quadrangle.org/ images/Duryea.GIF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37692679

On this day in 1895, the first American automobile race takes place over the 54 miles from Chicago’s Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois. Frank Duryea wins in approximately 10 hours:

The day was snowy and 38 °F (4 °C), the roads muddy, with snow drifts in places.

The first car to arrive at the starting line was a German-made car by inventor Karl Benz. In total, three Benz cars ran in the race. The only other four-wheeled car to run in the race was Frank Duryea‘s motorized wagon. The two other vehicles that took part were two-wheeled automobiles. The “motorcycles” lacked the power to climb one of the course’s grades. Another entrant was electric-powered, whose battery died from the cold weather before getting far. Just after starting, one Benz struck a horse and was forced to leave the race. On the return trip from Evanston, the Duryea began to take the lead.[citation needed]

The Duryea car finished the race first, completing the race after 7 hours and 53 minutes of running time, 10 hours and 23 minutes total time, having traveled an average of 7 mph (11 km/h). The Benz entered by Oscar B. Mueller crossed the finish line an hour and a half later. From point 31 of the course to the finish Mueller’s car was driven by Charles Brady King because Mueller went unconscious from exposure. King was originally an umpire to the race and of this motorcycle. None of the other vehicles finished.


What’s the Secret to a Perfect Thanksgiving?:

Thanksgiving traditions come alive! From pies and pumpkin pie to sweet potatoes, marshmallows, turkey made of tofu, Native American cuisine, and chosen family moments… Pull up a chair and join us as we celebrate food, culture, and the holiday spirit.

Boo! Scariest Things in Whitewater, 2024

Here’s the eighteenth annual FREE WHITEWATER list of the scariest things in Whitewater. (The 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 editions are available for comparison.) The list runs in reverse order, from mildly scary to truly frightening. 10. Crazed Foxes. For many years, I’ve warned the…

Daily Bread for 10.20.24: Bats 1 and 2

Good morning.

Sunday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 72. Sunrise is 7:15, and sunset is 6:03, for 10 hours, 49 minutes of daytime. The moon is a waning gibbous, with 86.7 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1944, American general Douglas MacArthur fulfills his promise to return to the Philippines when he comes ashore during the Battle of Leyte.


It’s soon to be Halloween, and while some bats are around all year, others appear only during the season.

Bat 1:

Bat 2:


Coast Guard rescues 17-year-old kayaker:

The Coast Guard rescued a 17-year-old kayaker who had become separated from his high school team, capsized, and had clung to his kayak for hours.

Daily Bread for 7.4.24: Happy Independence Day

Good morning.

Independence Day in Whitewater will be cloudy with a high of 84. Sunrise is 5:22 and sunset 8:36 for 15h 13m 20s of daytime. The moon is a waning gibbous with 2.3 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence.

This day in 1836, the Wisconsin Territory is formed: In Mineral Point, Col. Henry Dodge took the oath of office to become the first Governor of the newly created Territory of Wisconsin. The Territory, previously attached to Michigan, encompassed what is now the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and portions of North and South Dakota.

Whitewater’s Independence Holiday celebration continues today at the Cravath Lakefront:

Christman Family Amusements: No wristband sessions on 4th of July
Whippet City Mile: 9:45 AM along parade route
4th of July Parade: 10 AM
Civic Organization Food Vendors: 10 AM to 11 PM
Live Music at Frawley Amphitheater:
Polka 2 PM
Sam Rodewald 5 PM to 7 PM
U2 Hype 8 PM to post fireworks
Fireworks: 10 PM


National Archives, July 4th 2024 Declaration of Independence Reading Ceremony:


July 2024 Skywatching Guide:

See also What’s in the Night Sky: July 2024.

Daily Bread for 6.16.24: Happy Father’s Day

Good morning.

Sunday in Whitewater will see morning thundershowers with a high of 88. Sunrise is 5:15 and sunset 8:35 for 15h 20m 00s of daytime. The moon is a waxing gibbous with 71.3 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

Soothing to be writing as the rain bathes the city only inches from one’s porch.

A quick note: FREE WHITEWATER will begin a series tomorrow, as a serialized draft, on the long fight for good governance in our small and beautiful city. On days with installments, those posts within the series will appear at the top of that day’s posts, and with titles in a different type font from other posts. No title for the series quite yet, other than ‘A Serialized Draft.’ A proper title and other touches will come much later, when the series is compiled into a different, final form.

On this day in 1858, Lincoln delivers his House Divided speech in Springfield, Illinois. See Lincoln’s full speech, delivered at the Illinois Republican State Convention, Springfield, Illinois June 16, 1858.



Watch as arena transforms to hold Olympic swimming pool:

Daily Bread for 6.14.24: Flag Day

Good morning.

Friday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 79. Sunrise is 5:15 and sunset 8:35 for 15h 19m 25s of daytime. The moon is a waxing gibbous with 52.8 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

 On this day in 1822, Charles Babbage proposes a difference engine in a paper to the Royal Astronomical Society.

On this day in 1885,  the first recognized observance of Flag Day in Wisconsin occurred at the Stony Hill School near Waubeka. The event was led by Bernard J. Cigrand, a teacher. Flag Day did not become a national observance until 31 years later when Woodrow Wilson recognized it on June 14, 1916.


It’s flag day in America. Right side up:

Embed from Getty Images

Ohio town invaded by swarm of mayflies:

Daily Bread for 5.27.24: Memorial Day

Good morning.

Memorial Day in Whitewater will see scattered showers with a high of 70. Sunrise is 5:20 and sunset 8:23 for 15h 02m 35s of daytime. The moon is a waning gibbous with 83 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

Whitewater’s Memorial Day Parade, weather permitting, will take place at 10:30 AM, beginning at the Hearthstone Parking Lot and proceeding along North Street to the Old Armory. Regardless of the weather, a ceremony will take place inside the Armory at 11 AM.

Toward the end of May 1673, the Marquette & Joliet reach the site of modern Green Bay.

On this day in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opens to pedestrian traffic, creating a vital link between San Francisco and Marin County, California.


This Memorial Day, the National Guard Bureau honors and remembers those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation:

Thousands of families are visiting Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, for the parade, history lessons, and tributes in the town known as the birthplace of Memorial Day:


Daily Bread for 3.17.24: St. Patrick’s Day 2024 Timelapse of Chicago River Being Dyed Green

 Good morning.

St. Patrick’s Day in Whitewater will be windy with a high of 38. Sunrise is 7:00 and sunset 7:04 for 12h 04m 24s of daytime. The moon is a waxing gibbous with 53.7 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1958, the United States launches Vanguard 1, the first solar-powered satellite, which is also the first satellite to achieve a long-term orbit.


St. Patrick’s Day 2024: Timelapse of Chicago River being dyed green:


Iceland volcano erupts for fourth time in three months:

Daily Bread for 1.1.24: Happy New Year

 Good morning.

A new year begins in Whitewater with partly sunny skies and a high of 33. Sunrise is 7:25 and sunset 4:31 for 9h 06m 23s of daytime. The moon is a waning gibbous with 73.8% of its visible disk illuminated. 

On this day in 1983, the ARPANET officially changes to using TCP/IP, the Internet Protocol, effectively creating the Internet.


 


2024 Unmissable Night Sky Events:

Daily Bread for 12.25.23: Merry Christmas

 Good morning.

Christmas in Whitewater will be cloudy with a high of 54. Sunrise is 7:24 and sunset 4:26 for 9h 02m 22s of daytime. The moon is a waxing gibbous with 97.2% of its visible disk illuminated. 

On this day in 1776, George Washington and the Continental Army cross the Delaware River at night to attack Hessian forces serving Great Britain at Trenton, New Jersey, the next day.


  Wisconsin circa 1935: 

 
Post by @catsofyore
View on Threads

A hand-colored portrait of the Trimpey family cat, Mary, posed by a small Christmas tree. The tree is decorated with ribbon garland and there is a toy mouse and ornament at the base of the tree.

See Portrait of a Cat, Wisconsin Historical Society


Ukraine 2023:

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Daily Bread for 12.24.23: Young People’s Chorus of NYC Performs The Twelve Days of Christmas

 Good morning.

Christmas Eve in Whitewater will be cloudy with a high of 54. Sunrise is 7:23 and sunset 4:25 for 9h 02m 05s of daytime. The moon is a waxing gibbous with 93.8% of its visible disk illuminated. 

On this day in 1943, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower is named Supreme Allied Commander for Operation Overlord.


Young People’s Chorus of NYC Performs The Twelve Days of Christmas:


Cities around the world light up for Christmas: