Weathersfield News Nov 5 #weathersfield vt #VT
Weathersfield News November 5, 2014
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy
By now you are getting adjusted to our turning the clocks
back an hour on Sunday Nov. 2. I for one don't see the point. I'm not a big fan
of Daylight Savings Time (DST), and would prefer that we leave the clocks
alone. I offer you five reasons why we shouldn't change the clocks:
1. An unpopular tradition-The main argument against daylight saving time is simple: People don’t like to do it. According to a Rasmussen report from March of 2013, only 37 percent of Americans believe that DST should continue, while 45 percent said that the practice was pointless and was not “worth the hassle.”
2. Farmers-Much of the argument for maintaining DST lies in the belief that the practice is beneficial to farmers. However, the changing hours have little to no effect on the daily tasks required on a farm, there's still the same number of daylight hours.
3. Safety concerns-Changing
the clocks means waking up and going to bed at different hours, but it can also
create a higher risk of traffic accidents for commuters who normally drive home
during daylight hours. A study published
by the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that drivers unaccustomed to
the time differences due to DST are more likely to get into accidents due to
disrupted circadian rhythms and insufficient sleep. "As a society we are
chronically sleep-deprived and that small additional losses of sleep may have
consequences for public and individual safety," said Dr. Stanley Coren in
his report.
4. Health hazards-Changing
an individual's schedule by a single hour might not just interrupt their day,
but could also be hazardous to their health. Recent studies have linked the
beginning and end of DST to a variety of health problems, including an increased
risk of heart attacks and a rise in suicide rates. According to Dr.
Sean Duffy, an associate professor of Psychology at Rutgers-Camden, DST is not
only a risk to physical health, but it could negatively affect a person's mood.
“Falling back” in the winter marks the beginning of early nights, sometimes
leading to symptoms of depression. “The change in DST in fall is also a marker
of the end of the summer season and the beginning of winter,” said Duffy. “This
can be depressing for those longing for the extravagances of summer.”
5. Interrupted
sleeping schedules-Setting clocks back an hour means gaining an extra hour
of sleep time. For others who might be more sensitive to time changes, however,
going to bed an hour later could cause anything but sweet dreams. According to
Dr. Sean Duffy, an associate professor of Psychology at Rutgers-Camden, time
changes could upset a person’s natural sleeping schedule. In some cases, the
process of adjusting to “springing forward” and “falling back” can affect
learning and memory processes by changing the way that the brain functions. “Sleep
is a critical process for the whole body, helping it repair damage, but
particularly for the brain, which consolidates memory and helps us learn,” said
Duffy. “Most people can handle the one hour switch of daylight saving time but
if you are prone to sleep disorders or insomnia, the change in timing can take
some adjustment.”
I know I'm greatly affected by these time changes and so is
my dog. On average I'd say it takes us about a week to fully adjust to the
"Spring Ahead" "Fall Back" clocks. I've also found that it
not only affects my sleeping patterns but my eating patterns as well.
DST started during World War I in an effort to conserve
fuel, Germany
began observing in 1916. The United
States followed in 1918, Congress abolished
this Standard Time Act after the war overriding Woodrow Wilson's veto.
Observation became a local option where some States observed and others did not
until World War II when President Franklin Roosevelt instituted the year-round
DST, called "War Time" on February 19, 1942 through September 1945.
After 1945 many states and cities east of the Mississippi
River adopted summer DST. From 1945 to 1966 there was no federal
law on daylight savings. In 1962 the transportation industry found much confusion
between states observing and not and pushed for federal regulation, resulting
in the Uniform Time Act of 1966.
Some States and US Territories DO NOT Observe DST: Arizona
(except the Navajo Indian Reservation which extends into Utah and New Mexico),
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, The Northern Mariana Islands and the
United States Virgin Islands, I guess they have 12 hours of daylight year round
anyway, hmmm I'll have to look into these states and territories a little more.
Donations Needed
The Student Council will be collecting the items below for
this year's Thanksgiving Baskets. The class with the most donations will win a
pizza party! Student Council will be filling 20 baskets for the community. All
donations are due by Friday, Nov. 21. Items needed: Turkey-Frozen, Potatoes,
Squash, Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, Canned Veggie, Pickles, Pie Crust, Pie
Filling, Gravy, and Juice. Items may be dropped off at the school.
Manchester Monarchs
Field Trip
Many parents and Weathersfield family members have asked
about chaperoning for the Manchester Monarchs field trip on Nov. 19. The School
will be inviting volunteers, but only after school personnel needing to go have
been assured seating in the arena with their students. If you'd like to
volunteer, please contact Jessica Sivret at the school by email: jessica.sivret@wsesu.net.
The Verizon Wireless Arena is a public place so if you would like to attend on
your own and not as a chaperone, please visit www.manchestermonarchs.com to
get tickets for the event.
Town Events:
Veteran's Day Program
-Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 8:15 a.m. The
Weathersfield School would like to cordially invite you to our annual Veteran's
Day Program. The program will feature patriotic songs, poetry and student
presentations, as well as few speakers. It should last about 45 minutes. This
event is open to the public. Please wear red, white and blue!
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| File photo from 2010 |
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| File photo from 2010 |
Veterans Day Nov. 11-is
a day to remember and honor the selfless dedication of service members, men and
women, who have boldly stood in harm’s way carrying the torch of freedom
fighting to protect our abundant way of life. Please come to the Perkinsville
Green, in Perkinsville Vermont
on Tuesday Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. to celebrate Veterans.
Images of the Veterans Memorial Park: http://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/VermontPlaces/Weathersfield-VT/Veteran-Memorial-Park/
History of Vermont
Thursday Nov. 13 6:30 p.m. Weathersfield Proctor Library hosts Roger Albee, the former Secretary of the State of Vermont Department of Agriculture. Albee will give a presentation on the History of Vermont Agriculture since 1766, why changes took place, and what it means for today. The Weathersfield Proctor Library is located at 5181 Route 5 Ascutney VT. For more information please call 802-674-2863 or email weathersfieldproctorlibrary@gmail.com.
Thursday Nov. 13 6:30 p.m. Weathersfield Proctor Library hosts Roger Albee, the former Secretary of the State of Vermont Department of Agriculture. Albee will give a presentation on the History of Vermont Agriculture since 1766, why changes took place, and what it means for today. The Weathersfield Proctor Library is located at 5181 Route 5 Ascutney VT. For more information please call 802-674-2863 or email weathersfieldproctorlibrary@gmail.com.
Monthly Weathersfield
Potluck - Tuesday, Nov. 18 noon at Perkinsville
Community Church ,
Route 106, Perkinsville VT. Lorraine
Zigman 802-263-5245; lzigman@comcast.net
Ongoing:
Wildlife Photo
Contest-2nd Annual Contest Sponsored by the Weathersfield Conservation
Commission. Requirements: Limited to native wildlife (animals,
birds, or insects); Limited to amateur photographer; Must be
photographed locally (within a 50 mile radius.)
One submission per person must be on a 8 x 10 glossy. There
will be up to three places should there be sufficient entries. Judging will be
done by 3 interested persons. Submitted
photos can be dropped off at the Weathersfield Town Office in an envelope
plainly marked Conservation Commission photo contest. There is a drop box
at the Town Office for after hours. Please include with the photo: Name, phone
number, address, and location where photo was taken. Winning photos will be mounted and framed, then displayed for one
year at either the town office, library, or school, then returned to the owner. Submission deadline: Nov. 15.
Food Shelf
The Weathersfield Food Shelf is located at 7303 Route 131 -
the former "World of Discovery" daycare. Thanks to the generosity of their
donors, the Weathersfield Food Shelf will now be open every Thursday from 4 p.m.-5
p.m.
Senior Exercise
Program in Ascutney-FREE sponsored
by RSPV- Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney , VT.
Weathersfield Proctor
Library-FREE Programs
Literacy, Learning
and Fun at the Weathersfield Proctor
Fall Storytime
with Jordan
begins on Wednesday Sept 10 and will be held every Wednesday from 11:00 - 11:30
through Nov 19.
FREE Computer Tutor - Fridays 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Do you want to learn how to use a computer? Sign up for email or facebook or
learn more about internet safety? Did you know the library offers downloadable
eBooks and audiobooks? Sign up required. BYOL (bring your own laptop or
smartphone if you have one).
Need to Find a
Business in Weathersfield: http://www.weathersfielddirectory.org/