WINSTON WEEKLY^[1]

September 22, 2024

Vol. 2, No. 38

FABULOUS FALL

The first day of fall is known as the autumnal equinox, meaning that day and night are of equal length because the sun is directly above the Equator. Although it always occurs in September, the day varies each year because it takes the Earth slightly longer to orbit the sun than the 365 days counted in the Gregorian calendar.[2]

Pumpkins are a favored and celebrated fall fruit, with more than 200 varieties grown in the United States. Pumpkins are grown on every continent except Antarctica. The word “pumpkin” comes from the Greek word “Pepon” which means “large melon.”. Although pumpkins are approximately 90% water, they are an excellent source of potassium, Vitamin A, and beta-carotene. Irish immigrants brought the pumpkin carving tradition to America. Ancient Celtic cultures originally carved turnips for Halloween and put an ember inside to ward off evil spirits.

The small town of Hartsburg, Missouri (population of 120 according to the 2020 Census) has been home to the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival for nearly 35 years. www.hartsburgpumpkinfest.com. The world’s largest pumpkin festival is on the grounds of the German Palace of Schloss Ludwigsburg. The festival features more than 600 varieties of pumpkin, more than 450,000 pumpkins and gourds, and a Pumpkin Regatta.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

Bake a dish or meal with pumpkin or consider new ways to enjoy fall. Taste of Home’s Fall Baking Cookbook contains more than 275 recipes. Wendy Pferre’s 2014 book, We Gather Together, is filled with facts about the fall equinox, including celebrations by cultures around the world.  

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[1] Copyright September 22, 2024. Winston Weekly is a weekly newsletter and blog by Alysen Bayles available at www.baylesconnect.com or by e-mail at baylesconnect@gmail.com. Please feel free to share with the appropriate attribute.

[2] Resources: Frederick County Forestry Board, www.frederickforestryboard.org; Oxford English Dictionary; Katie Wells, Visit Ludwigsburg for Germany’s largest pumpkin festival, September 3, 2024, Stars and Stripes.