18 Mar 2018 A celebration of spring throughout the 501

Posted at 11:27 AMh in News by

by Linda Henderson

It is finally looking like spring has sprung and April is nearly here. 

The origins of the month of April are from the Gregorian calendar, the most widely used civil calendar. The calendar was named for Pope Gregory XIII, who instituted it in October 1582. In the Gregorian calendar, April is the fourth month of the year; in its predecessor the Roman calendar, it was the second month. The length of April was increased to help correct the solar/lunar cycles in previous calendars. 

April is derived from the Latin word aperit, which means to open. April is the month of the growing season and when trees and flowers begin to open. 

April is also the month of spring rain, hence the old saying, “April showers bring May flowers.” Easter most years falls during the month of April. April is the month of renewing of the beauty of the earth as well as God’s promises of spiritual regeneration. 

Some interesting things about the month of April:

It is still a very popular first given name for many American girls. We always “spring forward” in April to daylight savings time so that daylight hours are maximized. April’s birthstone is a diamond, and the birth flower is the daisy. The Farmer’s Almanac recommends most summer fruits and vegetables be planted the weekend after Easter. April begins on the same day of the week as July every year. 

If you are a sports-minded person, baseball season opens in April. The 501 area has its own minor league baseball team, the Arkansas Travelers. The Travelers play at Dickey-Stephens Baseball Park in North Little Rock. A little history about the Travelers, they are the longest running minor league franchise. Their name originated from the folklore of a minstrel known as the Arkansas Traveler, who roamed the Ozark Mountains selling wares and singing songs. 

April also has several national designated days and months. April is National Month of Hope, Jazz Appreciation Month, Keep America Beautiful Month, Lawn and Garden Month, National Soft Pretzel Month and, my very favorite, National Straw Hat Month. 

So make the most of the longer and warmer April days. Take a walk, visit a park, go outside, attend a professional baseball game, put on your straw hat and plant a tomato plant, enjoy the warm sunshine and increase your vitamin D absorption. April is the perfect month to spend time outdoors enjoying the great weather with your family and friends.

Linda Henderson
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