August 2004                                                           The Megaphone                                                                    Page 5

Caruso

by Deborah (Bozell) Donahue

Pat and I have recently relocated to the mainland side of Ormond Beach so our new surroundings are so different than living on beachside.  Here we have so many beautiful old oak trees that are a stark difference from the breezy palm trees you see over there. We also hear sounds at night that are entirely different from the sea gulls and the tides breaking of the sea.

The other night after we had retired to bed, we were awaken by  the loudest noise I have ever heard.  The sound was coming from an area right over our heads and it kept getting louder and louder. It was not only loud but very annoying at the same time.

My husband grabbed the flash light located by his bedside and proceeded to look out our window to see if he could find the culprit making all the noise.  He then scanned the light over the window, and I heard him say, "there's the little varmit!"

Low and behold sitting on the outside ledge of our window which was located over our heads was this tiny little two inch frog that appeared as fragile as any thing I have ever seen.  Just one big puff of wind could have blown it over!  I could not believe that a noise that loud could have possibly come from such a tiny little creature.

To make a long story short, Pat went outside and moved the frog to the center of the yard and close to the area of the Coi pond where all the creatures of the night could enjoy a good rap session, and he returned to bed.  He was not back in bed more than ten minutes until we were being serenaded again by either the same frog or his sibling.

This time Pat was determined the frog might not be as lucky as  the first time, and back outside he went again to locate him.  This time, the frog had managed to find a space above the window and near the eves where he was poking his little head out of the opening.  It was almost like he new he was playing a game with us now.

Pat then used a broom to remove the little guy so we can't say exactly what area of the yard he ended up this time.

We both decided with a set of lungs this little creature possessed, we had to give him a famous name like Caruso.

Submitted by . . .

Deborah (Bozell) Donahue '64

Dog Days of Summer

by Bob Hinshaw

   Many people think the term “dog days of summer” refers to a period of extended heat in the late summer that sends dogs running for the cool shade of a porch or tree. Images of dogs lying on the front porch on hot summer days, not moving for fear of overheating, are brought to mind when this term is heard.                   

   A dog does play a role in the history of the term, but it’s a celestial dog. Back in early civilization, people looked at the stars and pictured that the brightest ones formed images of animals. Many saw bears, bulls, lions, and yes, dogs. These are called constellations, and the constellation Canis Major is one that depicts a dog. The brightest star in this constellation is Sirius or the “Dog Star.”

   In ancient Rome , it was believed that Sirius was so bright that it actually heated the Earth. Sirius is visible in winter in the southern sky, but between July and mid-August, it rises during daylight with the Sun. Ancient Romans believed that this star added heat to the heat of the Sun, thus the reason the days were the hottest during this period. This is the reason these days of summer are called the “dog days” of summer.

   We now know that the hottest of the year occur during these “dog days” because the tilt of the Earth during the summer months in the northern hemisphere. The Earth stores up heat and becomes hotter until mid-August when the cooling begins. Despite the reasoning for this hot time of the year, this period of time still sends dogs running for shade.

From: Bob Hinshaw’s Collection