Monthly Archives: December 2021
Coronavirus Testing over the New Year’s Holiday Weekend
While the Williamson County Health Department will be suspended over the holiday weekend – closed on Friday, December 31 and Monday, January 3, Rutherford County Health Department (RCHD) will keep the La Vergne testing site operational Friday, December 31 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, January 1 and Sunday, January 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Monday, January from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This Rutherford County Health Department location is at the La Vergne City’s Multi-Purpose building parking lot at 5093 Murfreesboro Road.
5093 Murfreesboro Road, La Verne
CH Consulting Solutions manages testing operations at this drive-thru test site with support from RCHD.
CH Consulting Solutions is a Nashville-based emergency medicine provider offering oral swab testing. All testing will be conducted and managed by CH Consulting Solutions.
In researching COVID-19 testing in Metro Nashville over the New Year’s Weekend, we found the Health Department testing sites to be closed on Friday, December 31, 2021, but open on Monday, January 3, 2022:
Metro Nashville
☃️Happy Holidays
We wish our community all of the blessings of the season; we are grateful for your patronage and we look forward to a prosperous, healthy New Year.
Williamson County Health Department Holiday Closures
Testing and Vaccination operations will be suspended Dec 23rd & 24th and Dec 31st and Jan 3rd for the Holidays.
Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, January 4, 2022:
Holiday Closings
Enjoy a happy and safe holiday season with friends, family, and loved ones.
While our building is closed for the holiday, our library website is always open. Check our our eLibrary Books page to explore Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. (with OverDrive and Libby), and Hoopla to access eBooks and eAudiobooks. Searching our online catalog will also provide results for OverDrive and Hoopla.
Also, we have 24/7 homework help on our website (wcpltn.org) –> Reader’s Corner –> Homework and Research. Scan through our lists of Databases, either by category – this page has Research Tools on the right hand side. Or look through the alphabetically listed Databases. All of the listed databases have a description of how it can be valuable.
🌎The Winter Solstice: Science and Celebration🎇
The winter solstice is one of my favorite times of the year, as a precursor to well-spent family time and the prospect of a fresh New Year on the horizon. It is the shortest day of the year, for us in the Northern Hemisphere; we will have a little more daylight each day, until June 21st.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Winter officially arrives on Monday, December 21st in the northern hemisphere. Shadows will be at their longest, as will the night be at sundown. While the significance of the winter solstice now is primarily scientific, there is a larger history behind it filled with celebration, sacrifice and praise. Whether from the great Roman Empire or the valleys of Peru, you will find a ritual surrounding the winter solstice.
The Science behind the Winter Solstice
Every year on December 21st in the northern hemisphere of the planet, our sun aligns with the Tropic of Capricorn and provides half of the earth with the shortest day and longest night, the winter solstice. Conversely, the experience in the southern hemisphere, when the sun aligns with the Tropic of Capricorn, is that of the longest day and shortest night, known as the summer solstice. The summer solstice in the northern hemisphere is recognized on June 21st. On the 21st of December, we see the latest dawn and the earliest dusk, while those in the southern hemisphere see the earliest dawn and the latest dusk. This happens because the northern pole of the earth tilts the farthest from the sun.
The History and Ancient Celebrations
behind the Winter Solstice
The winter solstice has been observed as far back as the Neolithic Period, beginning almost 12,000 years ago. There are ancient stone formations built to align with the sun on the winter solstice, such as Newgrange in Ireland and Maeshowe in Scotland. In fact, Newgrange happens to be older than Stonehenge, which is believed to be associated with the summer solstice, prompting celebration for the coming of light and harvest as the days would begin to grow longer. Below are a few examples of the celebrations carried on by ancient folks to honor the winter solstice.
Saturnalia
The Roman celebration of Saturnalia honors Saturn, the god of agriculture. The seven day celebration leading to the shortest day – the winter solstice – included decorative trees, feasts, and temporary freedom and status for slaves and lower class citizens. This is the famous holiday that has left an influence on Christmas. From this Roman celebration we have the Christmas tree, decorated with sparkling decor to celebrate the coming light.
Pixabay
The Feast Yule
The Scandinavian holiday of the returning light and sun, after the winter solstice, was celebrated with the burning of large logs, known now as Yule logs, and feasts that lasted almost as long as the Yule log. Some cultures never let the Yule fire burn completely, while in some countries, such as Germany and France, the ashes of the Yule log would be used in charms or to fertilize fields.
Inti Raymi
The Incans, in the southern hemisphere, do not celebrate winter solstice until June, but that does not stop them from having very similar traditions as many cultures in the northern hemisphere. Named after the Incan sun god, the celebration begins at dawn as the community kneels to watch the sunrise. Offerings of beer and animal sacrifices were made to the sun, and a mirror was used to start a fire. While the Spanish Conquistadors eventually raided and banned the celebration of the holiday, the 20th century saw the revival of some of those traditions that continue today.
Shab-e Yalda
This Iranian tradition sprouted from the Ancient Zoroastrians. Translating to the night of birth, this celebration is also a ceremony to protect people on the longest night from evil spirits. The tradition includes gatherings, fires to repel the darkness, and making wishes while feasting with friends and family. Summer fruits such as watermelon and pomegranate were traditionally eaten, as it was believed consuming summer fruits during the winter protected from illness.
Toji
This Japanese celebration of the solstice is a sacred practice for farmers. The people light large bonfires of the top of Mount Fuji to coax the sun out of hiding. It is tradition to eat kabocha squash for good luck, likely because it was one of the only crops available at the time, and to bath in yuza, a citrus fruit used for various physical and spiritual cleanses. Fun Fact: Capybaras love yuzu baths as well!
Solstice Folklore Articles:
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/winter-solstice-first-day-winter
https://www.treehugger.com/things-know-about-winter-solstice-4863172
https://www.britannica.com/list/7-winter-solstice-celebrations-from-around-the-world
https://www.historytoday.com/archive/did-romans-invent-christmas
https://www.history.com/news/8-winter-solstice-celebrations-around-the-world
https://www.rd.com/list/winter-solstice-traditions/
Originally posted in December 2020 by Maddie Frias/Dori Duff.
Reference
How Sweet it is: Golden Ticket-Themed Winter Reading Challenge
The Winter Reading Challenge runs until February 2 – it is never too late to join here!
This year library patrons can join online or via a paper form by visiting their local Branch. There are several fun activities to get local families thru the holiday season. This year’s program focuses on the sweetness of reading with a fun candy theme.
The main challenge is for everyone to complete 10 hours of reading in December and January. The three divisions are Children from birth to seventh grade, Teens from seventh to twelfth grade, and Adults eighteen years of age and older. Optional holiday and candy challenges are included in each division to earn virtual badges and additional small prizes.
Prizes can be picked up by teens and children at their local Branches. Adult participants can pick up their prizes from February 2-19. All prizes must be picked up in person by February 19.
All library programs are free and open to the public. Learn more about this event or other library programs and services by calling the library at 615-595-1243, extension 1, or by visiting the library’s website, http://wcpltn.org.
The Williamson County Public Library System’s Main Branch is located in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue.
Other Branches are located in Fairview, Bethesda, College Grove, Nolensville, and Leiper’s Fork.
For further information about other library programs or services, call the library at 615-595-1243 or visit the library’s website at http://wcpltn.org. To sign up to receive library events and announcements via email: https://www.wcpltn.org/277/Newsletter-Sign-Up. The library can also be found on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter via @wcpltn.
Local Fire Departments Announce Pop Top Canned Food Drive for Tornado Victims
Several local fire departments have partnered with the One Generation Away food bank to collect pop top canned goods and other non-perishable items for those devastated by the deadly overnight tornadoes.
One Generation Away Executive Director Chris Whitney stressed the great need for items with easy open and/or pop tops, as well as easy mac and cheese, cereal bars, peanut butter and crackers, and diapers and wipes. Donations will be accepted through December 21, from 7 AM to 7 PM, at Brentwood Fire Station 1, Fairview Fire Station 31, and all Franklin and Spring Hill Fire Stations. Whitney said there is not a need for water and Gatorade at this time.
DROP OFF LOCATIONS (Daily 7 AM to 7 PM):
- Brentwood Fire Station 1, 5211 Maryland Way
- Fairview Fire Station 31, 7131 Bowie Lake Rd.
- All Franklin Fire Stations
- All Spring Hill Fire Stations
NEEDED ITEMS:
- Pop top cans of vegetables, soups, raviolis, and beans
- Easy mac and cheese
- Cereal bars
- Peanut butter and crackers
- Diapers
- Wipes
One Generation Away and the Brentwood, Fairview, Franklin, and Spring Hill Fire Departments thank you for your generosity.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
Registration is required for each of these free programs. To register, click the program title, call
1-800-272-3900, or go to alz.org/CRF. You will receive an email with access instructions
after you register. Questions? Contact Harlyn Hardin at hahardin@alz.org or 615-622-4176.
HOLIDAY CAREGIVING GUIDE: THE 10 WARNING SIGNS
& CAREGIVING STRATEGIES at 11 a.m. CT | Noon ET! We know that the holidays are often filled with sharing, laughter, and memories, but can also bring stress and sadness. Caregivers may feel overwhelmed by maintaining traditions while providing care. Hear from Tennessee Community Educator Ashley Briggs about helpful holiday caregiving strategies. Join us for some holiday cheer and share your favorite holiday pastimes!
HOLIDAY MUSIC THERAPY SESSION: SOCIAL
ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
Friday, December 17 – 2 p.m. CT | 3 p.m. ET
Music is powerful. Is is deeply embedded in our brains and can elicit emotions
and memories rooted in our life experience. This program offers a fun and
comfortable way for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias (and
care partners!) to get engaged and connected with one another through musicand this month, holiday music! The program will be led by Board-Certified Music Therapist Lexie Langella.
DETECTING AMYLOID & TAU IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
WITH DR. KEEGAN
Tuesday, December 21 – 11 a.m. CT | Noon ET
Dr. Richard Keegan will cover the clinical presentation of Alzheimer’s disease,
pathological changes that occur during Alzheimer’s, and the biomarkers of
today that enhance detection of Alzheimer’s pathology. Join us to better
understand the basics of Alzheimer’s disease and get your questions
answered!
Holiday Exercise Challenge
by Susie Walden
Turkey coma got you down? Have you been sampling all the tasty holiday treats you’ve been making? No worries! There’s still time to join the holiday exercise challenge and get a move on. Why wait for New Years to work on your health when you can start today? You can create your own goal, or go with one of the preset goals to complete a marathon or half-marathon of walking miles in each month. At the end of the challenge you’ll receive a survey asking if you completed your goal.
If you say yes, you’ll be entered into a drawing for free Williamson County Parks & Recreation Monthly Passes! That should help you kick the New Year off right!
The challenge ends on December 31, 2021:
Click Here to Register for the Challenge
Williamson County Parks & Recreation has some great indoor spaces if the weather outside is too frightful!
Maybe even try something new like the Small Group Kick Boxing or one of the many other offerings provided through Williamson County Parks & Recreation. To check out the different small group classes offered, click on the image below.
While you’re walking, jogging, or doing any other exercise tasks, take an audiobook with you!
Some recommendations on holiday and winter themed reads to get you in the winter spirit:
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory– A romance novel about a woman who goes on a holiday with her daughter, excited to explore Britain around the holidays, and finds some romance along the way. Available on Tennessee R.E.A.D.S.
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis– A classic tale featuring four siblings that find themselves in Narnia, a land of eternal winter. Available on Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. and Hoopla.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey- Set in the Alaskan Wilderness in 1920, a childless couple come across a young girl in the woods, and what they discover changes their lives. Available on Tennessee R.E.A.D.S.
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