"Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution
long after the excitement of the moment has passed."
Cavett Robert (1907-1997)

Full Moon: The first Full Moon of 2021 will occur on Thursday, January 28th. It has been called Hunger Moon by many Native American tribes because of the scarcity of game at this time of year. Other tribes called it Wolf Moon because of the increased boldness of wolf packs venturing closure and closer to their camps looking for food.

Special Notes: The 2021 Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack is its 225th edition. It has been continuously published since its first appearance in 1797and while it is the second oldest almanac in the United States. It is the only almanac in America that is still published by heirs of its founder, John Gruber. Both he and his partner and son-in-law, Daniel May, would be proud to see their almanac continuing to provide even more refined weather forecasts and astronomical data vital to agricultural success in the region. It is our commitment to continue improving our look, the accuracy of our weather forecasts, and offering useful information and inspiration to help one survive in today’s world. In that way, The Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack will earn its place in the 21st Century as a useful and cherished reference as it has been in centuries past.

Holidays: New Year’s Day falls on Friday, January 1st. Martin Luther King, Jr., famed civil rights activist leader, was born on January 15, 1929. His birthday is celebrated on the third Monday of the month. In 2021, that is Monday, January 18th. This great leader must be remembered on this day for the great social changes he brought about in this country and for the ultimate sacrifice he made pursuing unity and racial harmony which still eludes us today.

The Garden: Be sure to shake or brush off heavy snow from the branches of your evergreens and shrubs. The light fluffy snow poses no real threat, but if it should become wet and frozen, the weight dramatically increases. Branches are more brittle when the plants are dormant, and the weight of the snow may snap them off. Take care of our feathered friends who will need a reliable supply of water and food during winter. Once you start feeding them, they'll keep returning for more, so be prepared to continue providing ample amounts of both until natural water supplies and food becomes available later in the Spring.

The Farm: Best for planting root crops (5, 6); weeding and stirring the soil (1, 2, 3, 4); planting above-ground crops (16, 17); harvesting all crops (9, 10, 11); the best days for setting hens and incubators (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31); the slaughtering and butchering of meat (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19); transplanting (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19); the weaning of all small animals and livestock (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 5, 16, 17); harvesting and storing grains (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12).

J. Gruber’s Thought For Today’s Living

"The next twelve months offer a world of promise; it all depends on each of us and how much we are willing to give of ourselves to help make it a better world"