August 19 was the Blue Moon (pictured above over the lake), meaning the second full Moon in the month. As warm summer evenings wain, we may be outside less to admire the constant orb, but the September Moon rides a historic event that changed the course of history and our thoughts of the earth’s closest celestial body.
Apollo 15, 1971, Commander David Scott (NASA)
FROM ALMANAC.COM
September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy went to Rice University, Houston, Texas, to justify his proposed $5.4 billion space program. He had called on Congress to fund a massive project to put a man on the Moon and home safely before the end of the decade. Toward that end, he asked Vice President Lyndon Johnson, to make it happen. Johnson, a Texan, was happy to oblige.
The plan was to establish a Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, upon land that was available from Rice University (which had received it from Humble Oil and Refining Company). If that happened, federal money would flow to the city and to Rice, a university distinguished for its scholarship, if not for its football. In football, the University of Texas was king, but Rice gamely played them every year.
Kennedy challenged 35,000 listeners, sweltering in the Rice football stadium, to think big: “But why, some say, the Moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask, Why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic?” he asked. Then he added another impossible goal, one he had jotted in the margin only minutes earlier: “Why does Rice play Texas?”
The comment drew a huge laugh from the crowd. His speech continued on a serious note, soon issuing the now famous lines that have echoed often, “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard …”
Kennedy eventually got his moonshot, although he did not live to see Neil Armstrong’s 1969 moonwalk. Three years after the speech,1965, Rice beat Texas. It would be 28 years before that happened again.
Fundraiser:Springfield 1884 Trapdoor Gun Raffle
This authenticated antique rifle was donated by lake members Mr. & Mrs. Ziemen to support the lake’s security gate fundraiser. Tickets are $10 each, or 5 for $40. The drawing will be held in December during the annual Jingle Mingle member gathering at the clubhouse. Members can view the gun in person at the clubhouse during regular office hours.
The piece is for display only. It cannot be fired without some extensive work on the firing mechanism. Partial Serial Number: 39648
This is a beautiful and important piece of history. The Springfield Model 1884 was a breech-loading rifle used by the U.S. Army from 1884–1903. It was an improved version of the Springfield Model 1873, which was the standard infantry weapon for the U.S. Army from 1873–1893. The Model 1884 was used in the Indian Wars, the Spanish–American War, and the Philippine–American War.
Pictures and commentary from Brian Tharp and Don Dietrich
60 years ago, Aug. 13, 1964
By September 1964, Peaceful Valley Lake was the place to buy your dream vacation spot. The following is a historical reprint, complements of the Gasconade County Republican newspaper, talking up the new community. (submitted by Mark Marinez and Cathy August)
Work underway on local lake development
Construction of a 170-acre lake and development of an adjoining residential subdivision is underway on a 490-acre tract three miles northwest of here. The lakeside community is being developed by Peaceful Valley Lake Corporation, a local firm. The Lake subdivision will be called Peaceful Valley Lake Estates, and will be open Aug. 15 for public inspection, with special grand opening lot prices during the week of Aug. 15-23. The estates, designed for vacation home and retirement living, include such features as all-weather black-top roads, water and sewer access to all lots, a sand beach, picnic areas and parks, boat docks, 195 lots for home sites, and a shopping center. The lake itself will have 4.2 miles of shore line, with a scientifically engineered earth-fill dam, surfaced with 50 feet of native rock and topped with a 24-foot-wide roadway. The 1,070-foot-long dam will rise 65 feet at its highest point and the spillway is carved into a limestone bluff. Of the 195 lots for residential development, 42 lakeside lots, with space for private marinas, will be featured.
Addendum: In the 1970’s developer plans fell through, so some ad promises never saw the light of day (reality!). After much legal turmoil, the community passed to the Peaceful Valley Property Owners Association in the early 1980s. See Member Handbook, pg. 39
How now September?
FROM FACTS.NET
September derives its name from Latin “septem,” meaning “seven,” because, in the original Roman calendar, September was actually the seventh month. It was only later that the calendar was adjusted to include the months of January and February.
Only month not named after a Roman deity
Other months in the Gregorian calendar are named after Roman gods and goddesses. Just to name a few: January (Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions), March (Mars, the god of war), July (Julius Caesar), and August (Augustus Caesar).
Same number of letters in the name
“September” has nine letters, just like the number of the month (9). It’s a fun little fact that sets this month apart from all the others.
O September 22 is the autumnal equinox
September 22nd or 23rd, depending on the year, the autumnal equinox occurs. This is when the sun is directly above the equator. Day and night are nearly equal in length. In the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the start of fall. In the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the beginning of spring.
NOTE WORTHY
Friday, Sept. 20, 6:00 PM, monthly association board meeting, Lodge. All are welcome.
The janitor position is filled. Please welcome Cindy Barbarich to the lake support team!
New pool hours into fall:
Thurs., Fri. 4 - 7 pm
Sat., Sun., Labor Day 12- 7 pm
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Monday, Sept. 16, 5:00 PM, Monthly Public Water Supply District (PWSD) meeting, Lodge. All are welcome.
Save paper and mailing:
CLICK HERE for PWSD consent form to get bills via email or text.
CLICK HERE for PWSD new application form for water and sewer service.
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4 Covid Tests, free again, through the mail, beginning the end of September. Go to covidtests for more information from Health & Human Services, Washington DC
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Recycling research
The Board at PVL is seeking any members interested in being part of a working group to help research recycling options for our lake community. If you would like to be involved or participate, please contact board member Brian Tharp at 660-787-0058 (call/text) or email [email protected]
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Emergency alert links you should know
If you would like weather alerts, including severe storm warnings and spring-season tornadoes:
Get local alerts for the Owensville area, Gasconade County, HERE. You can also go to the county Emergency Management Agency FaceBook and register to get notified via phone or text. You will have to log in and access “my account” HERE
Timely folklore
— Heavy September rains bring drought.
— September dries up ditches or breaks down bridges.
— Married in September’s golden glow, smooth and serene your life will go.
— If the storms of September clear off warm, the storms of the following winter will be warm.
— Fair on September 1st, fair for the month.
FROM FACTS.NET
Birthstone is sapphire
This precious gemstone is often associated with loyalty, truth, and sincerity, and often symbolizes wisdom and purity. Thus, many believe that Virgos (August 23 – September 22) are wise and highly analytical. On the other hand, Libras (September 23 – October 22) are pure-spirited. They are all about peace and harmony.
Aster, morning glory
September’s aster is a beautiful flower that blooms in the fall. A symbol of love and patience, the aster comes in a variety of colors, from purple and pink to white and red. The morning glory is a trumpet-shaped flower that blooms in a range of colors, including blue, pink, purple, and red. It symbolizes affection, love, and mortality.
Most song titles
September has more pop and classic songs with its name in the title than any other month. Some of the most famous songs include “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day, and “September Song” by Frank Sinatra.
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FROM HAPPIESTBABY.COM
September babies:
May have a leg up in the classroom. Kids born in this month were 20% more likely to get into elite British schools... maybe because they’re the oldest ones in their grade.
Have an edge on the sports field. It seems many famous athletes have birthdays in the last quarter of the year. That’s because fall-born babies tend to be stronger and more athletic than their summer-born peers (again, this is likely due to being older—and bigger—than the rest of the kids in their class).
May have long lives ahead of them. More likely to live to 100, babies born from September to November have a higher chance of hitting the century mark. It could be from being protected through the first winter by all the great immunity in breast milk.
Lake Classifieds
Contact the editor to run an ad in Splash: $5 per month (a monthly publication); $50 per year; maximum 5 lines in print version of the newsletter, approx. 30 ltrs per line.
Jamie Gerloff, Mary Kay, Independent Sales Director. Contact me: 573-241-2793. 60 years of Quality Skin Care & Cosmetics. Fast & Free Samples & Delivery
Oct24
Looking for local reel cleaning and repair? Give me a call. 630/334-6107. Doug August
Nov24
Karen Hoemeke, helping people buy and sell homes for 17 years. Top 5% all MO Coldwell Banker Realtors. I live in PV and specialize in PV. 314-973-1218
Dec24
Lot for sale, $3,600. Beautiful trees on a level lot (Lot 15 East Hills II Blk IV). Quiet street with water and sewer accessibility. Near tennis court, pool and Lodge. Dan Warta 815.272.0719
Aug24
The newsletter reaches 274 people through direct email, is available to anyone on the PVL website, and paper copies can be picked up at both gates and the Lodge.
Organized fun
Join the Wednesday dinner club 5:30 Wednesdays: The location changes each week. Randy Fuller (or friend) posts on Nextdoor by Wednesday evening where to be the following week. People decide where to meet drawing out of a "hat.” All invited!
The PVL Book Club will meet Sept. 23, 4:30 at the Gazebo, weather permitting, or at the Lodge. Book is The Life We Bury, by Allen Eskens.
Take a walk in the park: The City of Owensville, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Owensville Branch, Scenic Regional Library, opened a Story Walk. Images and text line the mile-long path at the park, changed quarterly. The Napping House, by Audrey Wood, is the inaugural children’s book. Call 573-437-8231 or [email protected]
Gasconade County Fall Plein Air, 14 to 19 Oct., 2024: Gear up for artists in the area, painting outside in our beautiful fall season. Artists have painted here every year. Get more information at artworks on main.org/plein-air.
— Suzie Jost is looking for host homes to put up artists for the 5-day event. Your empty room would be welcome.
— Organizers rely on donations and sponsorships to provide prizes. Sherri Durban and Megan Jost are engaged in that effort.
— If you would like to participate in any way, download these forms for options and contact information.
Our mailing address is: PVPOA, 3408A Peaceful Valley Rd., Owensville, MO 65066 573-617-9615 (voice & text)
