Scribbles
April, 2018
The Romans gave this month the Latin name Aprilis but the derivation of this name is uncertain. The traditional etymology is from the verb aperire, "to open", in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to "open", which is supported by comparison with the modern Greek use of άνοιξη (ánixi) (opening) for spring. Since some of the Roman months were named in honor of divinities, and as April was sacred to the goddess Venus, her Veneralia being held on the first day, it has been suggested that Aprilis was originally her month Aphrilis, from her equivalent Greek goddess name Aphrodite (Aphros), or from the Etruscan name Apru. Jacob Grimm suggests the name of a hypothetical god or hero, Aper or Aprus.
April was the second month of the earliest Roman calendar,[ before Ianuarius and Februarius were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC. It became the fourth month of the calendar year (the year when twelve months are displayed in order) during the time of the decemvirs about 450 BC, when it also was given 29 days. The 30th day was added during the reform of the calendar undertaken by Julius Caesar in the mid-40s BC, which produced the Julian calendar.
The month Aprilis had 30 days; Numa Pompilius made it 29 days long; finally Julius Caesar’s calendar reform made it again 30 days long, which was not changed in the calendar revision of Augustus Caesar in 8 BC.
The Lyrids meteor shower appears on April 16 – April 26 each year, with the peak generally occurring on April 22. Eta Aquariids meteor shower also appears in April. It is visible from about April 21 to about May 20 each year with peak activity on or around May 6. The Pi Puppids appear on April 23, but only in years around the parent comet's perihelion date. The Virginids also shower at various dates in April.—Wikipedia
Angela Daidone, our testing coordinator, advises
that she expects to continue the testing of candidates in April.
Mid-Hudson Mensa continues to encourage us to participate in their events. They have an events page at http://tinyurl.com/MHMEVENTS
Central Jersey Mensa continues to invite us to join them in beer tasting. Central Jersey Mensa has also started a whiskey tasting circle. Email Jason Weiss, j23weiss@gmail.com, for more details.
You can visit our NNJM Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/nnjmensa/ and our website at http://nnjmensa.org.
Some members have expressed a renewed interest in our scholarship program. If you can, please contribute to help support our program. The Wendy Sailer Scholarship is an award given annually by Northern New Jersey Mensa (NNJM) based on an essay contest. It is funded by contributions from members of NNJM and is given in memory of Wendy Sailer who was very active in NNJM. (Yes, the scholarship still needs contributions. If you can, please mail a check made out to Northern New Jersey Mensa, to our Treasurer, William Holzmann, 163 Morningside Road, Paramus NJ 07652.)
In 1995, a great friend and supporter of NNJM, Irwin Arnold Meit, a neo-natal nurse, passed away at the age of 54. Contributions were made by members and his friends, and the Irwin A. Meit Memorial Scholarship was begun in 1996 for an adult who is studying for a career change. Unfortunately, this scholarship ran out of funding (about 2010) and has not been awarded since. We would be happy to re-institute this scholarship if adequate funding could be provided. Some members have begun funding this scholarship again. Please consider making a contribution.
Activities for our gifted youth: Stephanie Janssens is still on temporary leave as Gifted Youth Coordinator but we hope to have her back soon! You can email her at stillstephanieglenn@gmail.com for further information. NNJM’s young Mensan Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/NNJMensanYouth/
The next meeting of the Executive Committee is scheduled for May 20, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Angela’s home in Rochelle Park.