Josh Kilmer-Purcell's Blog, page 14

5 Facts about the Geminid Meteor Shower

Make sure to look up to the skies tonight (December 13 to December 14), the Geminid Meteor Shower is happening.

The Geminid meteors are bright, so skywatchers can spot as many as 120 of the objects streaking by per hour in dark skies. This happens as pieces of dust and debris burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. The meteors appear to radiate from the bright constellation Gemini, but they can appear all over the sky! In fact, meteors farther from Gemini are likely to have longer tails and be easier to spot.
The meteor shower is caused by dust and debris strewn in the path of the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which itself orbits Earth every 1.4 years. The asteroid passes within 13 million miles (21 million kilometers) of the sun on each orbit, 14 percent the distance between Earth and the sun. This earned the space rock the name Phaethon, after the Greek sun-god Helios’ chariot driver.
The Geminids were first spotted almost 200 years ago; the first recorded observation came in 1833 from a riverboat on the Mississippi River. But at the time, only 10-20 meteors per hour could be seen.
While most meteor showers are best seen after midnight, the Geminids have a special appeal to early birds. These meteors appear in the sky as early as 10 p.m. local time, Cooke said, although they peak at 2 a.m. To see the Geminids, go to a dark area outside and prepare to settle in for the long haul — allow at least 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust, lean back and look at the whole sky, because the meteors can appear anywhere. And if it’s cold where you are, don’t forget to bundle up!
The Geminids, as their name implies, appear to emanate from the bright constellation Gemini (the twins). To find Gemini in the Northern hemisphere, look in the southwestern sky for the constellation Orion, which is easy to spot by the three stars in the hunter’s “belt.” Then look just up and to the left of Orion to see Gemini, high in the southwestern sky. In the southern hemisphere, Gemini appears to the lower right of Orion and both will hang in the northwestern sky.










1
Coffee Hot Fudge









2
Apricot Body Cream Ornament









3
Happy Place Odor Eliminator









4
Hi, Neighbor Tee






Visit the Mercantile

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The Almanac Asks: Why is each snowflake unique?

Snowflake formation starts in a cloud composed of water droplets adhering to small particles of dust and dirt. This water evaporates and forms vapor within the cloud. In a process known as deposition, the water vapor turns directly into solid ice at very low temperatures. The microscopic ice crystals grow until they are heavy enough to begin falling—as snowflakes.

The traditional picture we have of snowflakes is one of a single ice crystal with six identical arms, but these perfect specimens are generally in the minority in nature. Snowflakes range in shape from hexagonal plates to long thin needles, to squat hexagonal columns, and even hollow columns. In addition, a large number of irregular snowflakes do not have a specific shape and even lack the almost universal hexagonal symmetry. The shape of the flake is determined predominantly by the temperature and humidity when the vapor turns into ice. At lower humidity, the platy and columnar shapes dominate; with higher humidity, the more complex six-armed beasts tend to dominate. For a fixed humidity, the shape alternates from platy to columnar to platy to columnar as the temperature falls from 0°C to -30°C. Why these shape transitions occur for small changes in temperature is not well understood.

So why is each snowflake different? As they fall, snowflakes are subjected to a myriad of microclimates with large variations in temperature and humidity. The final shape of a snowflake moments before it lands on your nose is determined by all the different microclimates through which it has passed. Because the paths are unpredictable and highly variable, no two snowflakes pass through the same set of microclimates and as a result each snowflake is unpredictably unique.

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As featured in the winter issue of Beekman 1802 Almanac Magazine. For more check out THE WHERE, THE WHY, AND THE HOW published by Chronicle Books 2012

 

1
Vanilla Absolute Whipped Face Wash









2
Blaak Goat Milk Facial Mist









3
Seat at the Table Cookbook









4
The ONE Bar






Visit the Mercantile

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5 facts about Christmas

President Teddy Roosevelt, an environmentalist, banned Christmas trees from the White House in 1901.
In 1962, the first Christmas postage stamp was issued in the United States.
Christmas wasn’t declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870
All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts.
We frequently abbreviate Christmas as X-mas because of ancient tradition. X is the Greek letter “chi” which is an abbreviation for the word “Christ” in Greek.










1
Honeyed Grapefruit Body Cream Gift Ornament









2
Barnyard Royalty Ornaments









3
No-Nails Iron Stocking Hanger









4
Hand-turned Wood Tops






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5 facts about poinsettias

A native of southern Mexico, the poinsettia blooms in December and has been used in that country to decorate churches for centuries. In the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries, the Aztecs used the poinsettia leaves to dye fabric for clothing and the sap for medicinal purposes, including to help control fevers. They also considered the red color a symbol of purity, and so poinsettias were traditionally part of religious ceremonies. In Mexico and Guatemala, the poinsettia is called (translated) the “Flower of the Holy Night” referring to Christmas Eve.
Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, an amateur botanist and first United States ambassador to Mexico, introduced the plant that became known as the poinsettia to this country. He discovered a shrub with brilliantly colored red leaves growing by the side of the road in Taxco, Mexico, in December 1828 and sent cuttings home to his plantation in Greenville, South Carolina.
Here’s another bit of interesting trivia. December 12 is National Poinsettia Day. Never heard of it? Believe it or not, the United States has observed this official day since the mid-1800s. It honors the man and the plant he introduced. Poinsett died Dec.12, 1851.
Did you know that in the wild or planted in tropical climates, the poinsettia can reach heights of 12 feet with leaves measuring six to eight inches across? It is actually a small tropical tree ( Euphorbia pulcherrima) belonging to the Euphorbia plant family.
Red is the most popular color, accounting for roughly three-quarters of all sales nationwide, followed by white and pink. The more than 100 varieties of poinsettias come in a range of colors from red, salmon, and apricot to yellow, cream, and white (but not blue—these are a designer color created with dyes). There are also unusual speckled or marbled varieties with several colors blended together. New varieties are introduced yearly.

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8th Annual Victorian Holiday Celebration

The time to bring out your best Victorian era getup from your closet is here. Read on for the schedule of events and activities happening throughout Sharon Springs.

Friday, December 8th

7:30pm: A Holiday Revue Concert  at the Stone House, 123 Pavilion Ave, Sharon Springs. A fundraising concert for Klinkhart Hall Art Center. 7:30pm cocktails, 8pm show. $40 (includes light hors d’oeuvres, cash bar) Featuring performers Austin Jetton, John Cormier-Burke, Ron Ketelsen, Sarafina Pandolfo, Veronica Klaus, Kevin Finn, Doug Plummer, Garth Roberts, Allison Stewart, and Studio North performers. For tickets and more information, please call  518-284-2067.

Saturday, December 9th

7am -12 noon: French Toast Breakfast at the Firehouse on Beechwood Road – a fundraiser for the Sharon Springs Fire Department.

10am – 5pm: Local shops in Sharon Springs are imbued with holiday cheer and everything you will need to complete your holiday shopping. Local restaurants offer delicious holiday fare.

10am – 5pm: The “Winter Wonderland” at the Roseboro Annex. It will feature many events including a Festival of Trees, a display of almost 150 animated characters, and a Snow Village Scene

10am – 5pm: Holiday Shopping continues. Shop the holiday vendors at The Roseboro ballroom. At The Victorian Holiday Celebration, we hand pick our crafters to help make your shopping task a whole lot easier for you. Peruse a fantastic selection of handmade wooden toys and gifts, handcrafted jewelry and ceramics, traditional Christmas decorations, candies, jams and jellies, and stunning household items and much more!

10am – 5pm: Chris Ottman of Cherry Valley Tinsel Company will be at the Cobbler & Co. He will be there all day and will demonstrate how he makes his very popular tinsicles and tin stars.

10am – 5pm: Santa will be set up for greeting children the Annex of the Roseboro. Photography will be available for pictures with Santa and a gingerbread photo booth.

10am – 4pm: Enjoy old-fashioned carriage rides through the streets of Sharon Springs. Wagon rides leaving from in front of The Roseboro.

10am – 4pm: Continuous entertainment in The Roseboro ballroom.

11am– 3:30pm: Victorian High Tea at Miss Lodema’s Tea Room featuring a choice of two soups, scones with jam and clotted cream, a variety of tea sandwiches, decadent desserts, and a wide selection of teas, coffee, or pink lemonade, all presented in best Victorian manner. Call 518-860-5513 for reservations.

Noon –2pm: Meet Beekman artisan Karen Weber demonstrating hand-painted floral designs at Beekman 1802 Mercantile

2pm: Creating a Holiday Swag with Natural Elements & Elegant Accessories to Inspire Your Holiday Decorating. Maria Lange, owner of Sharon Springs will do a demonstration on how to make a holiday swag using dried flowers and other locally grown items. The American Emporium, 197 Main Street, Sharon Springs.

3pm: Soringerle German Cooking Making and Storytelling with Elizabeth Graham, The Gallery at Graham’s Goods, The American Emporium, 197 Main Street, Sharon Springs.

4:30 – 8pm: Old-fashioned Victorian Church Dinner at the Methodist Church located across the street from the Sharon Springs School. Guests are welcome to enjoy a Victorian Christmas Celebration throughout the evening. Tickets are $10.00 for adults; $6.00 for children; 4 and under are free. Tickets are available at the door. Any questions regarding tickets please call Suzanne at 518-332-2389.

7:30pm: A Holiday Revue Concert at the Stone House, 123 Pavilion Ave, Sharon Springs. A fundraising concert for Klinkhart Hall Art Center. 7:30 PM cocktails, 8:00 PM show. $40 (includes light hors d’oeuvres, cash bar) Featuring performers Austin Jetton, John Cormier Burke, Ron Ketelsen, Sarafina Pandolfo, Veronica Klaus, Kevin Finn, Doug Plummer, Garth Roberts, Allison Stewart, and Studio North performers. For tickets and more information, please call 518-284-2067.

Sunday, December 11th

10am – 4pm: The “Winter Wonderland”at the Roseboro Annex. It will feature many events including a Festival of Trees, a display of almost 150 animated characters, and a Snow Village Scene.

10am – 4pm: Shop the holiday vendors at The Roseboro ballroom. At The Victorian Holiday Celebration, we hand pick our crafters to help make your shopping task a whole lot easier for you. Peruse a fantastic selection of handmade wooden toys and gifts, handcrafted jewelry and ceramics, traditional Christmas decorations, candies, jams and jellies, and stunning household items and much more!

10am – 4pm: Continuous entertainment in The Roseboro ballroom.

10am – 5pm: Local shops in Sharon Springs are imbued with holiday cheer and everything you will need to complete your holiday shopping. Local restaurants offer delicious holiday fare.

10am – 4pm: Chris Ottman of Cherry Valley Tinsel Company will be at the Cobbler & Co. He will be there all day and will demonstrate how he makes his very popular tinsicles and tin stars.

10am – 4pm: Santa will be set up for greeting children the Annex of the Roseboro. Photography will be available for pictures with Santa and a gingerbread photo booth.

11am: Christian Adamson will demonstrate the art of wooden pen making. Lower Level of The American Emporium, 197 Main Street Sharon Springs.

11am – 3:30pm: Victorian High Tea at Miss Lodema’s Tea Room featuring a choice of two soups, scones with jam and clotted cream, a variety of tea sandwiches, decadent desserts, and a wide selection of teas, coffee, or pink lemonade, all presented in best Victorian manner. Call 518-860-5513 for reservations.

1pm: Creating a Holiday Swag with Natural Elements & Elegant Accessories to Inspire Your Holiday Decorating. Maria Lange, owner of Sharon Springs will do a demonstration on how to make a holiday swag using dried flowers and other locally grown items. The American Emporium, 197 Main Street, Sharon Springs.

4pm: Festival ends

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A Magical Collaboration

Brent and Josh stepped into a fairy-tale world for a magical collaboration with world-renowned artists Francisco Diaz and Deb Young.

Franciso Diaz and Deb Young “met” on Facebook in 2013. Diaz lives in New Jersey and Young in New Zealand. They’ve taken the historically solo activity of photography and turned it into a collaborative process by working together in real-time, looking through each other’s camera lens while 8,000 miles apart. They call themselves The International Collaboration Project.

We’re big fans of their series of portraits, called The Wandering Kind (you might recall a previous post of ours about the project), depicting modern people in settings inspired by old fairy tales and folklore. We invited the artists to Beekman Farm to see how their eyes would see our world. To see more of their work visit www.susanspiritusgallery.com

The Goatherd and the Goats by Aesop

In this Aesop’s fable, a winter storm overtakes a goat herder and his goats, and he drives them into a large cave for shelter. It happened that some wild goats had already taken refuge there. The herder was so struck by the size and look of these wild goats that he gave to them alone all the food he could collect. The storm lasted many days, and the tame goats, being entirely without food, died of starvation. As soon as the sun shone again the wild goats ran off, as was their nature. The goat herder went home with no goats, and was well laughed at by all for his folly.

Moral: Those who neglect their old friends for the sake of new ones are rightly served if they lose both.

The Seven Ravens by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

In this Grimm Fairy Tale, a peasant has seven sons before his wife finally gives birth to a daughter. She is born sickly, and the father sends his sons to fetch water for a hasty baptism. The boys, in a rush to be helpful, each wants to be first to bring back water. But in their pushing and shoving, they fall, one by one, into the well.

When they do not return, the father thinks that they have gone off to play and wishes that they be turned into ravens – which promptly happens. In their new form, they fly from the well and off into the wilderness.

When the daughter becomes an adult, she feels guilt for her part in losing her brothers, and traverses the earth to find them. She finally discovers them in the care of a dwarf, removes the curse, and they all return home.

Moral: Be careful what you wish for.

 

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Our Go-To Holiday Must-Watches

We always do a lot of business travel during the holidays. It’s our time to hit the road and help promote our artisans’ wares for seasonal gift-giving. Some years (like this one) we’re only home a few days between Thanksgiving and Christmas! But whether we’re in a motel in Minneapolis, or a B&B in Baltimore, we usually end every night by firing up our iPad and hitting “play” on some of our favorite holiday videos. Sure, we watch the classics – It’s a Wonderful Life; Love, Actually – but our favorites are a little more off-the-beaten-reindeer-path…

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Holiday Staff Picks | Mitch Hara

Mitch is the CEO here at Beekman 1802. He’s a New York City transplant and wine connoisseur. He has nicely integrated into the Upstate New York culture by partaking in the local fashion with regular plaid wardrobe. He’s a great person to lead our team.

What are your top 5 Beekman products?

1. Fig & Elderberry Drizzle

2. Davesforth Original Shave Gel

3. Pure Goat Milk Body Lotion

4. Blaak Night Dry Skin Cream for Face

5. Fig Leaf / Oak Moss Bar Soap (Tie)

 

What is your favorite scent that Beekman carries?

It’s another tie, again between Fig Leaf and Oak Moss.

What is your favorite packaging? 

No tie there, my favorite packaging is Oak Moss.

What Beekman gift would you like to gift to someone this year? To whom?

12 Days of Beekman Curio Beauty Box AND Farmhouse Cookie Jar (Already Have!!!)

What Beekman gift would you like to get this year?

As much Holiday “Shareables” as possible: Goat Poop, Double Chocolate Butter Crunch Toffee, Heirloom Pantry Chocolate Bark, Caramel Apples and, of course, Generous Fruitcake!

The post Holiday Staff Picks | Mitch Hara appeared first on Beekman 1802 Mercantile.

Staff Holiday Picks | Mitch Hara

Mitch is the CEO here at Beekman 1802. He’s a New York City transplant and wine connoisseur. He has nicely integrated into the Upstate New York culture by partaking in the local fashion with regular plaid wardrobe. He’s a great person to lead our team.

What are your top 5 Beekman products?

1. Fig & Elderberry Drizzle

2. Davesforth Original Shave Gel

3. Pure Goat Milk Body Lotion

4. Blaak Night Dry Skin Cream for Face

5. Fig Leaf / Oak Moss Bar Soap (Tie)

 

What is your favorite scent that Beekman carries?

It’s another tie, again between Fig Leaf and Oak Moss.

What is your favorite packaging? 

No tie there, my favorite packaging is Oak Moss.

What Beekman gift would you like to gift to someone this year? To whom?

12 Days of Beekman Curio Beauty Box AND Farmhouse Cookie Jar (Already Have!!!)

What Beekman gift would you like to get this year?

As much Holiday “Shareables” as possible: Goat Poop, Double Chocolate Butter Crunch Toffee, Heirloom Pantry Chocolate Bark, Caramel Apples and, of course, Generous Fruitcake!

The post Staff Holiday Picks | Mitch Hara appeared first on Beekman 1802 Mercantile.

Holiday Staff Picks | Ryan Nash

Ryan started out at Beekman 1802 as our retail manager at the Mercantile, moved to wholesales and is now part of our digital marketing team as Team Beekman grows. He is known by some of our Neighbors as DJ Hotpocket from his days of spinning the one’s and two’s during events at the Mercantile. We’re still trying to unearth some of the photos of his alter persona.

What are your top 5 Beekman products?

1. Ghoast Cheese: Ghoast is a raw, aged cheese made from 100% goat milk from Farmer John’s best milkers.

2. Chewey Gooey Caramels: One a day will keep the sweet tooth away… except that I can never have just one.

3. Pure Goat Milk Lip Balm: Much like Brent, I’m addicted to lip balm.

4. Gentleman Goat Farmer Long Sleeve Tee: It might be because I’m biased, after all, I’m the artist behind the Gentleman Goat Farmer portrait.

5. Trip of a Lifetime (I want to go to Peru!)

What is your favorite scent that Beekman carries? 

Love the Davesforth Shave Bar.

What is your favorite packaging?

I’m digging the Happy Place line. I think the overall vibe hits the mark spot on for inspiring happy feelings with a very kid/pet friendly honest appeal.

What Beekman gift would you like to gift to someone this year? To whom?

Trip of a Lifetime Peru to Kaitlyn (his girlfriend)

What Beekman gift would you like to get this year?

Trip of a Lifetime!!

 

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