This is the fourth post in our National Nursing Home Week series celebrating the Spirit of America.
On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 blasted off, carrying, Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins. Four days later, Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon, the first men to walk on the moon. Celebrate by listening to and singing the following moon songs with your residents:
1. Blue Moon– Rodgers & Hart (1934), The Marcels (1961)
2. Blue Moon of Kentucky– Bill Monroe (1946)
3. Shine on Harvest Moon– Bays & Norworth(1908)
4. By the Light of the Silvery Moon– (1909) Edwards & Madden
5. Moonlight Bay– (1912) Wenrich & Madden
6. It’s Only a Paper Moon– (1933) Arlen, Harburg & Rose
7. Fly Me to the Moon– (1954) Kaye Ballard, (1964) Frank Sinatra
8. Moonlight Serenade-(1939) Glenn Miller
9. Moonlight in Vermont – (1944) John Blackburn and Karl Suessdorf
Trivia: Names of the monthly Full Moon. Use the following information to create trivia questions and discussion:
January: Wolf Moon (January 12)
This moon was named because villagers used to hear packs of wolves howling in hunger around this time of the year. It’s other name is the Old Moon.
February: Snow Moon (February 11)
Snow moon is named after the white stuff because historically it’s always been the snowiest month in America. It’s also traditionally referred to as the Hunger Moon, because hunting was very difficult in snowy conditions.
March: Worm Moon (March 12)
As temperatures warm, earthworm casts begin to appear and birds begin finding food. It’s also known as Sap Moon, Crow Moon and Lenten Moon.
April: Pink Moon (April 11)
April’s full moon is known as the Pink Moon, but don’t be fooled into thinking it will turn pink. It’s actually named after pink wildflowers, which appear in the US and Canada in early spring.
This moon – which you can see around 07:08 on Tuesday April 11 – is also known as Egg Moon, due to spring egg-laying season. Some coastal tribes referred to it as Fish Moon because it appeared at the same time as the shad swimming upstream.
This moon is important because it used to fix the date of Easter, which is always the first Sunday after the Pink Moon appears. This year, Easter falls on Sunday, April 16. The Pink Moon also heralds the beginning of Jewish Passover.
May: Flower Moon (May 10)
Spring has officially sprung by the time May arrives, and flowers and colourful blooms dot the landscape. This moon is also known as Corn Planting Moon, or the Milk Moon.
June: Strawberry Moon (June 9)
This moon is named after the beginning of the strawberry picking season. It’s other names are Rose Moon, Hot Moon, or Hay Moon as hay is typically harvested around now.
July: Thunder Moon (July 9)
Named due to the prevalence of summer thunder storms.
August: Sturgeon Moon (August 7)
Tribes in North America typically caught Sturgeon during this month, but also it is when grain and corn were gathered so is also referred to as Grain Moon.
September: Harvest Moon (September 6)
It was during September that most of the crops were harvested. This moon also gave light to farmers working through the night. Some tribes also called it the Barley Moon. The Harvest Moon can sometimes occur in October – whichever Moon is closest to the autumnal equinox.
October: Hunter’s Moon (October 5)
The light of this bright moon made it easy for hunters to spot prey ahead of the lean winter months. It’s also called Blood Moon.
November: Frost Moon (November 4)
The first of the winter frosts begin to take their toll around now.
December: Cold Moon (December 3)
Nights are long and dark and winter’s grip tightens, hence this Moon’s name. With Christmas just a few days away, it’s also referred to as Moon before Yule, and also Long Nights Moon.
For other fun facts about the moon visit The Telegraph