I have a small quibble with the editorial in the June 11th issue of The Tribune. The school district offers summer meals for much longer than the dog days of summer.
Firstly, summer as a season technically begins June 21 as the Earth passes its furthest tilt and begins wobbling back to the fall equinox on Sept. 22. Our culture decided to have summer be approximated more with wheat harvest (a decision which honestly makes perfect sense). The school district serves meals from late spring to the middle of summer, if we’re being pedantic about it. (A challenge I will always take on.)
The phrase “dog days” refers to the specific time when the star Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Big Dog) is visible in the northern hemisphere. This canine companion of the hunter Orion heralds the hottest period of the summer. This year, “the dog days” are July 3 through Aug. 11.
As the school district serves summer meals throughout summer, I hope children will take advantage of the cool milk and other food, especially during the dog days!
Spenser White
Hutchinson