John Sheda

As many of you know, this column is here to keep you informed and up-to-date on just about any and every thing. It’s my job and my responsibility and I certainly don’t take it lightly–Haruumph! This week we tackle the subject of “Daylight Saving Time.” First off, just so no one looks foolish, it is NOT the plural “Savings” but rather the singular “Saving.” There, you learned something already. So no more mistakes with the incorrect pronunciation. Daylight Saving Time.

Daylight Savings, (oops), Saving Time (DST, from now on), first stated in 1918 during World War I, as a way to conserve coal consumption during the war. After the war, DST was stopped but then re-initiated during World War II, this time to conserve oil and other energy and not coal anymore. It did not start to allow golfers and extra hour or so of playing golf. But it sure did help! Also, contrary to popular belief, Farmers were the vociferously were against the implementation of DST. You may think that getting an extra hour of daylight would be good in the field, but years ago, most farmers liked to work, sun up to sun down, as did the pigs, cows and other animals. The change was not fun for the hard working farmer and his livestock. Here are some other interesting facts:

Today, 48 of the 50 states utilized DST. Iowa certainly is one of the forty-eight, but do you know which two DO NOT have DST? Answer later.

Benjamin Franklin, kinda, sorta came up with the idea way back in 1784, when he jokingly thought it would be a way to save candles. A penny earned, penny saved idea, I guess.

Why 2:00 am? Good question. Apparently 2 am is the least disruptive time of the day. I wouldn’t know, ‘cuz I’m sawing logs at this time of the night. Zzzzzzzzzzz.

But what do the taverns and bars do? Again, I’m not a great person to ask on this, but it supposedly is a law that the bars are to close at 1:59 am on this night. Is that true????

Speaking of time, (and we are), does any Tama News reader know what the study of time is called? Answer later, again. (remind me).

Ok, winners and losers in this “spring forward, fall backward” thing. Winners are golfers and other evening leisure enthusiasts. Losers are TV viewers, movie theaters and farmers..

Someone tried to suggest to Congress that the Monday after springing forward should be “National Nap Day.” Actually, with retirement, I celebrate it every day. But interestingly enough about 20-25% of you will come in late this coming Monday. Really? I don’t believe that (yawn) statistic.

Well, there you have it. All the information you could ever possibly want about Daylight Savings, (oops), Saving Time. Oh, the two states that don’t observe DST, are Arizona and Hawaii and the study of time is called “Horology.”

Trivia abounds here at The Way I See It. Let me know how you see it at jsheda@indytel.com or call me at 319.327.4640.

My goodness, I almost forgot to tell you to turn your clocks FOWARD ONE HOUR, THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, MARCH 12.

Don’t forget now.