By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Jan. 1, 2026, marks the beginning of both a new month and a new year. The January birthstone is garnet. The official flowers of January are the Carnation and the Snowdrop. Zodiac signs are Capricorn (Dec. 22 through Jan. 19) and Aquarius (Jan. 20 through Feb. 18).

HOLIDAYS:

• Jan. 1 — New Year’s Day
• Jan. 19 — Martin Luther King Day

TRIVIA:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the official birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. and is often referred to as MLK Day. This federal holiday is observed on the third Monday of January each year. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law and in civil society. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began shortly after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983. The federal holiday was first observed three years later, on Jan. 20, 1986.
• January is a great time to purchase a vehicle. Dealerships are motivated to sell remaining current-year models to make space for new inventory. It’s also the peak selling month for exercise equipment due to New Year’s resolutions, with retailers offering discounts to capitalize on fitness goals.

EVENTS:

• Jan. 1 — Polar Ride, Amvets Post 2919, noon, 234 S. State St., South Whitley. 
• Jan. 5 – Jan. 19 — Kids’ Coloring Contest, Warsaw Parks and Recreation Dept., 123 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw. 
• Jan.16 — Family Movie Night/“Frozen” 6 p.m., Warsaw Parks & Recreation, 1 Tiger Lane, Warsaw.
• Jan. 20 — Stained Glass Class, 6 p.m., North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St., North Webster.
• Jan. 24 — 8th Annual Polar Plunge, noon, 702 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse.
• Jan. 28 — Lego Mania,  6-7:30 p.m., Warsaw Parks & Recreation, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw.