In the classic Al Jolson (Judy Garland) song “April Showers,” we hear this famous line: “Though April showers may come your way, they bring the flowers that bloom in May.” Recently it has come to my mind that the lyrics could also include, “and these same showers, turn lawns into towering green.”

Well, perhaps the rhyme scheme needs something; however, the truth remains that a little bit of rain and a little bit of sun, and the lawns seem to grow overnight. It has almost become a game as I begin to prepare the mower only to find the rains a’ fallin’ and the grass a’growin’. So I wait and keep raising the height of the mower for that opportune window of time.

A natural lesson

Speaking of opportune windows; years ago, I attended a conference in which a speaker was discussing how the answers to life’s questions can be found in nature. The way trees bend into the wind, the way water flows around rocks, or perhaps the fortitude of a sparrow rebuilding its nest year after year. Our recent weather over the last week has been rather interesting, to say the least, for the plants, and quite stressing. While I anticipate my geraniums will shed their frozen leaves and regenerate, I was reminded once again how the “art of gardening” addresses the “art of living.”

Just as it is so easy to continually weed a garden before it gets out of control, so true is it to address minor issues and nuisances in our lives before they get out of control. A former employer of mine once called it the “staircase” method in which “issues” are dealt with at the first step (early on) rather than waiting till they reach the top of the stairs (out of control.) Prepping the soil is the same as preparing for any activity by planning, strategizing and developing contingencies. The benefits of ongoing nurturing of a garden, or monitoring the effectiveness of a plan, results in greater fruits than forgetting to water, feed and weed. All of which is a long-winded way of suggesting, in the words of Ben Franklin, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Tending our safety

With prevention in mind, and a lot of nurturing and preparing, the Hoskins-Kings Valley Fire Department has begun its budget process for FY07-08. While it would be ideal that a community that thankfully has minimal emergency activity could operate on a minimal budget, the case has to be made that unless the department is capable of responding, it can’t. This implies that equipment has to be up-to-date (compatible with other departments) and in excellent working order, as “good” is not good enough when a life or home is in balance.

Complementing the working condition of the equipment, there needs to be a team of volunteers willing and able to respond and operate safely and effectively this same equipment. Hmmm, I wonder if I can make a connection to gardening here. It is never too late, nor a bad time, to consider how you can be a “gardener” of your community. A rural fire department can never have too many volunteers (although it is possible to have too many chefs in the kitchen.)

Are you, or do you know someone who might be able to add an “ounce of prevention? If so, contact Chief Dave Evans, 929-2907 and find out how you can begin “preparing the soil” or perhaps become a “nurturer.” Preparation is key and like a good garden, it is needs to be prepared and ready to produce.

Seniors’ moments

Being “prepared to produce” is becoming the sole focus for many Philomath High School seniors who are scrambling to complete their year-long required senior projects so they can complete all their June graduation requirements.

While many high schools require variations of senior projects, PHS’s approach is recognized both in the state and around the nation as rigorous and relevant. PHS students are required to complete a critically-graded research paper, a substantial research project based upon an area of interest, interaction with a community-based mentor knowledgeable in the area of research and a formal presentation of the project and their reflections to a panel of reviewers.

Personally I find this form of individualized service learning to be an excellent tool for students to fulfill their years of learning in an area of their own interest. This fulfillment not only adds value to their own lives, but often to their community (seen and unseen).

Perhaps this is the “act of harvesting” — or perhaps it is but the preparation for an even greater “garden” down the road. Good luck to those seniors still working on their projects and well done to those who can now sit back and relish in their efforts.

Dan Hayes reports on news in the Hoskins-Kings Valley community and can be reached at 929-2356 or travelor54@peak.org.