As King Solomon so eloquently stated in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

Whether it is with the leaves of hardwoods, the musical tuning of crickets, or the changing wildflower species that come and go, every season, if not every day, has something unique to offer a careful eye.

While walking down the hill to get the morning paper, I observed ground spiders whose webs are now highlighted by the morning dew. Were they there yesterday, or is this their time in the season?

Even without a thermometer on the wall, it seems obvious that we are in the “dog days” of summer. The mere exertion it took to just walk up the hill the other afternoon confirmed my suspicions; either that, or I am majorly out of shape.

As noted by The Old Farmer’s Almanac, we are smack dab in the midst of the Dog Days (40 days beginning July 3 and ending Aug. 11).

To the ancient Egyptians, these days coincided with the ancient rising of the Dog Star, Sirius, at sunrise. The appearance of Sirius always happened just before the season of the Nile’s flooding, so they used the star as a “watchdog” for that event.

Because its rising also coincided with a time of extreme heat, the connection with hot, sultry weather seemed a natural fit. While the “dog days” might have nothing to do with the apparent laziness of dogs (or tired men walking up hills), the fact that they occur during the hottest days of summer explains it all to me; and judging by our recent heat waves, we are indeed in the midst of “the dog days.”

Lecture series continues

Seeing how it is summer, did you forget to attend last night’s “Science, Music and Marshmallows” lecture gatherings?

The good news is that there are several more opportunities, as they will continue every Wednesday in August at the future site of the Marys Peak Natural Resources Interpretive Center (located behind the Philomath Chamber of Commerce caboose).

Along with learning something of interest, prepare for mosquitoes (wear long sleeves) and be ready for family fun. Music begins around 8 p.m., followed by a lecture at dusk, and marshmallows when everyone is good and ready.

Alumni gathering

Last Saturday a cohort of Kings Valley school(s) alumni met at the Kings Valley Charter School for their annual gathering.

Levis (Kopplien) Pizer noted that the 30 in attendance, while small compared to past gatherings, had much to say in regards to recollections of their school years in the communities of Kings Valley and Hoskins.

The weather was perfect for this afternoon assembly.

Helen Claremont won the door prize, a book about Camp Adair. A copy of this book will be presented to director Mark Hazelton of the KV Charter School for the school library.

Many were the stories told by these faithful “alums.” How the high school (at the corner of Highway 223 and Hoskins Road) did not have an athletic field, but did have wire on the windows so they could play volleyball in their classroom! How they would dance into the wee hours above Norton’s chicken coop! How messy things would get when making copies with the gel-based hectographs.

To help encourage a larger turnout, the plan for next year is to begin advertising this gathering earlier in the season and encourage the new alumni from KV schools to attend and begin sharing their memories as well. Consider yourselves warned.

Recycling in Wren

This Saturday is the next recycling day at Wren.

The Allied Waste collection truck will be stationed by the railroad tracks near the Wren Fire Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This should be more than enough time to gathering your recyclables and take them down to Wren.

Marking 60 years

Finally, congratulations and best wishes to Pat and “Jr” Lyday, who are celebrating their 60th anniversary.

All are invited to an open house, which will be held at Norm and Terri Arnold’s house (next to KV Store) on Aug. 19 from 2 to 6 p.m.

Presents are not only not required, but are not wanted.

It is not necessary to RSVP, just drop on by and wish the “newlyweds” best wishes.

I am sure they have stories to tell, memories to recall and moments to cherish.

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