As a former Boy Scout, the motto "Be Prepared!" suggested the need to be ready to do the right thing, whenever, wherever! For the month of June, a variety of "preparations" are in order, as June is National Safety Month, according to the National Safety Council.

The theme for this year is "Celebrating Safe Communities." For the entire month, the council's Web site, www.nsc.org, is dedicated to promoting safe and healthy behaviors that protect people from hurt and harm in all aspects of their lives. The good news is that workplace injuries are on the decline. The bad news is that the number of unintentional injuries incurred off-the-job continues to rise.

While we generally cannot avoid the unexpected, there are things we can do to improve our ability to respond to it. Whether it's creating an emergency kit, clearing brush away from the house, or just not doing stupid things like standing on a chair on top of a bed trying to catch a squirrel at 2 a.m. (which is a story for another day), being prepared is a matter of choices. So take a moment, look around, and ask yourself if you are prepared for the unexpected; your answer might just save your life.

Weather wonderings

Last weekend, after many preparations, my family held a reunion at Lincoln City. While the weather cooperated, I did wonder why the wind died down, the skies turned blue, and the air warmed on the day we all left. Perhaps it was a good omen, but it is getting harder for the family to get together.

Kings Day

This does not seem to be the case for the upcoming Kings Family Reunion, which is always held in June on the first Saturday after Fathers Day (this year, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday). This year's gathering will be held at the Beazell Forest Education Center, or what is known to some as the old Plunkett Farm. A beautiful setting indeed!

As is typical with King Folk Reunions, the morning will be a workshop and time to share and copy King family material. The potluck of potlucks begins at noon with family business at 1:30 p.m. While it is amazing how anyone's family tree grows, even more impressive is the tree of Nahum and Sarepta Norton King, which began its Kings Valley roots in 1846.

Beautification plans

Equally impressive are the preparations being made for the Kings Valley Community Center's beautification project. If you drive by the center, you will notice that some clearing has begun on the south side of Maxfield Creek Road for the anticipated 20 new parking places.

A design, waiting approval by the KV Area Association Board, has been created for the placement of Virginia Price's sweetgum tree, bench and plaque, along with border trees and shade trees for the Farmers Market that she so enjoyed.

As there will be major changes to how people come and go from both the school and community center, an overall concern is safety. Several grants are being explored, and if you are interested in helping with this part, contact Betty Malone at 929-2289.

Ready for rodeo

It is now summer, and the green grass in the fields is beginning to change to shades of brown, which coincides with the heightening anticipation of the July 12-15 Philomath Frolic and Rodeo. As we speak, cowpokes from far and near have their calendars marked, their registrations completed, and their steeds in top shape as they prepare to compete for the money and prestige that comes from this annual high-energy piece of Americana.

Tickets are still available, but word is they are going fast for all nights of the rodeo. Lest you "snooze and lose" you might want to "git-r-done" and go to www.philomathrodeo.org, and get them while they are hot. Don't forget, July 12, is "slack time," when you can watch the competitors prepare for free.

Gardening maven

Finally, thanks to Amy Schoener, who suggested that what I thought was milk-vetch was actually hairy-vetch; my bad! Incidentally, Ms. Schoener might just have the most beautiful garden in the valley. While I can only dream that my landscape and garden will look as lush and delightful as Amy's, I am well aware that hers is not a result by happenstance, but by preparation, and lots of it.

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