April showers bring May’s flowers. They also prepare the ground for the planting of May and June gardens.
My spouse is an avid gardener. While other men enjoy sports or golf, he is happily playing in the dirt. He mulches with compost, organically preparing his soil for the hundreds of seedlings that he nurtured under the grow lights in our basement.
His cold frames came out last weekend, and it won’t be long before there is homegrown lettuce gracing our dinner salads. These boxes also transition the tomato, broccoli and pepper plants to the outside climate.
Gardening is a hobby for optimistic gamblers. One early frost can wipe out an entire crop. Last year’s constant rain and subsequent lack of it left many local gardeners greatly disappointed, not to mention that East Side deer and groundhogs require creative and expensive fencing.
None of that matters to my gambling garden optimist. Hope springs eternal. The onions are up, the strawberries are blooming and the apple trees have dodged the frosts. He says this year the odds are in our favor … at least for now.
And now the news from our side of the bridge:
School News
East Park first-graders are taking a field trip to the WVU Agricultural Farm’s Kiddie Day on April 29. Students will have an opportunity to observe, feed and pet baby farm animals. Mrs. Yanego is asking for hopes and prayers for a clear, warm day.
Baptist Temple Preschool holds its walkathon with Silver Sneakers for health awareness and to raise money for the preschool on May 3-4. The preschool is also accepting 3- and 4-year-old students for the 2016-17 school year. Contact Director Anita Rosser at 304-353-5600 for more information.
Morris Park
Do you love the outdoors? Are you looking for a different sporting activity? The Fairmont Fliers Disc Golf Association meets weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 p.m. at the Seth Burton Memorial Disc Golf Complex. Tee off begins at 5:30 p.m. This sport is held year-round, is free and everyone is welcome. Bring your own disc or purchase one from the Flier’s Club. This year’s first tournament, A Mellow Day in May, is May 21.
The Fairmont Fliers meet on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. to clean and maintain both the Seth Burton Memorial Park and the Orange Crush Disc Park. Volunteers are appreciated.
Palatine Park
A great big thank you to the city of Fairmont for the completed renovations to the Merchant Street parking lot and the stairs from Merchant Street to Palatine Park. This phase of work included repaving and restriping the parking lot, installing new decorative fencing and the addition of a set of steps from Merchant Street to the parking area on Water Street.
Make sure to stop down by the Palatine Park Flea Market from 7 a.m.–2 p.m. on May 1 and every Sunday for the rest of the summer.
Gardeners, mark your calendars! May 14 is the Master Gardener’s Heirloom Plant Sale held at Prickett’s Fort, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. These are heirloom, non-GMO plants that are not available in local stores. Master Gardeners will be present to answer gardening questions.
Milestone Birthdays and Anniversaries
A very happy birthday to Larry Williams, owner/stylist of Elhannon’s. Stop by and wish him a happy 60th birthday on May 2.
If you have any news about our community, like new East Side businesses, milestone birthdays or anniversaries, school or church information, please contact me at merryheart62@yahoo.com or call and leave a message at 304-366-7635.
I look forward to hearing from you.
East Side Correspondent Marcie Williams can be reached at 304-366-7635 or by email at merryheart62@yahoo.com
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