Clear the way for spring ... and Sagehens

Ah-h-h-h... It feels like spring. Finally. This winter wasn't really all that harsh but, for some reason, it was just a little harder for me to tolerate this year. Last weekend brought the first signs that spring was just around the corner. It was warm ... warm enough, in fact, to be out in the yard in a tank top and enjoy the sun, getting a much needed job done.

The first signs of spring always fill me with the urge to get out and uncover the yard from the ravages of winter. That was last weekend's project of choice and I must say it left me with a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction even though we didn't make even the smallest ding in the monumental task of yard clean-up. It all has to begin somewhere.

The remnants of our "dog-ransacked" back yard were raked and, much to my surprise and enjoyment, green was emerging from what seemed to be dead and dying brown stuff. Flower beds were raked and cleaned, bulbs were emerging in among fallen pine needles, the roses were pruned back and lower scruffy branches were cut from all of the pine trees that line the fence line of our back yard giving them a uniform and tidy appearance. By the end of the weekend, it really looked like someone cared.

-- With the spring also comes the 31st annual Sagehen fundraising rummage sale. The event will take place the first weekend of May. Throughout the month of April, members of the Sagehens will be on hand every weekend accepting donations that can be dropped off each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Blue Sage Storage off of Highway 208 across the highway from Topaz Ranch Estates.

Items may also be brought to the TRE Community Building from May 2-4. No large appliances, tires, exercise equipment or mattresses please. All items must be in good condition and working order or they will be turned away. Proceeds are to fund community charities and civic organizations including a Douglas High School Scholarship Fund. Time to do your spring cleaning and make a donation that will support your community.

-- And, speaking of supporting the community, on Dec. 8, I wrote in Sweetwater Notes about the dumping ground on what had once been old Highway 208. I talked to Ole Chavez and also Jay Hoogestraat, code enforcement officer for Douglas County Community Development, about the problem. Hoogestaat investigated the problem, notified the land owners of the illegal dumping and yet, to date, the mess remains and more has been added. Hoogestraat informed me at the time of my first call that illegal dumping is a misdemeanor and is accompanied by stiff fines for offenders who are caught. The problem is catching the offenders in the first place. Anyone who has any information about the illegal dumping in the Holbrook/TRE area, please contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 782-9935, code enforcement officer Jay Hoogestaat at 783-6439 or The Record-Courier/Jonni Hill at 782-5121. We can all pitch in and do our part to stop the desecration of our community.

-- There is just a few weeks left to participate in the Topaz Lodge and Casino Fishing Derby and there is still a few "big ones" with big money to be made by a lucky fisher person who snags one of the $1,000 tagged fish still at large, swimming casually around in Topaz Lake. The weather is going to be great this weekend, what more perfect time to get the boat out and enjoy the day ... Who knows, you could be the lucky one. The fishing derby ends April 15.

-- Another outdoor event to consider is the Seventh Annual Jackie Giorgi Pasture Golf Tournament sponsored by the Antelope Valley Lions Club that will tee off at 8 a.m. April 7 at the Baldo Giorgi Country Club (pasture) on Topaz Lane in Topaz. Cost is $25 which covers golf and lunch. If you don't want to "putter" around on the course you can still come and be part of the festivities by coming for lunch only which costs $12 for barbecued ribs, beans, potato salad, dessert and drinks. Proceeds go to the Jackie Giorgi Scholarship fund for Coleville High School graduates. Information, Don Penfield (530) 495-2694, Clint Hershey (530) 495-2935, Lee Sims (530) 495-2488.

Lots of outdoor things to do in the next few weeks so until next week, just keep on keepin' on.

-- Jonni Hill can be reached through The Record-Courier at jhill@recordcourier.com or by calling 782-5121, ext. 213, or after hours at JHILL47@aol.com