In her last column, Monohan reminds us to keep nights dark

                                            Fish Springs has always been known for its pitch black nights and star-filled skies. This little valley sits about 500 feet higher than the Carson Valley and is separated from it by rolling hills. The lights from Carson City and Carson Valley don't encroach upon the darkness out here so we're able to clearly see bright shooting stars and slow-moving satellites as they cross the heavens above. I saw Haley's comet with just my bare eyes and even the spectacular aurora borealis three exciting times!

But I do worry that this wonderful part of Fish Springs is changing as increasing growth brings more and more light to our once-dark skies. There have been lots of big, fancy new homes built out here in the last few years, and what's the first thing they do? They turn on a bunch of glaring outdoor lights and illuminate half the block. Newer residents are leaving their lights on all night. Why light up our wonderful darkness? Are they afraid? There's nothing out here that's going to get them. 

Some of the houses have a dozen porch lights around their decks and others have big floodlights aiming across their desert backyards. I sure wouldn't like their electric bills. I've heard complaints from neighbors about the intruding lights.

One solution might be to use motion-detection lights that only go on when someone approaches or leaves your yard. We put one in as our front porch light and it works great. The sensor shoots out 40 feet. So, as we motor up the driveway, the porch light goes on and illuminates our way. Then our light stays on for four or 14 minutes, whichever we set it to.

If you really need to light up all around, go head and do it. We could make a compromise on this. But, please neighbors don't leave them on all the time. The dark skies are one of the big reasons people move out here to Fish Springs. I know my favorite place in the world is out in my own backyard, sitting in the hot tub with my husband, just watching the stars twinkle. 

Let's keep our beautiful rural communities - dark.

Retirement in Fish Springs  

It's been so much fun writing this regular column in The Record-Courier and meeting lots of new friends. We've been able to get to know so many of our Fish Springs neighbors through the 24 years and the approximately 1,150 articles I wrote for the "Fish Springs Flier."

I loved my wonderful job at Gardnerville Elementary School, but needed more time to spend traveling with my husband Norbert, for family get-togethers, and for enjoying our motorcycle trips, gardening, animals, and life in general. My husband and I both retired in 2002.

And now it's time for Norbert and me to spend quality time together. After all, that's what retirement is supposed to be about. That's why we work for so many years - to get out of the rat race while we are still young and healthy enough to joy it.    I am still here and plan to be for a long time. I have really enjoyed my time and writing about so many different subjects, and so many different people.

I have truly loved my newspaper years. Farewell and goodbye, Linda Monohan.

Linda Monohan may be reached at 782-5802.