One year ago, Tamika Caston-Miller was on a trip to the Andes, when she started seriously reevaluating her life in Houston.

Why do people need to get away? Why do people travel? she wondered.

For Caston-Miller, it was all about finding an escape into nature. She asked herself: Is this something I could create in Houston?

She also thought about the lifestyle of the city, the hustle and bustle and how so many Houstonians are separated from nature, often without community or even knowing their neighbors.

Were not meant to be alone, she said.

Then, Caston-Miller began imagining a solution. She dreamed of a garden space, where adults could dig into the dirt and watch plants grow; where school children could go on field trips and learn about nature firsthand.

As founder of Houstons Ash Yoga, Caston-Miller also imagined restorative yoga near the garden. Since her wife Lenie Caston-Miller is a sculptor, there would also be a place for art.

It would be a whole space for a healthy community, Caston-Miller said.

She and Lenie were still in Peru when they began hunting for a property where this vision could take root.

At the time, they lived a couple miles north of downtown. Lets put our house on the market and see whats out there, Caston-Miller thought. We need a place where we can live and create this space.

The couple mapped it out and decided they needed at least 2 acres.

If we find a property that matches what were looking for, then well take it as a sign that we should move forward, thought Caston-Miller, who has worked as a school teacher and a yoga instructor for about a decade. She started her own yoga practice a year ago.

Even though she felt a pull to do more in her yoga business, leaving the security of a day job behind was daunting. But, after the trip to the Andes, Caston-Miller took a leap of faith.

When the school year ended, her new life as a solopreneur began.

First, Caston-Miller had to find the space inside the Beltway. After a few failed attempts, she discovered an ideal location, just south of Sunnyside, 10 minutes from the University of Houston.

On RenewHouston.com: How yoga helped me build my inner strength during the pandemic

It was exactly what we were looking for, and I was so surprised, she said. I didnt think there was something like this in the city.

Caston-Miller closed on the property last January - and named it The Ranch Houston.

Its old ranch land, she explained. Everyone has horses. There was livestock on the property. At its core, it looked like a ranch.

The couple planned to renovate the home into a livable space and urban homestead, but then COVID-19 hit two weeks after they began remodeling.

We shifted from what we couldnt do to what is possible right now, Caston-Miller said. And what was possible was seeding the garden, tilling the land.

Another possibility was teaching yoga outside. So she began extending invitations for private lessons. By June, she started offering yoga classes. First, the sessions were on the front lawn. Then, she built a 1,000-square-foot covered pavilion.

Caston-Miller found that students were grateful to have this option. For some people, returning to a yoga studio wasnt appealing.But what was comfortable was practicing outdoors, socially distanced, Caston-Miller said.

Since The Ranch Houston was built during the coronavirus, putting safety protocols in place was part of the blueprint.

Because of COVID-19, we had to slow down and think everything through, Caston-Miller said. We had to consider all the risks. Everything had to be intentionally done.

She believes that attention to detail will pave the way to success in the long-run. This isnt the only time that disease is going to happen; we can build safety into our design, she said.

The pandemic also reinforced what Caston-Miller realized in the Andes - the need for health and wellness, the importance of de-stressing and being outdoors.

I want people to see this as a home not just for yoga but for complete wellness, Caston-Miller said.

Clients can wander through the garden, watch a plant they started as a seed grow, before settling into a yoga class on the lawn.

Caston-Miller said being close to nature is therapeutic especially in the midst of an uncertain time and increased anxiety.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Can yoga fix a community wrecked by persistent flooding? Wharton aims to find out.

No matter how difficult life is, growth is still happening, she said. Life is still happening. We just lean in and shift with life.

Caston-Millers yoga community was made-up of Heights and Uptown residents before COVID-19. Now, they trek a little further south to The Ranch.

Its right inside the Beltway, but when you get there its like, am I in Houston? Its acres of land, said Heights resident Crystal Sellers, who was one of the first to visit the property. Its been really great to have this experience.

Sellers has been practicing yoga with Caston-Miller for years and was drawn to the instructor for her approach, which was more focused on the philosophy of the practice.

When Caston-Miller moved online during the lockdown, Sellers enrolled. Still, she missed being in community. So when Caston-Miller mentioned The Ranch, Sellers jumped at the option.

It literally provided me with a moment of escape, Sellers said. You drive 20 minutes, and it feels like youre in a different world. Its amazing.

She remembers, on that first trip, kicking off her shoes and running into the grass. It was so grounding, she said. The Ranch just offers this comfortable repose.

Caston-Miller has also been a source of solace, Sellers added.

Its a combination of who she is, how welcoming and caring she is, being able to connect with her, be outside and continue this practice, Sellers said. The icing on the whole experience is Tamika and her wife, how theyve chosen to show up for everyone who shows up here.

As the weather gets cooler, she plans to continue classes outside, only with heaters. She continues to offer courses online, too. Eventually, Caston-Miller plans to host retreats at The Ranch, as well as events, like yoga and arts festivals, workshops and teacher training.

Already, she has offered virtual field trips for children and hopes that after the pandemic, students can come in person to learn about sustainability, gardening and nutrition.

Looking back at the past year Caston-Miller reflects on her original vision, the strides she has made and how now she is offering an oasis in the midst of the pandemic.

I think I did a pretty good job, she said with a laugh. You dont need to catch a flight to get away from it all. Just come on over.

Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer.

Read more from the original source:
Lean in and shift with life.How an urban ranch combines yoga and plant cultivation to heal Houstonians - Houston Chronicle

On the parishs edge, adjoining Viverdon Down and overlooked by Kit Hill, a 10-acre enclosure of wet ground is reverting to a wilder state, steered by new owners. The 1840 tithe map shows six small plots here, all called moor, although two of the three tiny fields then used for crops were named as Brick Moor perhaps a reference to the rich brown earth or the clayey subsoil. A concrete culvert, draining water from the nearby main road, has damaged much older field drains lined with slabs of indigenous chert; use of heavy machinery for silage making has also caused collapses, so the land is prone to seasonal waterlogging and surface runoff.

Just after last Christmas, swathes of saplings were planted, staked and guarded against browsing deer and rabbits. Rutted ways from adjoining arable fields have been blocked off, and previously flailed bushy growth on hedgebanks will now be left to thicken up to provide some shelter from wind and occasional spray drift. Gnarled thorns, ash, holly and oak line the stream on the eastern side; the lowest, rough and boggy ground, difficult to access, is overhung by sturdy branches of willow, and brambles creep out, fostering regenerating scrub.

Central to the whole enclave, a mature, lopsided oak leans away from prevailing westerlies; it used to shade the dairy herd when it was turned out for summer grazing. This autumn, red admiral butterflies and hornets bask in late warmth on the sunny side of the furrowed trunk; a barn owl hunts regularly across surrounding tussocky grass and has prospected the new owl box. Seeding knapweed, plantain, dock, rush and thistle attract charms of foraging goldfinches. Recently dug ponds now retain spring water and slow runoff, and, as soon as the largest filled, it became a focus for gathering swallows; mallards and a heron have already dabbled and waded in the open water.

A new, rudimentary shelter has been named Larkrise Halt in the hope that skylarks will come here; it also reminds that this land had been on the proposed route of the Callington light railway towards Saltash. That venture was abandoned; if it had gone ahead, the area might have been built over by now and become a suburb for commuters travelling towards Plymouth.

Here is the original post:
Country diary: a waterlogged world reverting to the wild - The Guardian

The Section 1 field hockey playoffs start Monday.

There are always playoff upsets.

But this season, maybe the biggest upset is that Section 1 has made it this far -- or at least most of Section 1 has.

Lakeland field hockey players jump onto goalie Celeste Pagliaroli after the final buzzer in Lakeland's 2-1 victory over Greeley at Lakeland High School Nov. 5, 2020. (Photo: Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News)

In a switch from past practicein which the Section 1 field hockey championships were really full-fledged championships in classes A, B and C, every team, regardless of record, has qualified to play for these regionalized titles.

Qualified doesn't mean will play, however.

The exception are those teamsfrom schools that haveshut down all or parts of their sport programs due to COVID cases/potential exposure.

That means for the field hockey playoffs, no Brewster, no Rye, no Ursuline and no Harrison. The list, unfortunately, could expand before the scheduled finals (Dutchess and large southern Westchester schools on Wednesday and everyone else on Friday).

And Section 1 officials are also aware Albany could cancelall interscholastic sports at any time, given the surge in statewide COVID rates.

But, for now, the games are on.

Below is a listing of today's games with some brief notes about the brackets.

Note: As of this early Monday morning posting, Section 1had not assigned times to the games. Also, its fan policy will continue through playoffs: No visiting fans allowed and two fans allowed per each home player.

If any region has reason to grouse about these playoffs it's Dutchess. Yes, it's great that anyone is playing this fall, no less this late in the season. But it would have been nice if it these four teams could have been included in with Northern Westchester/Putnam, since Dutchess squads played those teams during the regular season.

As it is, the final will likely be No. 1 Ketcham vs. No. 2 John Jay-East Fishkill.John Jay-EF won their first of two regular-season encounters 2-1. Recently, Ketcham won 3-1. Translation: Flip a coin.

Monday's games

No. 4 Lourdes at No. 1 Ketcham: Lourdes hasn't won a game. This won't change Monday. Ketcham should romp.

No. 3 Arlington at No. 2 John Jay-East Fishkill: Arlington has a shot but JJ-EF should win this.

Large division

Greeley's Grace Arrese (4) during game against Lakeland in field hockey action at Lakeland High School Nov. 5, 2020.(Photo: Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News)

Greeley at 10-1 (its lone loss coming 2-1 toLakeland in a game it at times dominated) is the odds on favorite here, although JJ-CR should give it a decent game.The absolute shame of this season is there was no Greeley-Mamaroneck game. Greeley is currently No. 3 in the rankings and Mamaroneck No. 1. In normal times, these teams would no doubt have met for the Section 1 Class A championship. Monday, Greeley has a bye. All other teams in this division are in action.

Monday's games

No. 5 Somers at No. 4 Mahopac: Could be the game of the day. Somers had a tougher schedule. If it wins, it won't be much of an upset. But Mahopac is enjoying a big resurgence in its field hockey program and won't want to see the season end this soon and on home turf. Making Somers a slight favorite.

No. 6 Fox Lane at No. 3 Carmel: All Carmel here. The Rams are toofast andtoo skilled for the reguilding Foxes.

No. 7 Yorktown at No. 2 John Jay-Cross River: The Wolves aretoo deep for Yorktown. JJ-CR, one of the section's better teams, will win and it could be a blowout.

Small schools

Lakeland's Keirra Ettere (7) during game against Greeley in field hockey action at Lakeland High School Nov. 5, 2020.(Photo: Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News)

Speaking of grousing, North Salem would have been the favorite this year to win the Section 1 Class C crown and, in all likelihood, go to the state championships.

Now, it's lumped into a division for these makeshift playoffs with Class B Lakeland, a team that just won its 24th consecutive league title, only recently saw its more than 200-game unbeaten streak in Section 1 play snapped by Mamaroneck and has won 10 state titles in the last 11 years.

Forget that Lakeland, which has a quarterfinal bye Monday,isn't quite as good as some of those (or maybe all of those) state championship squads it had. This is still a superb field hockey team that can beat anyone on any day.

So, this is the Hornets' division to lose and don't bankon that happening.

Monday's games

No. 5 Panas at No. 4 Hen Hud: Panas beat Hen Hud by one last month. But Hen Hud has played well lately. Figure Hen Hud in a tight one.

No. 6 Putnam Valley at No. 3 Croton: Seedings are meaningless here. Yes, Croton beat Put Valley during the regular-season. In fact, that was just Friday. But Putnam Valley outshot Croton, despite Croton getting the 1-0 win. Croton is a favorite here but a very slight one. This is one of those games that could go to OT.

No. 7 Byram Hills at No. 2 North Salem: All Tigers on this one. Very good team that is especially impressive, since it's one of the few that practices and plays at home on grass and then somehow still wins on artificial turf.

Large division

With COVID taking programs out of the playoffs, this division has only four schools. There's a lot of talent here. But Mamaroneck should own this title. No teamfrom Section 1 had defeated Lakeland in 12 years until the Tigers did so earlier this month. As noted above, it's a shame it didn't get to play Greeley, the team that beat it by a goal for the Section 1 title last year after years of trying. Mamaroneck wanted redemption. COVID prevented its shot at that. But unless COVID shuts down sports beforeWednesday evening, figure the Tigers willwin with this consolation prize.

Monday's games

No. 4 White Plains at No. 1 Mamaroneck: Yes, White Plains is very good. It's having its best season in recent memory and defeatedboth Bronxville and Scarsdale. It also lost just 2-0 to Mamaronecklast week, despite White Plains' leading scorer, Alexa Donahoe, sitting that game out with injury. That was a huge turnaround from its opening-day 10-0 loss to Mamaroneck. Could White Plains win this game? Despite its seeding, it probably would have the best shot of any team in this division of beating Mamaroneck. But figure Mamaroneck will double-team Donahoe and White Plains' other star, Julia Hricay, just as it did in their first match-up. Deny them the ball and you pretty much deny White Plainsthe game. Simply, as good as White Plains is -- and it does have good talent beyond its two stars--it doesn't have Mamaroneck's depth. Mamaroneck is strong at every position and it has something no team in Section 1 has: Samantha Maresca in net. She has recorded 49 shutouts over her careerfor Mamaroneck and will play for Division I Sacred Heart next year. To beat Mamaroneck, you have to beat Maresca. That's asking a lot -- probably the impossible. Mamaroneck is ranked No. 1 overall. Figure that won't change this season.

No. 3 Scarsdale at No. 2 Pelham: This is a very tough one to call. Scarsdale had a rough season with COVID putting it on ice early for a prolonged period. When it returned, it lost to teams it didn't normally lose to. But it also showed flashes of its old self. It recently rebounded with a one-goal win over White Plains after losing to the Tigers by a goal earlier. Pelham isone spot above the Raiders in the overall Journal News/lohud rankings and recently destroyed small-school top seed Rye Neck 9-1. It has been solid throughout the season. But we're going with a small upset here: Scarsdale

Small schools

Bronxville, last year's state Class C champion, did a nosedive at the end of the season. Once a top-five team overall, it's now not ranked at all in The Journal News/lohud Section 1 top 10.

The Broncos havethe second spot in this division behindRye Neck. Both teams have byes on Monday and won't play until Wednesday's semifinals.

But forget Section 1's seedings here. And forget the Broncos' skid. Anything less than Bronxville winning this division will be an upset. It fell just 1-0 to No. 5-ranked Rye last week. Yes, it has had trouble scoring and, of late, winning. But the Broncos are still tops in this grouping.

Monday's games

No. 5 Pleasantville at No. 4 Hastings: These teams didn't play this season. Both did play No. 2 Putnam/Northern Westchester-seed North Salem, however, Pleasantville falling 2-0 and Hastings falling 4-0. Give Pleasantville a slight edge here in this quarterfinal match.

No. 6 Valhalla at No. 3 Irvington: Once a doormat, Irvington is moving northward at a pretty quick pace. It's 4-5-3 this season and is probably better than its record. It should beat the Vikings but will have a tough time getting past Bronxville in the semis.

Everyone is one in Rockland. No big and small divisions. This championship will be a true Rockland County championship, which, in a way, is pretty cool.

This division isn't as black and white as others.

The top seed is Clarkstown South at 8-1-1 and should win it all. But the emphasis is on should. Pearl River tied the Vikings 3-3 Nov. 9. And second-seeded Suffern split a two-game series with South during the regular season.

How close these teams are is also clear from No. 3-seed Pearl edging No. 2-seed Suffern by a goal during the regular season.

Chances are good several of the Rockland games, beginning with Monday's quarterfinals, will be decided by a single goal.

Monday's games

No. 8 Albertus Magnus at No. 1 Clarkstown South: Vikings all the way on this one.

No. 5 Nanuet at No. 4 Clarkstown North: Want to talk close? These teams tied 2-2 last month. Going with North here but a Nanuet win would not be a shocker.

No. 6 North Rockland at No. 3 Pearl River: North Rockland has had a down year but fell by only a goal to Pearl River Saturday. Still, Pearl is the better team and should win this one.

No. 7 Nyack at No. 2 Suffern: Down year for Nyack, solid for Suffern. Mounties should be the easy winner here.

PLAYOFFS ARE HERE: Field hockey: Here are the seedings for the Section 1 tournament

REMARKABLE RUN ENDS: Field hockey: Mamaroneck ends Lakeland's historic 12-year Section 1 unbeaten streak

HORNETS SURVIVE: Field hockey: Lakeland scores early and hangs on to extend 12-year Section 1 unbeaten streak

Nancy Haggerty covers cross-country, track &field, field hockey, skiing, ice hockey, girls lacrosse and other sporting events for The Journal News/lohud. Follow her on Twitter at both @HaggertyNancy and at @LoHudHockey.

The rest is here:
Field hockey: Predicting the Section 1 playoffs - The Journal News

There seems to be some confusion about whether its too late in the season to plant turfgrass. Fear of freeze damage is the main concern.

Well, if planting sod in the fall were a problem, the golf course superintendents and landscape contractors would be in real trouble since they plant and transplant solid sod year-round, including through the winter as long as the ground isnt frozen.

So yes, planting solid sod can be done any time of the year, but fall is the very best time to plant warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, Bermuda and Zoysia, as well as cool-season grasses such as rye, fescue and bluegrass. It is too late in the season to plant Bermudagrass seed, and St. Augustine and Zoysia arent planted by seed.

Now that we have that straight, lets talk about how to best do the planting.

Remove existing grasses, weeds, debris and surface rocks. Rocks down in the soil are no problem and actually aid positive drainage. Till to a depth of 1 inch and rake into a smooth grade. Deep rotor-tilling is unnecessary and a waste of money unless the soil is heavily compacted.

Adding a thin layer of compost 1/4 to 1/2 an inch thick is OK to do, but its really better to wait and apply the compost and other amendments (lava sand, Azomite and whole ground cornmeal) on top of the sod after planting. The addition of topsoil or sand isnt needed.

Its a little late in October, but ryegrass seed can be planted as a winter over-seeding crop now. But I dont do it; its too much trouble. If you decide to, scalp the turf area and catch the clippings. After spreading the seed at about 3 to 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet, thoroughly soak the ground, then lightly water the seeded area at least twice a day. Fertilize with organic fertilizer sometime around the first mowing. Continue light watering until the grass has solidly covered.

Spot sodding is not my favorite way to go because it is too slow to establish, but it can be done by planting 4-inch-by-4-inch (or larger) squares countersunk to be flush with the existing grade.

For solid sod or spot sod planting, organic fertilizer should be applied immediately after planting at the rate of 10 to 15 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Solid sod blocks should be laid joint to joint after thoroughly wetting the top and bottom of each sod piece. After planting, the sod should be tamped down by using a roller full of water. This helps smooth out and level the sod. But more important, it removes air pockets that result in yellow spots. Small areas can be tamped by foot.

Mow your new sod whenever it needs it.

Read this article:
You can plant turfgrass in the fall - The Dallas Morning News

Plans to grass over graves at a cemetery in Reading have been paused as some families were not aware of the maintenance works, the council has announced.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) had planned to begin seeding work on the graves in Henley Road Cemetery so that they fit in with the other graves in this part of the cemetery.

Some members of the Muslim community prefer earth graves, where they can plant flowers, but the graves are located in lawned areas.

READ MORE: Development plans at 'stunning' Edwardian house refused for SIXTH time in THREE years

In 2018, the council identified that it was necessary to find an additional area for Muslim burials within the Henley Road Cemetery.

At that time, the only available location was in an area where graves are laid to lawn.

A meeting was held, and this was agreed by the Imam at the time, but when notice was given of the plans to grass over the graves, families informed the council they were unaware this would happen.

A RBC spokesman said: When a burial is being arranged, a burial notice must be completed and within this notice, the grave type is specified.

Unfortunately, as the vast majority of burial notice forms in the Muslim community are completed by either the funeral director or more often by the mosque on behalf of the family, it is possible the families have not explicitly been made aware of the grave type.

Therefore, when the recent signs were displayed on site giving notice of planned seeding work in the area, this was the first time some families have been made aware of the situation.

READ MORE: Half of rough sleepers now in longer-term accommodation - Reading update

Obviously if families have not been informed of this situation prior to the burial, we fully understand why they would be upset on discovering it, particularly where a community has strong beliefs regarding burial sites.

We will be discussing this further with those who have loved ones buried, as well as representatives of the Muslim community. In the meantime, we have paused the planned work for the time being.

See the original post here:
Plans to 'grass over' Muslim graves paused as some families 'unaware and upset' - Reading Chronicle

Oct. 6

Education: Parents/guardians of children in Rainbow Schools are invited to take part in a virtual presentation on Life Interrupted: A Pathway Toward Resilience and Growth. Two online sessions will be available on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 3 p.m., and Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. Hosted by the Rainbow District School Board Mental Health Team, the presentation will support parents/guardians as their children transition back to school, whether learning in class or online. Parents/guardians can register online at bit.ly/rdsblifeinterrupted.

Photo contest: Just 50 km northeast of Sudbury is the worlds largest known old growth red pine forest. As part of the Chiniguchi waterway, Wolf Lake is treasured for its popular backcountry canoe routes and recreational opportunities. People come from around the world to experience the beauty of the towering red pines, quartzite cliffs, and sparkling blue water in this critically endangered ecosystem. Sudbury Naturalists, Friends of Temagami, and Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury invite you to share your best Wolf Lake photos and prizes will be awarded. Enter at WolfLakePhotoContest.ca. Applicants are also encouraged to share their pictures on social media with the hashtag #WolfLakePhoto. The deadline to submit is Oct. 31. The winners will be announced at the Nov. 10 Sudbury Naturalist meeting. Grand prizes include an Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody, local glass art inspired by Wolf Lake, a hand-made canoe paddle, and Spirit of the Red Pine art book. Smaller weekly prizes will also be awarded during the contest, by random draw.

Film: Splinters, a Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2018 film, will be opening theatrically at select theatres across Canada, including at the Sudbury Indie Cinema downtown on Oct. 2. A full schedule of showtimes will be available at http://www.sudburyindiecinema.com in the coming weeks.

Trivia Night: Nickel City Trivia is hosting The Quarantine Quiz every Tuesday at 8 p.m. on Facebook. Go to https://bit.ly/3n3IDy9.

Oct. 7

Environment: Vales annual aerial seeding program will take place until Oct. 9 with the use of helicopters. Vales aerial seeding program targets barren land requiring reclamation around the companys operations. This years treatment area will be about 100 hectares (247 acres), north of Wahnapitae. While every effort will be made not to fly over nearby residential areas, local residents may notice low-flying helicopters near Wahnapitae. Residents are advised that this is part of Vales normal land reclamation activities and the low flight paths are necessary for the work to be effective. Weather permitting, planes will depart from a private airstrip in Coniston and deposit loads of agricultural limestone, grass seed and fertilizer on the designated treatment areas.

Photo contest: Just 50 km northeast of Sudbury is the worlds largest known old growth red pine forest. As part of the Chiniguchi waterway, Wolf Lake is treasured for its popular backcountry canoe routes and recreational opportunities. People come from around the world to experience the beauty of the towering red pines, quartzite cliffs, and sparkling blue water in this critically endangered ecosystem. Sudbury Naturalists, Friends of Temagami, and Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury invite you to share your best Wolf Lake photos and prizes will be awarded. Enter at WolfLakePhotoContest.ca. Applicants are also encouraged to share their pictures on social media with the hashtag #WolfLakePhoto. The deadline to submit is Oct. 31. The winners will be announced at the Nov. 10 Sudbury Naturalist meeting. Grand prizes include an Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody, local glass art inspired by Wolf Lake, a hand-made canoe paddle, and Spirit of the Red Pine art book. Smaller weekly prizes will also be awarded during the contest, by random draw.

Mining: Gordon Stothart, president and chief executive officer of IAMGOLD, will be the guest speaker at the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerces next Presidents Series Luncheon at Brystons-on-the-Park in Copper Cliff. Tickets for the in-person luncheon, which starts at noon, are $50 for members and $80 for non-members, while admission to the virtual luncheon, which starts at 1 p.m., is $25 for members and $40 for non-members. With the in-person luncheon, masks are mandatory and space is limited. For tickets or more information, contact the chamber at 705-673-7133, ext. 224.

Oct. 8

Food: St. Marys Ukrainian Catholic Church Thanksgiving luncheon, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is only accepting preorders and there will only be curbside pickup. A meal is $12 and includes three pyrohy, two cabbage rolls, sausage, sauerkraut and borscht soup. Sausage on a bun is $5, sausage on a bun with sauerkraut is $7, a dozen pyrohy is $9, a dozen cabbage rolls is $9, while a jar of borscht is also $9. All preorders must be placed by Oct. 6. To order, call 705-675-8244.

Environment: Vales annual aerial seeding program will take place until Oct. 9 with the use of helicopters. Vales aerial seeding program targets barren land requiring reclamation around the companys operations. This years treatment area will be about 100 hectares (247 acres), north of Wahnapitae. While every effort will be made not to fly over nearby residential areas, local residents may notice low-flying helicopters near Wahnapitae. Residents are advised that this is part of Vales normal land reclamation activities and the low flight paths are necessary for the work to be effective. Weather permitting, planes will depart from a private airstrip in Coniston and deposit loads of agricultural limestone, grass seed and fertilizer on the designated treatment areas.

Photo contest: Just 50 km northeast of Sudbury is the worlds largest known old growth red pine forest. As part of the Chiniguchi waterway, Wolf Lake is treasured for its popular backcountry canoe routes and recreational opportunities. People come from around the world to experience the beauty of the towering red pines, quartzite cliffs, and sparkling blue water in this critically endangered ecosystem. Sudbury Naturalists, Friends of Temagami, and Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury invite you to share your best Wolf Lake photos and prizes will be awarded. Enter at WolfLakePhotoContest.ca. Applicants are also encouraged to share their pictures on social media with the hashtag #WolfLakePhoto. The deadline to submit is Oct. 31. The winners will be announced at the Nov. 10 Sudbury Naturalist meeting. Grand prizes include an Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody, local glass art inspired by Wolf Lake, a hand-made canoe paddle, and Spirit of the Red Pine art book. Smaller weekly prizes will also be awarded during the contest, by random draw.

Virtual Knit Nights: Sweet Yarns, located at 1465 Bancroft Dr., is livestreaming knitting circles on its Facebook page every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join here: https://bit.ly/33lpT5u.

Oct. 9

Haunted Heights Trail: Take a haunted walk through the woods every Friday and Saturday, 8-11 p.m., until Halloween. Social distancing rules in effect. Admission is $7 per person or $5 with a non-perishable food item (human or pet) to be donated to a local food bank and animal shelter. The haunted trail is located at 1764 Kathleen St. in Val Caron. For more, go to https://bit.ly/34f6thQ.

Photo contest: Just 50 km northeast of Sudbury is the worlds largest known old growth red pine forest. As part of the Chiniguchi waterway, Wolf Lake is treasured for its popular backcountry canoe routes and recreational opportunities. People come from around the world to experience the beauty of the towering red pines, quartzite cliffs, and sparkling blue water in this critically endangered ecosystem. Sudbury Naturalists, Friends of Temagami, and Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury invite you to share your best Wolf Lake photos and prizes will be awarded. Enter at WolfLakePhotoContest.ca. Applicants are also encouraged to share their pictures on social media with the hashtag #WolfLakePhoto. The deadline to submit is Oct. 31. The winners will be announced at the Nov. 10 Sudbury Naturalist meeting. Grand prizes include an Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody, local glass art inspired by Wolf Lake, a hand-made canoe paddle, and Spirit of the Red Pine art book. Smaller weekly prizes will also be awarded during the contest, by random draw.

Halloween: The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre, along with Northern Screams, has created a new interactive and immersive Halloween attraction that will be open to the public starting Friday, Oct. 2, until Oct. 31. Inferno 6077: Born Out of Fire, is a fully produced theatrical drive-in style haunt that promises to deliver the same intense scares as the Terror Train 6077, which has been derailed due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The event will run from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, as well as Saturday matinees from 2 to 6 p.m. All events will take place at the museums Heritage Centre, 59 Young St. in Capreol. Tickets are $65 per vehicle ($13 per person based on five seats), plus box office fees, and are available online at normhc.ca or by using the Haunt Pay App. Guests must remain in their vehicles throughout the entirety of the experience. Guests in each vehicle must be from the same social bubble. COVID-19 procedures and protocols will be posted and followed.

Halloween: Halloween at Dynamic Earth, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 30. For a full list of events and experiences, visit https://www.sciencenorth.ca/halloween.

Environment: Vales annual aerial seeding program will take place until Oct. 9 with the use of helicopters. Vales aerial seeding program targets barren land requiring reclamation around the companys operations. This years treatment area will be about 100 hectares (247 acres), north of Wahnapitae. While every effort will be made not to fly over nearby residential areas, local residents may notice low-flying helicopters near Wahnapitae. Residents are advised that this is part of Vales normal land reclamation activities and the low flight paths are necessary for the work to be effective. Weather permitting, planes will depart from a private airstrip in Coniston and deposit loads of agricultural limestone, grass seed and fertilizer on the designated treatment areas.

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Things to do in Sudbury, Oct. 6 to Oct. 9 - The Sudbury Star

Breathe easy, Masters zealots.

Last week photos circulated online from Eureka Earth showing most of the Augusta National grounds painted in brown.

Theoretically the images shouldnt have been surprising; the grass at the hallowed property is famously scalped in the summer months. But with this years Masters Tournament moved to November, the photos of a cocoa-colored Amen Corner had fans fearing the worst. (In their defense, its been that type of year.)

However, with the Masters five weeks out, Eureka Earth posted another round of Augusta National aerials Saturday morning, and the burnt sienna surroundings are no more:

That is the byproduct of ryegrass seeding, and you dont have to squint too hard to see the sprinklers hard at work. In short, Augusta National is back to looking like Augusta National.

Now, if those trees can just start turning orange

The 2020 Masters begins Nov. 12. Tiger Woods is the defending champ.

Original post:
You wont believe the transformation Augusta National has made in a week - Golf Digest

-Messenger photo by Kriss NelsonCory Krug, Webster County Fairgrounds president, stands at the new Figure 8 racetrack and pulling track and the grandstand area at the Webster County Fairgrounds.

There has been a lot of action the past few weeks at the grandstand area of the Webster County Fairgrounds. Its not the typical Figure 8 races or truck pulls, however.

A transformation began just a few weeks ago at the fairgrounds when the Webster County Fair Board broke ground on their new grandstand area.

Cory Krug, Webster County Fair Board president said they have made great progress on the project, but there is still plenty to do.

By moving the grandstands and racetrack further east, closer to U.S. Highway 169, the Webster County Fair Board is anticipating the updates to bring more opportunities, comfort and attention to the grandstand events.

We have been running into problems with parking during the fair especially when our grandstand events come in, we have a carnival that takes up space, said Krug. We had a need to move the track and grandstands for several other reasons. The crowd will no longer have to face the sun and it will get better attention being closer to the highway.

-Messenger photo by Kriss NelsonCory Krug, Webster County Fairgrounds president, and Heather Stewart, Webster County Fair board member, discuss the progress that has been made at the new Figure 8 racetrack and pulling track and the grandstand area at the Webster County Fairgrounds.

Heather Stewart, a Webster County Fair Board member, agrees.

Hopefully people on the highway can see us know that we are here, she said. I think people have forgotten about us. We are hoping we will attract more people. We are set up to do so many great things here. Even if its not a grandstand event, we have a great auditorium, indoor and outdoor arenas too.

After the teardown of the old track area, which including pulling fences, barricades, moving the bleachers and more, dirt work began on not only tearing up the old track, but building a new one.

Krug said the new Figure 8 track is approximately 25-feet wider than the previous track, making it now 500 feet long and 210 feet wide with a 55-foot width around the track.

We did all of that based on the feedback from drivers, he said, adding that by moving the grandstand, they have managed to free up an additional five acres that will be used for parking and more.

-Submitted photoDirt work progresses on the new track and grandstand area at the Webster County Fairgrounds.

Krug said they have also improved their pulling track.

We brought in more clay. Packed it a lot better so that those events can go on seamlessly there wont have to be a lot of prep work like there was before, he said.

They have also moved the pit area down to the end of track.

This will allow better access to our facilities for all of the drivers and the people in the pit, so they dont have to cross the track, said Krug. It will be a lot safer that way.

The added space and new design will also allow for events that arent on the regular schedule to happen without tearing up the regular track areas as they have had to do in the past.

-Submitted photoThis photo shows how the grandstand area and racetrack was laid out prior to it being moved further to the east.

This will allow the grandstand area to be more versatile, said Krug. We also have UTV races, tough truck races and weve been getting some interest to bring back moto-cross races. We now have the space for those types of events to occur so we dont have to tear up our regular tracks like we have had to in the past.

Krug said there is still a lot of work left to be done.

Phase one is nearly complete, but will also include moving all of the electrical components, a new fence and also hopefully new lighting.

Phase two, according to Krug includes new bleachers with a shade roof. The cost for that starts in the $300,000 range, so there is a definite need for fundraising to achieve those plans.

In terms of enhancements, we would like better fencing instead of having to repurpose what we have, that is something we are looking at doing, he said.

Stewart said they are also looking into building a permanent beer garden with restroom facilities as well as a new facility for checking in and checking out on race day.

Fundraising

Krug said they were able to raise the funds to begin the transition with a Grandstand Fundraising Festival last summer, which replaced money that would have been raised during the 2020 Webster County Fair.

Local businesses and supporters came in and helped put on some of the events. Those large crowds that attended, allowed us to get the dirt work done and hopefully everything we need to do from an electrical standpoint, said Krug.

But more donations are needed in order to complete the work.

Both Stewart and Krug emphasized donations dont always have to be in the monetary form.

The seeding has been donated we have about 11 acres that needs seeded to have grass ready to go next year, said Krug. Same with the electrical we are hoping to get assistance with funding or for equipment and the labor. That is how most things happen out here. If the money is not there, then we hopefully get businesses to step up and help us out.

Some items that top their priority list include:

Water/sewer work

Highway barriers

6-by6-foot beams (4 feet to 16 feet)

2-by-10-by-18-foot treated boards

New light poles

LED stadium lights

Electric work

Crows nest build

Flag stand build

Beer garden/bathroom build

A list of needs will be updated on the Webster County Fair Boards website.

Stewart said if anyone or a business is willing to donate money, equipment or labor, they can contact the Webster County Fair Board. They will be a part of the sponsorship list that is listed on the fence that surrounds the grandstand area.

Krug said the Webster County Fairgrounds is a non-profit volunteer run organization.

We are always looking for more volunteers or members that are interested in helping to improve the fairgrounds for our local youth and the benefit of the community, he said.

Having a venue brings people to our area, said Stewart.

Krug said he would like to see the new grandstand area and the Webster County Fairgrounds eventually become a premier venue for Fort Dodge and Webster County.

Our main thing we do here is Figure 8s, but, we are going to expand on that. We are going to have more races next year. We bring in a lot of cars from different counties and places in Iowa. We want to expand that even further. Have more truck pulls to put on and just more stuff for people to get out and do, he said. We would love to have bigger concerts and also use it for venues like that.

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Transformation and opportunity | News, Sports, Jobs - Fort Dodge Messenger

The WESTCO Zephyr players were happy to be on the field practicing as a unit for the first time in three months.

While the players were excited to be on the green grass of Cleveland Field in 90-plus temperatures, WESTCO Zephyr head coach Jeremiah Luber was equally excited to be back on the field after an unusual coronavirus-inflicted break.

I am excited. It is 95 degrees out here and it is baseball weather, Luber said. All the guys have an extra pep in their step and excited to be here. It is a little different because normally when we are out here for the first practice, you have a couple layers on and it is chilly, and today we have some good baseball weather.

The make-up of the WESTCO teams are unknown for now, but one thing that Luber is pleased with is the numbers that are trying out for a spot on one of the three teams WESTCO will field this year.

We had a spike in numbers and excited about that, he said. We are planning on 35 to as many as 38 guys trying out. We are planning on having three teams and we are really excited about that. We have a big group of eighth graders coming up that will be able to field their own team.

Last year, WESTCO started a third team of eight graders. The same will hold true this year.

We have five or six guys back from last years team that had unbelievable experience, Luber said. They were the first team in six years to make the state tournament in Kearney and played some high competition. We have a good mix of young guys coming up and I am excited to come out and see these guys that I havent seen in a while. Some of these guys will be juniors and pushing for a spot with the Zephyrs.

WESTCO will have 17 days to practice before their first games. High school teams can have their first games on June 18 and the Zephyrs will open up on that date with a trip to Wheatland, Wyoming. The Zephyrs first home game is slated for June 19 against Torrington followed by a trip to face Cheyenne Post 6 on June 23.

The Zephyrs lose three key players from last years 31-21 team in Harold Baez, Paul Panduro, and Jack Jones.

Key returners include Creighton Dike, Hunter McCollum, Jace Heineman, Porter Robbins, Dario Rodriguez, Tate Carson, Izaiah Torrez, Keegan Nation, and KJ Hartline.

I can tell you just being out here that these guys are just excited to be out here after being quarantined for a little bit, Luber said. We are all just so thankful for the opportunity we get that half the states in the country dont get. We are going to come out and do the best that it works and follow the protocols and just help the guys improve and have fun playing.

Luber said that this season will be challenging with all the rules they have to follow, but the WESTCO organization will be following the new rules to set an example with the possibility of opening up other things.

What will be different for now is only household members can come to the game, he said. I cant look down the road to see if the guidelines might change a little bit on July 1, but where the fan seeding will be, no one will be allowed to be up in the stands so we will have fans down the rightfield line and fans down the leftfield line sectioned off where household members can come and watch. Obviously that that is disappointing, but by the end of the day, going through all these hardships, we are just trying to get out there so the kids can play baseball.

Our parents are really supportive. I was really concerned when I saw the guidelines and how much more it would take on each household to make sure the kids can get to the game. Everyone is supportive in our program.

Luber said the two weeks of practice will be beneficial for this team to get everyone on the right page. Come June 18, there will be a lot of baseball played in the next month and a half.

We will be looking forward to be playing, he said. With us not being able to have contact with the guys [during the pandemic], the guys have been doing workouts at home, but I dont know how much guys have been doing, so we need that practice time to make sure we are ready to go. I was gun-ho to play as soon as possible before the guidelines but then I thought about it that these two weeks will be really good to evaluate, get the guys arms built up, and get guys back in shape.

More here:
WESTCO Zephyrs excited to be back on the diamond - Scottsbluff Star Herald

Do these look like weeds? Native plants can create a beautiful landscape that's more eco-friendly than grass. (Ron Frazier / Flickr)

You know how when Taylor Swift or the Grateful Dead, U2 or K-Pop sensations BTS sell out Soldier Field, they always seem to add another date? And then that show sells out too, so maybe they add a third? And thats not even enough to meet demand?

Thats what it feels like to be Sarah Michehl.

If the name doesnt ring a bell, thats because Michehl isnt a rock star. Shes a community engagement specialist with theLand Conservancy of McHenry County, a nonprofit land trust organization. Its a business-card mouthful that essentially means Michehl teaches people about nature.

In April, with in-person instruction on hold during Illinois stay-at-home order, Michehl came up with an idea for a free onlinehow-to webinar for people interested in converting their lawn to prairie plantings. She had to cap registration at 100, because of her Zoom license, but didnt think that would be a problem.

Well, that first session quickly reached capacity, with people signing up from as far away as Kansas and Ohio, so she scheduled a second, which promptly filled up, then a third, and a fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.

I just kept adding, said Michehl, who now has webinars booked into July. This is the busiest Ive ever been in my job.

Michehl said she suspects the unexpected flood of interest has something to do with the coronavirus and people being stuck at home.

People are getting intimately acquainted with their property, she said. Maybe something good can come out of this pandemic.

Prairie smoke, a lower-growing native plant. (Krista Lundgren, USFWS / Flickr)

The lawn-to-prairie movement has been steadily growing in recent years as people have become more knowledgeable about the way local ecosystems work.

EntomologistDoug Tallamy, one of the leading proponents of native plants, explained the interconnectedness of plants and pollinators in a recentinterview withSmithsonianmagazine: Ninety percent of the insects that eat plants can develop and reproduce only on the plants with which they share an evolutionary history.

The plight of the monarch butterfly, the caterpillars of which are totally dependent on milkweed for food, brought global attention to the decimation of native habitats and really opened the door for natives resurgence, Michehl said.

People are ready to hear this message, she said.

Swapping out turf for natives turns whats essentially a food desert for insects into a buffet that can support a diverse array of bees, butterflies and other tiny but vital creatures. Native plants also have far deeper roots than grass, meaning they absorb more stormwater and are more resistant to drought.

Because 85% of land east of the Mississippi River is privately owned be it utility rights of way, school properties, farms or residential areas Michehl said educating the public about steps that individuals and private entities can take is crucial to creating eco-friendly habitat.

We cant leave it up to state DNRs (Departments of Natural Resources) or forest preserves to make the difference, she said, because their footprint is comparatively small.

Lawns, on the other hand, cover 40 million acres in the U.S., according to anoft-cited research articlepublished inEnvironmental Management.

Thats where the impact is going to be made, said Michehl.

Referencing Tallamys latest work, Natures Best Hope, Michehl said, If everybody could cut down their amount of lawn by half and turn it into native plants, we could have a homegrown national park of eco-beneficial land.

Blazing star, a native plant. (USFWS Midwest Region / Flickr)

Whats good for the planet isnt necessarily great for relationships between neighbors, though. Prairie lovers often find themselves at odds with adjacent property owners, the most common complaint being that the native plants look like weeds.

Thats where Michehl and her webinar come in.

Natives do not have to equal messy, untidy and uncared for, she said, nor should prairies low-maintenance reputation be misconstrued as no maintenance.

The key, Michehl said, is for prairie fans to be good ambassadors of natives by choosing the appropriate plants and managing them.

Youve got to be smart, she said. Show how beautiful sustainability can be.

One option is to choose a quality seed mix of lower-growing plants none of that meadow in a can stuff, she said such as columbine, wild geranium and Jacobs ladder (to name a shade-loving trio). Another is to consider judicious use of sedges and grasses (grasses not grass its a key distinction), which are important to landscape design from both an ecological and aesthetic perspective, Michehl said.

They shoot up right away, are great for weed suppression, hold soil in place and provide winter interest when all the flowers are gone, she said.

And dont skimp on research, Michehl added.

Natives arent interchangeable, and each plants characteristics should be taken into account before purchasing seeds or seedlings, she said. Some plants are extremely aggressive, for example, and should only be considered by people who have acres and acres of land.

Theres an amazing book, Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest. Thats my bible, said Michehl. Its an amazing resource for when youre wondering, Why is this thing even here? and how to control it.

Thats just a hint of the content Michehl has incorporated into her webinar, including lessons learned from mistakes shes made at her own Crystal Lake home.

Her first attempt at smothering the grass in her back yard a non-herbicidal way of killing grass to prep an area for prairie seeding was a hot mess, Michehl said.

But even with mistakes, I have a thing of beauty, she said.

Notably, Michehl has received zero pushback from neighbors.

In fact, the one time she got tagged in one of those nosy neighborhood Facebook groups, it was by someone who wanted to copy her prairie conversion.

On second thought, maybe she is a rock star.

Contact Patty Wetli:@pattywetli| (773) 509-5623 |[emailprotected]

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Go Figure, But a 'Convert Your Lawn to Prairie' Webinar is the Hottest Ticket in Town - WTTW News