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Show Volume XV Issue V The Ogden Valley news Page 11 February 15, 2008 Come By and See What’s New at the SFGF A Winter Wonderland—Past and present The folks at the Square Foot Gardening Foundation (SFGF) have expanded into a new office headquarters and shop located at 1965 N. 5700 E. in Eden. The Foundation is reaching out to make a difference in the world, helping people near and far learn to save money and be healthier by using this efficient gardening method. Eden resident, and founder Mel Bartholomew of the internationally renown gardening method is growing his non-profit organization and now has an expanded team of employees and suppliers, as well as new available products. Mel’s best selling book All New Square Foot Gardening explains all you need to know to get growing more in less space and with less effort, and it’s never too soon to start planning your summer growing projects and preparing to have a great experience too. Maybe a group of neighbors would like to share a community garden project this year. Or you’d like to start at home teaching your children and grandchildren about this “living food storage” process. Perhaps you’d like to start a new hobby or become a bit more self sufficient. There is a myriad of good reasons to start gardening the square foot way! Being environmentally conscientious, perhaps you’d like to start recycling your compost. You can begin by putting your kitchen scraps to work; it’s easy with one of Mel’s specially designed compost bins. For a no-weed garden, read about Mel’s Mix soil formula. Or, perhaps, you will be the one who makes a real difference in helping community members living in developing countries, educating them about how they can grow their own food, and begin a micro business. Some of SFGF’s newest products include beautiful redwood patio boxes, a protective water wall that will help extend the Valley’s short growing season by weeks, and extended planting boxes. If you didn’t think gardening by the square foot could get any easier, just order some of the many products offered by the SFGF, or come on by and pick up your very own Square Foot Gardening box with, or without, a bottom, or with weed-proof ground cover; you’ll never have to sweat and drudge over digging or weeding again! Get your free package of seeds with every box kit. SFGF staff members are here to help with gardening questions or product needs. Give us a call at our new office at 801745-2633. And, on March 1, watch for the unveiling of our new, improved web site at <www.squarefootgardening.com> Mel Bartholomew, Lori Jones, Karen Bastow, Vicki Wight, and Tim Daniels. Photo by Theresa Ellis Go to OVBA.ORG for local Goods, Services and Specials the Winter Carnival Parade, a giant snow slide, and an ice castle. Every year the With my hands clasped around my hot ice castle is built with ice blocks harvestmug of tea, I sit curled up on the sofa in ed from the clear waters of Minnesota’s the sitting room. It’s a beautiful view out 10,000 lakes. The towers of these fairy the window; snow, snow, snow . . . as far ice castles can stand as high as 166 feet. as I can see. Our house being a bit high- The first time I saw one of these ice castles (our very first winter er than the rest in America), it took of the neighmy breath away. It borhood, I can was flooded in spotsee the snowlights—in all the covered roofs colors of the rainof our neighbow. It was magibors. I rememcal. Would the wonber receiving ders of America ever Christmas cards cease? I wondered. while still living Minnesotans love in South Africa. to brag about how The artists’ tough they are. The paintings on 2004 Ice Castle. colder it gets the betthe cards were of little houses with snow-covered roofs, ter, they say. So the winter carnivals are smoke twirling out of chimneys. This is during the coldest time of winter—at the exactly what I see now. I am looking at this end of January when the temperatures dip lovely scene through icicles of all shapes, to -20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. And to sizes, and lengths. They remind me of ice further prove their tough nature, free ice sculptures—the ice sculptures at the Winter creams are handed out during the carnival! Carnival in St. Paul where we went every It was the first time I experienced ice cream that grew harder rather than softer the lonyear while living in Minnesota. In the days leading up to the week-long ger it took to eat it. There are quite a few things about carnival, I’d go to the park in St. Paul every chance I got. The prelude to this winter in our Valley this year that remind amazing event was, to me, just as exciting me of Minnesota—the towering mounds as the actual carnival. Huge ice cubes, so of snow that I have to drive through to get clear you could see through them, would to our house, the snow-packed roads in our neighborhood, be delivered by the freezing temtrucks in anticiperatures, and the pation of the humongous icicles artists who hanging from our would arrive a roof. day before the Then the beaucarnival with ty outside gets just chisels and electoo much to ignore. tric saws. They I want to—need would carve and to—be a part of chop away at the it. This emotion ice, transformis also reminiscent ing the massive of Minnesota. frozen blocks Minnesotans told into amazing us after we arrived works of art. in America, “You There would 1992 Ice Castle should get out and be sculptures of children sledding and skiing, bears and enjoy winter! Don’t admire it from afar.” moose, and one of my favorites—a hand So I put my coat, gloves, scarf, and hat on standing five feet high, holding a real and walk out the back door. Freezing air American flag. Witnessing the bustling fills my lungs as I strap on my snowshoes around the park, with volunteers scurry- and walk onto the golf course, which is ing from here to there, it was difficult to covered in four feet of snow. I smile conimagine that the chaos would soon become tentedly as I follow the tracks that a moose left a couple of days before. Soon I am a winter fairytale. The St. Paul Winter Carnival is famous part of the wonder of winter—this winter for many things, but three that stand out are wonderland. By Drienie Hattingh Peak Handyman Services Residential & Commercial Licensed & Insured 801-621-5575 P O Box 135 Eden, UT 84310 801-920-4796 |