Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 6-16-22 E-Edition

Thursday, June 16, 2022
Model A Ford Club reunites in Sanger
The View From Here
I decid- ed to take Francine, (my small cream col- ored dog) for a walk down by
the river. The
Kings River at Cricket Hollow had no water on the morning of June 11 so we walked along where the water used to flow. I ended up with a bunch of sand in my shoes and socks. Francine ended up with sand in her fur but I’m sure she didn’t mind it too much. "Another dry river" I thought to myself.
Just one week later, all of that changed.
The same river that was full of sand, branches and debris was now flow- ing with water. Every time I drive by the river and see it full of water I am again reminded that sum- mer is back. Families will start to make their way back to Reedley Beach to enjoy the water.
I am also reminded of the dangers that come with playing near bodies of water.
I spoke to an official with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office on June 12 following the drowning deaths of two brothers at Avocado Lake.
The sergeant told me they’ve had a total of 6 drownings this year alone, and technically “summer season” hasn’t even start- ed for them.
The department also put out a list of safety tips for those wanting to enjoy some time by the Kings River or any nearby lake.
Remember to always wear a life jacket. Make sure children have one that fits them properly. Stay out of the water if you are not an experi- enced swimmer.
Parents should watch their children at all times, and adults should not mix alcohol and swimming.
Alcohol causes swim- mers to fatigue faster than normal and can cre- ate dangerous situations.
Understand that when it’s hot outside you will get tired faster than usual.
Respect the water. The temperature of the water remains cold and the cur- rent is often stronger than it appears.
Be careful of the mud on the bottom of lakes and rivers. It’s easy to sink in some spots and get your feet stuck.
Most importantly, have a safe and fun summer. The Kings River is now flowing and summer can officially begin, at least into August.
Juanita Adame
Juanita Adame/ Mid Valley Times
John Hulstrom tested out the horn in his Ford Model A coupe on the morning of June 11.
the club’s newest members. “We are gathering here to- day, just as an old time picnic,” Merk said. “We have activi- ties, old time yard activities: croquet, bocci ball, corn hole,
darts.”
Other attendees at Sat-
urday’s picnic also included more established members like John Hulstrom.
Hulstrom pointed to his midnight blue Model A parked along Palm Avenue near the park.
“This took me 6 and half years to build this, it started with a nut and bolt, it’s pretty much all stock, I have modi- fied and put 35 inch Ford wheels on it with radial tires on it because it goes down the road better,” he said. “The horn is always hot, so you can hit the button.”
The club is always accept- ing new members interested in the Ford Model A car. For more information visit sier- ramodelafordclub.com, or contact (559) 875-5698 or email psmerk@verizon.net.
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
A tan Ford Model A belonging to Bill Cooper. Cooper said he im- mediately fell in love with the vintage cars after seeing them riding around.
wife Mary," Cooper said. Cooper said his wife Mary responded by saying she’d give him six months before
he’d go and purchase one. “Three weeks later, we took a trailer up to Vacaville and I came home with Bonnie our 1929 coupe- and the rest is
history.”
It was stories like Bill and
Mary Cooper’s that Stan Merk, treasurer for the Fresno chap- ter of the Model A Club said they enjoy hearing from their new members.
“When we look at the roster we have 84 family member- ships,” said Mark.
“Usually when we have our club meetings once a month we have about 30 members at- tend, today we have 25 people attend the tour.”
The “Meet and Greet” tour and picnic was held on the morning of June 11 at Sanger’s Greenwood Park and was ded- icated to Bill and Mary Cooper
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
A casual ride up to the mountains is what Bill Cooper said peaked his interest in the Sierra Model A Ford Club in Fresno.
“Here’s what happened,” he said on the morning of June 11. “A friend and I are into mo- torcycles, we rode our motor- cycles up to Tollhouse and all
of the sudden, there’s all these Model As.”
Cooper said he couldn’t be- lieve his eyes. He immediately fell in love with the vintage 1920s era car and decided to strike up a conversation with the car’s owners.
“I got to talking with these guys and looking at them and they were so interesting and I came home from the motor- cycle ride and I told my lovely
“It took me six and a half years to build, started with a nut and bolt, it's pretty much all stock.”
John Hulstrom Ford Model A Club
Garden Checklist: Prune light to avoid vigorous regrowth
Dinuba's Summer Fun program now accepting applications
Contributed
Remember friends, neigh- bors and shut-ins when there’s extra produce and flowers from your garden.
Tasks for this time of year include removing groundcov- ers, turfgrass, or annual flow- ers from little-used garden areas such as parking strips, medians or lawn “islands.”
Now is the time to cov- er bare soil with a layer of mulch. This reduces weeds and helps the soil retain mois- ture. Harvest vegetables and annuals regularly. Harvest apricots, berries, figs, plums and nectarines.
Wash aphids and white flies off plants with water or insecticidal soap. When prun- ing remember that deadhead annuals and perennials to en- courage re-bloom.
Prune lightly to avoid vigorous re-growth. Dead- heading roses encourages reblooming. Avoid fertilizing herbs as too much fertilizer reduces flavor and fragrance. Midsummer in the Valley is
typically not the best time for planting. New plants struggle to get established in high tem- peratures, low humidity, and intense sunlight.
Things to ponder as the month of June continues; try not to spray herbicides when daily temperatures exceed 100 degrees to prevent the spray from vaporizing.
Protect neighboring plants with a cardboard shield when spraying herbicides. Watch for leaf drop, wilting or fold- ed leaves which are the first signs of heat stress.
Weeds compete with land- scape plants for space, water and sunlight. Remove exist- ing weeds by hand pulling, hoeing, or the application of appropriate herbicides fol- lowing label instructions.
A 2-3” layer of mulch will suppress weed seed germi- nation in the future and help conserve soil moisture.
Prepared by Judy Parker, Master Gardener UCCE Fres- no County.
Contributed
Dinuba’s Summer Fun Program is currently taking place through July 29.
The program will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, cost will be $30 per month and is
open to students in grades 1st through 8th.
Registration require- ment, parents or guardians will need to provide a cur- rent photo of the child.
For details contact (559) 591-594
Photo of the Week
Contributed
Thisphotoof ReznorRangelaftertouringtheReedleyPoliceDe- partment with his Cub Scout Troop 28 was sent in by Adrienne Rangel. Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@midval- leypublishing.com.