Wrenshall News: Signs of spring abound

The famed rodent of Punxsutawney Pennsylvania did not see his shadow this year, prognosticating an early spring for 2020 and right here at the Food Farm we had our first picnic of the year… in the greenhouse. The thermostat said 94 degrees on Sunday afternoon and some of the smaller amongst us were in tank tops. There are other signs of spring on the farm. We have onions in the ground, the bees have been spring cleaning their hives, we got our seeds inventoried, and we’ve been busy telling the story of CSA to anyone interested in signing up for vegetable shares this year.

Another marker of the season was seen this week with the start of practice for softball and track and field. John Peterson is the JV and assistant coach for softball. I asked him what he was looking forward to and how he views the role of sports in young people’s lives.

“The thing I am looking forward to the most is seeing the growth in some of the athletes,” he said. “Just coming off our first varsity season where we did better than expected by most people, we have the entire infield as returning players now with a few years of experience. The thing I love about the sport is teaching the girls the different intricacies of the game, delayed stealing, hit and runs, and the different signs. I hope the students learn to be good human beings in the end, responsible and hardworking young women. I hope we win most of our games too, but the other one definitely comes first.”

Wrenshall teams are selling clothing at bsnteamsports.com.Spring competition is not limited to sports. The Business Professionals of America held their state convention last weekend in Minneapolis and students from Wrenshall had a good showing, led by advisor Ellie Swanson.

And folks were out and about this week for the Carlton County Roundabout Art Tour. Out here, the Historic Scott House hosted visitors, and there were six other stops.

The head of Wrenshall’s food service, Valerie Dahl, was on television last week to promote national school breakfast week. She shared what she and other staff members are doing to promote positive choices in eating including a grant-funded program that provides students with healthy breakfast items every morning in their classroom.

If you have a Wrenshall-related story, let me know: 218-310-4703 or [email protected]