Shower Heads
Shower Heads ArticlesMonroe's natural beauty shines in the spring I am one of those people who threaten each year to permanently move to Florida or some other warm climate as snow storms hit our region during those long winter months. However, once the weather takes a turn towards sunnier skies and the buds start sprouting in my backyard, I remember exactly why I dwell in New England.With last week's warmer weather, I found myself spending more time outdoors. It was almost as if my body physically craved the increased sunshine. At this time of year, it's almost impossible not to notice my physical surroundings. Last week's observance of Earth Day and this Friday's observance of Arbor Day also remind me about the pleasure I take in my environment and the measures I could make to preserve and protect it. In honor of these two events, Monroe's Save Our Stepney Task Force and the Parks and Recreation Department are sponsoring a photography contest to highlight some of the town's natural beauty. Beginning Friday, residents will have the opportunity to submit photos of the most colorful, largest and oldest trees in Monroe. The judges also will recognize "the all-round best tree" and determine which local greenery sports the "best personality." I can't wait to see which tree will ultimately hold that title. After the winning photographs are selected, all entries will be displayed in an exhibit that will travel to several locations in town. I think Save Our Stepney Task Force deserves a pat on the back for initiating this activity, which is not only creative and fun but also encourages residents to observe and appreciate nature around them. We are fortunate to live here in Monroe among some breathtaking natural wonders. The contest is also intended to commemorate the town's passing of the Scenic Road Ordinance in early March. In designating specific roadways as "scenic," the town's rural character, which so many residents cherish, will be preserved. Many of Monroe's schoolchildren celebrated Earth Day by helping to beautify their schools' exteriors. For example, for the past three years students at Stepney Elementary School have had fundraisers, such as selling tee shirts for "Habitat for Humanity." All proceeds have been ear-marked to fund an outdoor garden. According to Susan Ebdon, school principal, children in each grade will have their own plot for planting in the courtyard's Nature Garden. Earth Day is also a good time to remind ourselves about the importance of recycling and other actions we can take to preserve our natural resources. I must admit that I quickly revert to making lifestyle choices based more on convenience than on conservation. Whatever good intentions I had when I was younger quickly fell by the wayside as my life became busy raising four children. At one time I had a romantic vision of myself as the quintessential Earth Mother who bakes her own bread, feeds her children only home-grown, organic vegetables, and covers her babies' bottoms in cloth diapers. I'm not proud to admit that I now often reach for the fastest, easiest and simplest household products and food items, regardless of how they contribute to our nation's overflowing landfills. That's why I welcome the opportunity to once again hear about the little steps my family can make to better protect our world for future generations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website offers several conservation tips. These include limiting water consumption by using water-efficient shower heads, taking shorter showers and turning off the water in the bathroom sink while brushing teeth. These are certainly positive changes that my family could implement with little difficulty. We can buy grocery products in bulk and preferably with minimal packaging. I've noticed considerable cost-savings in shopping this way too. I remember how wasteful I thought individual juice boxes were about a decade or so ago. Prior to this, mothers would pack our young children's beverages in plastic "sippy' cups that we later took home, rinsed out and re-used. We used to take the time to first transfer the juice from the half-gallon container in our refrigerator to the cup, just as we also put our own treats into Tupperware containers. However, we all succumbed to the convenience of those portable square boxes and ready-made small bags of chips, cookies and crackers. On a positive note, I, like most people, regularly recycle newspapers, plastic bottles, cans and other eligible items. We've all heard it said that we must take better care of our environment.
I plan to take advantage of the warmer weather by enjoying Monroe's
outdoor attractions at Wolfe Park, Great Hollow Lake and Webb Mountain.
And I think I'll take a cue from Save Our Stepney and bring my camera
along so I can document some of our town's natural resources.
Snowmobile
thermal socks Snowmobile
forum
|