We’re
Pathfinder Produce … Rooted in Community!
***
Recently,
I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with my friends and colleagues of
Pathfinder’s Adult Day Services in prepping the hoop houses for another growing season. The numerous beds in three metal-and-plastic
greenhouses needed weeding and have the soil turned over before planting. It’s a job not many enjoy, but honestly, I really
do like to play in the dirt.
The
garden bed earth is rich and has a pleasing deep brown-black color. There are plenty of earthworms
present, doing what they do best. Chiefly, they consume organic matter and
break it down through digestion, adding nutrients to the soil; they also break
up the soil as they tunnel to mix in oxygen and make it easier for water to
seep into deeper layers.
As
they say, “Many hands make
light work,” and in no time, we’d accomplished the prep work. From here, our ADS gardeners and Pathfinder
School students will plant a variety of fresh greens, tomatoes, herbs, onions,
garlic, summer squash, and other favorites.
I can’t wait to see how their crops progress through the early growing
season. (Perhaps we can set up some mulching
experiments to see what works best … I’ll have to suggest that to
the team!).
Other
folks at Pathfinder are also getting prepared -- not for gardening, but for
taking part in our annual Splash
Path 5k and Fun Walk, which takes place on Saturday, May 18. The
Village’s Nursing and Enrichment Departments have started a Mileage
Club, which encourages everyone to walk through our beautiful
campus. Last week was our first week of
walking; despite the wind and cooler temperatures, everyone had an enjoyable
time and logged in an impressive 187.25 miles in four days.
Splash Path, our signature paint run
& walk event is now in its sixth year and is an inclusive and family
fitness activity that is open to athletes of all ages and abilities. This year’s event proceeds will support the
continuing development of our Pathfinder
Produce Mobile Market … we’re very excited about expanding our
deliveries to area communities and helping more families access fresh fruits
and vegetables to improve their health.
To
take advantage of our early registration discounts before May 10, just go to splashpath.racewire.com
to sign up; the registration fees are kept affordable through the generosity of
Pathfinder’s community business partners and other sponsors. Our
thanks go out to key sponsors Brown & Brown of New York; NYCM
Insurance; Excellus BlueCross BlueShield; Chobani; the Government of Otsego
County; New York Pizzeria of New Berlin; the Wladis Law Firm; Coutleé Law; Bank
of Cooperstown; NBT Bank; Preferred Mutual, Prolifiq Sign Studio and Gates-Cole
Insurance.
Splash
Path will also include family fun activities as always, including our ZUMBA
warm-up party with Zoe Curtis, prize drawings, a barbecue, music by DJ Chris
Curtis, vendor exhibits, cornhole matches and lots of kids’ activities. The 5k
begins at 10 a.m. with our traditional color burst at the Pathfinder School
parking lot.
Until
next time, eat well, be well, and get ready for great weather.
Lori
