Dreaming of Spring

Are you as excited as I am about the approaching spring?  I know with all this crazy weather it's hard to remember that spring is on its way -- but it is!  I started mapping my garden months ago and think I am finally ready to order seeds (from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, which includes Comstock, where I purchased seeds last year).  There are some amazing things that can be planted and grown in backyard gardens, and I'm excited to see what this year brings.

In preparation, I winter-prepped the garden with hay and compost, and I've been composting like mad all winter.  My garlic went in in October (4 varieties purchased at the garlic fest), and they're already showing little green spikes of growth.
This year my garden is going to be not-quite-typical for a small backyard garden.  I'm planning for native Narragansett corn, bush beans for soups and such, oats, white scallop squash, flax, stevia, and a variety of tomatoes and lettuces (of course).

Do you have experience growing oats, flax, or stevia?  Beans, oats, or native corn?  What do you do to make your garden a success?

Opportunities to Get Involved!

There are currently many opportunities to get involved with town committees.  Check out the following vacancies:

Board of Assessors, 3yr term, 1 vacancy
Board of Health, 3yr term, 1 vacancy
Board of Health, 1yr term, 1 vacancy
Library Trustees, 3yr term, 2 vacancies
Town Moderator, 1yr term, 1 vacancy
Park Commission, 3yr term, 1 vacancy
Planning Board, 5yr term, 1 vacancy
Planning Board, 2yr term, 1 vacancy
School Committee, 3yr term, 2 vacancies
Selectmen, 3yr term, 1 vacancy
Elector Under Oliver Will Trust, 1yr term, 1 vacancy

These are all elected positions.  If you are interested in running, the last day to pick up nomination papers is Thursday, February 13, with a deadline of Tuesday, February 18, to submit nomination papers with Registrars for certification.  All nomination papers must be filed by Tuesday, March 4.

There are also openings in the following advisory committees:

TV-5 Advisory Committee
Council on Aging
Finance Committee (no official business can be conducted until at least one new member is appointed)
Future Uses of Hadley Town-Owned Buildings Committee (February 7 deadline; contact Select Board)
Zoning Board of Appeals
Historical Commission

For more information, visit the Town of Hadley Website, watch TV-5 Community Bulletin Board, or contact the Town.

The Hadley Town Election will be held Tuesday, April 8. 
The Town Meeting Warrant for the May 1 meeting is open until February 19 at 4pm.