Spring officially 'sprung' two weeks ago, but in true Michigan form, it still feels like winter more often than not. Just when you think that it's safe to pack away the gloves and winter coat, swirling snowflakes fill the air and the poor little crocuses are covered once more with a blanket of white.

Still, it is spring in calendar-time - and the signs of its arrival are becoming more and more frequent. From the above-mentioned crocuses to the sweet sounds of robins and other songbirds, we all have our own favorite 'first signs of spring.'
My signs of the season are probably different from yours, but they all result in the same good feeling - winter is over, warm sunshine will soon be the order of the day.

* Dale Marten planting oats. This may seem a bit peculiar to 'city slickers' - or even country folk who aren't acquainted with the Riley Township farmer - but it's a sure-fire sign of spring to me.

Dale was working at planting a field on Price Road - right next to my 'old' home - last Wednesday when I drove by. I don't know if it's the first field he's gotten in this spring, but it's a safe bet that the plan he employs each year for a successful yield will hold true once again. A little 'snow moisture' is supposed to be good for the newly planted seeds - at least that's what I think he used to say.
By the time he reads this paper today, his oats should have had that white precipitation.

* Charlie Silm's little black lambs. An assortment of the wooly critters and their moms were roaming in a field last week at the farm of another 'old' Price Road neighbor (you can put whatever connotation you choose on the word 'old', Charlie.)

It's always a treat to see the little lambs scampering in Charlie's field, particularly the black ones. Being different from the flock is a good thing, I think, whether it's sheep or people.

* The Masters. Martha Burk can't stop this ritual of spring from happening, anymore than Hootie will prevent women from eventually being part of the 'good, old boys club' at Augusta National.

This may come as a shock to some people who might assume my 'liberal' nature would find me in support of Burk's requested boycott, but I intend to be firmly planted in front of the television during the Master's broadcast - just as I have been for every year as long as I can remember.

After all, the Masters is golf - and a Tiger 'three-peat' in 2003 is a distinct possibility. Maybe he'll give Burk one of his Green jackets.
Other favorite signs of spring haven't been noted as yet, but they're sure to arrive soon: the first 'real' thunderstorm with lightning that makes the grass turn green overnight; the sweet smell of fresh air after those storms pass by; insects buzzing and frogs croaking on late evening walks down the lane.

It won't be long - I can hardly wait.

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Time to do some winter 'housekeeping,' too. Several months ago when cold and blustery winds were blowing, we published several old photos of the ice rink and sledding hill at the St. Johns City Park. We were hoping to identify a trio of people shown working at flooding the ice rink - we do have one name.

The gentleman shown in middle of the photo is a former city recreation director, Roger Kowalski - although we still do not have a date for the photo. Any other information would be appreciated.

Jim Stevens, who now lives in the Rainbow Lake area, also stopped by the office to let us know that he was one of the young skaters in another of the pictures.

You just never know when you'll show up in print.

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Finally, another photo from years gone by is prominent in this week's issue. Our thanks go to Fraser MacKinnon who graciously allowed us to reprint a picture of himself and his father, Edward, that was taken in the 'old' MacKinnon's store on the east side of Clinton Avenue in about 1952.

It's a wonderful photo - of equally wonderful gentlemen.

The photo is one of the shots used in the Downtown St. Johns video which will be broadcast April 16 on WKAR-TV 23. He's tried very hard to shine the spotlight away from himself, but producer Dave Collins deserves our collective 'thanks' for the hours of research and 'off-duty' work that has gone into the making of the video.

Although the scope of the project has changed considerably since we first wrote a story about the pending documentary back in April of 2001, Dave's video still provides a tremendous snapshot of downtown St. Johns from its early years to the present time.
Plan to check it out when it airs at 8:50 and 11:50 p.m., April 16.