School roundup

Just hang on a little longer.

The warmer weather making an early appearance this year may be welcome news to some, but not all. Count the children at Cashmere High School's FFA among those not breaking out the suntan lotion just yet.

The sunnier days may lead folks to buy plants early, which is fine, except for the annual FFA Plant Sale.

As big a part of Cashmere springs as the ping-ping-ping of aluminum bats next door, the Plant Sale at the high school greenhouses returns 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9.

The plant sale occurs just in time for the second Sunday in May, known around these parts -and those parts, and those over there-as Mother's Day.

The FFA children are already working on it, keeping their plants alive and bloomin' for the sale.

"We have to water them and make sure they stay alive and we have to pick the best of the best for the sale," FFA's Emma Hagen said.

However, with warm weather, folks who have bought their plants early may not want to show up at the plant sale the way they have in years past. That worries the FFA kids, counting on the Plant Sale cash to bankroll their trips to FFA State.

Tarrah Te Velde said the group frets that the good weather will lead people to buy pants earlier than they should. "Since the weather is nicer earlier, we worry that people will buy plants earlier and start planting them outside," FFA's Delaney Strutzel said. "But it could change and get colder and they could not do as well. If you wait, there's a better chance the plants could do better down the road.

Te Velde agreed.

"We just want people to know they should wait until our plant sale, 'cause they are the best," she said.

The group plants the marigolds and the tomatoes and the bell peppers, and buys the petunia plants. This year's sale will have all these things, plus salvia, geranium, heuchera, squash, plus a broad variety of bright and colorful flowers, as well as, they hope, plenty of bright and colorful customers.

In other school news:

Cashmere Wall of Fame seeks nominees for this year's induction.

The wall has honored people like American Legion Auxiliary President Linda Gray Ingraham, Nooksack Valley Schools chief Mark Johnson and former Cashmere School Board member Tracy Franklin. Deadline is May 5. Requirements include having been a graduate of Cashmere High School and having graduated at least 10 years ago. Nominees can be alive or dead. Nominations must be turned in to CHS teacher Karin Blomquist.

"You have to have served either in your community or this community," said Blomquist. "You have to be an example to the graduating class, an example of your character, your person, your job. You would have to be a successful person in your community."

The committee is already shuffling a few names, like Hoby Darling, CEO of Skullcandy Headphones and New York-based executive chef David Nichols.

"I would love it if somebody would nominate them," Blomquist said. "It's kind of nice when it's somebody younger, that way the graduating class can say, 'oh yeah, I could do that.'"

-Music program to host swing-dance fundraiser.

Thursday at 6:30 p.m., the walls of the high school will vibrate with the sounds of the Big Band Era, during a fundraising swing dance.

The program begins with a 30-to-45 minute set by the Cashmere High School Jazz, followed by a few tunes by the Cashmere Middle School Jazz Band, and the Jazz Choir.

Around 7:30 p.m. a professional group called Wenatchee Big Band will enter the stage, playing for about 90 minutes.

The Wenatchee Valley College HepCats, talented and skilled swing-dancers, will be at the dance doing demonstrations, and baked goods will be available for sale, in case you want to grab a bite between numbers.

Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults and $20 for families. All funds go to the Cashmere High School Music Department.

The event is open to all ages, "anybody who wants to come and dance," Cashmere High School Band Director Kent Chalmers said.

"It's going to be a really fun time," he said. "Lots of fun entertainment. It's going to be a great night."

Sebastian Moraga can be reached at 782-3781 or reporter@cashmerevalleyrecord.com.