Celebrate May Day by planning a month of activities

The Friends of the Silver Saddle Ranch encourage everyone to participate in a public workshop on Thursday, May 8, at the Senior Citizens Center, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. to discuss the area around the Carson River. There will also be a three-day "charette" (ideas + visuals) at Empire Ranch Golf Course and the Senior Center on May 29-31. If you want more information and to be included in this planning phase, call 887-2363, ext. 1004. Fishing, bird watching, hiking, etc. are all part of the plan, so go, and make it happen.

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May Day is Thursday ... HUGE holiday in Europe ... here? Oh, the usual May pole dance, leaving flower baskets on people's doors ... and "The first of May, the first of May ... outdoor ..." 'er ... nevermind. Enjoy.

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We were sorry to see that an old friend passed away last month. His obituary said he was a "Nevada character." So right. Richard "Buster" Tilton was indeed colorful, and a friend to many. A University of Nevada grad and an Army veteran, he always had something to loan Proscenium Players when they needed set pieces from his business, David's Used Furniture. His memorial service will be on May 9 at Waltons, 875 W. 2nd St. in Reno, at 1 p.m. Bon Voyage, Bus.

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As reported in Sunday's paper, the Republican Convention in Reno had all the attributes of a steamy soap opera ... intrigue, shouting, ranting, unplugging the microphone, turning out the lights, and stomping out the door (all told to us by an attendee). It's like ... ohmygawd ... like they're ... DEMOCRATS! Tune in next week.

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FYI ... stamps will be going up a penny to 42 cents on May 12. So get your 1 cent stamps now, or buy the Liberty Bell "Forever" stamps (you can lock in at 41 cents, and use them "forever"). Forewarned is forearmed.

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Kim Johnston gave us these observations from "Children writing about the ocean:" "If you are surrounded by ocean you are an island. If you don't have ocean all round you, you are incontinent" (Wayne-7); "Oysters' balls are called pearls" (Jerry-6); "This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles" (Kelly-6); "The ocean is made up of water and fish. Why the fish don't drown I don't know" (Bobby-6); and, "My dad was a sailor on the ocean. He knows all about the ocean. What he doesn't know is why he quit being a sailor and married my mom" (James-7); And if you thought some of these were racy, you should see the ones we didn't quote.

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Lots of things going on in the area: Sara and Grahame Ross are with the Dayton Task Force, a group addressing the issues of addiction and poverty in the Dayton area. They will be putting on a spaghetti feed and "Charity Karaoke" on Saturday at the Dayton Elementary School at 5:30 p.m. Either you sing, or donate money to help them get hygiene items, shoes, school supplies, etc. (believe us, sometimes it's a "charity" to give the money and NOT hear them sing). For further info, call the Rosses at 246-2725 or 888-7100. Go and have a great time.

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Two golf tournaments coming up to benefit the Community Counseling Center, and NNADV, respectively. The first is the 15th annual Golf Gourmand Scramble on May 4, at the Eagle Valley Golf Courses. Call 887-2380 for details. It's put on by Adele's, the Cracker Box, and Js' Old Town Bistro (you KNOW the food will be good, even if your golf isn't); and on May 10, at Lakeridge in Reno, the 12th annual Sagebrush Scramble will be held to benefit the Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence. Both help out our community.

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Jessi Winchester sent one "for all the ladies who put up with 'Mr. Know-it-all/Always Right.' "Christopher Columbus never stopped to ask for directions and he discovered America. Keep in mind, however, he was looking for India!"

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We have a question. If Hillary becomes president, will she be known as the Presidentess? elle? ette? (this is what happens when you have too much time on your hands). Go ahead and groan.

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Good stuff: Rick Gunn will be home soon (he'll be crossing the Golden Gate in May ... hooray!); the WNC Wildcats are on a roll. Go up to John L. Harvey field this weekend and see them play (or call 445-3240 for the time); "Defending the Cave Man" is on at the Brewery Arts Center this weekend. It's a riot (call 883-1976 for details); St. Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville, 1343 Centerville Lane, is having their Spring Yard Sale on Friday and Saturday. Lots of goodies to be had.

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Our friend, Sue Bohl, sent us these golf jokes: "A gushy reporter told Phil Michelson, 'You are really spectacular. Your name is synonymous with the game of golf. You really know your way round the course. What's your secret?' Michelson replied, 'The holes are numbered.' " "Police are called to an apartment and find a woman holding a bloody 5 iron standing over a lifeless man. The detective asked, 'Ma'am, is that your husband?' 'Yes,' she replies. 'Did you hit him with that golf club?' 'Yes, yes I did.' She begins sobbing and puts her hands over her face. 'How many times did you hit him,' the detective asks. 'I don't know ... five, six, maybe seven times ... just put me down for a five.' "

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Another good place to eat: the Zephyr Cove Lodge at Lake Tahoe. Great food (trout and eggs for breakfast, fantastic fish tacos, spicy black bean soup, etc.) and great servers, Kim, Vicente and Olympia. Worth the drive.

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Happy Birthday to Riley (6), and Shea (4) Dunn. Have a fun party ... cake, ice cream, balloons and presents. Yaaaay! Neat picture by Brad Horn in the Sports section of Pat Smith golfing out of the rough this week ... he's as cute now as he was when he was 8 or 9 (blush here, Pat, and ask your mom and dad how we know that). And great good luck to Jarid Shipley ... we'll miss you.

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The CHS Culinary Arts Management Team won fourth place in the NATION in competition on Saturday in San Diego. Congratulations to Penny Reynolds and her superb students. They really "cooked up" a winner.

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Don't forget to watch the Kentucky Derby this weekend, and also don't forget to celebrate Cinco de Mayo ... tacos, tortillas, tamales, and other tasty things. Yum. Then, maybe, a mint julep?

• Carolyn Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. They can be reached by e-mail at carolynandmaizie@yahoo.com.