green acres -- TEACHERS' LOUNGE

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 13:10:57 09/09/04 Thu
Author: dpego
Subject: green acres

A frend of mine, Chuck Baldwin, is the editorial page editor for the Sioux Falls (SD) Argus Leader. He wrote a wonderful editorial that caught my attention as I was eating lunch about an hour ago. I called and asked if we could reprint it here. He graciously said yes.

Show students this excellent example of editorial writing, which laces a familiar refair throughout to explain a hot issue and a new solution in this area.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Life in the country has its advantages. It also has drawbacks.

Unfortunately, some people find that out too late.

-- Green Acres is the place to be
-- Farm living isthe life for me

A new booklet, "Rural Living," provides an early-warning
system. It's available at the Minnehaha County Extension Office, the Minnehaha County Planning and Zoning Office and the Farm Service Agency in Sioux Falls.

"We felt there was a need," said Steve Munk of the Minnehaha County Extension Office and a member of the group that developed the publication.

-- Land spreading out so far and wide
-- Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.

The East Dakota Water District kicked in $7,200 to publish the booklet, which sells for $2. Munk said
it helps people understand how living in the country is different from living in the city.

-- New York is where I'd rather stay
-- I get allergic smelling hay

And it is different. The booklet talks about dust, noise and animal odors, as well as wild animals, chemical use, rural water systems and wells, and burning restrictions.

And it warns people of slow-moving vehicles on the roads.

-- I just adore a penthouse view
-- Darling, I love you, but give me Park Avenue

"It's excellent," said Minnehaha County Commission Chairman Jim Zweep. "It's a tremendous resource
for Minnehaha County as well as the whole state."
This was a great idea. Sometimes, new rural residents don't understand the work they're taking on when they give up life on a lot in the city for the work that always crops up on a few acres.

-- The chores

They don't always understand what they're trading.

-- The stores

And if the wind is blowing the wrong way, those cows and pigs next door can lose some of their charm.

-- Fresh air

That can lead to conflicts between old-timers and those who feel compelled to compare their new two-block downtown to, well ...

-- Times Square

The booklet isn't all about problems, though. It also offers helpful advice about permits, laws, county offices, school districts and fire protection. Good information that people moving anywhere ought to have - no matter the circumstances of the move, but especially if a family might not be wholeheartedly unanimous in the decision.

-- You are my wife.
-- Goodbye, city life.

Congratulations to Munk and the others. They've
provided a valuable resource to anyone considering such a move. It's a good way
to welcome the newcomers.

-- Green Acres, we are there!

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]