The business enterprise’s closure is part of the city’s plans to make the downtown more usable for residents and pedestrians.

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Downtown Morgan Hill is losing a little bit of history. Hale Lumber Company located on the corner of East Dunne Avenue and Depot Street has closed its gates forever. The property has had plenty of history helping build much of Morgan Hill and the South Valley region. It will be the site of a 49-unit residential development as the city moves toward a more pedestrian oriented plan for the downtown.

The lumberyard started in 1945 by M.P. “Skipper” Hale. In 1960, Joseph Hammond, Sr., purchased the business. For many decades, it was run by the Hammond family who kept the name and the famous logo “Go to Hale.” The business enterprise’s closure is part of the city’s plans to make the downtown more usable for residents and pedestrians with mixed-use residential, retail and dining features.

Growing a 24-pound cabbage gained El Toro Health Science Academy third-grader Emma Johnson a $1,000 scholarship. The young family-garden farmer won the award through the Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program. She has “Best in State” bragging rights for the giant cabbage.

Bonnie Plants relaunched the Cabbage Program this year as a remote-friendly learning activity to bring education safely outdoors, according to a press release from Bonnie Plants. Through the program, nearly 200,000 third-graders in 48 states have gained hands-on gardening experience by growing colossal cabbages.

Only one student in each state was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

“After pausing the program last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re thrilled to once again see so many students were able to participate and learn the basics of gardening as well as life lessons like responsibility, self-confidence and accomplishment,” said Mike Sutterer, president and CEO of Bonnie Plants.

At the beginning of the program, Bonnie sent each student a starter cabbage plant and the lessons needed to care for and nurture their plant every step of the way. Students took a photo with their cabbage when it was fully grown and submitted it for a chance to win the $1,000 scholarship.

Bonnie selected the winners in collaboration with state departments of agriculture based on the student’s enthusiasm to participate and learn in addition to the size and overall appearance of their cabbage.

“It’s truly amazing to see firsthand how the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program is able to inspire a love of vegetable gardening in young people and grow our next generation of gardeners,” said Angela Thomas, corporate communications manager at Bonnie Plants. “We’re proud of all of this year’s participants and would like to congratulate all of the winners whose hard work is paying off.”

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We encourage South Valley families to end the year celebrating the holidays in an evening visit to Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. The annual festive lights display with the trees twinkling at night make for magical memories. And bundle up to go ice-skating under the stars at the Creekside rink.

Hoa Minh Le, the park’s general manager, invites everyone in the community to enjoy favorite family fun traditions during Holiday at Gilroy Gardens.

“From the sparkling light displays and ice skating under the stars to the live ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ musical show and visits with Santa, there are lots of magical memories just waiting to be made here,” he said.

The park will also be open from 8 p.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve as guests join the countdown to a spectacular fireworks show to welcome in 2022. And it’s even open for some “bonus” weekends in early January.

Visit www.gilroygardens.org for details on dates and times and to purchase tickets. Come out and play during the holidays.

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Our local retired teachers have been busy awarding $100 grants to three Morgan Hill Teachers. Eileen Resnik of Martin Murphy Middle School and Dolores Akin and Vicki Medaxian of El Toro Elementary School received the funding.

With challenging times, the money will be used to enhance special projects for students that could include art supplies, science materials, and books.

Board members Ann Hansen, John Delgado, and Terrie Berry were thrilled to be able to grant to these teacher the additional checks at their respective schools. Coffee and donuts were provided for their staff in celebrating the efforts of their successful colleagues.

“We, the public and retired educators, are grateful for the dedicated service and challenges undertaken for our children by our professional educators,” Delgado said.