READERS WHO WRITE: Spring has sprung: be grateful

READERS WHO WRITE: Spring has sprung: be grateful

Published 7:00 am Sunday, March 29, 2026

Spring is right here and with it we now have a lot to be grateful for.

You may need heard the phrase ,“Though April showers may come your way they bring the flowers that bloom in May,” which is from the track “April Showers” composed by Louis Silvers with lyrics by B.G. DeSylva. The track was launched within the 1921 Broadway musical “Bombo” the place it was carried out by Al Jolson. It was over a century in the past, however the phrase has been repeated through the years as a result of it’s so true.

Though it usually doesn’t rain very a lot in April within the Rogue Valley, it’s thought of the primary full month of spring with frequent gentle showers versus heavy steady rain. We have a mixture of spring climate, which incorporates sunny days, cloudy skies and lightweight scattered rain.

For many, that is their favourite time of 12 months as a result of the temperature is average and this season of the 12 months is the start of the blooming of flowers, crops, and the colourful blossoms on the huge variety of bushes which can be inside and with out the Rogue Valley.

The lakes and rivers are stuffed with the runoff of melted mountain snow. Recreational actions corresponding to river rafting, mountain climbing, bicycling and tenting transpose the Oregon scene to an electrical and energized wonderland.

It’s additionally time to go to the attractive tree-lined coastal cliffs, sandy driftwood seashores and tide swimming pools which can be well-known in Oregon. From late March to June, you could be lucky to see the migration northward of whales.

Let us not neglect the 73rd annual Pear Blossom Festival in Medford is scheduled for April 10-11. There is a road honest, grand parade, and group runs featured throughout this eclectic weekend stuffed with quite a lot of celebrations.

You could know that the cultivation of pears within the Rogue Valley started late within the nineteenth century due to the volcanic soil and local weather good for the planting and propagation of pears.

Joseph Stewart, the “father” of the native business within the Eighteen Eighties, started a industrial enterprise planting, packaging, promoting and distributing pears all through the nation and even overseas.

Of course, Harry & David got here to play within the Thirties and stays to this present day. They developed the well-known Comice pear that’s world famend. Harry & David’s flagship retailer is in Medford. Tours of their plant in Medford are enjoyable experiences and really academic. Another nice piece of historical past within the Rogue Valley.

Believe it or not, wineries first appeared within the Rogue Valley when pioneer Peter Britt started cultivating grapes in 1854 and opened Valley View Winery. The first official vineyard, Valley View Winery close to Jacksonville was opened by Britt in 1873. The well-known Britt Music & Arts Festival in Jacksonville is known as after him.

Today there are over 85 to 100-plus wineries and tasting rooms in Southern Oregon, with as many as 180 vineyards. This space has a various local weather which permits it to develop over 70 varietals. Harvesting of the grapes is from September by means of early November, however for this text we wish to expose the reader to the annual promoting of the marvelous wines of Southern Oregon, whatever the time of the 12 months.

Besides the knowledge concerning cultural and agrarian elements of the Rogue Valley and the opposite occasions talked about in April 2026, there are particular non secular holidays included in April. These dates could change from 12 months to 12 months.

One vacation that happens this April is the Christian vacation, Easter. Easter is on Sunday, April 5, this 12 months. Easter’s date modifications every year between March and April as a result of it is dependent upon the moon.

The vacation is ready to coincide with the primary Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which is the primary full moon after the vernal equinox. The vernal equinox is that second when the solar aligns with our equator at the beginning of spring. The equinox happens on March 19, 20 or 21. This 12 months the equinox occured on March 20.

Of course, it is dependent upon how the complete moon calendar traces up with this date. Easter can differ between March 23 and April 25. In 2027 Easter will fall on March 28.

Other non secular holidays in April of this 12 months are the Jewish Passover (April 1-9), Eastern Orthodox Good Friday (April 10), Eastern Orthodox Easter (April 12), the Catholic Feast of Divine Mercy (April 12), the Jewish Yom HaShoah (April 13-14), Hindu/Sikh Vaisakhi (April 14), and Ridvan (April 20-May 2).

Frank Pangborn lives in Medford.