A Boy Scout plants his roots in Dayton

In 1917, Emma Nevada noted that she didn't know what these kids are coming to. Again in 1928, 1933, 1947, and 1955, she said the same thing. I know some of those kids, now old people, and for the most part I'd say they turned out OK.

So much of the time we focus on "what's wrong with the kids today" instead of pointing out those who contribute to our community. One such young man lives down the street from me. Tim Taylor is a 12-year-old who is a first class boy scout.

As a scouting project this past summer, Tim started a "Dayton Community Garden" in his back yard. His plan was born from the scout motto of doing "a good turn daily." The plan was to supply fresh vegetables to those folks who needed good fresh food.

In March, Tim started by removing all of the surface rocks. If anyone knows the soil on Grosh Avenue, he had a big chore. There are more rocks than soil along that part of the street. He then secured railroad ties for a raised bed and 20 tons of organic compost was put in place.

Tim wanted a quality garden and purely organic, no chemicals or genetically engineered seeds were used. Tim commented, "If a tomato bug won't eat a tomato, should we?"

Seeds were planted in April and the sun porch became a jungle with over 100 vegetable plants. A lot of watering and repotting was necessary before the plants went into the garden.

The garden was a huge success except for size. Tim found the need for vegetables in the community was huge. He intends to double the size next year. Tim could use some additional railroad ties and would like to find starts for raspberry and blackberry plants. If you could help with these, please call 246-1587.

Tim hopes to earn a merit badge in gardening and is hoping to be an Eagle Scout in the future.

Gardening and sharing was always a project shared by the people in the early days of Dayton. Abundant crops were given to those in need. Tim is carrying on a tradition started early on in Dayton's history.

Good work, Tim. We all should be very proud of you.

The Dayton Museum is located on Shady Lane and Logan in Old Town Dayton. It's open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and 1- 4 p.m. Sundays.

Check the Web site at daytonnvhistory.org. Group tours are available. Call 246-5543, 246-0462 or 246-0441. The Historical Society of Dayton Valley meets the third Wednesdays at noon at the Dayton Valley Community Center.

Visitors welcome.

• Ruby McFarland has lived in Dayton since October 1987, she serves as a board member of the Dayton Historical Society and a docent at the museum.