Names of Note: Modesto educator pens two books. Almond growers care for pollinators
Ginger Covert Colla, a longtime music educator in Modesto, has published a children’s book and a collection of poems.
“The Christmas Elf” is about “an elf and a cat who conspire to make a poor child’s holiday dream come true,” a news release said. It is illustrated by Judith Gosse, based in Princeton, Illinois, and aims for kids 4 to 8 years old.
Colla compiled her verse into “A Poet’s Life: Memories, Moods & Reflections.” The book “touches on themes regarding many facets of life – love, the art of wonder, nature, valuing memories and faith,” the release said.
Colla spent about 50 years in music education, including at Modesto High School, Modesto Junior College and California State University, Stanislaus. She conducted the Masterworks Chorus at MJC.
After retiring, Colla founded a Kindermusik Studio, part of a global program that teaches music, movement and literature to younger children.
Both books can be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the author’s website, www. gingercolla.wordpress.com.
Pollinator group lauds almond growers
California almond growers were honored internationally for their efforts to protect the honeybees that pollinate the crop.
The Business for Bees Sustainability Award was presented at an Oct. 19 virtual conference for the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign.
It went to the Almond Board of California, based in Modesto, and to Central Valley growers in general. They have contended for about 15 years with declines over winter in the rented colonies that pollinate the orchards.
The industry has worked to reduce pesticide drift, which could harm bees, and to diversify their diets with other flowers planted amid the nut trees.
“This is about their long-term dedication to supporting all pollinators in their orchards and throughout our ecosystem,” said Kelly Rourke, executive director of the Pollinator Partnership, in a news release.
Josette Lewis, the board’s chief scientific officer, credited the 7,600 growers in California who produce 80% of the world’s almonds.
“Farmers understand how important pollinators are to growing almonds and to all of agriculture and the environment,” she said. “They want to be part of the solution.”
NAPPC is a partnership of scientists, business people, conservationists and government officials in the United States, Mexico and Canada. They aim to protect the various animals that help plants thrive.
About two-thirds of the commercial bee colonies in the U.S. are trucked to the Valley for almond pollination each winter. Their plight has drawn widespread attention, including a critical 2020 story in the Guardian, a newspaper based in London.
Legion honors Modesto student
Modesto High School senior Nithya Medam took part in Girls Nation, an American Legion Auxiliary program that teaches about government.
Only two students from California went to Washington, D.C., for a week in July, chosen from the 550-plus at Girls State in Sacramento
The auxiliary’s District 12 recognized Medam at the Stanislaus County Veterans Center on Saturday, Oct. 23. The region covers all or part of five counties.
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
This story was originally published October 24, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
