Elk welcomes a beautiful spring
Community Notes
Hello Spring! Elk is certainly wearing spring well this year! The hills are that verdant green — a color singular only to them. The daffodils are on their way out but the rhododendrons are coming on as are the lilacs, wisteria, and, heritage roses that grace so many of the old town gardens. In the fields, the buttercups are starting, and the cow parsnip is not far behind. After a very short off-season, visitors are descending upon the town once again.
Luckily, Queenie’s is coming to the rescue to the delight and relief of locals and tourists alike and will open Saturday, April 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For now, Queenie’s will only open on Saturdays and Sundays with outdoor dining. After a hearty breakfast or lunch, make sure you walk along the headland’s trail because any day now the lupine and poppies will abound! Ahh, spring!
Thank You Redwood Coast Medical Center!
I want to acknowledge one of our neighboring medical organizations: Redwood Coast Medical Center in Gualala. It has done an outstanding job helping to vaccinate many in our community and beyond. They were one of the first clinics to offer a survey for ANYONE to fill out in order to get in line for a vaccination. As a teacher, I was offered my first shot at the end of January, and when I arrived at the Gualala Community Center, the RCMS staff and volunteers immediately put me at ease by being welcoming and organized. My second shot was given at the Redwood Coast Fire Station and the experience was equally pleasant with its down-home feel.
As I sat in the bay of the firehouse waiting to be inoculated, I looked around and knew so many of these people — staff, volunteers and clients alike. It was one of those sweet colloquial moments where I felt so blessed to be part of this extended community. COVID is a global issue but it takes local effort from all of our little communities. These efforts in turn are helping to create the paramount steps toward normalcy.
According to the county website as of last Sunday, 28,138 residents have been vaccinated; this means a little over 30 percent of our county population! I am truly in awe of all of our heroic medical organizations and personnel for their persistence, dedication, and kindness! If you have not gotten your vaccination and would like to, you can fill out the survey on RCMS’s website to get in line (virtually) at rcmshealthcare.org.