Now that the mercury is hovering near triple digits, I have enough time to do some yard work.

As my mom would say, that’s the old “Scharnow luck” at work…

During the busy season, when the temperatures are down but the available sunlight is limited, I’m usually running around to six different events and activities each weekend, putting a damper on quality time spent in my yard.

I don’t know if there is such a thing as “quality time” in the yard, but I suppose such work is more therapeutic for some than others.

It used to be therapeutic for me, but now it’s become more of a burden than anything else. After trimming the same bushes for more than two decades, I’m thinking it’s time to pass the baton to someone else, such as a professional landscape guy.

Triple digits should mean quality time by the pool sipping margaritas, correct?

It’s been nice and cool right now at 5:30 in the morning, but that should be coffee and newspaper time, not landscaping time…

* * *

It’s always inspiring to attend the annual Senior Recognition Night and witness the exuberance in the room among the soon-to-be high school graduates.

Senioritis has already set in, of course, even though finals are approaching.

Some have concrete plans for college and beyond, while others remain undecided. I never thought in June of 1979 back in Port Washington, Wis. that I’d end up being a weekly newspaper editor in Fountain Hills, Ariz., so it’s OK sometimes not to have every strategic move mapped out for the next 30 years.

I was privileged to once again present a $500 mass communications award to a deserving graduate on behalf of The Times. Our winner this year was Dustin Amick. Dustin plans to pursue a career in film and media or writing and journalism.

Dustin also won a scholarship from the Chamber of Commerce along with a host of college scholarships, so congrats to him.

I also was able to present two $1,000 scholarships on behalf of the Noon Kiwanis Club. Those winners were Sean Loving and Allie Bice. The club’s scholarships are generally based on leadership demonstrated by the students.

Both Sean and Allie were active in the Key Club, which is a Kiwanis-sponsored high school service club.

The Golden Eagle Education Foundation does a tremendous job each year putting on this event in cooperation with high school officials and lining up most of the scholarships and winners.

We have a picture page of the winners in today’s issue and will have another picture page next week – that’s how many winners there are each year!