By WAYNE ATTOE
For years Tom Avila yearned to fashion an entry for Cambria’s annual, popular Scarecrow Festival competition. He had designed haunted houses and animated creations. Donni Morgan (Tom’s wife) pondered messaging and details: since reforestation is at the core of Greenspace’s mission, depicting a tree being planted could highlight that. A tacklebox could hide the controls. Greenery would be found.
John Seed dreamed of Greenspace competing in the (also annual and popular) Pinedorado Parade. He offered artistry, search skills and imagination in outfitting the entry with hat, mask, jeans and boots. All agreed the sun would be called upon for energy to sustain the planting operation.
Thus, after a few head-scratching months, appeals to other Board Members for suggestions and neighbors’ encouragement on periodic inspections, “Greenspace Sam” materialized from a manikin customized and clothed as a ripe Greenspace volunteer. To ponder, plot, and test Sam’s animation took Tom over 100 hours. Most of the Greenspace Board Members and staff accompanied their new mascot in the 2024 Pinedorado Parade and were overjoyed to win a First Prize for Non-Commercial Float!
During the month of October Sam planted a seedling for hours each day – and possibly scared crows with other Festival entries along Cambria Drive. When this winter’s rains are past, Sam will again demonstrate resolve and steadfastness in reforestation at Greenspace’s annual Earth Day Celebration in April. Like last year’s highly popular event, it will feature local non-profits, vendors and performers, as well as opportunities for volunteers to become involved.
Cambria Earth Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, April 27, at the downtown Creekside Reserve. Everyone at Greenspace hopes to see a good turnout of locals there! Be sure to stop and say thank you to Greenspace Sam, who will be busily planting Monterey pine seedlings again this spring.
A big thank you to Tom Avila, John Seed, Donelle Morgan for the time and creative energy they spent creating this for Greenspace to share in the Pinedorado Parade and the Scarecrow Festival, and to the sponsors and board who helped Greenspace Sam come to life!
Photos:
Driving the truck is Karin Argano with Wayne Attoe and Remy the poodle riding shotgun.
Greenspace Board Members are from left to right in the last photo are Annika Keeley, Craig Penner, Ellen Leigh, Mary Webb, John Seed, and Tom Avila.
