Today, as I write this, is Earth Day.

Of course, as you read it, it's a week later, but both weeks are filled with reminders of the importance of preservation.

If you have been reading my columns over the years, you may remember that I have done a number of Earth Day columns, including one that described the first nationally-proclaimed Earth Day, when I was teaching at Dykes High School in Atlanta.

That was an exciting adventure with one of my Language Arts (English) classes.

The unit lasted almost a month and had an extensive ripple effect -- on many of them and on me.

In addition to learning about the importance of protecting our natural resources, I became acquainted with a lady who was coordinating an experimental Environmental Education Project for Atlanta Public Schools, and she asked me to join that program.

Because Dykes was scheduled to be closed, I was aware that I would definitely be transferred somewhere, so I applied to become part of that EE Project.

I worked there for three years and learned much. That's when I became an avid environmentalist.

It is, therefore, amazing to me that 45 years later, we are still having problems convincing people to preserve our natural resources.

Actually, every day should be "earth day."

Then, Friday was Arbor Day.

This year, instead of Dave Hinderliter organizing an Arbor Day observance, he is being honored, and I am so delighted.

Hinderliter has now retired as the county's Tree Preservation Chairman; he was honored by the board of commissioners with a commendation plaque and with a tree being planted in his honor at War Hill Park.

Congratulations, Dave. You certainly deserve the recognition.

Now, we are in the midst of Preservation Week at the library.

It started off April 27 with Information Specialist Colby Hunter digitizing old photos, journals, etc. for patrons, and on April 28 Mike Miller was scheduled to tell about Dawson County's moonshine history.

Then, on April 30, Preservation Services Librarian at LYRASiS, Alix Bentrud, will talk about storage and handling paper-based historic items.

Their slogan this week is "Pass It On."

And now the exciting news that the Dawson County history book being published by the Historical and Genealogical Society is ready to go to press.

Finally, after several unexpected delays, you will soon be hearing an announcement of the date when those long anticipated histories will be unveiled.

More about that later, but, rest assured, the editors promise to bring us a beautiful book.
You can pass that on.

Helen Taylor's column appears periodically in the Dawson Community News.