Ike doggedly jogged up to Ima who had, once again, finished their cross-country workout ahead of him.  “OK, OK – don’t be so smug; I’ll beat you yet before the season’s over,” he said catching his breath.

         “I can’t believe this is our final year.  Graduation’s only eight months off,” Ima remarked, “and I’m way behind on saving money for college.”  “Join the club,” Ike sighed. “Wait a minute; there’s a way we could win some easy cash.  Did you see the ‘Solar Poetry Slam’ contest poster at school?  First prize is $75!  All you have to do is write a poem about the benefits of adding solar on our school.  Should be easy because there are so many good reasons to do so.”

         Ike’s English teacher had explained that the contest is open to all 6th – 12th graders.* Any kind or poem can be submitted; teachers have all the info.  The Dodgeville Chronicle is going to publish the winners’ pictures and maybe even some of the best poems!  Ike went on to explain why adding solar is such a great idea:

• Scores of Wisconsin schools are already saving $100,000s in energy costs with solar.
• Schools are eligible for federal, state and foundation funding covering up to 50% of the total cost.
• A low-cost ‘green loan’ would pay for the balance.  The loan payments are covered by the energy cost-saving from the solar installation.  I.E. A school’s budget doesn’t increase then gradually drops as the loan is paid off.
• Because of these generous funding options, schools can install solar with little or possibly NO out of pocket costs!
• There are numerous curricula tie-ins for schools that have an operating solar array.  It’s a great way to introduce energy efficiency and solar technologies - some of the fastest growing industries in the country. 
• Schools with solar model earth-friendly stewardship.

 
         “Super! I’m pretty good at making up song lyrics,” Ima Rhymer cheered.  “Betcha I can win that $75 first prize.”  “Oh no you don’t!  This is one time I’m gonna beat you!” Ike N. Pennapoem crowed.

         “No matter who wins, I hope our school looks into adding solar.  It’s a money saver!  Beyond that, we’ve just gotta take care of our planet.  After all, it’s the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
           
*Mineral Point and Dodgeville students

        Marty McFly cracked out of his shell just minutes after his brother, George, had hatched.  The two crows were best buddies - like peas in a pod - until one day Marty tumbled from the nest.  Young Biff Tannen happened by, found the little chick and raised him as a pet.  Not long after, Biff’s family with Marty, moved miles away to Bellingham, Washington.

        However, each summer the Tannens returned to Wisconsin for a visit.  One year, Marty came along, and wouldn’t you know, he escaped from his cage.  Off he went in search of his long-lost brother, George.  Sure enough, there he was, perched in the old oak tree.  Marty was overjoyed!

        “Hey, it’s Labor Day weekend.  Ya know what I’d really like to do?” Marty cawed.   “Let’s hit up the Iowa County Fair.” So off they flew.  From high up on the grand stand, George soon spotted an open trash bag.  “Lunch is on me!” he grinned.  (Crows can grin??)

        Searching through the debris, Marty picked up a shiny red packet. “What’s this?”  he asked. “That’s ketchup, silly,” George replied. “Huh! Never saw one,” Marty said as his beak pierced a different soft, white container. “Yuck! What’s this stuff?” he asked. “Don’t you know styrofoam?” George questioned.  “It’s packaging for all kinds of fast food and drinks.”  Marty also couldn’t help noticing all the plastic - bags, utensils and beverage containers – stuff they didn’t use at home.

        That night as they watched the moon rise over the driftless countryside, Marty remarked about all he’d seen that day.  “Yeah back home, almost all of our single-use food containers are made of bio-degradable materials; like bamboo utensils for example.  And our garbage doesn’t go in with other trash.  Instead, we put food scraps and bio-degradable paper into ‘food plus’ bins for composting.  There’s even a service that will pick up hard to recycle items like light bulbs and batteries.”  

        As they continued chatting about differences, George learned that in Washington, kids can ride free on the ferries, the in-state Amtrak trains, and on many of the various cities’ buses to encourage less private vehicle use.

        “Golly,” George realized, “Wisconsin has a proud environmental heritage, but there are still a few new tricks we can learn while moving forward to the future.  And we really must because we’re all forever… Earthbound.”