There’s a science behind gratitude. It’s linked to better health, deeper relationships and can even improve your sleep.
Lovelock Softball Association president Jared Jensen should sleep well because he’s grateful to dozens of people.
Each of them helped get the LSA off the ground to begin its third season on Monday, June 7.
McDougal Field is just east of Lovelock. Over the years, it’s seen hot air balloon launches, youth sports and Fourth of July fireworks.
And, this summer, Monday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., it will host the LSA. However, the fields needed a lot of prep work.
Anthony Moura, Eddie and Mark Paredes, Dave Skogglie and Burrows Farm donated the equipment to get the job done. They also put muscle behind the donation with hours of hard work in the sun.
They had help from Tommy Meyers Jr., Noel Zaldivar, Michael and Erika Canchola, Amanda Holland, Shannon Jensen, Jesse Canchola, Sean Luna, Devyn Canchola, Blake and Tiffany Jensen, Lovelock Meadows Water District and Jake and Jessica Bohan.
With gallons of earth to move, the laborers had their work cut out for them. The school district lent their Bobcat and trenched the lines.
Shannon Jensen helped put in a new water line so caretakers could water the fields more efficiently. The LMWD donated old water boxes for the new hubs.
Concessions add to the ballpark atmosphere and bring in needed revenue. Amanda Holland and Tiffany Jensen set the scene for weeks of hot dogs, burgers, cotton candy, cold drinks and other fare. Volunteers staff the booth.
Jox Boxes allow players to dig in for solid footing without creating dug-in holes. Dozens of people helped to install them on the fields. They also put the bases back on the field that received the new dirt.
The Lovelock Recreation Board funds activities all year — including Frontier Days, Lover’s Aloft, Parade of Lights and youth sports. Because the William N. Pennington Foundation came through with a $178,000 grant to save the pool, they could fund the LSA.
“We are grateful for all the work the recreation board did to the facility,” said Jensen.
“I would also like to thank Jonathan Reynolds for spearheading the upgrades,” he concluded. “Without him, they would not have happened so soon.” Longterm, the PCHS principal hopes to raise McDougal to the same caliber as the Winnemucca Sports Complex.
