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Rosemary Nachtigall first planted lavender 30 years ago on her parents’ farm near Reedley. Today, her appreciation of lavender, prized for its fragrant flowers, continues to grow. “I find this plant offers comfort and beauty in stressful times,” she says. Nachtigall has about 150 lavender plants growing on an east-facing hillside at her Squaw Valley home. She and husband T.D. Friesen live on five acres, with about a third of that devoted to the Squaw Valley Herb Gardens.

“When I beat the kids, they want to cry,” said Neavill, 63, getting down on one knee and pumping his fist with a laugh, somehow not upsetting his pipe and its lazy flow of smoke.

The former Dearborn school administrator was one of about 30 drivers who took to the track during the Morrice Homecoming Festival Saturday, with souped up lawnmowers and no intention of cutting grass.

The meet was one of about 11 races hosted by the Michigan Lawnmower Racing Association this season, with lawnmowers categorized into different classes depending on the extent of the alterations done to them.