HIGHLAND | Spring means many things to many people, but to the Highland Athletic Adult Booster Club, it means the annual flower sale.

Funds raised benefit all Highland High School athletes, from fencers to football players to volleyball players.

The sale will take place 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine, at Highland Middle School, 41st and Fifth street.

There will be a variety of flowers, vegetables and hanging basket as well as special basket arrangements and specialty gifts. Vouchers will be sold in $25 increments. Flat vouchers can be bought for $13, good for one flat of annuals only.

The vouchers can be redeemed through June 15 at Scheeringa Farms and Greenhouses, 9436 Cline Ave. Order forms to pre-purchase flowers or vouchers can be found at www.highland.k12.in.us and clicking on departments, athletics; look for the link Flower Sale.

The flowers are locally grown. According to Scheeringa's Web site, the family has been farming in Highland at its current location since 1940. It's run by Don and Barbara Scheeringa with their three daughters, Jeannie, Jennifer and Janille.

The flower sale is just one way the booster club raises money. It also sponsors a tailgate party in September and offers a concession stand, 50/50 raffles and the sale of spirit wear at all home football, baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and track meets, according to Jerry McMahon, flower sale chairman.

Thanks to help from a core of booster club volunteers - as well as community support - the club has been able to donate more than $20,000 to Highland High School's athletic department in the last five years, according to McMahon. Items purchased range from tennis nets to heart monitors for track and cross country teams.

For more information about the flower sale or the booster club, call McMahon at (219) 924-2907

- The Times