A Diversity Pioneer Goes Green

Most gardeners dabble in a few types of plants that interest them most, spending an hour or two planting and pulling weeds when they can. Then there's Sara Flores.

Visit Flores' home in Corpus Christi, Texas, and you'll discover more than 50 different—and quite diverse—plant species, including orchids, Japanese bonsai trees, roses, cactuses, and prized Texas hibiscus.

"I love all my plants," says Flores. "I have quite a mixed bag growing, but I don't want to limit myself.

Flores, who recently earned her Master Gardener's certificate, works a little each day in her garden in addition to spending one full day each week tending to her plants.

"I've had a real green thumb since I was a teenager. But I taught for 39 years, and my husband, Humberto, and I have six kids…so only since retiring have I had the time I really want to spend in the garden," she says.

Flores specialized in elementary school bilingual education and now boasts that all five of her daughters are teaching and working with Spanish-speaking students. "It's very gratifying to see them following that course," she says, adding she plans to mentor student teachers going into bilingual education.

Flores still considers herself a student in the garden. "I'm still learning," she laughs. "My roses didn't turn out so well this year."

—Matt Simon

Talking Up Family on TV

After retiring from a teaching job that had him working with troubled kids and broken families, Ken Musko had one question for his wife, Sandy, "What can we do to help families and keep marriages together?"

Their answer—a faith-based TV talk show featuring experts on marriage and family living—hits the airwaves this month. Musko, who taught in Pennsylvania for 32 years, hosts Family Magazine TV, which will air on select networks. Musko has recorded some 60 episodes of the program, which he says aims to help viewers "keep the love alive for life."

Preparation makes things run smoothly. Musko reads up on his guests, who include well-known authors, artists, and entertainers such as Louise Mandrell. He also enlists their help. "We ask them to come up with five questions that they would want us to ask them concerning their area of expertise," says Musko. "It's a lot better that way because they know some of the important points."

Some critics blame television and other media with eroding traditional values like marriage and family. Musko's outlook? "Television can be an evil, but it can be a blessing and a good thing, too," he says. "Our program is going to bring wholesomeness, it's going to bring values and standards, and these are things that have been neglected."

—Emily Goodman