Spencer Pike is learning early that if he wants something, he’ll have to work for it.
Spencer, who will be 4 years old next month, set his sights earlier this year on a pint-sized John Deere Gator. The Gator, a 4-wheeled battery-powered riding toy, costs more than $450, according to Spencer’s well-worn printout from a promotional Web site.
The child needs to earn $200 before his grandparents, Wayne and Tamie Vahsholtz, will pay the balance needed to buy the sophisticated toy.
The Vahsholtzes decided the logical way for Spencer to get the toy and learn something simultaneously would be to plant a garden and sell the produce.
“The point was, ‘Spencer, you have to earn the money if you want the Gator,’” Tamie Vahsholtz said.
Wayne Vahsholtz, whom Spencer calls “Papa,” helped the boy plant seeds in containers in February and March, to give them a good growing start for transplanting when weather warmed in the spring. Spencer used his toy rototiller to help Vahsholtz ready the garden plots for planting.
“He knows that he’s got to keep helping Papa in the garden. Otherwise, he’s not going to get a Gator,” Tamie Vahsholtz said.
They put together a child-sized scarecrow, dressed it in Spencer’s old clothing, and set it in the garden to scare away rabbits.
Chasing bunnies, Spencer said, is one of his favorite garden chores. He works with Papa whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Tamie Vahsholtz said that Spencer’s father, William Pike, often takes him by the Vahsholtz home for his favorite breakfast — biscuits and gravy — and to let him spend a little time working in the garden with Papa before Pike drops the boy off at pre-school.
The garden has flourished and expanded, with tomatoes, watermelons, pumpkins, cantaloupes, green beans, gourds and other vegetables that Spencer and his grandparents have planted, watered, weeded, and grown together.
Some already have been sold at the Vahsholtz home, where a huge “Fresh Produce” sign painted by Spencer’s mother Tiffany Vahsholtz stands in the front yard.
A row of brightly painted bird houses made from gourds dangles on a rope strung between two upright pipes near the garage. Tamie Vahsholtz had supervised Spencer’s decorating as he painted the project, and those, too, are being sold to earn a Gator.
Spencer was busy puttering in the garden with Papa Tuesday afternoon, getting ready to take some of their produce to the Farmers Market Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m gonna pick, maybe oranges like this,” Spencer said, rolling a tomato around on the table.
The boy and the grandparents are hoping that sales at the Farmers Market will put Spencer over the $200 mark. On Tuesday, he had about $68.
“He knows he needs lot of ‘monies’ for this,” Tamie Vahsholtz said, using Spencer’s terminology.
The youngster’s concept of money is a little vague — he estimated he needs about $4.50 more to reach his goal — but he’s serious about the cash accumulating in his money jar and he’s relying on his grandparents to let him know when it’s full enough.
“He’s waited a long time for his Gator,” Tamie Vahsholtz said.
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Good for them! I wish more parents and grandparents made kids realize money must be earned through work.
July 22, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
builderboy (anonymous) says...
this is such a nice article. It doesn't talke about rape, murder, government employee corruption , theft, or fire. I think more articles about postive things happening in the community are great!!
July 22, 2009 at 10:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefootin (anonymous) says...
Yum! I hope Spencer has some tasty veggies for sale when I go to the farmers market.
July 23, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
This is such a wonderful heartwarming story! Thank you for bringing a huge smile to my face. This young man is growing up with great role models and learning values thaat will serve him well all his life.
And what a cutie!
July 23, 2009 at 4:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )