Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 26, 2017)
4B THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 Honeybee losses improve from horrible to just bad By SETH BORENSTEIN Associated Press WASHINGTON — There’s a glimmer of hope for Ameri- ca’s ailing honeybees as win- ter losses were the lowest in more than a decade, according to a U.S. survey of beekeepers released Thursday. Beekeepers lost 21 percent of their colonies over last win- ter, the annual Bee Informed Partnership survey found. That’s the lowest winter loss level since the survey started in 2006 and an improvement from nearly 27 percent the winter before. The U.S. government has set a goal of keeping losses under 15 percent in the winter. “It’s good news in that the numbers are down, but it’s cer- tainly not a good picture,” said survey director Dennis vanEn- gelsdorp. “It’s gone from hor- rible to bad.” Reduction in varroa mites, a lethal parasite, is likely the main cause of the improve- AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite Honeybees work in a hive located in an apple grove at Hart- land Orchard, a family farm near the the Blue Ridge Moun- tains in Markham, Va. A U.S. survey of beekeepers released on Thursday found improvements in the outlook for troubled honeybees. Winter losses were at the lowest levels in more than a decade with only 21 percent of the colonies dying. ment, said vanEnglesdorp, a University of Maryland ento- mologist. He credited the reduction in the parasite to a new product to fight the mite and better weather for pesti- cide use. The 10-year average for winter losses is 28.4 percent. “We would of course all love it if the trend continues, but there are so many fac- tors playing a role in colony health,” said bee expert Elina Lastro Nino at the Univer- sity of California Davis, who wasn’t part of the survey. “I am glad to see this, but wouldn’t celebrate too much yet.” For more than a decade, bees and other pollinators have been rapidly declining with scientists blaming a mix of parasites, disease, pesticides and poor nutrition. While usually hive losses are worst in the winter, they occur year round. The survey found yearly losses also down, but not quite to record levels. About one third of the honey bee colonies that were around in April 2016 were dead a year later, the survey found. That’s better than the year before when the annual loss rate was more than 40 percent. The survey, originally started by the U.S. govern- ment and now run by a non- profit, is based on information from nearly 5,000 beekeep- ers who manage more than 360,000 colonies. University of Montana’s Jerry Bromen- shenk said the study gives too much weight to backyard bee- keepers rather than commer- cial beekeepers. Noregaard receives Daughters of American Revolution award Submitted Photo Samantha Noregaard, center, graduating senior at Neah- kahnie High School, received the Astoria Chapter Daugh- ters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award May 23. Pictured with her are Sandra Fuller, left, and Sue Glen, right, both of the Astoria Chapter DAR. Noregaard also wrote an essay which won in competition among seven local high schools. The essay then placed first in the district, and went on to place second among all 36 Oregon DAR chapters. She received monetary awards at all three levels. Information on the award and other DAR scholarships is given to area schools each August. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Clatsop Cruise Hosts — Look- ing for volunteers to meet and greet cruise ship passengers and crew, provide information and answer questions about the Clatsop County area. Ships arrive in the spring and fall, about 20 ships each year. Work all the ships or part of them. For in- formation, go to www.clatsopcruise- hosts.org Columbia Memorial Hospital — Needs volunteers to provide assistance to patients, visitors and hospital staff. Training provided. For information, go to www.colum- biamemorial.org. To schedule an interview, call 503-325-4321. Columbia River Maritime Museum — 1792 Marine Drive. Volunteer opportunities for those with an interest in maritime history. For information, call the volunteer coordinator weekdays at 503-325- 2323. Columbia Senior Diners — 1111 Exchange St., Astoria Senior Center. Volunteers needed week- days to serve tables and for kitchen help. To volunteer, call 503-325- 9693. Community Emergency Re- sponse Team — CERT volunteers needed for community events and disaster response with local police, fire and emergency medical service agencies. Training includes fire safety, first aid, traffic and crowd control, communications, damage survey, disaster planning and civic events within city limits. For infor- mation, contact CERT coordinator Kenny Hansen at khansen@as- toria.or.us or leave a voicemail at 503-325-4411. Friends of Seaside Library — 1131 Broadway, Seaside. Volun- teers needed to staff the fundraising store. For information, call 503-738- 6742 or stop by the library. Knappa Rural Fire Protection District — Needs volunteer fire- fighters. Training provided. For in- formation, contact any of the active personnel or call Chief Paul Olheis- er at 503-458-6610. ing people. Opportunities are avail- able in the hospital gift shop, café, and as greeters and for spiritual in- tegration. For information, call (503) 717-7171 or email Alana.Kujala@ providence.org Long-Term Care Ombudsman — Certified ombudsman volunteers advocate for the rights, care and dignity of the elderly and disabled living in licensed long-term care facilities. Many residents have no one to watch out or speak up for when things go wrong. Volunteer Ombudsmen talk to the residents, investigate complaints, and work to resolve problems. Flexible sched- ule, four hours a week, mileage reimbursement available. Training is provided. For information, call 800-522-2602 or go to www.ore- gon.gov/ltco River Song Foundation — Looking for people to assist with Trap/Neuter/Release/Feed (TNRF), especially in the Seaside and Knap- pa/Svensen areas. TNRF involves setting and/or monitoring traps, and daily feeding of cats and main- tenance of any shelters, and is a proven, science-based method that along with spay/neuter programs is the only effective and humane way of ending cat homelessness and suffering. Call 503-861-2003 for in- formation and to volunteer. Lunch Buddy Mentoring Pro- gram — Adults needed to mentor elementary and middle school stu- dents once a week during lunch. For information, call Mary Jackson at 503-440-0368 or email lunchbud- dies.mp@gmail.com NorthWest Senior & Disability Services — Needs dishwashers and volunteers to serve and clean up weekdays at a meal site, and drivers for Meals on Wheels. For information, contact Candy Foster at 503-738-9323. Providence Seaside Hospi- tal — Needs volunteer drivers for Community Connections, a free program that transports people to services and appointments relat- ed to health and well-being in the Portland-Metro area. Mileage reim- bursement available. For informa- tion, call (503) 717-7171 or email Alana.Kujala@providence.org Providence Seaside Hospi- tal — Needs volunteers who enjoy meeting, interacting with and help- Seaside Downtown Develop- ment Association — Volunteers needed to help with local events happening throughout the year. For information, call Tita Montero at 503-717-1914 or email director@ seasidedowntown.com Seaside Museum and Histor- ical Society — Volunteers needed to help as docents, maintaining and creating exhibits, and various events throughout the year. Small and large projects available. Any amount of time will be greatly ap- preciated. Call the museum at 503- 738-7065 or email seasidemuse- um@hotmail.com Start Making a Reader Today — Needs volunteers to read to stu- dents one-on-one for one hour a week at local elementary schools. To volunteer, call 503-391-8423 or go to www.getsmartoregon.org Titanic Lifeboat Academy — Volunteer to help care for animals and assist with sustainable living projects; minimum commitment of four hours per week requested. Some training provided. For infor- mation, contact Caren Black at 503- 325-6886. Tri-City Spay and Neuter Thrift Store — 600 Broadway, Seaside. Needs volunteers inter- ested in improving the welfare of animals. For information, call 503- 738-7040. Veterans Services Officer of Clatsop County — Seeking vol- unteer drivers to transport veterans from Astoria to the Veterans Admin- istration Medical Center in Portland using the Disabled American Vet- erans (DAV) van. To volunteer, call 503-298-8757 or email clatsopv- so@gmail.com Warrenton Senior Lunch Pro- gram — Warrenton Community Center, 170 S.W. Third St. Volun- teers needed to help with Meals on Wheels and in the dining room Mondays or Thursdays. For infor- mation, contact Barb Balensifer at 503-861-1341. Wildlife Rehab Center of the North Coast — Needs volunteers to help rehabilitate orphaned and injured wildlife. For information, call 503-338-0331 or go to coastwildlife. org Submitted Photo Pictured, from left, Warrenton High School Assistant Principal Josh Hannusch, Warrenton Rotary Club’s April Student of the Month Krista Morrill, and Warren- ton Rotary Club President Birch Kelly. Warrenton’s Morrill is selected for Student of the Month honor The Daily Astorian WARRENTON — Krista Morrill, a Warrenton High School senior, has been selected to receive the Warrenton Rotary Club’s April Student of the Month award. The pro- gram honors accomplished local high school students who make a difference in their school and/or community. The school administration chooses each recipient. Morrill has a GPA of 4.10, and is a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Council. She has been involved in athletics at the high school, and is admired and praised by the staff and students for setting an example of excellence. Each Student of the Month receives a printed award along with gift certificates from area businesses who also want to acknowledge noteworthy student achievements, including Warrenton Fultano’s Pizza, GB Jewelers, Warrenton Mini Mart, Sweet Scoops, Lucky Locks, Arnie’s Café, Starbucks and Sandi Kelly. The Warrenton Rotary Club’s meetings are open to the public. For information, go to www.facebook.com/ warrentonrotaryclub CO M ING JUNE 2017 O UR 10 th A NNUA L Svensen Congregate Meal Site — Wickiup Grange Hall, 92683 Svensen Market Road. To volun- teer, or for information, call Debbie Dunaway at 503-791-7298 or 503- 861-4202. CELEBRATING VETERANS CELEBRATING FREEDOM Weekend C op ies d istrib uted throug hout the year to n orth coast hotels, m otels, cham b ers of com m erce, visitors b ureaus, cam p g roun d s, restauran ts an d stores an d in serted in T he D aily Astorian & C hin ook O b server FORT STEVENS STATE PARK HISTORIC AREA AND BATTERY RUSSELL SATURDAY & SUNDAY MAY 27 & 28 • 11 AM- 4 PM PARK HOURS 8AM-6PM Free Admission $5 Day Use Parking Fee N ew th is Y ea r! Memorial Day Weekend Events Include: • Use An Old Soldier’s trail map to complete a word puzzle and collect a gift at the museum • Buy a ticket for a chance to fi re a Civil War era cannon • Enjoy Free Civil War Earthworks tours • Tour the Fort on The Beast: a 5-ton military truck (Fees apply) • Check out the one of a kind underground Battery Mishler tour (Fees apply) • Visit the 1911 Guardhouse • See great displays at Battery Russell and play a cell phone game Friends of Old Fort Stevens, Inc. 503-861-1470 Ft. Stevens State Park, Hammond, OR email: foofs@teleport.com Click on: www.visitfortstevens.com Boost you r visibility on n ea rly every pa ge of ou r com m u n ity n ew s sites a n d rea ch m ore tha n 165,000 people a m on th on lin e w ith ou r: F ea tu red Ad P ro g ra m EX PAN D Y OU R PALATE ONLINE • • • • • Visit our Virtua l Coa sta l M en u Guide on lin e T urn th rough virtua l pa ges Click on direct lin ks to resta ura n t w ebsites Access a ddition a l in form a tion coa stw eeken d.com /m en uguide R eserve yo u r a d sp a ce in o u r 10th a n n iversa ry ed i tio n : STEVEN RT S FO 1863 1947 OREGON’S DEFENDER D ea d lin e: M a y 31 Con ta ct you r a dvertisin g sa les con su lta n t for m ore in form a tion : OR E GON : 5 03 -3 25 -3 211• W ASH IN GTON : 800-6 4 3 -3 703
