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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 10, 2017)
6 B SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2017 N ATURAL PERSPECTIVE USCG Master Chief to speak at STEP tonight — Overlooked mothers B Y E MILY J. U HRIG , P H D Special to the Siuslaw News ith Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s a good time to reflect on the care and support that our moms provide. Looking at the protective attitude of a mother hen or the gentle grooming of a cat with kittens, we see that maternal W S INGERS behaviors are not unique to humans. However, one mom whose motherly instincts are not widely known is the female earwig, a common insect in Oregon. Sometimes called “pincher bugs” because of the large pin- cers on their rear end, earwigs are increasingly likely to be found around our homes and gardens as the weather warms. Female and male earwigs typically pair up in the fall and spend winter underground. After laying eggs, the female kicks the male out of the nest. Throughout incubation, this single mother tends her brood and guards against potential predators. Using her mouth, she grooms her eggs to remove mold and coats them with an antifungal substance that helps improve egg survival. Once hatched, the young ear- wigs, called nymphs, remain in the nest and under mom’s pro- tection for a time. The mother feeds her nymphs individually by regurgitating food directly into their mouths. Without a mother’s care, fewer nymphs survive. As they grow, almost like restless teenagers, the nymphs begin venturing outside the nest on their own. At first, they return home after these excursions, but eventually they are inde- pendent enough to leave the nest altogether. With one brood raised and gone, some earwig females lay a second clutch of eggs and renew their maternal efforts. If you find an earwig in your garden, it’s most likely a European earwig. As the name implies, the species is not native here, but arrived in Oregon in the early 1900s. Earwigs are generally viewed as pests because they can damage plants and are often considered unsightly. In 1924, Portland experienced such an infestation that the city declared a state of emergency and set up a Bureau of Earwig Control. However, earwigs can also be beneficial since they eat other pests that are much more damaging to crops. Researchers, for instance, are investigating how increas- ing earwig numbers in orchards can help control aphids. Despite their checkered rep- utation, earwigs can offer us a reminder of the far-reaching importance of maternal care. Happy Mother’s Day! U.S. Coast Guard Station Siuslaw River Master Chief Tim Tregoning will be the fea- tured speaker at tonight’s, meeting of the Florence Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP). The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Florence Elks Lodge. As always, the public is invited to attend. Tregoning will speak on policies governing the opening and closing of the Siuslaw Bar. He will also talk about the life- saving mission of the Coast Guard. Prior to Tregoning’s talk, there will be a short business meeting. Reports on the annu- al fundraising drive, upcoming summer activities and the need for volunteer help at the annu- al Free Fishing Day at Honeyman State Park on June 9, and other opportunities to help teach kids how to fish will be shared. Denyse, Shelby, Trudie, Lalitha, Melissa REIGN WITH BLASTS OF SUNSHINE Community Chorus Review B Y B URNEY G ARELICK A fter a long, long rainy season, gray skies finally cleared, and the long-awaited sun spread over Florence, no doubt due in part to the Community Chorus of Florence that reigned with a deluge of sunshine on May 6 and 7 at the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw. Never have so many sunny songs shone within the span of two hours! Sunny songs includ- ed: “Here Comes the Sun,” “You are the Sunshine of My Life,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” “You Are My Sunshine,” “Brighten My Soul with Sunshine,” “The House of the Rising Sun” and “Let The Sunshine In.” There were also corollary songs about summer, the season of the sun and fun and love and romance. And there were windy songs — Florence knows all about the wind — and a doleful song about the rain followed by the iconic song about singing in the rain. The concert theme was “Sunshine & Summertime,” featuring songs from the 1960s and ’70s, and the choristers, rather than in uniform attire, dressed casually and colorfully for the season and the times, with peace signs, tie-die shirts, and hair in full regalia. Emcee was longtime arts afi- cionado Annie Schmidt, who not only announced the songs but delivered anecdotes about the composers and the times. The program was nostalgic for much of the community with bright medleys and songs by the Beatles and The Beach Boys (the poster boys of sum- mer), and a hippie dippy sur- prise when two chorister flower children did a rendition of Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz.” The chorus sang together and harmoniously on such numbers as Robert Burns’s ode to l’amour as a red red rose, clan- destine l’amour “Under the Boardwalk,” and Gershwin’s classic, “Summertime.” Several members were fea- tured as soloists and in ensem- bles. Songs were a cappella or accompanied, sometimes by local pianist Rhianna Haines and sometimes by esteemed chorus director and accom- plished musician Jennifer Weier. Haines’s solo, “Bumble Boogie,” stung so fast the honey flowed in sweet proliferation, and Weier’s thoughtful solo explored the emotions, rooms and ghosts in that house in the Big Easy. Perhaps the church was offer- ing the musical rites of spring that weekend because on Saturday afternoon prior to the choral song fest, the Pacific Coast Wind Ensemble was there to blow the seasonal strains in what many said was a fine per- formance. Whether we yearn for yester- year’s “Age of Aquarius” of peace, love and understanding, or hope it may someday come to pass, spring 2017 has sprung at last, and it won’t be long before everything’s coming up rhodies. “Sing, Sing, Sing” ... but that’s another song. 541-997-3160 • 351 LAUREL STREET 541•999•6078 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FACEBOOK.COM/PETERSENAUTODETAIL SPEAK YOUR PEACE. WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR. EDITOR@THESIUSLAW NEWS.COM Florence Garden Club hosts annual plant sale at Senior Center Saturday The Florence Garden Club is pleased to announce their annual Plant Sale and Marketplace, will be held in a brand new location on Saturday, May 13, at the Florence Senior Center. The new venue allows space for plants, a silent auction, raf- fle and now education. OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners and repre- sentatives from Central Coast Beekeepers Association will be on hand to answer your questions. The event is hon- ored that both groups have offered their expertise to this annual event. The Marketplace, also new this year, will feature garden art, repurposed items, hand- made cards, etc. It’s also perfect timing for Mother’s Day gifts. The Secret Garden silent auction will offer some unique and very special items that are sure to draw bidding interest. A willow garden “bench,” a handmade quilt and a rustique orb made from wine barrel rings will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Sharpen your pencils, bid high, bid fast and bid often. The merchants of Florence have once again supplied over 50 great items to be raffled off the day of The Plant Sale. Purchase raffle tickets at the door. Winners will be chosen the same day and need not be present to win. “All proceeds go to the Garden Club’s scholarships fund. We are excited that so many students are considering furthering their education in our field. We aren’t just about growing plants, we are grow- ing our kid’s futures as well”, says publicity chair, Marsha Horner. Be there early for the best selection. Cash and local ! s U h t i W a n i h C Discover Beijing Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou 10 Day Trip COURTESY PHOTO This garden bench is just one of the items available at the ’Silent Auction’ being held at the FEC on May 13, for the Florence Garden Club’s scholarship fundraiser. checks are accepted. Attendees are encouraged to bring boxes and trays for their purchases. Florence Senior Center is at 1570 Kingwood. The sale hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 30th Annual SPRING RHODODENDRON SALE MAY 14th - MAY 21st $2,099 Various Cities Travel Dates April 3-11, 2018 YOUR TRIP INCLUDES are & • Roundtrip international airf & Tax are airf ic est dom e nes Chi • 4-and 5-star hotel accommodations • 3 meals each day • Deluxe bus tours tour • Fluent English-speaking guides ions • Entrance fees for attract for single occupancy, occupancy, Add $500 $6,000 to fl y Business Price refl ects Double Add , ers ber Memb Add $200 for Non-Cham Terra-Cotta Warriors Itinerary, Everything visa required Class, Add $200 for the ed, Valid passport and on the itinerary includ t Departure Travel insurance Including all tax & Pos An orientation meeting will be held Wednesday, May 17, 2017, 5:30-7:00 p.m. At Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce, 700 E. Gibbs Ave. Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Please call chamber for details Phone: 541-942-2411 Plan now to join Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce, with business leaders and friends for this once in a lifetime China Adventure. Space is limited. Rhododendrons $13/plant or $130/dozen 5&7 gallon sizes - many available Evergreen Azaleas $7/plant or $70/dozen Japanese Maples 5 gallon size, $35/tree KELLEY GREEN NURSERY Open 9-4 daily 6924 Hwy. 38 West, Drain 4 miles east of Elkton Tunnel Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce 700 E. Gibbs Ave., www.cgchamber.com 541-942-2411
