THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM | SIUSLAWNEWS | WEDNESDAY EDITION | NOVEMBER 21, 2018 | $1.00 @ SIUSLAWNEWS F inal Q uest SPORTS — B INSIDE — C 128TH YEAR | ISSUE NO. 93 FLORENCE, OREGON SERVING WESTERN LANE COUNTY SINCE 1890 Giving a hand to man’s best friend Camp Florence youth train, work with strays from OCHS H umans love dogs. The bond between the two species is the story of a millennium-long partner- Siuslaw News Intern ship that has greatly benefited both. & Mark Brennan Archeologists have found remains Siuslaw News from both species, interred togeth- er, that are more than 14,000 years old. This relationship is also the cor- At Camp Florence, Frankie nerstone of a local program that works with dogs from Ore- matches youthful, at-risk offenders, gon Coast Humane Society with dogs that need a home and a in an effort to connect dogs caring owner. with at-risk youth. “Project POOCH” began in By Christian Luna Hernandez CHRISTIAN LUNA HERNANDEZ FOR THE SIUSLAW NEWS Woodburn, Ore., in the 1990s. POOCH is an acronym for Positive Opportunities for Obvious Changes with Hounds, which is also the goal of the program. Elements of the project have now been incorporated successfully into the curriculum at Camp Florence Youth Transitional Facility, a facili- ty for youth located on South Jetty Road. It is run by the State of Ore- gon and the staff works with young men who are in the process of tran- sitioning from a negative life situa- – A generous community – Holiday events begin this week Florence residents, businesses come together to donate 14,572 pounds of food to Florence Food Share By Chantelle Meyer Siuslaw News By Chantelle Meyer Siuslaw News O INSIDE n Saturday, Cindy Wobbe held her 18th annu- al Pounding for Florence Food Share, with the help of the communiy, local volunteers and Wayne Sharpe of KCST Coast Radio. In just a little over four hours at the Florence Gro- cery Outlet, community members donated 14,572 pounds of food. This record-breaking amount beats last year’s 13,088 pounds, the previous record. “I really want to emphasize that this is a grassroots, community effort — neighbors helping neighbors,” Wobbe said. “We got to that total one can, one box at a time.” Included in the donations was items ready for Thanksgiving meals, such as frozen turkeys, canned vegetables and soup mixes. In addition, people also donated cash and other items needed by Florence Food Share, such as peanut butter, jam, rice, beans, sugar, flour, oatmeal and nonperishable food. Much of the food was purchased at Grocery Outlet, which is now run by Brian Barnard and Lisa Fassler af- ter Woody Woodbury retired earlier this year. People also brought items from home or elsewhere in town. Every pound raised equaled a dollar match by do- nors, including Klaus and Maria Witte of Top Hy- draulics. All this helps fill the pantry at Florence Food Share, which is heading into one of its busiest seasons as community members seek to provide meals to their families. Look for other ways to donate, such as at Empty Bowls at the Florence Events Center from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. For more information, visit www.florence foodshare.org. Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . Kid Scoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . Library Tidings . . . . . . . . . . . B6 A3 B5 A5 tion to a more positive and produc- tive one. Camp Florence is the final step in that journey. The mission of Project POOCH is to provide opportunities for youth in corrections to learn responsibil- ity, patience and compassion for all life by working with shelter dogs. The program was founded in 1993 by Joan Dalton, who at the time was a vice principal at MacLaren’s Lord High School. See POOCH page 8A PHOTOS BY CHANTELLE MEYER/SIUSLAW NEWS Cindy Wobbe and her team of volunteers surpassed projections for the amount of food raised at this year’s Pounding for Florence Food Share, beating last year’s total by more than 1,400 pounds. The annual community effort to help feed area families has continued thanks to generous donations of food and money. Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Weather Data . . . . . . . . . . . A2 THIS WEEK ’ S SM THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 54 46 52 47 52 41 53 45 WEATHER Full Forecast, A3 “RING THE BELL” Doino the Most Good TODAY Tomorrow marks the beginning of Florence’s holiday season, with Thanksgiving opening a weekend filled with holiday cheer and commu- nity spirit. People are welcome to attend Kiwanis Club of Florence’s free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Florence Elks Lodge 1858, 1686 12th St., from noon to 2 p.m. This annual feast allows everyone to eat a restaurant-style meal prepared by Kiwanis and community volun- teers. Donations of canned food and money will be accepted, but are not required. Then, on Friday, people are encouraged to start their holiday shopping with Black Friday deals. Those hoping to support local businesses can “shop small” on Saturday for Small Busi- ness Saturday. Created to emphasize keeping money local, the “shop small” movement gives back to consumers with promotions and refreshments. “By shopping small and local, you help support your family, friends and neighbors,” said local business owner Jo Beaudreau, who is helping promot Small Business Saturday in the Siuslaw region. “Keeping things local allows communities to thrive. Your dollar does make an impact.” A Facebook event page has been set up to encourage people to explore area shopping. Saturday is also the official beginning of winter holiday events in Florence, with the Florence Festival of Trees, Light Up Your Boat Float, Florence Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting and Seacoast Entertainment Asso- ciation’s “Christmas Roadshow” with Ken Lavigne. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Florence Festival of Trees Family Fun Day at the Florence Events Center is open to the public to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, take pictures with the holiday Bassett Hounds and preview Christmas trees hand-decorated by local businesses that will be auctioned the next day at the Festival of Trees Gala of Giving. Wreaths and small trees will also be available to purchase Saturday. See HOLIDAYS page 8A S IUSLAW N EWS 3 S ECTIONS | 24 P AGES C OPYRIGHT 2018 CALL “SAM” at 541-991-6139 TO SCHEDULE A TIME FOR YOU TO “RING THE BELL” “Sal and Sally”, Th e Salvation Army mascots show Sam Spayd, Nancy Walker, and Sandy Kuhlman how to ring the bell for the “Red Kettle Campaign”