8A | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2018 | SIUSLAW NEWS
DONATION from page 1A
“Students now will have ex-
posure to various instruments
at developmental milestones,”
Harklerode continued. “This
supports learning at each level,
but also helps to keep kids mo-
tivated to become lifelong musi-
cians.”
Amanda Smith is in her first
year as an instructor at Siuslaw
Elementary School. She has
assumed the daunting task of
teaching the district’s youth the
basics of music theory and prac-
tice.
“As the music teacher, I like
to think that I have the best job
in the district. I get the privilege
to sing, dance and make music
with children every day. I get to
see them laugh, smile, and work
together for a common goal,”
Smith said. “The music room is
a place where children can cre-
ate, innovate and explore new
ideas. It is a place where they
do not have to think about their
individual math achievements,
reading levels or athletic abili-
ty. While all of those individual
achievements are necessary for a
well-rounded education, learn-
ing to read, write, play, sing and
create music gives students a
chance to be alive.”
One of the first challenges
Smith had to overcome was the
lack of musical instruments for
students to use to learn to play
music in her classroom. There
were some instruments, but
the quality and condition of
the few still usable instruments
were poor. There were also not
enough instruments of suffi-
cient quality to teach all of the
students in her class at the same
time.
Smith has repaired a number
of the older instruments, mak-
ing them at least serviceable, but
they are far from first rate. The
Elks donation will dramatically
improve that situation.
“I am tasked with the chal-
lenge of preparing students for
middle and high school choir
and band, and having instru-
ments in the elementary music
room is essential to the stu-
dents’ musical preparation,”
Smith said. “The Elks generous
donation laid a foundation for
the music makers that come to
music class everyday. Their do-
nation made my task of teaching
music possible. I am tremen-
dously grateful for their invest-
ment into the musical develop-
ment of this community.”
Florence Elks Exalted Ruler
Bruce Smith says the Elks are
focused on assisting with worth-
while efforts, like the support
given to the district music pro-
gram, as a way the group can
help to provide additional help
to worthwhile endeavors.
“We raise money all year long
and put it in our charity fund to
support the community as best
we can, and this is one of the
projects we felt deserved sup-
port,” he said.
PHOTOS BY MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS
Florence Elks Lodge #1858’s
donation to the Siuslaw
Elementary School music
program will provide stu-
dents with the opportunity
to play music and practice
together on working, mod-
ern instruments. These
fourth-graders will now be
ready for more advanced
programs in the middle and
high schools.
The reinvigorated music pro-
gram at the elementary school is
good news for the students cur-
rently attending class and those
who will attend in the future,
but it is not the only way that
Elks Lodge #1858 is helping to
keep music flowing in Florence.
The organization also recently
‘Home for the Holidays’ Tour starts Friday
Every sense will be tickled
on the one-of-a-kind, Flor-
ence “Home for the Holidays”
Community Christmas Tour
of Homes, coming this Dec.
14, 15 and 16.
Guests will be warmly greet-
ed with a glass of champagne
or cider at the depot — the
CROW Center for the Per-
forming Arts, 3120 Highway
101 — then break the seal on
a passport to learn their desti-
nations for the tour. Boarding
vans and buses, guests will be
whisked away to four unique
local homes, magically deco-
rated for the season.
“Where else can you en-
joy such a magical evening
or afternoon for this price?”
asked Holiday Tour of Homes
co-chair Jennifer Waggoner.
“These four homeowners have
been working tirelessly for
weeks to prepare their homes
for your visit.”
There will be savory and
delicious treats and entertain-
ment at each home, all part of
the ticket cost.
Tickets are going fast for this
special holiday experience, so
go today to www.crowkids.
com/holiday-home-tour
to
buy tickets for $50 per person.
Thanks to generous donations
from local businesses, parts
of the event are sponsored
so all proceeds can to benefit
CROW (Children’s Repertory
of Oregon Workshops), the
local children’s community
theater.
“For years, the CROW staff,
led by Melanie Heard, have
spent the majority of their
time, energy and talent rais-
ing money so that our local
kids could be trained to per-
form in absolutely amazing
productions in our town,” said
tour co-chair Kay King. “That
is why we felt it was crucial to
create ways to help raise mon-
ey for this fabulous theater, so
Melanie and crew could spend
their time teaching and pro-
ducing quality theater for us
— and more importantly for
our kids.”
King and Waggoner decided
to create the Christmas Tour
of Homes in Florence as an-
other way to raise money for
CROW.
“Countless donations have
made the event possible,” Wag-
goner said. “The design and
printing of programs and tick-
ets, planning how to sell the
tickets to make it convenient
for the purchaser, lining up
transportation, preparing the
tour route, preparation of en-
tertainment and refreshments
for each home are all part of it.
Not to mention the hours and
volunteers who have helped
decorate these fabulous homes
for your enjoyment.”
Sneak peeks are now be-
ginning as some of the homes
are already lighting up those
Christmas trees and decking
their halls.
The tours for the event run 5
to 9 p.m. on Friday and Satur-
day, Dec. 14 and 15, and from
2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16.
Visit the Facebook page for
more information and to share
the event: “Home for the Hol-
idays: A Community Christ-
mas Tour of Homes.” People
can also call 541-520-1255 for
more information.
All proceeds from the
Christmas Tour of Homes
go to helping CROW with its
upcoming production of the
Spring musical, “The Wiz.”
Children are not charged to
participate in CROW’s high
quality, professional shows,
which makes CROW invalu-
able in our community.
“Our community and our
students are continually en-
riched by the CROW expe-
rience. You won’t find better
theater, costuming and set de-
sign anywhere!” King said.
DENTURE SERVICES INC.
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Dentures
Partial Dentures
Immediate Dentures
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Relines & Repairs Same Day
Monday-Thursday
10am - 2 pm
524 Laurel St.
541-997-6054
William Foster LD
Sherry, Offi ce Manager
“As a denture wearer myself,
I can answer your
questions and address
your denture concerns.”
~ William Foster, LD
Financing: Citi Health Card
12 Month no Interest
contributed more than $5,000
to the effort to send Siuslaw
High School sophomore Liz-
beth Garcia-Galvin to Europe
next summer with the Oregon
Ambassador of Music Program,
sponsored by Oregon State Uni-
versity. She will go on an extend-
ed tour of the continent, which
will focus on musical perfor-
mance and regional history.
The Elks’ donation provided
the majority of money needed
for Garcia-Galvan’s trip, along
with generous community sup-
port.
For more information about
the Florence Elks Lodge #1858,
visit the lodge at 1686 12th St. or
go to www.florenceelks.com.
Florence Food Share
Ask us about volunteer opportunities.
2190 Spruce Street • P.O.Box 2514
Florence, Oregon 97439
(541) 997-9110
info@fl orencefoodshare.org
Volunteer
Get
involved
Donate
Habitat for Humanity
Florence Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a place
to put your talents to work.
From customer service to furniture repair, we
offer volunteer opportunities geared toward
individual interests and skills. By giving your
time, you help Florence Habitat ReStore do more
to support building projects that benefi t families
in our community.
2016 Hwy 101 or email volunteer@
fl orencehabitat.org
Store hours 9am – 5pm Monday- Saturday 541-
997-5834
www.facebook.com/restorefl orence
Do your part and
volunteer today
to help support
these local non-proft
organizations in
our community!
Meals on Wheels and Cafe 60
Meals on Wheels are available to people over the age of 60 who cannot get
out much due to illness or advanced age and who are not eating properly,
regardless of income. Cafe 60 is available for those who prefer to make new
friends in a dining room setting.
1570 Kingwood, PO Box 2313, Florence
541-997-5673
laneseniormeals.org
Oregon Coast Humane Society
Congratulations
Zoya Dietz-Henson
for being chosen for
Northwest Farm
Credit Services
adopt-a-member
program.
Zoya was nomi-
nated by her FFA ad-
visor, Mrs. Vollmer.
Zoya has been in-
volved in all aspects
of the Madras Ag-
ricultural Program
and FFA for the past
two years. Zoya is not
afraid to get dirty whether it’s mixing pig feed, haul-
ing rock or helping serve and clean up at the many
events Madras FFA volunteers at. Zoya also partici-
pates in almost every CDE, her favorite being tractor
driving where she also helps teach other members
about safety and behind the wheel skills. Zoya com-
municates well and is always willing to help.
Zoya received her jacket, dues paid for the year,
State Convention registration fee paid and $100 hotel
credit, an invite to NWFCS luncheon at State Con-
vention, and registration credit to one other state
sponsored leadership conference.
Westin Fowler from the Redmond NWFC pre-
sented Zoya her jacket and shared with the class
about NWFC and how he got to where he is in his
career. Th ank you Westin and NWFC for your sup-
port of Oregon FFA Association.
Proud Grandparents Frank & Cathy Dietz;
Great Grandparents Del & Florence Phelps;
Lily Phelps & Dean.
relies heavily on volunteers.
There are many opportunities to volunteer and a variety of skills and talents
are always in need. Volunteer interest forms may be found online, at the
shelter and at our Thrift Shop on Bay Street.
www.oregoncoasthumanesociety.org/volunteer/
Peace Harbor Volunteers
Join the Peace Harbor Hospital Volunteers, you will fi nd an area
of interest in a caring organization.
400 9th Street, Florence
541-997-8412 ext. 2218
Us Too Florence
Saving men one PSA test at a time. “Someone to talk to...who understands!”
541-997-6626
maribob@oregonfast.net
www.ustoofl orence.org
Do your part and
volunteer today
to help support
these local
non-proft
organizations in
our community!
Volunteer•Get involved•Donate