6A | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS
HOLIDAYS from page 1A
about was the boxes of food
Soroptimists will give out from
Siuslaw Middle School, 2525
Oak St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“People will drive up from
the road between the two
schools, like you were going to
the football field, drive up and
come in the back way,” Bennet
said. “Then, you tell us how big
a family you need food for, and
we will pack a box according-
ly.”
People get to stay in the
warmth of their cars as volun-
teers dressed in warm winter
gear fill shopping carts from
local grocery stores as they
gather each item of the box.
“We pack boxes for 2, 4, 6,
8, 10, 12, 14, 16 — whatever,”
Bennett said, adding that there
are fewer boxes made for the
biggest sizes, but they are ready
for it. “We will do between 375
and 400 boxes. Any leftover
food at the end of that will go
to Florence Food Share. We
have no provisions to store it,
and they are glad to have it.”
The food boxes contain a
chicken or turkey, along with
applesauce, butter, corn, green
beans, cranberry sauce, rolls,
eggs, fruit cocktail, graham
crackers, jam, milk, oatmeal,
peanut butter, saltine crackers,
stuffing and fresh produce of
apples, carrots, oranges and
potatoes. Each box also gets
candy canes and cookies do-
nated directly from the Little
Dutch Boy Cookie Company,
based in Draper, Utah.
“We give a pretty good box,”
Bennett said. “We try to put
food in that box so that these
kids that don’t have food can
have a saltine cracker with a
little peanut butter on it. … I
double up the amount of pea-
nut butter that we give so we
can be sure that the kids can
have something they can eat.”
Speaking of kids, Soropti-
mists also give out toys, this
time from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
Florence Church of the Naza-
rene, 1536 12th St. Many of the
toys are donated by communi-
ty members.
“We ask for unwrapped,
new toys,” Bennett said. “There
are trees around town as vari-
ous businesses put a Christmas
tree up and hang tags on it
with children’s names.”
Unlike the Twin Lakes
Store’s annual Teen Giving
Tree, the Soroptimists focus
only on children from infants
to 12 years old.
Bennett explained, “We
can’t afford to go out and buy
the toys that the 13 and up kids
want. We can’t buy iPads, cell
phones and video games —
and people don’t give that. Peo-
ple really like to give things for
4 and 5-year-olds, and 7-year-
olds. Because that’s fun.”
Donations of toys must be
received by Wednesday, Dec.
11. In addition, the toy dis-
tribution could use volunteer
help sorting toys on Thursday
and Friday between 9 a.m. to
2 p.m.
“It takes a lot of hands,” Ben-
nett said. “You don’t have to
sign up, and you don’t have to
stay the whole time.”
For people who want to help
with the Christmas Baskets,
she advised they arrive by 9
a.m. and dress for outdoor
weather conditions. They can
contact her for more informa-
tion at 541-991-3455 or dump-
lady@hotmail.com.
The contact for the toys is
Shasta Hoberg, who can be
reached at 541-991-2353 or
soroprtimist.florence@gmail.
com.
Bennett said, “We are so-
liciting funds. We buy about
$20,000 worth of food. … We
have to be good stewards of the
money that we solicit from the
community for this purpose.
We use it for the food and the
toys.”
Donations can be mailed
to Soroptimist International
of PO Box 1209, Florence OR
97439.
After Bennett’s presentation,
Young introduced Florence
Elks “lecturing knight” Patrick
LaNasa.
“As you all know, the Elks
do so many things for this
community, especially during
Christmas time,” she said.
LaNasa encouraged the
community to attend the
Elks’ Children’s Christmas
Party, held noon to 2 p.m. on
the same day as the Soropti-
mist Toy Drive — “and we’re
right down the street from the
church.”
The party will again feature
entertainment by Children’s
Repertory of Oregon Work-
shops (CROW), as a well as a
piñata and ice cream party.
“Following CROW, we’re go-
ing to have a singalong, but not
just Elks and old folks,” LaNasa
said. “We’re going to encour-
age some children from the
audience to join us as we sing
‘Here Comes Santa Claus.’”
As can be expected, the mer-
ry old elf himself will arrive at
the conclusion of the of the
song, driven in on a Siuslaw
Valley Fire and Rescue fire en-
gine. There will be chances for
attendees to visit with Santa.
“Every child will have at
least one stuffed animal given
to them,” LaNasa said. “More
often than not we have so
many left over.”
Families will also receive
Christmas ornaments.
LaNasa also spoke about the
Elks’ annual sit-down Christ-
mas Dinner on Wednesday,
Dec. 25, from noon to 3 p.m.
“This is for everybody in
Florence — absolutely every-
body,” he said. “We have the
well-to-do sitting next to the
not-so-well-to-do, with no
mention of religion or politics
at that time.”
During the dinner, 50 or so
Elks volunteers will feed “easily
500” people a meal of turkey or
ham and all the trimmings for
a festive holiday feast.
“And I have to say, after eat-
ing leftover turkey for a couple
weeks, I’ll take the ham for
sure,” LaNasa said.
Volunteers will prepare
18 turkeys at an average 21
pounds and six hams at an av-
erage of 15 pounds, and that all
will be eaten.
“By the end of the day, we’re
tired but happy,” he added.
At the end of the presenta-
tions, FACC members talked
about additional December
programs and a way to com-
bine some of the efforts that
serve the community this sea-
son.
FACC meets at Siuslaw
Public Library, 1460 Ninth
Street, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on
the first Wednesday of each
month, except January due to
the New Year’s Day holiday.
For more information about
FACC, visit florenceareacc.org.
Editor’s Note: In this
season of giving, it may seem
impossible to write about
every community organi-
zation working to provide a
happy holiday for the Siuslaw
region. In the next issues of
the Siuslaw News, look for a
list of groups offering services,
food and gifts this December
and throughout the year.
What’s happening in the Siuslaw region
Florence Senior Center, 1570 Kingwood
St.
5:30 p.m.; open to public
Florence Nazarene Church, 1536 12th St.
Weekly
Florence Pickle-Ball Association
Monday, Wednesday and Friday —
weather permitting
8:30 to 11 a.m.; All ages and skill levels
Rolling Dunes Park, 35th St, Florence
Thursdays
Women’s Empowerment
A safe space for encouragement, life
skills; Call 541-997-2816
4 to 6 p.m.; open to women
Siuslaw Outreach Services, 1576 12th St.
Mondays
Band of Brothers Meeting
10 a.m., local veterans meet for donuts,
coffee and talking
Florence Elks Lodge #1858, 1686 12th St.
Sit-n-Knit or Crochet Drop-in
Noon to 6 p.m.; $10
The Mustard Seed, 509 Kingwood St.
www.themustardseed1720.com
Community Chorus of Florence
7 p.m.; open to public
Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw, 3996
Hwy 101. 541-999-7575
Fridays
Suicide Survivors Support Group
Facilitated by SVFR/WLAD Community
Support Team
5:30 to 7 p.m.; open to those who have
lost a loved one to suicide
Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue, 2625 Hwy
101
Tuesdays
Peace Harbor Farm Stand
Collaboration between PeaceHealth,
Trillium Community Health Plan and
FOOD for Lane County | Fresh, seasonal
vegetables and fruits free to people with
OHP or who qualify for food assistance
PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical
Center, 400 Ninth St.
Florence Rotary Club
Noon; lunch purchase available
Florence Events Center
theflorencerotary.org
WellMama Peer Support Group
Every second and fourth Tuesdays
6 to 7:30 p.m.; open to birthing parents
and their support people
Peace Health Medical Center Women’s
Clinic, 340 Ninth St.
541-999-4880, birthingmamas.jen@
gmail.com, www.wellmamaoregon.com
14th Annual Nativity Festival
1 to 5 p.m.; open to public
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints, 2705 Munsel Lake Road
Book Signing for “The Power of Your
Spine” by Tracy L. Markley
Noon to 4 p.m.; open to public
The Bodega, 180 Laurel St.
Holly Jolly Follies: “Finding Joy at
Christmastime”
2 p.m.; tickets required
Florence Events Center, crowkids.com
14th Annual Nativity Festival
1 to 5 p.m.; open to public
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints, 2705 Munsel Lake Road
Victorian Christmas Open House
Hosted by Heceta Lighthouse Bed &
Breakfast
4 to 7 p.m.; open to public
$5 fee for parking; shuttle available
Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast,
92072 Hwy 101
Saturdays
Paint and Sip Class with Karylynn
Keppol
5:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Tickets required; 541-271-2485
Mindpower Gallery, 417 Fir Ave. in
Reedsport
Through Dec. 20
Sea Lion on a Shelf – Find Sami the
Holly Jolly Follies: “Finding Joy at
Sea Lion all over Town
Christmastime”
Sponsored by Sea Lion Caves
7 p.m.; tickets required
Running Nov. 30 to Dec. 20
Florence Events Center, crowkids.com
Maps at the Visitor’s Center, 290 Hwy 101
Classical Guitarist Cameron O’Connor
Dec. 7
In Concert in Yachats
Little Log Church benefit
Florence in Bloom Holiday Open
7 to 8 p.m.; tickets required
House
Little Log Church and Museum, 328 W.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; open to public
Third St.
Florence in Bloom, 1234 Rhododendron
Dr.
Dec. 8
Yachats Christmas Bazaar
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; open to public
Yachats Ladies Club
Wednesdays
Deadwood Holiday Market
Noon to 4 p.m.; open to public
Deadwood Community Center, 91792
Deadwood Creek Rd.
Florence Testing for HIV & HepC
Every second and fourth Friday. Hosted by Florence Holiday Festival & Tree
Alliance for Men’s Wellness and HIV
Lighting
Alliance
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; open to public
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Free to public
Old Town Florence, florencechamber.com
PeaceHealth Oregon Cardiology, 310 Ninth
St.
Victorian Christmas Open House
Hosted by Heceta Lighthouse Bed &
Live Music at Three Rivers
Breakfast
7 to 11 p.m.; 21+
4 to 7 p.m.; open to public
Blue Bills Sports Bar at Three Rivers
$5 fee for parking; shuttle available
Casino
Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast,
92072 Hwy 101
Live Music at Three Rivers
7 to 11 p.m.; 21+
Blue Bills Sports Bar at Three Rivers
Casino Resort
Fun Connections Playgroup
For parents and children 5 and under
Empty Bowls
10:30 a.m. to noon
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; open to public
Open to families of young children
Pregnancy & Parenting Center, 1525 12th Florence Events Center
St., Suite G
FRAA Holiday Art Fest 2019
Hosted by Florence Regional Arts Alliance
Points of Grace Community
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; open to public
Acupuncture
Florence Events Center
Experience relief from pain and stress
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; donations appreciated
CDABA 58th annual Holiday Bazaar
1845 Hwy 126
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; open to public
Reedsport Community Center
Florence Kiwanis Club
Noon; lunch purchase available
Ocean Dunes Golf Links
Florence Area Democratic Club
www.florencekiwanis.org
11 a.m.; open to public
Celebrate Recovery
Ichiban Restaurant
541-999-4239
Noon to 3 p.m.; open to public
Florence Events Center
Mapleton Lions Club Breakfast
Pancakes, Eggs, Ham and/or Sausage, OJ
and Coffee. $7 for adults, $4 Kids
7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Mapleton Lions Club, 88148 Riverview
Ave.
Yachats Ladies Club 92nd Annual
Christmas Bazaar
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; open to public
Yachats Ladies Club, 286 W Third and
Pontiac streets, Yachats
Dec. 9
WellMama Peer Support Group
6 to 7:30 p.m.; open to families, partners
and support people
PeaceHealth Medical Center Women’s
Clinic, 340 Ninth St.
www.wellmamaoregon.com
Dec. 11
Florence Garden Club
1 p.m.; Open to public
Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw, 3996
Hwy 101
DIY Terrarium Workshop
Hosted by Laurel Bay Gardens Nursery
2 p.m., RSVP required to 541-997-5973
Laurel Bay Gardens Nursery, 88493 Hwy
101
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; open to families of kids
under 12
Florence Church of the Nazarene, 1536
12th St.
Foursquare Church Christmas Bazaar
Homemade Christmas crafts & goodies
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; open to public
Florence Foursquare Church, 1624 Hwy
101
Childbirth and Newborn Care Class
Free class on all aspects of delivery, lacta-
tion and caring for your newborn
Hosted by PeaceHealth Peace Harbor
Medical Center
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; open to expectant par-
ents and labor partners
Santa is coming to Roby’s
10 a.m. to noon; open to public
Roby’s Furniture & Appliance, 1870 Hwy
101
Siuslaw Soil and Water Conservation KXCR Annual Public Meeting
District Annual Meeting and Dinner
6 p.m.; open to public
2019 Community Christmas Baskets
Siuslaw Public Library; call 541-991-6832
6:30 a.m. dinner, reservations required –
Sponsored by Soroptimist of Florence
siuswcd@gmail.com, 541-991-0211
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; open to public
7:30 p.m. annual meeting; open to public PFLAG Meeting & White Elephant Party
Siuslaw Middle School, 2525 Oak St.
6:30 p.m.; open to public
Driftwood Shores, 88416 First Ave.
Room 158 of Lane Community College
Gingerbread House Party
Dec. 10
Florence Center, 3149 Oak St.
Hosted by Siuslaw Public Library District
Florence Crab Crack Tickets On Sale
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; open to public
Popovich Pet Comedy Theater
Event held Feb. 1 at FEC
Siuslaw Public Library, 1460 Ninth St.
6:30 p.m.; tickets required
Ticket price is $45 for all you can eat.
Florence Events Center
Limited to go boxes available for $25
Jawsome Pictures with Santa
Florence Food Share, 2190 Spruce St.
1 to 5 p.m.; open to public
Dec.
12
florencefoodshare.org, 541-997-9110.
Jawsome Kids Resale, 1901 Hwy 101
Siuslaw Talespinners Toastmasters
Oregon Tourism Commission Meeting
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Open to public
2nd Saturday Gallery Tour
Port of Siuslaw Office
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; open to public
3 to 5 p.m.; Open to public
Driftwood Shores Resort Pacific Ballroom,
Various locations around Florence
Celebratory Mass in honor of Our
88416 First Ave.
2ndSaturdayGalleryTour.com
Lady of Guadalupe
Solemn Mass with traditional music, food Meet Santa at the Florence Justice
MCAOA Mapleton Sewer Board meet-
& festivities
ing
Center
7 p.m.; open to public
10 a.m.; open to public
Hosted by City of Florence
St. Mary, Our Lady of The Dunes Catholic
at the Maple Lane RV Park Club House
3 to 5 p.m.; open to public
Church, 85060 Hwy 101
Florence Justice Center, 900 Greenwood
Toys for Tots
St.
Dec. 13
Hosted by Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue
Must have the following info to receive
Victorian Christmas Open House
Coastal Women Veterans December
toys: 1. Proof of residency in Lane County
Hosted by Heceta Lighthouse Bed &
Lunch
2. Proof that the child lives with you 3.
Breakfast
11:30 a.m.; open to women vets and
Proof of child’s age
4 to 7 p.m.; open to public
their guests. RSVP to 541-999-4309
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; open to public
$5 fee for parking; shuttle available
Lovejoy’s Restaurant & Tea Room, 195
Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue, 2625 Hwy
Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast,
Nopal St.
101, svfr.org
92072 Hwy 101
Florence Community PTA Meeting
4:30 p.m.; open to public
Commons area of Siuslaw Middle School
Mapleton Cribbage Club
5 p.m.; open to public
Mapleton Branch of Siuslaw Public
Library, 88148 Riverview Ave.
FRAA Holiday Art Fest 2019
Hosted by Florence Regional Arts Alliance
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; open to public
Us TOO Florence Prostate Cancer Support
Florence Events Center
Group
Empty Bowls
With Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff
Fundraiser for Florence Food Share
5 to 7 p.m.; Open to public
Mindpower Gallery Holiday Wine and
Art
5 to 7 p.m.
Open to public; 541-271-2485
Mindpower Gallery, 417 Fir Ave. in
Reedsport
The Strange Brew Band
6 to 9 p.m.; open to public
ICM Seafood Restaurant, 1498 Bay St.
Dec. 14
2019 Soroptimist Toy Giveaway
Church on the Rock Christmas Dinner
5 p.m.; 541-997-9117
Florence Events Center
Christmas on the Coast with Charles
Suniga and The Angels
6 p.m.; tickets required
Florence Events Center
Community Chorus Christmas Concert
7 p.m.; open to public
Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw, 3996
Hwy 101
A Weekly Listing of Community Events in the Florence Area
Submit all events information to PressReleases@TheSiuslawNews.com
Alva Bracey
MODEL TRAIN
ENTHUSIASTS
Broker
Your goals are my
top priority.
Let’s get together!
Over
ars
50 Ye ce!
rien
x
E pe
Call, Text or Email
Cell: 541-505-1180
Alva@CBCoast.com
CALL ME TO BUY, SELL OR TRADE!
I’M LOCATED HERE IN FLORENCE.
541-255-9822 - Larry
landl316@live.com
541-997-7777
100 Hwy. 101,
Florence, OR
COAST REAL ESTATE
CUSTOM ENGRAVING
& CUTTING
Awards • Plaques • Name Badges
Gifts • Signage • Glassware

541-997-5691
541-361-9080
jmirvis@charter.net
Florence, Oregon
County Transfer & Recycling
CTR provides solid waste
collection and recycling services
for both residential and
commercial customers in Florence,
Mapleton, Dunes City, Westlake
and Ten Mile Areas.
We offer big company support
and local company service.
For more information on how we
can serve you call us at
541-997-8233
Since 1983
Us TOO Florence
Prostate Cancer Education
Support on the Oregon Coast
www.ustooflorence.org
• Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday)
5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant
• Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends.
• Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday)
12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese
Restaurant
• Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends.
Contact Bob for more information:
(H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239
maribob@oregonfast.net
LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS
Tires • Brakes • Shocks
Alignments
Insect & Pest Removal
4325 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
541-997-7178
1379 B Rhododendron Dr.
541-305-5411
(541) 997-4027
ESTATE JEWELRY AND
ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!!
Village
Grooming
Quality grooming
with a gentle touch
Trapping • Mole/Gopher
Dead Animal Removal • Honey Bee Removal
Crawl Space Cleaning • Exclusion Work
Fumigation of Antiques and Commodities.
Auto, Home, Life, Business
Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Supplements
Health Insurance
Phone (541) 997-9497
1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence
We buy, sell and consign quality
estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture.
Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with
precious & semi precious stones.
Call 541-997-8104,
Florence Antiques
&
Coast Jewelers