2B | SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS
Sign up for SOLVE’s statewide Beach & Riverside Cleanup
Beach & Riverside Cleanup.
SOLVE is a statewide non-
profit organization that brings
Oregonians together to im-
prove the environment and
build a legacy of stewardship.
SOLVE mobilizes and trains
tens of thousands of volun-
teers of all ages across Oregon
to clean and restore our neigh-
borhoods and natural areas,
and to build a legacy of stew-
ardship for our state.
Increasingly, Oregonians are
People can come togeth-
er with thousands of Orego-
nians on Saturday, Sept. 25,
for SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside
Cleanup, in partnership with
the Oregon Lottery. Volunteer
registration is now live and all
Oregonians, from Astoria to
Brookings, Pendleton to Sun-
river, are encouraged to sign
up for this statewide cleanup
event.
For nearly four decades,
SOLVE has hosted the annual
PREVIEW from page 1B
and are working really hard this
summer,” said Johnson. “I think
they can come in and aggre-
gately be really close to about
the same that Gracie and Brea
were together, which is saying a
lot, but I think they can do it.”
Also starting as a freshman
this year is Maya Wells, who
Johnson said is “really good.”
The girls’ team isn’t large,
but like the boys’ team, their
returners are strong and last
years’ experience at state will
help a great deal.
COACH from page 1B
After her first year in
administration as the
Dean and AD for Ban-
don, Flora then spent six
years as an administrator
for the Coquille School
District, working as a vice
principal and eventually a
principal.
As Siuslaw Elementary
School’s new principal,
Flora looks forward to
being involved more com-
pletely in Florence’s com-
munity.
“Now that I’m living
in Florence and working
here, and I don’t have the
crazy commute, it just
afforded me some more
time to become fully im-
mersed in this community
and be a part of coaching
again,” she said. “I have
volunteered with the cross
country and track pro-
grams [at Siuslaw] over
the last 10 years, just in a
smaller capacity, but now
working here, I’ll have
more time to be more in-
volved.”
In the interest of keep-
ing the hiring process im-
partial, Chris was not on
either committee to hire
Flora. However, as the
assistant coach position’s
hiring committee did not
have relevant experience
with cross country, he
was able to provide them
with interview questions
and support with their
concerns throughout the
process.
One undeniable fact
is Flora’s qualifications
to take on the role. After
winning for cross coun-
try twice at state in high
school, Flora went on to
win the 1500 twice and
the 800 once for Myrtle
Point’s track and field pro-
gram. After leaving high
school, she held the state
record for her classifica-
tion in both the 1500 and
800.
“Not only does she have
an incredible coaching
background, where she
came in, in almost every
situation, she changed
culture to the point where
kids were setting school
records and winning state
championships trophies,”
Chris said. “She has an in-
credible background as a
competitive athlete.”
Indeed, Flora brings to
the table experience that
Chris has not had, which
in turn will help both Vi-
kings’ teams a great deal.
“There are a lot of
things that I think I do
well as a coach, but there
are certain things that I
can never go back in time
sounding the alarm to protect
freshwater. As more people
become aware of the Western
States drought crisis, more
people want to step up and help
where they can.
Removing invasive plant spe-
cies, nurturing native plants,
and collecting litter are all easy
ways volunteers can create a
huge positive impact on Ore-
gon’s water quality.
Each piece of litter collected
removes the possibility of it en-
“We don’t have a lot of depth
right now,” said Johnson. “We
still have Rylee Colton, who was
fifth at the state meet last year
and she had a great summer of
training. Jane Lacouture and
Corduroy Holbrook had great
state meets last year, and Cordy
gained a lot of experience and
confidence coming off of a real-
ly great track season where she
was big for us on that 4x4.”
With Assistant Coach Amy
Flora coming on this year to
add even more support for the
Viks, Siuslaw is definitely set up
to succeed.
and change,” the AD said.
“I can never go back and
make myself a five-time
state champion; I can
never go back and make
myself a division one ath-
lete; I can never go back
and make myself a state
record holder and some-
body who won national
championships in the Ju-
nior Olympics. She brings
the perspective of that
elite-level athlete.”
Flora plans to supple-
ment Chris and the al-
ready strong Cross Coun-
tering a nearby river, waterway,
or storm drain, where it can
eventually make its way to the
sea and contribute to our glob-
al marine debris crisis. Invasive
plant species crowd out native
plants and typically have shal-
low roots, leading to increased
erosion and poor water filtra-
tion.
Visit solveoregon.org to see
a list of volunteer projects and
sign up. All necessary tools and
supplies will be provided.
“We just do what we do, we
train every day,” said Johnson.
“We’re looking forward to hav-
ing a few more chances to run
fast with more big meets this
year and a full schedule, and
not having to deal with the
mask stuff, at least at this point.
So, it’s kind of a breath of fresh
air.”
Like all of Siuslaw’s athlet-
ics, the cross country teams
are following all governmental
guidelines for masking and so-
cial distancing as necessary un-
der the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson’s statement came be-
try program.
“As everybody knows,
Chris is an amazing coach,”
she said. “He’s been doing
it for a long time, and he’s
had lots of success, but I
think we bring different
backgrounds to the pro-
gram. … Some of those
things that kids are going
through, I’ve experienced,
and I feel like I can help
bring some of that aspect
to the program.”
The pair also share a
key mentor — Pat Towne,
who was an assistant track
Picnic with
Florence STEP
The Florence STEP (Salmon Trout
Enhancement Program) Picnic is
scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 1, at
the Elks RV Park at 5607 Mercer Lake
Road in Florence.
The picnic will begin at noon.
STEP will provide hamburgers, hot
dogs, drinks and condiments. Mem-
bers are asked to bring a dish to share.
For more information, visit www.
florencestep.com.
fore Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s
announcement that indoor
mask use will be required, re-
gardless of vaccination status,
starting Aug. 13. It is unknown
if further restrictions will be
implemented.
“This is an ever-changing
landscape,” Johnson said.
Siuslaw’s first track meet of
the 2021-22 school year will be
the Country Fair Classic held
at the Country Fair Grounds in
Veneta on Friday, Sept. 10. Girls
begin at 5 p.m., and boys begin
at 5:45 p.m.
“The team is a great group
coach at Siuslaw, also
coached Flora in high
school. It’s another link to
strengthen the coaching
of the team.
Coming on, Flora’s
transition will be smooth
as she has already been
working with the Viks in
a volunteer capacity for
many years.
“I already have relation-
ships with a lot of the kids
because I’m there when I
can be. It is easier to ad-
just when you’re going
into a program that you’ve
of kids, and I know that they’re
all just as fired up to try to
come back and win again as
[us coaches] are,” Johnson said.
“But you never know what oth-
er teams are going to look like.
There are a couple of teams on
the horizon who were strong
last year, who look strong again.
So, we’ll just go to war, we’ll do
what Siuslaw does, and then
we’ll add them up at the end.”
To follow both teams’ prog-
ress this season, visit www.ath-
letic.net/CrossCountry/School.
aspx?SchoolID=183.
already been a part of and
have already built some
of those relationships and
have good connections
with not only just the kids,
but the families as well,”
she said.
Chris is also grateful to
have Flora on staff as a fe-
male coach because she is
naturally able to address
the needs of his girls’ team
in a different way having
been through the experi-
ence herself.
“Just having someone
they can really lean on,
and know that she’s been
through what they’ve been
through, is just really awe-
some,” he said. “And she’ll
be great for our boys too,
because she’s a go-get-
ter; she’s an animal! And
I think that’ll be a great
complement to our pro-
gram and a great asset to
our kids.”
Many of Siuslaw’s fall
sports teams have started
practicing.
For more information,
visit
www.siuslaw.k12.
or.us.
Faith – Friendship - Fellowship – Fun
SUMMER SPECIAL 
$1000 OFF THE FIRST MONTH RENT FOR
MOVE IN DURING JUNE AND JULY
Contact us today to set up a tour or
to receive an informational packet
DeAnn Hawkins, Community Relations Director
(541)997-6111    DHawkins@spruce-point.com
We are open and
ready to assist you!
Johnston Motor Company
Since 1939
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
We’ve got you
COVERED
CHURCH DIRECTORY
To include your organization in this directory,
please call us @ 541-997-3441
BAHA’I FAITH OF FLORENCE
FLORENCE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
Ongoing Devotions, Study Circles, Services to the
87738 Hwy 101 at Heceta Beach Road
Community, Join us on Facebook.
RUAUU? All are welcome to explore the answer.
Join your friends via zoom, Monday’s 7:30-8:30p.m. Until it is safe to meet in person, Sunday Worship Services
“SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS”
are available 24/7 on our website: www.florenceuuf.org
Florence Baha’i Community For info: 541-590-0779
BAY BERRY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Friday Evenings – 7 PM SINGSPIRATION
You are invited to come and sing your favorite
Ole Time Gospel songs. Come and enjoy a time of
fellowship & refreshments before we sing.
NEW LOCATION
Now Meeting in Fellowship Hall of First Baptist
Church at 1935 East 25th Street
For Info: Jack - 541-999-8278 or
Ron - mccrary9483@gmail.com
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
2705 Munsel Lake Road, All are welcome!
Sunday Worship Services are at 10 AM & 11:15 AM.
Bishop Larry Farnsworth 541-999-1979
COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418
Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45
Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. –
Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m.
CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Corner of 10th & Maple- 541-997-3533
Sunday Services are 9am and 11am and on
Facebook live and KCST at 11am
Wednesdays at 7pm
https://www.fl orencecrossroadag.org/church-online
Other platforms update after the service.
fl orencecrossroadag.org
offi ce@fl orencecrossroadag.org
FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
2nd & Ivy - 541-997-2961 - Non-Denominational
Service is on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Service also streaming live at 10:00 am
at fl orencechurch.com
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COVERAGE FOR YOUR MOST PRECIOUS ASSET. YOU.
Contact Angela, Jodi or Paul to discuss your policy needs.
Serving Florence since 1990
875 Hwy 101 • Florence, OR • (541) 997-3466
www.AbelInsuranceAgency.com
FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025
Link to Sunday services at
www.fl orenceunitedmethodist.org
or fi nd us on Facebook.
FOURSQUARE CHURCH
1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337
Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family.
Sun. Services: 9:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study returns this Fall.
Website: fl orence4square.com
NEW LIFE LUTHERAN E.L.C.A.
21st & Spruce Streets—997-8113
Interim Pastor David Brauer-Rieke, All are welcome.
Sunday in-person worship service@ 10:30.
Also available to you on website
www.fl orencenewlifelutheran.org.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW
3996 N Hwy 101 541-997-7136
Internet and in person Sunday services at 10AM,
Call the church for details.
Reverend Greg Wood
All Welcome. Come as you are.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
“War is still not the answer.” FCNL
We meet Sunday’s at 11am in our homes.
Call 408-482-1141 or 541-997-4237 for locations.
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, L.C.M.S.
Worship Services 10 am • Bible Study 9:00 am
Pastor Steve Waterman
85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038
DVD of Weekly worship service available.
www.puppro.wixite.com/rlcfl orence
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL
Church Welcomes You
FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Worship
Sun.
9am Wed 11am 2135 19th St.
Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16)
541-997-6600
standssecretary19@gmail.com
Labyrinth &
1833 Tamarack Street
Garden daily 8am-5pm
(2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.)
“Be the change.”
Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m.
www.churchofchristfl orence.org
SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE DUNES
CATHOLIC CHURCH
FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
1.5 miles south of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312
1318 Rhododendron Dr. • 541-997-2523
COVID-19 Compliant Masses have been scheduled.
Sunday Service 11am ( Children Sunday School)
Please call our offi ce for details.
Mid-Week Activities, all ages.
FLORENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
4445 Hwy 101 (South of Fred Meyer) – 997-3951
Worship on Saturday 11:00 A.M.
Adult/Children’s Sabbath School 10:00 A.M.
Give us a call 541-997-3441
to get us your updates or email to:
mberg@thesiuslawnews.com