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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (June 29, 2016)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL June 29, 2016 On the farm: Food systems report details production, access BY JON STINNETT The Cottage Grove Sentinel T he aging-out of a generation of farmers and the effects of an on- going recession were among the many challenges to the production and access to food in Lane and Douglas counties highlighted in a presentation at Cottage Grove’s Healing Matrix last week. Jules Reynolds, an Americorps vol- unteer with the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) program, offered details of a 10-month food sys- tems assessment for southern Lane and northern Douglas counties on Tuesday, June 21, a report that Reynolds said aims to “tell the story” of food produc- tion and access in these areas. She said her report, which will be presented again in upcoming public set- tings, was made possible with support from the Oregon Food Bank. The report included information on the communi- ties of Creswell, Cottage Grove, Elkton, Drain, Yoncalla and Dorena, communi- ties that Reynolds grouped together as their own agricultural region that have some connection to the population cen- ters of Eugene and Springfi eld. Reynolds said she served as an “out- side observer” for local events such as cgFeast and helped organize the South Valley Farmers Network during her time here, which also included her own personal experience of local food systems. She also spoke of progress in connecting local children to local food Please see FOOD, Page 10A Into the wild Library's 'Nature for Kids' program offers lessons beyond the books BY GORDON OKUMU For the Sentinel O n a warm Friday morning, area kids and their parents started steaming into the Cottage Grove Library for its Nature for Kids trip to Rujada campground. The excitement in their faces couldn’t go unnoticed, and library stuff and a few volunteers and parents prepared the kids for a big day out. The bus left at 8:15 a.m. and soon arrived at the fi rst destina- tion, Row River Nature Park. Here, the kids started warming up for the day’s events. After the warm-up and yoga, all went back to the bus for a 40-minute drive into the deep forest. Different plants were shown to the kids, who learned their names. The Douglas fi r tree was of interest as the kids were taught of its dominance in the Rujada forest and the impor- tance of its thick back in situations of forest fi res. As the hiking went on, the kids came across the Oregon grape plant, an evergreen shrub growing to about three feet tall whose scientifi c name is Mahonia aquifolium. It fea- tures pinnate leaves consisting of spiny leafl ets and is used for stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal refl ux disease, stomach upset, as a bitter tonic, to treat infections and to cleanse the bowels. It was one of the most interesting plants for the kids. Nature learning was courtesy of Krista Lynn Farris, a botanist at US Forest Service-Umpqua National Forest. The kids went on hiking the mountain and walking about 1.5 emiles. “What an exciting experience; I want to come back this way every time you guys organize this kind of an event” one of the kids said to the organizers. Coming back under the mountain where the hiking had began from, the kids were served lunch and after lunch they formed groups where some kids were playing soccer, others learning how to play ukulele, others learning yoga while oth- ers participated in painting. After a couple minutes in this, it was time for the kids to go make ice cream. Later, as adults watched over them, the kids played in the water, swam, jumped and had fun walking 3A Search for man missing since 2012 continues T he Cottage Grove Police De- partment says it is continuing its search for a man who disappeared from the area over four years ago. On Feb. 14, 2012, Robert Richard- son, then 60 years old, disappeared after family lost contact with him ear- lier that day. Richardson had report- edly told family that his vehicle would be on Gowdyville Road at Milepost 3 just west of Cottage Grove, and his red Ford Ranger pickup was located there. It is believed he may have dis- appeared from that aera and may have had a bicycle with him. Richardson is described as a white male about six foot, one inches tall and weighing 280-300 pounds. He wears glasses and has limited mobil- ity. Detective Doug Skaggs with CGPD said that the department is reviewing its case fi les, adding that Richard- son’s disappearance is the only un- solved missing person’s report cur- rently on fi le there. He said police are “fairly certain” that Richardson had help leaving the area. “ Wa l k i n g was quite an ordeal for him, and he left ev- erything you’d normally take with you — a cell phone, wal- let, etc. — at Robert home,” Skaggs Richardson said. “We think somebody else was involved. Some- body knows where he is.” Skaggs said Richardson may have enlisted help to end his life, though without more details, it’s diffi cult to determine exactly what happened. “Let’s bring him home,” Skaggs said. “Closure is needed.” Those with any information regard- ing Richardson’s whereabouts are urged to contact Skaggs at dskaggs@ cgpolice.org or by phone at 541-942- 9145 x. 140. Sigh of Relief luncheon details Nursery efforts BY SAM WRIGHT The Cottage Grove Sentinel L photo by Gloria Campuzano Dakota Roth gives a thumbs-up to the Nature for Kids program and its trip to Rujada campground. in the creek. The Library will offer trips through its Nature for Kids pro- gram through the end of August, though the trip to Spirit Falls on July 15 has reached capacity. It also offers trips for teens aged 13-17 through the Teen Adventures program. On Friday, July 1 at noon, sign-ups will begin for a trip to Dorena Lake for the kids on July 29 and to the Cascades Raptor Center on Aug. 26, in addition to teen trips to Dorena on Aug. 15 and the Wildlife Safari in Winston on Aug. 19. ast Tuesday, June 21, the Fam- ily Relief Nursery hosted its annual Sigh of Relief luncheon at Cottage Grove High School to raise awareness of the Nursery and raise funds for its cause of helping troubled families. Over 200 individuals fi lled the high school’s cafetorium, all with intention to help support and donate to the Nursery. The event started on a happy note with the presentation of the Betty Wright Good Neighbor Award to Cynthia Sharp and John Hogan. Although only an hour, the event was fi lled with heavy emotions, as the Nursery has made a huge impact on the lives of many Grovers and their children. Executive Director Diane Hazen expressed her awe and gratitude of the attendance. “As I look around the room I’m inspired by such an amazing combi- nation of people,” she said. “We have legislators, civic leaders, business leaders, staff, former clients, current clients, we have volunteers and we have concerned citizens; it’s an amaz- ing combination of people.” The Nursery is the fi rst of its kind in the state of Oregon, and many who attended had a chance to share what the nursery had done for them. Em- cee Larry Tardie roamed the room to pass the microphone off to anyone who was willing to share. It was hard for a lot of those sharing to hold back their tears. The most memorable story came from guest speaker Nicole Cary, who benefi ted immensely through the Re- lief Nursery. Cary struggled through a methamphetamine addiction while she became pregnant and gave birth to her fi rst child. With an absent fa- ther and a mother facing jail time, Cary’s son was given support through the Nursery. “I’m so happy for the help they’ve given my son and even myself,” she said. Cary started serving a short jail sentence today to take responsibility for a car crash she was involved in. She noted that she knows her child will be in loving and caring hands at the Nursery. Shady Oaks Plants & Produce Family owned & operated since 1989 • Farm Fresh Produce Carrying Organic Produce • Hanging Baskets Buy 1 Get 1 Free • All 6-pack Veggies & Flowers 99¢ ea. 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