6A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL AUGUST 2, 2017
I
t’s a typical summer day at our house. The sun is shining,
the bees are buzzing and the fl owers are in full bloom. I’m
writing this column sitting outside and counting my blessings
as I listen to the squirrels chatter at the bird feeder while a variety
of birds and our two Dachshunds try and chase them away. I love
living in the country.
I am a born and bred big-city girl but every summer my family
vacationed at our cabin in Crestline in the San Bernardino Moun-
tains. It was there that I learned to love fresh air, listen to the mys-
terious sounds of critters in the forest, ride horseback and watch the
black bear families forage at midnight through a nearby dump by
the headlights of visitor’s cars.
It was also there that I learned to love birds and enjoy the fun side
of my grandfather. Grandpa J.D., the business man, always wore a
3-piece suit in the city. In the mountains he wore casual clothes and
trained Blue Jays to sit on his fi nger. He would sit for hours, gently
tugging a peanut on a string, enticing the birds to come closer. It
took days but ultimately they became friends and a peanut award
awaited them. I never mastered that art.
I always dreamed that someday we would live on a tree-lined
property, near a lake. Well, surprise! Dreams do come true. Twen-
ty-eight years ago we moved to Cottage Grove Lake where all kinds
of adventures awaited.
Our animal adventures began immediately. The fi rst critters that
we heard were scratching in the walls of our bedroom! Our house
had been unoccupied for awhile and MICE moved in. They were
not welcome and had to go. Later, on a walk, a fox ran through the
meadow and a bear surprised us at the lake by scrambling down a
nearby hill.
Across the street from our house, a lot of squawking was going
on. Looking up we saw the biggest nest ever—an Osprey family
The
Chatterbox
By Betty Kaiser
had hatched their noisy chicks. Their parents were vigilant and pro-
tective. One day I looked up to see an eagle headed down the creek
towards the nest fl anked by two Osprey. It wisely turned away from
the chicks before a confrontation.
Whenever logging goes on up the hill from us it chases wildlife
out of their habitat into our neighborhood. Our former neighbors,
Jay and Audrey, had a pond on their property that a local cougar
claimed as his own! Summer days he would sprawl out on the street
in front of their house and at night come onto the property for a
drink! He was also interested in their sheep but their Dobermans
and a tight barn kept them safe. Rumor is that there’s been another
cougar down at the lake recently.
One morning Audrey called to say that there were three long-
horn cattle on their property. Did I know who they belonged to? I
didn’t but someone later claimed them. Another day we woke up
to three ponies at the back fence trailing their ropes. Their owners
also found them. And then there was what the cat drug in. One day
Misty Mouser came home from the meadow dragging a rabbit! He
was still alive and we took him back to the park.
Learning to co-exist with the deer is an ongoing battle. They
love our roses—all 75 bushes. Early on they circled the property
during the day scouting out their nighttime dessert. At dusk they
sometimes would just camp out on the driveway where they made
a friend of Lady, our German Shepherd! Deer and dog would greet
and touch noses like old friends!
The same deer regularly decimated the vegetable garden until
Chuck built a Stalag 17 type enclosure and now the tomatoes and
cucumbers grow in peace. It took hot wires around the rose beds
to protect the fl owers. Of course, we have to be careful if there’s a
power outage. Critters know when that hot wire is cold!
Recently, I saw the sweetest sight ever. It was evening and a tiny
newborn fawn on wobbly legs was following her little mama up the
road to a safe place. Absolutely precious. Oh, how I love country
living!
Betty Kaiser’s Chatterbox is about people, places, family, and
other matters of the heart. Contact her at 942-1317 or e-mail —
bchatty@bettykaiser.com
Heat wave Continued from A1
the rest of the week hover
fairly close to those forecasted
for Cottage Grove.
As a result of the heat, Con-
certs in the Park is set for
cancellation as of press time.
According to Cottage Grove
Chamber of Commerce Execu-
tive Director Travis Palmer, the
organizations is reaching out to
several entities for expert opin-
ions on the effect of the heat on
possible concert crowds.
"We've contacted Lane Coun-
ty Public Health but right now
it's looking like it will be can-
celed," he said.
The city will be offering cool-
ing stations Tuesday through
Friday from noon to 5 p.m.
Both the library and city hall
will be open to those looking to
escape the heat and according to
Meyers, the city will provide ice
water at both locations.
As tempertures climb, seniors
and children are especially at
risk. According to OHSU, it is
critical that caretakers be aware
of early symptoms of heat
stroke and that those who are
able, check on elderly neighbors
throughout the day.
The Red Cross issued tips for
staying healthy and cool during
Oregon's heat wave as well:
Triple digit temperatures are
expected across the region this
week and in order to stay safe,
the American Red Cross urg-
es residents to be aware of the
steps they should take to avoid
heat-related illness. Follow
these simple steps to keep your-
self and others safe before and
during a heat wave.
Before
- Be aware of both the tem-
perature and the heat index. The
heat index is the temperature
the body feels when the effects
of heat and humidity are com-
bined.
- Check the contents of your
disaster preparedness kit to en-
sure it has enough water and
non-perishable food items, just
in case. For a full kit list, visit
redcross.org/PrepareGuide.
- Look out for your neighbors
-- people who are elderly, young
or sick are more susceptible to
heat-related illness and may
need your help.
- If you do not have air condi-
tioning, locate places you could
go to fi nd relief from the heat
during the warmest part of the
day (schools, libraries, theaters,
malls). Many government web-
sites provide a list of available
cooling centers.
- Ensure that your animals'
needs for water and shade are
met.
During
- Listen to a NOAA Weather
Radio for critical updates from
the National Weather Service
(NWS).
- Never leave children or pets
alone in enclosed vehicles, not
even for a few minutes. Ac-
cording to the National Weather
Service, a car left in 80 degree
weather yielded an inside tem-
perature of 95 degrees and ris-
ing in just two minutes.
- Stay hydrated by drinking
plenty of fl uids even if you do
not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks
with caffeine or alcohol.
- Eat small meals and eat
more often.
- Wear loose-fi tting, light-
weight, light-colored clothing.
Avoid dark colors because they
absorb the sun's rays.
- Slow down, stay indoors and
avoid strenuous exercise during
the hottest part of the day (late
afternoon/evening).
- Postpone outdoor games
and activities (participants and
spectators).
- Use a buddy system when
working in excessive heat.
- Take frequent breaks if you
must work outdoors.
- Check on family, friends
and neighbors who do not have
air conditioning, who spend
much of their time alone or who
are more likely to be affected by
WANTED!
LIVE
Comprehensive family, medical eyecare
and optical services
Yellow Jacket
& Hornet Nests
FREE REMOVAL
ALK Source Materials
Cataract exams • Glaucoma exams • Lasik exams • Diabetic exams
Serving Cottage Grove Community since 2006
freebeenestremoval.com
Welcome new patients
Offi ce hours:
Monday thru Thursday 9-5, Friday 9-4
257 N. 8th St. • 541-942-5000
www.PCVI.com
541-510-0191
Insects used for Life Saving Vaccines
Oral Health Habits to Maintain a Beautiful Smile
W
ith beach season in full swing, many men
and women are trying to put their best
body forward to appeal to others. How-
ever, according to a February 2009 survey from the
American Dental Association and Crest(R) and Oral
B(R) the smile outranks eyes, hair and the body as the
most attractive physical feature on a person. Th erefore,
taking care of your teeth and smile is essential.
Men and women diff er when it comes to taking care
of their teeth and gums. A nationwide survey of 1,000
Americans ages 18 and older found 86 percent of wom-
en brush their teeth twice or more a day, yet only 66
percent of men do so.
Th e survey also found that women say they change
their toothbrush or power toothbrush head every 3 to
4 months on average, yet men hang on to theirs an av-
erage of 5 months. Th e ADA recommends replacing
toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months or when the bristles
become frayed since frayed and worn bristles decrease
cleaning eff ectiveness.
Most people need to do a better job of fl ossing their
teeth. Only half of those surveyed (49 percent) say they signal gum disease or another health problem.
fl oss their teeth once a day or more oft en. And 1 out of
Oral health is an important part of overall health.
3 people surveyed think a little blood in the sink aft er Regular dental check-ups are important not only to
brushing their teeth is normal, yet it’s not -- it could diagnose and treat gum disease and tooth decay, but
also because some diseases or medical conditions, such
as oral cancer, have symptoms that can appear in the
mouth.
Growing research indicates there may be an associa-
tion between oral health and serious health conditions
such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, underscor-
ing the importance of good oral hygiene habits.
“We need to constantly get the word out how im-
portant it is to stay on top of your oral health,” says Dr.
Ada Cooper, an ADA consumer advisor and practicing
dentist in New York City. “Brushing twice a day with
fl uoride toothpaste, fl ossing daily, eating a balanced
diet, and visiting your dentist regularly can help keep
your smile healthy.”
Forget hair, eyes and body ... a recent survey found
For more information on oral health, visit the Amer-
that people consider the smile the most attractive fea- ican Dental Association’s Web site at: www.ada.org.
ture in a person.
This message is brought to you by these local sponsors:
Douglas G. Maddess, DMD
Dentistry
with
Family
in Mind
Brent Bitner, DDS
C ALL U S T ODAY !
Brightening Lives
One Smile at a Time
Preventive and Cosmetic
Family Dentistry
541.942.7934
350 E. W ASHINGTON A VENUE • C OTTAGE G ROVE
WWW.CGSMILES.COM
Come in & see us!
New Patients Welcome