Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 22, 2015 9A
Polk County Living
Button, button who’s go the button?
ANNIVERSARIES
Skelton — 70th
Lions Steve Moser
and Kathy Zehner
explain what
badges and pins on
their Lion’s jackets
mean to a group of
first- and second-
graders at Inde-
pendence Elemen-
tary School on Fri-
day morning. The
Lions presented IES
Principal Steve
Tillery (not pictured)
with four Kindles,
purchased with club
funds. Each year the
Central Lions Club
chooses a school to
donate to.
EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer
Good soil key to garden blueberries
When it comes to fruit in
the garden, blueberries rule.
Favored for their sweet
flavor, blueberries are also
known for their high level of
antioxidants, thought to
help protect the body
against free radicals and
chronic diseases associated
with aging.
Highbush blueberries, the
most common in Oregon,
are perennial, long-living
deciduous shrubs with a
mature height of 5 to 7 feet,
according to Bernadine
Strik, a berry specialist for
Oregon State University’s
Extension Service. Attractive
as ornamentals, they pro-
duce a profusion of white or
pink blossoms in spring and
colorful foliage in fall.
“You can grow plants in
beds, rows, hedges or indi-
vidually,” Strik said. “Dwarf
and semi-dwarf cultivars
can be grown in containers.”
Fruiting season in Oregon
is from late June until Sep-
tember, depending on the
variety.
It’s best to plant more
than one variety of blueber-
ry, Strik advised.
“Although most northern
highbush cultivars are self-
fertile, cross-pollination
produces larger berries,” she
said. “And, if you plant two
or more cultivars that ripen
K YM
P OKORNY
Your
Garden
at different times, you’ll
lengthen the harvest sea-
son.”
Northern highbush vari-
eties grown in gardens in
Oregon include, in order of
ripening: Duke, Earliblue,
Spartan, Patriot, Bluecrop,
Jersey, Blueray, Legacy,
Chandler and Elliott. The
Extension guide “Blueberry
Cultivars for the Pacific
Northwest” offers descrip-
tions of these and other
blueberries.
The plants, which can live
up to 50 years, need lots of
sunshine and specific soil
requirements. When choos-
ing a site, Strik recommend-
ed avoiding areas surround-
ed by trees, which can pro-
vide too much shade, com-
pete for water and nutrients,
encourage hungry birds and
deter air movement around
the new plants. The berries
grow best in well-drained,
light, sandy loam that is
high in organic matter and
with a pH between 4.5 and
5.5.
Test the soil pH a year be-
fore planting. If you need to
make the soil more acidic, it
can take more than six
months. According to Strik,
poor plant growth from soil
pH that is too high is the
most common problem
when growing blueberries in
a home garden.
If the pH is between 5.7
and 6.5, Strik said lower it by
adding finely ground ele-
mental sulfur before plant-
ing. The amendment is
available at garden centers.
The amount needed de-
pends on how much the pH
needs to be lowered and the
soil type. More detailed in-
structions on changing pH,
weed control, mulching, fer-
tilizing, pruning, watering
and care of established blue-
berry plants are available
online in the OSU Extension
publication “Growing Blue-
berries In Your Home Gar-
den.”
If you decide to grow sev-
eral plants, it’s better to
group them in a bed or row
rather than scattering them
around the garden, Strik
said. You’ll get better results
preparing an entire bed,
rather than digging holes
and preparing soil for indi-
vidual plants.
Although blueberries re-
quire a uniform supply of
water, they will not tolerate
poor drainage. Raised beds
c a n p r ov i d e a d e q u a t e
drainage and aeration if they
are from 12 to 18 inches high
and 3 feet wide. They can be
constructed with wood
walls, or you can make hills
with just soil and sawdust.
“Before planting, incorpo-
rate organic matter such as
Douglas-fir sawdust or bark
to improve soil aeration and
drainage,” Strik said. “Yard
debris compost often has a
high pH — over 7.0, com-
pared to 4.0 to 4.5 of Dou-
glas-fir sawdust — and can
be high in salts, so is not de-
sirable for blueberries.”
Spread sawdust to a width
of about 3 feet and a depth
of 3½ inches. To aid in de-
composition, add two
pounds of nitrogen per 100
feet of row length (10
pounds ammonium sulfate,
21-0-0). Dig or till in the saw-
dust and fertilizer.
Plant healthy 2-year-old
plants from a reputable
nursery in October or from
March through April.
“Prune off flower buds at
planting, and do not allow
plants to produce fruit the
first season,” Strik said. “Be
patient. Flower and fruit
production hinders growth,
and it’s important that plants
grow well the first year.”
MI TOWN
Springtime in MI Town is
proof to all of us that Moth-
er Nature has many tricks
up her proverbial sleeve,
and given the opportunity,
she will show everyone just
who is in charge. When
temperatures soar into the
70s one day and plummet
to barely above freezing the
next, we’re reminded to be
prepared for all kinds of
weather events and to be
flexible in any plans involv-
ing outdoor activity.
—
Our local high school and
college baseball teams con-
tinue to provide all of us
with great entertainment
right close to home. Watch-
ing and participating in
sports activities is a wonder-
ful community spirit-build-
ing activity, a chance to see
friends and family mem-
bers, and have a good time.
P ATTY
T AYLOR
D UTCHER
Columnist
—
On Saturday, Monmouth
Public Library staff and the
Friends of the Monmouth
Library are celebrating the
dedicated volunteers who
provide many hours of
service, and do much of the
heavy lifting to help keep
our library running so
smoothly. We’ve come a
long way since the library
was established in 1934 —
over 50 years ago.
—
Friends of the Mon-
mouth Library are still ac-
cepting gently used books
for their upcoming sale the
first weekend in May. There
is always a big demand for
children’s books, so if the
kids are now away at col-
lege or on their own, per-
haps it’s time to ask them if
you can donate their books
that haven’t been read in a
long time.
—
For those of us of a cer-
tain age (over 55 will suf-
fice), who purchased or
have been gifted with
iPhones, iPads, smart-
phones and other electron-
ic devices that everyone
younger than 21 can master
almost immediately, help is
on the way. Kara and Kayah,
intern students from West-
ern Oregon University will
be happy to walk you
through the learning
process and take some of
the mystery away. You’ll be
using these great devices in
no time, and be happy to
have learned more useful
and fun skills. The frosting
on this proverbial cake is
that the instruction is free.
Be sure to call the center at
503-838-5678 for an ap-
pointment so that you can
be all set for summertime.
—
We’d like to welcome Dr.
Rex Fuller, from Eastern
Washington University to
MI Town. Dr. Fuller has ac-
cepted the position of pres-
ident of Western Oregon
University, effective July 1.
Fuller was selected from
over 40 applicants, and was
one of four candidates who
visited WOU recently. Fuller
and his wife, Susan are
looking forward to settling
in our area soon, and we
wish them the best in their
new adventure.
Harlan and Bessie Skelton of Dallas celebrated their
70th wedding anniversary with friends and family.
Harlan Paul Skelton and Bessie Marie Underhill were
married April 8, 1945, in San Diego at The Evangelical
Church. Reverend
E.C. Schneider per-
formed the ceremony.
The couple was at-
tended by Irene Flem-
ing and Otto Lehner.
The couple has lived
in Philomath, Corvallis
and in Dallas the past
seven years.
Harlan served in the
Marine Corps for a
while, and then later
retired in 1972 from
the postal service in Philomath as a rural letter carrier.
Bessie is a homemaker and was a secretary for Benton
County, and later worked at the Horticultural Department
at Oregon State University in Corvallis. She was also a sub-
stitute mail carrier in Philomath. She retired in 1984.
Harlan and Bessie are active in their church and do
some activities at Dallas Retirement Village.
Their family includes Judy Skelton Ikenberry and Wes-
ley Ikenberry of Beaverton. The couple has one grand-
child and two great-grandchildren.
BIRTHS
Hamblin
Sawyer James Hamblin was born to Brittney Hamblin of
Dallas at 1:11 a.m. on March 12 at Salem Hospital Family
Birth Center.
He weighed 9 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 21 ¼ inches
long.
Sawyer joins Trent, 4, and Sebastian, 2.
Grandparents are John and Calene Hamblin of Dallas.
Great-grandparents are Leon and Alice Beauchamp of
Falls City.
Scheirman
Teagen Jack Scheirman was born to Jonathan and Lisa
Scheirman of Monmouth at 3:45 a.m. on March 26 at
Salem Hospital Family Birth Center.
He weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces, and was 20½ inches
long.
Teagen joins Aden, 4.
Grandparents are Wendell and Doris Trimble of
Lebanon, and Jack and Linda Scheirman of Monmouth.
Metzler
Elise Joelle Metzler was born to James and Amy Metzler
of Dallas at 1:07 p.m. on March 28 at Silverton Hospital
Family Birth Center.
She weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 20½ inches
long.
Elise joins Samuel, 16, Shilah, 14, Abigail, 10, Ezra, 8,
Bethany, 5, and Moriah, 2.
Grandparents are Steve and Anita Bennett of Dallas,
and Richard and Charlene Metzler of Monmouth.
Great-grandparents are Norma Bennett of Dallas and
Ann Fagnan of Corvallis.
Cooper
Ava Nichole Cooper was born to Mark and Eve Cooper
of Dallas at 12:12 a.m. on March 31 at Salem Hospital
Family Birth Center.
She weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces, and was 19 inches.
Ava joins Kylie, 8.
Grandparents are John and Sandy Howard of Dallas,
and Jack and Brenda Cooper of Monmouth.
Great-grandparents are Larry and Anita Dixon of Inde-
pendence, Alice Rhymes of Monmouth, and Evelyn
Bathke of Dallas.
Harris
Harper IvyLynn Harris was born to Brian Harris and
Megan Hoag of Salem at 3:04 p.m. on March 31 at Silver-
ton Hospital Family Birth Center.
She weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces, and was 21½ inches
long.
Harper joins Micah, 18 months.
Grandparents are Jeff Hoag of Dallas, Monica Hoag of
Salem, Jeff Mexico of Salem, Robin Mexico of Aumsville,
and Larry and Trish Harris of McMinnville.
Great-grandparents are Dan and Sharon Hoag of Sheri-
dan.
24 hour
Service
Pick up &
Drop Off
PEDEE NEWS
It seems to be birthday
time right now. Last Wednes-
day, Juandeane Skidmore
celebrated her birthday with
the women at the Pedee
Women’s Club. They have a
great idea: the birthday girl
brings her own cake to the
meeting, which means no
one gets her nose out of joint
because her birthday wasn’t
remembered by the others.
Juandeane’s cake was amaz-
ingly simple and delicious:
she beat an angel food cake
mix with a 20-ounce can of
undrained crushed pineap-
ple, poured it into an un-
greased 9 x 13 pan and
baked it for 35 minutes at
350 degrees. She served it
slightly warm topped with
whipped cream. Yum!
—
Those who gather for din-
ner and fun at Pedee Church
A RLENE
K OVASH
Columnist
on Thursday nights threw a
party for Pam Burbank’s
birthday last week, and on
Friday night Suzanne Bur-
bank invited her family over
to celebrate Dave’s 50th
birthday with dinner and
pinochle. In addition to us,
sons Brennan and Derek
came, as well as Derek’s girl-
friend Ashley Grucza from
Redmond, where she works
for Farm Credit. Derek’s
birthday was yesterday, so
we toasted him, too.
—
Marjorie Robertson ar-
rived home last week from
her winter stay at a mobile
home park in Brenda, Ariz.,
east of Quartzsite. She came
a little earlier than usual this
year because it was getting
hot! Her son and daughter-
in-law John and Janet
Robertson went down, spent
a few weeks with her there,
and brought her back up.
She’s well known down there
for the zany songs she writes
and sings for their jam ses-
sions.
—
Instead of writing my col-
umn last week, I went with
Judy Guida to visit Jennifer
and Chris Vandenberg at
their (relatively) new home
in Napavine, Wash., near
Chehalis. While there, we
went to the Taste of Home
cooking magazine’s “Cook-
ing School,” which they hold
all around the U.S. each year.
It was at Great Wolf Lodge in
Grand Mound, a very cool
lodge known for its water-
park.
—
Judy has belonged to a
book club for over 10 years
now. The women just read a
nonfiction book, “Astoria
the Pacific Empire,” so since
one of the women had a
beach house near Astoria,
they went over to spend the
night and tour the Flavel
House and the Maritime
Museum and, of course,
have a seafood dinner. The
book described the over-
land party and the sea jour-
ney around the tip of South
America to make a fur trad-
ing post at the mouth of the
Columbia. When the book
ends, Astoria is just a few
log buildings.
You’re Invited
Second Annual
Survivor Dinner & Celebration
hosted by Eola Hills Winery
sponsored by Relay For Life of Polk County
& Team Perrydale
Saturday, May 2
at Eola Hills Wine Cellars
501 S. Pacific Highway 99W, Rickreall
5:30 ~ Doors open, Meet & Mingle
6:15 to 8:00 ~ Dinner & Entertainment
Every survivor and guest will be guests of honor.
Please join us for an evening of food, fun and festivities.
To RSVP your name and the name of one guest, contact
Vicki Bailey at 503-623-5241 or vickibaile@aol.com
For planning purposes, RSVPs are encouraged
by April 23, but are not required.