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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (May 27, 2015)
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • May 27, 2015 9A Polk County Living Hanging baskets put the color in summer Hanging a basket filled with colorful plants gives decks and gardens another dimension. “You’ll have color where you wouldn’t have any oth- erwise,” said Brooke Ed- munds, a horticulturist for Oregon State University’s Extension Service. With all the plants on the market, getting started can be intimidating, she ac- knowledged. But checking out finished hanging bas- kets at garden centers or looking through magazines or books can help you figure out the colors and designs you like. “Think about the finished product — how you’d like it to look — and go from there,” she said. A basket that will be hanging high looks great with trailing plants like petunia, ivy geranium, cali- brachoa, alyssum, lobelia, verbena and fuchsia, she said. If you choose a spot where you’ll see the entire container, think about the “thriller, filler and spiller” concept, which features a taller plant in the middle, K YM P OKORNY Your Garden clumping plants to fill in and trailing plants around the edge. Thrillers include upright geranium, nicotiana, salvia, daisy and heliotrope. For a more dramatic effect, high- light extra-tall plants like dracaena, small ornamental grasses or cordyline. Around the center choose clumpers like upright geranium, marigold, lantana, mound- ing petunias, nemesia and coleus. When designing a hang- ing container, Edmunds said to determine how big plants will be when fully grown and then choose the number per basket accordingly. “You don’t want to use too many at first or they won’t reach their potential,” she pointed out. “And too few and the plants will never fill in fully.” Tips for hanging baskets • Choose a container that’s not too heavy such as plastic, peat or wire baskets lined with moss or coir. Avoid materials such as ceramic or terra cotta. • Don’t use soil dug from the garden because its heavy struc- ture inhibits good drainage, which is essential for containers of any kind. Instead, select a good-quality potting mix. If reusing a basket from the pre- vious year, replace the soil. • If the potting soil doesn’t contain fertilizer, mix in a slow-release type when planting. If plants start to look ragged mid-season, apply a water-soluble fertilizer once a week. • Leave about an inch of space between soil and the top of the container to allow room for watering. • One way to tell when a basket needs water is to lift up from the bottom. If it feels light, it’s time to water. As a benchmark, do the test once when the basket has been wa- tered so you’ll know the difference in weight. • To keep the plants looking their best, pinch off dead flowers at least once a week. Cut back foliage if it starts to look leggy. Most important, don’t mix plants that perform best in shade with those that do best in sun. “Definitely match plants to conditions or they won’t perform well,” Edmunds said. A guide put out by Exten- sion’s Master Gardeners of- fers additional ideas for plants, plus detailed instruc- tions on planting and main- taining a hanging basket. MI TOWN Today I’ll be reading the I- O online as I’m in sunny Miami, to celebrate grand- son MacKenzie Kram’s grad- uation from high school. It’s been quite a journey for Mack, who has also been awarded an academic schol- arship to Miami-Dade Col- lege. Mack was diagnosed with autism when very young, and we’re grateful for the therapy, education and hard work by his parents, teachers and others who have given him the opportu- nity to reach these goals. — W i t h Me m o r i a l D a y weekend just past, we all celebrated the beginning of summertime’s arrival to MI Town and throughout our wonderful Willamette Valley. Whether your family trav- eled to the Oregon coast or to the mountains or down by the riverside for the first swim of the year, those P ATTY T AYLOR D UTCHER Columnist three bonus days of sun- shine and blue skies were wonderful. Backyard picnics with hot dogs, potato salad and baked beans just seemed to be the perfect combination for a good time for many of us. We proudly flew Old Glory from front porches and lamp posts and took the time to remember and honor all veterans who have given so much to ensure our coun- try’s freedom — and sent prayers and good wishes to our best young men and women who are proudly serving in the armed forces all over the world. — What a special treat to dis- cover the Explore Polk Coun- ty section tucked into last week’s Itemizer-Observer. Many MI Town’s businesses and organizations were fea- tured, as well as some really fun places to go on upcom- ing days and weekends. Ex- plore Polk County is perfect to share with family and friends who will be visiting during the summertime — and we can plan many won- derful activities without trav- eling far from home. — This afternoon, stop by the Hamersly Library on the Western Oregon University campus to meet former WOU faculty member and published writer, Kate Ris- tau. She will be reading from her recently published young adult novel, ‘Shadow- girl’ from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday (today). Signed LUCKIAMUTE DOMESTIC WATER COOPERATIVE BOARD MEETING Monday 7:00 p.m. June 8th 503-838-2075 Location: Business Office 8585 Suver Rd. • Monmouth 7 – Auto swap meet 7 – Flea market 8 – 4-H archery club 9 – France School of Dance 9 – Open weigh-in 9 – Spring Valley Riders 10 – Polk Soil and Water Conservation District budget hearing 11 – Dog obedience 11 – Spring Valley Riders 11 – Saddle-ites Meeting 12 – Gun show vendor setup 13-14 – Summer gun show 13 – Wagon Wheelers Fitch - 100th Charles H. Fitch was born May 20, 1915, in San Francis- co. He has resided in Polk County since 1979. He re- tired in 1977 as the vice- president of Operations for Aeronautical Radio Inc. (ARINC) from Annapolis, Md. Charles enjoys going to lunch at Murphy’s Grill in Dallas, and he can be seen scooting around Dallas in his golf cart. His family includes David and Linda Fitch of Reno, Nev., Michael and Jackie Fitch of Clearville, Pa., Richard and Lin Fitch of Cape May, N.J., step-daughter Alison Warman of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and step-sons Brian Bratager of Seattle, and Mack Bratager of Seattle. He has seven grandchildren, 14 great- grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. BIRTHS Nisley Allison Faye Nisley was born to Austin and Natalie Nis- ley of Woodburn at 2:08 p.m. on May 19 at Salem Hospital Family Birth Center. She weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounce, and was 20 inches long. Allison is the couple’s first child. Grandparents are Scott and LouAnne Wagner of Dallas, and Noel and Emilie Nisley of Hillsboro. Great-grandparents are Ted and Alice Nisley of Culver, and Larry and Lou Loomis of Independence. VOLUNTEER CALENDAR books will be available for purchase. — Many MI Town residents remember Howard Wilson and all the good things he did as a volunteer at the Monmouth Senior Center, where he helped with con- struction and was a good friend to all throughout the years. Howard’s memorial celebration will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Monmouth Christian Church, where he was a dedicated member of the congregation. — MI Town will be very busy June 13, when newly-minted university graduates, their friends and family members will celebrate commence- ment at McArthur Stadium on the WOU campus. The doors open at 9 a.m., with the graduation and com- mencement exercises at 11 a.m. FAIRGROUNDS CALENDAR POLK COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS & EVENT CENTER 520 S. Pacific Highway (99W), Rickreall 503-623-3048 • www.co.polk.or.us/fair — MAY 28 – Dog obedience — JUNE 2 – Market meeting (Kids) 2 – 4-H rifle and pistol practice 4 – Dog obedience 6 – Flea market set-up 6 – Wagon Wheelers MILESTONE 14-18 – SKP RV rally 16 – France School of Dance 16 – Spring Valley Riders 18 – Fair board meeting 18 – Dog obedience 19 – Hancock Fire training 22 – 4-H archery club 23 – France School of Dance 23 – Spring Valley Riders 25 – Dog obedience 27 – Rev Pro Wrestling 30 — France School of Dance 30 – Spring Valley Riders Schedule Subject to Change Gabrielle Haugen Chosen for 2015 Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston MA A West Salem High School Junior has been nominated to attend the Con- gress of Future Medical Leaders on June 24-26 2015. The Congress is an honors only program for high school students who want to become physi- cians or go into medical research fields. Gabrielle was nominated by D. Connie Mariano, the medical Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Med- ical Scientists based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine. During the three day Congress, she will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school, witness stories told by pa- tients who are living medical miracles and learn about cutting- edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology. Gabrielle is the daughter of Alan and Brenda (a 1979 alumni of Dallas High) Haugen, and the granddaughter of Richard and Renate Armstrong of Dallas, and Lou Haugen of Salem. These Polk County groups would welcome individuals who have time or expertise to volunteer. Organizations that would like to be added to this list should call 503- 623-2373 or email IOnews@polkio.com. — • After DARC — 503-623-9501 • Arc of Polk County — 503-949-5552 • Central School District — 503-838-0030 • City of Dallas — 503-831-3502 • City of Independence — 503-838-1212 • City of Monmouth — 503-751-0145 • Crime Victims Assistance Program — 503-623-9268 • Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce — 503-623-2564 • Dallas Food Bank — 503-623-3578 • Dallas Kids, Inc. — 503-623-6419 • Dallas Police Department — 503-831-3582 • Dallas Public Library — 503-623-2633 • Dallas Retirement Village — 503-623-5581 • Dallas School District — 503-623-5594 • Delbert Hunter Arboretum — 503-623-7359 • Girl Scouts of Southwest Washington and Oregon — 503- 581-2451 • Ella Curran Food Bank — 503-838-1276 • Falls City Arts Center — 503-559-6291 • Falls City School District — 503-787-3531 • H-2-O — 503-831-4736 • HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley — 503-363-1651 • Heron Pointe Assisted Living — 503-838-6850 • Independence Health and Rehabilitation — 503-838-0001 • Independence Public Library — 503-838-1811 • Kings Valley Charter School — 541-929-2134 • Luckiamute Watershed Council — 503-837-0237 • Meals on Wheels — 503-838-2084 • Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce — 503- 838-4268 • Monmouth-Independence YMCA — 503-838-4042 • Monmouth Public Library — 503-838-1932 • Northwest Human Services — 503-588-5828 • Oregon Child Development Coalition — 503-838-2745 • OSU Extension Service - Polk County — 503-623-8395 • Perrydale School District — 503-623-2040 • Polk County Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) — 503-623-9268, ext. 1301 • Polk Community Development Corporation — 503-831- 3173 • Polk County Community Emergency Response Team – 503-623-9396 • Polk County Museum — 503-623-6251 • Polk County Public Health — 503-623-8175 For a complete list visit www.polkio.com
