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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 4, 2015)
Polk County Living Polk County Itemizer-Observer • November 4, 2015 9A Think right plant, place when planting natives As the days darken and gardening season winds down, why not turn your at- tention to planning out next year’s garden? While you’re at it, think about native plants, said Weston Miller, horticulturist with Oregon State Universi- ty’s Extension Service. Part of the draw is the correlation between native plants and pollinators. A native garden translates into nirvana for bees, birds, butterflies and other bene- ficial critters. But even with natives, you’ve got to think about the right plant for the right place, he said. If you plant a sun-loving plant in the shade or vice versa, it’s not going to make it. For in- stance, plants that grow in the shade of the forest— such as salal and evergreen huckleberry—don’t want the full-sun, prairie conditions required by camas and meadow checkerbloom. If you wonder what exact- ly native means, Miller sug- gests thinking of the area west of the Cascades. “It depends on your per- spective,” he said. “Some people would say the Willamette Valley. Some would say the whole Pacific Northwest. I say western Oregon, from the Cascades to the Coast.” Miller acknowledges that some native plants can look out of place in manicured gardens, but he urges peo- ple to use them at the back of a border or to create an Johnson - 50th K YM P OKORNY Your Garden area in the garden dedicated to natives. However, many natives such as Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifoli- um), which blooms a glori- ous yellow in early spring, act beautifully as specimens planted front and center. Another candidate for the spotlight is the justifiably popular vine maple (Acer circinatum) with its grace- ful, multi-trunked form and colorful fall presence. For back-of-the-border situations, Miller recom- mends oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), a large shrub with frothy sprays of white flowers in spring. Another plant that works best in the back is el- derberry, either red (Sam- bucus racemosa) or blue (S. caerulea). “If you’re looking for some height, elderberries are a good option,” he said. “Birds love the berries, and the blue elderberries are ed- ible for humans, too.” When it comes to bulbs, Miller speaks highly of Pacif- ic Northwest iris (Iris tenax), a diminutive iris with flow- ers in the purple and blue range with white and yellow throats (called signals). He also likes tiger lilies (Lilium columbianum), which have freckled orange or yellow A native garden translates into nirvana for bees, birds, butterlies and other beneicial critters. flowers hanging face down with petals curved up. Of course, his list wouldn’t be complete, he said, without the tall, blue-blooming camas (Camasssia qua- mash), which was a food mainstay for Willamette Val- ley Native Americans. For perennials, Miller is a fan of dainty, pink-flow- ering Pacific bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa), which can be a bit enthusiastic so should be planted where you don’t mind it running free. He’s also fond of the hummingbird magnet Western columbine (Aqui- legia formosa), perky Ore- gon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum), pink meadow checkerbloom (Sidalcea campestris) and the useful coastal strawberry (Fra- garia chiloensis), which is a n e a s y- g o i n g g r o u n d cover with berries for wildlife. All of these plants can be put in the ground now, Miller said, though spring is fine, too. He offers these in- structions: Work in 4-6 inch- es of compost as deeply as possible. Then dig a hole about two feet by two feet for a one-gallon pot or 4-5 feet for a five-gallon pot. Re- place enough soil so that the plant crown is level with the top of the hole. Fill in and water. No need to fertilize because you’ve amended the soil and natives don’t typically need much fertiliz- er. Water regularly until rains start in earnest. MI TOWN All of the goblins and ghosties and superheroes have vanished from MI Town’s streets and sidewalks for another year, and those of us who have leftover Hal- loween candy are sneaking occasional trips to the pantry when nobody is watching to finish off what’s left. Parents and teachers are hopeful that the kids have all come down from their sugar highs, and that all is back to normal. — What fun it was for kids of all ages to trick-or-treat in MI Town last Friday, with lots of goodies in both li- braries as well as visits to our local merchants and busi- nesses. Halloween is so much fun when just about everyone in the area partici- pates, and it gives us an op- portunity to shop locally while we’re out and about. Polk County CERT (commu- P ATTY T AYLOR D UTCHER Columnist nity emergency response team) volunteers set up trick-or-treat safety zones on Halloween night in various areas of MI Town, including Main Street Park in Mon- mouth and Farnstrom’s, and Ash Creek Mobile Park in In- dependence. This is a group effort with police officers in both cities, as well as Polk County Fire District No. 1’s firefighters. How fortunate we all are to live in these wonderful communities. — Get a good start on Satur- day’s activities and mark your calendars for the Monmouth Senior Center’s community breakfast. Prices are right ($6 for adults, $3 for children 6- 12) and portions are gener- ous (as in all-you-can-eat). What could be more fun later in the afternoon than to watch our WOU Wolves foot- ball team as they meet the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology at 3:30 p.m. at McArthur Stadium. Special recognition will be given to our Armed Forces as well as First Responder Ap- preciation Day. — Nov. 11 is celebrated as Veteran’s Day. Originally called Armistice Day, mark- ing the end of World War 1 (once called the war to end all wars), we now honor all veterans. The Disabled American Veterans (DMV), AmVets 1776 Ladies Auxil- iary and Monmouth Senior Center are honoring all vet- erans and their families, as well as members of our communities, with a free breakfast at the center on Nov. 11 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win an antique doll, with the pro- ceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project. Let’s cele- brate and honor those friends and family members who have served in our country’s armed services as well as the men and women who are working hard to bring peace and freedom to places all over the world. — The New Horizons Willamette Valley Orchestra meets ever y Monday evening during the school year in the music room at Central High School, from 6:30 to 8:30. If you’d like to participate in this group, please stop by any Monday evening or contact Paul Doellinger at 503-838-4884 for more information. PEDEE NEWS I love seeing the signs in front of houses indicating where kids who are on sports teams live. This year one is out to let us all know that Dallas High’s right of- fensive tackle Josh Willden lives right here in Pedee. This is Josh’s second year on the varsity team, which had a great season. The team had won two games in a row before its reg- ular season finale on Friday and was one game off from the playoffs. Alas, Silverton defeated the Dragons in that game, ending Dallas’ season. Josh is a junior and the son of Rick and Leasa Willden, who own Willamette Valley Metal in downtown Pedee. ANNIVERSARIES A RLENE K OVASH Columnist — Our traveling neighbor Judy Guida was in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, when Hur- ricane Patricia hit three weeks ago, and so spent a day in a hurricane shelter there. Fortunately it landed 50 miles south of there and was reduced to a tropical storm at that point, but she did experience the ins and outs of staying in a shelter and plans to be more pre- pared next time. She spent time the next week with her son and daughter-in-law John and Gina and their seven children in Houston, which probably felt like being in a hurricane anyway. — Fred Clark is recovering nicely from surgery he had on an abdominal aortic aneurysm a month ago. Luckily it was caught as a re- sult of a test, one which men older than 65 should have as it is common in that age group. Their son Hans from Anchorage, Alaska, spent a week with them immediate- ly after the surgery, which was a huge help to both Fred and Cindy. — Paul and Diane Telfer just returned from a vacation in beautiful Whistler, British Columbia, where they spent much of their time hiking the trails in and near Whistler. They walked about 35 miles during the week, through Whistler and by stunning lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers with spectacu- lar views. — Former neighbors Chris and Jennifer Vandenberg passed through Pedee on their way to Powell Butte to trick-or-treat with Kyle and Kaden Clevenger, sons of good friends Jay and Shelly. Halloween is one of Jen- nifer’s favorite holidays. But as a business owner, you’re already planning for it! Let us help you out...advertise in the Holiday Gift Guide! Contact Heidi, Rachel or Karen. 503-623-2373 Itemizer-Observer Dennis and Joyce Johnson of Dallas will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 14 with family and friends at Valley Life Center, 1795 SE Miller Ave., in Dallas from 1 to 4 p.m. Dennis Johnson and Joyce Cul- well were married Nov. 20, 1965, at Wesleyan Methodist Church in Salem. Rev. Douglas Bacheller performed the ceremony. The couple was attended by Glen Johnson and Thelma Culwell. The couple has lived in Dallas the past 50 years. Dennis retired in 1997 from Willamette Industries Plan- ing mill in Dallas. Joyce retired in 2011 from Addus Healthcare in Salem as housekeeper. Dennis coordinates the Avenue of Flags Project in Dal- las and Joyce assists him. Dennis is the historian for the American Legion in Dallas. Joyce cleans the church offices and is the chaplain for the American Legion Auxiliary. Both of them enjoy Southern Gospel concerts, birdwatch- ing and are greeters at Valley Life Center in Dallas. Jim and Lucille Mansigh celebrated their 25th wed- ding anniversary on Oct. 9 at the Willamette Univer- sity Heritage Center. They had a small glass of wine out on the lovely terrace, where they sat and enjoyed the orchestra. Then they had a lovely dinner. Soon the dancing began and they danced the night away. When they returned to their table they be- came acquainted with three delightful couples. They ex- changed phone numbers and will stay in touch. After they bid their friends good night, they called Squirrel Taxi. Lucille had gotten on a first name basis with Merlin. Recently she had thumb surgery and was unable to drive. Upon returning to their home exhausted, they fell into bed and “slept” wrapped in each others arms until the wee hours of dawn. Of course, he woke her at 7:00 am to serve her coffee and toast. This was a previous habit. He next served her breakfast. You see, Jimmy is a retired Master Chef. His longest employment was for ten years as Head Cook at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland. When they continued the day, they began a most un- usual conversation. He started with “Darling, I still love you, after 25 years. Will you please come home?” After non-stop conversation for ten hours he had con- vinced her to come home. With agreement she proceeded to get ready to move home. They packed and waited until their friends, Arnie and Steve Schafer were ready and available with Arnie’s big pickup to move everything home. Is this the end of the story “Lived Happy Ever After?” No, that part is becoming true. It is only the beginning of what will be their future. BIRTHS Mann Landon Thomas J Mann was born to Thomas and Amy Mann of Corvallis at 8:36 a.m. on July 10 at Good Samari- tan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis. He weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 20 inches long. Landon joins Rhiannon, 11, and Logan, 6. Grandparents are Gerald and Tracy Lillie of Dallas, and Kent and Debbie Gross of Eugene. Mitchell Bonnie Gale Mitchell was born to Anthony and Malena Mitchell of Mountlake Terrace, Wash., at 4:49 a.m. on Oct. 11 at Northwest Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle. She weighed 7 pounds, and was 19 inches long. Bonnie is the couple’s first child. Grandparents are Ben and Julie Thackeray of Dallas; Brad and Rebbekah Stringer of Salt Lake City; and Jonathan and Maryann Mitchell of Kaysville, Utah. Great-grandparents are Martha Schisler of Dallas; Bruce and Bonnie Lower of Logan, Utah; and Terri Mitchell of Carlsbad, Calif. Baylie Jaxson James Baylie was born to Sean Baylie and Olivia Saunders of Dallas at 11:37 p.m. on Sept. 8 at Salem Hos- pital Family Birth Center. He weighed 1 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 13.5 inches long. Jaxson is the couple’s first child. Grandparents are Celeste Saunders of Dallas, and Diana Beckner of Redmond. Great-grandparents are Ruel and Karen Thompson of Meridan, Idaho; Donna Carlsen of Star, Idaho. Great-great-grandparents are Bruce and Marlean Thompson of McCammon, Idaho. COMMUNITY CALENDAR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8A — WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11 • Veteran’s breakfast — 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Monmouth Sen- ior Center, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth. For veterans, their fam- ilies and the community. Free breakfast. 503-838-5678. • Willamette Valley Food Assistance Program Food Bank — 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., 888 Monmouth Cutof Road, Building E, Dal- las. Weekly distribution for eligible community members. 503- 831-5634. • Polk County Republican Women — 11:30 a.m., Oak Knoll Golf Course, 6335 Highway 22, Independence. No-host lunch available; everyone welcome. 503-623-5759. • Free Blood Pressure Check Clinic — 2 to 3 p.m., West Valley Hospital (surgery admitting area), 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. 503-623-7323. • Monmouth Senior Center Music Jam — 6:30 p.m., Mon- mouth Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth. Open to the public; musicians of all types welcome. 503-838-5678. • Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank — 10 a.m. to noon, Monmouth Christian Church, 959 Church St. W., Monmouth. For eligible community members; available every Wednesday. 541- 404-6517. • Brew and BS — 7 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. Free. Bring your own brew—beer, cofee, tea, cider, wine. Moderated discussions on topics of religion and science. 503-831-5593.
