Polk County News
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • November 11, 2015 3A
Realism brings intimacy
NEWS IN BRIEF
Indy leaf pickup on Monday
Western Oregon presents ‘Book of Days,’ tale of mystery, murder and cheese
INDEPENDENCE — Independence will continue its residen-
tial leaf pickup program on Monday. Leaf piles must be placed
on city streets prior to Monday for pickup.
Other dates are Nov. 23, Dec. 7, 14 and 28.
For more information: www.ci.independence.or.us.
By Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
MONMOUTH — Even
small-town America is sub-
ject to greed, political and
religious corruption.
The residents of Dublin,
Mo., are finding that out as a
suspicious death clashes with
a cheese factory and commu-
nity theater production.
Thinking about that cir-
cumstance may induce a
smile, but director of West-
ern Oregon University’s pro-
duction of “Book of Days,”
David Janoviak, assures that
this is more of a drama than
a comedy. The play opens
Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s ‘Our Town’ meets
‘Blue Velvet,’” he said.
American Playwright Lan-
ford Wilson uses the town of
Dublin “as a microcosm of
the rest of the country,”
Janoviak said. “He makes a
broader statement about the
American dream, about the
rot that lives beneath the
Mayberry veneer.”
In the play, Walt Bates, the
owner of the cheese factory,
dies in a hunting accident.
“I don’t think there’s been
a murder,” said Zach Warner,
who plays Sheriff Conroy
Atkins. “Janelle’s character
talks to some people and I
tell her don’t worry about it,
I have the facts.”
Janelle Davis plays Ruth
Hoch, the bookkeeper at the
cheese factory and budding
actress at the community
theater. She suspects foul
play, and, in her search for
justice, creates dissention in
the little town.
Ruth lands the role of Joan
of Arc in the play, “Saint Joan,”
making “Book of Days” a sort
of play within a play.
Davis said she enjoys that
aspect of the production.
Nonprofit leadership training Saturday
INDEPENDENCE — The Ford Institute for Community Build-
ing will sponsor a nonproit board president and president-
elect training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Inde-
pendence Event Center, 555 S. Main St.
The keynote presentation will be by John Frohnmayer. Work-
shops will include helping your board understand its duties;
understanding inancial information; introduction to risk man-
agement; how good boards make great decisions; leadership
team building; and long-range planning.
For more information: www.nonproitsteward.org, or call
541-929-9320.
Monmouth seeks ‘Engaged’ volunteers
MONMOUTH — The city of Monmouth is looking for volun-
teers to serve on four committees working on projects identi-
ied through its visioning process, “Monmouth Engaged.”
The four committees are: retail/restaurant, university/com-
munity connections, bicycle/pedestrian friendly town, and
community gathering places.
Applications are due by Nov. 20. To apply, go online to
www.ci.monmouth.or.us.
Applications accepted for Adopt-A-Family
KENT NEELY/ for the Itemizer-Observer
Janelle Davis and Megan Doerfler, as Ruth and Ginger, discuss whether or not Earl may
have committed the murder of Walt Bates, the owner of the cheese factory.
Travel to Dublin, Mo.
What: Western Oregon University’s production of Lanford
Wilson’s, “Book of Days,” directed by David Janoviak.
Where: WOU’s Rice Auditorium.
When: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 2 p.m. on
Sunday; 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 18, 19, 20 and 21.
Admission: General admission, $12; students, $7; seniors $10.
For more information: w w w.wou.edu/theatre -
dance/events.
“There is an audition
scene, (where) I get to use
Shakespeare, so that’s cool
to incorporate other parts of
theater,” she said.
Big-shot — or burnt-
out — Hollywood director
Boyd Middleton, played by
Nick Halscher, at first enjoys
the small-town atmosphere.
“He really likes it at first,”
Halscher said. “Because
everyone knows each other
and gets along.”
However, Halscher’s char-
acter is soon dragged into
the real-life drama of Dublin.
The play calls for cine-
matic realism, Janoviak said.
Actors are intent on being
real and honest.
It’s a new style of acting
for the cast, but they are
shining through the chal-
lenges, Janoviak said.
“I have a uniformly strong
cast,” he said. “The cast is a
good mix of seasoned col-
lege veterans, people in the
middle of their training, and
those in the beginning of
their training.”
Being a character-driven
piece, Janoviak said, “You re-
ally get to know and get at-
tached to these characters.”
Davis said she has learned
a lot about acting in the last
few weeks of the fall term.
“Realism, for myself, I’m
finding really difficult,” she
said. “It’s been really great,
but it’s been challenging.”
Warner said the production
is an emotional roller coaster.
The intimacy created by the
acting style is compounded by
the theater-in-the-round style
seating and cozy set.
“Really, just let yourself im-
merse in it,” Halscher added.
Building blocks comes to Falls City
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
FALLS CITY — Family
Building Blocks (FBB) and
the Wagner Community Li-
brary are teaming up to offer
a monthly literary inspired
“play group” at the library
beginning Thursday.
FBB offers families with
children 5 years old or
younger home visits, play
groups and seminars for
parents. The organization
recently opened an office in
Dallas to help meet the need
in Polk County.
Sara Matthews, Family
Building Blocks’ Polk County
family outreach coordinator,
said the program wanted to
revive its play group sessions
in Falls City and decided to
host them at the library.
“We just wanted to get fa-
miliar in the area, build a
presence,” Matthews said.
“Let people know that we
are a resource.”
The play group location
Sudoku Solution
gave organizers an idea.
“Since we are using the li-
brary space, we morphed it
i n t o a s t o r y a c t i v i t y,”
Matthews said.
The hour-long session will
be the second Thursday of
each month from 10 to 11
a.m. at the library, 111 N.
Main St., Falls City.
Matthews said sessions
will include reading a story
and then doing a related ac-
tivity. This month the story
will be about color and com-
bining colors, so the activity
could involve painting. The
program is for children ages
Parent-child story time
What: Family Building Blocks story-play time in Falls City.
Where: Wagner Community Library, 111 N. Main St.
When: Second Thursday of the month starting Thursday.
Of note: The program is for children 5 and younger and
their parents, but siblings are welcome. Snacks will be served.
For more information or to RSVP: 503-877-8473 or
503-787-3521 x 319.
DALLAS — Dallas Adopt-A-Family will be taking applications
starting Monday at the Academy Building, 182 SW Academy
St., suite 220 in Dallas.
Applications will be taken Monday through Nov. 20 from 4
to 6 p.m. and on Nov. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m.
A program of The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps
Community Center Social Services, Adopt-A-Family provides
food and children’s gifts for local families in need.
Once families apply, churches, individuals and local organi-
zations “adopt” them by providing a holiday meal and presents
for each family member.
Last year, the event served more than 1,000 individuals, in-
cluding 500 children.
This year, the campaign expects to serve more than 200
families, with 80 families already adopted.
More “adopters” are needed. Those wishing to adopt a family
should contact Melissa Baurer by Dec. 5 at 503-798-4876 or by
email at Melissa.Baurer@usw.salvationarmy.org.
For more information: 503-507-6269.
First leaf collection in Dallas begins
DALLAS — The irst of two scheduled leaf pickups in Dallas
will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
Republic Services will be collecting leaves left in the street.
Residents wanting to have leaves collected this weekend
should make sure to:
• Rake leaves in long rows parallel to the curb at least one
foot away from the curb.
• Avoid blocking driveways, bike lanes and storm drains.
• Don’t place leaves in the street until just before the collec-
tion is scheduled to begin.
Only leaves will be collected, no trimmings, brush, grass or
other yard debris.
A second leaf sweep is scheduled for Dec. 19 and 20. Also,
three leaf disposal locations are open until Dec. 31.
Residents can drop of leafs at: the parking lot adjacent to
Lyle Softball Fields; Southwest Allgood Street near the gate to
the parks oice; and the east end of Hankel Street.
For more information, Republic Services at 541-754-0444.
Sit, Sip and Shop
Bazaar and Craft Fair
Find
your
treasure!
Saturday, Nov. 14th • 10 am - 4 pm
Oak Grove Grange Hall
5 and younger and the hope
is parents will stay and par-
ticipate.
“We just want to strength-
en family bonds and provide
fun and supportive activities
Happy
104th
Birthday
Hourtense Marie Depweg (Bebe)
Born Nov 14, 1911
She started cooking and baking at a very
young age. Hard working, light eating, non-
smoker. She enjoys crocheting and reading
books. Her family, Yvonne, Marlene, Carol,
Lolly and their families are her life.
Love from your family!
parents can do with their
children,” Matthews said.
Though the program is in-
tended for children 5 and
younger, their siblings are
welcome as well.
locally
We deliver
e through
& worldwid
2670 Oak Grove Rd, Rickreall
Take Hwy 22W, turn at Restlawn Cemetery,
3 miles to Grange Hall
Find bazaar name on Facebook for list of vendors.
Saturday, Nov 14, 2015
137 SW Court St, Dallas
● Refreshments by Coy’s Cheesecakes
● Special sale items ● Drawing for prizes
FREE gift bags
to the first
50 shoppers!
• Flowers • Silk Arrangements • Gifts
• Balloons • Candy • Cards • Plants
503-831-1410
FREE
Carnation
for those
who donate
food item
for the
Dallas
Food Bank
Mon-Fri 9-5 • Sat 9-5
www.heartstringsflorist.com
New Bookstore in Dallas!
147 SW Court Street
Hours: 10am - 5pm ~ Closed Sundays
Look for us on