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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2016)
Polk County Living Polk County Itemizer-Observer • May 4, 2016 9A Encourage kids to explore garden When grubby little hands grip your pant leg as you head for the garden, put them in the soil and they may dig up a lifetime of learning and pleasure. “One of the keys to getting kids interested in gardening is to get them engaged,” said Joy Jones, Oregon State Uni- versity Extension Service master gardener coordinator in Tillamook County. “Let them explore what catches their attention, especially small children.” Stimulating a child’s imag- ination can be as simple as filling a dishpan with dirt, passing them a hand lens and letting them delve into the world that lives under- ground, she said. If it’s gross, so much the better. “They love that,” she said with a laugh. When teaching kids about gardening, Jones watches them blossom. “We started a summer day camp about 20 years ago when there were kids inter- ested in gardening, but no one was interested in being a 4-H club leader,” said Jones, who is also the county 4-H youth program leader. “Some of those kids went on to careers in horticulture.” Projects vary, but a fa- vorite is starting a miniature salad garden in a cedar box they build themselves. The kids plant fast-growing greens and perhaps onions and short carrot varieties, which are ready to harvest just in time to enter in the K YM P OKORNY Your Garden August county fair. Dish gardens are popular, too. Jones said to think of a theme and go for it. One year she used blue bowls with seashells, whitewashed sand and succulents to make an ocean-themed mini-land- scape. This year they’ll make a forest with dinosaurs. “The kids have things they’ve made that they’re proud of and can take care of and share with other peo- ple,” she said. “And it’s not overwhelming.” The benefits of teaching children to garden are well documented. If they learn to grow their own fruits and vegetables, they’re far more likely to eat them. And it gets PHOTO BY ICLIPART Kids are more likely to eat vegetables and fruits if they grow their own. them outside away from their phones. “I read recently that work- ing in the soil releases a feel- good hormone,” Jones said. “Getting kids out working in the soil, unplugged for a while, feeling and looking and being curious is really important.” Jones’ tips for gardening with kids: • Start small. Don’t give children too many choices or they’ll get overwhelmed. Do a veg- etable container or small garden plot. Allocate it just for them. • Opt for fast-growing plants. Kids tend to have a short attention span, so have them plant carrots, onions, radishes and lettuce, which germinate and grow quickly. Slow-growers like corn, peppers or tomatoes will frustrate them. • Don’t be free labor. Teach kids how to garden and they’ll be empowered to do it them- selves. • Get scientific. Soak a couple of different kinds of seeds overnight. Place between napkins and let them start to germinate. Have kids draw pictures of what they see. • Plan for success. Plant vegetables or other plants in the right conditions and water cor- rectly so they stay healthy and kids aren’t disappointed. For containers, use a drip pan to catch water so soil doesn’t dry out as quickly. Don’t plant too many seeds in a pot or there won’t be enough room for plants to grow. • Don’t be in a rush. If kids want to look at worms, let them look at worms. MI TOWN Last Sunday we turned the calendar page to the brand-spanking-new month of May, and what happy news for those of us who love springtime and all the goodness it brings. The flowers are blooming, there are more blue-sky days than not, and burdens somehow seem lighter when the sun shines brightly. — Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Independence Public Library from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, where everyone is welcome to get together in the meeting room to make paper flowers and other tra- ditional crafts and enjoy treats. People of all ages are invited to this event. — Tomorrow evening, the First Thursday Adult Color- ing Club meets at the Mon- mouth Library from 5:30 to P ATTY T AYLOR D UTCHER Columnist 7. It’s a fun, very informal group of people who have discovered that coloring and drawing is a wonderful stress reliever, and it’s also lots of fun. All supplies and snacks are provided, and a good time is guaranteed. — Mark your calendars for a busy weekend, beginning with the Friends of the Mon- mouth Library’s annual spring book sale on Friday. Friends’ members pre-sale is from noon until 2 p.m. in the Library Community Room. If you’re not a member, you can join right there at the door. The sale is open to the public from 2 until 6 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday. — The Polk County Master Gardeners’ annual plant sale also begins Friday. This is a great opportunity to get a head start on spring plant- ing, with various fruit and vegetable plants for sale at reasonable prices. Many knowledgeable people will share valuable information and answer most — if not all — of your gardening questions. (Full disclosure: I’ve been very happy with tomato plants and raspber- ry starts from this sale for many years.) Sale hours are from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. both Friday and Saturday at the Polk County Fair- grounds on Highway 99W. — Bring your family mem- A RLENE K OVASH Columnist Furutani and, their two daughters Sara and Rachel are here from Redondo Beach, Calif.; daughter Beth and Will Turtle with their children Eric, Nicole, and Gregory from Seattle; and son Scott is here from Min- nesota. Skid will be buried at Womer Cemetery. Dona- tions in his name can be made to the Pedee Women’s Club, where Juandeane is still very active. Snyder-Westendorf Hannah Snyder and Mychal Westendorf, both of Corvallis, announced their engagement. The couple will be married on June 25 at Log House Garden in Keizer. Hannah is the daugh- ter of Julie Snyder and Brian Snyder, both of Lebanon. She graduated from East Linn Christian Academy in 2012 and from Cornerstone School of Ministry in 2014. She is the assistant manager at G3 Sports and Fitness in Corval- lis. Mychal is the son of Dena Westendorf and Dan Westen- dorf, both of Dallas. He graduated from Perrydale High School in 2012 and will receive his bachelor’s in forestry engineering from Oregon State University in 2016. He will work for Weyerhaeuser in Lebanon. Westendorf-Davidson Emily Westendorf and Ben Davidson, both of Redmond, announced their engagement. The couple will be married on July 9 at Salt Creek Sa- loon in Amity. Emily is the daughter of Dena Westendorf and Dan Westendorf, both of Dallas. She graduated from Santiam Christian High School in 2014 and a t t e n d s E c o l a Bi b l e School. She is a server at Crouton’s Restaurant in Redmond. Ben is the son of Mary Davidson and Don Davidson, both of Redmond. He graduated from Redmond High School in 2011. He is working toward a bachelor’s in com- puter science at Oregon State University Cascades. He works as an IG unit fabricator at Central Oregon Glass in Redmond. BIRTHS bers and your appetites to the Monmouth Senior Cen- ter on Saturday for the monthly community break- fast. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. Prices are reasonable ($6 for adults, $3 for children younger than 12), servings of scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy are generous, and it’s a great way to begin a busy week- end. See you there. — It’s wonderful to see stu- dents of all ages participat- ing in spring sports, and these athletes show us every day how hard work and competition keeps them healthy and fit. We can learn valuable lessons in teamwork and positive attitudes just from being around our kids and watch- ing them participate in competitions around the community and state. PEDEE NEWS Former Pedee resident Skid Skidmore died April 26. Skid, 89, died of heart fail- ure and dementia, peace- fully and in no pain. He and his wife Juandeane moved to Pedee from Los Angeles in 1974, and lived here until 2008, when they moved to Dallas. Their children are h e r e w i t h Ju a n d e a n e : daughter Teresa and Roy ENGAGEMENTS — The Bethel Mountain Bluegrass Band will be in c o n c e r t a t t h e Pe d e e Church on May 22 at 6 p.m. They are based in Salem, have played throughout the U.S. and Europe, and are fa- mous for their gospel har- monies. I hear they’re great. You can check them out on YouTube. Monmouth~Independence Rotary Club Fields Richelle Jane Fields was born to Stacy and Jim Fields, of Salem, on April 25 at Salem Family Birth Center. Richelle weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces. Grandparents are Curtis and Joyce Morely, of Salem, and Jim and Esther Fields, of Independence. Stambaugh Tristan Alexander Stambaugh was born to Angeline Cline and Eric Stambaugh, both of Monmouth, on April 16 at Salem Family Birth Center. Tristin was 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Grandparents are Travis and Ethel Cline; Daniel Stam- baugh, of Monmouth; and Becky Porter, of Billings, Mont. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Continued from page 8A — TUESDAY, MAY 10 • Overeaters Anonymous — Noon to 1 p.m., Salem Health West Valley, 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. Support group meets in the conference room immediately inside the front doors. — WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 • 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. • 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. • Willamette Valley Food Assistance Program Food Bank — 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., 888 Monmouth Cutoff Road, Building E, Dallas. Weekly distribution for eligible community members. 503-831-5634. • Free Blood Pressure Check Clinic — 2 to 3 p.m., West Val- ley 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 Warren St., S, Monmouth. Open to the public; musicians of all types welcome. 503-838-5678. • Brew and BS: The Old Testament — 7 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. A lecture series on the Old Testament. Bring brew of choice — coffee, tea, chai, beer, wine, cider. 435-503-4304. • Dallas American Legion Post No. 20 — 7 p.m., Academy Building, Room 108, 182 SW Academy St., Dallas. 503-831-3971. STRAWBERRY SALE Relay for Life Event Saturday, May 7 1 to 3 pm $5.00 per person Try many different teas & scones! Bring your wedding dress no matter what shape. Prizes for oldest wedding dress, ladies who can still wear their dress and for bringing the most people. Corner Stone Church 4395 Independence Hwy., Independence Itemizer-Observer Matinees are all shows before 6pm. New pricing for matinees are: Adult $7.25 Children $6.75 • Senior $7.00 Pricing does not reflect 3D showings. From the same club that has been doing this for over 25 years. 30 lb. Container of Fresh Oregon-Grown Strawberries $ 50 Yummy, stemmed,washed, sliced, ready to eat, freeze or cook. DEADLINE TO ORDER JUNE 1 PICKUP: INDEPENDENCE, DALLAS, or CORVALLIS To place your order email: strawberry@mirotaryclub.org or call: 503-838-6687 www.mirotaryclub.org Please leave your phone or email. We will notify you when they’re ready. TO BENEFIT ROTARY YOUTH PROGRAMS Visit our website, www.polkio.com for local news, sports and community events. Friday & Saturday May 6 - May 7 RATCHET AND CLANK (Digital) (PG) THE BOSS (R) ZOOTOPIA (Digital) (PG) THE JUNGLE BOOK (Digital 2D) (PG) CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (Digital) (PG13) CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (Digital) (PG13) KEANU (Digital) (R) HUNTSMAN: THE WINTER’S WAR (Digital) (PG13) MOTHER’S DAY (Digital) (PG13) (12:15 2:35 5:00) 7:25 9:35 (11:40 2:10 4:45) 7:20 9:40 (11:35 2:05 4:35) 7:05 9:25 (11:30 2:45) 6:00 9:15 (1:45 5:00) 8:15 (12:20 2:40 5:05) 7:30 9:50 (1:30 4:10) 6:50 9:25 (11:25 2:00 4:30) 7:10 9:45 Sunday - Thursday May 8 - May 12 RATCHET AND CLANK (Digital) (PG) THE BOSS (R) ZOOTOPIA (Digital) (PG) THE JUNGLE BOOK (Digital 2D) (PG) CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (Digital) (PG13) CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (Digital) (PG13) KEANU (Digital) (R) HUNTSMAN: THE WINTER’S WAR (Digital) (PG13) MOTHER’S DAY (Digital) (PG13) (12:15 2:35 5:00) 7:25 9:35 (2:10 4:45) 7:20 9:40 (2:05 4:35) 7:05 9:25 (2:45) 6:00 9:15 (1:45 5:00) 8:15 (2:40 5:05) 7:30 9:50 (1:30 4:10) 6:50 9:25 (2:00 4:30) 7:10 9:45
