Polk County Living
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 29, 2016 9A
Pet owners beware, flea season is heating up MILITARY HONORS
Pet owners seeking remedies or prevention techniques have several good choices
By Bruce Pokarney
Oregon Dept. of Ag
Summer has officially ar-
rived and the Oregon De-
partment of Agriculture is
offering advice to pet owners
who can take several steps
themselves in providing re-
lief from fleas. An array
of pesticide products on the
market are among the tools
that can be used to effective-
ly control fleas, but they
come with the usual caution
of needing to be handled
properly.
If occasional high temper-
atures this spring are any in-
dication, summer might
be blazing hot, which often
exacerbates the skin irrita-
tion of pets that comes with
flea bites. If that happens,
pet owners will need to be
ready for action. The first
order of business is to verify
the issue.
“Make sure your pet has a
flea problem,” says Rose
Kachadoorian, entomologist
with the Oregon Depart-
ment of Agriculture’s Pesti-
cides Program. “They may
be scratching themselves,
but it could be a food allergy
or pollen. Work with your
veterinarian to establish
whether the problem is
caused by fleas.”
If the answer is yes, pet
owners can improve the con-
ditions that lead to flea infes-
tations. Prevention tactics are
usually best started in
the spring. However, there is
still plenty that pet owners
can do now. A thorough
cleaning and vacuuming of
the house — especially where
pets sleep — is a good start.
“I would vacuum my
house at least every other
day, if not every day, to
suck up fleas and their eggs,”
says Kachadoorian. “Also
wash the pet’s bedding once
a week with hot, soapy
water.”
The most fastidious clean-
ing job in the world might
not be enough if your pet al-
ready has fleas. Persistence
in cleaning and early treat-
m e n t i s t h e k e y.
There are a number of adult
flea control products avail-
able on the market, includ-
ing spot-on topical products
that are usually applied
monthly. Some of the spot-
on products also contain
growth regulators that inhib-
it the development of imma-
ture flea life stages.
Pets can also be
given tablets orally contain-
ing these insect growth reg-
ulators. Flea collars and ul-
trasonic devices have had
limited
success,
according to Kachadoorian.
Again, a conversation with
your veterinarian is an im-
portant step to take.
“Most of these products
usually work very well,”
says Kachadoorian. “They
U.S. navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist
2nd Class Susan C. Damman/ Released
PHOTO FROM iCLIPART
“Make sure your pet has a flea problem,” says Kachadoorian,
entomologist with the ODA’s Pesticides Program. “...it could
be a food allergy or pollen.
are so much more effective
than the old days of putting
a dust or spray on the ani-
mal or giving them a flea
bath.”
Remember — most of
these products are consid-
ered to be pesticides. Care
and caution is required to
use these flea control prod-
ucts because, if used incor-
rectly, the pet could have a
bad reaction.
For example, a product’s
label may say that it is to be
used only on dogs. Some ac-
tive ingredients in products
are not toxic to dogs but may
be lethal to cats; an example
would be permethrin.
Product labels also pro-
vide instructions on the ap-
propriate age and weight of
the animal being treated.
If your pet experiences a bad
reaction from a spot-on
product, immediately
bathe the pet with mild
soap, r inse with large
amounts of water, and call
your veterinarian. Ask your
vet to report the reaction
through the National Pesti-
cide Information Center’s
Veterinary Pesticide Incident
Reporting Portal at
<http://npic.orst.edu>, or
call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378.
MI TOWN
How quickly these sum-
mer days fly by; the flowers
are blooming everywhere
and our backyard gardens
are beginning to really put
on a show, with the promise
of fresh fruits and vegeta-
bles just ready to be en-
joyed. The birds compete
with us daily to find the very
best of the strawberries and
raspberries, but we manage
to get just enough for short-
cake or to add something
special to a dish of vanilla
ice cream. Even the marion-
berries are beginning to ap-
pear, and although it seems
a bit early in the season —
there’s no complaining
about our very favorite gar-
den berry.
—
We’re all looking forward
to all the Fourth of July ac-
tivities, and it’s great to have
all the information available
in this week’s Itemizer-Ob-
server. We certainly appreci-
P ATTY
T AYLOR
D UTCHER
Columnist
ate all the hard work and
dedication from so many
volunteers in our communi-
ties to make America’s
Birthday a very special time
for everyone.
—
Many families in MI Town
are grateful for the school
breakfast and lunch pro-
grams that are administered
through their local schools.
Students are provided with
healthy and wellbalanced
meals, at free or reduced
prices, depending on par-
ents’ income. During the
summer months, this pro-
gram does continue. Lunch-
es are available weekdays at
noon, at no cost for all chil-
dren up to the age of 18 at
the following areas: Tal-
madge, Ash Creek, Park West
apartments, Henry Hill and
Independence elementary.
This special summer pro-
gram runs through Aug. 24.
—
After looking at commu-
nities all over Oregon for a
couple of years, we decided
to make the move from Tu-
alatin — a suburb of Port-
land — to Monmouth. We
liked the community, espe-
cially the library and senior
center, and the opportunity
to live in a college town,
where there would be lots of
activities and interesting
things to do. It’s now been
16 years that we’ve lived in
this dear old house and
have never regretted for a
moment leaving the
city/suburban environment
for a community where (al-
most) everybody knows
your name.
—
I recently had the oppor-
tunity to ride along with a
Polk County Deputy Sheriff
— and it was a really good
experience. The coopera-
tion and communication
between officers and other
state and local agencies is
caring and considerate and
very positive, and helps me
to understand more about
how vital and necessary
these officers are to all of us.
—
My son, Geoff Lukinbeal
is participating in an REI-
sponsored hike to the sum-
mit of Mt. Shasta in north-
ern California. He’s been
training for many months
now, while working hard
and being involved with
community activities with
his wife, Tammy and their
children (two in college and
one in high school).
PEDEE NEWS
“Deep Sea Discovery —
God is With Me Wherever I
Go!” is the theme of this
summer’s Vacation Bible
School ( VBS) at Pedee
Church. VBS is the week of
July 11-15 from 9 to 11:30
a.m. for kids from age 3
through grade six, although
coordinator Allison Barn-
hart would love to have the
older kids help. You can reg-
ister now at the church or
during that week (any day)
at 9 a.m.
—
Steve and Audrey
Cameron’s granddaughter
Caitlin Kelley, her husband
Zach, and their two kids Nic
and Addi came from Texas
to visit last week, as well as
Caitlin’s brother Chris, their
mom Donna Lankford and
her two children, Isabelle
and Jackson. Everyone had
fun up at Aunt Stephanie’s
farm, horseback riding and
seeing all the animals. They
also connected with
A RLENE
K OVASH
Columnist
Caitlin’s uncles: Clayton
Cameron, his wife Jenny
and son Noah, and James
and wife Eliana from Mil-
waukie while here. Clayton
was on his way to Bristol
Bay to fish the salmon sea-
son there.
—
The Camerons also spent
a few days at the beach be-
fore Caitlin and family flew
back to Texas. Nic and Addi
are anxious to fly Great-
Grandpa Steve down to Dal-
las to build a “dolly house”
for them like the one he
built for Stephanie in the
Cameron backyard over 40
years ago.
—
Bill Chertudi was happy
to have son John down from
Camas, Wash., to watch the
U.S. Open golf tournament
with him on Father’s Day.
They are both golfers and
try to get together to play as
often as they can.
Our Father’s Day was cel-
ebrated at Dave and
Suzanne Burbank’s with
grandson Derek, his fiancée
Ashley Grucza, her father,
Scotty Grucza, and our
daughter, Lorraine Odell.
We barbecued mooseburg-
ers, a surprisingly delicious
substitute for beef. That was
a big moose, though, so
we’ll be eating them for a
long time to come!
—
Eight of the Kings Valley
Charter School seniors and
two guests took the trip of a
lifetime to Moab, Utah,
where they white-water
rafted on the Colorado River
and hiked the trails of
Canyonlands and Arches
national parks. On the way
there they stopped at the
Bonneville Speedway near
Salt Lake City and, going
home, they stopped at Bear
Lake and went through
Minnetonka Cave nearby.
They took an RV and car,
driven by Tim and Diana
Barnhart, and stayed in
campgrounds along the
way, for an economical trip.
Pedee senior Levi Bault was
on the trip with Pedee
friend Glenn Mott, but
managed to squeeze in a
graduation party for friends
and family at the Women’s
Club on ,June 11.
—
Save the date: The Pedee
Women’s Club is planning a
quilt show for Sept. 9 to 10.
If you’re from Pedee and
have quilts you’d like to
show (old or new), please
contact LaVerne Bennett at
503-838-0751. The group
would like to show around
50 quilts.
Early Deadlines!
Our office will be closed Monday, July 4 th 2016
in observance of Independence Day.
Deadlines:
147 SE Court Street, Dallas, Oregon 97338
503-623-2373 • FAX 503-623-2395
Paul Disney
Community Events . . .Thursday Noon
Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thursday Noon
Display Ads . . . . . . . . .Thursday 2 pm
Letters to Editor . . . . . . .Friday 10 am
Classified Display . . . . . .Friday 11 am
Classified Line Ads . . . . .Friday Noon
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . .Friday Noon
PHILIPPINE SEA — Seaman Paul Disney, of Dallas, re-
ceived the Sailor of the Day award from Capt. Greg Huff-
man, USS John C. Stennis’ (CVN 74) commanding officer,
and Command Master Chief Trenton Schmidt. Providing
a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-
Asia-Pacific, John C. Stennis is operating as part of the
Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet de-
ployment.
WEDDINGS
Jensen-Wilfahrt
Carsten Jensen, of Portland, and Sarah Wilfahrt, of Gre-
sham, were married on May 29 at World Forestry Center,
in Portland.
Sarah is the daughter of Pam and Jim Wilfahrt, of Salt
Lake City. She went to school at Park City High School in
Utah, and studied EMS Wilderness Rescue at the Univer-
sity of Utah.
Carsten is the son of Kathy and Chris Jensen, of Inde-
pendence. He graduated from Central High School, and
earned a bachelor’s in economics from the University of
Arizona.
Sarah works as an apprentice guide dog mobility in-
structor at Guide Dogs for the Blind, in Boring. Carsten
works as an information analyst at Kaiser Permanente, in
Portland.
The couple honeymooned on a raft trip in the Grand
Canyon. They make their home in Happy Valley.
BIRTHS
Pittman
Wesley David Pittman was born at 3:58 p.m. on June 19
to Andrea and Randy Pittman, of Monmouth, at his home
in Monmouth.
He weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 21 inches
long.
He joins Miyanna, 8, and Madeline, 5.
Grandparents are Jim and Anne Simila, of Monmouth,
and Nate and Debbie Pittman, of Cazenovia, N.Y.
Great-grandparents are Barbara Fleming, of West St.
Paul, Minn., and Margaret Pittman, of Fayetteville, N.Y.
Wellong
Eric Russell Wellong was born on June 19 to Rebekah
and Stephen Wellong, both of Salem, at Salem Family
Birth Center.
He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces.
Grandparents are Susan and Scott Roberts, and Kellie
Walker and Russell Walker.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Continued from page 8A
—
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6
• Monmouth Business Association — 7:30 a.m., Monmouth
Main Street Park Amphitheater. A meeting of business people,
the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce director,
and city officials. 503-751-0147.
• Indoor Play Park — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday
through Friday, First Presbyterian Church, 879 SW Levens St.,
Dallas. Drop-ins welcome. For ages infant through pre-K with
parent. Free, but donations accepted. 503-623-3397.
• 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.
• Senior meals, Dallas — 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday,
LaCreole Manor, 204 SW Walnut St., Dallas. Free, but $3 dona-
tion suggested. Reservations required. 503-623-6232.
• Senior meals, Monmouth — 11:30 a.m. Monday through
Friday, Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth.
Free, but $3 donation suggested. Reservations required. 503-
838-2084.
• Scrabble with Betty — 1 p.m., Independence Public Li-
brary, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. Scrabble games first
Wednesday of every month. Free; refreshments and prizes
available. 503-551-7687 or 503-838-1811.
• 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.
• Gentle Tai Chi Stand or Sit — 2 to 3 p.m., Dallas yoga and
Balance Studio, 115 Court Street, Dallas. Free. Slow body move-
ments for improved balance, agility, flexibility and meditation.
503-999-8016.
• Yarning for Others — 3 to 5 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal
Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. Knitters and crocheters
gather to make clothing and accessories for those in need on
the first Wednesday of every month. 503-689-7222.
• Music in the Park — 6:30 p.m., Main Street Park, Mon-
mouth. Ben Rice Blues Band. Free. www.ci.monmouth.or.us.
• 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.
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