Polk County
Living
Polk County itemizer-Observer • October 26, 2016 10A
Happy
Halloween!
Emily mEntzEr/itemizer-Observer
This jack-o-lantern-snowman was one of the entrants
into the inaugural pumpkin gallery at the Independence
Riverview Market on Saturday.
Emily mEntzEr/itemizer-Observer
Dylan Bermudez, 4, carves a pumpkin under the watchful eye of his grandmother, Malinda, on Saturday.
Pumpkins: Seeds for giant variety cost $200
Continued from Page 1A
Yep, Marshall, who is from
Washington, intended to float in a
hollowed-out pumpkin for longer
than the record of eight miles. She
embarked on the journey on Oct.
9 on the Cowlitz River near
Longview, Wash.
The seed for her river adventure
vessel was planted months be-
fore — and really, Hendersen’s
knack for raising giants began
many years before that.
“The first year was a friendly com-
petition with a neighbor,” Hendersen
explained. “It’s become a hobby.”
Growing ginormous pumpkins
isn’t just about putting the
seeds — worth $200 to $300
apiece — in the dirt and adding
water and fertilizer.
Hendersen said the soil in the
patch needs to contain the correct
nutrients and the amount of water
should be managed.
Everything needs to be perfectly
balanced to prevent the fast-grow-
ing pumpkins from splitting, a sig-
nificant risk when at the peak of
the season they gain 30 to 50
pounds per day.
“I’ve had some really good ones
that have split halfway through
the season,” Hendersen said.
Then there’s the thing that every
farmer worries about — the weather.
This season, with warm days
and cooler nights, was not ideal
for growing record-breaking
pumpkins, Hendersen said.
He gave his pumpkin patch a
break for the 2015, and has been
kicking himself because the long,
warm summer last year created “a
perfect storm” for raising giants.
The pumpkin sabbatical had
him eager to get growing again
this year, which worked not only
in his favor, but Marshall’s too.
She shattered the previous
record on Oct. 9, floating an in-
credible 15 miles in the pumpkin
grown right here in Polk County.
Hendersen is eager to introduce
others to his hobby, freely willing
to part with advice and something
much more valuable.
“I would even offer a free seed
to anyone who was interested,” he
said.
Halloween Happenings
Senior Center to host Halloween party
Dallas Senior Center, 955 SE Jefferson St., Dallas, will host a
Halloween party monday from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $5.
the party will feature music, a costume contest, bingo and
surprise events.
Halloween block party Saturday
independence Grill’s Studio 154 and Arena Sports Bar and
Grill will put on a Halloween block party Saturday at 8 p.m. at
both venues.
the party is open to people ages 21 and older. Costumes are
required.
Prizes will be awarded at 10:30 p.m.
music will be provided by DJ Doc titus. DJ cover will be
waived for the event.
Main Street Singers Monster Mash
cabaret Friday and Saturday
Costumes are encouraged, and everyone wearing a costume
will win a prize.
there is no cost to attend. Public is invited to bring a snack to
share.
For more information: michele Campione, 503-507-5240.
Trick N Treat Monday at Morrison
morrison Campus, in partnership with Dallas Chamber of
Commerce, will hold a Halloween trick n treat event monday
from 3 to 6 p.m. at morrison, 1251 main St., Dallas.
local chamber businesses will have booths set up with
games and hand out candy.
morrison students will decorate the school’s entryway and
gym.
there is no cost to attend.
For more information: Charlotte Vidrio,
Charlotte.Vidrio@dsd2.org.
WOU celebrates Dia de los Muertos
Central High School’s main Street singers invite the public to
the monster mash dessert cabaret Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Cost is $10 for adults and $8 for students (high school and
younger). Premium tables can be reserved for $90 and include
eight tickets.
A silent and oral auction will be available along with a raffle.
Western Oregon University will celebrate Dia de los muertos
Wednesday (today) through nov. 2 at the Werner University
Center. the festivities culminate on nov. 2 with face painting,
sugar skulls, hot chocolate and pan dulce from 11 a.m. to 2
p.m.
the evening events begin at 6 p.m. in the Columbia room at
WUC and will include a guest speaker, costume contest,
tamales, hot chocolate and pan dulce.
Chamber to host Spooktacular Bingo
Indy library offers Halloween Spectacular
the monmouth-independence Chamber of Commerce will
host Spooktacular Bingo at the monmouth-independence
ymCA, 301 S. main St., independence, Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Cost is $1 per bingo card or $10 for 12 cards.
the event is open to people of all ages.
For more information: www.micc-or.org.
independence library, 175 monmouth St., will host a Hal-
loween Spectacular monday from 4 to 6 p.m. Children are invit-
ed to come and decorate trick-or-treat bags before heading
downtown to trick-or-treat at various businesses.
For more information: 503-
838-1811.
DRV to host trick-or-treat
Friends and family of residents and staff at Dallas retirement
Village may bring your costumed children to trick-or-treat with
residents from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on monday.
little ghouls and goblins may come to any of the three lob-
bies on campus: health care, assisted and independent living.
Each will have residents eagerly awaiting them. Crafts will be
available. DrV is at 340 nW Brentwood Ave., Dallas.
Trinity Lutheran to host Halloween party
trinity lutheran Church, 320 SE Fir Villa road, Dallas, will host
a Halloween party Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. the public is invited
and there is no cost to attend. the party will feature candy,
games, a costume contest and bingo for adults. A worship serv-
ice will follow at 6 for those who wish to participate.
Valley Life Center Carnival Monday
Valley life Center, 1795 SE miller Ave., Dallas, will hold its
Community Carnival monday from 6 to 8 p.m. there is no cost to
attend. the carnival will feature candy, games, pony rides, inflat-
ables and hay rides (weather permitting). the carnival is aimed
at children in fifth grade and younger.
For more information: www.valleylifecenter.com.
Kings Valley Harvest Carnival on Friday
Kings Valley Charter School will hold its annual Harvest Carni-
val Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. trunk-or-treat will take place from 6
to 6:45 p.m. Free popcorn and lemonade will be available.
A dinner will be available as a fundraiser for high school stu-
dents. For more information: 541-929-2134.
Monmouth Library to offer tricks, treats Aquatic Center to extend rec
monmouth Public library, 168 Ecols St. S., monmouth, will
host Halloween tricks and treats monday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. swim
Families are invited to stop by for games, treats and crafts. there
is no cost to attend.
the monmouth Police Department will hand out candy.
Costume Ball set for Sunday
maxine’s Ballroom, 128 C St., independence, will host a cos-
tume ball Sunday from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome. Cost is $10. live music will be per-
formed by Swing and a mS.
trophies will be awarded for best costume.
For more information: www.maxinesballroom.com.
Central FFA Haunted Caves return
Central FFA’s Haunted Caves return Friday, Saturday and
monday from 7 to 10 p.m. in the lower ag shop at Central High
School. Cost is $4. Suitable for all ages.
Monster Mash music jam set Thursday
the Dallas Area Senior’s 10th Annual Halloween music Jam
returns thursday at 6:30 p.m.
All area singers and musicians are invited to come and play.
in lieu of the Annual Captain Jack event,
Dallas Aquatic Center, 1005 SE laCreole
Drive, Dallas, will offer an extended
recreational swim period Satur-
day from 6 to 9 p.m.
Howl @ the Moon
returns to Pressed
ready for a “scaryoke” contest? that is
just part of the fun at Pressed Coffee &
Wine Bar’s “Howl @ the moon” party on
Saturday.
the Dallas bar, 788 main St., will cele-
brate the occasion with karaoke renditions
of scary songs, a costume contest, “mon-
sters’ bash” late night karaoke dance party,
spooky giveaways, creepy drinks and Scooby
snacks.
those younger than 21 are welcome until 10
p.m. the party will continue until 2 a.m. for those 21
and older. For more information: 503-751-1666.
• Bring a flashlight • Wear bright colors • Don’t accept unwrapped candy
• Carry a cellphone
• Plan your trick-or-treat route
• Trick-or-treat with friends
• Make sure you can see through masks
• Don’t enter someone’s home
• Do not approach strange vehicles