Polk County Living
7A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 28, 2016
COMMUNITY NOTEBOOK
Lions Club to
provide breakfast
Library to put on
puppet show
Central’s Lion Club will
provide a free New Year’s
Day breakfast Sunday from
8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Mon-
mouth Senior Center, 180 S.
Warren St., Monmouth.
Donations will be ac-
cepted.
Monmouth Public Li-
brary, 168 Ecols Street S.,
Monmouth, will host the
Gingerbread Man puppet
show Thursday at 10:30
a.m.
The mini-musical will
feature a modern twist on
the folktale.
For more information:
503-838-1932.
Arena to host New
Year’s Eve bash
Arena Sports Bar, 174
Main St., Independence,
will hold a New Year Eve’s
Bash Saturday at 8 p.m.
A complimentary cham-
pagne toast will be avail-
able as they usher in the
new year.
For more information:
503-838-0054.
Scrabble with Betty
at McDonalds
Scrabble with Betty
will take place Jan. 4,
2017, at 1 p.m. at Inde-
pendence Public Library,
175 Monmouth St., Inde-
pendence.
Scrabble with Betty takes
place the first Wednesday
of the month.
For more information:
503-838-1811.
Nominations for
diamond due Jan. 6
Nominations for the 60th
annual Dallas community
awards ceremony are being
accepted through Jan. 6,
2017.
Nominations may be
submitted online at
www.dallasoregoncham-
ber.org/awards.
Flea Market set for
New Year’s Sunday
Ring in the new year by
finding a treasure at the
Polk County Flea Market at
the Polk County Fair-
grounds, 520 S. Pacific
Highway, Rickreall.
The market will run from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is $1. Early
admission from 6 to 9 a.m.
is $5.
For more information:
503-428-8224.
Master Gardeners
accepting apps
Polk County Master Gar-
deners are accepting appli-
cations for training through
Jan. 6, 2017.
Classes will run Wednes-
days from Jan. 11, 2017,
through March 22, 2017,
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost is $100 or $250.
For additonal informa-
tion please call 503-623-
8395.
LIBRARY CALENDAR
DALLAS
950 Main St.
503-623-2633
www.ci.dallas.or.us/library
• Wednesday, Dec. 28, 4 p.m. — Kid’s
Book Club (“Lowly Order of the Worms”).
• Thursday, Dec. 29, 10:30 a.m. — Chil-
dren’s Story Time.
• Tuesday, Jan. 3, 7 p.m. — Friends of
the Library meeting.
• Wednesday, Jan. 4, 4 p.m. — PAWS to
READ (Percy).
• Wednesday, Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m. —
Ukelele Fans of Dallas.
—
INDEPENDENCE
175 Monmouth St.
503-838-1811
www.ci.independence.or.us/library
• Wednesday, Dec. 28, 10:30 a.m. —
Family Story Time.
• Wednesday, Dec. 28, 3 p.m. — Wacky
Wednesdays (Make some New Year’s fun).
• Friday, Dec. 30, 3 p.m. — Teen Color-
ing and Craft Club.
• Tuesday, Jan. 3, 5:30 p.m. — Cuentos
en Español.
• Wednesday, Jan. 4, 10:30 a.m. — Fami-
ly Story Time.
• Wednesday, Jan. 4, 1 p.m. — Scrabble
with Betty.
—
MONMOUTH
168 S. Ecols St.
503-751-0182
www.ci.monmouth.or.us/library
• Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m. — Movie
(“The BFG”).
• Thursday, Dec. 29, 10:30 a.m. — Pup-
pet show (The Gingerbread Man).
—
WAGNER COMMUNITY LIBRARY
111 N. Main St., Falls City
503-787-3521, ext. 319
www.facebook.com/
WagnerCommunityLibrary/timeline
• See the library’s Facebook page for up-
coming events.
MI TOWN
The beautiful Christmas
carols have taken flight
from the airwaves and all
the department stores for
another year, we’re finishing
up the last of the cookies
and candy and writing
thank-you notes, sorting the
pretty wrapping papers for
recycling and taking time to
reflect upon all the good-
ness and blessings of the
season.
—
It’s still a few days before
we make those new year’s
resolutions, school days
don’t begin for another week
or so, and work schedules
for many people aren’t quite
a hassle until after the first
of the year. Between putting
away new gifts and trying to
keep the cats from drinking
the water from the tree
stand, how about taking
P ATTY
T AYLOR
Columnist
D
UTCHER
some time to open a new
book and relax with a cup of
tea while the rest of the
world goes by. If Santa didn’t
bring any books to your
house this year, either of MI
Town’s libraries are well-
stocked with books and cds.
A quick trip around the cor-
ner or down the street can
make that happen.
—
We’ll welcome 2017 on
Saturday night/Sunday
morning and bid a fond
farewell to this past year. At
our house, we’ll celebrate at
9 p.m. (midnight, eastern
time) via television, with
those gathering in Central
Park in New York. We hope
you enjoy ringing in the new
year whether it’s at a large
hosted party, with family
and a few good friends, or in
peaceful solitude. Let’s all be
mindful of the weather and
road conditions, and if cele-
brating with adult bever-
ages, choosing a designated
driver to get everyone home
safely.
—
Last year, we looked in the
back of the pantry and re-
trieved one of those old half-
gallon canning jars with a
zinc lid. It’s been sitting on
the dry sink in the corner of
the dining room since New
Year’s Eve, and we have oc-
casionally put in little notes
whenever something good
happens. It can be anything
from enjoying a visit from a
friend to finding $1 on the
sidewalk or having someone
special give you a hug;
mostly spontaneous things
that put a smile on our faces
at the time. On New Year’s
Day, we’ll open the jar to re-
flect over the events of last
year. Hopefully, it will be the
beginning of a new tradition
for us, and we can reminisce
about how the little things
can be far more meaningful
than the big things.
—
As we count down the last
few days until 2017, let us all
resolve to do whatever we
can to make the new year
our best year ever. Let’s put
aside differences and em-
brace the good things in our
lives and the lives of those
we love.
PEDEE NEWS
Nola Womer’s place has
been sold so we now have
new neighbors, Mike and
Kim Heggen, of Salem.
Mike has been working
every day to make the
house “bachelor habitable”
and has moved in with his
farmhands, James and
Draven, and then Kim will
live in Salem until it is ac-
tually inhabitable (by wife
standards).
—
Mike had just learned
that last Monday marked
six years to the day since
Nola Womer died. He of
course had never met
Nola, but thinks of her
every day — the plastic
A RLENE
K OVASH
Columnist
flowers out front, the stash
of bobby pins that her
cat(s) batted under the
linoleum in her bedroom,
and so many other little
things around there brings
her to mind.
—
Cindy Clark flew to Alaska
last Wednesday to see 6-
year-old granddaughter
Saoirse skate in a figure
skating show along with 11
other 6 year olds, and 63
other acts. It was a quick
trip, but so nice to see both
Saoirse and 10-year-old
grandson Spike, as well as
son Hans and his wife An-
drea. Cindy spent most of
September and October
with her 90-year-old moth-
er, Naomi, in Sacramento,
who needs lots of help at
this point.
—
Pedee Church is hosting
Dave Ramsey’s Financial
Peace University classes for
anyone who would like to
come. There will be a pre-
view meeting on Jan. 19 at
7 p.m. at the church. Class-
es will start on Feb. 2, 7 to
8:30 p.m., and will run for
nine weeks. Call the church
or come to the preview
night if you have questions.
Or you can look up Finan-
cial Peace University on-
line.
This is a very effective
worldwide program for get-
ting your finances in hand,
or just to improve your un-
derstanding of home fi-
nances from budgeting to
insurance and everything
in between.
Their figures show that
the average family has an
$8,000 turnaround in just
90 days from the start of
the series.
IMAGINE Our Communities
without our LOCAL NEWSPAPER!
Thank the businesses who advertise
in the Itemizer-Observer.
without them...
AAAAAH!
Interested in
advertising?
Call 503-623-2373
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Community Calendar is a listing of upcoming events
taking place in Polk County that are open to the pub-
lic. To submit an event for calendar consideration,
please send it at least two weeks before the actual
event date to the Itemizer-Observer via email
(ionews@polkio.com).
—
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28
• 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.
• 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.
• Painting, Canvas and Cocktails — 7 p.m., The Boondocks,
318 N. Main St. Fall City. All supplies, paint, canvas and instruc-
tion provided. No experience necessary. $30, snack and cocktail
included. 503-787-2700.
• Brew and BS: The New Testament — 7 p.m., St. Thomas
Episcopal Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. A lecture series on
New Testament figures. Bring brew of choice — coffee, tea,
chai, beer, wine, cider. 435-503-4304.
—
THURSDAY, DEC. 29
• Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club — Noon, First
Baptist Church, 1505 Monmouth St., Independence. Visiting Ro-
tarians, guests and prospective Rotarians are welcome to these
luncheon meetings. Free. 503-838-4884.
• James2 Community Kitchen Meal — 4:30 to 6 p.m., Dallas
United Methodist Church, 565 SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas. Free;
everyone welcome. 503-623-8429.
—
FRIDAY, DEC. 30
• Take Off Pounds Sensibly Club Meeting — 9:45 to 11 a.m.
Church of Christ, 127 Heffley St. N., Monmouth. First meeting is
free. 503-930-7936.
• Altered Attitudes Alcoholics Anonymous — Noon, Dallas
United Methodist Church, 565 SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas. 503-
399-0599.
• Guthrie Park Acoustic Music Jam Session — 6:30 to 10
p.m., Guthrie Park Community Center, 4320 Kings Valley High-
way, Dallas. Free (donations accepted). 503-623-0809.
—
SATURDAY, DEC. 31
• Polk Community Free Clinic — 7 to 11 a.m., Trinity Luther-
an Church, 320 SE Fir Villa Road, Dallas. Free medical and men-
tal health care for uninsured and underinsured. Held on the first
and fourth Saturday of the month. 503-990-8772.
—
SUNDAY, JAN. 1
• Polk Flea Market — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Polk County Fair-
grounds, 520 S. Pacific Highway (99W), Rickreall. Admission: $1;
children 12 and younger, free. Early admission from 6 to 9 a.m.
is $5. 503-428-8224.
—
MONDAY, JAN. 2
• Relatives as Parents Support Group — 10:30 a.m. to 12:30
p.m., St. Patrick Parish (Annex), 1265 E St., Independence. Sup-
port and education for grandparents raising grandchildren or
other relatives. Meets first Monday of the month. Free, drop-ins
OK. Coffee and refreshments provided. 503-606-7620.
• Central Lions Club — Noon, Independence Elks Lodge
1950 Dining Room, 289 S. Main St., Independence. 503-606-2150.
• Willamette Valley New Horizons Orchestra — 6:30 to
8:30 p.m., Monmouth Senior Center, 180 Warren St. S., Mon-
mouth. Local orchestra for beginning through intermediate
musicians. Meets every Monday. Players of all levels welcome.
$25 monthly fee to cover expenses. 503-838-4884.
—
TUESDAY, JAN. 3
• Indoor Play Park — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., First Presbyte-
rian Church, 879 SW Levens St., Dallas. Open to children pre-
kindergarten and younger with parent/adult. Tuesdays through
Fridays. Free.
• James2 Community Kitchen Meal — 4:30 to 6 p.m., St.
Philip Catholic Church, 825 SW Mill St., Dallas. Free; everyone
welcome. 503-623-8429.
• Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Club — 6 to 7 p.m.
weigh-in, 7 to 8 p.m. meeting, First Christian Church basement,
1079 SE Jefferson St., Dallas. Meetings offer programs and activi-
ties aimed at losing weight. Open to anyone. First meeting is free.
• Overeaters Anonymous — Noon to 1 p.m., Salem Health
West Valley, 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. Support group
meets in the quiet room/chapel immediately inside the emer-
gency entrance on Clay Street. Dee Ann White, 971-718-6444.
—
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4
• Monmouth Business Association — 7:30 a.m., Burgerville.
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.
• 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.
• Brew and BS: The New Testament — 7 p.m., St. Thomas
Episcopal Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. A lecture series on
New Testament figures. Bring brew of choice — coffee, tea,
chai, beer, wine, cider. 435-503-4304.