Polk County News
2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 7, 2017
NEWS IN BRIEF
Pickleball at Tuesday on the Square
DallaS — Pickleball has around 2.5 million players with a
prediction of 8 million by the end of 2018, according to the Dal-
las Pickleball Club, who has players ranging in age from 17 to
77.
members of the club play mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
from 9 a.m. to noon, and Sunday and Tuesday evenings from
6:30 “until we can’t see the ball,” according to the release.
The club plays on the tennis courts at Roger Jordan Park in
front of the Dallas aquatic Center. all are welcome to join. mem-
bers will provide a paddle and instruction.
Tom Widden, a pickleball ambassador from Oregon, will be at
the club’s booth at the city of Dallas’ Tuesday on the Square
from 4 to 7 p.m. in downtown with information about pickleball.
There will be a demo court, plus a court for people to give
pickleball a try with paddles and balls provided.
Community ‘gathering’ at outdoor stage
EmIlY mEnTzER/Itemizer-Observer
Cub Scouts from Troop 38 say the Scout Oath and Law before the ribbon cutting of the new Little Free Library.
Cubs bring reading to Inspiration Garden
By Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
INDEPENDENCE — A
new structure graces the
grounds of the children’s
garden at the Inspiration
Garden at Mount Fir Park in
Independence.
It’s a Little Free Library
disguised as a fairy house,
not containing small,
winged residents, but in-
stead books that can take a
reader to magical places and
other worlds.
The newest little library in
Independence was dedicat-
ed on Friday evening by the
creators: The Pack 38 Cub
Scouts. The project was part
of the boys’ achievements
throughout the year.
“Generally we stick to
planting trees and cleaning
spaces, but this year we had
an idea that maybe we
would want to build a Little
Free Library,” said Den
Mother Abby Fitts. “One of
the Den moms, Tracy Swan-
borough, sort of took it and
went running with it.”
The boys, all first- and
EmIlY mEnTzER/Itemizer-Observer
Independence Mayor John McArdle selects a book.
second-graders, talked
about the values of reading,
Fitts said.
“Hearing the boys talk
about, from their own expe-
riences even as a second-
grader or first-grader, what
reading means: To learn, to
grow, or to have an idea, or
get lost in something for just
a little while, inspired me to
help inspire them,” she said.
The young Scouts let their
imaginations run wild with
the plans for the little library.
Initial design ideas included
a shoe, a log cabin, a
Pinewood Derby car, a snake
conveyer belt, and a little li-
brary at the top of a ladder
that people would have to
climb to get a book. Some of
the ideas — though creative
and fun — got stuck in figur-
ing out logistics.
“The boys came up with
all sorts of amazing ideas on
how to design this little li-
brary,” Fitts said. “Some had
dinosaurs pooping out
books. It was really creative,
but we went with a fairy
house.”
Independence Children’s
Librarian Jo Hall said it was
exquisite.
“They have one of my fa-
vorites, a big volume of Curi-
ous George,” Hall said.
Independence Mayor
John McArdle was on hand
to help with the ribbon cut-
ting ceremony.
“You helped make this the
heart of our community,”
McArdle said. “You know,
sometimes people say kids
can’t do anything. But I want
to tell you, look what you
guys have done. All of you
working together have pro-
vided a little library. You got
your moms and dads to
help — which is a good
thing, recruiting others to
help — and you planted
flowers. You’ve made a posi-
tive difference in the com-
munity both today and to-
morrow.”
mOnmOuTH — To celebrate another season of the Smith
Fine arts Series, the board has organized a community event,
“The Gathering,” from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Rice au-
ditorium outdoor stage.
If it rains, the event will be moved in the Pacific Room in the
Werner university Center.
The event is open to all students, faculty, staff and communi-
ty at-large, and will feature live performances from students and
community members, a wine pull, and food and beverages for
sale — including Van Duzer wine and Rogue beer.
“The Gathering” is not just to celebrate a successful Smith
Fine arts season, but also to showcase local talent, according to
a press release.
after the event, the final concert of the 2016-17 SFaS will fea-
ture Danilo Perez with the Western Hemisphere Orchestra. any
remaining tickets for the concert will be available for purchase
on a first-come, first-served basis.
Apply now to grow canola in 2018
POlK COunTY — The Oregon Department of agriculture is
accepting applications from those interested in growing canola
in the Willamette Valley for the 2018 growing season.
Information from the applications will be used to determine
allocation of 500 acres to be designated for canola production
in the Willamette Valley Protected District, as provided by
House Bill 3382a, passed in the 2015 Oregon legislative session.
Completed grower applications are due to ODa by June 15.
applications may be found at go.usa.gov/xnPmr, or by calling
503-986-4550.
Reunion planned for fire survivors
DallaS — a 30-year reunion is being planned for those who
remembered and survived the Praegitzer Industries’ fire.
The reunion will be held on aug. 12 and 13. a bring-your-
own picnic will be from noon until 4 p.m. on aug. 12 at Dallas
City Park on the new side of the park. a golf outing is planned
for aug. 12 at 10 a.m. at Cross Creek Golf Course, with room for
28 golfers.
a brunch at Eola Hills Winery will be held aug. 13 at 11 a.m.
For more information: eric.rogers1947@gmail.com.
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