Polk County Living
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 23, 2017 9A
Give bees a chance by knowing needs
Andony Melathopoulos is
out to bust some myths
about the 500 species of
bees living in Oregon, most
notably that most don’t
sting.
“I’ve been covered in
30,000 honey bees and did-
n’t get stung and I’m no-
body special,” said
Melathopoulos, a bee ex-
pert with Oregon State Uni-
versity Extension Service.
“The key message is that
most bees don’t sting.”
Honey bees do, but only
if their hive is disturbed or
they’re approached aggres-
sively. Of course, people
with allergies should rightly
be concerned and stay away
from hives.
Wasps and yellow jackets,
which sting without provo-
cation, can be controlled
with a variety of traps avail-
able at garden centers and
home supply stores. The
most effective traps use a
synthetic attractant to lure
yellow jackets into a trap.
Fruit juice or meat can be
used as attractants as well.
But there are hundreds of
native bees that live in the
ground and aren’t even rec-
ognized as bees. These soli-
tary insects come out to
pollinate and return to their
nests so quickly most peo-
ple never see them.
“There are a lot of bees in
K YM
P OKORNY
Your
Garden
the city that are solitary,”
Melathopoulos said. “They
have radically different
lifestyles than honey bees.
I’m struck by people who
want to save the bees who
don’t know this. They’ll see
an insect that looks like a fly
and not realize it needs your
help, too.”
Melathopoulos calls out
bumble bees – one of the
largest-sized bees in the
country – as a group to be
concerned about. Not as
much research has been
done compared to honey
bees, but there is evidence
of decline of some species,
and one bumblebee in the
Midwest has been relegated
to the endangered list.
“We have about 500
species of bees in Oregon
and we know that, of 30 or
so bumble bee species, a
handful are experiencing
declines,” he said. “But that
may just be the tip of the
iceberg since we have even
poorer information on the
remaining 470 or so
species.”
There’s good news,
though. Home gardeners,
whether they know it or not,
provide pollen and nectar
for pollinators simply by
planting a mixture of flow-
ering plants. In fact, it’s
been shown that cities pro-
vide better forage than bor-
dering agricultural land that
tends to be planted in large,
one-crop fields that may at-
tract only one or a few types
of bees.
“If you have diversity as
in many cities,”
Melathopoulos said,
“there’s an opportunity to
feed many mouths. You lay
out a smorgasboard for
everyone. So, the more
things you plant, the bet-
ter.”
There are three general
principals to attracting bees
to the garden.
Choose plants attractive
to bees. Walk through the
neighborhood to see what
they’re visiting. Many nurs-
eries have areas where they
display pollinator-friendly
plants. Check the many lists
available, including this one
by OSU Extension, and this
one by the Xerces Society,
as well as in newspaper and
magazine articles. Keep in
mind, not all flowers pro-
vide food for bees. Some
plants have been bred that
don’t provide nectar or
pollen. The rule of thumb is
that natives tend to be bet-
ter sources, but that doesn’t
mean there aren’t exotic
plants that offer food, also.
Rosemary or cherry laurel,
both bee magnets, are good
examples.
Plant in swaths. Planting
something is better than
nothing, but you’ll notice
that a single plant rarely has
pollinators visiting. “Bees
are economical,”
Melathopoulos said. “They
want to go to a big box
store. No mom-and-pop
stores for them.”
Have plants that bloom at
different times of year. In
spring in the Willamette
Valley, there’s a big burst of
cherries, maples, Oregon
grape and then ceanothus
and lupine come on, but
after that there are gaps. Pay
attention and fill in those
lulls with flowers.
Even if all you do is plant
a patch of pollinator plants,
you’re giving a hand to the
honey bees and native bees
living in your neighbor-
hood. And, as Melathopou-
los points out: “A lot of peo-
ple want a different aesthet-
ic,” he said. “There’s noth-
ing wrong with planting
plants that don’t attract
bees if you have a good per-
centage of bee-attractive
plants in among them. That
can be a stunning success.”
MI TOWN
Our football tickets ar-
rived in the mail this week
— and we’re anticipating
the Western Oregon Univer-
sity Wolves’ first home
game against Humboldt
State at McArthur Stadium
on Sept. 23. There are four
home games this year, and
we’re looking forward to
every single one of them.
It’s so much fun to walk the
few blocks from home, join-
ing students and neighbors
along the way, to share an
afternoon of football right
here in MI Town. Tickets
are available and prices are
reasonable. It’s a great way
for a family to support our
university without driving
out of town, fighting traffic
and searching for a parking
place.
—
Summertime and salsa
just seem to go together
well, and this evening’s
P ATTY
T AYLOR
D UTCHER
Columnist
Music in the Park Series fea-
tures Dina y los Rumberos
— a Cuban Salsa group.
Bring your family and
friends, a picnic blanket or
chairs and enjoy a great
evening from 6:30 to 8:30
p.m. There’s good food and
drink available for purchase
from various local vendors.
This is the next-to-last pro-
gram in the summer series,
and it’s free.
—
Western Oregon Univer-
sity Emeritus Society
sounds quite lofty and intel-
lectual to the ear, but the
group is certainly anything
but stuffy and boring. Mem-
bership is open to all mem-
bers of our communities,
and you don’t have to be a
former student or graduate
to join. The fee is reason-
able — $30 per year, which
goes to student scholar-
ships. This past year, $1,000
was awarded to three WOU
students. The group meets
the first Monday of every
month at 1:30 p.m. through
the academic year. Rex
Fuller, WOU president will
speak at the September
meeting, which will be on
Sept. 5 at 11:30 a.m., at Gen-
tle House on the campus.
This is a potluck gathering
to celebrate the new school
year. If you’d like more in-
formation about how to join
and become involved with
activities, field trips and
meet new friends, please
call Joan Scherf at 503-623-
3761.
—
World War II seems a mil-
lion years ago for many
people — but an interesting
and thought provoking dis-
play currently at the Inde-
pendence Civic Center will
bring some of that history to
life. Many younger people
aren’t familiar with the in-
ternment of Oregon resi-
dents of Japanese descent,
who were placed in deten-
tion camps, simply because
of their race and fears they
might be spies who would
harm our country following
the bombing of Pearl Har-
bor in 1941. There is no
charge to visit this exhibit,
which is open through Sept.
6. Visiting this display is an
opportunity to talk with
your family and friends
about discrimination and
share ideas — pro and con
— regarding immigration
and discrimination.
PEDEE NEWS
Albany has been working
for several years to create a
hand carved carousel on the
order of the one in Salem,
and as the Albany Historic
Carousel and Museum,
had their grand opening on
Aug. 15. Of note to us, Pedee
resident Jack Giles is the lead
carver for the project, work-
ing with experienced and
beginning carvers alike, who
learned the craft working
with him. There are 52 ani-
mals on the carousel, plus
they are working on five sea-
sonal animals. This stunning
carousel is worth a trip to Al-
bany for. Congratulate Jack
on his beautiful work while
you’re there, too, as his wife
Portia is very proud of him!
A RLENE
K OVASH
Columnist
—
Pedee showed up in force
at the Polk County Fair, with
many receiving special
awards. LaVerne Bennett
showed five quilts and re-
ceived three “Outstanding
Exhibit” awards. Shirley Mc-
Beth got five Outstanding
Exhibit awards for her pro-
duce, pickled beets, apple
pie, beaded jewelry, and a
beautiful wallinging she
made in a class at the
Women’s Club. In all, she re-
ceived 18 first place ribbons,
11 second place ribbons,
and 1 third place ribbon.
Diane Telfer entered four
quilts and two Christmas
stockings and received first
place in all, plus an Out-
standing Exhibit award. I en-
tered five large and small
quilts and my red appliquéd
quilt won the Judge’s Choice
award.
—
The kids did well, too.
Steve and Audrey’s grand-
daughter, Ana Barth, per-
formed five dances with the
France School of Dance
class, where she has been
taking lessons for several
years, plus she got blue rib-
bons on her sheep, rabbits,
chickens, sewing, canned
cherries, and art. She was
also the champion 4-H
sheep herdsman, as she was
diligent in keeping her ani-
mals neat and clean. She
also got an Outstanding Ex-
hibit award on a photo in the
13-17 age group in open
class, so will be entered in
the State Fair. Cliff and Anne
Bault’s son, Dawntae, en-
tered his horse in the 4-H di-
vision and got a blue ribbon
in ground training. He spent
the week before the fair at
Big Lake Youth Camp near
Sisters, so didn’t get his
usual cooking done for the
fair.
—
Kalina Brotherton is in the
Small Animal Express club.
She got blues on all three of
her chickens and a champi-
on ribbon for her picture of
frozen leaves. That picture
and another qualified for
state fair. She also got cham-
pion and reserve champion
on her quail. Leo Mellein was
the champion 4-H archer in
his division, and was only
beaten by senior Charley
Gilson overall. Allana Russell
raised a market hog for 4-H
and got a red ribbon on her
hog and a blue in showman-
ship and did very well in the
youth auction with it. All the
kids had a great time at the
fair and plan to be there next
year.
—
It was fun to see Linda
Chertudi at the fair with her
sisters, Pam Dalton and
Teresa Jahn Gitomer, who
was here from Charlotte,
NC, for her class reunion
and the Eclipse. Also, our
granddaughter Christina
Odell was working at the fair,
so we saw her around, too.
ANNIVERSARY
Gray - 65 years
Weston and Jeanne
Gray were married Aug.
23, 1952, in Des
Plaines, Illinois.
Weston served as a
Presbyterian minister
in Minnesota, Arizona,
New Zealand, Califor-
nia, and Idaho until he
retired in 1994.
Jeanne was a
chemist and home
maker.
They chose to retire
in Dallas, and have
lived here 23 years. They quickly became active in volun-
teer activities both in their church, First Presbyterian, and
the community. Weston volunteered in the Boy Scouts,
Kiwanis Club, Lion’s Club, Meals on Wheels, and the
American Red Cross. They both helped out at Dallas Food
Bank, as reading buddies, and in the their church in many
different capacities. They were honored as the Volunteer
Couple of the Year in Dallas. They enjoy bird watching,
camping, travelling and the beach.
Weston was an avid fisherman, and Jeanne enjoyed
knitting, sewing and cooking. They have three children.
John and his wife, LaRae, live in McGrath, Alaska. Their
daughter Kathy and Dave Dohner live in Fairbanks, Alas-
ka. Their son, Larry and his wife, Vonnie, live in Beatty,
Nevada.
They also have four grandchildren in Alaska and Ne-
vada. They live at Dallas Retirement Village — Weston in
Assisted Living and Jeanne in Memory Care.
They celebrated 65 years together on Aug. 13, 2017,
with an after-church party with out-of-town relatives
(Weston’s sister, Janice McKee from Texas, her son, wife
and their daughter from Illinois, and Weston’s brother
Bill and his wife from Chiloquin, as well as their daughter
from Alaska) and their church family.
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
These Polk County groups would welcome individuals
who have time or expertise to volunteer. Organizations
that would like to be added to this list should call 503-623-
2373 or email IOnews@polkio.com.
• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide – 503-930-7636
• After DARC — 503-623-9501
• American Cancer Society Road to Recovery
— 1-800-227-2345
• Arc of Polk County — 541-223-3261
• Ash Creek Arts Center – 971-599-3301
• Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of
Polk County Inc. — 503-623-8473
• Central School District — 503-838-0030
• City of Dallas — 503-831-3502
• City of Independence — 503-838-1212
• City of Monmouth — 503-751-0145
• Crime Victims Assistance Program — 503-623-9268
• Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce — 503-623-2564
• Dallas Fire Department — 503-831-3532
• Dallas Food Bank — 503-623-3578
• Dallas Kids, Inc. — 503-623-6419
• Dallas Police Department — 503-831-3582
• Dallas Public Library — 503-623-2633
• Dallas Retirement Village — 503-623-5581
• Dallas School District — 503-623-5594
• Delbert Hunter Arboretum — 503-623-7359
• Ella Curran Food Bank — 503-838-1276
• Falls City Arts Center — 503-559-6291
• Falls City School District — 503-787-3531
• Family Building Blocks – 503-566-2132, ext. 308.
• Friends of the Dallas Library — 503-559-3830
• Gentle House Gardens, Monmouth — 503-838-2995
• Girl Scouts of Southwest Washington and Oregon
— 1-800-338-5248
• H-2-O — 503-831-4736
HART (Horses Adaptive Riding and Therapy)
— 971-301-4278
• HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley — 503-363-1651
• Heron Pointe Assisted Living — 503-838-6850
• Independence Health and Rehabilitation
— 503-838-0001
• Independence Public Library — 503-838-1811
• Kings Valley Charter School — 541-929-2134
• Luckiamute Watershed Council — 503-837-0237
• Luckiamute Valley Charter School — 503-623-4837
• Meals on Wheels — 503-838-2084
• Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce
— 503-838-4268
• Monmouth-Independence YMCA — 503-838-4042
• Monmouth Public Library — 503-838-1932
• Northwest Human Services — 503-588-5828
• Oregon Child Development Coalition — 503-838-2745
• OSU Extension Service - Polk County — 503-623-8395
• Perrydale School District — 503-623-2040
• Polk Community Development Corporation
— 503-831-3173
• Polk County Community Emergency Response Team
— 503-623-9396
• Polk County Museum — 503-623-6251
• Polk County Public Health — 503-623-8175
• Polk County Resource Center — 503-623-8429
• Polk Soil and Water Conservation District
— 503-623-9680
• Relief Nursery Classroom — 503-566-2132
• SABLE House — 503-623-6703
• SALT (Sheriff’s Auxiliary & Law Enforcement Together)
— 503-851-9366
• Salvation Army — 503-798-4783
• SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) — 503-391-8423
• Salem Health West Valley Hospital — 503-623-8301
• Victim Assistance Program-Polk Co. District Attorney’s
Office — 503-623-9268 x1444
• Willamette Valley Hospice — 503-588-3600
• WIMPEG Community Access Television — 503-837-0163
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