Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 2017)
Polk County Social Polk County itemizer-Observer • September 13, 2017 9A Develop good habits from garden to table As more people pick up a hoe to grow their own pro- duce, food safety becomes a concern. “Most people can’t believe that their own habits could possibly be the source of problems and are not aware what habits can cause risk,” said Jeanne Brandt, a family and community health ex- pert with Oregon State Uni- versity Extension Service. “We only hear about wide- spread breakouts of food poisoning from commercial distribution. But what we do in the garden and kitchen can be problematic.” Brandt is not out to panic gardeners. But the risk is real, especially for children, the elderly, the sick and those with compromised immune systems. Reducing the chances of foodborne ill- ness means changing behav- ior, including better hygiene, keeping animals out of the garden and using well-rotted compost and manures. Sara Runkel, a food sys- tems coordinator with OSU Extension’s Small Farms program, explains that food- borne illnesses come from the digestive tracts of ani- mals and humans. She notes that once pathogens come in contact with produce, they’re difficult to kill, which Burns — 50th K YM P OKORNY Your Garden makes good garden prac- tices all the more important. Brandt and Runkel offer these recommendations: Attempt to find out how your garden site was used before you planted. Consid- er bringing in soil or using raised beds if you think the existing soil has been con- taminated. Use potable water if pos- sible. Runkel points out that municipal water has practi- cally no risk of carrying pathogens. Surface water has the highest risk. Well water — which should be tested once a year — falls in between. Wash hands and tools be- tween working in the soil and harvesting. Use separate clippers and gloves for harvesting and working in the soil. Don’t use dirty wheelbar- rows, buckets or other con- tainers for harvesting. Keep a clean container just for harvest. Keep animals out of the garden. Though this may be https://flic.kr/p/ydxtDs To reduce the risk of food poisoning, practice good habits in the garden such as using clean containers for harvest. a struggle, it’s important to eliminate feces. For small wildlife, clear debris from around the edge of the gar- den where they can hide. If possible, build a fence. If you make your own compost, the core tempera- ture must be maintained be- tween 131 and 170 degrees for at least 15 days, turning the pile five times, in order to kill pathogens. Bagged or commercial compost has been heat treated and is considered safe. If kitchen scraps are included in the compost pile, rats, raccoons and other wildlife will arrive for a meal. Barrel com- posters are good for keeping animals out. Don’t let chickens into the garden. Chicken manure is a great soil amendment, but like compost, must sit for 90 to 120 days before applying. Clean produce with cool, running water once you’ve brought it inside. MI TOWN P ATTY T AYLOR D UTCHER Columnist pus, when coach Arne Fer- guson and our Wolves will meet the Lumberjacks from Humboldt State University at 1 p.m. We’re looking for- ward to an exciting year of college football right here in MI Town and an opportunity to have a great time. WOU football is fun for the entire family, and an excellent way to support our community and to enjoy small college athletics. There is absolutely nothing better than a burger or a hot dog right off the grill, and a cold drink at a football game on a gorgeous fall af- ternoon. We’re fortunate to have university and high school athletic programs right in our communities, where everyone can have a good time, selecting from several sports on almost any given afternoon or evening, and cheer for their favorite team without driving for miles and miles, or paying for expen- sive tickets. Fall sports pro- grams are now in full swing and schedules are available on school web sites. — Monday marked the 16th anniversary of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, when thousands of people were killed or seriously in- jured when several terrorists hijacked airplanes, then crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and near a rural Pennsylva- nia farming community. Many people of a certain age recall President Kennedy’s assassination (Nov. 22, 1963) and the bombing of Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941), and remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the terrible news. Let us never forget Sept. 11, and honor all who gave their lives as well as those brave men and women who are fighting for freedom half a world away. — If your backyard garden is worn and weary and has nearly succumbed to this summer’s heat wave, all is not lost. The Independence Riverview Farmer’s Market is now open on Tuesday after- noons from 2 to 7 p.m., as well as Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Many vendors have a variety of good things for sale. Bob and Georgeann Burns w i l l c e l e b ra t e their 50th wed- ding anniversary on Sept. 16, 2017. A celebration will be held on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the cou- ple’s home. Bob and Georgeann mar- ried in Shell Beach, Calif. in 1976. They lived in Pennsylvania and California before moving to Dallas in 1981. Bob spent many years as a cable television technician and now works at Walmart building bicycles and furni- ture. He also plays Santa Claus at Christmas, sporting his own snowy, white beard. Georgeann has worked at Grandma’s Attic Sewing Emporium since it opened. She spends the majority of her free time with her grandchil- dren. Their family includes daughter and son-in-law, Kin and Lonnie Thurston, of Salem, and son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Amber Burns, of Perrydale. The couple also has 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Continued from page 8A — TUESDAY, SEPT. 19 • Dallas Wingdingers RC Flying Club — 7 p.m., Whitworth Elementary School library, 1151 SE Miller Ave., Dallas. 503-623- 7288. • Polk County Coin Club — 7 p.m., Monmouth Senior Cen- ter, 180 Warren St. S., Monmouth. 503-362-9123. • 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. • Independence Riverview Market — 2 to 7 p.m., riverview Park and Amphitheater, 50 C St., independence. 503-910-8193. — WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20 • 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. • Day-2-Day Diabetes Support Group — 3 to 4 p.m., Salem Health West Valley (main conference room inside main en- trance), 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. 503-623-7323. • Pickleball — 9 a.m. to noon, roger Jordan Community Park. Meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. Karen Freeman, 503-871-4172. Matinees are all shows before 6pm. New pricing for matinees are: Adult $8.00 Children $7.00 • Senior $7.25 Pricing does not reflect 3D showings. Friday - Saturday • September 15 - 16 HITMAN’S BODYGUARD (Digital) (R) HOME AGAIN (Digital) (PG13) MOTHER! (Digital) (R) IT (Digital) (R) IT (Digital) (R) LEAP (Digital) (PG) WIND RIVER (Digital) (R) ALL SAINTS (Digital) (PG) WONDER WOMAN (Digital) (PG13) AMERICAN ASSASSIN (Digital) (R) (1:40 4:15) (12:05 2:30 4:55) (1:35 4:20) (1:00 4:00) (11:45 2:00 4:15) (1:45 4:15) (1:10) (3:45) (1:50 4:30) 6:55 9:35 7:20 9:45 7:05 9:50 6:30 7:00 9:30 10:00 6:50 6:45 9:20 7:10 9:20 9:45 6:55 7:20 7:05 6:30 7:00 Sunday • September 17 HITMAN’S BODYGUARD (Digital) (R) HOME AGAIN (Digital) (PG13) MOTHER! (Digital) (R) IT (Digital) (R) LEAP (Digital) (PG) WIND RIVER (Digital) (R) ALL SAINTS (Digital) (PG) WONDER WOMAN (Digital) (PG13) AMERICAN ASSASSIN (Digital) (R) (1:40 4:15) (12:05 2:30 4:55) (1:35 4:20) (1:00 4:00) (11:45 2:00 4:15) (1:45 4:15) (1:10) (3:45) (1:50 4:30) 6:50 6:45 7:10 Monday - Thursday • September 18 - 21 HITMAN’S BODYGUARD (Digital) (R) HOME AGAIN (Digital) (PG13) MOTHER! (Digital) (R) IT (Digital) (R) LEAP (Digital) (PG) WIND RIVER (Digital) (R) ALL SAINTS (Digital) (PG) WONDER WOMAN (Digital) (PG13) AMERICAN ASSASSIN (Digital) (R) (1:40 4:15) (2:30 4:55) (1:35 4:20) (1:00 4:00) (2:00 4:15) (1:45 4:15) (1:10) (3:45) (1:50 4:30) 6:55 7:20 7:05 6:30 7:00 6:50 6:45 7:10 www.polkio.com As deadline for this week’s Itemizer-Observer ap- proached last weekend, everyone was so concerned about the forest fires all over Oregon and in many west- ern states as well. Let’s hope the promised rains have happened and those brave women and men working so hard to protect our forests, homes and businesses have been able to get some much- needed rest and relaxation. — Our Western Oregon Uni- versity Wolves have played football at Idaho State and Central Washington, and this Saturday they will be at Western New Mexico this week, so we haven’t had the opportunity to see any games this season. Sept. 23 begins another wonderful home season of football at McArthur Field on the West- ern Oregon University cam- ANNIVERSARY Pencil us in! www.polkio.com Call us. The Itemizer Observer can help you expand your market share, and make your business more profitable. Call Heidi, Rachel or Karen at 503-623-2373. ADVERTISING THAT WORKS.
