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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 20, 2017)
Polk County Living Polk County Itemizer-Observer • September 20, 2017 7A EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer Amber Katausky and Willow Stewart, 8, work on stuffing a head for their scarecrow-witch on Monday. To build a scarecrow Independence library’s annual workshop filled with family fun By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer INDEPENDENCE — Families gathered in the In- dependence Public Library Monday night, bringing to life a scarecrow from a T- frame, newspaper and mis- cellaneous items. Children’s librarian Jo Hall calls them “the happy- go-lucky protectors of the garden.” “I have a lifelong love af- fair of scarecrows,” she said. “I started a scarecrow com- petition, because I like them and I think it’s a fun family thing to do.” One of the things Hall likes about building scare- crows is they can be made out of anything. As she handed the frames out to families, she cau- tioned, “They’re a little splintery.” To ensure no one got a splinter in their fingers, she suggested starting by wrap- ping the wooden frame in newspaper and masking tape. Amber Katausky and Wil- low Stewart, 8, got busy right away. The mother and daughter had seen the scarecrow- building workshop on the li- brary calendar last week- end, and Katausky prom- ised Willow they would come. “And I’m a big fan of fall,” Katausky added. “I love arts and crafts things,” Willow said. “I want to submit it into the compe- tition to see if we can win.” “I didn’t know there was a competition,” Katausky said. Hall gave directions to people as they arrived, “When you get the clothing on, you can stuff the cloth- ing.” Three generations worked two T-frames to create two different scarecrows. Patricia Lara and her mother, Donna Carlton, helped Jazmynne Lara, 5, create a pumpkin-headed, pompom-handed creation, while Patricia’s sister Stephanie Carlton helped Izaiah Hayward, 11, and Jesse Lara, 8, make their own unique scarecrow. EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer Join in the fun Jazmynne Lara, 5, holds her undressed scarecrow tightly as her aunt, Stephanie Carlton, fits a hat on its head. The scarecrow competition, in its 11th year, will continue despite the cancellation of the Hop & Heritage Festival. Bring entries to the Independence Public Library at 6 p.m. on Friday. If the weather is good, scarecrows will be dis- played outside in the hopyard, Hall said. If inclement, they will be displayed inside throughout the library. Judging will be Friday evening. Entries will be on display throughout the day Saturday. All entries must be picked up at the end of the day on Saturday. Categories: Best Dressed, Most Traditional, Largest Scare- crow, Smallest Scarecrow, Best Use of Recycled Material, Most Unusual, Best Family Entry, Best Business Entry, Best In- dividual Entry, Best Literary Character. “We raced down here,” Patricia said. “My kids want- ed to do it.” Patricia and Stephanie keep an eye on the library calendar, particularly during the school year, so they can take the family to events. “It’s a super cute idea,” Patricia said. The scarecrow Jazmynne, her mother and grand- mother were working on had no clothes — the table that had been filled with various items to create a scarecrow masterpiece when the workshop started was nearly empty by the time they were ready for that step. “What are we going to do with this?” Hall asked Jazmynne about her news- paper-wrapped wooden frame. “I was going to take it home and get some clothes for it,” Jazmynne replied. “You know, we can make a skirt out of newspaper,” Hall suggested. Donna Carlton began using burlap and creating a dress while Jazmynne grabbed the scissors. EMILY MENTZER/ Itemizer-Observer Izaiah Hayward, 11, takes a photo of Jesse Lara, 8, mod- eling potential scarecrow accessories. View this year’s Polk County Fair Results found at www.polkio.com Polk Veterinary Clinic 1590 E. Ellendale • Dallas Thanks to these sponsors A pet is a path to the heart Spays/Neuters Vaccines Surgery Dental Orthopedics Radiology g Boardin le b a il a v A Trina B. Brotherton, DVM 503 623-8318 www.polkvetclinic.com Mon-Fri 8:00-5:30 “Everything Old is New Again” FEED • PET • GARDEN 1313 Main Street, Dallas • 503 831-1222 • oldmillfeed.com
