Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current, December 27, 2017, Image 6

Polk County itemizer observer., December 27, 2017, Page 6A, Image 6

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Newspaper Page TextPolk County Social 6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 27, 2017 Winter-blooming plants brighten dark days In January and February, the flowers of winter arrive, blooming as cheerfully as the showoffs of spring. “One of the coolest things about gardening in the Pa- cific Northwest is winter gardens,” said Neil Bell, a horticulturist with Oregon State University’s Extension Service. “Spring is over- whelming with flowers, but in winter it’s surprising. It’s nice to see something that’s so unexpected. And then there’s the scent; such an enjoyable thing.” One of the showiest of the cold-weather shrubs is Ma- honia ‘Charity,’ a relative of native Oregon grape with bountiful spikes of yellow blooms. The large evergreen leaves give the plant a tropi- cal look and make it a stand- out yearround. Snow is no deterrent for this easy-care, 10-foot shrub that will take t e m p e ra t u re s d ow n t o minus 5. A bonus is the mul- titude of blue berries. For those who are only fa- miliar with camellias that bloom in spring, Camellia sasanqua will come as a pleasant surprise, Bell said. Blooming right smack in the middle of winter, this 8-foot camellia doesn’t get the mushy, brown flowers some hybrids display. White- blooming ‘Setsugekka’ is easily found, as is ‘Yuletide,’ the most popular of the Camellia sasanqua with its Santa Claus-red flowers dec- orated with prominent puffs of yellow stamens that pro- K YM P OKORNY Wild Women calls for artists Your Garden vide sustenance for over- wintering Anna humming- birds. In the darkest part of the year — sometimes before Christmas — the vanilla per- fume of sweetbox hovers on the air. The small white flowers aren’t a big deal, but the scent more than makes up for that. The shiny, dark green foliage is similar to its relative the boxwood and useful as a hedge or back- drop for colorful perennials and annuals in other sea- sons. Several species are on the market, most commonly Sarcococca ruscifolia and S. confusa, both topping out at 5 feet. They’ll take tempera- tures down to around 5 de- grees and grow happily in shady, dry areas of the gar- den, where most other plants turn up their toes. Bell mentions Grevillea victorae, one of his favorite winter-blooming plants. The 8-foot tall and wide ever- green shrub with small gray leaves and stems can bloom September through April once it gets established. The unusual red-orange flowers emerge from rust orange buds making it a standout in the garden. It’s attractive to hummingbirds and bees. Blooming December httpsﬂic.krpD49CPZ Mahonia ‘Charity’ through March, two months earlier than the Oregon na- tive flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum), is the chapar- ral currant (R. malvaceum) of the California coastal ranges. The 5-foot shrub attracts hummingbirds that will sip the nectar and forage for bugs among downward-fac- ing pink flowers. Because the foliage is aromatic, many gar- deners will be happy to know that deer will typically leave chaparral currant alone. Bell can’t finish his list without mentioning native silk tassel (Garrya elliptica). There’s no missing the water- fall of catkins dangling in long chains of 6 inches or more. The large shrub can grow up to 12 feet tall and wide, has glossy green leaves with white undersides and is drought tolerant. These six shrubs, all of which are hardy down to about 5 degrees, are on Bell’s short list. Others worth re- searching, he said, are witch hazel (Hamamelis), winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflo- rum), ‘Dawn’ viburnum, win- tersweet (Chimonanthus) and Harry Lauder’s walking stick (Corylus avellana ‘Con- torta’). “Having color in the gar- den in winter is not that hard to do,” Bell said. “Once you’re aware of the possibilities, it’s just a matter of planting the right plants.” MI TOWN The beautiful Christmas carols and other seasonal tunes have taken flight from the airwaves and it’s some- what bittersweet to say good-bye to music that helped transform the dark and rainy days in this wintry season. One moment, we’re sharing good times and making happy memories — and it seems like in the blink of an eye, we’re back to our usual routines like work and school and other responsi- bilities. Let’s hope the Christ- mas season lingers in our hearts throughout the next several weeks and we can look back and enjoy those special times long after the thank you notes have been written and the decorations have been put away. — I’m beginning 2018 with a P ATTY T AYLOR D UTCHER Columnist heart full of gratitude for the return of strength and ener- gy following surgery just a couple weeks ago. The words, “you are free from cancer,” are almost as beau- tiful as, “I’ll love you forever and a week,” a phrase I never tire of hearing even after 36 years. I hope that all young women will do breast self-exams every month, and that all women over 40 will have a mammogram every year. Medical research is the key to a cure, and we are so fortunate to live longer and better lives as a result. — With the New Year just right around the corner, it’s time to think about making resolutions — something most of us do as a matter of habit — or having thoughts about making positive changes in ourselves and our lives. It seems like we all plan to lose 20 pounds and love our enemies and be one with nature and the world, at least for a couple of days or so. Then reality rushes in and most of the unrealistic expectations disappear as quickly as they arrived. Wouldn’t be great if we could make some positive resolu- tions everyone can all live with — and enjoy the good results — in the coming year. — Take the time to clean out the closets and drawers filled with all the things you don’t wear and haven’t used in awhile. There are many organizations that provide families and individuals with much-needed clothing and household items, and they are a phone call or a quick stop away. While you’re at it, look through the cans of food in your pantry and see what you can take to the Ella Curran Food Bank to share with others. — Our Central Lions Club invites all MI Town seniors — and family members — to begin the New Year with a complimentary breakfast at the Monmouth Senior Cen- ter on Jan. 1 beginning at 8:30 a.m. What a great way to begin 2018. Happy New Year everyone. PEDEE NEWS The Women’s Club met at Mel and Marguerite Nice’s home in McMinnville today for a Christmas potluck. Twenty-six of us were there, including Pedee neighbors Darrel and Shirley McBeth, Ted and Ethelene Osgood, June Clark, Pete and LaV- erne Bennett, Linda Chertu- di, Alberta Jones, and me. Pam Burkhalter’s husband Art had taken a picture of the women a few weeks ago to include in the boxes they send to soldiers. He’s an ex- pert at PhotoShop, and so was able to insert five mem- bers into the photo who were not in the original. Of course, after the potluck June and I checked out A RLENE K OVASH Columnist Boersma’s quilt shop in McMinnville. — Steve and Audrey Cameron were delighted to welcome son Bob and his wife and three youngest children, Maime, Bobby, and Zoey, who came from Rochester, N.Y., to spend Christmas with them. Over Thanksgiving lots of family came, and many will join them again for Christmas. Son Clayton and Jennifer, and son Noah, came from Andersen, Calif., to visit, and son James and Eleana were there from Milwaukie for Thanksgiving, as well as Xiao Hong and Natasha Cameron from Astoria, and Stephanie and Stephen Barth and daughter Ana from up the road. Stephen Barth had a stroke recently, but was out of the hospital for Thanksgiving and is im- proving each day. Audrey’s sister Susan Mahoney and son John, and his daughter Liz, visited from Isaqua, Wash., and John enter- tained the family with his wonderful bluegrass music. — The neighbors of Pedee Creek Road gathered at our home last week for a Christ- mas potluck, and pretty close to everyone was there. It was a good chance to get better acquainted with rela- tively new neighbors Mike and Kim Heggen, Kim’s brother Mark and their em- ployees James and Draven, all who live in Nola Womer’s old home, and Liz Edwards, who lives near Judy Guida. I recommend getting togeth- er with neighbors this way to forge close-by friend- ships; otherwise, who do you run to for help or to bor- row a cup of sugar from? LIBRARY CALENDAR DALLAS 950 Main St. • 503-623-2633 www.ci.dallas.or.us/library • Thursday, Dec. 28, 10:30 a.m. — Chil- dren’s Story Time. • Friday, Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m. — Pajamas, Pillow and Stuﬀed Animal (Movie). • Monday, Jan. 1 — Library closed. • Tuesday, Jan. 2, 10:30 a.m. — Morning Children’s Story Time. • Tuesday, Jan. 2, 3:30 p.m. — Afternoon Children’ Story Time. — INDEPENDENCE 175 Monmouth St. 503-838-1811 www.ci.independence.or.us/library • Wednesday, Dec. 27, 10:30 a.m. — Family Story Time. • Thursday, Dec. 28, 3 p.m. — Wii games. • Friday, Dec. 29, 3 p.m. — Kid’s Coloring Fun. • Wednesday, Jan. 3, 10:30 a.m. — Fami- ly Story Time. • Wednesday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m. — Scrabble with Betty. Itemizer-Observer COMMUNITY NOTEBOOK — MONMOUTH 168 S. Ecols St. • 503-751-0182 www.ci.monmouth.or.us/library • Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2 p.m. — Movie. — 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. Visit our website, www.polkio.com for local news, sports and community events. The River Gallery is seeking artist submissions for its annual Wild Women show. The deadline to submit a JPG image of submissions is Friday. The juried show opens Jan. 16, 2018, with an opening reception planned for Jan. 27, 2018. All the work for this show is to specifically reflect the spirit of women. At the artist’s discretion, it may further re- flect this year’s theme, “HerStory,” in whatever way the artist interprets. Each submission must include artist’s name, title of work, size of work, medium and retail price. The River Gallery retains 40 percent commission on items sold. A jurying fee of $10 per piece or $25 for up to three pieces by an individual artist must be received by the gallery no later than Friday. For more information: 503-838-6171, or www.river- galleryart.com. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Heritage Museum to host open house The Independence Heritage Museum Society will host a holiday open house from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the museum, 112 S. Third St. 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. 27 • Respite care — 1 to 3 p.m., 182 SW Academy St., Suite 216, Dallas. Free child care for parents who need time to run errands, pay bills, etc. Free. Open for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. 503-877-8473 to reserve space. Diapers are provided. • 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. • 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. • 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. 28 • 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. • Mom and Me — Salem Health West Valley, 525 SE Washing- ton St., Dallas (enter through emergency door on Clay Street). Breastfeeding support group. Free. 503-831-5593. • 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. 29 • 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, 186 SE Mill St., 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. — SUNDAY, DEC. 31 • Last Sunday at River Gallery — 2 to 4 p.m., River Gallery, 184 S. Main St., Independence. Reception to honor corner and window focus artists. Free. 503-838-6171. — MONDAY, JAN. 1 • Happy New Year! — TUESDAY, JAN. 2 • 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. Mondays through Thursdays. 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 activ- ities 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 emergency entrance on Clay Street. Dee Ann White, 971-718-6444. • Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3203 meeting — 7:30 p.m., 182 SW Academy St., Dallas. Meets ﬁrst Tuesday of each month. • Dallas Rotary — Noon, Dallas Civic Center, 945 SE Jeﬀerson St., Dallas. Lunch and speaker. Public is welcome. — WEDNESDAY, JAN. 3 • Monmouth Business Association — 7:30 a.m. 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., First Presbyte- rian Church, 879 SW Levens St., Dallas. Open to children pre- kindergarten and younger with parent/adult. Mondays through Thursdays. Free. • 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 avail- able. 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. • 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. • 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.