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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 2009)
The INDEPENDENT, December 3, 2009 How to keep your Christmas tree fresh Greener, fresher Christmas trees make prettier and safer indoor decorations. A freshly cut tree is preferred because it keeps its color longer and is less of a fire hazard while in the home. Buy a cut tree with a high moisture content if possi- ble. Try these methods for deter- mining the moisture content of the tree: • Break a small branch be- tween your fingers, if the branch breaks easliy, chances are the tree, or that part of the tree, is too dry. Don’t buy a dry tree because of the high fire risk in the home. • Tapping the tree trunk on the ground can indicate the tree’s vitality. If an abundance of needles drop from the tree, a good part of the tree may be dangerously dry. • Needles that bend and cannot be easily pulled from the tree’s branches are a good indication that the tree is fresh. • If more than an hour has elapsed since cutting, the tree base will need to be re-cut. This exposes fresh tissue that will readily accept water. • If the tree is to be stored for some time before being moved indoors, stand the tree trunk in a container filled with water. If the tree is to be displayed im- mediately, set the trunk in a tree-stand that is designed to hold water. Purchase tree stands with large water reser- voirs. • After putting the tree in- doors, fill the stand with water and keep it filled for as long as the tree remains in the home. Some tree stands hold only a small amount of water, so be certain to fill these stands sev- eral times a day. Precautions to keep your tree fresh and safe should in- clude locating the tree away from heat sources that would Assure holiday food gift safety From page 14 banana or zucchini) in canning jars. Although similar “canned” breads may be available in gift shops, there isn’t a research- based safe method for making them at home. Be wary about low acid home-canned food gifts that may not have been processed correctly. Meats, fish, vegeta- bles and poultry must be canned in a pressure canner to be safe, and up to date canning instructions must be used. Source: Carolyn Rabb, Oregon State University dry the tree out quickly; being certain the tree is placed away from doors – in the event of a fire, the tree could block es- cape from the room; the cooler the room temperature, the longer the tree will stay fresh, consider lowering the thermo- stat a few degrees; and if the tree is tall, consider stabilizing it with guy wires to the ceiling and wall, thin wires are usually adequate and are almost invis- ible. Source: Chal Langren, Christmas Tree Specialist Rainier tree lighting on Dec. 12 Rainier will hold its fifth an- nual Tree Lighting Celebration and Holiday Decorating Awards on Saturday, December 12, at OSU City Hall, starting at 5:00 p.m. The Rainier Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rainier invite the community to bring the kids and enjoy the holiday spirit with friends and neighbors. There will be caroling, hot cocoa and cookies, door prizes from area merchants and prizes for the best decorated busi- ness and resi- dence. And, Santa will be on hand to light the tree. Vernonia: Rising Over Adversity, cont. From page 8 fish, raft, kayak, and catch crawdads, can become so de- structive. It is also hard to imagine moving from this com- munity where residents and visitors camp and picnic along the Nehalem River and Rock Creek during summer months; where bikers, horse back rid- ers, and walkers enjoy the serenity of the path around the mill pond and along the linear trail; where Washington Grade School gymnasium is packed with family and friends as youngsters present their annu- al holiday program; where bas- ketball and football games are major community events; where volunteers raise money and present a fabulous display of fireworks each July 4th fol- lowing a parade of mostly youngsters and animals; where loaded log trucks are a major part of every parade; where a salmon festival, celebrating the return of salmon to their spawn- ing grounds, is held annually; where a week-long Art in the Park holds lessons for children; where the residents have shown, time and again, their ability to work together to over- come enormous obstacles; and where there is a group called “Vernonia Pride” which works, year-around, to make Vernonia truly a place where residents can take “Pride”. Some residents have left Vernonia, with the population hovering around 2300 at pres- ent (2009). Most have re- mained and are working on ways to continue enjoying the blessings of living in this little “pocket in the woods” while ex- ploring options to ensure that the proximity to lovely Rock Creek and the meandering Ne- halem River will no longer be a curse to the community. Connecting A Portable Honor roll announced for VHS From page 11 Honors, 3.25-3.49 – Alex Barber, Calvin Barnes, Klara Breil, Kelsey Brown, Genesis Castro, Jayme Due, Wayne Fo- gel, Mackenzie Frantz, Nora Hieronimus, Christopher Lev- enseller, Rebecca Levenseller, Emily Mitchell, Parker Roach, Preston Roach, Daniel Shaw, and Paul Whiteman. 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