Update on the New Food Scraps Bin

Everyone, except maybe some renters, has been given information about the Food Scrap Collection bin. It was first located by the dumpster. Park Manager Randy was concerned it was too near the Potable Water supply. Randy relocated the bin to the opposite end of the yellow can and bottle collection container, secured it with a strap that could be easily disconnected, and replaced it with the replacement bin. Sutherlin Sanitary has been informed of the relocation.

Let me enlighten you if unsure what can go in the bin. For example, when you peel potatoes, cucumbers, or onions, the peels can be put in the bin. When you finish a bone-in porkchop or T-bone steak, the bones can be placed in the bin, and turkey and chicken bones can go into the bin. When you empty the refrigerator of food that no longer needs to be stored, it can be placed into the bin. Fruit peels, such as avocados, including the big seed, oranges, etc., can be put into the bin.

If you are emptying the freezer of uncooked meat… it cannot be put into the bin. Oil, even after deep-frying food, cannot be put into the bin, and butter, rancid or not, cannot be added to the bin.

Plastic containers, plastic bags, and take-out paper containers cannot go into the bin.
When your plants wilt, die, and or need trimming, the trimming or dead vegetation can go into the bin.

If you still have questions about the bin or Heal Terra, do not hesitate to contact me at sharonell456@gmail.com

I keep this 5-cup container in or near the sink to collect unwanted food stuffs, then take it to the Food Scrap Bin when I take the trash out. Works well.

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Jacks & Jills December Meeting Minutes are Posted

You’ll find the J&J meeting minutes in the menu above, under Organizations, click on J&J activity committee.  Or, just click here.

Remember the January Meeting of Jacks & JIlls is on Monday, the 20th.  See you there!

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Congratulations to ALL who Contributed to Refresh and Refill

Together we did this!!

Congratulations! On the outstanding success of the Refresh and Refill Fundraiser on January 1st. We raised $2,159.00 in cash and checks. We collected 890 pounds of food
to give to the Sutherlin/Oakland Food Bank. This was the second annual fundraiser for the
food bank. Last year we raised $1337.38 and donated 625 pounds of food.  Thank you all for your help and participation.

Many many thanks for all the help that made this happen. Special thanks to Dar Hoch (and her grandchildren), Richard Hickethier and others. We have all heard the saying “It takes a village” and our park has shown how it to do that.

Joy Stalnaker

P.S. And a special thanks to the anonymous person who gave me the lovely gnome with
thanks written on it. I love it!

The crew that delivered the food to the food bank.

Richards van was loaded.

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Under the Bridge

A Guest Post By Fred Prout

I just got a series of emails from the CEO of a mid sized organization I belong to.He was, no better way to put it, begging for money. Seems like he thinks some of the rank and file of this organization might be running a little short of cash. He suggests that rather than their having to give up their membership or, get a reduction, we should all kick in a few bucks to help them out. With all due respect, Mr. CEO, BULL CRAP. I’d like you to read a few words and then pass them on where they might do some good. Continue reading

Posted in Creative Work, Opinion/Editorial | Tagged | 8 Comments

Life with a Dog (or a Cat)

Dogs have owners, cats have staff.  Most people may think that is true but personally I think they both have staff.  Some of us humans have just taken longer to realize it.  Dogs may be a little more subtle, allowing their humans to think they are in charge while all the time they are snickering behind their paws at their human’s gullibility.

I had a tee shirt with a picture of my tiny Yorkie that read:  Things To Do Today: Let dog in, let dog out, let dog in, let dog out.  Did I really think I was in charge of that situation?  Another tee shirt I created had a picture of my Jack Russel, Kadi.  It read:  My outfits are not complete without Kadi hair.  I always said she shed about a dog a week  My son-in-law is swayed by his black Lab’s demand for just one more ‘Scooby Snack’.  Just one more goes on for several snacks.  My dog, Cotton, swears he needs to go out to potty.  I open the door, he walks out, looks around the deck and wants back in – no potty.  Was I ever in charge?  Going on a walk is a very big deal.  A tiny dog can morph into an Iditarod sled dog when he sees something down the street like a rabbit, a squirrel, or another dog.  It’s social time as you are dragged along.  All leash etiquette is forgotten in the desire to meet the new friend.

Your lap is not your own when you sit to watch TV, read a book or play on your tablet.  Dogs and cats both will lay on your device or pull your hand away with a paw.  It’s amazing what those little paws can accomplish while looking at you with adoring eyes.  They really know how to use those eyes to make you think you are the most important human in their world.  When they lay quietly beside you in your chair, their internal heaters kick on.  You find yourself either nodding off or waking up from a cat/dog nap.  A dog bed on the floor is no substitute for a human lap.

If you have a spouse, they become adept at playing Mom against Dad.  This is a way to get extra treats without the other spouse knowing.  Throwing a ball or toy is their way of helping you with your cardio.  After all they want you healthy and active for a very long time.

When it is time for bed, a whole new ritual begins.  They usually go to bed first while you are getting ready.  When you try to get in bed, they are smack in the middle.  They weigh 400 pounds if you think you can move them over.  Being on the edge, gains new meaning.  If you have to get up to go to the bathroom,  they scooch over into your warm place and now weigh 600 pounds.  The edge just got edgier.  Sometimes you wake with a foot in your face, sometimes worse, your nose near a tail.

Life with a pet is never dull.  For all the drama, you wouldn’t change a thing.  Pets are amusing and keep us active.  They make us laugh and cry and sometimes cuss.  They become our children when our human children have grown up and moved away.  For some, they fill a hole in an otherwise lonely life.  People with pets are healthier and a rescued pet is happier.  

Excuse me now while I try to move this 800 pound little dog off my lap.  My leg is asleep along with the dog.

 Ruby Bonham

12-18-2024

Posted in Creative Work, Featured, General Interest | Tagged | 7 Comments

Something New for 2025 – Food Scraps Collection

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Math Is Not My Forte

By Jackie Deal

Math is not my forte. It’s not my one-two-threete either. You can call it
arithmetic like we did in grade school but it’s the same ole thing. Once upon a
time I knew my multiplication tables; since I started using a calculator (on my
phone yet!) I’m beginning to forget them.

But where it really affect things is in everyday stuff not in multiplication tables.
For example, my car’s clock has been off since cars learned to tell time.

It’s been ten minutes off; no problem. I just add ten minutes to what it says.
Let’s see, is that fast or slow? Anyway, ten minutes is no biggie so I’ve been
adding it for ages now. And doing quite well, thank you.

But then daylight savings time rears its ugly head. Now my car’s clock is one hour
and ten minutes off. I don’t remember how to set it and to look for the
instruction book (there is an instruction book? Really? I though those went out
with computers.) Anyway, who has time to look for instruction books?

But back to the problem: do I add or subtract an hour? Let’s see I add ten
minutes so I must subtract one hour. So okay: subtract an hour and then add ten
minutes and ….and….Wait a minute, well, wait ten minutes.

If I leave the clock alone in another six? five? Well, a few months, it will be right
again. Yah, then all I have to remember is to add ten minutes. See? Higher math
isn’t so hard after all.

So from now on I’ll either be early or late . Even if I don’t figure out which you’ll
see me: either being early or late.

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TV Dog Park

by Suzi Rupert

I saw the sign at the park regarding someone not picking up after their pet. I too, have been noticing that someone with a large dog is the guilty party not following the posted rules.

Until now we have not had a problem with poop deposits not being picked up and placed in the container. I have been so proud of all of us taking care of our pets, along with respecting the park, other dogs, and of course us, the dog owners.

PLEASE PICK UP YOUR DOG POOP.

Thank you all who continue to pick up after their pet. One more thing, however. PLEASE, if you push the screens back, for whatever reason, put them back the way they are designed to be. Someone is NOT respecting our park shelter and leaves the hooks off of the screens. The screens protect us from weather. If you want to move them, fine, but please put them back in the hooks. If you can’t see around the screens, move your chair around.

Thank you.

Posted in Announcements, General Interest | 2 Comments

Holy Crepes, Suzette, It’s Next Year

by Fred Prout

The big table. Ratcheds Senior Center. Lingering fragrance of pine and confetti. The mixed sounds of Christmas and New Year’s Eve just a diminishing echo. Barely heard but well remembered. The usual cast of characters plus a few new faces. Shirley Knott Shewill Knott is a bit surly today. Can’t blame her. It’s been a long uphill battle getting from then to now. Continue reading

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Library Update

We apologize for the recent misunderstanding of our library committee guideline that resulted in the loss of so many books.  Our existing guideline is that books will only be removed “as needed” to make room for new donations. We are clarifying this with our dedicated volunteers who help keep this valuable resource available for our members and visitors.
Kathy Perry, lot 7
Library Chair
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