New ornament
hunt on local trails
The Willamette National Forest is hosting its second annual ornament hunt through Jan. 1.
Organized by the Willamette Valley Visitors Association, the ornament hunt encourages local residents and travelers to connect to public lands and increase outdoor recreation activities.
Two hundred glass ornaments have been hidden along non-wilderness trails on the Willamette National Forest for adventurers to find.
In addition to winning a locally crafted hand-blown ornament, those who discover an ornament can register to win one of three grand prizes that include an adventure and overnight stay in the Willamette Valley.
In 2018 the Willamette National Forest provided the Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington D.C. and ornaments were hidden on forest trails to encourage people to connect with public lands.
This year’s ornament hunt highlights 1,700 miles of trails on the Willamette National Forest. The Willamette National Forest provides recreational opportunities, fishing, hunting, foraging, firewood, minerals, wood products and, of course, Christmas trees. Christmas tree permits are available online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fseprd564462
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association website http://www.oregonwinecountry.org/ornament will serve as the hub for contest winners to claim their prizes throughout the contest. See the ornament and find trail information and hints throughout December there as well.
Adventurers can also use the hashtags: #FindYourOrnament #FindYourTrail, and #IwonderWV.
City leaf pickups
end this Friday
Got leaves?
The last day for leaf pickup by the City of Sweet Home is Friday, Dec. 13.
The city asks that residents put loose leaves in piles on the street, away from parked cars and a foot away from the curb to allow for water drainage. Leaf piles must not contain limbs, yard debris or any type of bagging materials.
City crews will collect the leaves upon request. To schedule leaf pickup please submit a work request through the city’s Mobile311 Citizen Portal or call Public Works Maintenance at (541) 367-6359.
Cancer fundraiser
Saturday at salon
A fundraiser for a local resident who is battling cancer will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Epic Salon, 1135 Long St.
All money raised from haircuts will be donated to Michelle Anderson, a local single mother who has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, which has spread to other organs. Doctors say nothing can be done at this point.
Funds raised will go toward helping Anderson’s family during the holiday season, as she is unable to work.
Tickets for a raffle for a one-hour massage will be on sale for $3 each.
For more information, call (541) 367-1996.
Square dance for
Sweet Home Fire
Sweet Home Squarenaders will hold a Fire Department
Benefit Dance and New Dancers Square Dance starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Oak Heights School Gym, on the corner of Elm Street and 6th Avenue.
Turkey soup will be served at 7 p.m. The Plus begins at 7:30, followed by the main dance from 8 to 10 p.m.
Suggested donation is $5 for adults, $4 for youths. Spectators are free.
Also, participants are requested to bring a canned food item for donation to the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance Service’s Christmas outreach.
For more information, call (541) 409-0345.
Seminar on living
with addiction
Samaritan Health offers a seminar on “ABCs of Living with Addiction” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 N. Santiam Hwy, Conference Room B and C.
Join a participatory discussion led by Kelley Story, director of Samaritan Treatment and Recovery Services, and gain practical information and advice for families dealing with addiction. The story will also discuss Narcan, a potentially life-saving medication that could help an individual survive an opioid overdose.
Attendees will leave the seminar with a free Narcan kit and the knowledge of how to use it during a time of need.
The seminar is free but registration is required at get.samhealth.org. Click on the “Find a Class or Event” button.
Longest Night
Service Dec. 19
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church will host its annual Longest Night Service at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at 257 E. Milton St. in Lebanon, at the corner of Milton and Williams streets.
The service of remembrance and the liturgy of candle lighting and sharing – of singing and quiet time – is intended to be a time of healing for participants. Individuals who are struggling with the loss of loved ones, illness, disappointment, anxiety, or simply the chaos of the world, are encouraged to participate.
They are invited to bring family and friends to the service, along with photographs or memorabilia of those mourned.
For information, call (541) 451-1159 or email [email protected].
Meals on Wheels
weekly menu
Meals on Wheels offers lunch at the Sweet Home Community Center to seniors over 60 at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
Suggested donation is $3.50. All meals are served with milk, coffee or tea upon request and diabetic desserts are available on request.
The menu on Friday, Dec. 13, is chicken breast supreme or roast pork with gravy, whipped potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, garlic bread and zucchini brownie.
The menu on Monday, Dec. 16, is chicken alfredo pasta or southwest omelet bake, Oregon bean medley, spinach romaine salad, whole wheat roll and seasonal fresh fruit.
The menu on Tuesday, Dec. 17, is Bavarian stew or turkey and pasta, capri-blend vegetables, pickled beets, squash roll and butterscotch bar.
For more information, contact Norene at (541) 367-8843.