Upcoming City Meetings
These are regularly-scheduled meetings. Sometimes the dates or times are changed due to schedule conflicts among members, work session additions, holidays, etc. Last minute changes do occur at times. Please check the governing board’s website for updated information and agendas.
Lebanon School Board: Thur., May 14, 6 p.m., at Lebanon Library, 55 Academy St.
Lebanon Aquatic District: Mon., May 18, 6 p.m., at Lebanon Pool, 1800 S 5th St.
Sweet Home Fire Board: Tue., May 19, 6:30 p.m., at 1099 Long St.
Brownsville Fire Board: Tue., May 19, 6:30 p.m., at 600 E Blakely.
Sweet Home Park & Tree Committee: Wed., May 20, 8:30 a.m. at City Hall, 3225 Main St.
Lebanon Parks, Trees & Trails: Wed., May 20, 2 p.m. at Lebanon Library, 55 Academy St.
Lebanon Planning Commission: Wed., May 20, 6 p.m. at Lebanon Library, 55 Academy
Sweet Home Planning Commission: Thur., May 21, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 3225 Main St.
Sodaville City Council: Thur., May 21, 7 p.m. at City Hall, 30723 Sodaville Road.
Sweet Home City Council: Tue., May 26, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 3225 Main St.
Brownsville City Council: Tue., May 26, 7 p.m., at City Hall, 255 N Main St.
The New Era publishes announcements of upcoming events at no charge, as space permits. Free and nonprofit events are prioritized, but free services or events offered by for-profit businesses will also be included as space permits. To submit an event, email information (description, location, date, time and any other necessary details, as well as contact information for questions) to [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the event. Questions? Call (541) 367-2135 or send a message to the above email.
High school theater presents “Tuck Everlasting”
Lebanon High School’s theatre department will present its spring musical, “Tuck Everlasting,” for a public audience at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, May 14-16, and at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, with ASL interpretation, in the auditorium, 1700 S 5th St.
The story follows an 11-year-old Winnie Foster who engages in adventures with the immortal Tuck family, and explores the choice between living forever and living out a natural life.
Cost is $15/adult, $5/student or child, and children under age 5 are free.
Flower design classes
The Lebanon Garden Club will host flower design classes on Thursdays, May 14 and 21, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St.
The free classes are held in preparation for the annual Strawberry Festival Standard Flower Show, to encourage the community to participate. However, participation is not required.
You must register, due to limited space. Register by email or phone at [email protected] or 541-981-9560; submit name (first and last), email and phone number. A donation of $5-10 is appreciated, to cover the cost of supplies.
May 14 – Design with stones, water and wood
May 21 – Teacup and miniature design. This hands-on course requires you bring a teacup or teacup-sized container to take home your own design.
S.A.F.E. fundraiser in SH,
hosted by Dad Bod
A car wash fundraiser for SAFE will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Dad Bod Detailing, 610 Main St., Sweet Home. All proceeds will benefit S.A.F.E., Sweet Home High School’s post-graduation alcohol-free celebration for graduating seniors.
For more information, call (971) 287-0395.
American Man award
nominations sought
The 10th annual Honoring the American Man Recognition and Dinner will be held June 13.
The annual event in Sweet Home honors men for who they are – husbands, fathers, pastors, co-workers, bosses, brothers, veterans , etc.
Applications to nominate a man in your life are available by emailing [email protected] or at the VFW and American Legion headquarters in Sweet Home.
Deadline for nominations is May 16. This is not a contest. All men are honored and recognized for who they are.
For more information, text or call Nancy Patton at (541) 409-4276.
Strawberry Fest history
presentation at library
Local historian Victoria Dobrkovsky will tell the story of the Lebanon Strawberry Festival, beginning with its founding in 1909, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, in the Community Room at Lebanon Library, 55 Academy St.
The event is sponsored by the Lebanon Museum and the Lebanon Public Library. Dobrkovsky is the historian for the Lebanon Strawberry Festival as well as co-chair of the Junior Court.
This event is free of charge and open to all.
The Lebanon Museum Foundation is working to create Lebanon’s first museum, to celebrate the town’s history and culture. For more information about Dobrkovsky’s presentation or about the Lebanon Museum Foundation, visit the website at lebanonmuseum.org or the Lebanon Museum Facebook page.
Volunteers needed for
SH Sesquicentennial prep
The Sweet Home Beautification Committee is seeking volunteers to help plant various floral displays in the community, as well as maintain the Main Street median through the summer.
Here are planned events:
Tuesday, May 19: Volunteers will plant the median strip downtown in red, white and blue to mark the USA’s 250th birthday.
Wednesday, May 20: Volunteers will plant entryways to the city. Shea Point planting will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m.; Hwy. 228/Fern Ridge from 11 a.m. to noon; and Clover Park at the intersection of Hwy. 20 and 1st Avenue will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Regular bi-weekly workdays to maintain the Main Street median are from 8:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Volunteers meet at Key Bank, on the corner of 10th and Main.
Safety vests and trowels are provided for volunteers.
The public is welcome to attend the committee’s monthly meeting at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month at City Hall, 3225 Main St.
For more information, contact Candice Snyder at (541) 971-1092 or [email protected].
WesternU Blood Drive
Western University of Health Sciences will host a blood drive in support of Bloodworks Northwest from 12-6 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, at COMP-NW, 200 Mullins Dr., Heritage Hall, Lebanon.
Reservations are required for the one-hour appointment by visiting bloodworksNW.org/giveblood (do a search by zip code to find correct appointment), or go directly to https://donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/107029.
Photo ID required. For safety, we kindly request no visitors under 16 at our donation sites. Eat a hearty meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donation.
For more information, email [email protected].
Lebanon garden
beds available
Porter Park Community Garden in Lebanon has 15 raised garden plots available for rent.
The Community Garden was built by the city to give Lebanon residents a place to garden and promote a healthy community through fresh garden-grown produce and enjoy a community of gardeners.
Located at 2240 Porter St., the rental plot includes soil, compost, water, basic gardening tools to use on-site, and support from Master Gardener and Community Garden Coordinator Sheryl Casteen.
Impromptu garden classes or mentoring available upon request. Application documents can be found at LebanonOregon.gov/535/Porter-Park-Community-Garden, or send an email request to [email protected].
Lebanon Library seeks
youth volunteers
Students ages 13 through 18 are invited to join the Lebanon Public Library’s Summer Youth Volunteer Program 2026.
Applications must be turned in by Saturday, May 23.
Duties for youth volunteers include assisting with set-up for performers, helping children during hands-on activity days, and assisting librarians during the performances. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to hand out prizes and sign up participants for the summer reading incentives program.
On Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m., youth volunteers can help shelve in the children’s area of the library. Youth will also be given the opportunity to help with storytimes and other events.
To qualify, students must be 13 to 18 years old, must turn in a completed Volunteer Application, and must attend a mandatory orientation session. Youth Volunteer Applications are available at the Lebanon Public Library.
For more information contact Darcy Smith at (541) 258-4926 or [email protected].
Free Sweet Home
electronic recycling
In partnership with Green Century Electronics Recycling, the City of Sweet Home will host a free household electronics recycling event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, at Sweet Home City Hall, 3225 Main St.
This event is open to households and small businesses. Green Century Electronics Recycling will perform secure data destruction (NIST 800.88) on data-containing devices.
Be sure to follow the guidance for what can and cannot be recycled. There will not be the opportunity to dispose of anything not accepted by Green Century Electronics Recycling on site.
For more information, contact Maggie Clark, of Green Century Electronics Recycling, at
[email protected], or call 503-764-9963.
Wellness fair
Pioneer School will host a Wellness Fair from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at 500 N. Fifth St., Lebanon.
Families are invited to enjoy free food, music, prizes and a kid zone, and learn about community resources and support that are available.
Fire chief to speak
at chamber Forum Lunch
Lebanon Fire Chief John Tacy will speak at the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce’s Forum Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 29, at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital conference center, 525 N. Santiam Hwy.
Tacy will speak on the state of LFD. Cost, which includes lunch, is $23 for members, $30 for future members. The event includes drawings for prizes, which can be donated by participants.
Register at www.lebanon-chamber.org or call (541) 258-7164.
Second annual
Lebanon Powwow
The second annual Lebanon Powwow will be held on Saturday, May 30, at Lebanon High School, 1700 S 5th St.
This is a family-friendly, drug- and alcohol-free cultural event that is free and open to the public.
The powwow is coordinated by Laurie Regalado through the Native American / Alaska Native Education Program. The purpose of the event is to celebrate and share Native culture, honor traditions, uplift Native youth, recognize elders and graduating seniors, and bring the broader community together in a respectful and educational way.
The event will include grand Entry and powwow dancing, drumming and singing, special dances – including tiny tots, cultural and educational components, and Native vendors offering handmade items, art and food. Several drum groups are expected to participate and the Ameyalmazatl Citlaltonal Aztec Dancers are scheduled to perform from 5 to 6 p.m. The Grand Ronde Color Guard is also scheduled to participate.
Vendor applications are being accepted. For an application, email [email protected].
Additional details, including the full schedule, will be shared closer to the event date.
Free wildfire
defense workshop
Sweet Home Fire will host a free half-day workshop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at Sankey Park in Sweet Home.
As part of SHFAD’s “Wildfire Ready Linn County” project, local fire professionals will teach residents what they can do to prepare their homes and families for wildfires. It will include discussion topics such as home hardening, defensible space around your home and evacuation preparedness, and will conclude with a hot dog feed and resource fair to connect residents with local resources.
Register online at forms.gle/iwqmofbHKs2oNHNk6 or contact Maddie Tutton at [email protected].
Young women’s
fire academy
Lebanon Fire District brings back its annual free two-day Linn County Young Women’s Fire Academy Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23.
The academy, taught by women firefighters, is open to Oregon girls aged 14 to 19.
The YWFA is designed to be fun, challenging, entertaining and educational, including a range of classes encompassing skills such as fire suppression, emergency medical services, interviewing skills, climbing ladders, vehicle extrication, physical fitness, technical skills, teamwork and leadership skills, and more.
The application deadline is extended to June 1. To apply, visit LebanonFireOregon.gov/259/Linn-County-Young-Womens-Fire-Academy, or stop in at Station 31, 1050 W. Oak St., Lebanon, during business hours, M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Strawberry Standard
Flower Show
The Lebanon Garden Club will host its annual Standard Flower Show in conjunction with the Lebanon Strawberry Festival on June 5-6 at Santiam Place Event Center, 139 S. Main St., Lebanon.
Anyone is welcome to submit their own flowers or flower designs free of charge. Entry cards and rule books are available at the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Lebanon Senior Center, Lebanon Library and Summit Ace Garden Center. Rule books can be emailed by request at [email protected]
The community is welcome to see the flower show on Friday, June 5, from 12:30-4:30 p.m., and Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Baby and Preschool
Storytime at library
Lebanon Public Library’s storytimes will continue on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 55 Academy St.
Baby and Me StoryTime is held at 10 a.m. every Wednesday. This is designed for ages 0 to 24 months and their caregivers. Those that attend will enjoy interactive time with their child through stories, finger plays, rhyme time and more.
Preschool StoryTime is held at 10 a.m. every Thursday. This allows children 3 years old through kindergarten to explore their world interactively through books, songs, finger plays and crafts.
For more information about storytimes at the Lebanon Library, call (541) 258-4926, visit www.ci.lebanon.or.us/library, or follow the library on social media.
Square dance lessons
open to public
Lebanon Square Circlers offers square dance lessons Sundays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St.
No experience required. The first class is free and cost thereafter is $6 per person or $15 per family. All ages are welcome.
Shaun McKamey will be the caller/instructor.
Square Circlers also hold dances on the first and third Saturday nights of each month at the Lebanon Senior Center.
For more information, call (541) 401-9780 or visit www.lebanonsquarecirclers.com.
Church seeks hygiene help
Crowfoot Baptist Church operates a hygiene supply program for families in need. They are in need of toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, bar soap, hand soap, feminine hygiene products (tampons and pads), razors, shaving cream, dish soap, laundry detergent, bathroom cleaner, bleach, toilet paper, garbage bags.
To donate, or for more information, call (541) 258-3138, or visit the church during open hours (T, W, Th, and Sun from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m) at 699 Cascade Drive.
Suicide loss
support group
Lebanon Area Mental Health Alliance hosts a Suicide Bereavement Support Group every second Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 Santiam Hwy. in conference room 1 and 2. Park and enter at the back of the building.
For anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one by suicide, struggles with previous attempts or attempts from a loved one, or if suicide has had an impact on your life.
A licensed mental health therapist will facilitate the meetings. For more information, contact Dave Butler at (541) 936-2580 or via email at [email protected].
Animal rescue
helpers needed
Linn County Animal Rescue needs volunteers for its nonprofit work outside Lebanon. For those interested in a rewarding time spent with animals, consider joining LCAR which has horses, minis, cows, sheep and senior dogs. There are two shifts a day, morning and afternoon. Volunteers can work with the livestock or dogs, or both.
Donations and sponsorships are also welcomed. For more information, visit lcarhorse.org or call (541) 258-3422.
Urgent need for Meals
on Wheels delivery
Meals on Wheels of Sweet Home is in urgent need of volunteer drivers, delivering free meals to local seniors and disabled adults in the Sweet Home area.
Delivery days are Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. The role is best suited for people available in the mid-day, as meals go out at noon. Volunteers work one to two days a week for about 2.5 hours each shift.
Meals on Wheels is managed by Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments and operated by local volunteers. Volunteers package fresh meals in the kitchen and the drivers deliver them. Many local people count on this food as a primary source of nutrition.
Email to [email protected] or call Heidi at 541.812.6015. Each volunteer must fill out an application and complete a background check.
Museum needs
help from locals
East Linn Museum is seeking volunteers and items that are needed for the operation of the museum.
The museum needs volunteers for its operations to replace retiring volunteers. New volunteers are not required to know anything about the museum or how to operate a computer. The museum operates three days a week from Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Supplies needed by the museum include: copy paper, postage stamps, legal size envelopes, paper towels, toilet paper, glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner and Ajax.
For more information, call the museum at (541) 367-4580.
Free dinners on Mondays
Sunshine Industries invites the public to a free dinner every Monday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at 1333 Clark Mill Road. Because everyone matters.
Free health
clinic Tuesdays
The East Linn Community Clinic is held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at 1600 Main St. in Lebanon.
This is a medical clinic that provides primary and acute medical care for under- or uninsured individuals. On select nights, Western U COMP-NW offers osteopathic manipulative medicine to treat chronic and acute pain. Patients may walk in or schedule appointments.
For more information, call (541) 758-3000 ext. 115.
VFW open events
The VFW & AUX Post #3437 invites the public to its open house events, located at 580 Main St., Sweet Home.
Breakfast every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Poker night every Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Karaoke every second and fourth Friday
Cook-Off competitions once a month