Stations of the Cross,
Soup Supper Fridays
St. Helen Catholic Church is hosting Stations of the Cross during Lent each Friday this month, followed by a Soup Supper and fellowship time.
The event is at 6 p.m. March 13, 20 and 27.
All are welcome to attend.
Puzzle competition
for SHHS Josai
Sweet Home High School’s Josai Club will host a puzzle competition at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, at the high school, 1641 Long St.
Participants should form teams of 2-3 people, $25 per team. Race to complete a 500-piece puzzle. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. Snacks and drinks provided.
Proceeds benefit the Josai Club student exchange program.
To sign up, contact Amy Middlemiss at [email protected].
Shred event March 14
at Lebanon credit union
44 North Credit Union will host a free community shred event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 14, at 485 S. 2nd St., Lebanon.
Bring documents you need to shred safely and securely – for free. Enjoy coffee, donuts and giveaways.
For more information, call (541) 259-1235
60th state fiddle contest
The Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers’ Association will present the 60th annual Oregon State Open Fiddle Contest on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lebanon Mennonite Church, 2100 S 2nd St., Lebanon.
The Oregon State Open Fiddle Contest features divisions for all age groups, with rounds taking place throughout the day. Finals and the championship division begin at 7 p.m., followed by performances from the contest judges and the crowning of the state champion at 10 p.m.
In addition to the competition, the event includes a special on-stage performance jam from 6 to 7 p.m., open to anyone with an acoustic instrument who would like to join in.
The public is welcome to drop in and watch. Admission is by donation, and families are encouraged to attend for a full day of live music, camaraderie and traditional fiddling at its finest.
For more information, contact Cat McClintock at (970) 219-0256.
Free trees for Sweet Home kids
Sweet Home Public Library, in partnership with Neighborhood Forest, is giving Sweet Home kids a free tree sapling to celebrate Earth Day.
Families can sign up now through March 15 to reserve a tree, which will be available for pickup at the library during Earth Day Week (April 22). There are three easy ways to get involved: register a child for a free tree, purchase a tree if you don’t have a child (a “Buy One, Fund One” program), or help sponsor trees for local kids – just $5 puts a tree in a child’s hands. Learn more and sign up at NeighborhoodForest.org/registration-services/?school=156576.
Free virtual seminar
on colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, yet it is also one of the most treatable when detected early.
Dr. Chad Morse, a gastroenterologist, and Dr. John Strother, a medical oncologist, will offer a free virtual seminar from noon to 1 p.m Thursday, March 19, on why early screening is so important and will review the most commonly used testing options and discuss what to expect and how to move forward if a positive diagnosis occurs.
Register at samhealth.org/events/list/page/4.
Presentation on backyard
birds in Brownsville March 20
Calapooia Food Alliance will present “For the Love of Birds,” a presentation by Meredith Love on backyard birding, at 6 p.m. Friday, March 20, at the American Legion Hall, 339 N. Main St., Brownsville.
Love, an Oregon State University student studying fish and wildlife conservation, will discuss habitat, safety, human impact, equipment and apps, and how the public can assist with research.
Dinner will be served: salad buffet, fresh rye bread, spinach artichoke dip and cake. Attendees are asked to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages and place settings.
For more information, visit www.calapooiafoodalliance.org or email [email protected].
Third-Saturday Mini Marts
on March 21, April 18
The last two of this season’s Third Saturday Mini Marts will be held March 21 and April 18 at the Sweet Home Nazarene Church, 415 Holley Road.
Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participating vendors will be selling handmade crafts, decor, baked goods and preserves, wire wrapped jewelry, resin art, clothing, woodwork, custom leatherwork and more.
Free garden lectures
OSU Extension Service’s Master Gardeners invite the public to free weekly organic garden lectures on Saturdays, March 28 through May 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St.
Peruse info tables and magazines, select free seeds from the Seed Wagon, find free planting supplies, or ask questions to master gardeners. Each class also involves hands-on planting.
Register by emailing Sheryl Castee at [email protected]. Provide your first and last name, and phone number.
March 28: Growing Strong Plants & Special Tips for Plant Families, e.g. brassicas, presented by Sheryl Casteen, MG, and Anna Sassalos, MG
April 4: How to Grow, Harvest & Cook Herbs, presented by Valarie Taylor, owner Aplodontia Herbs
April 11: How to Grow Gourmet Mushrooms, presented by Carol Haven, owner Pollinator Haven Farm
April 18: Easy Plant Propagation Methods, presented by Heather Wright and Amy Phillipsen, Agrarian Sharing Network
April 25: Confessions of a Serial “It’ll Fit” Gardener (and Other Misguided Efforts), presented by Jean Chapin, MG & landscape designer
May 2: Pests and Predators in your Garden – an insect pictorial from egg to adult, presented by Sheryl Casteen, MG, and Anna Sassalos, MG
Also, stop in to pick up some free tomato plants and get some tomato-growing tips at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 16.
State Representative Cate
to speak at Forum Lunch
Jami Cate, east Linn County’s District 11 state representative, will speak at the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Forum Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 27, at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital conference rooms, 525 N. Santiam Hwy.
Cate will update attendees on current legislation and what it means for Oregon businesses and communities. Cost, which includes lunch, is $23 for members, $30 for future members. Prizes and giveaways happen as well, so bring a business card and/or prize donation.
Register at www.lebanon-chamber.org or call (541) 258-7164.
Lebanon winter
farmers market
Lebanon Downtown Farmers Market will open its Winter Farmers Market on Thursdays from 2-6 p.m. until March 27 at the Santiam Place Event Center, 139 S Main St., Lebanon.
SNAP match up to $20. To be a vendor, email [email protected] with your information and, if approved, we will send you an application link.
America’s anniversary
contest for kids
The Santiam Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution encourages students to enter the America 250! contest for a chance to win a field trip across the nation in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, July 4, 2026.
The contest invites students in grades 3 thru 12 to share their perspectives on what America means to them for an opportunity to travel to some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.
The question is: What does America mean to you?
Submit artwork, including physical art through a high-res photo, or a short written response (up to 100 words for grades 3-5, 250 words for 6-8, and 500 words for 9-12). Artwork attachment should not be larger than 30MB and must be in one of the following file formats: PDF, JPG, PHG, or HEIC. See Official Contest Rules for full details.
Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 30. Students under age 18 must have a teacher, parent or legal guardian upload the entry through the submission portal.
For more information and to apply, visit America250.org/fieldtrip/application/.
Emergency preparedness for seniors
Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments will host a community workshop for emergency preparedness at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, at Albany Public Library, Meeting Room A, 2450 14th Ave SE.
Designed for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers who do not already receive services through the COG’s Senior and Disability Services, attendees will receive emergency preparedness backpacks and learn how to use the items and how to customize the bag to their individual needs.
Core conversations will include: What to pack and how to personalize your go/stay kit; how to plan for independence and interdependence; Community Care strategies for emergencies; and accessible resource guides and planning tools.
No RSVP is needed.
Foster Dam Road
closure announced
The road over Foster Dam will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, through Wednesday, April 1, to all traffic.
Dam maintenance activities will require a full road closure. No vehicles will be able to pass.
For questions or to comment, contact Lisa Maguire of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (541) 623-1338.
Citizens Academy for Sheriff’s Office
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications to the 2026 Citizens Academy. The free course gives residents an inside look into the dynamics of the Sheriff’s Office.
Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for nine weeks, from April 1 to May 27, students will be introduced to each division and specialty team. There will also be one Sunday “field trip” to the firearms range and Animal Control.
The free course includes classroom instruction and hands-on training in areas such as patrol, detectives, corrections, firearms, defensive tactics, traffic enforcement, narcotics investigations, swift water rescue and dive recovery, and search and rescue.
The minimum age for attendees is 18 years, however applications will be considered for those as young as 16, provided they attend and take part in Citizens Academy with their parent or guardian.
For more information, contact Community Services Specialist Michael Mattingly at [email protected]. To apply, visit https://www.linnsheriff.org/volunteer-programs/citizens-academy/.
Donate blood April 3
in Sweet Home
A blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 3, at the Evangelical Church Activity Center, 1347 Long St., Sweet Home.
Schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-733-2767 (RED-CROSS) or visiting RedCrossBlood.org and enter SweetHomeComm.
If you are an eligible type O, B- or A- donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component. Donors between March 30 and April 12 can receive a Red Cross Life is Good T-shirt. Quantities are limited.
Habitat for Humanity
Breakfast Fundraiser
Habitat for Humanity will host a complimentary buffet breakfast at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at Boulder Falls Inn Event Center, 605 Mullins Dr.
A guest speaker from Washington, D.C., will share her story about growing up in an Habitat home. The purpose of the breakfast event is to ask for community financial support to help sustain the nonprofit’s work toward building homes for low income families.
RSVP by emailing [email protected]. For more information, send an email or call (541) 405-5213.
Lebanon Chamber to
host Biz Expo April 16
Lebanon Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Biz Expo from noon to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at _____________________,
The Expo brings community members and businesses together under one roof. Booths are available for local businesses and organizations that want to connect with the public. For more information, call (541) 258-7164 or visit www.lebanon-chamber.org.
Veterans Home Cruise-in
The Oregon Veterans Home in Lebanon invites car enthusiasts to share their classic or military vehicles during the annual Spring Fling Cruise In. Space is limited.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the OVHL, 600 N 5th St., Lebanon.
To reserve your car spot, or for more information, contact Bess Nichols at [email protected], or text (541) 409-6569.
Be part of emergency response
Linn County residents are invited to step up and make a real difference by joining the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), sponsored by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
CERT volunteers help their neighbors when it matters most, which includes supporting emergency operations, sharing preparedness information, and strengthening community resilience. The program offers free training, hands-on skills, and meaningful opportunities to serve.
Learn more and apply at https://buff.ly/wD04Smh. Questions can be directed to Meghan Becker at [email protected] or Shari Barrett at [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].
Saturday Market
monthly in SH
Third Saturday Markets are returning this year, starting Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Church of the Nazarene, 415 Holley Road.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The monthly event will run through April, featuring local vendors and all sorts of goodies.
Baby and Preschool Storytime
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.
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.
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