Harvest Festival
Sweet Home’s annual Harvest Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Sankey Park, 847 14th Ave.
Activities include pumpkin painting, tree climbing, kid zone games, face painting, photo booth, bouncy house and slide, and pie bake-off and chili cook-off contests. More than 60 vendors will be on site with crafts, goodies, gifts and treats.
Taste pie entries for $3; sponsored by the Park and Tree Committee, proceeds benefit park projects. Taste the chili entries for $5 per person or $10 per family. Sponsored by Radiator Supply House and the Road Maggot Motorcycle group, proceeds benefit the Sweet Home Kids Food Pak, providing weekend meals to around 130 local kids each week.
Fire Expo
Lebanon Fire District will host a Fire Expo from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the LFD station, 1050 W Oak St., Lebanon.
The morning will begin with a pancake breakfast ($10 adults, $5 kids). The day continues at 10 a.m., packed with live firefighter demonstrations, from tackling a house fire to a thrilling vehicle rescue and a cardiac arrest scenario.
Explore booths from Lebanon Police, LFCAIRS, Life Flight, LCSO Search and Rescue, and more. Kids can jump into the action with the Junior Firefighter Agility Course, and for those looking to give back, learn how to join our team as a volunteer, Fire Corp, or FireMed member.
For more information, call 541.451.1901 or email [email protected].
Fall Fundraiser Dinner
The Sweet Home and Lebanon Farmers’ Markets will host their annual Fall Fundraiser Dinner from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the VFW Hall, 580 Main St., Sweet Home.
Tickets are available for presale at $17 at the Tuesday and Thursday markets; cost at the door is $20. Proceeds will help the Sweet Home and Lebanon Farmers Markets with general expenses through the season and to replace some old signage.
There will be dinner and music with raffles and 50/50. Dinner includes a beef or veggie lasagna with salad, garlic bread, dessert and coffee. Music will be by Jim Asleon with Tall Tribune.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 541.418.2603.
Fall Leaf Pick-Up
The City of Sweet Home’s annual fall leaf pick-up begins Oct. 7 until Dec. 13.
Leaves need to be raked to the side of the street in a neat pile. Any piles that contain other debris such as sticks or animal waste will not be picked up – this is for leaves only.
To request a pick-up, email [email protected] or call 541.367.6359. Service may be requested as many times as needed during the program’s active period. Crews will get to the pile as soon as they are able based on their daily workload, and pickups will be scheduled from Monday to Friday of each week.
Monthly Women’s Meeting
After 5 Connection will host its monthly dinner, program and “mini concert” from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Lebanon Foursquare Church, 470 W C St., Lebanon.
This month’s presentation, “Happiness is Music,” features Michelle Petersen of Lebanon, an accomplished singer. Michelle composes and has been playing guitar for most of her life.
Guest speaker will be DiAnne Wilson, from Caldwell, Idaho, who will explain how to “Leave a Little Glitter Where We Go and Sparkle Like We Mean It!” She will speak about how to choose to apply steadfast love to those we meet every day.
Cost to attend and dine is $18; please no credit cards. For reservations, contact Sherri at 541.258.6414, or Nancy at 541.259.1396 or via email at [email protected].
Ballot Measure Forum
The Linn County Unit of the League of Women Voters of Oregon will hold a forum on Oregon ballot measures 117 and 118 at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Albany Public Library’s community room, 2450 14th Ave. SE.
Measure 118 would require the state to issue rebates to residents from a new corporate sales tax. Antonio Gisbert, chief petitioner for what supporters call the Oregon People’s Rebate, will speak in support of the measure. Speaking in opposition will be Preston Mann, director of political affairs for Oregon Business and Industry.
The discussion will shift at around 7:30 p.m. to Measure 117, which would establish ranked-choice voting for federal and state offices. Explaining the measure and how ranked-choice voting works will be Gabriel Shepherd, a Corvallis city councilor who was a leading voice in establishing ranked-choice voting in Corvallis.
All of the speakers will answer questions from the audience. Anyone is welcome to attend. Remember that the last day to register to vote in the upcoming election is Oct. 15. The mailing of ballots will begin on Oct. 16. Election Day is Nov. 5.
For more information about the forum or the League of Women Voters, call Linda at 503.707.1539 or visit the Facebook page, LeagueOfWomenVotersOfLinnCountyOregon.
Blood Drive
The high school Interact Club will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, in the activities gym at the high school, 1641 Long St.
Register online at RedCrossBlood.org, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Family History Fair
The Linn and Benton County “Family History Fair” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2850 SW Grand Prairie Rd. SE Albany.
Bring your family, discover your ancestors and find cousins. Bring a laptop, tablet or phone. There will be classes and fun activities. Snacks are provided.
Square Dance
Sweet Home Squarenaders will host square dance lessons on Sundays from 2:45-4:30 p.m. at the Foster Elementary School gym, 5526 Poplar St.
First two lessons are free; $5 per lesson thereafter. No partner required. Mainstream level for beginners. Graduation in January. For more information, contact Rod Stidham at 541.367.4939.
Bunco Fundraiser
The Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O. Chapter DD) will host its annual bunco
Fundraiser at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Evangelical Church gym, 1347 Long Street.
Cost is $20 per person. Proceeds provide educational scholarships, loans and grants to women in our community. Last year we were able to help two local ladies with a couple of significant scholarships.
R.S.V.P. Donna at 541.401.2513 by Oct. 17. Men are welcome too. There will be a silent auction with some cool things, prizes, snacks and beverages. If you would like to donate something for the silent auction or donate for the cause, contact Donna.
Volunteers, Donations Needed at Museum
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.
Christmas Store Fundraiser
A bingo fundraiser for the 10th annual Sweet Home Kids Free Christmas Store will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the RezRock, 1621 53rd Ave., next to the post office in Foster.
Entry fee is $15 per person. The event includes food concessions, door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. To reserve a table for four to six people, or for more information, send a text message to Nancy Patton at 541.409.4276.
Proceeds benefit the Kids Free Christmas Store, a nonprofit group for Sweet Home children ages 2-12 years old, who can shop for FREE for the families they LIVE with. All items are new. Funding for the Store comes from business sponsorships, individuals, car washes and bingo nights.
Talent Competition
Sweet Home Oregon Coalition for Artistic and Scholastic Enrichment will host its annual SHOCASE Showdown Talent Competition at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the high school auditorium, 1641 Long St.
Sign up to participate, or simply enjoy watching some of Sweet Home and the surrounding area’s top performers as they compete for cash prizes. The event is free to attend and open to everyone. Performances will be judged by a panel of artists, including last year’s winner, and there is also a People’s Choice award that is determined by the audience.
Sign-ups to participate in the competition must be completed by Oct. 11 using a form that can be picked up at City Hall or the Chamber of Commerce, or by downloading via this link: https://bit.ly/3ZwN3Dn.
For more information, contact Ward Christman at 541.570.2308, or via email at [email protected].
Animal Rescue Volunteers 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.
Rising Star Farm Tour
The Oregon State University Extension Small Farms Program will host the Rising Star Farm Tour from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, in Lebanon.
Learn how they are raising Sable goats for dairy, Cochin Bantam chickens for breeding and eggs, as well as operating a cozy Airbnb cottage on the property. This is a regional small farm tour on five acres and is open to all. Enjoy an optional potluck and connect with other local farmers in the area.
There is a $5 fee to attend, with scholarships available upon request. Registration is required to
receive the address; there is limited capacity. For additional details and to register, visit https://beav.es/pSa. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by Oct 10.
For more information or for accommodations, contact Crystal Kelso at 541.730.3539 or via email at [email protected].
Puzzle Competition
Sunshine Industries Unlimited will host a “Puzzling to Make A Difference” puzzle competition from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Sweet Home Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St.
This is a fundraiser event for the organization that is celebrating 50 years of providing opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Teams of two will race against other teams to complete a 500 piece, specially designed, top secret jigsaw puzzle in a two-hour time limit. Cost to compete is a $200 tax-deductible donation per team. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place winners.
Proceeds will help replace inoperable vehicles and major facility repairs.
Register online at https://bit.ly/3TEdaEy, or print off a registration form from the Facebook page and return to [email protected], or mail to Sunshine Industries, 1333 Clark Mill Rd, Sweet Home, OR 97386.
Trail Walk
Build Lebanon Trails will host a trail walk along the Marks Slough Trail on both sides of Tennessee Road from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12. Meet in the parking lot at 33161 Tennessee Road SE, opposite the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lebanon.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. For more information, visit buildlebanontrails.com.
Community Dinners
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.
Science & The Bible Seminar
Pastor Jesse Hey from Sweet Home Evangelical Church will host a science and creation seminar on Sundays from 5-6 p.m. Oct. 13 to Nov. 3 at the church, 1347 Long St.
Hey will explore the arguments of Darwinian evolution, study nature for evidence of design v. randomness, explore Noah’s flood and geology, and test the reliability of the Bible.
Oct. 13: The Supposed Proofs of Darwinian Evolution
Oct. 20: Design in Nature or Blind Chance?
Oct. 27: Noah’s Flood & Geology
Nov. 3: Is the Bible Reliable?
The seminar is free, refreshments will be provided and fossils will be given away. The slideshow presentation is designed for children and adults. Creation Science materials and fossils of extinct animals will be on display.
Cowboy Poetry Fundraiser
Sweet Home Senior Center will host “A Night With the Cowboys,” a benefit fundraiser, from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, 880 18th Ave.
Cowboy poetry and songs of the west will be the night’s entertainment, featuring Jim Crotts, Crystalline Christensen and Duane Nelson. Admission is free, but donations would be accepted. This is a fundraiser for Violet Nunes, to send her to the Jr. National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Slider plates will be available for $5 each.
Sweet Home Farmers’ Market
Farmers’ Market will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Tuesdays until Oct. 19 at 1141 12th Ave., next to the library.
Vendors are selling hot food, fresh vegetables, vegetable plants, baked goods, meat, eggs, honey, flowers, mushrooms, fruit and more.
International Folk Dance Show
The BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble will perform on Nov. 6, 8 and 9 in Sisters, Corvallis and Eugene.
The performers showcase dance styles of the world and feature the traditions of the United States at international folklore festivals, combining ethnic traditions with exquisite costuming. Offering one of the broadest spectrums of folk dance performed by a single group of its kind, the performance includes music and dance from all over the world including Europe, the Caribbean and Asia.
The show will be held: Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Sisters High School auditorium, 1700 W McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters; Friday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. at The LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St, Corvallis; and Saturday, Nov. 9, at 9 p.m. at Lane Community College’s Ragozzino Performance Hall, Building 6, 4000 E 30th Ave, Eugene.
Tickets cost between $15 and $28, and can be purchased ahead of time online at pam.byu.edu/events/?P=international-folk-dance-ensemble.
Luau Event for Veterans
Opening Act Foundation will host a “Holiday Luau” benefit for veterans at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Sweet Home VFW, 580 Main St.
Cost is $20 general admission, $15 veterans and $10 for children under 12. The luau event will include a buffet dinner with whole pigs roasted outdoors and other Hawaiian dishes. Entertainment will include local talent and the hula dancers of Hālau Hula o Nā Pua o Hawaiʻi Nei.
Proceeds benefit local veterans’ holiday food boxes.
Purchase tickets at the Sweet Home VFW, or online at oafoundation.ticketleap.com/christmas-luau.
Albany Farmers Market
The Albany Farmers Market will be open every Saturday until Nov. 23 located in the City Hall parking lot and on an adjacent street that fronts the Linn County Courthouse. The Albany Farmers Market is the oldest continuously operated open-air farmers market in Oregon. For more information visit locallygrown.org/albany-saturday-market/.
Winter Choral Performance
The Lebanon Community Chorus will present a performance of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” as part of its winter concert, “Reflections of Life,” which takes place at 3 p.m. on Nov. 24 at the First Presbyterian Church, 145 W Ash St, Lebanon.
The concert will explore the profound and varied experiences that shape our human journey. The first half of our program features “Gloria,” a Baroque masterpiece that, through its dynamic movements, encapsulates the cycle of life – from the joyous beginnings and challenges of youth to the reflective and celebratory moments of later years.
The second half transitions to a selection of more contemporary choral works that continue this chronological reflection on life’s key moments. These pieces capture the exuberance of living, the tranquility of innocence, the charm of the mundane, the tenderness of love, the resilience needed to overcome challenges, the poignant beauty found in life’s inevitable losses, and the indomitable flow of the human spirit.
Together, these works offer a musical journey through the stages of life, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences and the universal emotions that connect us all.
Directed by Terence Madlangbayan. Bill Langdon is the piano accompanist. The LCC is made up of nearly 50 talented singers from Albany, Brownsville, Lebanon, Sweet Home and surrounding areas. For more information, visit lebanoncommunitychorus.org or stay updated on the Facebook page, Facebook.com/LebanonCommunityChorus.
‘The Innkeepers’ Play
Playwright Satina Tolman brings back her nativity story, “The Innkeepers,” on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15, at the Sweet Home High School auditorium, 1641 Long St.
Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing journey as the innkeeper and his wife retell the nativity story from their unique perspective, a story that reminds us of the power of compassion, love and the true meaning of Christmas. With its captivating narrative, heartwarming characters and inspiring songs, “The Innkeepers” promises to be a must-attend event this holiday season.
Admission is free. Shows will be performed Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3-4:30 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3-4:30 p.m.
For more information and updates, visit the Facebook event page at Facebook.com/theinnkeeperssweethome. For inquiries or to become a sponsor, contact Satina via email at [email protected] or [email protected].