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Friday, May 18, 2012
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
February 21, 2012
We're nearing the end of February and it won't be much longer before we will be planning and plotting out flower and vegetable gardens.
Along with the little purple violets and crocus and daffodil sightings in MI Town, garden catalogs and brightly colored packets of seeds are everywhere. While it's much too early to set out plants, this is a great time of year to think about the benefits of growing fruits and vegetables for your families.
Even though we can find a variety of good produce in our local grocery stores year round, nothing can begin to compare with something you've grown in your very own garden. Apartment dwellers can grow lettuce and tomato plants in a sunny window or on a small patio if space is at a premium. Starting a tray of seedlings is a fun activity for children, too.
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Spring vacation is still several weeks away, but plans are being made for the No Hungry Child Spring Break Lunch Program throughout Polk and Marion counties.
There will be almost 40 locations where nutritious lunches will be available to children between the ages of 1 and 18 during the week of March 26-30. Because of family economic situations, many children in our area qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunches during the school year.
If you can spare a few hours during that week to help feed hungry children, contact Janet Spingath at 503-581-3855, ext. 311. We won't guarantee a great suntan, but you'll have the opportunity to feel good about doing something for children in our community.
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Close your eyes just for a minute and think about how good a buttered ear of fresh corn on the cob tastes at the Polk County Fair.
The Central FFA Alumni, the folks responsible for that awesome summertime experience, would like to invite everyone to attend their 20th Annual Benefit Auction and Dinner on Saturday in the Central High School cafeteria.
Dinner tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children 6-12, and kids under 6 eat free. The silent auction is from 5 to 7 p.m., dinner is served from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and an oral auction is scheduled for 7 p.m.
For more information: Frances Buckovic, 503-838-2035.
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Mark your calendars and round up the whole family for an evening of bingo fun, book prizes and refreshments -- and it's all free. Family Book Bingo returns to the Monmouth Public Library at 6 p.m. Thursday.
For information on MI Town's excellent library programs for readers of all ages, in Independence call 503-838-1811 or visit www.independence.plinkit.org. For Monmouth programs, call 503-751-9182 or visit www.monmouth.plinkit.org.
ACEBOOK