Monmouth-Independence Community Advantage Magazine October 2024

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Haunted History

Walk amongst the spirits downtown

Spooky season is upon us, and the dark and mysterious lurks behind every corner! Join friends, family and neighbors for the annual Independence Ghost Walk, Oct. 5, 4 to 9 p.m. This fun opportunity will allow you to learn the eerie history of downtown, peruse Halloweenthemed vendors, take in a Hearse Car Show and kick off October’s Halloween festivities!

Independence local and author of “Haunted Independence, Oregon” Marilyn Morton started the Ghost Walk in 2002 in conjunction with the Hop & Heritage Festival, and that first year they had 300 people in attendance. Nowadays, the event has exploded, with 20 visiting locations, at least 30 volunteers, and an estimated 2,000+ people of all ages, judging from the attendance last year. “This event truly is for everyone. There’s an adult-child divide when it comes to enjoying Halloween, and the Ghost Walk bridges those nicely,” says Heritage Museum Director Natascha Adams.

The evening’s agenda begins with Apparition Avenue, a new addition this year. The Ghost Walk has traditionally focused strictly on Main Street, but the truth is the whole downtown is full of local lore, and Apparition Avenue will highlight some spooky sites off the beaten path from 4 to 6 p.m. There’s an hour break between that and the Ghost Walk, leaving time to grab a bite at local restaurants or a hot dog from the Heritage Museum Society.

Maps will be available for pickup by the fountain downtown or in the Umpqua Bank parking lot, so grab your guide and

let the frightening fun begin! From 7 to 9 p.m., volunteer ghost hosts will stand outside each historic building on Main Street to share the site’s origins entwined with paranormal phenomena sure to send a shiver down your spine! Free glow sticks will be available at the museum during the event.

Some ghost hosts dress up and take on a first-person persona to make the experience extra spooky.

“Many of the volunteers have the same locations every year, so they’re well ingrained and tend to weave new spectral facts into their stories from year to year,” Natascha says. “That

includes first-person accounts of interacting with ghosts.” But don’t worry because, as Marilyn Morton says, all the ghosts in Independence are friendly!

For the second year, the event includes a Hearse Car Show, held in the Umpqua Bank parking lot from 4 to 9 p.m. Hearse enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their creepy cars to add to the ghostly fun. Registration is available on the Heritage Museum’s website. The event will also feature vendors selling unique Halloween crafts like Jack-O-Lanterns made from propane tanks.

The Ghost Walk is the perfect start to October and the Halloween season, as well as a time to learn the history of downtown and enjoy local businesses and restaurants. The Heritage Museum is proud to host this free, family-friendly event that’s a delight for all ages. “It’s hard to get to all the stops in one night, so people tend to come back, and it varies which sites we highlight based on which volunteers are available,” says Natascha. “It’s an event locals have come to love and look forward to each year.”

For more information on The Ghost Walk, visit the event website at www.orheritage.org/ghostwalk.

Frightful Festivities

Ghoulish gallivanting in Downtown Dallas

Trick-or-treating is a treasured Halloween tradition with two primary aims: candy and community. For generations, kids have enjoyed dressing up and knocking on neighbor’s doors for a smile and a sweet treat. Downtown Dallas has always celebrated Halloween by inviting everyone to put on their scariest costumes and come down to enjoy the spooky season. This year, the Dallas Downtown Association is organizing the event, and they’re planning a lineup of fun activities for all ages, including trick-or-treating at downtown businesses, a costume contest, cornhole and more!

Trick N Treat on Main Street will be held this year on Thursday, October 31st, from 4 to 6 p.m. The event has had different names, sponsors and locations over the years, but the chamber moved it to Courthouse Square on Main Street a few years ago, where it remains to this day. “This is our first time organizing the event, and the chamber has been very helpful in sharing their experience and advice,” says Downtown Manager Helen Connolly.

The vibrant city streets are lined with locally-owned businesses, and many will welcome trick-or-treaters for candy or activities like ghoulish games and crafts. Though the event is centered at the courthouse, other participating businesses to visit along Main Street include Lora Michele Dance Studio, Gather Food Park and New Morning Bakery. Participants can pick up a scavenger hunt card at the information booth that leads to various fun and frightening locations to collect even more candy. Not only that, more prizes are in store for those who complete the hunt!

Courthouse Square is the perfect place to host this haunted happening. “We want to provide a safe way for our youth to

participate in Halloween activities in a centralized location,” says Helen. “It’s similar to a giant block party with a focus on fun, not just candy.” Families will get the opportunity to play cornhole, try the pumpkin ring toss and create Halloweenthemed crafts. The costume contest, sponsored by Keller Williams Cornerstone Team, will be held at 5 p.m. and includes a pet segment, so put your fur babies in their matching costumes and bring them along!

With lots of spooky adornments and an array of costumes to admire, the Downtown Dallas Association plans to transform Main Street into a Halloween wonderland. Keep an eye out for the life-size scarecrows, creatively dressed and decorated, and strike a pose next to the silliest one for a photo! There will be an opportunity to cast a vote for your favorite. Trick N Treat on Main Street is a collaboration of many. “We’ve had incredible support so far,” shares Helen. “Keller Williams Cornerstone Team and Willamette Valley Fiber have been essential in making this event successful. Dalton Land & Cattle Co. is sponsoring the scarecrow portion. Lora Michele Dance Studio, Synergize Auto, Gather Food Park, Ray of Sunshine Home Cooking and Bakery and New Morning Bakery are helping with gathering donations and other tasks.”

For their close-knit community, the Dallas Downtown Association is excited to bring everyone together to celebrate Halloween downtown. “We’re grateful to our local businesses, community partners and volunteers who make this event happen and contribute to a vibrant experience for all,” says Helen.

For more information on Trick N Treat on Main Street, visit www.dallasdowntownassociation.org/trickortreat.

Spooky Streets

Neighboring towns host Hallo-happenings

Double, double, toil and trouble! The communities of Monmouth and Independence invite you and the whole family to dress up in your craziest, spookiest costumes and get ready for a special Halloween night of tricks, treats and lots of laughter. This year, the sister cities are teaming up for an evening of frightening entertainment, featuring trickor-treating, activities, a photo booth and more!

For well over 15 years, Monmouth has hosted a Halloween celebration downtown, and in the past it was called Halloween Spooktacular. Independence throws a similar party just two miles down the road, so this year the two communities are partnering for an event they’ve collectively named MI Town Halloween. It will occur on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Downtown Independence and 4 to 6 p.m. in Downtown Monmouth, so visitors are encouraged to take the MI trolley, visit both communities and collect twice the candy!

The Monmouth Business Association (MBA) sponsors MI Town Halloween in Monmouth, which is free to attend, and they’ve planned a sinister schedule of activities for all ages! Traditional trick-or-treating will occur throughout

the downtown businesses; each will have a balloon and a sign in the window indicating participation. Other local organizations will have decorated pop-ups on Warren Street alongside Main Street Park, handing out candy and other Halloween goodies. “Our local businesses love to support our trick-or-treaters; it’s fun for everyone to see their amazing costumes,” says organizer Emily McAnulty of MaMere’s Guest House.

Western Oregon University will also join the party with a line-up of exciting activities for kids and a photo booth so families can capture their own pictures to commemorate the night. Watch out for Wolfie, the school’s mascot, who will be gallivanting around town looking for friends and photo opportunities!

The MBA is excited to partner with Independence this year. MI Town Halloween is essentially an enhanced tradition of a treasured community celebration that’s been around for years. “It’s always fun to see the turnout and the immense amount of joy that comes out of this event,” Emily says.

Downtown Monmouth is home to a collection of incredible retailers and restaurants, so grab dinner or a snack while you’re out and help support the local community. MI Town Halloween in Independence is being organized by the Independence Downtown Association and will feature a similar setup with trickor-treating at downtown businesses and other spooky surprises in store!

For more on MI Town Halloween, contact the MBA through www.mbamonmouth.com.

Unmasking Halloween

A journey into its ancient origins

Each autumn as October draws near, neighborhoods transform. Pumpkins leer from porches, skeletons and monsters festoon front yards, and children eagerly anticipate the thrill of trick-or-treating and the hoard of candy they will amass. But where did this creepy spectacle we call Halloween originate?

The answer to this stretches back over two thousand years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sowin). Celebrated on October 31st, Samhain marked the close of summer and the commencement of winter — a dark, cold, time associated with death in Celtic tradition. On the night before Samhain, the Celts believed the boundary between the living and the dead grew thin, permitting spirits to roam freely across

the earth. To ward off these visitors from the other side, people built bonfires and donned costumes fashioned from the heads and hides of animals.

Later, as the Roman Empire gained dominion over much of Europe, their festivals of Feralia (commemorating the passing of the dead) and Pomona (honoring the goddess of fruits and trees) merged with Samhain. This cultural fusion brought apple bobbing into the festivities. Pomona, the goddess of orchard fruits, was often depicted bearing apples, a symbol of the harvest and abundance. Incorporating apples into the holiday is a nod to Pomona’s influence — still seen today in bobbing for apples and the tradition of candy apples. As the centuries passed, celebrating the harvest and honoring the dead were integrated into Halloween traditions, blending Roman and the older Celtic customs together as something new.

Fast forward to the 8th century when Pope Gregory III declared November 1 as All Saints’ Day or All Hallows’ Day, to honor saints and martyrs. These new holidays were part of a broader strategy by the Christian church to replace pagan festivals with Christian ones. As time passed, the night before October 31, became All Hallows’ Eve — morphing eventually into Halloween. It was during this period that traditions like souling and guising emerged, where the poor went door to door requesting soul cakes in exchange for their prayers on behalf of the dead. It was this tradition that evolved into what we know today as trick-or-treating.

The jack-o’-lantern, one of the most iconic symbols of Halloween, has its own fascinating origin. The tradition of carving faces into vegetables predates Halloween and originates from ancient Irish folklore. According to the story, a man named Stingy Jack attempted to trick the Devil and was condemned to roam the earth with only a lantern fashioned from a carved-out turnip to light his way. In Ireland turnips were used for this purpose during Halloween festivities, but upon reaching the New World, Irish immigrants discovered that pumpkins, native to their new home,

were larger and easier to carve. This practical switch gave rise to the nowfamiliar jack-o’-lantern, a central feature of Halloween décor to this day. Halloween continued to evolve in the New World. In colonial America, European traditions integrated with indigenous harvest festivals creating new customs. While many American colonists celebrated Halloween with activities such as fortune-telling, dancing and communal gatherings, the Puritans, due to their strict religious views, frowned upon Halloween festivities, deeming them to be pagan and irrelevant. Despite puritanical naysayers, the 19th century saw Halloween expand into a communitycentered event with activities like parades, parties and mischief-making. Halloween also grew to be accepted by schools, churches and civic groups which began holding those same parties, parades and other festivities. As Halloween became a familyfriendly event, much of the raucous mischief-making of the past began to diminish. By the early 20th century, Halloween was celebrated from coast to coast as a national holiday.

In the decades following World War II, Halloween traditions were firmly entrenched with costumes, trick-or-treating and spooky decorations taking center stage. Instead of the laborious handsewn costumes of the past, factories now massproduced inexpensive costumes that made dressing up for Halloween a snap. As Halloween became increasingly commercialized, themed parties, haunted houses and an expanding array of Halloweenthemed merchandise became the norm.

Today, Halloween’s popularity has only burgeoned. Contemporary trends run the gamut from spooky movie marathons and elaborate haunted attractions, to viral social media challenges and interactive experiences. Year-round Halloween shops exist to satiate your spooky urges. Halloween has even expanded the ghostly season to stretch beyond October 31, with Halloween promotions and events commencing as early as September. So commercially successful is Halloween from a business standpoint that it stands second only to Christmas in terms of revenue generated — a testament to its enduring appeal across generations.

As the air grows chill and the trees turn red and gold, remember that Halloween is more than just candy, costumes and jack-o’-lanterns. It’s a tapestry woven from ancient rituals, Christian traditions and the spiritual beliefs of numerous cultures spanning centuries. It’s a time to embrace the spooky, celebrate community and be on the lookout for spirits that may stalk the earth at this sacred time of year.

So as you don your costume and select a pumpkin for carving, take a moment to ponder the ancient roots of this beloved holiday. Whether you’re young or simply young at heart, Halloween is an invitation to revel in the mystery of the unknown, celebrate the cycle of life and death, and to maybe even bob for an apple or two. And as the last light fades on All Hallows’ Eve, the timeless allure of things that go bump in the night is sure to embrace you once more.

15 Years & Counting

Family-run business continues legacy

If you’ve ever seen a house or apartment that’s only recently had its tenants move out, you might be familiar with some of the questions people always seem to leave behind. How long has this door been sticking? What’s making that weird clicking noise? What’s that smell? Did they use toothpaste to patch the holes in this wall? And of course: what the heck caused that stain on the living room carpet?

Some mysteries may never have answers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have solutions. Josh Vorderstrasse, the owner and operator of Mighty Clean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Services in Monmouth, is in the business of providing solutions to stains both mysterious and mundane with a focus on excellent customer service and providing the absolute highest quality of work.

Josh has been involved in the carpet cleaning industry since he was twelve, working alongside his dad and his brother on weekends and during his winter and summer breaks. He learned a lot over the years, gaining an extensive depth of knowledge about carpet and upholstery cleaning. In September of 2009, he decided to start his own company; he bought a van, stocked it with the equipment he needed, and got to work on providing service to his community.

Mighty Clean has just marked its fifteenth anniversary of operation, though Josh prefers to stay low-key about it. He’s doing what he loves and what he knows he’s great at, and that makes the years roll by smoothly. That approach may apply to his marriage, too, as he’ll soon be celebrating nineteen years of matrimony with his beautiful wife, with whom he has two children. In fact, Josh’s focus on his family is one of the reasons he loves his work; the flexible schedule it offers allows him to play a huge role in his kids’ lives, including attending and even coaching their games. Given how enthusiastic they both are about sports and athletics, that’s a massive perk.

Carpet and upholstery cleaning is a rewarding line of work to Josh both for the satisfaction he takes from a job well done and from the relationships he’s built and fostered with his customers over the years. Naturally a people person, Josh has a friendly and honest demeanor that has charmed the countless people he’s crossed paths with over the decades he’s been working. He sees his customers a bit like some might see their extended family; checking in on them for an hour or two every year, seeing how they’re doing and how their kids have grown, and promising to see each other in another twelve months. He does his best to foster these relationships and takes genuine pride in the friendships he’s developed with his customers over the years.

Josh’s gregarious personality isn’t the only thing Mighty Clean has going for it, of course. He also prides himself on his superior quality of service and on his fair and reasonable pricing. One of his favorite parts of the job is the “look on people’s faces when they didn’t realize how good their carpet would look if it was cleaned,” especially when his work just saved them thousands of dollars on getting their floors redone. For first-time homebuyers, his work can be a massive source of stress relief.

Of course, Mighty Clean does more than just carpets; they also handle tile and grout. Josh also specializes

in cleaning and treating upholstery. He can offer a range of services for your couches, recliners, loveseats, and even the inside of your car, boat, or RV. If you have an office or other commercial space that needs cleaning, or even a whole apartment complex, he can do that, too; no job is too big or too small and there are never any hidden fees. Josh prides himself on keeping his prices affordable and giving his customers an honest and fair deal every time.

If you’re looking for a carpet cleaner, you can reach Mighty Clean at (503) 956-6148 or visit their website at https:// mightycleanonline.com/ to schedule a cleaning and get more information on pricing. No matter how big the stain is and no matter how mysterious its origins, Mighty Clean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Services can help make your carpet or upholstery look fantastic.

Veggie Venture

Producer sows seeds and sustainability

CSA stands for community-supported agriculture and it’s an incredibly revolutionary program that allows customers to invest in the quality of their food by giving farmers the up-front capital needed to grow and produce. The CSA at Lucky Crow Farm offers an abundant assortment of tasty seasonal vegetables and herbs perfect for creating fresh, healthy dishes the whole family will love!

Lucky Crow is a labor of love for Eden Olsen, a Willamette Valley native whose family has been farming the region for generations. She started the farm in 2017 after attending college in Southern California to study sustainable agriculture and food policy, subsequently working on a ranch in Sacramento and a produce farm in Chimacum, Washington. “There, I learned how to grow lots of vegetables with a focus on specialty greens and tomatoes,” she explains. “After that, I felt ready to start my own operation.” The name ‘Lucky Crow’ comes from two crows that are longtime residents of the Monmouth property. Eden’s mom has always thought they were lucky.

Eden cultivates a diverse set of crops designed to provide a weekly box of nutritious, colorful vegetables to CSA members from mid-June through mid-October, including tomatoes,

eggplants, peppers, lettuce, beans, peas, squash, cucumbers and more! “If it’s an annual vegetable, you name it and I probably grow it,” says Eden with a laugh. In the fall, she adds storage crops like winter squashes. CSA members and any other interested parties receive an emailed weekly newsletter with easy and delicious recipes for the showcased vegetables.

Lucky Crow has roughly around 60 CSA members for 18 weeks out of the year, with options to pick up on the farm or meet at drop-off locations in Independence, South Salem, West Salem and Corvallis. They’re also at Independence Farmers Market – where Eden is Board President — every Saturday from April through November. Direct retail is available via Eden’s online store, and she has several local restaurant accounts.

CSAs are an essential component of sustainable agriculture. Most members pay upfront, which helps farmers at the beginning of the season when costs are high for things like soil amendments and seeds. With a focus on organic growing practices, Lucky Crow is extra dedicated to maintaining soil health through cover cropping and integrated pest management (guidelines to reduce pests while minimizing risks to humans and the environment). Eden’s focus on sustainability also extends to the business side of things. “It’s important to me to pay fair wages and to participate in the local community on boards and committees, even monetarily when I can,” she says. Lucky Crow partners with local

organizations as much as possible, like OSU Extension and the Polk and Water Conservation District. This year, they’re hosting a Rogue Farm Corps apprentice named Abigayle, who is learning soil health, pest management and propagation as part of an educational program for aspiring farmers. Eden’s brother helps out part-time, and Bethany is another new face this year who’s fitting in swimmingly.

Monthly supper clubs are a mouthwatering collaboration of Lucky Crow’s current bounty and the culinary prowess of Eden’s partner, Chef Lindsay Darling. “She gets inspired with whatever is in season,” she says, “and we throw a casual dinner party with a curated five-course meal. It’s fun and absolutely delicious.” They host around 30 people at Indy Commons, a coworking space with a community

kitchen and pop-up restaurant spot. Dinners are held the last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of each month, and the tickets, which always go fast, are sold online starting the first of each month. The name of the event is tonguein-cheek: Eat Crow Supper Club.

Yet another testament to Eden’s commitment to sustainability is the Double Up Food Bucks program at the farmers market and in her online store, so anyone using SNAP benefits can buy fresh produce at half the regular price. She also regularly conducts group tours of the farm in partnership with different organizations that support future farmers.

Lucky Crow Farm is well-loved with a loyal following. “There are customers that have been with us since the beginning, and a lot of new faces, especially at the farmers market,” Eden says. “It’s great to see people supporting local businesses and wanting to have a relationship with their food and their farmer.”

Lucky Crow Farm is located at 6345 Edwards Rd. S. in Monmouth. Please give them a call at 971-612-2239 or visit their website at www.luckycrowfarm.com.

Ghostbusters I & II (1984,

1989)

“Who you gonna call?” There’s nothing like the original Ghostbusters, and the reboots aren’t even worth watching in my opinion. Not one but two sci-fi action-comedies star a legendary cast, including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts, Rick Moranis, and more. Parapsychologists turned ghost hunters in New York City end up saving the world twice — from an ancient god, Dozer, hellbent on destruction, and the Stay Puft marshmallow man (Ghostbusters I), and then again from a psychoactive pink slime flowing under the city, and a 16th century sorcereralchemist Vigo the Carpathian who wants to be reborn in the 20th century. The movies are occult, spooky, funny, actionpacked, and great for the whole family. Rated PG, but with strong language and mature themes it’s more like PG-13.

Stream these movies where available, or rent from your local movie store, library or rental kiosk.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1990) Shaun of the Dead (2004)

“Without even thinking about it, I used to be able to fly. Now I’m trying to look inside myself and find out how I did it.” This heartwarming anime follows the journey of 13-yearold Kiki, a young witch who moves

to a quaint seaside town with her loyal talking cat, Jiji. As part of the tradition in her village, Kiki must spend a year living on her own to complete her training as a witch. Armed with her broomstick, she quickly learns to harness her flying abilities and starts a unique delivery service, delivering packages to the town’s residents. The movie captures Kiki’s growth and the challenges she faces — she becomes part of the community and yet her confidence begins to waver, leading her to lose the magic that once came so easily. And the animation is utterly stunning. Rated G.

“How’s that for a slice of fried gold?” The movie opens with an homage to London citizens going through their work days like zombies, arguably showing how complacent and boring our lives have become — only when threatened, like our primordial days, do we truly live again.

Once the zombie outbreak takes hold, things get exciting. Shaun, an AV salesperson, and Ed, a small-time weed dealer, are thrust into action to defend themselves. Once outside, they band together with friends and quest to their local pub, The Winchester. Billed as a rom-com with zombies, there are interpersonal subplots galore, including Shaun and Liz’s deteriorating relationship (Shaun isn’t spontaneous or romantic), Shaun and Ed’s one-sided friendship, Shaun’s rocky relationship with his stepfather, and jealous David whose love for Liz is unrequited. It’s gut-ripping gore hyperbole. It’s deeply funny with its dry British humor. And it’s action-packed. A zombie movie in its own right, it’s also an homage to George A. Romero. Directed by Edgar Wright and starring a huge cast with Bill Nighy, Peter Serafinowicz, Kate Ashfield and more. Rated R for language and graphic violence.

Freaky Facts

 Halloween’s origins go back to the ancient Celtic festival of “Samhain,” the celebration of the end of harvest season. The Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead got a little blurry and the dead would come back to life and wreak havoc among the living. How to scare the dead? Wear costumes and masks.

 The average American eats about 3.4 pounds of Halloween candy.

 Try wearing your clothes inside out and walk backwards on Halloween. According to traditions, this will make sure you see a witch at midnight.

Elevate Your Outdoors

Soils, boulders, veneers, oh my!

Landscape Shoppe in West Salem is the place to go for the largest selection of landscape products in Oregon. Whether you’re taking on a DIY project or working with a contractor, Landscape Shoppe promises to be your “One Stop Landscape Shoppe.” Situated across from West Hills Vineyards on Highway 22 between Oak Knoll Golf Course and Doaks Ferry Road, you’ll find Landscape Shoppe convenient, welcoming and well-stocked!

Products range from bark to boulders, to custom-blend soils and sod, as well as concrete hardscape and everything in between. Natural and manufactured stone veneers can also be found among the many materials waiting to beautify your home’s exterior. Unique to Oregon’s landscape industry, Landscape Shoppe is the only company in Oregon that offers an advanced

website which allows for online ordering and stocks onsite everything presented on the website.

Focused on taking care of clients, Landscape Shoppe’s yard is set up to conveniently serve the public. A team of friendly staff — 10 by last count — provide one-on-one, hands-on service to the public, guiding them step by step through the process. Set up for self-serve, customers can walk the yard, grab a cart and haul smaller loads to their vehicles themselves. The Shoppe also has scales to weigh bulk materials, including a vehicle scale and tractor assistance for larger bulk loads. “We make it real simple for them,” says owner Tim Barnes, who sometimes meets up with clients at their home for consults. Although Landscape Shoppe no longer carries plants, they’re very happy to refer clients to a local nursery.

Celebrating 10 years of business, Landscape Shoppe is enjoying its second season at the new yard. What started out as a way for Barnes to sell off surplus materials from Westside Landscape — a company he’s owned for almost 40 years — turned into a successful standalone business. Tim owns Landscape Shoppe with his wife, Denise, and their youngest son, Luke, serves as general manager.

Local to the West Salem area, Tim grew up across the street from the Landscape Shoppe and practically lived at Oak Knoll Golf Course, which his family owned for 35 years. Armed with a degree in landscape technologies from PCC, Tim made his way into the landscape industry. Sharing deep roots with the community, Barnes is a strong supporter of the Salem Dream Center, a local nonprofit based in West Salem. Landscape Shoppe is located at 5000 Salem Dallas Hwy. N.W. in Salem. Contact them at 503-391-2833 or email info@landscapeshoppe.com with inquiries. Visit landscapeshoppe. com for fall specials and more on products and services.

Photos
Tim and Denise Barnes

CARVE THE PERFECT PUMPKI N

Believe it or not, everyone can be an artist when it comes to pumpkin carving, but it is harder than it looks. Follow the following eleven tips, and your gourds will look and smell good the entire trick-or-treating season. Get carving!

 Start with the right pumpkin.

Choose one that’s fresh, with a sturdy stem, no bruises, and a flat bottom so it won’t roll while you carve.

 Cut from the bottom, not the top.

Cutting your “lid” from the bottom of the pumpkin helps prevent the sides from caving in later.

 If you carve from the top, cut lid on an angle. This way it won’t drop inside the pumpkin when you replace it, like it would with a straight up-and-down cut. A boning knife should work well for this.

 Scoop out all the pulp (and then some).

You can buy a special “claw” for pumpkin gutting, but an ice cream scoop will do just fine. Thin the inner wall of the “face” area to 1¼-inch thick, so it will be easier to pierce the shell.

 Sketch your design to size on paper first. Tape it to the front of your pumpkin. Using a fork or pencil, poke holes along the lines you want to carve.

 Try holding the pumpkin in your lap.

It’s easier to create features when the face is gazing up at you. It is suggested to use a serrated kitchen knife or an X-Acto knife.

 Start by making simple rough cuts.

If you get the big pieces of pumpkin out of the way first, you can go back and clean up the edges of your design later.

 Use your scraps creatively.

Make a tongue, pipe, or hair accessories out of discarded pieces of pumpkin shell, for example.

 Keep your pumpkin fresh.

Spread petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in moisture. If your pumpkin still shrivels a few days later, revive it with a facedown soak in cold water for up to eight hours.

 Create a chimney.

First, leave the lid on for a few minutes while the candle burns. Cut a small hole where the pumpkin has blackened up top. Or, save yourself the stress and opt for a battery-operated votive.

Sprinkle cinnamon inside.

That way, when you light the candle, your jack-o’-lantern will smell like a pumpkin pie. Yum.

Fishing for Stories

Professor brings passion to literary arts

Dr. Henry Hughes, professor of literature and writing at Western Oregon University, has a pure passion for what he teaches — writing, literature, nature, and adventure. Perhaps more importantly, he’s deeply passionate about the oldest human art form — storytelling. “We always need our society to tell, write, sing, and appreciate our stories,” Hughes said.

For Dr. Hughes, reading and teaching began at an early age. “I was always happy to talk about books, whether people wanted to hear it or not,” Hughes said jokingly. “My main job is helping unpack — some people say mediating, making accessible — a text, a piece of literature,” which he said can be challenging, especially with poetry. When students find meaning in a piece of literature, Dr. Hughes is truly energized. “That’s very exciting to me,” he said.

His passion extends beyond the classroom, however. “I think my impact on the community is to raise consciousness about the importance of the literary arts,” Hughes said. Dr. Hughes is a strong supporter of the fine arts, including painting, sculpture, and film. And he’s not shy about sharing

his own art. “I like the role of being public about my experiences and seeking knowledge,” Hughes said. He discussed his recent expedition to Antarctica and how knowledge is very much derived from experience and should be shared. “That’s my role — to get out into the world and learn things, do things, and then bring that back and get people excited,” Hughes said. He’s also not shy about his other great passion — fishing. “There’s mystery, it’s dark, it’s a different, alien kind of universe. And you drop this thin line down there with some bait or a lure and you get a response, you get a signal from some strange, primitive, wonderful creature.” Fishing, as Hughes implied, is a great metaphor for the search for knowledge.

When asked about the future of writing and literature, especially with technological advancement such as ChatGPT, Hughes said, “I think writing and literature will always have a place in our society.” He discussed how storytelling, unique to humans in all its curiosity and idiosyncrasy, is so important to our survival and happiness. “Cease not till death,” Hughes quotes Walt Whitman, one of his favorite poets. Hughes celebrates “travel, good food, good drink, friendships.” He said, “Just be engaged with the world.” In this age of digitalism and social upheaval, it seems Dr. Hughes would want us to believe that storytelling can keep us connected and may even make us happy.

If you’re interested in taking writing or literature classes with Dr. Hughes, visit www.wou.edu or stop by admissions for more details. Western Oregon University is located at 345 Monmouth Ave. N. in Monmouth.

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