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The Chronicle Wednesday, December 9, 2020

2020 Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide The Chronicle is proud to present the 2020 Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide, which offers ways to support local businesses and highlights just a few of the many local businesses, non-profits, crafters and artists.

As we move through the holiday season and into the new year together, we hope you will spend time visiting our community’s local businesses, shop when you can, and let each know of your support. You might con-

sider purchasing gift certificates for family members, friends or coworkers, by either onsite visits to business or through their online connections.

A strong and vibrant community depends on support from all its

citizens. Whether it is in-person or online sales and purchases, remember our local businesses first. They are an integral element that make our community unique and the wonderful place to live and work.

Happy Holidays!

Jeremy C. Ruark Publisher / Editor

James Yang Creative Director Kelli Nicholson Office Manager

Monique Merrill General Assignment Reporter

Jon Lowrance Driver

Amy Trull Marketing Consultant

The Chronicle The Chief

Chamber’s 2020 Holiday Gift Shop cards • Mijan’s Gifts - Jewelry, giftables and baked goods • Father Gill Farmhouse - Wooden home decor • Liz Davidson - Wine glasses and tumblers • Real Eye Zing Art Art prints • Doodle Noodle • Johnathan Tardif Blown glass items

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Holiday Gift Shop opened for the season on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5. The chamber plans to operate the gift shop Dec. 11 and 12, and Dec. 18 and 19.

• Fridays from 4 p.m.8 p.m.

• Saturdays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Chamber member Dana Lathrope said the shop will feature a variety of local products.

“The local vendors will offer greetings cards, locally made glass items, wood decor, and locally made arts and crafts,” she

COMMUNITY CONNECTOR Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

The Holiday Gift Shop is located inside the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce office at at 2194 Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens.

said.

During the first opening weekend, the vendors

included: • Sweet & Sassy Cards - Handmade greeting

Lathrope said the Holiday Gift Shop is designed to connect the community by giving local small business operators a new way to sell their wares and give local residents another

avenue to shop local.

“Many of our local crafters rely on commission in selling their items, but with the pandemic local events, where they would normally sell, were forced to shut down,” she said.

“We were looking locally for a small scale event that could host local artist, crafters and vendors.”

Lathrope said the chamber is considering offering the gift shop quarterly.

“Once the locals realize it is available, we can move forward to support local businesses and offer new avenues to get their wares out to the local market,” she said.

Happy Holidays from

Mention this ad in store and receive 10% off

IF YOU GO Pandemic-related guidelines: • Only attend if you have not been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days and are free of any symptoms of COVID-19.

• Enter the gift shop through the front of the chamber building.

• Face coverings are required.

• Foot traffic flow is one way and we will be limiting the number of people in the chamber shop at one time.

New vendors are expected at the next two weekend openings of the Holiday Gift Shop.

For more details, call the chamber at 503-3970685.

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Page 2

Shop Local Gift Guide

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Holiday Partnership To Help Animal Shelter MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net

The no-kill, nonprofit Columbia Humane Society shelter helps care for displaced animals and connect them with new owners. It also spays and neuters the animals to help humanely control animal populations.

Its mission is reliant on small grants, fundraising events, shelter fees and donations.

HOW TO HELP Two local pet stores have partnered with the organization to help provide dogs and cats with critical supplies over the holidays.

Shoppers at Pet Wants Scappoose will receive 20% off their orders for food supplies that will be donated to the Columbia Humane Society. A promotion code is available online for those orders.

Wiggle Butz Pet Bakery has brought back its annual giving tree— a Christmas tree with paper tags listing items the humane society needs. A bin beneath the tree collects the items and gets them to the animals at the shelter. Bakery owner Donna LeBleu said the tradition is a nice addition around the holidays.

“They love it, and it’s nice for the dogs at Christmas,” LeBleu said.

Additionally, an online dog gift basket shop will donate $10 to the shelter with every purchase from the site.

Through Give Puppy Love (givepuppylove.com), donors from anywhere can purchase a dog gift basket for their pet

and support the shelter at the same time. The organization has also compiled a list of items it is in need of, including a new van, paper towels, dog and cat toys, cat litter, pooper scoopers and other items.

the animals,” she said. “We don’t get to stop because it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas.”

FOSTERS

ADOPTIONS Puppies and kittens with large bows under a decorated tree may be a Christmas movie trope, but at the Columbia Humane Society, pets are more than a gift, said Columbia Humane Society Executive Director Lisa Beggio.

“It’s a lifelong commitment. It’s not a ‘for now’ commitment,” Beggio said.

“Both emotionally and financially.”

She said it’s important for people considering adding a pet to their family to make sure they can afford to care for the animal.

The most common reasons animals are surrendered to the shelter are when people are moving or are expecting a new child, she said.

“Our goal is to not get your pets, if we can,” Beggio said. “We try to work with people to keep their pets in their home.”

The shelter has some financial resources to provide to assist pet owners, but usually refer owners to larger organizations that have more means to help. Due to the pandemic, the adoption process has moved online and allowed the shelter and potential new owners more time to make sure the people and animals are good fits for each other. People interested

Photo courtesy of Lisa Beggio

Dogs Seven and Doug got into the Christmas spirit by taking a photo with Santa Claus.

in adopting must fill out an online application and then make an appointment to meet the animals, she said.

“Since we’ve changed our adoption process, we haven’t had a dog or cat been returned this year,” she said.

“That’s been very nice.”

In past years she said the shelter has received more surrender requests in the months following December from owners who find that their new pet isn’t working out for them. In the time leading up to December, she has seen more requests to surrender older dogs in favor of getting a new puppy, she said.

“It is very sad,” she said.

The shelter is selective about the animals they bring in, partially due to trying to

Don’t Forget the Needy

Generosity is needed more than ever this holiday season.

This year has been extremely difficult for underprivileged families and the homeless across the world.

If you have some free time or have been fortunate enough to be financially unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be an opportunity for you to make a big difference for these populations and join local businesses who are participating in local charity drives.

HOW TO SAFELY VOLUNTEER Volunteers make a profound difference in the lives of others. Did you know that volunteering can benefit your own health as well? Research shows that volunteers experience a “helper’s high,” increased trust in others and enhanced social interaction.

Here are a few common benefits of volunteering, according to The Mayo Clinic: • Decreases the risk of

depression, especially for individuals 65 and older.

• Gives a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills.

• Helps people stay physically and mentally active.

• Enhances a person’s social network by helping you meet others and develop new relationships.

SAFE VOLUNTEERING Even with COVID-related restrictions on gatherings and events, there are many ways to safely volunteer. Here are a few ideas from AmeriCorps: • Volunteer at a food bank that needs help packing and sorting food using safe practices. Visit Feeding America or Food Pantries to find an organization near you.

• Deliver meals and groceries to vulnerable seniors.

• Check with your local schools to see if they need volunteers to distribute food.

• Blood donations have decreased dramatically, so you can help fill the need by

contacting your local Red Cross or other blood donation sites.

MAKE DONATIONS TO YOUR FAVORITE CAUSE Nonprofit organizations have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Without the ability to host annual fundraising events, their budgets and ability to help those in need have lessened dramatically.

You can make a big difference this year by making a financial donation to their cause. Find a reputable organization in your local area to support. Once you decide, challenge your friends and families to join your mission. You can do so through regular conversations at your holiday gathering, or by starting a campaign on your favorite social media platform.

No matter how you decide to get involved, you can be a light to your community through volunteering or donations for these critical nonprofit organizations.

Shop Local this holiday season!

work with owners to keep their pets and partially due to limited means during the pandemic.

“We’re trying not to bring in a ton of animals all on our own,” she said. “We want to make sure we have enough resources to give them the care they need.”

The number of animals at the shelter has been limited so the shelter staff (three people total, including Beggio) can keep up with them.

Before the pandemic, Lisa said there were about 45 volunteers working with the shelter and it was easier to care for more animals, but she said it will be a while before they can welcome the volunteers back.

“If our staff gets sick, there’s nobody to care for

When the shutdowns first hit, some veterinary services like spaying and neutering were limited, she said. It led to an influx of kitten and puppy litters and a delay on when the animals could be adopted. Every pet at the shelter is spayed or neutered before they can be adopted.

For young kittens, ranging from newborns to three or four weeks old, the shelter works with vetted foster families to care for the kittens until they are old enough to be spayed and neutered and placed into new homes.

“A lot of people do one litter and find it hard on their hearts,” she said. “It’s not for everyone.”

She encourages the foster families to try to find homes for the kittens while they are caring for them so they know the animals end up in a good

home. It can make saying goodbye to the pets a little easier, she said.

To foster kittens, Beggio and the staff require applications and home visits to make sure the house is suitable for the litters’ needs. Young animals need socialization so gentle children and dogfriendly cats can be good exposure for them, but they also need a room where they can be alone, she said.

At the shelter, care for the animals focuses on enrichment to make sure the pets are happy, healthy and ready to be placed in new homes, she said.

“My favorite part of this job is seeing a dog or cat that comes in completely broken and seeing them come out of their shells and trust people and go to a home where they won’t need or want in their lives,” she said.

The Columbia Humane Society is located at 2048 Oregon St., St. Helens. To reach the shelter, call 503397-4393.

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Page 3

Shop Local Gift Guide

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Christmas 2020: Redefining Traditions DALE EMANUEL Chronicle Guest Article

Despite a pandemic, finding our grounding through tradition continues. And, of all the holidays, our donors bring us the most in the way of Christmas.

This year, throughout our Pacific Northwest stores, we have distributed hundreds of thousands of Christmas décor items, themed apparel, festive linens, housewares, books and music to help you celebrate. Cute, classic, trendy, traditional—Goodwill is your at-home holiday hub for every style, theme, or price point.

“From artificial Christmas trees to ornaments to ugly Christmas sweaters – we are ready to offer low-cost holiday to the community members of Scappoose,” Tim Coats,

Scappoose Goodwill Store Manager said.

While many of us will spend Christmas Day in our own space, eating a meal of our own making instead of Mom’s — the table can be all yours. Of all donation categories Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette receives, housewares is number two on the list. That means your table’s story can be both detailed and thrifty. Whether your crafty impulse tends towards the unexpected in pastels and sage, or you choose to design using a wreath, ornaments and staggered candles, the centerpiece is the springboard for all that will surround it. Make sure your napkins, drinking glasses and cutlery are representative of the overall look and feel. Even if it’s just a table for two, it shows

you care. We have new items every day.

“Our donors are so generous. Throughout the day, a unique selection of beautiful Christmas treasures is being put on our stores shelves,” Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette Western District Manager Chuck Pearsall said.

If cooking is on you this year, but you lack the right kitchen tools – our selection is rich.

Our dozens of Pacific Northwest Goodwill stores are filled with solutions like roasters, pots, pans, bakeware, knives and mixing bowls, platters, blenders, toasters, mixers and espresso makers. We also have inspiration from the experts with cookbooks of various styles. Go traditional or get creative. At Goodwill, we encourage you to buy

secondhand to protect the planet and your pocket.

Goodwill operates a store at 51651 SE 2nd St. in Scappoose. That store may be reached at 503-543-2150.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF THE COLUMBIA WILLAMETTE Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette operates retail stores, outlet locations, two online shopping sites, and attended donation centers. Donations and purchases fund Goodwill’s free job services programs and we’re proud to be good environmental stewards with our award-winning recycling and salvage operations. Founded in Portland in 1927, today GICW serves communities in Northwest and Central Oregon and

Photo courtesy of Goodwill

Goodwill is offering a variety of holiday décor items.

Southwest Washington.

Learn more at meetgoodwill. org and on social media using @meetgoodwill.

Dale Emanuel is public relations manager at Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette.

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Page 4

Shop Local Gift Guide

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Christmas Shopping Without Compromise MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net

2Cs Vendor Mall in downtown St. Helens has multiple stories of gifts fit for any occasion, and this month that includes an “explosion of Christmas,” as owner Mitzi Ponce said.

The mall has items from approximately 70 vendors, and new items come in all the time, Ponce said.

“It’s a different store, in some respect, every single day,” Ponce said. Vintage lovers need not look any further when it comes to scoring retro holiday decorations.

Some of the most popular items are blow mold yard decorations, Ponce said.

Small, ceramic Christmas trees, ranging from 1-2 feet, are also popular. Lucky for shoppers, Ponce said those in-demand items come back into the store as quickly as they are sold.

“Everybody loves them,” Ponce said. “Nostalgia is a huge factor.”

She receives calls each year from people looking to find old holiday decorations they remember growing up with, she said. Items from about 40-70 years ago are the most in-demand at any time for stores that sell vintage and antique items like hers, she said.

“We’re seeing a resurgence of midcentury modern. It’s really popular now,” she said. “It reminds people of what their grandparents had in the house. Even ugly things sell if grandma had it.”

The shop also stocks a variety of local products to remind people of St. Helens, she said. There are St. Helens magnets, bumper stickers and even postcard coloring kits featuring local landmarks that the Arts and Cultural Commission made a few years ago.

“They’re perfect for sending to someone who can’t make it home this year,” Ponce said.

Locally-made products include homemade soaps;

homemade, seasonal masks; and hand mixed teas— perfect pandemic stocking stuffers, Ponce said.

The store has also added features to make the shop more accessible for shoppers with health concerns.

Some of the inventory is available online, and Ponce said that customers can call the store to ask about items and she and her staff will send pictures. Sales can be made over the phone and she offers free local delivery to anyone in St. Helens, Columbia City or Scappoose.

Delivery outside of those areas but within the county has a $4 fee, she said. Curbside pickup is also available.

“We’ll work with people so they can do Christmas shopping and not compromise their health,” she said.

“I just want to make sure everyone has a good holiday and stays safe.”

2Cs Vendor Mall is located at 215 S First St., St. Helens, and online at www.2csvendormall.com.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

As shoppers enter the 2Cs Vendor Mall they are greeted with a vast variety of items.

This Holiday Season We Can Make a Difference.

Your holiday donation will help provide Christmas food, toys, and clothing to local Scappoose and Warren families in need.

Please fill in the donation ticket below and send it with your special gift today. Thank you!

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C10565

Advertise your holiday events in The Chronicle Email Amy at atrull@countrymedia.net or call 503-397-0116

15 5 40 50

Please make check payable to: SCAPPOOSE SHARE & CARE PO Box 625, Scappoose, OR 97056 WWW.srfd.us

You will receive a receipt.

We are a 501C3 non-profit thru the Scappoose Volunteer Firefighters Association