Grays River Grange #124

How 'bout Those Lady Bugs?

Gray's River Almanac, Number 5

by Robert Michael Pyle - Lecturer

 

            If you have an older house, not necessarily airtight, you know how it is around this time of year: every time the sun shines and the air warms up, scads of ladybugs swarm and crawl around your windows, trying to get out. Then when it cools down again, they cluster in the corners, ready crawl forth and drop into your tea, stink up your vacuum bag, or give you a nip in a tender place. So-called ladybugs, cute and roly-poly, have always been among the most beloved of insects (which isn't saying much). But these days, the great abundance of ladybird beetles (= ladybugs) in many homes and buildings (including the Grange Hall) has become a real concern to many people, and a problem for those who have to live with them and clean them up.  So here are a few facts about these less-than-welcome insects--their origins, their behavior, and what can be done  about them.

90th Birthday celebration for Carlton Appelo

On Saturday, May 12th the Appelo Archives Center is pleased to host a reception in honor of Carlton Appelo’s 90th birthday. The reception will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the Archives Center at 1056 State Route 4 in Naselle, Washington.
 
Over his 90 years, Carlton Appelo has played an active role in the growth of SW Washington. Born in a boat just outside the town of Deep River in 1922, he grew up in the area working in his parents’ store during the logging era when Deep River was a bustling town. He graduated from Naselle High School, then the University of Washington. He was active in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in Okinawa. He then gained an advanced degree studying in Stockholm, Sweden. Shortly after returning to the area, he began working for the Wahkiakum West Telephone Company in 1952. He is still President of the Company.

Grange Meeting Tuesday

Grays River Grange #124
Tuesday April 10, 2012
POMONA GRANGE 5:30 in our hall
Dinner 6:45
Regular Meeting 7:30


1.    Opening Grange
2.    Roll Call of Officers
3.    Reading of Minutes of Last Meeting
4.    Reports of Standing Committees
A.    Agriculture / Natural Observations
B.    Legislative – Letter to Federal Lawmakers re: Transparency in elections.
C.    County Fair – Manager report
D.    Finn Fest Committee – Meet At Fred’s Farm?
E.    Building & property matters
5.    Communications
6.    Have the Reports of the Pomona and State Grange been duly and promptly made?
7.    Bills and accounts
8.    New Business (Plan for public safety / sheriff dept. open house)
9.    Old Business
10.    Lecturer
11.     Is any member sick or in distress?
12.     Good of the Order
13.    Closing Grange

“Steam of Life” Reveals Naked Truth About the Inner Lives Of Modern Man

     NASELLE - The fundamental need of humans to talk-to express themselves and try to make sense of their inner lives-is abundantly on display in a remarkable documentary film from Finland.  “Steam of
Life”  goes deep into the inner sanctum of Finnish life, the sauna. 
Amid the steam, ordinary men not known for their way with words create everyday poetry as they struggle to articulate their innermost feelings.
        This thought provoking documentary will be shown on Saturday, April 12th, starting at noon at the Appelo Archives Center, 1056 SR 4, Naselle, WA.  A discussion will follow.

Transparency in Federal Elections Resolution

The Citizens United v. FEC US Supreme Court ruling of 2010 removed contribution restrictions on federal electioneering that is independent of campaigns. This resulted in individuals, through groups loosely known as super PACs, spending unlimited amounts of money on federal campaigns. Grays River Grangers recently approved a resolution calling for campaign disclosure that provides the names of the top donors with independent expenditures in federal campaign ads. This resolution is in the spirit of new Washington State laws where disclosure rules require electioneering in independent expenditures and initiatives to disclose the name, city, and state of the top five individual donors. We believe the public interest benefits when citizens know who the actual individual donors are that fund electioneering. Contributors of large amounts of money to political campaigns should not be able to hide behind innocuous names on the ads that flood our mailboxes and airwaves during election time.

Grays River Grange will send two delegates to the Washington State Grange Convention in Spokane to speak on behalf of this resolution in hopes of obtaining State Grange support.  If you are in support of this resolution, please join us in sending letters to Congresswomen, Jamie Herrera Beutler and U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, supporting transparency in federal elections.

Grange Meeting Tonight

Dinner 6:45

Regular Meeting 7:30

1.    Opening Grange
2.    Roll Call of Officers
3.    Reading of Minutes of Last Meeting
4.    Reports of Standing Committees
    A.    Agriculture / Natural Observations
    B.    Legislative – Letter to Federal Representatives Regarding Transparency Resolution
    C.    Fair Honor
    D.    Pomona Grange Report
    E.    Finn Fest Committee
    F.    Building & property matters (Walker House)
5.    Communications
6.    Bills and accounts
7.    New Business --  Sheriff dept. Open House,
8.    Old Business
9.    Lecturer
10.     Is any member sick or in distress?
11.     Good of the Order
12.    Closing Grange

Grange Songbook: Harvest Song

Harvest Song_(48)

Little is know of the Spencer Grange singers of New York State. They released a cassette several years ago of renditions of Grange songs from our songbook. Here, for you listening pleasure is Harvest Song.

Click the MUSIC link of the left for more free local and Grange music.

Grange Meeting Tonight

The forecast says that the snow should be gone by this evening. We will discuss the following:

Sheriff Jon Dearmore will attend to speak about local issues.

Resolution to National Grange to support transparency in federal elections.

Exemplification of the 1st Degree on March 27. (Do we want to hold this ceremony and if so, make plans.)

Delegates to state convention.

Bills & Accounts -- New / Old Business.

Due to weather possibly affecting attendance, we could have our meeting in the dining area if there's enough for a quorum. If you can make it, please come and help us take care of Grange business. We cancelled the last meeting due to weather.

Free Gardening Workshops March 24-25

Cowlitz County Expo Center—Fairgrounds

In conjunction with the Home and Garden Show
 
March 24     Home & Garden Show

9:00 a.m.       Preparing your Vegetable Garden WSU Master Gardener Jon Griffin will discuss what to do in your vegetable garden to prepare it for planting.  You will learn when to plant, how to start get an early start and what to takes to maintain healthy plants to get a great harvest.
 

11:00 a.m.      Raising Mason Bees Often overlooked, Mason bees are a wonderful pollinator for fruit trees and gardens.  They are easy to keep, start early in the year and offer a 95% pollination rate.  WSU Master Gardeners Billie Bevers will discuss how to successfully raise mason bees and how to build bee boxes to attract them. 
 

12:00              Tips to control moles Sadly, all too many property owners know the frustration of having that vision of a beautiful lawn ruined by moles.  WSU Master Gardener Bryan Iverson will talk about which techniques are the most effective in getting rid of moles.   Bryan will discuss what works and what products fail to get results. 
March 25      Home & Garden Show

11:00 a.m.     Growing Roses      
WSU Master Gardeners Phyllis Hull will explain everything you wanted to know about growing roses.  You will learn how to get started, when to plant, and how to care for them so they become an annual delight.  They will provide a great addition to your landscape as they pop forth with brilliant colors. 
 

12:00             Landscape Professional Landscaper Debbie Caffall, owner of her own landscape business for over 25 years, will lead you through common mistakes made by the novice landscaper.  She will show you how to bring texture, form, shape, functionality, balance and color into your landscape.  Learn creative design techniques and what to consider when selecting plants.
 

1:30 p.m.        Basics of Composting     
WSU Extension agent Gary Fredricks will teach how to effectively compost food wastes and garden material.  Learn the different ways to compost and the advantages of each method.  Find out how to prepare your garden for next year without spraying or tilling. 
 

Workshops sponsored by WSU Extension and WSU Cowlitz County Master Gardeners

Grange Meeting Tuesday February 28 CANCELLED

Forecast For Tonight.

Coast Range / Willapa Hills:
 
Snow
·       8 to 16 inches

 
Winds
·       25 g 45 mph

 
Prime threat time:
·       Tuesday afternoon through midnight
·       30 to 36 hour duration
 
Potential Impacts:
·       Hazardous travel
·       Afternoon commute in part of Portland Metro Area
·       Potential power outages
·       Marine traffic (coastal waters)