March 8, 2006

Falls City Notes / Dorothy Cassidy

The days are getting longer -- yahoo! The short days are the part of winter I have a hard time with. Once I see a few new sprouts sticking out of the ground, I know I am going to make it!

I have planted a few things already and more are in their pots just waiting. I am sure the Falls City Garden Club members are already very active in their yards and gardens. I think gardening gets in your blood.
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This past week many of us said goodbye to a wonderful friend, Don Davidson. We had a celebration of his life on Saturday, March 4. He spent a number of years in Valsetz. A few years ago he came back and married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Gordon.

When we face the end of life as we know it, or the life of someone we care about, it makes us realize what things really are important and what things are not worth spending our precious time on -- those trivial arguments, those unimportant issues that seem to sidetrack us.

Appreciating and helping each other, and enjoying the little things in life are what we need to do.

Don was so encouraging to me during the recent loss of my husband. He seemed to recognize when I was especially down and would come up after church and say something that would let me know I was not walking alone. I have been able to "see" God in the love of Don and others. We will miss him.
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You have to mark your calendar for this one: Faithful Heart will perform at the Mountain Gospel Fellowship (the blue church by the store) on Saturday, March 18 at 7 p.m. I am sure most of you have either heard, or heard of, this country/gospel band, which travels across the country and performs at rodeos and other events.

Faithful Heart is very professional and has released a number of CDs, which are available. We feel very honored to have them in Falls City. I heard them last year, and I wouldn't want to miss it this year.
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I visited the sixth/seventh grade classroom of Mrs. Miller last week. The students are doing a service learning project in connection with the Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism (SOLV) organization. The first project is an "Extreme Makeover," as they have named it, on the east side of the school an area of land that had to be cleared.

Mr. Casey and his group have planted new trees, and Mrs. Miller's class has planted native plants and shrubs with a grant from the garden club.

A second project has garnered much attention: They are working with City Hall, Dallas Disposal, Fred Compton of the local radio station and others to do "sweeps" -- cleaning up garbage from certain target areas. Much trash has already been picked up.

The students are also on a drive to collect funds to purchase and install permanent garbage cans for these areas downtown. They already have some donations and will receive more as the final plans are made as to exactly what type of cans will work.
The cans will not be inexpensive, so they are going to need our help. Please contact Mrs. Miller at the elementary school. Kids, we are very proud of you!
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Falls City Elementary School would like to say a special "thank you" to a friend who has done so much for them. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Charles Clayberger. We appreciate you so much, and you inspire all of us to do what we can. One person can make a difference!
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Until next time - blessings on your house.