FFA Soils Contest Winners
Lebanon High School’s Katelyn Hacker and Taryn Cornell were both individual winners and Lebanon swept the team competitions in an FFA Soils Contest held Oct. 5 at Roaring River Park.
The event was hosted by Scio High School’s FFA chapter, and included more than 170 students from seven schools. Pits for students to use to analyze soils were dug ahead of time by Linn County Parks staff. Kevin Seifert, Linn SWCD Watershed tech, started the day giving an explanation for the practice pit. The students then evaluated three additional pits. USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) soil scientists who spent a day judging the pits prior to the contest. Participating schools included Central Linn, Harrisburg, Lebanon, Marcola Mohawk, Pleasant Hill, Scio, and Sweet Home.
Lebanon won both the Advanced and Novice categories in the team competition, with Central Linn second in both categories and Harrisburg third in Advanced, Mohawk third in Novice. Individual winners included: Hacker was first in the Advanced competition and Cornell was first in the novice category. Teagan Cornell, of Lebanon, placed second in Novice, and Klair Graves of Lebanon was third. Brooke Glaser of Central Linn was second in Advanced and Ava Glaser of Central Linn was third.
Brewski lovers raise glasses at Octobeerfest
All ages had fun Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, as Conversion Brewing held an “Octobeerfest” party in the parking lot behind Strawberry Plaza. The event celebrated Conversion’s seventh anniversary, and raised a total of $3,417 for the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam.
“We wanted to keep momentum going for Brewfest and raise some money for the Boys & Girls Club,” proprietor Matt Cowart said. “I think everyone had a good time and enjoyed the different format. The games went over way better that I could have hopped (sic).” Entertainment included live music in Strawberry Plaza, as well as popular German games including nagelbalken (or “nail beam,” a contest in which participants compete to drive nails into a wooden beam), keg-rolling, steinholding and beer-chugging.
Walking for Mental Illness
Lebanon Area Mental Health Alliance held its third annual Walk for Mental Health on Saturday, Sept. 24, to raise awareness about suicide and provide support for those who are contemplating suicide or know someone who has taken his/her own life. About 100 people signed up for the event, many of whom held signs in honor of those they’ve lost. This year LAMHA awarded its first scholarship to Laurel McGuigan. Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts is encouraged to call or text the Suicide and Crisis hotline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. LAMHA president Dave Butler is also available by phone or text on his personal line at (541) 936-2580.