U.S. Forest Service offers tree permits
Christmas tree permits offered by the U.S. Forest Service allow the holder to cut their own in the Sweet Home Ranger District.
Permits are $5 each; online purchases require an additional $2.50 service fee. Visit bit.ly/WNFtree for downloadable maps of Christmas Tree cutting areas and a list of local vendors selling Christmas tree permits. BiMart is the sole vendor in Lebanon.
Each permit allows the holder to cut one tree in designated areas and each household can purchase up to five permits.
All fourth-grade students can get a free Christmas Tree permit by getting their Every Kid Outdoors pass and then either visiting one of the Willamette National Forest offices (except the Detroit Ranger Station) or Recreation.gov and entering their voucher or pass number when prompted.
Cutting trees in some areas of the Willamette National Forest is prohibited; tree hunters should check maps prior to selecting their tree and remain outside of closed areas. Winter weather in the forest can change rapidly.
Forest roads are not maintained for winter driving. Forest staff recommend bringing traction devices and a shovel, extra food, drinking water, winter clothing, blankets, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. Additionally, bring a tool for cutting a tree and a rope or cord to secure it to a vehicle.
While hunting for a tree, you can also hunt for ornaments.
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association has launched its fifth annual ornament hunt, running through Dec. 31. In partnership with Cascade Volunteers, 200 ornaments have been hidden along trails on the Detroit, Sweet Home, McKenzie River and Middle Fork Ranger Districts in the Willamette National Forest and on the Cottage Grove Ranger District in the Umpqua National Forest. For more information on the ornament hunt contest and a list of participating trails, visit willamettevalley.org/ornament.
Nominate for Educators Apple
The Gillott Home Team, Keller Williams Realty Mid-Willamette, in partnership with the Lebanon Community School District, invites residents to nominate district teachers, coaches, staff, counselors, instructional assistants, specialists or principals for an Educators Apple Award.
The Educators Apple program is an ongoing opportunity to acknowledge those who work with students in Lebanon Community Schools. Staff, students and the public will see flyers around town and are invited to submit nominations, either online or via paper forms available at the Gillott Home Team office (266 E. Grant St.) or in any school office.
Each month, a committee composed of the Gillott Home Team staff, community members and district leadership will convene to review nominations. Those selected will be honored at their schools and given certificates, keepsakes for their desks and gift cards toward a celebratory meal.
Deserving educators may be nominated at www.bit.ly/appleaward.
Brewpub owner to perform carols
Conversion Brewing owner Matt Cowart will perform Christmas carols Friday, Dec. 23, at the brewpub, 833 S Main St.
Santa will make an appearance as well.
For more details, call (541) 259-2337.
Meadowlark to celebrate holidays
Meadowlark Senior Living is celebrating the 12 days of Christmas through New Year’s Eve at its location, 181 S. 5th St.
On display are lots of cool crafts, baking, movies and popcorn, and the SafeHaven Waggin Train. Meadowlark is also hosting contests with prizes as well as other family-friendly activities.
Attendees will be entered in a drawing for a BJ’s Ice Cream Parlor gift certificate.
Photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch will also be available.
A schedule of events is available on Meadowlark’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MeadowlarkSL/.
For more information, call (458) 233-6209.
City offices closed for the holidays
Lebanon city offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, and Monday, Dec. 26, as well as Monday, Jan. 2, in observance of the holidays.
Departments closed will include City Hall, the city courts, the library and the Senior Center.
Geneaology group sets meeting
The Lebanon Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, in the Lebanon Public Library meeting room at 55 Academy St.
Beth Lambright will speak, shedding new light on the pilgrims. The meeting is open to the public and is free.
LCSWA schedules annual meeting
The Linn County Small Woodlands Association annual membership meeting is set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the ZCBJ Hall, 38704 N. Main St., Scio.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, annual meetings have been handled through postcards sent to members.
With health restrictions eased, the board of directors decided earlier this month to renew the tradition.
This year, according to Board President Tim Otis, will include Powerpoint presentations honoring the past three “tree farmers of the year.”
Faith health network to meet
Faith Community Health Network will meet from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Health Occupations Center, 300 Mullins Drive, Lebanon.
Participants will discuss challenges and successes and map out group events for the upcoming year to build skills and move things forward in local faith communities.
There is no charge to participate.
Faith Community Health Network has trained faith community nurses in four congregations in Lebanon, plus three who are trained but unaffiliated with a congregation.
It has also trained faith community nurses in two congregations in the Albany area, and one trained health minister in another.
For more information, contact Tawni Pfaff at (541) 367-8045 or email [email protected].
Bowling benefit scheduled Jan. 22
A New Year, New Life Bowling Bonanza to benefit the victim of a construction accident will take place Monday, Jan. 22, at Linn Lanes.
Participants can contact InSpirit Marketing for details at (541) 791-2901 or [email protected] for details and to sign up to sponsor a lane. Cost to sponsor a lane is $600, with two or more available at $500 each. Eighteen lanes are available.
Proceeds will go to Josh Grant, who was injured by a 16-ton beam. A down payment on a 2012 Toyota Sienna wheelchair-accessible van, which will cost $22,000, has been made.