The annual “PumpkinFest,” a month-long fall harvest celebration, is back in Union this month. Visitors come from far and wide to join in the activities, with a featured event designed specifically to celebrate the pumpkin — the Annual Catapult Contest — on Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 3 p.m. The coming together of families, […]
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Car Care Tips to Get Ready for Winter
Conducting routine maintenance on your vehicle is necessary to maintain optimal performance and prevent costly repairs. As colder weather approaches, and with it the potential for treacherous road conditions, giving certain areas of your car special attention can also protect your safety. “Getting your vehicle ready for winter while temperatures are still mild is a […]
Nature’s Bounty in the Fall — The Table is Set for the Birds
From late summer into early fall, the wild bird population reaches its highest numbers for the year. This year’s young account for the increase. The population boom coincides with nature’s fall abundance. Many birds, including this year’s young, won’t survive the winter. Their survival depends on the natural food supply. During the fall migration, hundreds […]
The Hardy Fuchsias of Fall
It is said that people who love fuchsias, really love them. With three generations of fuchsia lovers in my family, I was destined to fall in love with them too. I remember my grandmother’s hanging baskets overflowing with fuchsia branches smothered in blousy, red and white flowers. My family sat on a deck and chatted […]
Collected Yard Debris Get New Life as Next Year’s Compost
Now that fall is upon us, I have started to notice the changing leaves on my way to and from the office. The beautiful colors of fall always bring a smile to my face, but the mess that follows from falling debris quickly turns that smile upside down. It is a necessary evil for us […]
The Voodoo Garden — Good Help is Hard to Find
Welcome to my garden. Open the gate and step in, but mind the brambles and thorns. Careful to not crush the bleeding heart. Don’t bump the spiny eccentricity of the Solanum pyracanthum unless you like a good blood-letting. And watch the vines; they sneak up on you in this murky light. I suppose I should […]
Projects to Consider Before Seasonal Changes
We have been blessed with a long, warm summer, but as fall (and winter) loom, it’s time to think about the home maintenance and improvements that are common for the season. Furnace Service Have a professional heating company check and service your furnace. You might have a specialized air filter installed too to help reduce […]
Western Bluebirds and Your Fall Chores
Fall migration of most Pacific Northwest birds has completed — from the huge shorebird population, to the area warblers and many other migrants from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia to Alaska. They have raised successful broods and are now heading south to winter over in Central and South America until January or February, when they will […]
