The Veneta Downtown Farmers’ Market is set to open Saturday, May 4th and almost 40 applications have been received from farmers and artisans who hope to sell their goods. Though not all 40 will be present every week, Board Treasurer Heather Blake says the market will average 18 vendors, with 1/3 being farms with produce and starts.
     Also on hand will be bakers with fresh bread, unique sales of sourdough, cupcakes, and cookies. Crafts will be available from non-profit vendors such as Applegate Art Guild and Master Gardeners will be available twice a month to answer plant-related queries.
     The Farmers’ Market is a big supporter of youth in the community and to that end, hosted three youth vendors last year who sold art, jewelry, and drawings. Once school is out for the year, the market expects to see more youth selling their wares.
     As in previous years, the market will provide Double up Food Bucks where those with SNAP benefits can run their card and have their money doubled. Every child 12 and under receives a token under Produce for Kids that will allow them to purchase their own produce, or a plant start to grow their own food. This has proven very popular and to this end, the market has added this year the Little Lettuce Kids Market that allows those children 12 and under to receive a $5 token to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, plant starts, mushrooms and legumes. There is no income requirement, but only one token per child is to be given and the token must be used the same day.
     Also new this year is Bucka, Bucka, Bucks, a program that distributes $5 tokens for people to purchase local chicken and eggs. There is a limit of two tokens per family and there is no proof of income required. As that is needed is for those who wish to avail themselves of this program to state their household size. As with the kids’ program, the tokens must be used the same day.
     If one wishes to sell their goods at the market, they must make their baked goods and crafts themselves and they must live within 50 miles for farms and 40 miles for artisans. Resale is forbidden. The market is actively seeking meat vendors as they currently do not have one that is reliable. They are also open to recruiting more volunteers to help implement programs for kids as well as for the senior/disabled of the community. Help is also needed to put up signage. If interested, one should email [email protected] and either Blake or Site Manager April Hartley will be more than happy to get in touch.
     The Veneta Downtown Farmers’ Market is held in the grassy expanse by Harold’s Center and hours of operation are Saturdays from 10-2. It’s a great way to support local farms and artists while being able to eat locally grown produce and enjoy locally made goods.
    
    

     The Elmira Grange held its annual Earth Day celebration Saturday afternoon. Though it was small in size, it was large in friendliness and pleasant exchanges by those in attendance who happened to see an acquaintance could be heard throughout.
     Begun several years ago, the Earth Day celebration was originally a celebration of the grange itself as it, along with other granges in the state including the state grange in Salem, were founded in April over a century ago. For the last two years, however, the celebration has been tied in with Earth Day as uniting the two together just seemed to make sense to those in charge, such as Heather Blake.
     While past celebrations have included live music and food, this year’s attendees were treated to a display by several children from the local 4-H club who proudly exhibited some of the animals they have raised. Benjamin Saucedo, 14, sat at a long table with his fawn and white mini-rex rabbit Charlie Mojo in front of him so those who wished to do so could pet the animal’s velvety fur. At the other end of the 4-H display Rupert, a 12 lb. dark Brahma rooster laid complacently in front of owner Lee Gustafson. Three infant Nigerian Dwarf buckling’s snuggled in a plastic storage bin while periodically emitting tiny bleats and a miniature Silver Appleyard drake put in an appearance at another nearby set of tables after being liberated from his bin turned pet carrier.
     There were also animals outside compliments of Nancy Willard and Way of the Donkey. Just to the side of the door Willard sat with a Nigerian Dwarf and a small donkey so anyone who wanted to do so could pet them before going in to see what else was there. A sign posted reminded those that did so to please sanitize their hands afterwards.
     In the room adjacent to the room with the 4-H kids were displays by the Cub Scouts where one could spin a wheel and win a prize, Orchid Health, which was giving out free spinners and pens, among other things, and an emergency preparedness table manned by Daniel Wirtala, who happily explained what the items on his table were such as a wind-up radio and flashlight combo, a pump that filters bacteria, protozoa and cryptosporidium out of water, a tiny woodstove that pumps air for greater efficiency, fist aid kits and freeze dried meals, and several books.
     Blake had a display of her own to tout the upcoming Fern Ridge Farmers Market along with applications for those who would like to participate and information about the programs the market provides.
     Blake says it can be difficult to get the community to attend the Earth Day celebrations and she lamented not having more available for those who did come to see but explained that with the Farmers Market so close to opening she has been having to work to prepare for the new season and this cut into her time, though invitations were issued to a number of organizations.
     All in all, those who came seemed to enjoy themselves and those who represented the organizations that did participate seemed to also enjoy interacting with those who stopped to ask questions and chat. What the celebration lacked in magnitude, it more than made up for in being a welcoming, friendly place where there were no strangers, just those who wished to share with others paying simultaneous kudos to the grange and to our earth.
    

A new high-speed internet is now available in some parts of Veneta. Douglas Fast Net, located in Roseburg, was begun in 2001 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Douglas Electric Cooperative. Recently, Douglas Fast Net was awarded funding to build out of a lot of surrounding areas around Veneta and is now extending services to those places in Veneta with overhead utilities as they construct new cable. Because the cost is higher with underground utilities, Douglas Fast Net will attend to those residences as they are able.
     There will be both residential and business fiber internet packages available through Douglas that will include upload and download speeds that will be synchronous, as well as phone service.
     For standalone residential internet service 250 megabytes a second, a promotional price of $50 a month plus fees for the first year is being offered with the price being then raised to $65 dollars a month. A package of 1 gigabyte a second will cost $60 a month plus fees for the first year then $85 afterwards. A 2.5 gigabyte per second residential package will cost $125 a month for the first year and then $150.
     A package that includes a managed wi-fi router and wire maintenance will cost $60 a month for the first year and then will go up to $75. A 1 gigabyte package will cost $75 a month for the first year and then go up to $100 while a 2.5 gigabyte package will cost $140 a month for the first year and then $165 after that.
      For telephone service there will be two options - standard service will cost $15 a month while a premium service with unlimited domestic long distance will cost $25.
     Douglas Fast Net is based in Roseburg with two regional offices in Creswell and Coos Bay and a customer facing office in Roseburg. They are 100% local and there are no call centers.
     Douglas Fast Net also participates in Oregon Lifeline, a low-income assistance program where currently eligible households can receive up to $19.25 off broadband per month and up to $15.25 a month off their phone bill.
     If interested call 541-673-4242 for customer service or call 541-673-0299.
    
 
 

     Nestled on the corner of Territorial and Fleck Roads on five pastoral acres is a place where dogs who have not known much in the way of love and happiness can get a second chance at life. Operated by Judi Sanders, Many Miles to Home offers bully breeds, cattle dogs, guardian dogs, and other extra and extra, extra-large dogs a chance to learn what life is supposed to be after being failed by those who were supposed to care for them.
     Originally, Sanders agreed to take in a pair of puppies, but a week later, she had a mama with ten pups in her care and Many Miles to Home was officially begun. Many of the dogs taken in since then have come from kill shelters in California. Still other dogs are owner surrendered.
     All dogs that come into the rescue’s care are given time to get to know their new surroundings and their temperament is then tested to see how they react with food and children. Obedience training is also provided, and the dogs are taken to the veterinarian for whatever treatment they need, including being spayed or neutered.
     One such dog is Soleil. Rescued from the Stanislaus shelter 30 minutes before euthanasia, it was hoped that her eyes were red from allergies, but she has been diagnosed instead with double entropion that needs immediate repair. She is under the care of a veterinarian so this painful condition can be remedied, but the rescue is unfortunately, $450 shy of making the bill.
     The rescue, which has done so much for so many dogs that otherwise would have had their lives prematurely ended, needs help. Not only is money an issue these days, but Many Miles to Home also needs volunteers. Currently, there are only two volunteers, Kristie Ann Kilcullen and Elizabeth Ramsdel, who assist Judi and more help is needed to give these dogs what they need in order to have the lives they deserve.
     Along with feeding and cleaning up after the dogs, volunteers are needed to play with the dogs and exercise them, take them for walks about the property and keep watch while their kennel is cleaned. Because the rescue is currently so shorthanded, there is no time to train the adolescents in their care, so they lose out on learning how to be good companions. Without training, it is also a challenge to herd them back into their kennels when they would rather stay out and play a bit longer.
     Volunteers need to be over 18 and must be willing to sign a liability waiver. The rescue naturally wants responsible, reliable people to assist and is especially interested in having men train to volunteer as many of the dogs have had previous bad experiences with men and it would be beneficial for them to see that not all men are going to harm them. Children are absolutely not allowed. Volunteer hours can be flexible, and afternoons are most needed. People need to realize that the work is not going to be “soft and cuddly” as there have been those individuals who have come to volunteer and have quickly become disillusioned when they see it’s not what they had envisioned.
     However, the work is very rewarding and volunteers at the rescue are privy to being able to witness a broken, skinny, traumatized dog blossom with proper care and become happy and healthy.
     If volunteering is something one is unable to do, there are also other ways to help. Many Miles to Home is in need of donations of Pure Balance Chicken and Rice dog food from Walmart as pitties and pit mixes are unable to tolerate other food with filler such as corn. Bleach is also needed to disinfect the kennels to prevent parvovirus and kennel cough as is bedding since old bedding is removed once a dog is adopted into a forever home. Pillows, however, are discouraged as they become quickly masticated. Toys are welcome and so is money.
     To inquire about volunteering or donating, one only needs to send a DM on Facebook. For those unafraid of hard work and willing to give their time to dogs in need, perhaps even give their heart to these canines who have known such turmoil in their lives, it can be one of the best things they have ever done. They will make a difference in countless lives while dogs get the much-needed chance to see that life doesn’t have to involve overbreeding, physical abuse, hunger, fear, pain, and loneliness. They will get to show these dogs what love is and how good it feels to have a full stomach and a place to just be a dog. They don’t ask for much, these dogs, but with a little help and a lot of love, they can learn that life can be more than just survival from one day to the next. In fact, it can actually be pretty darn good.
     

     Former Veneta resident Connor Wolph has always been passionate about fish. At one point, he had four different tanks in his home, the largest being 200 gallons and the smallest 35 gallons. It was a lot of work to maintain them and Wolph found he was spending a good bit of time focusing on their care as well as those fish who called the tanks home. After deciding that this was not what he wanted to be doing with his off hours, he then downgraded to a 10-gallon tank of beta fish. The work was considerably less, but he found this to be unsatisfying. After giving this some thought, he decided it was time to make his passion a business and Connor’s Aquarium Cleaning LLC was hatched.
     While the business was an almost instant success, Wolph’s wife Carlene was not initially on board with cleaning koi ponds. It was only after 4-5 months of cleaning aquariums that she, too, became convinced of the worthwhileness of such an endeavor. Now, the two work together cleaning not only all kinds of aquariums, but also koi ponds, some of which have not seen a good cleaning in a considerable length of time.
     Connor’s Aquarium Cleaning LLC focuses on many aspects of fish ownership. One service provided is the hauling and set-up of an aquarium in a person’s home as not everyone has a truck to do so. This is done as a two for one deal and Wolph will also educate new fish owners about what they need to know for the optimal experience for both fish and owner. Connor’s also offers free water testing to check for quality, ph balance, alkalinity, hardness, nitrates, and nitrites.
     While the couple resides in Springfield, their territory covers most of Lane County, Sutherlin, Oakridge, Florence, and Corvallis and in between. Wolph is licensed through the state and is insured. While he can clean ponds, he cannot install them as he is not a landscaper. When it comes to the installation of a pond, Wolph attempts to get people to understand that while doing so when they are younger is fine, they may need help when they are older as the work to care for it is physical in nature.
     When they clean an aquarium, the Wolph’s not only clean the tank, but they also clean the heater, the filter, the filter pads, and ornaments. They do their best to try and mimic the ecosystem but respect the client’s preference. Chemicals are used as sparingly as possible as the Wolph’s are not chemical friendly by their own admission. On average, an aquarium takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours to clean, though tanks that have not been properly maintained can take up to six.
    Cleaning a koi pond is a little more involved as the fish have to be placed in totes filled with the pond water in order to maintain beneficial bacteria. This is done when the pond is halfway drained. Once it is emptied, it is thoroughly cleaned with all excrement being removed and the liner pressure washed. Ornaments, rocks, and filter pads are also cleaned. The pond is then refilled with a garden hose and a stress coat is added and the water is tested. The average pond, Wolph says, takes about 3-5 hours to clean though some have had to be done in stages and it has taken a couple of days to complete the job. While cleaning a pond, structural integrity has to be taken into consideration and if it turns out the pond was not built correctly, a referral will be made to a landscaping company if it is leaking or there are unstable rocks. Until it is repaired, it cannot be cleaned.
     It is Wolph’s dream to one day to franchise the business to multiple states with multiple employees. He also envisions owning a fish shop replete with a fish hospital with quarantine tanks set up to isolate and treat unwell fish. He is grateful for the success the cleaning business has found and says of the community “It is an honor to serve you this year and we want to continue to build our relationship.” He enjoys educating clients about the fish they enjoy keeping as pets so that the fish can have happy, healthy lives as they deserve. The Wolph’s strive to keep in mind while on a job “that this is someone’s home, and it is a privilege to be there not given to most.” Clients, in turn, have given the Wolph’s a 5-star rating for their work on Google and Facebook. To celebrate their first year in business, they are offering a 30% discount on all services during the month of April.
     Wolph would never have envisioned this when he first began to keep fish as pets. It was just fun. But this passion has become so much more and if he can make owning fish “as painless as possible” for someone, then he’s more than willing to answer any and all questions. Connor’s Aquarium Cleaning LLC has been a big success in more ways than one and the Wolph’s look forward to many more years of servicing aquariums and ponds while educating and getting to know their clients. They are thankful for the support and take pride in what they do. Though the local fish community is relatively small, they are lucky to have the Wolph’s in their corner.
Prices – Aquarium – Freshwater $1.25 per gallon, saltwater - $1.75 a gallon plus a $20 service fee, Deep clean $100 an hour for both fresh and saltwater aquariums. Koi ponds receive an estimate with a free consultation and quote. For more information log onto connnorsaquariumcleaning.com or call 541-654-3963. 
                                
 
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

     There will be something for both kids and adults at the 21st annual auction sponsored by PALS at Veneta Elementary School on Saturday April 20th. An acronym for Parents Action League for Students, PALS, which is similar to the PTA, raises money year around to benefit students and teachers. The auction is the biggest fundraiser and sets the pace for the upcoming year. In this case, it will be school year 2024-2025.
     This year’s auction is operating with the theme Under the Sea and features both a silent and a live auction. The gymnasium doors open at 4:00 p.m. and everyone is welcome to attend. All students participate in preparing by selling tickets for a raffle that will feature six different prizes. Winners can receive a Blackstone Griddle, Air Fryer Toaster, 3-Piece Luggage Set, 48,000 BTU Patio Heater, Mini Karaoke Player, and an Xbox Series S Bundle. The students receive incentives for tickets sold and have been vying to sell $500 worth in order to board a party bus and go to Defy Air Sports in Eugene for some rip-roaring fun.
      Kids will also be able to participate in a raffle in which they can win arts and crafts projects and learning games.
     Auctioned items will include such things as gift cards to local businesses, Oregon Jamboree passes, Oregon Country Fair passes, a night at Three Rivers Casino, and a stay in Sun River. D.J. Barry Macguire from radio station 99.1 will act as auctioneer.
     Also featured at the auction will be a dunk tank staffed by teachers, which led to this year’s theme, and because no festivity is complete with out food, Morelos Taco truck and Kona Shaved Ice along with other food trucks will be on hand with tasty things to eat.
     According to PALS President Jani Patrick, last year’s auction netted $30,000 that allowed them to focus on putting in picnic tables, gifting each classroom $300 for STEM kits, rebarking the track last summer, purchasing new soccer balls and goals, basketball hoops, seesaws, and new jump ropes. Money also went into field trip accounts. Currently, this year’s auction is still in the collecting phase, Patrick says, and she finds it phenomenal that the community is willing to give so much.
     Described by Patrick as “a great group of moms,” PALS works hard to provide for the schools needs and even hosts a pumpkin patch in October in the school’s backfield because not every kid is able to get a pumpkin and what is Halloween without a Jack O’Lantern? Now, they are working hard to make sure the auction is a success yet again so the kids and their teachers can benefit, and the school can be a place where pride is obvious, students have nice equipment to enjoy, and young minds are molded in a way that makes learning fun. Businesses wishing to donate can email [email protected].
      

     Library programs aren’t just for adults. At Fern Ridge Library, there is plenty for kids from preschool through high school to enjoy. Clubs, crafts, stories, it’s all there. There even the opportunity to read to a dog.

MONDAY
April 15th
BSA – Boy Scouts of America Troop 50 Ages 10-18 meets and Video Game Club is held at 6:00 p.m.

TUESDAYS
April 16th
Sing and Sign meets at 11:00 a.m. This is an opportunity for families to interact with other families via singing and dancing. Classes are structured for those 0-5 years of age and the use of early sign language, kindergarten readiness, body movement and rhythm exploration are encouraged with fun songs and finger plays.
Nursing Nook meets at 11:30 directly after Sing and Sign. Daisy Chain’s lactation team provides drop-in   and baby feeding support. This one-hour program includes a baby weight check.

STEAM Club meets at 3:30 and is open to kids from kindergarten through fifth grade. With a focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math, children are encouraged to utilize a combination of logical reasoning skills and creative thinking that allows for use of both the analytic left hemisphere and the innovative right hemisphere of their brains when solving problems. This, in turn, allows for more and better solutions. The program runs for approximately 1 hour.

THURSDAY
April 18th,
Homeschool Game Club is a fun way for kids ages 8-14 to have a fun way to interact with peers and try out free electronic games. These tabletop games encourage the development of such skills as problem solving, quick math, and enhanced creativity. The program runs for 2 hours and has included such games as Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza and Settlers of Catan.

FRIDAYS
April 12th, April 19th, April 26
Storytime meets in the Konnie Room at 11:00 a.m. Aimed at children from 0-5, this program focuses on pre-literacy skills, via singing songs, dance, art exploration and letter recognition. Writing is practiced and, of course, there are great stories! April Storytime will focus on the theme of vehicles, transportation and things that go. Program lasts for 45 minutes.

Middle/High School Program meets at 4:30 p.m. This is designed for grades 9-12 and focuses on STEAM and crafting. April’s programs are Crafternoon by our self-directed craft group, Book Club, and Teen Maker’s Space groups. All have been planned by the Teen Advisory Board members.
 

     April has arrived and with it an assortment of programs is being offered by Fern Ridge Library that should appeal to many, particularly those who love books or who love creating them. But there are also offerings for those who want someone to share their hobby with, those who love art, and those who might need support or who want to learn something new.  Of course, being tax season, there is even time to get your taxes done by a volunteer through AARP.

MONDAYS
April 1st & April 15th
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers assistance with the preparation of taxes to anyone no matter their age. However, all appointments at Fern Ridge Library have been filled but those still in need of help can obtain it at other locations in Lane County, with some locations offering walk-in services. To learn more, please call 503-512-9702 or visit LaneTaxHelp.Zendesk.com.

April 8th & April 22nd
NAMI aka The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a confidential peer-led support group free of charge for adults. NAMI-trained facilitators lead the group and focus is placed on empathy, a sense of community and productive discussion. April 8th’s meeting is scheduled from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. while April 22nd’s is scheduled from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Meetings are held in the Konnie room and those in attendance are asked to enter through the side door. For more information, https://namilane.org/support-and-education/

WEDNESDAYS
April 10 & April 24th
Ridge Writers meet in the conference room from 4:00 until 6:30. This group is for wordsmiths who would like to be in the company of others who share their interest in writing. The session begins with a prompt and there is also time for critique. Those in attendance are free to bring what they are working on and share with the others in a welcoming, nonjudgemental atmosphere.

April 10th & April 17th
This is when the Hobby Hangout meets. Running from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., this is a chance for artists, crafters, makers, gamers, builders, thinkers and others who find joy in creating to bring their supplies and enjoy working together on their various projects. Hobby Hangout meets in the Konnie Room and is open to those 18 and older. The library has an assortment of free materials and tools to use along with plenty of space for people to spread out and enjoy themselves.

THURSDAYS
April 4th, April 11th, April 18th, and April 25th
Walk & Talk meets up every Thursday morning in the courtyard at 9:00 a.m. and participants then go for a walk that ends at 10:00 a.m. A path is chosen as is a pace and discussion centers on what those in attendance are currently reading and the neighborhood. This is an easy stroll that is accessible to all and all are welcome.

April 18th            
The non-fiction book club meets from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. The topic is “Logic.” Mr. Spock depends on logic, but so do we when we work on puzzles, make decisions, use statistics, science, math, economics, and reason. There will be a discussion in the conference room and staff members look forward to meeting you. Next month’s topic will be “(May) flowers.”
April 25th
The Long Tom Watershed Council will offer a presentation on Home Septic Maintenance & Monitoring. Chrissy Lucas-Woodruff from OSU Extension will be sharing information to help homeowners prevent a catastrophic failure of their septic system. Participants can bring in a ½ cup of untreated water in any container to see if their septic might be leeching into their well and drinking water system. The presentation runs from 5:15 – 6:30 in the Konnie room and those interested are requested to register at longtom.org/homeseptic, though registration is not required.

FRIDAY
April 19th
An artist’s reception will be held for Melissa Sikes from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the ArtSpace where those in attendance can meet her and discuss with her the work she has done while enjoying light refreshments. Originally from Carmel, California, Sykes has lived and created art in Eugene for nearly 30 years. Her subject matter and style vary but for this installation she has chosen to share her “Day of the Dead” images in an outstanding showing of her art.

SATURDAY
April 6th & April 13th                                                                         
AARP will again aid in the preparation of taxes these two days.

April 20th
The Friends of the Fern Ridge Library has their quarterly meeting from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. This is an excellent way to become more involved in the library and the Friends will welcome you and your ideas.

     Veneta resident and owner of Roger’s Towing, Lewis Rucker, is an affable man with a wide smile and a welcoming nature. But, when it comes to the safety of the drivers who work for him, he is dead serious. This is a dangerous business, he says, and a tow truck driver is killed on average every 5.8 days due to factors such as speed and driver inattentiveness. People need to slow down when they approach a tow truck with its lights flashing and/or move into the next lane.
     Rucker, who purchased the business in 2019, also describes the tow truck business as “fun,” and “exciting,” as it is never known what sort of call will come in, when it will come in, and where the tow is needed. Open 24/7, Roger’s Towing gets calls around the clock and drivers must be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, making it sometimes tricky to enjoy time with family.
     Originally a part of Max’s Tire and Towing Center, a long-time establishment on Highway 126, Roger’s Towing was operated by Roger Vazquez, son of owner Max Vazquez, who was also known for his easy-going demeanor. Tragically, Roger was killed in August of 1998 at age 37 while nearly back at the garage after going out on a late-night call to retrieve the impounded truck of a driver who had been arrested for DUI. In a case of cruel irony, the individual operating the truck that struck Roger was also driving under the influence of alcohol. Roger left behind a wife and several young children. In his memory, Max Vazquez erected a roadside cross decorated with artificial flowers, spring bulbs, and a live Christmas tree to denote the sacred spot where Roger drew his final breath, and his soul departed his broken body. Max would make near daily visits to be close to his son until he, too, joined him in heaven several years later.
     Since then, Roger’s Towing has changed hands several times and now, under Rucker’s ownership, has grown to encompass offices and yards in Veneta, Glenwood, and Albany after Triple A offered contracts Rucker was happy to assume. Recently, the business has gotten into the heavy portion of towing and to this end has become owner of the first factory-built rotator in Lane County, a source of great pride. This will make big jobs and wrecks where a vehicle is over a guardrail much easier to contend with as the boom can rotate 360 degrees and only one lane of traffic will need to be blocked. The rotator can be operated by remote control and Rucker describes it as a “very complicated piece of equipment.”
     Roger’s Towing has a fleet of 35 trucks total of various sizes, and it specializes in off-road recovery that other companies either won’t or can’t do as they don’t possess the necessary equipment. Other companies also don’t answer their phone after a certain time, something Rucker finds difficult to comprehend.
     “I tell my guys, when we get a call, you go now. If that was your wife, kids, would you want then to wait?” he says matter-of-factly.
     Rucker also sees to it that the extra mile is gone in cleaning up debris from accident scenes and rides being given to get someone home. This has taken drivers as far as Portland and, once, a couple and their three dogs were driven from I-5 to their home in Bellevue Washington.
     “Whatever people need, we will try to take care of,” Rucker states. “When people have been in an accident, their world is turned upside down.”
     Rucker recounts the time an out of state couple rented a jeep and drove along logging roads in the Coast Range in Benton County, unaware of how treacherous Oregon’s roads can be. After becoming stuck at the end of one particular road, the couple had to be located by Search and Rescue who then notified Roger’s Towing. It took Rucker and his drivers 12 ½ hours to retrieve the rented jeep using come-alongs as well as chainsaws to remove logs that were in the way, but in the end, the jeep suffered no damage and was returned to the rental company in the same condition it was rented in.
     Fatality accidents are naturally the worst, Rucker says, but taking vehicles into impound because the driver has been arrested for DUI, has no insurance or has been driving while suspend can be tricky too if the driver wants to come to retrieve their belongings from the vehicle in question and is told no. Often, they become angry and blame Roger’s Towing for sticking to established protocol.
     It’s a different lifestyle, this tow truck driving. If a driver is having a BBQ with family and a call comes in, they must go. By the time they return, dinner is likely done, and the food is either eaten or cold, but this is a part of the life that has been accepted. When the ice storm hit, they chained up and went without hesitation to aid those who had lost control on the slick roads. Over three days only 6-8 hours of sleep was to be had, but the sacrifice was made willingly. All that is asked in return is for people to show courtesy and realize that drivers have lives and families they want to go home to. It’s not much to ask for all they do. A simple lane change, a decrease in speed while passing by, paying attention to surroundings, it’s a small gesture in the scheme of things, but to a tow truck driver in harm’s way, it’s the difference between life and death.

     April 2nd marked the end of a long era in which Diess Feed held court on Highway 126. Since the mid-1950’s, the red barn-like building stood as a beacon of sorts to travelers to and from Eugene and many who saw the ever-changing farm-themed jokes and puns displayed on the large sign out in front in recent years no doubt groaned or even had to laugh. Now, the doors, which were always wide open, are shut and the building is darkened with the opening of the new Wilco just down the road at the corner of W. 11th and Willow Creek Road.
     The end for Diess didn’t come right away. Its swan song began when long-time owners Mike and Allison Lengele, who ran the store since 2002, decided to retire. It had been their intention to sell, but then came the news that Wilco was going to open up a store nearby and the Lengele’s were not comfortable with the idea of their store likely failing in light of this development and so opted to allow Wilco to take the reins until the new store was ready to open as it seemed the better alternative than allowing someone else to assume ownership and the business fail.
     Now, the doors of the new Wilco have opened for business, and a page has turned to a new chapter. A farmer owned co-op, Wilco has roots that harken back to the early 1930’s when farmers united to aid in the purchase of supplies through local co-op branches at inexpensive prices. Five of these co-ops eventually joined forces in 1967 and created Wilco or Willamette Consolidated.
     Wilco stores are located in Oregon, California, and Washington, with the closest stores before the Eugene store was built being in Springfield and Corvallis. It was decided to locate a store in Eugene after it was noticed that many customers at the Springfield store were from the Eugene and West Lane area. Those who were employed at Diess will continue to be employed at the new store and Wilco looks forward to getting to know their customers, as well as becoming an active part of the community.
     Involvement in the community is important to Wilco and to that end they provide many donations and offer support to such things as dog parks, community gardens, and sports fields. Wilco has already raised more than $2 million through its FFA Forever program and is active in youth livestock auctions where they bid on over 1,000 animals. Wilco offers military and senior discounts and youth accounts for 4-H and FFA among others and also offers discounted pet food to canine police offers.
     A recent tour of the new Eugene store led by Vice President of Marketing Jake Wilson covered all five departments that include a selection of products by True Value Hardware and Stihl power tools. One portion of the large and brightly lit store is devoted to western and work clothing and shoes while the livestock and pet department boasts a large selection of pet food, vaccines, feed, and supplies. There is also a two-portion pet wash area – one a self-serve for the do it yourselfer and the other a professional grooming shop. The garden department displays a mixture of fruit trees, vegie starts, and flowers/shrubs along with décor of a farm nature. While the veggie starts, which Wilco is known for, are currently limited, this should change in the next two months with the assortment increasing as they become available. A kiosk stands in the center of the store and one can use it to locate desired merchandise and shoppers can also order online and arrange for curb-side pickup.
     While a ribbon cutting was held on April 1st, a grand opening celebration will be held at the end of the month. Encompassing four days (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), the festivities will include participation by the local 4-H and FFA chapters, prizes, giveaways, drawings, and entertainers. Friday will be known as “Free Hat Friday” and as might be expected, customers will receive a free cap as long as supplies last.
     Wilco is enthusiastic about joining the community and they hope that they will be warmly embraced by customers they hope to get to know as one era comes to a quiet end and another begins. The staff and management alike are friendly and welcoming and anyone who ventures through the large electric doors should have no trouble finding what they seek. Meanwhile, the old Diess building will sit empty but certainly not forgotten. Possibly, if one were to pull into the small gravel lot, they could hear the voices of the past as happy conversations were held, laughter was shared, and greetings/goodbyes were exchanged over 60 years. Maybe, just maybe, if they were to glance into a window and look really hard, they might even see ghostly figures milling about in styles representative of days gone by.  One just never knows. Goodbye Diess. Hello Wilco.