Celebrate state’s 150th: Take Care of Oregon events slated locally

By Mary Owen

Mt. Angel’s fountain will get a splash of red, white and blue and Silverton plans projects to celebrate Oregon’s 150th birthday.

On May 9, about a dozen folks are expected to plant 150 patriotic-colored geraniums, donated by the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce, around the fountain on Main Street as part of Take Care of Oregon Days. The project, taking place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is part of a year-long celebration that is calling Oregonians to join together for the sesquicentennial celebration.

“Kathy Deshon, who heads the flower-planting at the fountain every spring, is in charge. We offered to supply people to help if she needs more volunteers,” said John Gooley, president of the Oktoberfest Board of Directors.

The geraniums, along with the annual flower basket program, were funded by donations of from Oktoberfest festivities and the Wurst Fest. Mary Grant, owner of the Glockenspiel Restaurant, will provide lunch for planters.

Oregon 150 commissioned SOLV, Oregon Volunteers and Rural Development Initiatives to coordinate and support volunteer projects across the state.

Silverton will host projects on May 16 for Take Care of Oregon Days: trail-building in the wetlands, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. off of Cascade Highway at Main Street, park and meet at the Oregon Garden Visitor’s Center; and Silver Falls Cleanup, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South Falls Lodge. Minimum age to participate in either project is 10.

The Silver Falls Cleanup project will focus on invasive plant removal, trimming vegetation and litter removal.

Mt. Angel started celebrating the sesquicentennial by singing “Happy Birthday” in German and English at the Wurst Fest in February.

Continuing the celebration, the Kennedy High School track team will carry a baton through town as part of Marion County’s relay event, “150 Miles for 150 Years.”

Taking place over five weekends, the relay will travel to 20 cities and many of the county’s 47 unincorporated communities. The trek will end at the Oregon State Fairgrounds during the 2009 Marion County Fair.

A passport/map is available, encouraging people to visit sites of historic value in Marion County. Destinations and events important to the communities are listed in the brochure, available at both city halls.

Mt. Angel will end its celebrations in September at the opening ceremony for Oktoberfest. High school shop students will build a 4-foot round birthday cake.

More than 20,000 participants statewide are expected to participate in Take Care of Oregon Days.

For a full schedule of Oregon 150 events, visit www.oregon150.com.