November 4, 2020
Liz Writes Life
Honor Veterans
This is a reminder that the American Legion Perry Harris Post #260 will be holding Honor Guard Ceremonies at local Scott Valley cemeteries on Wed. Nov. 11, 2020. The public is invited to support the ceremonies and honor our military veterans. Times are: Callahan Cemetery at 10 a.m., Etna Cemetery at 11 a.m. and Fort Jones Cemetery at noon. I will be at Callahan at 10 a.m.
Because of the pandemic and California State regulations, the annual Etna Veterans’ Parade was not held this year. It is expected to return in Nov. 2021. All veterans are encouraged to participate. Plan on it!
Freedom Tour
What a sight! More than 100 cars, pickups, trucks pulling horses trailers, hay and boats drove through Scott Valley last Sunday afternoon in a show of patriotism. My second-hand information (about the event) related the organizers said it was non-partisan. Fabulously, American flags were waving in abundance. A vast majority of the vehicles also boasted Trump-for-president flags and signs, thin-blue-line flags and there was a Black Voices for Trump sign. It didn’t take much to deduce most of the drivers were Trump supporters. What a peaceful, fun way to show love for our freedoms and the United States!
Yes, yesterday, Nov. 3, 2020 was Election Day. I hope everyone exercised their freedom to vote. I write this on Monday morning, so I do not have any results and hope that results will be finalized quickly.
Garden
There have been several hard frosts that have taken out the gardens. A few friends have mentioned that like me, they were ready for the season to be finished. Yay! Not that we didn’t enjoy the bounty, it is just that we also enjoy the seasons. Now it is time for autumn rains and winter snows to hit. Yep, it is time for this drought to be over. Over!
I haven’t started cleaning-up the garden yet. During October, my extra energy went to getting my wood organized. I asked my teenaged grandson, Bryce, to split a cord of cedar wood that I purchased last spring. It baked under the summer sun and is now split and stacked under-cover along with several other cords of wood. Yay! Let the rains begin! Please!
Food programs
Last week, I talked with Barb Craig, who is the administrator of several food bank and food giveaway programs in Scott Valley. She and her fellow volunteers are trying to get the word out about the programs, because they don’t want anyone to go hungry. So, please utilize these programs and let your friends, neighbors and acquaintances know about them.
Both of these programs are coordinated locally by the Fort Jones Community Church and the Scott Valley Berean Church. The first program is called Feeding America. Barb said that a volunteer picks up food from Wal-Mart in Yreka every Monday through Friday. Wal-Mart is a major contributor. There are four local drivers that rotate driving to Wal-Mart. The food is bought back to the Fort Jones Community Church where is it organized.
The food is distributed every Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on tables behind the Fort Jones Community Church and again on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Last Saturday, there were frozen packages of chicken and hamburger along with a variety of frozen milks available. Fresh vegetables of zucchini to celery and kiwi fruits were also available along with breakfast oatmeal pouches, cookies and other items.
After putting your items in a bag or two, a volunteer weighs the food. This is how they are able to show how much food is utilized. There is a one-page form to fill out with your name, address and financial status. But, Barb said that anyone can participate in this program.
The second program is funded through a California block grant to the Modoc Siskiyou Community Action Agency. It is a monthly box of food for lower income individuals and families. But, Barb said that most anyone (in Scott Valley), especially seniors, seems to fall into the program.
There is a one-page form to fill out with more than 40 items from which to choose. Much of the food in this program is contributed by WinCo in Medford. A local volunteer drives to Medford every Friday to pick-up this food. Each participant’s food box is also weighed.
Barb said that right now, because of the pandemic of covid-19, the program is offering a twice a month food box.
Food is available for those in need. Barb hopes it will be utilized. This is a local ministry and volunteers are not paid. Call Barb for more information at 530-468-2200.
I looked up the Feeding America program on the web and learned it is a United States-based nonprofit organization that is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks. Through coordinated efforts and businesses, this program is feeding more than 46 million people utilizing food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other community agencies and groups. Forbes ranks it as the second largest U.S. charity by revenue. Previous to August 2008, Feeding America was known as America’s Second Harvest.
The Modoc Siskiyou Community Action Agency receives its Community Services Block Grant funding from the State of California, Department of Community Services and Development. Modoc Siskiyou issues a request for proposals to fund projects that assist low income community members residing in Modoc and Siskiyou Counties. Current funded projects include: Four food banks, TEACH Senior Services, The Dorris Lion’s Club Meal delivery program and Scott Valley Focus Lunch Program.
I sure am grateful for caring volunteers and organizations that work these and other needed programs in our community. Thank you!
Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.
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