Community Announcements 03.04.15

Call for arts and crafts vendors

Ryderwood's Spring Arts & Crafts Fair and Quilt Display is planned for May 15 & 16, with vendors able to sign up for limited spaces at this time. The Arts & Crafts Fair will take place in the two large rooms of Community Hall, while the Quilt Display will be held in Pioneer Hall.

Due to the popularity of the Fair, the number of vendors will be limited to 35 so applications should be submitted quickly. The deadline for all applications is May 8. The cost is $20 for each 6 ft.-by-6 ft. space, table included. Interested vendors should contact Norma at (360) 295-3672 for an application.

Ryderwood is located nine scenic miles west of I-5 via Exit 59 at the end of SR 506. The quaint village is the country's oldest retirement community and is home to some of the finest artists and crafters for miles around.

Fundraiser for Dayna Hurtado

A spaghetti feed and silent auction fundraiser has been scheduled to benefit community member Dayna Hurtado, who is currently battling cancer.

Scheduled for this Saturday at the Winlock Community Building, the event is scheduled to last from 1 to 6 p.m. with donations requested of $5 each. For more information, including how to donate auction items, call Viola Chickese at (360) 785-0178 or WinlockClean@gmail.com.

Upcoming Master Gardener classes

Lewis County Master Gardener will be hosting a Gardening for Everyone class Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at Washington Hall in Centralia College. Classes will include Basic Gardening 101, Choosing the Right Tool for the Right Job, Planning a Low Maintenance Perennial Garden, Grapes 101, Organic Gardening, Wild Edibles, Winter Gardening, and Tackling Tough Weeds in the Home Landscape.

The purpose of the WSU Extension Master Gardeners program is to provide public education in home gardening and environmental stewardship generated from research at WSU and other university systems. For more information contact Art Fuller, Program Coordinator, WSU Lewis County Master Gardeners, (360) 740-1216 or e-mail art.fuller@lewiscountywa.gov.

Give blood during Red Cross Month

The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to become everyday heroes by giving blood in celebration of Red Cross Month this March.

Since 1943, every US president has designated March as Red Cross Month - a time to recognize those who support the Red Cross. Local communities depend on the Red Cross, which relies on donations of time, money and blood to fulfill its humanitarian mission.

By donating blood, eligible donors can help save the lives of patients in need. Those who are unable to give blood can support blood donations by organizing a blood drive, volunteering to assist with Red Cross activities, or creating a SleevesUp virtual blood drive online at redcrossblood.org/SleevesUp and asking others to make a lifesaving donation.

Local donation opportunities include: the Sharon Care Center (1509 Harrison Ave., in Centralia) on March 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).