Cash-for-candy spares teeth

I would like to extend my appreciation to the kids and adults who made our fourth annual "Dollar$, NOT Decay" event a success. After an exciting night of trick-or-treating, children brought their candy to my office in exchange for newly minted dollars and free toothbrushes.

This year, more than 220 pounds of candy was collected. Way to go, kids! I appreciate this response all the more because I know how difficult it can be for kids to part with their hard-earned candy.

Many thanks to the kids who brought in their candy, the parents who brought in their kids and the Gazette-Times, Valley Parent and many other organizations that helped to publicize our event. We are looking forward to collecting even more candy next year.

Kurt S. Black, DDS

Timberhill Dental

Corvallis

Boy Scouts rake up some good will

Thanks to the Boy Scouts and adult leaders of Troop 186, First Christian Church of Corvallis, for sacrificing their day on Nov. 5 to rake leaves from the yards of the elderly and saving them from that labor.

Richard and Susan Potter

Corvallis

Reading-to-dogs program a hit

Thank you, Corvallis-Benton County Library, for sponsoring the recent Reading Education Assistance Dogs workshop and most especially Dana Campbell, library youth services.

Our thanks also to Don Ferguson of Shadow Smith Photography, Paul Lerner at Avalon Cinemas, Julie Flanery of Wonder Dogs, Dana Stillinger at Best Friend, Kate Lindberg of Animal Crackers and Theresa Hogue at the Corvallis Gazette-Times. It is a pleasure to work with such a supportive and caring community.

Barbara Keelen

R.E.A.D facilitator

Albany

Powerful support lights up art scene

Thanks to Consumers Power Inc. for sponsoring the third annual Philomath Open Studios Tour on Oct. 15 and 16.

Eight studios displayed the work of 18 artists. Several hundred people attended.

Consumer Power's generosity enabled us to arrange for publicity, including posters and brochures and to offer a raffle prize of a $100 gift certificate.

Debby Sundbaum-Sommers

Philomath Open Studios Artists

Sponsors spur on Hoover Fun Run

Hoover School just completed its annual "Fun Run" fund-raiser to obtain money for educational enrichment at Hoover. The Fun Run would not be possible without the remarkable assistance from local businesses. We would like to thank Oregon State University Soccer, Cold Stone Creamery, Countrywide Mortgage, Bike 'n Hike, Corvallis Cyclery, Peak Sports, Play It Again Sports, Five Star Sports, Big 5 and The Toy Factory for their generous donations for the Raffle Drawing.

These donations helped ensure the success of this event. A special thanks also goes to Hewlett-Packard for its contributions through the matching gift program. We have great support for the Corvallis community and are extremely thankful.

Kerry Klingerman

Marganne Huang

Laura Martin

Fun Run Co-Chairs

A Thanksgiving gift to the G-T

In this season for remembering all that we have to be thankful for, I wish to give thanks to all of you at the Gazette Times/Democrat Herald for faithfully serving your community so well.

Because of you, I Sudoku. Because of you, I am an informed reader of worldly to local news, enriched by our cultural diversity and sometimes controversy, imbued with bits of wisdom or amusement from a rich assortment of human interest and human endeavors.

From A to Z, from birth to death, from young to old, from good to bad, from sad to glad, you cover the events of our community. If there is an area that has not been reported or written about, I have not found it. For the years that I have enjoyed the fruits of your daily concerted team efforts and unfailing labors, I give you all my heartfelt "Thank you."

Barbara Story

Corvallis

Church members give furniture

We would like to express our deep appreciation for the accomplishments of the members of the Kings Circle Assembly of God congregation during their furniture drive for Benton Furniture Share last month.

The goal for the weekend was to fill all of our furniture requests and to leave our warehouse full. Both goals were accomplished. Twenty families (37 individuals) were given a total of 107 items, and our warehouse is bursting with items to be distributed in the future. Hundreds of church members worked on this project. We were very happy to get to know some of you, and we know there were others whom we did not meet. Thanks in particular to Steve Rydin for organizing this event and also to community members who contributed furniture.

Molly Gage

Jean Chiappisi

Carol Wotton

Benton Furniture Share

Many help CALYX kick off 30th

The CALYX Books board of directors would like to thank the dozens of Corvallis-area businesses and individuals who donated food, beverages, raffle items and support to the Oct. 20 party that kicked off CALYX's 30th anniversary.

Since it was founded in 1976, the press has provided a forum for more than 3,500 women whose work might not have found a publisher in the for-profit arena. CALYX is a nonprofit international publisher based in Corvallis.

Our thanks go to: Cynthia Stevenson of State Farm Insurance; Michele Kellison, CPA; Mary Vance of Bryant Realty, Inc.; Susie Lisser; Sibling Revelry; Jeanne Smith; Valley Catering; Intaba's Kitchen; El Sol de Mexico; Nearly Normal's; Sunnyside-Up; Gathering Together Farms; Argyle Winery; Airlie Winery; Pheasant Court Winery; Patrick Hadlock; Oregon Legacy Coffee; The Gables restaurant; Big River restaurant; The Fox & Firkin; Grass Roots Books & Music; Zooey's; Chaum and April Spehar; Louie Gizyn; Jerri Bartholomew; Cynthia Spencer; and the Corvallis Fall Festival.

Nancy Greenman

Chairwoman

CALYX

Gourmet event aids Pastega House

The steering committee and Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees thanks all who helped to make the 2005 Physicians Gourmet Faire such a success.

The event netted more than $75,000 for the Mario Pastega House Endowment Fund, the earnings of which are used to help support the operation of this comfortable "home away from home" for out-of-area patients and families traveling to Corvallis for medical care.

The success of this year's Physicians Gourmet Faire was aided by the many physicians who provided delicious food and wonderful music, corporate sponsors and hundreds who donated and purchased auction items.

Committee chairs who worked for nearly a year to organize the event were: Carolyn Oakley, Bob Esterling, JoAnne Malkin, Deb Bynum, Karen Grant, Peg Obrist, Doug Ingalls and Paul Goodmonson, Ed Knech and Ron Welty. Kay Dawson and Carolyn Oakley secured nearly $40,000 in auction items and services. They were supported by foundation staff Kate Sundstrom, Jeanette Partl, Terry Ware and Julie Manning.

Susan Poole

Chairwoman

Physicians Gourmet

Faire Steering Committee

Weighty gift boosts PHS fitness

A big thanks to Rick Bennett and the Corvallis Fitness Center for responding to a need and donating 12 pieces of weight training equipment to the Philomath High School strength training program. If purchased new, this equipment would have cost our district nearly $41,000. Along with benefiting the high school program, we now have enough equipment to start providing for our middle school students as well. Our students are already enjoying and benefiting from this generous donation.

Steve Bennett

PE, weight training instructor

Philomath High School

Pancake auction is a hit for child care

Thanks to the businesses that helped to make the Presbyterian Child Care Center's pancake breakfast/dinner and silent auction on Oct. 21 and 22 a success.

Thanks to Safeway on Philomath Boulevard, Albertsons and Java Connection, which provided some of the food. The Corvallis Community Choir; Resident Combo (Alex, Torrin, Shawn and Steve); Unplugged Plays for Fun from the First Christian Church and Colette Schlegel's piano students provided entertainment.

Thanks to auction donors FedEx; Corvallis Sports Park; Corvallis Fire Department; Hair Body and Sole; Aspire Design; Toy Factory; Oregon Whitewater Adventure; Aurora Martial Arts; Clarissa's Bridal Salon; Budget Blinds; Elmer's; OSU KidSpirit; Trilogy; Corvallis Fitness Center; Trysting Tree Golf Club; Chinook Winds Casino Resort, an Enterprise of the Confederated Tribe of the Siletz Indians of Oregon; OSU Athletics; OSU Bookstore,;Woodstock Cellular; Scandinavian Trading Company; The Shutterbug; Great Harvest; Barton Photography; Inside Out Garden Visions; Osborn Aquatic Center; Jazzy Lookz; and Friends of PCCC.

Melanie Feder

Chandell Terwilliger

Shannon Knuth

Blodgett

Evening of music, art, food aids kids

Friends of the Family Ministries' first "Featured Friends" social event and auction on Nov. 1 afforded those who attended an evening of fun, beautiful artwork, music, wonderful food and amazing generosity. Owners of the lovely Retreat Day Spa and Salon in the Cannery Mall donated their facilities to provide a warm and inviting atmosphere. The purpose of this unique benefit was to raise seed money for our low-income families project and partnership with Southside Community Church's Tuesday Club program for children. It was a success!

Special thanks go to each business and friend who provided a wide variety of auction items, volunteered to do whatever it took, contributed beyond their auction bid and joined hands to be part of building healthy families and healthy relationships in our area.

On behalf of the parents, children and couples who will be served because of your support, I extend my sincerest appreciation. We know that you care.

Janice Adams

Development coordinator

Friends of the Family Ministries

Rock plaque will honor parks pioneer

"Thank you" to Mid-Pacific Enterprises for donating a family-selected rock on which a memorial plaque will be placed in honor of Allen Throop.

The donated rock with memorial plaque will be located on the Allen Throop Trail at Fitton Green, a Benton County Natural Areas and Parks Department site. The Allen Throop Trail is a memorial to his vision, leadership and commitment to open space. Allen Throop's legacy of inspiration for preservation of open space in Benton County continues through partnership efforts of the Greenbelt Land Trust and Benton County Natural Areas and Parks Department.

Mary Simpson

Benton County

Natural areas & Parks department