Early Rhody Show expected to be blooming big!
Each year the local chapter of the American Rhododendron Society hosts two flower shows. The one most people know about is usually the larger of the two. It takes place over Rhododendron Festival Weekend. But this weekend is what members call the “early season” show and according to chapter president Day Farrald it’s going to be bigger than usual. (Farrald 1) – “Normally there aren’t quite as many but this year Mother Nature’s done a little turn-around on us and gotten a lot of sunshine and dry weather and I think we’re going to have more rhododendrons in bloom now than there are in May.” With this year’s “bumper crop” of blossoms it’s more important than ever that residents try to get by the Florence Events Center Saturday or Sunday. (Farrald 2) – “There are so many rhododendrons in bloom that are forgotten because the late show that’s done in conjunction with the Rhody Festival, you always see those rhodies but you never see the rhododendrons that bloom early. And by the time the festival comes around these rhodies are all done.” Day says entries are not restricted only to society members. (Farrald 3) – “We really encourage the public to enter, it’s, you know, it’s for everyone. And if they don’t know the name, don’t know where it belongs, we’ll take care of all that and put it in the show and they can come home with a blue ribbon” Entries can be brought to the south entry to the FEC Saturday morning between 7 and 9 AM. There is no entry fee. Judging can take up to four hours so the show will likely open to the public from one to five Saturday and then Sunday from ten to 5. It is called the Rhododendron Society, but there will also be a display of Bonsai all weekend along with the usual Rhody sale.
| 97-J Budget meeting at middle school 6 pm
The Siuslaw School District Budget Committee, comprised of all seven members of the Board of Directors, the two student representatives and 5 community members will meet this evening at Siuslaw Middle School at six pm for likely their last look and discussion on the budget. There are usually seven community members on the panel but this year directors could not get enough volunteers. Committee members have already submitted questions about the numbers that administrators will bring answers to. If the committee endorses the budget it will be on the agenda for the May board of directors meeting for a public hearing. |
| Mapleton Directors to meet tonight |
| Carnival passes on sale now
It’s a sign of the times, Early Rhody Carnival Day Passes are on sale now—get yours at a discount at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center. If you’re looking to save a few bucks, you can encourage your kids to sign up to be a banner carrier in the 118th Festival Grand Floral Parade. Ages 9 through 17 are eligible to earn their carnival credentials. More information, including a link to download the 2025 Rhododendron Festival Event Program can be found at RhodyDays.net |
An unseasonal downswing in prices at the pump showed gas prices declining for the second week in a row nationally, but prices in Florence and across the state rose again this week. As of Tuesday afternoon, the average price of regular in Florence was at $3.71 a gallon. That’s still 22 cents below the Oregon average as calculated by Triple-A, but a whopping 54 cents a gallon higher than the national average of $3.17. Drivers in Portland pay the highest average in Oregon at $4.07 a gallon while across the river in Vancouver, Washington the average is at $4.23. Drivers in Pendleton, along I-84, are faced with the lowest reported average price in the state at $3.66 a gallon.
