Calendar

Come celebrate the 85th year of what organizers say is the longest-running sheepdog trial in the country on May 19 through 21. The NW Champion Sheepdog Trial is held in conjunction with the Linn County Lamb and Wool Fair, which is celebrating its 88th year.

The sheepdog trials will take place at Wolston Farm, 39562 Highway 226 off of Franklin Butte Road beginning at 8am and last until all dogs have run.

Photo by Melinda Martin.

“Celebrating Our Agricultural Heritage” is the theme of the annual History Through Headstones Tour at Albany’s Riverside Cemetery on Wednesday, July 19. It is sponsored by the Albany Regional Museum and the Riverside Cemetery Board of Directors.

This is the 13th year for the free event where light refreshments will be served from 7 pm to dusk. Visitors can park on either side of 7th Ave. west of Albany General Hospital and can begin their tour at either cemetery entrance.

Eleven people associated with the area’s agricultural community will be featured, including six members of the prolific Jenk’s family.

Here is a list of those to be honored along with the names of the docents who will talk about each one: James Benton Jenks (1833-93) and Mary Callaway Jenks (1838-1919), docent and great-granddaughter Mary Jacque Jenks Burck; Enoch Marvin Jenks (1880-1965) and Elizabeth Moser Jenks (1887-1965), docent and great grandson Tim Jenks; Howard Benton Jenks (1893-1963) and Eunice Luper Jenks (1890-1984), docent and grandson Howard Benton Jenks.

Also being honored are Amos Conrad (1925-94), docent and family friend, Pat Hagerty; Cyrill Koos (1863-1943) and Adele Koos (1864-1936), docent and family member Kathryn Koos-Lee; and John Gale Swatzka (1925-09), docent Darrel Tedisch, Riverside Cemetery Board member.

Concluding the featured subjects are Samuel Hill (1804-54), docent Bill Maddy, ARM member; and Mary Pettibone Buchner (1905-2002), docent and family member Kitty Buchner.

Photo credit: “Riverside Cemetary Heart of Linn County Genealogy” by Kimberly Richards

It’s Iron Water Ranch’s 5th Lamb & Fleece Summer Sale and it is set to be the best yet. They will have fleeces and fiber for sale, lambs available for sale and pickup, and classes for those looking to learn something new!

Saturday, July 22, 11:00 AM-4:00PM

Sunday, July 23, 10:00AM-3:00 PM

Their summer sale is all about showcasing their hard work throughout the year! Typically, this sale would be hosted in May but due to a bit of a later lambing season, they are doing it in July this year.

If you are on their list to get lambs, this is a great weekend for pick ups! Shepherding 101 which covers basic care of your new flock will also be hosted during this event so be sure to register soon!

There will be gorgeous fleeces, yarn, dryer balls, and all manner of fibery goodness available.  Also available will be purebred lambs and fiber animals to go home with you and grow beautiful wool.

Vendors:

• Wee Woollies
• Iron Water Ranch
• Blackberry Patch Fibers

Photo: Motherhood by Stephanie Low

It’s Iron Water Ranch’s 5th Lamb & Fleece Summer Sale and it is set to be the best yet. They will have fleeces and fiber for sale, lambs available for sale and pickup, and classes for those looking to learn something new!

Saturday, July 22, 11:00 AM-4:00PM

Sunday, July 23, 10:00AM-3:00 PM

Their summer sale is all about showcasing their hard work throughout the year! Typically, this sale would be hosted in May but due to a bit of a later lambing season, they are doing it in July this year.

If you are on their list to get lambs, this is a great weekend for pick ups! Shepherding 101 which covers basic care of your new flock will also be hosted during this event so be sure to register soon!

There will be gorgeous fleeces, yarn, dryer balls, and all manner of fibery goodness available.  Also available will be purebred lambs and fiber animals to go home with you and grow beautiful wool.

Vendors:

• Wee Woollies
• Iron Water Ranch
• Blackberry Patch Fibers

Photo: Motherhood by Stephanie Low

In May of 1923 the Jefferson Women’s Club appointed a committee to find a suitable place to house a public library. The first library was opened on July 10, 1923, in the Smith and Fontaine General Merchandise Store with club members serving as volunteer librarians.

Join the Jefferson Public Library for their Centennial Open House on Aug. 1 from 10am – 7pm. They’re celebrating the library’s past, present, and future with games, food & fun!

Photo: Santiam at Rest by Dave Maestas

No matter what you’re searching for, you’re sure to find it at Brownsville’s annual Antique Faire in Pioneer Park. 70+ of vendors come together with their treasures and there’s something for everyone. Breakfast and lunch will be available and there’s plenty of shade and tables to relax for a while. You’ll enjoy live music and a beautiful park setting and leave with vintage goodies. Also, be sure not to miss the vintage car show!

Date: Saturday, August 5, 2023 9am-3pm
Location: Brownsville Pioneer Park, 200 W Park Ave.

Free Admission

Photo: “Antique St. Car Show 1” By Oliver J. Anderson

The John Fiechter House, also known as Failing Cottage, is is believed to be the oldest house in Benton County. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visitors to the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge will be able to visit and tour this historic 1855 pioneer house every Saturday, July 8 through Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and learn the history of one of Benton county’s early families.

The Fiechter House is located on Finley Refuge Road, across from the red Cabell barn. Visitors can also stop in at the refuge’s Nature Store for directions.

Photo credit: John Fiechter House, by Ian Poellet. (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The John Fiechter House, also known as Failing Cottage, is is believed to be the oldest house in Benton County. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visitors to the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge will be able to visit and tour this historic 1855 pioneer house every Saturday, July 8 through Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and learn the history of one of Benton county’s early families.

The Fiechter House is located on Finley Refuge Road, across from the red Cabell barn. Visitors can also stop in at the refuge’s Nature Store for directions.

Photo credit: John Fiechter House, by Ian Poellet. (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The event is held in Library Park adjacent to the Linn County Historical Museum in Downtown Brownsville. It begins at 10am. Come early and beat the heat!

Step back in time and try your hand at the crafts and activities practiced by the folks who lived here long ago. The Mid-Valley Prospectors will be here for you to pan for gold and the Boston Mill will be bring their Stone Quern for grinding wheat. You can wash clothes on a washboard, press apples into cider, dip beeswax candles and spin wool. Try your hand at crosscut sawing and make a cornhusk doll. Plan to stay the whole day…you won’t want to leave! This free activity is supported by a generous donation from Randy Tripp.

Photo: Sunrise in Brownsville by Mike Moshofsky