Straw beds for sled dogs come from local farmers
Published 10:15 pm Thursday, February 5, 2009
Elwyn Crutcher, who farms between Silvana and Stanwood, and his nephew, Andrew Albert, who farms in Arlington, filled a special order this week.
And City Girl learned the difference between straw and hay.
The men sell straw, but usually to local buyers who might use it at a construction site or lining a road project. This week, they loaded 1,300 bales into three containers that will be shipped to Alaska. Dogs in the March Iditarod will sleep on the straw.
Dog-racing folks found the sellers on a list of Certified Straw Growers. It has to be certified as wheat-free, so when it’s strewn around the Alaskan wilderness, no seeds from the straw will take root, Crutcher says.
Straw is collected after grain is harvested.
Hay is that green stuff animals eat.
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The Stanwood Area Historical Society hosts the Pickled Herring Band at 7 p.m. Saturday at Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 102nd Ave. NW in Stanwood.
Tickets are $10 at the door.
The hall will be set up for both dancing and listening.
And refreshments, including pickled herring.
Beware. We’re not sure how many folks will ask you to dance after you eat pickled herring.
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Some fun is planned today at Utsalady Elementary School on Camano Island.
Well known and up-and-coming artists will be on hand for the Afternoon of Art.
“Students get a hands-on look at different forms and modes of art,” Principal Colleen Keller said. “Artists get a chance to share their skill and give back to their community.”
Kids may have a hard time picking what they want to experience. Here are some of the artists and their offerings:
Jack Gunter, magnet art
Ron Hundley, bird houses
Tina Meyer, cake decorating
Shannon Mulhall, mythical creatures
Bobbi Samples, cartoon people
Jamie Johnson, puffy paint
Genet McHugh, Shrinky Dink art
And Kathy Skeels and Heather Malone will demonstrate artistic uses of Slime.
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They say once you learn to do it, you can do it almost anywhere.
Have I got your attention?
They were talking about origami.
Learn the ancient Japanese art of folding paper at 2 p.m. Tuesday at 514 Delta Ave. in Marysville. It costs $17. Register by calling 360-363-8450.
Maryke Burgess, Ken Baxter Senior/Community Center manager, says folks will start off making a crane.
“For those who are jealous of people who can knit in front of the TV (and avoid eating while doing so) the instructor says that origami is a great alternative.”
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
