By Eileen Brown
Some of us can’t run across a meadow just for the thrill of it, and there are those who must struggle to communicate without a voice.
I think it’s wonderful that the Lions Camp Horizon Foundation provides a safe and fun six-day residential summer camp for more than 200 special needs individuals of almost every age.
Camp Horizon is a project of Lion’s Club, District H. There are 64 clubs in District H, 22 US and 44 Canadian.
BOB WARNOCK, a member of the North Whidbey Lions Club, spent a day primarily serving meals and cleaning up at the camp near Birch Bay last summer. Every club in the region takes a day to work at the camp.
Warnock said he wasn’t prepared for what he saw.
“I expected to see kids and adults in wheelchairs, and I did. But some of the people needed to have their caretaker standing by at all times,” he said. As the dad of a physically challenged child, he said the experience left him even more grateful for the health they enjoyed.
Last year, 200 campers enjoyed the great outdoors and this summer will be no different. You may know of someone who would benefit from the experience.
The camp is not free. It costs $475 and is based on a sliding scale. The Lions may be able to help a family and this could be a worthy cause for local wives’ clubs, Scouts and church groups to bless with a donation. Everything you need to know, plus applications and camper medical forms, is at www.lionscamphorizonpark.org. Deadline to apply is May 28.
CAROL LUTZ has done a marvelous job with the Lions’ webpage — even won an award for it — so visit http://northwhidbey.lionwap.org.
Did you know the Lions collected 6,700 used eyeglasses since 1990 or that they put on the popular car show at City Beach every August? Believe me, if you need something, they’re the ones to ask.
For more information, contact Past District Governor GARRY LUTZ at 679-8915 or email him at gclutz@comcast.net. Don’t miss the club Web site at www.lionwap.org/northwhidbey.
The insects are coming
Does a mild winter mean an attack of tent caterpillars? Maybe.
“We have already seen ‘tents’ in a couple of fir trees on Fidalgo Island,” said MIKE WASMUND of Surety Pest Control in Oak Harbor. “This may be the year we see an increase, but let’s wait until the deciduous trees leaf out.
“Weather really doesn’t have much effect on the insects we see. It’s those insects we normally don’t see, such as the seed bug, a European plant pest, we look out for. They take up residence in the wall void and become a nuisance. We might see a significant increase for two or three years and then they will drop off.”
Wasmund keeps the Surety pest management professionals on the fast track of changes so they can get their needed 40 continuing hours of credit every five years. Those who work in the business want to stay as safe as possible.
“We have transitioned to a product made by a company called Eco Smart. It uses essential oils and extracts, rosemary, mint and wintergreen. The product breaks down a little faster in the environment, so where synthetic chemicals may last six weeks, these natural products might last no more than two weeks.”
Ever had carpenter ants invade your home? Wasmund said they treat the wall void with a talcum-like powder enhanced with clove oil. “It affects their octopamine receptors, which only insects have,” he said.
The switch to “green” products and the need to reapply more often has resulted in a slight cost increase. Part of the cost comes from a need to inspect more often, determine how the product is working and decide if it is needed elsewhere.
He urges homeowners to follow any pesticide labels carefully to ensure legal and effective application, for the safety of children and pets. Call him at 675-3235.
Just a few things
If you’ve been away, you may have missed the move of the American Red Cross office from NAS Whidbey Island to 1150 SE Dock St. in downtown Oak Harbor, across from Fraser’s. Now that the dust has settled on the historic building they occupied for so many years, executive director BARBARA JOHNSON has a short wish list to make their new home complete.
Volunteers built a new ramp, but the wood now needs to be stained. Sixty non-skid pads need to be purchased and secured to the ramp. Baseboards are needed in all the offices and hallways. Eliminating drafts will also cut their heating bill. If you can help supply the materials, volunteers are ready to work. Call Barbara at 675-2912.
What’s on your mind? Call me at 675-6611 or email lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com.
