Fabulous Day Trip to Albany

What glistening metropolis lies a mere 10 miles distant from Corvallis?  Why, Albany, Oregon, one-time hub of the verdant Willamette Valley.  Albany was once the center of transportation due to the confluence of the Willamette and Calapooia Rivers.  Home to one of the first, if not the first, lumber mills in the area, Albany still has much to offer.  I propose for those of you with small children, the following itinerary:

First stop: The Albany Carousel Museum on First Street.  Cross over the bridge and take a right.  It's at the end of First on the right.  A famous German carousel-making family of several generations donated the machinery for an enormous carousel.  Area townspeople are being trained to carve and paint the animals which will one day ride in majestic circles.  I recommend this because the animals that have already been created are the most beautiful, fanciful and ornate I have ever seen!  Donors commission each individual animal and proscribe what it shall be and what meaningful details will embellish it.  There is an alpaca, an orca, a dog, a fox, a salmon and many more and many more to come!  There are drawings on the walls of animals that have yet to be entirely manifested.  If I recall correctly, the artist of the drawings is a Pixar animator.  One can often see the sculptors and painters at their artistic endeavors, all volunteer, all inspiring.  The museum is closed on Sunday.

2nd stop:  Frogs and Pollywogs toy store.  Also on First.  It's a very nice toy store, akin to The Toy Factory in Corvallis.

3rd stop:  Lunch.  I recommend Sam City on Pacific Blvd.  As if you were heading to I-5 N on Pacific Blvd, you'll find it on the right.  It has a nice pan-Asian menu.  I like the Pho as well as the spicy chicken.  The salad you get with many meals has a wonderful, possibly peanut-y house dressing.  My granddaughter insisted on Ranch.  Her loss.  They also feature a mean-looking burger and fries.  The menu is a bit confusing to look at, I'm afraid.
Or you might stay downtown and go to First Burger.  I haven't been, but I understand the burgers are yummy.  Also downtown at 2 River's Market on the corner of 2nd and Broadalbin is a casual teriyaki place.
Or you  might go to Burgerville on Santian Hwy.  I love Burgerville.  Yes, it's fast food, but they use local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients and grass-fed beef.  They even have gluten free buns now.  The halibut fish and chips are excellent and there are several veggie burger choices.  You may want to get your lunch to go and head to our next stop.

4th stop: Waverly Lake at Waverly Park on Pacific Blvd on your left as you head to I-5N.  You can have your picnic there and then you can walk ALL THE WAY AROUND THE LAKE!  My dog and I can go around in 20 minutes.  Even the smallest child, going at her own pace, stopping to see the waterfowl along the way could make it in less than an hour.

Enjoy your fabulous day trip to Albany!
Best regards,
Doni

Long Overdue

Pauline is so good about writing a little tribute to each family when their child graduates.  She enumerates their contributions to our school.  To not do so would just not be right!  But there is one individual who has contributed so much, yet is never thanked beyond an off-hand spoken expression of gratitude.  This individual gives so much of himself year after year, but never leaves, thank goodness.  Therefore, he has gotten no write-up.  This individual is Allan Rack, Pauline's husband.

Allan has been here, just as Pauline has, since the beginning of our school.  Allan accomplished the greatest share of creating our schoolyard and it's facilities.  He built our bead cabinets and all of our shelves and tables.  He regularly makes repairs to our materials.  Safe to say that without Allan there would be no school.  He has served as the assistant and the substitute teacher over the years.

Allan is here at every work party, every fundraiser, every potluck and social event.  He is the first to arrive and the last to leave.  He acts as if he still owns the school. (Once upon a time, the school was a profit enterprise and privately owned by Pauline and Allan.)  Thankfully for us, he still has that feeling of ownership.  (Nobody tell him otherwise, please!)  And on top of all this, he makes Pauline's lunch every morning!  I know his machinations behind the scenes help keep Pauline on top of all she has to do, too!

So thank you, Allan!  Thank you, thank you from the bottom of our collective hearts.  We simply could not do without you.  You are the foundation upon which this school is built.

Best regards,
Doni