Date Published to Web: 9/9/2008

POLK COUNTY -- The Luckiamute Watershed Council is hosting its annual celebration beginning at noon on Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Ritner Creek Bridge near Pedee.
   The council will be serving barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers, drinks and side dishes to anyone who attends. Vegetarian options are also on the menu.
   Festivities include live music by Truman Price and others, awards for watershed volunteers, the release and readings from the book "Writing Our Watershed," and other readings by local authors including Donna Henderson. There will also be a silent fundraising auction of donated items, including three cases of Viridian wine, birding tours, photographic lessons, and trailer trips.
   Those who plan to attend the picnic are asked to RSVP at 503-838-8804 or by sending an e-mail to gailoberst@yahoo.com so cooks can plan accordingly
   The Ritner Creek Bridge county park is on the Kings Valley Highway (Highway 223), 14 miles south of Dallas and 14 miles southwest of Monmouth and Independence. From Corvallis, the bridge is about 20 miles northwest. Parking is limited so carpooling is advised.
   The council is a volunteer group of farmers, scientists, technicians, landowners and citizens who live and work in the Luckiamute River and Ash Creek watersheds. Its committees work to improve the watershed through education and by doing projects and research.