Heard over the back fence: Soroptimists seek scholarship applicants

IDENTITY THEFT REJECTION: 
Carlyn White sent me the following interesting statement: “Somebody stole my identity last week. Today, they showed up at my door and pleaded for me to take it back.”

AWARD APPLICATIONS NEEDED:
 Placerville Soroptimist Club is seeking applicants for the Violet Richardson award, which honors women between the ages of 14 and 17, for volunteer action such as fighting drugs, crime and violence, cleaning up the environment or working to end discrimination and poverty. This award includes money presented to winners. Applications for the award program are available by contacting Tanya Moran at 530-919-4612 or 530-344-1476; on website at siplacerville.org; or by e-mailing siplacerville@soroptimist.net. Applications must be returned to Soroptimist International of Placerville by Dec. 15. 

SUPER STUDENT: 
Susan O’Farrell graduated from Ponderosa High School in 1969, when she was homecoming queen. Currently she is working on her second college degree. She was recently placed on the Dean’s List at Ashford University, Iowa, after maintaining a 3.96 grade-point average. Congratulations, Susan! Keep up those great grades! 

CREATE A KID’S BANK: 
The “Who Knew?” calendar offers the following financial advice: “Teaching the kids about saving their money? An ice cream container makes a great piggy bank. Just clean, cut a slot in the lid, and decorate the outside with wrapping paper, stickers, and ribbon.”

AFTER-THANKSGIVING FOOD:
 To enjoy lunch at one of the senior nutrition sites, call 530-621-6160 for the senior nutrition site nearest your home. A suggested donation of $3 is requested for adults, 60 years or older. The menu for today, Nov. 26, is as follows: Crab cake with cucumber sauce, tater tots, peas and carrots, sherbet, juice, wheat bread and milk. Lunch is served from noon to 12:30 p.m.

A MISTAKE . . . I THINK: 
Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar noted the following “We Stand Corrected” statement: “There was a typo in lawyer Griswold’s ad. His slogan is “Your case is no stronger than your attorney,’ not ‘stranger’.”

NEW LIONS ENERGY: 
Mother Lode Lions Club, Diamond Springs, is very pleased to welcome new member Russell Foster. Russell was sponsored by Lion member Harry Dean. Welcome aboard, Russell!

BRAND NEW ENERGY: 
The Pollock Pines-Camino Rotary Club extends a warm welcome to new members Don Clowser and Sylvia Hamblin of Pollock Pines. Welcome aboard!

GETTING OUTSIDE YOURSELF:
 Reviewing the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar, I found the following family recommendation: “Almost any charity can be an ideal opportunity to bring a family closer together. Rather than simply writing a check and putting it in the mail, bring your family into the process. Get a corporate brochure and show your children who it is you’re trying to help and why. Discuss the work that the organization is doing, and applaud it together.”

EGGS OVER EASY, PLEASE: 
On the first, second and third Sunday of each month, from 7 to 11 a.m., our veterans offer a tasty breakfast, which includes biscuits and gravy. All proceeds go towards veterans’ charities. Have a great breakfast as you support our veterans!

DEALING WITH TOUGH TIMES:
 The “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar noted the following observation: “‘Remember, this too shall pass.’ There is enormous freedom in remembering this wisdom. In fact, it can be the foundation of a very peaceful life. It serves as an important reminder that everything has a season, a time, and a place. It gives us perspective during hard times, a frame of reference that nothing lasts forever. It gives us hope and confidence that we will get through this — it will pass; it always does.”

DO I NEED SNOW CHAINS?
 The answer to the above question can be answered by calling 1-800-427-7623.

FALL GARDEN TIPS:
 The Front Yard Nursery newsletter offers the following garden tips for the fall season:
-” Sow wild flower seeds for spring and summer bloom.
- Plant spring blooming bulbs. Fertilize with bulb food.
- Aerate, renovate, reseed and fertilize lawns before the weather gets too cold.
- Reserve bareroot fruit & nut trees.
- Divide and plant hardy perennials.
- Apply iron to azaleas, rhododendrons, gardenias,camellias, citrus and conifers.
- Fertilize spring blooming shrubs, perennials, trees and bulbs with super phosphate, bone meal, fish bone meal, Liquinox 0-10-10, or Dr.Earth Bud & Bloom organic for more
abundant spring flowers.
- Plant pansies, mums, spinach, lettuce, chard, root crops, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and sugar peas.
- The next couple of months are ideal for any transplanting needs, especially natives.
- Protect citrus from winter frost.

BUMPER STICKER OF THE MONTH:
 Bumper sticker of the month: “Driver of this car has a hatred for tailgaters.”

HAPPINESS IS WITHIN YOU: 
Thanks to Editor Mike Raffety, the following statement from the book “Springs of Greek Wisdom” is offered: “A pleasant and happy life does not come from external things. Man draws from within himself, as from a spring, pleasure and joy.” — Plutarch.

Send your jokes and event items for Heard Over the Back Fence column to Bob Billingsley at the Mountain Democrat, PO Box 1088, Placerville 95667, or drop them off at 1360 Broadway. First and last name of contact person are required. Phone 530-344-5036. Follow @BBillingsleyMtDemo on Twitter.

Bob Billingsley

Bob Billingsley writes Heard Over the Back Fence three times a week, keeping his pen on the pulse of the community. He also writes a biweekly column called Billingsley's Bullets, in which he uses “sideways” thinking to make your day a little easier to handle.

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