Coloring For Adults

If you loved coloring as a child, chances are, you'll love coloring as an adult even more.

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Corvallis-Benton Country Public Library held their new event, Coloring For Adults, encouraging those over the age of 18 to put down the stress and pick up a crayon.

Organized by librarian Ruth Rose, this free event was created to simply let people relax and have some fun. The event began at 6:30 p.m. in the main meeting room located near the front entrance of the library. 

The doors opened to an abundant amount of colored pencils and exotic coloring sheets.

As people began walking through the door tables were set up together, rather than separate, forming a community. Snacks were set to the side, while the most prestige coloring books were marked as reference nearby. As more people appeared through the front door, finding extra tables and chairs soon became the top priority. 

"You don't realize how many people color," said Taylor Formby, "I've always used coloring as a stress release." Formby, a former art student in high school, originally came to the event thinking it was a coloring contest.



Volunteer Olivia Heath 

"When you do something like this, you have no idea how many people will turnout," said Rose.

Coloring at the public library has always been a success with the children, and Rose found adding a station for the adults on the second floor also had a positive impact.

“Everybody can color.”

Volunteer Olivia Heath decided to help out after attending a mandala workshop at the public library, a month prior, which brought in over 48 people.

“It’s definitely a craze,” Heath said.

The whole night lasted until 8 p.m. It was filled with personal stories, laughter and newfound friendships. Some people brought in their own crayons and pens, while others used what the library provided. The majority of people, who came, credited relaxation for their main reason for coming.  

Over the years, the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library has provided a range of workshops that have become extremely popular.  During a photography workshop, Rose said, “We had to turn away over 30 people.” When attending programs like these, a sign up sheet is usually available, providing the library a way to contact you for future volunteering opportunities.  

Coloring For Adults is a monthly event, and  will be held on the third Tuesday of every month. Other events pertaining to the library can be found on their local calendar webpage.

The next Coloring For Adults will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library at 6:30 p.m.



AT A GLACE

·         Public library holds new event Coloring For Adults on Jan. 19
·         The event went from 6:30-8p.m. in the main meeting room.
·         Next Coloring For Adults will be held on Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
·         Organized by Librarian Ruth Rose 541-766-6486
·         No Charge to attend 
·       Address: 645 N.W. Monroe Ave.

Come and Get to Know the LBCC Greenhouse

“Who loves a garden loves a greenhouse too”- William Cowper

The LBCC greenhouse may be a mystery to some, but to many, it is a place of creativity. 

Since the beginning of the new millennium, the Linn-Benton Community College greenhouse has provided the community with not only beautiful flowers and useful herbs, but also with an educational facility for students taking classes like biology and horticulture.  

Placed in between the White Oak Hall and the Industrial A building, the greenhouse plays many roles.

Miriam Edell, an instructor here at Linn-Benton, best describes the greenhouse as a “controlled environment," while horticulture advisor and full-time instructor, Stefan Seiter, further explains how the greenhouse is “an environment in which we attempt to control the environmental factors such as temperature, light, and moisture.”  

“Having a greenhouse lets you start early,” Edell said. “It brings in oxygenated air.” 

Edell explains that the greenhouse plays a huge factor in helping ensure the survival of many plants, especially during the harsh winters. Not only can you find a vast range of colors hanging around, the greenhouse also lets the community in on its beauty.  

“This is a public space,” Seiter said.  “It usually gets open up in the morning and closed at night.”

Aspiring artists often use the greenhouse as a muse for exotic art pieces, both personally and for class work. The biology department uses the greenhouse to grow certain plants for class experiments, while the horticulture club meets in the greenhouse for their weekly meetings, Mondays at 1p.m.  

Getting involved with the greenhouse is pretty easy. “Come to the horticulture club,” Seiter said. During the spring term, green management is offered to students hoping to gain a more hands-on experience.  

Just recently, the greenhouse  had its plastic coverings removed due to improper installation. Luckily, LBCC alumnus, Travis Wilson, donated his time helping out with the hard labor, while Seiter provided the materials, which he received from a permanent funding group. They usually replace the plastic covering every four years due to UV rays from the sun.

On the college farm located close to campus, other greenhouses take up residency. In these greenhouses, vegetables are grown and used for the culinary arts programs, donations, and the farmer's market. Even close to Mother’s Day, the greenhouse sells their elegant flowers to the community.   

Mechatronics has also recently been involved with the greenhouse. “They helped us with figuring out some of the controls of the shutters and the fans,” Seiter said.  

Seiter hopes in the future, other classes or departments can start using the greenhouse too.