Desert Trail Column, October 18, 2018

The Salvation Army Food Distribution will take place on Wednesday, October 24 at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road,from 11 a.m. until the food is gone. Food is from Trader Joe’s and bags are provided. For information, contact WVCC Coordinator Teresa Sitz at teresa.sitz@gmail.comor 760-367-9880.

Mark your calendar for a Farewell Potluck for Pastor Garry Brooks and wife Diane coming up October 28 at the Wonder Valley Community Church, 82575 Amboy Road. Pastor Garry and Diane are moving to Arizona, with Lonnie Casper starting as the new pastor on November 1.

 Darlene’s Commentary: So you cut open a watermelon, eat the juicy red part, spit out the seeds and discard the rind. Wrong! The white rind, just under the green skin, contains powerful nutrients that increase blood flow, improve heart health, boost immunity and reduce muscle fatigue. Chop and add white rind to smoothies, fruit salads, salsas and soups. As for the watermelon seeds, they contain magnesium, iron, folate and other vitamins and minerals Toss them in olive oil with a little salt, roast at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, then cool. Sprinkle on salads, veggies and trail mix.

 Karen’s Commentary: I want to tell you about Wonder Valleyite Susan Doggett. She is a Wildlife Rehabilitator, a graduate biologist and has cared for more than 35,000 birds. She ran a wildlife center in Orange County, has Federal Education and Rehabilitation Permits and is also an artist! We called her because of a hawk that we thought was sick or injured. It had hung around for a few days, plowed into our windows a couple times, then took refuge in our garage. She came right over, but of course when she arrived, the hawk was gone, and we haven’t seen it since! Susan is listed under the heading Migratory Bird Rehabilitation in the local Sand Paper, and we have now learned that ALL birds are migratory except for starlings, sparrows and common pigeons. For more information, call her at 714-637-8355.

For up-to-date information about Wonder Valley, go to the website wondervalley.org. Ken and Teresa Sitz add items almost daily. Past Wonder Valley News columns are there, too!

Handy Hint: According to a plumber, the best way to empty a toilet bowl is to fill a 2 or 2 1/2-gallon pail with water, then dump it into the bowl as fast as it will take it. Because of siphon action, there will then be little or no water left in the bowl. This can also clear many nuisance toilet clogs.

Today’s Thought: When you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

 Until next time..., remember to take time to enjoy the WONDERs all around us.