Logsden brings in the harvest

From plants and preserves to chicks, goats and blown glass, you never quite know what might be up for grabs at the Logsden Harvest Auction.

The annual fall gathering returns this Saturday, Oct. 10, serving as the Logsden Community Club’s largest fund-raiser of the year. Money raised helps cover operating expenses, keep the doors open and maintain a building that has evolved to serve a surprising number of purposes.

Auction items traditionally include plants, seeds, jams and jellies, framed photos, chicks, goats, blown glass, canned goods and baked goods.

There will also be hot dogs and soda, free popcorn and a 50/50 raffle offering someone the chance to head home with a little extra cash.

And anyone with a sweet tooth should keep an eye out for Joan’s “world-famous baklava,” which gets a special shoutout on this year’s event poster.

While the auction helps support the facility, some of the money raised in Logsden also finds its way back into the surrounding community. Each year, the organization gives $1,000 to local causes. Past recipients have included Food Share, Bright Horizons Riding Stables and the Siletz Valley Rural Fire District.

Throughout the years, improvements to the Logsden facility have allowed it to take on multiple roles. It is an official Red Cross Receiving Center, with emergency food and equipment stored on site, and includes a commercial kitchen used by a local candy maker who sells at farmers markets.

More recently, the building has added yet another role as an affordable country wedding venue, with a special rental package available for couples looking for a rural setting.

The organization’s community efforts extend beyond the building itself. Logsden is a Firewise community, with efforts focused on helping local residents reduce wildfire danger by removing brush and limbs around their homes.

All of those activities make the Harvest Auction about more than scoring a jar of homemade jam, a new plant or even a goat. It helps maintain a community resource while supporting other organizations doing work throughout the area.

Saturday’s Logsden Harvest Auction begins at 6 pm at the Logsden Community Club, located at the corner of Logsden Road and Moonshine Park Road. For more information, go to logsdencommunityclub.org.