August Scene - Flipbook - Page 14
Savor summer and prepare for back-to-school at the Second Tern
August has a way of reminding us that summer never seems
quite long enough. One day
we're planning another trip to
the lake or gathering friends
for a backyard barbecue, and
the next we're checking calendars and wondering where the
season went.
Before backpacks replace
beach towels and alarm clocks
replace lazy mornings, take
time to enjoy these last weeks
of summer. In Central Oregon, we look back on the joy
of summer days when winter
settles in, making every family
bike ride, ice cream stop, and
evening spent outdoors a little
more meaningful.
August is when many families turn their attention to
preparing for the new school
year. Orientations are scheduled, school-supply lists from
teachers arrive along with the
annual tradition of back-toschool shopping.
Between the school supplies,
new clothes, footwear and
electronics, it’s no surprise that
back-to-school shopping can
strain a family budget. Families
spend an average of $689 per
child with electronics averaging around $295 and clothing
averaging around $250, which
contribute to most of the cost,
and basic supplies adding up to
an average of $144.
Many teachers require new
school supplies. Families can
save on back-to-school shopping by buying some items
secondhand.
Back-to-school shopping
can have an impact on the environment. According to The
Environmental Defense Initiative, 77% of all school supplies bought during the school
year are wasted. Considering
that many of these materials
are made of plastic and are
nonbiodegradable, this adds a
considerable amount of waste
to our landfills. The best thing
you can do to avoid this waste
is to reuse unused or partially
used supplies the following
school year or donate them to
the Second Tern Thrift Store
so another student can put
them to use.
Purchasing these items secondhand helps to reduce waste,
conserve natural resources,
extend the life of quality items,
as well as reduce demand for
new production. Small choices
when it comes to disposing of
leftover supplies, even down to
a box of crayons, can add up to
meaningful change for both the
environment and your wallet.
If you aren’t back-to-school
shopping for anyone this year
and want to help reduce this
environmental and economic
impact, look around your
house for items to declutter
that local families can use.
Gently used backpacks, lunch
boxes, water bottles, pencil
cases and calculators are always in demand before school
starts. Any clothing donations,
especially children’s sizes, are
important for secondhand
back-to-school shoppers.
For even more savings, follow
us on Facebook (The Second
Tern Thrift Store) or Instagram
(@secondtern) to keep up to
date on when our 50% off
clothing sales are happening.
Whether you're cleaning out
closets, organizing school supplies or shopping for the year
ahead, every item you choose to
donate or purchase secondhand
can make a difference. Those
backpacks, jackets, calculators
and lunch boxes may be exactly
what another local family needs
to start the school year with
confidence.
At the Second Tern Thrift
Store, every donation keeps
usable items out of the landfill, helps make back-to-school
shopping more affordable for
our neighbors and supports
Sunriver Nature Center &
Observatory's environmental
education programs for our
local students. Each August,
we see parents thrilled to find
quality school clothes at affordable prices and donors happy to
know their children's outgrown
backpacks and jackets will help
another family. As summer
gives way to a new school year,
small acts of generosity and
sustainability can strengthen
both our community and the
environment we all call home.
The Second Tern Thrift Store
is located at 17377 Spring
River Road in Sunriver. Our
hours are Fridays and Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with
donations accepted until 2 p.m.
Vote YES - to invest in our grandkid’s future.
Vote YES - to protect our property values.
Vote YES - to keep our maintenance fees affordable.
Sunriver’s amenities are great, but we must continue investing to remain a desirable residential and resort community. By
voting YES brings fairness over the disparity in owner’s fees from condos/small homes vs larger homes. YES a Capital Transfer
Fee is legal and many other HOA’s impose these fees on real estate transactions.
Please join us in voting
YES for the Capital Transfer Fee:
Gerhard Beenen • Cathy Brucker • Bill Burke • Scott Fenton • Brian & Brenda McCarthy • Kirk & Pam Hays • Kara Kerker • Steve & Sharon Konopa • Corey Wright
Steve Murray • Catalina Nocon • Clark & Rita Pederson • David Ritchie • Roni & Steve Jacknow • Dave & Stefani Shanberg • Bob & DD Stillson
John & Kathleen Vogel • Bill & Susan Meyer • Richard Pickard • Marc & Karol Cameron (SR Brewing Company) • Elizabeth & David Klein • Keith Mobley
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AUGUST 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE