Sticky Business - millions of leaves keep Schacher at the wheel

John Schacher, 52, with Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation gives the Kubota and Cyclone Rake a workout this morning at City Park in The Dalles. Frosts like the one last night tend to gum things up in the leaf removal game. Freezing temperatures stick the leaves to the ground, and when temperatures warm up, the little brown devils are heavy with water, creating the joys of plugged chutes and a general slowing down of the entire process. But all good things come in time. It is all part of the fall game of keeping parks in shape and turf healthy for when warmer temperatures return in glorious 2021 with its hope of a bountiful Farmer’s Market. Parks and Recreation, with the help of volunteers, have 9 different parks to maintain as well as Riverfront Trail. Forecasters are calling for 28 degrees Fahrenheit Saturday morning with the high around 50.