As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Dec 04, 2024
The first photo I am sharing this week highlights a headline in the Nov. 17, 1938, Western World: "Believed Record Cranberry Crop."
Cranberry harvest
"What is believed to be a record for cranberry production is reported from the C.F. St. Sure bog of Bandon this year, where one bog comprising seven-tenths of an acre produced 1021 quarter-barrel boxes, packed for shipping. This, according to cranberry growers, is equivalent to at least 1250 boxes at the time of picking, as from 20 to 25 percent is lost in grading and shrinkage between the time of picking and shipping.
"Altogether Mr. St. Sure harvested over 2,000 boxes for shipping from his two and three-quarters acres, all of which are of the McFarlin variety. On the small, high-producing bog, pickers made as high as $6 per day."
Later the farm was purchased by Jim Jackson and his family.
The second photo of Earle Davison, owner of Bandon Market, came from the June 15, 1972, paper after the market had once again been burglarized.
Earle Davison
I took the photo, and I remember Davison telling me that he had been burglarized so many times that it was hardly news any more. He points out boards which covered the window, as he didn't bother to replace the glass after the last burglary. The store later burned, and was located on what is now a vacant lot adjacent to the dental office at Highway 101 and Delaware.
Today, we complain a lot about the price of gasoline, but in January of 1974, the problem was finding a service station open and with gas enough to fill your tank during a time of extreme rationing.
Local service station owners held a meeting at City Hall to determine how they could best serve the community ... although gas allotments were considerably lower than the previous year.
Among those attending the meeting were representatives of Chappell's Chevron Service, Jack's Philips 66, Bob's Shell, Ernie Luther of Beach Junction Grocery, Ed Gorman of the Arco Station, Val Edmondson of The Country Store , the Moore Mill station, and Lanny Boston, owner of the Union 76 (pictured), which was situated on the northeast corner of 11th Street and Highway 101, now the location of Banner Bank.
Union 76
They agreed they wouldn't be pumping on weekends, although a couple said they might be open a few hours on Saturday. Most of the stations remained open during non-pumping hours to service cars.
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I learned this week that people planning to enter the Holiday Lights Parade on Saturday, Dec. 14, do need to pre-register before Friday, Dec. 13, at 5 p.m. People can register at the Greater Bandon Association's website at greaterbandon.org. People will line up on the gravel lot across from Bandon Fisheries Warehouse at 5 p.m., with the parade to start at 5:30, winding its way down Second Street.
For safety reasons, throwing items from vehicles during the parade is strictly prohibited, according to the GBA website.
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A number of people came upon a fiery wreck on Highway 42 just outside of Coquille shortly before noon Monday, Nov. 25, with good Samaritans helping one driver and being unable to get the other driver out of his burning vehicle.
According to the state police report, preliminary investigation indicated a BMW sedan, operated by Brandon Smith, 32, of Coos Bay, was headed west on 42 when for reasons unknown his vehicle went into an uncontrolled spin, traveled into the eastbound lane and collided with a Toyota Corolla, operated by Dana Salmon, 32, of Myrtle Point. Both vehicles came to an uncontrolled rest within the east land of travel, at which time the BMW became engulfed in flames.
One Facebook poster said that they witnessed Dana Salmon escape from her car, but saw her collapse on the highway. The man quickly got her to safety, while others tried to rescue Mr. Smith, who was declared deceased at the scene. Salmon was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
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On Nov. 24 at 4:20 p.m., county dispatch received a text to 9-1-1 message regarding an unknown emergency in the area of Doerner Fir Trailhead located in the remote Burnt Mountain area of Coos County. The caller said they were stuck in the river. Members of the Myrtle Point Fire Department, as well as the Coos County Search and Rescue coordinator responded to the area.
When help arrived, they found 28-year-old Emily Hopfer, Roseburg, clinging to a log in a stream below the trailhead. Also on the scene was a male, Erick Lowe, 24, Roseburg, who was transported to a Douglas County hospital and treated. While on scene, it was learned that Emily had been in the river for about two hours before rescue personnel could make it to the scene. Deputies who have received specialized training in water rescue responded to the scene and prepared to rescue Emily from the log. A rope system was established and the Deputy, in a dry suit, made it to Emily and began to prepare her to be moved. While getting her rigged for safe traverse of the stream, she went into cardiac arrest. She was quickly moved to land and lifesaving efforts, including CPR and medicines available to paramedics, were administered to the young woman, but they were not able to revive her.
Sheriff's deputies from Coos County maintained a vigil throughout the night and the following morning, members of area fire departments, including Bandon and Coquille, trekked into the location to recover her body. In order to get to the body, a rope safety system had to be established to ensure rescue personnel did not fall into the water.
The Coos County Sheriff's Office reminded the public, as they recreate in the beautiful areas of Coos County, how important it is to stay on established trails unless they are familiar with the area or are prepared for the conditions.
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I saw a Facebook post featuring singer/songwriter Jessie G performing the National Anthem at the Green Bay Packers/Miami Dolphins football game recently. Jessie G was raised in Brookings and is the granddaughter of BHS graduate Peggy Hunt Goergen. She is also a cousin to Barry and Dan Winters.
Another well-known Curry County woman, who was raised in Gold Beach, is actress Bridgette Wilson, who has been married to retired tennis pro Pete Sampras since 2000. He posted just over a year ago that his wife was battling ovarian cancer, having gone through surgery and chemo. She is the granddaughter of former Coos County Clerk MaryAnn Wilson and her husband, Larry, who had a home on the jetty for some years.
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Dr. Alden Forrester, the new Chief Medical Officer at Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center, will be introduced to the public at the Meet and Greet Tuesday, Dec. 3, noon, at Bandon Fisheries Warehouse.
Representatives of the Oregon Water Resources department will present the program on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 11:30 to 1, and again that night from 6 to 8 p.m. for anyone interested in learning more about water issues in the state. Food will be available at the Warehouse Coffee Cafe, including a $15 taco dinner on the night of Dec. 10.
The Dec. 17 Meet and Greet will feature three board members from the Bandon History Museum with an "Ask the Expert" program, including Jim Proehl, Reg Pullen and Mary Schamehorn. The program will begin at noon and last for an hour.
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The Bandon Library Friends and Foundation will be hosting a 20th anniversary celebration of the current library building on Saturday, Dec. 7, with refreshments and a slide show at 1, and presentations at 2 in the Sprague Room at the library.
Like the Sprague Community Theater, the library was built without tax money, but with generous community donations and grants.
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A front page article in the Salem Statesman Journal last week praised the work of a former Bandon couple, Thom and Mandy Augsburger, who created a new kind of foster care for teen boys, known as Affect Youth Services. Thom's parents were the late Father Will Augsburger and his wife Ruth; Mandy's parents are Claudia Butler Scott and Dan Scott, who now live in Salem, but were raised in Bandon.
The couple live in the home, and half a dozen permanent staff are also on site around the clock. More than 800 teen boys, most with higher needs, have lived in the Augsburger home since the program opened in 2016.
The article mentions that during the summer months, the boys are taken on trips to Bandon and Foster Lake.
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Coming Events; Don't forget to attend A Christmas Story at the Sprague Theater Dec. 6-8, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7 and the Sunday show at 2. This is the second weekend for the Bandon Playhouse sponsored play, which has drawn rave reviews from those who saw it over the weekend. Admission is $18 for adults and $15 for youth age 18 and younger. Advance tickets are available at Eventbrite, or tickets can be purchased at the door.
St. John's Rainy Day Used Book Sale is set for Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 795 Franklin.
The Harbor Lights Middle School Christmas Concert is Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. at the Sprague.
Sweet Speeches is set for Thursday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m., at the Sprague.
A free holiday concert featuring Sea Breeze Harmony Chorus and Summer Wind Ensemble (and several singers from Bandon) will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 400 Highland Avenue, Coos Bay.
People are reminded that the plastic collection event at the Library is the third Wednesday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m.
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I had an opportunity to visit with Chamber president Brandie Culp and the new chamber executive director Hal Jensen (who prefers to be called Jensen) recently. He and his wife recently moved to Bandon from California. He is enthusiastic about his new job and looks forward to working with the chamber officers, including Culp, Makena Ojeda, Sara Kimball and Anne McCaleb, and the other members of the board.
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This is the time of year that it's more important than ever to remember our local Bandon merchants when it comes time to purchase Christmas gifts. They are always willing to support community causes ... and we need to thank them by buying local whenever possible.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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