As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
April 17, 2024
Although I don't have a story to go with it, I love this first historic picture of Eugene Strain, taken many years ago.
Eugene Strain
A long-time resident of the Langlois/Bandon area, Gene was the father of three well-known Bandon women, Margaret Gorman, Nellie Biggar and Agnes Wilson. Margaret and Nellie taught school here for many years ago, while Agnes and her family owned and operated Wilson's Grocery.
The second photo I am sharing came from an article in the Bandon Recorder, dated May 2, 1911, and headlined "At Last."
"The manager of the Grand Theatre (second photo) takes pleasure in announcing to the patrons of this popular Play House that a new metallic picture curtain will be installed the latter part of this week that promises to show motion pictures with a greater depth, clearer, more brilliant and lite light than any scheme heretofore tried.
Grand Theatre
The manager has spent over $75.00 trying to produce a curtain that would give the desired results and he is satisfied that the screen now in the making will be as near perfect as a metallic curtain can be made. The curtain is 10x14 feet in size, without a seam, without a wrinkle, without a scratch or a pimple on it.
"It will reflect the darkest picture as well as the lightest, giving greater depth and sharper outlines than any curtain heretofore tried. Watch for it, look for it. It will please you."
An item from March 7, 1911, is headlined Coquille River Boats.
"To those who may not know of the importance of the Coquille river as a shipping port, it may be of interest to learn that there is a constant increase in the commerce both in and out of this port.
"Since January 1, there were even 40, in February 34 and to date in March thirteen vessels (third photo) have crossed the bar.
This is the 65th day of the year and with 87 arrivals and departures of ocean going boats, it makes an average of nearly 1 1/3 boats a day, which is certainly a good record, and shows that the port is gaining in importance all the time. We were unable to get the total tonnage in and out of the port on the various boats, but it runs up into the many thousands of tons, thus showing the vast wealth of this great country."
* * *
Bandon residents are in for a treat when one of the scheduled events for the Jet Boat Championships on the Rogue River will be held on the Coquille River, with boats racing between Bandon and Coquille on Monday, May 6.
The Southern Oregon Power Boat Association is hosting the 2024 USA UIM "Leo Wright Memorial" championships starting May 4 and ending May 11 on the Rogue River in Gold Beach.
Time trials will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, to determine starting order for the races on Sunday, May 6.
The teams will be coming to Bandon on May 6, for the day of racing from Bandon to Coquille and back. The first boats leave Bandon at 10 a.m., with the second race, leaving Bandon, to begin at 1:30 p.m. For those watching from Coquille, the first race returning to Bandon starts at noon, and the second at 3 p.m.
Each team will bring two boats, one to put in the water and one for backup. The back-up boats will be across the street from the Bandon Fisheries Warehouse, according to a chamber press release.
For more information about the events slated for Gold Beach, go to southernoregonpba.org.
* * *
A press release from the Coos County Sheriff's Office, dated April 8, explained that a concerned citizen had brought a silver brick-type object to the sheriff's office for disposal. On the outside was printed "Warning - USAF IR Flare Explosive/Highly Flammable." The citizen reportedly found the item in the Burnt Mountain area of Coos County.
Upon further research, Sgt. S. Moore discovered this was a U.S. Air Force countermeasure flare that did not ignite after being expelled from a military aircraft, probably during a training mission.
Sgt. Moore contacted the 142nd Oregon Air Guard EOD unit in Portland. On April 9, two members of the Explosives Ordnance Division (EOD) unit responded to this area and disposed of the flare at a safe location.
The Sheriff's Office would like to remind the public that if you find such items, please leave them in place and contact the authorities so they can be properly handled and disposed of.
* * *
The Bandon City Park playground will be closed from Wednesday, April 24, to Monday, May 6, for the installation of new playground equipment, according to information from the city's planning department.
* * *
The public is invited to attend the Bandon Transportation System Plan open house on Wednesday, April 24, from, 4 to 6 p.m. at City Hall. The TSP will recommend policies, programs and physical improvements to streets and sidewalks to address current and future transportation needs in Bandon.
In partnership with ODOT, the City is hosting the open house to "hear your thoughts on draft solutions that address transportation issues in town. The City wants to ensure that the solutions reflect the needs and values of Bandon's community members," said a city spokesman. "The Open House will ask for your feedback after a short presentation."
The project team has drafted solutions to address community-identified issues, including: options for reconfiguring and improving US 101 to address speeding and safety issues; safer and more comfortable connections for people walking and biking; parking and demand management for busy areas; pubic transportation improvements and additional roadway connections.
* * *
I saw a Facebook post this week that indicated Coast Community Health Center is looking to hire physician assistants and family nurse practitioners for both the Bandon clinic and the Port Orford Tichenor clinic.
The new interim CEO Kendra Newbold has recently arrived, replacing Eddie Larsen, who was hired in July, and terminated in February. Coast is a FQHC (federally qualified health center) governed by an appointed board of directors, with J.J. McLeod as chair.
* * *
The League of Women Voters is sponsoring two candidate forums, with one on Wednesday, April 17, at the Coos Bay public library, 6:30 to 9, with pros and cons of the public safety levy scheduled for 8 to 9 pm, featuring the Sheriff, District Attorney, Commissioner John Sweet and Radio Commentator Rob Taylor participating.
On Wednesday, April 24, from 7 to 9, a forum will be held at The Barn (Community Center) in Bandon, to listen to state senate and representative candidates, including incumbents David Brock Smith and Court Boice.
* * *
The annual Bandon Chamber of Commerce dinner is set for Tuesday, April 23, at the Bandon Fisheries warehouse, with tickets at $30, purchased through zeffy.com. Doors open at 5:30, dinner (catered by Wilson's Grocery) is served at 6:30, and the program, including Brenda Meade of the Coquille Indian Tribe and Jeff Simonds of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, starts at 7:15 p.m.
* * *
Bandon Showcase is hosting The Undercovers, with music of Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson, on Wednesday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Sprague Theater. General admission tickets are $35 and are available at bandonshowcase.org or at the door.
This should be a wonderful program, and is one you won't want to miss. It's especially important to support programs like this, so that the Bandon Showcase will be able to continue bringing top-notch entertainment to Bandon. For more information call 541-290-9989.
* * *
A friend contacted me recently with concern that several older woman she knew left their outside doors unlocked in case emergency personnel needed to access the home if they needed help. She felt this was dangerous.
She said that the sheriff's department has a program where a person can contact them with information as to where their house key is located in the case of an emergency. She said people could contact 541-269-8911 or 541-396-2106, to provide the information, although she admitted she had not checked with them first to see if those numbers were still viable. But if you explain what you want, possibly someone will be able to help.
* * *
Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center is sponsoring the first Living & Aging Well event Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Bandon Community Center. Theme of the free event is exploring the basic foundational elements of Living & Aging Well, with Alix McGinley as facilitator.
* * *
Tuesday, April 16, Port Commission Chairman Reg Pullen, Jim Proehl and I will be at the Meet & Greet at Bandon Fisheries Warehouse with the program "Ask An Expert a Bandon History Question." Seating opens at 11:30 a.m., with the program to begin at noon. And if someone happens to ask a city or a port question, we will probably try to answer that, as well.
* * *
People often tell me that a lot of the information in my column, which appears in Friday's Coos Bay World, is outdated. But that is because of a change in their print schedule which moved the publication date ahead a week. It also appears on Bandon.tv on Monday mornings and the following Thursday in the Coquille Sentinel, as well as on several Facebook sites.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
April 10, 2024
"Bandon Bank One of the Best" screams a headline in the July 18, 1927, Western World, talking about the Bank of Bandon (first photo), which was founded on the 25th of November, 1904, at Bandon.
Bank of Bandon
"A summary of the reports of conditions of Coos County banks as of June 30, 1927, recently published in the Coos Bay Times, gives some interesting information. While there is a decrease of over a million dollars in county bank deposits compared to a year ago, the banks as a whole show strong reserves and large surplus accounts. The decrease in deposits is natural, considering general business conditions here and elsewhere along the coast and throughout the country.
"In the Bandon vicinity the deposit decrease is low compared to the county as a whole. The local bank (second photo) shows about five percent less than last year while the county bank deposits are approximately 19 percent less than in June, 1926.
Bank of Bandon
"By making a comparative analysis of the published statements of the 11 banks the local depositors have reason to point with pride to the Bank of Bandon as one of the strongest and more conservative banking institutions in Coos county. It was second in Cash and Due from Banks, showing 27.5 percent reserve. The First National of North Bend was first with 30 percent. Bandon rates as one of the strongest on the list, and considering their low building investment, their statement is perhaps second to none in the county."
J.L. Kronenberg (father of the late Jack Kronenberg who built the saltwater natatorium at Coquille Point and grandfather of Jean Kronenberg Ritenour) was the first president between 1904-1916; second president was T.P. Hanly (maternal great-grandfather of county commissioner John Sweet), 1916-1936; C.Y. Lowe, third president, 1937-1938, (great-grandfather of the Capps siblings); and W.J. Sweet (John Sweet's paternal grandfather), who took over in 1938 and served as bank president for many years.
If you can, blow up the photo of the interior of the bank and note things like the old 10-key cash register, an old typewriter, a coin separator and the ledger books.
The third photo is the former Ledgerwood ranch which became the site for the development of Westmost Golf Course.
Ledgerwood ranch
The property today is owned by the City of Bandon after serving the community as a nine-hole golf course for nearly a century.
A group of Bandon men organized in the summer of 1927 to promote a golf course for Bandon. Among those involved were my grandfather, L.D. Felsheim; Bo Shindler's grandfather, Otto Shindler; and George W. Moore Jr., A.H. Rosa, Ed Capps and Dr. R.E. Donehey.
By October, construction work had started on the golf links at the Ledgerwood farm on Bandon beach, about a mile south of Silver Spray Gardens, which was built on what today is known as Coquille Point at the end of 11th Street. This photo was taken sometime after the fire of 1936 because along the ocean bluff you can see Windermere, which opened just a few months after the fire, and is still a popular motel today.
The Oct. 6, 1927, Western World explains that the developer Leo. E. Smith of Tillamook "and his assistants started laying out the course and the following day men were put to work making necessary clearings.
The committee was tasked to raise the $6,000 needed to build the course with $3,500 having been subscribed at that point.
"Mr. Smith plans to secure a room in the business section to be used evenings for golf practice and instruction. A large net will be put up to shoot the ball into from the tee and, if possible, a putting green will be arranged.
At that time, the course had not yet been named. Some time later, a contest was held and Erma Crane Boyle (who my siblings and I grew up calling Auntie Erma) was the winner with the Westmost name.
My grandfather played the course faithfully for the next 35 years before he died of a heart attack on the ninth green in February of 1962 at the age of 75.
The property was also considered for an "airplane field," which was to be located on high ground at the golf links. The only request of the developer, Mr. Smith, was that the chamber of commerce erect a large flag pole at the place. "The pole should be at least 140 feet high so that the stars and stripes can be seen for miles."
I am not sure if it ever became a landing field, but my grandfather was one of two men appointed to a committee to find out if an airfield concept would be possible in that location, where today sits The Inn at Face Rock.
* * *
I am embarrassed to say that when a friend asked me about the appeal by Oregon Coast Alliance of the Gravel Point project, I had no idea what she was talking about.
It seems that nearly 200 people, who had signed up to testify during the hearing, had received notice from ORCA's attorney Sean Malone of Eugene that they had appealed the city council's decision to LUBA (Land Use Board of Appeals).
The letter did not indicate as to what the appeal was based on, but I am sure the city will be (or has already been) notified of the items on which the appeal was based.
The council, on a 4-2 vote, had upheld the planning commission's earlier decision to approve the Gravel Point hotel project being developed by Bandon Beach Ventures LLC., represented by Brett Perkins of Perk Development.
* * *
The Bandon Chamber is inviting the public join them for an evening of celebration, community and recognition at the annual dinner, set for Tuesday evening, April 23, at Bandon Fisheries Event Center, with doors to open at 5:30, dinner (catered by Wilson's Market) to be served at 6:30, and the program to begin at 7:15. The cost is $30.
Jeff Simonds of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort will give an update on the forthcoming 25th anniversary celebration, including details on the eagerly awaited opening of Shorty's 3-par course.
* * *
If you've ever wanted to serve on either the hospital board or the school board, I understand there are opening on both boards. As we all know, the late Anthony Zunino was a member of the school board, and sadly his seat is now open as is that of fellow board member, Greg Looney, who has reportedly resigned.
One of the five seats on the hospital board was also vacated recently by the resignation of board chair Brent Bischoff, whose day job is CEO of Coos-Curry Electric and Beacon Broadband.
* * *
I always look forward to Bandon Showcase concerts, and the one coming up on Wednesday, April 24, at the Sprague sounds great. You don't want to miss the Undercovers Present Rogers, Richie and Robinson, beginning at 7:30, with tickets at $35 available on Eventbrite or at the door.
* * *
The League of Women Voters is sponsoring two candidate forums, one in Coos Bay, Wednesday, April 17, and the other in Bandon, Wednesday, April 24, which happens to be the same night as the Bandon Showcase concert.
On April 17, the forum will be held in the Coos Bay Public Library large conference room, with Position one county commissioner candidates to speak from 7 to 8 p.m. and a pro and con panel discussion about the ballot measure 6-213 (the public safety levy) from 8 to 9, featuring the sheriff, the DA and Commissioner John Sweet, as well as radio commentator Rob Taylor taking part.
On the 24th, at the Barn in Bandon, people can listen to the candidates for State Senate District 1, from 7 to 8; and candidates for House District 1, 8 to 9 pm.
Ballots will be mailed starting May 1.
* * *
The sheriff's office recently sent out information designed to provide clarity and transparency regarding the complexities faced in managing the limited resources of the Coos County Jail.
"Our jail currently operates with a capacity of 48 beds for the lodged Adults in Custody and five holding cells, which are allocated as follows:
"15 beds for medium custody males; 11 beds for high custody males; 11 beds for male sex offenders; 11 beds for female adults in custody; and five holding cells for individuals on suicide watch, medical watch, or those who are intoxicated.
"Our current procedures are guided by a multitude of factors, including Oregon Law, the severity of the crime, and guidelines set forth by Senate Bill 48. The Corrections Division shift supervisor carefully considers these elements, along with bed availability based on where an individual needs to be housed, medical or mental health concerns, and the level of intoxication. For those arrested on citation only, release occurs upon completion of processing," said the spokesman.
* * *
If you have questions about Bandon's history, you may want to attend the Tuesday, April 16, Meet and Greet at Bandon Fisheries Warehouse, when the museum presents Reg Pullen, Jim Proehl and I in a program titled "Ask The Experts About Bandon History." Seating opens at 11:30, with the program at noon. Lunch and beverages are available at the Warehouse Coffee Cafe.
And if we run out of history questions, you could ask a question or two about the city or the port...and Reg or I will answer if we can.
* * *
Coming Events: Redfish Music Concert, Holy Trinity church, Sunday, April 14, 3 p.m., $20 at the door; Good Earth Community Garden classes, April 13, preparing and prepping, readying for new growth, and April 20, planting seeds of growth and longevity, 11 a.m., weather permitting in the garden. Circles in the Sand, first draw of its 10th season, April 26 and 27, 9 a.m. and April 28, 10 a.m. Visitors are reminded not to park illegally on Beach Loop Road which causes problems for homeowners, emergency vehicles and those trying to safely navigate the narrow road.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
April 03, 2024
I love reading the old newspapers to determine what life was like in Bandon decades ago. This story was taken from the August 25, 1911, newspaper, talking about problems encountered when an airplane was brought to Bandon.
"The big Manning Bros' Aeroplane which was to fly from the Bandon Ball Park Saturday and Sunday, came in on the Anvil (first picture) yesterday morning, but returned on the same boat last night, for the reason that they could not find space large enough in which to get a start for the flight.
The Anvil
"It is necessary to attain a speed of 40 miles an hour on the ground before the machine can get away, and in order to do this the track must be very smooth; then, too, in flying from the park it is necessary to get at least 40 feet above the tree tops before they go into a current of air in which they can fly, and there is danger of the machine crashing to the ground before they get in motion.
"After it was found impossible to fly from the ball park, the aviator was taken to the beach (second photo) where it was thought a flight might possibly be made down near the Bennett place; but here again it was a dangerous proposition as the beach was not straight and the air current was not right.
Manning Bros' Aeroplane
Then, after looking over the country for several hours trying to find a suitable place, the proposition was given up and the machine returned to Portland."
During my research I found several mentions of people playing golf on the beach ... the first in 1924 and again in 1927.
"Bring your golf sticks; Bandon has a golf course," reads the headline on the Aug. 15, 1924, Western World.
"The discovery has just been made. It's a wonderful place to play, with plenty of hazards, particularly water; in fact the entire Pacific ocean is a hazard if you want it. There are high rocks, bends and curves, rough ground and easy going.
"Take to the beach (third photo) at medium or low tide, start from Queen Anne and work south.
Bandon Beach
The 18th hole is at Crooked creek. If you like, keep on going and finish the game in California. If the game lasts more than six hours be sure the caddie has your bathing suit, because at high tide the hazards may become extreme.
"The Highbreakers orchestra has brought the golf bug to Bandon. Every day finds the boys pegging the pill on the beach. And they are surprised to learn that no one had thought of the idea before."
Three years later and not long before the first golf course opened on the former Ledgerwood Ranch property on Beach Loop, an item in the July 21, 1927, Western World reminded people that "at low tide Sunday morning a three-hole course was laid out and several of the business men played rounds of nine holes before breakfast. The beach is an ideal place to play, particularly when the tide is low as there is ample room with ample water hazards and everything."
In the same issue, more information appears about the beach, and not all of it positive.
"A party of 35 Marshfield people left the local beach Sunday and returned home long before the day was over because of the many cars on the beach, making it unsafe for children. They left with the remark that they would not return until the cars have been ruled off the sand and until Bandon beach is like it used to be, safe for everybody."
Another headline on the same page reads: "Car Stuck on Beach."
"Arthur Peterson almost lost his new Dodge sedan on the beach Sunday. He got stuck in the sand and was forced to leave the car until the tide subsided Sunday morning. With the aid of a tractor the car was extracted from the sand, but it had been sunk until it was buried over the running boards. A number of cars got stuck over the weekend and had to be pulled out."
It wasn't long before vehicles were banned from the Bandon beach. It is clear from the number of people on the beach that this photo was not taken during a golf event ... nor are there any vehicles in the photo.
* * *
The community is mourning the loss of one of Bandon's most beloved and most respected people, Anthony Zunino, who died Thursday at the age of 44 after a valiant battle with cancer. A member of the Bandon School Board and former president of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, Anthony was a guy who was always available to help the community in any way he could. The pyrotechnic specialist for the fire department, he was in charge of shooting off the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, when he wasn't busy at his business, Freedom Graphics, or running the annual Cranberry Festival for the chamber. He was a graduate of Bandon High School.
His parents, Greg and Maureen Zunino, in a Facebook post, thanked Bandon for "helping Anthony reach his calling on earth." Another said, "He left some pretty big shoes to fill -- I wish that there were more people in the world like him. He truly was amazing." That certainly sums up how the community felt about Anthony Zunino.
My thoughts go out to his family and to so many in this community whose lives he touched.
* * *
Although many of the newcomers won't remember Ruth Ball, who died Thursday a month before her 91st birthday, us old-timers remember her as being a consummate volunteer for all things Bandon. She was involved in starting the Stormwatchers group, worked with the Cranberry Festival, was responsible for caring for the flowers in various public spaces throughout the community and volunteered at the Visitor Center for years. That's just a partial list of everything that Ruth was involved in through the years.
Her local survivors include two sons, David and Chris Nevitt, and daughter, Lori (Mrs. Mike) Dornath.
Ruth moved to Bandon in 1977 and later married Stan Ball, who predeceased her.
* * *
Members of the Bandon Rotary Club were treated to a special program Friday, brought to us by club member Ray Hino, Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center CEO, who introduced his long-time friend Dr. Neil Nathan.
Dr. Nathan and his wife recently built a home here and are now full-time residents, having moved from Ft. Bragg, Calif.
Dr. Nathan is the author of a number of books, including "Toxic, Heal Your Body from Mold Toxicity, Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Chronic Environmental Illness," and his latest book, "The Sensitive Patient's Healing Guide," which will be available April 30.
I asked him about the trend of so many who get their drinking water from plastic bottles versus the city water's supply.
Dr. Nathan said that Bandon has some of the best drinking water in the country, based on a number of parameters which go into a nationwide data base. A lot of my fellow Rotarians heard him say this, and to say that I was thrilled with that information is an understatement. He said people should drink city water ... out of glass or metal containers.
People who would like more information about Dr. Nathan, or want to listen to his podcasts, should Google him on line.
* * *
As I expected, March registered 13.85 inches of rain ... the wettest in the last 20 years. The total rainfall for January, February and March also broke the 20-year record with a total of 44.63 inches of rain ... but not by much as those three months in 2017 recorded 43.14 inches of rain. My guess is that if my records went back more than 20 years, this would have also been a record. Although I do remember that during the years I worked at Western World, there was one November where we had 30 inches of rain. But having worked off and on for 45 years, it would be hard to pinpoint the year.
* * *
If you know of anyone that might want to serve on the Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center board of directors, we have a vacancy created by the resignation (for work reasons) of the chair, Brent Bischoff, CEO of Coos-Curry Electric and Beacon Broadband.
I am serving as the new chair, with treasurer Tom Bedell, Pam Hansen and Norbert Johnson. It's a great board!
* * *
Last week, I mentioned that the Association of O&C Counties, of which County Commissioner Bob Main is vice president, had petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the issue of a reduced timber harvest and the financial stress the lack of harvest has had on the O&C counties.
Bob called me the day after I wrote my column to say that the Court had denied the request and will not take up the issue.
* * *
Someone posted on Facebook Sunday that an SUV had been stolen from a property off Ohio Avenue SE. It seems that thieves are getting more and more brazen, and frankly that is one reason I strongly support Coos County's Public Safety Levy, which would provide funds to open more jail beds and to hire at least two more assistant district attorneys. Monday night (April 1) Commissioner John Sweet, DA Paul Frasier and Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio will talk about the levy at the city council meeting, which starts at 7 at city hall.
* * *
Bandon Showcase is sponsoring a trio of vocalists, Rogers, Richie and Robinson, at the Sprague Theater on Wednesday, April 24, at 7:30. Tickets are $35 and available on Eventbrite or at the door.
* * *
You may want to mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 16, when Jim Proehl, Reg Pullen and I will present "Ask An Expert," during the Meet and Greet at Bandon Fisheries Warehouse. Seating opens at 11:30 and the talk will start at noon. It's free, although lunch and drinks are available at the Bandon Warehouse coffee shop.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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