As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Jan 31, 2018
The first picture I am sharing this week was taken during the Cranberry Festival parade of 1971. Not sure who is driving the "Green Drag'in", but I do recognize Smoky Wilson as one of the boys who is talking to the driver.
Cranberry Festival parade, 1971
In the background you can see the Bandon Shoe Repair shop, which after the fire was Fred Tuttle's Counter, a soda shop and newsstand. I believe that Walt and Pearl Ingwersen owned the shoe repair shop at that time. Just to the left you can see the east wall of the Bandon Theater, and to the right you can see the small house where Reta and Vane (Bum) Gartin and her sister, Alda Mars, lived and operated the local liquor store. The liquor store is about where Bandon Coffee Cafe is located now.
The second picture was taken in August of 1960 during construction work on Highway 101 at the top of the hill.
Construction work on Highway 101, 1960
The 76 station was owned at one time by Lanny Boston and was on the corner of 101 and 11th where Banner Bank is now located. Behind it you can see the back of the former Bank of Bandon building which later became Washington Mutual and a number of other banks. On the west side of the highway you can barely see the sign for Ralph's, which later became Gerry's, later Frasers and now is the Asian Garden.
I have often shared pictures of several buildings, which housed Ray's Pharmacy over the years, but this is such a neat picture of Phyllis (left) and Bob Ray, in one of their downtown locations, that I wanted to share it.
Phyllis and Bob Ray
This may have been taken in the shop where Winter River Books is now (former Shindler's Rexall Drug Store), or it may have been when they were on the other side of Second, about where Bandon Card & Gift is now. I think the other woman was a pharmacist, but I can't remember her name. I do know that Phyllis Ray died Jan. 27, 2016, at the age of 92. She was as beautiful in her 90s as she was in this picture taken many years ago.
* * *
I was so sorry to learn of the death of Gary Brink, 69, husband of Jessica Markham-Brink, who died suddenly Saturday afternoon at Shutter Creek Correctional Institution outside of North Bend, where he had been for several months. I know this is a terrible loss for Jessica and their two children, Aiden and Willow, who will have lots of loving support from her mother, Lynn Davies. Jessica manages Lynn's Old Town businesses, including The Toy Room, By the Sea Treasures and Bandon Card & Gift Shoppe.
My heart goes out to the family.
* * *
Bandon students know their science!
Several months ago the State Department of Education released its Oregon report card for 2016-17, and I just kept putting off publishing what I had learned because of the amount of time I had to spend compiling the data.
I looked at all school districts in Coos County, as well as Port Orford-Langlois 2CJ in Curry County.
The per pupil spending cost for each district was also posted, along with the state average which is $11,822 per student. Before I get into the test scores, I will share the PPS for each district. As expected the two smallest districts. Powers and Port Orford/Langlois had the highest per pupil cost at $18,137 and $17,486 respectively. Myrtle Point was third at $13,195, followed by Bandon at $12,847; Coquille, $12,808; Coos Bay, $10,980 and North Bend, $10,355.
The test results are broken down into three subjects: English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science. The results for both English and math are broken down to students in grades 3-5, students in grades 6-8 and students in grade 11. Test results for science came from three grades: 5, 8 and 11.
After writing down each of the scores for those who met or exceeded the standard, I then looked at each list to see which school (grade) had the top percentage in each of the three subjects.
In English, Bandon 6-8 graders were tops with a met or exceeded rate of 86.8 percent, compared to the state average of 79.1 percent; Coquille 3-5 graders were tops at 82.6 percent (state average of 71 percent); and Pacific High School's 11th graders had 100 percent of their students meet or exceed the state average of 88 percent.
In math, Powers had the top percentages for both 6-8 graders (76.5 compared to the state average of 68.5 percent) and juniors (77 percent compared to the state average of 62.6 percent); while Coquille 3-5 graders were tops with 76.9 percent meeting or exceeding the state standard, compared to the state average of 71.2 percent.
But when it came to science, students in the Bandon School District were tops at all three grade levels, with fifth graders at 94.3 percent (66 state average); eighth graders at 78.4 percent (62.8 state average) and juniors, 76.6 percent (57.8 percent). The average for the three Bandon grades was 83.1 ... which was far better than the number two district (Port Orford-Langlois) at 70.6 percent, followed by number three North Bend at 57.27 percent. Myrtle Point had the lowest average percentage at 51.9 percent ... more than 30 percentage points less than Bandon.
Now I will return to more information about Bandon. In English, 62.5 percent of 3-5 graders met or exceeded the standard, compared to the state average of 71 percent. Again, 6-8 graders were tops at 86.8 percent (compared to the state average of 79.1 percent), and 11th graders fared almost as well as Pacific juniors, with 94 percent meeting or exceeding the standard, compared to the state average of 88 percent. Close behind them were Powers 11th graders at 92.3 percent.
In the math category, Bandon's 3-5 scores averaged 69.4 percent, compared to the state average of 71.2 percent; 6-8, 69.2 percent (state average 68.6 percent) and 11th graders, 68 percent met or exceeded (compared to the state average of 62.6 percent).
For those of you who want to read more data on the local districts or learn more about other districts in the state, go to www.oregon.gov/ode/reports-and-data.
* * *
As I am writing my column tonight (Sunday), I realized that a helicopter had been flying over my house way longer than usual. It appeared that it must have picked up a patient at the hospital (which is a couple of blocks away from my house) as it headed north toward Coos Bay. But instead, it was apparently having a hard time finding the landing pad at the hospital because it was making a large circle and was headed back over my house. Finally, the pilot found what he was looking for and all is quiet ... until they take off again.
Whenever I see (hear) a helicopter land at the hospital, I know what it means: that someone is seriously ill and needs to be light-flighted to a larger hospital. Pilots often risk their own safety to maneuver these copters into tight places and in bad weather, but they definitely provide a much-needed service for critically ill people.
* * *
My boyfriend, who reads Coffee Break religiously, called my attention to an article a couple of weeks ago, which was headlined: "SEA talk on marine debris super highway set for Jan. 20." I wondered why he wanted me to read the article ... but it wasn't long before I knew.
It starts outs: "Five Jabberwockies extremely cleverly telephoned obese botulisms, but five purple pawnbrokers tickled Pluto." And it goes on from there, ending: "Progressive fountains laughed quickly, then two chrysanthemums annoyingly fights one."
It seems that one of the CB files was corrupted, which resulted in the hilarious gibberish that followed.
At city hall, we had something almost like that occur this week when our new electric department supervisor Jim Wickstrom answered a constituent's question, and copied me ... from an email that belonged to someone named Tanya DePew. I tried to figure out if we had a new employee in the department, and, if not, why was she appearing to represent the city.
It turns out that his email had been corrupted ... and no one knew anyone named Tanya DePew.
I should understand since my Facebook page has been hacked six or seven times and sends emails to all the people in my friends account. I have changed my password over and over ... and over again, but to no avail. Not sure what else I can do, or if it even matters.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Jan 24, 2018
I love this first picture I am sharing. It was taken in 1956 of Mrs. Nellie Biggar's first grade class (which meant they graduated from BHS in 1968) on a float during the Cranberry Festival.
Nellie Biggar's first grade class, 1956
I can only recognize three of the children, including, fourth from left, Richard Gorman (nephew of Mrs. Biggar); sixth from left, Tim McCue, and at far right, Rick Howard. Maybe some of my readers will recognize some of the other children.
The second picture was taken in 1975 of the Bandon Plaza Gas and Car Wash at the intersection of Highways 101 and 42S, next to what is now the Mexican restaurant Rancho Viejo. This was taken before the Bandon Shopping Center was built and you can see the mobile home business belonging to Tom Campbell across Highway 101.
Bandon Plaza Gas and Car Wash, 1975
I will admit that the third photo is not of very good quality, but it's still a great picture of Barry Winters, taken in 1975 in front of Winters Auto Sales, which is now the home of The Inn at Old Town. The building to the right was a Myrtlewood shop at that time and today is occupied by Dan Farmer's State Farm Insurance Co.
Barry Winters Auto Sales, 1975
* * *
I just saw a Facebook post that said Margaret Lorenz (Mrs. Paul) Tiffany, a 1962 graduate of Bandon High, died recently. Bill Perry posted that Margaret died after a difficult surgery, which she underwent in early January to remove tumors on her pancreas. Her siblings included older brother David, younger brother John and youngest sister, Gail. I know she and Paul have children, but I do not know how many.
Her father Carl Lorenz was a long-time partner/owner of M&L Grocery in downtown Bandon, located where the Minute Cafe parking lot is now.
* * *
I have learned that three of the oldest (in terms of work years) employees at The Wheelhouse/Crowsnest were not rehired by the new owner, Yong Suk Ko, which is a shame.
The three are Denusha Rogers, long-time and very popular bartender in the Crowsnest; Pat Stevenson, who has been a server for many years; and Chef Rick Hass.
I also mentioned last week that another casualty of the purchase was that Art by the Sea Gallery and Studio would have to find a new home. And it appears that they have.
In announcing their latest Community Show, March 6-31, Art by the Sea said the show would be held at their gallery at 145 Fillmore Avenue SE, which is the shop that formerly housed Truffles and later Klutch, adjacent to the Station Restaurant.
This should be a good location for them, right across Fillmore from The Laurel. This area is bound to grow, with Face Rock Creamery and the Bandon Historical Society museum across the highway and Bandon Mercantile in the next block. Owners of the creamery are purchasing the former city shops and other property in the vicinity, which will be a definite upgrade for the area.
* * *
Former long-time city attorney Myron Spady was honored by the Bandon Lions Club Wednesday during their weekly luncheon when they officially named the dining room The Myron Spady Room.
Myron, who will be 94 in April, is the last remaining charter member of the Bandon Lions Club, and continues to attend meetings every week. I was invited to the lunch and presented Myron with a collection of photos taken by Western World over the years, which were part of my extensive collection. As he suffers from macular degeneration, Myron hoped to view the pictures when he got back to Pacific View where he has made his home since the recent death of his wife of 70 years, Lillie.
Myron entertained the club with stories about what The Barn (where the meetings are held) looked like when it truly was a barn.
Myron was city attorney when I first joined the city council 40 years ago, in 1977, and we worked well together for many years.
* * *
I was absolutely blown away by the pictures posted on Facebook and in the newspapers of the huge waves that struck the Oregon Coast on Thursday. That may have been the same day, or the day after, that a man was swept out to sea near Depot Bay.
I just hate to see the photos of the huge waves crashing against the rocks... with people in the photos who are clearly putting themselves in harm's way. And when photos like that appear in print, they glorify this dangerous activity, which could just as easily end with the person being swept out to sea.
One of my faithful readers posted on Facebook that she and another woman were at the South Jetty last week when they watched a man nearly get hit by a huge log, which was thrown onto the shore by a wave. People should stay completely off the beach at this time of year. There is another Facebook post which shows two people (I think a man and a woman) who were down on the beach somewhere photographing the huge surf when a wave crashed over them and washed their photographic equipment out to sea and left them lying in a pile of driftwood. I guess they weren't injured, but if they weren't, it's a miracle.
People do such stupid things ... for a photo or a thrill. Or maybe it's just plain stupidity. You choose...
* * *
The people of Bandon were lucky they were served by City of Bandon electric on Friday after some 26,000 customers of Pacific Power in Coos Bay, North Bend, Myrtle Point, Coquille and Powers lost power for at least 30 minutes after a tree fell on a main BPA transmission line and caused a massive outage.
The power outage caused intersections to be backed up for blocks in Coos Bay.
Fortunately the outage did not impact public power customers like the City of Bandon and Coos-Curry Electric.
I do know that people north of Bandon are served by Pacific Power, so I would guess that they were also without power.
* * *
I noticed that the holiday newsletter, sent out by the hospital foundation, arrived in the mail last week, after several of the "coming events" they were advertising. Not sure if they didn't get it in the mail in time, or if the post office didn't get it into the boxes.
Two weeks ago, I mailed two checks to women in Bandon, both of whom had Bandon addresses. One lived on Prosper Road and the other lived south of town, but both were rural addresses.
The woman who lives south of town got her letter the next day; the woman who lives on Prosper Road never did get hers.
It's hard to figure out how a letter mailed inside the Bandon Post Office to a Bandon address could get lost.
I checked with the bank to make sure someone had not stolen it out of the woman's mail box and cashed it. But it had not cleared, so my guess would be that it is in the bottom of a mail bag somewhere.
Since it costs $35 to stop payment on a check, I told the woman that when, and if, she ever gets the check to let me know and just tear it up.
I issued her another check and this time I left it with a friend rather than chance that it might get lost again ....
* * *
An article in the Jan. 22, 1915, Bandon Recorder reports on the City of Bandon acquiring its first utility, the water system. The people voted the prior June to pay $48,500 for the system, which had been privately owned for many years.
"With the passing of the water system into the hands of the city, we experience our first venture in municipal ownership and a general good feeling exists among the people of Bandon over the situation and it is felt that a proper solution of the water questions had been made and that the system will be a source of revenue to the city, while at the same time, improvements can be made that will be of a lasting nature."
It was decisions like that by the people of Bandon many years ago that paved the way for the city being able to provide the low-cost utilities that we have enjoyed for decades, and the revenue to help operate a city which receives only 46 cents a thousand in property tax revenue... which is probably the lowest in the state.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Jan 17, 2018
The first picture I am sharing is of The Country Store, which was located on the east side of Highway 101 just south of Bandon.
The Country Store, 1975
This picture was snapped over 40 years ago, in 1975. Today it is home of Bully Garden Supply, and is no longer a service station. In the background you can see some of the storage units owned by Leo Lewandowski.
I love this second picture, taken in 1966 of Jim Curran, when he was a science teacher at Harbor Lights Junior High (I don't think it was known as the middle school at that time).
Science teacher Jim Curran, 1966
It's hard to believe that this picture was taken over 50 years ago, and today Jim and his wife Flo are as sprightly as ever. Although they live in Coquille, Jim and Flo often shop in Bandon, and just this afternoon I ran into them at The Dollar Tree. Jim, who is 93 years old, often visits old-timers in area rest homes to cheer them up. He also writes a column for the Coquille Sentinel, and is an ardent history buff. He recalls that at the time of the Bandon Fire, he was a lad of 12, who was selling papers on the streets of Marshfield (now Coos Bay). He remembers well how quickly the "Bandon Fire" issue sold out.
Jim and Flo raised their family in Bandon, and, today, son Jim, his wife Patty and son Jimmie still live in town.
I love the third picture, which was taken in 1981, when the dredge Yaquina was working in the local channel. Dwarfed alongside the huge vessel is the Kelori, owned and fished for many years by the Erdman family.
Yaquina dredge, 1981
* * *
As I write this, I am waiting for Karl Maxon to come and get the $2,000 bicycle that is sitting in my garage. No, I have not taken up biking, but for some strange reason, I ended up with it.
It seems that a man and his wife, who were visiting for the weekend from Roseburg, rented the bike from Karl's employee and said he was told that he could return it after 11 a.m. on Sunday. But they are not open on Sunday, which the guy pretty quickly found out.
Back to how I met the guy. My boyfriend and I were eating dinner at Edgewater's Friday night and sat behind the couple. The next day I saw them at Pacific Blues and introduced myself. For some reason, I gave him my card (he lives next door to former Bandon resident Doug Giles and his wife Marilyn). At any rate, when he got ready to leave town Sunday, he realized that there was no one at the bike shop to deposit the expensive bike. And he ended up calling me to see what I could do. I told him to leave the bike in my garage and I would get in touch with Karl, and now he's on his way over to pick it up.
That is probably the closest I will ever come to having a $2,000 bicycle ... or riding one. But it does look nice in my garage.
* * *
I was sad to learn that Dean Conyers died last Monday at the age of 79. Dean was well-known in the community as a consummate volunteer, who was and had been very involved in Bandon for many years. He was a very talented musician, and I can still remember his many contributions to Bandon Playhouse musicals through the years. He was also involved in many community organizations, including the Bandon Historical Society, having served as board chairman for several years. He was also an active member of Lions International for years. Among his survivors is his wife Trish.
* * *
In my column last week, I said that Betty Baird was more than a year away from celebrating her 100th birthday when she died on New Year's Eve. Actually, Betty was only three months away from the Century mark. While going through some of my old negatives, I found a picture which had Betty's mother Jessie Bullard, Ruth Lennon and Alta Corrie in it, and I had sent it on to Betty's daughters, Sally Johnston and Susie Webber, and it was then that I learned of Betty's true birthday. Sorry for the mistake.
* * *
Last week I mentioned that the Wheelhouse/Crowsnest had sold, and that all of the employees will be required to apply for a position with the new owner, Yong Suk Ko. Now I've learned that as soon as their lease is up, at the end of March, the Art By The Sea Gallery has to move out of their front spot in the same building.
I have talked with several members of the art cooperative, who feel that something will work out for them, and I know they are looking at several options, including renting a back spot in the same building. It certainly won't have the foot traffic that their current location enjoys by opening onto the street (Chicago), but I know that wherever they land, they will beautify the space and will be a real asset.
* * *
The Bandon Community Youth Center received some extremely good news several months ago when they were advised that they would receive an Oregon Community Foundation and Ford Family Foundation grant in the amount of more than $50,000 a year... for the next three years to fully staff the youth center.
This will pay the salaries of their program director Charissa Stokes and their half-time after-school program director Dakotah Girard, according to board treasurer Bill Stenberg, a retired college administrator and faculty member.
Chairman of the board is Lisa Trottier, wife of Bandon native Wade Lester, who holds an MA in Education.
The grant is part of the national K-12 Student Success: Out-of-School Programs. Other board officers are Jackie White, vice chair, and Kim Russell, secretary.
Board members are also pleased to report that they will be working closely with the Bandon School District on the after-school program.
John Towne, who volunteers at the center, says: "The youth center is thriving," and that is good news.
* * *
Sheri McGrath, of Coos Curry Consulting Services, has purchased Mother's Natural Grocery, according to news I saw on Facebook this week. Mother's Grocery has been operated for many years by Pete Radabaugh and his wife, Susan Tree.
Before Sheri went into the land use consulting business, I remember when she worked part time for Jason Tree at Pacific Blues, and that is why I think her new venture will be a very "good fit" for her.
* * *
In other news tidbits, I've learned that Tracy Wood, Bandon High School Class of 1988, is the new police chief for the City of Gold Beach.
In other news, Renee Armstrong, owner of Esscents Candles, has changed the name of her business to Esscents Candles & Floral as she has purchased the beautiful floral inventory from Auntie Em's, who has moved to Idaho ... so we can continue to buy fresh flowers in Old Town.
* * *
Among the locals who were in Hawaii when an emergency management employee mistakenly sent a text to 1.4 million Islanders' phones warning them that a ballistic missile was heading toward the Hawaiian Islands were Tara and Kevin Shaw, owner of Coastal Mist.
According to their Facebook post, they were enjoying breakfast when the message went out advising people to seek shelter as the missile was expected to hit the islands "in the next few minutes," adding "this is not a test."
You can only imagine the panic that hit islanders and hundreds of thousands of tourists before it was finally announced 38 minutes later that it was an accident.
Now, Hawaiian officials are not only trying to get to the bottom of how an employee could have hit the wrong button, but why it took so long to advise the public that it was an error.
People are understandably on edge because of repeated threats by North Korea ... and this certainly did not calm those fears.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Jan 10, 2018
I vividly remember the old Arcade Tavern on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Second Street, which was owned by Charlie Page and Curly Woomer (the fire chief during the 1936 fire) for many years.
Arcade Tavern, 1950s
I had heard tales of what it was like in there, but for many years I don't think women ever went in there and certainly as a teenager I would not have even dared look into the windows. This picture was taken sometime in the late '50s. Today, this beautiful building is owned by Louise and Bill Moore and there are several businesses there, including a real estate office, Pablo's cafe, and The Rolling Pin Bake and Brew (as in coffee), which specializes in fancy and delicious cupcakes, and lunch items, as well. If you haven't eaten at Pablo's, you've missed a true dining experience.
The second picture, taken in 1966, was a building on 11th Street west of Beach loop Road when it was a Mexican restaurant. Many people, including former Oregon legislator Bill Bradbury, ran a restaurant in this building over the years. Later it was purchased by Mike Keiser and torn down as it had not operated for quite some years and was getting to be a real eyesore. This picture was taken before the first motel was built by the Gormans just east of it. It, too, is now gone.
Mexican restaurant, 1966
The third picture was taken in 1955 on the corner of 10th Street and Highway 101 in front of what was then Ralph's before it was purchased by Trudy and Gerry Fraser, who greatly expanded the building.
Ralph's, 1955
Today it is the Asian Garden restaurant and lounge. The reason I am sharing this picture is because of the old building across 10th which housed Family Motors Auto Sales and has long since been torn down to make way for what is now a fast mart, directly across the highway from McKay's Market. Just over the top of the cars you can see part of the La Kris Motel sign, and the service station, which today is a Chevron station.
* * *
Bandon lost one of its best-known native daughters with the death Jan. 2 of Betty Bullard Baird, who would have celebrated her 99th birthday in March. Betty and her late, husband, Ray, raised their two daughters in Bandon and were ardent golfers. I am not sure how long Betty played golf, but I am sure it was well into her mid-to-late 80s. She was a special lady.
Her survivors include her two daughters, Sally Johnson and Susie Webber, and her 103-year-old sister, Marjorie Stephenson.
* * *
It's always a shock to read the obits in The World and discover that one of your classmates has died. Dennis Chesselet had not been well for some years, but he was able to attend our 60th class reunion this summer and we were all very glad to see him. Dennis, who had fished commercially and later was the manager of Ocean Spray in Bandon, grew up in Bandon and was the son of Evelyn and Stanley Chesselet and had a brother, Mike, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Debbie; one son; one daughter; and a grandson.
* * *
I saw an ad in Coffee Break that indicated that the Wheelhouse and the Crowsnest are under new ownership. That explained the liquor license application that was in my council packet this week for the new owner Yong Suk Ko, who, according to one Facebook post, is a sister to one of the long-time owners, Gary and Sunny Chang.
The application for the license indicated the new name will be The Wheelhouse Restaurant, Crowsnest Lounge, and Bandon Sushi.
According to the ad, "for all positions send a resume to P.O. Box 374, Bandon," which indicates to me that even the old time employees will have to apply for a job.
Sunny and Gary have had many loyal employees over the years, and I surely hope most of them will still have jobs.
* * *
We are being asked to vote on Measure 101, the health care measure, with the ballots in the mail this week.
I am conflicted about this measure, but even though I would be the first to agree that the governor and legislative leadership definitely failed to address this issue, it is important that 350,000 Oregonians don't lose their health insurance.
Hospital administrators, like JoDee Tittle of Southern Coos, understand how important it is that this measure passes because they are not able to turn people away, whether or not they have insurance, and it drastically impacts the hospital's bottom line when people without insurance come into the emergency room for treatment.
I'm urging people to vote yes on Measure 101.
It's not fair to punish thousands of health care recipients, many of them children, because of the failure of the Oregon Legislature to act. We can do that at the ballot box in 2018.
* * *
While poring through old issues of the Bandon Recorder on the Internet, I came across an item in the Sept. 28, 1915, paper titled: "Stones of Quarry Damage Beach House."
It's not how I would have written it, but here goes: "The home of H. Maskey in Breakwater Addition suffered considerable injury as a result of one of the blasts from the government quarry last Tuesday afternoon. A number of stones fell around the house but two of them are responsible for the main damage. One 200 pound stone went through the wall of the house striking a large Wheeler and Taylor sewing machine, utterly annihilating it. Another broke through the roof of the pantry. It landed on the family stock of preserves and canned goods smashing up the whole thing pretty thoroughly."
But here comes the part that probably should have been woven into the lead of the article: "The most serious result of the accident, however, was to Mrs. Maskey. She is recently from the hospital where she recently underwent a difficult operation ... and who has been recuperating. The shock of the accident brought on a nervous shock that threatens serious results."
I believe the rock quarry the article refers to was in the South Jetty area.
* * *
Not only are the stories fascinating in the old papers, but the ads are pretty enlightening as well.
One of the Bank of Bandon ads shows a picture of a woman, under the headline: "How Delightfully Independent ... is the woman who can make out a check against her own bank account. Whether she is going shopping or to pay for what she has already bought, she feels the pleasure of being able to tender 'her personal check' for the amount. Ladies, bank your money with us, and you will find it not only convient (sp) and dignified, but also most profitable too."
Hard to imagine . . .
* * *
My column is pretty short this week because I was busy watching The Golden Globes as I have become pretty much a "movie buff," and loved to see which films took which honors. And it's even more fun when you've seen some of the movies.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Jan 03, 2018
The first picture I am sharing this week was taken in 1911 of the original Bank of Bandon building, which burned in the Fire of 1936.
Bank of Bandon building, 1911
One of the three men standing in front of the bank is W. J. Sweet, left, John and Sue's grandfather, who later served as president of the bank from 1938 to 1960.
The bank was founded Nov. 25, 1904, by six local entrepreneurs including J.L. Kronenberg (Jean Kronenberg Rittenour's grandfather), Frank J. Fahy, T.P. Hanly (W.J.'s father-in-law) Frank Flam, James Denholm and George P. Topping.
The Bank of Bandon built a triangular building in 1911 at the foot of Oregon Avenue where Wall Street met First Street. After the fire, the bank moved to the building formerly housing the First National Bank (now the Masonic building) where it remained until Dec. 11, 1954, when it opened its offices in the building at 10th and Alabama (now Banner Bank).
Wall Street formerly ran along the foot of the hill below the Catholic Church and alongside where Devon's Boutique now sits, but it was closed (probably in the '60s). You can see how built up that area was before the fire; the area where the bank and the adjacent buildings sat is now a parking lot leased by the City of Bandon from Fred Gernandt and Kirk Day and used for overflow parking by the Old Town Marketplace and other merchants.
The second photo was taken in 1973 when it was Red Carpet Realtors.
Red Carpet Realtors, 1973
At far left you can see part of the Bandon Mercantile building and to the right is the old Coast Lumber Building. The small building is owned by Lisa Schilling and houses The Laurel, a vintage home and garden shop, with some antiques.
I have learned that Schilling recently purchased Sea Star Lodging, the beautiful facility across First Street from the boat basin, which is presently being remodeled. In the back is a wonderful private courtyard, which you can see from the back room of one of Bandon's finest dining establishments, Alloro Wine Bar & Restaurant, recently named as one of the top 10 wine bars in Oregon.
I am sharing the third picture for two reasons: I have often talked about Lloyd Gabriel, who taught here in the '50s and recently celebrated his 95th birthday, and because one of the students in this picture died recently.
Lloyd Gabriel's Great Decisions class, 1958
This photo was taken in 1958 of Mr. Gabriel's Great Decisions class. Among those that I can identify are Linda Sutherland, from left, Jane Chappell, Judy Nuttbrock, ?, Joy Swenston and Kay Yockey, next to Mr. Gabriel; at right, David Morris, Larry Chalfan, David Lorenz, Louie Bohles, Gary Johnson and John Gamble.
* * *
Linda Sutherland Archibald passed away recently in Albany. According to her brother, Ron Sutherland of The Dalles, she had been in failing health for a few months. Her husband, Max Archibald, took her to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis where she went into cardiac arrest. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Travis Neal; brother Ron and wife Carol; sister Lisa and husband Charles, and brother Scott of San Diego, Calif. Linda, who was the daughter of Dick and Jane Sutherland, graduated with the Class of 1959 and served as student body president. Her brother, Bob Sutherland, died several years ago.
I have also learned that Richard (Rick) Reichlein (Class of 1963) died in The Philippine Islands. His sister, MaryKay Van Hooser, posted on Facebook that he would want to be remembered for his work in the mission field -- his mission being "hearts for The Philippines. It was his true love in life. He received so much joy working with the poor street children and giving them his heart with total devotion."
He was born to L.A. "Dutch" and Mary Reichlein and is survived by several siblings, including brothers Robert and John, as well as a daughter, Sarah. Mary Reichlein died Oct. 28, 2016, two months before her 100th birthday.
I have also learned that Chuck Beazizo of Salem, a retired Oregon State Police officer and member of the Class of 1962, suffered a stroke on Christmas Day while he and his wife were spending Christmas with their daughter, who also lives in Salem. He never recovered and died the morning of the 27th. Also there were his sister, Mary Katherine Sober, and her husband Jeff of Bandon. His other sisters include Lisa Beazizo-Harvey and Kerry Beazizo.
I heard also that Guilbert Ivan Cook, 81, of Drain, died Dec. 20. He was a member of the Class of 1955 and was the son of Ivan and Margie Cook, who lived here for many years. He is survived by two daughters and four sons, and a sister, Janette Quesnoy. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Rose Mary.
The Cooks lived for many years in Old Town in the two-story building across from The Minute Cafe, which has recently sold. It was owned by Penny Green, who had her Grotto Gifts shop in the building. Rick Stillwagon's neat rum shop, currently in the back of that building, is moving across the street to the Continuum Center, in the space vacated by Emily Bright's Auntie Em's floral shop as Emily is moving to Idaho to be near family.
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After reading an article about how the lower corporate tax rate may mean lower power rates, a friend emailed Robert and I and several others to see if the City of Bandon would get a break, and, if so, would the savings be passed onto our electric customers.
Actually, the utilities that will probably benefit by the lowering of the corporate tax rate will be private utilities like PacifiCorp (Pacific Power), and Portland General Electric, two of the state's largest, which are investor owned. As a municipally owned utility, the City of Bandon does not pay federal income tax nor corporate tax, so we will not benefit from the tax bill. As a result we are able to offer lower rates than the IOUs.
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A well-known Bandon couple, Charlie and Sharon Waterman, were recently inducted into the Oregon Farm Bureau Hall of Fame during the 85th annual meeting of the state organization.
Both are members of Coos-Curry Farm Bureau, and Sharon is first vice president of the Oregon Farm Bureau.
The Hall of Fame, established in 1996, is the highest honor given by Oregon Farm Bureau.
"For nearly four decades, Sharon and Charlie Waterman have been extraordinary, dedicated leaders within Farm Bureau, both at the county and state level. They have also made true, positive change for Oregon agriculture and their community in Coos County. We're grateful for their dedication and service ... " said OFB President Barry Bushue in a press release.
This year the Waterman ranch, where they raise cattle and sheep, achieved Oregon Century Ranch status for maintaining this successful business for over 100 years. Charlie is the son of the late Bessie and Ray Waterman, who ranched in Coos County for many years.
In 2013 Sharon spearheaded a local grassroots campaign to save productive farmground in the Coquille Valley from being turned into wetlands by federal, state and non-governmental entities.
Their son, Franklin, owns Waterman Automotive on Grand Avenue in Bandon.
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What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time we were talking about the unusually high amount of rain that had fallen. Not so this year. I've heard from several of my readers who either record the weather or have a link to Bandon weather, and although they don't completely agree, it all points to one things: it's been a dry winter thus far.
Nancy Bailey, the first person I heard from on Dec. 29, said her husband had recorded 18.33" of rain since Oct. 1, the official start of the rain year. That broke out to 5.37" for October, 9.53" for November and 3.43" for December.
Frank Murray depends on the WeatherLink Network for his rainfall data, and that site has measured 14.63" for the rain year.
I also heard from Gerry Terp who has a rain gauge, but I wasn't sure about the totals from the information he sent, or maybe I just didn't know how to read it.
It will be interesting to see what Frank Sproul, who lives on Tom Smith Road, has recorded thus far as he is the one who reported over 150 inches of rain last year. And, frankly, I believe him.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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