As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
January 25, 2023
The first story I am sharing this week is headlined "Dances At Barn Reminiscent Of Silver Spray Days," and appeared in the June 27, 1946, Western World, with a subhead: "Bum Gartin's Dance Band Started Successful Career Twenty-Five Years Ago."
"Dancing is a favorite pastime of beach resorts. The exhilarating sea breeze arouses a natural desire to exercise. 'Tripping the light fantastic' adds sociability to the zest of exercise, and then, there is the romantic side of the story which draws maiden and swain together, though many miles may separate their respective abodes.
"Dance fans of yesteryear from all over southern Oregon will remember Bandon-by-the-Sea for its famous Silver Spray Gardens (first photo), the largest dancing pavilion in Oregon.
Silver Spray Gardens
Ten years have passed since Silver Spray went up in smoke, along with the rest of Bandon, but the memory lingers on.
"The coming Fourth of July celebration in Bandon is somewhat reminiscent of the old days. Instead of Silver Spray Gardens, the community now has The Barn (second picture) which is not as large as Silver Spray, but has just as good a floor and is conveniently located in the City Park where it attracts large crowds every Saturday night. It is also community-owned and from revenues accumulated is gradually being improved in view of becoming a permanent fixture for the enjoyment of the public.
The Barn
"This year, for the first time since the fire of 10 years ago, Bandon is really putting forth effort for a Fourth of July celebration. It is not to be too spectacular and noisy, but rather entertaining and enjoyable in the most acceptable ways. Dancing at The Barn will be one of the chief attractions, starting Wednesday night, July 3, dances will continue Thursday, July 4, afternoon and evening and on Saturday night, July 6.
"Reminiscent also of the days of yesteryear will be the presence of 'Bum' Gartin's dance band to furnish music for all the dances. A little more than 25 years ago, 'bum' (more politely known as Vane C. Gartin) came to Bandon to launch a musical career. He had been discharged from the first World War after having been a member of the first Infantry band of the regular army during 1918 and 1919, and he organized the orchestra of college boys for the opening of the famous big pavilion. He and his band were at the pavilion to play on the fatal night of Saturday, Sept. 26, 1936, when the big fire swept all to the wind.
"His group of professionals include: Himself (Bum) leader and manager, drums; Stewart Norton, sax, trumpet, voice; Lou Wright, trumpet; Glenn Neideigh, sax, violin; Eula Neideigh, piano; Sol Driscoll, bass.
The Fourth of July program also included a juvenile and pet parade, races and athletic contests in City Park, a basket picnic dinner, and a base ball game between Pacific Fruit and Bandon, with the battery being Bradley and Scott for Bandon.
The evening's entertainment included a double feature at Bandon Theatre and a dance at The Barn, beginning at 9:30 p.m.
The third photo I am sharing was taken in the late 1970s when Carol and Marvin Manes, at left, sold The Style Shop to Mary and Max Peabody. Marvin and Carol owned the Style Shop for 11 years, during which time they also opened Marv's Men's Wear.
Carol and Marvin Manes, Mary and Max Peabody
Carol called me last week to say that Marvin had died on Jan. 14 in Centralia, Wash., from complications of pneumonia at the age of 87. Among his survivors are four children, William and his wife Sue from Winlock, Wash., daughter Teena from Kauai, Hawaii, son Allen and his wife Sheila from Salkum, Wash., and daughter Pamie Bolt and husband Bryan of Beaverton. He also has four grandchildren and five-great-grandchildren.
Marvin worked for the Rogge Lumber Company for 21 years and held the position of Head Sawyer. For the first four years after leaving the sawmill, he owned log trucks. Later he and Carol bought cranberry bogs and for 27 years they raised berries for Ocean Spray.
Marvin also loved to fly, and after learning to fly at Coos Aviation in North Bend, he acquired three different planes. The couple moved from Bandon in 2004, relocating to Ocean Shores, Wash., to be closer to family before moving to Centralia for better weather.
* * *
One of my faithful column readers, former resident JoeBill Turner, said that learning that Grocery Outlet was coming to Bandon was great news for the community.
"The locals need to work with the owner and develop their own favorite list so the managers can stock the store the way Bandon people like to eat .... it usually takes a few months but is worth the effort. My wife is from Latvia, so during the holidays they sell Pure (pronounced pour-ray) truffles made in Riga, Latvia, her hometown."
He even sent me a picture of the truffles package ... but no truffle.
* * *
Every time I read The Oregonian, which I receive daily on-line, I am amazed at the amount of crime that is occurring in the "Rose City," but until it hits home, you don't think as much about it.
Several weeks ago my 18-year-old great-niece Ellie Lowery (Maggie's granddaughter) and her younger brother Noah decided to head to Goodwill in Milwaukie after dark in the black Honda CRV that she bought from me several years ago.
I don't know the details, but I do know that after browsing Goodwill, they headed out to the car .... only to find that it had been stolen. I understand Ellie immediately called for assistance, and as luck would have it (which is pretty unusual as most cars stolen from the Portland area are cut up for parts, or have the license plate switched and are never found by the owner), her car was discovered, still intact. But the inside was covered with drug residue and used needles. She and her mother spent the next day sanitizing the inside of her car, but are thankful that it had been found.
Saturday, a woman posted on Facebook that she had brought four of her prized show dogs to Portland for the annual Dog Show, but the driver of her black van, which contained the four dogs in crates in the back, had left it running for a few seconds while he went to the hotel door to alert the women they were ready to leave .... and someone stole the van and the dogs, for which she offered a $10,000 reward.
An article Sunday on Facebook said thanks to a good Samaritan the van, with the dogs still inside, had been found in a trailer park in Vancouver, Wash.
There are a lot of morals to this story, but one suggestion might be to stay out of the Portland metropolitan area unless you are fully prepared for the possibility you could become a victim.
* * *
Toastmasters International has honored the local Myrtlewood Hootowlers Toastmasters Club on the occasion of its 60th anniversary. Originally chartered in North Bend in 1963, the club came to roost in Bandon in 1999. Sue Church-Hoskins helped the club relocate and has been its treasurer for many years. Sharon Hennick, who joined the club at that time, is the immediate past president and vice president for public relations.
Richard Taylor, who is the codes compliance officer for the City of Bandon, is club president and sergeant at arms. Renee Taylor, his wife and a member of the city's budget committee, is vice president of education and Director, District 7, Division A, Heddy Radkey is vice president for membership, and city councilor Geri Procetto is secretary.
All live in or near Bandon except Sue, who now lives in Coos Bay, but works in Bandon.
The mission of Toastmasters is to empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.
* * *
The news on the addiction front for the state of Oregon continues to get worse. In spite of the fact that the newly elected governor Tina Kotek has said she will not try to overturn the "will of the people" with Ballot Measure 110 which decriminalized user grade amounts of most hard drugs, the Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, a member of the same political party, issued a statement last week which said Oregon has the second highest rate of substance use disorder in the nation and ranks last in access to treatment. One needs only look at the explosion of homeless people with addiction to see that what Oregon is doing is NOT working.
And Governor Kotek recently announced the release of millions of dollars to address the homeless issue .... but the 24 rural counties like Coos and Curry got not a dime.
I did see a statement from the new mayor of Springfield, Sean VanGordon, who said he will work to overturn BM110. I plan to lend him my support. Ironically, what was passed by the voters in 2020 is known as the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act. So far, there has been no treatment nor recovery, which is just one more reason that people should be cautious before they vote on something about which they know nothing. Often we are led like "lambs to the slaughter," as we do not understand the unintended consequences of a ballot measure nor who is responsible for getting it on the ballot.
Keep in mind that most of the ballot measures that appear on the ballot have not been vetted by the legislature. They often come from outside sources and big money ... usually with an agenda.
* * *
The Bandon Police Department recently swore in its newest officer, Emma Owens, who has served as a dispatcher for Coos County for the last eight years. Her badge was pinned to her uniform by her father, Deputy John Owens of the Coos County Sheriff's Department. She will have to attend the police academy before becoming certified. She replaces Officer Trevor Sanne, who recently joined the North Bend Police Department.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
January 18, 2023
The first story I am sharing this week comes from the Aug. 25, 1911, Western World and is headlined: "Flying Machine Came and Returned," with the subhead of "Could not find sufficient space here in which to fly."
The photos I have chosen to illustrate the story are the Anvil, the ship which ferried the plane to Bandon, and a plane on the beach less than a decade later which probably looked a lot like the one in my story.
"The big Manning Bros's 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, 1911
"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 get 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. 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.
Airplane on Bandon Beach, 1920
"The Carnival committee regrets very much the condition of affairs, but they certainly did their duty in getting the machine here, and the fact that no place could be found for flying was exceedingly unfortunate, and brings the fact home to the people that if we want festivities of this kind we must prepare a place for them."
An article about the same Carnival appeared in the Sept. 5, 1911, paper, quoting the Coquille Herald editor, who visited Bandon during the Carnival, and this is what he had to say "about our city," reports the W.W. publisher, L.D. Felsheim.
"The Herald editor visited Bandon Sunday and found the Carnival (third picture) being brought to a close.
Bandon Carnival, 1911
However, dancing on a large platform on a principal street was indulged in all day, several of the small attractions were still open and many places of business were open all day. Some of the visitors declared that the entertainment was cheap and frivolous and not up to the advertised programs. However, as the term implies, a carnival is but a cheap and gaudy attraction characterized by mirth and frivolity, a catch-penny attraction, as it were, and no one should, and few do, expect to get their money's worth when they attend such an entertainment. It can be said to the credit of Bandon, nevertheless, that her hotels and restaurants while inadequate to accommodate the great crowd, were very reasonable in their charges, and the citizens of the place extended a cordial welcome to every visitor.
"It appears to me that a prosperous city like Bandon, with its pretensions of being a great summer resort, would manifest a little more progress, public spirit and enterprise. There is no disputing the fact that Bandon has the most beautiful, picturesque, and attractive beach to be found on the Pacific coast between San Francisco and Seattle, but no provisions have been made for the comfort and convenience of campers and tourist.
"We found a village of tents crowded together in a side street on the bluff - dusty, without wood and water, except as obtained corner hydrant, and the festive town cows, which are still permitted to roam at will in the municipality, make themselves decidedly obnoxious to the vacationers.
"The main 'boulevard' leading from the business center along the bluff overlooking the sea, is dusty, uneven and full of chuck holes, when a little labor and expense would put it on an even grade and cover it with fine gravel or some paving material and make it a delight to every visitor and the citizens of Bandon as well. A fine country road from Coquille has been completed to Bandon along the beautiful Coquille river, which is in fine condition to the very incorporate limits of Bandon, where is encountered the worst road in the county -- rough and extremely dusty, and where more than one automobilist came to grief during the carnival. It is up to Bandon to wake up, relegate the town cow, improve its streets, plat a camp ground for the convenience of visitors, organize a civic improvement club, and thereby become a 'Beautiful Bandon-by-the Sea' in reality."
Wow, maybe the guy should have stayed home .....
* * *
I was pleased to learn that David Brock Smith, Port Orford, our state representative in the Oregon legislature, had been appointed as our new senator, replacing Dallas Heard of Roseburg. According to Coos County Commissioner John Sweet, David was the unanimous choice of all the commissioners, whose counties the senate seat represents.
Now they have to find a Republican to replace David in the House of Representatives.
* * *
Heavy rains have caused lots of problems for the South Coast. Last Monday morning at 3 a.m., a large section of Highway 101, 12 miles south of Port Orford, collapsed 15 feet and slid 12 feet west, closing the highway to all traffic for four days.
Finally, one gravel lane east of the slide was opened to traffic at 3:30 p.m. Friday, but ODOT cautioned people who depend on the highway that the highway could once again be closed if heavy rains caused more sliding.
Sunday morning, someone posted a photo on Facebook showing water across Highway 101 near West Coast Game Park, as Four Mile Creek overflowed. Others in the area had similar flooding as water covered access roads in the same area.
The Port Orford Beacon also posted that there was a slide five miles south of Port Orford (near Humbug Mountain) which further complicated travel in Curry County.
* * *
Restore Oregon , known for 37 years as the Historic Preservation League of Oregon, has announced that a Bandon man, Harv Schubothe, is one of two people appointed to their board. Harv is executive director of the Greater Bandon Association, which oversees the Main Street Program.
A spokesman for Restore Oregon said "both bring incredible experience to our organization from working in their respective communities with the Oregon Main Street program."
Karen Auborn, widow of the long-time Port Orford mayor, Jim Auborn, recently ended her six-year term on the board.
The statewide non-profit works with organizations and individuals to address threatened historic resources and develops strategies to address physical deterioration.
* * *
Newly elected Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio reported the sheriff's office dispatch center statistics for 2022. Dispatch received 95,945 calls last year; 46,208 needed a response from emergency services, with 26,304 originating as 9-1-1 calls. Some 40,924 were given to law enforcement in Myrtle Point, Bandon, Powers and rural Coos County. Of those, 5,284 were Fire/EMS calls.
"While call volumes have increased steadily over time, this is the norm, and illustrates the need for our recruiting efforts to get us back up to three deputies at one time," said the sheriff.
It is important to note that Coos County does not dispatch for Coos Bay, North Bend or Coquille cities; those calls are handled by the Coos Bay Dispatch Center.
* * *
I saw a death notice for Marjorie Boak, 71, who was the wife of Bandon native David Boak. I understand Mrs. Boak may have been injured in a wreck south of Bandon last month, although I do not know the details. Sadly, she passed away last week. David is the nephew of the late Marjorie (Marge) Boak, who was married to his uncle, Melvin Boak. Marge taught school and was the high school librarian for many years, including at the time of the Bandon Fire of 1936 and continuing through the mid-'70s.
I also saw an obituary for a former Bandon resident, Dr. Ed Whiting, who practiced at North Bend Medical and later was in private practice in the Coos Bay area. He died Jan. 6 at the age of 89, and leaves his wife, Fay, and several children. His obit said one of his passions, besides flying and Scuba diving, was dancing. I remember him as being a bit eccentric ....
* * *
I never thought I would find myself involved in a web of deceit and a scam that would ultimately end with the bank locking my bank account (for my protection) and letting me know that I would not be eligible to resume online banking until I had my computer scoured for Malware, which I did, with help from a trusted friend. He also upgraded my computer from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and hopefully come Tuesday, when the bank opens after the holiday, I will be "back in business."
I pride myself on never falling for a scam ... until I did.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
January 11, 2023
The headline on an editorial in the May 27, 1937, Western World read: "The Other Side of Bandon," and told the story of what the library meant to the people of the community who were still reeling from the disastrous fire a few months earlier.
"If a library is an index to the character of a town's people, Bandon may rest assured that in the struggle for culture and enlightenment its people are not far in arrears; in fact it is safe to guess that no small town in the entire country situated as Bandon is, and that has gone through anything near in comparison of Bandon's disastrous experience, is much in the lead.
"After losing one of the most complete, and most thoroughly catalogued libraries in the fire -- the combined efforts of the community for over 20 years -- it is supposed that people of a town like this would be quite discouraged and would forget about such thing as books and libraries until they had at least a goodly share of creature comforts restored to them. Strange as it may seem, one of the first necessities in the community, following the establishment of a community soup kitchen, was a library. The state librarian brought a nucleus of several hundred books and a tent (first photo) that was used to shelter the reading matter and as a place to dish it out.
Library after the fire
"That was only six months ago. Today Bandon again has a real library. A room in the temporary WPA city hall provides the space, and Miss F. Amelia Henry (standing in front of the tent), who has been librarian since the local institution started, has given her time and effort to reestablish it. (You can see what once served as the library in the second picture, at the far south end, where it had it own door into the small library. This photo was taken after it had been purchased as a restaurant/bar known as The Old City Hall. Today it is the home of the Bandon History Museum).
The Old City Hall
"Without thought of compensation she started again from scratch and with the aid of the Bandon Women's Civic Club, the American Legion and Auxiliary and other civic and patriotic organizations, Bandon already has a very creditable institution. In April it had 557 visitors which means an average of more than 18 every day in the month.
"Books for Bandon Library since the fire have come from people in all parts of the country. Among the most ardent contributors, for instance, are two ladies in New York, Miss Mary Moore and Miss Helen Kittredge, who travel in all parts of the world in church missionary work. They have already sent 48 books, most of which cover subjects concerning the countries in which they have traveled, and they are constantly on the lookout for new volumes that will be outstanding additions to the local library. Communities all through Oregon have contributed books, as have juvenile organizations in the city of Portland, and daily more and more are being added to the shelves.
"There is much satisfaction in the material progress that is being made in the rehabilitation of Bandon, but the advance on the spiritual side of life is of even greater gratification and speaks more highly of the quality of citizenship that remains loyal to the fire-razed little city by the sea."
For my third picture, I have chosen a Little League (Peewee baseball) photo to illustrate my next article titled "Exciting Games in Peewee Base Ball," which appeared on the June 23, 1960, Western World sports page.
Peewee Baseball, 1960
"Last Thursday's Peewee baseball game between the Kronenberg & Waldrop boys and the Veterans of Foreign Wars saw K&W walk away with a 13-8 win in the first game. The Jaycee team emerged the victors in the second game as they trounced the Lions, 20-4.
"The VFW and the Lions played a nip and tuck game Monday night at the old city ball park but at the end of six innings of play with the score tied at 16-16, the game was called because of darkness.
"The starting lineup for the Lions found Jack Green pitching, Jack Chappell catching and Jimmy Luther at first; Russell McCallister, second; Tom Howard, third; Chris Ray, shortstop; mike Nettleton, left field; Billy Wehner, center field; and Jerry Calame in right field. Substitutes included Bruce Nielson, Steve Ray, Rickie Howard and Dan Scott.
"Roster for the VFW nine included Billy Smith, pitching; Bob Sherertz, catching; Tom Sinclair at first; Richard McNeil, second; Jim Berry, third; Billy McNeil, shortstop; Richard McAllister, left field; Doug Stearns, center field; and Sonny Querry in right field."
* * *
I learned that Bandon lost one of its most beloved citizens Friday with the death of 87-year-old Joe Sinko, who with his loving wife Karen, had been very active in the community through the years. Joe had been in ill health for several years and was on Hospice at the time of his passing. He had been a pillar of the Bandon Rotary Club, the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, and he was one of the founders of Bandon Showcase, which over the years has brought many memorable and renowned performances to the stage of the Sprague Community Theater. At one time, Joe also owned the Bandon cheese factory, where his son Brad became a nationally known cheese maker.
Joe and Karen have five children, but only one, Brad and his wife Sarah, live in Bandon, as does grandson Max Sinko. Another grandson, Nick, lives in the state of Washington.
* * *
I also learned that the Rev. Beth Hoffman, former priest at St. John's Episcopal Church, died recently. She had been priest at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Yakima, Wash., after leaving Bandon, where she and her husband Bud had made their home for several years while she served the local church.
The Rev. Hoffman was 79 years old.
* * *
The Coast Community Health Center has announced that they have hired a new Chief Operating Officer. Darron Barfield earned his Masters of Healthcare Administration from George Washington University in 2019 and was selected as the Deputy Safety Manager at Naval Hospital Lemoore, Calif., overseeing the safety of the staff and patients of the organization.
His career in the military began when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2007. In 2010 he was selected for his first tour to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the Medivac Medical Treatment Facility.
In 2017 he transferred to the 1st Marine Division Light Reconnaissance Battalion, Oceanside, Calif., as the assistant director of a medical, dental and physical therapy clinic.
Members of the CCHC board of directors are J.J. McLeod, chairman; Joseph Caspary, vice chairman; Anne Goddard, secretary; David Gearhart, treasurer, and members MJ LaBelle, Bryan Thompson, Mari Lochhaas, Joe Wagner and Clark Kocurek.
* * *
The Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center's quarterly art show, The Four Seasons, artists' reception will be held Sunday, Jan. 15, from 1 to 3 at the hospital. There will be music and refreshments, and people are encouraged to stop by and look at the latest art on the walls of the hospital.
The featured artist is Jean Stephenson.
* * *
In the latest report from the city's Planning Department, Planning Manager Dana Nichols said "It was another busy year in the planning department with applications for new development remaining high. We approved a new grocery store (Grocery Outlet), the Bandon Beach Hotel zoning compliance (Mike Keiser's motel on Coquille Point), three multi-family projects and seven Accessory Dwelling Units. From the number of meetings we've had with interested developers, we expect that 2023 will be another year of growth for Bandon."
My hope, as mayor, is that some of the housing will be affordable as we have a number of people working in our community, or who would accept jobs in our community, if they could find housing. It has become a serious problem.
* * *
The Planning Commission met in December to hold a public hearing for the expansion of the Farmers' Market in the Old Town Marketplace building (often referred to as the old fisheries building) and to discuss upcoming code amendments.
After much audience testimony, the Planning Commission approved the Port of Bandon's request to expand the hours of operation of the Farmers' Market from temporary and seasonal, to permanent and year-round. There are no proposed changes to the building.
The request was to modify the Farmers Market Conditional Use Permit, issued in 2012, which allowed a temporary seasonal farmers market and fish market at the marketplace building. The market, owned by Lori and Barry Osborne, has grown since that time and has become popular in the community. The Port, as applicant, sought to make the market permanent and full time, while expanding some of the activities already taking place there.
Among those testifying in favor of the change were Port Commissioner Rod Taylor, Commission Chairman Reg Pullen, Earl Robicheaux, Jack Sahl, Marie Simonds, Lori Osborne and chamber executive Margaret Pounder.
Former market manager John Towne, who lives next to the Fisheries building, felt that the request amounted to "rezoning the current marine zone." And while he supported turning the seasonal market into a year-round operation, he did not favor "turning a marine zone treasure into an alcohol-fueled venue." He said that Bandon had zoning that allowed "alcohol-fueled night clubs or restaurants" and there was the Barn (Community Center) as well. He felt that amplified music was another aspect of the plans for the building.
The request was approved by the four members of the Commission who were present for the meeting: Ed Landucci, Gordon Norman, Tom Orsi and Chairman Gerald "Bear" Slothower. Not present were Sally Jurkowski, Catherine Scobby and Don Starbuck.
I personally have attended several events hosted by the Osbornes in the building and have never seen any indication of an "alcohol-fueled venue" or any evidence of loud music.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
January 04, 2023
Eight months after the disastrous fire which burned an estimated 500 structures in Bandon on Sept. 26, 1936, the Western World carried an article concerning the value of construction in Bandon that had been built since the fire.
"Residents of Bandon have built $53,740 worth of buildings since the fire of Sept. 26 on land they do not own, a check of records of County Assessor J.P. Beyers showed today.
"There are 120 houses, garages, sheds (like the first photo) and business buildings in Bandon that have been assessed this spring as personal property because their owners did not own the land upon which the structures are standing, Beyers said. The value of these 120 buildings totals $53,740.
Old jetty house
"Beyers estimated that structures built by citizens on land they do own are worth not to exceed $20,000. This would bring total construction in Bandon since the fire last September to approximately $73,000.
"Some sheds are given an actual value as low as $15, while many one-room shacks are listed as being worth $60, the assessor's records show. There are five new buildings valued at more than $2,000 each, with the highest single valuation being $28,000. In addition to these five, there are seven more buildings listed as being worth more than $1,000 each."
I am certain that a number of buildings, which still stand in Old Town, are among those buildings that were constructed soon after the fire and made the assessor's role.
An article in the Jan. 14, 1981, Western World told the story of the Whiskey Run Wind Turbine project, northwest of Bandon.
Whiskey Run Wind Turbine project
Looking at the large sign, which had been erected at the site, was Bandon businessman Chuck Markham, who was among those who visited the site that day.
"Winds at Whiskey Run beach are ready to be put into use generating electricity for the area, after Pacific Power and Light put the finishing touches on an experimental wind turbine this week.
"Three giant propeller blades were attached onto the windmill Monday morning to complete construction of the turbine. And when all controls have been connected the windmill is expected to provide enough electricity to serve 20 or 30 families. But the biggest contribution to future energy needs the wind turbine is expected to provide is information on the feasibility of using wind power along the Southern Oregon coast.
"The structure stands about 80-feet tall and towers above a small control house at the base of the turbine. Another tower will eventually be constructed to monitor winds and collect data on the project. The third structure will stand about 360 feet tall and is designed to help PP&L gather information on the amount of wind power potential at the Whiskey Run site.
"The propeller unit will be turned on and off according to the strength of winds at the site. It has been designed to operate in winds between eight and 60 miles an hour. The stronger the winds, the more electricity the unit is expected to put out. But the power output is expected to be most efficient at 30 miles-an-hour winds.
"Arrangements to deliver power from the wind generator have been made with Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative headquartered in Coquille. The electric cooperative, which has a power line near the Whiskey Run site, has agreed to extend the line to the turbine and deliver its output to a substation near Bandon connecting with a PP&L line for delivery to customers.
"Cost of the wind energy project has been estimated at $700,000," said the article.
Although I could not find updated information, I do not believe that the experiment was cost effective for Pacific Power and was later abandoned.
I have chosen the third picture, taken in June of 1973, during the launching of the Barbara J for a special reason, as you will see as you keep reading.
Barbara J
"A dream became reality Monday night with the launching of the 29-foot commercial fishing vessel, built by students of Bandon High School, in a construction class which was part of the district's new emphasis on vocational education.
"Well-known Randolph boat builder Hap Ward supervised the project, and although it wasn't quite finished when school was out, teachers, administrators and friends worked long hours to complete the work necessary for it to be launched.
"The boat was purchased by Bandon High School biology teacher-coach Mickey Hurley (on vessel) at a bid price of $11,500.
"Named 'Barbara J' for the new skipper's wife, the boat was christened with champagne by Mrs. Hurley as a large number of people, including several school board members, stood behind the old Coast Guard station to watch the ceremonies.
"Construction was carried on in the boat shop of the old Coast Guard building, which was leased by the government to the school district.
"The vessel has a 10-foot beam and is powered by a 106 hsp. 6-cyclinder GMC diesel engine. Ward explained that it is equipped with hydraulic steering and all other equipment necessary for legal operation.
"Hurley planned to use to boat to fish commercially during the summer months."
Hard to believe this was more than 50 years ago.
Last week, my friend Mickey Hurley died at the age of 86. I best knew him as a coach (wrestling), fisherman and friend. He developed a very successful wrestling program at Bandon High School, assisted by the late Ken Butler, with his wrestlers making a name for themselves in many state and national events.
His son Mike Hurley, who lives in Salem, posted on Facebook that his dad had "died after a short battle with dementia and a long battle with life itself." The family, which also includes daughters Deanna-Hurley Hockema and Cheryl Reeves, of Siletz, plan a memorial service in June or July. Mickey was preceded in death by his wife Barbara and his son, Brad.
He lived at Pacific View for a number of years.
* * *
I was shocked to learn of the death Dec. 28 of long-time Bandon resident, Sharon Pruett Bemetz, 71, a member of the BHS Class of 1969, who was married to the love of her life, Jim Bemetz, for 53 years. She was the youngest of the four Pruett siblings, Doris Schvaneveldt, Lois Thiess and Jerry Pruett, and the daughter of Gertrude and Cecil Pruett, all of whom have preceded her in death.
In addition to her husband Jim, her immediate survivors include daughter Samantha Chandler, and sons, Jeremy and Chris Bemetz, as well as a number of grandchildren. Sharon leaves many friends in the community whose prayers are with Jim and the family.
* * *
I also learned that a member of my class, Terry Van Leuven, 84, a long-time resident of Alaska, died Christmas morning in a Seattle nursing home several months after suffering a serious stroke.
His parents were Velma and Ray Van Leuven, and he was the brother of the late Carole Van Leuven Vedder, and a cousin to Dean, Darry, Johnny and Dixie Van Leuven.
He graduated from Bandon High with the Class of 1957.
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The strong wind storm that hit Bandon and all parts of the state last Monday night, Dec. 26, caused wide spread damage, including many downed trees and power outages.
A spokesman for the City of Bandon hydro-electric department said that an estimated 750 people were without power during the storm, but he added that no one should have been out for more than 12 hours.
The city crew worked 24-hours straight and then returned for another lengthy shift, as office crews members, Linda Eickhoff and Katie Madzier, manned the phones throughout the night, and Andrea McMahon and Denise Russell came in early Tuesday morning to assist.
Public Works director Tim Lakey and his crew were also out in the storm Monday night clearing trees from city streets and assisting the hydro crew with downed trees.
It is during events like this that we (the city council and I) really appreciate our employees. We've heard lots of positive comments from people who lost electricity and were amazed at the treacherous conditions that our crews worked in trying to restore power and keep the roads open.
I haven't heard any official wind speed figures, but one person who lives on Beach Loop said it reached at least 70 miles an hour. Others recorded even higher speeds. And it seemed to be more prolonged than other wind events.
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This is a good time to talk about the latest rainfall report, which indicates that 10.85 inches were recorded for December, compared to 12.33 inches last year and 9.83 inches two years ago.
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Friends are reminded that a Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, from 1 to 4 at the Bandon Community Center honoring the life of Patricia Seidler, who died recently at the age of 98. She was the mother of City Council President Madeline Seymour.
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I so much appreciate the positive comments about my column, which I have been receiving from people who are new to the community and who particularly love the history part. The old-timers, however, do appreciate knowing who in our community has passed away since we no longer have a local weekly newspaper from which to get the news. Both groups like to know about coming events, and I try to do the best I can ....
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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