As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Jul 29, 2020
My first photo this week has to do with the formation of the Bandon Aero Club and the building of the Bandon State Airport. The headline of a story in the April 4, 1957, Western World reads; "Clearing Starts At Airport Site."
Bandon Aero Club, 1957
The picture that accompanies the story features the enthusiastic group of men who met the previous week and formed the Bandon Aero Club. They included Robert F. Schultz, director for three years; Bill Pullen, director for two years; Merritt J. Senter, treasurer; Warren Albertson, vice president; Howard Kehl, president; O.S. Valentine, secretary, and Carl Inman, one-year director.
The State Board of Aeronautics had accepted the offer by Kehl, Inman and Albertson, along with Grady Younce of Gold Beach, of an 80-acre tract of land lying east of the state highway department weighing station south of Bandon, for the purpose of building and maintaining an airstrip.
After checking out the layout, the state gave Albertson the "go-ahead" to start clearing the brush, windfalls, and the cover off the site and work was begun immediately.
A state official told members of the Bandon Lions Club that the airstrip would probably be an all-weather field, with gravel runways and grass between, when first constructed.
The Bandon Aero Club planned to incorporate as a non-profit organization with activities to be both aerial and social, with the immediate purpose of actively promoting and siting the establishment of the new airport south of town.
Building an adequate road from Highway 101 to the airport site was the first project, to be followed by construction of club house and hangar facilities (pictured above) at the field.
The second photo was taken 16 months later during the formal dedication of the Bandon Airport, which included an early fly-in, drive-in breakfast, sponsored by the Bandon Aero Club.
Dedication of Bandon Airport, 1958
Principals in the program included, pictured above, Melvin Boak, president of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, who addressed the crowd. Others taking part in the program were Chet Raines, Aero club president; Howard Kehl, past president of the Aero club and one of the group of land owners who made construction possible; School Supt. Roland L. Parks, master of ceremonies for the chamber, and Mayor Eddie Waldrop.
The third photo will bring back a lot of memories for old-timers who will remember many of the people in this photo, taken in December of 1957 as the new Bandon area Community Chorus presented a Christmas concert in the Ocean Crest Grade School gym.
Bandon Community Chorus, 1957
In those days, the gym was pretty much "it" when it came to large gatherings, including the 1957 high school graduation (my class) ceremony. The only other place where social events were held was the dining room at Lloyd's Cafe.
Curtis Starr directed the choir, with Mrs. Evelyn Chesselet, at left, as the piano accompanist.
Singers, from left, front row, Mrs. Jack Wade, Mrs. Marvin McCue, Mrs. D.S. MacDonald, Raleigh Greene, Larry Iddings, Orland Hayden, Mrs. Eugene Stearns, Mrs. Lee Iddings, Mrs. Ralph DeHaan; middle, Mrs. Lily Messerli, Mrs. Ben Grant, Milo Fellows, Jack Wade, Mrs. Virgil Cannon, Mrs. Orland Hayden; top row, Virgil Cannon and Dr. Ben Grant.
* * *
I learned just after I wrote my column that my long-time friend and 1966 BHS graduate Jill Chappell Sumerlin died Sunday evening, July 26, at her Tillamook home. Details will be forthcoming from the family.
* * *
An article in the July 20 New York Times was headlined "Deaths from Covid-19 slowed, but now they're catching up again."
And although Oregon's "daily death per million" (0.8) was among the lowest in the country, we were the third highest in the statistic as to how daily deaths have changed since June 1.
Arizona led the unenviable list with an increase of 319 percent since June 1, followed by Texas (+307 percent) and Oregon, plus 267 percent. Other states whose rates have increased over 200 percent were Tennessee, Idaho and Florida.
Among those states, Oregon's rate of hospitalizations per million was the lowest at 60, compared to Arizona with a rate of 500 per million, Florida at 400 per million and Texas at 380 per million.
States like New York and Massachusetts, who peaked much earlier than did Oregon, showed big declines in the Covid-19 death rate since June 1.
* * *
Two of my sisters and I spent Sunday swimming in the Sixes River and giving thanks that we weren't in the valley or the metropolitan area where temperatures were expected to reach nearly 100 degrees. The weather was perfect, with virtually no wind. The only negative was a huge explosion of horse flies .... or whatever those biting kind are called. But a little Deet pretty much kept them away.
We truly do live in paradise ....
* * *
The Bandon Western World headline "a modified Cranberry Festival is a go" generated a lot of negative comments on Facebook, which made me wonder .... until I read the article.
The writer, Amy Moss Strong, detailed the well thought-out plan presented by Chamber President Anthony Zunino that could allow the festival to go on ... in a modified, scaled back form, including the possibility of a virtual coronation, outside dining (to allow for social distancing), and no regular parade. He did say that maybe there could be something similar to what the Bandon VFW organized for the Fourth of July, which involved a festive impromptu car and truck parade throughout the community.
Whether or not Zunino, who has served as the long-time and hard-working chairman of the Festival for years, will be at the helm this year remains to be seen as he's not happy about being thrown under the proverbial bus ....when he was trying hard to put something together for the community, while staying within the Governor's guidelines.
This might be the time to mention that a scaled down version of the Brookings Azalea Festival was held last weekend and I understand a music festival is on tap for Gold Beach next month.
Thanks to Amy for the well-written article and to Anthony, for continuing to do his best for our community. If it sometimes seems like a thankless job ..... maybe that's what we should be addressing.
* * *
I was sad to learn of the death of former long-time Bandon resident Ann Kemp, widow of Cecil Kemp, who died July 16 a few days shy of her 98th birthday.
After living in Ocean Ridge Assisted Living in Coos Bay for 14 years, her daughter, Pam Kemp Paugh, moved her to her home in Nampa, Ida., a month ago.
Cecil died in 2014, and at that time, they had been married 69 years. Pam said her mom was "sharp as could be. I'll most remember my Mom for her supportive role in my Dad's many activities, both community and church, and her love of family," Pam said.
Her immediate survivors include her four children and their families, Bob Kemp of Newport, Pam (Kemp) and Bill Paugh of Nampa; Patrice (Kemp) and John Baugher of Vancouver, Wash., and Susan (Kemp) and Bob VanZelf of North Bend.
* * *
If you're wondering, like I am, when the grass (or more like a field of dandelions and dry hay) at the local post office will be mowed, it's anyone's guess.
I have twice talked to the postmistress about it. The first time she told me she needed three bids for the work, but at that time she had only two. Two weeks later, I mentioned it again. This time she said she only had one bid.
So, if you know someone who would bid on the mess at the post office, please have them submit a bid. It appears that is the only way this eyesore will be taken care of.
I'm about ready to grab my trusty weedeater and do it myself.
This is nothing new for the US Postal Service as the grounds have been this way at least the last three summers .... but I don't remember it going this long before something was done.
The fire chief planned to talk to someone about it last week, but I am not sure of the outcome .... since the fire hazard (particularly along Baltimore) was still there Sunday night.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Jul 22, 2020
I love this old picture of the Coquille River Lighthouse.
Coquille River Lighthouse
A similar picture in Dow Beckham's book about Bandon reports that the lighthouse "had a booming fog signal trumpet serviced by a redwood tank holding 5,000 gallons of water." The trumpet is very visible on the left side of the photo. I am guessing that the tank at right is the redwood tank to which he refers, but in the photo in Beckham's book, taken from a different angle, the tank is not visible.
The Notice to Mariners confirmed completion of the Lighthouse and its illumination Feb. 28, 1896. "Notice is hereby given .... a light of the fourth order, showing fixed white for 28 seconds, followed by an eclipse of 2 seconds, will be established in the structure recently erected on the westerly part of Rackliff Rock, on the north side of the mouth of the Coquille River. The light will illuminate the entire horizon, but can be seen from seaward only between Cape Arago, to the northward, and the outlying rocks to the southward.
"The light will be shown from a black lantern surmounting a conical tower, 40 feet high from the rock to the focal plane, attached to the easterly side of a fog-signal building. The tower and building are white, with a stone foundation. The roof of the fog-signal is brown."
I was curious when I saw this photo of me alongside plans for the Surfridge Mobile Home Park, taken in March of 1972.
Plans for the Surfridge Mobile Home Park, 1972
Not sure why I was in the photo, although maybe I was covering the meeting for the paper since I didn't go on the city council until 1977 or the planning commission until the mid-80s.
At any rate I found a lengthy article about the proposed development in the March 30, 1972, Western World, headlined "530 Acre Park Announced."
In part, here is what the article said: "Plans are being unveiled this week for a new 530-acre mobile home park, presently under construction nine miles south of Bandon off Highway 101.
"Formerly the Jim Hanna ranch, the land was purchased several years ago by NBH Land Co., according to John Firestone, manager.
"The new venture, which has been made possible through a unique and carefully matured concept of land ownership, will be known as Surfridge, Inc."
He said the basic concept was simple: everyone who bought into the corporation would own everything.
The plan, as prepared by Edward W. Riley, architect-engineer from North Bend, called for a golf course, riding stable, archery range, tennis court, country club, many recreational facilities and a shopping center. The developers had set aside 26 acres at Highway 101 and Croft Road for the development of the shopping center.
Their plans called for 800 units to be developed, with the first unit to be occupied within 90 to 100 days.
That was nearly 50 years ago, and to my knowledge the property was never developed, or if it was, certainly not to the extent that was unveiled that night at a Bandon Planning Commission meeting.
The third photo, taken in October of 1978, features the top three Harbor Lights Middle School winners in the magazine sales drive, all of whom still live in Bandon.
Top three Harbor Lights Middle School winners in the magazine sales drive, 1978
From left are Maria Stadelman (now Merriam), LeeAnn Remy, and Missy Rauschert (now Hagopian).
* * *
Several people have asked me if I knew what was going to happen to Ed and Beth Wood's Bandon Mercantile building once they have completed their "going out of business" sale. The answer was in a great article by Amy Moss Strong, which appeared in the paper and on line several weeks ago.
The building is being sold to local realtor Gina Morelli, who will be using it for her business, Beach Loop Realty.
Just one more reason to read the Bandon Western World each week ....
* * *
Even the comics are weighing in on current events. This week, comic character Ziggy is standing in front of a statute, on which are inscribed the words: "Never did anything in his life to offend anyone, ever!"
Ziggy says ...."This is the only one left."
* * *
One day last week the Oregon State Police put out a press release asking anyone if their car had been hit by a bullet while driving on Interstate 5 between Roseburg and Grants Pass.
In the last several weeks, OSP had investigated five vehicles that had been struck by bullets on the freeway between milepost 67 and 100.
They added: 'If you are driving in that area and believe your vehicle has been struck with a bullet please call 9-1-1, note the time, location and if possible continue out of the area. People with information call 1-800-442-2068.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported and they are hoping to keep it that way.
* * *
Last week, an alert was sent to hospital board members by Kim Russell urging people not to respond to email requests for credit cards or any other financial transaction. Staff and board members have continued to receive email requests from positions of authority including "from" Eugene Suksi (the new CEO) as well as Esther Williams (the board chairman).
"This may switch to other board members or leadership members at the hospital as the fraudsters keep at it.
"Multiple people have received and nearly acted on very convincing messages from persons in leadership or roles of authority, asking them to purchase gift cards. DO NOT DO THIS. This is a scam. The first scam identifier is the email address. These scammers are not using the actual email address of whomever they are claiming to be," explained Russell.
Several days later the scammers turned their attention to the city of Bandon, and sent out emails to members of the city council, supposedly from me, as well as from City Manager Dan Chandler and former planning commission chairman David Kimes.
The first email from "me" says "Could you please spare a minute to assist me in completing a task discreetly? Would be glad to receive your response through email because I'm presently in a meeting." Two members of the council did respond; and as a result, they received a second email asking them to send 5 $100 ITunes gift cards, explaining that I would reimburse then when I was "through later today. I would have preferred to call you but I can't receive or call at the moment with my line. Let me know if you can purchase them now."
Since Geri Procetto did respond, and quickly realized it was a scam, they contacted her a third time saying, "Hi Geri, I didn't get your response." Nor, did they get any gift cards.
On Dan's email, he was supposedly in a meeting with doctors and nurses and could not contact people at that time.
Apparently they got their jurisdictions mixed up, as it became increasingly clear that it was the same person targeting both the hospital board and the city council.
I did hear that recently, emails were sent out in the name of the Catholic priest and at least one person did fall for it and sent the requested gift cards.
There is certainly no better way to lose your money .... unless you decide to flush it down the drain.
But I can tell you these are pretty realistic when you first get one; my first introduction to the scam was the previous day when I received one from Esther Williams. I immediately contacted her and asked if she had sent it, and that is when I learned about the scam ..... not realizing that I would soon become a target.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Jul 15, 2020
The first picture I am sharing is said to have been taken during a Fourth of July celebration on First Street in 1903.
Fourth of July celebration on First Street, 1903
The thing that I found most fascinating about this photo is the fact that Mike Breuer's building, long thought to have always been on the north side of the street where it still exists today (as the vacation rental River House), is on the south side of the street in the photo.
Adding to the confusion is the fact that, if you enlarge the photo, Breuer is actually spelled Brewer on the side of the building. Since I am pretty sure that Mike Breuer's name was never spelled with a "w" except in the census, which was incorrect, my guess is that someone doctored up the photo. The writing was probably barely legible and they mistook the "u" in Breuer to be a "w" which is probably a more common spelling.
At any rate, Mike Breuer, who died in 1962 at the age of 92, apparently either constructed a new building across the street, sometime around 1905, or maybe he just moved across the street to the building, with the "furniture" sign on it, which looks a lot like what we know as the present "Breuer Building."
"The River House was listed on the national historic registry in 1992, and remains the oldest commercial structure in Bandon. It was built by cobbler Michal Breuer who housed his retail outlet for 'boosts, shoes and gents furnishings' in what was then known as the Breuer Building." That information came from the River House website.
I can still remember seeing Mike hard at work in his small shoe shop on the west side of the building... when I was in high school.
The second photo is from my post card collection, and is captioned "Looking over the Bay at Bandon, Ore."
Three masted schooner
I can't see the name, but it could be the schooner Advance, which was built in 1902 by Stein Danielson at Parkersburg. It was a three-masted sailing vessel, 139 feet in length.
The ship was parked at one of the docks along the waterfront, with other ships in the background toward the east end of the harbor, and Moore Mill clearly visible in the background. Or depending on when this photo was taken, it may have been Cody Mill, which burned in 1909, but was rebuilt as Moore Mill.
What I find most interesting about the picture is the size of this schooner, which completely dwarfs the small (probably a tug) boat in the river left of the big vessel.
I love this third photo, which is from the photo album given to me by Diane Blake Lewis, and features Rudy Backlund in front of his Pastime Tavern, probably sometime in the late 1930s or early '40s. Note the plank sidewalk, and the Pepsi sign on the front of the building, which has Rudy's name on it.
Rudy Backlund
Rudy owned the Pastime at the time of the fire, but his business like most others was destroyed. A little over a year later, November of 1937, Rudy, Lloyd Threadgold and Mr. and Mrs. George Erdman bought three lots along the north side of Second Street for a total of $1200 to rebuild Erdman's City Market, Lloyd's, and the Pastime, but not in the same location as their previous stores. Today Erdman's is part of the larger Lloyd's Cafe and the Pastime is Bandon Sweets & Treats.
* * *
This is one part of my column that I don't look forward to .... letting people know about local residents or former residents who have passed away in the past week.
This week we lost two Bandon men, and two women who formerly lived here.
Darwin Noorda, husband of Marilyn Noorda and brother-in-law of former city councilor Nancy Drew, died July 9 after having been hospitalized the previous day with pneumonia.
I learned Sunday of the death of Mark Tierney, husband of well-known artist Victoria Tierney, who died suddenly on Saturday. Mark had been active for some years in the Bandon Playhouse, and I particularly remember his role in On Golden Pond, playing opposite the late Johnna Hickox.
I also learned last week of the death of former resident Barbara Eakley Braddy, who died Friday morning at the age of 85, surrounded by her family, which includes husband Bob Braddy. When she lived here, Barbara was very active in St. John's Episcopal Church, where she shared her musical talents and her friendship with the congregation.
Hester Longanecker, the matriarch of the Longanecker family who lived here for many years, died Saturday morning in Gresham at the age of 88. Among her survivors is her husband, Orval, and three children, Michael, Connie and Dan. A son, Harvey "Skip," died earlier.
* * *
I just learned that one of Bandon's favorite pharmacists, Steve Wilson, is the new pharmacist at Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center. After selling his drug store next to McKay's, he went to work for Rite-Aid. Good to hear that he is now with the hospital.
* * *
Long-time Bandon residents Clayton and Jean Duval recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. Jean will be 94 on July 16th, and Clayton turned 93 on June 29th The news was shared with me by Jean's youngest brother, Eddie McMahon, who was a classmate of mine in the Class of 1957. Another brother, Jack McMahon, lives in Bandon. An older brother, Wally, died some years ago. The Duvals oldest son, Chuck, is 71. Congratulations to the Duvals.
* * *
The increase in Covid-19 cases across the country is not good news. In Florida alone, there were over 15,000 new cases in a single day this week. It is not surprising since the news often shows huge crowds of mostly young people flocking to the Florida beaches, seemingly without regard to social distancing or the wearing of masks. They apparently felt it couldn't happen to them .... until it did.
Coos County's numbers have slowly edged up, but I will say that most people that I come in contact with in the local stores seem to be abiding by the governor's mask mandate, and that is good. No matter how you feel about it, the wearing of masks seems to be a small price to pay for the hope that we may not be shut down again. It would be devastating to a lot of our small businesses.
News from the Oregon Health Authority said that since Oregon began reopening, the largest spread of the virus has come when people get together to celebrate with family and friends, and is spreading "more among social activities involving groups of younger people."
The latest report from Coos Health and Wellness showed that as of July 9, there were 43 positive cases, nine presumptive cases, one person in the hospital, no deaths and 3,268 people who had tested negative for the virus.
* * *
The rainfall total for the month of June, provided to me by Gerry Terp, showed June with 1.53 inches of rain. Rainfall for June ranges from a low of 0.36 inches last year to 16-year high of 5.15 inches in June of 2010.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Jul 08, 2020
The first picture I am sharing was taken during 1941 when Ferry Creek overflowed its banks and flooded part of the downtown area. This is Bob-Otto Court, which survived the Fire of 1936 and quickly became the epicenter for a number of local services. It was located on the corner of Elmira and Highway 101, now the site of the Chevron gas station.
Bob-Otto Court, 1941
In his book about the fire, Dow Beckham points out that the term "going downtown" now meant going to the Bob-Otto Court, which included a service station and a few motel units. One could always find someone who knew what new buildings were being constructed -- or information on friends not yet seen. The Court also maintained a bulletin board for messages.
Medical personnel from Myrtle Point, including Dr. Reuben Mast, "rushed to the aid of the burned and injured victims, and set up a work space at the Bob-Otto Court where they began treating burned victims with dressings and ointment and also helping to clear smoke-filled eyes, said Beckham. They worked throughout the night. Sometime before daylight the Coquille Hotel sent in a ten-gallon can of coffee. They worked without rest until sometime Sunday. Bandon's Dr. Lucas was there, but Dr. Wilson was out of town. The medical team from Myrtle Point was the first out-of-town group to reach Bandon."
The Bob-Otto Court was a relatively new building at the time of the Fire.
By the time this second photo was taken, the Bob-Otto Court property had been purchased, and the old motel torn down to make way for Jess (Bud) Laub's new Texaco service station, which opened in January of 1958. Laub was the former operator of a grocery store at Wintersville, at the top of Bear Creek Hill east of Bandon.
Building new Texaco service station, 1957
An article in the July 25, 1957, Western World told about the "new $14,000 Texaco service station" that was to be erected on the site.
At the right of the Robertson's dump truck, you can see owner Fred Robertson supervising the dumping of fill. The building behind the dump truck is now Dr. Sharen Strong's dental office, and across Delaware is the old American Legion hall. That site is now the home of a Mexican restaurant, La Fiesta.
The third picture was taken during a basketball game at Bandon High School in January of 1972 when Oregon Duck basketball coach Dick Harter, right, talks with Nelson Forrest, father of star basketball player Bayard Forrest, who Harter had come to watch.
Neslon Forrest and Oregon Ducks Coach Dick Harter at a Bandon basketball game, 1972
The 6-10 center opted to play ball at Grand Canyon University in Arizona before being drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1976 NBA draft. Forrest, who is married to the former Peggy Ward, whose sister Sharon Ward Moy recently moved back to Bandon, never played for the Sonics but played one season for Athletes in Action, according to information on Wikipedia.
* * *
While we didn't have a traditional Fourth of July celebration, people of Bandon definitely did celebrate, thanks to the efforts of Deborah Kelley of the local VFW Post and Bandon businessman Anthony Zunino, owner of Freedom Graphics.
Deb and other VFW members were joined by a large contingent of locals (including Fire Chief Lanny Boston) in decorating their vehicles and driving through town and local neighborhoods shortly after noon on the Fourth. They definitely brought the parade to us, and it was much appreciated by all who saw or heard them.
That night, Zunino gave the community a gift by shooting off a fantastic fireworks display over the river. After learning that the City had decided not to have fireworks this year, Zunino decided he would do it himself. Knowing that one of the major concerns was not having people swarm here from other areas, he decided to basically keep it a secret (well almost) until Saturday when it was officially posted on Facebook.
Not only was the weather perfect the whole weekend, but the last few minutes of the fireworks was probably the most stunning display I have ever witnessed. Thanks, Anthony.
* * *
For the last several months, I have been receiving the Register-Guard at my home, which is a wonderful service by the long-time agent Karen Keller. Until I started having a problem.
At least five times in the last couple of weeks, the plastic bag that Karen wraps the paper in has been torn. At first I figured that my neighbor had driven over it before I was able to pick it up in the morning. But there were never any tire tracks, which I couldn't figure out.
Last week, there was a big chunk missing out of the front page; again I figured someone had run over it. This morning the paper was clearly not in the way of any vehicle, but this time there were two large holes in the plastic, and a huge hole which went through the entire first section of the paper, making it impossible to read the letters to the editor or other parts of the paper.
I finally figured it out. It was the crows. I should have known as I see them often ripping at plastic bags peeking out of people's garbage. You would think by now they would figure out that there is nothing tasty in the bag, but I fear they haven't. I personally am not a big fan of crows (mostly the noise), and even less so now. Not sure what the answer is, but I don't want to give up getting the paper delivered to me. It is a wonderful service ....
* * *
I've been reading about the ongoing problem with police protection in North Bend, and after the voters refused to authorize the fee for public safety purposes, the city announced that there would be no one on duty between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
I can understand telling people that they no longer have 24-hour coverage, but announcing to all (burglars, car thieves, etc.) the exact hours that no one would be on duty seemed to be extremely irresponsible.
It now appears that they have worked out a deal with another agency to cover those hours, but in the future it might be wise not to share quite so much specific information.
In the past, there have been times that Bandon did not have 24/7 coverage but I can assure you we did not announce the exact hours without coverage.
Criminals can read too, you know.
* * *
I received an email this week from Dan Lorenz, who is the son of the late David Lorenz and his wife, Pat, who lives in a retirement community near Orlando. Dan and his family live in New Jersey, but he told me he and his wife got engaged at the beach in Bandon. His grandfather, Carl Lorenz, was co-owner of M&L Grocery and he was happy to see a picture of the store in one of my recent columns. He and his wife plan to spend a month in Bandon in September and I hope to meet him and share stories about his family as I served on the city council in the late '70s with his grandmother, Eleanor Lorenz.
"Bandon is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been and I hope to spend more time there as I edge toward retirement," he said.
He's right!
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Jul 01, 2020
The first picture I am sharing today appeared on the front page of the May 2, 1957, Western World.... but it was not the lead picture, and that's another story.
Moving feed warehouse, 1957
What started out with the WW photographer preparing to validate the successful moving of the large feed warehouse at the Coquille Valley Dairy Co-op resulted in his being there when the building snapped the timbers as it was being moved across Ferry Creek to the other side of Grand Avenue, where it sits today.
This feed business was operated by the Coos-Curry Farmers Co-op, which was managed by Kenner Giles, but because the cheese factory planned to expand, they needed the building to be moved. When the west side of the building was out on the timbers crossing the creek, the big sticks snapped and the south end of the structure fell into the creek.
Later it took the big wrecker from Art Aldropp's Garage in Langlois to help lift the fallen end of the building so it could be shored up again.
Today, more than 60 years later, it is the marketplace building that is just east of Face Rock Creamery.
The lead article in the same issue of Western World told the tragic story of fire destroying the Langlois Cheese Factory, home of the famous Blue Vein cheese, sold across the country.
H.H. Hansen, owner of the plant, found the boiler room filled with smoke and flames coming from the vicinity of the butane gas igniter installation. Coos Forest Protective Association brought a truck from Coos Bay, and some Port Orford firemen brought a pickup with portable gear, but none was in time to prevent the entire facility from burning to the ground. Records and office equipment had been removed previously by a large group of people, including loggers, truckers, housewives, merchants and others from the Langlois community, as well as some from Bandon and Port Orford.
The article explained that a month later CFPA would have had a truck at its Four Mile headquarters, and they might have been able to save it.
The second picture, taken in the early '70s, shows Don Dodrill, a member of the City's public works crew, repairing what was then known as the "City Dock," at the north end of Chicago Avenue. The area is now all part of the Port of Bandon.
Repairing 'City Dock', 1970s
In the far left, Bob Hiley can be seen walking out of the photo and Warren Symons, at right, watches the crew at work. In the background, to the left, you can see the Leep Memorial Hospital, and just over the top of the dump truck is the former Bandon Seafood building and the top story of what is now The Wheelhouse and The Crow's Nest.
I was talking to Gina Swenson the other day and she happened to mention that she and her late husband, Dave, had arrived in Bandon 50 years ago in August. I decided to see if I could find the picture I took of her and Dave with Bob and Phyllis Ray, when they bought Ray's Pharmacy in downtown Bandon in August of 1970. And here it is.
Ray's Pharmacy, 1970
The article pointed out that although the Rays had sold their business, which they opened in another downtown location 13 years earlier, they would continue to make their home on Ocean Drive.
The Rays had operated their pharmacy in two downtown locations; one where Winter River Books is now located and the other on the north side of Second Street where Lynn Davies and Jessica Markham own several businesses, east of Bandon Sweets and Treats.
At the time Swenson and his wife had four children, with their eldest daughter, Cynthia, 14, entering high school in the fall. The others were 12-year-old Tom, nine-year-old Susan and seven-year-old Jim. The family had lived in Stayton since 1967 where he worked at Ray's Rexall Drug. Their first home in Bandon was the former Tom Gant home on west Ninth Street.
* * *
The latest information from Coos Health and Wellness, which came out June 26, about the number of Covid-19 cases in Coos County showed 35 (+1) positive; 5, presumptive; one, hospitalized; 0 deaths, and 2,696 people tested.
Some areas of the state have seen large increases in the number of cases, including Union County.
Because of the rising number of cases, particularly among younger people, both Texas and Florida have ordered bars to close and reduced restaurant capacity. Arizona hospitals are overwhelmed with Covid patients.
In Oregon, seven counties (Marion, Polk, Lincoln, Hood River, Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas) have been told by the Governor that people must wear masks in indoor businesses and public spaces, and people are encouraged to wear them in the other counties, but there is virtually no way to enforce it.
The press release from the governor's office explained that in those seven counties, it is up to each county to decide how to implement the new rules. Businesses in those counties are also required to provide masks to the public.
My fear is that if people do not wear masks and practice social distancing, the governor may move counties like ours back into Phase one, which could again close bars and restaurants (for indoor seating) and businesses like barber shops and hair salons.
No matter how you feel about the wearing of masks, they have been shown to cut down on the spread of the virus, which seems to be a small price to pay to eventually find our way back to some sense of normal.
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Several weeks ago, a letter was sent out to patients of Dr. Babak Baharloo, DPM, to let them know that the podiatrist was no longer a provider at Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center.
Eugene Suksi, CEO, explained that as with all healthcare systems across the country, "we are experiencing significant decreases in volume and revenue due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and economic conditions were certainly a factor in the decision to end Dr. Baharloo's employment.
"On a positive note, Dr. Baharloo has informed me of his intent to open his own office in Bandon," said Suksi, who provided contact information. His new office is located in Suite 10 at 780 2nd Street SE., the building east of Face Rock Creamery, which includes a doctor's office and a real estate office, as well as other businesses. His phone number is 971-247-1080.
Suksi also pointed out that Robin Summers, RN, would continue to be available for nail trimmings.
"We will be available to continue with your wound care by working closely with your primary care provider. If you do not have one, we will continue wound care with the help of our clinic providers, Dr. Olixa Adams and Debra Guzman, FNP," said Suksi.
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I have learned that Tom Goss is the new commander of the VFW Frank C. High Medal of Honor Post 3440, Bandon, as Royce Kelley has stepped down because of health reasons. Preston Waite will be the new quartermaster, who replaces Joe Adair, who has also stepped down because of health reasons. Other officers are Alex Alexander, senior vice commander; Ray Davasher, junior vice commander; Gary Scorby, chaplain; first, second and third trustees, Bill Smith, Jens Anderson and Joe Adair.
Since most Fourth of July activities have been canceled, the VFW is urging people to decorate their trucks, cars, motorcycles or whatever, meet at the VFW Hall on the Fourth (Saturday) at noon, and then parade through town for an hour or so. All are welcome to join them.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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