As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
July 28, 2021
The first two photos I am sharing this week are of the wreck of the Randolph, a 60-foot long gas propelled schooner, which was built by the Herman Brothers at Randolph in 1910, and wrecked five years later.
The wreck of the Randolph, 1915
The Randolph was built for service between the shallow draft harbors on the Oregon coast, according to Ernie Osborne in his book "Wooden Ships and Master Craftsmen."
"Although she was primarily gasoline powered, she also carried sails at the time of her launching. During her five years of service, she once stranded at the mouth of the Rogue River, but was refloated successfully."
The pictures were taken on April 15, 1915, when she capsized with six men aboard, while trying to cross the Bandon bar. Three men were lost: Ernest McConnell, part owner of the ship; R.E. Knorr, a Gold Beach druggist; and Milton Cox, a passenger.
Chauncey Carpenter, a deck hand, swam ashore. The Life-Saving crew from the Bandon station made their way to the ship while it was capsized in the breakers and cut a hole in her hull. In this way they were able to save Captain Charles Anderson and Engineer Henry Colvin, who had been trapped inside and feared dead.
It is their story that I want to share this week from an article which appeared in the Bandon Recorder.
"Imprisoned in the overturned hull of the boat, the ring of an ax in the hands of a life saver, hacking overhead, was sweet music to two of the rescued, the captain and engineer. Chopped into daylight they came forth from a tomb of the living, out from the foul, gasoline smelling atmosphere of the hull into the fresh air of freedom, after an experience that would try the stoutest nerves. Yet one of the rescued, who had persistently kept his pipe in his teeth, when he had been handed up into safety, nonchalantly asked for a match to light it .... of course, none could accommodate him. All had waded to his rescue in water up to their necks and were wet as he was There were no matches in working condition in that party. But the incident serves as an illustration of the manner in which severe tests are met by men whose vocation is the life of a sailor."
In describing the accident, the article explained "the force of the waves swung her around past the south jetty and finally worked her onto the beach a short distance from the south jetty. There the hull laid bottom up and, as the larger breakers reached her, she was lifted further upon the beach.
"Spectators who witnessed the accident (first picture) say that when the boat went over, they saw two men swimming in the water. One was Carpenter and they cannot be sure who the other was. Carpenter is an expert swimmer and a man of good judgment. Due to these facts he was enabled to get around the jetty to where he was rescued by Life Saver Roseburg.
"For a time it looked as if Carpenter would be the one man who would be saved. Not an arm or a leg showed to sight after the first few seconds as the tattered hull of the boat came drifting slowly onto the beach. Still there was no sign of life.
"But Captain Johnson of the Life Saving Service was determined to make an effort to reach the hull and make sure that no one alive was still in the boat. Calling for a rope he himself took the lead and waded out towards the boat. as fast as the crest of the breakers came he leaped up to keep them from dashing entirely over him. Two or three times he was swept back toward the shore but persevering he finally reached the boat. Once he were there with the rope tied to the rudder, it was easy for others to follow." (second photo)
And using an ax to chop away a board from the bottom of the boat, they found the two survivors.
A cheer went up from those watching from the beach.
Several weeks later two more bodies from the Randolph washed onto the beach.
The third photo appeared in the Aug. 30, 1956, Western World featuring James Morrison, 89, a resident of Tanglewood Manor who owned what was believed to be an heirloom of historical value--a hand-made flag with 13 stars and 13 stripes.
James Morrison w/historic flag, 1956
"The flag was in the possession of Morrison for a number of years before he knew it; it was buried in the bottom of a trunk of family keepsakes. The flag is made of rather coarse-woven material and is all hand-stitched. Holes for the stars were carefully cut from the blue field, and the white stars were whipstitched before being inserted. The fast colors are in good condition, but moths have damaged some of the material as is shown in the photo.
"The original flag, adopted by the Continental Congress June 16, 1777, had 13 stripes, alternate red and white, with a union of 13 stars of white on a field of blue. The Morrison flag, therefore, if of Colonial originality, would have been made sometime between 1776 and 1794."
Fortunately the relic was given to his niece and her husband because Mr. Morrison died a short time after this photo was taken.
* * *
Several weeks ago I saw a report of an assisted living center in Eugene, where there was a big Covid outbreak, with some eight employees and 20 residents affected. What did they have in common? They were unvaccinated.
They also interviewed the son of one of the residents, who said that even though he was vaccinated, he could only visit his father outdoors.
Does anyone see the irony of allowing unvaccinated staff to work closely with vulnerable elderly people, while vaccinated friends and family aren't allowed in?
Crazy is the best way to describe it.
* * *
There seems to be a huge disconnect between government and the state's small businesses. The latest to post a sign closing early is the Chevron station on Highway 101 at Elmira, which now closes at 5 p.m. because of a staff shortage.
Other businesses are equally impacted by the fact that they cannot hire help. Signs have been posted to let people know that they may have to wait longer for their food or the service they have come to expect.
But we are in the heart of tourist season, and people are traveling .. to Bandon.
And yet, not only was the child care credit of over $3,000 just announced, but earlier this week it was reported that children would be receiving $1,100 to compensate for the free food that they did not receive during the school year.
I wonder when government will get the message that as long as they continue to subsidize people's incomes, there will be no incentive to return to work.
* * *
Last week I mentioned that the City Council's decision to approve the plan review for Mike Keiser's Bandon Beach hotel had been appealed to the Land Use Board of Appeals by local resident Nancy Evans.
As of July 22 Evans requested that the appeal be dismissed. In the hearing before LUBA, Evans represented herself; Shala Kudlac represented the City of Bandon, and attorneys Bill Kloos and Robert S. "Robin" Miller III represented Steere Bandon Associates, LLC and Chris Keiser.
I will keep you posted but hopefully this means that the construction of the new hotel at Coquille Point can finally begin.
In other news involving the Keiser family, it has been announced that Keiser plans a new 18-hole public course south of town to be known as New River Dunes, designed by David McLay Kidd. He is also planning for a new par-3 course designed by Tom Doak at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
I will talk more about this in future columns.
* * *
I was sorry to learn that Bob Reed, 80, died Saturday afternoon at home with his wife, Cleone, and loving friends at his side.
Bob was the founder of Robert D. Reed Publishers and he had produced and distributed about 2,000 titles in his 50-plus years as a publisher, an endeavor that was greatly assisted by Cleone in recent years.
Bob spent some time in the Swing Bed wing at Southern Coos Hospital before going home where he was surrounded by his many Bandon friends and family members, who came to say their goodbyes.
* * *
It has not been a good week for public figures and certainly not for our local friends, who I have mentioned in recent weeks. I learned that Don Ivy, chief of the Coquille Indian Tribe, died July 19 at the age of 70 after battling cancer for seven months.
Earlier, former Douglas County Commissioner Joe Laurance, 71, of Roseburg was killed in a motorcycle crash on Highway 138 East, and several days later state representative Gary Leif, 64, also of Roseburg, died of cancer.
Lately we have mourned the loss of George Trott, Jack McMahon, Larry Hardin, Don Chance, Jim Curran, John Sample and Ken Butler .. and this week, Bob Reed.
I was also waiting for more information but I talked with Tami Cox Pearce at Jack's service and she said that in less than a month, between May 19 and June 11, three members of her family had died, including her sister Marla (Class of 1977), her brother Rick Cox (Class of 1974) and Rick's son, Ricky. Tami, Marla and Rick all graduated from Bandon High and were the children of Barbara and Fred Cox.
* * *
I mentioned that I would share the rest of the story about the salmon crisis on the Coquille River, but since I am running out of space, I will recap it next week and let people know what they can do to put pressure on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to rebuild the Ferry Creek Hatchery program.
* * *
I will also talk more about the history hike that Reg Pullen, Jim Proehl and I will be hosting on Sunday, Aug. 8, at 10 a.m. If you're interested, mark your calendar.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
July 21, 2021
I have shared pictures of Moore Mill & Lumber Co. several times in past columns, but never with such interesting information as I found in a picture caption in the Jan. 8, 1959, Western World.
" 'Bandon's Bread Basket' is what it has often been called, and true enough that is what it has been for more than a half-century. This is a photo of the Bandon plant of the Moore Mill & Lumber Co., showing much of the lumber storage area on solid ground.
Moore Mill & Lumber Co.
"Since D.H. Miller, Sr., took over the management there have been a lot of improvements made. Now his son, Walter, is in charge and improvements and successful operations are continuing.
"Among recent betterments were the filling in of tidal areas to make storage space for lumber. It took thousands of yards of dirt to make the fill, but it has paid off, and probably will continue to do so as wooden wharves, built on piling, are gradually supplanted. It adds to the permanency of the institution by cutting down on maintenance costs.
"The year just concluded by the mill has not been unusual but resulted in the normal cut of about 40 million board feet of lumber. Including plant, woods, and associated services and facilities, the plant provided payroll for at least 250 families. In addition to this, some 40 contract haulers obtained much of their subsistence from this source.
"Permanency of payroll is the desire of every community, therefore it is interesting to note that several employees of the Moore Mill have been on the job for more than 50 years. It is pointed out as an indication of the healthful management-employee relationship that has existed over the years. Fathers, sons, and grandsons have been, and are still, employed at the plant. Truly, it has been, and still is, a community 'bread basket.' "
By the mid-80s, the mill had discontinued operations, and was in the process of being dismantled when it burned in 1987.
The second picture I am sharing is headlined "Freight Teams Operated Between Bandon and Curry Points." It was in the April 23, 1959, Western World.
Transporting freight from the Bandon seaport to northern Curry County
The caption reads: "Transportation was not as speedy in the 'good ole' days' as witnessed by the photo above. Four-horse teams furnished the 'horse-power' that conveyed freight from the Bandon seaport to northern Curry County communities.
"Most of the freight, which included merchandise for stores, came by steam schooners from San Francisco, and was unloaded at the Central Warehouse in Bandon and either transported by boat up-river or by horse-drawn vehicles south to Curry points."
I love this third picture of a man who would often be referred to as "Mr. Little League." Ernie Luther was responsible for many of the good things that happened with the Peewee baseball program during its early years.
Mr. Little League
Ernie and his wife, Dona, owned Beach Junction Grocery and raised their family in Bandon.
Ernie is pictured here with his son, Jim, a member of the Lions team, at left, and Rick Howard, who was on the K&W team. My guess is that Rick is now in his early 70s, so you can figure out how long ago this photo was taken.
* * *
I was sorry to learn that long-time Bandon businessman Larry Hardin had died July 14th at the age of 78. Larry and his wife, Joyce, moved here in 1976 and started Hardin Optical, which has provided jobs for many Bandon families.
A service for Larry will be held Saturday, July 24, at 1 p.m. at Bandon Christian Fellowship.
Among his immediate survivors in addition to his wife are a daughter, Rebecca Maul, and his son, Michael and wife, Megan. Also surviving are six grandchildren.
* * *
A new child tax credit being paid out to U.S. parents will supposedly prove the virtues of universal basic income.
The child tax credit will deliver $3,000 per child ($3,600 for children 5 and under) to the vast majority of families over the next year. Half the amount will be provided in monthly payments over the next six months, and the rest after families file their tax returns in 2021.
This is said to be the closest the federal government has ever come to funding a nationwide experiment in the concept known as universal basic income.
My question would be: how will this help the struggling small businesses, who are desperate to find people who want to work? This appears to be further incentive for people to remain out of the job market.
* * *
Last week I shared part of Reg Pullen's piece about the salmon crisis on the Coquille River, and promised that I would share the rest of the story this week.
It is clear that the days of the "salmon derby" are over for our area .... at least for the Coquille River, which has been completely closed to all salmon fishing in 2021.
Among the problems are an abundance of stripedbass, which thrive in the poor water conditions that may be dooming salmon smolts.
In 2019, the wild Chinook bag limit was reduced to one fish a day and two per season, and fishing for salmon was closed above Coquille's Sturdivant Park. Also, efforts began to eradicate striped and smallmouth bass by electroshocking, and all size and bag limits were dropped to encourage anglers to kill as many bass as possible. The situation was deemed so serious that spearfishing for bass was allowed on the upper river.
"Now, for 2021, all salmon fishing has been closed on the entire river, and the war on the introduced bass species is accelerating," said Pullen. "However, very little effort is going into rebuilding the faltering hatchery program, that at one time held so much promise. Bandon anglers fondly remember the glory days in the mid 1980s when smolt releases at the mouth of Ferry Creek created a 'sidewalk fishery' where anglers stood shoulder to shoulder along the marina to catch their limits of salmon. The Port of Bandon is installing a handicapped accessible fishing pier along the marina this year in the hopes that one day that fishery can return.
"The hope would appear to be unlikely in the near future. Since 2014, the ODFW has planned to release around 155,000 smolts to the lower river, from an acclimation site on Seven Mile Creek near Rocky Point as well as at the mouth of Ferry Creek at Bandon. Although their plan called for the release of 100,000 unfed fry from hatch boxes along the river, no effort has been made to achieve that goal. Since 2019, they have not released any smolts at Seven Mile Creek, due to a dispute with the landowner whose property they were using as the release site, and releases at Ferry Creek have been minimal," Pullen added.
He said that up until 2018, the 70 pairs of wild spawners needed to reach target smolt goals were being netted from the river near Myrtle Point, but only 20 were netted in 2018. Since then, no wild fish have been used to augment hatchery production, nor are there any planned for this year. The ODFW held out hope that increasing smolt releases at Ferry Creek would result in enough returning spawners to support the hatchery program, but that has not happened.
"The initial thought was that returning hatchery Chinook would swim up Ferry Creek to the hatchery, where they could be spawned. Due to a severe drought and ever later fall freshets that would allow salmon to navigate the brush- and beaver-dam-choked creek, no salmon have returned to the hatchery. In 2020, a trap was installed just upstream from the Face Rock Creamery, but only seven fish were captured. Seal predation at the mouth of the creek may account for the poor returns, but it appears likely that the entire hatchery program is doomed to failure unless drastic measures are taken."
Pullen thinks ODFW seems unlikely to change their position, given the Wild Fish Policy that discourages hatchery production.
I will talk more about that in next week's column.
* * *
I will have to say that my first meeting as a member of the board of directors of the Southern Coos Health District proved to be interesting, to say the least.
A press release written by Amy Moss Strong, marketing and development coordinator for the district, explained that "following an executive session, the board exercised the termination clause of the CEO Eugene Suksi without cause, saying they had 'lost confidence in his ability to effectively lead the hospital.'
"The board voted 3-1 in favor of the motion, made by secretary Brent Bischoff, who was joined by Norbert Johnson and newly sworn-in member Mary Schamehorn voting in favor, while Chairman David Allen voted against the motion. Treasurer Edie Jurgenson was present, but had tendered her resignation prior to the vote, effective immediately," according to the press release.
"The executive session was held to consider a report from a human resources attorney who conducted an investigation under unanimous direction of the board into serious complaints board members had received from hospital employees.
"Following the executive session, the board voted 3-2 (Bischoff, Johnson and Schamehorn) to hold the report as private and confidential under attorney-client privilege."
At that time, Jurgenson announced her resignation from the board, and handed Allen a prepared letter, citing health concerns.
The next morning following the termination of Suksi, Allen submitted his resignation from the board, effective immediately. He served on the hospital board for 17 years.
As a new member of the board, I can only say that more employees and past employees of the hospital (both doctors and nurses) have reached out to me in the last month than have city employees reached out to me in the 17 years that I have served as mayor. And their concerns coupled with the investigator's report guided my votes.
The board is meeting Tuesday, July 20, to consider candidates for interim CEO. In the meantime the Chief Financial Officer Jeremiah Dodrill will act as the CEO.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
July 14, 2021
The first picture I am sharing this week was definitely from the "good ole' days," which, sadly, we will probably never see again. It is the fishing boat Antelope with a huge load of salmon, caught on the Coquille River.
Salmon catch, Coquille River
The story I am sharing to go along with this picture is titled "Salmon crisis on the Coquille River," and was written by my long-time friend Reg Pullen. Because of its length, I've edited it, but will make sure it is published in other venues so people can read the entire thing.
"Shocking news was received in May from the ODFW ... the Coquille River will be completely closed to all salmon fishing in 2021. While it should not have come as any surprise, given the continued tightening of regulations on the Coquille River in recent years, it did create a sense of outrage among the fishing community. Fall salmon fishing .... has been a family tradition my entire life, and many anglers plan their year around this special event. The economic impact of losing this fishery will be considerable, impacting restaurants, tackle shops, motels, marinas, parks, guides and service stations.
"The reasons for the closure are clear enough. A wild Chinook salmon run that averaged around 14,300 fish over the last 30 years declined to 498 fish in 2019 and 275 fish in 2019, and then rebounded slightly to 879 fish in 2020. The minimum return that would not trigger reduced fishing opportunity is 2,833 fish, which does not seem attainable at any time.
"The dramatic decline in Chinook salmon abundance includes a number of factors. Ocean productivity is at an all time low, perhaps accelerated by climate change. River productivity is also at an all time low, for a number of reasons. Summer river temperatures from Powers to Rocky Point are now above 75 degrees, considered to be lethal for downstream migrating smolts. The river has turned into a cesspool with extremely high fecal coliform levels, due in part to failing sewage treatment plants for some communities along the river, and organic farming practices, where cow manure is sprayed onto fields as fertilizer, and then leaches back into the river.
"Sadly, less than 50 percent of the riparian vegetation along the river is still in good condition. Recently, the city of Coquille denuded several hundred feet of riparian habitat in Sturdivant Park, habitat that had originally been planted as mitigation for previous actions by the city.
"One of the biggest problems for salmon on the river is the increasing abundance of striped bass, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass. The same poor water conditions that may be dooming salmon smolts is allowing all the bass species to explode in population, and creates a lethal gauntlet for smolts migrating downstream."
Pullen goes on to say that little effort has gone into rebuilding the faltering hatchery program, which at one time held so much promise. I will talk more about that in next week's column.
The second picture was taken during a Memorial Day service at the GAR Cemetery in 1966, with Robert A. MacWhorter (at flag-draped speakers stand) addressing the crowd of about 100 people.
Memorial Day service at the GAR Cemetery, 1966
Referring to the much-publicized handfuls of picketing demonstrators spotted across the country in protest of the nation's military policies, MacWhorter, who held a civilian rank equivalent to that of brigadier general when serving as a United States military governor in Germany immediately following World War II, said those protestors are answered in the ringing truths of Lincoln's first Memorial Day address.
The third photo features BHS student Mike Mauzey, as he recites Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which starts "Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal ... and ends "It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from those honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
BHS student Mike Mauzey recites Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Behind Mauzey, from left are Ed Capps, Hugh Stevenson, possibly C.E. Schlem, Max Howe and at far right, Clara (Mrs. Milford) Harris.
* * *
I was so sorry to learn that long-time Bandon businessman, Ken Butler, had died July 6. Ken and his sons started the Prowler Charter business at the port, with able assistance from his wife, Phyllis. Ken was a member of the Bandon High School Class of 1959, and when his sons got old enough to become star wrestlers, he was a mainstay in assisting Coach Mickey Hurley with the program.
I haven't seen an obituary yet, but I do know that they are planning a Celebration of Life for Ken on Saturday, July 31. Sadly, Ken had suffered from dementia the last few years. My heart goes out to Phyllis and the family.
* * *
I saw on Facebook this week, and also received a neat note from their son Rick, that Bud and Betty Gearhart, long-time residents of the Four Mile area of Bandon, had celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary on July 7.
Both of them worked for Rogge Lumber in Bandon for many years. They moved to the Coos Bay area around 20 years ago, and are still very active, walking one to two miles most days.
I also remember their beautiful home, which sat on the east side of Highway 101 between Upper and Lower Four Mile, and had a large light display every Christmas.
I talked with their daughter, Sandra Gearhart Merritt, a few years ago at the theater in North Bend.
* * *
I saw a big headline in the March 4, 1981, Western World quoting the newly elected mayor Ray Kelley predicting there would be 5,000 people in Bandon by 1990 .... and he was talking about inside the city limits. There have been many population predictions over the years, that have yet to be realized. The latest Portland State certified population figure for Bandon is 3225 as of July 1, 2020, up from 3100 in 2012.
It is important to remember that over the years, as families moved away to find work, retired singles or couples moved to town. Today, it is not unusual for homes to be vacant part of the year because they are vacation rental dwellings and not long-term rentals or family homes. That is a topic for another day!
* * *
People keep asking me what is happening with Keiser's Bandon Beach Motel, slated to replace the existing motel on Coquille Point. The council approved the plan review several months ago, but it has once again been appealed to LUBA (Land Use Board of Appeals), this time by local resident Nancy Evans.
* * *
I hear from more and more people who read my column in Friday's World. This week I received a call from Jerry Phillips, a retired forester with the Oregon Dept. of Forestry, who told me how much he enjoyed my story about Tanglewood, which he and his wife used to frequent. Jerry is now 94 years old.
He thought I wouldn't remember him but I did, as during my 45-plus year newspaper career I came in contact with a lot of neat people, and he was one of them.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
July 07, 2021
After hearing recently that Mike Keiser, owner of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, had purchased the former Lake Bradley Christian Camp for staff housing brought back a lot of memories about the place I remember fondly as Tanglewood.
It also reminded me of other entertainment "hot spots" that we have lost over the years including, of course, the Wecoma Baths and the Silver Spray Gardens dance hall.
The first picture I am sharing is of Tanglewood, taken from the west bank of Bradley Lake looking north. The long building with all the windows was the original dance hall and skating rink, which I want to talk about today.
Tanglewood
The big headline in the Feb. 16, 1950, Western World reads: "New Dancing Club, New Building Make Joint Debut in Gala Event."
This was essentially the unveiling of Tanglewood, built by Leona Koff.
"Over 400 members and out-of-town guests of the newly-organized Surf club enthusiastically inaugurated a huge new dance hall-skating rink four miles south of Bandon Saturday evening in one of the most impressive social events held in the community in many years.
"The 190 by 80 skating rink-dance hall is the largest portion of Tanglewood resort to take shape under the able and close supervision of Mrs. Leona Koff, owner and developer of the new resort at Bradley Lake, a half mile west of the Beach Loop-Highway 101 junction.
"The building is not yet completed, with a maple floor still to be laid, so the dance was held on the sub-floor. The interior is being finished with knotty cedar and acoustical tile. The roof is of the self-supporting truss type, leaving the spacious floor, free of obstructing pillars.
"There is an apartment upstairs. A bowling alley with six lanes and a small restaurant are also planned for the building.
"Mrs. Koff has announced that she awarded a contract .... to build a swimming pool near the dance hall-rink. The pool is to be 65x110 feet, with construction to begin in April.
"In addition to dance music by Bum Gartin's orchestra, the group was entertained with specialty dances by Joan Carvall of Coos Bay. One hundred small tables with about 400 chairs were scattered about the west end of the hall. Couples in charge of the dance were the Harlow Calls, J.H. Fasnachts, McK. Fogles, Carl Lorenzes, F.T. Moores, G. Neideighs, Hugh Stevensons, Piercy Sweets and the L.E. Wrights."
In late 1957, Tanglewood was sold to Wm. Laakaniemi and a man named Meadors.
Although the swimming pool was never built, as late as 1959, the skating rink was still open, and dances and banquets were routinely held out there. Tanglewood Manor, a home for retired people, also flourished.
In 1962, the complex was purchased by Col. Homer B. Millard and became Millard School. Col. Millard died a few months after the purchase, and it was operated by his widow, Esther, for a few more years. Later it was purchased by the Applegate Christian Fellowship, who sold to Bandon Dunes.
The second photo, which was another great entertainment spot, was Fraser's Lounge, which opened in the spring of 1978, and was regarded as one of the most attractively decorated places in the area.
Fraser's Lounge
The new lounge, which was added onto the former Gerry's Restaurant and renamed Fraser's, featured a sunken fireplace with lighted bubbling water, as well as seating for nearly 100 people and a dance floor. Seated around the fireplace in the picture are Jerene Fraser Shaffar, Vicki Fraser and Tom Lakey.
The business, which included the lounge, dinging room and ice cream parlor, was owned by Trudy and Gerry Fraser and their four children, including Greg, who managed the restaurant, Pat, who managed the lounge, Tom who was in charge of the daytime cooks, and Jerene, who worked in the dining room.
Today it is the home of the Asian Garden bar.
The third picture, taken in January of 1956, features the old R.V. Leep Memorial Hospital Association board of directors, who had turned over all real and personal property to the new Southern Coos General Hospital District.
R.V. Leep Memorial Hospital Association board of directors, 1956
The Leep Memorial Hospital officially closed Sept. 1, 1955, and Bandon was without a hospital until the new Southern Coos General Hospital opened overlooking the river and the lighthouse in 1960.
Pictured are O.S. Valentine, Howard Kehl, Clyde Stearns (my uncle), Jesse Tucker and Carl Lorenz. Lorenz continued on as chairman of the new Southern Coos Hospital board.
The old hospital building on First Street was rented to Bandon Veneer & Plywood for office space, with a rent of $50 per month. It was finally torn down in 1980 after falling into extreme disrepair.
* * *
I was sorry to learn that John Sample, a long-time resident of Bandon, died Sunday morning. John and my ex-husband Ron Schamehorn were good friends and they spent a lot of time together while not out on the ocean commercial fishing.
My heart goes out to his wife, Dee, and his daughter, Barbie Banister.
* * *
There's good news on the Cranberry Festival front. After 30 people showed up for the volunteer meeting the other night, and another 10 or 15 who weren't there also said they would help, chamber executive director Margaret Pounder and festival chair Anthony Zunino said there will definitely be a festival this year. It's slated for Sept. 10-12.
* * *
There are several upcoming memorials and celebrations of life for locals, including this Saturday, July 10, at 1 p.m. at the VFW Hall for George Trott.
The following Saturday, July 17, a Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. for Jack McMahon, also at the VFW Hall.
On Saturday, July 31, a memorial service will be held at The Barn in City Park at 2 p.m. honoring the late Jim Curran, who taught school here for many years.
* * *
People are reminded that Alive After Five, the popular wine walk through Old Town, will return Friday, July 23, under the sponsorship of the Greater Bandon Association. Stay tuned for places where maps and glasses can be purchased.
* * *
I saw some good news on the front page of last Tuesday's World quoting Sheriff Craig Zanni as saying that all 96 beds in the Coos County jail will be open to full capacity. This has been good news as too often, people have been released without serving jail time ... only to become repeat offenders. This has been particularly noticeable in the Empire/Charleston area.
Sheriff Zanni said while things will be returning to normal, people brought in for lesser offenses may be booked but not necessarily held in jail. He said "it's been that way for years."
* * *
The rainfall for the month of June in the Bandon area was 2.65 inches, compared to 1.53 last year and .36 the previous year. June rainfall in the last 17 years has ranged from a high of 5.15 inches in 2010 to the low of .36 in 2019. Heavy mist during the nighttime hours in recent days has also kept down our fire danger, but it's fire season and open burning is not allowed.
* * *
I was surprised to learn that several women who were visiting the museum Sunday did not know about Oregon's "groundbreaking" law decriminalizing personal drug use which is now in effect ... and has been since Feb. 1 when people caught by police officers with small quantities of substances like meth, heroin and cocaine will receive a maximum $100 fine, much like a traffic ticket.
The measure was on the November ballot and passed with 58.5 percent approval. Oregon also made history by legalizing "magic" mushrooms, and by becoming the first state in the nation to decriminalize user grade amounts of meth and heroin.
Encouraging the use of hard drugs in any amount seems to be counterproductive... and dangerous.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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