As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
June 29, 2022
Although I am not sure exactly what year my first photo was taken, I am sure it was in the '20s or maybe a bit earlier.
Fourth of July parade
The Fourth of July parade is heading west on First Street past the Gallier Hotel, which was just east of the old Coast Guard building, now owned by the Port of Bandon.
I wondered what the Fourth of July celebration was like a hundred years ago. I discovered that while there were a number of baseball games that week, it didn't appear that there was a parade or other events. On the editorial page, I found an item by the publisher (my grandfather, L.D. Felsheim) which read: "Two or three generations ago, people took much more interest in the real meaning of July Fourth. Banquets and oratorical gatherings were held everywhere, with expression of fervent Americanism.
"People had simpler ideas in those days, and used to enjoy big noises and other primitive forms of celebrations. So the habit of discharging firearms and making big bonfires got established as a means of expressing national joy. As time went on and people grew more sophisticated, the adults got sick of kiddish ways of observance, but the youngsters kept them up and developed them.
"Fourth of July should be a glorious occasion, but we all seem too busy on various outings to observe it as it should be. A program of athletics is a suitable July Fourth event, and displays that manly prowess which enabled the struggling colonists to fight a severe war against terrible odds. Parade and fireworks can be pretty and interesting observances that delight young folks and give opportunity for artistic effect.
"The day ought not to be passed without suitable recognition, since it marked a turning point in history."
When I went to work at Western World (second photo) as a cub reporter in 1959, just 19 years old, we were in the First National Bank building (now the Masonic building at the end of Second Street), where the paper had been since 1922.
This photo was taken a few weeks after the Bandon Fire of 1936, as local and state officials gathered in front of Western World to talk about Bandon's future.
After the Bandon Fire of 1936
Ed Capps, center, who was mayor at the time of the Fire, talks with Governor Charles Martin, who had come down from Salem to assist.
The First National Bank building was one of a few buildings in the downtown area to survive the Fire and it was only a couple of weeks before Western World was once again open for business. Although he is barely visible, my grandfather can be seen peering through the window at the group outside .... as he worked to put out the coming week's paper.
The third photo was taken in February of 1963 as the Bandon Lions Club conducted their annual March of Dimes radio auction (to help eradicate polio) in the showroom of Capps Motor Co., the space that is now occupied by Broken Anchor in the southwest corner of the building owned by Kirk Day.
Bandon Lions Club annual March of Dimes radio auction, 1963
Pictured are Lions club members Bill and Velda Ellis, and, at right, Leonard Epling, manager of KWRO radio in Coquille.
As you look out the window, facing toward Second Street and Highway 101, you can see the Capps service station (now the visitor information center) and on the south side of the highway, Chick Gerard's Garage, which is the building now owned by Anthony Zunino of Freedom Graphics.
The Lions club raised $600 for March of Dimes from the auction, Mothers March, the Jaycee roadblock and coin containers.
Polio has been eliminated from the United States thanks to widespread polio vaccination.
* * *
Events for the Fourth of July weekend have been announced, and will include music in the park, a parade, cardboard boat races, Wine Walk and fireworks.
Music in the Park is scheduled for Saturday, July 2, in city park, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and people are urged to bring a picnic lunch, lawn chairs and a blanket or two to enjoy The Brothers Reed concert, sponsored by the Beverage Barn and Farm & Sea.
Also on Saturday, Bandon Library Friends and Foundation will sponsor their "Itty Bitty Book Sale" at the Sprague Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The parade will be held Monday, beginning at 10 a.m., with lineup to begin at 7 a.m. on Ninth Street near the Dairy Queen. For more information or to register, people can contact Jan Hester at 541-297-9299 or email tiger63@peoplepc.com.
The Cardboard Boat regatta will be held at the boat basin, near Weber's Pier, from noon until 2 p.m., with signup and registration at the boat launch to begin at 11 a.m. (one site said 11:30, so not sure which is correct).
Alive After Five will be held from 5 to 7, with wine glasses available at the Port picnic shelter at 5.
The grand fireworks display will begin at dusk, which is generally around 10 p.m., from the launching site on the north side of the river in Bullards Park.
* * *
Shane Brown of North Bend and his three companions are thankful to be alive after they were rescued by Prowler Charter owner Wayne Butler and his crew recently after Brown's boat capsized on the Bandon bar.
Brown has posted on Facebook several times since the accident. He explained that the vessel was hit by a sneaker wave which swamped the boat and capsized them within seconds. He and his three companions were in the cabin, but all managed to get out.
"We were all wearing PFDs (personal flotation devices). We managed to get out from under the boat and to the surface. We were able to hold on to the hull of the boat until a charter boat was able to come over from a few hundred yards away and fish us out of the water," Brown said. "I had my three companions fished out of the water first because I had an obligation to them and because I really thought I was a gonner as my limbs were already losing feeling. I thought there was no way anyone was getting my big ol' body out of the water and onto the dock of a boat in time," said Brown, who is a large-framed guy.
"That's where Raimey and Eric came into the picture. I'm a tad bit bigger than either one of them, but they did it. Somehow they did it. I didn't have any feeling in my limbs, but the first thing I could do, since I wound up in his lap, was grab Raimey and tell him my kids had a father because he was strong enough and didn't give up on me. There are a heck of a lot of names on memorials in seaside towns around the world bearing the names of individuals who found themselves in the same situation with tragic outcomes," said Brown.
He said pieces of his boat slowly drifted ashore. "But for now I am just beyond grateful that my friend Dennis and his two boys are going home tonight and so am I," said Brown. Later he posted again, thanking Wayne and his crew, "whose quick thinking and action saved our lives."
"It will be hard to ever celebrate a Fathers Day again without thinking of them. They have given me the most precious of gifts: time," said Brown.
* * *
I learned that Bandon native Forrest R. Norton died June 11 at the age of 80. He was a member of the BHS Class of 1960. His immediate survivors include his sister, Margaret Norton-Wichman, and brothers, Ed Norton and Gerry Robertson. Forrest's father, better known as "Nort," was assistant fire chief at the time of the Bandon Fire. His late mother, Norma, was a long-time member of St. John's Episcopal Church.
* * *
It's been confirmed that New River Dunes golf course, south of Bandon, is currently under development by Bandon Dunes Golf Resort owner Mike Keiser.
Don Crowe, Dunes general manager, said, "We are excited about the prospect of New River Dunes south of town, and David McLay Kidd is working on the routing. We are currently in the preliminary planning process and believe this course would be a great addition to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and a reason to have golfers stay and play on the South Coast a bit longer.
"We look forward to adding a new par three course near Bandon Trails and Bandon Preserve at some point in the future, but do not have a timeline for the project," said Crowe.
Bandon Dunes is the site of the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur July 25-30, the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur and the 2028 Walker Cup.
* * *
The Coos Bay Police Department posted on Facebook recently about the epidemic of drug overdoses in the Coos Bay area.
On the afternoon of June 20, the police and fire department responded to three reports of drug overdose, one of which was fatal. All were believed to be the result of the powerful drug fentanyl. The Coos Bay Fire Department battalion chief Steve Takis reported his department administered Naloxone (a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose) 29 times in 2021, but has already administered Naloxone 25 times during 2022, which is only half over.
"In June alone, North Coos Dispatch had six overdose reports in the Coos Bay-North Bend area, with four coming on June 20-21. The dangers of Fentanyl and other opioids are not reserved for only those using the drugs, but pose a risk to those who may be in close proximity, as well," said the press release.
The police department urges the public to be cautious, and to call 9-1-1 if they suspect someone is using or overdosing on these types of drug since exposure in even tiny amounts can be extremely dangerous and even fatal.
* * *
Twenty-three members of the BHS class of 2022 were awarded a total of nearly $1.7 million in scholarships at recent graduation exercises, which included $1,134,660 in renewable scholarship dollars. (See separate article in various publications.)
I also learned that Bandon pitchers received Player of the Year honors in the Sunset Conference, with Avery Pounder honored for softball and Colton Siewell for baseball. I will have more information next week.
.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
June 22, 2022
The cranberry industry has been an important part of Bandon's economy for many years, not only for the growers but for once providing hundreds of seasonal jobs during the harvest.
Cranberry harvest at Soper's bogs, 1970
An article on the front page of the Oct. 5, 1939, Western World tells that story. The subhead reads: "Between 400 and 500 pickers ready but rains causing delay."
"The cranberry harvest is now in full swing, or at least it will be as soon as the weather man makes up his mind to shut off his overhead sprinkling system. It is estimated between 400 and 500 pickers will be employed in the flush of the season. The glades near the bogs are dotted with tents and trailer houses harboring pickers who have come from interior points to take part in the harvest. Some of these have followed the various fruit harvests and have contemplated making more money per day on cranberry picking than on any of the other harvests this fall.
"Picking at the L.M. Kranick bog has been practically completed, the crop being up to expectations although about 20 percent less than last year. The crop last year was characterized as a 'bumper' crop and two such fortunes as a rule don't follow each other. Harvesting on some of the smaller bogs has also been completed, while on most of the larger bogs, it has just begun.
"Generally the berries so far this season have not been 'up to color,' ...as the result of warm weather, according to one grower, who said it takes cool nights at the finishing season to put the desired touch of color on the cheeks of the berries.
"Nearly all the growers are members of the Coos Cranberry Cooperative, which organization has contracted to sell the entire crop through the Safeway Stores distribution agency this year."
The second picture I am sharing is the launching of the Daisy, a steam propelled ship built in the J.H. Price shipyard in Bandon.
Launching of the Daisy, 1908
The Daisy was launched April 30, 1908, at noon and christened by Miss Erma Crane (who was my grandmother's best friend and who we knew as Auntie Erma). The schools were closed and residents came from the entire area to witness the launching, according to Ernie Osborne in his book "Wooden Ships and Master Craftsmen."
While under the ownership of a California firm, Hammond Lumber Company, the Daisy had its third name change, this time it was renamed Redwood.
In the Sept. 21, 1939, Western World, I found an article headlined "Bandon-Built Boat Blows Up at Sea."
"News dispatches Tuesday told of the S.S. Redwood, operating between Eureka and southern California points, suffering an explosion and burning at sea a few miles south of Eureka.
"She was waiting for the fog to lift to enter the Humboldt harbor when a fire was discovered among the 400-odd ton of freight. Soon an explosion occurred and the crew of 18 took to life boats when the vessel started burning and the pumps were unable to stem the flames."
I chose the third photo to honor a man, Bob Elliott, who was in business over 50 years ago as owner of Bob's Shell Service and who recently celebrated his 90th birthday. The picture was taken in 1973.
Bob Elliott
A full page ad in the 1966 Western World heralded the opening of Elliott's new Shell station, with a July 15-16 weekend celebration. Service station attendants were Jim Knox, Joe Hiteshew and George MacDonald.
I have other photos of the renovations taking place in 1979, as the property, then owned by Charlie Redmon and used as a myrtlewood gift shop, had been sold to Bob Vining and his family, who remodeled the building for a restaurant/coffee shop, later named the Station Restaurant.
Today, the Station Restaurant, located on the corner of Fillmore and Highway 101, is owned and operated by Jamie Gallagher, who recently increased her hours to be open for dinner five nights a week.
* * *
The Port of Bandon is aware of false information spreading through the community about the Port of Bandon Farmers Market dissolving or not continuing past the 2022 season. A spokesman said "we would like to clarify that these rumors are false. The Port did decide to make changes to the market organization this season. The former market manager retired, and the Port appointed a new manager. The hours to the market were changed to conform with City permit requirements, and size of the market was reduced to help alleviate the heavy parking constraints in the Old Town area. These changes do not affect the continuation of the market or the location. The Port has never stated that the Farmers Market would not continue in the Bandon Fisheries building. At this time the Port anticipates there will be a 2023 market held in the Bandon Fisheries Building.
There is a group comprised of some of the current and previous vendors who are in the process of self-organizing to establish a NEW market of their own for the Bandon area. This market is not associated with the Port of Bandon and would not necessarily replace the Port of Bandon's Farmers Market. All questions, comments and concerns can be directed to the Market Manager at info@portofbandon.com.
* * *
Long-time Bandon resident Jean (Mrs. Clayton) Duval died June 7 at the age of 95 in Coos Bay. She and Clayton had 11 children, including nine who survive: Charles, David, Ron, Larry, Douglas, Diane, Rich, Roger, Christina and a son-in-law, Patrick Strain. Also surviving are a sister, Doris Erickson and a brother, Ed McMahon. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 8, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
I learned this week that long-time Coos County attorney Thomas F. Burke of Coquille had died in May at the age of 80. He practiced in his office across from the courthouse in Coquille for many year before opening an office in Pony Village Mall.
Burke was a member of Bandon Masonic Lodge No. 130 AF&AM.
* * *
Several members of the Bandon City Council, Peter Braun and Geri Procetto, along with County Commissioner John Sweet, joined me at the flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day 2022, sponsored by American Legion Post 26, Veterans of Foreign Wars Frank C. High Medal of Honor Post 3440 and Auxiliary and the Bandon Veterans Honor Guard, and held in the cemetery at the VFW Hall. A number of dignitaries were there from other posts as well as members of the local post.
There was an impressive ceremonial presentation of the flag that was being retired, accompanied by a narrative by Gary Sands of what it represented. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the old flag was properly disposed of by burning, and the new flag was presented and raised. It was a moving ceremony.
* * *
Realizing how important the transient occupancy tax (TOT) is to the financial health of the City of Bandon, the council recently approved going to the voters at a special election Aug. 23 to raise the TOT from 6 cents to 9.5, which would bring Bandon in line with neighboring tourist communities including Coos Bay, North Bend and the Coquille Indian Tribe, all at 9.5 percent. The TOT is 10 percent in both Seaside and Tillamook.
An increase to 9.5 percent would yield an additional $400,000 to $500,000 per year for Bandon. By law 70 percent of those additional funds must be devoted to tourism promotion and tourism related facilities. Only 30 percent of the new money can go to general government purposes.
The current 6 percent tax does not come under the state 70-30 restrictions that came about after Bandon first instituted its TOT many years ago. Of the money collected with the 6 percent, 20.7 percent goes to the Chamber of Commerce.
It is important to point out that because of Bandon's very low property tax (.46 cents a thousand), the city receives only about $200,000 in property tax revenue, but more than $600,000 in TOT dollars... none of which is paid by our local residents. This is just one opportunity for our visitors to help defray the costs to maintain tourist facilities, including the tourist information center.
* * *
It's beginning to get very busy in town as visitors come to enjoy what we have all year around. And sometimes they see things that we don't see because we are so used it. I would urge all of us to do what we can to clean up our properties, especially the rights of way in front of our homes and businesses, many of which could use a weed eater or a lawn mower. The amount of rainfall we've had this spring could account for the lush green grass, but it will soon turn brown and it needs to be cut... not only for aesthetics but for fire safety. I'm thanking you in advance ....
* * *
Speaking of weather, May 2022 was the wettest May in 18 years, with 6.53 inches of rain, second only to May 2005 when we recorded 8.45 inches. Last May we had less than an inch (0.83) of rain.
* * *
Jeff Norris, who has been managing the Sprague Theater and The Barn (community center) for a number of years, is retiring effective July 31, and he is already busy training Chip Cassin to operate the equipment (sounds and lights) at the theater. I will have more on this in the next couple of weeks. Jeff has given so much of himself in managing the two buildings, and it will seem strange not to see him there.
* * *
I heard recently from former teacher Lloyd Gabriel, who said he received contact from 39 of his former Bandon students after I mentioned in my column that he had celebrated his 100th birthday. He said both he and his wife, Ruth, who is in her late 90s, are doing OK, and "still have all our marbles." He was my civics teacher in 1957, and we've kept in contact all these years.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
June 15, 2022
The first story I am sharing this week came out of the April 1926 Western World and pertains to organizing a volunteer fire department, which was granted use of the old city hall (first picture at west end of First Street) as a fire hall and headquarters of the volunteer department.
First Street
Between 50 and 60 people attended a mass meeting held at city hall to discuss the matter, with a committee of C.R. Wade, Herbert Brown, D.C. Kay, Ed Capps, Vic Breuer and J.C. Page appointed to draw up the necessary by-laws and city ordinances.
"It was reported that Bandon once had as good a volunteer department as there was in the state at that time. Some of the members are still in the community and there are many others who have had experience in other cities, whose assistance will be solicited.
"Ideas suggested and gleaned from the discussion indicate that the fire chief and those of the department reporting at fires would receive compensation."
They felt "the second floor could be converted into sleeping quarters for a number of the single men of the department, which would assure someone being at the place to run the truck at night.
"J.E. Walstrom stated that he could provide a place at his warehouse for a small hose cart with some 300 feet of hose which might be used along the waterfront to connect up with the tug and thus expedite service from that source. He also suggested that hose cart stations be placed in various parts of town in the residential district." Walstrom's building was on First Street about where The Wheelhouse now sits. The old city hall is now the site of Edgewater's.
I have chosen a picture of Jerry's restaurant (across from the present port marketplace building) to help illustrate the next story from July 1929.
Jerry's restaurant
"At the meeting of the chamber of commerce held at Jerry's Wednesday noon, a resolution was passed asking the city council to raise the license fee for medicine shows to at least $50 a day. The license fee at the present time is $10 which is considered altogether too light in view of the fact that these attractions pay no taxes, nor contribute in any way to the city's welfare while they offer competition to various business institutions that do contribute to the city and they take much money out of the city.
"Similar action has been taken at Marshfield where the city put the license fee at $100 per day and in addition made the fire regulations for tents so stringent that they are apt to discourage any show of that kind in the future.
"Better protection against fly-by-night clothing salesmen and other itinerary merchandising people were also discussed. In Marshfield an ordinance requires a new business institution to show a year's lease on a location or to put up a bond of several hundred dollars before being permitted to open up. This keeps out the traveling merchants who use a vacant building for a few days and unload a lot of questionable merchandise upon the public without paying its share toward the upkeep of the city."
The third picture features the first Cranberry Court, taken in November of 1947.
First Cranberry Court, 1947
Standing in the back, from left, are Virginia Corrie, sponsored by the Randolph Community Club; Jeanette Danielson, Bandon VFW Post; Janet Helme, Westmost Grange; center, Queen Ruth Kreutzer, Langlois Community Club; front left, Joanne Smith, American Legion, and Pat Whalen, Bandon Active Club.
Virginia Corrie was the mother of Corrie Gant, who lives with her husband Paul Fisher in Bandon.
Events at the first festival included the coronation on the stage of Ocean Crest School, a court's luncheon at The Minute Cafe, the Cranberry Bowl football game, which saw Bandon defeat Myrtle Creek 13-9, and the festival dance held at The Barn. Art Dobney was master of ceremonies for the coronation, with Mayor Rudy Backlund crowning the new queen.
The newspaper article said, "When the judges' decision had been announced, Miss Kreutzer knelt to receive the crown. At that point a pair, who almost 'stole the show,' began marching to the stage from the rear of the auditorium, one bearing the crown and the other the queen's bouquet. They were little Mr. Michael Dobney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Dobney, and Miss Judy Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vern Brown. Manager of Utilities John Fasnacht presented her with a key to the city.
* * *
The news is good: Bandon will have a Cranberry Court. Princesses for the Sept. 9-11 festival include Hallie Minkler, KayDence Augsburger and Rhiannon Green.
The court directors are Angela Cardas Meredith, Briana Hutchens and Kimberly Carrero. I will have more info about the princesses as it is released by the festival committee.
* * *
I was saddened to learn that one of my classmates, Larry Sabin (Class of 1957) died at the age of 83 Thursday morning, surrounded by his wife Juanice and family. His children and their families include Janice Huntley, Pam Johnson, Wendy Sabin, Rick Sabin and Larry Sabin Jr., all of whom live in Bandon.
A retired truck driver, Larry had served as president of the Rural Fire Protection Board of Directors for over 40 years, according to a family member.
I was also sorry to hear that Pat Taylor, long-time owner of The Minute Cafe had died, but I do not know the details. I believe she lived in the state of Washington. Among Pat's survivors are her daughters Edith Vierck and Pauline Taylor and their families.
I learned recently that Bandon native Don Sweet, last surviving member of the W.J. Sweet family which included Piercy, A.W. (Bill), Helen Mayse and Anne Felsheim, died May 18 in Portola Valley, Calif., at the age of 98. His wife of 73 years, Beth, died less than three months earlier. They had five sons, including Richard, who died at age four of childhood leukemia. Surviving sons are David, Scott, Stuart and Tom and their families. Don was a graduate of Port Orford High School and Stanford University, and attended Midshipman's School at Cornell as part of the Navy V-12 program.
* * *
I've learned that there is a new member of the Bandon School Board following the resignation of board member Brianna Quattrocchi.
Anthony Zunino of Freedom Graphics has been named to fill the vacancy. He will join board chair Angela Cardas Meredith, vice chair David Hisel, Ryan Sherman, Stan Avery, Greg Looney and A.J. Kimball.
* * *
I was concerned when I read a front-page article in The World last week about a Bunker Hill man, George Landon, whose home was broken into while he was a way for two and a half days on Memorial weekend. Stolen was his $300,000 coin collection, many of which were rare.
"I deeply believe it's drug people in Bandon," Landon said when asked who might have done this. He is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible, and an additional $10,000 for return of his belongings.
Anyone who doesn't know about the huge uptick in crime in Coos County must be living under a rock. In a three-day period last week, two women were shot and killed in separate incidents in the Coos Bay/Cape Arago area. One was found dead in her home and the other was found dead along Cape Arago highway.
It is important to remember: hard drugs are essentially legal in Oregon. Let that sink in while you try to understand how this happened. The people of Oregon essentially approved an initiative petition that would allow people to possess a user-grade amount of hard drugs (meth, cocaine and heroin) with nothing more than a $100 ticket, which most don't even bother to pay, according to the authorities I have talked to.
Even if we had more jail beds available, which we desperately need, things won't turn around until we address the serious drug problem, created by the most permissive drug law in the country. Time to ask the legislative leaders where they were when sponsors of the measure (BM110) were spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on TV ads urging people to vote for it.
* * *
Don't forget that the next Alive After Five wine event is this Friday, June 17, from 5 to 7. Maps and glasses, for $10, can be purchased at the picnic shelter on the Port boardwalk.
* * *
There is some good news on the scene. Someone representing the Oregon Nurses Association posted on Facebook that "thanks to advocacy of nurses, community members and elected officials, we are proud to announce we've been able to save the psychiatric unit at Bay Area Hospital! Special thanks to Senator Jeff Merkley, state representative Rob Nosse (of district 42/Portland area) and the Coos County Commissioners and board members who fought to preserve this vital resource."
* * *
I continue to have strangers knock on my door, with the latest being late Saturday afternoon. As I was heading to my sister's, I noticed two men in hard hats and reflective vests talking to a woman who lives nearby. I do not answer the door for strangers, but apparently a lot of people do, and I am not sure why considering that one of the two home invasions that occurred in the Bandon area recently involved two men in hard hats and reflective vests pretending to be service people. They weren't; instead they held a gun to the homeowner's head. If Ziply or anyone else wants to contact me, they can send me a letter or an email. Or advertise in Coffee Break. But stay away from my front door, uninvited!
Until we can figure out how to come up with a badge that can be seen through the peep hole in the front door, signifying that they have a permit to sell door to door, I simply would not open the door.
* * *
Coos Health and Wellness sent out a press release this week advising that levels of Covid-19 in waste water samples have been steadily climbing in Coos County, to levels seen back in February when case counts were high.
They are advising people to get vaccinated and keep up with boosters; keep at-home tests ready in your cabinet; don't go to work if you are ill; asking employers to allow employees to work remotely when possible; wear a mask if you were recently positive for Covid, continue to educate yourself; wear a mask when you feel the need to, wash your hands and stay away from others when they are not feeling well.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
June 08, 2022
"Former Bandon ship capsizes on Humboldt bar at Eureka" is the headline of the Nov. 13, 1930, story in the Western World, accompanied by a J.R. Croxall photo, which looked much like the one I am sharing today as I tell the story of the steamer Brooklyn.
Steamer Brooklyn
This photo was taken in the Bandon harbor in the early 1900s and you can see Cody Mill, which later became Moore Mill, in the background.
The story was sad. "The steamer Brooklyn, for many years one of the fleet of wooden lumber carriers that plied between Bandon and San Francisco, capsized on the Humboldt bar while crossing out with a cargo of lumber Saturday and so far only one of her crew of 18 has been found alive.
"Jergen M. Grove, first mate on the Brooklyn, was picked up at sea five miles off the bar Tuesday after he had spent three days and nights clinging to a piece of wreckage. The body of one of the sailors has since been found.
"Grove was picked up by a fishing trawler and immediately taken to Eureka. When taken to the hospital he was too weak from hunger and exposure to talk. His fingernails and toenails were torn off from clinging tenaciously to the wreckage.
"Immediately upon receipt of word that a survivor was found, government cutters, tugs and airplanes resumed search of the waters off Humboldt in the faint hope that others might be adrift.
"According to a member of the U.S. Coast Guard on lookout at Humboldt and an eye witness to the sea disaster, the Brooklyn was steaming over the bar in the face of a driving storm and heavy seas. Suddenly it stopped, its skipper apparently realizing that the ship couldn't weather the storm and decided to turn around and go back. As it was making the turn its engines stopped and it began to drift helplessly. Four short blasts sounded the distress signal and in another moment the ship was caught by a larger breaker and turned bottom side up. She sank before anyone aboard had a chance to launch or even approach a life boat."
The second photo of Capps Garage appeared in a 1929 special section in Western World introducing many Bandon businesses to the readers. The garage was owned by Ed Capps, local representative for Ford.
Capps Garage, 1929
"Capps hardly needs any special introduction. He is known to all as he has lived in this country all of his life, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Capps, being among the early pioneers who are credited with building this country to its present stage of prosperity.
"The modern structure is a real credit to the city and is conveniently located at one entrance of the Roosevelt highway and intersection of the main street. It employs 12 men."
The street to the right is what we now know as Oregon Avenue, which goes past the Catholic Church and connects with First Street across from the Port's marketplace building. The building would have been located in the far western part of the large gravel parking lot."
At the time of the 1936 Bandon Fire, Ed Capps was Bandon's mayor.
I also love to feature some of old-timers from time to time, and this week I am sharing a picture of Joan DeCosta (Goodbrod) and Florence Moore (Litzenberger) probably taken in elementary school.
Joan DeCosta and Florence Moore
Joan, whose parents were Bea and Joe DeCosta, and Florence, the daughter of Fred and Marjorie Moore, graduated from Bandon High School in 1950. Joan now lives in Woodland, Wash., and Florence lives in Springfield.
* * *
I received an email this week which had also been sent to City Manager Dan Chandler from Bandon native and retired teacher Carol Tucker Acklin thanking us for what has been happening in the community.
It was refreshing since Carol, who served many years on the board of the Southern Coos Hospital and Health District, understands what public service can be like.
She said: "I just finished reading the city newsletter and am very impressed with all the improvements the city is making in our town. I like the Rainy Day Fund -- excellent idea. Also glad the city is grabbing parking lots, as Old Town would not survive without more parking. I was delighted to find that the shut-off valve for the water tanks will arrive soon. That was a priority determined during meetings with the Bandon Prepares team. And that long-needed crosswalk is making the Highway 101 crossing far safer. Well done, everyone!"
Thanks Carol. Always nice to hear from someone without an axe to grind.
We received a similar letter recently from Jim Proehl, retired teacher and long-time volunteer at the Bandon history museum, thanking our crews for assisting in greenspace work.
* * *
Having recently dodged the proverbial bullet when it comes to hiring an administrator for a hospital, as a member of the Southern Coos Hospital board, I can empathize with the Bay Area Hospital Board who recently (mid-May) announced the hiring of their new Chief Operating Officer Larry Butler Jr., previously of Baton Rouge, La. The announcement also made it into the Becker's Hospital Review, which is a nationwide publication available to anyone associated with health care.
I can imagine the horror they felt when they learned that Mr. Butler was a convicted felon with a long criminal record. In 2015, according to a press release, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison as a result of his scheme to defraud two of his former employers, Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc., and the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. He used false credentials, false social security number, and other false documentation, to conceal his significant criminal history, according to the lengthy press release, easily obtainable by Googling his name. Interestingly enough, he apparently did not use a false name.
Last week, the hospital board posted on their Facebook page that Larry Butler Jr. was no longer affiliated with Bay Area Hospital. They went on to explain that they use a comprehensive background check process to vet all of its new hires. The post adds that they are confident that no sensitive information has been breached. "Nevertheless, we are conducting a thorough audit of our systems to ensure that all private data has been maintained in full and strict confidence."
I wonder if that comprehensive background check process included a Google search and a set of fingerprints? I am also curious if the board did its own search or hired a professional head-hunter (recruiter)? And if it were the latter, I would be asking for my money back.
From experience, I know how easy it is to be duped during the hiring process and that's why you need to dig as deep as possible. It's not always easy, but it can save a lot of embarrassment or way worse in the long term.
After a lengthy, thorough and sometimes "interesting" search, Southern Coos hired a new CEO, Raymond Hino, that we are proud to introduce to the South Coast.
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The Wesley Bell Ringers will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at the Bandon First Presbyterian Church, 592 Edison Ave., SW. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Admission is free and a free will offering will be collected.
This will be the fourth concert on the choir's 56th annual summer tour and will feature 20 teenaged ringers playing more than 150 handbells and hand chimes.
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I've learned that the real estate of Sweet Peas Vintage Home & Garden on Baltimore in the heart of Old Town has been listed for $729,000 by owners Chip and Jean Salmon. The sale includes the land with courtyard garden and back patio and a two-story renovated building, which previously had living quarters upstairs "that could easily return with existing full bath and upgraded kitchen infrastructure in the walls," said the Facebook post about the sale.
The Salmons also own the Loft on 2nd, a high-end boutique clothing store.
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A press release that came out this week said that "Overdose rates in the state of Oregon rose by 700 percent after voters approved a ballot measure to decriminalize all hard drugs," according to information released this week.
"Voters in the state voted to decriminalize all hard drugs in the pursuit of encouraging those struggling with drug addiction to seek medical help. The measure, referred to as Ballot Measure 110, was the first of its kind in the U.S. and went into effect in February of 2021.
"Ballot Measure 110 made it so that it was no longer a felony or misdemeanor of any kind to possess drugs in the state. At most, people carrying hard drugs are subject to a maximum fine of $100 which can be waived if the person receiving the citation calls a public hotline and receives a free health assessment.
"If a person is found to be carrying a 'personal amount' of drugs like heroin, cocaine, or meth, at most, they will receive a $100 fine. Of the $300 million that was meant to be allocated to public health resources to fight addiction, only $40 million has been dispersed.
"The Daily Mail reported that BM110 has largely had an inverse effect and has led not to more people seeking treatment but to more drug-related deaths and the proliferation of hard drug use throughout Oregon communities.
"Steve Allen, Oregon's behavioral health director, acknowledged that there has been a 'dramatic' increase in overdoses and overdose deaths, but he attributed much of these to an influx of meth laced with fentanyl."
What did these people think would happen with such a permissive drug law, and where were Governor Brown and House Speaker Tina Kotek when it came to warning Oregonians what could happen if this law passed.
Well it did pass, and we are seeing the dangerous and tragic results.
This coupled with the announcement that Bay Area Hospital is closing its mental health psych ward is disastrous news for the people of the South Coast.
Hard not to see a correlation between increased homelessness and crime ... and the availability of hard drugs. Not to mention that of Coos County's 250-bed jail only one pod (48 beds) is open! That ends with many committing crime being cited and released."
Hard to see any light at the end of this tunnel.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
June 01, 2022
The first picture I am sharing was taken in late July of 1936 celebrating the open house of the Bob-Otto Court, which was completed just two months before the Bandon Fire destroyed much of the business section and all but a few homes in East Bandon. Miraculously the Bob-Otto Court survived and proved to be the hub for medical triage and a number of other services immediately after the Fire.
Bob-Otto Court, 1936
This picture appeared in Western World highlighting the new business. What I found most interesting was the scope of development on the waterfront, including a large building at top right which neither Jim Proehl nor I recall seeing in photographs at the museum. He believes it could be Frank Perry's mill. Industries on the waterfront survived the Fire.
"Bandon's latest addition to the recreational facilities of this section will be formally introduced to the public Saturday when the Bob-Otto Court at the corner of Elmira Avenue and Second Street East will hold open house. Bob Ward and Otto Magill, proprietors, are desirous of acquainting the local public with the quality of service they are offering the traveling public in order that the local people in turn may be in position to tell those who are seeking such accommodations."
The Bob-Otto Court was torn down in 1957, and today the property is the site of the Chevron Service Station.
"The lumber, plywood, shingles and other building materials were furnished by the Coast Lumber Yard," referring to the building supply house just east of Bob-Otto Court, which also survived the Fire. In the 1980s it was torn down, and today it is a gravel parking lot at the corner of Fillmore and First Street, owned by the City. The plumbing supplies came from McNair Hardware.
"The ground covered by the new court is 100x150 feet. It is enclosed on three sides, opening on the highway facing the south. The main section is 150 feet long and contains six apartments with garages, each apartment having three rooms, toilet, shower and wash basin. The west wing has five motel rooms. The east wing has two three-room apartments.
"A separate building in the center of the court, 24x50, houses the service station, office and living quarters.
"Otto Magill, who is manager of the business, came to Bandon last March to join Bob Ward in this new enterprise. He is a native of Coos County, having been born at Fairview in 1896. Bob Ward is a well known Bandon man who came here as a boy with his parents from Utah. He entered the transfer business and later added trucking as a contractor for log hauling. He is also one of the three city councilmen from the East ward."
After the Fire, the apartments were quickly turned into full-time rentals for the many Bandonians, who were without shelter. A tent city was established on First Street behind the auto court.
The second picture shows the library, which was established in one of the tents behind the court, the back wall of which is at right in this photo. The long-time library director Amelia Henry stands in front of the "new" library.
Temporary library, 1936
A short item in the Oct. 8, 1936, Western World says: "Temporary quarters for the city library have been provided in a tent immediately west of the Bob-Otto Court. Miss Harriet Long, state librarian, met with the library board and arranged for the service to be started with a nucleus of 500 volumes which she brought from Portland."
I am using this photo of the old football stadium to illustrate a story I found in the July 24, 1952, Western World seeking volunteers to help put the roof on the grandstand at a work party scheduled for that night.
Football stadium, 1952
"A volunteer work party to put the weatherproof tar roof on the big grandstand at Bandon Athletic field (later known as Dave Miller Field) will be held this evening.
"The appeal was voiced by George Chappell, chairman of the school board, who said that school board members, some Bandon quarterback club members and Vern Brown, local builder, will definitely be on hand with all the necessary materials, and others willing to help out will be warmly welcomed.
"Work to be done includes completing the layering of three layers of tar paper on the grandstand roof and 'mopping' a layer of hot tar upon the paper. The city of Bandon tar pot will be used. Volunteers are cautioned to wear an old pair of shoes and old trousers so the tar won't ruin good clothing."
Sadly, alongside that article was another, explaining that much of the grandstand roofing materials had been stolen, including 38 rolls of tar paper and about 75 pounds of nails.
"It wasn't dirty enough to steal that much from the community ... when Brown and crew showed up to work Sunday morning, they found somebody had thrown eight more rolls of the building paper off the grandstand roof, ruining the paper."
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We are all still reeling from the latest senseless slaughter of innocent children in a Texas school shooting, made even more tragic by that fact that armed officers waited outside the school for 78 minutes before entering. Golden State Warrior Coach Steve Kerr joined the chorus of concerned people across the country in asking if this latest tragedy is enough to prompt the Senate to consider increased gun restrictions. Government has no plans to confiscate people's guns, but do people really think there is no need for stricter regulations?
An item in the LA Times reads: "Foes of gun control quickly said ... that gun legislation wouldn't stop such tragedies. But a Times analysis says gun control seems to work. In 2005, California had almost the same rate of deaths from guns as Florida or Texas. Since then, California repeatedly has tightened its gun laws, while Florida and Texas have moved in the opposite direction. California's rate of gun deaths has declined by 10 percent since 2005, even as the national rate has climbed in recent years. And in Texas and Florida: Their rates of gun deaths have climbed 28 percent and 37 percent respectively."
The gunman purchased two AR-15-style rifles just days after his 18th birthday last week. Texas, like the vast majority of US states, allow 18-year-olds to purchase long guns, including shotguns and rifles.
A map, updated on May 25, pictured in red those states which have a state minimum age of 18 or default to the federal minimum of 18 for buyers of long guns, including semi-automatic rifles. Oregon is a red state. Only six states (coded in blue) set the age limit at 21 for long guns. Our closest neighbors -- California and Washington -- are two of the six states with a 21-age limit.
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"Cheese War" is the title of a program, sponsored by the Langlois Library, to be held June 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Langlois Cheese Factory. Authors of the new book which outlines the conflict and courage in Tillamook County are Linda Kirk of Myrtle Point (who is married to BHS graduate Richard Kirk) and her sister, Marilyn Milne. "Come and hear the true tale of a fight over Tillamook's famous cheese, told in our historic cheese factory," said a library spokesman. Refreshments will be served and books will be available for sale at the event.
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As well we know, Covid is still with us, as evidenced by the fact that mask restrictions, even for administrative areas, have been revived at Southern Coos Hospital after a number of employees tested positive in recent weeks. An article appeared in the news last week indicating that the state health department was urging people in 15 Oregon counties, said to be at medium risk, to once again wear masks at indoor gatherings.
Neither, Coos, Curry or Douglas counties were among those counties, as our numbers were considered to be low.
The state health doctor was quick to point out that the mask advisory was only a recommendation, indicating he did not think the governor or the legislature planned to once again make masks mandatory as while cases have risen, the hospitalization rates are still fairly low.
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I've seen information that two of Bandon's churches, St. John's Episcopal and Holy Trinity Catholic, will be holding their annual fund-raising rummage sales on Friday and Saturday, June 3-4, at the respective churches.
The hours for St. John's, whose mission is supporting its medical equipment loan closet, are 9-4 on Friday and 9-2 on Saturday.
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The World contains the weekly police blog for Bandon, and the news is not good, with the latest report containing five instances of unlawful entry into a vehicle (two on Lincoln Avenue, Beach Loop Drive, Seabird and Colony Circle), three theft cases, a harassment call, two disturbance calls and a case involving counterfeit money. The report did not indicate if any of the cases involve gas theft, but my guess is they do.
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The news that Bay Area Hospital plans to close its inpatient behavioral health unit has reached the national Becker's Hospital Review publication, which I receive daily as a member of the hospital board. It will cancel the contracts of 56 temporary employees in response to financial challenges from Covid and high labor costs.
A retired health care worker said "this is horrible, as it means no mental health inpatient services will be available for Coos and Curry county residents. Eugene will be the closest psych ward, which means police will not be able to facilitate mental health holds. Why can't the state keep this open considering the effects of Ballot Measure 110?" she asked. "The state's answer is to allow the mentally ill to self medicate with meth, cocaine and heroin and put the rest of us at their mercy," she said referring to BM 110, which allows people in Oregon to possess user-grade amounts of the three hard drugs, with nothing more than the equivalent of a $100 traffic ticket.
A post on Facebook said that the Waterfall Clinic would offer some of the services, but that remains to be seen if it can fill the void.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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