As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
March 30, 2016
The first picture I am sharing this week comes from a post card that I purchased several years ago of a downtown Bandon scene ... probably in the l970s, but don't hold me to that date.
Downtown Bandon scene, 1970s
The building on the right was Senter Insurance Agency, which is now the Toy Room on the corner of Second Street and Chicago Avenue. This is looking west down the street. You can see both the Pastime Tavern and Lloyd's Cafe on the right side of the street, along with Ray's Pharmacy and the Bandon Florist. Lloyd's is now empty and the Pastime building is the home of Bandon Sweets and Treats.
The second picture is one I borrowed from the museum as we share our collections with each other. This was a July Fourth parade before the Fire of 1914.
4th of July parade before the Fire of 1914
The building in the foreground survived both fires, and was known as the Breuer Building. I think it's now called The River House. The building next to it is gone, and the other structure has been replaced by the building which houses Edgewaters Restaurant.
According to Dow Beckham's book, "Bandon By-The-Sea," Michael Breuer emigrated from Austria-Hungry and in 1894 opened a store in Bandon. During the first decade of the 20th century, Breuer built a new building on the extreme western end of First Street.
"Adjacent to the store building he had a small cobbler's shop. He had served as an apprentice cobbler in his native Austria at age 13. Breuer worked as late as 1952 when he was 93 years of age."
I can still remember going into his shop as a child and seeing him hunched over his work as he repaired shoes.
I chose the third picture to show you how long the Bandon Lions have been hosting the Easter Egg hunt in City Park. Actually some of my pictures date back to the late '50s, but this one was taken in 1971.
Easter Egg hunt in City Park, 1971
I can't really identify many of the children, but I do see a Donahue girl (maybe Lizzie) kneeling at left, and behind her the little James boy, and a boy to the right may be a Duval.
I can identify most of the Lions, including, from left, Howard Tucker, Max Howe, Stuffy Hendrickson, Roland L. Parks, Buck Rogers (in dark jacket), Ernie Wehner, Russ Conn, Howard Kehl and Eddie Waldrop. The only one I can't identify is the man in the hat behind Buck.
* * *
While we are still reeling from the horrible terrorist attacks in the Brussels Airport, and on the subway train, we learn of another even more deadly attack on Easter Sunday in eastern Pakistan.
The first word about it came out Sunday morning, indicating that at least 60 people had been killed and 300 wounded, mostly women and children. The explosion, believed to have been a suicide bombing, took place near the children's rides in a park where families were celebrating the Easter holidays.
There is no way to describe the horror of these events, and the fear that it strikes in the hearts of mankind.
It doesn't help calm my fears that my sister Molly will be leaving in mid-April with several other Bandon residents ... on a trip to Lucca, Italy, which requires that they fly into Frankfurt, Germany, which is a major international airport.
I pray that our next President has the foreign policy experience, and the temperament, to deal with the very real threat that ISIS presents to the world.
* * *
We are fortunate to have great theater and events to look forward to in Bandon, which in the next few weeks include the New Artists Productions "Granny's Big Bad Bakery," the Bandon Playhouse production of "Agnes of God," and the upcoming Bandon Rotary Wine and Cheese Extravaganza.
"Granny's Big Bad Bakery" runs April 1-3 and April 8-10 in the Sprague Theater. "Agnes of God" also opens Friday, April 1, and runs the next three weekends (Friday, Saturday and a Sunday matinee) at the Best Western Inn at Face Rock. Tickets ($10 for adults) for both productions can be purchased at Bandon Ace Hardware or Bandon Mercantile.
Tickets for the April 16 Rotary event are $35 and can also be purchased at Bandon Mercantile, from a Rotary member or at the door (but they often sell out, so it would be best to get your ticket in advance).
* * *
This is the not the first time I have received a letter from a company called HomeServe, but again I caution my readers to vet them carefully before entering into an agreement for the repair of water and sewer/septic lines on your property.
In a letter addressed to me, as mayor, they indicate that HomeServe is an emergency home repair partner of choice for over 50 utilities across the country.
It is not a partner of the City of Bandon and my advice would be if you have a water or sewer line break, and it's on your property and not the city's responsibility, call your local plumber.
I am sure you will be money ahead . . instead of insuring through a company based in Norwalk, Connecticut.
* * *
Criminals are getting more and more brazen. An armed man robbed the Subway restaurant in Brookings at gunpoint last week and fled north to Gold Beach, where he was finally apprehended. The man, Alexander M. White, 23, was from Grants Pass.
The 16-year-old Subway employee (a girl) who faced the man, wearing a black bandana and brandishing a gun, was extremely frightened by the encounter, and said she thought he was going to shoot her after he told her he was sorry.
Grants Pass officials told authorities what they believed the guy was driving because similar robberies had occurred in their area. They found it in the parking lot of the Motel 6 in Gold Beach, and after surrounding the motel and evacuating the nearby rooms, he was apprehended.
White reportedly fit the description of two armed robberies of Subway restaurants in Grants Pass and Medford in recent weeks.
His criminal history consists of vehicular violations and two marijuana possessions in Josephine County.
* * *
I remember how hard it was to write sports stories over the years ... when the team you were writing about was not known for winning games. My sympathies go out to the editor of the Brookings paper, who had articles about both Gold Beach and Brookings softball and baseball teams in a recent issue.
Some of the rhetoric was extremely positive, making one think they were playing for a berth in the state championships (or the Final Four).
But some of it simply did not make sense, even for an old sports junkie like me. Here is an example:
"Positive energy. It's important, and the Panther batters in spades, for all the above reasons," as the writer refers to a new coach and a revitalized field. Maybe he meant the Gold Beach Panthers batter . . . but I still don't know what he meant. He adds: "Reality might be a bugaboo, however." That's a term I pretty much haven't heard . . . forever.
I decided to read each article carefully, and that team already has an 0-4 record. The total win-loss records of the four teams featured on that page were zero wins and 10 losses.
It could be a long season for their sports writers ...
* * *
I learned this week that Senator Jeff Kruse and Representative Wayne Krieger, both Republicans, will hold a series of Town Hall meetings along the coast this Saturday (April 2). They will be at The Barn/Community Center from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. to talk with local residents.
Wayne announced recently that he would not be running again. I know that David Brock Smith, a Curry County commissioner from Port Orford, has filed for his seat.
I do not know who else has filed, but I have worked with Smith over the years and have found him to be a knowledgeable, hard-working man, who will surely have the best interests of the South Coast at heart.
It will be interesting to hear what Jeff and Wayne have to say about the recent shortened session of the Oregon State Legislature.
* * *
Having followed the University of Oregon basketball team this year, I was very disappointed by the way they played against the Oklahoma Sooners this week ... especially since my sister has a Sooner sweatshirt (no she wasn't wearing it) because her son and daughter-in-law live in Oklahoma and are huge Sooner fans.
When the Ducks play their "A" game they are virtually unstoppable (think the Duke game which they won several days earlier). Unfortunately, that wasn't the case Saturday afternoon, which saw Oklahoma advance and the Ducks out of the NCAA tournament.
The Oregon State Beaver women qualified for the Elite Eight for, I believe, the first time ever, and will be playing Baylor Monday night at 6 p.m., with the winner to advance to the Final Four. Oregon State, whose program has suffered over the years, has won 21 of its last 22 games . . . and hopefully they can get past Baylor. The University of Washington also continues to win, with the Pac 12 league said to be the strongest conference in the country this year.
* * *
My brother-in-law spends a lot of time on the computer, and is always sending me funny things from the Internet, most of which involve politics.
This week's were "One Liners for the Election Year." I will say most of these are old ... and may or may not pertain to this year's election.
"If God wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates." Jay Leno.
"The problem with political jokes is they get elected." Henry Cate, VII.
"We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office." Aeso.
"If we got one-tenth of what was promised to us in these State of the Union speeches, there wouldn't be any inducement to go to heaven." Will Rogers.
"When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President: I'm beginning to believe it." Clarence Darrow.
"Why pay money to have your family tree traced; go into politics and your opponents will do it for you." Author unknown.
The latter could surely be true this week with the mud-slinging going on between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.
Who'd have thought we would ever see and hear some of the things that are coming out of this campaign?
It's more like a bad dream from which you can't wake up ...
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
March 23, 2016
Sometimes when I try to figure out which pictures to share each week, I am less and less sure if I have already used them in my column. One of the reasons it's hard to remember is that I have used some of them in my photography books of Bandon history, but not in my column. So if you've seen some of my pictures before, I'll apologize in advance.
The first picture I am sharing this week was taken in August of 1962 when the Coates house, which was a former boarding house on Creek Street, caught fire and burned. The house was located about where the sewage treatment plant is now. The only person I recognize is then Fire Chief Bob Schultz, behind the fire truck.
Coates boarding house, 1962
The second picture, taken in the spring of 1963, is the tearing down of the old Dunn's Auto Court/Motel along Highway 101, across from where the Bandon Veterinary Hospital is now located. The area which formerly housed this old motel is now part of the trailer park. Dunn's Auto owner O.A. "Mose" Dunn can be seen tearing out a window frame.
Tearing down Dunn's Auto Court/Motel, 1963
I may have already shared this, or one taken the same night. This was taken in March of 1963 during the Cub Scout Blue and Gold dinner, held in The Barn (long before it was remodeled and upgraded).
Cub Scout Blue and Gold dinner, 1963
I can see the Duval (center of the pix) and McMahon families (Wally McMahon is at far right), along with Edna Wilson Paulsen, middle, and at the back table, Miles and Fanny Hopson and the Hopson boys. I am pretty sure my uncle, the late Lou Felsheim, took the picture as three of his kids, James, Laurie and Carol, are in the picture, lower left. If you look carefully, back toward the stage, to the left of the American flag, is Father Peter Dally.
* * *
My readers know that I have been a photographer for many years, but it's not just news pictures (although there have been thousands of them over the years), that I am known for. I also have an equal number of scenics -- mostly of the beach and the Coquille River Lighthouse.
I am joining a local potter William Davidson in opening a shop in the Continuum this month. It's actually William's space, but he and I will be splitting the rent so I can have some place to display many of my photos.
I also plan to order more copies of my black and white "history" books, as well as some I have done of MarLo Dance, New Artists Productions and Bandon Playhouse performances.
I've been hoping to have some place to display my work for many years, and this seems like the perfect opportunity.
So far, I have brought in a whole wall of mostly 16x20 photos, and we are open for business. I also have a 24x12 panoramic of Moore Mill, which is pretty much a one-of-a-kind. So stop in any day, except Tuesday, and see the new shop.
There is also a front shop available, and effective May 1, there will be several other small shops ready to rent as the By The Sea Gallery is moving to a new location (in the Wheelhouse building) in May.
* * *
Bandon lost one of its native sons with the death of Bob Howard, who died last Sunday evening at the age of 89. Bob was born May 29, 1926, in Bandon. He and his wife, Reta, were married 62 years before she passed away in 2009.
Bob was a master cheesemaker at the Bandon Cheese Factory for over 55 years. I grew up across the highway from the cheese factory and remember going over often to watch Bob and his crew make cheese.
Among his survivors are daughter Peggy Backholm of Bandon, and three sons, Rick of Bandon, Tom of Myrtle Point and David. He also has seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
In the picture I am sharing, he is at left. Warren Hawkins is at right.
Bob Howard & Warren Hawkins
* * *
My 99-year-old neighbor, Edna Cramer, died Saturday night after being taken to Southern Coos Hospital Thursday. She was already making plans to celebrate her 100th birthday in November, but her health took a turn for the worse this week and she passed away.
She had moved back into her home last November after having lived in a retirement home in Hillsboro for a couple of years. But she had her heart set on moving back to her home in Bandon, where she had lived for some years with her son, Ron, before his death, and thanks to her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Joe Peter, she was able to return.
Among her children is Carolyn Goldwasser, who lived here for quite a few years before moving back to California. Another daughter, Rosie, visited her last week.
Susan said there will be no service.
* * *
I have been attending a lot of local events in the last couple of weeks, including Tuesday night's St. Patrick's Day celebration at Foley's Irish Pub, and Saturday night's benefit for the swimming pool, held at The Barn/community center.
I almost didn't go to the chamber event because by the time I remembered to make a reservation, the date to do so had passed. But chamber president Chris Powell talked me into calling Julie at the last minute, and they said they would be happy to have me attend.
A number of door prizes were awarded by Angela Cardas Meredith, who seemed to be pretty much in charge of things. Toward the end of the evening, Angela announced that they had three special prizes ... to go to people who had a green shamrock underneath their chair. And much to my surprise, as I never win anything, I found the first shamrock.
The prize was a very expensive set of Cardas Ear Speakers, EM 5813, which had been given the "top ear buds in the nation" honor by Sound Magazine several years ago. I was thrilled with my gift, which is valued at somewhere between $400 and $500.
I was certainly glad I had decided to attend the event, which was great fun ... in addition to winning one of the top prizes. The food was great (I had the Irish stew) and there was a packed house.
It would be hard to talk about Saturday's night event, which was probably attended by about 120 people (or maybe more), without mentioning the food. Chef Bob Simm prepared the food, at no cost to the swimming pool group, and it was absolutely fabulous (I had the chicken parmesan). There were lots of young people who were clearing the table, and their help was much appreciated.
We are fortunate to have so many events to attend, and are lucky to have special venues, like The Barn, and the Sprague Theater, in which to hold them. A lot of communities our size aren't that fortunate.
* * *
Last week, I mentioned that three young people were heading to the National Speech tournament in Utah in June. But the only one I knew anything about was Autumn Moss-Strong.
After my column came out, I received an email from my insurance agent, Bill Sweet, with a bit of info about Austin Carrero. His mom is Wendy Sabin Carerro, and his grandparents are Juanice and Larry Sabin. Larry and I were in the same high school class together, but I had no idea this young man (who is a 4.0 student, Eagle Scout and works at Cardas Audio) was his grandson.
I have always been a firm believer (harkening back to my newspaper days) that a story is so much more meaningful if a student's parents and even grandparents can be listed, if possible.
A case in point is the article in last week's paper which listed Andrew Peters, 18, as a recipient of a Chick Evans Scholarship. It was so much more interesting to learn that Andrew is the son of Mark and Kisa Peters, and the grandson of Mick and Nancy Peters and Gale and Lynette Turner, all of Bandon. Thanks, Amy, for adding that bit of information.
Bill added: "Bandon is blessed with an abundance of great young people."
And he's right ...
* * *
An article that appeared in the Oregonian last week about the City of Portland buying one-way tickets for homeless people raised a lot of eyebrows. And rightfully so.
But officials are saying that the homeless person must be a able to demonstrate that he or she has a place to go before they can qualify for a bus (or in some cases plane) ticket.
A spokesman says: "We don't want to export the problem to another community. We're trying to end homelessness. We're not trying to move homelessness."
All I can say is the first news story I heard about the program did sound exactly like they were trying to shift their problems to other communities.
It remains to be seen what the actual outcome will be.
* * *
I knew that the popular Coos Bay periodontist Dr. Roger Sims had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease over a year ago, but was sad to learn that he had died Feb. 29 at the age of 61.
Not only was he the only periodontist in Coos County, and had performed hundreds of surgeries on local residents, but he was also involved in several Bandon Playhouse productions. He played Captain Von Trapp in Sound of Music and was also part of at least one other local production. I went on the Bandon Playhouse Facebook page and hope I was able to download a picture of Dr. Sims, with Lori Straley, which I plan to share. I noticed that Cindy Hay played the role of Maria in the 2010 production. I sat with Cindy and Paul, her father and their son, Josiah, at the event Saturday night. The Hays, who have many friends here, are in the process of moving back to Bandon.
Lori Straley & Dr. Sims
* * *
Speaking of the Bandon Playhouse, they are celebrating their 40th anniversary in July, and my guess is they will have a special program for the community.
In July of 1976, Sharon Hennick, Tosca Means and Alice Stadelman got together to bring community theater to Bandon.
And it has been flourishing ever since.
Bandon Playhouse is presenting Agnes of God, which opens April 1 for three weekends at the Best Western Inn at Face Rock. The three-member cast includes Johnna Hickox, Cathy Underdown and Cynthia Mohorko. Playhouse president Bobbi Neason is directing Agnes of God, described as "an intimate adult drama of mystery, murder, motherhood and madness."
All tickets are $10 and are available at Bandon Mercantile, Bandon Ace Hardware, by calling 541-236-5105, online at www.bandonplayhouse.org or at the door.
For more information, see this week's Bandon Western World.
* * *
I already talked about this in an earlier column, but on March 21, PenAir initiated new daily service from Portland to North Bend.
One of the reasons for the new service, expressed in a press release, was to serve Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, described aptly as "a world-class venue comprised of four links-style courses and a par-3 golf course."
We are always glad to see any expansion in air service in and out of Coos County.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
March 16, 2016
Every time I drive by Billy Smoothboars I remember what it looked like over 40 years ago: much different. The first picture I am sharing this week was taken in March of 1971 when it was known as House of Raymond. This part of the now spacious building remains today, but the bar, to the south, and the dining room, to the north, have been attractive additions to the building.
House of Raymond, 1971
I love the second picture because it reminds me of the times when Bandon was a lumber hub, with thriving mills and lots of jobs. This picture was taken in 1958 of the Dredge Pacific as it is towed from the Moore Mill & Lumber Co. dock, headed out to sea.
Dredge Pacific, 1958
The third picture was taken in December of 1959 as Santa runs through the rain, after being escorted into town by the local fire truck, to greet youngsters and their parents waiting under the awning at Erdman's Market.
Santa runs through the rain, 1959
Behind him you can see the quonset-hut shaped building which was Marvin Leach's bakery, and next to it was Thornton's Appliance and a barber shop. I am not actually sure what years Carl Williams owned the barber shop, so it was more likely Van Spiller who had the shop in 1959.
These buildings, of course, are long gone and that area is now the home of the Second Street Gallery and Coastal Mist.
It was definitely pouring that day ... and pretty much reminds me of the weather we are experiencing this winter.
* * *
It was sad to learn that Lori VanFossen, 66, died Sunday morning at River Bend Hospital where she had undergone heart bypass surgery. The former Loraine Curtis was a member of the Bandon High School Class of 1967, and was the mother of Lee Jonas of Bandon. Lee's wife, Kimberly, owns Kim's Book Nook, which just opened Saturday in its new location south of Bandon on the west side of Highway 101 at Beach Junction.
Lee has been with his mother since she was rushed to the hospital in mid-week. She had undergone the surgery, but Facebook posts by Kimberly on Saturday indicated that Lori was not doing well. Lee called friends Sunday to let them know that his mother had passed away.
Lori is survived by her husband, Mel VanFossen, among other relatives.
* * *
I almost didn't buy the Eugene Register-Guard Sunday because I read the Oregonian daily on-line, but fearing that I might "miss something," I went ahead and plunked down the $2. And I am glad I did.
On page 4 of the editorial page was a powerful opinion piece written by a long-time Eugene nurse titled "When our tolerance becomes our weakness."
I am surprised that this hasn't been written a lot sooner, but people tend to feel that political correctness compels them to remain silent. But not Annie Dochnahl.
You would have to read the entire article to really appreciate what she is saying, but I am sure anyone who has visited Eugene lately will understand it completely.
She talks of the importance of tolerating differences in lifestyles, political views and uses of public spaces. But here is where she takes exception.
"I propose, however, our tolerance of those who trash our public spaces and disregard our fellow citizens is in shameful excess. It has become our collective weakness that we turn a blind eye to the disgrace unfolding on the downtown blocks, the Willamette River corridor, and many urban parks and neighborhoods."
She said the final straw for her was when a friend was physically assaulted on 10th Avenue and Willamette by a convicted criminal who had been released from jail just days earlier. This happened in the middle of the day as her friend was walking back to his office from his lunchtime workout.
"A white guy -- mid 30s, facial tattoos, looks like many other downtown toughs that we pride ourselves in tolerating -- is walking toward you. He says, 'how's it going?' and then you are on the ground. You don't remember getting hit, but you are lying on the sidewalk, your face is broken in several places, and it hurts beyond reason."
The assailant sauntered away and was quickly arrested after a witness called 9-1-1, but the victim still suffers from serious damage to his face.
She adds: "Our tolerance of the trashing, the rudeness, the spilling over into the sidewalks without consideration to pedestrians, the profanity, the disregard of dignity and safety is completely out of control in many parts of Eugene. The police are understaffed, with response times typically delayed. The park staff who collect hundreds of pounds of garbage a day from our urban parks often are threatened by the very people who trash these public commons. The jails are full, and the revolving door for criminals is a well-known reality."
She closes by saying: "We need to stop tolerating the aggressive climate in our urban core and the revolving door on known assailants. Tolerance should be a strength, not a weakness."
The only thing I found wrong with the article is that it should have been on page one of the editorial section . . . instead of page four. Well, actually the picture on page one was an exaggerated caricature of Donald Trump titled "The Donald is Torture."
So maybe the article should have been on page two.
* * *
It was nearly a full house for the Bandon Showcase-sponsored Barefoot Movement concert Saturday night. But what drew my attention was the discourse from one of the group's musicians, a die-hard fan of North Carolina, who was playing Virginia that night for what he hoped would be a Number one seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
But what he did not know was that my VCR at home was recording the Pac 12 championship, which ended with the University of Oregon Ducks thrashing Utah, 88-57, to emerge as the champion from the Pac 12.
Sunday afternoon the seeding was announced for the NCAA tournament and for the first time in history, the Oregon Ducks were chosen as a No. 1 seed, joining the musician's favorite North Carolina team, along with Kansas and Virginia.
Had I not been sitting in the back row at the theater, I might have shouted out "Go Ducks" as he extolled the virtues of North Carolina (or maybe not), but it seems that he and I both had plenty to cheer about involving our favorite teams.
My guess is that North Carolina will probably go a lot further in March Madness than the Ducks, but it's been a glorious run, watching them narrowly defeat Arizona in overtime Friday night, and then win the conference championship Saturday night.
And it's important to remember the other schools in the Pac 12 conference (Stanford, USC, California, UCLA, Washington State, Washington, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, Colorado and Oregon State) that Oregon bested along the way.
Six other Pac 12 schools will also be part of the 68-team tournament, with the winner to be decided on Sunday, April 4, in Houston, Tex. They include Oregon State (No. 7 seed), Colorado (No. 8 seed), California (No. 4 seed) Arizona (No. 6 seed), Utah (No. 3 seed) and USC (No. 8 seed).
Oregon will be playing in Spokane and Oregon State in Oklahoma City when the tournament opens March 17-18.
* * *
Three members of the Bandon High School speech team, Autumn Moss Strong, Austin Carrero and Alex McKay, have qualified for the National Speech and Debate Tournament to be held in Utah in June.
I don't know either Austin or Alex, but Autumn (daughter of my good friends Amy Moss Strong and her husband Wayne Strong) is one of the finest young women I've ever known. She will be graduating from high school in June ... and leaving the next day to head to Utah.
Bandon should be very proud of its speech team and their long-time adviser/coach Ellen Howard.
* * *
Bandon lost one of its sweetest senior citizens last week with the death of Margaret Maher, who turned 98 years old in January. Margaret and her late husband lived here for many years, and both were well loved by those of us who knew them.
She had made her home at Pacific View in recent years.
* * *
I've learned that a memorial service for Nadya Rogers, who died March 2 in Springfield, will be held Saturday, June 4, at The Barn/Community Center between 1 and 4 p.m. There was a nice obituary, with a neat photo of her, in the Register-Guard last week.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Nature Conservancy.
* * *
I can't remember when we have had such sustained high winds ... for so many days as one storm after another sweeps in from the ocean.
Last Wednesday afternoon, at the height of the storm, it took me three tries to get into my car, which was parked in the lot of the Bank of the Cascades. I am not a weak person, but was beginning to think I wasn't going to be able to get the door open ... as plastic cans and other debris came hurtling at me from the south.
I learned that during the worst part of the storm, a person observed the wind knock a man to the ground across the highway, near Umpqua Bank, and the ambulance was called.
That same evening, shortly before 6 o'clock, a power line came down across Highway 101, and traffic was rerouted over Beaver Hill. A friend said she had stopped and rolled down the window to talk to an ODOT man when a fierce gust blew a limb off a tree ... and it pierced the grill of the ODOT pickup. She labeled it as a pretty frightening experience.
That same night a Portland man died on Highway 101 near Seaside when an alder tree crashed onto the top of his vehicle.
These are the kinds of winds that can do severe damage, and I surely hope we are through with them for awhile. To say that March came in Like a Lion is an understatement ....
We've had it all: lightning, thunder and plenty of hail along with the unusually strong winds.
I guess that is why it didn't seem like Daylight Savings Time should be over ... so soon. But I welcome the extra daylight, if you can see it through the rain and wind.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
March 09, 2016
I love the first picture I am sharing this week because it brings back so many fond memories of all the years I spent either keeping the "official" football scorebook for Coach Dick Sutherland or taking pictures for Western World. We had the most wonderful wooden grandstand, named after D.H. "Dave" Miller (owner of Moore Mill) who provided the lumber for the stadium, which was built by volunteers.
Wooden grandstand after a snowstorm
I was heartsick years later when it was torn down, although I lobbied for them to repair rather than replace it . . . my voice, along with those of many others, was lost in the din of "it's no longer safe." And I guess it was hard to argue with that as I remember sitting in the press box on top of the grandstand and feeling it sway in a storm . . . or when too many people were up there scouting or Big Mac was taking pictures. This picture was taken in 1962 when the grandstand was located on the south side of the football field (where the small metal risers for visitors now sit). The reason I took this picture was because of the snow, which blanketed the area, but it is such a great picture of the stadium.
I am not sure the exact date of the second picture, but I believe it was around 1980 when the City of Bandon fire department burned down the old gymnasium, where many of us had been bused across town for PE during my era. You can see the quonset hut in the background. I wanted to share this picture because things look so different now, even though there is a new metal building on the old quonset hut site, and the gym would be about where the outfield is now for the high school baseball field in east Bandon.
Preparing to burn down the old gym, 1980
The third picture, taken in January of 1971, features George Kronenberg, long-time owner of Kronenberg & Waldrop Insurance; Walt Miller, one of the owners of Moore Mill & Lumber and son of D H. Miller; and, at right, A. J. "Toby" Cole. They are enjoying a beverage in George's office, which later became known as The Clock Tower building after extensive upgrades to Old town. It's now occupied by The Sassy Seagull and previously by Timeless Accents.
George Kronenberg, Walt Miller, & 'Toby' Cole, 1971
I remember that during the Christmas holidays, George and his long-time partner, Eddie Waldrop, would host "happy hour" in the back of their office for business people and other friends (like young or not-so-young reporters).
* * *
Evidence that a lot of us are looking for a kinder, more gentle world came to me the other night when, rather than fast-forward the State Farm commercial, I actually wanted to watch it again and again. It's the guy who says he's never getting married, getting married; then he's never having children, as his wife has their first baby; then he's never moving to the suburbs, until he does; then he's never having any more children as his wife announces she's pregnant again.
The last scene pictures him and his wife snuggling with their two young children . . . as he says "never . . . letting go."
I think we are hungry for civility, kindness, love and a happy ending!!
Only a person who does not have TV, listen to the radio, or who does not read newspapers, magazines, blogs or anything on the Internet would not understand what I mean when I say that the recent weeks, on the campaign trail, have been some of the most bizarre in many years ... if ever.
We've all seen and heard things on national TV during the presidential debates (yes, I am a glutton for punishment because I watch them all) that used to be reserved for late-night TV ... but now are commonplace.
And we "get" to see it over and over and over again.
It's clear that Donald Trump and his bizarre antics fascinate/entertain/frighten/repulse us . . . but the amazing thing is that no matter how crass, arrogant and vile he gets (or brags about his sexual prowess) . . . people are still supporting him.
It makes me wonder . . . why?
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I told my readers last week that Nadya Rogers had suffered a very serious stroke, and I am sad to report that Nadya died last Wednesday at River Bend Hospital in Springfield, surrounded by her large and loving family.
I believe the family plans to celebrate her life in Bandon at a later date, but I will keep you posted about when and where that will be.
She and Buck lived here for many, many years and were well-known in the community, having owned Buck's Sentry Market at the south end of town. They were very active in Democratic politics, and for many years Buck was the head chef for the big Democratic fundraiser held each year at The Barn. They had only recently moved to the Eugene-Springfield area to live with their daughter Terri and her husband, Paul Esselstyn.
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Last week I mentioned that a new establishment would open soon in the former McFarlin's/Captain Black's location in the Harbortown Center, but I had the name wrong. Jessica Neal, niece of Candace Kreitlow, is opening the Broken Anchor . . . not Arrow.
It will be fun to have a lively new spot in town . . .
Now if someone would just buy or lease Lloyd's . . .
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I've been warned by several of my real estate friends not to put too much stock in Zillow, a real estate site, because they say the site is not always accurate.
This week, on "Bandon listings on Zillow," I saw a 7,950 square foot house advertised for $45,000 ... down from $4,455,000. I immediately clicked on it, and saw that it was in the area of Mars Lane off Beach Loop Road.
I am sure that what it should have read was $4,410,000 . . . the $45,000 was probably the price reduction. Of course mistakes like that are easy to spot ... while others not so easy.
The one I love is the five-bedroom, three-bath property . . .that happens to be in two separate houses on separate tax lots.
Oh well, it's called advertising . . .
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If you've read my column for any length of time you know how I feel about garbage being spread around my neighborhood ... and throughout town.
Several things happened this week. First, when it came time to haul the can out to the curb Wednesday night, it was blowing "cats and dogs," and I refused to take my can out, preferring to just leave it inside the safety of the garage until next week. My pal Brian says he laid his on its side, which kept it from blowing over and spilling the contents. Maybe I'll try that the next time it's blowing hard.
Unfortunately not everyone did that, and Thursday morning there were papers and sacks, etc., blown up along the fence and in the bushes.
When I arrived home from town Saturday, preparing to go to Bite of Bandon, I noticed two papers in the right of way between the street and my front yard that hadn't been there an hour earlier. It was raining, but I put my hood up and went out to pick them up. One was an envelope to someone who lived on my street ... the other was a carefully packaged advertising piece, wrapped in a blue plastic bag and tied with a rubber band. And I could also see one lying in the mud in front of my neighbor's house and I was sure that at 99 years of age, she probably was not going to slosh through the mud and water to retrieve it.
Since that kind of "advertising" tactic is nothing but littering, pure and simple, I found an email address for epuerto.com on the Oregon Coast Mailer, that was one of the pieces inside the bag, and immediately emailed them indicating that what they were doing was illegal and that I would be filing a complaint on Monday.
Only a few minutes later I received an email asking if he could call me. I said yes and gave him my phone number. The man was extremely apologetic, explaining that he had hired someone to deliver them around Bandon, who had not done it before.
I said that if he would contact them and have them pick up all the ones in the rights of way, and either toss them into people's yards (not ideal but legal) or walk up and put them on their porch, I would not file a complaint. He said he would do that, and when I left the house an hour or so later, I noticed that the one in front of my neighbor's house was gone.
Mission accomplished.
Stop and think about it. What would our town look like if everyone threw their advertising pieces on the ground in front of your house instead of mailing them?
I think you get the picture!
I know I sound like a grouch about this issue, but that is why we pay to have our garbage hauled away and have garbage bins throughout town: to keep garbage off the streets.
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I guess we can't have it all. On March 1, Dish severed its relationship with Northwest Cable News out of Seattle, one of the best regional news sources that we have. And now when I turn to Channel 2, there is nothing but unwanted music.
But, unlike a lot of my friends, I spent Saturday before and after Bite of Bandon watching the Oregon men, and the Oregon State men and women advance in the Pac 12 basketball tournament ... on the Pac 12 network, which a lot of carriers do not offer.
I guess it's a trade-off, but I wonder what channel (or channels) will be next? It had better not be CBS!!
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
March 02, 2016
I don't have a date for the first picture I'm sharing, but based on the ages of several of the kids I can identify, I would say it is the early '60s. Crowds lined the streets downtown in front of Erdman's City Market (now Lloyd's Cafe) for a chance to see Santa.
Santa at Erdman's City Market, early '60s
I can see Lola Beazizo just beneath the No Right Turn sign and a short distance away is Ernie Luther. In front I can spot my cousin Laurie Felsheim and Jimmy Luther. Just to the right of Santa I can identify Butch Bohles.
The second picture was taken in May of 1965 during a Mutual Aid drill by area fire departments. This is a good shot of Highway 101, coming down the hill into town, with the Shell Station and the Standard station both in the picture.
Gas stations on Highway 101, 1965
Although not in the photo, the Coquille Valley Dairy Co-op is just across the highway from the Standard station, owned by the Chappell family. Note the telephone booth and the S&H Green Stamps sign.
In the "old days," the third picture records something that we saw all too frequently . . . a big gorse fire just south of town. This picture was taken in July of 1957, and you can see just how close to the highway it was getting.
Gorse fire south of Bandon, 1957
Unfortunately, that area (now known as the Donut Hole) is again filled with gorse, but just east of it is the multi-bay station for the Bandon Rural Fire Department ... one of the best in the country, in my opinion.
* * *
I was saddened to learn that long-time Bandon resident and well-known community activist Nadya Rogers, 91, suffered a massive stroke late last week and is in critical condition in Eugene's River Bend Hospital. Nadya and her husband, Buck, moved to the Eugene/Springfield area several months ago to make their home with daughter Terrie and her husband, Paul Esselstyn. Daughter Judy and husband, Jason Tree, were vacationing in Southern California when they received the news, and immediately caught a flight to Eugene where they joined her family at Nadya's bedside, along with daughter Annie and son Giz, and their families.
* * *
It was a special moment at the state playoff game in Bandon Saturday between Union High School and the Bandon Tigers when long-time announcer Barry Winters announced that the game was being played in Otis K. Murray Court ... and that the late Otis Murray was a graduate of Union High School. His widow, Barbara, 90, who was at the game, also graduated from Union High School, and was given a big round of applause by fans from both schools. Barry also introduced his mother, Edith Hunt Winters, who is in her early 90s and is a graduate of Bandon High school, along with her twin, Edna Hunt Wilson Paulsen, who did not attend the game.
It was an exciting game as the Tigers beat the Union Bobcats by more than 10 points. I forgot to write the score down because I was too busy cheering. Their next game will be at the 2A state tournament, to be held in Pendleton.
Two of the Tigers starting five, Zane Olive and Austin Moore, are juniors, while the other three, Trae Dyer, Austin Smith and Tristian Davidson, are seniors.
I don't know the kids like I did when I worked at the paper, but I do know that Austin's grandparents are Bill and Carla Smith, and that Tristian is the grandson of Gene and Suzie Dahl Davidson.
* * *
I've learned that Phyllis and Graydon Stinnett are now living in Corvallis, where Phyllis is in a memory care center and Graydon is living a couple of blocks away and visits her every day. Phyllis, one of the most beautiful people (both inside and out) that I've ever known, suffers from Alzheimer's Disease and it had gotten to the point that they needed to sell their family home and move to the valley to be nearer their children, at least one of whom lives in Albany.
The former Phyllis Lonberg, Phyllis was a year ahead of me in school. It's been so tragic to see her memory slip away. I pray that someday they can figure out what causes this debilitating disease.
* * *
Another long-time resident of Bandon, Lori Van Fossen, has been having some serious health problems, for which she ended up in the emergency room, last week with congestive heart failure. Lori, who is the mother of Lee Jonas and the wife of Mel Van Fossen, will have a triple bypass at River Bend Hospital (Sacred Heart) as soon as she is able to. Lori is in her late 60s, according to her daughter-in-law, Kimberly Jonas, owner of Kimberly's Book Nook.
* * *
There was plenty of activity downtown Sunday afternoon as an estimated 30 people helped Kimberly and Lee move their books out to their new location at Beach Junction. Kimberly was so appreciative of all the help . . . some which came from people she did not even know. Talk about community spirit . . .
I wish her well in her new venture, but I will definitely miss her in Old Town.
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I learned this week that someone had burglarized the Dew Valley Club House, south of town on Highway 101 near Misty Meadows. Not only were hundreds of dollars worth of knives (which the club sold last year at the market) stolen, but also cash. Even though the thieves apparently did not steal the club's quilts, for which they are widely known, they did make a complete mess of the clubhouse, which is such a shame.
* * *
We've all been waiting to see what will open in the former McFarlin's Bar & Grill (and later Captain Black's) spot in Old Town, and now we know. Broken Arrow Bar & Grill is the name chosen by Jessie, niece of Candace Kreitlow, who has leased the property from Kirk and Elizabeth Day.
As I drove by there today, I saw a liquor license application in the window, so I know things are progressing well.
Jessie previously worked at Foley's, and it will be fun to see a lively new place open in Old Town. I will definitely check them out.
Now if someone would just buy or lease Lloyd's, it would definitely help Old Town.
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Jim Proehl and I represented the Bandon Historical Society at the Coquille Tribal Community Fund luncheon Thursday in the Salmon room of the Mill Casino, where nearly 100 groups received an estimated $400,000 in grants from the tribal foundation.
Receiving grants from Bandon were the Bandon Community Preschool, $5,000 for supplies; the Bandon Community Youth Center, $3,900 for building improvements and a greenhouse; the Bandon Historical Society Museum, $2,750 to purchase storage materials; and the Restoration Worship Food Pantry, $3,000 for food purchases.
In addition to the grants, the recipients were treated to a wonderful buffet lunch of salmon, chicken Kiev and all the trimmings.
* * *
The Wall Street Journal is not known for criticizing Republicans, but a column by Bret Stephens in the Feb. 23 issue, titled "The Trumpkins' Lament," was pretty straightforward.
Here is a small part of what the author had to say: "In July, Mr. Trump said of John McCain. 'He's not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured.' The Donald's trademark insult --- coyly calibrated to appeal to voters who lack the brains or the decency to be appalled --- should have been the tombstone of his campaign. But it wasn't, thanks not least to a loud assist from Mr. (Rush) Limbaugh"
The article, overall, is a stinging indictment on conservative radio, and more important to its credibility, is the fact that it appeared in a well-known Republican-slated newspaper owned by Rupert Murdoch.
I guess The Donald is even "too much" for them.
Nothing much surprises me much anymore in the side-show that is the Republican race (yes, I have watched each and every debate), but I was blown away when New Jersey Governor Chris Christi threw his support to Donald Trump, which shows the contempt he has for Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz.
Maybe he wants to be vice president . . .
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn