As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
March 29, 2023
While going through the book, Saturday Night Heroes, compiled by the late Bob Sutherland, I came across several interesting articles that I want to share this week.
The first picture, from the early '50s, features several members of the Bandon Millers baseball team from the old Southwestern Oregon League.
Bandon Millers baseball team
Curley Leininger, Coos Bay-North Bend manager, leaning on bat, waits outcome of friendly discussion between Bandon Catcher Bill Burgher, Pitcher Ad Liska and Umpire Bob Shaw.
Another item in the book reads: "Ad Liska, famous 'submarine' pitcher of the coast league who held a top spot with the Portland Beavers for a number of years, will be a member of Bandon's pitching staff during the coming season, according to Rudy Backlund, business manager. Others on the mound for Bandon were Bobby Stoltz; catchers Bill Burgher and Frank Jarvis; outfielders Jim Scott and Pete Goodbrod.
Liska had suffered a boyhood injury that prevented him from throwing overhand. He played five years in the major leagues.
The second picture features the late Bobby Doerr, who had retired from many years with the Boston Red Sox at the end of the '51 season, and was living at his cabin in Agness, where I took this photo in the mid-1980s of him feeding the deer.
Bobby Doerr
Doerr had suited up with the Coquille Loggers not long after his retirement. Others on that Coquille team were long-time referee Chuck Humble and rightfielder Jim Newton, who had many friends in Bandon.
I don't really know much about this photo which I found among by uncle Lou Felsheim's collection, but I know this was part of the Company A Coos Home Guard, from the World War I era.
Company A Coos Home Guard
The only person I can identify is my grandfather, L.D. Felsheim, kneeling at far left, who was one of the officers. He came to Bandon in 1912 to buy the Western World, which he owned until he died in 1962.
* * *
Just to make sure that everyone knows: the Lions Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, April 8, at 1 p.m. in City Park. I think I had the date right last week in some issues, but the day wrong. Sorry.
* * *
I learned this week that Bullards Beach State Park will be closed from Oct. 15, 2023, to March 15, 2024, for an upgrade to the main sewer line. While the campground will be closed, people can still enjoy the day use area, boat ramp, lighthouse and horse camp, according to manager Nick Schoeppner.
* * *
I am devoting most of my column this week over what Port Orford City Councilor Gary Burns posted on Facebook this week as "Big Upset At Coast Community Health," concerning the Federally Qualified Health Center in Bandon, which also serves the people of Port Orford.
As Mayor, secretary of the Southern Coos Health District board of directors and a patient of the former chief of the medical Staff, Dr. Ann Kellogg, I am extremely upset about what I have heard.
I have talked with Dr. Kellogg, Linda Maxon and Coast board chairman J.J. McLeod this week.
Later, a two-page resignation letter signed by Dr. Kellogg, Chief Operating Officer Darron Barfield and Chief Financial Officer Jen Kuehn, posted Sunday on Facebook, made it clear how they view the problems that are occurring at the clinic, and I have chosen to print a large part of their letter, as space allows, along with a statement from McLeod.
If and when, the board or the interim CEO Melissa Cribbins decide to respond to the public letter on Facebook, I will share their responses with you next week.
Burns said, "This Clinic, that Linda Maxon did such an amazing job to bring to our Community, is now at risk."
The letter from the three former members of the leadership team, dated March 24 and addressed to the CCHC board of directors, says, in part: "after significant deliberation and processing of grief for our patients and staff, we have collectively decided that this is not an environment where we can continue our work. The level of mistrust and deceit which started with the Executive Committee over the last few months, and has continued with the ascension of Melissa Cribbins to the CEO position, has created an intolerable, hostile place to work. We care deeply about the work we have done and had planned to do for our patients and our community. Yet we face retaliation for being whistleblowers in addressing violations of Federal laws and regulations, as well as being honest about the behavior of those on the Board.
"We have been treated as insignificant and criminals, not being given any information on any changes, such as learning of Melissa Cribbins in the same email as the rest of the staff (after Ann Kellogg was told to be interim CEO). We were dismissed by the Executive Committee in January when we told them to contact HRSA (Health Resources Services Administration), as required, and instead were admonished. You are talking to HRSA now only because we finally reached out while the board has squandered many thousands of dollars for lawyers to research whether this needed to be done or not. This is money we do not have. We have been asked by the Executive Committee to look the other way on our compliance and internal policies so that issues are done to their liking, and they have retaliated in response to our upholding of the standards. We have tried to bring this to the board's attention, only to have it fall on deaf ears.
"We have experienced a moral injury with the removal of our experienced and compassionate CEO (referring to Linda Maxon). We understand that you believe that you had no choice, but what you had was an incorrect description of the situation. The general board was used to get the outcome that they wanted, and they got it," said the letter, referring to at last one board member with a vendetta "to get Linda."
"Yet, you are unaware how critical this role is for our health center. You placed an inexperienced and lazy person into the role, who is also missing the deep love for our staff and our mission, and refuses to interact with her leadership team unless she needs something. To talk to the Board is not the job - it is running a health center. Then to find out you are paying her $300 an hour for 'reading email' and meeting with J.J, this is a waste of our money, some of which comes from federal sources. The highest any CEO is paid in Oregon is ....$93.75 an hour."
I asked McLeod about the salary for Cribbins and he neither denied nor confirmed that she was being paid $300 an hour, but said it is a personnel issue and he could not discuss it. I said it may be public record because it involves federal funds, but I am not sure if that is true.
"We have tried to work with Melissa as she was your choice, but she has been ineffective in all areas, and she doesn't want to work with any of us."
The letter goes on to talk about the amount of money it will take to recruit a new CEO. "That person will likely be of poorer quality than who you had in Linda (and who committed no crime).
"We have a poor CEO and a board who is unwilling to right the ship. Resigning together allows that we do not leave anyone of us alone in this environment, one that we can no longer tolerate."
In closing the three said they had copied HRSA on their letter, adding that "we will continue to work hard to meet our required needs."
I later learned that Dr. Kellogg's resignation, to be effective April 28, was accepted Friday, and she was told that she could no longer come into the clinic to help notify her patients, as a 30-day notice is required during a patient transition.
A group of providers at Coast, who asked that their names not be used for fear of retaliation, said: "We are asking our community to help us in demanding the resignation of Melissa Cribbins and all involved board members, particularly J.J. McLeod and David Gerhart, so that we can return key staff members that have safely guided our clinic for over a decade."
Dr. Kellogg shared a letter she was sending to her patients. In part, she said, "It has been an honor and a privilege to be allowed into your lives and to work in partnership and improve your health. I had every intention to be here through the next decade with you easily. Yet, our Board of Directors wanted to change our administration and I no longer had an aligned vision for staying at Coast. Please know that I tried and had worked hard to support our staff, and to remain your provider. I am writing this to you because I was not granted my requested standard 30 day required time to transition you to new providers, follow up on your labs and testing, and see you a last time. This highlights that we no longer have leadership with any sense of healthcare experience. The staff at Coast Community Health Center will help you with your next provider, refills or any other needs. They are some of the most amazing people I have ever met," said Kellogg. "I hope to run into you around town and catching up soon."
In asking about what happened, Maxon told me that a whistleblower investigation was held, "and no legal charges have been filed. I have continued to work (from home) for the organization and to assist in the transition. The board of directors has asked me not to discuss the matter and I am respecting that.
"We have never, in 13 years, had to use an operating line of credit to manage our business, pay our bills or make payroll," said Maxon. She added that "many staff are scared about retaliation if they are to speak out. They are very worried for the safety of staff jobs."
Although McLeod would not talk about personnel issues, he said, "I can tell you we will be fine. We are not closing. We are in decent financial shape and we will continue to provide and hopefully to expand the services that we are doing now."
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
March 22, 2023
The first photo I am sharing this week has ties to the feature I shared last week on the Ocean Drive home of Otto and Geneva Shindler.
Bo Shindler said he was reminded by Emily Capps Hall that the original windows and shutters for the Shindler's post 1936 fire home came from the lighthouse keeper's home (first picture) that was located across the river and upstream a little way from the lighthouse.
Lighthouse keeper's home
"A lot of people repurposed building materials, especially bricks, after the fire. Emily and her siblings packed bricks from the lighthouse keeper's home to help her folks (Edgar and Mary) build their home on Ocean Drive. I remember hours of using a hatchet to remove grout from used bricks for our house on River Road as well as projects for Frank and Linda Jarvis' Seven Devils home and 'Chief' Kimble who lived out on Highway 42," said Shindler.
The lighthouse keeper's house was torn down in 1939, but obviously parts were still available some years later to be repurposed by the locals.
The second photo, taken from the hill behind the Masonic building, where Bandon Inn now sits, shows you what the waterfront looked like before it was developed into what it has become today.
Bandon waterfront
The white building on the waterfront was the first Port of Bandon office, which was later replaced by the High Dock building (now The Loft restaurant). Later, the Port moved its offices to the old Coast Guard building, which they own.
I understand they are building a new office on the High Dock, just north of The Loft and Butler's charter office.
The building in the second picture has recently been purchased by Dave Hisel from Tony Roszkowski and is part of the Tony's Crab Shack complex, one of the most popular eating places in Bandon.
I also want to apologize because the price of the sale was actually $1.5 million and not $1.2 million as I wrote in some issues of my column last week.
This picture was obviously taken after M&L Grocery burned down as you can just see a corner of the property next to what was then W.H. Johnston's office (and is now a building owned by Ed Landucci that is currently vacant). Also, the Arcade Tavern had not yet been built.
Although not technically history, it really is because the Bandon Booster Club recently honored Bandon native Gary Chrismon, 68, by naming the east Bandon baseball field in his name, "Chrismon Park Baseball Field."
A long-time coach, Gary has maintained the field for many years and in spite of painful back issues, he can most often be seen working at the field to get it ready for game day.
Chrismon, at left, is pictured with members of the high school baseball team. At the beginning of the program, Booster Club president Briana Hutchens introduced Tom Lakey, who spearheaded the movement to name the field after Gary. The sign was funded by donors and the efforts of the Booster Club.
"I have never seen anyone more dedicated to baseball in Bandon than Gary," said Lakey, whose remarks brought a big round of applause.
Chrismon is a 1972 graduate of Bandon High School, where he was a member of the baseball team.
* * *
A friend of mine, who is planning to come to Bandon a weekend in August for her class reunion, was shocked at the price of a motel room. She had planned to stay at Bandon Inn, which overlooks the river and Old Town, and the price of a single room for two nights was $750 ($350 for Friday and $400) for Saturday, plus the transient occupancy tax of 9.5 percent and any other fee which might apply.
People who have stayed there say that the cost of the rooms has greatly increased since Peggy Backholm sold the motel to the present owners.
The cost to stay at The Inn at Face Rock for the same August weekend was $339 a night, and at Table Rock Motel it was $184 a night for a king, but she was told that as soon as the new addition is open, the rates will be $269 a night.
She booked with Table Rock.
* * *
I saw a post on Facebook March 16 that a Bandon man, Dale Pike, was badly injured in a tractor accident and is now in the hospital. His wife, Mary Jane, posted that on March 9, Dale "was outside working when he fell and his tractor ran over his chest breaking eight ribs on the left and (others) broken in two places."
Sunday she posted that he was out of ICU, and was getting therapy to walk. She said he would be in the hospital a few more days.
* * *
I learned that two women with ties to Bandon have died recently.
JoAnn Cox Owens died March 3 at the age of 75. JoAnn, who was previously married to the late Bob Owens, was active in the VFW, as was Bob.
She is survived by her daughter Peggy; grandchildren, Christopher and Danielle; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Fred; and sisters, Geri and Sandra.
A celebration of life for JoAnn will be held at the VFW Hall on June 3 at 1 p.m.
Pat Collins Cagley, who was raised in Bandon, died March 5. She attended school locally and was in the Class of 1959. She spent most of her adult life in Coquille where her former husband, Orville Cagley, owned a barber shop. She taught in the school district. They had three children, including Brad Cagley, Brian Cagley, and the late Brenda Rick, who died in 2015.
* * *
Several weeks ago, I mentioned a price discrepancy between the two grocery stores, with Ray's being higher on two of the items that I buy the most of: an organic oat breakfast cereal and a certain brand of yogurt.
I continue shopping there because I love their meat department, and their employees, and they are a great source of gourmet items.
You can imagine my surprise when I checked on the cereal price, and discovered that it had been dropped to its original price, which was the same as I had found at McKay's and mentioned in my column. Then I went over to look at the yogurt and found the price had also been lowered but not quite as much. I wondered to myself if they had read my column.
And it turns out they had, and several of their customers had brought a copy of the column into the store and asked about it. In a subsequent visit, the store manager came over and asked if he could talk with me. Of course, I knew what he wanted to talk about, but I was amazed at how kind and gracious he was, and particularly the fact that they had listened.
He did say that the price of the yogurt that the other store was selling was actually less than they were paying for it, but he did lower it substantially. And they lowered the cereal by over $2.
We are fortunate to have two grocery stores in Bandon, and at some point there may even be a third, but the cost of construction may derail that option. But most of all, I was impressed that rather than get upset with me .... they listened.
* * *
There are several events scheduled for April, including Project Graduation's annual Bash for Cash, which will take place Saturday, April 8.
"Since 1985, volunteer parents and guardians of the graduation class from Bandon High School have organized an all-night, safe and sober graduation party for eligible seniors as they share and celebrate the excitement of reaching this huge milestone. We are proud to state that since our formation, there has not been a single fatality on graduation night due to drugs and alcohol," said a Project Graduation spokesman.
I know this is a very popular event and it may well be sold out, but if you have questions you can contact Paula McMillen at 541-530-0731 or Karrie Devine at 559-246-4749.
The Lions Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, at 1 p.m. at Bandon City Park. Parents are reminded to bring baskets for their children.
The Kingston Trio will be at the Sprague Theater on Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m. General admission is $50 and tickets are on line.
Not sure exactly what this is, but I saw it advertised on Facebook. The Bandon 5K Colorful Bunny Run in Bandon City Park will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 15. People can choose to walk or run eight laps at the park, and they are urging you to wear a white shirt and bunny attire.
For more information you can contact events@bandon.com or call 541-347-9616, according to Margaret Pounder, president/CEO of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce.
"This is a fundraiser to help in the overall event production that the Bandon Chamber undertakes every year. The cost is $10 a person or $25 for a family (three or more).
* * *
A group of elected officials, including several mayors, city managers, county commissioners, police chiefs and port of Coos Bay officials were invited to meet with our new Congresswoman Val Hoyle last week at the Coos Bay council chambers.
She is easy to talk with, understands rural communities, and I think she will be a great representative for this area. Not sure she or anyone else can navigate the gridlock which seems to have taken over Washington, D.C., but we can hope for a brighter future.
During the round table discussion, I mentioned BM110 (the decriminalization of hard drugs) and she assured me she had not voted for it. I mentioned how unfortunate it was that our former Governor and other state leaders had not openly opposed it. Now we just have to figure out who will lead a citizen referendum so that the issue can be returned to the ballot .... and sent to where it belongs: the graveyard of bad legislation.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
March 15, 2023
I've long been curious about the beautiful house on the corner of Fourth and Ocean Drive, which as long as I could remember, belonged to the Shindler family.
I asked Otto and Geneva Shindler's grandson, Bo, to share some photos and a bit of history about the house, after finding an old postcard of Ocean Drive homes before the fire ... and wondering if they had rebuilt on the same site. It turns out they did.
After the Bandon Fire of 1936, there were three men who led the reconstruction effort to rebuild Bandon: Pharmacist Otto Shindler, Mayor and businessman Ed Capps and my grandfather, Western World publisher L.D. Felsheim.
This is a bit of Otto Shindler's story, mostly as told by his grandson.
"Otto Shindler moved to Coos County after World War I and was partners with Sy Furman, who had a pharmacy in Coquille.
"Otto and Geneva Robinson were married Oct. 4, 1922, in Coquille, and their first order of business was to ride the sternwheeler to Bandon where they had a new drug store and had purchased a home on Beach Loop/Ocean Drive (first photo) that was at the current address of 810 Ocean Drive.
810 Ocean Drive
"The home they purchased was a craftsman style house that had been originally ordered from a catalogue, either Sears & Roebuck or Montgomery Ward. That home burned to the ground in the Fire.
"Otto and Geneva started rebuilding immediately after the Fire on the same site. They lived in a one-room house on the site (second photo) for a number of years.
One-room house
They added to that one room house several times to where it has the current footprint (third photo taken many years ago).
Current footprint
"On July 16, 1954, Otto had a heart attack at home and died on the way to the hospital.
"Geneva lived in the home, where she died 35 years later, May 18, 1989. Upon her death, ownership of the house was transferred to her only son, Franz. It was his primary residence until his death March 26, 2009, although he was actually living up the Rogue River about 20 miles west of Gold Beach. My sister Rachel lived in the home for a number of years during that time period.
"Upon Franz' death, ownership of the house transferred to his spouse, Sonja. When she died July 27, 2013, she left the house to her brother, Ed. Ed needed money and my sister Catie purchased the property back for $50,000 and I'm told that she then transferred the contract to her daughter Johanna, who is the current owner of record," said Bo.
* * *
The February rainfall for at least one location in Bandon was reported to be 5.51 inches, compared to a high of 15.61 inches in 2019 and a low of 2.48 in February of last year.
Judging from the rain and snow that we've experienced the first week of March, I would guess that the total rainfall will be higher than it was in February. In March of 2022, we recorded 5.53 inches.
* * *
If Ballot Measure 110, which saw Oregon become the first in the nation to decriminalize user grade amounts of cocaine, meth and heroin, weren't enough ....now we have SB 603, which would give $1,000 a month to homeless individuals and those about to be homeless for two years. That is until $25 million has been disbursed by the state. That should be a real drawing card for people seeking a handout if they are not already here, brought by the lure of BM110.
Ironically, SB603 is the brainchild of Senator Wlnsvey Campos, a graduate of Bandon High School, who knows what it's like to struggle with poverty. She was elected in November and became the youngest state senator ... at 26 years old.
Personally, I feel that if the state indeed has $25 million to put toward helping the homeless, rather than dole it out in amounts just enough to help feed a drug habit, it would be better to use that money to put a downpayment on a housing unit, particularly for a family in need. True, it might not help as many people, but it might be far more meaningful .... and actually assist rather than aid and abet ...
KEZI TV recently interviewed several people living on the street, and at least two of them said the money would probably just be spent for drugs, which are pretty easy to find in Oregon, because the consequences amount to no more than a $100 traffic ticket.
I wonder what it will take until the majority party figures out what is happening to our once proud state ... and does something about it. But don't hold your breath ....
* * *
I heard recently that one of Bandon's most popular eating places, Tony's Crab Shack, has been sold by long-time owner Tony Roszkowski to Dave Hisel.
Dave is manager of Banner Bank and chairman of the Bandon School Board. I understand that the business, which is being run by Dave's sister, sold for $1.2 million.
It sits on property owned by the Port of Bandon.
* * *
I received a call this week from a man who lives at Pacific Pines, and he had just learned that crows are not governed by the city's ordinance against feeding birds (like seagulls) because they are in the same category of smaller song birds. And he wasn't happy about it. He says the trees above the apartment complex are filled with loud crows, who share their waste on people's vehicles and the area sidewalks.
He sees someone in a pickup routinely drive by and scatter food for the birds, which he feels is not only littering but just encouraging more crows to flock to the area.
When people routinely feed crows, or seagulls (which is illegal), they sometimes affect others in the area who do not have the same love for the big birds that they do. I just ask that people be mindful of others . . . .
* * *
As mayor, I received a press release this week indicating that the Arbor Day Foundation had named Bandon a 2022 Tree City USA to "honor its commitment to effective urban forest management.
"Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival," read the press release.
* * *
People are invited to join VFW Post 3440, VFW 3440 Auxiliary and American Legion Post 26 as they remember Vietnam War era veterans.
The ceremony will be held Wednesday, March 29, at the Bandon Veterans Memorial Wall in City Park, beginning at 10 a.m. A reception will follow in the Barn.
"This day holds a special place in history as March 29, 1973, was the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam, as well as the same timeframe when Hanoi released the last of the acknowledged prisoners of war," according to Preston Wayte, quartermaster of VFW Post 3440.
* * *
The Bandon Booster Club is accepting donations for those wishing to help pay for a sign honoring long-time baseball/football coach Dick Sutherland. The goal is to raise $3,000 toward naming a portion of the athletic complex after Coach Sutherland.
Dick primarily coached football and baseball at Bandon during the 1950s, '60s and '70s, and he also coached some basketball and track as well as taught physical education classes.
"Dick was a mentor to many young people (who are now getting old) and is deserving of this recognition," said BHS graduate Bo Shindler, who posted information on Facebook.
The Booster Club has created a link for electronic payment. Donations can also be mailed to PO Box 1819, Bandon, OR 97411.
Earlier the Club had announced a similar fundraiser to honor long-time softball coach and district maintenance director Hiemer Kiefer, for a sign at the softball complex on the south side of 11th Street. Kiefer was an outstanding athlete at Bandon High, graduating in the class of 1974.
* * *
People are reminded of several upcoming events, including the Bandon Lions Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 8, at 1 p.m. at City Park.
The Kingston Trio will appear on the Sprague Theater stage on Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m. General admission is $50, and tickets can be purchased on line.
* * *
Bay Area Hospital and members of the United Food and Commercial Workers 555 Union have reached an impasse as they bargain over salary and benefit increases. The hospital board has reportedly offered raises of 14 percent; in their final offer to the mediator, the union is now seeking increases of more than 20 percent.
Kim Winker, director of marketing and communication for the hospital, said the district's balance sheet reflects an average $5.4 million loss for each of the last 13 months, or a total of more than $70 million dollars. Those figures are borne out by the hospital's last audit, which shows a loss of over $60 million for the year.
"The fact remains that an additional $13 million increase in labor costs and/or a vote by the union to strike would place us in an untenable financial situation and we may very well be forced to close our doors," Winker is quoting as saying.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
March 08, 2023
One of Bandon's most historic buildings, commonly referred to as the Breuer Building, has managed to survive four fires, and today is a beautiful vacation rental at the west end of First Street.
Having escaped both the 1914 Fire and the Bandon Fire of 1936, the building, located just west of the Coast Guard building, suffered a roof fire in July of 1948. The fire, thought to have been caused by an overheated chimney or spark on the roof, was called in by Miss Josephine Breuer, who called for help. (She was the daughter of the long-time building owner Mike Breuer).
"Warren B. Smith Sr., who was working nearby, threw water on the flames, keeping them from spreading until the fire truck arrived. Principal damage was to shingles and the roof.
"While the truck was at the Breuer building, a grass fire was reported at the Louie Lowe cranberry bog at Ninth Street between Garfield and Jackson avenues," according to an article in the Western World.
The fourth fire (first picture) occurred in August of 1961. At that time the building was occupied by Josephine Breuer and her husband, Leonard Taylor.
Fourth fire Breuer Building, 1961
"Water can be seen as it begins to rise form the hose toward the blaze which was confined mostly to the roof of the building.
"According to Fire Chief Bob Schultz, crabs were being cooked in the basement and sparks escaped from a faulty flu and ignited moss on the roof.
"The fire was discovered by Mrs. Taylor when she went upstairs and heard a crackling noise. She immediately called to Mrs. Richard McNeil, who lives across the street, and she called the fire department," according to the Western World article, who mentions Paul Leuthold as being one of the firemen at the scene. I am sure the man in the hat, running toward the building, is former long-time fire chief Curly Woomer, who died in 1967.
"The fire department's new deluge nozzle, capable of pouring a tremendous amount of water at great heights, was instrumental in saving the building despite a strong north wind.
"The Breuer building is one of Bandon's oldest landmarks."
At left, you can see the old Robertson's Sand and Gravel building, which today is Edgewater's Restaurant.
I was particularly interested in an item in the Jan. 13, 1921, Western World which explained that electric power service was being reduced to three days a week in Bandon.
"Western World (second picture) and other industrial establishments in Bandon are temporarily affected by the shortage of fuel, due to the fact that the Moore mill is not operating.
Western World, 1921
"Beginning this week the Bandon Power Co. inaugurated a three day power service instead of six days as usual. The juice is turned on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The night service is uninterrupted.
"This condition allows but three days for Western World to set up its type for the newspaper and do press work on the paper and in the commercial printing department. Coming at a slack period in advertising it makes it necessary to reduce the size of the paper to six pages.
"Machine shops, garages, meat markets, dentists, barbers and others are likewise handicapped by the curtailed service."
I found the third story, headlined Boiler Trouble Interrupts Work, in the Sept. 28, 1950, Western World.
"Operations at the plant of the Coquille Valley Dairy Co-op (third photo) were temporarily ceased last Wednesday when the furnace of the steam boiler collapsed.
Coquille Valley Dairy Co-op, 1950
"Damage was caused by excessive heat in the furnace when the pump stopped supplying water to the boiler, and automatic controls failed to shut down the boiler when the water level dropped.
"Meanwhile local plant's milk is being processed at the Swift & Co. plant at Sixes and the Langlois Cheese Makers plant at Langlois. The local concern has been sharing facilities with the Arago Cooperative Cheese Association since Aug. 8 when their plant burned."
* * *
Earlier last week, the Bandon Police Department posted on Facebook that they were seeking the help of the public concerning a drive-by shooting which occurred on Beach Loop Road between 11th Street and Face Rock Drive at approximately 11:30 p.m. on March 1.
"No one was injured, but the Bandon Police are investigating and taking this matter very seriously. Any member of the public who has information regarding this matter is encouraged to contact us. Witnesses who heard anything, saw anything, or have video footage please contact the Bandon Police at 541-347-2241," said the post.
One person who commented said this was a vacation rental dwelling, and that a week earlier someone had thrown a hammer through one of the windows of the house.
Another wrote: "A hammer one week and then bullet holes two weeks later after the window was replaced. There is much more to this story. Now who uses a hammer?"
* * *
A press release from the Coos County Sheriff's Office reported that on March 2, at approximately 1:27 p.m., they received a report of an assault which had occurred on Seven Devils Road. Deputy Mong was dispatched to the emergency room at Bay Area Hospital to contact the victim who was being treated for injuries sustained in the assault. The victim said he was assaulted by a male suspect, when the suspect had unlawfully entered his residence.
"During the investigation the suspect was identified as Willie J. Jenkins, 48, of Bandon. Jenkins was arrested on charges of first-degree burglary and fourth-degree assault, and taken to the Coos County Jail where he was booked and lodged.
Another Bandon man, Charles Jenkins, 46, was also in the county jail after being charged in connection with a robbery and attempted assault at Begin Agains in the Bandon Shopping Center several weeks ago.
* * *
A 59-year-old Bandon man, Matthew G. Taylor, was rescued by two sheriff's deputies, Gray and Baker, after his vehicle had become disabled Feb. 20 in the snow at Rock Creek Campground south of Powers. He had reportedly not sought help until March 3, the same day he was rescued.
Taylor, who was reported to be cold and hungry but otherwise uninjured, was rescued shortly before 7 p.m., transported out of the mountains and given a ride to Bandon by members of the sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office would like to remind people to avoid traveling in hazardous weather if at all possible. "If you must travel, please ensure your friends or family know your travel route. Prepare for winter weather and make sure you have extra water, food, blankets, cell phone and other associated items."
* * *
People are reminded of the Bandon Community Darkness to Light Training March 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bandon Community Center, presented by Kids' HOPE Center.
Darkness to Light is a sexual abuse prevention training program that educates adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child abuse.
People are asked to contact Becky Armistead at becky@bandon.k12.or.us or Mary Carol Roberson at mcrobers912@gmail.com for questions regarding the training or to ask for free childcare at Ocean Crest Elementary School during the training.
The Kids' HOPE Center provides services to children throughout the county free of charge. Roberson said they have trained 4,734 Coos County residents.
Sponsors for the training, which is free, is sponsored by the City of Bandon, Bandon Rotary, Bandon Police Department, Bandon School District, Bandon First Presbyterian Church and the Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center. Pizza will be served to all attendees.
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Due to a sewer overflow in the Sprague theater last week, the Talent Show, which had been scheduled for Saturday, March 18, has been postponed. The sewer spill was not discovered until Wednesday, March 1. It had backed up through drains into the orchestra pit and rope pit, according to City Manager Dan Chandler. ServPro was contracted to clean up the spill.
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I learned this week that Mike Strong, brother of Wayne and Roger Strong, had died of cancer. After high school, he joined the Marines and served in Vietnam. He had a degree in business from Portland State University and worked as a longshoreman for many years in Longview, Wash., Newport and Coos Bay. He had lived in Coquille for the past 20 years. Other survivors are a stepsister, Connie, and stepbrother, Richard. Mike never married.
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People are reminded about the Bach Birthday Party and Concert, to be held Sunday, March 19, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Some of Southwestern Oregon's finest musicians will be performing, and refreshments will be served. Admission is by donation at the door to benefit the grand piano fund at the parish hall.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
March 01, 2023
The first picture I am sharing this week was taken in 1958 of Leona (Mrs. Ralph) Swenston's kindergarten class, when they attended the school at the new kindergarten building on Ninth Street. Today that is the district office.
Leona Swenston's kindergarten class, 1958
A front-page article in the Dec. 18, 1958, Western World invited the public to attend an open house in the "new building near Bandon High School."
"The new building is located on Ninth Street, across from the BHS Industrial Arts building (which was part of the Bandon High School complex that burned in an arson fire in January of 1974.)
"The spacious, 30x46 building with butterfly roof is of contemporary design, compatible with the new Harbor Lights Junior High appearance, with emphasis on 'attractive appearance, without sacrificing simplicity and economy,' according to the Swenstons, who drew their own plans and supervised construction." (The junior high building, which was located directly behind the high school, was saved the night of the fire, but the high school was a total loss).
I tried hard to identify the students in the photo, and here is what I came up with: Mary Shindler is standing next to the teacher, and next to her is Peggy Ward. At far right, I see Stanley Martin, John Prahar and probably Russ Fraser, in the plaid shirt. I am pretty sure that Peggy Howard is in the photo, but so many are not facing the camera, that it's hard to identify them. This would have been the BHS Class of 1971.
The second photo is of Millard School, which in May of 1956, completed its second year on Langlois Hill.
Millard School, 1956
Its students were headed for West Point, The Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.
"The school, with Homer B. Millard as headmaster, turned out four students the first year, 10 this year, and expects to have 15 enrolled in September, which at present is the school's capacity." (Later, the Millards purchased Tanglewood and moved the school to the Bradley Lake location, which is now owned by Bandon Dunes).
"The regular school term, preparing candidates for the service academy entrance examinations next Spring, will open Sept. 21. In this course students will cover three years of math, four years of English and one year of American history."
I have a special fondness for everything Millard as the colonel's wife, Esther, was my high school English teacher, and today, based on her teaching, I have a pretty strong background in grammar.
The third picture of the gas schooner Anvil illustrates a story I found in the March 2, 1916, Western World, headlined "Mexican Interests Buy Former Bandon Boat."
The Anvil
"The Anvil is to enter the Mexican trade and probably see considerable service in the Gulf of California, particularly about Santa Rosalia. She is rated a staunch vessel, and when taken to Portland from Puget Sound a few years ago for the Portland-Bandon trade was valued at considerably more than the sum set forth in the bill of sale as a consideration ... $15,000.
"She will fit easily into the general freight and passenger trade between Mexican ports because of being a good carrier for her size, and a feature of her passenger accommodations is that they are arranged on the main deck after the manner of sleeping cars, each section being fitted with berths and separated from the aisle with curtains."
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I receive so many compliments on my column, particularly from people who love the history portion, that I have an idea. If you like what you read in my column or love the history minutes on KBDN radio, and would like to see more in-depth articles about Bandon's history, you may want to become a member of the Bandon Historical Society.
A year's membership, which costs $20 for an individual, $30 for a family or $250 for a life membership, entitles you to receive The Bandon Light, a newsletter produced three or four times a year by the treasurer Jim Proehl (who also writes most of the history minutes).
The latest publication features an interesting story from 1935 about Bandon's missing mayor, F.E. Drane, and how Ed Capps came to be mayor at the time of the Bandon Fire less than a year later.
If you want to become a member (and find out what happened to Mayor Drane), simply stop in at the museum, located at Highway 101 and Fillmore, or send a check to P.O. Box 737, Bandon, OR 97411.
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I recently read about some community events coming up which not everyone may have on their calendar, and while I don't have all the details, at least I can share the date and what I do know.
Bandon's Got Talent, a talent show sponsored by the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, is set for Saturday, March 18, at the Sprague Theater.
The Bach Birthday Party and Concert is Sunday, March 19, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. A spokesman invites people to "come celebrate Johann Sebastian Bach's 338th birthday with live performances of Bach's music by some of the South Coast's finest musicians and enjoy special Bach Birthday cupcakes, coffee and wine tasting. Musicians will include the Seascape String Quartet, composed of Claire Mohr, Luanne May, Lisa Jarvis, and Kimberly Wurster; Bandon duo Sarah Mautner, violin, and Crystal Landucci, piano; Langlois cellist Dace Sultanov, and Coos Bay pianist Madi Cristina Barrena.
Admission is by donation at the door to benefit the grand piano fund at Holy Trinity Parish Hall.
The annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Bandon Lions, is scheduled for Sunday, April 8, at 1 p.m. at City Park. They are also looking for volunteers to help, and if you would be willing to assist, you could contact donna@washedashore.org or call her at 541-366-1057.
I also saw that the latest iteration of the Kingston Trio is coming to the Sprague on Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $50, and I think they need to be purchased on line, so I will leave it up to you to figure out how to do that if you're interested. I believe one of the trio is related to Nick Reynolds, one of the original Kingston Trio.
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I recently saw a press release about an Oregon lawmaker, Senator Lew Frederick, who is sponsoring a bill that would require police officers in Oregon, who work in departments with 50 or fewer officers, to have at least two years of higher education. And a bachelor's degree would be required for departments with more than 50 officers. The law would apply to police, corrections, parole, probation and reserve officers.
That sounds fine, but is it realistic, knowing the struggles that small departments like Bandon have in hiring and keeping employees? One of the main reasons that the county jail has only 48 beds available to house prisoners is because of the difficulty in hiring corrections officers, and I doubt that the new law would make it any easier.
Nationwide, about 80 percent of police agencies only require a high school or GED diploma, according to a 2016 survey of more than 2,700 agencies. The number requiring a two-year degree hovers around 10 percent, while just over 1 percent require a bachelor's degree.
A spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau said, "Arbitrary requirements such as a four-year degree would have a chilling effect on potential applicants ... obviously, education is valuable, but it shouldn't be a litmus test for public service."
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Concerned about the escalating cost of groceries, I decided to look carefully at the price of my favorite breakfast cereal and yogurt, things that I eat each morning.
I have shopped at Ray's for years, although I have been going to McKay's quite a bit lately, and when I discovered that my favorite cereal had jumped from $5 something to $7.79 at Ray's last week, I decided to go across town for a comparison. And what a surprise. The exact same cereal was $5.29 ... a savings of $2.50 on one package of cereal. And the Nancy's yogurt was similar in price difference ... from $5.99 to $3.69. It amounted to a savings of $12.40 on five items.
I love the employees at Ray's and don't have to worry about my car getting dinged in the not as crowded parking lot, but until they bring their prices more in line with everyone else in the county, I will buy only items that I can't find elsewhere, are fairly priced, or already marked, like magazines ....
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The Coos County Cultural Coalition, the local arm of the Oregon Cultural Trust, recently gave grants to 17 Coos County organizations, totaling $13,752.
Receiving checks at the February award ceremony at Wildflour Public House, were the Bandon High School district band program, Bandon Historical Society Museum, Bandon Inclusivity Group, Bay Area Artists Association, Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay Public Library, Coos Bay Shakespeare in the Park, Create Center Coquille, Dolphin Players, MarLo Dance Studio of Bandon, Oregon Coast Historical Railway, Oregon Coast Music Association, Redfish Music Festival, South Coast Clambake Music Festival, and the South Coast Folk Society.
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One of my friends posted on Facebook that she'd seen Joan Goodbrod at a local restaurant last week, and I was extremely surprised because I was pretty sure Joan would have let me know if she was coming to Bandon. It turns out that the person my friend mistook for Joan was actually Donna Mason, president of the Bandon Museum board of directors.
Coincidentally Joan called me from her home in Woodland, Wash., Saturday to say that she has contracted Covid and will be isolated alone in her care center room until she tests negative. Thankfully, she does not feel that sick, without even a fever, but at 90 years old, the isolation is causing her more stress than the Covid.
She also said she wished that my friend had been correct as she would love to have been in Bandon last week as she misses her old hometown and her many friends. If you'd like to send Joan a card, her address is Woodland Care Center, Apt. 112, PO Box 69, Woodland, Wash., 98674. I know it would make the time go faster as she waits for a negative test.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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