As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
May 26, 2021
If it weren't bad enough that the town of Bandon was almost completely destroyed by fire in September of 1936, less than five months later, the area experienced what was described as "the worst storm in history."
The first picture I am sharing are the tents, which were set up along First Street by the Red Cross for residents and firemen within days of the fire.
Tents set up by the Red Cross
The second photo shows the result of more flooding several years later near the Chevron Station, which was across from what is now Face Rock Creamery. The foundry to the right of the station survived the fire but was later torn down.
Flooding
One story about the storm, from the Feb. 4, 1937, Western World, told of logs drifting into the firemen's tent.
"Firemen living in the tent which has been their headquarters since the city burned last September reported that a log floated into their tent while they were at work patrolling the streets and otherwise helping during the flood.
"The log, one foot in diameter, caused damage to cots and other property as it floated hither and yon. The firemen spent the remainder of Monday night sleeping on the floor of the council chamber in the new city hall."
The "new city hall," which had been built by WPA workmen to house the Red Cross as they moved in to take care of Bandonians, is now the Bandon History Museum on the corner of Fillmore and Highway 101.
Old-timers, who had lived here over 40 years, said it was the worst storm they had ever seen . The quick run-off caused Ferry Creek to flood, which inundated the downtown area. The banks of the creek and its tributaries were burned off in the fire, leaving nothing to hold the moisture.
The most fascinating story to come out of the storm was headlined: "Infant lost in Flood, Found Alive. Family of Five Goes Hurtling Down Canyon in Home."
The Richard Howell family were living in a house built in a canyon on Lowe Creek on the North Bank Road. Above them was a dirt dam some 20 feet in height, the water of which had been used for irrigation purposes on the H.H. Christensen farm.
"The terrific downpour of rain caused the dam to give way during the night. The sudden onrush of water swept the Howell home from its foundation and carried it down the canyon some 800 yards to the main road. The walls had collapsed and the roof had fallen in.
"Trapped within the enclosure of their wrecked abode, the Howells grasped madly for the hands of their children. The mother quickly gathered the baby in her arms, but in the topsy-turvy trip down the canyon, half submerged in icy water, she lost him. When the wreckage came to a halt at the main road, there were father and mother and the two older children, but the baby was gone."
The story tells how they groped madly in pitch darkness for any sight or sound of the baby, but they finally gave up believing the baby was dead.
"The motley four, water-soaked and numb with cold made their way to the Christensen home," says the article.
Mr. Christensen hurried to the home of Maurice Ray, superintendent of Moore Mill & Lumber Co. logging operations, Howell's employer. Aided by a flashlight and lantern, Christensen and Ray rushed to the scene of the wreckage to search for the body of Baby Howell.
"An hour had elapsed ... when suddenly after upturning what had been part of the roof they saw Baby Howell. His left arm and his head were firmly hooked over the limb of an alder sapling that had been washed from its moorings by the rushing torrent, and he was alive, breathing; in fact gurgling as they gently lifted him from his anchorage to the arms of rescue."
He was rushed to his parents and brought to Bandon and given a thorough examination by Dr. E.F. Lucas, who found no water in his lungs and only a slight fever as the result of exposure.
This was the kind of positive story that people needed after surviving both fire and flood.
The third picture features D. S. "Big Mac" MacDonald, as he celebrated 25 years as a police officer with the City of Bandon.
"Big Mac" MacDonald
But that is not where he started his police career.
An item in the June 9, 1949, Western World is headlined: Bandon Man Joins State Police Ranks.
"Donald MacDonald, World War II veteran and graduate of Bandon High School, was sworn in as a member of the Oregon State Police Monday at Salem.
MacDonald is head of the cheese-curing room at the Coquille Valley Dairy Co-op plant here. He will stay on the job until relief is arranged.
"Given the temporary rating of 'recruit,' MacDonald will report to the Coquille headquarters of the state police for about 10 days before being stationed at Gold Beach where he expects to be assigned to game enforcement duties which he requested. MacDonald served with the Marine Corps during the recent war."
I am not sure how long he spent with the State Police, but certainly their loss was our gain.
* * *
The election is over .... except for those of us who mounted a write-in campaign, as I've been advised that it could be as late as June 7 when the votes have to be certified before the write-in winners will be announced. Hopefully, we will know sooner the outcome of the 642 write-in votes for Position No. 2 on the board of the Southern Coos Health District, but until then it's anyone's guess as I know of two others, besides me, whose names were written in.
To say that the results of the election produced some surprises is an understatement.
The school board lost one of its most dedicated members when Marie Simonds, executive director of Wild Rivers Coast Alliance, was unseated by local plumber Stan Avery. Avery's wife, Theresa, also sought a seat, but lost to incumbent Angela Cardas by over 200 votes. Marie did win a seat on the Education Service District board, which is good.
Rod Taylor, not to be confused with activist and radio talk show host Rob Taylor, also of Bandon, defeated Harv Schubothe for the Bandon port commission 1,632 to 1,361. Rod is one of three Oregonians who were cited (him for curfew violation) on Jan. 6 in Washington, D.C. Rod also won a seat on the Coos County Area Transportation District board of directors.
For the contested seat on the Bandon Rural Fire Protection District board, incumbent Larry Sabin defeated challenger Jeannette Harper, 514 to 271.
Because of a mix-up, two incumbents of the Bandon Cranberry Water Control District board filed for the same seat, with Ted Freitag defeating fellow board member John Roth 102-74. Hopefully, the 51 write-in votes for the vacant Position No. 3 will have been for John so both can continue serving on the board. If not, the remaining board members, which includes Scott Vierck who ran unopposed, can reappoint John to the board when his term expires June 30.
The city's renewal of the local option street tax, Measure 6-188, passed handily, 775-152. All I can say is: thank you to the voters who supported this effort which allows us to maintain our streets and pedestrian ways.
Overall, 25.76 percent of the registered voters in Coos County cast their ballots: 12,213 out of 47,413 registered voters.
* * *
If ever there is an incentive to get vaccinated, it is now. It was announced this week that Oregon is one of four states who will offer an incentive to those who are hesitant to get vaccinated.
Under the plan, the state will pick 42 winners: One statewide winner will receive $1 million, one person in each county will receive $10,000 and five 12-to-17-year-olds will receive $100,000 Oregon College Savings Plan scholarships. The irony is that the very people who are pushing hardest for our counties to open up fully are the same ones who refuse to be vaccinated. It doesn't make sense.
Under new state rules laid out last week, counties will see an easing of restrictions once 65% of their 16-and-older population has received a dose of the Covid vaccine.
Portland (Multnomah County), for example, has already reached the 65 percent figure needed to reopen; Coos County stands at about 51 percent. Surely we can do as well as Multnomah County! Can't we?
This means over 7,000 more county residents need to get a dose before the county hits that threshold.
Meanwhile the county's seen a slow increase in its Covid-19 cases. Coos will remain in the moderate-risk tier, but its 88.4 cases per 100,000 over the last two weeks is up from the previous reporting period, according to Coos Health and Wellness.
* * *
The federal government announced several weeks ago that the deadline for states to comply with its Real ID program has been pushed back to May 2023.
According to the Oregonian, "The latest Real ID delay gives Oregon, which expected to be the last state in the country to comply with the federal security rule signed by Congress in 2005, yet another reprieve from an anticipated Real ID customer crunch state officials fretted about for years."
It makes one wonder what is going on with the state run Department of Motor Vehicles if we were set to be the last state to comply.
* * *
Golfer Phil Mickelson made history Sunday when he became the oldest golfer in history to win a major championship. Phil is three weeks away from his 51st birthday and had to have a special exemption in order to play in the PGA Championship because of his age.
The record had been held by golfer Julius Boros, who was 48 years, 4 months and 18 days old when he won the PGA championship in 1968. In an unprecedented occurrence, the crowd swarmed Mickelson as he walked toward the 18th tee, resulting in officials having to rope off the area. I've never seen anything like the excitement even in the hey-day of Tiger Woods.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
May 19, 2021
For so many years, Moore Mill & Lumber Co. was Bandon's largest employer, and there are many stories to share about the company.
I am sharing a picture of the mill because I found an interesting story in a Feb. 3, 1916, issue of the Bandon Recorder about the mill.
Moore Mill & Lumber Co.
It seems that the mill was reopening after having been closed for nearly two years. Here is what the story said:
"Bandon and community will rejoice over the announcement made today by Geo. W. Moore that the local mill will again be in operation by the 15th of March. Mr. Moore stated that an agreement has been reached with the Coach timber interests for the purchase of their product and that contracts are now being prepared. The price agreed upon is $2.25 per thousand.
The camp was expected to be open within a week and would employ about 45 men in the beginning.
" 'This will enable us to get things in shape so that we can start the mill ... which will employ about 75 men. Our product will be carried to California ports by the Estabrook steamers, as before,' " said Moore.
"The Moore mill is the largest on the Coquille river and one of the best equipped in the county. It has been closed down since the summer of 1914, when Bandon was swept by fire. At that time the lumber market reached such a low figure that it was impossible to continue operations."
The fire to which the article refers occurred in June of 1914 when about half the business district burned along First Street.
According to an article in the Dec. 14, 1916, paper, "The mill was established in 1910 as the Cody mill, at that time owned by the Cody Lumber company. It is known as a single band and resaw plant and has a capacity of 125,000 feet a day.
"The monthly payroll of this plant is $7,500, which is an important factor to the commercial interests of the community.
"Among the more valuable timber now being logged is a large quantity of spruce. The mill has orders for several thousand feet of spruce for aeroplane stock. The lumber will be transported to Coquille on barges and shipped by rail to the Atlantic coast where it will be loaded on vessels bound for Europe."
The second picture I am sharing is the original Capps Motor Co., building, which is described in an item I found in an August 1951 Western World, heralding the construction of a new building. It was located in what is now a vacant lot across from the Port of Bandon's marketplace building.
Capps Motor Co.
"One of the largest and most substantial new business buildings erected in Bandon in recent years is the new home and headquarters of Capps Motor company, which will be formally opened Saturday. The new building is a solid concrete structure covering an area 100 x 116 feet at the corner of Second Street and Chicago Avenue."
Today the building is owned by Kirk and Elizabeth Day and houses Washed Ashore, Broken Anchor and the Century 21 Best Realty office.
"Ed Capps, owner of the company, first established the business in Bandon in 1922, and soon after took over the Ford agency. He erected a large two-story concrete building at Bandon avenue and Wall street with a ground entrance on both floors (pictured). This building was considered a safe haven for cars and household goods by many citizens during the fire of 1936, but the intense heat destroyed it, along with most other concrete structures of that time.
"Immediately after the fire Capps built the service station and garage (third photo) opposite which the new building has been erected.
"The new building is among the most modern automotive plants in Coos County, including spacious showroom, service department, special body repair and painting rooms, huge parts department, offices and new equipment.
"Capps has been one of the leading businessmen of Bandon for nearly 30 years. He was mayor of Bandon at the time of the fire and afterwards, and his large investment in the modern new automotive plant is seen as indicative of his continuing faith in Bandon's future."
* * *
I had heard that there was an ambulance and other public safety people in the driveway of a house behind Ray's last week, but I just learned what happened.
A 54-year-old Bandon man, Toby Bingham, son of Carol Pesek Ashton, had gone to the home of Lawrence Ashton, but he apparently suffered a major heart attack as he got out of his vehicle. Sadly, he was not able to be revived. A service was held for him Saturday at the local funeral chapel.
I understand that Toby had many friends, who were expected to be here from his former home for the service.
Among his relatives is his aunt, Phyllis (Mrs. Ken) Butler.
* * *
I was glad to see a bit of moisture over the weekend since I learned last week that this April was the driest in the last 17 years since Gerry Terp has been sending me the rainfall report. And that's not good.
Bandon recorded 1.54 inches of rain in April .... compared to a high of 11.60 inches four years ago in April 2017. But that was the year that we had over 100 inches (102.04) of rain for the fiscal year, which is October through September. Last year's fiscal year rainfall was 52.79 inches.
To say that we are all over the chart is an understatement.
This is all the more reason to cooperate with the city's gorse guy, Bear Slothower, who is working with property owners to get gorse eradicated. We all know it's a huge fire hazard and the more we cut, and mulch in place, the safer we will be during the dry season.
* * *
The elephant in the room these days is how do we get our hesitant friends and neighbors to get vaccinated, so the state can truly be open for business. I was as shocked as everyone else when the CDC did a sudden about face on the wearing of masks, and while Oregon's governor said she would honor the CDC guidelines, the reality of what that really means had yet to be formulated when I wrote my column Sunday night.
During a news conference Friday, the state epidemiologist Dean Sidelinger did say that Oregon businesses and workplaces will need to verify workers' and customers' vaccine status before letting them take off masks. This could mean requiring people to show a vaccination card or a picture of the card on a Smartphone, Sidelinger said.
I personally have no problem showing anyone my vaccination card; in fact I am proud of that fact that I have been vaccinated, but my heart goes out to already stressed employees who have been facing hostility throughout the pandemic from people who do not want to wear a mask.
I am hoping that the Governor just tells businesses to post a sign on their door, indicating that vaccinated people do not have to wear a mask. It's called the honor system.
Speaking of masks, I contacted the governor's local representative last week after a constituent told me that young baseball players had been advised they had to wear a mask while in a game.
I said I was under the impression that the mask requirement was lifted for outdoor sports ....
He responded. "You are correct," and provided the guidance which says that face coverings are not required for an individual who is outdoors, competing in or practicing a non-contact sport, and maintains at least six feet of distance from individuals outside of their household."
Not sure how a batter remains six feet away from the catcher, but frankly I would take my chances and let students play baseball without wearing a mask except probably while they are in the dugout.
After all, he did say, "You are correct."
I guess the mask restrictions have not been lifted for basketball, as evidenced by John Canzano's column in the Oregonian this week which profiled a young girl who ended up unconscious on the floor after suffering from a lack of oxygen, which doctors clearly said was attributed to being forced to wear a mask.
My question is this: when will this madness end? And if it means getting a vaccination, please do your part and get vaccinated!!
* * *
Along the same subject, I saw a question on line from an Oregon woman who said she was fired for refusing the Covid vaccine because she believed there was not enough testing.
The answer was that Oregon is an "at will" state when it comes to employment and unless there is a specific contract or law prohibiting it, an employer can fire a person for any reason, or no reason at all.
So yes, if a person is working in health care, or any other industry where they come in contact with vulnerable clients, they can and should be required to be vaccinated, or they could be fired. That's the law. How many agencies will resort to that, I don't know. The bottom line to the above question is simple: If you do not have a contract, then your termination is lawful under Oregon law."
* * *
Tourist season is upon us, and motels, restaurants and other businesses are having a difficult time hiring seasonal employees. Take Coastal Mist, for example, they are shorthanded and have decided to close on Tuesdays.
It is clear that people may not want to work as long as their unemployment benefits have been extended, and they have received stimulus money.
That, coupled with the high price and virtual non-existence of rentals, makes it ever harder to get people to work in the service industry.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
May 12, 2021
We've read a lot about the Bandon Fire of 1936 and the Columbus Day Storm of 1962, but what we haven't talked as much about was the flood of the winter of 1945. I didn't realize it had been such an important weather event until my friend Diane Blake Lewis sent me a couple of small snapshots of that storm.
Then I began to research the old Western Worlds to learn more about the flood. The pictures simply said "winter of 1945," so I started with the last paper in 1945 and went backwards, finding virtually nothing out of the ordinary. But I knew these pictures were telling a story, and I needed to find it. So I turned to the Jan. 3, 1946, issue of the paper, and there it was.
The lead headline reads: "Bandon Becomes Host to Many Stranded Travelers During Peak of High Water."
You remember that in those days, there was no Bandon to Coos Bay highway. We had to go to Coquille, through the dreaded dike (in at least one of the pictures) which was often flooded, and then head from there east to Roseburg or north to Coos Bay.
The first picture was taken at the east end of the dike heading into Coquille, which us old-timers remember vividly because of the houses that lined the highway .... and always flooded.
The dike heading into Coquille
It was nothing for the water to cover the entire first floor. After years of floods like this, the structures were finally torn down and the highway was elevated to the height it is today. It still floods, but nothing like the old days.
The second picture also indicates that it was taken along the dike, but I am thinking it may have been a scene east of Bandon in the area of Bear Creek, which often flooded. If you look closely you can see that the old car is being towed, with several guys riding on the back of the towing vehicle.
Here's the story.
"Some 200 people, travelers between points from San Diego and British Columbia on U.S. Highway 101, were marooned in Bandon Saturday night and it took the combined facilities of the entire community, including some private homes to afford shelter and rest accommodations. Flood conditions of the highway north and south was the reason.
"The heavy downpour of rain, extending into the third day, had caused flood waters to cover the highway across the dike between Fat Elk and the Coquille bridge to a depth of some 29 inches.
"To the south, Sixes River, Elk River, Rogue and other streams were on a rampage, flooding the highway in a number of places."
Among the people stranded were three busloads of Greyhound passengers.
"Interruption of light and power service for several hours added to the difficulty of serving the stranded folks. Lloyd's Cafe was the only restaurant in operation, but the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Camp, managed by candlelight to serve at least sandwiches and coffee to all comers.
"With a shortage of housing facilities under normal conditions, it was impossible to provide sleeping quarters for the unexpected visitors. However, through cooperation of Mayor K.I. Franklin and other city officials, Commander Arthur Dobney of the U.S. Coast Guard station, Legionnaires and citizens in general, all were given at least shelter for the night. All available beds of the coast guard and the local hospital were made available, and the city hall and the Legion hall were kept open and warm for the stranded public. All was done in the spirit of hospitality and without charge."
Many of them even enjoyed a dance at the Townsend hall.
"The undaunted spirit of Jim Walstrom of the Central Transfer Co., U.S. Mail carrier, engaged a small pickup boat, operated on the river by Art Pederson for the fishermen. With Eddie Norton, Central Transfer truck operator at the wheel, the mail took the water route between Bandon and Coquille."
Walstrom was the grandfather of the late Barbara McMahon and the great-grandfather of Jerry and Mark McMahon.
The third picture features Western World summer employee Lindsey Hess delivering the new phone books to John Fetterman, owner of Shindler's Rexall Drug Store in August of 1972.
Delivering phone books, 1972
Lindsey, daughter of Jay and Doreen Hess, was a Cranberry princess in 1971, escorted by her brother, Jeff Hess. She graduated from Bandon High in 1972.
* * *
It was great to watch Angela Haseltine Pozzi of Washed Ashore as she appeared in person on the Kelly Clarkson show on Earth Day to unveil her latest sculpture, a 13.5 foot long sturgeon. At the end of the show, Clarkson announced that the Canidae Pet Food company was donating $25,000 to Washed Ashore for their efforts at turning trash into art.
Angela told Clarkson that Washed Ashore, which has generated national publicity for Bandon, has turned approximately 30 tons of trash into 85 sculptures in the last 11 years.
People across the country continue to be amazed by Angela's story as she and her cadre of helpers turn trash into treasures.
* * *
I haven't gotten the rainfall information yet for April, but I do know that in March, Bandon recorded 7.07 inches of rain, compared to 5.44 the previous March and 3.20 inches in 2019. My guess is that April will turn out to have been very dry.
* * *
You need to pick up a copy of the latest Bandon Buzz, owned and edited by Amy Moss Strong, to see profiles of the candidates, who are running for election on the May ballot. Amy has also given Laurea Arnoldt and me a chance to let people know why we are running a write-in campaign for a seat on the hospital board (position No. 2).
Since the two of us announced that we are running, I also learned that some of the employees at the hospital are urging people to write-in the name of Barbara Snyder, a retired RN, who moved to Bandon a year ago from Arizona where she was the Campus Director at the University of Phoenix headquarters, charged with ensuring the success of students and faculty, facilities and operations, technology and innovations.
* * *
Former Powers school superintendent and Myrtle Point graduate Don Grotting, who is the superintendent of the Beaverton School District, appeared on TV the other night to talk about the epidemic of fentanyl-related deaths in his area.
During the interview, Don said that in 2019 some 70,000 pills containing fentanyl were seized, compared to 700,000 in 2020. I am not sure if that was a state or national statistic, but the increase is definitely alarming.
* * *
It has been heartening to see the number of Covid cases continue to go down in Coos County, as we are now in the moderate category and from the looks of our latest numbers, we should stay there or even go down a category.
I looked at the latest numbers for Coos County communities and here is what I found. Bandon had the fewest overall cases (83) since the start of the pandemic for a rate of 1193.7 per 100,000 population based on our population of 6,953; Coquille had 130 cases, and a rate of 1909.2 per 100,000 with a population of 6,809; Myrtle Point had 113 cases (2387.5 per 100,000) based on a population of 4,733; North Bend had 438 cases (3107.3 per 100,000) based on a population of 14,096, and Coos Bay had recorded 896 cases (3261.4 per 100,000) based on a population of 27,473.
* * *
The latest scam involving a request from a friend appears to be circulating again. I have continued to wonder what's in it for the scammer and I finally figured it out.
This week I received an email from someone purporting to be Shawn G. Jennings (a friend from Coquille) saying she needed a favor from me. "I need to get a Nike Gift Card for my nephew. It's his birthday but I can't do this now because I'm currently traveling. Can you get it from any store around you? I'll pay back as soon as I am back. Kindly let me know if you can handle this."
I decided to go along with their little game and replied: "love to help you. What should I do?"
The person responded: "Great, thanks! Total amount of Nike Gift Card needed is $400 from any store around like Walgreen, Best Buy, 7-Eleven, store, or Walmart store, or CVS store, and you can also get it in Target store too you need to scratch the back of the card to reveal the pin, then take a snapshot of the back showing the pin and forward it here to me online Once again thanks."
My next email was "I am forwarding this to the FBI and the local police."
I did not hear back.
The previous week a similar request came from former resident Lilla Ingram Wallace, asking me if I had an account with Amazon? I responded by saying I was sure the question did not come from her. But "she" responded. "No, I've been trying to purchase a $200 Amazon E-gift card by mail, but it says they are having issues charging my card." And then came the instructions as to how I was to purchase it through my Amazon account and then immediately forward it to her. Ending: "Awaits your swift response."
Someone had definitely hacked into her email address.
The sad part about scams like this is that evidently people do fall for them or they would have moved on to another ploy to part trusting people from their money.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
May 05, 2021
I was trying to envision what the first plane to land on the Bandon Beach in 1920 might have looked like, so I chose this vintage plane, which landed at the Bandon Airport during a fly-in in the 1970s.
But the story I am sharing this week has to do with the headline "First Plane Alights Here," which topped the Western World in July of 1920.
"The first airplane to alight in Bandon made its appearance at 10:30 this morning, landing on the beach near the old Bennett place. It was a Canadian-Curtis plane, owned by the Oregon, Washington and Idaho Airplane company of Portland, with L.M. Briggs as pilot and Dr. L.G. Johnson of Marshfield as passenger.
"The plane came over from Marshfield for the purpose of selecting a good landing place on the beach. Tomorrow it will return at about 9 o'clock and spend the time during low tide here taking up passengers. The landing place will be on the beach just south of the Queen Anne cottages. The flights will be between 10 and 12 minutes in length, including a trip over the town and surrounding country. The charge will be $10 a trip."
That morning, the machine landed on the beach near the Sphinx rock (what we now call Face Rock).
H.J. McDiarmid was the first passenger to fly over Bandon.
"It circled over Bird rocks, the Coast Guard Lookout station and over the residence and business section, thence over the woodlands to Fish rock and landing again on the beach."
He said "it was the greatest ride I ever took. It was wonderful. I don't have words to express my feelings, but I know one thing, I am a confirmed airplane booster from now on. I would like to go for a real ride, say to Portland, or some point in the valley."
The next passenger was James H. Howe, then Miss Elizabeth Croxall, L.S. Houghton, Joe Stankavich, S.G. Whitsett and Wilbur Jurgenson.
"I'm ruined, completely ruined," exclaimed S.G. Whitsett when he climbed from the machine. I'm ruined, I tell you ... and when questioned as to why or how he was ruined, he elucidated: "Why, how can a man continue to operate such a tame affair as a mere automobile after riding in an airplane, I'd like to know? It has taken all the joy out of riding in a car."
The flights took place again the following Sunday and in addition to the airplane attraction, "many took occasion to enjoy a dip in the surf. Surf bathing was fine. One supposes, and those having never tried it perhaps abstain in fear of the idea, that is the water is icy cold. Such is not the case. While the water is not to be compared to that of the 'ole swimmin' hole' back in the inland rivers, yet it is far from being unbearable.
The pilot told Western World that "Bandon beach is one of the finest places I ever landed on or took an airplane off the ground from. It's only drawback is the fact that you must depend upon the tides to give you landing field."
The second photo was taken in August of 1960 as improvements were made during Bandon's highway widening project from the south city limits.
Highway widening project, 1960
The 76 station at right is where Banner Bank stands today.
The third picture features members of Cub Scout Dens 1 and 2, taken in March of 1975.
Cub Scouts, 1975
In front are Jerry McMahon, Tim Carver, Dwayne Nowlin, David Robertson and Liam Albrich; back row (left) Jim Knox, Kurt Albertson, Larry Ashton, Randy Manicke, Mark Johnston and Jason Knox. Leaders were Margaret Carver, Den 1, left, and Vicki Falke, right, Den 2.
* * *
I've been contacted by several people in the last couple of days asking me who I had recommended for the two contested school board positions. And I was clear: I am voting for Angela Cardas Meredith and Marie Simonds. In a recent column, I printed the statement from Stan and Theresa Avery, who are running for two of the school board seats, and this week I received a statement from Marie Simonds, who wants to let people know why she is seeking to be re-elected to Position No.3.
She is the parent of two students in the district, a community volunteer, youth sports coach and serves as vice chair of the board. "Meeting the needs of students and families in Bandon is my No. 1 goal in running for re-election. I have served on the board for three years and helped pass the recent school bond, initiate a Parent Teacher Organization at the middle school and helped open a child care center called Bandon Community Child Care Center."
Marie and her husband moved to Bandon in 2004. For six years she worked at Southwestern Oregon Community College in the Foundation office, half of those as the Executive Director, working on both scholarships for students and on the fundraising for the Curry County campus. For the last nine years she has worked at the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance, where she now serves as Executive Director. WRCA is the grant making department of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and has granted over $5M to support local organizations working toward supporting and benefitting the south coast region.
"In both my professional capacity as well as personally, I serve on many boards and committees, all with the intention of assisting those organizations reach their goals and best serve the people of the South Coast. I will bring that same passion, dedication and experience to the Bandon School District, working for our students and families," said Simonds.
I also strongly urge voters to cast their ballot for Harv Schubothe for Position No. 5 on the Port of Bandon commission.
* * *
As I stated in an earlier column, I am running as a write-in candidate for Position No. 2 on the board of the Southern Coos Health District, a position for which no one has filed. I would appreciate your writing in my name (Mary Schamehorn) on the ballot.
I am also urging people in the city to support BM 6-188, to continue the local option street tax at the same rate (84.5) as the last 10 years. For more complete information, read the insert in your utility bills, which came in the mail last week.
* * *
Former long-time Coquille city manager, author and member of a pioneer family, Patti Boice Strain, suffered a frightening accident last week as she mowed an area between her house and barn in the Sitkum area on a riding mower.
Patti, who is in her 80s, posted on Facebook that she was enjoying the beautiful spring day by deciding to mow the half-acre back yard "where the hand-dug well sits at the back fence line as the ground rolls uphill away from the creek. The creek is a nice feature, about three feet wide at the back and two to three feet deep."
They call it Trickle Creek in the summer and watch it flood occasionally in winter storms.
"I moved the mower to the back area and began by mowing along the creek. I did fine until reaching a narrow area I've mowed hundreds of times. It is necessary to turn the mower around and mow your way back across the field.
"Well, I had a Senor moment and hit the pedal for forward instead of the reverse pedal. As I drove forward, I said out loud, 'I'm going into the creek.' And I did -- full speed ahead with the mower blades still operating!
"Well the creek banks are about five feet high and four to five feet apart and the water was a nice hole of three feet deep. The front of the mower hit the opposite bank with enough force to throw me into the water where I got a thorough soaking.
"I floundered around to try and get out, but something was wrong with my left knee cap and I couldn't get it under me. What to do? First thought: Do I have my cell phone in my jeans pocket? I was lucky. I did. A 9-1-1 call brought Willy (Burris) and the Myrtle Point Ambulance crew to the rescue.
"The professional ambulance crew, now with help of my son, grandson and great-grandson, lifted me from the creek to a plastic tarp and then to a gurney and on to the ambulance 2 or 300 hundred feet away."
The ambulance drove her to Coquille Valley Hospital where they evaluated her options, which were few. She ended up in Providence Hospital where they had a surgeon and an empty bed. When she posted the account on Monday, April 26, she was still in Providence with a new left knee and headed to "a lot of therapy."
This could have been so much worse had Patti not been carrying her cell phone; at any rate, I am sure it was an experience that she won't soon forget.
Patti's husband, Hal Strain, who grew up on the Strain ranch on Langlois mountain, died in May of 2017 at the age of 81. They had been married just shy of 63 years.
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The man, who was wanted on numerous warrants, including federal, was captured last week in the Laurel Grove area, with the help of a police canine. The man, Jonathan Cordova, had apparently been living in Bandon for the last several months as his mother lives here. Bandon police learned that he was wanted, and attempted to stop him in the area of Harlem and 11th Street Friday, April 23. He failed to stop, and a short while later he abandoned his vehicle at First and Baltimore near The Big Wheel and fled on foot. This began an intense search for the man, who was finally apprehended several days later and turned over to the federal marshals, according to a Bandon Police officer.
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People keep asking me when the state plans to install the flashing light and new crosswalk at Ninth and Highway 101, and I was told this week that the work will be done this summer, probably around July.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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