As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Nov 25, 2020
The first picture I am sharing this week was taken in September of 1973 as the new Arcade Tavern was preparing to open at its new location .... on the corner of First Street and Alabama, where it remains today.
Arcade Tavern, 1973
In those days, it was just north of the W.H. Johnston office; today it is the home of Olivia Andor's shop in the building owned by Ed Landucci.
New owners of this building were Mr. and Mrs. Ora (Betty) Parker, who had owned and operated the Arcade Tavern in downtown Bandon for the last 17 years. At that time it was located on the corner of Second Street and Chicago Avenue in the building owned by Louise and Bill Moore, and now housing several businesses, including D'Lyns, Eichelberger & Company Real Estate and Pablo's Corner.
Before the Arcade was purchased by the Parkers, it had been owned for many years by J.C. "Charlie" and Kitty Page and their partner, C.S. "Curly" Woomer, who was best known as being the fire chief at the time of the Bandon Fire in 1936.
The building in this picture is now owned by the McCullough family and the name lives on.
I am assuming that Page and Woomer owned the Arcade before the Fire, but I am not sure. I did find a very interesting article in the May 4, 1933, Western World, about the opening of the Arcade Beer Garden. The owners held a formal opening with beer, music and dancing, and people came from throughout the county to celebrate.
"The garden is a unique place. It is built in log cabin style inside the Arcade building with entrance from Bandon Avenue. It has the moss-covered roof, the old iron bucket that hung in the well, a fireplace and all the rustic appurtenances that makes it typical. Along the walls inside are booths with partitions built of round poles and in the center of the room is a 12x12 dance floor. The Silver Spray orchestra furnished music for several hours Sunday evening. The place is open every day and evening, but is to have special features on Sunday evenings without cover charge," according to the article.
This is just one more example of how wonderfully unique Bandon would have been .... had it not been for the disastrous Fire which changed everything, including destroying Southwestern Oregon's largest dance hall, the Silver Spray, and the much heralded (but closed at the time of the fire) salt-water natatorium, the Wecoma Baths.
The second picture I am sharing was taken probably sometime in the 1920s or earlier, looking down Alabama Avenue from in front of the First National Bank building (now the Masonic Hall).
Alabama Avenue, 1920s
The Woolen Mill building at the north end of the street is where the Arcade Tavern is located today. Among other businesses on Alabama in those days were the Rex Theatre, which is the white building with the interesting roofline, and the Bandon Popular Hotel and Restaurant, with the horse and buggy in front of it. The building closest to the camera also appears to have some rooms upstairs.
The third picture was taken in November of 1970 as the varsity basketball team, coached by Butch Neff, prepared for its season.
Varsity basketball team, 1970
In back, from left, are Bayard Forrest, Charlie MacDonald, Bruce Capps, Dan Winters; center, from left, Steve Clausen, Gordy Groshong, Truett Forrest, Dave Clausen; front, from left, Gary Gant, John Prahar, Tom Fraser and Russ Fraser.
The only one no longer with us, besides Coach Neff, is John Prahar.
In March of 1971, the Tigers finished third at the State AA championships, earned the third place trophy for student sportsmanship and saw Bayard Forrest (the Tigers 6-8 junior star) earn first-team honors for scoring the most points and finishing with the most rebounds for the tournament.
The year Forrest was a senior, the Tigers also finished third at state.
* * *
I was sad to learn that Jim Reilly had died last week at the age of 86. I knew that he had battled cancer, but I often saw he and Donna eating at The Bakery, so I had hoped that he was doing well. The Reillys moved to Bandon in 1972, and are parents of seven children, Therese, Susan, Bridget, Mary, Brendan, William and Matthew. I do not know how many of them still live here, but I know that Therese and her husband, Kevin Kent, have recently returned to Bandon to make their home. Jim and Donna also have 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Jim was a long-time forester, having graduated from Oregon State University, while Donna worked many years in the office of the Southern Coos Health District. They were such a devoted couple, and I know it will be so hard for her and the family to go on without him.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Bandon Historical Society, c/o PO Box 737, Bandon.
I also learned that a good friend of mine, and a well-known local artist, Lois Olds, had lost her husband Bob after he took a bad fall several weeks ago at their home and ended up with a brain bleed. He died on election day, Nov. 3, and was adamant that he wanted to live long enough to see the results of the election, but at least he was able to cast his vote. Bob was 88.
They moved to Oregon in 1996 and lived in Coquille for some years, during which Lois worked in the Bandon High School office. Bob had retired at age 62, but later worked in security. The moved to Bandon seven years ago. Lois has one daughter in the area and another is planning to move here after the first of the year so she will not be alone.
* * *
I happened across an article in the Jan. 8, 1919, Western World headlined "Influenza Comes Back." Here is what the article said:
"The holiday season with its numerous visitors from outside places and its social activities proved disastrous to Bandon from the standpoint of contagion. On Christmas day there was not a single case of Spanish Influenza in the community while today there are no less than 33, with some patients in very serious condition."
It adds that much of the spread had to do with parties among the "younger folks and in the high school." Schools were again closed after a week's session.
The City Council had issued new regulations ... that all public or private dances parties, church, lodge or other parties were prohibited "under penalty."
Parents were instructed "not to allow their children to play upon the streets or visit from house to house."
Restrictions were also outlined for pool halls and billiard parlors, where the owners were required to remove every other table. In theaters, every other row of chairs or seats were to be closed.
It appears that the ban was imposed by the local city council, and not by state order. Although it appears they followed the advice of the Board of Health, at least to a point.
The article added; "Considerable complaint is heard on the street because the Council did not make the ban more complete. It is believed by many that the only way to stop the epidemic now is to enforce a strict quarantine against all places of amusement and see that the individual quarantines on homes are observed.
"While one member of the council favored a complete ban, the other five had other ideas ....without completely interfering with business."
* * *
I read with interest the press release sent out by the Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sheriffs' Association and the Oregon Association of Police Chiefs concerning the Governor's latest two-week freeze.
While the Governor, in a press conference, urged people to turn in their neighbors if they see homes where more than six people from more than two households are gathering, the press release does not address that issue, only urging people to comply. The goal of the police agencies was to take an education-first approach and to seek voluntary compliance with each Executive Order, adding,
"Oregon Law Enforcement recognizes that we cannot arrest or enforce our way out of the pandemic. We can however work together in following these restrictions to make our communities a safer and healthy place."
When it comes to reporting Executive Order violations, they said for business/workplace violations, please report these to Oregon OSHA; for violations at restaurants/bars, report to OSHA or OLCC. There was no contact information provided for either agency.
They closed by saying: "Oregon Law Enforcement is faced with many challenges one of which is typically receiving more police calls for service than available resources to respond. Because of this, we ask the public to follow the above mentioned recommendations for reporting alleged violations of the Executive Order."
I spent an hour on line with other elected officials listening to a discussion between the League of Oregon Cities lawyer and the OSHA director, who made it plain that before they inspect any business, based on a complaint, they would call the business first.
He also said that if a complainant wishes to remain anonymous, it is necessary to sign a form, which can be done on their website.
He concluded by saying that if everyone wore a mask in public, we could reduce the need for closures while we wait for the vaccine to be available. He added, however, that "he hated wearing a mask."
As far as the effectiveness of a mask, he said if you cannot blow out a candle while wearing a mask, you probably will not spread aerosol droplets. But he agreed that any face covering was better than none.
* * *
I want to end with a photo-editorial I found on the front page of the Nov. 8, 1956, Western World, probably written by my grandfather, the late L. D. Felsheim.
Below a picture of the Bandon Tigers and the opposing team shaking hands were these words, which are so timely today:
"How to be 'good losers' and 'good winners' is well-demonstrated by our teen-age generation at the end of an all-out, hard-fought football game. This candid picture shows opponents who two minutes before were doing their level best to bring victory to their respective camps, and a real battle it was. But the contest is over, the decision made, and they're not throwing fists in that mob, they are shaking hands. A timely example for their elders -- Republicans and Democrats alike."
I wonder what my grandfather would say today ?
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Nov 18, 2020
The first picture that I am sharing was taken of the Port of Bandon tug as she made its last voyage across the Bandon bar in May of 1960. And there's quite a story behind it.
Port of Bandon tug, 1960
I decided to look it up when I as reading a story in the Jan. 25, 1940, issue of Western World about local cobbler Mike Breuer celebrating his 80th birthday.
The story talked about how many family members and local Masons had attended the party and a bit about his day .... and his life in Bandon.
"The day's diversion included a trip on the new tug Port of Bandon. It was the first time the elder Breuer, a pioneer of Bandon who has lived alongside the U.S. Coast Guard station for many years, had an opportunity to inspect the new tug. The trip was made up river and was greatly enjoyed.
"Mr. Breuer is one of the older residents of Bandon. His four-score years weigh less heavily on him that on most humans for he is as alert and as active as most men of 20 years his junior. For years Mr. Breuer conducted a mercantile and shoe repair business during which he took an active interest in civic affairs."
Until I read the article that accompanied the picture I did not realize that the tug was making its farewell voyage.
The photo was taken at the Port dock as the craft was taking on its accessories before departure. It was sold to W.J. Locy of North Bend who had taken possession.
The picture caption read: "The Port of Bandon tug was built at Prosper in 1938. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor the government commandeered the tug and under command of its captain, Martin Guchee, it went to the Aleutian Islands where it did signal service and received several citations. After the war it was re-purchased by the Port of Bandon and since then has been in service here. With the advent of barge transportation, there has been little use for the craft in the local harbor, so the Port Commission decided to sell it."
But that definitely wasn't the end of the story.
In his book Wooden Ships and Master Craftsmen, Ernie Osborne talked about the launching of the ship on Aug. 14, 1938. Mrs. J.E. Norton, wife of the president of the Port of Bandon Commission, assisted by Mrs. Archie Rosa, wife of the secretary, christened her.
Osborne explained that in 1960 the tug was actually purchased by the Upper Columbia River Towing Company, and was put under the command of Captain Wayne Locy of Portland (not North Bend like the caption read).
Within a few weeks, or maybe months, The Port of Bandon sprang a leak and sank in Kure Island Channel in the South Pacific "early in 1960."
The second photo was taken in July of 1978 during a special exhibit of the S.S. Elizabeth, at the Bandon Historical Society Museum.
Special exhibit of the S.S. Elizabeth, 1978
Ernie Osborne, center, who I mention earlier as an expert on ships of the area, talks with local residents, including, I think, Mrs. Adolph Molthu. The Elizabeth was built in the early 1900s to be used for the Bandon-to-San Francisco run.
Although I believe the third picture was taken during a big wind storm in 1965, I am using it to illustrate a ferocious storm which hit this area on Friday the 13th of November in 1981, which many locals recalled after the big windstorm that hit this year on Friday, the 13th.
Wind storm, 1965
I was still working as a reporter for Western World, having covered the Columbus Day Storm of 1962, the big storm of 1965 and the storm of 1981. The front page of Western World on Nov. 18, 1981, was filled with pictures and stories about the damage .... although those of us who weathered all three still say none had been as bad as the Columbia Day Storm.
Bandon made the national news after several hundred people were evacuated from the south end of town around 10 p.m. Saturday when two huge gasoline tanks blew over at Ron's Oil Company near the south city limits. Firemen later determined that one of the tanks was empty, while the other contained roughly 600 gallons of gas, part of which spilled out onto the ground. But rather than take a chance, they went door to door in the raging storm to urge people to leave their homes.
In those days I carried a fire department pager, and I had gathered inside the dining room of Gerry's Restaurant with a lot of people crowded around me listening to the firemen talk about the storm. I remember hearing Gordy Texley, one of the firemen, warning about the overturned tanks at Ron's Oil, which was only a couple of blocks south of where we were (now Asian Garden). People started screaming as they listened to the warning and all of us raced out the door and got into the nearest vehicle to get out of what we feared was harm's way. It was pure chaos, and had it not been for the pager that I carried, we would not have known about the tanks. At any rate, we soon learned it was safe to return to our own cars. But that was one very wild night. The wind was estimated at about 100 miles an hour on the Bandon beach in that 1981 storm.
The wind speeds for last Friday were posted on Facebook and included 64 mph at 6:01 a.m. on Nov. 13 in Bandon; 2.5 miles northeast of Bandon, 52 mph at 2:15 a.m.; and 43 mph 1.7 miles south of Bandon at 5 a.m.
* * *
I was sorry to learn of the death of Bandon native Judy Howard, a member of the BHS Class of 1959, who died Nov. 15 at the age of 79. She was born in Leep Memorial Hospital to Buster and Irene Howard.
Her survivors include two sons, Scott Vierck and Randall Manicke, and a daughter, Tracy Manicke-Hultin; brothers, Steve Howard and Mark Johnston, and a sister, Sharon Whitley, as well as a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her ex-husband, Bruce Manicke.
Services will be held at the Odd Fellows Cemetery Friday, Nov. 20, at 1:30 p.m.
Judy was a life-long resident of Bandon except for the short time she lived in California when her first husband, Robert Vierck, was in the Navy.
Judy had 24 cousins on her father's side (many of whom were featured in my column recently with her grandmother, Mabel Howard) and 11 on her mother's side.
* * *
I also learned this week that Mike Stockford, former branch president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bandon branch, died recently at the age of 75 while undergoing surgery in Eugene. Survivors include his wife, Marita, and daughter, Jill Stockford, who owns Bandon Beach Dog Grooming.
* * *
I understand that Debi Ellis, Chief Nursing Officer of the Southern Coos Health District, plans to retire effective Dec. 31. Other changes include two vacancies on the health district board, according to Debi, caused by the resignations of Carol Acklin and Esther Williams.
If you are a resident of the health district and would be interested in serving on the board, you might call the hospital and let them know or maybe ask for an application.
* * *
Another old-timer, who was a long time resident of the north Curry area, Darrell Wigle died recently in Portland. He was married to the former Marilyn Neff and attended schools in Langlois and Port Orford.
* * *
A few nights ago I decided to look at the population figures of six states and the number of Covid-19 deaths to put things into a bit of perspective. And here is what I found. Oregon, with a population of 4.218 million, recorded 759 deaths; Massachusetts, with a population of 6.893 million, recorded 10,265 deaths; California (39.51 million), 18,218 deaths; New York (19.45 million ), 33,452 deaths; Washington state, (7,615 million), 2,634 deaths; and New Jersey (8.882 million) 16,522 deaths.
This was the data from last week, but from a percentage standpoint, I doubt that it has changed that much.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Nov 11, 2020
I've had the postcard of the first picture I am sharing for a long time, but I had not been able to find any information about it. I knew it was taken on the beach just south of the South Jetty and all I could think of was what it would have been like to drive down to the jetty and see these two vessels in the surf.
Shipwreck, 1914
Tonight, I found the story in H.S. Contino's book "Shipwrecks of Coos County," and I will share it with my readers.
"Sometimes rescue operations do not go according to plan. Such was the case on July 16, 1914. The trouble began when the 43-foot gas boat Queen (at left) encountered rough seas while attempting to cross the Coquille River bar. The vessel was struck by an enormous wave that smashed the window in its wheelhouse and flooded the engine room. Although the stalled motor was successfully restarted, a line on the deck that had been washed overboard became tangled in the propeller. Capt. Hark Dunham sent out a distress call that was answered by the U.S. Life-Saving crew. They arrived on the scene with their power lifeboat, the Defiance, and attempted to tow the disabled Queen back to port. However, as the two vessels approached the Coquille River jetties, they were struck by several large waves. While the two boats struggled to remain upright, the towline managed to get tangled up in the Defiance's propeller. With both engines disabled, the life-saving crew tried without success to tow the boats to safety. Both vessels drifted south where they washed ashore."
It is interesting as my postcard appears to have been doctored. In the exact same photo in the Contino book, there is a man standing on the bow of the lifeboat; in my picture he has been erased and only a white blur remains, almost like a wave breaking over the bow.
I know I have shared this second picture of shoemaker and businessman Mike Breuer in the past, but the story of how he founded the first library here is something I just discovered in a 1945 issue of Western World.
Mike Breuer
During a fundraiser to upgrade the library, in October of 1945, one of the donors was Michael Breuer, who was in his 80s and had lived in Bandon for 52 years. (Mr. Breuer died in 1962 at the age of 92).
"Mr. Breuer was instrumental in establishing the first free public library in Bandon back in 1905.
"A fleet of some 30 small sailing schooners carried lumber and coal from the lower Coquille River to San Francisco. Members of the crews were often forced to remain here weeks at a time before weather conditions permitted them to sail. There was no place for them to find entertainment or relaxation except in the numerous saloons of that day. After their money was gone they soon wore out their welcome in those places and they were hopelessly stranded.
"Mr. Breuer conceived the idea that a reading room would add materially to the situation, so he, assisted by Mr. Chase, who at the time operated a woolen mill here, rented the lower part of a building adjoining the old Bank building the upper story of which was occupied by the Bandon Recorder, a weekly newspaper published by Mr. Stitt, grandfather of David Stitt of Langlois.
"Through the courtesy of Adam Pershbaker of Parkersburg they obtained lumber to construct shelving. They equipped the place with a number of good books, subscribed for two daily newspapers and some magazines. There was no librarian, but borrowers were put on their honor. As they took a book out they wrote their name and the name of the book on a slip of paper that hung on the wall.
"Mr. Breuer cut and conveyed wood from the beach to provide heat for the reading room, and his son, Victor, kept up the fire and did the janitor work."
Everything went well and the idle sailors enjoyed the place ..... until gradually it became apparent that books disappeared without any record.
"At any rate Mr. Breuer .... abandoned the project and gave the library to the school house on the hill, which building later became the Legion Hall."
The building the article refers to was the original school built in 1893 on the hill across from where the old Coast Guard station stands today.
I love this third picture taken in 1940 of a group of students, who were members of the BHS Class of 1941.
Members of the BHS Class of 1941 posing as ballet dancers
I can identify the four men in front, but not the three in back. In front, from left, are Harold Howe, Don Goddard, Vernon Barrows and my uncle, Lou Felsheim, posing as ballet dancers, apparently for some kind of school fundraiser.
Among others in the same graduating class were the twins Edna and Edith Hunt (now Winters), Mary McNeil (Wilson), Kleta Hiley (Joy), Buster Jacobs and Velma Howard (Crew).
Edith Winters still lives in Bandon today, at the tender age of 97.
* * *
First of all I want to thank everyone who supported me in my successful re-election for mayor. For those of you who have not seen the results, I polled 1,059 votes compared to my opponent who received 756 votes. Although more votes were cast in 2020 than in 2006 when she last ran against me, the margin of victory was similar. The first time I received 742 votes and she had 505. It's hard to know what more I can say than just "thank you."
I was also happy that voters returned our two incumbent city councilors, Brian Vick and Geri Procetto, as well as newcomer Patrick Salandro, who will be a great addition to the council. He's already shown he's willing to be part of the solution, as he is on both the city's parks and recreation commission and the planning commission.
* * *
While having coffee at the bakery Saturday, a woman stopped by and handed me the city newsletter, on which she had circled some of the information (most particularly the part about the contributions to the county made by the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, which had originally been in my column and then in the newsletter).
Under suggestions as to what she should do with the old golf course property, she added; "Build housing. Desperately needed and a continuous source of income that can increase."
She also circled the part about the city receiving more in TOT tax than in property tax revenue and added the word "Wow!"
At the bottom she wrote: "These notices are just excellent plus they keep 'unconnected' people like myself in the loop."
I certainly appreciate her comments and hope that everyone who receives a city utility bill takes the time to read the newsletter that accompanies it. It is one way of reaching our constituents.
* * *
I was sorry to learn this week of the death of one of my 1957 BHS classmates, Colleen Colgrove Melhorn.
I know Colleen had lived in Newport for many years and often came to our class reunions. Among her survivors is her younger sister, Paula.
Colleen and I were born three days apart, me on Aug. 5, 1939, and she on Aug. 8, so our mothers were in Leep Memorial Hospital at the same time. Colleen's mother, Hazel Colgrove, was well known in Bandon and for years had Hazel's Antiques, first in the building which now houses Bandon Baking Co. and later in her house on Beach Loop Road just north of Sunset Motel and Lord Bennett's Restaurant.
Colleen was also a Cranberry Queen and if I am not mistaken she either won the Miss Coos County contest or at least was a finalist.
* * *
I learned this week that Country Media, the corporation who bought the World and the Western World, has now shuttered the local Coffee Break office and let long-time employee Sandy Stevens go.
This does not bode well for the future of this company, who since they purchased the local papers, along with several others including the Brookings paper, have reduced the Brookings paper from two days a week to one day, stopped printing the Western World and the Reedsport Courier, laid off its top reporter/editor, Amy Moss Strong, and its ad director, Amanda Carlton, and reduced Coffee Break in size and scope, from six days a week to three.
Hard to know what's next ..... or what's left?
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
Nov 04, 2020
The first picture I am sharing was taken around the mid l960s when the fishing fleet had grown to 50 boats. An article on the front page of the Aug. 4, 1966, Western World told the story.
Bandon fishing fleet, 1960s
"Fishing activity in the Port of Bandon has definitely been on the increase during the past two weeks, reports Graydon Stinnett, owner of Bandon Seafood Market.
"From an average of 21 fishing boats per day in July, mid-week count yesterday indicated 50 boats, and this number is apt to be raised by five or more per day, while the present season is in progress, said Stinnett.
"Attracting a large number of California fishermen, Stinnett is now working at a peak capacity, with more than 22 employees busily processing an estimated 15,000 pounds of salmon per week. He said that his top was on July 27, when 9,000 pounds were unloaded from 15 vessels, processed and shipped from the local business.
" 'We could increase our production 100 percent right now, if it were not for our lack of ice facilities,' Stinnett said. But to justify the investment of the ice-making equipment, he would have to be certain that the bar and jetty conditions would allow year-round production.
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently making a study of the facilities of the Port of Bandon to ascertain the economic feasibility of spending nearly five million dollars to bring the Bandon harbor up to year-round use, so necessary to maintaining an expanded seafood processing plant here."
The second photo of Queen Anne Cottage on the Beach (note its proximity to Face Rock) is a post card, probably from the 1920s.
Queen Anne Cottage, 1920s
An article in the Dec. 20, 1945, Western World provides some history.
"A deal was closed this week whereby Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Peters, recently of Portland, became owners of the Queen Anne resort property on Bandon beach. This desirable location has a three-tenant apartment at present, and formerly had six beautiful cottages overlooking Bandon's picturesque beach. It also had the original Queen Anne Cottage (pictured) built there about 70 years ago by Mr. Nichols.
"The 'Queen Anne' was owned by the Rasmussen Brothers, Chris and Nels, during Bandon's prosperous growing years, and was later purchased by A.P. Sweet and then by W.J. Sweet.
"A tea room, with plate glass windows on the south and west, was added to the old cottage, and a popular eating place, known as the Queen Anne Tea Room, was operated by Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Jarman. Three tourist cottages were also run by the Jarmans.
"In 1929, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Sweet added three more cottages and for eight years ran the business themselves and the Queen Anne because popular not only along the West Coast, but was known all over the U.S. All but the present apartments was destroyed in the Bandon Fire, Sept. 26, 1936.
"The new owners plan to build a house on the old Queen Anne site and later may develop the place as a modern cottage resort.
"The Peters also are interested in the local cranberry business. Mr. Peters became a partner with Lou Wright who recently bought the Walter Cox home south of Bandon on the Coast highway. They have about seven acres of berries east of the Cox home near the junction of the Bandon Beach Road. Mr. Wright is a musician and instructor at the Langlois school band."
Update: the three cottages that did not burn in the fire remain today, and are owned by Alex Linke. Mr. Wright later served as the long-time band director for the Bandon School District. Lou Wright and his wife Alice also owned Wright's Myrtlewood at Beach Junction, now the home of Kimberly's Book Nook.
The third picture was taken in July of 1966 of the club champions at Bandon's Westmost Golf Course. The picture was taken by me in front of the massive stone fireplace in the clubhouse during a social event.
Golf club champions, 1966
Club champion was Ray Baird (center) and runner-up was Bill Burgher, left. Joe Turner, right, was runner-up in the third flight. Not pictured was Bill Hopson, who was first-flight champion.
After printing out the photo, I realized that the two watercolor paintings on the wall behind the fireplace were painted by my grandmother, Grace Felsheim, who did not start painting until she was 65.
* * *
I was given a tour of the new staff/caddie housing units at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort this week by Katy (Vierck) Gonzales, resident staff housing manager. At present they have sited 10 of the tiny-house, one-bedroom units, but plans are to have 30 of them on site. They are beautiful and extremely functional, but best of all are providing a much-needed amenity for people who work at the resort.
One only needs to look at the price of homes being sold in the Bandon area to know that this is definitely a seller's market and we are in dire need of additional work-force housing.
* * *
One of the perks of being a member of the Bandon Historical Society is receiving its publication, "The Bandon Light," which comes out three or four times a year. Their most recent publication was a special Veterans Day issue, sponsored by Bain Insurance, and designed and laid out by museum board member Jim Proehl.
The feature article is titled "One POW's Story: As remembered by Carol Tucker Acklin," which told the story of the capture of Carol's uncle, Stan Tucker, brother of her father Howard. It is a riveting read.
The eight-page publication also included a letter from the late Don Goddard, dated May 9, 1945, from Germany, written to his parents and shared by his daughter, Nancy Goddard Murphy, a member of the museum board.
The special edition included photos of a selection of Bandon High School graduates who served, including Class of '15, Raymond Geisendorfer; Class of '28, Master Sergeant Chet Campbell; Class of '40, Eugene Stearns (my cousin); Class of '41, Louis Felsheim (my uncle); Class of '42, Edgar Lowe Capps; Class of '51, Bill Domenighini; Class of '57, Wayne Campbell; Class of '64, Tom Goss; Class of '66, Donnie Goddard; Class of '84, Mark Handsaker, and Class of '86, Jess Crabtree.
If you're not already a Historical Society member, you may want to subscribe. Dues are $15 a year for an individual, $25 for a family, $35 for a business, or $250 for a life membership. Checks can be made out to BHS and sent to Bandon Historical Society, PO Box 737, Bandon.
* * *
I got up extremely early (for me) Thursday so I could head out to the City Park for the free flu shot, being given by employees of the Southern Coos Health District. This is a wonderful public service that the district has been doing for many years.
The gal administering my shot was long-time RN Debbie Allen, who told me this would be her last flu shot clinic as she is retiring in April .... after more than 41 years working for the local health district. And that included 20 years at the former hospital, which was located on the hill overlooking the lighthouse.
Surely this must be some sort of a record. What a wonderful achievement!
* * *
Speaking of hospitals, I saw on the news that 14 employees of the Lower Umpqua Health District in Reedsport walked off the job last week, including the CEO, and I believe the CFO and possibly the DNS.
I had heard earlier in the day that five employees had quit, but I had no idea it was 14 until I saw it on TV that night. A member of the hospital board was interviewed and said it would not impact the hospital. It makes me wonder how the loss of 14 employees would not impact the hospital; if that is true, they must have been way overstaffed. At any rate it will be interesting to see what was behind this mass exodus.
* * *
After my note about Steve Miller, he sent me a nice email, with a few points, which I think are worth sharing with my readers since Perdue Pharma has been in the news so much lately.
All purported actions at the company included in the felony pleas occurred prior to Miller's arrival as Chairman in mid-2018.
Shortly after he arrived, he created a new independent Board of Directors with no participation by any of the Sackler family.
"Settlement with the Department of Justice was an essential step, but not the final step, toward a full resolution of our case and in which we will create a new 'Public Benefit Corporation' dedicated to assisting communities and victims of the opioid epidemic and with zero connection of any kind with the Sacklers," Miller said.
On a personal note, he also wished me good luck in my election.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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