As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
November 30, 2022
As I returned from the tree-lighting ceremony Saturday evening, my thoughts turned to Christmas activities in Bandon nearly 60 years ago, when I was just beginning my long newspaper career as a reporter (and often editor) of the Western World.
The first picture I am sharing was taken in December of 1964, below what is now the Bandon City Hall (built in 1970), looking toward town.
Christmas promotion, 1964
In the large billboard, Santa is holding his gift book for the Shoppers' Jamboree, which was a pre-Christmas promotion sponsored by local merchants, including Ray's Pharmacy, Boone's Hardware, Western Bank, Kapings' Greenhouse-Florist, Coquille Valley Dairy Co-op, M & L Grocery, Lindvall Real Estate, Croxall & Perry Grocery, Kronenberg & Waldrop Insurance, Western World, The Senter Agency, Metcalfe Insurance, Bandon Food Center, Sears, The Style Shop, Shindler's Rexall Drug, McKay's Market, Bill Pullen's Western Auto, McNair Hardware, Capps Motor Company, Gerry's Ice Cream, Golden Rule Store and Dave's Radio and TV. Only McKay's remains in business today.
Not only would Santa visit local children, but one of their favorite characters, Cap'n Shipwreck, would also be present. In addition, The Lions Club, with the cooperation of Jack Ward of the Bandon Theatre, planned a big party for the children, who were invited to attend a free movie, and receive treats handed out by Santa and the Lions under the marquee. This was a tradition that was carried on for many years.
If you look closely, across the highway you can see Capps Motor Co. (now the Washed Ashore/Broken Anchor building), and behind it, the Moore Mill Truck Shop and Moore Mill. A billboard advertises Lloyd's cafe, and you can see the Arcade Tavern and the Stephan Hotel (now the home of Cranberry Sweets).
The second photo was taken in April of 1965 as Fish and Game representatives gathered at Bradley Lake to oversee improvements to the boat ramp, in the hopes of getting it open.
Building boat ramp, Bradley Lake, 1965
Plans called for 2500 yards of fill rock to be hauled in and dumped into an area at the edge of the lake. The work was to include a 20-foot roadway and a turn-around at the lake's edge. Cost was in the neighborhood of $3,000.
Pictured at left are Willis Baker, superintendent of the local state fish hatchery, and an unidentified man, who was with the fish and game commission.
The third photo was taken in April of 1958 when the S.S. Alaska Spruce found herself caught with her bow fast on a sand shoal the previous week during heavy seas as the result of storms off the northern California coast.
S.S. Alaska Spruce stuck on a shoal, 1958
An article in Western World, headlined Heavy Surge and Flood Waters Cause Ship to go Aground, explains what happened.
"After loading at Port of Bandon dock the ship lost its berth when the heavy surge in the river caused her mooring lines to break. The tug Port of Bandon took her in tow and left her anchored in the channel north of the Moore Mill, but the swift flood waters in the river caused the ship to drift.
"The picture shows the tug Port of Bandon on Wednesday of last week pulling the ship back toward the channel. The mission was completed Wednesday evening without damage to the vessel."
* * *
What started out as the first big production of the post season Covid era for the Bandon Playhouse, drawing over 350 people for the weekend performances, was jolted into reality when several members of the cast came down with Influenza A, during the three-day run.
The most seriously ill of the cast was one of the community's most popular guys, Mike Dempsey, who ended up being life-flighted to St. Charles Hospital in Bend where he spent several days in an induced coma in ICU, ending up on a ventilator. But it seems the community's prayers worked their magic, because his partner Neal Davis posted mid-week that Mike was much better. And Sunday morning, Mike, himself posted, "Hiya folks. I am doing so good today!!! Thank you all for the well wishes ....." That was definitely the news that we wanted to hear.
Paul Fisher filled in for Mike in the Saturday and Sunday performances.
The first to come down with it after Friday night's performance was Tyler Eickhoff, whose grandmother also came down with it, but I saw Tyler Saturday night (a week later) at the tree-lighting event and he was fine and said his grandmother was also much better.
Several other cast members also came down with it, one of whom I know had received her flu shot.
The play was fun and it was great to return to near normal. Things like this happen, but should not discourage the Playhouse and others from gathering with friends, neighbors and community members.
* * *
I've learned that a long-time resident of Bandon, Barbara Mallory, recently died at the age of 91. Among her survivors are her children, sons, Perry and Tom, and daughter, Carla Fellows, and their extended families. Her husband, Deane, died many years ago. Barbara was a member of the Bandon High School Class of 1950. Her maiden name was Wade, although her mother later married Tom Soterion.
* * *
Speaking of the Class of 1950, another member of the class, Joan DeCosta Goodbrod, is celebrating her 90th birthday Dec. 16 with a lunch being hosted by her daughters, Michelle White and Cindy Schafler, in Washington, where she now makes her home.
Joan accompanied her daughter Michelle to Bandon in late September, where she met with many of her long-time friends during a breakfast at The Station Restaurant and later for coffee at Bandon Baking Company.
Those wishing to send her a birthday card could do so at: Woodland Care Center (Apt. 112), PO Box 69, Woodland, Wash. 98674. I know she'd appreciate hearing from you. She really misses Bandon where she grew up and spent most of her adult life with her late husband, Pete.
* * *
I saw a Facebook post by Rob Taylor Friday indicating that Rod Taylor had won the county commission race. I confirmed later that the final count was posted Wednesday and Taylor had garnered 152 more votes than incumbent Melissa Cribbins. This definitely means a new direction for Coos County as Taylor joins John Sweet, who was re-elected, and long-time commissioner Bob Main.
* * *
The Art By The Sea gallery is hosting a reception Saturday, Dec. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the gallery on Fillmore Avenue honoring Ava Richey, an accomplished painter and founding member of the gallery.
It is always fun to view their art work, much of which is for sale.
* * *
People are reminded that the annual Bandon Lighted vehicle Christmas parade, sponsored by the Greater Bandon Association, is set for Saturday, Dec. 10, beginning at 5:30 in Old Town. I believe that vehicles are to line around 4:30 at the west end of town.
GBA also sponsored the tree-lighting ceremony, which saw Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center CEO Ray Hino, do the count down to light the huge tree at the Visitor Center in Old Town. A big crowd was on hand, with the youngsters dancing to lively music, courtesy of Anthony Zunino, before GBA executive Harv Schubothe introduced Ray Hino. Unlike past years, where it has rained, the weather was crisp, but dry, which really contributed to the crowd, many of whom came out earlier in the afternoon to see Santa and enjoy the nog/wine walk.
* * *
I read last week that 22 states have petitioned CMS (Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services) to withdraw healthcare worker vaccine mandates. The mandate requires employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19 if they work in healthcare facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding.
The petitioners point out that full vaccination no longer prevents infection or transmission, yet what they called the "outdated emergency rule" remains in force.
The petition contends "that the vaccine rule intensified staffing shortages at healthcare facilities, resulting in reduced risk of patients contracting the virus but also limiting many patients' access to needed care."
The rule, which includes medical and religious exemptions, has been the subject of legal challenges since November 2021.
I do know that employees of Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center who chose not to get the vaccination, signed one of the two exemptions.
Recently, several health care workers at St. Charles in Bend refused to sign either waiver and were fired.
Neither Oregon, Washington nor California were part of the 22-state coalition asking the Biden administration to repeal the rule.
Included in the coalition were Arizona, Alabama, Alaska, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wyoming, and others.
* * *
Bandon's McKenna Vierck was named to the first team in the Coast Valley volleyball league. A sophomore, she was the lone South Coast player on the first team. Bandon junior Katelynn Senn was named to the second team, while Caitlyn Michalek received honorable mention. Bandon finished second in the league's south division.
I will have information about the all-star team for football in next week's column.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
November 23, 2022
It was a little less than two years after the Bandon Fire, that Bandon again made big news on the front page of the Sept. 1, 1938, Western World with a story that appeared on the top margin of the front page in red type, as it happened too late to make the regular paper. Next week's paper carried the story of the robbers who entered the home of Otto and Geneva Shindler. Shindler, a pharmacist, owned the local Rexall Drug Store (first photo), built right after the Fire and now the home of Winter River Books.
Rexall Drug Store
"Two robbers entered the O.C. Shindler home at 8:30 Wednesday night. At gun point they bound and gagged Mr. and Mrs. Shindler and learning that there was a son at the show (second photo) called up to find out what time the show would be out," said the article referring to the Shindler's only son, Franz.
New Bandon Theatre
"Shortly before 10 p.m., with an accomplice outside, one took Shindler to his drug store and forced him to open the safe from which they took about $240. From there they drove to the theater and waited for the son. With father and son they drove to a deserted house at 11th and Elmira and put a rifle and a 'Tommy gun' in the car. Returning to the house, where one of the two who first entered the house remained with Mrs. Shindler, they bound all three and made their escape in the Shindler car. It took nearly a half hour for the victims to release themselves. The robbers had cut the telephone wire leading from the house, so state police could not be reached for nearly an hour after the robbers fled."
By the time the story came out in the following week's paper, two of what turned out to be three robbers had been apprehended and were in the county jail. The third, Wallace Crews, 34, leader of the gang, remained at large.
"When the Shindler car was discovered at the foot of Lampa mountain, the bandits were tracked into the woods of that area. The trio apparently didn't know that the Lampa mountain road was impassable.
"Crews (the wanted man) on Sunday night entered the Cecil Hartley home in Pleasant Valley where he bound Hartley, 28, his wife, 25, and their son, 5, after taking only food and cooking utensils. He displayed the same gentleness shown in the Shindler episode, handing back Hartley's wallet without taking any money, also giving him his car keys.
"One of the men, James Oliver Wayne, 29, was arrested a mile west of Arago. He emerged from the brush about 50 yards west of a hidden state police car, and the officer occupying the car got the drop on him before he had a chance to use the .45 caliber revolver he carried.
"Robert Bowersox, 32, wounded in one foot by accidental discharge of his own gun, shortly before the Bandon robbery, was found in the Peterson Brothers dairy barn between Arago and Myrtle Point.
"The Petersons noticed strange tracks near the barn and notified officers, who investigated and dug Bowersox out of the hay. Bowersox and Wayne each had $80 in cash, indicating Shindler's $240 was split three ways when the men parted company.
"The three men escaped from the Pocatello, Ida., county jail a month ago. A fourth member of their party is held in jail at Toledo. They are now held in the Coos county jail, with bail set at $18,000."
The third photo was taken in May of 1961 as staff and employees of Southern Coos Hospital prepared for National Hospital Week.
Employees of Southern Coos Hospital, 1961
The hospital, which at that time was on the bluff off Ocean Drive overlooking the river, opened in 1960. It was replaced by the existing hospital twenty years later.
Pictured from left are Pam (Mrs. Tom) McGinty, Mrs. Louise Loch, Eleanor (Mrs. Carl) Lorenz and Warren Croston. Mrs. Loch was the head nurse; Croston was the hospital administrator, and McGinty and Lorenz were members of the office staff.
Members of the hospital board were chairman Dr. B.E. Grant, Carl Lorenz, Edgar Capps, Margaret (Mrs. Jack) Dean and John H. Fasnacht.
* * *
As a member of the present hospital board, I receive a publication titled Becker's Hospital Review, which contains articles concerning health care across the country.
A recent article listed the 15 best and the 15 worst cities to retire, based on four key indicators: affordability, activities, quality of life and health care.
The only Oregon city to make either list was Salem, and out of 182 cities listed, Salem was one of the 15 worst cities in the country in which to retire. It is interesting that none of the California cities made the "worst" list but three from the neighboring state of Washington were on the list: Tacoma, Spokane and Vancouver, with Vancouver second from the bottom, with that spot being occupied by Detroit.
* * *
People are reminded that the annual Night of 10,000 Lights, sponsored by Greater Bandon Association, is Saturday, Nov. 26, in Old Town. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Washed Ashore from 3 to 5 p.m., during which time a wine/nog walk will be held, with glasses and maps available for purchase at Washed Ashore from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The lighting of the tree, with Southern Coos CEO Ray Hino doing the honors, will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the visitor center parking lot.
The holiday light parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 10, at 5:30 p.m. At 6 that night, the Bandon Chamber will hold its Ugly Sweater holiday party at Billy Smoothboars.
Also scheduled for Saturday night is the Holiday Spectacular All Jazzed Up program, put on by MarLo Dance Studio, at 7 p.m. at the Sprague Theater, with two more performances on Sunday, at 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets are at marlodance.com.
Dan and Lynn Barnett, owners of Billy Smoothboars, are hosting their 11th annual Community Christmas for children up to the age of 12 on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 4 to 7 at the restaurant.
* * *
I've learned that Dr. Wesley Masterjohn, who practiced medicine here in the 1960s, died Oct. 29 in Waynesville, N.C., at the age of 97. Among his survivors are his daughter, Melissa Olson, and sons, James and Ronald Masterjohn. He graduated from Loma Linda School of Medicine with the Class of 1957, and was joined locally in his practice by Dr. Donald Crane.
After leaving here, he practiced in Temecula, Calif., for many years.
* * *
People in Coos County were stunned to learn of the death of a 10-month-old child, Owen Nichols, who died in Portland several days after he was rushed to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury. He was the son of Joe and Mandy Nichols, both of whom are reportedly elementary teachers in Coquille, and the grandson of Joe Nichols, long-time manager of McKay's Market in Myrtle Point.
The Nichols family, who also includes an older son, lives in the Fairview area on Bob Geaney Lane.
A 27-year-old Myrtle Point woman, Hayley Reanne Steele, who had been Owen's babysitter, was arrested in connection with his death and charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment. She is in jail under a million dollar bond.
* * *
I was also sorry to learn of the death of the Sheriff's Office K9 Raven, who Bandon residents will remember as the beautiful shepherd who demonstrated his capture skills during the National Night Out event held Aug. 2 in City Park, sponsored by the Bandon Police Department.
A Facebook post said Raven had taken ill Nov. 16 and was rushed into surgery, but passed away the next morning.
* * *
I also saw a press release about the death of 41-year-old Allen Shaffar of Brookings, who was killed Nov. 14 near milepost 344 in a single-vehicle roll over crash. I believe he is a cousin of Bob Shaffar of Bandon and the grandson of Dale Shaffar of Powers. He also at one time had a Bandon address.
* * *
People are invited to Join VFW 3440, American Legion Post 26 and the Bandon Veterans' Honor Guard at a special ceremony, Remember Pearl Harbor, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 10:30 a.m. at the Port of Bandon crabbing dock. A wreath provided by VFW 3440 Auxiliary will be placed in the water.
"Let's come together to pay tribute to this event that forever changed America," said a VFW spokesman.
* * *
The rainfall figure for October showed 1.80 inches of rain, compared to 7 inches the previous October.
* * *
The CEO of Southern Coos Hospital was notified in early November that DNV's Accreditations Committee had approved a full three-year Accreditation designation for our hospital.
"This is a tremendous accomplishment by every member of our SCHHC family and an achievement that we can all be very proud of," said CEO Ray Hino. "To my knowledge, Southern Coos Hospital has never achieved accreditation status in our entire history and existence.
"Our DNV accreditation is full Medicare deemed status accreditation, which is the exact same accreditation status that Joint Commission Accreditation hospitals receive. We now join other DNV accredited hospitals in Oregon, including OHSU, all three Asante hospitals, all Samaritan Health Services hospitals, and other DNV hospitals nationwide," said Hino.
* * *
The police report for Nov. 7 through 12 indicated there was an explosion on Nov. 7 at 8:05 p.m. in the area of 15th St. SE and Baltimore Avenue. There were three disturbance reports, including one on Windhurst Lane Monday night, Lincoln Avenue Tuesday evening and in the 200 block of Chicago Avenue on Wednesday at 7:21 a.m. There were also two reports of counterfeit money and a fire on Two Mile Lane.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
November 16, 2022
The first picture I am sharing is the cover of a booklet published by the late Bob Sutherland, featuring copies of articles mostly from the pages of Western World and the Coos Bay Times highlighting the years of the Bandon Miller's semi-pro baseball team. Those in the cover picture include Bill Burgher Sr., (top right) Billy Burgher (the bat boy) and at right, Rudy Backlund, the manager.
Many are from the early '50s, when I recall going to the games with Pete Goodbrod (who played for the Bandon Millers) and his wife, Joan, a good friend of mine. I was only in junior high, but it was a real thrill to follow the Bandon Millers.
While poring through the book the other night I saw a familiar name: Chuck DeAutremont, who played for the Millers in 1952 and 1953. But most of all I remembered the DeAutremont name because Chuck was a younger half brother of the infamous DeAutremont brothers, twins Ray and Roy, and older brother Hugh, who spent years in prison for a botched train robbery.
I found an item on line, which told the story about their ambush of Southern Pacific train #13 in southern Oregon, just as the train was emerging from a tunnel on Oct. 11, 1923.
"The trio's goal was $40,000 in gold they believed was being carried in the mail car. The car's railway clerk, Elvyn Dougherty was in the secured mail car when the boys approached. Unable to force their way inside, they decided to blow the door open using dynamite and a detonator they had stolen from a construction company.
"The boys had no idea what they were doing and used far too much dynamite. The blast destroyed the car, killing clerk Dougherty and obliterating most of the mail. During the robbery the boys also shot and killed the train's conductor, engineer and fireman, not wanting to leave any witnesses. There was no gold and the three fled the scene with nothing. They managed to elude authorities for three years."
All three were found living under assumed names, and were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Hugh was paroled in 1959 and died two months later in San Francisco. Roy was given a frontal lobotomy while in prison and was paroled in March 1983. He died three months later in a nursing home. Ray was paroled in 1961 and died on Dec. 22, 1984, in Eugene after working for years as a custodian at the University of Oregon.
The guy I watched play baseball in Bandon was the good brother! He was an all-star at Southern Oregon College in Ashland, and coached at the former University High in Eugene.
I've chosen the second picture of Bandon's Life Saving crew practicing in the harbor to illustrate the second item, which appeared in the Bandon Recorder July 6, 1915, and was headlined "Answering a Sick Call."
"One of the passengers on the last Speedwell was Mrs. Lattin of Eureka who was hurrying to a sick mother on South Slough. She made the trip from Eureka in less than 24 hours. She was rowed out over the Eureka bar and caught the Speedwell at 5 o'clock Sunday evening. Responding to the wireless call Bandon life savers rowed out (in a boat like we see in the second photo) over the Bandon bar Monday noon and brought her in. She promptly took an auto stage for her destination."
It's hard to imagine what it was like to travel in those days.
The third picture features John Fasnacht talking about gorse in a photo which appeared in the Portland Oregonian in 1966 when he was city manager, or in those days, as the position was known, manager of utilities.
John Fasnacht
I am using that photo to illustrate a story which appeared in the Jan. 12, 1933, Western World, headlined "Irish Furze Taken to Sand Island."
"Some of the Irish Furze from this section has been transferred by the U.S. War Department to Sand Island in the Columbia river for the purpose of holding down the drifting sands of that island. In October 1932, two 100-pound sacks of seed and some sprouts were planted on the island."
While the seed had not yet sprouted the article did say that the small plants appeared to be growing and should survive the winter season.
"Bandon has regarded Irish furze as a more or less beautiful menace and it is interesting to know that the government has put it to a practical use. Some people have stated that if planted in blow sand it will make six inches of soil in eight years.
"The first Irish furze was brought here from Bandon, Ireland, by George Bennett, better known as 'Lord' Bennett, who named, Bandon, Oregon. He lived at what is now called Bennett's beach. In the old country the furze is used as a hedge and makes an effective fence but unless ground around it is cultivated it rapidly spreads over it. Hundreds of acres of former grass land has been covered by it in this vicinity because the ground was not cultivated."
Three years later, it became painfully obvious just how much gorse was in the area as it helped fuel the spread of the disastrous Bandon Fire of Sept. 26, 1936.
* * *
There is no indication that all the votes have been counted in Coos County, or elsewhere in the state, so it could mean that close races have not yet been decided.
Figures I saw Sunday night showed that in the race for Coos County commissioner, incumbent Melissa Cribbins was trailing challenger Rod Taylor of Bandon by 160 votes (14,142 to 13,982).
Gabe Fabrizio is apparently the winner in the race for sheriff, with 72 percent of the vote, while his opponent Mike Kinnaird had 27 percent. The jail levy appeared to be going down 16,168 to 13,048.
In the local races, I received 959 votes for mayor, while write-ins received 164. Elected to the council, running unopposed, were Josh Adamson, 837; Chris Powell, 831; and Madeline Seymour, 821. They will join remaining members of the council, Brian Vick, Geri Procetto and Geoff Smith, whose terms do not expire for another two years.
The city measure which will allow the council to establish System Development Charges was approved 833 to 793.
A Bandon High graduate, Wlnsvey Campos, 27, of Beaverton was handily elected to the new state senate seat for District 18 as a member of the Democratic party.
* * *
I have learned that a long-time Bandon resident Vicki Sanders died Nov. 6 after suffering from cancer. Vicki worked in the Bandon city office and in a local bank during her long working career. Among her survivors is her husband Steve.
* * *
For some reason, the Bandon police report that was in Saturday's World was only for five of the seven days between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6, but here is what I found.
Included in the report were three accidents Nov. 2, on Highway 101 at milepost 249, at Fillmore Avenue and 2nd Street (the highway) at 8 a.m.; and another in the 60 block of Michigan Avenue at 1:36 p.m.; another in the 800 block of Oregon Avenue SW, shortly before noon on Nov. 5; and an accident on Highway 101 at milepost 280 on Nov. 6 shortly after midnight.
The report also included a burglary in the 1800 block of Beach Loop Drive; a disturbance in the 900 block of 11th; a reported theft on Caryll Court; a disturbance in the 1600 block of Harvard Street; a tree down on Beach Loop Drive; an assault in the 900 block of Beach Loop Drive, and the authorized use of a motor vehicle in the 200 block of Highway 101.
* * *
Bandon Playhouse is presenting "By-the-Sea Variety," a coastal-themed variety show featuring "The Folly of the Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter." The show opens this Friday, Nov. 18, at 7 at the Sprague Community Theater, with shows Saturday at 7 and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and teens, $10 for youth 12 and younger, and $10 for seniors, with tickets only available at the door.
The melodrama is written and directed by Bandon thespian Corrie Gant. The cast includes Mike Dempsey, Brendan Fisher, Corrie Gant, Nameer El Kadi, Natasha Keller and Laurie Kreutzer.
Throughout the program, audiences will enjoy music and dance numbers, directed by Geneva Miller, and including Isaac Braithwaite, John Cotrufo, Tyler Eickhoff, Hallie and Nena Minkler, Merle Morrigan, Harlan Morse, Amy Moss Strong, Merri Seegrist, Christine Roberts and Sandra Woodside. Accompanying at the piano is Jane Suppes.
* * *
Former Coos Bay resident, Jeremy Thomas Robertson, 42, was sentenced to 26 months in prison after being found guilty of Criminally Negligent Homicide in the death of Amber LaBelle, who died Sept. 24,2021, after being attacked by a Pit Bull/American bulldog mix dog that weighed 120 pounds. The dog belonged to Robertson. Two children, 8 and 5, were in the Myrtle Point apartment at the time of the attack.
* * *
I have learned that there is an offer pending on the Dave's Radio & TV building on the corner of Second Street and Baltimore Avenue in Old Town, which has sat empty for some years. I do not know the details, or who made the offer, but if it's true, it's good news.
* * *
A big crowd of friends and relatives gathered at Lord Bennett's Saturday night to say goodbye to our friend Don Lynam, who died recently. The event was hosted by Don's partner, Julita Fong, and many who attended had played Bridge with Don over the years. A retired pharmacist, Don had served on the Bandon City Council at one point in his career.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
November 09, 2022
Today I am sharing the second part of the story I found on early-day Bandon in the March 1925 Western World, along with photos which I use to illustrate parts of the story.
"The ocean beach at Bandon (first photo) provides a playground and recreation center unrivaled on the Pacific coast. Miles on miles of gently sloping shore dotted with rocks, towering crags and giant cliffs afford an endless attraction to the tourist and the traveler who seeks something different.
"Bathing in the surf, fishing for deep-sea fish from the rocks and jetties, digging for clams on the sandy shore at low tide or gathering agates on the pebbly beach all offer amusement and entertainment to the stranger.
"When it is borne in mind that all these attractions are to be had in a city that lies in the heart of the last frontier--where hunting and fishing are as they were years ago--it will be seen that Bandon really has something to advertise.
"Men of this city leave their offices and go down the coast a few miles, returning in time for dinner, and bringing back a buck or occasionally a bear that they have shot within a few minutes walk of a graveled highway.
"At the beach there is a new and modern natatorium and a large dance hall (second photo) for those who prefer that kind of enjoyment.
"The city is well provided with lights and water from municipally owned plants that are on a paying basis and being rapidly expanded.
"Production costs on beef and butter-fat are as low here as anywhere in the United States, all things considered.
"During the past three years Melowest cheese as made and marketed in Coos county has been awarded seven ribbons as well as a silver cup at the National Dairy Show at St. Paul. These ribbons were won in competition with the best the world affords at the state fairs in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
"No better proof of the region's adaptability to cheese making (third photo) can be found. The cows, the climate, the feed, are all here. It only remains to increase production to a point that will justify advertising sufficient to place the product of this section in the proper light before the public.
"As more factories operate, more money will be spent on advertising until the consuming public learns the quality that may be expected in Coos county cheese.
"The timber resources of Coos county are tremendous but the future of the Coquille valley and the great stretches of bottom land south of Bandon is dependent on its development as a dairy district. Already there is a huge dairy industry here but it is capable of almost indefinite expansion.
"The same story is unfolding here as has been staged in other parts of the West. First there is an influx of pioneers who are after cheap land and a chance to exploit natural resources to their personal advantage. After the first easy returns are gathered and the country begins to have more settlers, these pioneers move on, or become the solid citizens of the country that is turning its attention to agriculture, stock-raising and the more regular means of livelihood.
"These men and women who come to Bandon now will have a share in the conversion of the last frontier. They will assist in the transformation of a country rich in undeveloped natural resources into one of the garden spots of the Pacific coast."
* * *
Many in the community are mourning the loss of long-time Bandon resident and dedicated volunteer Myra Lawson, 83, who died Friday evening after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by her family. In my column last week I reported that Myra had been honored as the latest Volunteer of the Month by the Greater Bandon Association, an honor that was well deserved. A faithful member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Myra was probably best known for her dedication to the swimming pool committee and her desire that Bandon would someday have a public pool. People who may want to send her husband Jim a card can do so at 1404 Strawberry Drive, Bandon. Among her survivors are a daughter, who has been with here with her parents, and a son, who has visited regularly.
* * *
I saw a Facebook post last week celebrating Kevin Kent's retirement Nov. 2 after 32 years as an airline pilot with America West, U.S. Airways and American.
Son of the late Paul and Alene Kent, Kevin graduated from Bandon High School in 1976 and entered ROTC training at Oregon State University. He is married to the former Therese Reilly, also a BHS graduate and the daughter of Donna and the late Jim Reilly.
* * *
Sweet Peas has a new owner. Susan Ceccon and her husband, Newton, have purchased the popular business on Baltimore Avenue across from Foley's from Jeanie and Chip Salmon, who also own The Loft on Second, a women's clothing boutique, as well as a business upstairs in The Loft building.
Ceccon is a third generation rice farmer in the Sacramento Valley. She also owns a yoga studio, and a second hand store at Willows, which is being run by her niece. Her husband came here several years ago to golf, and fell in love with the area. They later returned as a couple and the rest, as they say, is history.
"We love it here. We decided to sell the farm and buy Sweet Peas," Susan said.
* * *
It took awhile for me to locate information about Bandon High School sports, but I think I found what I needed on the OSAA website. I know that the Tiger football team fell to Regis 14-2 in the first round of the state playoffs, Friday night, hosted by Regis. I also saw that Myrtle Point defeated Condon 66-8; Coquille lost to Dayton 45-0 and Powers beat Eddyville 59-6.
I found a bit more information about the state cross country championships, held Saturday in Eugene. The Bandon boys finished fifth as a team in the 2A/1A competition, with Pacific boys placing 10th. Knappa won the team title with the low score of 53.
Individual placers for the Tigers in the 5K event were senior Damian Avalos, 9th, with a time of 16:52.3; Owen Brown, a senior, 18th; Patton Clark, a senior, 30th; Carter Brown, junior, 31st; Tyler Senn, freshman, 47th; Daniel Cabrera, senior, 54th; Peyton Simonds, sophomore, 58th.
Placing from the Pacific squad were Kobe Ashdown, 62nd, a senior; Joseph Miner, 63rd, a sophomore; Dawson Mohney, 66th, a sophomore; Ashton Wood, 71st, freshman; Logan Bradford, 74th, a sophomore and Tucker Long, 77th, junior.
As a team, the Bandon girls, competing in 1A,2A,3A competition, finished seventh, in an event won by Enterprise.
Danielle McLain was the top finisher for the Tigers, in 8th place with a time of 19:44.7. She is a senior. Other Tiger finishers were Marley Petrey, freshman, 23rd; Safaa Dimitruk, freshman, 61st; Lilly Iverson, freshman, 63rd; Cassie Kennon, junior, 65th; Emma Roper-Cockerham, 79th, freshman, and Haley Williams, 86th, a sophomore.
Coquille's Ada Millet, a freshman, finished 57th.
Marshfield won the state 4A boys crown, led by first-place finisher Alex Garcia-Silver, with a time of 15:22.2.
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If you have not yet signed up for the holiday community Thanksgiving meal, which is take-out only this year, you have until Tuesday, Nov. 8, which is the deadline. The number to call is 541-347-4717, with your information and how many dinners you want to pick up on Thanksgiving Day at the Community Center/Barn.
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The Bandon Police report, for Oct. 24 through 30th, reported two assaults, three disturbance calls, two reports of breaking into a motor vehicle, one report of a stolen vehicle, two reports of criminal trespass, a report of a minor in possession of marijuana, and a fire call in the 2600 block of Caryll Court SW.
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The free household hazardous waste collection event at the Beaver Hill Transfer site is set for Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. People are asked to call 541-396-7624 to make an appointment to drop off their household hazardous waste.
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The Bandon Historical Society Museum will be holding a Veterans celebration at the museum Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a collection of military vehicles in the museum lot, with a presentation by the Coast Guard at 10:30 a.m. Admission to the museum will be free that day, courtesy of American Legion Post 26 and Joseph Bain Insurance. The museum is on the corner of 101 and Fillmore Avenue.
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The Bandon VFW Frank C. High Medal of Honor Post 3440 will host a public "meet and greet" for Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center CEO Ray Hino on Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the VFW hall on Bates Road. In addition, all are invited to join the VFW Post for its popular Taco Tuesday dinner at 5 p.m.
"I can't wait to share my vision for the future of our hospital with the community," said Hino.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
November 02, 2022
I found it interesting to read a story about Bandon in the Western World nearly 100 years ago (March of 1925) and marveled at how different things are today.
"Bandon is a city located at the mouth of the Coquille river in the southern portion of Coos county. It is the shipping point and natural outlet for one of the finest dairy and fruit countries on the Pacific coast, and is in the heart of the finest belt of Port Orford cedar in the world.
"Other varieties of timber are found here in quantity and quality not exceeded anywhere, but the white cedar is peculiar to the locality, being found nowhere else in the world beyond the limits of a small stretch of the Oregon coast, of which Bandon is the center and principal shipping point." The first photo shows stacks of milled white cedar logs on the dock, waiting to loaded onto a ship.
White cedar logs
"The city is built right at the mouth of the river and is so situated that when a boat crosses in over the bar it appears to be coming up the main street of the city. Government-built jetties protect the entrance to the harbor and confine the waters of the river so that a channel is kept open and washed free from obstructions.
"A coast-guard (second photo) and a lighthouse provide elements of safety and supervision over the marine affairs of the port, while a corporation, the Port of Bandon, with a directorate elected from among the people, looks after the development of the maritime side of the city and the country that it serves.
Coast Guard
"The Port owns and operates a tugboat, the Klihyam (third photo) which tows vessels to sea when they are loaded or brings them safely in when they return from discharging their cargoes at the larger Pacific ports.
Tugboat Klihyam
"The Port also owns a dredge that is used in removing bars that appear in the channel of the river, and in deepening the existing channel so that vessels of deeper draft may be accommodated.
"Back of the city lies a vast area of timbered and undeveloped land that requires just two things for its immediate and profitable exploitation. Those things are men and money--labor and capital.
"Only a small percentage of the bottom lands are under the high state of cultivation that yields the greatest return on the investment, and the hill lands have hardly been touched as yet. Timber near the rivers and roads has been removed, but there are literally millions of acres that have not been opened to logging or development of any kind.
"A few years ago a milk condensery was established in Bandon and already the payroll of the dairy industry in this locality exceeds a million dollars annually. The plant is capable of handling a quarter million pounds of milk daily.
"For years this section has been without adequate means of communication with the rest of the state, but last year there was completed a unit of the great Roosevelt highway that gives Bandon an outlet to the interior of Oregon and so to the rest of the United States.
"Thus the old days of exclusive travel by boat or slow horse-stage are at an end and the city is placed on a great highway that will eventually reach from Canada to Mexico along the shore of the Pacific ocean -- a route that rivals the finest roads in the world for picturesque grandeur and scenic beauty."
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People are reminded that Daylight Saving Time ends next weekend, at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. Before you go to bed Saturday night turn your clocks back an hour.
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I was sorry to learn of the passing of Sandy Norris, 74, Forest Grove, who lived here for many years before moving in 2018 to be nearer her family members. Sandy worked for many years at Security Bank (later Umpqua) and was active in the VFW and the Bandon Playhouse. Among her survivors are three sisters, including Claudia (Lew) Slosser and Sharon Williams, both of Bandon. Another sister, Barbara Williams, lives in San Diego.
One of the highlights of her time with Bandon Playhouse was when she, Claudia and the late Phyllis Stinnett performed as the Crandrew Sisters one year during the Cranberry Festival.
The family plans to have a celebration of life for Sandy next summer. Interment will be at Mountain Side Cemetery in Scholls, Ore., near Hillsboro.
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Although Myra Lawson was not able to attend the last meeting of the City Council because of her health, Greater Bandon Association executive Harv Schubothe announced that she was receiving the Volunteer of the Month award, for her many years of dedicated service to the community.
Myra was a retired Special Education teacher, who always stepped up when anyone needed a helping hand. She was one of the original members of the swimming pool committee, and worked tirelessly toward the ultimate goal of someday seeing a pool built in Bandon.
Schubothe and GBA president and city councilor Peter Braun were joined by several community members in going to Myra and Jim's home recently to present her with the much-deserved award.
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The Bandon/Pacific football team, which won a close game over North Douglas of Drain 27-22 Friday night, has qualified for the state football playoffs. The Tigers will travel to Regis High School on Friday, Nov. 4, for a first round playoff game, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
Regis is a private Catholic high school in Stayton near Salem.
The winner will play the winner of the Monroe/Heppner game on Nov. 11.
The Bandon boys and girls cross country teams both qualified for the OSAA State Championships Saturday (Nov. 5) at Lane Community College in Eugene.
The boys were the district champions and the girls placed second last Thursday at the district meet.
The girls will run at 10 a.m. on Saturday and the boys race will start at 10:35 a.m.
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A faithful reader sent me a clipping from the Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board concerning Oregon's closed primaries.
Here is what the editorial board had to say:
"Democrats and Republicans should instead reassess whether it's prudent to continue locking out 41% of Oregon voters from their publicly funded primaries. Oregonians should question why they are paying for these private clubs to keep them out and support efforts to bring open primaries to Oregon. But insisting on party loyalty among people who have no party is a poor strategy -- now and in the future. Refusing to understand the dynamics that landed a nonaffiliated candidate with this much power only ensures that this won't be the last time," said the article, referring to independent candidate for governor, Betsy Johnson.
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I do not know the details, but I have learned that the new motel on Coquille Point, on property owned by Bandon Dunes developer Mike Keiser, is not scheduled to be built in 2023. The old motel was torn down two seasons ago, with original plans to rebuild in 2022, but that did not occur and now we have learned that it probably won't be built in 2023 either as work progresses on the New River golf course south of Bradley Lake.
I do understand that permit work is progressing well for the new Grocery Outlet, which will be built on property east of Highway 101 just south of town. And with some really noticeable increases in grocery prices lately, I believe this store will be a real boom for local residents.
Also, plans seem to be progressing for a new hotel to be built by Marriott on the gravel lot across from the marketplace building, recently purchased from Fred Gernandt and Kirk Day. I've talked to people who have seen the plans ... and they are impressed.
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There was a wonderful article in the Oregonian recently about Bandon High School grad and local girl Winsvey Campos, a state representative from Aloha, who is running for the new Senate district, which resulted from recent redistricting. It represents a big chunk of Washington County.
When Campos was voted into office in 2020, she became Oregon's youngest female state legislator, winning at the age of 23.
"A Latina daughter of parents who immigrated to the United States, she grew up in Bandon. From age 8 to college, she said she was 'low income' so much so that at times her family lived in a motel room.
"But she said her upbringing and becoming the first in her family to graduate from college instilled in her a drive for social justice and advocacy, and in the past few years she's worked for nonprofits helping homeless families secure housing and students gain better access to healthcare."
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Just a reminder that this year's Thanksgiving community holiday meal will be take-out only. People need to pre-register for their meal, which can be picked up during certain hours at the community center on Thanksgiving Day. The phone number to call is 541-347-4717, and you are to leave your name, phone number, address and the number of meals you need. Meals need to be pre-ordered by Nov. 8. If you are physically unable to pick up your meal, it can be delivered.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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