As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

September 29, 2021

I know that I have shared this first picture before, but it is so important to the topic of salmon fishing in the Coquille River that I decided to run it again.

Load of salmon, Coquille River
I am not even sure when this was taken, but very possibly it was sometime in the 1920s and features the Antelope with a load of salmon fresh out of the river.

A month or so ago Bandon Port Commission chairman and ardent sportsman Reg Pullen sounded the alarm about the salmon crisis on the Coquille River, which was completely closed to salmon fishing in 2021.

Reg explained that the reason for the closures are clear enough. A wild Chinook salmon run that had averaged around 14,300 fish over the last 30 years declined to 498 fish in 2018 and 275 fish in 2019, and then rebounded slightly to 879 fish in 2020.

He said the dramatic decline in Chinook salmon includes a number of factors. Ocean productivity is at an all time low, perhaps accelerated by climate change. Summer river temperatures from Powers to Rocky Point are now above 75 degrees, considered to be lethal for downstream migrating smolts.

Reg said one of the biggest problems for salmon on the river is the increasing abundance of striped bass, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass. And that brings me to an article I found in Western World in July of 1941, headlined "striped bass coming into the Coquille."

It pointed out, all those 80 years ago, that for the first time in history striped bass in any number were running in the Coquille River.

"Occasionally during the past few years a striped bass would be caught in the Coquille River, but never more than one or two during the spring and early summer commercial fishing season."

The article does say that they were planted in Coos Bay a number of years earlier and multiplied rapidly, but the article does not indicate how they came to be in the Coquille system.

"This year it looks like the new fish is to become a local problem and commercial fishermen are wondering if they will have it to contend with," continued the article. "At least some of them are viewing the situation with alarm, pointing out that as the striped bass increase, the salmon diminish in number."

It is clear that over the last 80 years, the bass have continued to thrive in the Coquille River until they have become a huge problem.

In his letter about the salmon crisis, Pullen said that while the war on the introduced bass species is accelerating, very little effort is going into rebuilding the faltering hatchery program, that at one time held so much promise. The second picture I have posted is one taken at the local fish hatchery in January of 1956 when a flood occurred in the area.

Flood at fish hatchery, 1956
"Bandon anglers fondly remember the glory days in the mid 1980s, when smolt releases at the mouth of Ferry Creek created a 'sidewalk fishery' where anglers stood shoulder to shoulder along the marina to catch their limits of salmon."

He added that while the plan of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, who operate the local hatchery, was to release 100,000 unfed fry from hatch boxes along the river, no effort has been made to achieve that goal.

He said the entire hatchery program is doomed to failure unless drastic measures are taken.

"The ODFW seems unlikely to change their position, given the Wild Fish Policy that discourages hatchery production. However, efforts are underway to change that."

Pullen and others contacted the Coquille Indian Tribe, who have reached out to Governor Kate Brown, with support from the city, port and chamber, to save the fall Chinook run. Tribal chair Brenda Meade and executive director Mark Johnston appeared before the city council at its September meeting to ask for the council's support.

A letter the city sent to the Governor this week, said, "We join the Coquille Indian Tribe in sounding the alarm about the salmon's plight. Although we appreciate the efforts of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, its resources appear inadequate to rescue our fall Chinook. The Coquille Tribe is stepping forward with an offer to partner with ODFW on this urgent priority.

"We support the tribe's co-management proposal. A cooperative effort of the tribe and ODFW appears to be our best hope of restoring the fall Chinook as a viable local fishery, For the sake of our area's environment, social and economic well-being, we urge you to put your full support behind this project."

The third picture was taken in July of 1965 when the Cranberry court gathered in the football parking lot on 11th Street, which was beginning to take a finished look as volunteers hauled many dump truck loads of gravel in an effort to complete the lot before the opening of football season.

Cranberry Court, 1965
Pictured, from left, were Sid Dominy, police officer who spearheaded the project; Supt. of Schools Roland L. Parks, princesses Rosemary Tiffany, Sharon Strain, Sharon Ward (later named queen), Diane Blake, Roxie Seat, chaperon Carol Kreutzer, Robertson's employee Jerry Waterman and Dave Philpott of the Beautification Committee.

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At the hospital board meeting last Thursday night, it was announced that the hospital's dietary manager Sherry Capobiano has died of Covid after struggling in ICU for several weeks. She was 47 and had been life-flighted out of here for care. Eight days earlier, her father, Darrell Riddle of Myrtle Point, also died of Covid. Sherry's husband, Robert, works in the engineering department at the hospital. She was the featured employee back in April, and was much loved by hospital staff and all who knew her as evidenced by a number of testimonials which were shared with the board.

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Also on the Covid front, well-known local artist Michael Ousley of Langlois has spent weeks in the Portland VA ICU with the Delta variant, even though his wife, Yvonne, said he had been fully vaccinated. He has been discharged from Portland to a nursing rehab facility in Roseburg. In Portland they told Yvonne that it could take as long as two months for him to regain his strength and clear the respiratory infection. Although she could not visit him in Portland, she was able to see him through a window and talk to him on the phone in Roseburg, where he appeared to have made great progress in the first 48 hours. They said he could be home in two weeks if he continues to improve at that rate.

In her post on Facebook, Yvonne said "Michael and I cannot stress enough how vital it is to be vaccinated. Take the necessary steps to stay safe."

I have also learned that Joey Harper, owner of Joey's Arcade in Coos Bay, is currently hospitalized on oxygen with Covid.

*           *           *
People keep asking about Michelle Greenway, wife of Greenscapes owner Mike Greenway and an employee of Hennick's Home Center. She has been in ICU fighting for her life with Covid since Sept. 9. Several days ago (Friday, Sept. 24) Mike posted that she is "back and forth, one good day, one bad day."

She has a lot of people pulling for her ... and praying for her to get well.

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The Myrtle Point Police Department sent out a press release this week to say that a woman had died from a dog attack in her apartment in Myrtle Point on Friday. She was identified as Amber LaBelle, who, according to Search Public Records, is 42 years old and had previously lived in Coquille.

"The dog was known to LaBelle and it was not a random attack," they said, adding that an investigation into the incident has been launched and is ongoing.

KEZI announced Sunday night that it was a gray pit bull that attacked LaBelle.

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To people who use Rite Aid for their prescriptions, it has been announced that the local pharmacy is only open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is no longer open on Saturdays.

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In last week's column, I talked about an ad for Chris Richert's dairy, saying I thought it was at Two Mile, although it was referred to as Richville.

I heard from Chris' granddaughter, Diane Blake Lewis, who said, "Grandpa Chris Richert indeed had the dairy farm, just past the old Two Mile Cafe where momma and her 17 siblings were raised. Mom hated milk and cows in her later years because of the hard work on the farm. Her chores were mainly to herd the cows out spato pasture before school and to help milk them after school."

Her mother was Evelyn Blake (wife of Denny Blake), a long-time employee of Western Bank.

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People are reminded that the next brush and yard debris removal event will be held on Monday, Oct. 4, when Bandon Disposal will be picking up piles of brush and yard debris. City residents are allowed up to a maximum of 5 cubic yards (approximately two pickup loads) at no cost. People are asked to place it in the right of way alongside the street adjacent to their home prior to Oct. 4. If you get missed, contact Bandon Disposal at 541-347-9633 and let them know. The program is for woody yard debris only, and other items such as metals, appliances, furniture, etc. will not be accepted. This is the third and final event of the year.




As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

September 22, 2021

The headline in the June 20, 1913, Bandon Recorder, read: "New Boat on River Run. Capt. Willard's Fine New Boat Will Commence Run About July 4th." The article refers to the Charm, which is pictured during one of its many visits to the Bandon harbor.

The Charm, 1913
"Captain O.R. Willard, who has been on the Coquille river for a number of years and who has been running the gasoline boat Wolverine between Marshfield and Bandon, will soon have another craft, the Charm, on the run and the Wolverine will be used as an excursion boat. The new boat is being built by Hermann Bros., near Prosper and will be given her maiden trip about the Fourth of July.

"The boat is 80 feet long and was designed by W.H. Curtis of Portland. She is built to carry 65 people in the cabin, 75 on the upper deck and 30 aft. The boat is being equipped with a one hundred horsepower Gorham gasoline engine and will have a separate electric lighting plant on board. The wheelhouse will be modern and will be equipped with the latest automobile control steering wheel. There is a passageway through the center of the boat and an electric piano will be installed in the ladies cabin. In addition to this, the parlors will be fitted up with easy chairs, writing tables, etc.

"The new boat will take the run of the steamer Coquille and will meet all trains from Marshfield and Myrtle Point. The steamer Coquille will take the run the Wolverine now has."

I also turned to Ernie Osborne's book, "Wooden Ships and Master Craftsmen," for a bit more information about the Charm. Ernie spells Herman with one "n" which is probably correct, and he says the boat was 75 feet long.

In describing the Charm, Osborne says "She and the boats of her rival lines on the river were involved in a series of altercations which caused the suspension of five licenses at one time and later another." The other boats, to which Osborne refers, were owned by the Panter family.

He adds: "Her original 100 horsepower gas engine was eventually replaced with a ninety horsepower diesel engine. With the advent of the truck industry, she was sold to the Shaver Transportation Company and became a boom boat on the Columbia River."

One historian said the boat was scrapped in 1933, but Osborne said "there is undocumented evidence, however, that she was afloat until the mid-1940s."

The second photo is of the Yockey Electric building, which had its grand opening in April of 1956. The building, on Fillmore Avenue, is now home to Reese Electric.

Yockey Electric, 1956
"The new building faces on Fillmore Avenue, opposite the Bandon city library, a block south of Bandon's main thoroughfare.

"Measuring 32x60 feet, the pumice block structure has concrete slab floor and heavy, steel-reinforced footings adequate to carry a second floor if desired in the future.

"Dow-Conn-Struction of Bandon was the contracting firm.

"The modern building's area includes display space for appliances and other merchandise, office space, stock room and truck space.

"Another 'first' for Bandon is Yockey's complete line of phonograph records, featuring Columbia, Decca, RCA and Mercury.

"This, 1956, is the fifth year of business in Bandon for Ralph Yockey, proprietor, who with his family came here in August 1951 from Klamath Falls. Yockey first managed George's Electric for Geo. Kronenberg, later buying him out.

"Unique in local buildings is Yockey Electric's 'water roof' installed by L.R. Waggoner of Coos-Curry Roofing. A 4-inch layer of water is carried on the roof at all times, Yockey said."

Years later, he was joined in the business by his son-in-law, Melvin Borgard, who with his wife, Nadine, continued to operate Yockey Electric for a number of years.

Since I lived across the highway and just east of the business, and was in high school at the time, I was one of their best customers ....for record albums, especially 45s.

Although I am not sure that the horse-drawn wagon you see in the third picture was delivering milk, it was the closest I could find to illustrate an ad I found in the March 25, 1915, Recorder, advertising a new milk route for the city. The picture would have been taken looking due north down Alabama from what is now the Masonic building, and the horse and buggy would be in front of the former Olivia's Cottage, which is now a florist shop.

Horse-drawn wagon, 1915
"You can now get high quality fresh milk delivered daily at your door at six cents for single quarts, five cents in two-quart lots. Watch for the wagon! Make arrangements with the driver to become a permanent customer. We guarantee satisfaction at the lowest possible price. Seaside Dairy, Chris Richerts, proprietor. Phone Farmers 19; Richville, Oregon.

Pretty sure Richert does not end in an "s" and my guess is that Richville was Richert's dairy, which I believe was up Two Mile.

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So many people have been asking about Michelle Greenway, whose husband Mike posted last week that she had Covid and was in ICU, fighting for her life. Many know Michelle from Verizon, where she worked. I got to know her when she worked at Bandon True Value, and at the nursery business they owned just south of town some years ago.

Mike's last post said "Thank you all for your thoughts. She is showing slight improvements but still has a long road ahead of her."

The Greenways own GreenScapes, a local landscaping business and live in Coquille.

We are all praying that she will be better soon.

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Just when it looked like students were returning to in-person learning, and sporting events were being held, reality struck the Coquille School District. On Sept. 14, Supt. Tim Sweeney sent a letter to patrons of the district explaining that over the last couple of days they had seen a concerning trend of Covid cases in the school district.

"Since Monday, we have had multiple staff members test positive as well as more than a half dozen students. These cases appeared in multiple buildings; but at the moment much of the concern is focused on our high school football team where at least four members of that program have tested positive.

"Sadly, our staff and community are also dealing with loved ones that are ill from Covid and fighting for their lives. For one of our staff members, their spouse did not survive their battle with the virus. These are trying times for all of us here in Coquille," said the superintendent.

He said that within the next few days he would be meeting with the school board, administrators and leadership teams to plan out their next steps. "Our goal from the beginning has been to keep our schools open to every student, every school day. That is still our goal."

But three days later, on Sept. 17, he sent another letter, explaining "Sadly, this is not the letter I was hoping to send out this afternoon.

"Between the end of the school board meeting on Sept. 16 and this morning, Sept. 17 at 10, we have had more cases at Coquille Junior/Senior High -- this time in both the girls soccer and volleyball programs."

As a result, the district decided to close the junior/senior high "so that the current outbreak can run its course. We will switch from in-person learning to distance learning for the time being only at Coquille Junior/Senior High," said Sweeney.

Also, because of the number of verified cases in the sports program, they also suspended all athletics for the high school and junior high during the shutdown.

Sweeney said in-person school would resume on Monday, Oct.11.

The district is to be commended for their honesty in letting the public know what they are experiencing.

On the same subject, it is interesting that a recent article in the Eugene Register-Guard had a detailed story about the many outbreaks in Lane County, especially among assisted living facilities. They named the facilities and the number of Covid cases in each.

Hard to figure out why that same information is not forthcoming in Coos County, or maybe we just don't know where to look.

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I know this is probably a long shot, but I am wondering if any of my readers are still in contact with Terry and Susie Mazzotta, who were the young couple rescued in a boating accident nearly 50 years ago on the Bandon bar. Bill McNeil, who was on the boat piloted by his father, Hugh, would really like to make contact with them, and I promised him I would help. Jim Wise piloted the other boat and was accompanied by Ernie Osborne. Together they saved five people.

At that time the Mazzottas lived on Elmira Avenue and were probably in their 20s. At any rate, if you do know how to reach them, let me know.

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All five of the courses at Bandon Dunes made the top 15 list of America's Greatest Public Courses, which appeared recently in Golf Digest. Pacific Dunes was number two; Bandon Dunes was seventh; Old MacDonald was 12th; Bandon Trails was 13th and the Sheep Ranch was 15th.

Pebble Beach continued to grab the number one spot.

There's nothing an ardent golfer loves more than coming to the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort ... where he or she can play five of the top courses in the country!

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You probably saw the movers at the late Fred Carleton's law office in recent days; the property has been sold to Heidi Sause, and the law office, now owned by Fred's partner Shala McKenzie Kudlac, has moved into another building owned by Sause, which also houses a quilt shop, just west of Face Rock Creamery.

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People were also surprised recently to see that the fencing around the gravel lot across from the Port's Old Town Marketplace building had been removed. The City entered into an agreement with the property owner Fred Gernandt, with assistance from the Port, to pay him $10,000 for a three-month lease, which gives the two entities time to work on the long-term parking issues in the Old Town area.

At the time when we entered into the agreement, we still believed the Cranberry Festival was "a go," but after we executed the short-term contract, it was canceled.

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You'd certainly never know it by looking at her, but one of our longest serving city councilors, Geri Procetto, celebrated her 90th birthday Saturday with a small gathering of friends (all vaccinated) at her home, hosted by her daughter, Trish.

I often tell her she's my inspiration ....




As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

September 15, 2021

Parking is once again an issue in the downtown area of Bandon, today known lovingly as Old Town. But in November of 1952, the issue of parking centered around the fact that the new post office was opening on Baltimore, in the building that today houses Foley's Irish Pub.

In those day, there was no mail delivery in town, so most residents came to town every day to pick up their mail. And city fathers anticipated a real traffic jam in the area of the post office, and let the public know that they were considering the use of parking meters to take care of the problem.

Parking meters were soon installed, and we faithfully fed them for nearly 10 years before the first picture was taken in early 1962 as Officer Harry Franson, left, and Police Chief D. S. "Big Mac" MacDonald are pictured removing the parking meters.

Removing parking meters, 1962
The article in Western World that accompanied the picture explained that the 120 parking meters in downtown Bandon would be discontinued starting March 1 for a 60-day trial period as a result of action taken by the Bandon City Council.

"G. R. McNair of McNair's Hardware recently took a poll of downtown businessmen to determine their attitude toward removing the meters, and he reported that all but one were in favor of the proposal. The survey was made for the Bandon Chamber of Commerce at the request of several merchants.

"As the meters bring in approximately $2,400 each fiscal year, the Council felt that the loss of revenue should be considered at future budget meetings.

"One-hour parking will be enforced between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. six days a week on all downtown streets which previously had parking meters, with the exception of Chicago Avenue between First and Second street (between Capps Motor Co. and the east side of the Senter Agency). This means that one-hour parking will be in effect on Second Street (main street) between Delaware and Alabama, and on Alabama and Baltimore streets between First and Second.

"Ten-minute parking will be in effect on the six parking spaces on the east and west side of Baltimore avenue, in front of and across from the post office," according to the article.

The Capps Motor Co. building now houses Washed Ashore and Broken Anchor, while the Senter Agency is now the home of The Toy Store. The picture was taken next to the Masonic building across from what was then M&L Grocery and is now a vacant lot adjacent to the Minute Cafe. The Golden Rule is now the Continuum Center.

The second photo was taken in August of 1963 as Mayor C. E. "Eddie" Waldrop makes the first deposit from a car at the new drive-up window at Western Bank in Bandon.

New drive-up window at Western Bank, 1963
Operations officer Earle Shibles points out the new equipment while the teller, June (Mrs. Wayne) Spencer, operates the drawer lever from inside the green-tinted glass.

The article explains that "two-way communications are carried via microphones -- one visible next to Mrs. Spencer and two speaker-mikes built into the outside wall.

"The drawer, with wind-proof baffles, opens outside to receive the deposit (this one was funds from Cranberry Festival ticket sales), closes, is retracted and opens in the counter in front of the teller.

"The drive-up window of the newest type, found in larger cities, is designed to take care of quick, simple deposit transactions, to save depositors time and to free the inside windows for prompt handling of the more detailed transactions."

Hard to believe that this was big news almost 60 years ... and this same technology is still used today.

The third picture I am sharing features Silver Martindale, at right, and Jim Olson during a beef barbecue in city park.

Beef barbecue in city park, 1963
In 1963, when Silver retired as custodian for the Bandon Heights School in east Bandon, then superintendent Roland L. Parks wrote a glowing story about him for the paper.

Silver had worked at his job for 10 years, but because he had reached the mandatory retirement age, it was necessary for him to give up the job he loved .... and the children who adored him.

"He had a natural way with children that won their friendship," said Parks. "He was somewhat like a father to them at school and he did not hesitate to give them a scolding if they needed it. He had a flock of small children around him when he worked around the building or looked in on the playground activities."

Before joining the school district, the article said he and his wife had operated the Bob Otto Court.

Silver was replaced by Denny Blake, who took over Sept. 2, 1963.

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A lot of people are praying for 46-year-old Michelle Greenway after her husband Mike (owner of GreenScapes Landscaping Co.) posted Thursday night that Michelle was in ICU fighting for her life. And he said he had been unable to be with her because of a total lockdown of the unit, although I am not sure which hospital she is in.

Michelle and Mike, who live in Coquille, at one time operated a nursery just south of Bandon, and later she worked for True Value Hardware. That's where I really got to know her and always loved talking with her.

She has hundreds of people praying for her speedy recovery, although I have not seen an update on her condition, except that Mike has asked everyone to pray for her, which we are doing.

One Facebook poster said that their family members were given Monoclonal antibody treatment; one, they said, was better and the other was slowly getting better.

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Even though the Cranberry Festival was officially cancelled, there were still a number of events that took place, including the annual Cranberry Bowl football game, which Bandon won 29-6 over Central Linn.

The two princesses, Madisan McCabe and MacKenzie Williams, were crowed as co-queens and given a $2500 scholarship.

The museum held an outdoor event Friday, where people had an opportunity to view some of the past festival dresses and enjoy ice cream.

Sunday, a number of gift certificates and prizes from Bandon merchants were given out during a drawing held at Tony's Crab Shack.

Certainly the weather was great and there were crowds of people in town.

Hopefully, next year ..... we will be back to the "real deal."

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There is still time to sign up for the 2021 Golf for Health Classic, set for this Saturday, Sept. 18, at Bandon Crossings. For more information, to be one of the sponsors or to sign up to play, call 541-329-1040.

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Although I haven't seen the latest Covid figures, I do know that two people were life-flighted out of Coos County in the last week or 10 days, including a young woman from Bandon and a man from Coquille.

A friend sent me the latest information from OHSU in Portland, with the Covid numbers, which showed that of the 61 in the hospital, only 6 were fully vaccinated.

I cannot urge you strongly enough to get vaccinated, and if you are in a crowded place, wear a mask.

The life you save may be your own .... or someone else's.

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I recently received a letter from my doctor, Gail McClave, letting her patients know that Bandon Family Health would be closing the practice by Dec. 31.

In part, she said: "We are a small solo practice and medicine has moved to a different place. The bureaucracy of health care has made small practice medicine difficult.

"Now we find that we are unable to replace our caring staff when we have attrition. We, like so many small businesses in Bandon, are no longer able to fill the staff roles that we need to keep our practice operating.

"BFH will run at our current schedule and capacity until early October. At that point we will need to cut back our operations and hours as we help each of you get settled with new healthcare providers. Southern Coos Clinic, NBMC and Coast Community Health Center have recently employed new providers. Once you get established we will be glad to forward your BFH records," said Dr. McClave.

She has been my doctor for many years, and she definitely will be missed.

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I was so surprised when I leafed through the Sept. 6 issue of Women's World to find a two-page spread on Bandon, featuring West Coast Game Park Safari, the beach, the lighthouse, the boat basin and Old Town.

It's always nice to know we're appreciated ....

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The latest issue of Oregon Business Magazine contained a thought-provoking article by Terry Tymchuk, executive director of the Oregon Historical Society, who is a native of Reedsport. The office of OHS, located in Portland, was vandalized during recent protests in the downtown area.

In his article, titled "History's Lessons Remain as Valuable as Ever," Tymchuk said "Our mission is not to pretend that Oregonians can take pride in all of the actions of those who came before us. Rather, our mission is to deliver thought-provoking exhibits, educational programs, and scholarship that present honest and factual history.

"Earlier this year, an individual spray painted, 'No more history' on one of our outside walls. That sentiment couldn't be more wrong. What our society and students need is more history. Perhaps it's not surprising that I have long believed that history and civic education are receiving short shrift in our schools. Yes, the current emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math is important in preparing young people to successfully participate in today's workplace, but those subjects are not more important than insuring that the next generation has the knowledge and skills to successfully participate in American democracy."

Truer words were never spoken!




As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

September 08, 2021

We've had a lot of heroes who have saved people from drowning over the years, but one incident that comes to mind occurred in April of 1972, nearly 50 years ago, when local fishermen Hugh McNeil and Jim Wise saved five locals, who had capsized while crossing the bar.

The picture I am sharing to go with the story is of one of those saved, long-time Bandon resident Frank Tucker, who was being assisted off one of the rescue boats by Bill Biggar, right, and an unidentified man. With him on the boat were his father Ray Tucker, boat puller John Loughery and a young couple, Terry and Susie Mazzotta, who lived on Elmira Avenue.

Boat rescue, 1972
Here is their story, which I wrote for the paper all those years ago.

"The heroic actions of two Bandon fish boat owners, Hugh McNeil and Jim Wise, are credited with saving the lives of five people after their boat (Evie-Jack) capsized while attempting to cross the bar.

The article goes on to identify those on the sinking vessel. "The young woman was sitting in a sinking lifeboat when rescuers got to her, and the four men were clinging to the hull of the stricken vessel, which had drifted more than a quarter of a mile seaward after capsizing at about 2 o'clock. The five had been out gathering up some crab gear, and had a number of crab pots on board when the 48-foot commercial fishing vessel took a breaker over the stern and drowned the engine.

"According to one man who walked the beach Wednesday morning, there was nothing to salvage from the wreckage. The boat, valued at almost $30,000, is believe to have not been insured.

" 'Another few minutes and all five of these people would have drowned,' said Port Manager Harry Harris, who had nothing but the highest praise for McNeil and Wise.

" 'They committed their boats and their lives to go out there and get those people ... and if they hadn't all would have drowned,' he emphasized. He added that the bar conditions were extremely rough, with six to eight foot swells.

" 'Maybe the Coast Guard will realize that we need them year around, if only just to man one boat and a small crew at the trailer .... but we definitely do need them,' said one local fisherman. 'Hughie and Jim could both have died out there .... they're not trained for this type of rescue work, and they don't have the right kind of boats,' he added.

"But the five people whom they rescued would probably argue the fact they weren't seasoned professionals."

"McNeil did send out a May Day (distress call) to the Coast Guard, who sent a boat down from Coos Bay, although it did not arrive until after the people had all been rescued.

"McNeil pretty well summed up the harrowing experience when he said: 'I couldn't sleep at all that night ... had one nightmare after another.' "

And over the years, this was just one example of the people who were assisted by these two fishermen, who were always ready to help someone in trouble.

The second picture, which I found in a 1956 Western World, tells the story of Bandon's Egg and Poultry Show.

Trophies, Bandon's Egg and Poultry Show, 1956
Few people living in the Bandon area today perhaps realize that at one time, 90 years ago, Bandon was known far and wide for its prize poultry, and that the Bandon Egg & Poultry Show was an event which attracted nationally-recognized prize-winning birds from all over the West.

The picture I shared appeared in the Oregon Journal on December 12, 1930, following the second annual show which was held on December 2 and 3 of that year. The caption explained that there were 15 silver trophies, 320 ribbons and several other special prizes in addition to numerous cash prizes that were awarded at the show, visited by more than 5,000 people.

The show was held in Dreamland Pavilion, a large dance hall that later was destroyed in the fire of 1936. Officers of the association were Charles F. Winters, president; A. A. Henry, vice president; Jens F. Svinth, secretary-treasurer. Among the directors were H.F. Haga, H.E. Boak (Melvin's father), Elmer Cluck and C.C. Randall.

At the time of the Fire, Dreamland was on the corner of Second Street and Baltimore, where Lloyd's Cafe is now. Soon after the Fire, the land was purchased by George Erdman, a pioneer merchant, who rebuilt his Erdman's City Market on that location after it had burned at his First Street location. Interestingly enough, Mr. Erdman lost his business and home in the 1914 Fire and again lost both his business and his home in 1936, but still he rebuilt.

The third picture, also taken in April of 1972, shows Irene Senter, at left, and Elaine Kehl, at right, as they serve crab during the annual Bandon Aero Club's annual fly-in crab feed.

Bandon Aero Club's annual fly-in crab feed, 1972
Mrs. Kehl, wife of the Aero Club President, Howard Kehl, was chairman of the event, and the previous week she told the paper that they purchased 500 pounds of crab for the meal, which was to be served in the spacious hanger at the airport. A large number of planes flew in from all parts of the Northwest.

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Everywhere I go people are talking about how dry it has been this summer, but is this season any drier than past years? I looked at the records that Gerry Terp has been sending me for the last 17 years and discovered some interesting information.

Summer (June, July and August) is always the driest part of the year, and rainfall for this August was 0.05 inches, compared to 0.09 inches in July and 2.65 inches in June for a summer 2021 total of 2.79 inches. That's more than we received for the same three months in 2020 of 1.97 inches (.40 for Aug. .04 for July and 1.53 for June). In the last 17 years, 2018 was the driest summer with .91 inches (0.11, 0.01 and 0.79) while 2007 was the wettest with 4.65 inches (2.20 in August, 1.05 in July and 1.40 in June).

For the last 16 calendar years, the average rainfall has been 63.91 inches, ranging from a low of 34.19 in 2012 to a high of 86.59 in 2017.

When sending me the latest info, Gerry did note that "we are still about 12.24 inches below 'normal.' "

I remember when I worked at the Western World and we kept track of the average daily rainfall, we thought normal was around 75 to 80 inches of rain a year. That doesn't seem to be the case today ....

*           *           *
It was interesting to see both the sheriffs of Douglas and Coos County send out press releases indicating they would not be enforcing the Governor's mask mandates.

Actually, I don't think anyone expected them to, regardless of their political positions.

I went on line to see who was actually responsible for enforcing the state (not local) mandate and it pretty clearly said it "was not the local police," but rather it was OSHA (Oregon Safety and Health Administration).

So my guess is this was just a bit of posturing to keep their "base" happy rather than real news.

Unfortunately, a lot of the "enforcement" is left up to the employees of our local stores, and about the best they can do is ask people to wear masks. It is pretty much a mandate without real teeth. Some businesses, like restaurants, can withhold services, but it's a thankless job for all concerned.

But considering the number of Covid cases, and subsequent deaths, that have occurred in Coos County lately, it only makes sense that people would get vaccinated and wear a mask to protect themselves, their families and the community.

Is that really too much to ask?

*           *           *
While on the subject of Covid, the Oregon Health Authority last put out a press release on Friday, Sept. 3, which indicated that Coos County had 39 new cases, Curry had 20 and Douglas County had 151. And there were 24 new deaths, but it did not break those down by counties. The previous day, Sept 2, Coos County had 43 new cases, and on Sept. 1 there were 57.

This is certainly an "improvement" over the 80 plus cases that occurred on several days the previous week, but these numbers so far exceed those from a year ago, that something needs to be done, especially when you consider that the greatest majority of people who are really sick and in hospitals are unvaccinated.

The sad part is that there are many people who need to be in the hospital, for previously scheduled surgeries, but because of a lack of bed space and staff, those must be postponed.

Doctors and nurses are overwhelmed and understandably upset because they know this latest surge could have been avoided .... if more people had gotten vaccinated.

*           *           *
Maybe it's time for a little humor .....

I've been trying to diet and one way is to stop eating the two squares of Ghirardelli chocolate that I have been enjoying daily for way too long. But Saturday I decided to give in and have just one square. It had been in the refrigerator, and I prefer my chocolate at room temperature, so I decided to put the little square (wrapping and all) in the microwave for a few seconds.

Bad decision. I heard an explosion, and discovered that the paper was now stuck to the chocolate, which was inedible.

I took that as a sign .... and reached for a couple of strawberries instead.

And took the chocolate out of the refrigerator for the next time I was tempted to break my "diet."

*           *           *
I received a press release from the Coos County Solid Waste Department last week about the free household hazardous waste collection event set for Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Beaver Hill Transfer Site.

Coos and Curry County residents can dispose of various household chemicals at the free event, but there's a catch. You need to call 541-396-7624 to make an appointment as soon as possible.

They are asking people to make an appointment so there will not be long lines of traffic, which could cause congestion on Highway 101. It also helps them to plan for how much material they will expect that needs to be shipped out and the number of staff they will need to cover the event.

The event is for household hazardous waste only, including poisons, pesticides, solvents, fluorescent lights, pool chemicals, aerosol cans, caustic cleaners, mercury thermometers and flammable liquids.




As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

September 01, 2021

The first picture I am sharing today is one my grandmother took a few days after the Fire.

After the Fire
In the background you can see the vault from the Bank of Bandon, and the building at the far left is the Breuer Building, which remains today as a vacation rental. On the back she identified this as the former library, and wrote that the books smoldered for days. The library was near the First National Bank building (now Masonic building) on the west side of Alabama, the site of the present parking lot. She probably took this picture from in front of my grandfather's newspaper office, which was where The Cobblers Bench is today.

Published in 1952, the book "A Century of Coos and Curry" by Peterson and Powers contains a section about libraries in the two counties.

"In 1893 a lending library was started by Mrs. George Williams in the store owned by them and a man named Frank Rupert. The library was in operation for only about a year. In 1899, Mike Breuer, a shoemaker by trade, and Mr. John Chase, manager of the Bandon Woolen Mill, declared there should be a place for sailors to go besides the numerous saloons. They rented the lower part of the building owned by David Stitt, publisher of the Bandon Recorder. Many books were donated. There was no librarian or custodian. Borrowers were put on their honor. When books began to disappear, the project was abandoned."

Interestingly enough, Mrs. George Williams and her husband were two of the 11 casualties of the Bandon Fire... some 43 years after she started the lending library.

In 1912, there was a reading room in the Lorenz building .... where the members of the Hurry Up Bible Class took turns being responsible for the room. When it became too large a job for them, the public was requested to take over.

While reading through the 1912 Bandon Recorders, I found frequent reference to the reading room and the Bible class members, who ran it.

Harriet Long, state librarian, talked about what she had found when she visited Bandon following the fire: "It was finally decided to use the tent (14 feet square) vacated by the State Police that morning. The tent had a board floor and a conical sheet iron stove in the center. Shelves were made of a few boards and packing boxes. When the floor was swept, two long benches rescued, a table and chair for the librarian (Miss Amelia Henry), with the gay colored bindings and the gay colored books, the room was really attractive.

"People began to flock in. First patron was an old gentleman who had lived 41 years in Bandon. A woman said, 'Oh, we need books so badly. Everyone is getting on his neighbor's or his family's nerves now because we are so congested and uncomfortable.' The National Guard brought a cot, mattress, blankets and wash basin for Miss Henry, who was to live in the library."

The author writes in 1952: "It is interesting to note that the little city of Bandon -- in spite of all its set-backs -- has a public library history truly outstanding, including its per capita library expenditure of $1.94, topping the list of all Coos and Curry communities, and exceeded in the entire state by only one other, the cultural city of Ashland, $1.97 -- 3 cents higher than Bandon."

The second photo was taken (In July of 1956) while workmen were rebuilding and repairing a portion of the elevated planked roadway leading from the north side of First Street on Chicago Avenue to the floating dock and fish unloading station.

Elevated planked roadway, 1956
In the foreground is shown a 12x12 fir timber of the size and kind used to cap the piling to support the 3-inch plank decking. The rugged construction was aimed to last for years and again made it possible for vehicles to use the elevated roadway.

The tug, Port of Bandon, is pictured at its regular mooring berth at the dock on the far end of the roadway.

A Western World article explained, "The project was initiated by George Dow of the Bandon Seafood & Cold Storage (third photo) who as fish buyer from outside trollers has a boat unloading place at the end of the wharf. The roadway had been condemned to vehicles; it will again be safe for cars and trucks.

Bandon Seafood & Cold Storage
"Cooperation between the City of Bandon, the Port of Bandon and Dow made the improvement possible. The city council acted after an investigation made by Councilman Clyde Stearns, who made his report at the council meeting June 20."

Clyde was my uncle (half brother to my father), who served many years on both the city council and the Bandon Port Commission.

That area looks so different today, with the Port of Bandon's building (which houses The Loft) essentially built in the Chicago Avenue right of way. I know the road leading out to the end of the wharf, as pictured here, was still viable in the late '70s as I used to go out to watch the fishing boats unload their catch.

*           *           *
I know a lot of people, especially those who work, often wait until Saturday to go to the local Rite Aid store to pick up their prescriptions. So you can imagine their surprise when they learned that on Saturday (Aug. 28) the pharmacy was closed all day because there was no pharmacist available.

It is true that there is a pharmacy at Coast Community Health Clinic, but if your prescription is through Rite Aid that is where you go to pick it up.

For years, Bandon had two drug stores, but once Rite Aid came in, the last store closed and they pretty much became a monopoly.

Hopefully people did not wait until the last minute to get their much-needed medicines, because if it was something they really needed, I am sure they were concerned when they learned the pharmacy was closed for the day.

*           *           *
I heard that my long-time friend Joan Goodbrod, 88, who moved to Washington with her late husband Pete, to be near their daughter, Michelle White, was in the hospital.

Michelle told me that her mom, who is living in an assisted living facility in Woodland, Wash., has fallen out of bed several weeks ago, and while they had her checked out, she seemed fine. But then stroke-like symptoms started showing up and it was determined that her sodium levels were low, which could have accounted for the fall. It was also determined that she had a small brain bleed.

Michelle said she is better and was to be released from the hospital this week. She had been planning to come to Bandon in September, but has now postponed those plans.

I talk with Joan often and pray for her speedy recovery. Having spent her entire life in Bandon, it was hard for Joan to leave her many friends, but when Pete's Parkinson's disease became too debilitating, they needed to move closer to family.

*           *           *
The hospital board, of which I am secretary, recently voted to retain Debi Ellis as acting/interim CEO, while we interviewed and appointed two new board members and begin a search for a permanent CEO. They will join board chair Brent Bischoff (CEO of Coos-Curry Electric Co-op) and treasurer Norbert Johnson, a retired respiratory therapist, and me on the five-member board.

Debi has a lot of experience, having served as the Chief Nursing Officer and also acting CEO following a previous departure.

The board was fortunate to have a good slate of people willing to fill the board vacancies, created with the resignation of Edie Jurgenson and David Allen, and chose Tom Bedell and Pam Hansen to serve the remainder of their terms.

Michael Hardin, who also applied for the board and interviewed very well, was appointed to serve on the district budget committee.

*           *           *
By now most people know that the Cranberry Festival, which was scheduled for Sept. 10-12, has been cancelled because of the huge uptick in the number of Covid cases in Bandon and the surrounding area. The latest data from the health department, which came out Friday, showed 88 new cases for Coos County, 13 for Curry County, 216 in Douglas County and 298 in Lane County.

Other events that have been cancelled were Greater Bandon Association's Alive After Five events, the Blackberry Arts Festival, the Bay Area Fun Festival, and the Downtown Coos Bay Wine Walk.

The Golf for Health Classic, set for Sept. 18 at Bandon Crossings, will be held, but without the Friday night sponsors dinner.

*           *           *
While looking through issues of the Western World from 1956 I stumbled on an interesting item on the front page of the April 12 issue, headlined: "Second Medical Shots To Be Given Children."

Here's what the article said: "It has been announced that the second series of three immunization shots for whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus will be given at the West side grade school in Bandon by Dr. V.J. Westover on Wednesday, April 15. Children from the first to fourth grades will be immunized beginning at 9:30 a.m. and pre-school children beginning at 10:30 a.m."

I wonder how many of those who were vaccinated 65 years ago as a routine precaution against childhood diseases are now protesting vaccines?





Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn

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