As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
September 28, 2022
It was almost like my grandfather (L.D. Felsheim) was talking to me as I read his weekly comments in the Nov. 15, 1951, Western World, about his efforts to preserve history. Now I understand where I got my love for history.
He was celebrating his 40th year as owner of the paper, and explained that "the history of the Bandon area has been carefully and exhaustively told as current happenings in the pages of Western World, and it was one of the primary objectives of the publisher to keep and protect for future generations a complete set of yearly volumes. This objective was religiously pursued, and at the time of the fire of 1936, each year from the very first issue (1912) was complete and securely bound in cloth. (The first photo is what the paper office/bank building looked like immediately after the Fire).
After the Bandon Fire of Sept. 26, 1936
"The irony of the situation came in the fact that just a few days before the fire, the shipment of 24 yearly volumes, freshly and neatly bound, representing the history of the community from 1912 to 1936 arrived from the Portland bindery. The carton containing the volumes was still unpacked but was securely (we thought) placed alongside the vault of the extinct First National Bank (now Bank of Bandon) and there it was when the fire came. The extreme heat in that side of the building reduced it to a fine ash and with it went the history of Bandon.
"Fortunately we had stacked in our own side of the building against the back wall a collection of papers and temporary files covering a number of the missing years. Those were later sorted out and bound, and today, while incomplete, Western World still has a valuable file that covers a good share of the 39 years of its existence.
"Country newspapers are living things. No matter who owns them or operates them, if they are properly conducted, they become a vital part of the community: they belong to the community."
Today, the local paper has been shuttered, and the bound volumes are the property of the Bandon History Museum. In my own parallel story, I saved three decades of negatives (1950s, '60s and '70s) from being hauled to the dump by a later owner of the paper. I share them with the museum and in my will, all of my extensive history collection goes to the museum.
The second photo I am sharing illustrates the item about the local life saving crew, from the files of the Feb. 6, 1913, Western World.
Life saving crew, 1913
"Sunday evening while the small gas boats of Henry Herman and John Petersen were endeavoring to cross out, a comber caught Herman's craft and 'flooded' it. The life saving crew composed of Capt. Robert Johnson, Olson, Armstrong, Averill, Gardner and Hunt went to the rescue and towed the floundering craft to the Anvil anchored off the coast. Two hours later the life saving crew returned and in crossing the rough bar at low tide their boat swamped. However, the craft is a self-bailer and soon righted itself while the crew struggled in the breakers but all regained their places and put safely to the dock."
I love the third item, accompanied by a picture of the steamer Dispatch, because my grandparents were on the boat that headed up the river to the George Laird ranch, opposite Riverton, in December of 1915 for a house-warming party.
Steamer Dispatch
"Twenty-four went up on the Dispatch in the morning. The ladies cooked dinner in picnic style and everyone had a jolly time. In the afternoon they repaired to the second story of Mr. Laird's splendid big new barn, and to the tune of one of Jim Mars' big Edison phonographs, dancing was the pleasure until the Dispatch whistled for the landing, homeward bound."
Among those on board were my grandparents' closest friends, Attorney and Mrs. G.T. (Graydon and Claire) Treadgold, whose lives were forever changed less than a year later (in October of 1916) when Mr. Treadgold was shot to death in an auto repair garage across from the courthouse in Coquille by a Bandon man, who he had prosecuted as Bandon's city attorney. Some day I will share that tragic story.
* * *
Less than a month ago, well-known Family Nurse Practitioner Mary Anker posted about a scary encounter in her Sixth Street neighborhood off Ohio Avenue.
In her Facebook post, Mary said: "BEWARE: To anyone in the neighborhood near 6th St. SE and Ohio St. last night an unleashed tan and white bulldog/pit bull dog came out of the brush and attacked my dog while I was walking him on a leash. A kind stranger who heard my calls for help came and pulled it off my dog and held it while we got away. I took my dog home and cleaned him up and went back to try to find the owner to learn about vaccinations, etc. The dog and another grey and white bulldog/pitbull then charged me and the tan and white dog bit me while I was backing away."
She added that her dog seems fine, much less traumatized than she was.
Mary said she notified all the neighbors and called the police and gave them a report. They said they would notify Animal Control. She added, "I have puncture wounds on my thigh, so I went to Immediate Care this morning. I didn't sleep at all last night, thinking how much worse it could have been: if they had attacked a child. If they had knocked me off my feet. If the Good Samaritan hadn't pulled the attacking dog off my dog. If both the other dogs had bitten me. It was horrible, but I still feel very lucky."
Unfortunately a similar sad story did not end that well for Anita Sexton, who lives on Franklin Avenue. A German Shepherd got loose Thursday evening about 7 from the backyard of a neighbor, who were keeping the dog for their daughter, and attacked her dog. Anita was bitten as she tried to protect her little dog, who was badly mauled, but still alive. In spite of surgery by the vet, her little dog died Friday morning, and she is heartbroken.
A neighbor called 9-1-1 thinking a police officer would respond to the scene, but no one arrived. We later learned that the Bandon Police Department was not contacted by dispatch, but rather Coos County Animal Control, who did come to Bandon Friday and issued several citations involving the dog. The entire neighborhood was pretty much traumatized by what happened, and it did not help when no officer came to the scene. I would definitely have responded had I known about it, but I was in a hospital board meeting that night.
I have asked to have the issue put on the agenda for the Oct. 3 city council meeting (7 p.m. at city hall) so we can discuss protocol and our ordinance for future tragedies like this.
The Animal Control deputy told Ms. Sexton that the penalty would have been more severe had this been a second offense for the dog. But she told me the same dog attacked her dog two years ago, but because she did not want to cause problems for her neighbors, she did not call the police.
I have learned from our police chief and others that the dog will now be re-homed to the Langlois area. I feel that a dog this dangerous will be dangerous no matter where he lives, and fear for the safety of those who live in that area.
As for those of you who walk your dogs throughout the community, I would seriously advise you to carry some kind of pepper spray or other deterrent to fend off a similar attack.
It is important to understand that no matter how many laws or ordinances we have on the books, it will not protect you or your animal from the next vicious dog that preys on your pet. I am heartbroken over this and feel utterly helpless, not knowing how to keep this from happening again .... and again.
* * *
On a happier note, I recently shared more than a hundred of the photos that I have taken over the last 20 years of local productions at the Sprague Theater with the new theater manager Chip Cassin, who has put together a video. With the help of Geneva Miller, who takes care of the theater's website, the video can be accessed by going to Bandonevents.org. Scroll down until you see the group picture from My Fair Lady. Click on that, which will take you to the video, titled "Did For Love 3," and then you can enjoy the photos.
I have wanted to share my photos for years, but because I could not identify many of the youngsters in the photos, I did not know who to contact.
You will find photos from Bandon Playhouse, MarLo Dance Studio and New Artists Productions, ranging from Chicago and the Nutcracker to Fiddler on the Roof Junior and many other productions.
These are only a small part of my collection, which probably numbers well over a thousand, or maybe two thousand photos.
* * *
I have learned that long-time Bandon resident, Lorna Salt, who was so active for many years with the Bandon Playhouse, suffered a stroke last week and was said to be in a Portland hospital. Lorna, 90, has been lovingly cared for by her 93-year-old husband, Chuck, for many years.
I do not know the details, nor exactly where she is, but if you'd like to send a card, their post office box is 1289, Bandon.
* * *
The Bandon Police report for Sept. 13 through 19 had several calls for criminal trespass, one for indecent exposure, three disturbance calls, two DUII arrests, report of identity theft, a shoplifter , unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, an assault at a Beach Loop Road address, and criminal trespass at Weber's Pier.
* * *
In keeping with my concerns that Oregon has never been less safe from a crime standpoint, I will talk about my strong support for Betsy Johnson, the Independent candidate for governor, in the next few weeks.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
September 21, 2022
As we approach the 86th anniversary of the Bandon Fire of Sept. 26, 1936, I want to share a photo of what the business district looked like (first photo) after the Fire. First Street was the site of most of the businesses, many of which were built on piling over the river.
After the Bandon Fire of Sept. 26, 1936
I found an article in the January 1913 Western World talking about a home that had burned to the ground on Pacific Avenue (now Cleveland Avenue).
I am pretty sure this was the first year that my grandfather was editing the paper. He said: "The fact has been time and time again demonstrated that our city must have better fire protection. Why procrastinate? We will wake up some fine day and find a lot of charred piling and a pile of twisted iron and ashes -- all that remains of our beautiful Bandon by the Sea."
Little did he know that a year later, 1914, several blocks of First Street would be destroyed by Fire, and in 1936, all but a few businesses, some homes in East Bandon and the waterfront industrial area would be lost to Fire.
Today, in spite of the fact that we are protected by a top-notch fire department, the gorse is our number one fire threat. It's everywhere and we must all do our part to support eradication ... and education as to how to deal with it. This is one picture we never want to see again.
The second picture I am sharing is of M & L Grocery to accompany a front-page article in November of 1938 headlined "Building Jobs Are Under Way.
M & L Grocery, 1938
"Three building jobs underway are making rapid progress in Bandon, and a fourth, the school house, is just getting started," reports the article, referring to Ocean Crest Elementary School.
The article talks about the new Presbyterian church, the Masonic lodge rooms on the second floor of the bank building, and the laying of a floor in the Golden Rule building, necessary said Manager Bob Norton to keep out the cold during the coming winter. Today, the Golden Rule building is known as The Continuum Center.
"The M&L Grocery building is practically complete, except for painting the front and putting up some of the fixtures. Moore (Fred) & Lorenz (Carl) received their stock of goods on the steamer Bandon from San Francisco. They expect to get opened by Saturday of this week but don't plan to have a formal opening until a week from Saturday."
Today, the location where the M&L Grocery once sat is the parking lot adjacent to the Minute Cafe at Second and Alabama.
The third picture I am sharing is that of Dick Sutherland, who was Bandon High School's beloved football coach for 27 years (1953-1980), and many of those years he was also the varsity baseball coach. During those 27 years, Coach Sutherland's teams won 168 games including the Class AA state championship in 1968.
Dick Sutherland
I was editor of Western World when Coach Sutherland resigned in 1980, prompting me to write a heartfelt editorial titled 'How Quickly We Forget ...." It's too long to reprint in its entirety, but I will share some of what I was thinking those 42 years ago.
"A lifetime of dedication to the sport of football enhanced with the special ingredients of honesty, integrity and respect came to an end this week with the announcement that BHS football coach of 27 years, Dick Sutherland, was stepping aside.
"Having accompanied the BHS football team as a statistician for many years, I have more than a spectator's knowledge of his special talents and abilities. The respect he commanded from his players, other coaches and always from the referees was a credit to the game, and to the community.
"And now more than 10 years after the Tigers won the state AA crown, football fortunes have turned sour at Bandon High School and many of those same fans who cheered for Coach and his squads during the winning seasons have turned against him in recent years. And that's what hurts him the most."
During a press conference, Coach Dick said, "When you're winning, you have lots of friends, but when you're losing, those friends sometimes turn into your severest critics.
"It's difficult to put into words how I felt as I listened to that man for whom I have so much respect, but somehow I felt a whole lot sorrier for his critics than I did for him.
"He has nearly three decades of accomplishments to look back on, but more important years highlighted by the respect, admiration and awe of those whose lives he touched.
"And I can't help feeling that a lot of young men who played for Dick Sutherland are better off today for having known him. The cost of 'winning' comes high."
* * *
Willamette Week carried an article this week about the student section at the University of Oregon's football game Saturday against BYU (Brigham Young University) which is a private university sponsored by The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A group of U of O students were caught on video chanting "F.... the Mormons." Utah Governor Spencer Cox was rightfully upset.
In contrast, the article pointed out that BYU kicked off the game by honoring former Oregon tight end Spencer Ward when the team ran into Autzen Stadium with a flag bearing No. 18. Spencer Ward died in an outing at Triangle Lake in July.
The University has issued an apology, but it's hard to atone for that kind of ignorance. It detracted from a game well played by both squads, and won convincingly by Oregon.
* * *
Last week I met with Alex Cook, the new wildlife refuge specialist at the Bandon Marsh for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and her boss Harry L. McQuillen, project leader from Newport.
Cook sent me a press release several days later to say that a contractor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was scheduled to replace the corroded treads on the stairs down to the beach on the 8th Street access this week (Sept. 19-23). For safety, the stairs will be closed for a few days while the work is done.
"The work will be done as efficiently as possible to minimize the duration of the stair closure, as we know many people in the community enjoy accessing the beach this way. The beach will still be accessible via the11th Street stairs at Coquille Point," Cook said.
It was good to meet with them and know that they will be sharing information with me for my column.
* * *
This month's report from the City of Bandon planning department said applications are continuing to come in for new residential uses, pre-applications for development, and accessory structures.
"Of interest, the City received an application for a multi-unit (five) development on 11th street as well as an application (plans) for a new grocery store (Grocery Outlet) located on Highway 101."
I have also learned that the 48-unit apartment project off Seabird is back on track after the original developer and owner parted ways. "We reached out to the owner to try to get the project moving again before some of the permits expired," said City Manager Dan Chandler. "We have had two good meetings with the owner and his consultants, and the project may well go next year," he said.
"Finally, the new hotel (Marriott) project on the old parking lot across from Farm and Sea is moving along very well. They have a very good team in place, and are beginning to comment on designs. The project team is working closely with the Coquille Tribe, which is generally supportive of their plans," said Chandler.
* * *
At a special meeting of the board of directors of the Southern Coos Hospital and Health District, the board agreed to make the capital investment necessary to begin providing orthopedic surgical services at the hospital.
Dr. Wes Johnson, an orthopedic surgeon working at South Coast Orthopedics Association, will be performing surgeries at our local hospital, beginning with procedures such as carpal tunnel releases, elbow releases and knee arthroscopies. Depending on staffing and demand, "we will work toward more complete surgeries such as total knee and hip joints," said CEO Raymond Hino, and "will add more surgical days to Dr. Johnson's schedule as case volumes increase."
* * *
Crime continues to increase in Coos County, brought about in no small measure by the fact that of the 250-bed jail, only 48 beds are available for inmates.
Realizing the need to open more jail beds, the County Board of Commissioners has certified a five-year levy for the November ballot that will be used to fund at least 150 local jail beds, with all funds dedicated for jail operations including recruiting and hiring personnel.
Commissioner John Sweet explained that the cost of the levy is 45 cents a thousand, but he added that before the levy is certified, the county will have paid off its pipeline bonds, which will reduce the cost to 20 cents a thousand. The other tax that the county levies, for the tower, will be paid off in June of 2025, which means that the cost will be tax neutral for the last three years of the five-year levy.
A home assessed at $231,370 (the average in the county) will pay an additional $8.68 a month until the second bond has been retired in 2025.
Sweet pointed out that Coos County's general property tax rate of $1.08 a thousand is the second lowest county permanent tax rate in the state. And much of the other money that they do receive is dedicated to departments like roads and health, and cannot be used for general government purposes.
Commissioner Sweet will present information about the levy at the Oct. 3 meeting of the Bandon City Council, set for 7 p.m. at city hall. People are urged to attend, listen and ask questions.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of passing this levy. We must have more jail beds open!
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
September 14, 2022
It made the front page of the Western World in October of 1935 when Bandon chartered its first Active 20-30 Club in a program held at the Westland Hotel.
Their mission statement reads: "Active 20-30 International provides young adults with the opportunity for personal development, friendship and development of their leadership skills while improving the qualify of life of children in the communities where we are present." The group was founded in 1922, and today there are still clubs in Eugene and Portland.
At the Charter Night ceremony, Dr. F. W. Gould of Bandon served as the master of ceremonies, with several vocal numbers sung by Miss Verna Adams, Miss Helen Mae Baird, Gene Wade and Jack Wade. The address of welcome was delivered by Marvin McCue. The program for the evening, of which I have an original copy, is the first picture I am sharing.
The presentation of the charter was made by G. Lawrence Manuel of Grants Pass, district governor, and accepted by G.W. Treadgold, president of the Bandon club.
"Others officers of the local club are Dr. F.W. Gould, vice president; Kenner Giles, secretary; Jack Wade, treasurer, and Carl Lorenz, sergeant-at-arms.
"Other charter members are George M. Linn, Jack Howard, Elbert Schroeder, Marvin McCue, Howard Tucker, Henry McCue, Kenneth Blake, John D. Young, John McCue, Fred Panter, Fred Tuttle, R.G. Norton, George Norduft and Dan Curran."
Following the dinner and program in the hotel, the balance of the evening was spent dancing at the Silver Spray Gardens (second photo).
Silver Spray Gardens
Among others attending, not previously mentioned, were Georgia Erdman (who accompanied Jack Howard) and Miss Faye Perry, the date (and later the wife) of Jack Wade.
I love this third picture of Senator Sam Dement, who rode his horse in the 1972 Cranberry Festival parade.
Senator Sam Dement, 1972
Pictured behind him you can see the Arcade Garden Tavern, the building that today is owned by Bill and Louise Moore on the corner of Second and Chicago Avenue.
A member of a fourth-generation Myrtle Point ranching family, Senator Sam represented Coos and Curry counties in the Senate from 1968 until 1972. He died in 2015 at the age of 95.
He graduated from Myrtle Point High School in 1938 where he was a star athlete in football, basketball and track. He married Dorothy McArthur Fish in 1943, and they were married 61 years at the time of her death in 2004. He was a past president of the Oregon Cattleman's Association and the Western Livestock Association.
* * *
If the number of people who crowded into City Park Saturday is any indication, this year's Cranberry Festival was a roaring success. People spent the day, and long into the evening, in the baseball field area where the food and market vendors were located, enjoying a succession of bands who played on the main stage. Others, particularly those who had come to enjoy the car show, were treated to music on the north stage.
Hallie Minkler was crowned queen during the coronation Thursday night, and those who attended said it was a wonderful event and that all three girls, including Princesses KayDence Augsburger and Rhiannon Green, were worthy of the honor.
I heard lots of good reviews about the parade, even if I didn't get to see much of it since Council President Madeline Seymour and I rode in a convertible with David Kimes toward the front of the parade, behind the co-grand marshals, Cathy Underdown and Patricia Seidler, riding with Joseph Bain. People posted some great photos of the parade for those of you who did not get to enjoy it.
Were there problems? Yes, but they mostly seemed to be centered around the parking issue, and the fact that the traffic backed up several blocks down 11th as people tried to get into the park after the parade. At least three different Facebook posters said they drove around and around, but could not find a place to park.
If I were in charge, which I definitely am not, I would try to provide some sort of a shuttle so older people, who can't walk blocks, could easily be transported back and forth from a downtown parking area. I know our city manager, Dan Chandler, hopes to buy a new handicap accessible trolley, so maybe by the time next Cranberry rolls around, we could use the shuttle to help with the traffic/parking situation.
But again, and I don't know how many times I need to stress this, the Cranberry Festival is ably spearheaded by the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, and chaired by Anthony Zunino. It is not a City function. I had heard that several Old Town merchants were planning to attend Monday night's council meeting to urge us to return the festival to Old Town, but I told the man who approached me that he needed to attend a Chamber board meeting if he had concerns.
It is also important to remember that for many years, the City Park was the center of the Cranberry Festival, before vendors got involved, and people gathered to enjoy the annual Beef Barbecue put on by the Bandon Lions Club, with the meat cooked right there on the park grounds. Some of the activities would be set up inside the Barn, and a beer garden would be roped off in the park. While we all knew it bolstered our local businesses that weekend, that was not the primary intent, but it was rather to honor the cranberry industry. The parade always went through the downtown area, but the coronation was held in the school gymnasium and other events at City Park.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous Saturday. The sun didn't come out on Sunday, but I am sure people had just as much fun, but were dressed a bit warmer.
The only other criticism that I heard, or rather saw, was that it would have been good to have a few more food vendors as people I know left to find food elsewhere when the lines were extremely long during the noon hour. But then who knew the event would be so popular, which was a good thing.
* * *
I was sorry to learn of the death of the wife of my long-time friend and former boss Warren Strycker, whose wife Joanne, 87, died from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. Warren and Joanne lived in Yuma, Az. Warren and his late wife, Marilyn, owned and operated Western World for many years in the 1970s. Joanne had celebrated her birthday Aug. 11, while Warren's daughter and husband, Cathy and Dee Staten, were visiting. People could contact Warren at wstryckeraz@gmail.com or by writing to him at 13449 E. 43rd Lane, Yuma, Az., 85367. Warren was a member of the BHS Class of 1956.
* * *
The recent action by the Bandon School District to close its tennis court and the track and field facility during school hours has generated a lot of controversy from long-time users, and prompted several letters to the school board, meeting tonight (Monday, Sept. 12).
Dawn Vonderlin posted on Facebook that she was one of the founding members of a small group of regular local tennis players. "We have consistently utilized the courts on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings for many years. The courts were in terrible disrepair when we started playing. We purchased a new net, net winder and pavement line paint to repaint the barely visible lines. We have done repairs and maintenance of these courts without complaint or assistance. We have always been respectful of school property and staff. This is such a shame and a disappointment. I feel this is an unreasonable and unnecessary action."
Several people posted their disappointment in the action on Facebook, including Sharon Ward Moy, Laurea Arnoldt and Dr. Paul Michaels, who have written to the board.
Superintendent Shauna Schmerer responded by saying that people are making assumptions and do not necessarily have the necessary facts, and invited each person with concerns to visit her at her office for more information.
I suggested, also on Facebook, that rather than take up her time with many people going individually into her office, it might be best if she issued a statement so that everyone could hear the same message. Like the others, I am aware that all measures need to be taken for the safety of the students, and understand that new lockdown measures are in place, but closing the tennis courts and the track to district members seems to be a bit of a knee-jerk reaction.
In his letter to the board, Dr. Michaels suggested that the signs could contain new language that would say "During school hours, the track/tennis courts are not to be used if occupied by Bandon School District students."
This certainly makes sense.
In her note to the board, Laurea said: "I am a resident of Bandon for over 20 years. My husband and I are regular walkers that utilize the Bandon High School track. I have had both hips replaced and have phocomelia (short arms), I count on the buoyancy of the rubberized track to cushion my joints and to protect myself if I should fall. My husband is 84 and can not walk for long distances. This allows him to retreat to our car when he has hit his limit. We have enjoyed the camaraderie of the children when they have come to the track whilst we are already walking. Please don't take that away. We, too, value the safety of the children. Lock the doors to the buildings, but don't build a wall to the community."
Dr. Michaels said there appears to be a perception that allowing access would compromise the safety of the students. "However, our small knit community has always worked well with the schools prior to the current superintendent's arrival here and our local presence and involvement makes the area and schools safer, not the opposite."
Hopefully the board can work out a compromise that will not sacrifice the safety of the students, but will allow the community to continue to use the outdoor facilities, at least when students are not utilizing them.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
September 07, 2022
The first picture is a grim reminder of what the bay looked like after the Fire of 1936.
After the Fire of 1936
As you can see in the background, people had started to rebuild on Second Street, and side streets like Baltimore, but the debris in the harbor told the story, and it wasn't a pretty picture. The building at left was built by Ernie Panter and today is the Big Wheel.
An editorial, written by my grandfather in February of 1938, is titled "Should Remove the Debris."
"Bandon's fire-razed area is littered with debris. Business and residence lots alike are a mass of twisted iron, brick, and concrete. The iron is bright with rust, a constant reminder of the flames that wrought havoc in September 1936.
"It is time that this debris is cleared away; that the lots that once were occupied by busy mercantile establishments and by happy homes be at least permitted to enjoy the wholesome covering provided by Mother Nature."
The editorial goes on to explain that the City is hoping to have a WPA crew come to Bandon and help with the clean up.
"It may not be generally understood, but it is a fact that the reason Bandon beach did not attract the tourists and the weekend visitors during the past season, as it did before the fire, is because of the unsightly view that nauseated visitors upon their arrival to the city. The depressive reaction of the debris-littered landscape has been more than visitors could stand, especially those who knew Bandon as it was before the fire; those who looked forward each year to spending their vacation at the local beach."
The second picture, of cranberry harvest equipment, illustrates a response by a leading cranberry grower to another editorial by my grandfather, Oct. 29, 1953, which talked about the Cranberry Festival (the seventh year for the event) and asked "Why don't the cranberry people take more active part in the Festival?"
Cranberry harvesting machine
And in a subsequent Western World, grower Ethel (Mrs. Leslie) Kranick answered the question.
"In 1941 a war broke out, the men went to war. The women were called to industrial and war occupations. In this particular locality the lumber industry boomed because of the need for lumber -- and cranberry growers were left without labor to harvest their crops.
"Cranberry growers are not easily discouraged so they invented machines so they could harvest the berries themselves. They had to compete with wages paid lumber workers to get any help at all and that help is still very scarce. So, when festival time rolls around cranberry growers and their families are out struggling against time and weather to get their crops harvested and when night comes they are too darn tired to get enthusiastic about festivals, much as they would like to help.
"The festival idea was originated by the National Cranberry Association (later Ocean Spray) as an advertising stunt while over-coming a huge surplus that had depressed the market. Nearly all cranberry growers help to pay for this advertising found in many national magazines -- so the advertising gained for the home town is not of monetary value to the grower.
"Do the rose growers run the Rose Festival?" asked Mrs. Kranick (who married Walter Reichenbach after Leslie died) in closing her letter.
Pictured with a harvester, in a photo taken in 1974, are Jim Olson and his son-in-law Mike Carver.
I love this third photo, probably taken during the cranberry festival in 1956 of Mrs. Nellie Biggar's first grade.
Nellie Biggar's first grade, 1956
I can only identify four of the students, but hopefully some of my readers will recognize the others. The boy third from left is Reg Pullen; next to him is Rich Gorman. The boy in front of the power pole is Tim McCue, and the little boy leaning over the edge is Rick Howard.
In the early days, the festival was held in October or late September, which gave each class time to build a float for the parade ... or actually gave the parents and the teachers time to come up with a float, and some of them were absolutely grand.
* * *
There is a lot going on this weekend with the annual Bandon Cranberry Festival, Cranberry Country Jamboree, opening Thursday night, with the coronation of the queen at the Sprague Theater beginning at 7. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door. Princesses are Hollie Minkler, KayDence Augsburger and Rhiannon Green. Most of the events are being held at City Park.
I am only going to highlight what for years have been the main events, but there are lots of other things going on this weekend, as well. You can find the information at bandon.com or coosevents.com.
The Tigers will host Colton in the annual Cranberry Bowl Game on Friday night, beginning at 6 p.m. The queen and her court will be presented at halftime, and the top three Cranberry Kitchen winners will be announced. This will be Bandon's first football as the game scheduled for last Friday with Sheridan was cancelled because Sheridan did not have enough players to field a team.
Named grand marshals of the Grand Festival Parade, slated for 10 a.m. Saturday (gathering on Ninth near the high school), will be Patricia Seidler and Cathy Underdown, both being honored for their long years of volunteerism.
Seidler, who recently celebrated her 98th birthday, moved to Bandon in 2014 to be near her daughter, Madeline Seymour, who is president of the City Council.
Cathy Underdown and her late husband, Steve, moved to Bandon in January 1999 with their infant twins, Darby and Max.
The parade will travel north down Highway 101, and through Old Town.
There will be live music throughout the day in the park, and people are urged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets to sit on the grass.
Bands slated to play on the north stage are Tiller of the Moon (11a.m.-1 p.m.); Paul Bernadon (1:30-3); Sly & Co. (3:30-5:30); and on the main stage, South Fork Four (11-1); Rogue Strings (1:30-3); Hecktic Week (3:30 to 5:30) and The High Deductibles, 6:30 to 9:30 for the evening dance. Live music will also take place on Sunday on both stages beginning at 11 a.m.
The cranberry car show will be in the park from noon to 5 p.m.
There will be plenty of opportunity to shop, as the Old Town Marketplace will be open Friday and Saturday, 11 to 3; the Festival Vendors Market will be in City Park Saturday (11-5) and Sunday (10-4); and some of the Bandon merchants will be participating in Cranberry City, with special sales. Look for signs in participating merchants' windows. The Festival Food Court will be open from 11-9 on Saturday and from 10-4 on Sunday.
Cranberry festival memorabilia will be on display at the Bandon Historical Museum Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with free admission. On Sunday, the Bandon Lions Cranberry Run will take place at 4 p.m.
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I was sorry to learn of the passing of Lupe Converse, 78, who has lived in Bandon for many years with her husband Allen and their family, who are very active in Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband; sons, Steve, Kevin, Kenneth and Michael and daughter Sarah. Their son Brian died in November of 2020 at his home in Colorado Springs.
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Now that the deadline to file for city offices has passed, it is safe to announce that all of us will be running unopposed. I will be running for the two-year term for mayor; incumbents Madeline Seymour and Chris Powell have filed for re-election, and Josh Adamson, a port executive, has filed for the seat now held by Peter Braun, who is not running again. Council seats are for four years.
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Fred Gernandt posted this week that the sale of his gravel lot on First Street has closed. Gernandt said the new owner plans to build a hotel on the property, and we understand it is Marriott that will be coming to Bandon.
I don't know the details, but I do know that it will be a big boost to the Old Town merchants who will have a built-in market of potential customers virtually at their doorstep. And they won't have to find a place to park.
Speaking of parking, the city has completed the paving and striping of the lot which is between First and Second Street (101) at Fillmore Avenue. It became necessary to purchase land for parking once the Gernandt lot was no longer available for lease.
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The VFW Flag Committee is hoping the public will assist them in purchasing a 10x20' building in which to store all of their cemetery flags. To date, the 152 flags have been stored in a person's garage, and he needs to reclaim the space.
The Flag Committee is seeking donations, which are tax deductible, to assist with the cost of the project, expected to be about $8,500. People can send their donations to Bandon VFW Post 3440, 55352 Bates Road, Bandon, or call Harry Stephens at 541-294-1048 (leave a message if he's not home).
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As expected, August was pretty dry with only 0.12 inches of rain reported, but that was still over twice the 0.05 recorded last August.
Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn
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