As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

July 30, 2014

I've chosen some "people pictures" for this week's column. The first one, probably taken in the '80s, features Larry Hardin, left, and Ralph Hildreth doing a promo shot for a music festival.

Larry Hardin & Ralph Hildreth
The second picture, probably taken in the late '50s, shows my grandfather, L. D. Felsheim, in the basement of the Masonic Hall (where the paper used to be printed) demonstrating the process to young scouts. Among those pictured are Diana Fraser, left, and Carolyn Mullikin, right. Next to Carolyn is Reg Pullen. Behind them is Mrs. Miles Hopson. Her two sons are in front of her (one next to Diana and the other next to Reg). At the far left is a Duval, but not sure which one.

L. D. Felsheim with scouts
In the third picture, taken in November of 1966, long-time teacher Francis Stadelman is demonstrating a science project (?) to parents (including, from left, my mother Martha Dufort, Aili Dahl and Phyllis Ray). At the far right is Pastor Arnett.

Francis Stadelman is demonstrating a science project
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Everyone is talking about this weekend's Bi-Mart Cape Blanco Country Music Festival, set for Friday through Sunday at Sixes, three miles east of Cape Blanco State Park.

There hasn't been much publicity, and people are wondering just how many people are expected to attend and if a lot of them will visit Bandon during their three-day stay.

The concert's website said they expect between 12,000 and 15,000 people to attend, with many of them camping on site (on the Sweet ranch). The venue gates will open each day two hours before the first act: Friday at 1 p.m.; Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at noon.

I found that a bit confusing because when you click on their website, it indicates that entertainment will start at 9 a.m., with the headliners, like Brad Paisley, Eric Church and Diercks Bentley, to perform at night (Friday at 9 for Paisley, Saturday at 9 for Church, and Sunday at 8 for Bentley).

Since I am not a country/western fan, I do not plan to attend, but some of my friends bought their tickets months ago to make sure they had a seat.

I know the businesses in Old Town are hoping that many of the concertgoers will visit their shops.

I know for sure that I wouldn't want to be on the highway in northern Curry County at certain times of day this weekend.

*           *           *
The First Lady has made the news lately ... battling the GOP over changes to the school lunch rules.

I appreciate what she is trying to do, but unfortunately the new mandates have proven that you can "lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink."

The same thing holds true for children. It doesn't matter how much healthy foods are mandated to be served. If they won't eat them, it isn't working.

An article in the Register-Guard recently pointed out that "more than 1 million fewer students eat lunch at school each day since the first round of standards went into effect in 2012, following decades of steadily increasing participation."

A second round of rules, including standards for school breakfasts, took effect July 1.

One spokesman for the opposition adds: "How can we call these standards a success when they are driving students away from the program."

It doesn't matter how much "healthy" food you offer kids, if they won't eat it, throw it away or don't even bother to go to the cafeteria, the program clearly is not working.

We should stop passing new laws to "save people from themselves."

*           *           *
I met the new priest at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Friday at the bakery. Father Eric Andersen is a native Oregonian, and comes to Bandon from Portland to replace Father Rodel de Mesa, who was recently transferred to Holy Family in Portland.

He was showing his lovely mother around town when I went up and introduced myself. He said he loves Bandon and is happy to be here.

*           *           *
Had the opportunity to meet the new director of Pacific View (formerly Heritage Place) during a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday evening. Debbie Wilson and her family have moved here from Roseburg and just bought a new home.

She is extremely enthusiastic about her new job, and everyone seems to really love her.

*           *           *
Several years ago I wrote about Melissa Bowerman, 43, the daughter-in-law of Nike co-founder and long-time Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman, who is married to Bowerman's 76-year-old son, John Bowerman.

It seems that Melissa had escorted a 17-year-old boy to the Condon High School Prom. At that time she and her husband were volunteer coaches at Condon/Wheeler. But after that incident, she was dismissed as coach, and I took issue with that since the article said she had permission from both the boy's father and her husband.

But, as many figured, there was more to the story.

She went on to be hired as the track coach at Madras High School, but last week she was fired after being arrested for sending naked photos of herself to a student on her team, exchanging sexual messages and asking the 17-year-old boy if he wanted to have sex with her. She was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail on $50,000 bail.

According to the affidavit obtained by The Oregonian, a relative of Bowerman alerted police in early July that she might be having a sexual relationship with a student. The relative provided authorities with Facebook messages in which Bowerman said the teen, whom she referred to as her "monkey boy," had promised to love her but then dumped her.

It absolutely amazes me the kinds of things that people will post on their Facebook pages . . .

Even things that could (and should) ultimately end them up in jail . . . .

*           *           *
I received a call late last week from Roy Lowe of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service telling me that they had closed the south staircase at Coquille Point due to public safety concerns, effective immediately.

After inspection and consultation with engineers, the Service concluded the stairs have suffered structural problems as a result of geologic shifting on the point. A path and second set of stairs on the north end of Coquille Point at the end of 8th street will remain open, allowing people to access the beach.

Lowe said they will have the staircase inspected this week in the hope that a temporary fix can be made so people can use the steps through the end of the summer season. Then they will begin evaluating options for a long-term fix through repairs or replacement.

The stairs have provided access to the beach at the base of Elephant Rock since 1998.

The geologic shifting that played havoc with these stairs is one reason the City Council does not want to continue the pathway from 8th along the top of the bluff, but is looking at ways to move it closer to Beach Loop Road in certain, safer areas.

*           *           *
Speaking of USFWS, I received an email from Coos County Commissioner John Sweet last Tuesday, who said that pond sampling on the Marsh indicate that "last Monday's aerial application of Bti was very successful. Hopefully mosquito trap counts taken this week will verify that. Sunday evening at about 6:30, I walked out toward the middle of the marsh, stood there for 5 minutes, and had only one mosquito land on me. It was not the salt water variety that have caused so much trouble. I called Jack Hackett yesterday and he says they are a non-issue at his house. Keep me posted as you get reports, please," Sweet said. Hackett, as you may remember, could not go outside without being swarmed, which resulted in him buying a bee-type hood.

In a second email later in the day, John added: "The contractor who is to link all parts of the marsh to the river so all areas will fill and drain with the rise and fall of the tides is on site now and working. I've not had an update since work began, but their original plan was to have the work completed by this fall. As you know the aim is to eliminate the stagnant water left behind by the highest tides. This would serve to eliminate the mosquito breeding grounds."

John has been diligent in his efforts to deal with the problem, both this year and last year and the City of Bandon owes him a huge debt of gratitude for all that he, his fellow commissioners and the health department have done to stay on top of this situation.

Some would prefer a more aggressive, nasty approach to dealing with Fish and Wildlife, but John has demonstrated time and again that he understands how to work well with other agencies, and people seem to appreciate that approach.




As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

July 23, 2014

This week's history lessons features three buildings, which many people will remember from the "old days."

The first is George Chappell's Chevron Station. This is the "new" station that replaced one that was built soon after the fire. Jill Chappell Sumerlin thinks it was built in the mid-'60s, and was probably torn down in the late '80s. The site is now a vacant lot almost directly across from Face Rock Creamery and next to the Station Restaurant (which used to be the Shell Service Station).

George Chappell's Chevron Station
The second picture was taken in 1970 and is McNair's Home Town Hardware, which was destroyed by fire in 1974 (not long after the high school fire) when a burglar set fire to the building while using a blow torch to break into the safe. Across the street, on the east side of Delaware Avenue was Noah Davison's Bandon Market, which was also destroyed by fire. I am not sure they ever determined whether or not it was arson, but it sat where the vacant lot (parking lot for the pizza parlor) is now.

McNair's Home Town Hardware
The third picture is the old Bandon Plumbing Heating & Sheetmetal building, occupied by Judy Knox's late father, Bob Schultz. It has long since been remodeled and is now the Wheelhouse Restaurant and Crow's Nest, owned by Sunny and Gary Chang. Across First Street sits George and Nella Dow's Bandon Seafood, although when this picture was taken it may have been operated by Graydon Stinnett as part of his seafood business. Just not sure of the date on this picture.

Bandon Plumbing Heating & Sheetmetal
*           *           *
Today, while eating at Pacific Blues, I met a neat lady who, along with her husband who was beachcombing, had come to Bandon for the weekend to escape the heat in Medford.

She said it's harder and harder to endure the triple-digit heat that Medford is "famous" for and she said they'd really like to make Bandon their new home. I didn't have to convince her as to how special this place is ... she already knew. She works in medical records for an anesthesiology group, but my guess is she wouldn't have much trouble getting a job in Bandon.

She said one of the reasons they'd like to leave the Medford area is because of the growing threat from three rival gangs, who are trying to stake out their territory.

That reason alone would be enough to make me start looking for a new home ... like Bandon.

*           *           *
I haven't read much about the annual dog show, that was held here the weekend of the Fourth, but several people have told me that the number of dogs in the show was way down from past years.

At least three people mentioned it, so I am pretty sure it's true, but no one seemed to know why.

One person estimated that instead of an estimated 400 dogs in past years, there might have been 100 this year ... but that is purely based on one person's conjecture.

So if you know what happened this year, let me know so I can share it with my readers.

*           *           *
I received a nice surprise in the mail last week . . . in the form of a Bandon coloring and activity book (actually three of them) sent to me by Joan Coleman of Bandon. Joan and her husband, Andrew, are local Bandon artists and for the last six years they have owned and operated Ink Wonderland, a Bandon-based illustration and design company.

"We recently created a Bandon-themed coloring and activity book that is fun for all ages. 'Let's Go To Bandon!' is all about some of the activities, sights, fun and folks that make our city so special. Our hope is that this book will be an entertaining keepsake for locals and visitors looking for something to remind them of their time in Bandon, and provide family friendly marketing for local businesses and organizations."

The books can be purchased at Winter River Books, or you can contact the Colemans at info@inkwonderland.com or call them at 541-329-0554.

It's a great book, and I enjoyed several of the activities/puzzles.

*           *           *
My neighbor, Ron Cramer, 69, died at his home (next door to me) Sunday night of an apparent intestinal problem. He made his home with his 97-year-old mother, Edna Cramer, and had suffered from mental illness for over 30 years, but could be seen making his daily trek to town, where he often sat on park benches around town or was a regular at McFarlin's.

Most members of his family, which includes four siblings and their spouses, were here to be with their mother. They were upset to learn that a rumor had started that Ron had taken his own life, which was not true, and they hoped to set the record straight.

One of his sisters, Carolyn Goldwassen, had lived in Bandon for several years, before moving to Berkeley, Calif., to be near her daughter and help care for her three-year-old granddaughter. She had served on the city's parks & recreation commission and the budget committee.

The family held a memorial service at the Amling-Schroeder Mortuary Wednesday night where friends, neighbors and family remembered Ron and sang some of his favorite songs.

*           *           *
The Bandon Chamber of Commerce celebrated the one-year anniversary of Hands & Tans, Kellie Flynn's popular day spa in the Bandon Shopping Center, with a ribbon cutting last week.

A lot of people, both chamber members and Hands & Tans customers, turned out for the event.

What stole the show were the hors d'eouvres, catered by Kellie's mother, who had recently retired after many years in the catering business. The food, ranging from scrumptious chocolate cupcakes topped with fresh raspberries to stuffed mushrooms and quiche, was wonderful and there was more than enough for everyone.

The shop is beautiful and features hair, nail and tanning salons and custom massages and facials. Several of my friends said they had pedicures there . . . and they raved about the experience, urging me to try it.

My sister had been in the shop the day before to have Tim cut her hair, and she thoroughly enjoyed the gourmet spread, along with the rest of us.

*           *           *
I had heard that Jamie Sterling and her two daughters, Tegan and Marin, were planning to move to McMinnville. Jamie confirmed Sunday that they are hoping to move and be settled before school starts in the Fall. She has listed her house and is making an offer on a house in McMinnville, a city of 30,000, which is near Portland.

As most of you know, Jamie is extremely concerned about the location of the schools and what will happen when the Big One strikes this area. She has been on a mission to get Ocean Crest Grade School moved to another location.

At a recent meeting at City Hall she was critical of the local schools, but another person at the meeting disagreed and pointed out the many accomplishments of students who have graduated from BHS ... and also the fact that the district's state report cards are often superior to other schools in the area.

At any rate, Jamie feels that a larger community has more to offer to her junior-high age daughters, who are extremely accomplished young women. They will certainly be an asset to wherever they choose to live ....

*           *           *
Not sure of the details, but while going to Coos Bay last Tuesday for a dental appointment, I was met by two large Coos Bay Haz Mat vehicles and an ambulance. I knew something had happened, but wasn't sure what it was.

I learned that Troy Russell was driving a large truck, which contained some kind of fuel, in northern Curry County (in either the Floras Creek or Floras Lake area). As he went down a hill, the brakes gave out and the truck crashed.

Troy drove himself to the local hospital, where he was treated for a gash on his head, which, thankfully, was not more serious.




As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

July 16, 2014

As I went through my collection of old pictures, some of which have been shared with me by the museum, I came across a series of pictures of the downtown area taken during a flood in 1940.

The first picture was taken in front of what is now a real estate office, across Fillmore from the Station Restaurant. At that time it was a Southwestern Motors Chevrolet dealership, and you can see the former Coast Lumber Yard in the background. The pickup in front of the dealership is a State of Oregon Highway Dept. truck, with its driver standing alongside ... probably wondering what to do next because Ferry Creek had overflowed its banks and was causing a lot of water to fill the streets.

1940 Bandon Flood, Coast Lumber Yard
The second photo was taken a little further west on Second Street in front of Sadye's Confectionary, a local soda fountain, in the building which is now the Alloro restaurant. Note the boat in the foreground.

1940 Bandon Flood, Sadye's Soda Fountain
The third picture is looking west on Second as you come down the highway hill, with Coquille Valley Dairy Co-op at left, in pretty much the same location as the new Face Rock Creamery. Across the street is the service station, long owned by the Chappell family. The Gilmore Service Station is visible just down from the dairy co-op on the corner of Fillmore and Highway 101 (Second Street) where Gibson Graphics now sits.

1940 Bandon Flood, street scene
In those days, Ferry Creek pretty much flowed through a dirt channel, behind the service station at right, but has long since been contained in a concrete culvert and it would take a lot of water for that area to flood again.

*           *           *
I've been hearing rumors lately that the Youth Center Thrift Store property had been sold . . . to Leo Lewandowski. I told the people that I heard it from that they might be confusing the sale with the fact that Leo bought the Kiwanis Thrift Store near Face Rock Creamery from the Texley family. And it appears that I was right.

I contacted Youth Center spokesman Angie Smith, who gave me the information "straight from the horse's mouth," which is what I was looking for.

Here's what Angie said: "The Youth Center Thrift Store property is not for sale. We do not have a contract with any Realtor. The property has not been listed. The Board is weighing our options as to what to do with the property. Our first priority is to do what is in the best interest of serving youth in our community. We are looking at partnerships with other local youth-serving groups.

"We are open to any and all conversations. Our goal is to create a true community youth center that provides quality, engaging and sustainable programming. ALL decisions will be with this in mind.

"Should the property be listed, we will advertise and let all media sources know. At that point we will not need rumors, just facts. If the property is listed then our intent will be to sell and we would want as much exposure as possible to ensure a sale.

"Until that time, we are operating the Thrift Store as usual," Smith said.

*           *           *
I learned an expensive lesson this week . . . although I won't know until Tuesday just how much my stupidity may cost me. You would think that by the time a person reaches 75 (on Aug. 5), they would have learned most of life's lessons ... but apparently not.

After not having any tooth problems (that I could feel) for quite a few years, I did not go to the dentist even though I was paying $63 a month for dental insurance. In January, with the new health mandate, I decided to drop my dental insurance since I was no longer working and had recently purchased a supplement for my Medicare insurance. I had also given up my prescription insurance since I hadn't taken a prescription for years. Another mistake.

At any rate, I went to the wonderful new dentist in town, Dr. Paul Pantleo, a couple of weeks ago to have a tooth filled. At that time I made an appointment to have my teeth cleaned. Brandi's first question, was "how long since you have had your teeth cleaned?" Of course, I told her it had been awhile ...whatever that meant.

She found quite a bit of periodontal gum disease, like 7s and 8s (which I am sure is not good) and referred me to Dr. Roger Sims.

Had I had my teeth cleaned sooner (actually I did have some work done on my front teeth a few years ago but the dentist said nothing about periodontal disease) I might have saved myself many dollars (since I did have insurance) and a lot of pain. The latter I can handle; it's the expense that worries me.

At any rate, there is no one to blame but myself.

As to having no prescription insurance, I learned what drugs cost these days, and I was shocked. My doctor (Gail McClave) prescribed Singulair for my allergies, but suggested I get only 10 of the 30 pills to determine if they worked.

When Tony (from Rite-Aid) came out with the pills after I advised him that I had no insurance, he said "these are pretty expensive." He wasn't kidding. Ten little pills cost $54. Thank heavens I didn't decide to get the whole 30-day supply ... at a cost of $162. At that point I probably would have needed some heart medicine.

He gave me some paperwork to fill out which I believe will reduce the cost somewhat ... but I'm not sure they are doing me that much good anyway.

*           *           *
I have been talking to quite a few people lately, and reading comments on Facebook, and most people agree that there is no mosquito problem this year.

That's why I was shocked last week to see the front-page headline in The World: "Bandon's Buzzing." OMG, I thought, that is extremely misleading. If people read the well-written story, they would know that the buzzing is people still talking about the mosquitoes ... not that there are mosquitoes. Unfortunately, most people would see the headline and think just the opposite.

Pretty much the same thing occurred when the Western World came out with their headline "Mosquito Issue has City Buzzing" in a front page article above the fold. Again the story was accurate ... if you read it.

To make matters worse, several days later, the Register-Guard also carried the "mosquito" story, which had been picked up from The World. Again the word "Skeeter" was in the headline ... with a Bandon byline. But at least it was partly accurate: "Skeeter-plagued Bandon reporting fewer bug bites." I guess since we had a problem last year, we will always be known as "skeeter-plagued" Bandon.

It's a bit like making a "mountain out of a molehill." This issue has been beaten to death. Since this article was picked up by the Associated Press, I am sure it has had wide coverage, which is inflammatory and unfair. All people see when they read these headlines is "Bandon" and "Mosquitoes."

The people of Bandon owe Coos County Commissioner John Sweet and his fellow commissioners a debt of gratitude for all the work they did last year, and continue to do this year, to ensure that US Fish and Wildlife Service deal with the problem. I know it has become a political issue since John is running for re-election. I will admit he does not go into "attack mode" as some are prone to do, but John Sweet is a great commissioner and he is doing everything in his power to make sure that USFWS takes care of their problem.

I know headlines sell papers ... but at whose expense.

*           *           *
I need to set the record straight as far as the financing of the fireworks are concerned. Chamber executive Julie Miller advised me that Face Rock Creamery paid $4,000 toward this year's display, but it did not amount to half the cost of the fireworks. This was the second year of their two-year commitment.

Anyone who would like to contribute to next year's display can drop off a check at the chamber visitor center or mail it to P.O. Box 1515. People can also sign up to have $1 deducted each month when they pay their electric bill.

*           *           *
It was sad to learn that Audrey and Howard Wells' two-and-a-half-year-old great-grandson, Nolan, was injured in a car wreck July 6. He remains in the UCLA Medical Center with head trauma, but the family is hopeful that he is getting better.

He has regained consciousness and has recognized his parents, which is a good sign. Only a week earlier his mother gave birth to his baby sister.

According to Audrey, the little boy was a passenger in the backseat of a car driven by his father, and as they tried to exit an offramp onto the freeway, the driver behind them apparently fell asleep, rammed their vehicle and pushed them into (I believe) a light standard. The Jaws of Life was required to get him out of the car and he was then airlifted to the hospital.

Audrey and Howard, who have been wonderful consummate volunteers here for years, have sold their home and will be moving to Ukiah, Calif., in mid-August to be nearer their family.

They will certainly be missed.

*           *           *
Bandon lost one of its oldest citizens recently with the death of Richard Griffith, who was 103. He was a faithful member of St. John's Episcopal church while he lived at Heritage Place Assisted Living Center. He had since moved to a Coos Bay facility, and died in Bay Area Hospital the early morning hours of July 7.

Among his survivors is his daughter, Robin Hanna, of Langlois.

*           *           *
Received a press release Sunday about an attempted murder and robbery of a hitchhiker along the Southern Oregon Coast. It is obvious from the direction of travel that they drove through Bandon sometime on Saturday.

Oregon State Police arrested a 56-year-old Washington man Saturday after he allegedly threatened to kill and robbed a hitchhiker at knife-point while giving the victim a ride along Highway 101. The victim, a 28-year-old man from Quebec City, was picked up by the man, Samuel Nils Strom, from Lynwood, Wash., on the northern Oregon coast.

After Strom slashed the victim he forced him out of the vehicle and left him alongside the road between Gold Beach and Brookings. Strom left in the vehicle with the victim's passport and other personal property.

The suspect's vehicle was found at a residence between Brookings and the California/Oregon border, with the victim's property and a knife still inside the vehicle. He was taken into custody.

Just one more good reason against hitching a ride with someone you don't know.

*           *           *
People who want to learn how to improve their digital photos may want to take advantage of a two-part class offered free by CyberLynx, which starts this Wednesday (July 16) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bandon Library. The second part will be July 23.

The class will show people how to use Google's free app - Picasa, a digital organizer, viewer and editor.

Part 1 will focus on Picasa tools to improve a photo's appearance with cropping, retouching, rotating, straightening, adjusting highlights and shadows, and using special effects.

People can use one of CyberLynx's eight classroom laptops or bring their own. You should come 30 minutes early if you need help installing Picasa on your laptop, and you should have a Google account for Part 2.

Also in July, labs are offered on July 16, 17, 21, 24 if you need individualized help for a computer problem or project.

Anatomy of a Web Presence - Part 2 is Tuesday, July 22, from 9 to 11 a.m. Watch while a local nonprofit gets setup and goes live with a new website and social media.

View the schedule and register for classes and labs on the CyberLynx website at http://cyberlynxoregon.org.




As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

July 09, 2014

This week I've chosen an eclectic group of pictures, including two from the Old Town area and one from uptown. The first picture was taken in the mid to late '50s of a Cranberry Festival float urging people to "Support the Cranberry Bowl." Among those on the float are Judy Newman, front left, and MaryAnn Bohles, back left.

Mid 1950s Cranberry Festival Float
The float is alongside the Masonic Hall. Note that there is nothing in back where Devon's Boutique now sits. The lumber that you see stacked high on the north side of the street covers the lot that now serves as a parking lot. In the "old days" when the timber industry was booming and the mills were humming, it was a lumber storage area for Moore Mill.

Picture no. 2, taken sometime in the '70s (although I couldn't seem to find a date on the envelope) features the popular Saturday Street Sale, which was the brainchild of Nancy Evans. This picture was taken just below the arch as you enter Old Town on Second Street (note the theater in the back and next to it Bandon Shoe Repair). Where the theater stood is now the vacant lot between Bandon Coffee Cafe and Harbortown Events Center (Washed Ashore).

1970s Saturday Street Sale
The third picture, taken in February of 1970, is the Ruger Realty Co. building, later owned by Modina and Jack Worden for many years, at the corner of 11th and Highway 101. Across 11th sits the Phillips 66 service station (now Bank of America). There is an old house barely visible behind the station. It's long since been torn down and the lot remains vacant. The Econowash business now houses the Dog Style Boutique.

Ruger Realty
The real estate building has been purchased by Dave Reed, who also bought Bandon Frame and Photoworks, located in the small shopping center just south of town.

Active on the swimming pool committee and the new manager of the Sprague Community Theater, Reed is the newest member of the Bandon Planning Commission.

*           *           *
The Fourth of July celebration was a huge success, with the day getting underway with a parade, lunch in the park with the Bandon Lions, a craft show, the Old Town Market, Alive After Five and what has been described as one of the best ever fireworks displays at dusk. The City and the Chamber owe a big thank you to Greg Drobot and Face Rock Creamery, for paying for half of this year's fabulous display.

Not sure how many glasses were sold for the Wine Walk because those of us who purchased one for the first event didn't have to buy a new glass. There were people everywhere enjoying the town ... and the wonderful weather.

Not sure everyone got the word about not shooting off illegal fireworks ... at least not in the neighborhood where I live. About 3 a.m., someone shot off what can only be described as a cannon (some said it was an M-80). And from what I've learned from others, this seemed to be a common occurrence throughout the night. In fact, I went outside the next night about 11 to water the grass and someone down the street was putting on another fireworks show. But I don't think they were the illegal variety.

All in all it was still a perfect day.

*           *           *
The summer art show at Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center, put together by Victoria Tierney, opens Sunday, July 13, with a reception from 1 to 3 at the hospital.

The show is titled "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue" and features quilts and photography.

Among the something new is a beautiful quilt from Gypsy Wagon (located in the Continuum Center Building, with access off both Second Street and the Pedway). Indian women take antique quilt patches of embroidered fabric and fashion new quilts.

Also featured will be photos by Tammy Housego (a series of long-married couples), by Janis Wenk Cedras Ayers (who moved to Bandon a year ago), and by students of Margie Semple from Bandon High School.

The show will run through September 30.

*           *           *
My friends know how anal I am about spelling and punctuation, and a friend called to my attention an ad on Craigslist that says "dull pain" when describing windows, instead of dual pane (actually she put duel pane but fortunately I caught it before I hit send.)

Unfortunately we are raising a generation of young people who are mostly texting or tweeting their messages ... with as few letters as possible and spelling has pretty much gone by the proverbial wayside.

*           *           *
I realized just how gullible I am when I fell for an advertisement for a book titled "Your Brain and Body Answer Book." I ordered the book and when it came last week, it was accompanied by the bill ... which could be paid in four installments or all at once for $37.50.

Just for fun I decided to go on Amazon and see if they were selling the book and for how much. Yes, I found it ... for $7.50.

My guess is I could have gone down to Kimberly's Book Nook in Old Town and found it for even less.

Let's just call it a lesson learned ...

*           *           *
As the weather warms up and we get less and less moisture, I look at tall grass and dense weeds with a little different eye. During some months of the year, they are simply an eyesore and nothing more.

But this time of year they can be a definite fire hazard. As I was walking around Old Town Sunday, I noticed what had once been a beautiful lot next to a small restaurant . . . complete with tables, roses growing on the side of the building and other plants. But now the grass is so tall you can barely see the tables ... and it's a definite fire hazard. All it will take is for one smoker to flick his cigarette into the grass and it could definitely cause a fire.

This is quite a contrast from much of Second Street, which is amass with well-watered flowers, the beautiful gardens adjacent to the Inner Garden building, and newly planted flowers at the museum. And you can never talk about beauty without thinking of the Port of Bandon's Boardwalk.

Most of Old Town is well cared for, so when one lot is overgrown, it really stands out ... and not in a good way.

*           *           *
There are signs on the windows of Washed Ashore heralding their grand re-opening this Friday (July 11) from 5 to 9 p.m. The sign reads: "Come and see our new exhibit and workshops. Along with Victoria Tierney, we've created 'Making Waves.' Learn how Washed Ashore has come to be, and see the Bioluminescent Sea Cave."

Sounds like fun.




As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

July 02, 2014

I dug back more than 50 years for the pictures I am sharing with this week's column. The first two are the kindergarten class, taken in December of 1958. I am pretty sure that the little girl to the left of the teacher is Mary Shindler, but she's the only one that I have been able to identify. At that time the kindergarten class was on Ninth Street in the building which now houses the district office, across from the Harbor Lights Middle School.


Bandon kindergarten 1958
The other picture features Jess Moore's Golden Eagle service station, taken in August of 1957. It is now the site of the Chevron station, across Highway 101 from City Hall. It was later owned by the Chappell family and leased to the Gormans.

Golden Eagle service station 1957
You can see this was a long time ago ... because the price of regular gas was 33.9 cents a gallon. This is one "good ole' day" that I would love to see return.

But I guess I'll stop dreaming and return to writing my column ...

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The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and in addition to the parade (which begins at 10), events in City Park, the Old Town Market, and the fireworks at dusk, the Greater Bandon Association is also hosting its second Wine Walk, beginning at 5 on Friday.

Harv tells me that if you bought a glass for the last Wine Walk, two weeks ago, you don't need to buy another one unless you want to add to your collection. But for those who need to buy their $10 glass, they will be available at The Cobbler's Bench, beginning, I believe, at 5. I'm not sure why you couldn't buy one earlier, but I know that the museum officials, who sold more than 160 of them for the first event, were told not to start selling them until 5.

It might help the merchants if people could buy their glasses early and then they could browse through the stores before the Wine Walk got underway. But that's just an idea ...

The annual Coos Kennel Club AKC Dog Show will also be held this weekend (Saturday and Sunday), beginning at 9 and running until 4 or 5, in the grassy area between the high school and junior high on Ninth Street.

If you're a dog lover, or even if you just want to see some magnificent animals, grab your lawn chair and head to the dog show.

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Since it's been pretty much "anything goes" when it came to fireworks ... legal or illegal ... in past years, people need to understand that the authorities plan to clamp down this year on people who decide to shoot off illegal fireworks.

Although they can't be purchased in Oregon (or at least not legally), many people bring them in from the neighboring state of Washington. So if you have them already, it would be advisable to keep them in their packages rather than run the risk of a citation ... or worse yet, starting a fire or injuring someone.

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By now you may have heard that one of Bandon's most popular guys, Jeff Norris, suffered a heart attack last week. Jeff, who manages The Barn/Community Center (and previously the Sprague Theater), wasn't feeling well one day last week and decided to drive himself to the local hospital. It wasn't long before they determined he was having a heart attack and sent him by ambulance to Bay Area, where they put in two stents and kept him two nights.

I was at the local hospital (getting a copy of my lost Medicare card) when a friend brought him home from Bay Area to pick up his pickup in the local hospital parking lot ... and I was amazed at how good he looked.

It appears that he's as "good as new," which is good news.

Several friends expressed surprise because he lives a pretty healthy lifestyle, until I learned that his father had his first heart attack in his early 50s, so I guess it was more heredity than lifestyle, which make sense.

We're just very glad he's OK.

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A headline in the June 26 World caught my eye: "Rotarians raise funds, eyebrows." The same phrase was used in the story, written by the incoming Rotary president of another Coos Bay club, Tim Novotny.

He says: "This week the Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Club, one of several Rotary clubs on the South Coast, raised eyebrows within the organization by contributing $26,000 (to Rotary International) just this past year alone."

For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why people would be raising their eyebrows. Were they concerned that the money had gone to Rotary International rather than for local area projects? Were they questioning where the money had come from?

I continued reading the article, but it was never clear. I Googled the term "raising eyebrows," and, like I thought, it mostly meant that you were questioning an action.

So I emailed Tim (the former long-time anchor for KCBY) to find out what I was missing.

He thanked me for the question and the opportunity to clarify it for me. "I'm thinking that maybe there is a regional divide on the phrase. Denoting skepticism is certainly one way to take the phrase but, growing up in the Midwest, 'raising eyebrows' could also be a reference to impressing someone who wasn't expecting much ... or a pleasant surprise. In this instance I was referring to the glowing praise in the piece by the Rotary past district governor Dell Gray, and specifically his remarks about how impressive this was for a club this size."

He's right, it was impressive and I am glad he clarified it for me because I wasn't the only one who wondered what it meant. Now I know.

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Someone sent me a very impressive video this week, made by Volkswagen. It showed a packed house of mostly young people attending a movie theater in Hong Kong. They were watching a car meander down a lane, when somehow technology was used to ring all their phones at the same time, and as each person took their eyes off the screen (the road) for a split second to answer their phone, the car crashed.

Everyone sat in stunned silence as the message flashed on the screen: "Mobile use is now the leading cause of death behind the wheel." No telling how many of them got the message, but it was powerful and it certainly showed that it only takes a few seconds of distracted driving to cause an accident. Below is the video and it should be shared with every young person ... even those of us who aren't so young.



Lately there have been more and more fatal accidents in Oregon that can't be attributed to alcohol, or even speed. People simply drive out of their lane ... into a tree or another vehicle ... even on long straight stretches of road.

Knowing how attached people are to their mobile devices, it probably isn't hard to figure out what is happening.

The question is: how do we stop it?


previous columns by mary schamehorn