As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn

Oct 02, 2024

A Letter to the Editor (my grandfather) in the Nov. 12, 1953, Western World drew my attention, since my father was very involved in the cranberry industry while I was growing up.

The letter, from Ethel Kranick (later Reichenbach), reads: "In last week's editorial column the question was asked 'Why don't the cranberry people take more active part in the Festival?' As a cranberry grower I shall try to answer that 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 (first photo) and when night comes they are too darn tired to get enthusiastic about festival, much as they would like to help.

Harvesting cranberries

"The festival idea was originated by the National Cranberry Association as an advertising stunt while overcoming a huge surplus that had depressed the market. Nearly all cranberry growers help to pay for the advertising found in the 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?" Kranick asked.

The second item appeared in the Jan. 5, 1922, Western World and was headlined "Good Advertising for City."

"As a source of advertising for Bandon the large beach views made by the Neptune Studio are unexcelled. Every one sent away to other parts of the country tells of Bandon's wonderful strand. Bludell's this year gave out a large number of calendars containing such views (second photo) and it is understood that other business houses are also contemplating the use of such views next year.



The Studio during the holidays sold over 200 such calendars to individuals who sent them away to friends. During the year Mr. Croxall made more than 600 enlargements of beach pictures alone and sold all of them."

The third picture I am sharing was taken in February of 1965 as my uncle, L. L. Felsheim, publisher of Western World, presents a $5 check to Mrs. Earl (Norma) Handsaker as a Molly McKay winner, which was a contest sponsored by the paper (see item below).

Norma Handsaker, Molly McKay winner 1965

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A number of people saw the accident which occurred Friday at approximately 4:30 on Highway 101 near the museum. Police Chief Cory Dhillon said that 39-year-old Ian Ward was operating a white Ford truck that veered into oncoming traffic and impacted a Suzuki SUV driven by 40-year-old Tyson Smith. Ward was arrested at the scene for DUI.

"However, there is a mental health component that is under investigation in regards to Ward," said the chief. He said Ward was driving a vehicle registered in Arizona.

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I read on Facebook that there was a wreck at the Highway 101-42S intersection about 5 p.m. Sunday, but I have no details about that. I do know that the northbound lane was closed for some time because of the wreck.

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For those of you who used to shop in Coquille at Barrow Drug, you will be sorry to learn that the long-time owner/pharmacist Bob Blomquist was killed in a three-vehicle wreck Sept. 18 in Washington County. Blomquist was 72 and lived in Sherwood. Among his survivors is his wife, Judy.

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A 61-year-old resident of Royal Dornoch Road, Bandon, Monte Miille was arrested Sept. 25 shortly before 8 p.m. for Hit and Run, Reckless Driving and DUII near Whiskey Run Beach.

Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call reporting a hit and run incident near the beach access to Whiskey Run Beach. Sgt. Adam Slater and Bandon Officer Zach Carpenter located the suspect vehicle, a gray Ford Focus, on Highway 101. The deriver exhibited a strong odor of alcohol and displayed clear signs of impairment. Further inquiries revealed that Miille had collided with another vehicle and had been driving recklessly while being pursued by a concerned citizen. He was booked, processed and lodged at the Coos County jail.

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People who have tried to contact the Bandon Police Department's non-emergent number after hours may now realize that the call was answered by the Coos Bay Police Department rather than the Coos County Sheriff's Office dispatch.

The County Dispatch Center is no more, explained Bandon Police Chief Cory Dhillon. Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio explained earlier that the center fell below minimum manpower levels. Contracts are being drafted where Coos Bay absorbs Coos County's contract and remaining dispatchers, said the Chief.

"The Sheriff's Office is paying for the purchase and installation of the new data system (for Bandon and contracted municipalities) for this year," said the Chief.

The bottom line is simply that when you call 9-1-1 your call will be answered, but the dispatcher will be working for the Coos Bay Police Department rather than the Sheriff's Office.

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A member of the former Holiday Meals committee announced recently that there will be no community holiday meals this year because no one could be found to chair the event.

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The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a candidate forum Thursday night, Oct. 10, at the Bandon Community Center/Barn. The forum for mayor candidates Mary Schamehorn and Angela Cardas will be held between 6 and 7 p.m. The forum for council candidates Geri Procetto, Claudine Hundhausen, Bear Slothower and Archie Garrett will be between 7 and 8 p.m. Council candidate Shauna Schmerer has a conflict and will not attend.

At all League forums, members of the audience are invited to submit written questions. Campaign clothing or buttons are not allowed inside the venue.

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I was sorry to learn that Norma Handsaker, 88, a long-time resident of Bandon, died Sept. 26 in her sleep of kidney and heart failure. A Celebration of her Life will be held Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. at Pacific Community Church. Among her survivors are her son Lance and daughter Sandra. She was preceded in death by her husband Earl and son Mark.

Well known for her culinary achievements, Norma had been Queen of the Kitchen for the Cranberry Festival, among her other accomplishments.

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Anne McCaleb will be the speaker for the Tuesday, Oct. 1, Meet and Greet, to begin at noon at Bandon Fisheries Warehouse. She will be speaking about her new support group, Second Spring: A Support Group for Women in Perimenopause."

Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center will sponsor the Oct. 8 Meet and Greet, although they have not yet announced the subject. The third Tuesday in October, the 15th, is available. If you have an idea for a speaker, contact Lori Osborne at Bandon Fisheries Warehouse. I will be the speaker at the Oct. 22 Meet and Greet, when I talk about the history of hospitals in Bandon, and the reason why we went five years without a hospital after a group of residents prevented the building of the new hospital (overlooking the lighthouse) by filing a lawsuit...which went all the way to the Oregon Supreme Court.

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"The Return of the Night at the Museum" will take place at Bandon's History Museum Thursday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10, with hors d'oeuvres by Sharon Haga, wine and beer provided by Lori Osborne, and a chance to take a special "History Detective's Challenge" as part of the evening. Contact Gayle at the museum to purchase advance tickets, although limited tickets will be available at the door. More info at 541-347-2164.

People are reminded of the free Drive-Through Flu and Covid shot clinic, sponsored by Southern Coos Hospital, to be held Wednesday, Oct. 23, in City Park, beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until 2 or until vaccines run out.

The annual brush and yard debris pickup begins Monday, Oct. 6.

Don't forget the Red Fish Concert at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20. Tickets are $20.

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Thought I would share another "Week in the Life of the Mayor" which includes receiving a call from Sandy Messerle asking if I would like to appear on Cam Parry's Hooked on Oregon radio program (KWRO), and we agreed I would be on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 3 p.m. I received a letter from Southern Oregon University in Ashland in request for information about an archaeology dig some years ago on the gravel lot in Old Town; talked with the police chief about slanderous posts on Facebook and got the true story of what had happened; attended a Meet and Greet to learn more about SEA's Marine Garden; prepared for and attended a hospital board meeting; prepared and presented a talk on the Bandon Fire to the Bandon Rotary, and on Saturday, prepared and presented a talk on the Fire at the Bandon Museum. I also heard a request for a stop sign on Seabird Drive aimed at slowing down the traffic, and I asked that it be put on the council's agenda. Discussed with a constituent a change to the city's ordinance requiring that a hotel (in Old Town or elsewhere) be required to provide one parking spot for each room, instead of the one parking spot for every two rooms as is now required, which would destroy what little parking exists in Old Town. And that was a slow week ....

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The rainfall for the month of August was less than half an inch, at .045 inches.




Previous columns by Mary Schamehorn

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