Applegater Spring 2013 1 Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. U.S. Postage P.O. Box 14 Paid Jacksonville, OR 97530 Non-Profit Permit No. 50 Grants Pass, OR 97526

Log on to our website www.applegater.org

Photo by Liz Butler

SPRING 2013 Applegate Valley Community Newspaper Postal Patron Volume 6, No. 1 Serving Jackson and Josephine Counties — Circulation: 9,200

amount and type of monthly and annual Wow—582 alarm responses in 2012. alarms that district personnel responded to On average, that’s more than one a day. Responsive firefighters in 2012. Here are the numbers: Though as Carey is quick to add, some 2012 ALARM STATISTICS days there may be nine, some days none December Annual at all. Thanks to the tax levy that passed honored at banquet Fire 9 143 in 2000, the district now provides 24-hour by Suzanne olson Medical 35 337 emergency medical response coverage. Mutual Aid 10 102 Every morning we wake up fortunate an even better place to live. Total 54 582 See FIREFIGHTERS, page 4 to find ourselves living in the Applegate The fire district is composed of Valley. But have you ever wondered who seven stations across 181 square miles might come to your aid in an emergency? west of Medford and southeast of Grants You think you might be having a heart Pass, extending almost to the California- attack or there’s a fire in the chimney. Oregon border. With the new recruits Your spouse has fallen down and can’t get this year, there are 46 volunteer firefighters up. You call 911. Who responds? How responding to our population of roughly long does it take them to get to you? You 10,000 in the mountains and valleys. Fire need help now! Chief Brett Fillis says 2012 was a successful There is help at hand. It comes from recruitment year, though the support and our neighbors, the dedicated professionals drive to recruit volunteers each year must at our Applegate Valley Fire District never let up. (AVFD). And they will be there to help you I stopped by headquarters in January within 6 to 17 minutes. This organization to visit with Chief Fillis and district office operates with a 95% volunteer workforce manager Carey Chaput. I was curious that provides 24-hour emergency medical about what was accomplished last year and Fire Chief Brett Fillis presented awards to volunteers and employees of AVFD at the annual response and wildland and structure fire what they were thinking about for the year banquet hosted by Friends of the AVFD. See page 4 for the complete list of awards. protection to make the Applegate Valley ahead. It is an eye-opener to consider the Photo by Captain Mike Kuntz. Forestfarm Nursery donated to Pacifica Local lepidoptera provide Forestfarm Nursery has been donated purchase plants from Forestfarm, you help by founders Ray and Peg Prag to Pacifica support Pacifica. If you would like to visit spectacular shows Garden to provide a stable base of financial Forestfarm, please call 541-846-7269 to by linda kappen support. Established in 1998, Pacifica make an appointment as spring shipping is a 420-acre nonprofit nature, arts and is happening and it can get pretty hectic As nature’s education center, and is home of the out there. renewal begins, the Caterpillar, a mobile science center that You are invited to these upcoming hills and meadows brings hands-on science education to 9,500 events: around us are painted children and adults every year. Pacifica can • May 11 is an open house at in shades of green and be very broadly divided into two parts: a Forestfarm at Pacifica. Come check out colorful wildflowers, 250-acre planned Botanic Garden and the the new digs! and butterfly fauna 200-acre Klamath-Siskiyou Nature Center. • June 29 - July 27: Esther King Price surrounds us. Many in the community have already been Nature-Art Sculpture Contest. The theme There are five to Pacifica to attend a wedding, music is “Birds.” Sculptures will be on display families of butterflies festival, or arts event. All are also welcome for the month. Come out and vote—there that are categorized to hike the trails, bird-watch, picnic and will be a $200 prize for People’s Choice! (If into many enjoy the land. you would like to submit a sculpture, call subfamilies. Oregon Forestfarm at Pacifica is a mail-order 541-846-9230.) has 165 species of nursery with an enormous variety (over New events and classes are happening butterflies and 1,500 The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly, 5,000 kinds) of ornamental and useful all the time. Keep up with Pacifica at www. species of moths. In in the family Nymphalidae, and may be the best known of all North plants from around the world. When you pacificagarden.org. southwest Oregon American butterflies. Photo by Linda Kappen. alone there are 117 species of butterflies • Hesperiidae: Skippers and 1,000 species of moths. Sound like Nymphalidae is the largest family WE WANT YOU! a lot? It is! Because of the diverse region of butterflies. At our lower elevations, The Applegater newspaper is seeking a few new we live in, this area is known as a hot spot there are many species to be enjoyed members for its Board of Directors—folks with in lepidoptera (butterflies, moths and locally. But how do you tell them apart? skippers). The five families of butterflies It may be helpful to compare the photos vision, creative fund-raising experience, and the are: accompanying this article (see above and ability to communicate and participate on a • Papilionidae: Swallowtails, Parnassians page 12). working board. The lack of remuneration is more than compensated • Pieridae: Whites, Sulphurs, Marbles A butterfly’s life starts as an egg, next for by the fun and satisfaction of helping to continue publication of • Lycaenidae: Coppers, Hairstreaks, Blues as a larva or caterpillar, and then as a pupa this fixture of the Applegate Valley. • Nymphalidae: Brushfooted butterflies, or chrysalis. Finally, after a period of time, e.g., Monarch (see photo above) See LEPIDOPTERA, page 12 If interested, call Paula Rissler at 541-601-8949. INSIDE THE GATER Movie and book reviews...... page 3 New state wildfire bill proposed...... page 17 Ants in the house...... page 16 Beaver in the Applegate...... page 20 2 Spring 2013 Applegater

HANKS WHO WE ARE A huge T to the Applegate Valley Days on June 22 The Applegate Valley Community generous donors Mark your calendars for Applegate Valley Days on Saturday, June 22. Newspaper, Inc. is a nonprofit Hundreds of people enjoyed last year’s two days of events, even though Saturday’s 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to cold rain kept many away. Although we considered the first-time event a success in the publication of the Applegater who contributed to newspaper, which, we feel, reflects gathering and introducing people to the park, the two days involved a tremendous the heart and soul of our community. the Applegater. amount of work on the part of the organizers and required more than 75 volunteers. This year’s plan is to continue with a format similar to last year’s, but on one day only. Our Mission SUSTAINERS In a change from last year, this year’s event will have no admission charge and The nonprofit Applegate Valley Chris Kane & Stan Long, Murphy, OR free parking, which we hope will attract more people,. Although the details are still Community Newspaper, Inc. (AVCN), being planned, we’ll again have fun things to see and do. You can look forward to provides the many rural and diverse CONTRIBUTORS communities of the Applegate Chris Bratt, Applegate, OR displays of locally made arts, crafts, and food. You’ll be able to enjoy that super Watershed with a communications Donna & Matt Epstein, Jacksonville, OR Applegate Lions BBQ with Applegate Valley wines and other beverages available for vehicle, the Applegater newspaper, Tracy Lamblin, Jacksonville, OR purchase. And you’ll be entertained by great local musicians. free of charge to all watershed Watch for updates and details at www.applegatevalleydays.org. Remember June residents. Our quarterly paper SUPPORTERS 22 and come enjoy a day by the river. For more information, contact David Laananen presents constructive, relevant, Anonymous, Los Angeles, CA at 541-846-0500 or [email protected]. educational and entertaining reports Anonymous, Manhattan Beach, CA on a wide variety of subjects such as: Applegate Valley Garden Club, n natural resources Jacksonville, OR n ecology and other Linda Mullens, Grants Pass, OR Historic Logtown Cemetery cleanup day! Join us for our annual cemetery cleanup: science information Carol Pinto, Los Angeles, CA n historical and current events raking leaves, hauling fallen limbs and picking up trash. Drummond Rennie, Jacksonville, OR n community news and opinions • Saturday, April 27, 10 am to 3 pm SPONSORS • 2 pm: Hot dog lunch provided by the volunteers of the Logtown AVCN encourages and publishes differing viewpoints and, through Anonymous Cemetery Association. Please bring your own chairs. the Applegater newspaper, acts Anonymous, Applegate, OR • 2:30 pm: Presentation of cemetery history and interesting facts about Anonymous, Jacksonville, OR as a clearinghouse for this diverse some historic figures interred in the cemetery. Bill & Joyce Cannon, Grants Pass, OR community. We are dedicated to Dolores Durando, Williams, OR For more information, working together with community Jean Mount, Grants Pass, OR contact Janeen Sathre at 541-899-1443. members to maintain and enhance the quality of life that is unique Philip Niedermeyer, Grants Pass, OR to the Applegate Watershed. John & Bonnie Rinaldi, Jacksonville, OR Robin Sanborn, Grants Pass, OR Acknowledgements Mr. & Mrs. Allan Schoenfeld, The Applegater Newspaper is Murphy, OR published quarterly by the Applegate JoAnna Shaw, Jacksonville, OR Valley Community Newspaper, Bob & Marcia Zellman, Jacksonville, OR Inc., and is funded by donations from our loyal readers and Help us ensure that we have the ongoing advertisements for local businesses. support needed to publish the Applegater. Special thanks to Barbara Holiday All contributors receive recognition in the for layout; Chris Allen, Sue Maesen, Applegater each issue. Margaret della Santina and Paul Tipton for editing; Teri Becker, Kaye Clayton, P. Patron - over $1000 R. Kellogg and Paul Tipton for proofing; and Rona Jones for bookkeeping. Sustainer $501 - $1000 Contributor $201 - $500 Board of Directors Supporter $51 - $200 Sponsor $5 - $50 Greeley Wells, Chairman Linda Fischer, Secretary Joseph Lavine, Webmaster All donations are tax-deductible and are Hal Macy greatly appreciated. Please make your Michael Riding checks payable to Applegater Newspaper Paula Rissler and mail to: J.D. Rogers, Editor Applegater Editorial Committee P.O. Box 14 J.D. Rogers, Editor Jacksonville, OR 97530 The old ARCO gas station, with its now valuable collection of gas pumps, lies beneath Applegate Chris Bratt Donors: We strive to ensure our donor Lake with the rest of the town of Copper, usually under 60 feet of water. Photo by Bert Webber Rauno Perttu list is accurate. Please contact us if in 1970. From Ruch and the Upper Applegate Valley by John and Marguerite Black. Does Sandy Shaffer there are errors or omissions. anyone know what happened to these old pumps when the station was dismantled prior to the Greeley Wells filling of Applegate Lake? Contact J.D. Rogers at 541-846-7736. All articles, stories, opinions and letters that appear in the Applegater Like us on DEADLINES Spring masthead are the opinion and property of the photo credit author, and not necessarily that of Facebook! ISSUE DATE the Applegater or the Applegate Liz Butler, Williams resident and Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. Just go to our website at www. Summer May 1 Herb Pharm webmaster, shot this colorful applegater.org and click on “Find us Fall August 1 cluster of old-fashioned bleeding heart PROTECTION OF on Facebook”...or search blooms in Williams. “Applegater Newspaper on Winter November 1 COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL The Applegater requires that Facebook.” Spring February 1 Photo Specs any and all materials submitted for To be printable, all photos submitted publication be the intellectual property must be high resolution (300 dpi) or “large of the author unless otherwise credited. format” (e.g., 30” x 40”). Letters to the Editor cannot be What's Inside the Gater more than 450 words. Opinion Advertisers! pieces and unsolicited articles cannot Back in Time: The love of dancing...... p. 6 We can help you reach your exceed 600 words. Community market. The Applegater is the only calendar submissions must be brief. Behind the Green Door: No man’s land...... p. 21 newspaper covering the entire All photos submitted must be high Birdman: Spring migration...... p. 13 Applegate Valley. resolution (300 dpi) or “large format” With a circulation of 9,200 and (e.g., 30” x 40”). Any questions, email Dirty fingernails and all: Planting for the future...... p. 5 a readership of over 20,000, we cover [email protected]. All submissions for our next issue NEWS from Oregon Department of Forestry...... p. 17 Jacksonville, Ruch, Applegate, Williams, Murphy, Wilderville, Wonder, Jerome must be received either at the address Next Generation: Ruch and Applegate School students...... p. 23 Prairie and areas of Medford and Grants Pass. or email below by the deadline. Opinion: Pilot Joe Treegate...... p. 19 For more information, contact: The Applegater c/o Applegate Valley Jackson County—Sally Buttshaw Opinion: A more aggressive approach to forest management...... p. 19 Community Newspaper, Inc. 541-646-8418 Tall Tales from the Editor: The Rim mine or climbing toward the light. p. 18 P.O. Box 14 [email protected] Jacksonville, OR 97530 The Starry Side: Two- to three-dimensional...... p. 7 Josephine County—Shawn Zimmerman 541-414-7301 Email: [email protected] Trends and Observations: White-water Beaver...... p. 8 [email protected] Website: www.applegater.org Next deadline: May 1 Applegater Spring 2013 3 Community Calendar NEW! MOVIE & AA Meeting There is an open meeting of Grants Pass Nordic Ski Club meets on the first Alcoholics Anonymous every Wednesday at Thursday of the month, November through BOOK REVIEWS 7 am at the Williams Community Church April, at the Newman Methodist Church at Fellowship Hall on East Fork Road in 7th and B Streets in Grants Pass at 7 pm. Ski — Movie — Williams. This meeting is open to those who outings are on Saturdays. Listings are on the The Impossible have a drinking problem and have a desire to snow phone at 541-592-4977. stop drinking, and also to anyone interested Reviewer rating: 5 Apples in the Alcoholics Anonymous program of Greater Applegate Community Development (1 Apple—Don’t bother, 5 Apples—Don’t miss) recovery from drinking. Corporation meets the second Wednesday PG-13; Adventure, Drama; 107 minutes of January, April, July and October at 6 Opened: December 21, 2012 American Association of University Women pm at Applegate Fire District Station 1, (AAUW) Grants Pass Branch meets monthly 18489 North Applegate Road. For more Cast: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Oaklee Pendergast from September through June. Days, times, information, go to www.gacdc.org. Director: Juan Antonio Bayona and locations vary. All those who hold Writer: Sergio G. Sánchez an associate of arts, a baccalaureate or Josephine County Soil and Water Conservation higher degree from an accredited college District (SWCD) meets Thursdays at 6 pm. The Impossible is based on true events. This movie has us sitting on the edge of or university are welcome to join. Contact For meeting information, call 541-474-6840. our seats as we go on a journey with the Bennett family: Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry Connie Johnson at [email protected] or (Ewan McGregor), and their three sons. They decide to spend Christmas vacation in 541-476-2567, or Angie Bifano-Sokol at Ruch Library Hours paradise, a lovely resort in Thailand. [email protected] or 541-862-8228. Sunday...... closed Visit our website at http://aauwgrantspass. Monday...... closed Only minutes into the movie, the deadliest tsunami in human history ravages the org, and see us on Facebook. Tuesday...... 11 am - 5 pm shores of cities across Southeast Asia. The Bennett family is separated from one another Wednesday...... closed but never give up hope of finding each other. There are so many wounded, dying, and Applegate Christian Fellowship. For service Thursday...... 1 pm - 7 pm times, call 541-899-8732 24 hours/day. Friday ...... closed dead, but while it is a traumatic story, it is also beautiful. Saturday...... 12 pm - 4 pm Naomi Watts plays the mother in one of her finest and most physically demanding Applegate Fire District Board of Directors meets (Storytime will be held Tuesdays at 11 am.) performances, and was nominated for Best Actress by the Academy of Motion Picture on the third Wednesday of each month at Arts & Sciences. This intense and compelling family melodrama from Spanish director Station 1, 18489 N. Applegate Road at 7:30 Sanctuary One is open to the public for farm pm, except for the months of March, April tours every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30 Juan Antonio Bayona sets a new standard for disaster cinema—it is emotionally and May, which are held at Headquarters, am. Recommended donation is $5. Please exhausting and ultimately uplifting. With the powerful staging of the catastrophe and 1095 Upper Applegate Road. For more check out our website for details: www. the waves seemingly flowing into the theater, it simply takes your breath away. In fact, information, call 541-899-1050. SanctuaryOne.org and call to reserve a spot. 541-899-8627. the story has an emotional undertow that is sure to sweep you away. Applegate 4-H Swine Club meets on Tuesdays The tidal wave and aftermath scenes are riveting, giving one the feeling of actually following the third Wednesday of every Southern Oregon Beekeepers Association meets being there. The amazing computer-generated effects bring the tsunami right into the month at 7 pm. For more information, the first Monday of each month at 7:30 pm at theater. It is a real roller-coaster ride with a superb cast. contact Charles Elmore at 541-846-6528 or the OSU extension. For more information, Barbara Niedermeyer at 541-846-7635. please contact [email protected]. Sharon Thompson • [email protected] Ed. Note: The reviewer is an ardent moviegoer—often watching the same movie in the Applegate Friends of Fire District #9 meets on T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every theater multiple times. the third Tuesday of each month at the Fire Monday morning at Applegate Church, Station at 1095 Upper Applegate Road at 6 18960 North Applegate Road (at the corner pm. New members are welcome. For more of Hwy. 238 and N. Applegate Road). — Books — information, call Bob Fischer 541-846-6218. Weigh-in starts at 8:30 am; the meeting starts at 9:00 am. Come join us! Waiting for the Rain and Walking Still Applegate Library Hours by Zimbabwean author Charles Mungoshi Sunday...... closed Williams Creek Watershed Council Meetings: It’s been a year since my husband and I spent the month of February 2012 in Monday...... closed fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at Tuesday...... 2 pm - 6 pm the Williams Creek Fire Station. The Public south-central Africa, where in Zimbabwe we strolled with and petted lions, albeit young, Wednesday...... closed is welcome. For more information, call 541- carefully guarded ones. But a small book that I read while in Zimbabwe is what has Thursday...... closed 846-9175. lingered in the edges of my consciousness throughout the past year. Friday ...... 2 pm - 6 pm When many of us think of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia), we think of short Saturday...... 10 am - 2 pm Williams Grange Pancake Breakfast, second (Storytime will be held Tuesdays at 2:30 pm.) Sunday of each month, 8:30 to 11 am, articles and photos like those in PARADE magazine’s annual ranking of the world’s followed by the Bluegrass Jam, 11 am to worst dictators, which always includes Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s president. Or Applegate Neighborhood Network (ANN) 1 pm. Closed July and August. 20100 maybe we remember books and stories and histories about Rhodesia. But is there meets on the last Wednesday of every Williams Hwy. near Tetherow Rd. For more month at the Ruch Library. All interested information, call 541-846-6844. any modern literature, any fiction, being written in that sad country? You bet there persons are welcome to attend. ANN is is! Charles Mungoshi has won the prestigious PEN Literary Award—twice. His 1975 a community organization dedicated to Williams Grange #399 Business Meeting, novel Waiting for the Rain is universal in its evocation of an extended family trying to protecting, preserving, and restoring the second Tuesday of each month, 7 pm. 20100 deal with a wayward son. Why is this son, provocatively named Lucifer, wayward? He Applegate watershed. For more information Williams Hwy. near Tetherow Rd. For more about ANN, call Duane Bowman, 541-899- information, call 541-846-6844. wants to leave his home, leave his parents, his large family, his village and his culture to 7264. live in the “modern” world. He won’t settle down to work and marry and be the head Williams Library Hours of his family as expected; he destroys the gift of sacred medicine lovingly prepared for Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council Sunday...... closed his departure. meets the 4th Thursday of the month at the Monday...... closed Applegate Library. For more information call Tuesday...... 1:30 pm - 4 pm I do not have my tattered copy of Waiting for the Rain because I gave it to a waiter 541-899-9982. Wednesday...... 1:30 pm - 4 pm in the hotel where we were staying. It was as though I had given him gold and diamonds. Thursday...... closed And he did insist that I write a gift inscription inside the book—dated, to him, and from Applegate Valley Garden Club meets at 1:30 Friday...... closed pm on the third Wednesday of the month Saturday...... 12 pm - 4 pm me—to prove that he had not stolen such a treasure. I do love the animals of Africa, from September through May. For meeting everything from the industrious dung beetles to the majestic big cats and the elephants, locations and programs, call Sandra King at Williams Rural Fire Protection District but reactions by Africans to my gifts of books are my most treasured memories of Africa. 541-899-9027 or Betty Lou Smith at 541- Meetings: fourth Wednesday of the month Mungoshi’s more recent book Walking Still is an anthology of short stories. These 846-6817. at 7 pm at the Williams Fire Department. nine stories also speak to universal concerns: cultural change, war, family dynamics. Food & Friends Senior Nutrition Program Women Helping Other Women (WHOW) One story is about a working wife who is ultimately more successful than her husband, invites local 60+ seniors to enjoy a nutritious, meets the second Tuesday of the month at another is about a husband who eventually reveals his homosexuality, and the final hot meal served at 11:30 am Monday through 10036 Hwy 238 (Gyda Lane) at 6:30 pm Friday at the Jacksonville IOOF Hall located for a potluck meeting to plan work parties story, “Sacrifice,” is about a young daughter whose education is cut short because she at the corner of Main and Oregon Streets. at each other’s homes. New members are is scheduled to be sacrificed to the gods. Well, perhaps this last story isn’t so universal, A donation is suggested and appreciated. welcome. For more information, call Thalia you may say. Is Shirley Jackson’s American classic “The Lottery” universal? I would Volunteers help serve meals or deliver meals Truesdell at 541-899-8741 or Sioux Rogers assert that Mungoshi’s stories have just that kind of tension and fine clarity of insight to homebound seniors. For information at 541-846-7736. about volunteering (it takes 40 volunteers into the human psyche. to keep the Jacksonville program going) Wonder Neighborhood Watch Meetings: second If you want a different view of Zimbabwe than that portrayed in the books set in or receiving meals, call Food & Friends at Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm, Wonder the former Rhodesia, or in the “Worst Dictators” annual list, give Charles Mungoshi’s Bible Chapel. 541-664-6674, x246 or x208. books—including his poetry if that is your bent—a look. Friends of Ruch Library Board of Directors Send your calendar information to gater@ Julia (Helm) Hoskins • 541-899-8470 • [email protected] meets on the first Thursday of each month at applegater.org. Be sure to keep the Gater Ed. Note: Both of these books by Charles Mungoshi are available on Amazon.com. Julia 6:30 pm at Ruch Library. All are welcome. updated with any changes to these Community Helm is the author of She Caves to Conquer, a novel set in the American Midwest and in 541-899-7438. Calendar listings. south-central Turkey. Check these out — BORED? only on our website Check out our online calendar www.applegater.org jam-packed with events all over southwest Oregon. • “Chicken herder or Don’t be a loser” by J.D. Rogers www.applegater.org • “In the life of a Sanctuary One intern” by Kirk Stonick • Harris and Stumbo are 2012 Tree Farmers of the Year • Tax tips for forest landowners 4 Spring 2013 Applegater First phase of McKee Bridge restoration starts by robert e. van heuit

The first phase of the McKee Bridge commitment to match up to $2,000 is expected that the design of the repair, Ramsay Realty sign in Ruch and the one restoration has begun. in contributions. Spurred on by this review by environmental organizations and at the bridge. The McKee Bridge Historical Society generous commitment, MBHS received the Department of Fish and Game, will Your contributions can be sent to (MBHS) commenced raising matching almost $3,000 between the beginning of take most of 2013 to complete. MBHS, P.O. Box 854, Jacksonville, OR funds when Jackson County agreed to December and the first week of January. During 2013, MBHS will be working 97530 or through PayPal at our website apply for a grant to restore the bridge. The MBHS was able to deposit $12,000 with hard to raise the remaining $44,202. We (www.mckeehistoricalcoveredbridge.org). grant was made by the federal government Jackson County in January 2013. hope to raise that amount of money by MBHS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. on August 2, 2012. It totaled $547,250, of The State of Oregon administers January 2014. If we do, the restoration We would like to thank all of the generous which 10.27% must be raised as matching the grant and was able to proceed with project will go to bid in the spring of 2014 people who have already assisted in raising funds ($56,202). MBHS is committed to qualifying engineering firms and then and the construction will take place during the initial $12,000. Without your help we raising all of the matching funds. Of that selecting the best-qualified firm to the summer of 2014. If we don’t raise that couldn’t start this phase of the restoration. amount, $12,000 was needed by January design the repairs for the bridge. Late in amount of money by then, the repair will If you have questions or comments, 2013 in order for the initial engineering January, the state selected Oregon Bridge be delayed until the matching funds are please call Bob at 541-899-2927 or email work to begin. Engineering Company (OBEC) to do the raised. The board of directors of MBHS [email protected]. By the beginning of December engineering work. A fee for the work will will be asking a number of charitable Robert E. Van Heuit 2012, only about $8,000 had been raised. be negotiated with OBEC in February foundations to help us with the needed President The Mid Rogue Independent Physician 2013. Now that the matching funds are funds. However, all friends of McKee McKee Bridge Historical Society Association and CareSource/Mid Rogue in place, the federal government’s share Bridge will need to help also. Look for 541-899-2927 Health Plan came to the rescue with a of the funds will be sent to the state. It our fund-raising thermometer next to the [email protected] firefighters from page 1 What’s in those alarm statistics? The to our responsibilities to protect our homes lion’s share of responses is medical—a and be prepared for emergencies. This time traumatic injury, a motor-vehicle accident, of year, most of the calls for help to AVFD Friends of the AFVD a heart attack, or a broken leg several miles are related to flue fires or escaped pile down a trail. Wildland and structure fire burns. We can support our community 2012 Awards protection alarms include homes and other fire team by ensuring our homes and buildings, chimney flues, and power-line surrounding properties are as fire safe as Dick Rodgers Firefighter of the Year hazards. Mutual aid is the many federal, possible. A.J. Zanitsch Rookie of the Year state, county and rural agencies that the There is a very useful safety checklist Cody Goodnough Emergency Medical Technician of the Year AVFD cooperates with in emergency on the AVFD website at www.applegatefd. Dick Rodgers Most Alarms District Wide (142 alarms) response for our safety. Thankfully there com. Take the time to review it and Bill Dunlap Most Drills District Wide (91% drills) are very few false alarms. consider your family’s preparedness. Be Tailese Goodnough Officer of the Year To celebrate the successes of these sure you have a current list of prescription Randi Martin Junior Firefighter of the Year exceptional men and women, each year drugs that each family member takes so Brad Barnes District Employee of the Year there is an awards banquet hosted by the that this can be handed to the emergency William Schmidt Fire Prevention/Public Education Presenter of the Year Friends of the AVFD. The Friends have medical technician when aid is needed. Greg Gilbert Instructor of the Year been providing family events and raising Being prepared truly is your best defense. Anthony Ryan Annual Maintenance Award additional funds to support our firefighters Perhaps you have time to pitch in, Bob Ziegler Annual Maintenance Award Pattie Bakke Spouse of the Year for over 30 years. They, too, are always help your community in times of need, Ed Temple Spirit Award looking for new recruits with fresh ideas support the Friends of the AVFD (they Carey Chaput Hall of Flame (Long-term dedicated service to the to support our firefighters. Chief Fillis could use your help), or just stop by and say fire district and the citizens we serve) honored this year’s award winners at the thanks to our firefighters. We salute them. Richard Goodnough Chief’s Award Friends banquet on February 1 (see box If you have any questions, call Carey Bob Ettner Century Club Response to Alarms (115) at right). Chaput at 541-899-1050. Landon Nistler Century Club Response to Alarms (104) In the beautiful Applegate Valley, we Suzanne Olson Jack Lynch High Drill Award (89%) live in wildfire country. This adds urgency [email protected]

Tree School Rogue helps small-acreage owners Poetry Corner Registration opens on March 4 online at http://extension.oregonstate. for Tree School Rogue, scheduled for edu/sorec/Forestry/, or pick up a copy Saturday, April 27, at Rogue Community at the OSU Extension Service office at Near Chehelam Pass College in Grants Pass. Tree School is a 215 Ringuette Street, Grants Pass, or by Paul Tipton one-day mini-college for family forestland 569 Hanley Road, Central Point. owners, small-acreage landowners, Among the classes this year are: forestry contractors, and all natural • All about Water Rights resource enthusiasts interested in trees • Insect and Disease Problems of Cows come down from red barns and forests. We’re featuring 27 classes this Southern Oregon Conifers & Into the black mud of the swale. year, including several perennial favorites Hardwoods Gray pine clapboard houses. and some new offerings, all taught • Managing Shrublands and other Non- Berry fields and nut orchards. by experienced resource-management conifer Plant Communities professionals. Classes vary in length from • Log Sales: Maximize Revenue, Small squalls of rain 1.5 to 3.5 hours and you can participate Minimize Risk Move up the wide valley. in up to four over the course of the day. • The Biscuit Fire—10 Years Later Small arrowheads of geese Tree School attendees have enjoyed • Floral Greens to Edibles: Non-timber the wide variety of class choices offered in Forest Products from your Woodland Point across the large gray sky. a single event. This is a chance to learn • Small-scale Forestry Equipment and from experts while rubbing shoulders its Uses And all this green with like-minded landowners. You’re • Commercial Truffle Cultivation in Replaces an old woman’s life guaranteed to pick up some practical tips Western Oregon Whose hair has turned to snow, and come home with something you can • Noxious Weed Control: Yellow Star Her mind into the poem. use on your own property. Thistle, Knapweeds & Thistles The cost of Tree School Rogue is • Revegetating Ground Disturbances $40 per person, or $49 with lunch. The with Native Plants (Previously appeared in West Wind Review in 1985) registration deadline is April 17. There For more information, contact is no walk-in registration. The Tree Max Bennett at 541-776-7371 x221 or School program brochure is available [email protected]. Applegater Spring 2013 5

DIRTY FINGERNAILS AND ALL Planting for the future by sioux rogers Remember when your ma and pa told jewelry, people, ice cream, dogs, cats and different than the black walnut. The black you to put your pennies or nickels in the nut trees), there are hundreds of varieties. walnut (Juglans nigra) is a large deciduous piggy bank? They were teaching you to save Some do fine living alone, like, well you tree attaining heights of 98 to 130 feet. (A for your future. Today, we would need to know what I was going to say (a hermit), point of interest is that, reportedly, one of put $1,000 bills in the piggy bank to save and some need a pollinator—a real good the largest black walnut trees in the entire for the future. Some of us did that, and buddy so to speak. Most almonds trees country is right here in southern Oregon look what happened—the pigs ate it all need pollinators to make edible almonds. on Beall Road in Central Point.) The up. What would have happened if we had Some, like Marianna (check out Raintree English walnut Juglans regia is also a large, been planting nut trees? We now would be Nursery, Washington), a self-fertile, soft- deciduous tree attaining heights of 80 feet enjoying our own foresight and it would shelled, sweet almond tree, don’t need to possibly over 100 feet with optimum be multiplying. Nobody would be eating a boyfriend. I have an almond tree that conditions. Sioux Rogers—And the beet goes on. our nuts, just us. actually has terrible almonds, which is fine The butternut tree shell ends in a which is why it thrives in pine forests. My mother in most certain terms since it turns out I am allergic to those sharp point, and the nut has a gentle Castanea sativa complains only when soil was not a gardener, thereby proving I was nuts. To make up for that bad deal, and buttery flavor. It does get lonely and it is too high in calcium. So feeding with obviously found under a romaine lettuce since she is otherwise very healthy, I did needs a mate, i.e., a pollinator, to make wee milk shakes is a no-no. Basically, sun leaf. But at age 89 Mom decided to plant not have her bodily removed. In return, nuts that can grow big and healthy like ma and water are the optimum requests until a three-foot-tall magnolia tree. The tree each spring I am gifted with a bounty of and pa. The butternut tree is not as thirst- well-established. Hybrids of American had a potential growth height of 20 to 30 sweet-smelling, flowering pink branches. driven as its cousin the black walnut, but and Chinese chestnuts are blight-resistant feet. She knew that. Mom never lived long also does not grow as large. and produce straight trunks as well as enough to see the tree flower or grow more The website of Stark large nuts. than a few feet. She never expected to. So Bro’s nursery states this Ah, its flowers (which show in July), why don’t we think like my mom? She just about its grafted butternut look, well, like spiked green balls from thought that maybe the next “new folks” tree: “An overachiever outer space. The seeds ripen in October on the block would like a large magnolia outgrows and out-bears and, at least to me, are among the most tree. A few years ago I visited that tree, any nut tree we know! beautiful of all nut seeds, resembling highly now holding its tall glorious own, just to This impressive variety polished morsels of wood. To top that, say, ”hi” to my mom. yields bountiful crops of they are a delicious and versatile ingredient The following list is focused on nut mild-flavored nuts that are in many dishes. Now, about the flowers, trees only. My garden mentor, Grandma easy to shell and perfect they are monoecious. This means that Olga, was a “nut,” which is most likely for eating fresh or baking. any particular flower can be either male where I inherited my sometimes-eccentric Cold-tolerant. Bears in or female. Not sure how that decision is qualities. This column is dedicated with 2-3 years. Matures to be made but both sexes live happily together love and endearment to Grandma Olga. 40-50’ tall. Ripens in late on the same tree. Before you jump to the To see a complete list of recommended The fruit of a chestnut is contained in a spiny (very sharp) cupule August to late September. wrong conclusion, they both need the bees new, alternative or underutilized fruit trees also called "bur" or "burr." The burrs are often paired or clustered Grafted. Self-pollinating.” for pollination. And the bees fortunately recommended by OSU, go to http:// on the tree branch and contain one to seven nuts. 3. Chestnut love chestnut trees. This is a good thing www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropmap/ Photo: http://4.bp.blogspot.com. (Castanea sativa, also since the bees don’t need to travel so far oregon/crop/treefruit.html. Cutting the branches for our house or known as C. vesca, C. vulgaris, Fagus or work too hard looking for pollinator I have chosen to focus on just the giving them away for “happy nothing day” castanea). This deciduous tree grows to partners. Flowers are produced on wood following three trees: is a wonderful trade-off for not being able 98 feet tall by 49 feet wide. Its growth of the current year’s growth. 1. Almond (Prunus amygdalus) is to eat the nuts. rate is moderate, it’s hardy up to Zone The oldest documented Castanea related to the peach tree. Think of it as an 2. Butternut (Juglans cinerea L.). 5 and not frost-tender, especially once sativa is in England’s Kew Gardens. Its “inside-out” peach. With the peach, you This is not a squash but actually the established. Here’s great news, especially estimated to be is 300 years old. eat the juicy flesh and spit out the seed or hardiest nut in the walnut family, sorta for our local region: it’s an excellent That’s all folks. Remember that Arbor make a peach-pit necklace and earring set. like the “little but tougher brother.” Funny soil-enriching understory in pine forests. Day is Friday, April 26, 2013, so plant a Oh heck, just spit out the peach seed. The that this tree has a “squash” name. Because Cool! This underrated tree is not very nut tree in memory or in honor of someone almond is just the opposite. You throw the wood of this tree is very light in color fussy about where it grows. It loves well- near and dear. away the basically inedible (actually I’ve and often used for elegant furniture and drained soil in a sunny location, but will Dirty fingernails and all never tried nibbling it) outer flesh and eat paneling, it is sometimes called “white also grow in a sandy, loamy or clay soil, Sioux Rogers the inner seed. That is what we know as an walnut,” a more descriptive name. Even and even in nutritionally poor soil. It 541-846-7736 almond. As with almost everything (cars, the shape of this white walnut tree is quite likes soil with either neutral or acid pH, [email protected] Please support our advertisers! They help make this paper possible. The Gater thanks you. 6 Spring 2013 Applegater

BACK IN TIME The love of dancing by evelyn byrne williams with janeen sathre I grew up in a family who loved to the dances would be held. dance. That actually began in 1853 with Our first time there was when our my great-grandfather, John McKee. He daughter, Janeen, was about two years old. was the blacksmith at the gold-mining Aunt Clara insisted we come even though town of Logtown on Forest Creek between there was not a place for little children, so Jacksonville and Ruch. Many Saturday we made a bed for her on the back seat of night dances were in his family’s home our car and parked close to the front door. where he also taught dancing. Of course, She was accustomed to sleeping there on his children and their children on down our camping trips and soon fell asleep, followed that tradition. probably helped by the sound of music. I remember when a fiddle player, It took eight couples for two squares. maybe the only musician, would be at If more couples came, turns would be some home playing his heart out for a taken so no one was left out. Sometimes room full of dancers. I was about four there were not enough couples for a years old when I first experienced such an square, but that didn’t keep them from event. It was in some neighbor’s home in improvising their own dancing routine, our upper Applegate area, maybe near the which sometimes caused a lot of laughter. town of Copper (now under Applegate morning before the dance There was no electricity, but the Lake). It was held in the home’s large attic preparing refreshments for the kerosene lights filled the room with a where one had to climb a ladder as there midnight snack. In those days, the nice warm glow. Aunt Clara’s old wind- were no stairs. snack was more than just a little up Victrola phonograph would play the For some reason, I was the only bite. She made large sandwiches square-dance records and when the record child there but enjoyed the music and of homemade bread filled with began to run down, she would quickly run watching the dancing that stopped when tasty ground-up baked chicken to rewind, then dash back to the square, refreshments were served downstairs in the accompanied with potato salad, rarely missing a beat. Everyone would dining room. That was when I had fallen deviled eggs, and a choice of burnt laugh! asleep and my folks left me on a bench sugar or cream cakes for dessert. Toward the end of the evening, some covered with their coats. I was terrified My grandma McKee had would be getting a little fatigued, especially when I awoke and no one was in the room. made phone calls on the “farmers my uncle Sandy. He was a hardworking Of course, everyone heard my distress and only” phone line (formerly the man with a work-clock setting brain; it mother came climbing up the ladder to Blue Ledge Mining line) to the was up at the break of dawn, a long day comfort me. neighborhood about the upcoming of work, then early to bed. So one night, There was a neighborhood dance event. I remember there being a when his dancing interfered with his almost every month in someone’s home, lot of high school kids coming, Top photo: Rolland (Sandy) and Clara Smith started bedtime, we actually witnessed him falling even one in my grandfather’s (Amos probably because my brother and holding square dances for locals. asleep, still standing, while his wife went McKee) barn. I was told it was in late sister were of that age. It was in the Bottom photo: Dances were held at Little Applegate to rewind the music. spring when the hay was gone. The barn summer and those kids spent more School on Little Applegate and Yale Creek Roads. I’m sorry that I can remember only a had a good dance floor, probably on time outside than inside for the dancing. dancer—probably having been born with few who attended those dances. The ones purpose, because it was rather common in The younger ones, my age, had a good two left feet didn’t help. My family tried I remember were Fred and Ethel West, those early days to have a barn for dancing. time sliding up and down on the slick floor to teach me the many dance steps but Lance and Stella Offenbacher, Charles and We had just moved into our newly between dances. That was more fun than nothing happened. So, when I met my Virginia Chittoch, and one time, Wayne built home near the Palmer Creek and trying to dance. future husband, I found he couldn’t dance and Jackie Reavis. There had to be more upper Applegate River around 1932, when We sometimes attended public dances either, which made me happy. of the Little Applegate people and maybe mother decided to have a home dance. at the Applegate Grange, and when the A few years later my Aunt Clara some newcomers there. I just mostly My dad moved most of the furniture into Upper Applegate Grange built their hall in Smith (see photo), my mother’s sister who remember what fun we all had. the bedrooms and, for some reason, my 1936, well, that ended the home dances in was a very good dancer, started having My husband and I became expert factious mother had the floor thoroughly our neighborhood. We were going to our square dances, which had become popular square dancers, or so we thought. It was scrubbed even though it would be later grange dances once a month, sometimes again. She and her husband Rolland the only time we had the beat, the time, covered with dancing powder. Even the so crowded it was difficult to dance, but (Sandy) had purchased the Crump ranch and the feet. windows were cleaned, which I don’t think enjoyable in seeing so many neighbors, at Little Applegate and Yale Creek Roads. Evelyn Byrne Williams anybody noticed. friends and relatives. The abandoned Little Applegate School, with Janeen Sathre Mother spent much time that It is strange that I was never a good still on the property at that time, was where 541-899-1443 Please support our advertisers! Shop local; keep our dollars local. The Gater thanks you.

Advertisers ~ Contact: Jackson County—Sally Buttshaw 541-646-8418 [email protected] Josephine County—Shawn Zimmerman 541-414-7301 [email protected] Applegater Spring 2013 7

THE STARRY SIDE Two- to three-dimensional BY Greeley Wells As we define and speak of things, we a mountain! fix them in those forms and terms in our Gotta get out minds. As we redefine and rename them there to see based on new insights, our knowledge and this planetary understanding expands. Here’s an example play! Greeley Wells of this process that recently happened Saturn is rising in the east after sunset for me. Because I was astounded and in March and at sunset in April, when he enlightened by it, I want to pass it on to stays up all night. He’s rising just after you. (and south of) Arcturus. On April 26 All of my schooling, all of the books the moon is just a few degrees away from I’ve read, and all of the astrological pictures Saturn, so that would be a good day to find I’ve seen show a two-dimensional (2D) Saturn. On May 22 the crescent moon is to version of our solar system. You’ve all seen the lower-left of Saturn. By the end of May, it: concentric circles of planets surrounding Saturn has moved fairly close to Spica. the sun at the center. This representation of Mercury is not visible in March or reality is how we have come to understand, April, but in May becomes visible low perceive, and describe how our solar system in the sunset. Jupiter has also arrived works. Who could argue with that? We there from above and Venus from below, all agree, even our scientists… creating a rare opportunity to see the However, when we look three- dim, sun-hugging planet. Whenever you dimensionally (3D) at this, a whole new have brighter things around (Jupiter and reality and understanding unfolds. It’s not Note the northeast corner where Vega, in Lyra, the first star of the Summer Triangle, Venus) you can see the dimmer ones more that we’ve been wrong; it’s just that we’ve rises—hello, summer to come. In the west, Orion, and Sirius in the easily. (To locate Mercury, see the section long had limited 2D thinking about our southwest, set—goodbye winter. Overhead (the zenith) are the Big Dipper north a bit, and on Jupiter.) Leo just south with the little Leo Minor between. solar system, and to be woken to the 3rd OF NOTE Illustration from Guy Ottewell’s Astronomical Calendar 2012. dimension is to come out of an ancient The full moon on March 27 is called sleep into the daylight of a new reality. the Easter Moon this year. April’s full (April Just as the planets are not static, but 25) has a bright visitor, Spica, all night. move around the sun, the sun is not static This moon is called the Egg or Grass or either. The sun moves in its own path Paschal Moon. The Milk or Planting Moon through our galaxy; therefore, something is May’s full moon (May 25). revolving around the sun is also moving Set your clocks forward at 2 am on through space. This means the planets don’t Sunday March 10 (“spring forward”). move in a true circle around the sun; their That hour, from 2 am - 3 am, simply movement actually forms a spiral shape, doesn’t exist any longer; you killed it. The because the sun and planets are moving other thing we’ve done by changing our through new space together. clocks is to change our relationship with Now, get this: the galaxy itself is the sun. At 1 pm, not noon, the sun is moving through the universe, and the now straight up. Strange. I object to this universe itself is in motion as well as killing of time and manipulating of noon. expanding. It “saves” nothing! So from a 2D concept we are now Wednesday, March 20, is the vernal invited into a much greater, clearer, more or spring equinox: day and night are of accurate understanding of what is really equal length. Easter Sunday falls on March going on in our solar system. The photo 31 this year. illustrates what it looks like in that whole Lyrid meteors show up on April “new” (to me and now perhaps to you) 22; see if you can see some. Vega (of the reality. Isn’t it beautiful? This illustration is the author’s view as an artist imagining the “real” paths Summer Triangle) in Lyra is about at the This spring, as you walk out into a of the sun and earth spiraling around it. Original illustration by Greeley Wells. center (or radiant) of the shower. But the clear night with this new understanding the Lion has risen, with the Big Dipper and rising higher all month while Jupiter full moon a few days later will decrease of the solar system, you’ll see Orion parallel to it. (They are overhead by April moves quickly lower. On May 10, if you your chances of seeing these dim meteors. standing upright in the west. To his left and westerly in May; June finds them have a low western horizon, you’ll see a tiny So right near dawn would be the time to is the brightest star in the sky: Sirius, the setting in the west.) By May Deneb rises, crescent moon to the lower-left of Venus look, after the moon sets and before the heart of his faithful dog in Canus Major. and June finds Altar up, completing the just after the sunset. Mercury also shows first light of day. Above and to the left of Canus Major is Summer Triangle in time for the summer up to join Venus and Jupiter. Eta Aquarids meteors have no moon Canus Minor— quite minor, in fact: just solstice. This same pattern repeats every Jupiter is the big deal of this season, to outshine them on May 6. Give them a one bright and one dim star. Over Orion’s spring. high in the sky next to the orange Aldebaran look any time that night, although predawn head to the left are the Gemini twins (well, You won’t find the Milky Way up in in Taurus’ V-shaped head. They are joined is the recommended time—great if you’re they’re not identical twins, since one is not May, because it’s around you at the horizon by a crescent moon on March 17, and again an early riser! Remember, no one can quite as bright as the other). Our favorite line. We’re essentially standing on it, on April 13 and 14. Watch the movement predict what meteor showers will actually winter constellations (including Taurus the looking out away from it. The rest of the of the moon each night relative to Jupiter do; these pronouncements are based on Bull and Pegasus) are sliding into the west seasons, we are looking into it from our and Aldebaran. In May Jupiter heads to the past experience and estimations…no along with Jupiter. vantage point on earth. The Milky Way horizon line in the sunset, while Venus and guarantees possible! Meanwhile, the eastern sky is busy. goes right through the summer triangle, Mercury rise. All three can be seen close Good luck with all your meteor- and The Big Dipper is up early in spring, so they rise together. together from May 28 - 31. On May 31 star-hunting. And while you’re out there, bringing Arcturus (follow the arch) into THE PLANETS they form a diagonal line with Mercury on keep that 3D image in mind! view. The Summer Triangle begins to rise Venus leaves the sky in February, top and Jupiter below. After sunset they are Greeley Wells in the eastern night, with Vega first rising hiding shyly in the sun. She makes her very low in the western sky—you need a 541-840-5700 in the northeast in April. In March, Leo dusk debut in April—very low at first, clear view with no obstructions, so climb [email protected] 8 Spring 2013 Applegater

TRENDS AND OBSERVATIONS White-water Beaver BY Rauno Perttu

I thought I could get away with one I used a Beaver floatplane for my can be three feet and more into the water. how unpleasant more story from my days as a younger gravel search. The Beaver is a sturdy and He quickly reacted and pushed the plane a swim in the geologist. As I mentioned in my last reliable single-engine aircraft. My pilot to level again so the pontoons would skim Alaskan ocean column, exploration geology can be risky was a grizzled 63-year-old with many years along the water surface. He skillfully water would be. Rauno Perttu and exciting. I’ve had several close calls of bush piloting experience. I like older, water-skied the plane up the rapids, However, we over the years. The one I’m about to veteran pilots. They don’t try to impress avoiding the bigger rocks. As we swerved landed uneventfully at Juneau, taxied describe gave me a lifetime appreciation or take foolish chances. There are enough and bounced to the next calm stretch, he to the dock and got out to inspect the for old, experienced pilots. dangers in bush piloting without the maintained most of the plane’s momentum damage. The floats were badly banged up, I like white water. Over the years, additional risks created by the daredevil and, as soon as we hit the calm water, he but still watertight. I’ve run numerous rapids. For years, I ran stunts of some younger pilots showing off. again gunned the plane. A couple hours later, we were flying rivers in my inflatable kayak and raft, and I was the only passenger, and sat in the We lifted off before the next rapid. back to our camp in a different plane. It also ran rapids on other peoples’ rafts. I’ve copilot’s seat. While we flew north along I breathed a sigh of relief, but as I looked had been an interesting day of geology. also run rapids as a passenger in jet boats. the coastline, I asked over at him I noticed As I mentioned earlier, I actually While trying to see underwater geology, if he had ever crashed the pilot was frantically had a role in killing the Berners Bay I even snorkeled a river through white a plane. He answered, scanning left and right. project. When I arrived on-site, the water, which was an exciting experience. “Three times.” As we gained I asked what was wrong. project had been ongoing for at least a However, I’ve only run a rapid once in a “Was anyone He replied, “I have year. Before arriving, I had studied the floatplane. It happened in Alaska, and was killed?” speed roaring to turn the plane around project topography map and commented, done because there was no other option. I “A couple of up the stretch before we run out of “There must be an active fault that cuts can’t recommend it as a thrill ride. passengers. Once I was room.” through the dam site.” I explained that One of my first projects as a geologist lying on a glacier for of calm water, We were flying up the morphology strongly suggested a strand was working on the site evaluation for three days before they he exclaimed, a narrow canyon toward of the Denali-Fairweather fault system a planned pulp and paper complex on found me.” a mountain wall. The passed through the site. This fault system Berners Bay in southeast Alaska, about 30 As we talked, we “We’re not going canyon was too narrow is similar to California’s San Andreas Fault air miles north of Juneau. The complex came to a river that to make it.” to turn, and the sides system. was never built, and I had something to was fed by a glacier of the canyon were too The project managers said they had do with that. I’ll explain later. Personally, that reached sea level high for the plane to drilled several holes at the dam site and I believe the scenically spectacular area is from the nearby rugged clear. As we neared found no faults. The system’s north- much better left as wilderness. mountains. The river the mountain wall, trending fault strands are vertical, so I The project workers lived in trailers was lined with promising the canyon walls were asked if any of the holes had been angled. that had been brought to the beach site by gravel bars, so we turned to fly up the river. getting higher faster than the plane could When I learned the holes had all been barge. We slept in bunk beds. I shared a Between white-water rapids, the pilot saw a climb. I stared at the rapidly approaching drilled vertically, I suggested drilling narrow segment of a trailer with a dozer stretch of calm water that looked deep and rock face of the mountain. an angled hole to pass through where I operator, who was always drunk in a “dry” long enough for us to land. He carefully Abruptly, a side drainage appeared projected the proposed fault. The hole camp, but that’s another story. The camp landed the plane in the calm water and on the left, and the pilot quickly banked was drilled and passed through four active also had a kitchen trailer and bathroom guided the plane to rest against a large the plane hard in the wider space. We fault strands, eliminating the dam site. The trailer. Our only means of transportation gravel bar. After I evaluated the gravel and completed the turn, cleared the canyon project subsequently died. to and from the camp was by floatplane. determined it was suitable, we re-boarded walls, and headed back toward the inlet. However, I lived to be frightened and The development plans for the pulp the plane to head back to camp. He floated As I again sank back into my seat, thrilled other days, despite two more close complex included building a dam across a the plane on idle to the lower end of the the pilot said, “We have to go to Juneau. calls on the same project. I also reinforced small glacial melt river. The proposed dam calm stretch, then gunned the engine. I don’t know what condition the pontoons my prejudice that old, experienced pilots would need a large volume of gravel in its As we gained speed roaring up the are in, but we may have holed or damaged are the ones to use when flying in extreme construction and I was assigned the task of stretch of calm water, he exclaimed, “We’re them on the rocks we hit, which means we conditions. reviewing possible gravel sources in a larger not going to make it.” could sink or flip when we land.” Rauno Perttu stream to the north. The plan was to barge When a floatplane is angled nose-up We made small talk while flying down 541-899-8036 the gravel to the proposed dam site. for takeoff, the back ends of its pontoons to Juneau. I knew both of us were thinking [email protected] Applegate Grange update by janiS mohr-tipton The Applegate Valley Community find information on how you can get Grange (AVCG) has been moving involved. It is a work in progress and we’re steadily along since our last update. After slowly adding content as we go, but it is our successful brunch in November, a starting point for more information. the holidays came along and most of We will begin renting the building for the membership took time to celebrate, events and classes in the future, so go rest and enjoy friends and family. We to the website for more information showed The Grinch movie in December on fees and how to rent the building. just before Christmas. Despite the The membership of the Grange small turnout, it was a fun event, and met in early February for a retreat in we hope to have more film screenings which we came together as a group Members of Applegate Valley Community Grange at February retreat. in the future with a wider attendance. to define our short-term and long- Photo by Claude Aron. Most importantly, we are launching term goals for the Grange. This was a new website (applegategrange.org). an important event for the Grange—a and excited moving forward in 2013. the website: www.applegategrange.org. You can go to the website to keep chance to retreat and take a look at our Expect some interesting events, talks Janis Mohr-Tipton updated on what’s happening at the priorities. It was an important team- and other community celebrations from 541-846-7501 Grange, learn about upcoming events, building exercise and we feel energized the Grange this year. To get involved, check [email protected] Applegater Spring 2013 9 THEY LIVE AMONG US Applegate potter inspired by nature by sebastian klinefelter Nancy Yturriaga never planned on Several years later, now in San blossomed over the decades into a unique a career as a nationally known ceramic Geronimo, California, the next step body of work that communes with and artist. It was an accident. As a young required was to convert Nancy’s garden depicts the natural world that she so loves. child in San Francisco she could have gone shed into a producing ceramic studio. Nancy has enjoyed great success as in any direction—the place being known This included the acquisition of a small an accomplished artist; over the years her worldwide for unique, controversial ideas electric kiln, “the old Duncan,” which she work has been exhibited in fine galleries and radical forms of expression. still uses today. and shows nationwide. Despite the lack of funding for art Nancy’s style is nicely expressed She gained great inspiration from education in the schools, Nancy says that through her statement: “I don’t plan on the painter Georgia O’Keefe, whom she as a child she gravitated toward expressing describes as “a brave woman exemplifying herself with color; exploring nature was her what can happen if a person is willing to greatest inspiration. give everything for her art.” After 45 years At age 18, while attending City working with clay, Nancy has clearly given College of San Francisco in the late 1960s, her complete dedication to the artistry Nancy stumbled into the ceramics studio that is her passion. Of her consummate and thought, “Ah, this looks like fun!” But skill with clay, she laughed and remarked, her skill at making pottery didn’t come “Once you learn the steps, then you just easily. “Art is a constant struggle; it’s the dance!” nature of the beast,” she remarked. Black dragon teapot in carving stage. Spurning the idea of getting a “real Having found her medium of job,” Nancy dedicated herself to her art, expression, Nancy purchased a potter’s bought a horse, and retreated more deeply wheel and began throwing pots in her into the wild. Ten years ago, she arrived in San Francisco basement. She would pack the Applegate Valley to “spend the golden Applegate denizen and nationally known her unfinished pieces and, baby under years potting and riding horses.” ceramic artist Nancy Yturriaga. one arm and pots under the other, catch Nancy calls her home and studio “The Photo by Joan Peterson. a municipal bus to the historic Victorian Sweetwater Ranch.” At the ranch there studio owned by well-known artist and is magic in the air; one almost expects “They live among us” is an teacher Ruby O’Burke in San Francisco’s to catch a glimpse of a fairy among the ongoing feature highlighting people colorful and outrageous Castro District. trees. This magic is reflected in the clay A much-loved mother figure and patron art created by the hands of the artist I call of interest who live in the Applegate of the arts, O’Burke rented studio space Finished black dragon teapot. Nancy also “The Sweetwater Potter.” Watershed. The Applegater to potters and jewelers, allowing them to creates pottery featuring lizards, ravens, For more information about Nancy frogs, owls, dragonflies and other creatures. newspaper is looking for volunteers work cooperatively in a unique inner-city Yturriaga and her pottery, visit www. to take on this column each issue. If setting. After her passing, her studio was anything; I just let my mind caress the nancyadams.net. forever dedicated for working artists to image.” While originally inspired by Sebastian Klinefelter interested, call J.D. Rogers, editor, create their art. classical Asian art, Yturriaga’s efforts have 541-846-6689 at 541-846-7736. Long live Ruch Community K-8 School Center (across from the office) offers • Exciting weeklong summer camps for health/wellness resources, advocacy, K-8 students, focusing on arts, writing, by margaret della santina and michelle hensman referrals, and more! Open Fridays 8 am science, health and wellness, gardening Ruch Community K-8 School has What is place-based learning? Place- - noon and by appointment Monday - and environmental stewardship, fire-rescue long been known for its parent involvement based learning connects national learning Thursday. and first aid. and strong community ties, which play a standards and classroom activities with • After-school tutoring and academic • Preschool at Ruch. We are working critical role in the academic and social real-world learning rooted in the local support for students in grades K-3, coming toward establishing a preschool on the success of Ruch students. Our rural setting environment. Students in community in spring 2013. Ruch School campus beginning this fall. provides a healthy and exciting learning schools with place-based learning curricula • Community Garden. This exciting • Save the date! Ruch Community environment; the flip side of our rural tend to have a strong appreciation for project is part of a Master Gardeners’ grant Festival, Saturday, March 9, 2013; 11 location, however, is that our enrollment the natural environment they live in, and partnership, as well as a recipient of am – 3 pm. The community is invited is significantly lower than other Medford and learn the importance of community a YES (Youth, Education, Success) grant, to meet our staff, students, volunteers schools. responsibility while mastering academic sponsored by local businesses and local and community partners. Come learn Applegate Partners Promoting Local content and skills. TV channel KOBI-TV (NBC5). We are more about the wonderful place-based- Education (APPLE) has been working The Oregon Department of Education actively seeking volunteers for this project, learning programs students are currently diligently to keep Ruch School sustainable website notes: including people with strong backs, engaged in, as well as the opportunities for generations to come—the school will Community schools are grounded in the machinery, design ideas or materials (soil, ahead. Enjoy food, entertainment and fun celebrate its centennial this fall, and we concept that learning occurs in many places— crushed granite, cement, plants, pots, activities for children and adults. want to be sure it celebrates its Bicentennial in school, after school, in neighborhoods fencing, fertilizer, irrigation materials, Organizations can participate in the in 2113! and communities-throughout our lives. etc.). Students and community members Ruch Community Festival free of charge; In November 2012, the Medford Evaluations of community school programs will cultivate a fruit and vegetable garden, we simply ask that partners bring pop- School Board endorsed APPLE’s proposal have shown that they help improve student which will promote team building and up tents, and display and advertisement that Ruch K-8 become a community achievement, increase attendance and reduce healthy living. Produce will be used to materials, and share their positive energy school with a “place-based” curriculum participation in high-risk behaviors. (www. prepare school meals, and for the Ruch with Ruch School and community. If reflecting its unique rural location in the ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=575) School ACCESS Food Bank. Silver you know of a business or organization Applegate Valley. Ruch families and community Springs Nursery is donating native plants that would like to attend as a community What is a community school? A partners are committed to ensuring the to create a “100 Years of Agriculture in partner, please have them contact Michelle community school partners with various success of our pioneering little school that the Applegate” educational trail that will Hensman at 1-541-306-0668. organizations to provide services and is so rich in educational history, natural culminate at our community garden. For more information about any of resources the community may need—in resources, and community support. Here • Summer programs for pre-K children. the above programs or events, please call short, it’s an integral part of a thriving are a few of the exciting things we are Weeklong, themed camps during June, Ruch School at 541-842-3850. community where students are able to looking forward to in the coming months: July and August, offered at the Ruch Margaret della Santina and learn and achieve. • The Ruch School Family Resource School campus. Michelle Hensman • 541-306-0668 10 Spring 2013 Applegater Trolling for new talent: Applegate Partnership still practicing trust 20 years later by barbara summerhawk This last fall, the Applegate community-based project involving Them is Us,” stressing collaboration should not have been. Protocols are being Partnership and Watershed Council industry, conservation groups, natural rather than confrontation. One early developed to safeguard similar occurrences (APWC) celebrated 20 continuous years of resources agencies, and residents success was the Ramsey Thin, an early on subsequent projects. Learning from activity on behalf of the Applegate Valley’s cooperating to encourage and facilitate timber sale negotiated by the partnership. the mistakes and the successes, and biocracy and is now trolling for new talent the use of resource principles that promote Instead of clear-cutting patches, the understanding the importance of public to work alongside old hands on its board ecosystem health and diversity.” The timber company involved used helicopter involvement and monitoring, BLM is of directors. partnership later became the APWC and logging. Although some old growth was moving forward on the second phase, Pilot The partnership got its start in was instrumental in creating the Applegater taken, the amount was far less than had Thompson, scheduled for later this year. October, 1992, when representatives of newspaper (a vital communication vehicle originally been planned. This sale helped According to Jerry Franklin and environmental groups, the timber industry, that goes out to all Applegate residents), set the stage for future negotiations on Norman Johnson in another article in the the federal land management agencies and also the community management of the public forests of the Applegate. While SAF journal, the number one obstacle [Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cantrall-Buckley Park. other areas of the country during this time to implementing new policies is “public and U.S. Forest Service], local farmers and After the divisive decade preceding suffered horrendous timber sales resulting distrust of the agencies.” This is where other residents sat down at the table on the partnership that pitted “us vs them” in environmental degradation, every the APWC and Knitting Circle play a Applegate Valley activist Jack Shipley’s deck around the issue of northern spotted owl timber sale in the Applegate Valley had a crucial role—through agency monitoring, and crafted the following vision statement: preservation and logging, the partnership full environmental review. Nevertheless, community outreach and continuing “The Applegate Partnership is a set out with the slogan “Practice Trust— the Ramsey Thin was controversial with discussions with stakeholders on the future environmental groups here, who opposed of the Applegate Valley ecosystem. If you the cutting of any old growth. Over are interested in supporting and joining the years, however, environmentalists in the APWC’s mission “to promote have stayed on the board of the APWC, ecosystem health across the Applegate bringing necessary balance to the process watershed through stewardship, education of harvest and restoration. and restoration carried out in partnership A contemporary approach to land with landowners, agencies and other management being used by BLM stresses interested parties while contributing to “integration of ecosystem restoration, local economic and community well- conservation of northern spotted owl being,” please contact Janelle Dunlevy, habitat and commodity production.” In an Applegate Partnership and Watershed article for the Society of American Foresters Council coordinator at 541-899-9982 (SAF) journal, Ed Reilly analyzes results of or by e-mail at coordinator@arwc. the recently concluded Pilot Joe Project of org. Please visit our website at www. the Middle Applegate Watershed, noting applegatepartnership.org. that “Public participation was…critical to Barbara Summerhawk its success…,” specifically commending the APWC Board Member APWC as a strong participant, and that the [email protected] APWC, along with the Southern Oregon Note: Articles quoted in this story are by Jerry Forest Restoration Collaborative, aka the F. Franklin, PhD, and Norman K. Johnson, “Knitting Circle,” was “instrumental to PhD (“A Restoration Framework for Federal the success of the project development Forests in the Pacific Northwest,” Journal and public review process...” Reilly also of Forestry, December 2012), and Ed mentions the importance of the ongoing Reilly, an Applegate resident recently retired post-harvest monitoring. Pilot Joe wrapped from BLM (“The Pilot Joe Project: Dry up not without controversy over several Forest Restoration in Southwestern Oregon,” trees that were marked for cutting that Journal of Forestry, December 2012). NEW! Classified Advertising Jacksonville Mercantile Cooking Classes New Year’s Eve Resolution to be a Fit & Only $25! Reserve space today. Healthier you! Body & Soul Fitness 541-899-1047 jacksonvillemercantile.com Studio offers Fit2U, a Workout Program specifically created just for you in the Caregiving. Compassionate loving in- convenience of your own Home Schedule home care, 12 years experience, great local and Budget. 541-899-1636 references. Joy La Spina, 541-846-6833 ACBR Body & Paint. We deal directly slatecreekdoggydaycare.com with your insurance co. and may save you am enclosing 541-476-7485 “I money on your deductible. 541-899-1173 two tickets to the “Country setting & safe environment” Sunshine Plaza Salon Spring Mid-week Cupcake Creations—Cakes, Brownies, first night of my Specials. 10% off all services thru April. Cookies, and MORE!! 1739 E. McAndrews, 7390 Hwy 238, Ruch. 541-899-7660 new play; bring a Medford. 541-857-2797 Applegate Rock Shop for unique rocks, friend, if you have Little Applegate Country Care Home minerals & gifts. Rt. 238, Murphy. Open offers care for 2 residents in gorgeous one.” Mon-Sat 11-4. 541-218-0323 setting. Memory Care Exp. 541-899-6827 —George Bernard Mediation Services: Divorce, Shaw to Winston Wanted. Reasonably priced apple-cider Family Matters, Facilitation, Anger Churchill press with chopper (preferably motorized) Management. Couples Communication in excellent condition. 541-846-7736 w/Confidentiality. 541-846-6092 “Cannot Place a classified ad! possibly attend $12 for three lines of text (approximately 110 characters and spaces). Advance payment required (payment accepted online at www.applegater.org). Contact: Jackson County— first night, will Sally Buttshaw at [email protected] or 541-646-8418. Josephine County—Shawn Zimmerman at [email protected] or 541-414-7301. attend second...if there is one..” DISCLAIMER The Applegater reserves the right to edit, categorize, revise, or refuse any classified —Winston advertisement. In addition, Applegater has the right to terminate any ad at any time for any Churchill, in reason. Parties posting ads are responsible for the accuracy and content of their ads. Applegater will not be liable for any damages arising out of errors or omissions. response Applegater Spring 2013 11 Applegate stonecrop worth protecting by Suzie Savoie

Sedum oblanceolatum, otherwise Center now includes Applegate stonecrop known by its common name, Applegate on List 4, which means, federally, it stonecrop, is a succulent perennial plant. has conservation concerns and requires As its name implies, Applegate stonecrop continued monitoring, but is not currently grows almost exclusively in the Applegate threatened or endangered. This listing River watershed, making it an Applegate can include plants that are very rare but endemic. An endemic plant is one that is have a secure population, like Applegate native to a well-defined geographical area stonecrop. The Oregon Department and grows only in that area. This pretty, of Agriculture (Plant Division) lists rock-loving plant is found primarily Applegate stonecrop as a candidate for in the Jackson County portion of the the state’s threatened or endangered list. watershed, but some plants can be found In California, where Applegate stonecrop in the Josephine County portion, as well as is even more geographically limited, the the Siskiyou County, California, portion. species is given the status of “rare and Applegate stonecrop is a succulent perennial plant that grows The only population found outside the endangered” by the California Native almost exclusively in the Applegate River watershed. watershed is in the headwaters of Seiad Plant Society. Unlike the other sedums you’ll see around, documentation regarding the use of Creek on the south side of the Siskiyou The Applegate Valley has many the leaves of Applegate stonecrop are very Applegate stonecrop by the Dakubetede, Crest above the Klamath River, but very special, rare and endangered plant species glaucous, meaning that they are covered who originally inhabited the Applegate few plants exist there. (including nine other sedum species), with a white waxy powder. The fleshy Valley before the European invasion, but The conservation status of Applegate but no other can claim the Applegate as leaves of stonecrops are an adaptation I would guess that they also used it. stonecrop gets confusing because the its namesake. Applegate stonecrop can for enduring drought in their usually dry It is my desire in highlighting this Applegate River watershed is located across be found growing on dry, exposed rocky habitats. Sedum, from the Latin sedeo (“to local beauty to inspire Applegaters to two states (Oregon and California), and slopes and rock outcrops up to 5,700 feet sit”), is an appropriate name for a plant seek out the rare, endemic and special two federal agencies (the forest service in elevation. It blooms from June to July that apparently “sits” steadfastly in a rocky plants right here in our own low-elevation and the Bureau of Land Management) and has cream or pale yellow flowers. A stronghold. foothills. The amazingly diverse botanical each have their own classification. In chance sighting of this rare plant in flower Ethnobotanical documentation wealth of the Applegate is something we Oregon, the forest service used to list is a treat—it puts on quite a showy display shows Native Americans used the fleshy should all be proud of and work hard to Applegate stonecrop as a “sensitive” considering the harsh conditions in which leaves of many kinds of sedums. Northwest protect. species; this gave it extra protection during it happily grows. The fleshy succulent tribes are known to have eaten the leaves Get out for a hike this spring and federal project planning (e.g., timber leaves form dense, attractive rosettes that raw and cooked, and to have used the relish the wildlands of the Applegate! sales, mining, road construction, etc.). can be easily distinguished from other plant as a female tonic and many other Suzie Savoie The Oregon Biodiversity Information native sedums found in the Applegate. medicinal uses. I have not found specific [email protected] Let our advertisers know that you saw their ad in the Applegater.

541-899-6984 12 Spring 2013 Applegater lepidoptera from page 1 an adult butterfly ecloses (emerges) into difference in color from Voices of the one of the beautiful winged pollinating Monarch to Swallowtail. insects we see flying about. The orange spots on the Applegate The plants they use as larvae are California Sister compare referred to as host plants or LFPs (larval to the orange band on the spring concerts food plant). Each butterfly has a special edge of the wing of the We have a wonderful program plant or group of plants they use. As adults, Loroquin’s Admiral. in store for our spring concert. Blake they nectar on many flowers. You can see Good resources to Weller, our director, has chosen some the male of some species nectar on wet use are The Butterflies of delightful music that will appeal to most soils, carrion or dung to obtain nutrients. Cascadia, a field guide every musical taste. For the butterflies in these photos, I will by Robert Michael Pyle, We will be singing a set of four mention a little about their larval food and a website that is madrigals including “All Ye Who plants. being developed called Music” by Balthazar Donato and “My Monarch butterflies migrate to our BAMONA or Butterflies Heart Doth Beg You’ll Not Forget” area and feed on native and non-native and Moths of North by Orlando Lasso. Next we have a species of milkweed. Currently there is a America (http://www. pair of Jewish folk songs including movement to protect our native species of butterfliesandmoths.org). “Eerv Shel Shoshanim” or “Evening milkweed for the monarchs—people are Looking at butterflies of Roses” by Josef Hadar. We will encouraged to plant more native milkweed. can be fun, relaxing, and a also sing Bobby McFerrin’s version of Host plant sources for the Western good way to get outdoors “The 23rd Psalm,” and conclude with Tiger Swallowtail (see photo) are broadleaf to enjoy the world around a set from The Mamas & the Papas, trees such as bigleaf maples, willows, etc. you. Oh, and remember including “California Dreaming.” California Sister’s (see photo) host plants to leave the porch light Voices of the Applegate is a are mostly live oaks of the evergreen species on to see what moths may community choir consisting of about and chinquapin. Loroquin’s Admiral (see come for a visit! 25 dedicated singers. We sing four-part photo) larvae feed on willows, poplars, and Linda Kappen harmony and perform two concerts many other trees and shrubs. humbugkapps@ every year, one in the spring and one These butterflies come out at different hotmail.com in the fall. We meet every Wednesday times throughout the spring. Although the Ed. Note: Linda Kappen evening from 7 to 8:30 pm in the complete list of species within each family is a schoolwide education Applegate Library Meeting Room. No is too long to include, here are a few: assistant at Applegate auditions are necessary. • Papilionidae: Swallowtails School, where she started Our spring session began on • Pieridae: Cabbage White, Spring White, the school’s butterfly January 16 and will end with two Sara’s Orangetip garden 12 years ago. At concerts in April. The first concert • Lycaenidae: Silvery Blue, Spring Azure the school, yearly monarch will be performed on April 12 at 7:30 • Nymphalidae: Monarch, Mourning butterfly releases are held; in pm at the Old Presbyterian Church on Cloak, California Tortoiseshell, Red spring 2012, painted lady California Street in Jacksonville. The Admiral, Ladies, Crescents, Checkerspots butterflies were reared there. second concert will be at the Applegate • Hesperiidae: Silver-spotted Skipper, Linda earned a naturalist River Lodge in downtown Applegate Propertius Duskywing, Two-banded certification from Siskiyou on Sunday, April 14, at 3 pm. All are Checkered Skipper Field Institute (SFI) and invited to attend. Admission is free. In the lower elevations, these last summer hosted a two- For more information, call Joan butterflies can be seen throughout the day butterfly/moth course Photos, top to bottom: Western Tiger Swallowtail; Peterson at 541-846-6988. spring and summer. In the photos, note the at SFI. California Sister; Loroquin’s Admiral. Photos by Linda Kappen. Master Gardener Association OSU Master Gardener Winter Plant & Tree Sale Extension Classes Saturday, March 30 Fruit Tree Grafting Tuesday, March 12, 7 - 9 pm: 569 Hanley Road, Central Point. 541-776-7371 9 am - 2 pm Wednesday, March 13, 6:30 - 8:30 pm: 215 Ringuette Street, Grants Pass. Perennials, native trees and shrubs 541-476-6613 Cost: $25 materials + $5 class fee 215 Ringuette Street, Grants Pass George Tiger, retired OSU extension agent 541-476-6613 Learn how to create your own apple tree or save grampa’s favorite apple tree. The techniques and tools for grafting fruit trees will be taught Class members will choose apple tree varieties to make a minimum of three grafted starts to take home. Class limited to 25. Prepayment required. Applegater Spring 2013 13

BIRDMAN

visitor to our area is the Western Kingbird. to central Argentina. Spring migration You should spot them quietly perched on But every year in the power wires or fences watching for flying fall some Tropical BY Ted A. Glover insects. If one happens by, off they fly to Kingbirds wander Spring is in the air and the migration By the end of April the Black-headed pick them out of the air, then return to along the Pacific of thousands of birds is well under way Grosbeaks are back showing off a buffy their perch to gobble it down and wait Coast, even as far by now. Many of these little fellows have orange breast and white patches on their patiently for the next one. The Western north as Canada and wintered far to the south, some as far as wings as they move around foraging in the Kingbird has a light gray head, throat and Alaska. We saw a pair Ted A. Glover South America. But they are on the move trees for pine and other seeds and various upper breast, but a bright yellow belly. of Tropical Kingbirds now and it is fun to keep our eyes out as insects. Also arriving in April are the The tail of the Western Kingbird is square- at the Arcata Marsh this past October. they return to the Applegate Valley. spectacular Lazuli Buntings, the male a tipped and black, with white on the outer Take some time this spring to notice Rufous Hummingbirds are among vibrant sky-blue color with reddish breast edge of each side that is very noticeable the birds as they travel through our the first to arrive, coming into our area and white belly. You’ll see them close when flying. beautiful valley. The colors are magnificent in early March. Band-tailed Pigeons to or on the ground foraging for seeds, A relative of the Western Kingbird is as they reach their peak breeding plumage arrive here about mid-March. They have or at your thistle and sunflower feeders the Tropical Kingbird that has a limited and begin to search for nesting sites to raise a distinctive light gray-tipped tail, yellow often with groups of American and Lesser range north of the Mexican border, but their young. bill and legs, and a beautiful lavender hue Goldfinches. is, in fact, the most widespread of all the Ted A. Glover • 541-846-0681 on their bodies. One really special spring and summer kingbirds, nesting from Arizona and Texas [email protected]

The Band-tailed Pigeon is the largest pigeon Male Lazuli Bunting. The Lazuli Bunting is The American Goldfinch is the only finch in The Western Kingbird derives its name in North America. It is found at altitudes a North American songbird named for the its subfamily that undergoes a complete molt. from its “take-charge” behavior. These birds between 3,000 and 12,000 feet, and feeds gemstone lapis lazuli. Its habitat is brushy It is generally monogamous defend their territory against much on seeds, especially acorns. areas and sometimes weedy pastures. and produces one brood each year. larger birds—even hawks. Photo: Gary Kramer, fws.org. Photo: Dave Menke, fws.gov. Photo: Peter J. Thiemann, Flickr photo stream. Photo: Peter J. Thiemann, Flickr photo stream. 14 Spring 2013 Applegater FEATURED ADVERTISER Each issue, the Applegater features one of our valued advertisers. Here is the story of McKee Bridge Restaurant in Applegate, Oregon, one of our long-time advertisers.

programs and have enjoyed the socializing, McKee Bridge Applegate Library refreshments and songs. March is the month for our spring Carol Hoon and Kirsten Shockey membership drive. Listen up all of you are organizing a knitting circle, which will Restaurant library patrons. If you haven’t yet become meet in the library meeting room every first by sally buttshaw members of Friends of the Applegate Friday of the month beginning March 1. Library (FOAL), now is your chance. We will get together and share patterns, First there was You can either join FOAL or renew your skills, knowledge and creativity. Bring the historic McKee annual membership by mailing in a your projects and be inspired! Everyone Bridge, built in 1917 check for $15 made out to Friends of the is welcome. For more information, call to provide transport Applegate Library and address the envelope Carol Hoon at 541-787-7261. to Medford for the to Carol Hoon, Treasurer, P.O. Box 3257, The libraries of Jackson County are copper that was mined Applegate, Oregon 97530. getting ready for their summer reading on the other side of the We are not mailing out newsletters programs. Check out the website for Applegate river in the this spring as we have in the past. We the county at www.jcls.org for more little town of Copper, are saving our money for the new storage information. Also check out the Patron’s now submerged building that will replace the building Corner and find many interesting databases beneath the waters of that burned to the ground last summer. that can be downloaded for free. For Applegate Lake. We want to express our thanks to the instance, there is a database for genealogy, Then, in 1938, generous people who donated money to Blue Book information, languages, and the McKee Bridge the building fund after our cry for help homework help. Also, you can now Restaurant opened, in the last Applegater. We are making download music with a system called and it is now the oldest progress, but we are still seeking donations. Freegal. It’s free and legal music, and it’s continually operated If you renew your membership, you might the latest thing available from your library. restaurant in southern also add a few dollars to your check for the You are able to download three songs per Oregon. Owned and building fund. Please specify the amount week at no charge operated for the past you are donating as separate from the $15 Be sure to come into the library nine years by Preston Preston Shreve warming himself in front of the fireplace at McKee membership fee. Or you can just write during the month of March to see the and Maggie Shreve, Bridge Restaurant, which he and his wife Maggie operate. a check out for the building fund if you this is a wonderful Crater Rock Museum presentation in the Photo by Sally Buttshaw. are already a member of FOAL. We have display case. You won’t want to miss it. place to grab a bite calculated that with 3,000 people living in Lucia Smith, our storytelling for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The food is pinochle on Wednesday, and bingo every the community of Applegate, if everyone volunteer, has retired and moved farther mostly homemade, everything from egg other Sunday, to occasional Saturday just donated one dollar, we would have away from Applegate. We are looking dishes and juice to their ever-popular fried night entertainment. In the dining room, $3,000. How about dropping by the for new volunteers to come to the library chicken. Prime rib is the feature on Fridays paintings by local artists adorn the walls library with your dollar (or more!). to read to the children one day per week. and Saturdays. and are offered for sale. There is also a We have already sponsored two Please come in and talk to Phyllis if you When I stopped in on a dreary convenience store with beer, wine, milk, holiday programs, one for Christmas, are interested in volunteering for this January afternoon, the roaring wood fire in snacks and more. and the other for Valentine’s Day. We exciting job. the dining room was a welcome sight. And Be sure to stop by this hidden gem on have had wonderful attendance and a lot Continue to visit our library to find I have to say, the onion rings were fantastic, the way to Applegate Lake or when you are of community support. Although we out about the latest news, information as were the chocolate chip cookies! But in the Ruch area. Located at 9045 Upper planned these events as fund-raisers, they and programs. You will be surprised at then I was too full to try something from Applegate Road, the restaurant is just south have turned out to be “fun-raisers” with our how much is going on. We are more than the dessert menu, which featured four pies of the Star Ranger Station. Restaurant sing-alongs, poetry and community spirit. just a library! that day. hours are 8 am - 9 pm on Wednesdays, Thanks to all of you who have come to our Joan Peterson • 541-846-6988 McKee Bridge Restaurant also Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; and 10 features a full bar with TV screens and a am – 9 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and nice wine selection. Thursdays. and now have a cozy Young Adult area Ruch Library Community events are hosted, from Sally Buttshaw • 541-646-8418 where you can sit in the sun and read, Come and celebrate spring and the study, work on a computer, play chess, or beginning of the gardening season at Ruch quietly visit with friends. We encourage Library! We have books to inspire, inform, teens and preteens to come in and check it and help you select the best plants, garden out! Be sure and stop to see our window Friends of Ruch Library Update furniture, and landscape designs to suit displays from Crater Rock Museum while Greetings from Friends of Ruch Membership gains you a vote at the your needs. you are here. Library (FORL)! We hope you all had annual meeting, advance notice of events, We can help you use Freegal to Jackson County Summer Reading a wonderful holiday season and have discounts at the A-Frame bookstore, a first download music from our vast store Program is looking for presenters to offer jumped into this new year with vigor. We choice preview at our annual fall book sale, of music, and Library2Go, for free programs for children that fit within want to thank each and every person who and a welcome letter and bookmark. Even downloadable books. Once again we the theme “Dig into Reading,” covering volunteered time and donated funds to if you have donated to extended hours, are offering free computer classes. Basics underground animals, archeology, our most recent Saturday Hours campaign. it is important to join as a “Friend” with II covers word processing, digital photo gardening, dirt, mining, dinosaurs, rocks, Thanks to the support, we are happy to membership in order to take advantage of processing, file management, and graphic etc. The programs would run between June announce that the Ruch Library Branch these benefits. design. These classes run March 21 - April 10 and August 10, and small stipends are will be open on Saturdays in 2013. FORL is in need of volunteers to 11. Then, beginning April 25, we will available. If you are interested in learning With that in mind, it is time to move help coordinate events, sell books in the be starting a four-class Basics III class, more about this opportunity (in Ruch and our focus to making sure we have the funds A-Frame, assist in fund-raising, and to where you can learn about advanced Applegate—or beyond!), please contact secured to make extended hours a reality become board members. Gaining new word processing, spreadsheets, computer your local library for more information. for Saturdays in 2014 as well. To that end, volunteers and board members is vital to management, and Internet services. Our We look forward to seeing you at the we have news to share with you. our continued success in supporting the classes are held on Thursdays from 1 to library! First, we are set to kick off our Ruch Branch Library. Ask a librarian at the 3 pm, and preregistration is encouraged. Thalia Truesdell membership drive that will run from Ruch Library, or visit us at our monthly Call Ruch Library to sign up now. Ruch Branch Manager March 5 to April 5, and we hope to have board meetings on the first Thursday of We have moved some books around 541-899-7438 many new Friends to welcome to our each month at 6:30 pm to find out how annual meeting on April 6. Next, we have to volunteer. new Ruch Library t-shirts designed by a We look forward to your membership local artist available for pre-order, to be and your attendance at our annual meeting picked up at the annual meeting. Order on April 6. yours now. Contact Donna Epstein at Have a wonderful year! [email protected] for information. In Donna Epstein, Chair May, we will be in our usual spot in the Friends of Ruch Library post office at Buncom Day. Become a [email protected] Friend and join us. Shonda Siler, Secretary Membership is just $10 per year for Gerri Leinfelder, Marketing individuals and $18 per year for families. Tina Drake, Treasurer Applegater Spring 2013 15 to help wounded vets find Applegate woman starts spiritual and emotional well-being. Aware that not nonprofit retreat for everyone supports hunting, the board nonetheless feels wounded veterans that, particularly for those by a. paradiso who grew up in rural cultures where hunting The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq Newly retired, Julie created Divide and fishing were the norm, have been going on for more than ten years. Camp, Inc., a nonprofit gearing up to being able to return to such pastimes can the summer for differing periods of time. Over two million Americans have served provide cost-free wilderness adventures play an important role in the healing She hopes her mother will spend part of overseas. Whatever you may think about primarily to post-9/11 wounded veterans. process. the summer enjoying the camp for the first the politics, one thing is undoubtedly There are many such facilities in the south, “Finding a new ‘normal’ is critical,” time in years. true—many Americans who have done but few in the northwest. Julie says, “especially for those with new Still needed are more chinking, what they considered their duty serving “I believe we owe those who fight for prosthetic limbs. Being outdoors and with fencing, plumbing, wiring and help their country have come home emotionally us.” Julie says. “Even if you don’t support other vets aids in recovery. ” completing the photovoltaic electric and physically wounded. war, we should all support our troops.” The Wallowas have been referred to as system. The goal is to retain the rustic camp Julie Fossen Wheeler grew up near Applegate rancher and welder Carl “America’s Switzerland.” There are 70 lakes flavor, but also provide insulated cabins, McKee Bridge. Her family also purchased Offenbacher, who has been working in tucked in among the remote mountains, semi-modern plumbing and electric lights. property in the Wallowa Mountains near Afghanistan, and longtime Divide Camp and numerous unique flora and fauna Julie is using her own resources and Joseph, Oregon, when she was a teen. Her elk hunter Phil Moyer came on board including 80 different wildflowers. It is will look for sponsorship and contributions father used the 40 acres and five cabins, as directors. Local guides in Wallowa also known for its elk hunting. from businesses and foundations. She has known as Divide Camp, as a base for elk County will lead hunting and fishing trips. Last year Julie spent six months at the decided not to seek federal grant money hunting and summer pack trips. Hiking, cross-country skiing, trail riding, camp, with occasional help, cleaning out “with all their strings attached.” After her father’s death the camp snowmobiling and equine therapy are and refurbishing. She installed new floors Tax-deductible donations are didn’t see much use. Her mother among the future goals. and chinked the exterior logs in two cabins, appreciated. Help with public relations considered selling it, but the place it held Few people realize that many redeveloped the spring complete with solar and physical labor is needed. Anyone in her memories made that an undesirable discouraged vets attempt suicide pump and installed water and power lines. interested in a working vacation in the option. When Julie shared her vision of after returning home. The Veterans Julie plans to spend another six months Wallowa Mountains should contact Julie hosting wounded warriors her mother Administration estimates that a veteran this year completing everything necessary at 541-531-9939 for details. Go to www. agreed that would be a wonderful use for dies by suicide every 80 minutes. Divide to update the camp. She will be joined by dividecamp.org for more information. the camp. Camp is conceived as a therapeutic setting Carl and Phil, and other volunteers during A. Paradiso • [email protected] Happy Memorial Day 16 Spring 2013 Applegater Notes from a Rogue entomologist Ants in the house and the curious case of the velvety tree ant BY richard j. hilton “What should I do if I have ants in looking for food or possibly water. These (possibly poisonous) or they the house?” This is a question that every smaller ants can be a number of different can deliver a painful sting. In entomologist has probably heard more species and they are referred to by various the case of the velvet ant, it than once. E.O. Wilson, our most famous names, such as sugar ants and piss ants. I is most definitely the latter, living entomologist and a specialist on and folks who have made ants, provides this answer: “Be sure you the mistake of picking one have some time available, get a magnifying When an insect up or accidentally stepping glass and prepare to study an alien society.” on one while barefoot can While this is not the answer most people is brightly attest to the wasp’s “cow are looking for, it is very typical of E.O. colored like that killer” nickname, as the Wilson, who is an authority on biodiversity sting is reported to be quite and actively involved in preserving it. it usually means memorable. Velvet ants do When I read Wilson’s autobiography, that they taste not live in colonies and are The Naturalist, I discovered that he had usually found crawling on spent some of his youth in Washington, bad (possibly the ground in open areas. DC, and he would often visit Rock Creek poisonous) or When I first arrived in Park where he surveyed and cataloged southern Oregon a little over species of ants there. I grew up in DC and they can deliver 25 years ago, the velvety tree also spent considerable time in the park, a painful sting. ant was not considered to be but I was more likely to step on an ant than a pest. Now it is has become study it. I remember one occasion when, a common ant pest found along with a couple of friends (I am not in the home, particularly if taking sole responsibility for this), I put a was curious about the origin of the term you live in a wooded area. red ant and a black ant together in a jar to “piss ant”; apparently, it is derived from I looked at some references see them duke it out. Having rather short “pismire,” the Middle English word for from the 1990s on ant pests, attention spans, when nothing happened ant, which referred to the pungent smell and the velvety tree ant does after five minutes or so we released the ants of ant nests in the woods. The smell is the not usually warrant even and moved on to other entertainment. In result of formic acid (in Latin, formica), a mention. I also checked Top photo: Carpenter ants are the largest ants found locally. Photo: pestid.msu.edu. Bottom photo: Odorous house ants looking back on my youth, I do think it which was first isolated from ants. Our the Pacific Northwest Insect often invade kitchens. Photo: nathistoc.bio.uci.edu. is fortunate that video games were not most common sugar or piss ant is the aptly Management Handbook, available and that we had only three TV named odorous house ant. These small which is updated annually. In 2007 the their favored nesting sites. Velvety tree channels. But let’s move on before I start black ants are frequent home invaders velvety tree ant is mentioned as a structural ants, as the name suggests, are most often sounding like Clint Eastwood in the movie and give off an odor when crushed. The pest; prior to that the only ants discussed nesting in a tree hole. While you might Gran Torino. odor has been described as the smell of a were carpenter ants. A list of nuisance think it would be simple to track the ants It is very likely that those black and coconut, which I do not get at all, but my ants found in the home does not include back to their nest, I have rarely found it red ants that we captured were carpenter sense of smell is not the best. However, if the velvety tree ant until 2009. So what to be easy. ants. The largest ants that we encounter you happen to crush a velvety tree ant, I happened between 25 years ago and now to Carpenter ants were invading our locally are carpenter ants ranging from one- guarantee that you will get to experience elevate the velvety tree ant to common-pest house a while ago and I tried using a quarter to one-half inch in size and, as their the pungent, acrid smell of formic acid. status? Perhaps it increased its range, but I stethoscope for locating their nest in name implies, they will, on occasion, enter Velvety tree ants are variable in size but have not found much evidence of that. In the wall; this is actually a recommended houses and excavate wood, particularly if may grow to a quarter inch—larger than fact, when I looked into Louis Gentner’s technique, but it did not work for me. the wood has been softened by moisture. most of the pest ants in your house, but old insect collection here at the research On another occasion, we had some Carpenter ants do not feed on wood as do still smaller than a carpenter ant. The color center, I found half a dozen specimens odorous house ants that were getting into termites; they are only removing the wood of the velvety tree ant varies from a dark of Liometopum occidentale, or velvety tree the kitchen and I happened to be digging to create a nesting space. brown head and abdomen to a red or even ant, collected here locally dating back to around the foundation for another reason Then there are those small ants yellow thorax, and “velvety” refers to a layer the 1930s. when I unearthed their nest. I did feel that are often seen invading the kitchen of fine hairs on their body. Could something have changed in the a slight pang as I saw the worker ants Velvety tree home environment to favor the velvety tree scurrying for shelter, most of them carrying ants are not to be ant? Well, it just happens that the velvety a small white larva in their mandibles. But, confused with the tree ant has a distinct proclivity for nesting with the nest demolished, the ants were no velvet ant (this is in Styrofoam insulation. They seem to love longer a problem in the house. the problem with the stuff. I guess it makes sense—why mess If you have ant problems, it common names). around with damp wood when it is so is recommended to block points of The velvet ant is easy to chew a nice cavity into Styrofoam? entry. Remove plants right around the actually a type Carpenter ants will occasionally nest in foundation, especially tree limbs that are of solitary wasp; attic insulation, but they do not seem to touching the roof since ants will often the females are prefer it the way the velvety tree ants do. climb on vegetation to access your house. wingless so they I have seen velvety tree ant nests in walls, Baiting can be an efficient way to eliminate resemble ants. ceilings, even doors and windowsills that ants in the house. The ants will take the They are large, contained foam insulation. My hypothesis poison bait back to the nest and feed it to very hairy, and is that the proliferation of foam insulation the developing larvae, thereby eliminating have patches of over the last 25 years in our homes has the nest. When using ant bait, try to bright red. When provided a new and most favorable habitat check and see that the ants are taking the an insect is brightly for velvety tree ants to exploit. bait. Ants will often be looking for either colored like that But remember, both velvety tree ants sugar or protein and, if the bait is not The velvety tree ant has become a common house pest, it usually means and carpenter ants are using the structure what they are looking for, they may pass particularly in wooded areas. Photo: bugguide.net. that they taste bad only as a nesting spot. Although they may it up. While ants are a wonderful object feed on foodstuffs from indoors, their of study, I realize that most people do not food is primarily obtained outdoors; they want to share their living space with an eat mainly live and dead insects along alien society. with honeydew (i.e., sugary excretions) Richard J. Hilton produced by other insects such as aphids. 541-772-5165 If ants are taking up residence in your Senior Research Assistant/Entomologist home, finding and eliminating the original Oregon State University nest will usually provide excellent control. Southern Oregon Research Carpenter ants found in the home are often and Extension Center coming from a nearby tree stump, one of [email protected] HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY! Applegater Spring 2013 17 New state wildfire bill proposed by SANDY SHAFFER A new bill is being discussed in the first $10 million to fight “large fires” (those million annually. This means that private attacks on fires, the state’s “deductible” for Oregon legislature this session that has requiring resources such as aerial retardant, landowners are the only ones footing that the wildfire insurance policy was reduced the potential to significantly influence aircraft, helicopters, or additional crews bill (because the costs are within that first by $5 million! So, we all should be patting our future wildfire seasons, and our and fire teams). If the state’s “large-fire” $10 million). Good news, yes, but fair? ourselves on the back—our fire prevention pocketbooks! costs are even higher, the next $15 million Hardly. and preparedness work has paid off! The proposed “Wildfire Protection is currently covered by the state’s general The new proposal is two-fold: to shift You might also notice, as I did, that Act” would change how fire suppression fund, and after that a special insurance about $3 million of private landowner the proposed changes have the state’s resources are funded, as well as when and policy takes over to cover up to another funds from the statewide “large-fire” general fund paying out more for wildfire how these resources are ordered up. If your $25 million. bucket over to the local costs in the long run. Yes, everyone in property is classified as forest-timber or Currently the “initial attack” buckets, the state would be paying more and grazing land, you should be very interested local “initial attack” is and to also gradually I have to say that there’s a part of me in this new bill, because you help fund fire funded 50-50 by private So, we all should (over two years) get that’s pleased about this. After all, the suppression in our state. landowner taxes and be patting to an even 50-50 split majority of wildfires are human-caused and As a forest landowner I was definitely the state’s general fund. (private landowners and locally only about half of those are from interested and so I did a little research on However, the first $10 ourselves on the general fund) on the first landowners on their own property. The what we have now versus what is being million of the statewide back—our fire $20 million for “large other half are caused by “the public”— proposed; then I talked to a couple of “large-fire” fund is paid fire” suppression costs. motorists, recreationists, hunters, arson, experts from the Oregon Department of solely by our private prevention and After that, the special etc., according to Dan Thorpe, our local Forestry (ODF) to better understand the landowner taxes. preparedness insurance policy would ODF district forester. possible changes. I liked what I learned. The primary work has paid go into affect. With The state’s reasoning for taking Presently, we forest or grazing reasoning behind this increased firefighting a greater share of wildfire suppression landowners pay a fee on our property-tax new Wildfire Protection off! resources throughout costs (in addition to the importance of bills (labeled “OR Forestry Fire, Timber/ Act is that it’s more the state, that $8-million wildfire protection to public safety) is their Grazing”) for wildfire protection by our effective, less costly and average should drop (or recognition of the broad public benefits of local Medford district of the ODF. If safer for communities to maybe stay level if you a healthy forest landscape—clean air and there is a structure on the property there extinguish wildfires while they are small. account for climate change?). water, fish and wildlife habitat, economic is a second fee labeled “OR Forestry Fire, This isn’t rocket science; it’s universally If you are really paying attention to contributions, recreation and more. The surcharge,” because it’s a known fact that accepted that, aside from fire prevention, these numbers, you might be questioning feeling is that Oregon’s livability is defined humans are the main cause of wildfires. reducing the response time to a wildfire is the math on the “large fires”? Currently by its forests. Both fees are calculated annually. the most effective factor under our control $10 million plus another $15 million needs When/if this Wildfire Protection These fees go toward funding two to keep wildfires small. Because costs for to be paid before the insurance policy kicks Act passes, we would see more firefighting levels of fire suppression: (1) Local “initial “large fires” can escalate very quickly, more in, but the new proposal is for only $20 resources available locally and possibly attack” of fires on private lands in our area “initial attack” resources just makes sense. million to be spent before it takes affect. lower annual tax rates for our fire protection. by the ODF (usually fires less than 10 acres The other reason for this new Act is Why? Well, since Oregon has done such Sandy Shaffer in size, which is about 95% of all fires); that the cost of fighting Oregon’s “large a great job of being prepared, reducing Applegate Fire Plan Coordinator and (2) A statewide fund that covers the fires” has only been averaging around $8 wildfire risks and having effective initial [email protected]

for burning, the ignition method, and the NEWS from estimated time it will take to fully ignite all “Please of the fuel. The plan must be approved by send in a Oregon Department of Forestry ODF before ignition may take place, and few dollars Josephine County’s last chance for Smoke on the horizon ODF’s smoke management meteorologists to support also decide when the burn may take place. wildfire fuel reduction assistance It happens every burning season. the Get a jump on protecting your home You want to burn your pile of brush and Information about ODF’s Smoke from wildfire by getting fuel reduction branches, but the air quality index is too Management Program is posted on the GATER. assistance today. Several Josephine County high and open burning is shut off. Yet you Internet at http://www.oregon.gov/odf/ It was my agencies and nonprofit partners have can see plumes of smoke rising from the pages/fire/smp/dailysmoke.aspx. For daily information about favorite joined forces to help landowners get surrounding mountains. paper prepared for fire season. Assistance money How come burning is allowed in prescribed fire projects on federal lands in can help landowners with brush reduction, the high country when it’s shut off in the southwest Oregon, see http://ormic.org/ for potty dead vegetation removal, tree thinning valley? rxfire.shtml or call 800-267-3126. training.” Brian Ballou • 541-665-0662 and other landscaping projects that can Burning is sometimes allowed on a Barney significantly reduce the intensity of a higher-elevation site if the fire can generate Fire Prevention Specialist potentially destructive wildfire. enough heat energy to propel its smoke ODF Southwest Oregon District McGee In many cases, financial assistance high enough where wind will blow it away [email protected] is in the form of partial reimbursement from the valley. Debris pile fires in valley after a fuel reduction job is completed. areas often don’t generate enough heat In some cases, such as when a landowner energy to propel smoke high enough to is physically unable to do fuel reduction catch the upper-elevation winds. Burning work, assistance is available to cover most in valley areas is often allowed only when if not all of the cost. lower-elevation winds exist to blow away In all cases, the goal is to make smoke generated at the valley floor and defensible space zones around homes from the surrounding foothills. in wildfire-risk areas. These zones help Higher-elevation burning is done firefighters to protect homes threatened primarily to reduce slash left over following by wildfire. In some situations, it may be a logging operation, or to get rid of beneficial to reduce fuels along property tree branches, boles and brush cuttings lines, roadsides or other areas on larger lots. created by a fuel-reduction project. Most The partners involved in this of the higher-elevation burns take place cooperative effort include: on industrial forestlands, national forest • Grants Pass Department of Safety, Fire lands, or Bureau of Land Management and Rescue Division lands. Prior to igniting the burn, the • Illinois Valley Community Development owner or manager of the lands must have Organization (grant ends December 31) submitted a detailed analysis of the fuel to • Illinois Valley Fire District be burned, as well as the site, to the Oregon • Josephine County Forestry (grants ends Department of Forestry (ODF). Factors in June) in the burn plan include site elevation, • Josephine County Soil and Water aspect, slope percentage, a description of Conservation District the fuel (such as tree species), the age of • Oregon Department of Forestry, Grants the fuel, the amount of fuel and the size Pass Unit of the area to be burned. There must also For a free on-site fuel reduction be an ignition plan, which describes the assessment, call 541-471-4248. optimum temperature and wind speed 18 Spring 2013 Applegater when The Rim mine shaft was sunk. The TALL TALES FROM THE EDITOR fit was so tight I wasn’t sure I’d be able to squeeze myself out of the cage onto a wooden beam (wood is what the mine shaft The Rim mine was cribbed in). There was a downpour of pebbles and water outside the cage. The wooden or beams and wooden ladder were as slippery as ice. I looked up and couldn’t believe Climbing toward the light how small the hole of light looked up at the top. I felt like I was thousands of feet below the surface. While looking up, my It’s a strange sensation, an urge that size of the diameter of a silver dollar. As hard hat fell off, but my mine lamp stayed overcomes me every once in awhile. I am you slowly pull your probe out, you take attached to it (which was attached to the swallowed up in a dark, dreary, menacing a reading on an instrument much like a lamp battery on my mine belt), so I didn’t ocean of desire. Why? I can’t say. Years Geiger counter and record on paper your lose the hard hat. ago I had no appetite for the blackened findings every foot. These earlier drilled Recovering my balance and putting hole of hell that I cry out for today. holes were usually in mined-out stopes at my hard hat back on left my head exposed So why now do I find myself wanting various degrees, above for just enough time for to climb into a cage, ride down a dark and below eye level. For a speeding pebble to hit shaft that’s dripping wet all the way to the example, I would spray its target. If I hadn’t had bottom of a deep black hole—one that paint on the wall in red Years ago I had so much hair, it could opens into a chamber of slow death, also “+24º,” “+16º,” “+8º,” have caused more brain known as a uranium mine. “0º,” “-8º,” “-16º,” etc. no appetite for damage. Something a The one uranium mine image that Later I would draw a the blackened little larger might even fills what’s left of my now depleted brain graph from the probe have knocked me off the cells was called The Rim. It was located information to see what hole of hell that ladder. Keep focused, out in the rattlesnake, scorpion, no-see-um the ore body, if any, I cry out for I told myself. Climb infested cedar and piñon pine forest of might look like. toward the light. Surely southeast Utah. The forest on the plateau Jack and I had today. it would grow bigger and in this area was interspersed with pinto planned to spend the brighter as I experienced bean and winter wheat fields depending afternoon drinking my own episode of The on the time of year. Scotch with Felix Twilight Zone. The Rim wasn’t the deepest hole I’d Medesco, a very large “J.D., here’s a ever been in, being only 650 feet down or man of Basque heritage. He could lift section with a couple of ladder runs so. The deepest was Rio Algom, which was double the weight I could. Wait, that’s missing. The one you need to grab hold of around 1,600 feet deep. not a fair comparison because I tried not to pull yourself up is loose, so be careful.” I was the flunky in the geology to lift anything heavier than a guitar pick. Right. It was all I could do not to department of a future financially and Anyway, Felix was quite strong with a stay wrapped around the timber next to environmentally bankrupt Fortune 500 hearty laugh. He ran The Rim mine as a me, but I kept climbing toward the light. company called Atlas Corporation. It lease operation from Atlas. If Felix wasn’t Climb, rest, climb. So it went for what had maybe a dozen mines in this part of a topside in his ratty 1960 single-wide trailer felt like days. rapidly vanishing paradise. that served as his office, we’d go arrowhead When we finally pulled our soaked- I owed this job to J. Michael Pearce, hunting instead. There was no shortage of to-the-bone bodies up and over the ledge formerly of the J. Michael Pearce band. things to do while still on the time clock. at the top of the mine shaft, we’d been He had the uncanny insight to get a We’d gotten into the cage, an iron climbing ever so slowly for more than two degree in geology just in case the world box that could hold eight men or so. Jack hours. My arms and legs were as limp as of a delusional, self-gratifying, despicable, pushed the button to let the hoist man a drowned rag doll. Man, did that warm short-lived life of a rock star eluded him. know we were ready to go topside. We’d sun feel good; the Utah blue sky never This is unlike his buddy (that would be gone 150, maybe 200 feet, when the cage looked bluer. me) who has always been delusional and came to an abrupt stop with enough force The hoist man, Freddy Skidmore, with no back-up plan. to move one’s Rocky Mountain oysters to was there to greet us. (Freddy was a rail of Usually I was J. Michael’s flunky. your eyeballs. “What the .…?” we yelled a man who wore his ball cap cocked to the “Hey J.D., why don’t you carry our in unison. right, one pant leg inside his scuffed brown lunch pails over to that beautiful overlook Jack went to use the emergency phone work boots and the other outside. I believe so we can gaze down on the red rocks of that’s in the cage to call the hoist man and this look may be a genetic trait that runs Canyonlands National Park. We can kill find out what’s up. “This is just perfect,” throughout southeast Utah. Quite trendy.) the afternoon here. Want a brownie?” Jack said. He may have used stronger “Power’s out,” he told us. Or “Why don’t you drive us over to language when the phone didn’t work. It “No kidding,” Jack said sarcastically. the Frontier bar in Dove Creek, Colorado. was all corroded and rusted, like 1959 was “Yes, sir. No telling when it will be I need a nap before we party.” the last year it had been used.” back on. Them Navajos [miners] might If we had the whole day to kill, After about 45 minutes or so, Jack be stuck down there all night. You know usually Wednesday through Friday, we’d go said, “We’ll have to climb out.” I ain’t never seen no one climb up out of to the Saloon bar in Telluride, then referred “You bet,” I said with a smirk. “It’s that shaft before.” to as “To-hell-you-ride,” Colorado. at least 500 feet to the surface and what if Years later, I took my bride Sioux J. Michael never worked me beyond the cage starts moving again when we’re to see The Rim mine early on in our my job-skill level. On this particular half in and half out of it? adventures together in life. Unfortunately, day, I was carrying the lunch pail for Jack Jack laughed and said, “You won’t be most everything was gone. A chain-link Morton, one of the other geologists. I’d so tall then.” fence now enclosed my favorite radioactive worked with Jack many times, and we were It took a few minutes to pry open hole. While Doo Doo the Wonder Dog heading out to my favorite mine, The Rim, the rusted safety escape door on the side ran around marking all the “Danger, No to spend the morning probing longholes. of the cage. Looking out the escape door, Trespassing” signs, I regaled Sioux with One of my few official job descriptions I wasn’t feeling very comfortable with the other Rim mine tales. This is one of my was “longhole prober.” Probing longholes thought of climbing 500 feet or so up a favorites. is accomplished when you push your probe wooden ladder that was installed in the I’ve never quit climbing toward the Advertisers ~ 50 to 150 feet into a hole that’s about the early Stone Age days of uranium mining light, which represents my dreams in life. Contact: I have been sidetracked, laid up, down dead-end roads, but I am still climbing. Jackson County— Whatever your dreams are—love, health, Sally Buttshaw happiness, fame, money—keep climbing. 541-646-8418 You lose only when you quit the journey toward the light. [email protected] Like us on Facebook! Josephine County— Just go to our website at www.applegater.org Shawn Zimmerman 541-414-7301 and click on “Find us on Facebook”...or search [email protected] “Applegater Newspaper on Facebook.” Applegater Spring 2013 19

OPINION Pilot Joe Treegate A more progressive approach by john gerritsma to forest management The cutting of two old-growth trees or so trees in question were designated by cheryl bruner on the Bureau of Land Management for cutting. Thus, about two weeks had The Williams Integrative Vegetative many species in terms of population (BLM) Pilot Joe project are opined to passed during which time I reported the Management (WIVM) Environmental densities, gene flow and local extirpation be the trust-buster with the Applegate trees to be excluded from harvest, only to Assessment (EA) was made public on of populations. community according to Luke Ruediger’s find out at the end of the two weeks such December 18, 2012, and a decision is The proposed WIVM also includes opinion in the last issue of the Applegater. was not the case. expected in a couple of months. The WIVM forested areas that were part of the BLM As an integral part of the Pilot, the It is also crucial to note that the is a 10-year, 6,604-acre Bureau of Land Scattered Apples Forest management BLM requested and funded a multiparty sale is under contract, and the purchaser Management (BLM) forest-management plan in 2004 that was protested by the monitoring effort led by the Southern (Boise) must agree to any adjustment in project that includes hazardous fuels community because of its aggressive Oregon Restoration Collaborative trees designated for harvest. They were reduction as well as commercial thinning. approach in northern spotted owl habitat. (formerly Small Diameter Collaborative). only willing to give up the larger of the Since the introduction of the project in The BLM is again proposing commercial Part of the monitoring effort is the questionable trees, and proceeded to cut April of 2012, the Williams community thinning in this area, which has a lack establishment of plots for pre- and the remaining ones, including two trees has participated vigorously in the of hazardous fuels and provides nesting, post-data gathering on the Pilot Joe. It that were afterward determined to be assessment and submission of comments roosting and forage habitat for the spotted was during the establishment of one of of old-growth age (i.e., older than 180 to BLM. The Williams Community Forest owl. It would be foolish and wasteful to those plots that the group came across a years old). Whether there was one day, Project (WCFP) and the community are degrade spotted owl critical habitat and questionable mark of what appeared to one week, or one month before cutting promoting a more progressive approach log century-old trees that have almost no be six to eight large trees on unit 26-1A. when the trees were detected, only the to forest management that would embrace chance of burning. Along with the monitoring group that purchaser can relinquish trees they have local values. WCFP is requesting that the BLM day in the field was the current Applegate under contract in circumstances such as The bulk of the commercial timber include citizen monitoring as part of quality Partnership president, Aaron Krikava. the one at Pilot Joe. Therefore, allegations volume for this BLM proposal will come control. As an Adaptive Management Area, Aaron photographed and documented the that BLM did nothing, despite pleas from from plantations that are less than 60 years the Williams IVM could be a model for marked trees and through the Applegate the community, are completely false. BLM old. We are supportive of such timber effective collaboration among stakeholders. Partnership forwarded the information was unable to do anything. The remaining extraction, as well as certain proposed The Williams Community is home to a to me. Seeing what appeared to be a trees cut in the group were under 150 years variable density logging in some areas, as diverse group of citizens who have intimate questionable mark on at least some of the of age and therefore within the age criteria BLM proposes. However, we do object relationships with the forests. Their six or so trees in the photos, I arranged for harvest. However, the size of the trees strongly to BLM’s cutting of trees over 100 knowledge and reliance on the forests for Nate, my silviculturist (who writes the compared to the surrounding trees would years old in natural stands. BLM wants to makes them uniquely qualified to help stand prescriptions and marking guides), lead one to deduce such trees would stay log trees up to 150 years, like they did in the BLM stay on track with management to have a look. Two days after receiving under the Pilot Joe prescription, and a the Pilot Joe timber sale. The average age goals. Citizen monitors could help prevent the information from the Partnership, Nate re-reading of the detailed prescription of trees in our area, as determined by BLM, socially unacceptable cutting that does not field checked the situation. confirmed the error in not designating all is 102 years. We are disappointed in the follow prescriptions. This collaboration BLM uses orange flagging to denote six or so trees to be retained from harvest. BLM who, despite several meetings and is timely as socially acceptable forestry a unit boundary prior to finalizing a It was never BLM’s intent to harvest field trips, refuses to modify their original management becomes more mainstream. boundary with orange paint. Noting an two old-growth trees and the adjacent proposal or develop prescriptions for These issues are vital to the Williams orange flag line adjacent to the trees in younger but large trees. While I don’t wish thinning with a 100-year standard. community who have chosen to live here question, Nate surmised the boundary to diminish the value of an old-growth tree In addition, the EA proposes fuels because of the amazing mountains, trees, was not fully marked with paint at that or downplay that BLM made a mistake, treatment and commercial logging plants, and wildlife. location, and filled in the boundary with the BLM marked some 22,000 trees in immediately adjacent to the recent Riggs The Williams Community Forest paint, which effectively excluded the that sale. An error rate of six or so trees Lone Creek 250-acre clear-cut. Claudia Project will continue to sponsor photographed trees from the unit to be out of 22,000 is certainly not a poster child Beausoleil, WCFP vice president, says, community meetings to provide a harvested. I reported the information for what is wrong with BLM’s Pilot Joe “We are shocked that the BLM EA fails to forum for communication regarding back to Aaron and others. The purchaser project. It should simply have been a joint acknowledge the Williams IVM Scoping the WIVM and the establishment of a of the project was about to begin cutting effort between BLM and the collaborators comment letter of June 14, 2012, to monitoring program. Refer to the website in that unit, so I felt satisfied the situation to fix what was necessary to not repeat the drop treatments adjacent to private land at williamscommunityforestproject.org for had been resolved and the trees would not event. clear-cutting.” We recommend that units information regarding the WIVM. be cut. So, the unintentional harvest of adjacent to this clear-cut have no treatment For further information, contact In an effort to provide Aaron a about six trees discovered by a multiparty to provide a refugia for displaced animals Cheryl Bruner at 541-846-1729 or info@ learning opportunity about the project’s monitoring effort paid for by the BLM and mitigate edge habitat, effects and williamscommunityforestproject.org. implementation related to cable corridors, is reason for Luke to conclude that the fragmentations as clear-cut areas recover. Cheryl Bruner • 541-846-1729 I invited Aaron to go along with the logger BLM can no longer be trusted. Those Treating BLM areas adjacent to this recent President, Williams Community and my sale administrator in unit 26-1A who wish to make the “Pilot Joe Treegate” clear-cut exacerbates local cumulative Forest Project during the corridor layout and approval an incident with consequences far beyond impacts. These effects are negative to [email protected] process. Upon reaching the questionable its real significance will do so for ulterior trees, the group discovered a much motives. The rest of us will continue to different situation than what was surmised strive toward meaningful community Check these out — only on our website and reported to me by Nate. A purchaser involvement and learning to continually www.applegater.org will flag in his cable corridors, in any improve the implementation of the • “Chicken herder or Don’t be a loser” by J.D. Rogers color but orange, for approval by the sale restoration principles. That is why the rest • “In the life of a Sanctuary One intern” by Kirk Stonick administrator. In this particular (rare and of us will continue our collaboration effort • Harris and Stumbo are 2012 Tree Farmers of the Year only) instance, the purchaser used orange on the Applegate Pilot. • Tax tips for forest landowners flagging, which created the confusion John Gerritsma for Nate that caused him to deduce the 541-618-2438 boundary of the unit had excluded the Field Manager trees in question. In reality, the flagging Ashland Resource Area LETTERS TO THE EDITOR was only a logging corridor, and not a Bureau of Land Management Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of boundary. The bottom line is that six [email protected] the author, not that of the Applegater or the Applegate Valley Community Newspaper. We are a community-based newspaper that receives diverse opinions on different topics. Letters should be no longer than 450 Let our advertisers know that you words, and may be edited for grammar and length. Opinion Pieces should be no longer than 600 words. All Letters and Opinion Pieces saw their ad must be signed, with a full street address or P.O. Box and phone number. in the Applegater. Individual Letters may or may not be published in consecutive issues. Address Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor to: Support our The Applegaterc/o Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. P.O. Box 14 local businesses! Jacksonville, OR 97530 Email: [email protected] 20 Spring 2013 Applegater

also has a striking effect upon fish and pond culverts can be protected with various Beaver in the Applegate wildlife. Salmon populations expand, do-it-yourself “beaver deceivers” that have bringing marine nitrogen into our been developed in recent years. However, by jakob shockey landscape as their carcasses are hauled living with beavers in our waterways also In 1826 - 27, a Canadian fur trapper they will often disguise the entrance tunnel away by scavengers. Bird diversity and wild requires a willingness to acknowledge their named Peter Skene Ogden became the beneath the water’s surface. They mate for ungulate populations also flourish off this place in this valley and the benefit of the first white explorer to document the life and have tight family units in which beaver habitat. That’s why organizations positive changes they bring to our creeks. valleys of southwestern Oregon when the mother is primarily responsible for like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation In Canyonville this January, the Ogden was appointed by Hudson’s Bay maintaining the dam, lodge and food and Ducks Unlimited have funded efforts Cowcreek Band of Umpqua Indians and the Company to lead a series of mass beaver- stores, while the father and older siblings to reintroduce beavers. Beaver Advocacy Committee of the South trapping expeditions, called the Snake are largely responsible for raising young. However, these same effects can Umpqua Rural Community Partnership River Expeditions. The goal was to leave no When beavers move into an area of a come in direct conflict with people and (SURCP) hosted the third international live beaver behind. The British Hudson’s stream and begin damming, the riparian property because the best habitat is in State of the Beaver Conference. For three Bay Company was firmly established ecosystem quickly changes. Water begins the low-gradient streams along the valley days people from many walks of life (from north of the Columbia River, but they to back up against their dams, slowing the floor, which is also often prime real estate, scientists to trappers) converged to share were concerned about American trappers water’s velocity and research projects, stories, and a passion moving up the coast into what is present- allowing more water for the beaver and what it does for our day Oregon. To buffer themselves from to seep into the local water and land. Across North America, the encroachment of these American water table. With this people, towns and watershed councils have frontiersmen, the Hudson’s Bay Company increased groundwater, rallied around the reintroduction of this resolved to create a “fur-desert” across the streamside vegetation species into its native habitat. There were landscape south of the Columbia River. multiplies (despite the many technical presentations on mapping Upon reaching the area of present- trees felled by beavers) suitable beaver habitat or counting how day Ashland, Peter Ogden was surprised and ground-cooled many more salmon fry survive in beaver- to find beaver were already being hunted water begins upwelling influenced streams, but the greater message for meat by the local Shasta tribe. This back into the creek. of this conference was simple: If we was distressing to Ogden, for the Shasta These cool and often leave them alone, beavers are capable of roasted the beaver whole and allowed their shaded pools become doing things with our waterways from valuable fur to burn away in the process. invaluable habitat for which people, salmon and the rest of our As his trappers went to work in the Rogue salmon and other fish. ecosystem benefit. Valley, Ogden noted that six in every ten Suspended sediment Before Peter Ogden and the Hudson’s beavers they killed were scarred with old and nutrients settle Bay Company, this area was thick with arrow and spear wounds. As he traversed out of the slowed water beavers and the beneficial effects they had this novel landscape, Ogden’s focus on the and are deposited upon the landscape. The water of free- extirpation of beaver was indefatigable. behind the beaver flowing creeks like Thompson, Williams Upon encountering war between the tribes dams and around and Sterling would have moved sluggishly near present-day Klamath Falls, Ogden the surrounding from one beaver pond to the next in wrote “they may destroy each other, the vegetation. Beavers are strict herbivores and eat leaves, twigs and the a successional chain of wetland to the cambium bark layer from the trees they fell. more the better; if they are fond of war, let The long-term Applegate River. Today, beavers and their Photo: http://www.martinezbeavers.org. them enjoy it and we in the [meantime] effects of these beaver ponds have faded from these creeks and will endeavor to wage war with their ecosystems are considerable and have pasture and agricultural land. Beavers the Applegate Valley. However, fragmented beaver.” been gaining more attention across the will fell unprotected ornamental and colonies still live scattered at higher Beavers are the only animal, next to country in recent years. Due to elevated fruit trees, and their wetland expansion elevations and along riverbanks. Someday, the human, that can engineer dramatic water tables, streams with beaver dams efforts can flood cropland, backyards and we may again see their dams and lodges in change to their surrounding landscape and have consistently more water during the pasture. Also, like a hole in a very long southwest Oregon. I hope that we can be ecosystem. They are strict herbivores and dry summer months and seasonal streams dam, beavers often find plugging roadway grateful for their work and respect their eat leaves, twigs and the cambium bark have been returned to year-round flow with culverts to be an irresistible opportunity place in this valley. layer from the trees they fell. Their dams the addition of beavers. Ranchers, land for creating a pond. Fortunately, to For more information on designing back up water and create wetland ponds managers and municipalities are using the outsmart a beaver you have to be only and installing a beaver deceiver, contact me from which they can escape from predators practice of reintroduction as a valid tool for slightly smarter than a beaver, and there or check out The Best Beaver Management and keep their vegetation cuttings fresh. water catchment across the west. are practical and inexpensive solutions Practices DVD at the Applegate Library. They will either den in stream banks or The sequestered water and vegetation to these problems. Tree trunks can be Jakob Shockey construct lodges within their ponds, and complexity that beaver ecosystems create wrapped in chicken wire, and road or [email protected] — Consider a pet trust — Most people remember the story of event of their death, their pets are cared for. Pet owners creating a pet trust should OHS is named in a planned gift. hotel heiress Leona Helmsley, who left Many assume that they can leave a portion ensure that the designated caregiver will Make sure to consider how to 12-million dollars to her Maltese dog, of their estate to their pet in a will, but this be committed to the long-term care of the provide for your pets in the event that they Trouble. Because of death threats, the dog is not allowed under Oregon law. Oregon animal, and the trust should be drafted to survive you. If you wish to memorialize had its own security at a cost of $100,000 law does, however, allow the creation of include specific instructions on how the this arrangement in your estate planning per year! a pet trust. In creating the trust, the pet funds should be applied toward that care. documents, it is good to have an attorney While most of us do not have those owner names a trustworthy caregiver as The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) review any written declaration. resources to commit, responsible pet the animal’s recipient and leaves a sum of offers a related program called “Friends Alissa M. Weaver owners do want to make sure that, in the money to provide for the animal’s care. Forever,” which houses surviving pets when 541-890-0147

Have you seen the Gater’s online calendar? www.applegater.org Send us your events to post online! [email protected] Applegater Spring 2013 21

MY OPINION FROM BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR No man’s land by chris bratt

One day, 25 years ago, I said treatment (slavery) of and local government People are something I thought would be humorous native people by foreign bodies have exclusive also concerned about our family owning more Applegate invaders corrupted the The individual authority to make, with a host of property than the deed to our land more collective land- property rights interpret and apply the environmental recognized. On that occasion, I was ownership and social laws that decide who problems like Chris Bratt walking on our property with two of my systems already present we glorify in owns the land and who climate change, clean air and water and young nephews whose mother is a person in the Americas. America today doesn’t. These laws are private ownership of the genes in our of native Latin-American origin. At one I empathize with enforced by local police bodies, the seeds we plant for food and point on our walk, we came to an opening my nephews’ feelings were not meant or the army to make sure the ability to patent all forms of life, to in the forest and could easily observe the and agree in large part for use by the they are obeyed. name a few. demarcation line between our young forest with their historic view The more Many multinational corporations trees and the old-growth trees on the public of how other nations original native traditional and Native in our country are now richer and more lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land gained possession of the peoples or American values that powerful than other industrialized nations, Management (BLM). After pointing out lands and resources in slaves. cherish nature, families, yet about one half of the people in America the joint property line, I casually stated that both North and South communities and a more are living below the poverty line. Still, our I owned all the BLM property, too, since America. The settling of collective ownership of only answer to our nation’s and peoples’ it was public land and I was part of the our own country is not the earth are rapidly problems is to continue on with the same public. At that time, neither of the young a pretty picture either. being eroded even economic fantasies that got us into this men commented on or questioned my jest, Much of our past treatment of Native further. We are not only trying to privatize predicament. and I forgot the whole event. Americans or Africans is appalling. This more public land, but wealthy interests are Though there are no easy answers A few years later when my nephews is especially true regarding the conquest exerting private control over our entire to all the problems and dilemmas we are were grown men and visiting us again, they of Native American lands and installing economy as well. Even in the midst of a facing, one logical solution is to change the reminded me of the previous statements I individual land ownership by federal or floundering global economic system our present economic system into one that has had made about owning all the surrounding state government decree along with the “job creators” can’t imagine supporting more state-owned enterprises, especially on lands. But this time around, they didn’t enslavement of large numbers of people any publicly owned enterprises. We public land and resources. We have many remain silent and argued that neither I nor from Africa. The individual property seem to have no intention of changing good examples of public enterprise already the BLM really had any valid rights to the rights we glorify in America today were our institutions to better equalize the working in America and they need to be lands we were each claiming. not meant for use by the original native distribution of our nation’s wealth and expanded. Their belief was that there is no law peoples or slaves. natural resources to make a good life The first peoples living in our country of nature giving me or the BLM exclusive Presently, the system of land use for everyone. Our country would rather had the good sense to recognize that authority over these lands that would allow and ownership we embrace in America continue the narrow thinking and poor human survival rested on being good us to disregard any use or claims by all continues to be dominated by a privileged political, social and economic ideologies stewards of the land and sharing the wealth other people in the world. In addition, they class of wealthy politicians, individuals that have resulted in a series of tragic that nature provided. It’s time for us to reminded me that most of both North and and corporations (which by law now events. take up their philosophy in earnest and use South America’s landmasses were acquired are considered “persons”) that favor Extensive bank failures and our participatory democracy to make the under very questionable circumstances: elevated individual property rights over foreclosures on homeowners, faltering necessary changes to secure a decent future some by direct expropriation of our first other kinds of public or common land consumerism, low wages and lost jobs have for our children and country. Let’s create Americans’ lands, and the rest through ownership rights. This private ownership put us and many other parts of the world an economic system we can all believe in. conquest, wars, treaties or land purchases of land and other resources is managed into another deep recession. More and Let me know your ideas. from other imposing nations. This forced through a hodgepodge system of laws, more people around the world are feeling Chris Bratt land acquisition and the resulting inhumane practices, rules and orders. Federal, state the effects of this greedy economic system. 541-846-6988

Last year the Sap tap wrap work of carrying sap through the forest in by laird funk buckets got old fast “We may know more about teenagers During the first run in the beginning so this year we tried than we do these maple trees!” That quote of January, the trees, assisted by nine inches using our tractor from a British Columbia parent and bigleaf of rain in December and the preferable loader bucket to maple syrup maker may just sum up this temperature range of 28 degrees for a low carry the collecting season so far for “sapsuckers.” Just as the and 48 degrees for a high, gave flows in the buckets, but found trees gave up sap like we thought they were range of 17 to 19 gallons per day total from it a bit cumbersome supposed to, things changed. Instead of the 28 spiles for five days. Fortunately the flow in the woods. Then reliable flows coming with only a freezing/ slowed in time so I wasn’t overwhelmed I tried using our thaw cycle, some trees kept flowing even by the required boiling off. This contrasts lawn tractor with when they weren’t “supposed” to during with last January when we had received the mowing deck a rain. Some gave flow when it was “too much less rain and much less sap, often removed to tow a cold” for it, and some kept flowing when just a quart per day. The sugar level was small trailer that nearly the same overall as last year, so we I found one day it got “too warm.” But most importantly, Sapsucker Laird Funk and his free lawn tractor collect gallon jugs of driving back from we got enough sap to finish off about three ended up with more syrup. maple sap for boiling down to delicious homemade syrup. quarts of syrup from the January cycle A tapper in Williams Valley had town. I was driving and, if February cooperates, we will likely similar flows from his creekside grove, along thinking I needed a lawn tractor- give you great-tasting homemade syrup for double that by the season’s end. with many trees filling a gallon jug per day. trailer to haul my collecting gear through your waffles, pancakes and other cooking Some Applegater readers may recall Those with water at their feet did the best the woods when, behold, there was one uses that you can’t get anywhere else! that the process here is a bit different from with those on higher ground giving less or leaned up against a roadside tree with a If you want to try your hand at the classic picture we have in our heads of none at all. This tapper experienced the “Free” sign on it! A couple inner tubes tapping, you can get a spile and tube set a covered bucket hanging from a spile to other side of a successful harvest. When later and I was equipped! It is almost for about $1.89 from an outfit called catch the sap dripping from it. These days syrup is approaching the finish sugar perfect and makes the hauling work much mapleguys.com. I found out they can most folks doing bigleaf maple syrup drill levels, it is very easy to misjudge the syrup more pleasant. sell you supplies cheaper than I could so I a hole as always, going about 2-1/2” into and suddenly you have charcoal instead I used propane again this year to recommend them. For guidance, I greatly the trunk with a slight upward angle, but of maple syrup! He was horrified to see power the evaporator on my outdoor recommend the book that Gary Backlund then instead of the cast metal spile they the results: a charcoal black crust, along kitchen range and was happy the price was and his daughter Katherine wrote titled insert a molded plastic one shaped to attach with the mineral precipitate from syrup 20% cheaper than last year. The figures for Bigleaf Sugaring: Tapping the western maple. a tube leading to a sealed collection jug. making, covered the entire evaporator my first run are 55 gallons of sap into the It gives a thorough introduction to the craft Tappers in this part of Oregon find that surface. It took muriatic acid to clean the evaporator and .55 gallons of syrup out and you can get one by emailing Gary at clean one-gallon milk jugs make handy stainless steel, but it cleaned up in time using 10 gallons of propane. While there Bigleaf Maple ([email protected]). You containers requiring only a hole drilled for the second short flow. But according are various methods of estimating syrup can also, of course, call me for advice and in the lid to take the tube. Tappers on to my friend and mentor Gary Backlund production using sap volumes, the ratio encouragement. Vancouver Island need bigger containers on Vancouver Island, you really aren’t a here seems to hold at a 1% syrup return by Okay, all for now. Back to tapping! because their flows can approach 19 liters true “sapsucker” until you’ve burned at volume of sap going in. That is less than Laird Funk • 541-846-6759 per day per spile! least one batch. the return from sugar maples, but it does [email protected] 22 Spring 2013 Applegater

Cantrall-Buckley Park NEWS

The Cantrall-Buckley Park We have also discussed placing some form was tree damage, and some trees have fallen project can contribute to a higher ranking Committee continues to work on the of barrier or screen below the road on the into the river. With only the park manager on grant applications. Refreshments will playground improvement plan and has uphill side of the play area to discourage on duty, it is impossible for the park to get be served, or bring your lunch and have a made tentative choices for new equipment. children from getting too close to the cleaned up. nice picnic after the cleanup. This will be The playground is not currently American road and to give drivers a visual barrier. A community cleanup day at the park a fun and rewarding time, and an excellent Disabilities Act (ADA) approved, and we Items that are deemed unsafe by today’s is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, from contribution to your community. We hope are trying to include an area for ADA playground standards need to be repaired 9 am to 12 noon. Volunteers are asked to see you at the cleanup on March 23. accessibility in the plan. This area could or removed. We plan to add new picnic to bring their own equipment—gloves, The park committee is looking be used by all children, including those tables and replace two benches currently in brooms, blowers, rakes, shovels, rakes, forward to Applegate Valley Days, with physical limitations. There are many need of repair. Getting everything to fit in pruners—with the plan of getting the road, Saturday, June 22. This year’s event, to be aspects to our improvement plan beyond the existing footprint of the play area will parking areas and picnic areas cleaned up. held one day only, will have free parking selection and purchase of the playground require good planning and a little magic. This is an event for all ages; if students need and no admission charge. Watch for equipment. We need to remove some Serious outdoor cleanup was needed credit for community service in school, this details on www.applegatevalleydays.org existing structures and older equipment. by many of us after the series of storms that will qualify. Community involvement in an and mark your calendars now for June A barrier will need to be constructed blew through the valley this winter. The event like this can help us get grant money 22. Come out to enjoy a day by the river. around most of the play area to contain park is no exception, and there is a lot of to fund improvements like the playground, Pat Randall • 541-646-8022 new soft-fall material in the playground. tree debris on the road and ground. There as donation of community time on a [email protected] Applegate trails: Strengthening our after illness. You can enjoy the fresh leaves points along the Applegate Ridge Trail consumed as cooked greens in soup and in (pending Title II funding) bonds with wild plants dried form as tea or ground into powder • Continue to refine the on-the-ground to be added to foods. As an astringent, location of the Applegate Ridge Trail by michelle lafave nettle tea helps with internal bleeding • Offer Applegate Trails Association group Snow drips from the trees and the they are high in iron, calcium, and vitamins and clears congestion. (Moore, 2003) As hikes for 2013 frosted ground crunches beneath my C, D, and K. Meeting and familiarizing a diuretic, nettle tea or juice cleanses the • Collaborate on trail maintenance at boots. I love winter hiking because I don’t yourself with your plant allies in person blood, thus providing an aid in arthritis Cantrall-Buckley Park get overheated. The air is crisp and fresh. is a key part of long-term wellness, not and skin conditions as it rids the body of • Coordinate with the Bureau of Land I rejoice in hearing the music of the forest. only for individuals, but also for assuring toxins. (Moore, 1993) Throughout the Management to identify existing and But alas, the harmony of the winter the survival of natural, wild medicines. northern hemisphere, nettles have long potential nonmotorized trails for protection forest is disturbed by coughs and sneezes. Strengthening our bonds with wild plants been regarded as a cleansing spring tonic. • Host fund-raising dinner/campout at Fear not, noble hiker, your deep breaths is a way of solidifying our commitment to Remember the ethics of wildcrafting. Jackson Campground in September 2013 will return in no time if you embrace the future health, for what we know and love, Do no harm. Take only what you need Look for our schedule of upcoming natural healing wonders of the living plant we protect. and leave plenty for the animals. Offer the hikes on www.applegatetrails.org. world. Call their names with reverence as Stinging nettle (Urtica spp.) is earth something in return such as a prayer Michelle LaFave you encounter them on the trail: usnea, typically found near water and boggy areas. or small natural gift. Protect the gift of Board Member Oregon grape, elderberry, nettles, coltsfoot, Nettles grow in large stands, composed natural medicine by working to keep our Applegate Trails Association not to mention yerba santa and beloved of single stalk, stinger-bearing specimens forests healthy and whole. [email protected] osha. bearing dark green leaves. Handle raw If you are interested in promoting References: You may have a bottle of elderberry nettles with gloves! Nettles concentrate nonmotorized trails, participating in forest Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants cough syrup on your shelf at home. minerals, especially in the roots, and so education projects, or learning more about of the Mountain West. Santa Fe, NM: Mothers may have tasted dried nettles in should never be harvested near old mines, native forests, please join the Applegate Museum of New Mexico Press, 2003. their pregnancy teas. However, nothing agricultural sites, or roadways. Their Trails Association. We have a number of Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of compares to the nourishment of fresh high mineral concentration makes them great ongoing projects: the Pacific West. Santa Fe, NM: Red Crane nettles stewed lightly as a spring tonic— an excellent nutritional for recuperation • Develop trailheads at six key access Books, 1993. Where is the trail? Applegate Trails Association Do you know of a trail on public lands and are you are willing to share guided spring hikes The Applegate Trails Association and from there we carpool to the trailhead, that knowledge? For those who live near Bureau of Land Management (ATA) will host a beautiful off-trail hike a 20-minute drive up Forest Creek. The (BLM) land, this hiking trail may be an easy walk right over your property in April and an easier flower-filled hike out and back hike is rated moderate (about boundary. There are other trails that have grown over in places enough to in May, both on the Applegate Ridge two-and-a-half miles). A second hike leader make them difficult to find. BLM is in the process of creating a new Resource Trail (ART). ATA is looking forward to will offer an alternate thru-hike down Management Plan (RMP), which will be their guide for the next ten years or seeing familiar faces and making new into the proposed 6,000-acre Wellington more. Although you may be hesitant to tell BLM about your “secret” trail, acquaintances as we celebrate our third wildlands. This longer trek (approximately allowing the agency to document these user-created and sometimes historic hiking season together. four miles) is rated moderate to difficult trails improves the odds that that trail may be designated for nonmotorized Saturday, April 20. For our first due to the elevation changes and condition use. The alternative may see muscle-powered use trumped by off-highway outing we will explore the east ART, of the trail. which is located on the ridge north of An RSVP is always appreciated. vehicle (OHV) use. Generally, trails used regularly by motorcycles are not Bishop Creek between Sterling Creek Please contact hike leader David Calahan desirable for hikers and horses, and proper planning can help avoid conflict and Highway 238. We meet at 9 am at at 541-899-1226 or david@applegatetrails. between muscle-powered and fossil fuel users. the Bunny Meadows Staging Area (off org for details and sign-in. Remember to Please contact David Calahan at 541-899-1226 or david@ Highway 238 at the intersection of Forest wear sturdy footwear, appropriate clothing applegatetrails.org or any of the board members of the Applegate Trails Creek Road and Longanecker Road). From for the weather, and perhaps bring a hiking Association (ATA) to help relay your knowledge to BLM. Or you may there we will carpool to the trailhead. This stick for the uneven terrain. Please leave contact Dennis Byrd at Medford BLM at [email protected] with your off-trail hike is approximately five miles your pets at home. information. long and is rated moderate to difficult. The Check out our website at www. elevation gain and loss is over 1,000 feet. applegatetrails.org for individual hikes, and ATA is a nonprofit local organization formed to develop a system of Saturday, May 18. We will visit the stay tuned as ATA will be featuring more hiking, biking and equestrian trails in the Applegate Valley. Check out our flower-covered mountain meadows above hikes in 2013. website at www.applegatetrails.org and consider that our existence is helped Balls Branch, a tributary to Humbug Creek David Calahan • 541-899-1226 immensely by your donations. Thank you. and the Applegate River. We again meet at Chairman, Applegate Trails Association 9 am at the Bunny Meadows Staging Area, [email protected] Applegater Spring 2013 23 NEXT GENERATION Special arts programs at “Next Generation” features the talents of our local students. All schools in the Applegate Applegate School Valley are encouraged to submit art, writing, photography and any other creative pieces to [email protected]. While many changes have taken place over the years at Applegate School, an area we continue to focus on is the RUCH APPLEGATE arts. Within the walls of the classroom, students grow in confidence to feel SCHOOL SCHOOL positive about themselves and the outside world through personal expression. It is a I Am Poems The following statements are from world they can make their own, learning Applegate School 2/3 students about their tolerance and understanding of others I am a Ruch Cougar. music program taught by Warren Whistler while communicating in group settings. I wonder what will be waiting for me in and Alison Huber. Middle-school students enjoy a the future. visual-arts elective class that teaches I hear kids laughing on the playground. James: The best part of strings is that them basic art skills that enhance personal I see myself being successful in the future. you can learn very nice songs that I didn’t creativity. Recycled art is the current focus. I want little kids to look up to me in the know that you could play. And that when The first project is acrylic painting on future. you sing a song with Warren and Alison reclaimed vinyl records. Students learn art I am a Ruch Cougar. I’m always so alive. concepts and processes, then create their I imagine that I will inspire others in the own styles or designs. future. Conner: I love singing with Warren Thedrama elective is another area for Students use acrylic paint to turn old records I feel the mountain air blowing through because it is fun. They both do wonderful growing and learning together. It focuses into works of art. Student paintings by my hair. jobs. Warren and Alison are the best on the individual and develops for learning Gabe (top photo); and Nora (bottom photo). Photos by Mikell Nielsen. I touch the flowers on the hillside. teachers in the world. stage-setting skills, group organization and I worry about leaving. speaking confidence. The list goes on. The think of this as the art of balancing body I cry while thinking about the day it will Abi: I love singing with Warren production of a play is something students and mind. be time to leave. because they sing really good and then they can look at with pride, knowing everyone’s An art and nature after-school I am a Ruch Cougar. encourage kids and they have great music hard work has come together working as a program for fourth and fifth grades I understand the day will come and they are good. team. A drama production and a visual arts offers an introduction to drawing and I say great things will happen soon display are scheduled every spring. other mediums. (Fourth- and fifth-grade I dream that I won’t have to leave Carlen: I love singing with Warren The tech elective exposes students homeschool students are welcome to I try to tell my friends it will be okay. because I love singing but never do sing. to the world of computer-based art skills. participate.) This program also focuses I hope great things will happen in the I love the songs so much. They are the Creating designs, taking apart computers, on the art of simple gardening skills in our future. best and really fun to sing. It helps you learning about the functions of the parts, butterfly gardens and greenhouse as well I am a Ruch Cougar. wake up. The best part of strings is that and applying other technological skills to as outdoor art with nature and wildflower Saige Bostwick, Grade 7 you get to learn to play the coolest songs the visual arts can prepare students for the walks. z by yourself and maybe even be like my ever-changing world of technology. Art demonstrations and teaching big brothers. Warren is so lucky to have a I am a Proud Ruch Cougar! Our intramural sports elective for the art electives are encouraged and friend like Alison. I wonder why someone wouldn’t come offers physical activity in a team-building welcomed. Whole-school programs can out to Ruch? atmosphere. As students learn a variety of also be arranged. If you are interested in Coral: The best part of strings is I hear the School bell ring. I’m excited to outdoor and indoor games, they expand participating, please contact Applegate being able to play the guitar and learn how learn! their sense of their physical limits. We School at 541-846-6280. to play it. It makes me feel happy inside. I see great teachers and a awesome campus! And I love music so learning how to play I want more students to come join us. Applegate School music program the guitar is good. I am a proud Ruch cougar! Beyond the red brick building you see I imagine Ruch’s future. Natalia: I love singing with Warren on the hill as you drive on Highway 238 in I feel myself learning every day. because Warren and Alison always Applegate is a world filled with the sound I touch my future through my friends. encourage us to be ourselves. I barely of music. The music program at Applegate I connect with my peers. ever get to sing with people. It makes me School was started and is still supported by I cry when my classmates graduate. feel really happy to sing with other people. folks in our surrounding communities, and I am a proud Ruch Cougar. My two favorites are “Ghost Riders in the over the years, it has evolved from brass to I understand I will have to move on. Sky” and “Rocky Top.” a stringed instrument program. I say my time here was fantastic Students in third through eighth Local music teacher Warren Whistler leads the strings class at Applegate School. I dream of inspiring younger kids. Noah: I like strings because…I grades can elect to participate in learning Photo by Mikell Nielsen. I try to do my best. learned the violin and happy birthday and guitar and violin from local music teachers I hope to succeed a song I made up and “Stand by Me.” I’m Warren Whistler and Alison Huber. The learn lyrics to famous bluegrass songs. The I am a Proud Ruch Cougar! going to play the guitar. My whole life I students learn a long list of songs and children’s sweet young voices fill the room Ryan Beck, Grade 7 bet I am going to be on the radio. I bet it perform them at school functions. The as they learn how to sing these songs to the z is going to be fun. stringed instrument group puts together guitar and fiddle. Their enthusiasm puts a I am a Ruch Cougar! a special evening show that usually takes smile on your face. It is truly a welcoming I wonder about ways to skate by my Soren: I love singing because Warren place in the spring. There are beginning, and positive start to a new day of learning. competitors, lets us learn how to play the guitar. Warren intermediate and advanced level groups In addition to musical opportunities, I hear the gravel crunch underfoot. and Alison are awesome at their jobs. I can of musicians who perform separately the 4/5-grade class welcomes a volunteer I see nothing but the finish line. listen to them all day all night even a year. and sometimes together. Some students who teaches them to sing traditional I want to be the best that I can be. That’s how good they are. have opportunities to entertain with their American songs. They perform with I am a Ruch Cougar! singing skills or perform as a small group. other elementary-grade students from I pretend that nothing is more important. Taj: I love singing with Warren More advanced students have been known surrounding schools at the Grants Pass I feel my energy coursing through my because it’s nice and beautiful to my heart. to plug in their electric guitars and play High School Performing Arts Center in veins. rock solos for the audience. Sometimes a singing program called Get America I touch my fate. Sofi Hart (now in 9th grade): From percussion is added to the performance. Singing. This program takes place in I worry of things getting in my way. the excitement of learning my first song in With a mix of bluegrass and Americana, spring, and the students travel by bus to I cry for nothing but this. third grade and the sadness when I learned it is a not-to-miss show to witness these sing for the day. I am a Ruch Cougar! my last song in eighth grade, each week it young performers fill the house with music. There is much excitement on strings I understand you can never be perfect. was something I looked forward to and Learning to play musical instruments day with many guitars and violins being I say never give up and have fun at something I still miss. can develop positive attitudes, behavior carried to school, then back home with whatever you do. and habits. Children in third through the students for weekly practice. It is very I dream of a confident future. Arek Rein Jungwirth (now in 11th fifth grades begin lessons that take them comforting knowing these children are I try for success. grade): Warren Whistler’s strings program to advanced levels by the time they reach excited and involved in a skill that will be I hope I can inspire all people. has touched the lives of countless students, middle school. a positive point in their lives as years go by. I am a Ruch Cougar! including my own. I still play guitar on This year we began a program that We are very grateful for our music Drew Raby, Grade 7 a daily basis—a passion that will last for takes place on “Strings Day” where Warren program that enriches the learning a lifetime. Most importantly, however, and Alison visit the K/1 and 2/3 classes experience for our students at Applegate Submitted by learning music at an early age has greatly and teach them to sing bluegrass and folk School. Julie Hill, Principal, Ruch School improved my success in other academic songs. The K/1 class dances happily around Linda Kappen • 541-846-6280 541-842-3850 areas, and inspired me to consider various their classroom while listening to music Schoolwide Education Assistant [email protected] music-related careers. played by the duo. In the 2/3 class, students Applegate School 24 Spring 2013 Applegater

Look who’s reading the Gater Take us with you on your next trip. Then send your favorite “Reading the Gater” photo to [email protected] or mail to Applegater, P.O. Box 14, Jacksonville, OR 97530. Photos will appear as space allows.

Photos, top row from left: —Barbara Summerhawk at Mount Fugi Sky Asagiri Paragliding Club in Japan with her latest Applegater delivered by carrier pigeon. —Jim Clover, Hope Robertson, Neal Anderson and Annette Parsons brush up on the latest gardening tips in the Gater to impress the folks at the botanical gardens near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. —Jackson County Integrated Fuels Committee members study Keep those articles, letters, opinions the Applegater to determine its fire-starting and “Reading the Gater” photos capabilities. coming in. Photo, bottom left: You are the Gater! — In Papua, New Guinea, Tom and Cathy The Applegater Staff Carstens check the Gater’s want ads to see if and Board there is a demand for freshly shrunken heads in Oregon.