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

Photo by Virginia James Log on to our website: www.applegater.org WINTER 2013 Applegate Valley Community Newspaper Postal Patron Volume 6, No. 4 Serving Jackson and Josephine Counties — Circulation: 9,400

the repair operations. the repair and commenced work in the The McKee Bridge Board of Directors spring of this year. They expect to complete Almost there! recognized the need for an intensive that design work in the next few months fund-raising effort to raise the matching and after state review, the project is funds for the restoration grant. In 2012 expected to go out for bids in March or McKee Bridge Historical Society and 2013, board members Paul Tipton April 2014 with construction to be done and Dale Petrasek attended the Oregon between June and October. Nonprofit Leadership Conference in We’re almost there! We still need receives two grants Medford, Oregon. They made contact about $10,000 for the approach repair, by robert van heuit with many charitable foundations. Paul which is not part of the grants. was able to assemble the grant applications If you feel moved to help get us The McKee Bridge Historical with the commitment of MBHS to raise we sent to Kinsman, Preserve Oregon and over this last hurdle, please send your Society (MBHS) received two grants in the matching funds. With the two grants ESCO. Obviously, he did a terrific job contributions to McKee Bridge Historical October 2013: $10,000 from the Kinsman noted recently received and generous writing the grant applications since two are Society, P. O. Box 854, Jacksonville, OR Foundation and $20,000 for a Preserving contributions by supporters of McKee already approved and a third is pending. 97530. Oregon grant from the State Historic Bridge, we have raised almost $50,000. We We all thank Paul for his hard work and Thank you for your support. Preservation Office. have also applied for a grant from ESCO successful effort. Applegaters are the greatest! To restore McKee Bridge, the MBHS Foundation for $10,000. In January of this year, $12,000 Robert Van Heuit still needed to raise $56,200 in matching In addition to the matching funds, we was sent to the county to be used as President funds for a restoration federal grant that need an estimated $10,000 to repair the matching funds for the engineering phase McKee Bridge Historical Society was awarded to Jackson County in August western approach to the bridge so it will of the work. Oregon Bridge Engineering 541-899-2927 2012. Jackson County accepted the grant safely support a large crane needed during Company (OBEC) was selected to design [email protected] Election results Notes from a Rogue entomologist Thank you from the There’s a new Applegate Valley Fire District stink bug in town On behalf of the Board of Directors Our job is made easier by the caliber of Applegate Valley Fire District #9, I of the fire chief, staff and volunteers. by RICHARD J. HILTON would like to thank the volunteers, the As a team, they provide the expertise, Discovering a staff and, most importantly, the voters, dedication and time to make this the finest new insect species for the successful passing of our recent fire district any community could ask for! in a region can be operating levy. Thank you for supporting your exciting, but when The passing of the levy indicates that district with your vote. We will continue to the insect is an you, the public, understand the need and provide the best service possible and spend exotic pest species, are willing to support your fire district, your tax dollars wisely. the knowledge of not only with your time but with your tax Ed Temple the damage that dollars. Your fire district board takes the President can follow quickly responsibility of overseeing the district very Board of Directors turns excitement seriously and strives to make sure your tax Applegate Valley Fire District #9 into action. In dollars are well spent. 541-899-1050 some select cases, an exotic pest can be eradicated. This happened The brown marmorated stink bug, an exotic pest recently found in our just recently in region. Photo: purdue.edu/newsroom (John Obermeyer). Cave Junction, where Japanese beetles were discovered. discovered in the Napa Valley in 2009. Japanese beetles are serious pests of turf, Unfortunately, by the time the California ornamentals, and many crops throughout infestation was discovered the affected area the East and Midwest. In this instance was already large. Due to the importance the introduction was traced to a location of grapes and the potential negative impact where new arrivals from an infested area of this pest, a massive trapping and control had brought in potted plants with larval effort was initiated. Over 100,000 moths beetle grubs in the soil. Luckily the were trapped in the Napa Valley in 2010, infestation was caught at an early stage and moths were found in 11 counties in and good trapping and control methods California. However, in 2012, following a were available allowing the eradication to concerted program of quarantine, control, be successful. After two years of multiple and trapping, only 77 moths were trapped, treatments, the beetle population appears and only in Napa County. This year, there to have been eliminated entirely. are over 11,000 traps deployed in Napa Another insect-eradication effort of County; as of mid-summer, just 36 moths local interest is underway in Northern had been caught. Applegate Valley Fire District Board of Directors and committee members celebrate California. The European grapevine moth, It would be quite remarkable if this the passing of the fire district’s levy on election night. Photo: Brad Barnes. a major pest of grapes in Europe, was See STINK BUG, page 10 INSIDE THE GATER Local art from the soul—Gypsy Soul...... page 12 Fuel-reduction assistance grants available...... page 14 Three artists take their art in new directions...... page 13 Poisoned marijuana grows silencing forests...... page 20 2 Winter 2013 Applegater emerge completely transformed The making of my moth doll with wings. Moths also seek out the light, which is what this doll by rachel myren is all about! It was in mid December One day, about five months on a dull gray day when the into her making, it came to me question came to me, “What that her name was to be Harken, do I really want?” This idea which in Old English means to of what I wanted was new actively listen. As it turns out, territory for me. What stirred Harken is a woman who is in in me was that I wanted to the process of morphing into a make a doll! moth. She is aware of something So, I set aside my changing within her. She can irrational fears and garnered sense the emerging wings, the up the courage to just start antennae and even the thorax, this doll having no idea what but she is not able to see any of was to come of it. I started these changes because they are with the head. Once it was happening behind and above her. stuffed, I needle-sculpted the From the front, Harken is dull in facial features. I then held color, much like a moth’s body, this little muslin doll head in but from the back there are bright the palm of my hand. In that colors emerging on her wings. very sweet moment, “she” Harken’s transformation took seamstress Harken’s upward expression is told me she “wanted to be a Rachel Myren around 200 hours to complete. listening attentively to gain an moth!” I thought to myself, understanding of what she is to “a moth… really? What kind through the lace indicating that she is still do with these emerging, brightly colored of moth? And, why a moth?” changing. Moths also often have dull- “gifts,” her newly changing life form. Clearly, this doll knew what colored, furry bodies. I “just happened” to To finish, I gave her a single teardrop she needed to become and I find the perfectly colored taupe fur for her on her necklace, which represents the had been chosen to create her. thighs, bottom and back on either side of bitter-sweetness of sloughing off the old It felt like such an honor! I her newly emerging wings. Her “petticoat” and the taking on of the new. Change is realized my role in this project is made of white fluffy feathers, which rarely easy. was to listen and to trust. In implies lightness and coming flight. For Doll-making can be a powerful and a vague way this felt exciting to me in the I knew, was an inner personal resistance. her hair I found the perfect combination personally transformative journey. The fact dull of winter. These wings represented a profoundly of taupe and teal twisted together, which I is that the doll is me. Like a moth that For months she sat on my worktable transformed state. Something was also fashioned into pigtails of youthful-looking is so often not noticed, my life has been in varying stages of development and going on inside myself. I, too, was being looped braids. Somehow they reflect the largely consumed by invisible work that frequently my sewing clients would ask, transformed by this process. newness of her emerging condition. Due is noticed only when it is not yet done. “What is she going to look like when she Insects have an exoskeleton made of to the imbalance created by the heavy Harken represents the transformation I is done?” I had no idea! It was as if she chitin so I represented these tiny scales on glass beading on the backs of her wings, am experiencing at what I call my mid- was unfolding in my hands, little by little the limbs with the appliqued dull lace over I had to add three fishing weights inside life upheaval. I’m glad that I accepted the as I worked on her. I had lots of resistance the sheen of the iridescent silk dupioni her bottom. A little grounding is not a inner challenge to listen and create Harken when it came to making the wings. This, fabric. Her forearms have skin showing bad idea! for she seemed to know what she needed The question that most often came to become. up was, “Why a moth and not a beautiful Now, after nine months, Harken butterfly?” My answer was that moths is finally complete. She continues her Docile moth provides photo ops are comparatively unnoticed. We marvel harkening—gently reminding me to sit over butterflies and their graceful beauty. still, quiet my thoughts, actively listen and by linda kappen Moths are not thought of as beautiful, to trust in this sometimes daunting inner The second largest but they are if you really look closely. process of mid-life upheaval. and one of the most Both moths and butterflies go through a Rachel Myren recognizable insect significant metamorphosis entering into 541-846-0431 orders in the world is a still, chrysalis-like state, alone, to later [email protected] Lepidoptera, which includes butterflies and moths. Moths make up the largest number Diana Coogle joins the in this order. There are 150,000 to 250,000 Applegater Board of Directors species of moths with more still to be Diana Coogle, long-time Applegate described by scientists. denizen and writer, has joined the The United States Applegater Board of Directors. Jumping has around 11,000 Pacific Green Sphinx Moth found at Applegate School. in with both feet, she also wrote a story moth species, and in Photo: Linda Kappen. for this issue about some talented local southwestern Oregon artisans. alone there are 1,000 known species. moths were observed under porch lights at After growing up in Georgia and The Pacific Green Sphinx Moth the school. There are many similar habitats studying at Cambridge University as a (Proserpinus lucidus, formerly known as in our area and it is worth a search on your Marshall Scholar, Diana moved to an Arctonotus lucidus) is of the Sphingidae porch to see the heart-shaped designs, Applegate mountainside where she lived family that includes a majority of the bright olive-green color with rosy-pink and without electricity, closer to neighbors in moth species. Its range is in the Pacific light-brown lined markings. nature than to human neighbors, teaching Northwest. This moth with its docile nature will part-time at Rogue Community College This moth is on the wing very early in let you photograph and observe it for a (RCC) and writing commentaries for The Applegater board is that much stronger the season from mid January to April. In long period of time. Observing moths can Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), happily half with the addition of Diana Coogle. southwestern Oregon the habitats for this be fun with their diversity of shapes, sizes, a hermit, for more than 35 years. In 2006 species are oak woodlands or chaparral and colors, and fascinating patterns. she began a weekly commute to Eugene to from the Dragon’s Tongue (an Oregon Book mixed grasslands. More information about moths can pursue a PhD in English and to teach at Award finalist), Living with All My Senses: In the caterpillar stage, food plants are be found at the PNW Moths website the University of Oregon. 25 Years of Life on the Mountain, and An evening primrose (Oenothera dentata var. (pnwmoths.biol.wwu.edu) and Butterflies During graduate-school years she Explosion of Stars. In addition, with Janeen campestris) and clarkias. Some sources say and Moths of North America website acquired a wonderful granddaughter and a Sathre, she has published Favorite Hikes this moth does not feed as an adult; others (butterfliesandmoths.org). new house (on her same land) designed by of the Applegate: A Trail Guide with Stories say it feeds on flower nectar. Linda Kappen her son, where she now lives, still happily, and Histories. At night you may see males of this [email protected] with common electrical conveniences. Besides her many years as an species attracted to light. This beautiful Ed. Note: Linda Kappen earned a naturalist After graduating in 2012, she is home Applegater, Diana brings to the Applegater Pacific Green Sphinx Moth (see photo) was certification from Siskiyou Field Institute full-time, continuing teaching at RCC board her past experience on other boards found at Applegate School one evening (SFI) and has hosted a two-day butterfly/ and writing. Diana has published three along with journalism and writing during February 2010. Last winter several moth course there. books of selected JPR commentaries: Fire expertise. Applegater Winter 2013 3

WHO WE ARE The Applegate Valley Community A huge THANKS to the generous donors Newspaper, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to who contributed to the Applegater. the publication of the Applegater newspaper, which, we feel, reflects SUSTAINERS Jack Christman & Lisa Baldwin, Russ & Maureen Smith, Jacksonville, OR the heart and soul of our community. Chris Kane & Stan Long, Murphy, OR Grants Pass, OR Peter Dittler & Barbara Sommers, Douglas Clarke, Spring Creek, NV Grants Pass, OR Our Mission CONTRIBUTORS Hope Robertson & Neal Anderson, Kaye Clayton, Jacksonville, OR Jeanette Stobie, Applegate, OR The nonprofit Applegate Valley Jacksonville, OR Bill & Marion Collins, Gold Hill, OR Talya Tapper, Deephaven, MN Community Newspaper, Inc. (AVCN), Christopher Bratt, Jacksonville, OR Dennis & Barbara Crawford, John & Joy Taylor, Grants Pass, OR provides the many rural and diverse Patricia Kellogg, Grants Pass, OR Williams, OR Marilyn Terry, Williams, OR communities of the Applegate Watershed Joan Peterson, Jacksonville, OR Marvin & Eve Crawford, Jacksonville, OR Janice Thornquest, Murphy, OR with a communications vehicle, the Bill Crooks, Grants Pass, OR Paul & Janis Tipton, Applegate, OR Applegater newspaper, free of charge Maggie Purves, Grants Pass, OR to all watershed residents. Our quarterly Drummond & Deborah Rennie, Claire & Hilkka Egtvedt, Mukilteo, WA Patrick & Cindy Traynor, Wilderville,OR paper presents constructive, relevant, Jacksonville, OR Bonnie Fine, Grants Pass, OR Mike & Rhonda Updike, Jacksonville, OR educational and entertaining reports SUPPORTERS Judy Fitzgerald, Rogue River, OR on a wide variety of subjects such as: Arthur Colton & Kristi Cowles, R. Fossen, Jacksonville, OR Help us ensure that we have the ongoing n natural resources Jacksonville, OR Richard & Thelma Goodnough, support needed to publish the Applegater. n ecology and other Judy Crowe, Grants Pass, OR Jacksonville, OR All contributors receive recognition in the science information Conny & Walter Lindley, Williams, OR Glen Gourley, Jacksonville, OR Applegater each issue. n historical and current events Daniel Newberry & Caroline Spear, Jeanne Hammer, Jacksonville, OR Patron - over $1000 n community news and opinions Jacksonville, OR David Hangartner, Jacksonville, OR Pavo Real Vineyard, Jacksonville, OR Katherine Harris, Talent, OR Sustainer $501 - $1000 AVCN encourages and publishes John & Bonnie Rinaldi, Jacksonville, OR Ronald Harten, Jacksonville, OR Contributor $201 - $500 differing viewpoints and, through the Dan & Janeen Sathre, Jacksonville, OR Bryan & Jenny Hunter, Williams, OR Supporter $51 - $200 Applegater newspaper, acts as a T. Kasza, Grants Pass, OR Sponsor $5 - $50 clearinghouse for this diverse community. Robert & Bonnie Shaw, Grants Pass. OR We are dedicated to working together Tom Toevs, Grants Pass, OR Louise Klein, Jacksonville, OR Tax-deductible donations are greatly with community members to maintain SPONSORS The Kliewer Family, Williams, OR appreciated. Please make your checks and enhance the quality of life that is Steve Armitage, Ashland, OR Dolores & Gary Lisman, Jacksonville, OR payable to Applegater Newspaper and unique to the Applegate Watershed. Jim Backes, Jacksonville, OR Richard & Ann Mikula, Jacksonville, OR mail to: Chuck & Donna Baird, Applegate, OR Rachel Myren, Applegate, OR Acknowledgements Applegater Barker-Cheney, Jacksonville, OR Barbara Nelson, Williams, OR P.O. Box 14 The Applegater Newspaper is Janis Bogdanovich, Williams, OR Louise Nicholson, Applegate, OR Jacksonville, OR 97530 published quarterly by the Applegate Sylvia Bolton, Jacksonville, OR Carole Ramsey, Williams, OR Donors: We strive to ensure our donor Valley Community Newspaper, Inc., and is Cheryl Bruner, Williams, OR Fred & Marci Saunders, Grants Pass, OR funded by donations from our loyal readers Les Burgwardt, Henderson, NV Walt & Joyce Schmidt, Jacksonville, OR list is accurate. Please contact us if and advertisements for local businesses. Dorothy Butz, Williams, OR Strib & Sharon Schussman, there are errors or omissions. Special thanks to Diana Coogle, Jacksonville, OR Sue Maesen, Haley May, Margaret Tom & Cathy Carstens, Applegate, OR della Santina and Paul Tipton for copy editing; Kaye Clayton, P. R. Kellogg, Editorial Calendar Paul Tipton, and Debbie and Don Tollefson for proofing; Paula Rissler ISSUE DEADLINE FROM THE EDITOR and Rona Jones for bookkeeping; SPRING (March-May)...... February 1 and webmaster Joe Lavine. Commerce/Community Welcome to our Board of Directors winter holiday edition! Greeley Wells, Chairman SUMMER (June-Aug)...... May 1 Environment/Fire/ In the holiday spirit, we’ve packed this issue full of gift ideas Debbie Tollefson, Secretary for your special friends and loved ones—from unusual jewelry to Chris Bratt, Treasurer Recreation hearty winter plants. And we’ve highlighted just a few of the amazingly talented Diana Coogle FALL (Sept-Nov)...... August 1 Barbara Holiday Agriculture/Wine folks who live among us, along with their unique creations. Michael Riding We also welcome new board member Diana Coogle, who many of you know J.D. Rogers WINTER (Dec-Feb)...... November 1 not only from the many years she was an Applegater copy editor, but also through Don Tollefson Holiday/Arts her books and teachings. Diana will take on the copy-editor task once again, as well Editorial Committee as contribute articles (see page 13). Chris Bratt Personal mailing label! We are always looking for ways to improve the newspaper, so we’re reaching out Barbara Holiday, Editor One year: $14.99 to all our readers to complete a brief survey (see page 22). We want your opinions—this Rauno Perttu J.D. Rogers Two years: $24.99 is, after all, your newspaper. (The survey also can be filled out online at applegater.org.) Sandy Shaffer Mail us a check or pay online Thanks to all of you who sent in your donation envelope or donated online! Greeley Wells at www.applegater.org. We may have a strong and capable Board of Directors in place, but our financial All articles, stories, opinions and woes haven’t changed. We appreciate every donation, large and small. letters that appear in the Applegater Save the Date: A fun and different (for us) fund-raising event is in the initial are the opinion and property of the Winter masthead planning stages for February 23, 2014. More information is on page 6; updates will author, and not necessarily that of photo credit be posted on Facebook and Jo’s List. Stay tuned! the Applegater or the Applegate Virginia James of Williams captured A heartfelt thanks goes out to our readers, writers, donors, copy editors, Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. her beloved quarter horses, Schuyler proofers, mailing crew, webmaster, advertising representatives and all the volunteers PROTECTION OF and Scout, when they ventured out on a who keep the Applegater afloat. COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL decidedly winter day. Happy Holidays to all from the Applegater Board of Directors! The Applegater requires that Barbara Holiday any and all materials submitted for Photo Specs [email protected] publication be the intellectual property To be printable, all photos submitted P.S. Don’t forget to check our online calendar (applegater.org) for events all over of the author unless otherwise credited. must be high resolution (300 dpi) or “large southern Oregon. We also post events on our Facebook page. If you’d like your All articles submitted to the format” (e.g., 30” x 40”). event posted, email your information to us ([email protected]). Applegater are subject to edit at the newspaper’s discretion. Advertisers! Letters to the Editor cannot We can help you reach your What's Inside the Gater be more than 450 words. Opinion market. The Applegater is the only pieces and unsolicited articles cannot A journey of love for the Navajo Nation...... p. 5 exceed 600 words. Community newspaper covering the entire calendar submissions must be brief. Applegate Valley. Back in Time: My great-great Uncle Si McKee...... p. 6 With a circulation of 9,400 and Behind the Green Door: State of denial...... p. 21 All photos submitted must be high a readership of over 20,000, we cover resolution (300 dpi) or “large format” Jacksonville, Ruch, Applegate, Williams, Birdman: Bird cousins return in winter...... p. 11 (e.g., 30” x 40”). Any questions, email Murphy, Wilderville, Wonder, Jerome [email protected]. Prairie and areas of Medford and Grants Dirty Fingernails and All: It’s about thyme...... p. 8 Pass. Divide Camp update...... p. 5 All submissions for our next issue For more information, contact: must be received either at the address Jackson County—Valorie Tintinger Grape Talk: Major influences in vineyard development...... p. 17 or email below by the deadline. 541-450-2983 Opinion—River Right: Pinball rapids...... p. 19 Applegater c/o Applegate Valley [email protected] Community Newspaper, Inc. Josephine County—Aimee Mortensen Opinion—Wake up, southern Oregon! The wolf is among us...... p. 19 P.O. Box 14, Jacksonville, OR 97530 541-660-0900 Redefining ‘community’ in the Applegate...... p. 14 Email: [email protected] [email protected] The Starry Side: Never touch each other...... p. 7 Website: www.applegater.org Next deadline: February 1 4 Winter 2013 Applegater Community Calendar MOVIE & Alcoholics Anonymous. Open meeting every Friends of Ruch Library Board of Directors Wednesday at 7 am at the Williams meets on the first Thursday of each month at BOOK REVIEWS Community Church Fellowship Hall on 6:30 pm at Ruch Library. All are welcome. East Fork Road in Williams. This meeting is 541-899-7438. — Movie — open to those who have a drinking problem and have a desire to stop drinking, and Grants Pass Nordic Ski Club meets on the first Blue Jasmine also to anyone interested in the Alcoholics Thursday of the month, November through Reviewer rating: 3 Apples Anonymous program of recovery from April, at the Newman Methodist Church at (1 Apple—Don’t bother, 5 Apples—Don’t miss) drinking. 7th and B Streets in Grants Pass at 7 pm. Ski outings are on Saturdays. Listings are on the PG-13 (mature thematic material, language, sexual content); Comedy; 98 minutes American Association of University Women snow phone at 541-592-4977. Opened: July 2013 (AAUW) Grants Pass Branch meets monthly Cast: Cate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins, Alec Baldwin, Bobby Cannavale, from September through May. Days, times, Greater Applegate Community Development Peter Sarsgaard, Andrew Dice Clay and locations vary. All those who hold an Corporation meets the second Wednesday associate of arts, baccalaureate or higher of January, April, July and October at 6 Director/Writer: Woody Allen degree from an accredited college or university pm at Applegate Fire District Station 1, There are only so many traumatic experiences a person can handle. For this reason, are welcome to join. Contact Velma Woods 18489 North Applegate Road. For more I would not recommend this movie. At best, the film is a dreary depiction of a very at [email protected] or 541-956-5287, information, go to www.gacdc.org. sad, depressing, tragic and cruel (but true-to-life) story, yet it contains elements that or Marianne Dwyer at readandshop@yahoo. com or 541-479-4041. Visit our website at Josephine County Soil and Water Conservation make it very real and honest. Contrary to my opinion, this movie is noted for Oscar- http://aauwgrantspass.org and see us on District (SWCD) meets Thursdays at 6 pm. worthy components, including an outstanding performance by Cate Blanchett (a clear Facebook. For meeting information, call 541-474-6840. frontrunner for best actress), not to mention the exceptional portrayals by the other actors Applegate Christian Fellowship. For service Ruch Library is open Tuesday from 11 am to 5 as well. On the upside, you can’t go wrong with the story being set in San Francisco. times, call 541-899-8732 24 hours/day. pm, Thursday from 1 to 7 pm, and Saturday This movie centers around the trials and tribulations of Blanchett’s character as it relates from 12 to 4 pm. Storytime is Tuesday at 11 to the aftermath of the arrest of Bernie Madoff. Overall, this was a bit too much for me Applegate Fire District Board of Directors am. 7919 Highway 238. to regard as a likable film, but may be worth seeing for the performances alone. meets on the third Wednesday of each month at Station 1, 18489 North Applegate Sanctuary One is open to the public for farm Sharon Thompson Road at 7:30 pm, except for the months of tours every Wednesday and Saturday, 10:30 [email protected] March, April and May, which are held at am to noon. Minimum donation is $10. Ed. Note: The reviewer is an ardent moviegoer—often watching the same movie in the theater Headquarters, 1095 Upper Applegate Road. Reservations are required. Call 541-899- multiple times. For more information, call 541-899-1050. 8627 or email [email protected]. Applegate 4-H Swine Club meets on Tuesdays Southern Oregon Beekeepers Association meets — Books — following the third Wednesday of every the first Monday of each month at 7:30 pm at month at 7 pm. For more information, the OSU extension. For more information, Mink River contact Charles Elmore at 541-846-6528 or please contact [email protected]. Brian Doyle Barbara Niedermeyer at 541-846-7635. It’s way past time for me to write a review of a book about Oregon, by an Oregonian. T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Applegate Friends of Fire District #9 meets on Monday morning at Applegate Church, Brian Doyle’s novel Mink River (Oregon State University Press, 2010) is a rollicking the third Tuesday of each month at the Fire 18960 North Applegate Road (at the corner gritty story of a fictional town on the north Oregon coast. Library Journal compares it Station at 1095 Upper Applegate Road at 6 of Highway 238). Weigh-in starts at 8:30 am; to Faulkner. I cannot compare it to any book I have ever read. I, an English literature pm. New members are welcome. For more the meeting starts at 9:00 am. Come join us! information, call Bob Fischer 541-846-6218. major, and my husband, an engineer, both say it’s the best novel we have read in well Williams Creek Watershed Council Meetings: over a decade. For the literary types, Blake, and many other greats, are subtly quoted (or Applegate Library is open Tuesday and Friday fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at channeled?) throughout. There is a bit of compelling magical realism in the person—yes, from 2 to 6 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 the Williams Creek Fire Station. The Public person—of Moses, a talking, philosophizing crow. And there is a lifesaving bear. Rare pm. Storytime is Tuesday at 2:30 pm. 18485 is welcome. For more information, call 541- North Applegate Road. 846-9175. literacy, but contained in the solid backbone story of a wild, wet—so normal!—small Oregon coastal town with its dancingly naughty Irish humor, primal force Indians, Applegate Neighborhood Network (ANN) Williams Grange Pancake Breakfast, second wise old men, a good marriage with an artist wife going through a rough patch, a meets the last Wednesday of every month at Sunday of each month, 8:30 to 11 am, the Ruch Library. All interested persons are followed by the Bluegrass Jam, 11 am to 1 compassionate nun, drunks, cops, loggers, fishermen and a sassy sister. This book has welcome to attend. ANN is a community pm. Closed July and August. 20100 Williams standing-room-only hilarity and wisdom. organization dedicated to protecting, Highway near Tetherow Road. For more Speaking of standing room only, we have been twice to the Eugene library to hear preserving, and restoring the Applegate information, call 541-846-6844. Doyle speak, most recently in September, and the crowd was spilling out the door. He watershed. For more information about ANN, call Duane Bowman, 541-899-7264. Williams Grange #399 Business Meeting, tells hilarious stories of growing up in Brooklyn, in an Irish-Catholic family of six boys second Tuesday of each month, 7 pm. 20100 and one girl. That one sister became a Buddhist nun. His mom said she was happy to Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council Williams Highway near Tetherow Road. For have a nun in the family; it didn’t matter what brand. He also tells how he once got meets the fourth Thursday of the month at more information, call 541-846-6844. the Applegate Library. For more information into an argument with the Dalai Lama over whether basketball or soccer is the greatest call 541-899-9982. Williams Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday sport on earth. Doyle argued for basketball, the Dalai Lama for soccer. The argument and Saturday from 1 to 5 pm. Stories, crafts was interrupted before it could be resolved; however, the Dalai Lama promised they Applegate Valley Community Grange meets the and skill-sharing every Tuesday at 3:45 pm would pick up where they left off, in this lifetime or the next. The kicker is that Doyle second Sunday of each month for a potluck and Saturday at 2 pm. All ages welcome and a business meeting. Call 541-846-7501 at free programs by local volunteers. Free did not know it was the Dalai Lama he was arguing with. He told of sassing the world’s for times. 3901 Upper Applegate Road. Wi-Fi 24/7. 20100 Williams Highway near great spiritual leader with tough, brash New Yorkerisms such as, “Look, Pal, didn’t you Tetherow Road. For more information, call hear what I just said?” Applegate Valley Garden Club meets at 1:30 Danielle Schreck at 541-846-7020. I have heard some people grouse about the lengthy lists in Mink River. And in pm on the third Wednesday of the month from September through May. For meeting Williams Rural Fire Protection District meets Eugene, Doyle commented about similar complaints. He read parts of those lists, and locations and programs, call Sandra King at the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 pm in his fine voice the words—diverse bits of Oregon flora and fauna, sea and forest, roads 541-899-9027 or Betty Lou Smith at 541- at the Williams Fire Department. and highways, mothers and lovers, sinners and sicknesses—are pure poetry. Shards and 846-6817. Women Helping Other Women (WHOW) meets shreds. Words dance and sing in Mink River: “Rumor of cougar.” Food & Friends Senior Nutrition Program invites the second Tuesday of the month at 10036 Brian Doyle seems to take delight in the emailed criticism he receives. He read local seniors (60-plus) to enjoy a nutritious, Highway 238 (Gyda Lane) at 6:30 pm for a some of these, including the errors in spelling and grammar they contained, to the hot meal served at 11:30 am Monday through potluck meeting to plan work parties at each chortling delight of the Eugene audience. I should note that Brian Doyle is the editor Friday at the Jacksonville IOOF Hall at other’s homes. New members are welcome. the corner of Main and Oregon Streets. For more information, call Thalia Truesdell of the award-winning Portland Magazine at the University of Portland. For a small A donation is suggested and appreciated. at 541-899-8741 or Sioux Rogers at 541- taste of Doyle’s wonderful combination of hilarity and humanity, go to The Oregonian Volunteers help serve meals or deliver meals 846-7736. archives online and look for his essay, “On noticing a man reading my sprawling novel to homebound seniors. For information about volunteering (it takes 40 volunteers Wonder Neighborhood Watch meets the second on a train” (September 20, 2012). Two quotes from that: “I have been informed that to keep the Jacksonville program going) Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm, Wonder my book is brooding with death, that it is obsessed with breasts, that it is filled with or receiving meals, call Food & Friends at Bible Chapel, 11911 Redwood Highway, wheelchairs, that it is an elegy to James Joyce, and that it is a metaphor for the United 541-664-6674, x246 or x208. Wilderville. States of America, none of which had occurred to me as I wrote it, or afterwards, for Send your calendar information to [email protected]. that matter...” and “I have had a young man tell me mine was not only the best book Be sure to keep the Gater updated he ever read but a book that made him want to go to college to find out what other with any changes to your listing. sorts of shimmering books there might be for him to discover. ‘Your book was a door, sir,’ he said to me, which is not a sentence I ever heard before, and will be one of the sentences I remember all the rest of my days.” As for me, I agree with the young man who wanted to discover more shimmering books. Doyle has a new novel coming out in the spring. I wonder how it can possibly equal Mink. After reading Mink River, I have never looked at a crow or a raven the same way since. I’ve seen Moses lurking behind those twinkling sharp eyes. Julia (Helm) Hoskins 541-899-8470 [email protected] Ed. Note: The reviewer is the author ofShe Caves to Conquer, a book about a young woman who escapes the Midwest, moves halfway around the globe and finds caves that have been occupied for nearly 4,000 years. Applegater Winter 2013 5

taking out part of a lung and destroying Divide Camp Divide Camp update much of his shoulder function. He was By Sgt. Tyler Andreatta by julie wheeler awarded a Purple Heart. Then he was USMC retired told he would not be able to continue to The vision to turn the old family serve in the Marine Corps, a devastating There is a Heavenly place hunting camp into a refuge for men and emotional blow to a young man planning Where healing is done. women wounded and scarred by their time to make a career of serving his country. Hospitality is off the charts, in battle, came in an instant picture. After undergoing many months of physical on a scale from ten to one. The work began 16 months ago. therapy and counseling and being put on A place with no doctors Trenches were dug, water and power lines 12 different medications, Tyler knew he or forms to do. installed, logs on old cabins renewed with a needed to stop taking the drugs and find No white coat & pills, power buffer, and chinking placed between a different kind of treatment. He searched or waiting rooms. the logs. The spring was developed and the Internet for an option and found solar panels installed to power the pump. Divide Camp. After reading and re-reading A place where wind whistles, We formed a corporation in August Tyler Andreatta, USMC retired, the website, he knew this was it. and birds sing, 2012. In November we submitted to with Gracie at Divide Camp. Tyler came to camp near the end of And your breath is taken the IRS the application and fee to obtain Afghanistan. He had found our website and September. Though he was only able to by the beautiful scenes. nonprofit status. We expected the IRS to read it “from top to bottom a few times.” stay for several days, his experience was A place where wildlife flourish follow their guidelines and process within He said it kept calling him back. Though “just what he needed.” He got his first good and memories are made, 90 days—that was 12 months ago! We he had learned to manage the results of night’s sleep in two years. He found he was I can’t think of better medication recently engaged the help of an Oregon his physical injuries, the mental part was able to write again, something he enjoyed made to this date! congressman to move the process forward. taking over his life in a negative way. The doing before going to war but hadn’t been We have no funding stream, only private counseling and medications he was getting able to do since. He left us this poem (see A place that clears your mind savings and donations from people and from the Veterans Administration were no box), which says it all! and refreshes the heart. organizations like the Veterans of Foreign longer useful. We know there are thousands of A place to let go, Wars who understand the need and have My first reaction to Tyler’s email was “Tylers” trying to create a “new normal” and let your soul restart. a desire to help. to let him know we were not quite ready after being wounded in war. We know Last winter contributors donated for guests, that we still didn’t have power nature is an effective healing force. We A place where angels building materials and supplies, enough and water to the cabins. Immediately I want to help as many as we can. We’ve wait with open arms. to fill a horse trailer and a flatbed trailer. sensed a small voice say, “Really?” I re-read chosen to keep moving forward without You don’t have to die to go The convoy made it to Divide Camp his note and realized he needed to be here the IRS, believing there are truly generous and it’s not too far. in late May, and the work began again. and it wasn’t going to matter how ready we individuals and businesses who will Just up a dirt road Volunteers worked throughout the were. He would be our first guest. contribute because they believe and not and through a wooden gate. summer. Eventually four cabins were Meet Tyler, a US Marine with nearly because they can use a tax deduction. If Sits this amazing habitable. Two are fully furnished and six years of service who was shot inside you’d like to help this effort, please visit and wonderful place. decorated. Many handcrafted items have a helicopter in an attempt to rescue two our website at dividecamp.org or call us at been donated including curtains, wooden wounded soldiers. His injuries were 541-531-9939. There is no donation too Look for the flag signs, stepping-stones and gorgeous quilts. significant. The first bullet grazed his nose, large or too small! flying high with pride. On September 11, 2013, I received an a second entered his chest on the side Julie Wheeler That is how you’ll know… email from a young man who had served in and exited his back on the opposite side, [email protected] you’ve found the camp on the Divide. A journey of love for the Navajo Nation by brenda miedema In November 2012 Williams residents and fiber. They have dogs for protection. warm coats and boots, and food Brian Hannagan, Michelle Bienick and The mothers, matriarchs of the tribe, earn such as winter squash, apples, their son Jaia were part of the annual their money with beadwork and weaving. onions, potatoes and dry goods, Thanksgiving Food and Supply Run to Unemployment is very high and many which can be stored without benefit the Navajo Nation of Arizona. This of the younger generation seek an easier refrigeration. Cash donations event started years ago because of the Clan lifestyle. There are no casinos in Arizona to are collected for wood, hay and Dyken band. Many of you may be familiar provide financial assistance to the Navajos dog food. with them and their music, with which and the lifestyle is a hard one. With their plan in place, they are trying to improve the world one The Navajo Indian Reservation is the Brian, Michelle and Jaia made song at a time. largest in the United States. Navajo peoples a second trip in May 2013. While on this trip and experiencing generally do not live in villages, but band On a beautiful sunny morning the Navajo way of life, Brian and Michelle together in small groups. This lifestyle was they headed to the Arizona began to form another plan to help born out of necessity due to the limited reservation hauling a trailer improve the tribal way of living: they amount of grazing land and access to water. with 12 baby goats, a buck and decided to bring baby goats to increase They live in circular huts made from wood a doe for six different families. the size of their goat herds. They wanted or stone. The openings face east so they can The baby goats, three months to introduce new milk and meat-producing “be blessed by the morning sun.” old and weaned, were raised and livestock to improve the genetics of the The winters are cold; wood and forage donated by Peaceful Mountain animals the Navajos already have. scarce. The purpose of the Thanksgiving Dairy in Applegate. Brian Baby goats on their way from Oregon as a gift to the Navajos raise sheep and goats for food Food and Supply Run is to bring families and Michelle wanted to get Navajos in Arizona, thanks in part to them to Arizona while grazing Brian Hannagan and Grandma Louise with one of the baby goats in Arizona. Michelle Bienick (above) and Brian Hannagan. conditions are best to help them adjust to their new homes. The goats were supplies. Maybe you raise sheep and would given as gifts to the Navajo grandmothers like to donate a lamb or two. Whatever and mothers. you do, your participation is welcomed. Gifting these 12 baby goats is just (Thanks to Dr. Dan Cochran for donating the start of what is hoped will become an his services for obtaining health certificates annual community effort to raise a few for the baby goats that were sent in May.) goats to send to the Navajos each year. If you would like to help by raising Peaceful Mountain Dairy will donate more baby goats, contact Kayleigh McKey at baby goats in 2014. [email protected] or call 541-846- If you would like to help raise these 6455. (Kayleigh’s involvement will also baby goats from birth to three months, help her with the community service part the dairy will give you extra goats if you of her senior project at South Medford want to keep some for your family. They High School, focused on becoming a dairy are amazing animals. They are very cute, goat farmer.) easy to care for and love. They can eat If you would like to help in any other your poison oak and blackberries with way, please contact Brian Hannagan at little effort. They can be a source of milk 541-846-0656 or [email protected]. or meat. Brenda Miedema You can also help with a donation 541-846-6455 of food, clothing or money to purchase [email protected] 6 Winter 2013 Applegater

BACK IN TIME

closer to his many relatives in the Rogue My great-great Uncle Si McKee Valley. He never married but the family believed there was a girl, named Kathleen, by evelyn byrne williams with janeen sathre sometime in his past, because when he was Everybody has relatives who highlight River by barge to their final destination, horse named Nervy. He always seemed to visiting relatives one time, they played a most of their genealogical history in the Willamette Valley. John’s wagon train be wearing a red kerchief around his neck phonograph record of “I’ll take you home some way, with pride or sometimes with would be taking the Applegate Trail, and he always had time to enjoy a game of again, Kathleen,” and he broke down prejudice. There is one in my family which came farther south and avoided checkers, cribbage, or pedro with the kids. crying. He would not tell them why. who could be both; he was Silas Simon the Columbia River crossing. Parting ways When he sometimes took a nap on the Eventually he moved away from (Si) McKee. Born in Sullivan County, with his family, Si, near the age of 20, hired couch, the kids said he snored louder than Rockland, probably because it had been Missouri, in 1844 to Joseph and Almira on to help the other family complete their anyone they had ever heard. They would sold, and he went to Sourdough where McKee, nearly the youngest of eight journey, knowing there was a possibility he shake him awake and he would tell them he continued his mining occupation at children, he would hardly know his oldest would never see his family again. he was not asleep and had only closed his Diamond Creek and Bald Face Creek, brother John M. McKee, born in 1827. He must have done all right because a eyes to rest, making the kids laugh. all still in the Smith River drainage. This John M. (my great-grandfather) few years later he turned up in the Illinois When the Gasquet Toll Road was large area is mostly government land where and other relatives came west by wagon Valley driving a stage from Crescent completed in 1887, the Rockland Stage cattlemen free-ranged their cattle. Heavy train, arriving in the Rogue Valley in City, California, to Grants Pass, Oregon. Stop (on the north side of the Smith forest is not good forage but open space 1853. Sometime in the mid 1860s John Sometimes when Uncle Si was in Grants River) and other stage stops went out of created by fire is. Thus Si’s life was about returned to Missouri to bring his parents Pass after a stage run, he would come by business, so Si lost his job. However, he to change. and siblings west to Oregon. Along the way to visit his McKee relatives. My mother was able to live in a cabin at the abandoned For several years increasing fires in they met a family with a couple of wagons remembered him quite well and said Rockland stop where he purchased some this area began to worry the government going to eastern Oregon where they would everyone was so glad to see him. They mining claims to mine for gold. That place and an investigation was launched. It was need help floating down the Columbia never knew when he would show up on his soon became somewhat of a permanent decided that Si was hired by the cattlemen residence where he to start fires to make more grazing spaces, was able to exist quite a common practice in those days. Si was well with salmon in arrested for arson and sent to jail. He never the North Fork of the revealed his association with the cattlemen Smith River and some to the authorities. While in jail, his relatives trout in other streams. laughed about him being able to have a Also the deer and bear, better bed, meals, reading material and a along with pigeons good long rest. and grouse, gave him He eventually returned to his mining all the protein he operations and the forest recovered from needed. Some edible the fires. The authorities and the relatives plants and berries were relieved that Si had reformed. along with beans (I Unfortunately, Si does not ride pleasantly am sure) filled out his off into the sunset. menu nicely. To be continued… Si had fallen in Evelyn Byrne Williams Great-great Uncle Si, stage driver Uncle Si lived in this cabin at the abandoned love with the area with Janeen Sathre turned miner, among other things. Rockland Stage Stop where he mined for gold. and refused to move 541-899-1443

SAVE THE DATE! Applegater fund-raising concert featuring J.D. Rogers and Friends Wine and hors d’oeuvres When: Sunday, February 23, 2014 Where: Applegate River Lodge Time: 3 - 5 pm Watch our Facebook page, online calendar and Jo’s List for more information. Applegater Winter 2013 7

THE STARRY SIDE Never touch each other BY Greeley Wells I’m on my roof deck again, looking economic and environmental breakdown, binoculars or a telescope. crescent moon at the night sky. From our position in and rising seas, we have plenty to do. Orion’s two shoulders are obvious; and stays there the Milky Way Galaxy, the only other And we can do something about these the bright star to our left is Betelgeuse. as the morning galaxy we can see with our naked eye is things. So let’s do it! Diagonally, to the bottom-right, is the star. March 26 Greeley Wells the Andromeda Galaxy. It’s the closest THE NIGHT SKY slightly brighter Rigel, making up Orion’s to 28 has Venus galaxy to us, yet it’s the most distant thing Let’s focus on just one constellation: knee (or foot, if his leg is bent). and a sweet crescent moon dancing in the we can see. Orion the hunter is probably the one most This constellation spans all known dawn joined below by Mercury. Astronomers predict that in billions people know, if they know any. He’s huge history. For the Babylonians Orion was The Mars rises and brightens a little before of years, various forces of gravity will draw and high in the winter, in January slightly Heavenly Shepherd; he was Osiris for the midnight near Spica. The two of them rise our two galaxies together in a spectacular south from directly overhead. Egyptians; the Greeks called him Orion, earlier each month as the sky shifts. collision. Computer simulations of this Orion is clearly a person, with a the strong hunter we know. Mercury shows up in the sunset on event show our two fairly similar galaxies three-in-a-row star belt, his shield out to There’s always wiggle room in January 31 with a crescent moon low in swinging with their own gravity centers our right and club raised high to our upper observing, which is one of the reasons I the southwest. closer together, then making a near miss left. The sword and scabbard hang from love the night sky so much: it’s up to you Morning risers: go out on February 23 only to swing in a tighter circle until they his belt and look oddly smudgy without to see what you want to and the way you to 26 to catch the moon with Antares below. “crash” and combine, mixing into one huge Illustration: Guy Ottewell’s Astronomical Calendar 2012. want to. And we’ve Further right (above), you’ll see Saturn, galaxy! From this simulated computer- been “wiggling” then Mars, with Spica below. Together they eye view, these great forces merge into constellations into make a shifting dawn display. what must be catastrophic death and view probably since OF NOTE destruction. the beginning of our We might have some Geminid But here’s the amazing thing: nothing time here on this meteorites on December 13, but they will will touch when the galaxies collide, and planet. be unfavorable for viewing and probably there will not be the crashing and physical THE PLANETS few. The moon is the problem. Try for a destruction that we might imagine. The Jupiter keeps time with a low moon or none. If you’re inevitable damage will be due to the forces hanging in the patient, you’ll see some meteorites. of gravity mingling and changing and Gemini twins, as December 14 brings the Ursids, a destroying the careful balances that have it has for months. lesser meteor outbreak in the north around kept us all—including our neighboring Beautiful and up the Little Dipper. Look for both meteor planets—revolving around our sun, and most of the night, showers together. Dawn should be the best our moon revolving around us. Jupiter rises as Venus time, as usual, because the bright moon Now, I’m not a gloom-and-doom guy, sets in December. will have set. but I am a realist. Our solar system will On March 3, the Quadrantid meteors should be visible lose that beautiful, delicate balance that moon joins Jupiter. in a moon-free sky for several days in literally gives us life–that rare balance of Venus gets early January, peaking January 2. Look all position and heat, size and age that makes to its brightest in night—the later the better. Look to the this planet perfect for life as we know it. December. You can north for the radiant. We will indeed perish. see Venus and a Solstice is on December 21. March 20 Something happening billions of small crescent moon is the Equinox, with even nights and days years from now could be just an interesting on December 5. as the sun rises and sets due east and west. ‘comfort’ to us in its complete remoteness. Venus falls into the There are full moons on December But let’s not get too comfortable; let’s sun on December 17, January 15, February 13 (Friday!), and not take our eyes off the issues that are 11. On January 28, March 17. happening right here and now. What Venus shows up in Greeley Wells with a large asteroid possibly hitting us, the morning with a [email protected]

Please support our advertisers! Shop local; keep our dollars local. 8 Winter 2013 Applegater DIRTY FINGERNAILS AND ALL A garden can be admired all year the hotsy-totsy It’s about thyme long, just differently at different times. bright pink of a That is the same with friendships. Now, few months ago, by sioux rogers with winter approaching, what are some but are wonderful How many times have I likened my there. Other plants demand a great deal of the hidden garden pleasures you might for cutting as a garden to real life, either allegorically or of attention, needing to be dug up and behold? If you are lucky enough to have soft, quiet winter literally? We are now going into winter tucked away safe and cozy for the winter. large red rose hips on some of your rose arrangement. And Sioux Rogers and I am wondering what to do with the Guess what? I don’t have those plants bushes, try clipping a few and arrange them the day lilies with mess I basically ignored all fall because I in my garden, requiring survival of the with several wonderfully fragrant native last season’s long, trailing strappy leaves was on a “mission” to clean up and re-do fittest. Sadly I cannot say that about some evergreen branches. have new growth at the bottom. the cluttered barn. This somehow reminds friendships in my life. I want to save most As I look all around my garden, If you still have tulip or daffodil bulbs me of friends and how easy it is to ignore of them, keep them safe, protect and cover I marvel at the structure of the many in your refrigerator (the ones you meant to them because we have other “missions,” them nice and cozy. So with that part of beautiful bare woody plants; they are plant in the fall), plant them now. Believe which may be okay sometimes, but not my soul revealed, my real life is not exactly standing naked and upright with nothing it or not, it is not too late—they will re-set all the time. like my garden. to hide. To me, that represents an ideal their clock and bloom when their alarm Some of the plants in my garden are I have never really pined when a plant friendship. Embrace those bare branches, goes off. like my friends—they take me as I am has died peacefully, but I have certainly felt cut off a few, stick them in a big vase; Here are some other seasonal ideas: and wait until I have time to weed out the very sad when a large tree or large vine has decorate with gummy bears, gummy Cut a few green conifer branches growing “dead leaves” to catch up and go on from a sudden demise. And, if that tree or large worms or silver-wrapped candy kisses. Oh everywhere, put them in a vase and hang vine crashes or falls smooch and fancy that. Take the time to grapes, tomatoes, mandarin oranges or down on some look at how full your garden is, not what whatever else is bright and cheery. Not innocent young isn’t there. Look at all your friends the to be overlooked in a fabulous holiday plant nearby, I same way. decoration is our own native state flower, take even more One of most beautiful sights in my the Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium). notice. You know, winter garden is the ever peeling, curling, And add native fern fronds to store-bought I sort of thought twisting and changing of color of the flowers for a warm homey feeling. of them (the trees bark of oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea Oh, and what about thyme? Great and vines) as old quercifolia). While it is most likely too late ground cover, grows almost anywhere friends and was to buy one from a nursery, it never hurts and, since it grows in the winter, it is a used to seeing to try. Look around; call some of the local wonderful aromatic herb for seasoning all them around. I nurseries. I bought one locally a few years those wonderful holiday savories. guess that it’s the ago very late in the season. The nurseryman For me, I believe life and friendship same way with thought I was nuts to be so excited. are like a garden. One needs to be creative friendships. When Life goes on. Sometimes plants that whether it be with your garden or your the breaking of a seem to be dormant actually are prepping friends. Take the time to enjoy the bareness friendship crashes for next spring. For example, the autumn and quiet of your winter garden and always and takes with it sedum, which seems to have faded with have time for your friends. bits and pieces the sunset, actually has wee new growth Dirty fingernails and all Sioux Rogers and her then six-year-old son Weston, of my heart, I do around the bottom. The rusty-brown Sioux Rogers • 541-846-7736 who is now 43 and still one of Sioux’s best friends. grieve deeply. sedum flower heads are certainly not [email protected] Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley— Applegate Food Pantry benefits a great holiday gift for gardeners from Medford Food Project by marcus smith by arlene and claude aron The two-volume Garden Guide The Applegate Food Pantry benefits Jackson County food pantries. Currently, for the Rogue Valley, written by from our participation in the Medford over 100,000 pounds of food is being local Master Gardeners and other Food Project, an amazing community collected and distributed through this gardening experts, is a gift guaranteed venture that collects food to feed the project every year. to delight all your gardening friends. hungry in Jackson County, then shares The Applegate Food Pantry may be In addition to factual, science-based this food with participating food pantries one of the smaller pantries in Jackson information, the books offer helpful for distribution. To find out more about it, County, but our little pantry is growing— advice about local growing conditions, visit medfordfoodproject.com. lately we have been signing up about 20 savvy insiders’ tips, and priceless We would like the Applegate Valley to new people each month. These are your personal experience from people who participate more fully in this venture. The neighbors who, for one reason or another, have gardened here for years. idea is that each time you shop, we would are going through tough economic times. While most gardening books and Buy the garden guides and help support the like you to think of those who go hungry We hope you will consider helping out if websites appeal to national or regional Jackson County Master Gardeners Association. in our own community and buy one can you can afford to do so. audiences, these guides deal exclusively and Josephine Counties. It also includes to donate to the Medford Food Project. We are still working out the details with the unique microclimates and specific plant varieties that thrive in our Because it’s not practical to collect for our participation in the Medford Food growing conditions of southern Oregon. area. 250 pages. $25. food bags door-to-door from our neighbors Project and will update you as we progress That’s what makes these garden guides so These garden guides make great gifts in rural areas like ours, the Applegate Food via flyers at the usual local hubs: Ruch unique and so valuable. Plus, all proceeds for gardeners at any level—beginner to Pantry plans to work with community Library, Applegate Library, Ruch Country from the sale of these garden guides go to expert. (Don’t forget to get one of each for members to designate two or three places Store, Applegate Store; and the Applegater its publisher, the nonprofit Jackson County yourself, too.) They’re a resource that will where you can drop your canvas bag of Facebook page. Master Gardeners Association. be useful for many years. canned goods. Every two months, you will Finally, we’d like to send a big thank- Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley is Jackson County Master Gardeners be able to drop your bag of food at one of you to all the generous folks who have available in two companion volumes: Association is a nonprofit, educational the designated locations and pick up a new donated money and food to keep the • Volume 1, Vegetables, Berries & organization that supports local gardeners bag to start the process again. Applegate Pantry going and to our many Melons, covers everything a southern through its plant clinic, spring fair, Winter Every two months, the Medford Food volunteers who generously donate their Oregon gardener needs to know about Dreams symposium, demonstration Project collects thousands of pounds of time and energy. these plants, including the best plant gardens, and more. The books are available food that is distributed to the participating Arlene and Claude Aron • 541-951-6707 varieties and how to deal with our local at many local garden centers and at the weather, soil and water. A 12-month Southern Oregon Research and Extension calendar shows the best time to take care Center, 569 Hanley Road, between of specific garden chores throughout the Jacksonville and Central Point. year. 250 pages. $20. For details, call 541-776-7371. See • Volume 2, Ornamental Trees & sample pages at extension.oregonstate.edu/ Shrubs, offers useful information about sorec/gardening/publications. planning, planting and maintaining Marcus Smith • 541-776-7371 beautiful, sustainable landscapes in Jackson OSU Extension Service Office

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE GATER! Applegater Winter 2013 9 and basil; she cooked and froze marinara Recipe for ‘spaghetti with community sauce’ sauce along the way. When students returned to school in fall, they continued by margaret della santina to harvest tomatoes, basil, and peppers. Ruch Community K-8 School As Fall Festival approached, Dawn celebrated its annual Fall Festival on Mena jumped into action, planning the October 26 in many of the usual ways. menu and cooking up an additional batch School-made scarecrows hung from trees of sauce with beef donated by Peter Salant. and lounged in lawn chairs in the warm “Spaghetti’s ready!” came the autumn sunshine. Princesses, elves, and announcement at about 5 pm during the bats roamed the halls. The book fair Fall Festival. Robots, Crayola crayons, drew a steady stream of excited young and “plainclothes” community members customers snapping up Legends of Chima who lined up for spaghetti in the school or Origami Yoda. Middle school students cafeteria were greeted by a smiling ladybug helped younger ones toss frogs onto lily Dawn Mena serving “spaghetti Community member Jeff Vinyard helped (aka Jill Vargas) and served by friendly pads and aim footballs at holes in a board. with community sauce.” students with garden construction. Dawn and Hector Mena. Bread donated And spaghetti was served in the cafeteria. by Rise Up! Bakery rounded out the menu. At first glance, it looked like ordinary Earthworks donated ten yards of homemade math skills and art concepts, students This was no ordinary spaghetti with spaghetti with tomato sauce. But the long Applegate Valley soil mix, into which were helped design the garden. Math and sauce; this was spaghetti with community list of “ingredients” that actually went planted tomato, pepper and eggplant starts engineering skills also came into play as sauce. Families, friends, pirates and princes into that sauce might surprise you—and donated by Barb Wallgren of Cowboy students helped with the construction were smiling as they left the school that demonstrates that Ruch School is, indeed, Flowers, and basil and thyme donated by project. Environmental science entered evening. Ruch Community School. Matt and Donna Epstein. Rob Underwood the picture as students conducted soil and Principal Julie Hill and community Here is how Ruch Community donated harvest-shipping crates, which water testing, and set up a composting coordinator Michelle Hensman were School made “spaghetti with community were used for additional planting beds, and system. Planting the garden, students smiling, too, as they drove out of the parking sauce”: In spring 2013, the Fleming family Crater Sand and Gravel provided more soil learned about horticulture and plant lot: this community sauce represented their cleared a site for the new Ruch School at a discounted rate. The garden received a identification. As spring turned to summer, hard work and commitment to the vision garden and laid down gravel. Jeff Vinyard 100-foot hose from Tiffany Ryan of Ryan’s students watered, weeded and mulched of Ruch Community K-8 School as a led construction of the garden fence Outpost and lots of homemade compost the garden. place where learning is linked to the local and beds; with the help of Mark Prchal from Gary Fowler. During the summer, Erin Volheim, of environment, and the community is part and some discounted local lumber from The garden became a place where Wilding Rural Education Center and the of the school. Tommy Maddox, the garden was finished Ruch students connected their academic local Grange, guided the garden project Yum. Spaghetti never tasted so good! in time for a late spring planting. learning to the local environment, putting from its inception to first harvest. She Margaret della Santina Next, Roarke Ball of Roarke’s “place-based learning” into action. Using tended and harvested tomatoes, peppers, 541-899-9950

There is Local bread puddings elicit oohs and ahs something so by j.d. rogers, mikell nielsen and barbara holiday “feel good” about sitting Ah, what to do on a beautiful fall buttery, fluffy bread pudding covered with in a pub with afternoon we asked ourselves. When a fantastic whiskey-caramel sauce and friends sharing a sampling warm bread pudding was accompanied by tasty vanilla ice cream. cup of aromatic suggested, yesses burst from our lips like (Not incidentally, croissants are used in coffee and bread volcanoes of whipped cream. It doesn’t take place of bread.) pudding. It was much to entertain this trio of tasters, so While sipping excellent coffee, J.D. almost as if we off we went. The “we” being J.D. Rogers, used the Indiana-style of counting—“one, were in a small Mikell Nielsen and Barbara Holiday—all three”—between bites, “each better than town in a foreign serious bread pudding aficionados. the last one,” he drooled. Too soon the country. If we The Oxford Dictionary defines bread bread pudding and the accompanying hadn’t had to pudding as “a dessert consisting of slices vanilla bean ice cream were sweet memories. return to our of bread baked together with dried fruit, 4 Daughters Irish Pub. Not to “normal” lives, it sugar, spices, eggs and milk.” Once known worry, though, we were on our way to 4 would have been The tasters enjoyed the outdoor seating at the shore of the as a “poor man’s pudding,” bread pudding Daughters at 126 West Main Street in lovely to wrap Rogue River while feasting on the warm, creative bread pudding originated in Rome in the early 11th Medford. J.D. remembered when this our hands around served at Rogue River Lodge in Trail. century when cooks concocted a way to place was the Union, a rock-and-roll club another warm cup Photo: Mikell Nielsen. use leftover bread. Today, bread pudding from the last days of great rock music. of coffee, curl up on cozy sofas and fall into Our preference has become an “everyman’s pudding” with But the arrival of our Pear Bread a sweet, sugary coma. It was unanimous! Our most favorite variations of ingredients and creativity Pudding brought us back to the present with After that, our stomachs advised us bread pudding was served at Rogue River and can be found on the menus of pubs, a strong scent of cinnamon. Caramelized to call it quits. Three bread puddings were Lodge, which puts a new take on an old taverns and fine dining restaurants around pears were mixed in with this Heartland enough for these intrepid tasters in one day. recipe by adding white chocolate and the world (www.dailygazette.com). white bread pudding, which was drizzled Porter’s Restaurant and Bar. cherries. But bread pudding lovers will Rogue River Lodge. Our first with marionberry and whiskey-caramel Porter’s, at 147 North Front Street in appreciate all the other luscious bread stop was just past Shady Cove on Highway sauces that we wolfed down. Medford, opens at five in the evening. A puddings we sampled. 62 in Trail. J.D. said he hasn’t been to this The Black Sheep Pub & couple of days later, we made sure to be Our nine-year-old tasting helper, lodge since the days of Clarke Gable, whose Restaurant. Our third stop was The among the first arrivals at our fourth and Carlen Nielsen, wasn’t much for bread most famous movie line was “Frankly, Black Sheep at 51 North Main Street in final destination. pudding, but the chocolate cakes at these my dear, I don’t give a damn.” (Later that Ashland, where we immediately placed Enjoying one of the last warm fall restaurants earned “delish” and “yummy” day, J.D. claimed that he’s not really old our order for their Mum’s Vanilla Bread evenings out on the patio, we savored their ratings from her. Carlen also gave high enough to have been at the lodge when Pudding topped with a rich bourbon sauce. Jack Daniels Bread Pudding with bourbon marks to her new friend Scooter, the “so Gable actually had graced the premises, The presentation was lovely and crème anglais and rich caramel sauce, to cute” adopted stray cat at Rogue River but we’re not sure.) simple. A crisp white plate and a fresh sprig which they add walnuts and a hint of Lodge. Fortunately, Scooter kept Carlen When our Lodge Bread Pudding of mint let the pudding take the show as it mint. The resulting texture is both creamy thoroughly entertained while odd and arrived, our taste buds were already floated in a puddle of decadent sauce. The and crunchy. Adding to the pleasure is profuse oohing sounds arose from the salivating. “Hurry, Mikell, get a picture bread pudding was smooth and creamy the homemade French bread used for this “adult” tasters. of this lovely presentation!” J.D. urged. and warm and gooey and rich. The subtle special dessert. And, as a bonus, we found J.D. Rogers • 541-846-7736 What a pleasure that first bite was—white flavors melded together to create a more that the bread pudding paired nicely with Mikell Nielsen • [email protected] chocolate and dried cherries in rich, than satisfying dessert. red wine. Barbara Holiday • [email protected] 10 Winter 2013 Applegater 1. Wastewater treatment system Utility developments will include a dump 2. Shower/restroom building (replacing station and installation of hookups at the the pit toilets) RV sites. Cantrall-Buckley Park 3. Reconfiguration for longer RVs, The nonprofit Greater Applegate including RV hook-ups Community Development Corporation With two grants totaling $253,225 (GACDC) will work with Jackson County from Oregon Parks and Recreation to secure funding for the project, which NEWS Department and matching funds from will cost more than $300,000. Meanwhile, Jackson County and other agencies, as well several smaller projects are being completed as significant in-kind support, a state-of- to prepare for it. In 2010-11, using BLM the-art wastewater treatment system and a Title II funds, a new, higher-capacity shower/restroom building were completed water supply line to the campground was Sizeable grant received from BLM in 2008. installed, and in 2012 the entry road was The wastewater treatment system repaved. by david laananen includes a vegetated submerged bed Design for water and sewer This fall Cantrall-Buckley Park a public meeting held at the Ruch Library (VSB)—a lined, shallow pool of native connections was done as part of the received an $8,700 grant from the Bureau to discuss the future of Cantrall-Buckley water plants. The five septic tanks in wastewater treatment system installation. of Land Management (BLM) for design Park. The conclusion was that the park’s the park, including the new one in the However, the electrical design remains to be of the electrical component of the RV cash flow could best be improved in the campground, all pump to the VSB. The done prior to determining a viable estimate sites. With this money we are closing in long term by upgrading the campground plants cleanse the effluent to make it of cost. The current project will complete on the final phase of the Campground for current RVs. suitable for irrigation in the previously dry the electrical design for the RV hookups, Improvement Project. With the support of grants from BLM campground. including construction specifications, a There have been so many small steps and the US Forest Service, a master plan Phase 3 preservation plan for existing vegetation, since the completion of Phase 2 that it’s for park improvements was completed and Phase 3 will include some and an estimate of cost for the installation. worth reviewing the progress. subsequently approved by Jackson County. modifications to the campground road Dave Laananen Project in review The Campground Improvement Plan and campsite pull-ins for longer RVs and 541-846-0500 The project began early in 2004 with was conceived in three phases: the addition of seven new tent campsites. [email protected] STINK BUG from page 1 pest, having become so widespread, could be had become a serious agricultural pest, and BORED? completely eradicated. Some of the factors Congress allocated research dollars to begin Check out our ONLINE CALENDAR that make eradication a real possibility are studying the insect in earnest. jam-packed with events all over southwest Oregon. the limited host range of the pest (mainly In 2004 Jim LaBonte, an entomologist www.applegater.org grapes), the availability of very effective at the Oregon Department of Agriculture control measures (such as insecticides and (ODA), found a brown marmorated stink mating disruption), and a good method for bug in one of the traps he used to monitor monitoring the population spread. invasive bark beetles in Portland. An astute Eradication not possible entomologist, he was aware of the reports Closer to home, our newest exotic pest from back east concerning the stink bug and of concern is the brown marmorated stink recognized it quickly. bug (BMSB). Eradication is not a possibility It is vital to recognize an exotic pest as in this case. This insect has an extremely early as possible. In the case of the European wide host range. It can attack hundreds grapevine moth in Napa mentioned above, of different kinds of plants. There are very earlier detection would have made the few methods for controlling this insect eradication effort much easier and less costly. other than broad-spectrum insecticides, After the stink bug was found in Portland, which are often not entirely effective, and surveys were conducted by the ODA and there is currently no good trapping method breeding populations were found. However, for monitoring the population spread. due to the factors listed above, eradication Unfortunately, this new stink bug is here was not considered to be possible; besides, at to stay. that time, the stink bug was just a nuisance Back story pest and had not yet become a significant The back story to this pest is that it was agricultural pest. first found in the United States sometime With the 2010 outbreak of BMSB in the mid to late 1990s in Allentown, back east, more intensive surveys were Pennsylvania, where it was noticed as a launched, particularly here in Oregon nuisance pest, occasionally getting into where BMSB had become well-established garages and houses to overwinter, similar to in Portland. The first BMSB found in the way box elder (aka maple) bugs behave Jackson County was discovered in Phoenix locally. The first specimen to be positively in June 2012 by an Oregon State University identified was collected in 1998, but the (OSU) researcher; about 10 more BMSB correct identification did not occur until were subsequently found in the county. In a specialist at Cornell University made 2013 the numbers have exploded: a large the determination in 2001. By then, the breeding population is located in downtown population was growing and spreading and Ashland, and individual insects are found the nuisance level was increasing as well. in Talent, Phoenix, Medford, Central Point Because these stink bugs were occurring in and Jacksonville. The threat to agriculture urban and residential areas, they were not is very real, but research dollars are tight. yet infesting agricultural crops. However, The OSU Research and Extension office is this stink bug is native to China, Korea and working with growers to protect their crops; Japan, and it is considered one of a number this continuing effort will be the subject of of stink bug species that can cause damage another article. to crops, primarily by attacking fruits. A new stink bug pest has arrived in In 2010 a major stink-bug infestation southern Oregon and this story is only occurred in tree fruit. In particular, peach beginning. and apple orchards in the Mid-Atlantic Richard J. Hilton • 541-772-5165 states sustained significant fruit damage; Senior Research Assistant/Entomologist crop loss in the millions of dollars was OSU Research and Extension Center recorded. Suddenly the urban nuisance [email protected]

Photos, left to right: A population of Japanese beetles was recently discovered in Cave Junction and successfully eradicated. Photo: vittracker.com. European grapevine moths are the subject of an ongoing eradication effort in Northern California. Photo: entomology.wisc.edu. Applegater Winter 2013 11

BIRDMAN

crowned has a central golden-colored plume on its Bird cousins return in winter crown stripe over a black top. But be forehead, just above aware of the first-year juveniles that have a dark, black face. BY Ted A. Glover returned with their parents. The young of The female is similar As the winter months approach and returning to the lower elevations of the both species are similar and lack the bold in appearance to we’ve said goodbye to our summer visitors, valleys in search of food. Food, of course, markings of the adult birds. the male, but has we can look forward to many more of our is one of the primary motivators for the Because of the abundance of small a grayer face and local birds as their cousins return to the wandering habits of the birds. birds, keep your eyes out for the wild-eyed smaller plume. You Ted A. Glover milder climate of the Applegate. Although A couple of species of sparrows increase and swift “bird-killer” of the forests and can spot these birds many of the birds we see daily are local, we in numbers during our wintertime. The fields. This crow-sized hunter, the Cooper’s usually in large coveys of 20 to 40, see a lot more of them this time of year. White-crowned Sparrow and its close Hawk, has a very long rounded tail and scratching on the ground for grasses, grain Many have returned from the northern cousin the Golden-crowned Sparrow are short rounded wings and likes to frequent and insects. The California Quail rarely reaches of Canada and Alaska, and others very abundant this time of year. Look for bird feeders in search of prey, which can flies—it prefers to run away. have simply come down from the higher both of them along roadside brush and also include everything from sparrows to the So have fun for the next few months elevations that surround our valleys. in your gardens and in public parks. Both large Ruffed Grouse. observing our wintertime friends and see As you drive the Applegate Valley species are very common now and are seen Another bird that seems to be more just how many species you can spot. If you and observe the visitors to your yards, you in large groups of 10 to 20 birds often visible now is the California Quail. This have bird feeders, don’t forget to include may notice an increase in the numbers staying in one area for several weeks. The plump bird is slightly smaller than suet, a popular winter treat for many birds of smaller birds such as the Dark-eyed White-crowned adult is noticeable for its the plentiful Mourning Dove and is including woodpeckers. Junco, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Black- distinctive white markings on its head distinguished by its overall darker color, Ted A. Glover • 541-846-0681 capped Chickadee. Many of these birds are and a whitish throat patch. The Golden- strongly scaled belly, and a prominent [email protected]

Black-capped Chickadees, tame and White-crowned Sparrows, one of the Gold-rush miners took comfort The overall population of the inquisitive, spend the winter making the most common winter sparrows, in the melancholy song highly sedentary California Quail rounds of feeders in the neighborhood. raise their crown feathers when agitated. of the Golden-crowned Sparrow. has been declining since 1960. PHOTO CREDIT Stunning beautyberries: All bird photos courtesy of Peter J. Thiemann, An elegant and useful shrub Flickr photo stream. by JEN tietjen

Striking and unusual, beautyberry bushes are adorned all fall and into winter with violet berry clusters. The botanical name of this wonderful plant is Callicarpa. There are many species from around the world ranging from the American South to China and Japan. Although most of us are only familiar with the purple-fruited varieties, there are also white and shell pink cultivars. Beautyberry was long used as a folk medicine for the prevention of mosquito bites, modern research shows this practice had much wisdom to it. Researchers for the US Department of Agriculture have found chemical components in the leaves that may well turn out to be as effective in deterring ticks and fire ants as DEET, the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. One of the most important pest- repellent chemicals that researchers have isolated is callicarpenal. Besides repelling pests, Callicarpa has also been used in the treatment of colic, malaria, dysentery rheumatism, fever and cancer. The berries are a choice food source for birds in fall. Mostly overlooked by humans, beautyberry has been used in winemaking and makes a fine jelly. If you Make beautyberry jelly for holiday gifts. are up for trying the jelly, here is a recipe: Top photo: Callicarpa Americana. Cover 1-½ quarts of berries (make Bottom photo: Callicarpa Welsh’s Pink. sure they are free of leaves and branches) with two quarts of water and boil for 20 and unique holiday gift! minutes. Strain the infusion. If you are looking for the perfect Take three cups of the infusion and shrub to fill out your garden, look no mix with one envelope of Sure-jell (pectin) further than beautybush. With its pink and four cups of sugar. Boil and skim off flowers in spring, yellow fall color, vibrant any foam. fall berries, and many uses, Callicarpa truly Pour into jelly jars with two-part caps deserves a spot in every yard. and boil in water bath for ten minutes. Jen Tietjen • 541-846-7269 Beautyberry jelly would make a great [email protected] 12 Winter 2013 Applegater She describes her work as “professional, Local art from the soul—Gypsy Soul heirloom-quality, recycled and ecostyle.” Her interest began when she wanted by haley may to incorporate lyrics into jewelry using fine silver. Two to three years ago, a master Cilette Swann may not be a Valley and fell in precious metal clay gave a certification “trumpeter,” but she is an accomplished in love with course in Arizona, and she pounced on singer. Ever since her first-grade teacher the people and the opportunity. She uses a precious metal told her she could be a professional singer, the pure beauty clay (99% silver, 1% binder) made from she was inspired (though unsure of what of the seasons. recycled computer components from “professional” meant). Now she marches They have lived Mitsubishi in Japan. The metal pieces are to the beat of her own drum: her heart. in Jacksonville extracted and ground into a fine powder. “I feel like you have to follow your since 2000. Making a piece is a two-part process, heart and your passion, and the money In 2010 taking place before and after firing. First, will come,” she says, “even if it means they headlined the clay is rolled out and cut into shapes. having a part-time or a full-time job. It at Britt While it is wet, she works with ceramics is challenging and there are peaks and Festivals, and tools. Then the binder is burned off, valleys.” But if you have a passion for art, last summer turning the piece white. Cilette then sands she says, you have a life unlived if you don’t they opened the dried, fired piece into a solid piece of follow that passion. for the Doobie silver and switches to silversmithing tools. She was exposed to music from Brothers. In the summer they She makes the silver pieces and takes an early age growing up in Vancouver, might play at a winery such as them with her on the road. At her leisure, Canada. Her South African parents were Red Lily, a favorite. Their biggest she puts the components together. “It’s semiprofessional singers and there was event of the year is a benefit a great time for quiet. Solitude. My art always music in the house, from big band concert for WinterSpring, a local is a personal experience,” she says, “a to jazz standards. She remembers the bereavement center that helped beautiful experiment.” She might bring voices of Judy Garland, Billie Holiday Cilette cope at the time of her along a pendant leaf, some chains, a and Nat King Cole, and songs like “Love father’s passing. The concert will pearl or piece of amethyst to work with. Me Tender.” be in Ashland at the Unitarian Each piece is unique and would make Several artists strike a chord with her Church on December 20 and 21. an excellent gift while supporting a local today: Aretha Franklin (the “Queen of On the first night, the duo will artist. Her necklaces range from $150 to Soul”), Otis Redding, U2, Bonnie Raitt, play Christmas music and some $280. She also does beautiful custom work Janice Joplin, Heart and Ray Charles. She originals. The second night will for around $300 (she can incorporate a describes her and her husband’s band, include the full band. Both shows piece of wedding lace, a picture or a tuft Gypsy Soul, as Americana with roots of start at 7:30 pm. of hair into the piece, or a simple word or rock ‘n’ roll, soul, jazz, blues and country. They have produced 10 phrase). Earrings are typically $45 to $65. While she sings, her husband Roman albums, the latest of which is Top photo: Cilette Swann and Roman Morykit of Gypsy She also makes some necklaces for men. Morykit plays acoustic guitar, fretless The World is My Country. Cilette Soul. Bottom photo: Custom-designed by Cilette, this Her finished work can be seen on pintrest. bass and Dobro guitar, among other believes that it speaks to the antiqued lock pendant with CD cover art and com by entering “Espiritu Fine Silver” in instruments. “There is no etched path,” she “gypsy soul” way of being in the poem on the reverse side is made with fine silver with the search bar. says. “You must be a pioneer and cultivate world: your heart is everywhere. resin and a Czech crystal bird. From heartfelt music to refined, your talent. Find the right audience.” Recently, they won Best Cover in unique jewelry, Cilette Swann is truly a Cilette met Roman in Scotland while the Independent Music Awards for “Angel Soul’s CDs are also available at the Music local treasure and an inspiration for artists in a band with his brother. They lived in from Montgomery,” written by John Prine. Coop in Ashland for $15 to $18. old and young. France for three or four years before moving A ticket to the benefit concert or Jewelry maker If you have questions, email Cilette to Los Angeles. Now they make a living a CD would make a heartfelt, local In addition to singing, Cilette has at [email protected]. touring as a couple half the year. On one Christmas gift. Visit their website to always made jewelry for pleasure and lately Haley May journey, they traveled through the Rogue purchase music at gypsysoul.com. Gypsy has intertwined this hobby with her career. [email protected]

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520 Medical Center Drive, Suite 200, Medford, OR 97504 PHONE 541.282.6606 FAX 541.282.6601 520 SW Ramsey Avenue, Suite 204, Grants Pass, OR 97527 PHONE 541.472.7800 FAX 541.472.7801 Applegater Winter 2013 13 Three Applegate artists take their art in new directions by diana coogle When Applegate artist Barbara and invites the artists of old to be with her the varied work, he says: it makes painting Kostal retired from commercial and when she paints. seem like such sedentary concentration! commissioned work, she didn’t pack up A third thread is the twining of her Rick cuts sound holes in the hardwood her easel and put up her feet. Instead, two loves: caring for people and doing tops of his kalimbas in a variety of shapes: inspired by Dhyani Ywahoo’s book Voices art. Art is her “passion and bliss,” but falcon, elephant, salamander, dolphin, or of Our Ancestors, she took her art in a new also a medium for healing. When a client anything else the buyer wants. Though it direction, delving deep inside her spiritual commissioned a painting representing is not true that the animal shape influences self to see what emerged in a new series of “restlessness,” for instance, Barbara painted the sound, one boy thought the kalimba paintings called Wisdom of the Heart. But a horizontal line at the bottom of the with the rabbit-shaped hole played fast it doesn’t take retirement for an artist to painting “to give restlessness a base.” and the one with the turtle-shaped hole turn in a new direction. Rick Faist, from Barbara is retired from commercial played slow. Williams, was once a painter, until a home- work and commissions (though she “might The thumb piano school project with his son caused him to play another season if for the right team”), is a quiet instrument, put his brushes aside for the craftsman’s but you can see her art at 6th and F Streets softly played and art of making kalimbas. Likewise, Greeley in Grants Pass. This mural, “The Road of pleasingly melodic, Wells, who lives on Carberry Creek, put a Thousand Wonders,” was commissioned like sunshine spilling away his paintbrushes when he discovered in 1995 by the City of Grants Pass. They through trees. One the joy of making movies. Now dust glints paid for the design, but Barbara and her co- woman bought one to in the sunlight in his studio, as Greeley painter, Ray Colton, donated their labor play for her father while roams the outdoor world with his camera. as a gift to the city. They painted, in wool he was dying. Another Barbara Kostal hats and layers of long johns, throughout customer bought one Barbara Kostal’s studio, a wedding the winter. Barbara will be refurbishing the for a friend in traction. gift from her husband, David Calahan, mural this spring. “When we set up a has French doors that open onto a balcony Barbara’s current project is a series of booth at a crafts show,” overlooking undulating fields, canopying more than 60 paintings called “Wisdom Rick says, “our booth oaks, and layers of Applegate mountains. of the Heart,” which she calls “the great neighbors usually think Barbara often paints there, letting snow spiritual journey of my life.” These with dismay, ‘Oh, no! Top photo: Rick Faist at a crafts show with his kalimbas or thumb paintings often come so fast Musical instruments!’ pianos. Bottom photo: A painter of note, Greeley Wells is now that as one layer dries Barbara but then they realize making artistic movies of nature. starts another sketch. “I am the that the music isn’t energy. The energy is me,” she invasive and adds a pleasant atmosphere.” Greeley was walking through his woods on says. She recognizes and wants Since the kalimba is played by Carberry Creek taking pictures with a new to convey that everything is in the thumbs striking tines, it is a good iPhone, he thought, “Doesn’t this thing relationship: life, death, heart- instrument for today’s generations, who also make movies?” With that discovery, soul. The series will culminate have grown up texting. They feel right at his career changed paths. He is no longer in a book of paintings and home with a kalimba. a painter but a moviemaker. accompanying essays. (It is Thumb Fun kalimbas are unique for Unhampered now by the limitations one of the great honors of my the wide range of tuning available: any of two-dimensional art, Greeley plays with life that she invited me to write major or minor scale, pentatonic scales, time, sound, motion, and realism in the those essays.) East Indian tunings—anything requested. outdoor world. Rick Faist Rick and Louann Faist sell kalimbas The art, he says, is in allowing the Nineteen years ago at crafts shows throughout the Pacific creek and the tree to catch his attention. Applegate artist Rick Faist, a Northwest, locally at Cripple Creek in Then he tries to capture the layering of painter, helped his son make Ashland and Great Northwest Music experience: the yellow leaves that (next an African musical instrument in Grants Pass, and online at www. layer) are moving and behind it the creek called a kalimba (thumb piano) thumbfunkalimbas.com. (next layer) also moving (another layer) from homegrown gourds. With Greeley Wells and the sun making it sparkle (another leftover tines he made more When Greeley Wells was in high layer) and through the leaves in the kalimbas, which he sold to school contemplating possible careers, he distance darker forms (another layer) and Artist Barbara Kostal at work out on her studio balcony at buy a drum set (he is also considered what he had been doing all his if he is lucky, a red tree (another layer). her residence, which she calls a “woodsy paradise.” a musician). Soon, making life (art), what he liked to do (art), and Greeley’s movies are quiet. They are kalimbas became a sideline what he was good at (art). slow. The sun spreads over a hillside, leaves fall on the painting called “Winter” and to painting and gradually took over the So Greeley (his signature name) twinkle lazily to the ground, the wind the sun’s heat saturate “Summer.” business. Now, under the name of Thumb became what he was: an artist. blows sparkles on the creek. Greeley wants “I have freedom in this woodsy Fun Kalimbas, Rick makes approximately Greeley mostly painted the human us to see beyond the “first seeing,” which, paradise,” she says, “to express myself, to be 900 a year. Fifteen thousand or so are in figure because, he says, “it is the prototype he says, is mere identification: “This is a aware of my surroundings, to walk barefoot the hands of customers worldwide. of exquisite form.” He explains that he maple.” He wants us to learn “real seeing,” in the hills.” Rick can make about three dozen wanted his paintings to follow the flow of a deeper way of looking. “My movies calm Nature is one of three threads in kalimbas in a week, although, he says, it lines. (As he talked, his hand flowed like a you down, make you pay attention, watch Barbara’s long career of murals, commercial takes all his time all the time. That’s not shadow across the form of his own body.) a little bit longer—and see,” he says. ads, logos, fabric painting, artistic lamps, surprising, since making a kalimba the He likes the play of light and dark, Greeley does not miss painting. and acrylic paintings. Just as nature is Rick Faist way involves more than 70 the way shadows give a sense of undulating “Sitting down with paint doesn’t hold a layered (weather, the leaves and flowers steps, from growing the gourds to grinding three-dimensional forms in his two- candle,” he says, to the animated nature of the seasons), so are her paintings: paint the keys to tuning the instrument. A true dimensional medium. Greeley frequently of his new art. over paint, paint over words, paint over craftsman, he does all the work on every painted in shades of gray, which allowed Go to www.greeley.me to see Greeley’s snow. kalimba himself, though his wife, Louann, more opportunity for the line to express paintings and to www.youtube.com/user/ Another thread is her sense of a weaver and landscape artist, helps with form without the complication of color. greeleywellsjr#g/r. to see his movies. belonging to “the ancient family of artists.” things like making keys, weeding the gourd The past tense of “painted” is accurate Diana Coogle She uses their symbols in her paintings patch, and selling at crafts fairs. He enjoys because, one day three years ago when [email protected]

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14 Winter 2013 Applegater the entire city of Williams. Definitely not Redefining ‘community’ in the Applegate a whole county, even though something by sandy shaffer like building codes might come under the For the past three-plus years folks and action, coupled with evacuation plans • Local Community Wildfire Protection county’s jurisdiction. across the country (including me) have and appropriate fire response, the loss Plans, or CWPPs. Therefore, the leading question is: been working with federal, state and local of life and property due to a wildfire Some of you are probably asking if we how do we define “community”? Initially partners to develop a national Cohesive can be prevented or minimized. The really need to address this FAC thing here I would think that long roads such as Strategy for Wildfire Management. “community” takes responsibility for its in the Applegate. After all, we already have Humbug or Thompson Creek could be Suppress all fires? Let them burn? Thin all wildfire risk. our CWPP, we do education and outreach, considered “communities,” but Fire Chief federal lands? Impose building restrictions Eleven potential components of an we have mutual aid agreements and county Fillis says those are a bit too long and in rural areas? One solution alone doesn’t FAC have been identified in the Cohesive building codes in place, and, we’ve done a should be broken up. Could Murphy be a work, weather patterns are constantly Strategy (but not all might be applicable good job on defensible space. “community” under this type of definition? changing, and the cost of fire suppression to every community). They are: But think about our local dry climate, Maybe, but Ruch might be too large. So nationally is unsustainable. Something has • Defensible space and/or a Firewise the fact that most of us live in the wildland- who should define where FACs are in the to change. community urban interface, and the majority of us in Applegate? My answer would be residents, The final Cohesive Strategy identified • Fuel reduction efforts beyond the the Applegate either abut or are within a local fire folks, community leaders, maybe three areas for regional or local areas to defensible space half mile of federal lands. Another factor federal land managers, too—all working address in order to reduce the severity of • Local building and development codes is that our “fire season” comes later in together. fires, loss of life and property, and also for fire-safe homes the summer than in other regions, so it’s Our Applegate has long been suppression costs. They are: fire-resilient • Family and community evacuation plans not unusual for national fire suppression recognized as a leader in wildfire landscapes, appropriate wildfire response, • Internal safety zones resources to be tied up elsewhere when we preparedness, but now it’s time to push this and fire-adapted communities. This last • Exterior/community fuel buffers (to get our first lightning storm in June or July. even further by becoming “fire-adapted.” I is where you and I come into the picture. help keep a wildfire from spreading to the Throw in what’s happening financially at urge you to take the next step and talk to A fire-adapted community (FAC) community) the federal, state and local levels, and ask: your neighbors, and maybe even your fire has been simply defined as one where • Forest management/fire-resilient forests is wildfire preparedness really going to be chief about the components of this FAC “human populations and infrastructure (to help prevent explosive crown fires that a priority? We definitely need to be able to concept. Start to define your “community” can withstand a wildfire without loss of kill trees and spread embers) fend for ourselves! and see what you collectively can begin life and property.” • Fire prevention and education efforts So looking through those 11 items to tackle. Let’s all work together, now, to The basic premise is that through • Local capacity to fight fire again, the fire-adapted “community” is be fire-adapted before next fire season. a combination of knowledgeable and • Local cooperative fire agreements more than a single property owner or Because no one else is going to do it for us! coordinated pre-fire planning, preparedness (mutual aid between agencies) two, but it’s a lot more defined than, say, Sandy Shaffer • [email protected] Fuel-reduction assistance grants available for middle Applegate residents by brian ballou Residential landowners in much of the Applegate River Valley within Jackson County (see map) are eligible for fuel-reduction assistance grants from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Medford Unit. A grant pays a property owner $400 for creating a 100-foot fuel break around a primary residence, and improving driveway access for emergency vehicles. These measures may help protect the home against wildfire damage or destruction. Financial assistance is also available for fuel- reduction projects in strategic locations such as roadsides and property lines, and areas where there are fields of brush and thickets of trees. To receive a grant, a property owner must agree to meet fuel-reduction specifications prescribed by an ODF fire prevention specialist. In addition to establishing a fuel break around the home and driveway, the property owner may be required to move or enclose firewood or lumber piles, remove flammable material from beneath decks, and replace fire-vulnerable landscaping plants with fire-resistant species. Payment will be made upon completion of the project and approval by ODF. For more information, and to schedule a free on-site fuel-reduction evaluation, contact the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Medford Unit office at 541-664-3328. Brian Ballou Fire Prevention Specialist ODF Southwest Oregon District 541-665-0662 [email protected] Applegater Winter 2013 15 FEATURED ADVERTISER Each issue, the Applegater features one of our valued advertisers. Here is the story of LEHI Pump Service, Inc., another long-time advertiser. Applegate Library LEHI Pump Service We’ve had a productive and exciting The annual book sale was held the LEHI Pump Service, Inc. has been we would love to welcome one or more fall season at the Applegate Library. Our week before Thanksgiving on Tuesday, providing the Applegate Valley and of the grandchildren to join the family storage shed that burned to the ground November 19; Friday, November 22; and surrounding areas with professional and business! last summer, and which contained all of Saturday, November 23, during open quality water-well system service for over We want to continue to provide our book sale items plus other materials library hours. Many books were donated 35 years. the same “honest, quality service at an that aided in our library functions, has since the storage shed had been restored, so In 1976, Les Hill, founder and affordable price” on which the family been restored with the help of a few good we had a successful sale during those days. original owner/operator, opened up shop. company was founded. Please give us a call! friends. The county provided the basic We are all anticipating the levy that The name for the business came from We would love to answer any questions building and unfinished inside and, with will be presented in May to the library Les’s name. He took the first two letters of you might have. Our business provides the skills of Susan and Greg Bratt, the districts at the cost of 60 cents per $1,000 his first name and the first two of his last new water-well systems, repairs, hand interior was completed in time for our to keep our libraries open—a small price name and created LEHI. His philosophy pumps, filtration systems, solar pump “Book Palace” celebration in early October. for the many services the libraries provide of “honest, quality service at an affordable systems, holding tanks, pressure tanks, We had a cider press from the Shockey for our community. Here are some facts price” has been the backbone of the flow testing, etc. family, providing fresh apple cider for about the use of the Applegate Library: company’s longevity and success. With Les Most of all, we want to personally everyone to sip, pumpkin decorating in During the fiscal year 2012-2013, in the service truck and wife Jackie on the thank all of our loyal, wonderful customers the meeting room for the younger folks to approximately 12,280 persons visited phones, the family business began. (including the real estate agents), who have experiment with, cookies, tea and coffee, the Applegate Branch Library. Patrons In 1980, their son Ron joined the allowed us to service their pump systems and lots of visiting with friends. checked out nearly 21,000 items, an business. As years went by, more and more and keep their water flowing. Without you, Carol Hoon, treasurer of Friends average of 1,750 items per month. 363 folks allowed LEHI Pump Service to take LEHI Pump Service, Inc. would not exist. of the Applegate Library (FOAL) and a persons attended one or more of the 46 care of their water-well system needs. In Thank you, thank you, thank you! champion knitter, came up with a new and programs held at the branch during the 1998, Les and Jackie decided to retire and Ron, Jody and Dustin Hill successful fund-raising idea: “Hats Off to year; programs ranged from preschool turned the business over to Ron and his 541-846-6662 or 541-474-0752 the Library,” an invitation to all knitters story times to knitting circles and adult wife Jody. Ron and Jody truly enjoyed [email protected] to knit hats to sell to raise money for the programs often highlighting the local area living and working in the Applegate Valley, Note: LEHI Pump Service is open from 8 library. On the weekend of October 18 or featuring local authors and talent. The raising three active children who attended am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and and 19, Carol held forth in the meeting library also functions as a community local schools. In 1999, Ron and Jody were available for service most Saturdays. room of the library, and sold about 20 center; 1,940 persons used the Applegate thankful to have their homemade hats for $20 each, raising about branch community meeting room during son Dustin join the $400 for our FOAL account, which had one or more of the 204 meetings booked. family business. This been depleted by the restoration of our The levy is indeed a small price for came at the perfect storage shed. Since that weekend, the hats the many services libraries provide for our time as the business continue to sell and are still on display in community. Please contact your county was growing and they the library. They will keep on selling until commissioners and encourage them to put needed the help. they are gone. Congratulations, Carol, on the library funding levy on the May ballot. My, how the your ingenious and successful idea! Joan Peterson • 541-846-6988 family has grown! Ron and Jody are now grandparents to Ruch Library four boys (with one The Friends of Ruch Library will be Free computer classes will be offered more on the way) having its annual indoor book sale the again in 2014. We will have a BASICS and four girls. Dustin week of December 2 during library open III class, which covers advanced word and his wife Tera are hours (Tuesday, December 3, 11 am to 5 processing, spreadsheets, computer raising four of those The LEHI Pump Service family, from left to right: Ron and Jody Hill; pm; Thursday, December 5, 1 to 7 pm, and management, and Internet services, grandsons. Someday, and Ethan, Isaac, Tera and Dustin Hill. Saturday, December 7, 12 to 4 pm) in the followed by a BASICS I class. The dates Community Meeting Room. There will be and times are not yet determined. Contact books of all varieties, many of gift quality, Ruch Library for more information. Grange Co-op and Rogue Co-ops announce just in time for the holidays! Preschool story time continues each On December 14 and 20 we will Tuesday at 11:30 am. We hope to have you $11,500 in high school scholarships available be having ornament-making workshops and your preschoolers join us. Grange Co-op and Rogue Co-ops are proud to announce the 2014 in the Community Meeting Room from We wish you all a very happy holiday scholarship program, which will award a total of $11,500 to 11 high school 1 to 3 pm. Bring the whole family for season, and look forward to seeing you at seniors. The annual program is expanding its availability to include students some creative time together! Between the library in 2014. with experiences outside of its traditional criteria. The deadline to apply is December 10 and 24, each child who Thalia Truesdell February 14, 2014. comes to the library will receive a free gift Ruch Library Branch Manager Grange Co-op will award ten $1,000 scholarships, and Rogue Co-ops book—compliments of the Friends of 541 899-7438 Ruch Library. [email protected] will award one $1,500 scholarship. To qualify, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have participated in at least one of this year’s expanded list of activities: FFA, 4-H, Williams Library: Horticulture, DECA, FBLA, student body leadership, school sports, or non- related activities such as work experience. In addition, students must reside A volunteer-supported in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Curry, Douglas or Coos counties in community resource Oregon, or Siskiyou, Del Norte, Modoc or Humboldt counties in California. “Grange Co-op and the Rogue Co-ops group are proud to support hard- Josephine Community Libraries stop by the library at 20695 Williams working students here in our own region. Grange Co-op has been a local, reopened in 2009 after the county cut all Highway during our new extended hours caring member of the community since 1934, and it is an honor to help funding in 2007. We are a donor-supported, of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday these young people on their scholastic journey. We encourage all students from 1 to 5 pm. volunteer-operated library system. We interested to apply, and look forward to meeting some of our outstanding need your help here at the Williams Our small library branch is part of a future leaders,” said Grange Co-op chief executive officer Barry Robino. branch. Donating is easy and becoming a four-branch system and patrons can reserve five-dollar-a-month contributor requires materials from any of the branches, which Students interested in applying for a scholarship can visit www. just one simple form. will then be brought out to Williams by grangecoop.com/scholarship-program for more information. Applicants must Without you, we cannot continue to a volunteer courier. This gives Williams submit a written essay, a copy of transcripts, and a letter of recommendation thrive! Volunteers keep the books flowing residents convenient access to thousands from a current teacher, counselor, administrator or employer. and help us offer exciting programs. of books, DVDs and audio books. Rogue Co-ops is a coalition of local cooperatives including Rogue Credit Volunteering is also great for teens and We have free Wi-Fi available 24/7. Union, Medford Food Co-op, Ashland Food Co-op, and Grange Co-op. instills the value of helping others. If Come in, get your free library card, and Grange Co-op includes seven retail stores, a grain elevator, agronomy you would like to join us for even one get immediate access. center and a Cardlock Fueling Station. hour a week, please contact Branch Danielle Schreck • 541-846-7020 For more information about the scholarships, please contact Brooke Manager Danielle Schreck at dschreck@ Williams Library Branch Manager Winters at 541-664-1261, or Heidi DeRoule at 541-664-1261. josephinelibrary.org, 541-846-7020, or [email protected] 16 Winter 2013 Applegater A gift that makes a difference Fire district operations levy passes Volunteer firefighters needed to Sanctuary One and to you by brett fillis by della merrill We are pleased to announce the need to continue to recruit and train new passage of our five-year operations levy members in order to maintain our ability Did you know that with a decisive 73.8% yes vote. I want to respond in your time of need. The next nine out of ten Americans to add my thanks to that of our board training Academy will start near the end feel stressed during the president’s (see page 1)—both in voting of January and run into March. Classes holiday season? for and getting the word out however you are Thursday evenings and every other How would you like could. I realize that the level of support is Saturday and Sunday. After the initial to avoid stress this year, equal to how you feel about the services training during the Academy, training is keep your dollars local we provide. It is safe to say that that generally reduced to Monday evenings. and make a difference “feeling” comes from the contact we have Again, we appreciate the financial in the lives of people, with residents, more often than not on support that keeps our personnel equipped animals and the earth? medical-related calls. I want to thank our with the tools that they need to do the job. Giving a tribute gift to responders—they are the ones willing and We will always need to be recruiting new Sanctuary One will do able to answer those calls for service at all volunteers to keep the team strong. Thank all that and much more. Cookies & Cream have their own holiday card at Sanctuary One. hours of the day and night. you for your continued support. Here’s how it works: Speaking of responders, we are on Brett Fillis You make a gift in honor or memory of one, simplify your gift giving, remove some our annual search for new folks wishing Fire Chief a loved one. We will promptly send our stress from the season and support a local to join our team. Our recruiting efforts Applegate Valley Fire District #9 Cookies & Cream holiday card to your effort that contributes to the unparalleled have been good the last two years, but we 541-899-1050 designated recipient announcing that a gift quality of life here in southern Oregon. has been made in their honor or a loved And you’ll know that the money you invest one’s memory. Gift amounts will remain will continue to work for a great cause long confidential. Your gift supports the work of after the holidays are over. Burn reminder Sanctuary One, where people, animals and To give a tribute gift in honor or Before burning outdoors any time of year, the earth work together for mutual healing. memory of someone you love, visit Aside from the practical benefits of www.SanctuaryOne.org and follow the check with your fire district to make sure giving a tribute gift, there’s an intangible Donate Now steps. If you’d rather send that day is an official burn day gift that comes full circle. Plain and a check, make sure you include the name and not a NO burn day. simple, it feels good when you know you’re and address of the person you would supporting a cause you care about. like notified that your gift has been Jackson County • 541-776-7007 Here are a few ways your gift will help made. Please mail checks to Sanctuary Josephine County • 541-476-9663 (Press 3) further our work at Sanctuary One: One, 13195 Upper Applegate Road, Your tribute gift helps us take in and Jacksonville, OR 97530. rehabilitate more homeless animals and If you have any questions, call us at purchase supplies to expand our gardens so 541-899-8627. Happy holidays from the we can grow more food for people and our staff and board at Sanctuary One! animals as we continue to provide a hands- Della Merrill • 541-899-8627 on learning space for school children. Program Manager In one step, you can honor a loved Sanctuary One

Support our local businesses! Applegater Winter 2013 17 Grape Talk: Major influences in vineyard development in the Applegate Valley by debbie tollefson Southern Oregon is getting a lot and wineries in the Applegate, Rogue and has grafted all but two acres to tempranillo, of press lately about its ever-growing Umpqua Valleys. Randy states that Dr. malbec and syrah. I was surprised to hear wine industry and substantial vineyard Jones’ research and data, as part of his that his goal for a new vineyard is to have development. We are no longer the Reference Vineyard Project, has developed production at two to three years, which is unknown wine region and national for growers a greater understanding of much sooner than I had thought. He is publications are taking notice. It seems like how to achieve quality grapes and greater getting about 1,800 plants per acre with vineyards from small to large are popping production from the analysis of scientific a cost of $20,000 to $25,000 per acre, up all over our area. So for this month’s data. Randy says he always recommends including frost protection and consulting. column I wanted to talk to some of the that Dr. Jones be included in the planning This information from Randy people most responsible for this trend. phase of any vineyard. emphasizes the economics of grape Randy Gold Dr. Jones’ research has made him a growing. Is growing grapes an expensive According to Randy Gold, Herb Quady (above) First, I talked to Randy Gold of Pacific sought-after consultant here in Oregon hobby or a viable commercial venture? has raised the standards for wine making. Crest Vineyard Services (pacificcrestvine. and internationally. When I talked to Dr. According to Randy, the small vineyard com/about.html), who is also owner of Jones, he stated that our region is one of the (three acres or less) has the potential to be valley; with his own company, Applegate Gold Vineyard in Talent. Since 1997 most diverse viticulture areas in the world expensive and is merely pretty landscaping Vineyard Management, he has a number Randy has worked with Del Rio Vineyards with over 70 different varietals grown unless it goes the way of the “custom of vineyards under his watchful eyes. When in Gold Hill on their early development, here. You can access more of Dr. Jones crush.” More and more small vineyards are we sat down, Herb was in the middle of along with Applegate’s LongSword and research on the viticulture of southern having a grower’s label developed. There harvest time and was happy with the yields Red Lily vineyards. During Randy’s early Oregon by visiting his website at sou.edu/ are a number of wineries in the valley this year, up 20 percent from last year. experiences with vineyard development envirostudies/jones.html. including Wooldridge Creek, Plaisance In the Applegate and southern there were a lot of trial-and-error When asked what changes he has Ranch and RoxyAnn that do these custom Oregon, Herb said that the marketplace experiments. seen in the type of vineyards planted crushes for growers. With a grower’s label is determining what varietals are Greg Jones and in varietals since he started his bottled, you then have a retail product currently being planted. He described the However, in 1997 a major contributor vineyard consulting business, Randy said, to market on your own website, in your relationship between grape growers and to southern Oregon vineyard development “Currently the boom is in cooler varietals, tasting room or through local restaurants. wineries as “very fluid with tons of grapes arrived in the form of Dr. Greg Jones, a especially pinot noir planted on hillsides If you sold your grapes and did all the work from many small and large growers being Southern Oregon University professor with good drainage.” Dr. Jones agreed, yourself, you would get $2,000 per ton trucked all around our area.” He added that in the Department of Environmental adding that pinot noir gets a higher price at the most. With a small vineyard, that even the big commercial farmers like Harry Studies. Dr. Jones was interested in the per ton and that in southern Oregon payout barely covers the equipment needed & David and Naumes are getting into the effects of climate and climate change on you can achieve higher tonnage than the and certainly doesn’t pay you for your time. grape-growing arena. (Try Herb Quady’s the grape industry, especially as it pertains Willamette Valley. So from an economics standpoint, you wines at the Quady North tasting room in to southern Oregon. His research not Gold also sees more experimentation either need to create a custom crush or Jacksonville or Troon Vineyard on Kubli only helped his family (who owns Abacela with varietals. When he originally you need to develop more grape tonnage Road in the Applegate Valley.) Winery in the Umpqua Valley), but was developed his personal vineyard, most by planting more acreage. The wine industry in the Applegate also instrumental in the development of growers were planting merlot, of which he Herb Quady is evolving. You plant what you believe much of the information used by vineyards personally had eight acres. Now though, he After talking to Randy Gold I was will grow well on a vineyard site based excited to compare Randy Gold, below left, and Dr. Greg Jones, below right, have been influential in the development on scientific data. You also plant for of vineyards in southern Oregon. Randy also owns Gold Vineyard in Talent, Oregon; his information marketplace demand. Herb is planting Greg Jones’ family owns Abacela Winery in Roseburg, Oregon. with Herb Quady, grenache, malbec, vermentino (Italian one of the foremost white) and viognier as well as cabernet vineyard developers franc, syrah, pinot noir and pinot gris and wine makers in because they all do well in our area. He the Applegate Valley, believes that diversity is the key to vineyard who seems to be development in our area; after that, let the everywhere. Randy marketplace decide. Gold said, “Herb has From talking with these three elevated the bar for all influential forces in the southern Oregon vintners in southern wine industry, I learned a lot about the Oregon.” economics and diversity of our area’s As wine maker wine industry. Science and the desire to for Troon and Quady experiment are raising the quality of wines North, Herb has a produced in southern Oregon, which unique perspective are attracting national and international on what’s happening attention. with growers and Debbie Tollefson winemakers in our [email protected] 18 Winter 2013 Applegater

OPINIONS …[T]he cost over time to irrigators, fisherman, municipal water users and Logging for county funds others would be equivalent to a one-time payment today of about $1,000 per acre. is an economic loss …[L]ogging releases into the atmosphere by cheryl bruner large amounts of carbon dioxide currently In October Williams Community For every $1 million invested, 20 jobs stored in the trees, roots and soils of the Forest Project met with Josephine County and over $2.3 million in total economic O&C lands. …Current estimates of the Commissioners. We requested that the activity were returned for river and road monetary value damage per ton of carbon commissioners directly and publicly restoration; 13 jobs and $2.2 million dioxide suggest that these effects range support programs that benefit the in economic activity were generated from at least $25,000 to $85,000 or more recreation and restoration industries, while from mechanical forest projects such as per logged acre.” conserving our Oregon and California thinning; and 29 jobs and $2.1 million in In Economic Value of Goods and (O&C) lands for ecosystem services. The economic activity could come from tree Services Produced by the O&C Lands With following data supported our proposal. planting and manual thinning. and Without Industrial Logging, produced Management of the O&C lands In its May 2013 “Protected Lands and for the Pacific Rivers Council, Niemi by the BLM dates back to 1937 when Economics: A Summary of Research and writes that “Congress is considering several Congress passed the O&C Lands Act, Careful Analysis on the Economic Impact of proposals to increase logging on 200,000 providing for permanent forest production, Protected Lands,” Headwaters Economics, or more acres of the O&C Lands in protection of watersheds and regulation of a nonprofit economic research firm, western Oregon managed by the Bureau stream flow, economic stability of local noted that “Western non-metropolitan of Land Management and the U.S. Forest communities and timber industries, counties with protected federal lands had Service. Price data for timberland indicate creation of recreational facilities, and faster employment growth and higher per these lands would have a timber value provisions for reimbursing the O&C capita income. Counties that had more of no more than about $5,000 per acre, counties for the loss of tax revenue from than 30 percent of the county’s land base and less than this amount if the existing the O&C lands. in federal protected status increased jobs environmental protections and ban on “The O&C lands safeguard critical by 345 percent over the last 40 years,” exporting logs from O&C Lands remain sources of drinking water, support fish and and “Protected natural amenities—such unchanged. Industrial logging of these wildlife habitat, and provide opportunities as pristine scenery and wildlife—help lands, however, would leave them unable for hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife sustain property values and attract new to produce conservation-related goods and viewing.” (www.wildsalmoncenter.org/ investment.” services worth 10–20 times more than the pdf/OregonandCaliforniaLands.pdf) “Wild Pacific salmon are a central part timber value.” The most recent 2012 report from the of the culture, economy, and environment Clean air and water, along with the Outdoor Industry Association notes that in of Oregon. Pacific salmon generate beauty of our forested lands, are prominent Oregon outdoor recreation generates $12.8 28 million dollars of economic activity factors in our economic future. Logging billion in consumer spending, $4 billion annually in Oregon, providing hundreds for county funds is an economic loss, in wages and salaries, $955 million in of jobs” (wildsalmoncenter.org/pdf/ and these other needs must be considered state and local tax revenue, and $141,000 OregonandCaliforniaLands.pdf). in the management of our public O&C directly in Oregon jobs. In The Register-Guard article titled forests, and logging for county funds is an Payments for ecosystem services “Costs of logging O&C lands exceed economic loss. create jobs. A study by the Ecosystem benefits,” Art Johnson and Ernie Niemi Cheryl Bruner Workforce Program at the University of point out that “Logging older, bigger trees 541-846-1729 Oregon found that forest and watershed would produce not just dirtier water, but Board Secretary restoration projects have considerable less water. …The overall impact can be Williams Community Forest Project economic impact and job growth potential. as much as 20 inches of water per year. [email protected]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Voices of the Editor: In November the folks who are protected by Applegate Valley Fire District # 9 will Applegate vote on a property tax increase of seven cents per $1,000 AV to fund the operation of spring concerts the District for the next five years. This is why I will be voting YES: Last February I suffered a heart attack at our home near Applegate Dam. As we Voices of the Applegate, our live an hour from the nearest hospital we drove to the Applegate fire station in Ruch for community choir of about 20 help. As the EMTs were checking me out my heart stopped beating. They immediately members and directed by Blake Weller, hooked up a heart defibrillator and restarted my heart and then continued CPR in the performed their fall concerts on ambulance as we raced to Rogue Valley Medical Center. The cardiologists there located November 22 in the Old Presbyterian an arterial blockage and inserted two stents so my heart could operate normally. After Church in Jacksonville, and November a short stay in Intensive Care I returned home with no lasting damage. 24 at the Applegate River Ranch Had it not been for the proper equipment and the professional training of the personnel at the Applegate fire station I would not be alive today. My story could be House in Applegate. The music your story. That’s why I know a YES vote in November will be the best investment I consisted of a variety of four-part will ever make. harmony pieces, including Mozart, Tom Brussat Robert Burns, Queen and two songs Jacksonville, Oregon from the musical, Pippin. One more Ed. Note: This letter arrived prior to the election, but it emphasizes how your life can be saved piece from Africa that was added to when your fire district has the funds for trained medical professionals and proper equipment. the repertoire was “Sansa Kroma,” an Akan language playground song that Dear Editor: nearly all children growing up in West I really think you do a great job with the Applegater newspaper. I want to subscribe! I now take the Mail Tribune and it is so boring. Yours is full of interesting info and Africa learn to sing. wonderful (color) pictures. Too bad you’re not in charge of the Tribune!!!!!!!!! Our spring session will begin on Advertisers ~ Thanks and let me know how to subscribe. January 15, 2014, with concerts to be Contact: Jo Morrow held on April 11 and 13. Rehearsals Jackson County— White City, OR will be every Wednesday evening beginning January 15 from 7 to Valorie Tintinger 8:30 pm at the Applegate Library on 541-450-2983 Be sure to visit www.applegater.org North Applegate Road just past the [email protected] for a complete list of advertisers. fire station.

Josephine County— For those interested in joining Please support our advertisers! Aimee Mortensen our choir, please call Joan Peterson They help make this paper possible. at 541-846-6988 or Kathy Escott at 541-660-0900 541-846-6844. [email protected] The Gater thanks you. Joan Peterson • 541-846-6988 Applegater Winter 2013 19

OPINIONS River Right: Pinball rapids Wake up, southern Oregon! by tom carstens The wolf is among us in the form of Kayaking on the Umpqua River near that was fine by me. But I want that fuel Steamboat can be challenging. The North load reduced. We all live out here. We’re proposed public lands legislation Umpqua has a lot of fast-moving water not just getting tired of all that stinging, by jack shipley smattered with big rocky obstacles that rasping summer smoke; we fear for our can ruin your day. This combination really homes and property. The Oregon and California (O&C) county services by developing alternative gets the adrenalin going. There’s one Class For the life of me, I can’t figure out Act of 1937 set aside approximately 2.4 revenues for a reasonable share of the pie. 4 rapid that’s especially challenging. It’s what good all this squabbling is doing. It million acres of federally owned lands I am concerned that our legislative called “Pinball.” With a name like that, you sure isn’t solving my fire problem! While we in 18 western Oregon counties for their leaders are willing to develop simplistic can imagine the number of big boulders argue, our beautiful forests burn, valuable economic benefit. This act helped satisfy political solutions for very complex social that kayakers have to maneuver around in timber goes up in smoke, tax dollars are a post-war demand for wood fiber and and economic problems that are nested that swift current. Game-face time. Every wasted fighting fires, the tourist industry helped build the American dream. At the within complex forest ecosystems. The time I see those rapids, I wish I had on full stalls out in smoke, wildlife habitat is same time, O&C receipts from timber proposed division of O&C Lands into football pads. destroyed, the topsoil erodes, the streams harvests paid to the 18 O&C counties “sacrifice” and “save” categories overlaid Chuckling to myself, I couldn’t help silt up, our homes are threatened, our formed an essential part of county budgets, with exemption from federal environmental but think of Pinball Rapids when I saw health suffers, and county timber payments helping pay for many services. Declines in protection is not an acceptable alternative Representative DeFazio at a recent news zero out. Nobody wins. Hikers, bikers, timber harvesting and federal payments for increasing county revenue or for conference in Cave Junction. He was kayakers, rafters, equestrians, anglers, have brought Oregon timber counties supporting our local timber industry. trying to explain a forestry bill that he and hunters, campers and navel-gazers all take a to the brink of insolvency and prompted I don’t support any legislative fix that Representative Walden had just introduced hit. Some folks tell us that the “wilderness” several congressional proposals aimed establishes a trust to hold and manage our in Congress. He was surrounded by a is still there. But, boy, that smelly blackened at increasing harvests on O&C lands to publicly owned federal O&C forestlands. jostling mob of unhappy “trees.” He looked mess just isn’t the same, is it? bolster depressed county economies. We have successfully worked with the like he could use a helmet and pads, too. There’s hope. Even though the refs Some counties such as Jackson US Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau Trying to craft forestry legislation in have sent Walden and DeFazio to the County were responsible and prepared of Land Management (BLM) to eliminate these parts is not a game for sissies. It’s got lockers, Ron Wyden has been called in. for such an event by setting aside “Rainy clear-cuts as their primary harvest practice a lot of moving parts: timber production, As Chairman of the Senate Energy and Day Reserves.” Josephine County, on the on the unique dry forest within the industry jobs, wildlife habitat, soil and Natural Resources Committee, he wields other hand, couldn’t spend receipts fast Applegate watershed. I believe that our water quality, county timber receipts, and some political clout and is respected by enough! In the early 1970s Josephine political leaders have the unrealistic environmental law, to name just a few. The just about everybody. He’s trying to tie all County Commissioners were admonished expectation that our publicly owned special interests that jostle legislators make this together and come up with a bill that’s to use O&C receipts only for capital O&C forest lands can be the “silver bullet” Pinball look like a cakewalk. palatable. No doubt he, too, is getting improvements or “Rainy Day Reserves” solution for all our county economic I was on a Bureau of Land banged on by the special interests lobbying because one day O&C revenues might dry problems. I am not willing to sacrifice a Management (BLM) field trip not too for “management” of our public forests. up. When it was announced that O&C portion of our public forest ecosystem long ago with a bunch of industry reps, But what does “manage” mean? Clear- receipts would be decoupled from timber because some of our counties are unwilling foresters, environmentalists, scientists, cuts? Stewardship? Wilderness? Mechanical harvests, O&C receipts plummeted and to diversify their revenue base. Our forests feds, and neighbors. We were looking thinning? Industrial plantations? commissioners were scrambling to cut are dynamic, fire-adapted ecosystems that over a BLM forest plot in the hills behind Understory clearing? Fire treatments? Old expenses. should be actively managed to keep them Cantrall-Buckley Park. The idea was to growth protection? Whatever it is, you can The O&C Act was both a blessing and resilient and reasonably fire safe. We should try a new thinning approach devised by a bet it’s going to be a compromise or it’ll a curse for many of these O&C counties. be managing our forest resources in a way couple of forest ecologists, Drs. Franklin never wash. Josephine County had become reliant on that both provides wood to our mills and and Johnson of University of Washington I’m hoping that Wyden will support federal support and they poorly managed also sustains the functioning biological and Oregon State University, respectively. the Franklin-Johnson approach to timber those “easy come, easy go” timber receipts. systems. They are testing an idea that might permit harvest. A couple of recent public timber Josephine County voters also became I propose that, before any form of profitable logging without completely sales have been successful when their ideas shortsighted and chose to rely solely legislative fix is established to support destroying the forest. (You’ve read about have been applied. So far, there have been on O&C receipts rather than diversify our counties with O&C receipts from Pilots Joe and Thompson in recent issues no lawsuits. Imagine: industry makes a with much-needed alternative support. increased timber harvests, the proposal of the Applegater.) Because the approach profit and that pesky owl has a home! Josephine County currently has a $0.57 per require a minimum base level of local seemed to be okay with most of those Whatever. Let’s at least reduce the wildfire $1,000 true cash value (TCV) in property taxpayer support to qualify for federal special interests, many of us thought it risk and pull out some of those sticks. tax support. The state’s average property tax O&C timber receipts. I also propose that might work. It’s complicated as hell—a lot like support for county government is $3.15 we recognize and monetize the ecosystem A Southern Oregon University Pinball Rapids. We can make it through, per $1,000 TCV. values such as clean air, clean water, wildlife professor was eavesdropping on the even if it’s not always clear how. I say we I find it odd that many Josephine habitat and recreation resources that are discussions. I told him that each of us had ditch the pads and try compromise for a County residents have an independent provided from our federal lands. a separate agenda. He asked me, “What’s change. “State of Jefferson” reputation for disliking The Applegate Partnership and yours?” “Fire,” I told him. I wanted those See you on the river. government of any sort, but at the same Watershed Council has requested, in our hills thinned. If we could do it in a way Tom Carstens time can’t live without the much-coveted testimony to the current BLM Resource that met some of the other folks’ objectives, 541-846-1025 O&C bonanza. Management Plan, that the Applegate We often hear how poverty stricken watershed be retained as an Adaptive

OPINION PIECES AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Josephine County is while our leaders are Management Area as designated in the crying to “get the cut out” to reinvigorate Northwest Forest Plan and used as a county revenues. Why should we support demonstration site for ecosystem-values Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of Josephine County or any other O&C accounting. the author, not that of the Applegater or the Applegate Valley Community county with federal resources when the I would also encourage our legislators Newspaper. We are a community-based newspaper that receives diverse residents of these counties are not willing to take time to extend the “stewardship opinions on different topics. Letters should be no longer than 450 to support themselves for a reasonable authority” to include BLM lands along words, and may be edited for grammar and length. Opinion Pieces portion of the expense? with the USFS lands. This simple action should be no longer than 600 words. All Letters and Opinion Pieces In 2011, Jackson County ranked would provide the agencies with a much- must be signed, with a full street address or P.O. Box and phone number. sixth, Douglas County eighth, and needed management tool and provide Individual Letters may or may not be published in consecutive issues. Josephine County ninth, which places financial incentive to the O&C counties them in the top 25% in total bank deposits to support such work. Address Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor to: statewide. But residents of Jackson County Jack Shipley Applegater c/o Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. were ranked 12th, Douglas County ninth 541-846-6917 P.O. Box 14 and Josephine County seventh in per [email protected] Jacksonville, OR 97530 capita bank deposits statewide. I find it A 44-year resident of Josephine County, Jack Email: [email protected] unconscionable that our federal forest Shipley lives in the Applegate, is a small resources are being used to support my woodland owner, a founding board member county when the majority of Josephine of the Applegate Partnership and Watershed County voters have been consistently Council, and serves on the Southern Oregon Williams Grange Pancake Breakfast unwilling to support these necessary Forest Restoration Collaborative board. Sunday, December 8, 8:30 - 11 am Bluegrass Jam 11 am - 1 pm HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE GATER! 20 Winter 2013 Applegater It is for moments like this that I live Poisoned marijuana grows are silencing our forests in the Applegate, where my daily activities can sometimes bump into the workings by jakob shockey of the wild world. While researching Whether you support it or not, kits in tree cavity lions. In their alternative pest management strategies marijuana cultivation has become dens. At this 2012 paper, may be a lot more work than grabbing increasingly rooted in our local community fragile moment, these researchers some d–CON from the local grocery store, and economy, bringing boutique fertilizer the effect of suggest using I think it is worth it to protect this special stores, cheap weed and a fall migration of these poisons is lethal compounds place that we live in. slightly disheveled “trimmigrants” to our amplified on the that don’t have Jakob Shockey area. Many growers also bring deadly harm fisher population, the same ability 541-761-3312 to this valley’s wildlife through their use of for if the mother to move up the Riparian Program Manager common rat poisons. These anticoagulant dies she leaves food chain, like Applegate Partnership and rodenticides (ARs) are spread thickly three or four zinc phosphide, Watershed Council around the cannabis plantings and along young to perish a readily available [email protected] irrigation lines to kill rodents that might as well. This rodenticide. Ed. Note: According to bigbudsmag.com, eat the plants or chew irrigation pipes. study highlighted I, for one, Oregon is “one of the only states that will soon Unfortunately, whether this happens on one case where will look into require all marijuana sold at dispensaries our public land or a private parcel, these four dead kits it. For while I to be tested for mold and pesticides.” House poisons, often flavored as bacon, cheese were tested for do not grow Bill 3460, which was signed into law by or apple, target the bottom of a wild food poison after their marijuana, I live Governor Kitzhaber in August 2013 and goes chain and work their way up the chain. mother stopped in a cabin with into effect on March 1, 2014, authorizes the In a study published last summer returning to rodent issues. It Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to establish in the academic journal PLOS ONE, the den. AR is maddening to procedures to license and regulate medical researchers found that threatened Pacific poison had wake up and find marijuana dispensaries. A key provision of fishers are being exposed to and poisoned been transferred Pacific fishers are being poisoned by rodenticides mouse droppings the new law requires testing of marijuana for by these rodenticides on public land. The though her milk, when they are nursing their milk-dependent kits. next to my coffee mold, mildew and pesticides. At present, the Photo: fs.usda.gov. Pacific fisher was once found across the although the kits grinder and it rules advisory committee appointed by OHA Pacific Northwest but is now isolated to died from dehydration and starvation. would be convenient to tuck a few packets is still sorting out “complicated questions” small populations, one of which is in our Pacific fishers are not the only wildlife of d–CON under the porch. However, about the issue of testing marijuana, which is State of Jefferson. They look like small, at risk. Rodents can continue to live last year I saw a Pacific fisher not 50 yards “not as easy as it may seem.” Those questions shorthaired wolverines and eat mainly seven days after ingesting a lethal dose of from this cabin. It was perched 15 feet up a include: “How often should marijuana porcupines but also rodents, birds and anticoagulant rodenticides. Anything that ponderosa pine, intensely watching a covey be tested? What standards should the labs opportunistically anything that seems tasty. eats the exposed rodents or that might try of quail move through the blackberries follow? Are any levels of mold, mildew and In the spring, while cannabis a flavored pellet can be poisoned. Exposure below. The evening was on, and I paused, pesticide acceptable?” The committee’s draft seedlings are being planted and d–CON, has been documented in hawks, eagles, watching until its crouched form was no of rules is expected to be completed in early a popular brand of rat poison, is spread, falcons, owls (including our Northern longer visible against the night, and the December 2013. This bill, of course, will fishers are nursing their milk-dependent Spotted Owl), foxes, bobcats and mountain quail had ceased their scratching. have no effect on illegal grows.

industry. Michael Lotfi, associate director subside, but also my knee felt like new! Gen Y Worldview for the Tenth Amendment Center (an The medication was only a few puffs rather Medicinal marijuana: organization intending to confirm the than a few pills, and the relief lasted twice Opening the floodgates of health understanding of the people at the time as long as the meds. Plus, when I came off the constitution was adopted, that powers the drug I had no withdrawal. by jesse hart not granted to the United States were During the past 12 months I have reserved to the states or to the people) been managing an alternative medicine Make way for redefining hemp as marijuana has been called a dangerous exclaims, “According to the Associated clinic in Grants Pass and more recently pot-entially the best medicine since Nana’s gateway drug, pharmaceuticals are now Press, the Justice Department said that another in Ashland. Besides prescribing chicken soup. Since only a fraction of jobs taking the lead in that category. “An states can allow citizens to use the drug, medicinal marijuana cards, we are working in our struggling economy come with eight-year study comparing the number license people to grow it and allow them hard to attract more alternative medicines health insurance, and pharmaceuticals of deaths from marijuana use to 17 Food to purchase it in stores. As long as the and practices that will help in the healing create more problems than they cure, and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug is kept away from the black market, of our community. I have been primarily Generation Y (and many older and younger drugs conducted from January 1, 1997 to children and federal property—it’s a go! focusing on the practice of yoga and than we) have had to make do with good June 30, 2005, showed zero direct deaths … Marijuana prohibition, just like alcohol just recently began instructing others in old-fashioned natural medicines. Some from marijuana and 11,687 from the 17 prohibition decades ago, is absolutely beginner classes. My entire body hasn’t felt define naturopathic practices as “New FDA-approved drugs” (medicalmarijuana. nothing more or less than a cash cow for this good since my senior year at Hidden Age,” but in truth many currently popular procon.org). corrupt, unconstitutional government Valley High School some ten years ago— techniques like meditation, yoga, herbs It seems as though marijuana, known agencies.” my knee included. and “herb” are thousands of years old and predominately for its nonaggressive I will admit that through high school, So maybe some are into alternative only recently (in the last century) have been properties, is privately enjoyed or I was against using pot in any respect. It medicines for chasing a high, maybe some labeled with negative clichés. experimented with behind many closed wasn’t until I had a serious knee injury in are in it for money, but I am in it—as I see Pot, known in therapeutic circles as doors around America. “Marijuana is 2006 when I was 19 that I gave it a try to that most are—for the healing. It worked medicinal marijuana or cannabis, is rapidly the third most popular recreational drug help me deal with excruciating pain from for me, and it was easier, cheaper and more shifting in public view of it as a recreational in America (behind only alcohol and a torn MCL (medial collateral ligament), fun than seeing a doctor and hoping he/ drug to simply good medicine generating tobacco), and has been used by nearly ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and she could dispense a “magic pill.” little to no side effects (perhaps a few extra 100 million Americans. According to fractured fibula. My doctors had prescribed Now I am a firm believer, or rather pounds if you aren’t careful). Scientifically government surveys, some 25 million copious amounts of Vicodin and Percoset. a factual knower, that the body desires to speaking, it is less physically and mentally Americans have smoked marijuana in the These pharmaceutical drugs did take the heal, and what it needs is much simpler addictive than nicotine, alcohol and even past year, and more than 14 million do pain away and produced quite a high, than you would imagine. Young or old, caffeine. Just “10 to 30% of regular users so regularly... Our public policies should for a time. But I found that the artificial big or small, good health is your natural will develop dependency. Only about 9% reflect this reality, not deny it” (norml.org; high was always followed by a withdrawal birthright. I trust that as more studies find will have a serious addiction” (from The National Organization for the Reform of of extreme anger, sadness, all-around their way into the mainstream, marijuana Science of Marijuana by Leslie L. Iverson, Marijuana Laws). confusion, and a body that felt depleted and other alternative medicines are going University of Cambridge). If you think it’s only a matter of and abused. A friend asked me if I ever to open the floodgates for the overall health For decades the general public has time before the federal government gets smoked pot for the pain; admittedly, I of this entire country. been convinced of the negative stereotypes involved and takes over, think again; hadn’t known it to have any medicinal Jesse Hart of marijuana to the point of becoming the US government has been losing properties. But I decided to try it and, to Member, Generation Y prejudicial to those who use it. Although ground fast on controlling the booming my surprise, not only did my knee pain [email protected] Have you seen the Gater’s online calendar? www.applegater.org Send us your events to post online! [email protected] Applegater Winter 2013 21 MY OPINION FROM BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR State of denial by chris bratt If you lived in Applegate this fall, you the union again go further by claiming holding its first meetings on how to solve the United must have enjoyed the grand fall weather, that they are the ones that have the real the world’s problems and prevent another Nations’ solutions striking leaf colors and the undeveloped interpretation of our constitution and laws war. I was lucky enough to observe the UN to the overriding space that surrounds us. I had some added regarding states’ rights. delegates in action in the city’s cavernous threats we face treats (no tricks) with precious visits from If it’s any consolation to my War Memorial Opera House for a whole in this century. Chris Bratt grandchildren, pleasing get-togethers with conservative friends who don’t like Despite its detractors and dented image, friends and family and a new puppy added being outvoted, my political opinions I believe the UN is the only logical way to our household. (admittedly more liberal than most) have We are living to tackle these pressing issues. For almost With these kinds of experiences rarely been represented or put forward in a landscape 70 years America has tried to solve the possible in our lives every day, it becomes even by politicians I voted for and who problems alone, by exerting our economic more and more difficult to continually won the election. that is literally and military power to transform many of encounter the harsh passions and asinine My sense is that these people who falling apart and the world’s nations into a more democratic thinking worldwide over our social, want to secede have become so strongly way of life. There have been some successes, ecological and economic troubles. Isn’t attached to their intolerant opinions or we need to come but today there are greater issues and it time we had a blueprint to eradicate prejudices that they think the only way to together to fix it. challenges than we can handle, including poverty, stabilize populations and restore solve our country’s problems is to set up the future of civilization itself. the earth’s natural systems? Can we find a shop using only their narrow exclusionary I’m looking forward to more visits global set of solutions to the problems we doctrines. I think we fought the Civil War from my grandchildren, getting together all face without beating each other up over (and others) over some of these very same day with my classmates. I can’t tell you with family and friends, and watching the a way forward? I know we must. We are issues. Not again, I hope, though there how excited and emotional everyone was new puppy grow up. That’s why we have running out of tricks to squeeze more from seems to be enough uneasiness and guns at the possibility of building a safer, more to keep the world going. Let me know the earth than it can give. We are running around to start something. just and peaceful world. your plan. out of time, too. The same turmoil reflected in these I know it sounds like heresy to some Chris Bratt To bring an example of a ludicrous cries for secession here in the United folks in America, but we need to support 541-846-6988 issue closer to home, I will point States is being played out everywhere. out the recent series of secessionist Individuals, local communities, states, movements proposed at many levels of nations and continents have huge problems Applegate Valley our government. Commissioners in two to solve, and yet people seem to be dividing counties in Northern California and in into sects that adhere to a negative, Community Grange news Klamath County in Oregon are proposing uncooperative ideology. They believe the by janis mohr-tipton separating themselves from their existing solution to their troubles lies within their states and forming a new State of Jefferson. dogmatic principles. But the problems that The second annual community home items they wanted for their own Similar secessionist movements are being have brought unrest and destabilization Harvest Brunch on October 20 was yards and gardens. proposed to separate some southern states to large portions of the world won’t be celebrated by nearly 100 people from Fund-raising also included a raffle from the United States of America. solved by shrinking our involvement with local communities. Brunch was served with a beautiful watercolor painting from These people wishing to withdraw fellow humans. On the contrary, to bring from 10 am to 1 pm, prepared from food Grange member Carolyn Roberts, and from our existing political bodies are saying about any satisfactory answers to the mostly produced or raised by people in the two gift baskets of products and services that this kind of change is necessary to momentous problems all of us face, we Applegate Valley, many of them organic from the local community including Rise protect them from being outvoted by the will need everyone’s cooperation across the farmers. Grange members wish to thank Up! Artisan Bread, Michael Zapponi’s more populated and liberal sections in their planet. We are living in a landscape that is Thompson Creek Organics, GoodBean heirloom grafted apple trees, honey from designated jurisdictional areas. They also literally falling apart and we need to come Coffee Company, Medford Food Coop, Betsy’s Bees, tomato veggie sauce, a custom are saying that the existing government together to fix it. Watson Family Honey, Blue Fox Farm, jewelry piece from Simply Beaded 4 U, a entities are not meeting their needs When I was in high school in San Fry Family Farm, Wandering Fields Farm, leather pouch from Country Spirits, music (whatever they are). Many proponents of Francisco soon after World War II, the Whistling Duck Farm, Barking Moon CDs from Kristi Cowles and Gypsy Soul, the southern states wanting to secede from United Nations (UN) was forming and Farm, Boyajian Livestock, and Bjorn and a crafted candle. We also sold raffle Everson—all of whom either donated or tickets for a handmade quilt made and provided products at cost for the delicious donated to the Grange from the local meal. We would also like to thank all the WHOW group. This quilt raffle will Now get your own volunteers from the community, including continue into December; you can still get personal mailing label! members of WHOW (“Women Helping tickets by contacting Thalia Truesdell at Other Women”) and By George Farm [email protected]. Live outside of our mailing area? for providing assistance to the Grange We are settling in, building Post Office not always delivering the Applegater to you? members before and during the event. membership, and continuing the Grange’s Want to send the Gater to friends or family outside the area? The hall came alive for socializing, place in the community. Watch for our neighbors seeing each other and spending next community meal when we bring back Get a personal mailing label for time together. To many in this community, the very popular St. Patrick’s Day Corned One year: $14.99 the Grange is a vital hub and the brunch Beef and Cabbage Dinner. We have had Two years: $24.99 was a celebration of the community’s constant inquiries if it would be back; Great holiday or anytime gift idea! accomplishments in reorganizing the look for banners advertising this March Mail us your check or pay online Grange, as well as its current efforts in 2014 event. through PayPal at applegater.org. restoring the building to be secure and Thank you to everyone who supports Don’t miss a single issue! usable for future generations. our continuing efforts as the “renewed” The funds raised at this event will Grange in the Applegate Valley. Please help preserve the main roof and rebuild join us at our monthly meeting and see if the front entrance roof this year. Earlier you would like to become part of the new Classified Advertising in October, Grange members Paul Tipton, movement to preserve the Grange in the Rick Barclay, Bjorn Everson, and Jack community, enjoy educational programs FRESH BULK WORM CASTINGS Applegate Rock Shop for unique rocks, Duggan, and community members we’ve planned for 2014, and have fun at VERMICOMPOST minerals & gifts. Rt. 238, Murphy. Open Richard Goodnough and Noah from our community events. Chris 541-260-4498 Ask about free deliv. Mon-Sat 11-4. 541-218-0323 Wild Wines all helped make repairs to We meet the second Sunday of seal the main roof for winter. The Grange each month. From November through Place a classified ad! will continue to raise funds to support re- February, the potluck is at 5 pm and the $12 for three lines of text (approximately 110 characters and spaces). Advance payment roofing of the front-entry portion of the meeting at 6 pm. From March through required (payment accepted online at www.applegater.org). Contact: Jackson County—Valorie hall, which needs a sloped metal roof to October, the potluck is at 6 pm and the Tintinger at [email protected] or 541-450-2983. Josephine County—Aimee Mortensen at [email protected] or 541-660-0900. replace a flat, leaky one. meeting at 7 pm. For more information, A “gratitude’s table” was organized contact Paul Tipton, president, at 541- DISCLAIMER by Audrey Eldridge featuring plants, seeds, 846-7501 or [email protected]. and farm products from Grange members. Janis Mohr-Tipton • 541-846-7501 The Applegater reserves the right to edit, categorize, revise, or refuse any classified Participants gave a donation and took [email protected] advertisement. In addition, Applegater has the right to terminate any ad at any time for any reason. Parties posting ads are responsible for the accuracy and content of their ads. Applegater Whaddaya call an alligator who wears a vest? will not be liable for any damages arising out of errors or omissions. An investigator. Submitted by Norm Albers. 22 Winter 2013 Applegater NEXT GENERATION APPLEGATE SCHOOL “Next Generation” features the talents of our local students and school news and updates. Applegate School All schools in the Applegate Valley are encouraged to submit art, writing, photography and any other creative pieces to [email protected]. rings the bell For nearly 12 years a lonely piece of RUCH SCHOOL history sat waiting to speak again. In the year 2000, the historic Make a change, A difference I would start making shelters and houses as Applegate School brick building was by Autumn Brandenburg, Eighth Grade well. And then I would take it home and closed due to seismic safety concerns. The I want to make a change, a difference. make it into a town. Which would have building remained off-limits to students I think a lot about life and I believe we are houses and stores. Then after that I would until a seismic retrofit was completed put on this earth to do something, not just get a bigger container and make it into a in 2011-2012. In the fall of 2012, the live and die, whether it is small or big it’s city which would have bigger and smaller building once again came to life with still a difference. I want to help those who houses. Then they would probably be short children marching up and down the are being bullied or have been bullied, or on salad so I would make more salad and steps to classrooms. On top of the brick even are bullies because if they are doing put it in there. Now I would make it into schoolhouse sits a bell tower; inside is it then I want to help them so that they a state, which would be more salad then the bell that fell silent after doors to the can stop. I want to show all of them that I would make it into a country then I schoolhouse were closed, but it is silent life is as amazing as they are. That they are would add more bugs and pick one to be no more. The once-lonely cast-iron bell, ready to be so much more than they give themselves president. And then I would make a world In the years prior to the closure, moved during retrofit, is being rung again credit for. I want to make a group, for all which would be a whole lot of bugs and children were allowed to ring the bell by happy Applegate School children. of those to come to, talk to people, make salad houses and civilization. And there after recesses. Mrs. Crowe, a former first- Photo: Knicki Lucrezi. friends, I want them to have someone they would be more then I would add another grade teacher at Applegate School, recalls can go to for help, or even a shoulder to seven pounds of salad to make the whole having children ring the bell for 22 years. the bell and waited their turn. cry on. world sooner I would make the galaxy All the children were happy and excited to After the building was closed in 2000, I really want to make a change but I which would be a whole dinner table then do so. Children new to the school always the rope was shortened and locked away in can’t do it without your help, I’m only a I would make the universe my whole room. got to ring the bell. Some children would a steel box. Now in 2013 we have opened student, but with time, patience, and your stand next to Mrs. Crowe all during recess the box, and the children have started help we can do this, not only for them but Pictures visiting with her in hopes of being the one taking turns ringing the bell once again. for us as well. We all need a little help, we by Tristin Kohler, Seventh Grade chosen to ring the bell. On the “100th day Here are some comments from all need someone there, and I want to be Pictures are time travel. of school celebration,” students would today’s students about ringing the bell: there for them. I know how it feels and Bringing past to present. ring the bell 100 times. If there were 20 Owen: “I liked ringing the bell and that’s why I want to do this. I know I had Remembering past memories with children, they would each ring five times it was a special thing to do because it was a hard time so I know others are too. just a look at a picture. or adjust when there were odd numbers. my birthday!” There are people that commit suicide Pictures are imagination. Some of us recall hearing the bell ring all Aerawyn: “When ringing the bell, I because of this and I want to prevent that. I Imagining something and painting it. the way up through the small Humbug felt really happy!” want to be there for them, for you any hour Thinking of something that hasn’t Creek valley through the trees and hills, Alyssa and Azalea say it was fun and of any day or night. I want to show them been thought of before. filling the air with its happy sound. they would “want to ring it again.” that they can make it through it, that they During those years a long rope with a Bruce and Aiden also say it was are tough enough. I want to show them I wish I had a million chances huge knot on the end hung from the bell “really, really fun.” that they don’t have to live up to anyone’s by Ivy Guss-Gonzales, Seventh Grade tower. All those years the rope was never Linda Kappen • 541-846-6280 standards but theirs. I want to show them I wish I had a million chances because pulled by any student unless it was time to Schoolwide Education Assistant how wonderful life is if they just try, and if I messed something up I could go back ring the bell. The children had respect for Applegate School look harder under the surface of it because and make things better. Of course I would after all isn’t it what’s on the inside that still remember what happened so I would Undefeated Applegate School girls volleyball team counts, not what’s on the outside? So I’m still learn from my mistakes. I’ve had a lot asking you now, please, help me make a Applegate School is a part of experience for Heather DeVos; it was my of experiences where I wish I could go back SOMSAC, a sports conference for small second time as an assistant coach, but my change? in time to change a death or a failure, but if Stop bullying and speak up. schools. Our volleyball team is comprised first time at Applegate School. Heather did I went back in time to change things what of sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade girls, a great job leading these amazing girls to Bugs in the salad would I learn? These are some of the things who worked so hard. Believe it or not, 11 an undefeated 2013 season, which hasn’t by Joby Evanow, Sixth Grade we wonder about, what if I had done that out of the 12 girls had never even played happened at Applegate School for 29-plus I would see bugs in my salad, “hmmm different? How would we change our life volleyball before. There were many who years. You can’t even imagine the elation what to do, what to do…” if we had done one little thing different? said we would fail, but these girls never when the girls won their final game in their I would make all of it into a little Maybe a million chances wouldn’t be the stopped believing in themselves. Their own gym. Parents, coaches and players all village. Leave all the bugs in there and then best at times. transformation was truly inspiring. We celebrated with hugs and tears of joy. not only watched skills improve, but We had great support from Applegate relationships were mended and a sisterhood School’s principal, Renee Hults, and her Applegater Reader Survey 2013 was formed; their motto became “Those staff, Melissa Smock, Punky Travalini and who say it can’t be done are standing in Justin Montano. Our principal has ordered Please help us make the Applegater the best it can be for our advertisers and readers by completing this brief survey. We sincerely thank you! the way of those doing it!” a plaque for the gymnasium wall for all the We built team skills, taught mutual world to see. The girls are beside themselves respect, positive attitude and gratitude. with anticipation of that great day. They

r r Against all odds and all naysayers, we will walk into that gym and forever be 1. r I would like to read more articles about: r watched these girls show the world their a part of something great at Applegate r Local businesses r Gold and mining r Wine and wineries r Local birds and bugs greatness. It was a magical season and School. r Farming r Local flora and fauna something none of us will forget. Sandi Garoutte • 541-660-5173 r BLM and forestry r Local real estate information This was a first-time coaching [email protected] r Local fire issues r Trails and hiking r Local water issues r Parks and recreation areas r Fish and game r Special events r Gardening r Local artists and sculptors r Ecology and green living r Local musicians Local history Local authors Domestic and farm animals r r Science topics 2. If an issue focused on a specific topic, would you be more likely to read it? Yes No If Yes, what Applegater topic(s)? ______r r r 3. How often would you like to see the published? Quarterly Bimonthly Applegater Monthly online only r r 4 . Would you read the Applegater if it was available ? r Yes r No 5Thanks. Would for taking you the subscribe time to if the complete this was survey. no If longer you have mailed any free? suggestions Yes No to make our community newspaper better for you, please let us know here:

______Name Date The undefeated girls’ volleyball team. From left to right—back row: Assistant coach

______Clip out and mail to Applegater Newspaper,______P.O. Box 14, Jacksonville,______OR 97530 or Sandi Garoutte, Ashley Dodson, Sayge Pereira, Lorelei McNally, Alice Holcolm, Kali Norris, fill out online at applegater.org. Thanks again. Madison Lothrop, Caitlyn Rabjohn, Elizabeth DeVos, coach Heather DeVos. Front row: Charlee Johnson, Adara Peppercorn, Alia Seal and Jessi Hendrickson. Applegater Winter 2013 23 Buying and selling real estate is not all about dollars and cents by jeanne schattler Why does some real estate take downturn in the housing market a lot of pack things away, even if it’s just into this to occur. Here again, when the seller longer to sell than others? After more sellers have been discouraged by a broker’s their garage, seems to help them face the has made that extra effort to prepare the than 12 years as an active realtor, I am estimate for their property. Counting reality that they will be moving soon. home and grounds to sell, “voila,” a buyer still fascinated by the mystery of what on those funds for a replacement home Taking personal pictures off the walls and falls in love. draws a buyer to a home, farm, ranch, or retirement funds, they usually list a reducing clutter helps set the stage for a So to all you potential sellers out or raw land. Usually a listing will have property too high. Sometimes they even buyer to see the house as his or her own. there, hang tight and know that when no activity for a period of time before a change real estate companies and agents a It’s also good to have a place to go if the the time is right the shift will happen; sudden flurry of buyers comes through, few times. Finally the seller finds a price property sells fast. Renting for a bit before everything will fall into place and allow you followed by multiple offers. I think more that feels good—“voila,” a buyer shows up re-purchasing can reduce stress. I have to make that move you have been longing than economic factors are at play. I believe with an offer. done many simultaneous closings that for to start your new venture in life. a seller has to be energetically ready to sell. Another factor is the emotional entail selling and purchasing a new home Jeanne Schattler • 541-621-2480 Coming to grips with reality of attachment. How do sellers let go enough within the same transaction. We just make Jeanne Schattler is a licensed realtor with market pricing can take time. With the to allow their homes to sell? Starting to sure we give enough time in escrow for Ramsay Realty in Jacksonville, OR.

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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.

Photo, top left: — To learn how to construct their bottle house, Jan Jones (left) and Brian Barton referred to the abundant handy tips in the Applegater. Photo, top right: —David Stanley (center) and sons Malik and Shanoah treated the Gater to surfing and fishing lessons at Maliko Gulch, Maui. Photo, left center: –Frank and Pat Peterson, having lost their way in Morocco’s Sahara desert, found comfort in the Applegater’s directions home. Photo, lower left: —The Gater, a serious beer aficionado, was a little too happy to accompany Carol and Blair Moody to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland. Keep those articles, letters, opinions and “Reading the Gater” photos coming in.

You are the Gater! The Applegater Staff and Board