Dallas Community Advantage April 2024

Published by

Active Media Publishing Group

PO Box 672, Aurora, OR 97002

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503.825.2111

ADMINISTRATION

Matthew Nelson, Publisher

Catrina Nelson, CFO

Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant

PRODUCTION

Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director

Donovan Darling, Content Manager

Kate Astle, Copyeditor

Kaity VanHoose, Social Media Manager

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Hilary Berg Sean Carver

Dani DeGraw Brittany Jungenberg

Morgan King

Justin Nelson

Shawn Schmidt

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Patti Jo Brooks Olive Gallagher

Angie Helvey Lucas Holmgren

Robert Matsumura Dennis McNabb

Edward Novak Kelly Romo

Gretchen Van Lente Ty Walker

Alice Williams Kerry Yu

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Laurel Bice Carly Carpenter

Tyler Francke Angie Helvey

Brittany Jungenberg Malaina Kinne

Lisa Kuhlman Kara Langley

Andrew Sambuceto Henry Schifter

Hayley Starkey

ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS

Don Ormsby Bill Kistler

Stephanie Baker Peggy Jacobs

David Long Chris O’Brien

John Zobrist Brad Marti

Shelley Zeman Tina Toney

Darren Dwyer Lynnette Scott

Looking to reach local consumers?

We Specialize in direct-mail products: community magazine advertising, mailing inserts, postcards and more. For more information, call 503.825.2111 or email info@ActiveMediaUSA.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE DALLAS LIBRARY?

Cows, Racing, and Western Wonderland

The history of Alpenrose Dairy

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

Pony rides? Baseball? Go kart racing? A person unfamiliar with the history of Alpenrose Dairy might frown in confusion at the mention of such activities in relationship to a dairy, but for those of us fortunate enough to have grown up in the Portland area during the last half of the 20th century, the name Alpenrose conjures up so much more than just dairy products.

It all began in 1896 when Florian Cadonau, a Swiss immigrant, moved to Oregon with his wife Agnes. The couple purchased a dairy at 35th and Vermont (known then as Hoffman Road) and started delivering milk to customers via horse-drawn buggy. At the time, many Swiss immigrants were moving to Portland due to the state’s fertile land and temperate climate. So similar were Oregon and Switzerland in this respect that in 1912, Paul Ritter, the Swiss Ambassador to the United States, while touring the state called Oregon “a second, but a larger Switzerland.”

In 1916, Henry Cadonau, Florian’s son, along with his wife Rosina (daughter of the Swiss consul to Portland) took over the family business. Henry and Rosina established their own farm nearby at 45th and Vermont which they named Alpenrose Dairy. The next few decades saw Alpenrose expand its operations, thriving while other competing dairies fell prey to mergers and consolidations. However, in 1943 a fire destroyed a barn and other equipment, and the decision was made to relocate Alpenrose to its present location on Shattuck Road. For years the Alpenrose delivery truck was a common sight in Portland neighborhoods, delivering milk in glass bottles straight to the milk box at one’s front door. At its height, Alpenrose had 50 delivery trucks and 35,000 customers.

It was during the 1950s when Henry’s grandsons were playing baseball too near Rosina’s rose garden (and trampling some of her plants) that she tasked her husband with building a baseball field for the boys. It wasn’t long before the local Little League was playing there also, and dugouts, lights, and a scoreboard were subsequently added. In the following years two more fields were constructed, and Alpenrose became known for its excellent baseball facilities. For a number of years Alpenrose Field even hosted the Little League Softball World Series which was broadcast on ESPN.

As it turned out, the baseball fields were just the beginning of Alpenrose’s involvement in the community. A hundred Shetland ponies were purchased by the family shortly thereafter, and pony rides were offered to children visiting the dairy. The Cadonaus also brought the ponies to local events — making it possible for numerous children to experience their first horseback ride. Alpenrose trotted out their ponies to represent the dairy in many city parades as well.

Soon baseball and ponies were not the only attractions drawing people to Alpenrose. Uncle Ray, the father of Rod Birkland — a cousin of the Cadonau boys — being mechanically-minded, came up with the idea of a quarter-midget racing track. It wasn’t long before the idea became a reality, and child-sized race cars were zooming around a track a quartermile in length, set in a natural bowl shaped area with seating for up to 500 spectators. In addition to the midget racing track, a velodrome facility was added in 1967 for bicycle racing.

With the popularity of the aforementioned facilities, the Cadonaus created a final addition to their burgeoning recreational wonderland — Dairyville. A dairy-themed village with Old West-style storefronts, the charming attraction featured a doll museum, a harness-maker’s shop, an ice cream parlor, a music shop, and a 600-seat opera house with a Skinner pipe organ (now located in Portland’s Keller Auditorium). For decades, Dairyland was the nexus of a plethora of community events, ranging from “Sunday Fundays” featuring kite flying and frog races to visits from Rusty Nails, a popular clown with a local television show for children. From trapeze acts to chariot racing, Alpenrose grew from just a local attraction to a major amusement venue for the entire region.

The winter holiday season saw Alpenrose transform into a magical place. Christmas in Dairyville featured Storybook Lane, an elaborate display with live animal displays and 300 Christmas trees set in a miniature town. Each year 400 volunteers gathered to set up and host this traditional event that drew thousands of families from around the area.

Rosina Cadonau became known simply as “Grandma” to generations of fourthgraders who field-tripped to Alpenrose to learn the operations of a dairy.

Carl Cadonau Sr. was sold the idea by the owner of Kissler’s Cyclery, a longtime bicycle shop in Southwest Portland. At the time the Pan American games needed a location for cycling trials. The Alpenrose Velodrome was one of the first constructed in the U.S. for that purpose, and with the steepest bank of any outdoor velodrome in the world, it drew enthusiasts from around the globe.

“Swiss Miss” taught the children how to milk a cow and then escorted them across the street for ice cream and cookies baked by “Grandma.”

Today, Alpenrose Dairy remains in operation, but Dairyville is closed. The race tracks and sports fields, too, face an uncertain future. A dispute between family members that ended in litigation resulted in Alpenrose being sold to the Kent, Washington-based Smith Brothers Farms. Smith Brothers continue to operate the dairy under the Alpenrose name.

In July of 2021, items from the former Storybook Lane and Dairyville were sold at auction, bringing to a close one of Portland’s most cherished cultural treasures.

For those of us who grew up in Portland with the good fortune to partake in the sporting events, pony rides, fireworks, and holiday fun that was Alpenrose, we will forever miss this magical place. But we should all thank the Cadonau family for their generosity, decades of hard work, and a community spirit that transformed a regular dairy into a place that will reside in our memories forever!

The College Tour

WOU to be featured in Amazon Prime show

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer Photos courtesy of WOU

Why choose Western Oregon University? For starters, WOU is a public university that offers students a unique and high-quality college experience. Students of diverse backgrounds, first-generation college students, transfer students and postgraduates alike appreciate the university’s smaller class sizes, student-led organizations, and a multitude of cultural and interest-specific clubs. Western is a place where students come together and adopt the charming town of Monmouth as their home-away-from-home. It is a place where lifelong friendships begin and individuals discover their strengths and talents. New found passions emerge and every care is given to support students’ overall health and well-being. At Western, a student is never alone!

Western will be featured in Amazon Prime’s award-winning show “The College Tour,” with host and executive producer, Alex Boylan. The series focuses on different colleges or universities in the United States in each episode, and includes stories of multiple college students’ experiences. University president Jesse Peters expresses, “I am excited that we now have the opportunity to share our unique story with a nationwide audience through this exceptional episode.” He further comments that “Western holds a special significance, particularly for first-generation and historically underrepresented students and those seeking a personalized education that equips them for success in life.”

“The College Tour” WOU episode will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime on May 28, 2024 in season 11. However, Western’s “The College Tour” episode is available to watch now at wou.edu/the-college-tour/ and on The College Tour App. See what these students have to say!

David Echevarria, an exercise science major, shares, “Western isn’t just a place about learning. It’s a place where creativity and innovation take root and flourish.”

Nancy Montecinos, a psychology major, and first in her family to attend college, finds encouragement to step out of her comfort zone and grow.

Max Smoot-Brown came to WOU for the criminal justice program and the hands-on experience.

Layla William came for the dance program but fell in love with the community and Western’s beautiful campus.

Justin Conklin, a lifelong athlete, transferred to complete his exercise science degree and compete in NCAA Division II track and field.

Aneli Godinez-Martinez, an exercise science major, participates in the student-led Freedom Center which provides peer to peer advising and other valuable student resources.

Keisha Taylor transferred into WOU’s renowned American Sign Language program and is learning skills to become a sign language interpreter. WOU has also helped her discover other hidden talents.

Hunter Hall, a graduate student in education and undergrad in mathematics, as well as current student body president, declares, “Western helps you to find your confidence and succeed.”

Brenda Rocio Martinez, a public policy & administration major and first-generation college student, appreciates bilingual and multicultural advisors and a strong connection with Latino culture.

Hannah Rispler, Secondary English education major and NCAA Division II women’s soccer athlete, finds harmony, balance, and camaraderie and promises, “It truly is a family environment at Western!”

Brenda Rocio Martinez (pictured left) Max Smoot-Brown (right).

No House of Cards

Growing business protects your home investment

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer

Windows, doors, siding and roofs. Lifetime Windows & Doors has all your exterior needs covered! Serving the Pacific Northwest since 1998, with operations in Portland, Vancouver, Bend and a newly-opened Salem location, Lifetime has grown to be a local industry leader. When inclement weather has wreaked havoc on your home’s exteriors, then it’s time to take action. Call Lifetime Windows & Doors to ensure the outside elements stay outside!

Did you know that the average home loses approximately 30% of its thermal energy through the windows alone?

Lifetime Windows & Doors offers high-quality, energy-efficient replacements for both windows and doors from well-known manufacturers such as Milgard. With the opening of their newest location in Salem, Lifetime Windows & Doors is excited to be doing installs throughout the Willamette Valley, from Corvallis and Albany to Monmouth and Independence to Salem, Woodburn, McMinnville, Wilsonville and on up through Portland and Vancouver. And let’s not forget about their Bend location!

Lifetime Windows & Doors started 26 years ago when Carl Thompson, an Army vet and glass wholesaler, teamed up with his high school classmate and friend, Eric Peterson, who’d become a general contractor. The two grew up together in Milwaukie, Oregon, attended Rex Putnam High and worked their first jobs together. Today, their successful business venture is a testament to their friendship and shared values: Attitude is everything. One team. Own it. Make it better.

A positive attitude is important in any business and every employee at Lifetime Windows & Doors understands that “attitude is everything.” Those who recognize a problem in the workplace or identify a way to improve an aspect of their workflow are encouraged to “own it” and help the company to “make it better.” In that way, not only is efficiency improved, but employees are engaged in the process. Finally, employees are treated as family and mentored to recognize they are all part of “one team.”

When they cooperate and work together towards common goals, everyone wins!

As such, it made perfect sense when Kyle Steckly, an amazing team member from Bend who was relocating back to his hometown of Salem, asked Thompson and Peterson to be considered for setting up a Salem operation. A young family man who grew up in Salem, Steckly is now the Field Supervisor of the new Salem

branch, which is currently supported and overseen from Portland. “He’s our boots on the ground,” Peterson says of Steckly, “and will eventually run the Salem location fairly independently.” Zach Creswick, a qualified professional and enthusiastic local team member works alongside Steckly to provide “the same amazing service that for the last 26 years has kept thousands of customers in Oregon and Washington more comfortable, as well as providing more energy-efficient homes,” expresses Peterson.

The Lifetime Windows & Doors team looks forward to working with local members of the community for all their home exterior needs. Not only will your home investment be protected from the elements, quality siding and roofing as well as energy-efficient windows and doors can serve to increase the value of

Installing Comfort Since 1998!

your home, boost curb appeal and give voice to your personality.

In honor of our veterans who have served this great nation, Lifetime Windows & Doors offers a Veterans Discount to show their thanks and appreciation.

Call 971-265-6298 today for a free estimate or visit lifetimewindows.net for more information. Visit their new Salem showroom at 1330 12th St. SE, Suite 100.

Eric Peterson

Carl Thompson

Robin Ekloff Owner

Baskets of Bliss

Upgrade your house with Hamblin’s flowers

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer Photos courtesy of Hamblin’s Nursery

This year, be the envy of all your neighbors. Embellish your yard with hanging baskets, bedding plants and vegetable starts from Hamblin’s Nursery!

There’s nothing quite like a gorgeous hanging basket to beautify the facade of your home or business. But let’s be honest, not all baskets are created equal. Many big box stores and nurseries throughout the valley simply don’t have the kind of passion or expertise to provide those flowering plants with the appropriate nutrients they need to flourish in our sometimes difficult climate. As inflation continues to diminish our purchasing power, we must be more selective than ever in choosing where to buy things. When it comes to hanging baskets, bedding plants, and vegetable starts, to get the most bang for your buck, there’s no better place than Hamblin’s Nursery in Dallas, Oregon.

Customers frequently comment about Hamblin’s, “Why are their plants so much healthier than everyone else’s? And “How do they get their leaves to be such a vibrant

green?” While the explanation is complex, the answer is simple: because owners John and Calene Hamblin have put in countless hours of research, trial and error to ensure the quality of their plants. Starting back in 2000, the business born of a genuine passion for agriculture, John and Calene opened for business selling plants at the Saturday Market in Salem. Before earning the stellar reputation they enjoy today, they were afraid people wouldn’t be willing to make the drive out to their property.

Word spread quickly however, and each year demand grew. John kept working, trying different combinations of flowers to discover what thrived in the local climate. He also developed the best bloom fertilizer (which he sells) especially formulated for the specific plants they sell. 24 years later the business is flourishing. Expanding from the eight greenhouses they had in 2017, they currently have a whopping 26, all built by John himself and they’re still growing! They no longer participate in the Saturday Market — all plants are sold from the retail outlet on their property — but people are more than happy to make the short drive since the quality of their plants is so superior!

Even more incredible is the fact that their prices are 40% to 50% cheaper than most of the competition! Twelve-inch hanging baskets are their biggest sellers and are priced at only $27 (or $25 each when you buy five or more). In a single season, they sell upwards of nearly 100,000 plants: more than 8,000 hanging plants and the cultivated individual offerings. But beware, it’s first come first served. While they are open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., it’s only until they run out of stock. Then their season is over. One year it took only 36 days to sell every single item!

If you’re looking for a pop of color to brighten your yard, look no further than Hamblin’s Nursery. Their season opens April 19, and inventory goes quickly, so don’t delay! Find them online at hamblinsnursery.com or on Facebook for more information. Hamblin’s is located at 4550 Kings Valley Hwy, just 4 short miles south of Dallas.

Only Four Miles South of Dallas

“It’s Worth The Drive!”

4550 Kings Valley Hwy

Dallas 503-508-4374

Hamblin’s NURSERY

Hanging Baskets · Annuals · Vegetable Starts

Nursery Hours

Open 7 days a week during growing season 9am–6pm

12-inch Hanging Baskets

100s of Varieties

Grows all season

Growing Season

Open middle of April until all plants are sold. Call for current season.

What our Customers are Saying

“Every spring, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of my hanging basket from Hamblin’s Nursery. The vibrant splashes of color blend perfectly, making my front porch bright and beautiful all throughout the spring and summer.” Jane Emmons

“My son surprised me on Mother’s Day with a Hamblin’s Nursery hanging basket. I love their flowers with their colorful and long-lasting blooms. Neighbors often stop to ask me where I got the basket. I tell them Hamblin’s Nursery, the best place for quality flowers.”

Kathy Edell

Serving the flower needs of the Willamette Valley since 1998

Delightful Driveway

INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME WITH PAVERS

Hello, friends! Ever notice how your driveway sets the stage for your home’s vibe? It’s like the opening act to a great show! So, why not make it a showstopper? When tackling a driveway project, there’s plenty to think about. Every detail matters, like pieces in a design puzzle, all coming together to create that perfect first impression. Be sure to check out our tips below!

1 EMBRACE PERMEABLE SURFACES

Living in the beautiful Willamette Valley means embracing water-conscious design. Opt for permeable pavers that not only allow rainwater to gently filter through but also offer sturdy support for your vehicles.

2 DEFINE WITH BOLD BORDERS

Add a touch of distinction to your outdoor spaces with bold border stones. These not only create clean lines but also effortlessly guide traffic, ensuring a harmonious flow between pedestrian and vehicle zones.

3 ELEVATE WITH CONTRASTING COLORS

Infuse your entrance with personality by playing with contrasting colors. This simple yet effective technique promises to imbue your home’s exterior with an eyecatching allure that guests won’t soon forget.

4 ENDURING SURFACES

Paving stones promise a lifetime of enjoyment, providing durability and timeless charm for your driveway surface.

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