Gourmet Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Satisfy your post-carving cravings
Spicy-Sweet
2 cups raw pumpkin seeds
3 tablespoons butter, melted (or olive oil)
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
* pinch of cayenne pepper
* freshly ground black pepper
Preheat to 325°. In medium bowl, combine butter, syrup, 3/4 teaspoon salt, cinnamon, ginger, pinch of cayenne pepper and few grinds of black pepper. Add seeds and toss to coat. Transfer to parchment-
lined baking sheet. Bake — stirring halfway through — until browned and fragrant, about 20 to 30 minutes. Season with pinch of salt.
Garlic-Parmesan
2 cups raw pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or butter)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 325°F. In medium bowl, combine oil, cheese, garlic powder and salt. Add seeds and toss to coat. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake — stirring halfway through — until golden brown and fragrant, about 20 to 30 minutes.
Roasting Tips
Use the oven’s center rack.
Don’t crowd the pan.
Watch seeds to ensure they don’t burn.
Are
State-of-the-Art Heating and Cooling Solutions
Serving the Stayton community for almost 20 years
By Kelly Romo and Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writers Photos courtesy of Focus Heating & Cooling
Dealing with HVAC contractors can be a frustrating experience, often leaving you feeling despondent, wondering if your hard-earned money has been wellspent. But that’s not the case with Focus Heating & Cooling. Since 2005, owners Jason and Janci Burns (husband and wife team) have worked tirelessly to build a positive corporate culture and ensure that customers, employees, and the greater community are treated with the utmost care and respect. After all, happy employees provide superior service. And at Focus Heating & Cooling, comfort is their FOCUS — both in terms of your home’s temperature and your overall experience!
Like any company with an esteemed reputation, customer service is their highest priority. That said, it is their genuine care and concern for customers that sets Focus Heating & Cooling
apart from the pack. They are committed to being honest with every client and providing all the necessary information for you to make an informed decision without pressure. People are prioritized over processes and dollar signs, and by doing so, they hope to form long-lasting relationships built on a foundation of trust. By encouraging customers to take advantage of their regular maintenance programs, they also hope to ensure your HVAC unit’s optimal performance and energy efficiency, which benefits both the environment and your pocketbook!
In terms of services, Focus Heating & Cooling offers a wide range of options, including basic installations, maintenance services, ductwork solutions, gas furnace installation, gas piping services, venting of appliances and designing heating systems for light commercial projects. Their expertise covers all aspects of your heating and cooling needs and they offer free installation bids!
Focus Heating & Cooling is a locally owned and operated family business. They have been serving and employing individuals from the Santiam Canyon Area for almost 20 years, and genuinely care about their local communities. As a matter of principle, the company donates $5 out of every service call to essential organizations and charities. Locally, they give to such concerns as the food bank, the SIT, and the annual toy drive (in conjunction with local fire stations). This quarter, they are proudly donating proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the ongoing war against breast cancer. Janci has personal experience with this terrible disease (both her mother and a close friend) and is grateful for the opportunity to assist.
By upholding clear and ethical values in all aspects of the business, Focus Heating & Cooling has continuously earned its reputation as the premier HVAC company in the region, even winning the coveted Large Business of the Year Award for the Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce in 2023!
Sealing Success
John’s Waterproofing celebrates 50 years of service
By Kelly Romo, Contributing Writer
In 1974, John Lombardi founded John’s Waterproofing with a simple but powerful vision: to protect homes from the damaging effects of moisture in basements and crawl spaces. Initially, Lombardi handled all aspects of the business himself, working tirelessly to build a foundation of trust and excellence. His commitment to delivering high-quality service allowed the company to expand significantly, evolving from a one-man operation to a thriving family-owned business with a reputation for innovation, integrity and customer satisfaction. As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s clear that John’s Waterproofing has grown and evolved while remaining true to its roots.
John’s determination and hands-on approach allowed the company to steadily grow for the first couple of decades of its operation. The waterproofing industry, however, began to shift in the 1990s with the introduction of products specifically formulated for basement and crawl space waterproofing on the East Coast.
A company called Contractor Nation dove into the science of waterproofing by crafting products and processes that could provide long-lasting solutions for belowgrade spaces. To ensure John’s Waterproofing offered the best to his neighbors across the PNW, John learned about these new
advances, testing and tailoring them to provide region-specific solutions that set them apart from competitors.
A pivotal moment in the company’s history occurred in 2019 when long-time employee Robin Ekloff took over ownership when John retired. Ekloff, who has worked for John’s Waterproofing since 1997, ensured that the transition was smooth, maintaining the same level of service and integrity the company was known for. Under Ekloff’s leadership, the company has continued to thrive and innovate. Adding new services such as electrical work, Cummins whole-home generators and radon mitigation, John’s Waterproofing has positioned itself as a comprehensive home health solution provider.
Over the last five decades, the waterproofing and foundation repair industry has seen tremendous technological advancements, and John’s Waterproofing has consistently remained at the forefront. One of the most significant innovations is the CleanSpace® crawl space vapor barrier, which is a 20-mil thick woven material designed to completely seal out groundwater. This system helps protect homes from moisture and mold and deters pests while improving energy efficiency. In addition to CleanSpace®, the company offers the TripleSafe™ sump pump, which ensures that below-grade spaces always stay dry by efficiently pumping water away from the foundation. John’s takes pride in improving indoor air quality by keeping the space dry at all times to prevent mold spores and allergens from reaching the living areas above.
As a familyowned company, John’s Waterproofing has always placed a strong emphasis on creating a positive work environment and fostering a sense of integrity throughout its operations. Many employees are family members or long-time staff who have become like family. This strong internal culture ensures that every employee is dedicated to delivering the best possible service to customers. Ekloff has continued Lombardi’s practice of leading by example, reinforcing a culture of honesty, reliability, and community service.
Current owner, Robin Ekloff and his wife Shelley 2023
Founder John Lombardi with his wife Mavis
The new John’s Waterproofing building
John & Mavis Lombardi
The company’s commitment to integrity extends beyond its workforce. John’s Waterproofing is heavily involved in community initiatives, supporting Habitat for Humanity, local schools, the Silverton Area Community Aid (SACA) and the Mount Angel American Legion. By actively participating in these efforts, the company not only helps improve the lives of its neighbors but also reinforces its role as a trusted community partner.
Since taking over in 2019, Ekloff has introduced several new product lines and services to help grow the company. One of his key initiatives has been expanding the company’s offerings to include home electrical services and installing Cummins home generators. With these new additions, John’s Waterproofing provides comprehensive solutions to homeowners, ensuring their homes are protected from water damage and equipped to handle
power outages and other potential hazards. Despite the challenges of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, Ekloff has successfully grown the company, and it continues to thrive.
Looking ahead, John’s Waterproofing is preparing for new industry trends. One of the most significant shifts has been the growing demand for basement finishing as more people work from
home. Before converting a basement into a livable space, homeowners must ensure it’s appropriately waterproofed to avoid costly repairs later on. John’s Waterproofing offers specialized services to help homeowners protect their investment and create additional square footage in their homes.
As John’s Waterproofing celebrates 50 years of excellence, the company remains committed to providing topquality waterproofing services and helping homeowners create healthier, safer living spaces. Whether you’re dealing with a wet basement or a damp crawl space or simply want to improve your home’s air quality, John’s Waterproofing offers free inspections and personalized recommendations to meet your specific needs. To learn more, visit their website at johnswaterproofing.com or call them at 503-873-5650.
Robin and John in 2019 when Robin purchased the company
Striking Gold
Miner and entrepreneur finds success in wagon freight
By Oregon Black Pioneers
Photos Courtesy of the Grant County Museum
Christopher Columbus Sewell was a miner and entrepreneur and the patriarch of a successful Black family during Eastern Oregon’s gold rush years. Sewell was born in Washington, DC in 1823. His mother Maria was granted her freedom in 1827, along with Columbus and his five siblings.
It is believed that Sewell left Washington, DC at an early age. Later in life, he would claim to have fought under General Winfield Scott during the Black Hawk War, a US Army campaign against the Sauk and Kickapoo tribes in Iowa. However, this war took place in 1832, when Sewell was just 9 years old. What is certain, though, is that Columbus Sewell was counted in the 1850 census for Iowa County, Wisconsin.
Columbus moved further west in search of gold following the 1849 California gold rush. He worked as a miner throughout the 1850s in northern California, and appears in the 1860 census as a resident of Weaverville, in Trinity County.
Two years later, gold was discovered in Canyon Creek, a gulch near present day John Day, Oregon. A boom town emerged, which became known as Canyon City, and it soon became the county seat of Grant County. Many Californians migrated north to Canyon City, including Columbus. He worked as a ranch hand for prominent rancher Bradford Trowbridge from 1862-1865 before establishing a gold claim of his own.
The Civil War came to an end in 1865, emancipating enslaved African Americans nationwide. Sewell took a trip east at some point after the war and returned to Canyon City in 1868 as a married man. His new wife, Louisa, was a native of Richmond, Virginia. Columbus and Louisa made their home in town and raised two sons, Thomas (born 1869) and Joseph (born 1872). The Sewells were all prominent figures within the local community,
and were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Each of them was mentioned frequently in the social pages of the Grant County News.
Columbus likely continued working his gold claim, but sources show that he was working as a teamster, or wagon driver, by 1865. In that role, Sewell transported raw materials like lumber and wool to points as far away as Baker City and The Dalles. He would return with his wagons loaded with food, goods, and supplies. Columbus’ business was very successful. At one point he had as many as 12 horses pulling his fleet of wagons. Once, during a blizzard in 1884, Sewell famously cleared snow from the streets of The Dalles by affixing a snowplow to his wagon, which allowed stranded travelers to continue on. Sewell was still hauling freight by wagon as late as 1891.
In 1892, Columbus filed a Homestead Act claim for 160 acres of land four miles south of town. This claim would be certified in 1897. Sadly, the Sewell family did not get to enjoy this land together. Louisa passed away in 1893 and their son Joseph died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1898. Columbus would pass away in 1899, leaving his homestead and business to Thomas Sewell. Thomas continued living and working in Canyon City until his own death in 1943.
The Sewells are remembered not only for being Eastern Oregon’s first Black family, but also for their friendship and generosity towards their neighbors in Grant County.
Oregon Black Pioneers is Oregon’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans statewide. To learn more, and to support this nonprofit, visit oregonblackpioneers.org.
©Oregon Black Pioneers, 2024
Portrait of Columbus Sewell
Prospector attributed to being Columbus Sewell
Louisa Sewell, and possibly her son, Thomas.
