Klamath Life Magazine by Gerard O'Brien

REGIONAL MAGAZINE FOR KLAMATH, LAKE, MODOC AND SISKIYOU COUNTIES

Klamath Life On the job

New K-9 officer joins Klamath County Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office

Redband run

Prized Native trout begin their river journey

Wild & Edible A fungal harvest grows in Klamath region forests

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Klamath Life

On the Horizon Inside:

On the cover: Chief, the Klamath County

Sheriff’s Office new K-9 officer, waits patiently for Deputy Tom Hoy to give him his toy.

Plotting together: Outdoors group unites lovers of all things outdoors. Page 8

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Story on page 5. Cover photo by Tess Novotny

Familiar country: Regional history books put focus on trail, tradition. Page 12

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Wild & edible: Autumn brings a fungal harvest for Klamath pickers. Page 14

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On the move: The hunt for red(band) in October is soon to begin. Page 17

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Restoring the land: Forestry work provides natural resource experience. Page 20

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Past, present, future: Klamath County Museum artifacts help define Klamath. Page 23

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8 17

Universal language: Oregon Old-Time Fiddlers brought together through music. Page 26

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Bump the lights! Working behind the scenes for a season of entertainment. Page 28

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Overnight success: Easy-to-make slow-rise breads work while you sleep. Page 33

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4 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

Trained to the

Teeth Klamath County Sheriﬀ ’s new K-9 oﬃcer on the job By TESS NOVOTNY: H&N Staff Reporter

he first few times patrol deputy Tom Hoy met his new tracking and apprehension partner, a 2 ½ year-old German Schutzhund dog named Chief, the canine wanted to eat him.

Chief, the Klamath County Sheriff Office’s new and first K-9 officer, is a highly trained canine who arrived on July 22. Chief helps KCSO find arrest criminal suspects. He has since bonded to Hoy, riding along with him on every call for backup and protection, and even sleeps in a special kennel at his house.

H&N photo by Tess Novotny

Ready to ride: Chief, the Klamath County Sheriff Office’s new, and first, K-9 officer sits in his air-conditioned patrol car chamber.

Hoy, chosen as the sole designated KCSO K-9 handler, said he was prepared to work hard to gain Chief’s trust and respect. Chief was raised as a protection dog in Germany, and trained in extensive obstacle courses and agility competitions. KCSO purchased him from a police dog distributor in West Virginia called Makor, and was personally transported to Klamath Falls by his previous handler. “The first few days, all I could do was feed him little bits of food through the fence because he was attacking it and trying to bite me,” Hoy said. But eventually, Hoy said, he had to take the reins from Chief’s previous handler: “It’s now or never,” the handler told Hoy. “Walk in that kennel like you own the place.” See OFFICER, page 5

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 5

OFFICER, from page 4 It was hard, Hoy said, because even with Chief’s enclosure shut, the dog was smacking and slamming his body against the sides. But after some positive communication involving food through the fenced enclosure, Hoy went in. “I think the only thing that really kept me alive is I took his favorite ball with me,” Hoy said through a chuckle. “When I walked in, I told him to sit. And he did! The first week or so, if the trainer that flew him from Germany, was there, he’d always go

to him and not me. But after about a week, he realized I was dad now. We’ve clicked really well since then.” Hoy said he’s developed a true connection with Chief that, by nature of being his handler, only he and the dog can share. Relating “When it’s just him and me, I’m loving on him, I’m scratching his face, he’s licking my neck — we’re like best friends,” Hoy said. “But when anyone else is around, he’s very protective of me.” But one of the most important things is

keeping Chief passionate and invested in his work, Hoy said. He is not a pet, and cannot be treated as such. “One of the hardest parts about having a working dog is you’re not allowed to really treat him like a dog,” Hoy said. “You have to remember that they’re a tool. If I’m face to face with a bad guy and I need that dog to help keep me and my buddy safe, he needs to have that drive and aggression, and the only way you can maintain that is by kind of exiling him from being a pet.” See OFFICER, page 4

Working together: Chief bites down on his favorite toy. Almost every time Klamath County Deputy Tom Hoy dangles the rubbery yellow ball near Chief, he becomes immediately quiet and attentive. Bonding: Chief jumps on Hoy. It took about a week of training before Chief and Hoy bonded as partners. H&N photos by Tess Novotny

6 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

OFFICER, from page 5 Even so, Hoy said he and KCSO work keep him comfortable. Chief spends his days between a carefully constructed and monitored airconditioned pen in Hoy’s car, alongside Hoy out in the field, and in a kennel at Hoy’s home with two dog houses, a bed, straw, shade and soft sand for digging. He lives with Hoy not just to foster their bond, he said, but because the pair are on call 24/7. If he gets a call at 4 a.m. — say Deschutes county law enforcement is dealing with a barricaded suspect and needs dog assistance — Hoy and Chief have to hit the ground running. Having Chief with him at all times makes Hoy feel safer, he said. He won’t necessarily need to wait long stretches of time for backup on remote calls, and he knows the public is safer because he and Chief are better able to apprehend suspects together. “A lot of people don’t respect a man with a badge, but everybody respects a mean dog,” he said. On the job Chief has already helped Hoy take a subject into custody. Hoy recounted an incident dealing with a known unpredictable, violent subject a few weeks back. If Chief weren’t with Hoy, the suspect may have run, and it would have been tough for Hoy to catch up. “But I had him on a leash and I said ‘you don’t want to run from him,’” Hoy said. For the first time, after many instances of dealing with him, the subject knelt down, threw his hands in the air and said “I’m good.” “Everything I’ve been working for over the last year since I started asking about wanting to be the K-9 guy, it all came into play right there,” Hoy said.

H&N photo by Tess Novotny

Training and patience: Chief’s tongue lolls out of his mouth as he waits, patiently, for Hoy to give him his toy. Chief was trained for two years in agility and protection in Germany.

‘A lot of people don’t respect a man with a badge, but everybody respects a mean dog.’ — Klamath County Deputy Tom Hoy

Additionally, Hoy thinks that law enforcement agencies with dogs like Chief are less likely to use lethal force on suspects. “The public is actually safer in the long run because there have been lots of documented times when lethal force was justified and authorized completely, but they used a dog to take the suspect into custody without hav-

ing to go to lethal force,” Hoy said. “It’s a huge bonus all around.” Chief cost $21,500 with donations coming in from community members and organizations like the Klamath Dog Fanciers and Klamath Rocks. Hoy said they are halfway to raising enough money for a second canine, and people can send program donations to the Sheriff’s office.

“Canine is considered kind of a special unit — they’re typically not funded by law enforcement departments, and in this particular situation, the community is actually who paid for Chief and that’s how most law enforcement agencies get canine programs,” KCSO Public Information Officer and Emergency Manager Morgan Lindsay said. One individual who has pledged a regular donation to the canine program is KFLS radio news director Paul Hansen. Hansen told KCSO he would pledge $25 per month in honor of the German shepherd he handled serving in the Vietnam War. ‘Good dog’ He also told Sheriff Chris Kaber that his dog was named Chief. A few weeks later, Kaber called Hanson back to tell him they named their first dog Chief after his dog. Hanson was shocked. “It was emotional, I felt really good” Hanson said, welling up. “He was a good dog. I spent 18 months of my life with that dog in a war zone — and we got hit with mortar and rocket attacks — and he was just a good partner for me.” Hanson thinks the new Chief will make as good an addition to the KCSO team as his dog made in keeping him safe in Vietnam. And someday, when Chief has served up to 10 years with the department, he’ll get to retire and relax from the intensity of his career. Hoy said people who know and have worked with police dogs before are typically tapped to adopt retired canines. He hopes to remain Chief’s handler throughout his career, and then retire together someday. “Oh yeah, I wouldn’t let anybody else do it,” he said. tnovotny@heraldandnews.com

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 7

Plotting F together

orget things like dues, officers and formalities. For members of the Klamath Basin Outdoor Group, it’s all about getting out — whether day hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing or, less often, kayaking or bicycling.

Klamath Basin Outdoor Group unites lovers of all things outdoors By LEE JUILLERAT: For the Herald and News

Pause & appreciate: Hikers enjoy the view on their way to Mount Eddy in California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

“We’ll do anything that someone will lead and is human-powered,” explains Bill Van Moorhem, called by some KBOG’s unofficial leader. Once, and sometimes twice, a week, Van Moorhem and others lead mostly day outings, from hikes in the Mountain Lakes or Sky Lakes wildernesses to treks in Lava Beds National Monument to kayak trips on regional lakes and rivers. Van Moorhem learned about what is now KBOG shortly after moving to Klamath Falls in 2004. The predecessor group, which focused on climbing and mountaineering, transformed into KBOG because, “There were more people interested in hiking and backpacking.” The name was changed “because I thought it would be more effective.”

Photo courtesy of Margo McCullough

See TOGETHER, page 8

8 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

TOGETHER, from page 7 Because there is no official governing organization, weekly outings — usually on Saturdays and Mondays — are led by a variety of volunteers. “If somebody will lead an event, we’ll have one,” Van Moorhem says, noting schedules are arranged during informal monthly meetings held at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at The Ledge, a downtown Klamath Falls outdoor clothing and equipment shop. In recent months, trip leaders have included Gary Vequist, Bernadette “Bernie” Kero, Margo McCullough, Hans Kuhr and, of course, Van Moorhem. August and September outings included kayaking at Spring Creek, day hiking to Cherry Peak, backpacking to Island Lake, hiking up Aspen Butte, day trekking to Heavenly Twins Lake and overnighting to Lake Margurette. See TOGETHER, page 9

Photo courtesy of Bernadette Kero

Wilderness queen: Lake Harriette is often regarded the Queen of the Mountain Lakes Wilderness.

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TOGETHER, from page 8 Because many KBOG members are retired or older — Van Moorhem estimates the average age is 60 — day hikes are usually from 3 to 7 miles, although some have been longer. “It very much depends on who’s the leader,” he explains. Among those who appreciate KBOG is Anthony Benedetti, who oversees more than 100 miles of wilderness trails on the Fremont-Winema National Forest. Four KBOG volunteers recently spent three days in the Sky Lakes Wilderness helping with trail maintenance. “I’ve known about the KBOG for the past few years and they have been a good group to work with,” Benedetti says. He notes Van Moorhem urged people to assist with the trail work because KBOG members frequently use trails in and near the Sky Lakes and Mountain Lakes wildernesses. “I was impressed by Bill’s email suggesting that because they use the trails they should be giving back by helping with their maintenance.”

Lighting the way: A brilliant sunrise over Squaw Lake starts the day on a recent backpacking trip. Photo courtesy of Sharon Leedham

In a quiet wood: A tired backpacker takes an impromptu rest along a mountain trail. Photo courtesy of Margo McCullough

Sharon Leedham, who participated in the Sky Lakes project, learned about KBOG eight years ago, a time when, “I was looking for hiking buddies in this area.” She joins outings as often as possible, explaining, “I love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing and kayaking. I hope to do cross country skiing this winter.” Her favorite backpacking trips — “so far” — include the Diamond Peak Wilderness, far Northern California’s Lost Coast and the Oregon Coast from Bandon to Port Orford. Ranger Springs is one of her favorite day hikes. Margo McCullough, who also volunteered in Sky Lakes, goes on one or two outings a month “and would do more if there were more Saturdays in a month. It’s always so nice to get out.” She enjoys the variety of outings — hiking, backpacking, kayaking, skiing and swimming, explaining, “In the summer I love being on the water in some way — a dip in a lake we’ve hiked to or a kayak trip. My first backpacking trip was thanks to Bill and this group. It can be a good way to learn about different outdoor activities and see new places you might not otherwise explore.” See TOGETHER, page 10

10 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

TOGETHER, from page 9 Dave Potter began with KBOG’s predecessor group shortly after moving to Klamath Falls 12 years ago. He especially enjoys threeto five-day backpacks, day cross country skiing outings, kayaking to new places and hot weather hikes to high mountain lakes for “good swimming.” Among his best remembered outings include backpacks along California’s Lost Coast, a section of the North Umpqua Trail and the Rogue River where, “I almost stepped on a rattlesnake on the trail and had a close viewing of a California mountain king snake. Super beautiful!” While Potter prefers to go with experienced outdoors people, he believes one of KBOG’s major strengths is “the many day hikes allow people of lesser stamina to get out, learn, meet like-minded people and progress.” Among the most active regulars is Bernadette “Bernie” Kero, who seldom misses a hike. “I try to go on most outings if I’m in town. It’s a real incentive to get out and move and I love the camaraderie of others of varying ages and activity levels who enjoy the outdoors,” she said. “I’ve made some great friends and have learned about so many different beautiful places in the area.”

Photo courtesy of Margo McCullough

With the flow: Klamath Basin Outdoor Group members took part in an August kayak outing on the cold, clear waters of Spring Creek. The Williamson River and Spring Creek converge at Collier Memorial State Park, north of Chiloquin.

One of Klamath Basin Outdoor Group’s major strengths is ‘the many day hikes allow people of lesser stamina to get out, learn, meet like-minded people and progress.’ — Dave Potter

See TOGETHER, page 11

In the BOG Klamath Basin Outdoor Group meetings are at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at The Ledge, 369 S. Sixth St. Members are encouraged to volunteer to lead outings. Meetings typically last 30 to 60 minutes. For information on outings, visit the group’s Facebook page at facebook. com/Klamath BOG.

Photo courtesy of Michael McCullough

Along the way: Stuart Falls, located in a canyon in the Sky Lakes Wilderness near Crater Lake National Park, can be reached via an 8.6-mile round-trip hike on a trail which is open midJune to mid-November.

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 11

Photo courtesy of Sharon Leedham

Striking beauty: The reflection of a snowy Diamond Peak sparkles in a high-mountain lake in the Diamond Peak Wilderness near the Willamette Pass.

TOGETHER, from page 10 Kero likes the group’s informality, noting, “There are no commitments. Whoever wants to hike just shows up. We have a core group who lead a lot of hikes, but we always encourage new people to become involved.” While hiking and backpacking are her favorite activities, she also enjoys cross country skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking and bicycling outings. “Some of my favorite spots are Ranger Springs, where we once got caught in an unexpected downpour and had to huddle under trees until it let up a bit. The trail hiking out was like a small stream. And Lake Harriette is one of the loveliest of the Mountain Lakes. Backpacking 40 miles on the Rogue River trail was also amazing, even though we again got caught in the rain and had to sit under a tarp waiting for a small break. It was the fastest I’ve ever set up my tent.”

And, as Kero notes, “Bill loves to bushwhack so we continue to find new and interesting places all around the area.” Art Knight, who averages about four outings a month, simply says, “I like everything — love to go to new places. One of the great things is learning about where to go locally. Also, this attracts interesting people. There is something for everyone.” He believes having regularly scheduled activities “really makes the difference between going or not. It makes me feel like I should help out so I try to volunteer to lead events.” He also appreciates the reliability, explaining, “You can count on just showing up whenever the scheduled time is and Bill and/or the volunteer leader will be there. It makes it so easy. It is great to have this personal/local emphasis. There are lots of reasons to leave or stay in Klamath Falls — this is definitely one

of the great reasons to stay.” Like Knight, Van Moorhem also enjoys hiking with others. While he leads many day hikes, he especially enjoys backpacking and fondly recalls a multi-day trip from the Cold Springs Trailhead north through the Sky Lakes Wilderness to Crater Lake National Park — “That was a very pleasant hike.” Like Knight and others, Van Moorhem believes having regularly scheduled hikes — including Monday outings that typically draw small numbers of participants — helps encourage participation. He also says hiking or skiing as a group acts as a safety factor in case of injuries and, even more, believes sharing the adventures make them more enjoyable. “It’s good to have other people around,” says Van Moorhem. “You have somebody to talk to, people to share the experience with. I just like getting out.”

12 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

Exploring familiar country Regional history books put focus on Nobles Trail, Lake County Round-up Wild West: Ken Johnston’s newest book focuses on the little-known Nobles Emigrant Trail, while bronc riders and other cowboys will be featured in “100 Years of Lake County Round-Up” due out next year through the Lake County Historical Society Submitted photo

By LEE JUILLERAT: For the Herald and News

wo books, one that will be published next year and another that’s newly available, focus on episodes of regional history. Recently released is Ken Johnston’s book, “The Nobles Emigrant Trail.” While it didn’t receive the same attention as the Oregon or Applegate trails, the Nobles Emigrant Trail played an important role in the settlement of the West during the Gold Rush days of the 1850s. Stories of the Nobles Trail, a shorter and easier to negotiate route that veered away from the Applegate Trail in Nevada, sliced through a corner of Southern Oregon and connected with far Northern California’s Lassen Trail, are told in Johnston’s book. Johnston is revisiting familiar country. His previous book, “Legendary Truths: Peter Lassen and His Gold Rush Trail in Fact and Fiction,” examines truths and untruths about the Lassen Trail and its namesake pioneer. See EXPLORING, page 13

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 13

EXPLORING, from page 12

4 and 5 at the Basin Book Trader.

Johnston’s knowledge about both trails is extensive. He spent eight summers at Lassen Volcanic National Park, four as a seasonal ranger, four doing living history programs. Over the years he gained an intimate knowledge about Lassen and about the Nobles Trail — a section runs through the park. In researching the Nobles Trail, which he says can be driven by a two-wheel drive vehicle, Johnston said he was surprised to learn about the several murders and massacres along the route. His recounting of those incidents are among the book’s highlights. Johnston’s on-the-ground visits also led him to believe most of the Nobles Trail was actually discovered by Lassen, not by Nobles, who joined the Gold Rush stampede west in 1850. Johnston says he was motivated to write the book to provide updated research on how the trail came about and to expand on information provided in a long out-of-print book about the trail published in 1967 by Robert Amesbury, a

‘100 years’ It won’t be available for another year, but orders are already being taken for “100 Years of Lake County RoundUp: Eight Seconds of Heaven and Hell.” Limited editions of the 200-page hardcover pictorial book, presented by the Lake County Historical Society and the Lake County Round-Up Past Presidents Association, will be shipped in August 2019. Pre-orders for the $50 coffee table style book with flat rate shipping can be done online at www.LakeCoRoundUp.PictorialBook.com. Marie Lee, who has been doing the research and writing, said the project is celebrating next year’s 100th anniversary of the Lake County Round-Up. “For seven weeks in the later summer of 1920 a group of ranchers and business owners rushed to bring a Wild West rodeo on a grand scale never before accomplished in their area to the folks of Lake County

Susanville, Calif., dentist. “I thought it’s something that could be expanded on,” Johnston said. Copies are available at the Basin Book Trader and The Ledge in Klamath Falls, the Lassen Volcanic National Park visitor center/book store, through Amazon or from Johnston by visiting www.legendarytruths. com. It retails for $24.95. Johnston will also participate in the annual author’s gathering Oct.

and the surrounding countryside,” Lee explains. “They were successful beyond their wildest collective dreams. Labor Day weekend in September 2019 will be the 100th consecutive rodeo held in Lakeview.” Lee notes the Round-Up has persisted, explaining, “The show at Lakeview has continued through years of Depression, drought, weariness, discouragement and wars — and with jubilant success, year after year. The tenacious, stubborn, patriotic will of like-minded ranchers and business owners continues today — as boldly determined and successful as they were 100 years ago.” Lee will be at the Basin Book Trader in Klamath Falls on Oct. 5 and 6 to help promote “100 Years” and to sell copies of her earlier books — “The View From God’s Country,” a historical novel, “Cowgirl Lesson,” a children’s book, and two about her family, “At The Ranch Beneath the Rim” and “The Way We Were in Valley Falls.” For more information contact her at fandmrvnuts@yahoo. com.

‘For seven weeks in the later summer of 1920 a group of ranchers and business owners rushed to bring a Wild West rodeo on a grand scale never before accomplished in their area to the folks of Lake County ...’ — Marie Lee, researcher for “100 Years of Lake County Round-Up: Eight Seconds of Heaven and Hell”

Submitted photo

14 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

Wild

& edible From chanterelles to matsutakes, autumn brings a fungal harvest for Klamath region pickers By LEE JUILLERAT: For the Herald and News

Tastes like ... Chicken of the Woods, which some say tastes like chicken, is a shelf mushroom that grows on injured trees. It can be found in the Klamath region on conifers in the fall. H&N file photo

his is the season when people driving on remote forest roads, slow down and pull over when other drivers are behind them. They’re not necessarily being courteous. Often they’re making sure people in those other vehicles aren’t following them to their favorite mushroom picking sites.

Fall, after all, for many is synonymous with searching for edible wild mushrooms. Around the Klamath Basin, especially between Chemult and Crescent Lake, the most sought — and sometimes fought — after mushrooms are matsutakes. The bonanza years of the 1990s for the flavorful matsutakes, regarded a delicacy in Japan, led to bidding wars with buyers offering hundreds of dollars a pound. Pickers, some carrying guns, mobbed far northern Klamath County forests, nightly swapping their findings for cash with buyers in the community of Crescent Lake. See WILD, page 15

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 15

WILD, from page 14 Each evening, after the buying frenzy, the matsutakes were placed in refrigerated trucks and driven to airports for flights to Japan. “Autumn Aroma,” a chapter in “Mushroom Hunters: On the Trail of an Underground America,” by Langdon Cook, recounts the wild times. Cook writes, “Wealthy Japanese wanted their matsutakes — and they had to look abroad. Demand went up and buyers started bidding wars. Prices went off the rails, briefly topping six hundred dollars per pound for number-one buttons. A gold rush atmosphere took hold, and the fact that many of the Southeast Asians carried guns was not lost on anyone, notably the media.” Those Wild West days are past. Chemult seasonally lights up with a village of campgrounds, motels flash “No Vacancy” signs and buyers booths await successful ‘shroom pickers, but the prices are lower, the harvest less abundant. Still, fall means matsutake season so people seeking them on Forest Service lands must have permits, most of them free for personal use but with variable fees for commercial pickers. See WILD, page 16

Eye on the prize: Matsutake mushrooms, which are highly sought after each fall in northern Klamath County, brings an influx of mushroom pickers and buyers to the community of Chemult. H&N file photo

Matsutake mushroom harvest regulations All tools for matsutake harvest will not exceed 1 inch wide and 18 inches long. Raking or other ground disturbance prohibited. Each picker must have a valid permit and a harvest area map in their possession to gather, transport or sell mushrooms gathered on participating National Forests. A harvest area map is not required on the Fremont where all areas are marked on the ground. Written permission is required to camp on any National Forest while

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harvesting mushrooms commercially and will be allowed only in designated areas. Camping spaces may be limited and a fee may be charged. Commercial mushrooms picking is not allowed in Crater National Park, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Davis Fire Closure Area, research natural areas, wilderness areas, developed recreation areas and other designated non-harvest areas.

Cody

Tulelake-area Farmer 2013 KCC Graduate

Mushroom permits on the Fremont-Winema, neighboring Oregon National Forests

16 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

H&N file photo

Look up: Bear’s-head Tooth mushroom, has a “lobster” like texture when baked or fried. It can be difficult to harvest, however, as it grows high up from the ground on dead tree trunks.

WILD, from page 15 On the Fremont-Winema, Deschutes, Umpqua and Willamette National Forests, matsutake hunters can pick free up to 10 days while commercial pickers pay $8 a day (with a three-day, $24 minimum), or $200 per season (62 days) or $100 per half season (31 days). “The big one people look for in the fall are the matsutakes,” notes Erin Rentz, the Fremont-Winema’s West Side botanist. Fall favorites The matsutakes are the headliners, but Rentz says other edible fall favorites include chanterelles and, to lesser degrees, shaggy manes, bear’s heads, boletes, corals, and lion’s manes, also known as the monkeyheads or bearded mushrooms. Rentz prefers the matsutakes. Because of their strong flavor she bakes or sautés them in butter. When cooking with other mushrooms, they’re more often mixed in with other ingredients. “There’s a lot more diversity of fungi in the fall than in the spring,” said Sara Malaby, who was the Fremont-Winema’s botanist until retiring in 2011. “We need some rain,” she notes of the moisture needed to help different species, especially the matsutakes, to proliferate. Malaby regards hedgehog mushrooms, regarded by some as the most foolproof

of wild mushrooms to identify, as tasty, but favors the chanterelle, which range in color from yellow to orange, and shaggy chanterelle — “They’re very, very common.” She typically uses her edible wild mushrooms in soups or stir fried. In the know For several years the then-Winema National Forest’s Klamath Ranger District offered fall mushroom classes. After an hour or so of slides and discussions, Malaby and others took people into the woods, often between Lake of the Woods and Fourmile Lake, for field trips. The day’s harvest was viewed and evaluated, with the edibles finding their way to pickers’ frying pans or soup pots. Rentz hopes to one day revive the classes — “Hopefully, we’ll be able to offer them again.” Something Rentz and Malaby emphasize is that mushroom pickers use caution when picking and eating. And both strongly recommend picking with an experienced, knowledgeable picker. “You want to pick fresh mushrooms and keep them clean when you’re picking them,” Malaby says, adding, “People need to know what they’re eating before they taste them. Start with eating just a small amount because different people react differently.” “Go with someone who knows what they’re doing,” echoes Rentz.

Detailed information on mushroom picking on the Fremont-Winema, Deschutes, Umpqua and Willamette National Forests is available on the various Forests’ web pages. Mushroom permits are available for purchase at the various Forest’s ranger district offices. People who wish to collect small quantities can collect under the incidental use guidelines at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3822240.pdf, Individuals can collect up to 1 gallon per day and up to 5 gallons per year. To collect more, individuals can purchase a permit for $2 per day — a minimum of $20 — or $100 annually. For information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ fremont-winema/passes-permits/for estproducts/?cid=fsbdev3_061819. Matsutakes require a separate permit of $8 per day — with a $24 minimum, or $100 for a half season, or $200 for a full season.

Mushroom permits on Modoc and Klamath National Forests Other than matsutakes, mushrooms may be collected for personal use without a permit on the Modoc National Forest. Mushrooms that are commonly found on the Modoc are morel, shaggy mane and bolete. Matsutake mushrooms may be collected only on a commercial permit. Matsutake season usually runs from early September through early November. Permits may be purchased for five, seven or 30 days or the full season. For matsutake permit prices, rules and collection dates contact a Modoc ranger district office - the Devils Garden in Alturas, Doublehead in Tulelake, Warner Mountain in Cedarville or the Big Valley in Adin. Permits must be purchased in person and identification is required. For the Klamath National Forest, which includes Butte Valley and the Tulelake Basin (including Medicine Lake and Glass Mountain), call the Goosenest Ranger District office at 37805 Highway 97 in Macdoel at 530398-4391.

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 17

The Hunt for Red (in) October REDBAND TROUT BEGIN RIVER JOURNEY FOR AUTUMN SPAWN BY LUKE OVGARD: For the Herald and News

love summer. As a teacher, it is bliss to have two and a half months off to fish the high mountain lakes, bubbling brooks and churning ocean while feeling the clean warmth of sunlight slowly bronze my skin. But unlike most other teachers, my allegiance is not to summer. My allegiance is to the fall. It is with this statement, that I hereby defect from the summer-loving crowd and pair my allegiance to the other side, to autumn and the bounty that it brings. Welcome to the Hunt for Red (in) October. Fall in love Aspens highlight the waterways of Southern Oregon, trading their summer clothes for the new fall line that is infinitely more beautiful. The mosaic of colors they represent traces the edge of waters rapidly cooling in the evening but still brushed with warm sunlight during the day. Playful winds tease what is to come, the crispness hinting the end of shorts and T-shirts and signaling the time for sweaters and pants. Days carry the memory of summer but nights foreshadow the winter ahead. See RED, page 18

Fins of legend: This 36- by 24-inch redband was intercepted on its way to the spawning grounds by Ben Fry. Weighed in at just under 21 pounds, it is the largest redband the author has seen proof of in his lifetime. It was released unharmed to spread its impressive genes. Photo by Luke Ovgard

18 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

RED, from page 17 While others fixate on what has been lost, I relish the start of the third act because it brings with it the most dramatic displays of the year. As the water cools, it signals a biological imperative that makes our native redband trout stop gorging themselves at the summer smorgasbord and head upstream to spawn. It also signals the time for anglers to shift gears and try to intercept the silver torpedoes before they hit their target. The only hitch? Most rivers close Oct. 31. Interceptors Trout, like salmon or steelhead, move upriver in accordance with temperature and precipitation. Savvy anglers must pay attention to their instruments and dive only

when the water is cool and the flows are adequate for the fishes’ final push upriver. These fish have spent the entire summer fattening up for the journey, and some will travel upward of 120 miles to reach their targets. Calculating intercept trajectories is difficult, especially when large swaths of these rivers fall on private land, but anglers can still find success if they pay attention to their radar and keep their periscope handy. Early in the fall, the first half of September, fish will largely still be holed up in thermal refuges in the lower Wood River, middle and lower Williamson River and the streams of Rocky Point. Some will have moved to Eagle Ridge for a final bait fish binge, and some of the early spawners will already be mov-

ing up the rivers. By late September, fish are definitely on the move. Look to the middle Wood, middle Williamson and lower Sprague. Concentration October is the month, though. The Klamath River reopens and is phenomenal from day one, as it is much shorter in between Keno Dam and Topsy Reservoir than the others, and fish are already concentrated. The lower reaches of Spencer Creek begin to hold spawners, and some fish make their way to the middle Sprague. By the end of the month, most fall spawners — a majority, but not all redbands spawn in the fall/winter — have made their way up the rivers. See RED, page 19

River privilege: The Sprague River is an absolute privilege to fish in the fall. Treat it with respect and honor our resource by carefully handling and releasing every fish and leaving no footprints behind. Photo by Luke Ovgard

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 19

Spawning and angler ethics Is it wrong to keep a fish on its way to spawn, during the spawn and/or after the spawn? It depends on who you ask.

PRE-SPAWN Most anglers agree targeting fish on their way to spawn is acceptable. If they didn’t, salmon and steelhead fishing would consist only of trolling in saltwater. Regardless, harvesting these fish is definitely ethically nebulous — especially once they’ve reached the spawning grounds. Salmon and steelhead are supplemented by huge hatchery releases. Klamath Basin redbands are entirely wild. You don’t have to keep any. There are much better-tasting fish around, so go chase steelhead or salmon if you want fish for the table. The best redband can’t hold a candle to the worst salmon or steelhead I’ve ever had, and I grew up eating a lot of redbands prepared by very good cooks. Photo by Luke Ovgard

Fragile: Big trout in the Sprague are fragile on their way to the spawning grounds, so keep them in the water as much as possible. This 28 1/4-inch, 9.17-pound fish is the author’s best Sprague fish. It was kept in the water while measured and weighed in the net to limit stress on the fish. As always, it was released.

RED, from page 118 It will be a month before the upper Sprague and its upstream tributaries hold fish in any concentration, but everywhere else you look, you’ll find fish digging out redds, staging and beginning to get aggressive. This is also the time of year when the spring and summer spawners (our fish have been documented spawning in every month except July) return to the feeding grounds of Eagle Ridge, the Wood and Williamson River mouths and the Link River, for a final, prewinter buffet.

Game on. Close call If you can beat the season closure, the torrential rains and the cold that tends to shut down the bite in waters that remain open all year, you deserve to catch fish. But it’s a race against the clock. If not, well, at least you failed your mission with a clear conscience. Just brace yourself for the torture that being caught by time will bring you until the spring thaw. Read more at caughtovgard.com; Follow on Insta, Twitter, Fishbrain @ lukeovgard; Contact luke.ovgard@ gmail.com.

SPAWN Once fish reach the redds and begin spawning, it’s a different story. Most anglers would argue catching fish on redds is wrong. Though this is considered acceptable practice with bass, crappie and lingcod — salmonids create controversy. Personally, I think strict regulations with single, barbless hooks for a week or so during the spawn would make for an awesome break in the winter doldrums, but people abused the heck out of that when it happened on the Sprague a few years ago. A few irresponsible anglers keeping more than the two-fish limit and those using high mortality lures (spoons and spinners) and paying no regard to what it means to kill a fish that traveled over 100 miles to get to that redd before it could spawn ruined it for everyone and caused an early

closure. Those who caught a fish, killed it and then stopped fishing caused less damage, but killing a spawning adult is still something I wouldn’t do intentionally. The two fish I killed that season came home with me, and though I still think our redbands are barely edible, they do taste their best in the late fall when they’re fat and healthy, in the cold waters of fall and early winter but still before the spawn.

POST-SPAWN While salmon die after spawning, almost all of our redbands survive. Fishing for them post-spawn is a different argument entirely because most rivers and streams are closed until April or May — long after most fish have spawned in that December to February peak window. But a few places, like the Link River, Klamath River, Recreation Creek, Harriman Creek and a handful of other spots where fish do spawn in limited numbers can be fished before, during and after the spawn. I think our fish are inedible during the summer, barely edible in the fall before the spawn but they are downright disgusting during and after the spawn — especially males. They’ve utilized their fat reserves to travel as much as 120 miles then proceeded to burn even more calories to spawn with tough, dried-out meat flooded with hormones. For the same reason you wouldn’t even think about eating a post-spawn zombie salmon on the brink of death, you shouldn’t even consider eating a post-spawn redband. I gag just thinking about it. Whatever you decide to do, cherish the wonderful fishery we enjoy and try to limit how much you negatively impact it by killing fish — intentionally or by using gear that leaves a trail of dead fish in its wake. Please fish responsibly.

20 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

Restoring the Land

Tribal youth work to restore forest lands, gain natural resource experience By HOLLY DILLEMUTH: H&N Staff Reporter

everal Klamath Tribes youth spent six weeks this summer restoring wildlife habitat, as well as helping abate wildfire in Klamath County.

The efforts were a collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service, the Klamath Tribes and the Lomakatsi Restoration Project. The program is partially funded through a $150,000 diversity and inclusion grant through the U.S. Forest Service, as well as matching funds from Lomakatsi. Ashland-based nonprofit Lomakatsi — the name of which means “life in balance” in Hopi — aims to serve as a collaborative workforce training program with

peer-to-peer learning through forest and watershed restoration projects. Klamath Tribes youth also participated in similar restoration programs in Southern Oregon near Ashland, and Northern California this summer. “The work these young people have accomplished over time includes thousands of acres of forest resiliency and habitat restoration work,” said Merv George, supervisor of the Rogue River-

Siskiyou National Forest, in a news release. “This is extremely important work that helps keep communities safe from wildfire and protect the Ashland watershed/ecosystem and quality of life for Ashland residents. We are very proud of our youth and are pleased to work with our tribal and non-governmental partners in developing a more diverse workforce for the future.” See RESTORING, page 21

Hands-on training: A presenter discusses a forest restoration project during a site visit this summer where tribal youth worked to restore forest lands through a collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service, the Klamath Tribes, and the Lomakatsi Restoration Project. Photo courtesy of Lomakatsi Restoration Project

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 21

RESTORING, from page 20

Conservation stewards: Sisters and Klamath Tribes youth Jenna C. and Kya Wilder listen during a presentation at a forest restoration project site this summer. Several tribal youth participated in the Tribal Youth Ecological Forestry Training Program through a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Klamath Tribes, and the Lomakatsi Restoration Project.

The collaboration — known as the Tribal Youth Ecological Training Program — connects tribal youth and adults age 16 to 24 with projects to restore native lands of regions many of them call home. This summer, Klamath Tribes youth and adults marked trees for timber removal projects to reduce fire danger and improve forest health. Much of the restoration efforts took place on the Chiloquin Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest, and the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. “With the leadership of the tribes and the Forest Service, this effort is protecting these communities from high severity fires,” said Marko Bey, Lomakatsi executive director. “Oftentimes a fire could be coming from remote places as we’ve seen, so that’s a lot of the work these youth were doing

Photo courtesy of Lomakatsi Restoration Project

opportunity for folks.”

on the ground.” The collaboration with the Forest Service and the Klamath Tribes is crucial to the partnership, according to Bey. “We’re bringing a program, but it wouldn’t be possible without the vision and the leadership of the Klamath Tribes and their effort to care

for their reservation forest and their lands,” Bey said. “Our mission is to restore ecosystems and the sustainability of communities’ cultures and economies. It’s what we call the triple bottom line in our work,” he added. “Restoring the land, caring for the land, but also creating economic

The partnership also includes help from the Nature Conservancy, and is operated through a 10-year master stewardship agreement with about 40,000 acres of restoration, with the tribes in the lead, Bey said. “This youth program is folded into that master stewardship agreement as part of the workforce training,” Bey said. See RESTORING, page 22

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22 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

‘Programs like these are invaluable in helping to equip, train, and empower our tribal youth with the knowledge, skills, and abilities shared by cutting edge professional ecosystem restoration practitioners in an outdoor classroom setting that happens to be their ancestral land base. It’s a win-win opportunity for our ancestral youth, creating a pathway to natural resource careers.’ — Don Gentry Klamath Tribes chairman

Outdoor classroom: Ahktanahi Archer, a member of the Cheyenne Tribe in Oklahoma, is one of several youth who took part in restoration of forest lands in the Upper Klamath Basin this summer through a six-week training in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, the Klamath Tribes, and the Lomakatsi Restoration Project, based in Ashland, Ore. Photo courtesy of Lomakatsi Restoration Project

RESTORING, from page 21 The program can lead to jobs in natural resources and/or forestry for youth and adults who see the program through over three to five years, according to Belinda Brown, Lomakatsi tribal partnerships manager. “It’s very valuable to get youth out here to learn what is going on in our forests, and then to teach them how to manage them and restore them,” said Joe Ochoa, Sr., Lomakatsi tribal restoration crew manager in a news release. “Too many kids are lost spending their days indoors, when they should be learning about the world out here — and, they can likely go on to use these skills in future careers.” The project works with many of the tribes throughout Oregon, including the Klamath Tribes, as well as tribes in the Northern California area. “It’s really the community leading the effort with our organization fulfilling our mission, and supporting the vision that the tribal communities have to care for their land and create

jobs for their people,” Bey said. The restoration-centered program also incorporates mentorship from tribal elders and others within the community who meet with the youth on site. “We’re utilizing the elders from the communities, getting them out there to talk to the youth, and tell them about the historical and cultural purposes of subsistence and the land, and traditional ways that our people took care of the resource,” Brown said. Don Gentry, Klamath Tribes chairman, believes in the program and its impact on youth. “Programs like these are invaluable in helping to equip, train, and empower our tribal youth with the knowledge, skills, and abilities shared by cutting edge professional ecosystem restoration practitioners in an outdoor classroom setting that happens to be their ancestral land base,” Gentry said, in a news release. “It’s a win-win opportunity for our youth, creating a pathway to natural resource careers.” hdillemuth@heraldandnews.com

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 23

Past, Present, Future From ancient to modern times, museum artifacts help define Klamath By CAROLINE CABRAL: For the Herald & News

“

ow do you tell a story?” asked Klamath County Museum Curator Niles Reynolds. Stories are really what make up the museum — on both a local and national level. The museum has artifacts that play a role in significant national debates as well as those that tell the stories about the county’s history.

The curator asserted that the Klamath County Museum is not the small museum the moniker might conjure. “Wide variety of things to pique a wide variety of interests,” he said. Housed in history Reynolds explained that when people think of a county museum, they imagine a house museum — this is more on par with a midsized, regional entity. Its home is the former Klamath Armory which in itself is a piece of history and even has its own exhibit within. Of the exhibits he has done, Reynolds explained that his favorite was researching the history of the building and the many acts that performed there. “Anybody who was anybody pretty much in that day and age performed here in the armory,” he said. Their oldest and most popular artifacts are two ancient sandals, excavated by archaeologist Luther Cressman in the ‘30s and ‘40s. One from Fort Rock dates back 9,800 years and the other from

Paisley Cave from 6,500 years ago. “Trying to figure out when did people get to the Americas, and how did that happen,” said Reynolds. “That’s a hot topic in archaeology.” The debate is ongoing, and these sandals play a significant role in unearthing the nation’s history. Currently, the sandals are not on display, but are being kept in a climate controlled room while the museum works on creating an exhibit just for these pieces of history. They will be featured in their own room, complete with textual analysis and evidence. Creating the exhibits There is more to creating exhibits than might meet the eye. With something ancient, like the sandals, there is scientific evidence to pull from: radiocarbon dating, stratigraphy, the layers from the caves they were found in and other recent research that is being

done all come into play when analyzing and creating new exhibits. But what if the museum is dealing with something that can be harder to define — someone’s ideas or their culture? “These things are hard to define, they’re not tangible, necessarily,” said Reynolds. “The way that we strengthen our arguments about those kinds of things and understand them more fully is using multiple lines of evidence — for instance not just drawing from the artifact itself but also maybe an analysis about that artifact. “It’s not just one idea that we’re trying to push. We’re trying to draw from different disciplines and different lines of evidence that really show ‘Okay, from multiple lines of view, this is what we think,’ ” he said. See MUSEUM, page 24

KLAMATH FALLS — 1909

Library of Congress photo

24 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

Klamath County’s main museum’s home is the former Klamath Armory which in itself is a piece of history and even has its own exhibit within.

Photo courtesy of the Klamath County Museum

MUSEUM, from page 23 Reynolds explained that a holistic understanding from different disciplines and research is necessary to support any claims being made. “The onus is really on us to provide facts as much as we can with interpretation of those facts that is not going be politicized or polemicized or anything like that but just kind of let people educate themselves with the information provided.” The museum also includes

history of Japanese balloon bombs used during World War II in one of their signature exhibits. The section features pieces of the weapon which, in 1945 a short distance from the Klamath County community of Bly, killed six people. Incorporated into the museum is something of a scavenger hunt, meant to inspire younger patrons to take an interest in history and the museum, beyond the interactive forestry exhibit. From fossils at the front of the museum, all the way to

traditional Native American artifacts deeper in the museum, this configuration of exhibits encourages patrons to discover what they might not see otherwise. What role do museums play in our lives? Reynolds encourages people to come and check the museum out — whether they have lived here their whole lives or are new to town. He told one story of a man whose last time visiting was with his fourth grade class field trip, but upon coming

back he was astonished by how much it had grown. Even in the last five years, the museum has expanded — adding new exhibits and updating old ones. In the next five, Reynolds hopes to continue the organization and upkeep of their collections of archives and records, create even more exhibits, and look into publishing their own work or research. “Where we’re coming from is vital to going forward,” said Reynolds. “We can find a lot of (common ground) in history.”

Ancient pathways: The Klamath County Museum’s oldest and most popular artifacts are two ancient sandals, one from Fort Rock that dates back 9,800 years, and another from Paisley cave from 6,500 years ago. The sandals are not currently on display, but are being kept in a climate controlled room while an exhibit is being developed. H&N file photo

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 25

STEP INSIDE: The Klamath County Museum is at 1451 Main St., in downtown Klamath Falls, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Photos by Caroline Cabral

Object lessons: Klamath County Museum exhibits feature artifacts from ancient to modern Klamath Basin history. Pieces from a World War II Japanese balloon bomb, top, posters from famous entertainers who performed locally, above, and rock and fossil specimens, left, are just a few of the artifacts that tell the story of Klamathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people and natural history.

26 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

Teaching the universal language Oregon Old Time Fiddlers dedicated to a music that brings people together By CAROLINE CABRAL: For the Herald & News

hen friends Edna Jenkins and Irene Ruddock are not talking about their families or friends — they can be found discussing the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers’ Association (OOTFA) to which they are both members. Jenkins serves as their ward’s secretary of treasury, and Ruddock is their chairman. Sects of the Old Time Fiddlers’ Association are over 50 years old and can be found nationwide, and is dedicated to “the perpetuation and promotion of old-time music.” Ruddock and her husband together found OOTFA in 1970, and they “haven’t been sorry since.” Though her mother had taught her to play and read music as a child, it had been a while since she had picked up an instrument. “Music is a universal language, it draws people together,” she said. “Even if you don’t have the same things in life, music kinda pulls people together, it really does.”

No one is what Ruddock described as “a star,” but everyone enjoys playing together and using their music to create a bond. For Ruddock, she has found a community of people — “good people,” she said. “We just play for enjoyment and have fun.” Membership is $25 a year, and this includes the monthly newsletter “Hoedowner” which includes updates from fiddler wards across the state and a favorite, easy song in the form of sheet music that members can pick up and play. “Cheapest entertainment you can get!” Ruddock exclaimed. See FIDDLERS, page 27

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 27

‘Music is a universal language, it draws people together. Even if you don’t have the same things in life, music kinda pulls people together, it really does.’ — Irene Ruddock Old Time Fiddlers Association ward chairman

FIDDLERS, from page 26 Jenkins found her way to OOTFA a different way. She did not play any instruments, but grew up around this kind of music. “I love music,” she said. “I’ll go, I’ll join, and I’ll see what kind of support system I can be.” She enjoys dancing and has even been convinced into singing, and she said, “There’s a lot of things people bring to the table.” Though Jenkins joined not knowing any instruments, she explained that many who follow her path discover something they might enjoy and can easily find a teacher among the organizations members. She herself has started mandolin lessons, but she does not yet consider herself a musician. “The benefit is being part of the whole fiddle family,” Jenkins said. The organization meets on the second Sunday of each month to go over business and have a “jam session” at the Shasta Community Hall. They also play at nursing homes, street fairs, birthday parties, farmers markets and occasionally throw together local Junior Jam Sessions. Both women hope to continue to grow involvement in the OOTFA community — especially among young people.

28 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

W Bump up

The Ross Ragland TheaTeR

the Lights! Working behind the scenes for a season of entertainment By KURT LIEDTKE: H&N Staff Reporter

Tech check: Phyllis Faries, assistant technical director, inspects a series of amps just offstage at the Ross Ragland Theater. H&N photo by Kurt Liedtke

hether it’s a country music star, acrobats flying across the stage, film screenings or a play; the annual herculean effort to make showtime happen at the Ross Ragland Theater begins months, if not years, in advance. For all the glitz and glamour of the stage, the process to reach a show can be a tumultuous and daunting task for each event; one fraught with unanticipated sudden technical glitches, last-minute problem-solving, stress over whether ticket sales are sufficient to cover expenses, and the classic neversay-die mantra that, “The show must go on.”

Originally the Esquire Theater when first opened in 1940, the Ross Ragland was designed as a movie theater amidst Hollywood’s golden era, not as a live performance venue. Yet decades later, the repurposed and retrofitted structure is as active as ever. See RAGLAND, page 29

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 29

ROSS RAGLAND THEATER STAFF Theresa Silver Interim executive director Michael Miles Associate executive director Christy Ruegger Facilities manager Deborah Jones Office manager/program coordinator Samantha Burris Education director / box office manager Steve Ayola Technical director Phyllis Faries Assistant technical director

ROSS RAGLAND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Janine Henry — Chair Kendall Bell — Vice Chair George Rogers — Treasurer Josie Hudspeth — Secretary Kim Abel Jeni Adkisson Todd Christian Jessie DuBose Rhonda Frakes Bernice Hantzmon Mary Hurley Jeanne LaHaie Janet Larson Lynne LeBlanc Kate Marquez Tamra Narramore Molly O’Keeffe Kelly Patterson Jean Pinniger Linda Riley Ryan Russel Amanda Squibb Joan Staunton Sam Stewart Joe Wall

H&N photo by Kurt Liedtke

Neon lights: The Ross Ragland Theater, originally built as the Esquire Theater in 1940, still reflects

on its façade a feeling of the glory days of Klamath Falls when lines of theaters and performance halls filled downtown with classic neon and spires.

RAGLAND, from page 28 Saved from the wrecking ball in 1989 after other venerable venues of Klamath’s glory days were demolished, the approximately 750-seat theater has become the epicenter of Klamath County’s cultural scene. Every year the “Ragland,” as it is affectionately known, hosts a multitude of events and entertainers; and

whether big names or upand-coming unknown acts — few patrons ever walk away disappointed. Behind the scenes of the nonprofit theater — the only one in the state to garner no direct state or federal funding — is a team working every angle of the show from initial consideration to clean-up after the audience leaves. Assisted by a loyal 45-member

volunteer collective known as the Ross Ragland Guild and a 25-member board of directors, a small staff handles multiple duties to make the show happen. Guild volunteers assist with everything from fundraising to concessions and even make home-cooked meals for every performer specific to dietary restrictions. See RAGLAND, page 30

Originally the Esquire Theater when first opened in 1940, the Ragland was designed as a movie theater amidst Hollywood’s golden era, not as a live performance venue.

30 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

RAGLAND, from page 29 Theresa Silver is the interim executive director, a former board member appointed to manage operations earlier this year while the search continues to replace former Executive Director Mark McCrary. Michael Miles, associate executive director, handles much of the marketing and press releases to promote each show. Steve Ayola is the technician extraordinaire — managing every technical aspect from wiring, to stages, to lighting and sound. Phyllis Faries assists Ayola in this daunting task. Overseeing box office and educational outreach programs is Samantha Burris, while Deborah Jones acts as office manager and program coordinator. Christy Ruegger is the facilities manager — organizing guild members, security and hospitality for each performance. Cultural Center In recent years, the Ragland expanded, adding a cultural center that offers a pristine setting for more intimate shows with a 200-person capacity or less, such as dinner theater and the ever-popular annual Pack Rats Christmas concerts. This expansion also added much-needed proper offices, storage space for sets and dressing rooms; a stark contrast to the days when space was at such a premium and facilities so lacking that often backdrops and equipment were left outside and a port-a-potty was placed near the stage. “It starts with picking out a show, then we communicate with agents to get an idea of what we can afford and information about our theater,” said Silver. “Once we make that connection and they say they’re interested, the process begins.” See RAGLAND, page 31

Theresa Silver is the interim executive director, a former board member appointed to manage operations earlier this year while the search continues to replace former Executive Director Mark McCrary.

On the big screen: Ragland Theater Technical Director Steve Ayola views a Beatles documentary on the new RDX system from the main sound booth. Intimate setting: The Ragland Cultural Center, an expansion to the Ross Ragland Theater, added office space, dressing rooms, solar panels, and a more intimate space for smaller-sized events. H&N photos by Kurt Liedtke

On the horizon | Klamath Life | 31

2018-19 Ragland season Joe Smith & The Spicy Pickles Jazz Band 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12

Reverse Raffle Thirty Experience 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13

“Rocky Horror Picture Show” screening 7 p.m. Oct. 27

Texas Tribute: A ZZ Top Tribute Band 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10

Klamath Chorale: Through the Eyes of a Child 2 p.m. Dec. 2

Eugene Ballet: “The Nutcracker” 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18

A Celtic Christmas 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21

Ensemble 4.1: Ragland Classical Series 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26

Grand Illusion: Styx Tribute 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2

Mark Valenti – pianist: Ragland Classical Series 2 p.m. Feb. 10

17th Annual Red Tie Romp 5 p.m. Feb. 23

Repertory Dance Theater 7:30 p.m. March 9

Heidi Burson 7:30 p.m. March 16

Luke McMaster 7:30 p.m. April 6

Young Musicians of Excellence: Ragland Classical Series 2 p.m. April 14

Jukebox Hero: Foreigner Tribute 7:30 p.m. April 19

Dancing With Your Stars 7:30 p.m. April 26

Klamath Chorale: The Heartbeat of America 2 p.m. May 5

Richard Marx To be determined

“Madagascar Jr., The Musical” 2 and 5:30 p.m. July 13

Community Production – “The Addams Family, A New Musical Comedy” 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2, 3, 9, 10; 2 p.m. Aug. 4 and 11

Digital Xperience “Castle In The Sky” 11 a.m. Oct. 13 and 2 p.m. Oct. 14

“El Inca” 7 p.m. Oct. 26

“Feral” 7 p.m. Oct. 31

H&N photo by Kurt Liedtke

On scene: Sets for the 2018 summer community theater production of “The Wizard of Oz” are prepared for show time.

RAGLAND, from page 30 That process starts with a technical rider, a list of equipment specifications to see if the Ragland is even capable of handling it, which if items aren’t compatible or must be rented may make a show not cost-effective. Negotiations continue to eventually establish a contract, which may mean partnering with other venues to make Klamath Falls work into tour schedules, seeking out sponsorships to make the expense of the show feasible, and creating a staging and lighting plan in advance. Sometimes the contracts can be completed a year or more in advance, sometimes they aren’t finalized until weeks before the big day. Much work goes into whittling down a prospective list of performers

for each year’s schedule. A committee comprised of board of directors members and representatives from the community consider a wide range of entertainers each year, and often survey residents to create an eclectic season that would be the most appealing to potential ticket-buyers. “Mark (McCrary) would attend the Arts Northwest Conference to see artists, compile lists of prospective performers, and compile a broad list from big names to more affordable quality performers,” explained Silver of the extensive preparation done by the previous director. “Then we would put together a presentation and go into the theater to actually sit and watch each one over several nights — we would go through maybe 40 different ones.” See RAGLAND, page 32

Ragland 2nd Stage Series This popular series highlights local bands and talent and allows people to connect with each other in a laid-back, pub atmosphere. “I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change” Musical Dinner Theater – 7 p.m. Oct. 18 Mile Long Fuse – 7 p.m. Nov. 8 Pack Rat Christmas – 7 p.m. Dec. 13-15 Karaoke Sing Off – 7 p.m. Jan. 24 and 25 Music & Mixers: Piano Bar – 7 p.m. May 2

32 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

RAGLAND, from page 31 While personal tastes play a role, numerous factors are considered that balance artistic entertainment quality with community interest to present shows that cover a wide spectrum of styles. There are mainstays expected every year — the Eugene Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” with local dance schools, the Klamath Chorale and Klamath Symphony Orchestra are always popular draws, and every summer is a youth arts camp and community theater production; but each year something compelling draws curious crowds. Community outreach The 2018-19 schedule includes expanded community outreach, with residencies planned with Repertory Dance and Ensemble 4.1 to participate in school and senior center programs offering master classes and interactive educational opportunities prior to the main event at the Ragland. Youth and community outreach programs help not only to increase audience interest, but also assist with grants and fundraising — a key element to keeping the doors open as ticket sales account for less than 40 percent of show expense and venue overhead. The Ragland has seen many facility updates, but much of it is a patchwork process to retrofit the aging venue to handle modern digital experience demands. Over the summer a new surround sound system and digital projector were added, allowing film screenings in what Silver calls RDX, or the “Ragland Digital Xperience.” There are also unforeseen issues that arise with the aging venue, such as when the air conditioning system broke over the summer. An emergency funding grant helped cover repairs, as well as the extraordinary support of guild members and individual donors as well as a makeshift cooling plan to keep the main room reasonably temperate.

All the while, immediately out of sight, is a chaotic dance of sorts simply to find room for equipment, sets, props and costumes. “It is not just a matter of getting a show in, it’s getting a show out,” explained Ayola. “Sometimes if management books shows back-to-back I need to figure out if I can even fit all of it in. Every time it’s different, and sometimes equipment works perfect in sound check and then it all goes haywire during the show. Something goes wrong around 50 percent of the time, the trick is making sure to have as much done and problem-solved as possible in advance so that there is room for glitches.” Ideally, posters and press releases come out several weeks before showtime, but it varies based on the performer’s estimated draw. Some big name acts such as country star Josh Turner, who opened the season in September, needed only a day’s notice to sell out, while performers who have drawn rave reviews but are not well known, such as Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles Jazz Band, performing Oct. 12, necessitates extra effort to spread the word. Unique experience Sometimes the team agrees to a performance knowing that it will likely lose money, because providing a unique experience is as culturally profitable to the community. In an era when entertainment options online or TV know few bounds, fewer people are going to the theater on average, but the effort remains by these dedicated few to provide lasting memories. “The close, intimate aspect of the theater can’t be duplicated, sharing an experience with others,” said Jones. “That makes it more exciting — when others are enjoying a unique experience with you.” “We make memories,” added Miles. “It’s what we do.” kliedtke@heraldandnews.com

GETTING INVOLVED AT THE ROSS RAGLAND Interested in assisting the Ross Ragland? For more information about the Ross Ragland Guild contact Bonnie Sims at volunteers@rrtheater.org.

H&N photos by Kurt Liedtke

Theater magic: Lines of weighted wires hold a variety of lights, curtains, speakers and other equipment hanging above the stage at the Ross Ragland Theater. Off stage: Stage right is a path to the main offices, dressing room, and main workshop where stage sets are built and stored. Down below: A dressing room beneath the stage has largely been relegated to a storage space and orchestra pit thanks to a facility expansion that added dressing rooms, offices and a cultural center.

ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 33

Overnight

Success Easy-to-make slow-rise breads work while you sleep Story and photos by HOLLY OWENS: H&N Assistant Editor

o you love the fresh-baked smell, taste and crusty crunch of hot-out-of-the-oven homemade bread? Does that love wane when you consider the time — and skilled kneading — it takes to bake those heavenly loaves? If so, take it easy and try these easy no-knead recipes. It’s as simple as stirring together a few ingredients, letting the dough rest overnight and baking. Voilà! The resulting heavenly smelling, freshly baked artisan-style loaf will have a golden, crispy crust and a tender crumb. Now all you need is something deliciously complementary to spread on top. See OVERNIGHT, page 34

34 | Klamath Life | ON THE HORIZON

OVERNIGHT, from page 33

No-kNead Bread 3 c. all-purpose flour 2 tsp. kosher salt ¼ tsp. instant yeast 1½ c. slightly warmer than lukewarm water

In a medium large bowl, mix the flour, salt and yeast together. Pour the water over the flour mixture and mix with a spoon until the flour is absorbed and the mixture resembles wet sticky dough. Cover the bowl with either plastic wrap, foil, or a clean, wet, kitchen towel. Place the bowl in a warm place. Allow the dough to rest overnight. Cut a piece of parchment paper slightly smaller than the base of an oven-safe pot. Place parchment inside the pot. Sprinkle just enough flour on the dough to be able to scoop the dough out with your hand

without being too sticky. Place the loosely form dough ball in the center of the pot, on top of the parchment paper. Place an oven-safe lid on top of the pot and place it in a cold oven. Heat the oven to 450 degrees and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the lid from the pot and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remove the pot from the oven and remove the loaf. Allow the bread to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into slices. Recipe from PBS Parents Kitchen Explorers at https://to.pbs. org/2p6jAxy

Rising to the occasion: Sourdough culture slowly creates the bubbly interior of Basic No-knead Sourdough Bread.

See OVERNIGHT, page 35

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ON THE HORIZON | Klamath Life | 35

OVERNIGHT, from page 34

BASIC NO-KNEAD SOURDOUGH 1 cup sourdough culture 1 cup water 3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, or bread flour 1 ½ tsp. salt

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough and water. Separately, mix together the flour and salt, then add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients and mix just until a dry, firm, shaggy dough comes together, adding up to ½ cup more water as needed. A note on water and texture preference: If you use 1 cup of water, the dough will be firmer and hold a more “artisan” free-form loaf. The resulting bread will be have a chewy texture, as one would expect in a traditional sourdough bread. If you use more water, the resulting dough will form to the shape of the baking dish and have a more relaxed texture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 8 to 12 hours at about 70 degrees (above 75 degrees and the lactobacilli are more active and the dough may become too acidic, inhibiting the wild yeast so it does not leaven as well.) After resting for 8 to 12 hours, the dough becomes quite sticky. Use a plastic spatula to ease the dough onto a lightly floured board or pastry cloth. Lightly sprinkle the surface of the dough with flour and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. With minimal handling and some additional flour (not more than ¼ cup) form a loaf and place it in a baking container, such as a bread pan or a covered casserole. Cover, and let the dough sit at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours, or until doubled in bulk. Place the baking pan with raised dough in a cool oven, then turn the temperature to 375 degrees and bake for 70 minutes. When the loaf is baked, remove it from the pan and let cool on a wire rack for at least 15 to 20 minutes before slicing. Recipe from “Classic Sourdoughs: A Home Baker’s Handbook,” by Ed Wood and Jean Wood.

BASIC SOURDOUGH MUFFINS ½ cup sourdough starter 1 ½ c. whole wheat flour 4 to 6 Tbsp. water, as needed ½ cup melted butter 2 eggs 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda ½ c. sugar ½ c. dried fruit, nuts or chocolate chips (optional) The night before, gently mix together starter and flour until just combined. Add water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, until dough is just wet enough to mix. Cover and ferment overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together remaining ingredients, then add to flour mixture, being careful to not overmix. Dough may be quite stiff at first, break u with a spoon. Fill muffin cups and bake for 30 minutes. Recipe from culturesforhealth.com at https://bit. ly/2xgcdXT https://bit.ly/2xgcdXT

RECIPE RESOURCES AT THE KLAMATH COUNTY LIBRARY “Knead” hands-on recipe resources for your sourdough starter? The Klamath County Library can help. “Classic Sourdoughs: A Home Baker’s Handbook,” by Ed Wood and Jean Wood, available at the library, has a wide range of recipes, including pretzels, barm brack, brioche, crumpets, rolls, muffins, waffles and more. Also available is “Sourdough: Recipes for Rustic Fermented Breads, Sweets, Savories, and More,” by Sarah Owens, with insight on ingredients, equipment and baking methods.

OLD-TIME SOURDOUGH STARTER 2 c. unsifted all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp. vinegar 1 ½ c. water 2 Tbsp. sugar (or honey) 1 tsp. salt

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl, mix well. Add water and beat into a smooth batter. Add vinegar (and honey if substituting for sugar). Cover with cheesecloth and set in a warm place until thoroughly sour. This is determined by the yeasty smell, it usually takes about 12 hours. Note: A variety of vinegars can be used in sourdough starters, including Apple cider, wine, balsamic, malt, etc. Recipe by Inez Hargrove from “We Always Knead More Dough,” a charity recipe book compiled by the Martha Watson Auxiliary to St. Luke’s Assistance League

Sourdough starter care and feeding: To maintain your starter, “feed” it with a mixture of one part water and two parts flour. It can be kept at room temperature in a glass or ceramic container, covered with cheesecloth, and fed daily if you use your sourdough often, or stored in the refrigerator and fed once a week. Sourdough varieties: Want to add some flavor variety to your sourdough starter? Instead of feeding your starter with a mix of water and flour, substitute your favorite ale or porter for the water.

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