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Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Welcome to the 105th Lebanon Straw berr y Festival We hope you enjoy all the festivities, starting Thursday, June 5 at the fairgrounds at the Cheadle Lake Park. This year's theme is Strawberry Night Fever. Break out your boogie shoes for the disco party on opening night followed by the karaoke preliminaries. Dancing and singing aren’t the only ways to express your creativity. The Flower & Quilt show has categories for different ages and skill levels. Even if you don’t sub-
mit a piece for the event, stop by and enjoy the artwork, flowers and quilts on display. Be sure to catch the Junior and Grand Parades. Participants are always imaginative and we can’t wait to see where their creativity has taken this year’s theme. We’ll be posting photos on the Lebanon Express Facebook throughout the weekend. Join in and post fun photos of your own at facebook.com/LebanonExpress.
These tickets, available at the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, may be redeemed for an all-day ride bracelet.
Wristbands available at chamber, fairgrounds Allday carnival wristbands are available at the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, or the Lebanon Branch of OSU Federal Credit Union. The cost of the wristbands are $23 in advance, if purchased at the festival grounds, they will be $30. The wristband is good for use for one day
Meet the father of the festival Joel C. Mayer: rail splitter, frame hand, grocery clerk, butcher shop owner, tanner operator, hop farmer, electric light and power executive, real estate broker city councilman, city mayor, bank president — and father of the Lebanon Strawberry Festival. He was born in Sauk City, Wisconsin in 1868, his family moved to Lebanon in time for him to attend Santiam Academy. On Dec. 27, 1897 he married Anna DuMond in Albany they raised four children. According to a 1951 story in the Lebanon Express “Over an unbroken span on of 75 years, Mr. Mayer has been closely identified with every phase of community development.” He saw a need for a public drinking fountain in Lebanon and persuaded some of his business associates to shared the expense of drilling a well and installing a power pump. As he was president of the Electric Light company, he gave a franchise in perpetuity to power and service the pump. In the early 1900s, Mr. Mayer acquired a large tract of land east of Franklin Street. He used this land for general farming, but is was gradually sold in family-size lots and acreage as the constant growth of the city required. He gave the city three acres of land for a children’s playground. City officials asked if it could be used for a school. Queen Anne Park School, named after Anna Mayer stood there for more than 50 years.
FILE PHOTO/LEBANON EXPRESS
Joel and his wife Anna Mayer are pictured here.
only. The wristband is for unlimited rides. Carnival Tickets may be purchased at The Lebanon Chamber of Commerce or at local OSU Federal Credit Union in Lebanon. The carnival will be held at Cheadle Park, S Santiam Hwy and Weirich Cutoff.
The cover photo was taken by Matt DeBow, and designed by Daniel Morgan. This special section designed by Lebanon Express staff: Reporter Matt DeBow, Reporter Ted Holliday, Reporter Jake Rosenberg, and Editor Audrey Gomez.
This early Strawberry Festival parade photo was taken in 1911.
Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
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Meet this year’s Grand Marshal This year’s Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal is Dick Weisbrodt. Weisbrodt was unsure why he was selected for the honor, but thinks it may be because of his history of coaching wrestling at Lebanon High School, he said. Many of his wrestlers placed in state and a couple were state champions, he said. Two of his teams won the 4A state championship in 1963 and 1968. In 1968, Weisbrodt was named national high school wrestling coach of the year. “We had numerous kids who placed in the state meet and state champions,” Weisbrodt said. A few of his wrestlers were went on to be successful in college as well at Oregon State University, and Southern Oregon University. Len Kauffman is the most notable wrestler at OSU, he said. “He was my first state champion,” Weisbrodt said. “He went to Oregon State and when he was there he was the most winningest pinningest wrestler in Oregon State history.” That record has since been broken, he added. Weisbrodt also was a head coach of a cultural exchange team to Japan. “At that time, we were the first team to go over there and be undefeated,” Weisbrodt said. Weisbrodt said he was pleased to see that two LHS wrestlers are participating in that exchange program this year. After his coaching days, Weisbrodt worked as the athletic director at LHS. In 1980, as athletic director, Weisbrodt was the first person at LHS to have a computer in his room, he said.
comes to attending district tournaments. “I haven’t missed a district tournament since I came here in September (1957),” Weisbrodt said. “I go to the state tournament every year, and haven’t missed one of those since my first year here.” Weisbrodt has attended several Strawberry Festivals since moving here. “We’ve been to parades, and watched the guys go by,” Weisbrodt said. “To me it’s a great honor to have (the Grand Marshal position).” Weisbrodt enjoys the camaraderie of the festival, he said. “Going out and having a strawberry with the kids,” Weisbrodt said. “It’s a great time of year for people to come back to town and see
MATT DEBOW/LEBANON EXPRESS
Legendary Lebanon High School wrestling coach Dick Weisbrodt is this year’s Grand Marshall. Weisbrodt still lives in Lebanon with his wife and they still attend LHS football home games on Friday nights as well other LHS athletic events. “I go to all the home
wrestling meets,” Weisbrodt said. “In fact, I’ve got a tournament named after me, and the wrestling room has been named after me.” Weisbrodt still maintains a perfect record when it
what’s going on.” Weisbrodt and his wife get fresh strawberries every year during festival time. Weisbrodt was nominated for the grand marshal position by current LHS Coach Michael Cox. “I nominated him because I heard they needed a Grand Marshal and he’s probably the best coach who ever coached at Lebanon High School,” Cox said. Cox’s father, Mark Cox, wrestled for Weisbrodt at LHS. A lot of people have told Cox how much influence Weisbrodt had on them, Cox said. Cox has run into several former wrestlers who often ask about Weisbrodt. “A Grand Marshal should be somebody who has put a
lot of time into the community and I thought that it would be a great time to honor him,” Cox said. There are several names on the wall of the wrestling room of grapplers who placed at state and won state championships who were coached by Weisbrodt, Cox said. As the current wrestling coach, Cox doesn’t think he can live up to Weisbrodt’s legacy, he said. “It’d be rough to fill those shoes; he’s legendary in the state,” Cox said.Cox graduated in ‘95, and Weisbrodt retired in 1990. “So we missed each other in that fact, but my dad’s told me great stuff about him,” Cox said. “He’s just a great guy who really cares about Lebanon, and cares about the community.”
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Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Former princess curates dress exhibit
The Strawberry Princess dress display may be seen at the building at 550 Main St. through the second week of June. By Audrey Gomez LEBANON EXPRESS If you drive down Main Street in Lebanon, you’ll notice some historic sites, such as the Reeve’s Building and the Kuhn Cinema building. Look in the shop windows and you will notice another part of Lebanon’s history. Former Strawberry Princess Jami Cate set up a display of dresses from princesses past at 550 Main St. The 34 dresses, dating back to 1930, will be displayed until the week after the Strawberry Festival. Cate set up the exhibit on May 12 with help from Cheyenne Spier, a 2013 princess, and Andrew Nelson. Another princess-related project Cate is working on is compiling a list of all the past princesses. “No one kept records of the princesses only the queens,” Cate said of the
early Strawberry Courts. She started the project in 2009. “I’ve been slowly filling in contact information since,” Cate said. “The first couple of years was when most of the contact information was tracked down, now I’m lucky to find a couple more a year. Without married names, there isn’t much to go off of unfortunately.” Cate has connected with two of the Schackman sisters: 1941 Queen Ruth (married name Lenox), and 1950 Princess Betty (married name Adams). Their
sister was 1930 Queen Bertha. “Both Ruth and Betty live in town, and have lots of knowledge and neat pictures,” Cate said. Past princesses have been happy to contribute to the display downtown, Cate said. 2014 Princess Athena Doyle said she is ready to donate her dress for next year’s exhibit. “It’s just cool to see all the past generations,” Doyle said. “I would love to meet some old strawberry princesses.” Doyle’s favorite is a white
and red polka dot dress from the 1950s. “It’s really cool to see all that,” Doyle said. “There’s a lot of history in one little thing.”
Jami Cate, left, and former princess Cheyenne Spier hang princess dresses.
Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
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Strawberrians raising money for new limousine By Audrey Gomez LEBANON EXPRESS Every year the Strawberrians drive the Strawberry Festival Princesses to different events throughout Oregon in the Strawberrian’s limousine. Many events are local but some are as far as Florence. But that’s only part of how the limo is used. Annually, the group puts about 800 to 900 miles on the limo. It also is used for the B.U.L.B. breakfast, to reward students for improved grades and behavior. Of course, the limo is always seen riding in the Lebanon Strawberry Festival Grand Parade flanked with Strawberrians. The 1991 Lincoln Towncar Stretch Limo was bought in 2006 for $4,300 and it is
TED HOLLIDAY/LEBANON EXPRESS
The Strawberrian ride along the side of the strawberry limo in the 2013 Grand Parade. time to replace it. The Lebanon Strawberri-
ans are planning several fundraisers to reach their
$25,000 goal. The Strawberrians are
willing to get soaked for the cause. Look for their dunk tank from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at festival fairgrounds. So far, Lebanon High School State Champions, swimmers Wyatt Engler and Maddy Kelly; wrestlers Andrew Nelson, KiAnte Davis, and Colton Sallee have volunteered. It may be tempting to taunt the volunteers while they are in such a vulnerable position, but beware. They will be armed with squirt guns ready to take aim back at you. Upcoming events include a spaghetti feed and a dance walk. Look for the dates of those events, once they are confirmed, in the Lebanon Express.
Strawberrian dunk tank hours The Strawberrians will be waiting to get dunked from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Strawberry festival fairgrounds.
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Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Princess Ellie to work as athletic trainer
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMANDA MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Ellie Phillips Ellie Phillips, 18, is following in the footsteps of her older sister, Maddy, who was a Strawberry Princess during the 100th Strawberry Festival in 2009. “I wouldn’t say I’m a better princess; I would say I’m a different princess,” Ellie said. “I definitely talk more than my sister. She was a pretty good princess. It’s going to be hard to live up to her princess abilities.” Ellie is a three-sport athlete at Lebanon High School, and plans to study exercise science at Willamette University where she will join the the Lady Bearcats on the basketball court.
Ellie played guard with the LHS basketball team. She was part of the basketball program that earned three state playoff berths. She capped her high school basketball career with the team taking fifthplace at state this year. The ranking is the highest the team has ever taken. Ellie was also on the golf, soccer and track & field teams. After college, Ellie plans to become a nutritionist trainer, she said. “I want to help people with their nutrition and exercise,” Ellie said. Ellie said she wants to be a Strawberry Princess because it is was a good way to
be a role model. “I want to be a Strawberry Princess because it’s important to be a positive advocate for the youth in our community to better myself, and get myself more grounded in the community,” Ellie said. “It’s really important to me. I think this is a fantastic opportunity to do that.” Ellie has been keeping busy as a Strawberry Princess, visiting different schools in Lebanon with the other princesses. “It’s really awesome to see how the kids get when the real Strawberry Princesses come in,” Ellie said. “It’s really fun to be a positive role model for them.” Ellie’s favorite part of the Strawberry Festival is the rides. “The Ring of Fire is definitely my all-time favorite, but I really enjoy the parades,” Ellie said. “I really like seeing the community all together. It’s really fun to see everybody happy.” Ellie has been involved in several clubs including, Students Today Aren’t Ready for Sex, Keystone Club, Associate Student Body, peer mentoring of eighth graders. Ellie’s father, Doug Phillips, is a financial advisor at Edward Jones and her mother Marcie Phillips is an executive assistant at Hewlett-Packard. Her sister Maddy Phillips, 22, attends the University of Oregon and will graduate soon. Their younger brother Cooper, 10, attends Riverview School. Ellie has a 3.71 grade point average. Ellie did a job shadow at the Lebanon Express starting with former editor Emily Mentzer. Mentzer resigned during Ellie’s job shadow, so she ended up
working with sports reporter Jake Rosenberg. “My job shadow was great,” Ellie said. Ellie went to several sporting events with Rosenberg and had a swimming photo published in the sports section of the newspaper and on the front page. “That’s was so cool. I’m so glad he put that in there,” Ellie said. If Ellie were a strawberry-based dessert she would be strawberry cheesecake. “Because they’re kind of chewy and kind of tangy, and I kind of like to think of myself as a little shocking, a little outside the box” Ellie said. “That’s what I think of when I think of tangy.” Ellie said she is a good mix of original and fun.
Princess Ellie, right, dances with Anna Heitmeyer, 14, from Philomath High School. “Strawberry cheesecake is a good mixture of origi-
nality and a little bit on the wild side,” Ellie said.
Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
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Princess Amanda to throw javelin for WOU
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMANDA MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Amanda Short Strawberry Princess Amanda Short, 17, plays sports, volunteers at Lebanon High School and in the community, and still makes the effort to maintain a 4.0 grade point average. Amanda is a three-sport athlete. She played basketball in her freshman year, making the junior varsity team. “I quit basketball my freshman year and focused on volleyball,” Amanda said. In volleyball, she lettered all four years, finishing with a 5A state selection for the fourth-place LHS volley-
ball team. Amanda also played club volleyball for North Pacific Juniors this year. She ran track all four years and lettered in three of those years. Besides sports, Amanda also focuses her time on academics and volunteerism. She has ambitions to be one of the valedictorians this year. She hopes to be one of the people chosen to make the speeches at the graduation commencement. “I haven’t planned anything out that I want to say,” Amanda said.
The announcement for valedictorians and the presenter of the speech will be made on May 12, which coincides with the academic and scholarship awards ceremony, Amanda said. Amanda volunteers as a coordinator for the Mr. LHS competition. The Mr. LHS is a men’s pageant, where senior boys are chosen from the the school to do a video and a talent to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network, Amanda said. In addition, Amanda is a part of a youth group at St. Edwards Catholic Church. The church works with another organization in Portland called Under the City, which helps feed people who are homeless, Amanda said. After high school, Amanda plans to attend Western Oregon University. “I want to study exercise science to be a strength and conditioning coach,” Amanda said. “It’s something that I have always wanted to do, and my own strength and conditioning coach encouraged me.” She will also be playing sports. Amanda will be a red shirt for the volleyball team and throw the javelin for the track team in her first year at WOU.
Amanda’s favorite strawberry dessert is strawberry cheesecake. “I love cheesecake, any flavor,” Amanda said. Her favorite part of the Strawberry Festival is the giant strawberry shortcake, she said. Amanda’s mother, Emelia Short is a bi-lingual teacher for Kidco Head Start. Her Father, Greg Short, is a park ranger for Linn County. Her younger brother is Zack Short, a sophomore at LHS and plays sports. She has an older sister, Emily Olivia. She graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s in graphic design. Amanda also has an older brother, Victor Montoya. He is currently attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania. This year's festival, Strawberry Night Fever, is disco-themed, though when asked, Amanda had difficulty naming her favorite disco song. “What if I can’t even name one?” Amanda asked. “Is ‘Staying Alive’ one? My mom would know that question better than I would.” “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons is her favorite song, she said.
Amanda Short, right, speaks at the Lebanon Optimist Club. Pictured left is fellow princess Jenna Morch.
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Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Princess Jenna steps out of her comfort zone
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMANDA MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Jenna Morch Just putting herself in the running for this year’s Strawberry Princess was a major decision for Jenna Morch. After four years of being the center of the Lebanon High School varsity girls basketball team’s best three-year run in history, the future Idaho State post elected to challenge herself one more time by becoming a surprise candidate in the field of almost 30 princess applicants. Morch has always been a frontrunner in her primary forms of competition; becoming a McDonald’s AllAmerican basketball nominee, before leading the Warriors to a third 5A state tournament appearance and taking one of five shares in the LHS valedictorian race during her senior year. Despite a “65-35” split in her time between the court and classroom commitments, the busy studentathlete felt she could revise her daily itinerary to try something out of her com-
fort zone: “Being a girly girl.” Now a princess finalist, the “shocking” decision has brought her opportunities she might have missed out on before she departs this summer for Pocatello, Idaho — a town she says reflects the same small-town values as Lebanon. The greatest reward has been meeting her fans that primarily know her as No. 33. “I usually do community-involved (projects) through basketball, but (being a princess) has been one of the hardest things I’ve done,” said Morch about facing her fear of public speaking. “But that’s why I wanted to do this.” Morch has further embraced the pre-Strawberry Festival gatherings with the princesses. A recent visit to Riverview School made for a fun memory. Introducing herself as a princess has brought on a different set of questions than she has been accustomed to answering after
games, but, luckily, some of the students have offered assistance. “I love going to schools because kids say the funniest things. A boy asked me where I lived, but the girl next to him said, ‘duh, she’s a princess — she lives in a castle,’” explained Morch, before recalling that she didn’t correct the children. The dorm rooms awaiting Morch are far from such luxury, and even further in distance from the place she’ll always call home. That’s a scary thought, but it’s not an obstacle the 6foot-2 Lacomb resident can’t overcome. In addition to completing her athletic commitments to Idaho State, Morch’s ultimate goal is to come away with a degree in physical education. She enters her first year of college-level studies with much personal experience under her belt, so a dream job in the field of exercise science is already well within reach. Last fall saw Morch job shadow her athletic trainer at LHS, Robbie Roosa, but she was already pretty seasoned in the area of recovery. The wear and tear brought on by years on the hardwood has taken its toll on her feet, knees and hips, but those pains are also a daily reminder of where her drive to succeed comes from. “Staying healthy is so hard for everybody,” said Morch about her own struggles, along with her best friends’ and startingfive teammates: Cianna Dickey, fellow princess Ellie Phillips, Maci Benedict and Jessie Sipos. “I feel like I’m 50 years old sometimes walking through the halls, but we all just love (basketball).” A simple remedy came
about, however, and that helped her endure to become a catalyst during the LHS program’s first of three 5A state tournaments in history. “Wool socks. They’re magic,” said Morch. "They actually keep your feet dryer, and they don’t give me blisters. You’ve got to try it!” She didn’t discover them until she became an LHS student, when cross-country coach Brad Bauer offered the “life-changing” advice. It might have been a preventative cure had she stumbled across it in middle school, but a season-ending injury couldn’t keep her away every practice the rest of her seventh-grade year. Reflecting back, that was the turning point — when a
passion for basketball became Morch’s current way of life. “It wasn’t easy to just not go,” said Morch. “And my parents said, ‘if you started it, you finish it.' They raised me with those values, and I think that really helped me dedicate myself to this one thing. I think people saw then that I really wanted this.” Morch finds it odd that the moment came so early in her life, but there is no denying that the ensuing six years of hard work paid off. Now has come the time for Morch to thank those that have supported her most since then. She credits her parents — Mike, a general contractor, and Susan, who works
in Entek’s human resources department, along with her siblings — Brendan, 29, and Michelle, 24. “I have a lot of self-pride, and I want to work hard and do everything well to make my parents proud because they really pushed me hard,” said Morch — “the baby” of the family. In the midst of her senior send-off, Morch plans to just enjoy being a member of one more five-girl team on the court — the Strawberry court. “I think this just wraps it all up for me, and I’m really looking forward to everything,” said Morch. “I know it will be a good note to leave off of.”
Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
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Princess Amelia reads everything she can
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMANDA MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Amelia Miller You can always catch princess Amelia Miller, 18, with a book in her hand. “I have a pretty extensive library in my room,” she said. In fact, Amelia stole all the bookcases in her house to put in her room to store all of her books. Amelia plans to take her enjoyment of storytelling and turn it into a career by studying history at Portland State University and minor in anthropology. “I think that a big part of history is retelling stories of the past,” Amelia said. “My family has always been really interested in it. My grandparents have traced their genealogy back to their arrival in America.” She plans on working in museums. Right now, only a few books in her massive collection are history books, though she is working to expand her non-fiction collection, and she recently purchased a couple of French history books on Versailles, and another his-
tory book about Marie Antoinette. “I’m starting my (history) collection a little bit, but a lot of them are just fiction books,” Miller said. Amelia has read many science fiction books, which is one of her favorite genres, including the Lord of the Rings series written by J.R.R. Tolkien. “My dad started me on that,” Amelia said. “I’ve read ‘The Hobbit,’ and ‘The Sword of Truth,’ but I’m not opposed to any genre. I like all kinds of books.” Any movie based off of a book never does the book justice, she said. “But I think ‘The Hobbit’ movies were pretty good,” Amelia said. Amelia was fairly young when “The Lord of the Rings,” movies came out, she said. So the movies seemed a little outdated to her. Another of her favorite series is the “Hunger Games” trilogy. Amelia had trouble coming up with any favorite book.
Amelia doesn’t read books all the way through if she doesn’t enjoy them, she said. “Usually, if it’s bad, pretty much, I just put it down,” Amelia said. “I can’t commit to bad books. My mom taught me that pretty young if you don’t like it, you don’t have to read it.” However, if the book is atrocious, she’ll finish it just so she can tell people about the horrible ending, Amelia said. A book she didn’t enjoy but finished anyway was “To Kill a Mockingbird.” She also didn’t enjoy the “The Grapes of Wrath” that she finished because she was reading it for her advanced placement english and composition class. “I thought it was the driest and most boring book I’ve ever read,” Amelia said. “Some of the classics are just kind of dry. I just couldn’t get into it at all.” She understands the historical importance of the dust bowl, and the plight of the family depicted in the book. “But there was a whole chapter about a turtle,” Amelia said. “It’s all symbology, I know, but it wasn’t one of my favorites.” As for “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Amelia thinks she may enjoy it more if she were to read it again. Other than giving her daughter advice about
reading, her mother, Julie Miller, likes to show off her Strawberry Princess daughter. Julie is an instructional assistant at Hamilton Creek School. When the princesses visited Hamilton Creek, Julie introduced her princess daughter to everyone. “She loves to show me off,” Amelia said. “I knew some of the kindergartners out there already.” The kids said ‘Your Ms. Miller’s daughter?’ Gosh,’ Amelia said. “It was a lot of fun,” she said. “The kids were awesome.” Amelia was they type of kid who was super excited when the Strawberry Princesses visited; however, she was surprised to see just how enthusiastic the kids were when she showed up as a princess. “The kids they shut their whole days down just for the princesses to come,” Amelia said. “It’s a little bit overwhelming, but a lot of fun because kids say the craziest and awesome things.” Some of those things include questions such as where’s your prince, do you have magical powers, and is your crown real, and can I touch it. Amelia has an older sister, Amanda Miller, 23, who is a photographer in Lebanon. Amanda took the formal
Princess Amelia signs autographs for students at Riverview School. Strawberry Princess photos, which is featured along with this article. Her father is Michael Miller who is the director of facilities at North Santiam School District and her mother is Julie Miller. Amelia works at McDonald’s in Lebanon. She has
volunteered with Key Club, Students Aren’t Ready for Sex Today. Amelia also has volunteered at Hamilton Creek assisting in the kindergarten classroom. Amelia wasn’t quite sure about volunteering in Portland, but may pursue volunteering with the Oregon
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Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Princess Athena to study medicine
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMANDA MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Athena Doyle Meeting people and learning about different community organizations is Princess Athena Doyle’s favorite part of being a princess. One out of town experience stands out as her most memorable. “I’m going to have to say Newport was the most memorable. It poured and poured and poured on us,” Athena said. “Lots and lots of wind. We were going through the parade and you hear this little girl say ‘Mom, look at their hair!’ because our hair was flipped over on our tiaras.” They have lots of photos of that, Athena said with a laugh. As for the local experi-
ences, Athena said the B.U.L.B. breakfast is an event she would like to participate in again. B.U.L.B. stands for Bringing Up Learning Behavior where students, who have worked hard in school and shown improvement are picked up by the Strawberrian limo for breakfast at the Justice Center. “It’s really important to help (kids) turn it around because that was happening to me for a long time,” Athena said. Athena credits her aunt Veronica and uncle Jeff, who adopted her, for helping her to change her behavior. She has lived with them since she was 8-
years-old. Jeff is an electrician at Entek, Veronica works in the bakery at Walmart. She has four siblings: Matthew, 21; Kelcy, 19; Karissa, 15; and Taylor, 13. “They’re just good role models and good parents, and I would not be where I am today without them,” Athena said. Athena hopes to use her position as a Strawberry Princess to be a good role model for others. When she was younger, Athena loved when the princesses visited her school. “They were always so pretty and perfect and good role models. That’s exactly what I wanted to do, was to be a good role model for the younger kids,” Athena said. “I wanted to show younger girls that it doesn’t matter if you don’t live with your real parents. You could still overcome any adversity you face.” She loves kids and wanted to be a teacher, but now has her sights set on becoming a pediatrician. “Whenever I go to hospitals, I love the environment and thought ‘hey, I can do something that has both of those,’” Athena said. “I know it’s weird, I know. I just love health. I’ve taken every health class at school, every science class, biology. They finally ran out.” Athena skipped sixth grade, so even though she is a senior at Lebanon High School, she just turned 17-
years-old. Next year, she will attend Linn-Benton Community College through Beyond LHS before transferring to University of Oregon where she will major in biology, she said. She then plans to move back to Lebanon to attend the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the PacificNorthwest, in Lebanon. Athena does not work during the school year, other than on her family’s farm, but she is looking for summer employment. “I’ll be working and saving up to attend University of Oregon. It’s pretty spendy,” she said. Of course, she is looking forward to the Strawberry Festival first. Her favorite part is the carnival rides, specifically the Ring of Fire. She also enjoys the community experience. “It’s the one time of year where everyone is together and I feel like everyone is just happy and I really enjoy it,” Athena said. Like the other princesses, Athena is not too familiar disco music, but thinks this year’s theme “Strawberry Night Fever,” suits their court. “We’re all pretty spunky girls, so I thought it fit perfect for us,” Athena said. If she could pick next year’s theme, she would choose Wild West Strawberries. “I would love to have
Princess Athena escorts a student to her seat at the JOYA ceremony. that,” Athena said. “I live on a farm. I love the cows and pigs and the roping and all
of that fun stuff. The cowboy boots, I think would be a really cute theme.”
Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
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Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Mayor proclaims May 28 Strawberry Festival week Whereas, 2014 marks the
thousands of visitors to our
berry Festival Queen; and
105th Anniversary of the
community; and whereas,
Whereas, the Strawberry
Lebanon Strawberry Festi-
May 28, 2014 marks the
Festival is a citywide event
val in which we welcome
Coronation of the Straw-
and recognition of this event
is fitting and appropriate. Now, Therefore, I, Paul Aziz, Mayor of the City of Lebanon do hereby proclaim May 28 through June 8, 2014
Best festival story The Lebanon Express asked readers to share their store from Strawberry Festivals throughout the years. Here is one response: When my son was about 10 he and his buddy wanted to go to the Strawberry Festival Carnival by themselves. I bought them both wrist bands and left them on their own with a warning not do anything 10 year old boys are known for. They high fived each
other as I walked away having unleashed these two little terrors on the community with no adult supervision. Little did they know, I parked my car where I could see all of the rides. It was one of those rainy cold years. I sat in my car for almost three hours freezing to death. I ‘magically appeared’ at 9pm to take them home. They thought themselves pretty hot
stuff having been free at the carnival. I doubt they ever knew and won’t until it’s time for them to become the watchful parent! I would love to go back to that freezing year and do it all again!
Shelly Garrett
the “Annual Strawberry Festival” – A time for fun and frolic! I solicit the cooperation of all members of the com-
munity in honoring our Queen, her Court, this year’s theme of “Strawberry Night Fever” and the entire festivities of the Festival.
Who will be crowned queen? See which princess will be crowned queen tonight, May 28, at 7 p.m. during coronation at the Lebanon High School auditorium. 1700 S. 5th.
Admission is $3 and includes a festival pin. Last year’s princesses and queen are expected to make an appearance.
To share your stories, visit Facebook.com/LebanonExpress.
Strawberry shortcake wins The Lebanon Express conducted an online poll of the community’s favorite strawberry-based dessert — and strawberry shortcake is the winner. Shortcake won with 67 votes. The runner up was strawberry cheesecake with
FILE PHOTO/LEBANON EXPRESS
A cake maker puts the finishing touches on the “World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake in 1947.
42 votes, and taking third place was a strawberry milkshake. Other dessert nominees included strawberry ice cream, and chocolate dipped strawberries.
Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
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Enjoy the junior, grand parades The Strawberry Festival host two parades: a children’s parade and a Grand Parade open to all entrants. The junior parade begins at 2:30 p.m on June 6. The Lebanon Strawberry Festival Jr. Parade is for all children. Registration forms are available at local schools, the Lebanon area Chamber of Commerce, or by calling Janey Lee at 541-990-8422. All participants must have a signed registration form in order to participate in the parade. Registration forms may be dropped off at the Lebanon area chamber of commerce office, brought on the day or the parade or mailed to Janey Lee at 321 Wheeler St. Lebanon, OR. There will be seven categories: decorated bicycles
Grand Parade
The “World’s Largest Shortcake” will travel through town during the Grand Parade on June 7. Above right: A classic car drives in the 2013 Grand Parade. decorated wagons and tricycles, individual walkers,
large walking groups ( 10 or more) , small walking
groups ( 10 or less) Animals Large. floats
The Strawberry Festival Grand Parade will be held at 11 a.m. on June 7. There is still time to register; however, Entries must be received by today, May 28, to avoid a late fee.Entries received after May 28 will be charged a $10 late fee. Entries will not be accepted after June 4. Registration fees are non-refundable. Check-in for all types of entries except horses will be
in the Walmart parking lot. The staging area has changed from previous years. Phone calls will be made to horse entries with final staging area.Check in opens at 7 a.m. the morning of the parade and closes at 10 a.m. Judging will be from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and end at 10 a.m. Entries checking in after 9:30 a.m. will not be judged. Mail forms to Bobbi Birch, 517 Morton St. Birch may be reached at 541-905-0792.
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Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Historic stagecoach to appear in Lebanon parade One lucky young artist will be among those riding inside a Wells Fargo historic overland stagecoach during the 105th annual Lebanon Strawberry Festival Grand Parade on Saturday, June 7. The local Wells Fargo bank is holding a coloring contest for children up to age 16. The winner will ride inside the stagecoach, along with an adult. Entry forms can be obtained at the branch, located at 809 S. Main St. during business hours Monday through Saturday. The entry deadline is June 2. For more information call 541-259-7111. Organized by the Lebanon Strawberry Festival, the parade will start at 11 a.m. at the River Center, located at the intersection of Market
A Wells Fargo stagecoach will appear in the Lebanon Strawberry Festival Grand Parade on June 7. One lucky young artist will be among those riding inside. and Main streets. The entries will travel down Main
Street to the American Legion. The parade’s theme
this year is “Strawberry Night Fever.” The event usu-
ally lasts about three hours and is expected to draw up to 8,000 spectators. The historic stagecoach is a proud symbol of Wells Fargo’s storied western legacy.Riding inside the stagecoach on June 7 will be Marty Forbes, who manages Wells Fargo’s bank branch in Lebanon, and some of his staff. “We are dedicated to providing excellent customer service and building strong partnerships with our customers. This is a business philosophy that has been a Wells Fargo tradition for 162 years,” Forbes said. Wells Fargo has 21 stagecoaches that participate in community events. They are full-size replicas of the original stagecoaches that Wells Fargo used from 1852 through the turn of the cen-
tury to carry passengers, mail, express material and gold throughout the West. Last year an estimate 29 million people across the nation viewed a Wells Fargo stagecoach at almost 790 community events. Serving Oregonians since 1852, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, communitybased financial services company with $1.5 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 locations; 12,500 ATMs and the Internet (wellsfargo.com). Wells Fargo perspectives and stories are also available at blogs.wellsfargo.com and at wellsfargo.com/stories.
Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Above: Kids try their hands at Midway games at the Strawberry festival carnival. Below: Kids and adults enjoy the roller coaster.
Carnival, open air fair open during festival The carnival features amusement rides and games. The carnival will be open from 4 p.m. to close on June 5, from 1 p.m. to close on June 6 and from 1
p.m. to close on June 7, and from noon to close on June 8. The open air fair features a variety of vendors. The fair is open from 4 to 9 p.m.
on on June 5, from 3 to 9 p.m. on June 6, from 1 to 9 p.m. on on June 7 and from noon to 5 p.m. on June 8.
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Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Annual flower, quilt and art show booklets available Ted Holliday LEBANON EXPRESS The Lebanon Garden Club and the Lebanon Strawberry Festival is hosting the annual Flower and Art Show. The 2014 Strawberry Festival Flower show shares the same theme as the festival, Strawberry Night Fever. The show will feature flowers, quilts artwork and exhibits. The show is located at the Evangelical Church, 75 E. Grant St. It will be open to the public from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on June 6, and from noon to 4:30 p.m. on June 7. The following categories are open to the public and Lebanon Garden Club Members: Horticulture, Art, including photography,
Flower arrangements displayed at annual flower, art and quilt show. painting and fabric sculpture, and quilts.
Members of the Santiam Scrappers Quilt Club will
host a quilt display. In addition, they will be giving
quilting demonstrations and teaching about color choices. Quilting entries will be accepted in any category for youth under 18 years old. There will be people’s choice awards. A special exhibit for youth horticulture and design has three age categories: juniors (preschool to age 7); intermediate (age 8 to 12); and high school (age 13 to 18). Renata Stanko will have a special beekeeping exhibit. There are three categories for the art show; photography, fiber art and paintings. Entries for all divisions will be accepted from 7 to 9 p.m. on June 5 and from 7 to 9 a.m. on June 6. The judging for all categories begins at 10 a.m. on
June 6. All items will need to be picked up at 4:30 p.m. on June 6. Dismantling will begin at 5 p.m. Flower show booklets with rules and guidelines may be picked up at the Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St., the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, 1040 S Park St., and the Lebanon Express office at 90 E. Grant St. For more information about the flower show, contact Trudie Bason at 541521-5672 or Joli Root via email at JoliR@CenturyTell.net.
Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
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JAKE ROSENBERG/LEBANON EXPRESS
Runners take off at start of the 2013 Strawberry 5k.
Strawberry Run gives festival a running start By Jake Rosenberg LEBANON EXPRESS Lebanon’s Strawberry Festival showcases some its fastest residents and visitors every year, and hundreds crowd together at one spot on the opening Saturday morning to kick off the city’s favorite day of racing. The 9:30 a.m. starting gun on June 7 signals the first trek up Main Street for a one-mile fitness walk and run, but the pace picks up immediately after for the featured 5-kilometer race at the same start-finish line near Main and Vine Streets. The 28th edition expects see more than 300 competitors begin blazing up the upcoming parade-route trail, before they weave their way back on a 3.1-
mile course. Jacob Hiett, 17, of Sweet Home, will hope to defend his title with another 16minute effort, with spectators cheering on everyone to the finish. All children will receive participation ribbons, and the first three men and women that place from each of the nine age groups will be recognized after the 5k race. The entry fee is $15 for the 5K race, and $5 for the
one-mile walk/run. Event T-shirts are available in six different sizes for $12 apiece. All entrants that are present will be eligible for door prizes, while the best “Strawberry Night Fever” themed costumes will be rewarded with prizes. Online registration is available at www.getmeregistered.com. Visit the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, 1040 Park St., or go online to
www.lebanonstrawberryfestival.info/runwalk.ht ml for more information.
Contact event coordinator Emily Latimer at 541981-9532, or emily.la-
timer@lebanon.k12.or.us for other questions.
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Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Riders return after festival for Strawberry Century By Jake Rosenberg LEBANON EXPRESS A week after the Strawberry Festival is over, the shortcake and racing return for a final event: the Strawberry Century bicycle ride. While none of its four runs through the central Willamette Valley will be timed on June 14, the hundreds of cyclists often race back to get the first servings of fresh strawberry shortcake. That may be the only reward for finishing, but all participants can enjoy the local scenery whether or not they elect to return to the start-finish line at Lebanon High School. Dennis Murphy, a member of the host Santiam Spokes recreational bicycle club, says that is the best reason for people to extend the festivities to one more weekend. “We had 750 from all over the Northwest one year,” Murphy said. “It’s our opportunity to re-
Justin Simas, Jeffery Primmer, Michael Flynn, James Primmer, Kent McKelvie and Stewart Carlsberg celebrate the end of their 101-mile bike ride at the start-finish line at Lebanon High School on June 8, 2013. ally showcase this part of the countryside.” Most of the competitive groups aim to finish the longest 101-mile
course in six hours, reaching from Foster Lake Reservoir to west of the interstate and back to LHS. All 53-, 72- and 101-mile riders,
however, will need to finish before 5 p.m. to enjoy the shortcake. The event opens with registration at 6:30 a.m., and remains
open until 10 a.m. The cost is $40 after June 7, or $30 before. Online registration is available at www.BikeReg.com/22nd-annual-strawberry-century. All courses are scheduled to be open between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., but the 13-mile family ride will be limited between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost is $10 per person, or a maximum of $20 for a full family. Guided family tours will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The Santiam spokes call it their payback to the bicycling community, but any additional proceeds go to help the Lebanon Community Hospital Foundation, Build Lebanon Trails and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. For more information about the Strawberry Century and the Santiam Spokes, visit www.santiamspokes.org<http://www.santiamspokes.org>.
Racers vie for Strawberry Cup By Jake Rosenberg LEBANON EXPRESS The Strawberry Festival’s day of racing resumes at Willamette Speedway when the 1/3-mile dirt track waves the green flag for the 54th running of the Strawberry Cup. After time trials, which begin at 2:30 p.m., five different classes of cars will begin competing in races for the 53rd-straight year on June 7. Known as the Late Model capital of the Northwest, racers from all across the West Coast travel weekly
to the Lebanon circuit, but no race on the season schedule carries more prestige. While also a meaningful points event within the season-long battle, bragging rights often bring the most motivation for drivers to cross the finish line first. “It’s a title the drivers really want,” said Willamette Speedway track operations manager Chris Nofziger. “When you win the Strawberry Cup, it means something more, so the drivers get a bit more into it.” The many V8-powered
cars on display in the top Late Model class will likely be chasing eight-time series champion and defending winner Trevor Glaser, of
Tangent, in his yellow No. 2 machine. Weather permitting, the Strawberry Cup will complete 30- and 40-lap fi-
nals, beginning with the first feature race at 6 p.m. Individual general admission tickets range from $6 to $16. Pit passes and re-
served seating are also available. For more information, visit www.trophymotorsports.com.
Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014 Collector cars and trucks were on display at the Lebanon Elks Lodge for the inaugural Strawberry Festival Elks Car Show on June 1, 2013. Bob Woodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1958 Chevy (pictured far right) won the Best Truck trophy.
FILE PHOTO/LEBANON EXPRESS Queen Ruth Schackman cuts the strawberry shortcake in 1941. Schackman
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Elks to host annual car show The Lebanon Elks will host its second Car and Motorcycle Show on June 7. In addition to featuring the best classic cars and trucks of all years, makes, and models this year will include motorcycles of all years, makes, and models. Admission and en-
tertainment is free for this family-friendly event. Registration begins at 10 a.m. in the Elks Lodge parking lot and entry fees are $10 per vehicle. Register your vehicle, park, and walk over to Main Street to enjoy the parade. The show starts im-
mediately after the Grand Parade passes Sherman
Street.
Judging and trophies will be awarded by 3 p.m. The event will feature live music, along with food, beverages, and a beer garden.
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Lebanon Express, Wednesday, May 28, 2014