Lincoln City Discover
A Visitors Guide
Beach Guide, Glass Floats, Shopping, Wildlife Refuge and More!
A News-Times Publication • www.NewportNewsTimes.com
Lincoln City Discover
Publisher James Rand
Advertising Contacts Barbara Moore barbaramoore@newportnewstimes.com 541.254.8571 ext. 237 Camren Cyrus camren@newportnewstimes.com 541.254.8571 ext. 227 Teresa Barnes teresabarnes@newportnewstimes.com 541.254.8571 ext. 223 John Anderson johnanderson@newportnewstimes.com 541.254.8571 ext. 238 Krisstina Borton krisstinaborton@newportnewstimes.com 541.254.8571 ext. 227
Editor
Nancy Steinberg
Contributors Nancy Steinberg Rick Beasley Dennis Anstine Niki Price Jo-Hanna Wienert Nancy Chase Dean Ingram Shiana Weaver
Cover
Photo by Jo-Hanna Wienert
A Publication of the
Discover Lincoln City is published by the News-Times. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. The News Times has made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in the magazine, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Contact Us
Photo by Jo-Hanna Wienert
From the Editor Here at the Oregon coast, sometimes we refer to a damp, cold, windy June as “Junuary.” It’s not a term of endearment. But as I write this, we have been experiencing a very different Junuary: downright summery weather in January. I took one of those Junuary days to tour the entire seven miles of Lincoln City’s beaches, and I’ll never forget it: blue skies, frothy surf, wheeling gulls, and the peace that can only come with a beach walk. I had a hearty and delicious lunch at the Otis Café, and stopped in a few shops on my way home to Newport. I was not lucky enough to find a glass float on the beach placed there by the Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau, but a day spent at the beach is treasure enough for me. The range of things to do in Lincoln City is vast, so no two visits need be the same. Take a class at the Sitka Center for Art & Ecology. Join in a guided paddle of the Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge. Take a hike to a waterfall, see a classic or brand-new film, play a round of golf. Lincoln City is full of fun and surprises, whether it’s January, June, or Junuary. Enjoy!
831 NE Avery St. Newport, OR 97365 • 541-265-8571 www.DiscoverLincolnCity.com Nancy Steinberg, Editor
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Contents Beach Glass
pg 6
Lincoln City at 50
pg 8
Beaches
pg 10
Bijou Theater
pg 12
Otis Cafe
pg 16
Devils Lake
pg 18
Connie Hanson Garden
pg 22
Area Map North Lincoln City
pg 24
Area Map South Lincoln City
pg 25
Shopping
pg 26
Lincoln City Kite Festival
pg 28
Lincoln City Community Center
pg 30
Lincoln City Cultural Center
pg 32
Siletz Bay
pg 34
Siletz Bay Music Festival
pg 38
Salishan Resort
pg 40
Drift Creek Falls
pg 42
Sitka Center
pg 44
Depoe Bay
pg 46
Photo by Jo-Hanna Wienert
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Beach Glass
The spheres are here! Finders Keepers stashes glass treasures on Lincoln City beaches for all to find by Nancy Steinberg · Photo, Jo-Hanna Wienert
One of the greatest treasures beachcombers on the Oregon coast can find is a glass float: a hollow glass ball used to buoy Japanese fishing nets starting in the early 20th century (a few are even used today). These colorful orbs have traversed the ocean in circular currents, perhaps for decades, before landing on our shores, and they are rarer than four-leafed clovers. The folks at the Lincoln City Visitors and Convention Bureau want to increase your odds of finding such a special gem on the beaches here: between mid-October and Memorial Day they will stash 2015 hand-made glass treasures, including mouthblown floats, starfish, sand dollars, and crabs on beaches up and down Lincoln City’s sandy shores. As the name of the promotion indicates, it’s finders keepers: if you find one, it’s yours to keep. The promotion began back at the turn of this century when a local artist thought it would be a unique way to ring in the new millennium. Tourists flocked to the beaches of Lincoln City to find their own signed and numbered miniature works of art. That first year, 2,000 floats were distributed and the number has increased to the number of the year each year of the promotion. For 2015, 2,015 will be distributed. Floats are stashed along 7 ½ miles of Lincoln City coastline, on public beaches from Roads End to Cutler City. The VCB wants everyone to put safety first: no floats are stashed during storms, and they will never be found on cliffs. Stick to the area between the tide line and the beach embankment. As always, never turn your back on the ocean or play on logs in the surf while you’re float-hunting. The VCB will periodically carry out special stealthy drops of extra glass treats (don’t worry, they don’t actually drop the
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glass!), bringing the total number of treasures above 3,000 this year, and they’re even nice enough to advertise the schedule for these bonus days. The drops can include any combination of floats and glass sea critters; dates are listed at www. oregoncoast.org/finders-keepers/special-glass-art-drops/. The dates include a set of 300 antique Japanese floats to celebrate Antique Week in February, 14 heart-shaped floats and 50 bright red floats on Valentine’s Day weekend, and special drops every weekend in September. The floats are designed and created by 15 glass studios from near and far, from right in Lincoln City to Grants Pass, Oregon to Tacoma, Washington, and many points in between. Successful hunters can call the VCB (800-452-2151 or 541-996-1274) and register their float, receive a certificate of authenticity, and find out who made their personal treasure. There are lots of other ways to leave Lincoln City with a glass float souvenir. Special drawings are held monthly at the Visitor Center for glass floats. Bring a bag of beach trash to the Visitor Center, 540 NE Hwy 101, and fill out an entry form. People with disabilities who prefer not to beachcomb are also eligible to enter and win a monthly float drawing. And you can always buy one at a local glassblower or gallery (Jennifer Sears Art Glass Studio, 4821 SW Hwy 101; Volta Gallery, 4830 SE Hwy 101; or Alderhouse Glassblowing, 611 Immonen Road, closed through May). And finally, a spectacular display of historical floats is on display at the North Lincoln County Historical Society, 4907 SW Hwy 101. And remember, if you go the beach in Lincoln City this winter and don’t find a float or glass sand dollar, don’t despair: your beach walk was the real treasure after all!
Serving The Central Oregon Coast Mike Roy
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Cell: 541-992-1683
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1621 - 1625 NW Hwy 101, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367 Office: 541-994-2794 • Fax: 541-994-3984
www.LincolnCityRealty.net
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Lincoln City at Fifty A golden opportunity to celebrate the city
By Nancy Steinberg • Photos courtesy North Lincoln County Mueseum If it seems to you that Lincoln City has a special golden glow about it this year, it’s not just the gorgeous sunsets over the ocean: the city turns fifty this year, and the golden anniversary celebration will be all over town, all year long. Lincoln City is an amalgam of five small towns that decided to join forces, voting in 1964 to incorporate as one city. “All had their own unique character and government, but they decided to come together as a single, larger city so they could more efficiently get services they badly needed, like police and fire departments and a subsidy for a hospital,” explained Anne Hall, Director of the North Lincoln County Historical Museum in Lincoln City. Incorporation as one city passed by a narrow vote in 1964 (the first City Council meeting was held in 1965). “The main issue then was naming the new town,” Hall said,
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a task which turned out to be trickier than expected. The short version of the story is that this publication might have been named “Discover Surfland” rather than “Discover Lincoln City.” The long version is that the community was asked to submit potential names. The top five names, as determined by a vote run by the local newspaper, would be forwarded to a committee, who would choose among them. The most popular name was Surfland, buoyed by the overwhelming support of local school children, but an uproar ensued among other sectors of the general public. “It was considered a honkytonk name, and people wanted a respectable name for the city,” said Hall. Lincoln City was the runner up, and so the new city was named after the county in which it is located. Fifty years later, the city will celebrate with everything from cake to glass floats to good deeds. One unique activity for locals,
highlighting the city’s warm and supportive community, is “Fifty Neighborly Acts,” a program in which residents are encouraged to undertake 50 random acts of kindness during the year (pick up some trash, make someone a meal, wash windows at your favorite business) and record them on a card. Chair of the 50th anniversary planning committee, city employee Sandy Gruber, noted, “Anybody can do it!” A celebration of all good deeds, along with prizes, will be held at the end of the year. Many community institutions and businesses are getting involved in the celebration. In March, the Bijou Theater (see pp. 12) will show films made in 1965. The Visitor and Convention Bureau will hide 50 special, extra-large golden floats on Lincoln City beaches in March as well (see pp. 6 for more on the city’s “Finders Keepers” glass float treasure hunt). The North Lincoln County Historical Museum in the Taft neighborhood will host a series of related exhibits during the year, including a quilt exhibit called “Fifty Years of Quilts” in which quilts from three generations of a local family will be displayed. City Hall will display an exhibit of 50 photos: 25 older shots of Lincoln City scenes paired with the same views today, as photographed by local Bob Gibson. And no birthday party is complete without cake! A 50-foot birthday cake will be offered to all comers at City Hall in March. In April, Teddy Roosevelt (otherwise known as impersonator and performer Joe Wiegand) will visit the Lincoln City Cultural Center to present a program about his central role in the history of the Oregon coast. In July, a string quartet will perform multiple concerts around town, and look for a massive parade in September, which organizers hope will proceed right down Hwy 101 (planning for the parade is still underway). If all goes according to plan, the parade will end up the Lincoln City Community Center (see pp. 30) with the historical museum’s annual membership barbecue, open to the public this year. Many, many more plans are underway, and the list of commemorations will continue to grow throughout the year, so be sure to check the Lincoln City 50th Celebration Facebook page for current listings. The locals can’t wait for visitors to join the party. As Gruber put it, “The celebration is about saying, ‘we’re proud to be here, we love it here, and we want you to come and join us!”
Other Lincoln City Anniversaries The city itself turns 50 this year, but many other local institutions are also celebrating important milestones. We can only hope that more birthdays means more cake in Lincoln City this year! Surftides Hotel - 80 years Driftwood Public Library - 50 years Salishan Resort - 50 years Theatre West - 40 years North Lincoln County Historical Museum - 40 years Lincoln City Community Center Pool - 30 years Chinook Winds Casino Resort - 20 years Roadhouse 101 - 10 years Jennifer Sears Glass Studio - 10 years
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Sandy is Dandy! Come romp, dig, climb, surf, and explore all of Lincoln City’s gorgeous beaches By Nancy Steinberg • Photos by Jo-Hanna Wienert What is it about that strip of sand and rock between the land and the sea that is so alluring? Everyone loves the beach, especially in Oregon where it is not only stunningly beautiful but easily accessible and always, everywhere, public property. Along the 7.5 miles of Lincoln City coastline there are probably dozens of free beach access points: some large state parks, some tiny parking areas with room for two cars, and some no more than well-worn paths that only the locals know. Here’s a guide to some of Lincoln City’s beaches and access points, north to south. Whether you want to surf, explore a tide pool, fly a kite, take a walk, or just stare at the sea, you’ll find a place to do it in Lincoln City.
Road’s End State Park Why not begin at the end – Road’s End, that is. The northernmost beach in Lincoln City proper is part of Road’s End State Park, found by turning west off of Hwy 101 at the light at the Lighthouse Square plaza (watch for signs). Two adjacent parking areas are located on Logan Road, and beach access is a snap (or if you’re content to simply stare at the water over lunch, picnic tables with spectacular views are available in the parking areas as well). Rock hounds will love this beach – it’s hard to know whether to look up at the views of offshore islands or to look down to find the ample agates and other geological delights that dot the sand. If your beach walk takes place at low tide, you can scramble around the rocky headland to the north, Road’s End Point, to a lovely hidden cove – just be sure to watch the tides or you could get stuck there until the water ebbs again!
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NW 26th St./Jetty Ave. Jetty Avenue runs in fits and starts roughly parallel to Hwy 101, and along its length are a number of beach access points. Of course, they all lead to the same stretch of wide, flat, uncrowded beach. At NW 26th St. is a small parking area, bathrooms, picnic tables, and a long, steep staircase leading down to the beach. There are some great climbing rocks here, accessible at low tide, and a small creek spills onto the beach, perfect for small explorers.
NW 15th St./Harbor Ave. Following the shoreline south, you’ll either be on Jetty, Harbor, or Inlet Avenue. At NW 15th St. and Harbor is a teeny, tiny parking area, with enough room for perhaps two cars. But fear not: if you can’t get a parking space here, you can drive down the ramp right onto the beach! This is the only spot in the area that allows vehicles on the beach (between the signs only). Do not stray outside of the marked area, as the sand gets soft and getting out can be much harder than getting in. One reason to access the beach here is the lovely set of tide pools that are exposed at low tide.
D River State Recreation Area The D River – touted as the world’s shortest – empties from Devils Lake across Hwy 101 onto the sand here at D River Wayside, one of the most visited state parks in Oregon. This spot, sometimes referred to as Wecoma Beach, is the quintessential Oregon sandy beach – wide, flat, windy, and with higher surf than nearby spots. It is the site of two annual kite festivals.
Canyon Drive Beach Access Where SW 11th St. dead-ends at the ocean is Canyon Drive Park and, across the street, a lovely public beach access point. The trick is following 11th St. to this hidden gem, as it twists, turns, and sometimes disappears. But stick with it and head west – it’s worth it! Canyon Drive Park offers a grassy play area and a small, bucolic pond. It has also served as the staging area for the Nelscott Reef surf competition (see below).
No matter when you are here, Lincoln City’s beaches are awaiting your visit, changing with the seasons, the tides, and the time of day. We know you’ll find a favorite and return again and again.
Nelscott Area/SW 35th St. Access Some of the world’s elite surfers descend upon the Nelscott neighborhood of Lincoln City just north of the Inn at Spanish Head every year for a surf competition at Nelscott Reef, about a mile offshore. The waves get so massive here that competitors need to be towed out to the waves on a personal watercraft rather than paddling. Even when the reef break isn’t churning, this stretch of coast is a popular surfing spot. A moderate-sized parking lot at SW 32nd Street and Anchor Ave. attracts lots of traffic, but you’ll find cars parked haphazardly along the road between there and the access at 35th St. This access is perfect for watching the surfers, climbing on the exposed rocks just to the south, and enjoying photo ops with the new statue of Joe the Sea Lion at the access point. There is also a public parking lot at 35th St. and Hwy 101.
Taft and Siletz Bay To the north of spectacular Siletz Bay is the Taft neighborhood, dotted with adorable vacation cottages and great restaurants, including world-famous Mo’s. The Taft access at SW 51st St. allows easy access to the shore of the bay as well as oceanfront beach. The bay beach is littered with massive piles of driftwood, making for easy fuel-gathering for evening bonfires and fairly comfortable seating. Seals are often hauled out on the sand spit across the bay (the Salishan Spit). This is a popular area for sand castle construction (try your hand at the annual sand castle contest here in August!) and kite flying. The bay shore can also be accessed at tiny Siletz Bay Park on the north side of Schooner Creek adjacent to the Water’s Edge Condominiums.
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The Bijou Theater Where movies still matter
by Nancy Steinberg • Photos by Jo-Hanna Wienert
Sure, you can always rent a movie. Pop in a Blu-ray or stream something from Netflix, sit in your own living room, even make some microwave popcorn. But there’s nothing like going to the movies in the theater. The big screen, the high-definition projection, the surround-sound, the fragrance and crunch of movie theater popcorn – none can be truly replicated at home. And the absolute primo movie experience is to go to a movie at Lincoln City’s Bijou Theater, an old-fashioned yet cutting edge cinema, the self-proclaimed place “where movies still matter.” The marqeed building that houses the Bijou in the Oceanlake district of Lincoln City was originally built as the Lakeside Theater in 1937. It has operated more or less continuously as a theater since then, its silver screen graced by generations of Hollywood stars. Renamed the Bijou in 1980, it was purchased in 1996 by Keith and Betsy Altomare, the current owners, who have ensured its legacy as not just a source of entertainment but a community resource. Keith and Betsy were seeking a way out of the fast-track lives they lived in L.A. He was a VP with Rhino Records and she worked for Hits magazine when the Rodney King riots and the 1994 earthquake convinced them they needed to find a new place to raise their young daughter, Molly. They decided on the idea of opening a business together, but weren’t sure at first what kind. “Keith said, ‘How about a cheese shop?’” Betsy recalls.
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Luckily for Lincoln City and all of the county, Betsy had a better idea: how about a movie theater? They both loved the movies, but had zero experience with operating a theater. No matter, they knew they’d figure it out. “I’m good with people, and Keith is a salesman by trade,” Betsy explains. After considering a couple of theaters in Illinois and California, they found the lovely Bijou, situated in the equally lovely Lincoln City. The owner of the theater walked them through the procedures of booking and projecting films at the single-screen theater, and the Altomares took the keys to the joint. The decision about which films to show was an easy one. “Our goal is to play movies that we want to see,” Betsy says, simply. That formula results in a mixture of big Hollywood movies, which tend to pay the bills, and smaller indie films, a balance of styles and genres. The first change they made was to increase the number of shows at the theater from one per day to three on weekends and two on weekdays. Betsy is often on hand to introduce the films herself. A more exciting and transformational change came just recently. In 2011, Hollywood basically announced that soon they would only be sending films to theaters in digital format. Theaters, like the Bijou, still using 35-mm projection technology would be unable to show movies and could be put out of business. The new equipment would cost approximately $50,000. The Bijou undertook a
Theater continued on page 14
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Theater continued from page 12 Kickstarter campaign in November of 2012 (Kickstarter is a web site where individuals and groups can appeal to the internet at large for funding for creative projects), and in short order raised more than their $40,000 goal. The rest of the funding was donated by patrons simply walking through the doors of the cinema. “I had no idea if people would come forward and support us,” Betsy reflects, but they did. The Bijou now has a digital projector with 3D capabilities and a new silver screen, thanks to the campaign’s many generous supporters. In addition to the show of the week, the Bijou screens older films every Saturday at 11:00 am for just $2. This showing is a grab-bag: sometimes it’s an older and unknown film that intrigues Betsy or Keith, sometimes it’s a family favorite like “The Princess Bride” or “The Wizard of Oz,” and sometimes it’s a special event or screening that raises funds for an outside group. The theater’s ticket prices are lower than the nearby multiplex, and the atmosphere is cooler, too, in that old-fashioned, darkpaneled, red-carpeted movie theater way. They have a full
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concession stand (considerably cheaper than the multiplex!) which features what Betsy (and Governor Kitzhaber, in a framed letter in the lobby) certifies is the best popcorn on the coast. While you’re there you can browse the small gift shop of movie posters and other memorabilia. The theater can be rented out for events, as long as you’re willing to work around the regular show schedule; they’ve hosted one wedding and a marriage proposal (the groom-to-be wanted to screen “Harold and Maude” for his beloved, and apparently she liked it and said yes), and are open to many other kinds of events. Rainy day or not, why not head to the Bijou and go to the movies? Don’t forget to buy a large popcorn.
When You Go The Bijou Theater 1624 NE Hwy 101 (541) 994-8255 www.cinemalovers.com
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The Otis Café A tiny eatery in a tiny town caters to giant appetites Story and photos by Nancy Steinberg
You may have heard of the tiny hamlet of Otis, Oregon, just north of Lincoln City. Its greatest claim to fame is the fact that it (yes, the town itself) has been for sale not once but twice. Back in 1999, and again in 2004, for the bargain price of $3 million you could have owned the whole 190-acre shooting match, including the post office, gas station, corn-dog stand, and two houses, among other amenities. But there’s a much better reason that you should know about Otis, especially if it’s meal time: the diminutive Otis Café, the nucleus of the tiny town, serves up hearty, homemade comfort food to droves of people every day. The masses don’t mind
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waiting in line for a plate of the café’s famous German potatoes, cinnamon roll French toast, or chicken fried steak. Owned by Jeff England since1996, the café has been around since at least the 1920s (its origins are not easy to pin down). But it was Ginny Morgan, the café’s owner in the 1980s, who is often credited with putting the place on the map, bringing in the crowds with her delicious, hearty recipes served in generous portions. Her molasses bread, cinnamon rolls, German potatoes, and more are still served at the café today. “People started to come from Portland on their way to the coast,” recalls Amanda Zerr, Ginny’s daughter, who, along with her
sisters, worked in the café as a kid and now lives down the coast in Newport. “Sundays were really busy.” The locals loved the place too, as it was an important gathering place in the small town. “There were hooks on the wall for locals’ coffee cups, and the regulars would just come in, grab their cup, and pour themselves a cup of coffee,” Zerr says. “It was definitely a hang-out spot.” It still is. It is probably a cliché (but so true) to say that the staff at the restaurant is friendly, but how often do you hear that about a restaurant’s customers? As the café was packed (as usual) the last time I went in, alone, I sat at a table already occupied by a party of three, a local woman and her sister and brother-in-law visiting from Utah. We quickly became the best of friends. When they left, they were replaced by a couple from Salem, Oregon, who make it a point to hop over to the Otis Café whenever they are heading to the coast. Equally friendly, I learned that they often consider trying someplace else in Lincoln City, but just can’t skip an opportunity to eat in Otis. They are both strict vegetarians, and find plenty to savor on the menu. Ah, the menu. Breakfast, served all day, will satisfy your cravings for sweet or savory dishes. Specialties include Ginny Morgan’s German potatoes, a heaping plate of hash browns topped with onions, cheese, and eggs any style (if that isn’t enough, you can add diced ham, sausage, mushrooms, or veggies); the “Red-Neck Benedict,” consisting of a massive homemade biscuit topped with sausage, scrambled eggs, and sausage gravy; and the cinnamon roll French toast, slices of the café’s cinnamon rolls dipped in egg batter. Pancakes – sourdough or buttermilk – literally hang over the edge of the plate, and for the kids they’ll make a teddy bear pancake complete with ears and a smiling face. Next on my
personal “to-eat” list is the Hangtown Fry, oysters sautéed with spinach and onion and topped with cheese. The house-made brown molasses bread is famous, and can be ordered on the side of many dishes or by the loaf to bring home. For my most recent lunch there, it was terribly hard to decide what to order, but I was glad when the BLT was delivered to the table – delicious toasted homemade sourdough bread and a heap of crisp, thick bacon. The clam chowder was thick and chock-full of clams. I bought a loaf of the molasses bread to take home. Other options include the quarter-pound burgers with a range of toppings, sandwiches, soups, salads, and of course, the entire breakfast menu as well. For dinner, patrons can choose from the entire menu, including mouth-watering dinner specials like chicken-fried steak, grilled oysters, and pork chops and apple sauce. Dessert choices are simple but perfect: a range of homemade pies (many still made using Ginny Morgan’s recipes), Tillamook ice cream made right up the coast a few miles, and fabulous extra-large chocolate brownies. Come hungry to the café, and be prepared to wait during peak hours. It’s worth it, and you’ll be fueled up for the rest of the day.
When you go: Otis Café 1259 Salmon River Hwy. Otis, OR otiscafe@live.com (541) 994-2813
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A Devilishly Good Time Devils Lake offers a retreat from city life
by Nancy Steinberg • Photos by Jo-Hanna Wienert There is no fire and brimstone at Lincoln City’s Devils Lake, but it is certainly often warmer there in the summer than it is on the beach. That’s only one of the many reasons to head to the lake, the freshwater gem in a saltwater landscape. This 680-acre lake is the source of the D River, billed as the World’s Shortest, which empties into the Pacific at the popular D River Wayside. The lake extends north and east of the wayside on the east side of Hwy 101, and is ringed by parks, a camp ground, lovely homes, and winding roads.
Day-use Parks A great introduction to the lake is offered by the range of day-use parks along its shores. Regatta Grounds Park is a popular spot, especially for families who come to climb and swing at one of the best playgrounds on the coast. Sandcastle Playground’s wooden play structure is an Escher-like maze of ramps, turrets, and staircases that lends itself to epic games of chase, make-believe, and hide-and-seek. The park also includes a boat ramp, docks for fishing, and a small swimming beach. A nature trail begins in the parking lot, wending its way through the woods along the lake shore. The East Devils Lake Recreation
Area includes a boat ramp, fishing pier, restrooms, and picnic tables in a grassy setting. Adorable Sand Point Park on the west side of the lake provides a small swimming beach and a picnic area, as well as restrooms. There are also three city open spaces that provide beautiful hiking trails of various lengths: Friends of Wildwood Trail (33 acres, including a onemile trail) provides views of the lake from its natural-surface trail. Spring Lake (2.5 miles of trails on 25 acres) includes a stand of old-growth forest, and is a good place for bird-watching. Hostetler Park is one of Lincoln City’s best-kept secrets. A tiny pocket park with boat launch on the east side of Hwy 101, it is also the terminus for a beautiful boardwalk traversing a wetland area and birders’ paradise. The other end of the boardwalk is at the Devils Lake Campground, described below.
Camping Just minutes from the outlet mall, casino, and great restaurants of Lincoln City is the Devils Lake Campground, part of the Devils Lake State Recreation Area. The campground’s 97 sites include some full-hookup sites and ten yurts, one of which is pet-friendly (reserve early!). The campground’s sites are fairly wooded,
and include fire rings and picnic tables; bathrooms include flush toilets and hot showers. There are also 12 moorage slips for boats (although no launch sites) and a hiker/biker camp. Ranger-led talks and slide shows are given at the campground’s amphitheater, which doubles as a grassy play and picnic area when there are no programs scheduled. Other options for camping near Devils Lake include Devils Lake RV Park and Lincoln City KOA.
Boating There are lots of ways to leave the shoreline behind on a boat with or without a motor. If you have your own boat, a number of launch sites have already been mentioned. All manner of watercraft can be rented at Blue Heron Landing, including paddleboats, kayaks, canoes, motor boats, and wave runners. While you’re there, make sure to buy a small cup of fish chow and feed the immense grass carp that gather near the docks. The state park offers guided kayak tours in the summer months (call 541-994-2002 for information), and Kayak Tillamook (kayaktillamook.com) also offers guided paddles on the lake. If all of these boats are too slow for you,
Devils Lake continued on page 20
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Devils Lake continued from page 18 you can live vicariously through watching the annual Rockey Stone Memorial Kilos, speedboat races in which boats exceed speeds of 100 mph. The races are held in October, and spectators are welcome – Sand Point Park is a good viewing spot.
Fishing Those
fat
grass
carp
might look like an easy catch, but you aren’t allowed to keep them – they were introduced to the lake as a biological control on rampant weed growth. But don’t worry – there are lots of other targets for anglers, including rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, catfish, black crappie, and bluegill. The
When You Go native cutthroat trout in the lake are catch-andrelease only! The list of things to do at and around Devils Lake is long indeed. For more ideas, see the recreation guide published by the Devils Lake Water Improvement District, at www.dlwid. org/Communications/ Recreation_Brochure.pdf.
About that Name … How did such an idyllic place get such a frightening name? According to the Preservation Association of Devils Lake (www.devilslakeor.us), it comes from a Siletz Indian legend. Their web site recounts: …A certain chief Fleetfoot despaired of winning the heart of the maiden he had chosen. In order to impress his young love, he dispatched his braves in the canoes out on the calm waters of the lake. Yet tragedy was awaiting the braves. As the moonlight shone down upon the serene lake, legend says, the waters began to churn and bubble. Giant tentacles emerged from the chaotic waters and wrapped around the startled braves and their canoes pulling them down into the murky depths. … In order to pacify the great devil so the Indians could resume their peaceful existence on the lake, the legend says, the Indians held great feasts and rituals on the shores of the lake. … The hunger of the spirit that inhabits the lake has long since been appeased, but the legend itself grows with each retelling and the mystery behind the lake’s name remains unsolved. Today, the legend maintains, that those who cross the waters in the moonlit chill of night will still feel a tingle of fear as they cross the center of the lake.
Regatta Grounds Park NE 14th St. East Devils Lake Recreation Area 205 East Devils Lake Road Devils Lake Campground: 1452 NE 6th Dr. Search on www.oregonstateparks.org Sand Point Park East Devils Lake Road Friends of Wildwood Trail West Devils Lake Road north of NE 22nd St. Spring Lake Trail NE 14th St. Hostetler Park (Also called D River City Park) NE 1st St. Devils Lake RV Park 4041 NE West Devils Lake Rd. www.devilslakervpark.com Lincoln City KOA 5298 NE Park Lane koa.com/campgrounds/lincoln-city/ Blue Heron Landing 4006 West Devils Lake Rd. www.blueheronlanding.net Kayak Tillamook kayaktillamook.com Rockey Stone Memorial Kilos www.apba.org/races/rockey-stonememorial-kilos-2717
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Connie Hansen Garden A peaceful oasis for all seasons by Nancy Steinberg · Photos, Nancy Chase You don’t have to be a gardener to enjoy a visit to Connie Hansen Garden, tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood to the west of Hwy 101, but non-gardeners will almost certainly be motived to start digging in the dirt once they’ve visited. An endless source of wonder and inspiration, the garden is an incredible hidden gem and worth a visit at any time of year. Connie Hansen herself was, by all accounts, a remarkable woman with boundless energy and creativity. She purchased her cottage on 33rd Street four blocks from the ocean in 1973, and transformed its one-acre lot over 20 years into a garden sanctuary of local and regional renown. Sunset Magazine, the Oregonian, and Fine Gardening Magazine all published spreads on her amazing garden. She was partial to rhododendrons,
azaleas, beardless irises, and candelabra varieties of primroses, all of which flourish in the highly acidic, even boggy soil that characterizes the area. To this day, the garden also maintains a focus on native species. When Hansen’s health started to fail, she first sold the property to a friend, who could not maintain it appropriately. A group of Hansen’s other friends got together and secured grant funding to purchase the property in 1994. The same year, they founded the non-profit Connie Hansen Garden Conservancy. Now Connie’s garden is preserved in perpetuity as a public treasure. Today, the acre and a quarter (the lot has been added to within the last few years) is maintained solely by volunteers whose loving care for the property is evident even in the grey of winter. They weed. They prune. They mulch. They plant. They keep Connie’s vision alive, and absolutely love to share it with visitors.
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I toured the garden on a gorgeous winter day with Janet Anderson, the Conservancy board’s Vice President and an active volunteer. One of the first stops on the tour was a new feature of the property, a dwarf conifer garden containing a wide range of small evergreens. Another highlight that is just as magnificent in winter as any other season is an extensive heather garden, with one variety running into the next like a watercolor painting. We wandered the grassy and gravel paths that meander throughout the property as Anderson pointed out some of the signature candelabra primulas, spectacular stewartia trees with mottled bark, all the more visible because of the lack of foliage, evergreen hellebores, and many plants in various stages of overwintering. “This is the time that gardeners hold their breath,” she commented. “But there’s something happening all the time here.” The primroses bloom early, some coming up as early as January. March is when the candelabra primulas bloom. May and June are peak rhodie time, when the garden bursts with the riot of color of the towering rhododendrons, some as much as 40 years old. In June and July it’s the irises’ turn to shine. A natural creek wends its way throughout the garden, crossed by sweet bridges and creating damp areas where water-loving species thrive. A bench surrounded by a rock wall offers a lovely spot from which to contemplate the beauty, and another bench is planned from another vantage point in the garden, which does seem like a wholly different place depending on your viewing location. Deer and birds are frequent visitors to the garden, and Anderson even points out where deer tend to bed down in the garden’s plots. She has a remarkably sanguine attitude about the deer, which seem to be the bane of many a gardener’s existence. “They don’t do too much damage,” she said, good naturedly, “We have to coexist with them.” The garden holds plant sales three times a year, offering cuttings and splits of plants from the garden itself. “One of our main focuses in education,” Anderson explained. “We want to educate people about what will grow well in their own local gardens, with a focus on low-maintenance, non-invasive species.”
To support this educational mission, the garden sponsors a variety of programs throughout the year on horticultural topics; instructors typically come for among the ranks of the local Master Gardeners, commercial businesses, and the Soil & Water Conservation District. The Conservancy plans to ramp up the number and range of these programs in the coming year. The house and grounds are available to rent for small events (up to 40 people), and a full kitchen is available in the house. In addition, the cottage houses an extensive horticultural library from which Conservancy members and volunteers can borrow volumes. It is otherwise open to the public as a reference library. A small gift shop is also open on site during limited hours. The garden is open daily, dawn to dusk. The house is open and hosted on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm. Guided tours are available by prior arrangement. Of course, the garden is always changing, season to season and year to year, so make sure to plan to come back to get the full picture of the richness of this little paradise just off the beaten track.
When you Go Connie Hansen Garden 1931 NW 33rd Street, Lincoln City (541) 994-6338 www.conniehansengarden.com
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Glass Fusing Studio
Make a Fused-Glass Project and SAVE! beautiful plates, Starting at Create platters, bowls, coasters, sconces, window pieces, etc. $30 & up Gift Certificates Available
SW BARD RD
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AGNES CREEK OS
We are located in the Taft area in Lincoln City. 4933 SW Hwy 101 541-994-2427
Hours are 10am-6pm
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Shopping 101 Shop til you drop in all of Lincoln City’s neighborhoods Story and photos by Shiana Weaver Looking to do a little shopping while in Lincoln city but not sure where to go? Don’t worry -- the work has already been done for you in this guide to some of the many shopping gems in Lincoln City. Whether you are looking for a unique gift for a special someone, a one-of-a-kind souvenir to bring back from your travels, or just something fun for yourself these shops are guaranteed to have it. So relax, soak in the beautiful sunshine and salty air, and get your shopping extravaganza on.
Taft District Mor Art Fused Glass Studio 541-994-2427 Want to make your own fused glass piece? Then head down to Mor Art Fused Glass Studio, and let their gallery of beautifully crafted fused glass pieces turn your awe into inspiration. Dan and Maurice, the owners and glass fusion experts, will help you cut and ensemble your own piece of art. Their glass infusion classes start at $25.00; make a set of coasters, a beautiful plate or platter for your next dinner party, or a magnificent window piece to shine in your home all year long. They also offer shipping so if you can’t pick your masterpiece up after it cools, they will make sure it gets to you safe and sound. Schedule your glass fusion experience today by calling 541-994-2427 or see them at 4933 Hwy 101.
Nelscott District Robert’s Book Shop 541-994-4453 Robert’s Book Shop is the largest, most affordable second-hand book store in town. With over 200,000 books overflowing from the shelves lining every wall and nook and cranny, there is sure to be a book for everyone. The scent of books will fill your imagination with stories untold. This gem of a book store is, of course, for
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book-lovers, but also for lovers of historical artifacts as there are plenty to be seen along the walls and ceilings. If you enjoy reading a good book while listening to the sounds of crashing waves, go to Robert’s Book Shop at 3412 SE Hwy 101. Rock Your World 541-351-8423 Do you walk Lincoln City’s beaches with your eyes on the sand, looking for pretty rocks? If so, then you must stop into Rock Your World, Lincoln City’s very own rock shop. Owner Laura Joki offers free rock identification and is excited to share her vast knowledge of rocks and minerals of the Pacific Northwest with you. While getting your rock identified check out their extensive collection of local jewelry, rocks and minerals. At this shop you will find a friendly staff eager to help guide you on your rock hounding journey. They offer free agate hunting lessons, free shipping on all items 13 oz. or smaller, and shipping on all others items for a fee. Laura is committed to using local sources of rocks, which keeps the shop’s prices competitive. Whether you are in the area for rock hounding, interested in furthering your knowledge of rocks and minerals of the Pacific Northwest, or looking for a gorgeous piece of jewelry, stop in and see Laura at 1423 NW Hwy 101. For more information check out their website at rockyourworldgems. com.
Delake District Cap’n Gull’s Gift Place 541-994-7743 Seeking a souvenir for that special someone on your list? Look no further than Cap’n Gull’s Gift Place. This is not your typical gift shop: While they do carry a vast array of souvenirs, they also have the largest selection of wind chimes in Lincoln city, and a great
variety of glass art, glass floats including authentic Japanese glass floats, post cards, home décor, and children’s toys. Cap’n Gull’s Gift Place owner Carol Culbertson has been providing her customers with competitive family-oriented prices for over 37 years. Don’t miss treasure hunting at Cap’n Gull’s Gift Place at 120 SE Hwy 101. Lincoln City Outlets 541-996-5000 No Lincoln City shopping spree is complete without a stop at the Lincoln City Outlets. With 58 stores, including some of the biggest names in retail, you can do big city shopping in a small town. Come find bargains at North Face, American Eagle, Pendleton, Nike, Harry and David, and Old Navy. The Lincoln City Outlets offers quality brands with names that you trust without the stress on your wallet. In Lincoln City everything is relaxing -why should your shopping experience be any different? 1500 SE Devils Lake Rd. #304.
Ocean Lake District CLV-R Nest 541-614-0667 CLV-R Nest is Lincoln City’s very own collectors’ items shop. Though the small and quaint shop is new to the area its owners are not: Carole Fittro and Lori Lal have been residents of Lincoln city for over 20 years. Their collections of household ornaments feature some rare pieces such as Precious Moments, Cherished Teddies, Mary Moo Moos, and Calico Kittens. Along with their collection of collectibles they have a large selection of plush items, and Christmas ornaments year-round. If you mention the “Discover Lincoln City” publication you will receive a free gift with no purchase necessary. 1808 NE Hwy 101.
The Red Cock 541-994-2518 The Red Cock is not your typical boutique. Specializing in unique clothing made with all natural fibers, this eclectic shop will tantalize your senses with delightful scented candles and excite the shopper within you as you peruse the aisles. Shop owner Laurel Dannen and longtime resident of Lincoln City has been in business for over 40 years. She is dedicated to shopping for her customers as she would for herself. If clothes are not your thing, check out their extensive stock of jewelry, much of which comes from regional jewelry makers, as well as their large selection of naturally made soaps, candles, bags and purses. Visit The Red Cock on your next shopping spree at 1221-A NW Hwy 101. Java Depot 541-994-8333 For a mid-spree pick-me-up, grab an espresso, voted best in the city, along with a yummy breakfast selection or clam chowder and a great sandwich at Java Depot. While you’re there, be sure to browse their extensive offerings of cooking items, including cookbooks, dishes, candles and gadgets galore. Explore gourmet foods from local producers and from around the world, including specialty balsamic vinegars, olive oils, jams, and sauces. The deli case is full of artisan cheeses and meats to satisfy even the most sophisticated palate. Java Depot, next to Safeway, is open daily at 4085 NW Logan Road.
Winddriven 541-996-5483 This colorful and vibrant shop will enliven the kid in you. With over 300 different styles of yard spinners and flags, it will be nearly impossible to go home without decorating your yard. Winddriven also carries a good selection of kites, unique toys and puzzles, balance art, rain chains, windsocks, banners, and metal art with a two-year warranty. The shop has been in business for over 17 years and their honest approach along with their vast knowledge has brought them a strong following. Shop owners Marianne Borchardt and Leslie Bittner are happy to chat about their wares, so stop by for a visit. 1529 NW Hwy 101.
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Kite Festival Ahead Expect delays! When 10,000 people show up to swell the population of Lincoln City to nearly three times its normal size, you know something is up. And when your kids swear they saw giant purple and yellow octopi undulating overhead, you’d better take them seriously. No, this isn’t some pepperoni pizza induced dream, or Stephen King’s latest offering; it’s one of Lincoln City’s two outdoor kite festivals, held every spring and fall. These events and the fact that Lincoln City has actually been named Kite Flying Capitol of the World by Kite Line magazine are no accident. To a large extent, they came about as a result of the inspired dedication and hard work of one man, David Gomberg. About 30 years ago, Lincoln City decided to hold a Kite Festival. When time came for the second annual event, then Lincoln City Chamber Director, and kite enthusiast, David Gomberg noticed a piece in Kite Line magazine about seeking the best cities in the world for flying kites. Gomberg submitted for Lincoln City and the rest is history. Eventually Gomberg’s love of kites and kite flying lead him away from his chamber Director’s position, but not away from his commitment to Lincoln City kite flying. To say that Gomberg is into kite flying in a big way is an understatement. He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest flying kite in the world at 10,000 square feet in size. According to Gomberg, “You make sure it is well anchored to something like a dump truck or tractor. It flies on 20 ton spectra fiber line.” The mega monster kite is currently based in North Carolina. In addition to doing giant kites, Gomberg and his family run two retail kite stores, one in Lincoln City and one farther north in Seaside. 90% of the kites and toys sold at Gomberg’s Northwest Winds stores come from Oregon Businesses. Almost all of the kite designs sold are created by Gomberg, his family, friends and
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fellow kite enthusiasts from around the world. Situated half way between the North Pole and the equator, Lincoln City is an optimal kite flying location. Gomberg shares a little local secret: “January and February can have some fantastic sunny days, just perfect for kite flying.” You don’t have to show up for the big kite festivals to view some of these monster kites. . As Gomberg explains, “Our Lincoln City store has been facilitating kite performances every weekend during the summer. We have friends that fly big kites and we invite them to demonstrate their big kites every weekend during the summer. When you drive down Hwy 101 and look out over the ocean and see a giant octopus flying over the beach, it tends to attract attention.” During the kite festivals, the police have a special sign they put up. It’s probably the only one of its kind in the world. It reads: “Kite Festival ahead: expect delays!”
HOURS Wed - Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Mon & Tues
541-764-7550
7150 Gleneden Beach Loop P.O. Box 620 Gleneden Beach, OR 97388 (1/2 mile South of the shops at Salishan) email: crystalwizard@centurytel.net
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Lincoln City Community Center Find your inner kid at the Community Center! By Rick Beasley · Photo, Courtesy LCCC When you’re putting together your list of “Must-See, Must-Do” attractions, the Lincoln City Community Center should be at the top! In a town surrounded by water, this is the only place you won’t need a wetsuit to fully enjoy yourself. The world-class 25m. swimming pool features a 56-ft.waterslide with a 360-degree loop, a 14-ft. water slide, a rope swing, water basketball and one- and three-meter diving boards. A 3-1/2 ft. wading pool with a giant pelican that erupts with a blast of water turns out to be perfect for babies, toddlers and their parents. Lifeguards are always on duty. More fun awaits at the 24-ft. rock-climbing wall, which provides a challenging test of power and skill under the supervision of an instructor who operates the fail-safe automatic belay. Here, size matters — the minimum body weight for climbing is 35 pounds, and climbers must be at least 44-inches tall. For a good workout, the Community Center offers fullyequipped weight and cardio rooms, an indoor walking/running track and a full-size gymnasium perfect for pickup games. A12person spa is the right complement to sore muscles after your workout. Drop-in prices for all the fun you can handle start at $3.50 for kids 17 and under, $5 for resident adults and $6.50 for nonresidents. The Community Center is open seven days, from 5 a.m.- 9 p.m. Mon-Fri., Saturdays 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Community Center is located at 2150 N.E. Oar Place, just one block east from Hwy./ 101 and N.E. 22nd St. For more information, call 541-994-2131.
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Lincoln City Cultural Center Old’s cool, in this old school by Niki Price · Photos, Dean Ingram
This year, Lincoln City will be celebrating its golden anniversary, with events and activities that celebrate the incorporation of five small towns – Taft, Oceanlake, Cutler City, Nelscott and Delake – into one long community, back in 1965. Ah, the Delake School remembers it well. This Lincoln City landmark is older than Lincoln City – heck, it’s even older than
the storied Hwy. 101. When it was built in 1929, this distinctive brick schoolhouse sat next to a dirt road, and was the center of a community of farmers and fishermen. The town of Delake, and then the community of Lincoln City, have been growing around it ever since. Today, the Delake School building is home to the Lincoln City Cultural Center Visitors are invited to drop by the center, just north of the D River Wayside, to enjoy a bit of history, art and culture. With its unusually steep-pitched roofs and brick facade, the Delake School is in a class all by itself. The central portion of the structure, with the west-facing entrance, was finished in 1929. The southern addition was added in the 1930s, and the north gymnasium completed in the 1950s, to reach the eventual footprint of 17,000 square feet, on two levels. For more than seven decades, it served the children, teachers and families of the fishing community of Delake, and after 1965, the increasingly tourist-oriented community of Lincoln City. The end of the 20th century brought demographic changes to the Oregon Coast, and the number of school-age children began to decline. In 2001, the classes at Delake School (kindergarten through third grade) were consolidated to Oceanlake and Taft Elementary Schools, and the Lincoln County School District put the Delake School up for sale.
A new lease on life The landmark’s future was in doubt until 2006, when the Lincoln City Urban Renewal District purchased the property, and leased it to the non-profit that became known as the Lincoln City Cultural Center. Since then, more than $1 million in renovations – funded by private donors and foundation grants – have made
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the Delake School a comfortable, handicapped-accessible venue for arts, culture and community events. Upstairs, you’ll find the official Lincoln City Visitor Information Center, staffed by expert volunteers, and featuring complimentary cups of fresh-brewed Cape Foulweather Coffee. Sharing that former classroom is the LCCC Members Gift Shop, with locally made jewelry, floats, scarves, cards and other treasures. A tour of the top floor also includes the Chessman Gallery, the center’s fine art space, as well as studios for dance and yoga, and a wellequipped meeting room. At the north end of the hall, through the double doors, is the 2,200-square-foot auditorium with an elevated stage, acoustic paneling and theatrical light and sound. A trip downstairs will take you to a network of studios, currently inhabited by artists working in ceramics, textiles, painting, mosaic and luthiery (the art of making guitars). They offer an ongoing schedule of classes and open workshops; for more information (or a tour), inquire in the Visitors Information Center. And then there’s the lawn, which wraps around the west and north sides of the Delake School building, and hosts one of the center’s most popular events: the Lincoln City Farmers and Crafters Market. These local vendors are open for business every Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm. From May to October, the market is held outdoors on the west lawn; from November to April they offer a more limited selection indoors. For more info, call the Lincoln City Farmers Market association, 541-921-5745. The Lincoln City Cultural Center, the nonprofit that operates this multi-purpose facility, maintains a busy schedule of events: concerts, plays, festivals, classes, exhibits, lectures and more. The LCCC brings in extra income through event rentals, as well, so that on a summer Saturday you might catch a glimpse of a bride and groom, or an extended family sitting down to their reunion banquet. The center gets busier every year: in 2014, the LCCC played host to 315 events, with a guest total of 28,541. Who says you can’t teach an old school new tricks? The Lincoln City Cultural Center, brought to life inside the Delake School by donors, board members, staff and volunteers, has found its way into the heart (and history) of Lincoln City.
When you go: Lincoln City Cultural Center 540 NE Hwy 101 (541) 994-9994 www.lincolncity-culturalcenter.org The Lincoln City Visitor Information Center is open every day except for Tuesday. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, it’s open from 10 am to 5 pm. The rest of the year, the hours are 10 am to 4 pm. To find out more, or ask a question about Lincoln City and the Oregon Coast, call 541-994-3302. The Lincoln City Cultural Center business office, gallery and studios all have varying hours, and are open by appointment and for special events. Contact the cultural center for details at the phone number and web site above.
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Where the Wild Things Are The Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
By Nancy Steinberg • Photos courtesy of Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Lincoln City offers a full range of accommodations for visitors, from large hotels to small inns to camp sites … to extensive, productive wetlands. OK, that last one is not for human visitors. The Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge at the southern end of Lincoln City provides critical habitat for migrating and resident wildlife, as well as a gorgeous, scenic recreation site for humans. Established with a gift of 46 acres in 1991,
now grown to 567 acres with additional gifts and purchases of land, the refuge is managed as part of the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The primary reason for establishing the refuge was to protect habitat for anadromous fish, those species that reproduce in fresh water but spend their adult lives in the ocean, such as salmon and steelhead. Impressive runs of Chinook
and coho salmon, cutthroat trout, and steelhead come through the estuary at the mouth of the Siletz River on their way to upriver spawning grounds. The refuge also provides critical habitat for a tremendous range of birds, particularly migratory wildfowl and shorebirds, many species of which use the refuge as a wintering grounds. A recent mid-winter survey counted more than 1,200 birds resting and feeding in the refuge. The site is a birders’ paradise – species that use the refuge’s marshes, mudflats, and meadows include northern pintail, American widgeon, green-winged teal, bufflehead, Canada and cackling geese, great blue herons, whimbrel, western and least sandpipers, dunlin, savannah sparrow, marsh wren and common yellowthroat, among many others. Raptors also patrol the marshes searching for prey, including osprey, northern harrier, bald eagle, and redtailed hawk. Other, more elusive residents of the refuge include black-tailed deer, elk, river otter, beaver, and even bobcat and coyote. Seals haul out on the sand spit at the mouth of the estuary (Salishan Spit), and can also be seen bobbing in the waters of
Siletz Bay continued on page 36
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Siletz Bay continued from page 34 the bay at high tide. In 2004 the Fish & Wildlife Service undertook a restoration of 80 acres of Millport Slough at the mouth of the estuary. The slough had been diked for 100 years, preventing the tides from ebbing and flowing. Once the dike was removed, normal tidal flow was restored, the brackish water plants and animals native to the area returned, and the estuary began to function normally. Now the Fish & Wildlife Service largely leaves the refuge alone, aside from monitoring for invasive plants in the forests fringing the marsh. (They remove ivy, Scotch
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broom, and blackberries with the help of dedicated volunteers – contact the refuge to join a work party!) How can human visitors experience the refuge? The best way is to take a paddle, rather than a walk, on the wild side. “Most of the land itself is closed to public use,” explained Dawn Harris of the Fish & Wildlife Service’s office in Newport. “The best way to experience the refuge is to take a guided paddle tour, or to go out canoeing or kayaking there on your own.” The Fish & Wildlife Service offers about 15 paddling tours a year, in the summer and fall months. Participants provide their
own boat, and often learn the route so they can come back on their own and paddle. A notification list for the popular excursions begins forming over the winter, and the trips do fill up so advance reservations are suggested (email oregoncoast@fws.gov to get on the list or get more information). To mount your own paddling excursion in the refuge, you can put in at the nearby beach access at Taft (access is very easy from Siletz Bay Park; see page 11) or, for a small launch fee, from the Siletz Moorage just a very short distance up Hwy 229 nearby. You can also rent kayaks there. “Make sure to start your paddle an hour
or so before high tide,” Harris warned. “Don’t go at low tide – boats can easily get stranded in the mud flats of the bay.” If you are stealthy, and just a bit lucky, you will have the opportunity to see lots of wildlife on your paddle, from eagles to river otters to seals. Beginning last year, the Fish & Wildlife Service began to allow limited hunting in parts of the refuge for geese, ducks, and coots only. Hunting on Millport Slough is allowed east of Hwy 101 only on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and in the bay on the west side of the highway seven days per week. Hunters
are permitted to enter either unit of the refuge two hours before sunrise and remain until one hour after sunset. The refuge’s web site contains more information for hunters (www.fws.gov/ oregoncoast/siletzbay/). On the west side of the highway, the bay is fully open to public access. “You can go clamming and mucking around any time,” Harris says. “Just be sure to bring your boots.” More access opportunities are in the works for the near future. The FWS is planning a small restoration project on Alder Island in the slough which will
provide a walking trail, non-motorized boat launch, and access for fishing from the bank. That project should be complete in two years. In the meantime, don’t just breeze on through as you cross Schooner Creek on Hwy 101. Bring the binoculars and stop at one the pullouts along the road to spend a little time gazing at one of Lincoln City’s – and Oregon’s – natural treasures.
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Siletz Bay Music Festival There will something for everyone at the 2015 Siletz Bay Music Festival! Now in its fourth year, the Festival brings professional musicians from around the world to Lincoln City to offer concerts of engaging and diverse music in varied genres. While the music is sophisticated and highlypolished, comparable to that performed in New York or Paris, it is absolutely not stuffy or exclusive, and the musicians are accessibly human and delighted to be visiting the fabulous summer delights of Oregon’s summer climate and beautiful beach communities. The Festival has grown by leaps and bounds under the dynamic genius and creative leadership of Artistic Director Yaakov Bergman. From a modest beginning of five concerts presented in 2011, the program for 2015 has grown to 12 musical concerts in four venues, plus one crazy fun new “Dinner Chamber Theatre” performance at Eden Hall. Three of the concerts will be free to the community, in gratitude for wonderful local support. Maestro Bergman is based in New York and has musical connections around the world. He is recognized for his passion and talent in creating new cutting-edge concert explorations of serious and notso-serious classical music and jazz. Major arts critics rave about Bergman’s ability to innovate and to inspire musicians and audiences alike. Proven favorite Festival performers will be back, including opera diva Nicole
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Greenidge Joseph, cellist Katherine Schultz, violist Miriam English Ward, and the talented couple of Lorna Griffitt (piano) and Haroutune Bedelian (violin), along with pianist celebrities Mei-Ting Sun and Gerald Robbins. Festival luminary and jazz great Dick Hyman will again be on hand to unveil a world premiere of his brand new piano concerto, “Independence Day,” at the July 4th concert at Salishan Resort. Hyman has received numerous career awards and is a member of the Jazz Hall of Fame. In 2015 Mr. Hyman brings a new partnership with clarinet superstar Ken Peplowski to the Festival, presenting unusual and creative program choices at two special performances. Northwest jazz singer favorite Rebecca Kilgore will join in as well. The Festival is delighted to present a special concert salute to Lincoln City’s 50th anniversary with a free community concert at Lincoln City Cultural Center on June 26th. That concert will spotlight the young performers participating in the new schools music programs. In addition the July 4th concert at will pay tribute to 50th anniversaries for both Lincoln City and the Salishan Resort. The new Festival Chamber Theatre performance at Eden Hall on July 2 features “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” In this irreverent comedy, a handful of zany actors explore all 37 Shakespeare plays and 154 sonnets in 97 minutes – or thereabouts.
In 2014, the Festival board was successful in securing major grant funding from the Oregon Community Foundation to bring back classroom music programs that had been cut from North Lincoln Schools. The program launched vigorously in September, and the Festival will add special new components to continue to engage community youth and families with musical exploration during the summer months. One such special addition will be spectacular performances by Adam Jackson, a twelve year-old piano prodigy who will travel from New York with hos family. Adam should be a fantastic inspiration to local young musicians. Another addition will be the unveiling of a brand new children’s book. “The Noisy Intermission,” with original color artwork commissioned by the Festival from Lincoln City artist Krista Eddy. The book will be released at Festival as part of the free family concert featuring “The Noisy Intermission” on Sunday, July 5th. Lincoln City visitors will be able to enjoy a gorgeous exhibit of photos taken during past Festivals by photographers Bob Gibson and Jeri Knudson, on display at the Lincoln City Cultural Center in June and July. The Siletz Bay Music Festival is a highquality and truly accessible community event, complementing the beauty of the central Oregon coast and other fun activities in and around Lincoln City!
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Salishan Spa & Golf Resort Relax in style at this full-service luxury resort By Shiana Weaver • Photos courtesy of Salishan Resort If you are looking for a perfect getaway with views of the breathtaking Oregon coast, world-class golf, delectable restaurants and spectacular lodging then look no further than Salishan Spa & Golf Resort. You can do it all – golfing, shopping, eating, and relaxing – at one of the best places to stay on the Oregon coast. Located in the small community of Gleneden Beach only five miles south of Lincoln City, Salishan Spa & Golf Resort is home to 250 acres of shore pines, Sitka spruce and Douglas fir trees overlooking the Siletz Bay, all of which can be explored on numerous forested trails. The resort, celebrating its 50th birthday this year, features stunning views and a variety of activities, all in a peaceful, beautiful environment.
Lodging Salishan offers a range of accommodations to suit your needs and your budget. The most popular are the Premier Rooms where guests are treated to amenities such as plush bath robes, wifi, a stone fireplace, a spacious bathroom, and a king-size bed featuring luxurious pillow-top bedding.
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Dining The resort provides their patrons a wide variety of choices to entice your appetite. Whether you crave a delightfully decadent breakfast such as French toast with Oregon hazelnuts and fresh fruit or something with a more gourmet flare, one of their four on-site restaurants is sure to satisfy your taste buds. The Dining Room is their signature restaurant, with expansive views of the bay and Salishan Spit to accompany your gourmet meal. The menu features the finest regional ingredients, including locally grown produce, fresh seafood, and Prime steaks. They also have one of the most extensive wine lists on the coast. The Sun Room provides family fare in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Visitors and locals alike flock here for their crepes and malted waffles for breakfast; soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch (try the prime rib dip!); and range of delicious dinner entrees at reasonable prices. Favorites include Salishan chicken pot pie, baby back ribs, homemade mac & cheese, and Dungeness crab fusilli. At Happy Hour, the place to be is the Attic Lounge, for billiards, live entertainment on the weekends, hand-tossed pizzas, and
some of the best sunsets around. Finally, the golf clubhouse is The Grill, a great spot for a quick bite or a drink at the fullservice bar.
Golf For many, the main attraction at Salishan is the 18-hole par-71 golf course, redesigned by Oregon golf legend and PGA Pro Peter Jacobsen. It is one of the few golf courses in the world where you can both score an eagle and spot one on the same hole. Don’t forget to keep your eyes on the lookout; whale sightings are possible from any of the seaside greens as well. Before heading to the greens stop and check out their pro shop. PGA Pro Mark Swift is on hand to prepare you for your golfing experience. A little unsure of your skill set? Mark has you covered there too -- let him guide you with lessons on their year round driving range or practice green. The shop also offers state of the art equipment and men and women’s sportswear.
Spa Need to get away from life’s pressures and relax? Soak it all in at the spa with one of their many tranquil spa treatments and enjoy the spectacular views of the Siletz Bay. Start off with a body scrub and feel the stress melt away from your body
as your skin is gently exfoliated back to its youthful glow with a blend of aromatic sea salts, mineral salts, and essential oils. Finish your spa experience with a relaxing full body massage guaranteed to calm your mind and ease muscle aches and tension.
Recreation The Oregon coast offers year-round outdoor recreation, and the Salishan Spa & Golf Resort is no different. Once you have finished your round of golf, relaxed at the , and explored the hiking
trails, get your game on at the Salishan outdoor recreation center where they offer basketball courts, an 18-hole putting course, and bocce ball. If the weather keeps you inside, they have you covered there too with their state-of-theart training equipment, cardiovascular machines, dumbbells, and lap pool. Locker rooms are complete with showers, and a dry sauna.
is the hot spot for kids of all ages with an X-Box 360, PlayStation 3, Dance Revolution, and air hockey just to name a few; the kids will have no shortage of activities to keep them busy for hours. If these are not enough, let the kids run out their energy at the jungle gym or take a dip in the hydrotherapy pool that is sure to satisfy everyone in your group.
For kids and kids at heart
The Salishan shopping center includes a range of unique shops where you can find a gift for someone back home or for yourself. You will find handcrafted pieces from a variety of local artisans, fine wines to tantalize your taste buds, hand-blown glass, paintings and sculptures, and delightful boutiques to excite the shopper in you. When finished browsing, revitalize with samples of gourmet coffee from around the world at the Roast Coffee Co.
Looking for something indoors to do with the kids? The entertainment center
Shopping
When you go Salishan is undertaking a major renovation this year, just in time to celebrate its golden anniversary of offering the finest lodging, golf, dining, and spa services on the coast. There’s never been a better time to experience all that is Salishan for yourself. Salishan Spa & Golf Resort 7760 North Highway 101 Gleneden Beach, Oregon 1-800-452-2300 reservations@salishan.com www.salishan.com
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Drift Creek Falls Drift Creek offers more than just a waterfall By Dennis Anstine · Photos, Jo-Hanna Wienert If you want a break from the beach, there’s a great half-day excursion into a heavy-canopied forest sprinkled with 50-yearold regrowth evergreen trees that’s no more than a half-hour’s drive southeast of Lincoln City. And if that’s not exciting enough, consider that the trail features a spectacular 240-foot-long suspension bridge that looms over a 75-foot-long waterfall plummeting into picturesque Drift Creek. This outing may end at the foot of the bridge for those who suffer from acrophobia, but if not, then enjoy the slight swaying of this safe (with chest-high safety railings), well-built (in 1997) bridge that offers a stunning view of the waterfall. The roar of the falls can be heard a few hundred yards away, but the suspension bridge appears out of nowhere as you crest a small knoll. It’s spectacular as it hangs from cables (cemented into opposing bluffs and capable of holding more than 150,000 pounds) spanning the 100-foot-deep Drift Creek Canyon. The falls created a natural pool until August 2010, when a mammoth boulder interrupted the bucolic scene by falling several hundred feet into the creek, landing directly below the waterfall and making the view even more dynamic. The trail continues about 400 yards down from the bridge to the base of the falls, and provides easy access to the creek for those who want to enjoy the cold water. The hike is enjoyable as it winds through thick growths of sword fern, huckleberries, trilliums and a heavy canopy of vine maples, red alders and second-growth Douglas fir, hemlock and Western red cedar trees. It’s a favorite for families, even those with small children, especially during the summer months. It’s open year-round, and is less congested and perhaps even more beautiful during spring and fall.
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When You Go Drift Creek Falls, Siuslaw National Forest Open all year Directions: Off Highway 101 south of Lincoln City (north of Salishan), turn east on Drift Creek Road, then after ¼ mile go right on South Drift Creek Road, then left on FS Road 17 for about 10 miles to trailhead parking lot. (Also accessible from Highway 18). Length: Three miles round trip, with an elevation drop of about 400 feet on first leg. Difficulty: Easy-to-moderate, kid friendly and popular with families. Facilities: Vault toilet at trailhead with a picnic table at the suspension bridge. Fee: $5 day use, or season/lifetime forest pass. More details: www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw or 503-392-3161.
Photo courtesy Sitka Center
Sitka Center for Art and Ecology Where nature nurtures creativity By Nancy Steinberg
Nestled among towering Sitka spruce on Cascade Head just north of Lincoln City in a United Nations-designated Biosphere Reserve is the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, an artists’ and writers’ retreat and education center like no other. For 45 years, this peaceful enclave has housed artists in residence, providing them living and studio space far from the pressures of everyday life, and sponsored workshops in every form of visual art, writing, ecology, and music. There can’t possibly be a better spot in the world to inspire the creative process than here among the salal, deer, birds, and ocean’s roar, whether you’re an award-winning poet or a beginner sculptor. Sitka was founded in 1970 by Frank and Jane Boyden, an artist and a musician respectively, who wanted to provide a place where artists and scientists could have a place to explore projects old or new and immerse themselves in the natural environment. They began by offering summer camps for kids, but the center evolved to focus more on hosting resident artists and workshops. Now, emerging and established artists in residence live and work at Sitka from October through May, and about 100 workshops in writing, printmaking, ecology, music, and more are offered in the summer months. The workshops range from one to five days, and the cost varies depending on the workshop. Participants do not live on site, so must find lodging nearby. (Sitka’s web site can help, and it even lists houses and condos available for rent in Cascade Ranch, the private housing development surrounding Center.) The catalog of classes is available on Sitka Center’s web site beginning in midFebruary, and registration for non-members begins in March. This year’s offerings will include using kelp in art projects, painting in all media, book-making, writing, Japanese flowerarranging, and more.
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The workshop listings indicate the skill level required for participation, and there truly is a class for everyone. Sitka Executive Director Jalene Case encourages absolute beginners to give a class a try. “When the listing says ‘beginner’ or ‘all skill levels,’ it’s truly for everyone,” she emphasized. “Everyone is welcome.” A great way to be introduced to Sitka is at the summer “Mingle Photo courtesy Sitka Center
Photo by Nancy Steinberg
and Muse” programs, informal discussions with Sitka instructors where the public can meet the artists and scientists, chat about their work over light snacks, and stroll the spectacular Sitka grounds. These programs are listed on Sitka’s web site as soon as they are scheduled each year. Other lectures and programs are offered for the public throughout the year as well. When you go, be sure to take a self-guided tour of the sculptures that grace the center’s grounds (a printed guide is provided in the office), all the works of previous artists in residence. The artists in residence who spend from two weeks to three months at Sitka in the winter come from all over the world. The program is quite competitive: about 10% of applicants are awarded the opportunity to live and work on site in cottages and studios that are sturdy and rustic, light-filled and comfortable. A recent “Resident Show and Tell” at which new residents introduce themselves in a public event included a couple from Australia (he a marine scientist, she an artist, who collaborate to create soundscapes of places), a New England-based composer and musician, a well-respected poet from Portland, and a ceramics artist from Taiwan. Residents generally present two of these Show & Tells, one when they arrive, and one just before they leave, sharing the work they undertook while in residence. “It’s amazing to see how the experience at Sitka can change them, or their work” Case said. “The environment often influences what happens in the studio. Their experience here is really related to place.” One artist came to Sitka from Ohio, and decided to move to Oregon. Another fell so in love with Sitka itself that she worked for years on Sitka’s staff. In his Show & Tell presentation in January, renowned Portland poet Kim Stafford explained the nature of Sitka and its role in the creative process most eloquently, saying, “Sitka is a place that allows us to push away the brambles of human misfortune.” Only the brambles of the nearby forest remain, part of the landscape that nurtures and inspires here. For more information about Sitka Center workshops and events, go to their web site at www.sitkacenter.org or call (541) 994-5485.
Photo by Nancy Steinberg
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Photo by Rick Beasley
Island sounds in Depoe Bay Michael Dane plays unique renditions of rock, blues and pop classics plus tunes from his native Hawaii at Gracie’s Sea Hag in Depoe Bay every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 6-10 p.m. in the fireside lounge. The popular floorshow includes “the world’s
longest conga line” and a longtime tradition as the Hag-ettes play their favorite polka music on the bottles. Gracie’s Sea Hag Restaurant & Lounge is located at 58 E. Hwy. 101. For more information, call 541-765-2734.
Dining in Depoe Bay Depoe Bay’s cozy, casual cafés and fine restaurants feature every cuisine, most with our bountiful fresh seafood as the centerpiece. Enjoy lavish buffets, order appetizing entrees, sample award-winning wines and dance to live music when the stars come out! Clam chowder, fish and chips and shrimp cocktails might be everyday offerings in other ports, but in Depoe Bay they’re made with special flair, turning these familiar foods into unforgettable feasts at any time of the day or night. Known as a “restaurant town,” Depoe Bay’s cafes, roadhouses, iconic restaurants and ethnic eateries usually feature freshcaught seafood as their lead item, but you’ll find the juiciest burgers, steaks and barbecue here, as well. If your palate wants
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to wander the globe, take it to Depoe Bay, first, for delicious Chinese, Italian, Thai or Mexican dining. And if it’s pizza you want, Depoe Bay has that, too! While the town is known as a “quaint fishing village,” it boasts fine, upscale dining at a number of establishments where diners are met by white linens and candlelight. The nightlife is part of the fun, too. You’ll find wonderful live music on weekends, and the cozy lounges and taverns are a perfect place to relax by fireside. Our remarkable chefs simply won’t be outdone by anybody, except when it comes to the price. Depoe Bay is a diner’s delight, and a bargain by any standard!
7760 North Highway 101, Gleneden Beach, OR • 1-800-452-2300 • reservations@salishan.com We’re about giving you a full experience. We’re about world class massages, relaxing facials and playing through 18 Holes of Heaven overlooking the Pacific. Serving you delicious steak dinner at day’s end, and having a hearty breakfast waiting for you when you wake. Giving the kids something to explore inside our hundreds of hikeable acres, or letting them entertain themselves at the game zone. We’re about indulging your imagination and enjoyment for the Oregon Coast on convenient day-trips to dozens of wineries, aquariums, incredible beaches and unique coastal attractions all within mere miles of Salishan. Whether it’s for business or pleasure, you’ll quickly see what sets us apart. Pastoral accents on natural-stone walls, tree-branch arrangements flanking gas fireplaces, intricate woodwork and inviting leather furniture… Salishan incorporates its rustic surroundings into an aesthetic that is entirely unique from today’s minimalist urban design. Come explore everything our 250-acre property has to offer.
Time flies when you’re sharing the FUN! It seems like just yesterday the Siletz Tribe resolved to blaze an exciting new trail on ancestral ground. Today, nearly twenty years on, Chinook Winds has grown into a premier Northwest destination property with a beachfront hotel, golf course, five restaurants and the best 24-hour-a-day Casino action around. Chinook Winds thanks you--our guests--for sharing in the fun for the last 20 years, and we invite you to celebrate with us for the next twenty. After all, “It’s Better at the Beach!”
Join us on the 20th of every month through June 2015 for special Anniversary promotions! Chinook Winds Casino Resort has been proudly owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon since 1995.
"It's Better at the Beach!" • On
the beach in Lincoln City • 1-888-CHINOOK