LANE COUNTY EDITION FEBRUARY 2017 • FREE!
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■ Snowshoeing is the perfect way to embrace the mountain snow Courtesy/Eugene Parks and Recreation
Oregon has many beautiful mountain spots where you can try out your snowshoeing skills.This was taken at Salt Creek Falls on Highway 58 near Odell Lake, about an hour east of Springfield. Below right, Karen Levy travels from Corvallis to Eugene to employ the expertise of Berg’s Ski Shop, in adjusting her downhill ski boots. She also loves to snowshoe. By DEB ALLEN BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS
If you love hiking in the high country — viewing miles of breath-taking vistas, breathing in the clean mountain air and enjoying the quiet enchantment of the forest — don’t let the winter snow keep you indoors until the spring thaw. Make this the year you try snowshoeing. For thousands of years, people living in snow country have created platforms to strap to their feet, historically made of a hardwood frame with rawhide lattice work and
straps. With body weight distributed over a larger surface area, a condition called “floatation” allows people to make strides across the snow without sinking. And like all sporting goods, snowshoes have evolved over time, becoming even more efficient, comfortable and easy to use. Svein Berg remembers his first job restringing snowshoes at Berg’s Ski Shop. His grandfather, Al Berg, immigrated from Norway in 1928 and opened the Nordic shop in Eugene in 1955. “First it was originally
wood with cat-gut strung across; then they went to synthetics – to rubberized, plasticized webbings; and then they went to rubberized decking material, but (the frame) was still wood,” Berg says of the evolution of snowshoes. “And so, to take that concept and go to a polyurethane decking with aluminum and a free-hinging binding was mind-blowing for most people,” he says of the revolutionary product breakthrough in the 1980s. “The best part was they found out, durabilitywise, it was virtually indestructible.”
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NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2017
Of note
TRIP
Sign up for a snowshoe trip with Eugene Parks and Recreation’s River House Outdoor Center, 541-682-6323.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Berg’s Ski Shop offers both a wide range of snowshoes to purchase, and a top-quality rental fleet. “We have always put really nice stuff in our rental fleet,” Berg says. “If you go out with a snowshoe that is really user-friendly and has all the goodies and bennies that make it comfortable and easy to use, you might go again.” The shop keeps their rental costs low, making it affordable for patrons who want to try snowshoeing for the first time, or who only go out on occasion. “The decking is rock solid, the aluminum is indestructible, the traction is wonderful with the stamp steel – you’re never going to lose any traction going uphill at all,” says Berg, who has witnessed a growing popularity in the sport. “The trend is up where people are forming little groups. Like there’s the Altair Ski Group here in town that does multiple snowshoe trips (each season).” Various parks and recreation groups also offer snowshoeing excursions, which is especially nice for those who don’t want to drive in the snow. During a ski boot fitting, Karen Levy of Corvallis shares her snowshoe enthusiasm. Her family always takes their snowshoes along when setting out for downhill ski resorts. “You really only want to ski in certain snow conditions, when the snow is just right, but you can snowshoe in any conditions,” Levy says. “I mean, you can snowshoe on cruddy snow and it’s still fun. And it’s pretty low-commitment. You strap ‘em on – it’s like going for a hike... and I love snowshoeing because it’s just a way to get out in the woods where it’s quiet and peaceful.” Years ago, Levy worked at Yosemite where her job included taking people from grade-school-age to those in their 80s on snowshoe excursions. She continued the activity later in life as a way to enjoy the great outdoors with her children. “When they were too young to have a full day of skiing it was a great way to get them out in the snow,” she says. “We would go to the Lava Lake Sno-Park and they would feel like they’re on this great adventure, but we were really doing short little circles around. We’d team up and play hide and seek, throw snowballs, and it’s a fun experience.” Levy views snowshoeing as an activity that almost anyone can try because of its low cost and because of the control a person has in choosing pace, terrain and distance. However, both Levy and Berg agree that snowshoeing is an aerobic activity. “It’s more exerting than walking but some of that depends on the snow conditions,” Levy says. “If there’s a lot of fresh snow and a lot of powder and you’re the first one on the trail, it’s a lot more work than if it’s a pretty-packeddown trail.”
Classes held on Feb. 5 (with pre-trip meeting on Feb. 1), and Feb. 18 (pre-trip meeting on Feb. 15).
Campbell Senior Center also offers snowshoe trips: Feb. 8 and 24, and March 1. Call 503682-5318. For more about Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol, see page 12.
Photo by Deb Allen
Third-generation owner and backcountry equipment expert Svein Berg of Berg’s Ski Shop in Eugene shows the top-quality gear in their snowshoe rental fleet to accommodate a wide range of sizes for children, women and men.
“You really only want to ski in certain snow conditions, when the snow is just right, but you can snowshoe in any conditions ... You can snowshoe on cruddy snow and it’s still fun.” Karen Levy, Corvallis It’s a lot like hiking, she says. “It is more exertion, but you don’t have to go far to enjoy it. You don’t have to go fast.” Levy suggests including a small foam cushion in your backpack for more comfortable sitting or for kneeling in the snow when taking a break. In addition to the low cost, Berg says you may not even need special clothing. “People may think that in order to go out into the snow they need specific gear but it’s amazing how much stuff
you have in your own house that will work just fine,” he says. “The big thing to remember is to avoid cotton. Polypropylene, nylons, wools are the best thing you can wear because they’ll move moisture; they won’t trap it next to your skin. So, look in your own closet. You’re probably going to have a pair of fleece pants you can throw on, you’re going to have fleece jacket, a waterproof jacket, you’re going to have this stuff around the house. You might need some gloves.”
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For stability, Berg recommends grabbing a pair of extendable poles, “and you’ve got that extra stability,” he says. “You will get an aerobic exercise out of this whether you’re going slow, medium or fast. So, remember that your layers need to breathe. They need to move moisture. Don’t put on the plastic bag clothing because you’ll roast. Snowshoeing is a full-body activity and it’s a great workout, low-impact, and just make sure you’re planning on that.” Both Levy and Berg say snowshoeing provides for a great social experience. In addition to the group interaction provided by a parks and recreation outing, Berg’s offers its third annual Moonlight Tour at Gold Lake on Feb. 11, with a possible March 11 tour as well. The tour offers three levels of distance, with members of the Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol accompanying each group. Call 541-683-1300 for more information. “It’s amazing how beautiful it is, and how different it is, the white snow by moonlight,” Berg says of the excursion they plan around a full moon. “We always tell people to bring headlamps but it’s very rare that we use them. If the moon’s out and the skies are clear, there’s enough visibility off that snow that you really don’t need a headlamp. But, of course we want people to have them. It’s a fun adventure.” Gold Lake, he says, is one of the best local places because it’s manned by the ski patrol. “They’ve got a nice little cabin; you can get a hot cocoa and just take a break. There’s nothing technical about the area. There’s some good climbs that you can do, but not technical in any way. You can go out to the lookout of Odell Lake which is absolutely gorgeous on the right day. It’s a good loop, about two miles, and it’s really enjoyable. You don’t have to go fast, take it at your own pace.” Snowshoeing is a low-cost activity, with good company, amazing scenery and even transportation provided. So what’s holding you back? “I’ve seen gals in their 80s going out, Berg says. “I love that. Anyone can do it. There’s no skill set required, just the willingness to go on an adventure.” ■
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Oregon, my Oregon
FEBRUARY 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com
LANE COUNTY EDITION
■ How much do you know about our state’s earliest beginnings?
Former Oregon Gov. Oswald West, standing on what is now Ecola State Park, was responsible for keeping Oregon’s beaches public. It was the start of a public highway along the coast, and easier access between coastal towns. Courtesy/Oregon State Parks
By VANESSA SALVIA BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS
This month, we celebrate the 158th anniversary of Oregon’s statehood. But back when Oregon got its start, some writers opined about its natural beauties, and others weren’t sure the territory was ready to become the 33rd state. On Feb. 1, 1850, nine years before Oregon’s statehood, a writer for the National Intelligencer wrote, “Oregon possesses resources enough upon her surface to make her at once one of the riches and happiest spots in the Union.” But The New York Times raised questions about whether Oregon had enough settlers to form a state, and whether it
“... both parties back East were concerned about us — the Republicans saw us as mainly a Democratic state, as the Democrats controlled most of the offices in the state ... On the other hand, the Democrats were concerned we were officially a Free State which could tip the balance the North’s way.” Douglas Card Historian, author would be admitted to the Union as a free state or a slave state. Oregon was admitted by a close vote — 113 to 95 in the
House and 114-103 in the Senate, and became a state on Feb. 14, 1859. Robert Lewisohn Hamm re-
ports in “Becoming Oregon: From Expedition to Exposition,” that Oregon was admitted as a free state, despite the
political games by politicians. Democrats, he writes, voted for admission because it would give them two additional Democratic votes in the Senate, one in the House, and three in the Electoral College. The issue of slavery, however, was still a problem. Hamm’s book compiles more than 150 19th-century newspaper articles about Oregon, and this one from The New York Times on the day of Oregon’s statehood, says, “Oregon is a Free State — her Constitution prohibiting Slavery — and she will unquestionably always remain so. At present however, the party that is in the ascendant there is
See OREGON p. 4
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NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2017
OREGON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
quite as thoroughly devoted to the Slave-holding interest as South Carolina or Mississippi.� Joseph Lane was the first governor of Oregon Territory and a defender of slavery. “Even though Oregonians had decided we wanted in the union, we then had to wait to be accepted, and it was a mighty struggle,� says Douglas Card, a historian and author of “From Camas to Courthouse: Early Lane County History.� “First, we really weren’t as big as we needed to be, though that could be waived as with Kansas,� Card says. “More important, both parties back East were concerned about us — the Republicans saw us as mainly a Democratic state, as the Democrats controlled most of the offices in the state, with Joe Lane as our territorial rep back there. Plus, even though we banned slavery, we also opposed free Negroes. On the other hand, the Democrats were concerned we were officially a free state which could tip the balance the North’s way.� Card says Oregon was the only state to enter with a racial exclusion law in its Constitution, although it was officially a free state. This affects Oregon’s demography even today, he says, because the attitudes of residents here were not so different than those in slave states.
Courtesy photos
Judy Fleagle has written a book about Conde McCullough, an architect who designed hundreds of bridges along Oregon’s coastal highway. Below, the early days of the Oregon Coast Highway at Heceta Head. cession, although many of the residents were in support of slavery. “We were rather bitterly divided, in fact,� he says.
During the Civil War, Card says, Oregon was officially on the side of the North, though it didn’t send any troops to battle. It also wasn’t interested in se-
Birth of the highways Something that helped unite Oregonians was the building of coastal highways and bridges. Eugene author Joe Blakely has written several books about Oregon’s history, including “Building Oregon’s Coast Highway 1936-1966� and “Oswald West: Governor of Oregon 1911-1915.� In 1913, Gov. Oswald West presented Senate Bill 22 to make Oregon’s beaches part of
the public domain. He wrote, “The shore of the Pacific Ocean, between ordinary high tide and extreme low tide, and from the Columbia River on the north to the Oregon and California State line on the south is hereby declared a public highway and shall forever remain open as such to the public.� Oregon’s coastal towns did not have the highways they do today, and several coastal cities were only connected at low tide. People already were using the beaches to drive between cities, like from Waldport to Newport, or Yachats to Waldport. “What the law implied was that the people of Oregon could now drive legally on the Oregon coast beaches, which were the only connectors between some towns on the coast,� Blakely says. “Most roads on the coast were only accessible during the summer months, too muddy at other times, but when they dried out they were used. Some roads were built with logs and termed corduroy roads, then there were also plank roads. Ferryboats were common across bays and rivers.� West, Oregon’s fourth governor, said, “I pointed out that thus we would come into miles and miles of highway with no cost to the taxpayer, the legislature took the bait — hook, line and sinker. Thus came public ownership of our beaches.� He thought he was
“pulling one over on the state legislature,� because West was a Democrat and the legislature was nearly all Republican. “He knew that if he wrote this legislation that they would be 100 percent for it because we would be gaining access to all of our beaches for free and there would be no cost in it,� Blakely says. “And there would be a highway. People were already driving on the beaches at that time so it was pretty common practice at that time.� The law protecting public beach access to the high-water line remains in effect on Oregon beaches. Gov. Tom McCall formally protected Oregon’s beaches in 1967. “Our coast highways had an early mystique about them,� he says. “It’s terrifically scenic and we’re very fortunate to have that great highway system.� In 1919, Ben Jones, a state legislator who represented Polk and Lincoln counties, initiated the process to construct a highway along the entire Oregon coast. Stretching from Astoria to California, the road would be named the Roosevelt Coast Military Highway, to honor Theodore Roosevelt, who had died that year. “This was the dramatic beginning to a saga that included lots of mud, gravel and concrete,� Blakely says. “Persevering against insurmountable odds, engineers at the Oregon State Highway Commission
See BRIDGE p. 5
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Significant leaders in Oregon history FEBRUARY 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com
LANE COUNTY EDITION
By DOUGLAS CARD
Editor’s note: From “From Camas to Courthouse: Early Lane County History,” by Douglas Card, published in 2008 by the Lane County Historical Society, with support from the Lane Educational Service District. The book is available at the Lane County Historical Museum bookstore, the UO Knight Library, and other local libraries. With Oregonians so divided over slavery and other issues, it’s natural that groups of friends were divided as well. These five were the most important people in establishing our new state. All were Democrats except Jesse Applegate and had worked together politically but their differences ultimately divided them. Jesse Applegate arrived in Oregon in 1843. A Democrat, he opposed slavery so strongly he walked out of the state constitutional convention. He had a reputation as brilliant but stubborn. He moved from Polk County to Yoncalla with two famous brothers and families. James Nesmith arrived in Oregon
JAMES NESMITH
MATTHEW DEADY
in 1843. A Democrat, he was opposed to slavery and was known as a goodnatured outdoorsman. He owned a mill in Dallas and later became a U.S. senator. Matthew P. Deady arrived in Oregon in 1849. Debates are ongoing about whether to remove his name from buildings, such as Deady Hall at the University of Oregon. A major figure in Oregon government, law etc., and chair of the Constitutional Convention in spite of his strong proslavery position. He was considered
the strongest proponent of slavery in Oregon Territory, and in his private diary continued to support slavery. Yet in his public and private life he was anything but racist. He was also an early supporter of woASAHEL men’s legal rights BUSH — a hard man to understand. When Deady ruled against Applegate in a crucial legal case they became bitter enemies and never spoke again. Deady’s diary is touching when he describes visiting Joe Lane in old age. Joseph Lane arrived in Oregon in 1849. He was an extremely controversial figure. As Oregon’s first territorial governor, he was very popular and fought successfully for Oregon statehood. As a U.S. senator, he was sympathetic to slavery. He ran as vice president with John C. Breckinridge for president and lost. After being
5
viewed as an extremist, he modified some of his positions and was accepted again. However, many would consider him more pro-slavery than Deady. When Lane shot himself returning home from the East it was Jesse Applegate who nursed him. During the Civil War, Nesmith claimed Lane should be locked up for treason, though they reestablished their friendship later. Asahel Bush arrived in Oregon in 1850. He was a clever leader of the powerful Salem Clique which at one time included all four of these Democrats and was the power of Oregon. He ran his Statesman newspaper like a political weapon and could be mighty nasty. He was neutral on slavery. When Bush attacked Lane, Deady defended him. For several years Bush and his Statesman supported Joseph Lane in all his popular success. But then Bush turned against Lane and attacked him harshly, with Deady and Nesmith generally defending Lane. They became a divided group, with Bush and Nesmith on one side and Deady and Lane on the other. ■
BRIDGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 and the people in Oregon’s coastal towns built roads and bridges along the tricky coast terrain. It took them 17 years. When it was finished it was one of the most scenic highways in the world.” Author Judy Fleagle has chronicled the history of Oregon’s coastal bridges in “Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges,” to recognize master bridge engineer Conde McCullough. “Building of the highway started in 1921 and didn’t finish until 1926, when the five major bridges were built to cross the major bays and rivers that were still without a bridge,” Fleagle says. “‘Crossings’ is about the right man at the right time and the right place,” she says. “The first section is about the right place, where the coast needed
Courtesy photo
In 1935, with the Siuslaw River Bridge under construction, ferries were taking up to 10 cars at a time across the river. At that time, the ferries could not keep up with traffic needs.
those last five bridges and McCullough was the right man. Then the right time because Roosevelt came to office with the New Deal funding to pay for it.” McCullough’s name is on more than 600 bridges built between 1919 and 1935 when he
was Oregon’s bridge engineer. He designed 13 bridges on Oregon’s coast, with three of them — at Wilson River, Ten Mile Creek and Big Creek — being identical. One bridge, the Alsea Bay Bridge in Waldport, was replaced with a new bridge that opened in 1991. ■
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NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2017
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When he opens his front door, 93-year-old Lloyd Smalling is wearing a blue World War II Veteran baseball cap. It’s not long before he begins talking about his photos on display. There’s wedding photos with wife Hazel, who died 13 years ago. His Army photo. His brother Duel. His son Gordon. The Marine Corps photo of his oldest son Gary, and Gary’s oldest son Grady, a Harvard graduate. It’s impossible to ignore the pride Smalling has for his family. Next to the military and family photos is the other thing Smalling is most proud of — his bowling trophies and ribbons. “I bowled at Firs Bowl every week up until last year,” he says. “My balance got so bad I couldn’t do it anymore. But I was pretty good. I bowled 257.” He walks through the house to the kitchen, where a table is filled with prescriptions and health paperwork. “This is my pharmacy,” he says, joking. But it’s an everpresent reality. The kitchen window overlooks his three-acre yard on the far west end of Eugene. Smalling built the house when Gary was just 12 years old. Now, Gordon and his wife take turns staying with Smalling during the week so he’s not alone. He spends most Wednesdays at the Campbell Senior Center, where he can catch up with friends. Building a life Smalling was born and raised in Arkansas, until the family moved to Oklahoma. After three years, he joined the army. “I was in the Army two years, 10 months and 23 days,” he says with no hesitation. “I was shipped to
“I had to retire from being retired. I like to go, sit down with the friends, make a pot of coffee. I’ve got a lot of friends down there.”
Lloyd Smalling About Campbell Center
Wyoming for basic training and from there to Normal, Texas, then San Antonio for three months of automotive schooling. Then Marysville, California, then Fort Lewis, Washington.” While there, he got blood poisoning in his finger. The First Sergeant told him to get it looked at, and Smalling replied that it would be OK, he wasn’t worried about it. “He said, ‘I didn’t ask you if it’ll be OK, I told you go to the hospital.’ So I went, and one of the guys come up on the next night, Tuesday, and says, ‘We’re leaving for Guadalcanal tomorrow morning.’ That’s how close I came to going to the South Pacific.” Instead, he was shipped from Washington to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, then New York, where he caught a boat across the water. “That was a rough ride let me tell you,” he says. “We called them ‘banana boats.’ They were put together with tacks and paper, I think.” The crossing took 13 days,
See SERVICE p. 7
FEBRUARY 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com
LANE COUNTY EDITION
7
SERVICE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
and the Atlantic was really rolling, Smalling remembers. “That old lady with her arms up in the harbor … she was a lot better-looking coming back,” he says about the relief of seeing the Statue of Liberty and knowing he had made it back home safely. But before that satisfying vision of safety came many hard days and nights. From New York, Smalling went to Cardiff, Wales, then trucked to Stockport, England, where he and the other soldiers bided their time for three months before the buildup to the Normandy invasion under the command of Gen. George Patton. While there, Smalling endured frostbite on his feet from standing guard for three days in eight inches of snow during the Battle of the Bulge. “I was lucky though, to only get the frostbite,” he says. “You’re wearing heavy boots and galoshes and heavy socks and it still froze over. You know, it got cold.” As the war ended, Smalling was one of the last to go – they sent home the youngest and married men first; Smalling was a senior in the company, and he was single. “When we came back there was no jobs,” he says. So he headed to California, where the best prospects seemed to be, and got a job in a factory making 78rpm records. “We got 3 cents a piece,” he says. “They got to grade them and if they found a flaw in them you didn’t get paid. You didn’t make any money at that.” He switched to landscaping where he could earn 90 cents an hour, but then discovered his brothers were earning $1.37 an hour working at a mill. “I went up here to Oregon get a job in the mill and I’ve been here ever since,” he says. He moved to Springfield in 1946, and, a year later, married Hazel, whom he'd met while living in Oklahoma. Smalling worked at Booth Kelly lumber company for 12 years until it was sold to Georgia Pacific. He was offered a job at a plywood mill, but turned it down. Instead, he took a job with States Industries, where he stayed until retiring in 1989.
The retirement years Smalling brightens up when he remembers the epic trip he and Hazel took after he retired. “I went out and bought us a new 1989 Ford Crown Victoria,” he says. “We loaded up and got in that thing and took a vacation.” They were gone for more than five weeks, cruising to California; the caverns in Mexico; visiting Hazel’s sister in Texas; and Smalling’s childhood home in Arkansas. They particularly enjoyed visiting presidential monuments on that trip — they saw the
Lloyd Smalling, looking through veteran memorabilia (at left), still lives in the house he built for his young family several decades ago on the far west end of Eugene (see page 6). It’s a mostly flat, grassy yard with a large tree and six birdhouses, which Smalling also built.There are two feeders dangling from it. Photos by Vanessa Salvia
museums and homes of Bill Clinton in Arkansas, Eisenhower’s museum and childhood home in Kansas, the Truman museum in Missouri, and LBJ’s museum in Texas. They also went to Nashville and the national monuments in the Dakotas, through Wyoming and Washington, and then back home. Shortly after that, Smalling got involved in the Campbell Senior Center. “I took care of the pool hall, made coffee, any little thing they wanted,” he says. “They call it ‘Lloyd’s Pool Hall’ now because I took care of it so long.” The room displays a framed photo of Smalling and his son Gary holding a giant watermelon they grew. For years, Smalling brought in excess produce from his large garden. Tom Powers, Campbell’s program supervisor, fondly appreciates Smalling’s years of volunteering and visits. “Lloyd has been an integral part of Campbell Center over many, many years,” he says. “He was a friendly face, an extra set of eyes, and a willing ear to the many folks who visited Campbell. He managed the tough task of keeping peace and order in our billiards room and managed to keep up with demand for gallons of coffee from our regulars. The entire staff has the deepest respect for him, and he literally made it possible for us to stay open some days.” Smalling’s health issues prevent him from visiting Campbell as much as he used to. “I had to retire from being retired,” he says. “I like to go, sit down with the friends, make a pot of coffee. I’ve got a lot of friends down there. I like the handshakes and the hugs, anything that reminds you you’re not dead, someone to put their arms around you. I’m going to keep going as long as I can.” ■
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APPLY AT: 2890 Chad Drive • Eugene, OR 97408 866-739-0867, contact Waitlist Dept @ 541-743-7164 • TTY/TDD 711 St. Vincent de Paul does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability status, familial status, national origin or marital status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities.
HEALTHY Vibes
8 LANE COUNTY EDITION
NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2017
Tips for heating your home safely
With the cold weather settled in, State Fire Marshal Jim Walker is urging Oregonians to use heating appliances wisely. “With the onset of cooler weather, I urge citizens to ensure all their heating appliances are in good working order,” says Walker. “Have your woodstoves, fireplaces, and chimneys, cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified specialist before using them. Portable space heaters also pose a high risk. Use these with extreme caution and follow our space heater safety tips.” Although woodstove and fireplace-related fires are more common, the most deadly home heating fires result from combustibles too close to portable electric heaters. From 2011-15, there were 2,267 home heating-related fires in Oregon, resulting in nine deaths, 57 injuries, and more than $30.9 million in property loss. Although chimney and fireplace-related fires accounted for more than 66 percent of these fires, six of the nine fatalities occurred in portable heater-related fires.
Oregonians can keep themselves safer from heating-related fires using these safety tips:
Portable space heaters ■ Only use portable space heaters with an automatic shut-off so if they’re tipped over they will shut off. ■ Give heaters space. Keep at least three feet of space between the heater and combustibles such as furniture, curtains, bedding, and papers. ■ Check heater electrical cords. Inspect for cracked or damaged cords, broken plugs, or loose connections. Replace before using the space heater. ■ Plug portable electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Never plug them into a power strip or extension cord. ■ Never allow children to play with, or around, a heater. ■ Turn heaters off when not in use, before going to bed, or when leaving the room. Courtesy photo
Wood stoves provide great heat, but require a lot of care, from keeping wood logs at least three feet away from the stove, to properly disposing of the ashes.
Electric baseboard and wall heaters ■ Be aware of electric baseboard and wall heaters. These heaters are thermostatically-controlled and may turn on without warning when temperatures drop. ■ Give these heaters space. Just as with portable space heaters, keep at least three feet of space between your baseboard/wall heater and combustibles items such as furniture, curtains, bedding, and papers. Fuel-burning space heaters ■ If using a fuel-burning space heater, make sure it is designed for indoor use. Read all manufacturer instructions and make sure it is properly vented. ■ Allow the heater to cool before refueling. Refuel outside or in a well-ventilated area. ■ If you smell gas, do not light the heater, operate any electrical switches, or thermostats. Leave the building and call 9-1-1, the fire department, or the gas company.
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Fireplaces and woodstoves ■ Have chimney and woodstove flues and vents inspected and cleaned every year by a qualified specialist. Ask them to check for creosote deposits, soot build-up, or physical damage. ■ Always use a fireplace screen. Make sure the screen is made of sturdy metal or heat-tempered glass to prevent sparks from escaping. ■ Keep a clutter-free environment. Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations, and flammable materials. ■ Store kindling, fire logs, and wood at least three feet
from any heat source. ■ Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue and chimney temperatures. ■ Use proper fire starters. Proper fire starters include newspaper, kindling, or specially manufactured starters designed for indoor use. Never use flammable liquid, such as lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline, to start a fire. ■ Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can release lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. ■ Use fire-resistant materials on walls around woodstoves. ■ Allow fireplace and woodstove ashes to cool before disposing of them. ■ Dispose of ashes in a tightly-covered metal container and place the container outdoors, at least 10 feet from the home and any other nearby buildings. Ashes may retain heat for days after they appear to be out.
Smoke alarms and home escape plans ■ For increased protection, have working smoke alarms on every level of your home (including the basement), in each bedroom, and outside any sleeping area (hallways). ■ Test smoke alarm batteries at least once a month by pushing the test button. ■ Look at the date on the back of your smoke alarm, if it’s 10 years old or older, replace it. If there is no date, it is more than 10 years old and should be replaced. ■ Ensure you have a home fire escape plan and practice it with your family.
Carbon monoxide dangers ■ Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal if not detected early. ■ Home heating and cooking equipment that burn fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane are sources of carbon monoxide. ■ Make sure you have working CO alarms on every level of your home, in every bedroom (sleeping areas), and outside each sleeping area. ■ Test and maintain your carbon monoxide alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
For more home fire safety tips, visit oregon.gov/osp/ SFM/pages/commed_firesafety_program.aspx. For more smoke alarm information, visit oregon.gov/ osp/SFM/Pages/CommEd_SA _Program.aspx. For more information on carbon monoxide and Oregon’s carbon monoxide law, visit oregon.gov/osp/SFM/ pages/commed_co_pr0gram. aspx. ■
Beware of ‘fake’ news
FEBRUARY 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com
DIGGIN’ IT! By GRACE PETERSON MASTER GARDENER
If you engage in social media at all you’ve likely seen fake news sites. Maybe you’ve even read a few and thought, wow, is that for real? After all they’re not called “click bait” for nothing. After the election last November, legitimate news sources warned us of fake news sources and offered tips to keep us from being duped and perpetuating the sensationalism. Well, it might surprise you that there is a lot of fake gardening news out there, too. Mainly it comes in the form of advice dispersed through legitimate-looking websites and books from well-meaning probably gardening experts. Google “garden myths” and be amazed. Just today while researching for this article I saw a website touting the virtues of hydrogen peroxide in the garden. “A great fertilizer,” it said. “It oxygenates plant roots.” Truth or myth? The advice isn’t limited to books and social media. Sometimes nursery clerks will make suggestions for products we don’t need. If
LANE COUNTY EDITION
Photo by Grace Peterson
Sure, ladybugs will eat your aphids, but keeping them in your own garden is another issue all on its own. we’re new to gardening or haven’t done our homework, we might fall for it. While gardeners are all for taking shortcuts, working smarter, not harder and saving money, we must be careful not to believe everything we’re told, and remember the adage, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. I remember back in 2002 when I took the Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener
courses and graduated with Master Gardener credentials. One of the things about the program that appealed to me was that I was getting information that was tested in a science-based university setting with no biases or vested monetary interests. To me, that meant I could trust the advice. I remember learning that if I’m going to plant a balled and burlapped shrub or tree, I must remove the burlap and shake the existing dirt
off the root ball before planting. I also remember learning that using a sealant on freshly-cut tree limbs will actually impede the healing process, not improve it. I learned that if I purchase ladybugs to combat my aphid issues, I can expect many of said ladybugs to fly away home or at least to the neighbor’s garden since they much prefer to dine alone. And I learned that the jury is still out on whether compost tea actually works. Which leads me to another important point about sciencebased information, it’s always evolving. As new information is gathered and tallied it can alter the results. So it’s important to stay up to date. A fantastic source for garden myth-busting comes from the Washington State University Extension Service, Linda Chalker-Scott’s The Informed Gardener website. Ms. Chalker-Scott is an associate professor and Extension specialist at WSU. On her website you will find science-based information on everything gardening. Check out her “Horticultural Myths” page where you can learn about everything from proper mulches to how plants work,
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planting techniques and more. Additionally, she’s got several seasonal podcasts that look fun and interesting. She’s also written three books on the subject of gardening published by the University of Washington Press. For more information, visit articles.extension. org/pages/ 68911/linda-chalker-scott.
February tips: This month, better nurseries will have their bareroot trees and shrubs available for purchase. If you’re looking to plant a tree or shrub, be sure to check out what’s available. You can save money by buying bare root. But don’t delay. Nurseries will soon pot up the bare-root plants, which will increase the price. ■
Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace. — May Sarton
Heard it on the radio
10 LANE COUNTY EDITION
G
By BARRY FINNEMORE BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS
erald Gaule was just a boy when he had his first on-air experience in radio. He was at the Clark County Fair in southwest Washington when he came upon a radio station disc jockey broadcasting remotely. Gaule, already a fan of radio who loved to listen to his shortwave and create radio shows at home, watched and listened to the DJ for two or three hours. Eventually, the DJ noticed him looking on and asked Gaule if he wanted to cover for him when he took a break. Gaule got behind the microphone, interviewed fair-goers and played some records for a short time. He then turned his early interest in radio into a career, working at stations along Interstate-5 from the Eugene-
Springfield area to Longview and Kelso, Wash., both as an on-air personality and handling such things as programming and production. About three years ago, Gaule began focusing on another radio-related endeavor, launching the American Senior Radio Network. The service — commercial-free and available online — provides news, information and educational programming, such as newspaper, book and magazine readings for seniors and people who are disabled and visually impaired. Gaule, who owns the network and runs it out of his home near Vancouver, also broadcasts old-time radio programs, nostalgic music from the 1890s to the 1950s, and interviews with community leaders, health providers and others from the PortlandVancouver area. He was drawn to that mix of content because he sought
NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2017
■ Gerald Gaule finds his niche with ‘senior radio’
Photo by Barry Finnemore
Gerald Gaule likes to take his show to where his listeners are, such as this recent venture to a coffee shop near his Vancouver, Washington, home, where they give him space in exchange for Gaule mentioning the business on the air. to “do the best of both worlds” in terms of broadcasting nostalgic music and programs and current information and interviews. “I try to do my best to serve the community,” he says. Content for the radio network comes from a variety of sources, including an international service that produces audio readings for individuals who can’t read conventional print because of a visual, physical or learning disability. Content also comes from Gaule’s own collection of old-time radio shows and recordings, which he has transferred to mp3s from cassette and other older formats. Among the audio recordings in his collection is that of President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicating Timberline Lodge and Bonneville Dam in the 1930s,
Of note
To listen to the American Senior Radio Network, visit shoutcast.com/Search, and search for “ASRN.”
projects that helped get Americans working again during the Great Depression. In addition to his collection, Gaule obtains recordings, many of which are in the public domain, by exchanging them with other collectors online. “I try and find something that’s rare or something that’s related to the Northwest,” he says. Gaule likes to air a variety of shows, including adventures, comedies and dramas. One of the old radio shows he’s presented is “The Whistler,” which originally ran from 1942 to 1955.
He also takes his show on the road by broadcasting on Sunday mornings from a coffee shop in Vancouver, with interviews ranging from local authors and artists to civic leaders. His interviews also touch on subjects ranging from personal finance planning and health care to the science behind weather forecasting. Gaule says he aims to bring content to his 50-andolder listeners that they “can relate to” and is “worthwhile to talk about. I try to bring something (to the airwaves) that affects them.” Raised in Ridgefield, Wash., just north of Vancouver, Gaule as a youngster didn’t have his eye on becoming a doctor or astronaut. Rather, he wanted to be a DJ. He remembers as a boy listening on his shortwave radio to stations across the United
See RADIO p. 12
HealtHy living Directory NAME & LOCATION
Valley West Health Care & Rehabilitation Center 2300 Warren Street Eugene, OR 97405 For further information: 541-686-2828 www.lcca.com/valleywest
SERVICES OFFERED Offering 20 Private Rehab Suites. Surrounded by trees and gardens in the hills of Eugene, Valley West Health is a family-oriented community providing excellent care and rehabilitation to the surrounding communities. • Skilled nursing care/Innovative wound care • Excellent in-house therapy team • Palliative, Hospice & Respite Care • Transportation from Acute Care Facility • Large campus-like setting • Excellent activity and dining programs • Long-term care options available We are Medicare/Medicaid Certified, and accept most insurance plans.
FEBRUARY 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com
LANE COUNTY EDITION
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Mystery in the Theatre, a discussion about creating a sense of mystery onstage, 6 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450. Eight Steps to Healthier Living, 1 to 3 p.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $14/$17. 541-736-4444. (also Feb. 9 and 23) Community Ecstatic Dance, a benefit for Occupy Medical, 7 to 9 p.m., WOW Hall, 291 E. 8th, Eugene. $5-$15 suggested donation. Make Cards that Move, 10 a.m., Sheldon Branch of Eugene Public Library. Also at 10 a.m. Feb. 8, Bethel Branch. Free. 541-682-5450. CSI Eugene, a visit from Eugene Police Department’s crime lab, 6 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450. Dementia Conversations, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Petersen Barn Community Center, 870 Berntzen Road, Eugene. Free. Also on Feb. 3, River Road Park and Rec District, 1400 Lake Dr., Eugene. 800-272-3900. Concert: Riverside Chamber Symphony, 6 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450. Ryan Nason Quintet: “Low Standards,” 7:30 p.m., The Jazz Station, 124 W. Broadway, Eugene. $10. Thejazzstation.org for more February concerts. (through Feb. 24) Meditation and Visualization, 8:15 to 9 a.m. Fridays, Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $25/$29. 541-736-4444. Sara Shepard: Writing Mystery, 2 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450. Eugene Symphony benefit gala, following Pink Martini concert at 5 p.m., Hult Center, Eugene. $175 for gala tickets (541-6879487, ext. 110), $75/$125 for Pink Martini (541-682-5000). Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 8 a.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 West C St., Springfield. Carpool to Portland’s McMenamin’s Kennedy School neighborhood. Mossbacks.org. Sisters Folk Celebration with Brad Tisdel, Benji Nagel and Dennis McGregor, 8 p.m., Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette, Eugene. $12.50/$14. mmeyer@efn.org. Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen, 7:30 p.m., 755 River Road, Eugene. $15. mmeyer@efn.org. The Caregiver Guide, noon, Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. Free. 541-682-5318. Pruning Roses, 12:30 p.m., Viking Sal Senior Center, 245 W. 5th Ave., Junction City. Also at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 7, River Road Park, 1400 Lake Dr., Eugene. 541-688-4052
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Eugene Symphony, “The Four Seasons of the McKenzie River,” 8 p.m., Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene. Hultcenter.org. Happy, Healthy Heart, 1:30 p.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. Free. 541-7364444. Retired Senior Providers of Lane County, “Tips for selecting a care facility for yourself of a family member,” with Sue Iverson, 2 p.m., Sheldon Oaks Retirement, 2525 Cal Young Road, Eugene. 541-342-1983. Paper Wings, 8 p.m., 755 River Road, Eugene. $10-$12 sliding scale. mmeyer@efn. org.
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for more classes. Osteoporosis/Osteopenia Support Group, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. Free. 541-682-5318. Coloring for Adults: Highlights and Shadows, 10 a.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541682-5450. “The Maltese Falcon” book groups, 6 p.m. Sheldon branch of Eugene Public Library; 11 a.m. Feb. 22, Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-6825450. iPhone for Advanced Beginners, 9:30 a.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $12/$14. 541-7364444. Is it Gluten-Free? cooking demonstration, 6 p.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $19/$23. 541-736-4444. Peter Mulvey and Anna Tivel, 7:30 p.m., 755 River Road, Eugene. $20. Mmeyer @efn.com. Memory and More support group, 10 to 11 a.m., First Baptist Church, 3355 N. Delta Hwy. #69, Eugene. 541345-0341. Valentine’s Mix and Mingle (ages 55+), 6 to 8 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. $10. 541682-5318. Island Park Art Gallery Reception: Lynne Baran, 5 to 7 p.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. Free. Effective Communications Strategies, and Understanding and Relating to Dementia Related Behavior (Feb. 17), 10 a.m., River Road Park and Rec District, 1400 Lake Dr., Eugene. Free. 800-272-3900. Introduction to Computers, 10 a.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541682-5450.
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Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 8 a.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 West C St., Springfield. Carpool to NW Portland and Washington Park. Mossbacks.org. Emerald Valley Opry, 6 p.m., Powers Auditorium, Willamette High School, 1801 Echo Hollow Road, Eugene. $8/$5. Volcanologist Thomas Giachetti, 3 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-6825450. Chocolate Buffet, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $4/$5. 541-736-4444. Living with Alzheimer’sMid-Stage, 12:30 to 5 p.m., Willamalane Bob Keefer Center, 250 S. 2nd St., Springfield. Free. 800-2723900. Film: “West Side Story,” 5 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-6825450. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, 10:30 a.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 777 Coburg Road, Eugene. 541-345-2988. Open microphone musical benefit for Habitat for Humanity, 6:30 p.m., Axe and Fiddle Music Pub, 657 E. Main St., Cottage Grove. Donations taken. Intro to Facebook, 1:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450. Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, 6:30 p.m., PRO, 207 E. 5th Ave., at Eugene Mindworks. 541-345-2988. Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 7 p.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 West C St., Springfield. 541-726-7169.
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Hoot and Holler, 8 p.m., 755 River Road, Eugene. $10-$12 sliding scale. mmeyer@efn.org. Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 9 a.m., Courtsports, 2728 Pheasant Blvd., Springfield. Walk through Dorris Ranch and Middle Fork Trail. Mossbacks.org. Beekeeping, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. $18. 541682-5318. Community Philosophy Café: What is Freedom?, 6 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-6825450. Parkinson’s Disease Alternative and Supplemental Support Group, 1:30 p.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. 541-345-2988. (through Feb. 28) Expand Internet Use with Browsers, Search Engines and Email, 1 p.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $30/$36. 541-736-4444. Rhododendrons Yearround, 6:30 p.m., Presbyterian Church of
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See CALENDAR p. 12
12 LANE COUNTY EDITION
CALENDAR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 the Siuslaw, 3996 Hwy. 101, Florence. 541-997-3082. Spring Chalkboard, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $13/$16. 541-736-4444.
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Mossbacks.org. Artist at Work: Sheri Smith, drop in between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sheldon branch of Eugene Public Library. Free. 541-682-5450. Oregon Humanities Conversation Project: Homeless in the Land of Plenty, 3 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450. Technology Lecture: Understanding Virus Protection, Campbell Center, 155 High St., Eugene. $5. 541-682-5318. The Choreography of Jerome Robbins, 6 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-6825450. Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 7 a.m., Valley River Inn,
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Campbell Center trip: Lafayette Antiques and Wine, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. $35. 541-6825318. Legal and Financial Planning, 11:30 a.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 W. C St., Springfield. Free. 800-2723900. Store and Share Photos Online, 10
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a.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th and Olive. Free. 541-682-5450. Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 8 a.m., Willamalane AAC, 215 West C St., Springfield. Carpool to Salem riverfront.
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1000 Valley River Way, Eugene. Carpool to Depoe Bay. Mossbacks.org. Parkinson’s Disease Care Partner Support Group, 1:30 p.m., PRO, 207 E. 5th Ave. at Eugene Mindworks. 541-345-2988.
Send your calendar items to: Calendar, 4120 River Road N., Keizer, OR 97303 or email mte@nwseniornews.com by the 6th of the month for the following month’s publication.
About the Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol
NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2017
information General about WBSP: The Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol is a volunteer group of snow enthusiasts who patrol out of Gold Lake Sno-Park on Hwy. 58 (near Willamette Pass Ski Resort). Working in collaboration with the National Forest Service and trained by the National Ski Patrol, we want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable backcountry experience. Our members hail from Eugene/ Springfield, Bend, Salem, Corvallis/Albany, just to name a few. Don’t let our name dissuade you, we have patrollers on skis and snowshoes. Gold Lake Sno-Park: This is where we call home. Find us just off Hwy 58, around milepost 61. We have a lovely warming cabin in the parking lot which also serves as our home base. Guests are encouraged to stop in, warm up by the fire, grab a cup of hot cocoa, chat with the volunteers and grab a map or snopark pass (if you don’t already have one). From here you can access trails on both sides of Hwy. 58 which boast amazing views of Gold Lake and Odell Lake. Wood stoves needed: We are searching for used wood stoves that are in good condition. Of the six winter shelters near Willamette Pass, two of them, Fuji and Bechtel shelters, need to have their wood stoves replaced. New stoves meeting EPA pollution standards do not give off enough heat to keep the shelters warm on a winter night. So, an older wood stove would be optimal. If you have a stove you can donate or know someone that does please send an email to wbsp@ wbsp.org We are also accepting contributions for the improvement to the shelters which
can include the purchase of a wood stove. If you want to contribute, a check can be made out to the Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol (WBSP). Include a memo line stating donation for shelters. You will be sent a letter that acknowledges the donation that will include the tax ID information for your tax purposes. Send cash donations to WBSP, PO Box 1578, Eugene, OR 97440. Join our volunteer team: We are seeking volunteer skiers and snowshoers to help us patrol the trails around Gold Lake Sno-Park and answer guests questions at our warming cabin. We offer a variety of volunteer roles
from serving in the warming cabin (selling parking passes/ maps, answering questions, etc.) all the way to a fullyqualified patroller (as a member of the National Ski Patrol). We provide many training opportunities throughout the season. If you are interested in joining us you can come to one of our meetings, at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday, Lane Community College, Building 4, Room 106, or email us at wbsp@wbsp.org for more information. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/wbspsnow. (Provided by Crystal Kelley, Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol.) ■
“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.” ~ John Muir
RADIO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
States. Among the DJs who drew his interest was the famous Wolfman Jack. From about age 7, Gaule bought radio transmitter kits at an electronics store, hooked them up to a home stereo and built “little radio stations,” he says. The signal would only reach as far as a block or so, but he had fun playing music for neighbors and interviewing friends. Gaule, 53, studied radio in college, including attending broadcasting school. He did not earn a degree, but built his experience at radio stations as a volunteer and employee. His wife, Lisa, who works in the childcare field, is not involved with the radio network, but “supports me 100 percent,” he says. Gaule, who is on disability and has a grown daughter, does not make money from the radio network and funds it largely himself, calling the endeavor a passion and point of pride. He stresses that the internet and other technology have advanced broadcasting and the ability to
reach audiences. He does do occasional “trades,” such as mentioning Fairway Coffee in exchange for the business providing space to broadcast his weekly public affairs program. One of his goals in the next five years is to obtain nonprofit status for the network. He appreciates feedback from listeners, who’ve been encouraging. They also have helped shape programming, in part, with requests for live radio shows. In December, the radio network featured “A Radio Christmas Carol,” which was presented at downtown Vancouver’s historic Kiggins Theatre by Washington State University, its Creative Media and Digital Culture Program, the Willamette Radio Workshop and Re-Imagined Radio. Gaule says his network is Washington’s only radio reading service since one in Seattle went off the air a couple years ago. Portland has “Golden Hours,” an audio reading and information service where he once volunteered. He says he’s not trying to replace or compete with those services, but “to present the best information” he can. ■
A tale of two houses
FEBRUARY 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com
■ Historic homes don’t always get the protection they deserve
LANE COUNTY EDITION
Below, the Carman House in Lake Oswego was swallowed up by upscale housing around it, and its future is uncertain. Inset, the Zimmerman House was turned over to a local historical society and preserved as a museum. Photos by Pat Snider
By PAT SNIDER
BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS
It’s not easy being an old house. Not only are there the usual aches and pains of age — dry rot, outdated plumbing, foundation troubles — but, for houses in urban areas, there is the increasing threat of economic pressures to demolish and replace. When these older houses disappear, we destroy a bit of history and lose a part of our cultural heritage. Here is a tale of two historical houses sharing a family connection and similar past, but far different futures. In 1851, German immigrants Jacob and Lena Zimmerman and their children traveled the Oregon Trail to settle on a Donation Land Claim in Hayden Island on the Columbia River. In 1869, they relocated a few miles east, purchasing a claim from Robert Wilmot. [Remember that name.] Here, along the bottomlands of the Columbia, they operated a successful dairy farm, building an attractive Queen Anne Victorian house in 1874. Their son George eventually took over operations and by the 1920s the farm had expanded to over 600 acres along what is now Sandy Boulevard in Gresham. George and his wife had four daughters and the youngest, Isobel (1899-1992), remained in the house until her death. Isobel was a 1921 graduate of the University of Oregon and taught at Portland’s Franklin High School for 30 years. Before her death, she had the old house listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a collection of buildings and other properties significant for their history, design or association with historically important people. Oregon has over 2,000 listings from the Bagdad Theater to Crater Lake Lodge as well as cemeteries, courthouses, and even campground comfort stations. While a listing provides a level of protection, it does not guarantee a property never can be demolished. However, to do so requires a formal delisting through the state preservation office, exposing it to more scrutiny and publicity. In her will, Isobel left the house and surrounding 1.5 acres to the East County Historical Organization to be preserved and operated as a
historic house museum. Over time, the city of Gresham acquired a total of six acres surrounding the homestead to create the Zimmerman Heritage Farm Historical Park. Today, visitors can tour
the house and enjoy a glimpse of local farm life in the 1900s. What makes this house unique is its continuous occupation by the same family for 120 years. All of the furniture, decor and personal items are
original to the house. Protected by the city, National Register listing, and local historical society, the Zimmerman house should be around for many future generations. Learn more about visiting the
Zimmerman house at echohistory.org. The fate of another old Portland area farmhouse is far less certain. Waters Carman traveled across the country with hopes of striking it rich in the California Gold Rush of 1849. He was not one of the lucky ones, and 1850 found him in Oregon Territory settling on a land claim in Lake Grove, now a part of the city of Lake Oswego. He and his wife built a fine, wooden farmhouse between 1856-57, and were joined in the area by other pioneer families including neighbor, Robert Wilmot, the man who previously sold his Gresham land claim to the Zimmermans. In the 1920s, the families became further entwined when Wilbur Wilmot, grandson of Robert, inherited the Carman house from his mother, Waters Carman’s daughter. The house continues in the Wilmot family, and like the Zimmerman house, is unique in being occupied by the same family for 100-plus years. It remains one of only a handful of houses dating back to Oregon’s Territorial era and is the city’s oldest residence. Of course, Lake Oswego changed over time, and farms were replaced by upscale housing, leaving the Carman House standing alone on 1.25 acres surrounded by modern townhouses. Such a valuable piece of real estate was ripe for development and the Wilmot family planned on demolishing the house and redeveloping the parcel. However, an earlier Wilmot had the property designated by the city as a historic landmark. When the owners applied to delist the house, it came to the attention of a local preservation group who fought the case all the way to the Oregon Supreme Court. While the house itself was saved from demolition, its future is unknown and, in all likelihood, the surrounding acreage will be developed, leaving the Carman House a lone monument to the importance of saving our history and cultural heritage. ■
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14 LANE COUNTY EDITION
ADOPT ME
SASSY Sassy is a large, beautiful and gentle tortoiseshell female kitty with a soft meow that will win your heart. This 5-year-old girl was relinquished to WCDC when her owners’ property management company changed and decided that the family could no longer have a cat. Sassy is overweight, but is healthy, according to her vet check-ups and labwork. She has been on a diet in her fos-
ter home. Sassy likes to give kisses and head butts, and will fall asleep in your lap afterwards (she is a wonderful lap kitty). She likes to lay on your chest and snuggle, and will drool a bit when she is super happy. She is good with people, including children, but is stressed by other cats and would do best in a single-cat home. In her original home, however, Sassy lived happily with a large dog. She also likes to play with fabric ribbon toys, and is fascinated by feet and by shoes. She enjoys being brushed, but is not a fan of being picked up. She is quiet and sweet, but can meow if she is closed off from her humans. Her adoption fee is $75. She has been tested for feline leukemia and FIV (she is negative), spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, defleaed and dewormed, plus you get a free vet visit. Sassy is currently in foster care. To meet her or for more info, please call Beth at 541-2559296. West Coast Dog and
NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2017
Cat Rescue, westcoastdogandcat.org.
However, she is sensitive about being picked up too quickly and held too closely, and sudden movements and rough petting or play can cause her to become defensive and whack you (so no young children). Honey will be a great kitty for a quiet household where someone works, as she is self sufficient and does well when left alone — but she is so happy to see you when you return. Honey is a dominant female who will tolerate other kitties, but would do best as the only cat. Her adoption fee is $75, which is strictly to help cover our costs. She has been tested for feline leukemia and FIV (she is negative), spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, defleaed and dewormed—plus you get a free vet visit. Honey is currently in the cat room at Petsmart in South Eugene (28th & Willamette).
HONEY Honey is a black and white 5-year-old tuxedo kitty with adorable markings on her face and soft short fur. She is affectionate and craves attention, but is not demanding. She enjoys gentle behind-the-ear rubs and scratches, and will give you lots of head butts and purrs. She desires to be near you but not necessarily on your lap right away — unless it is her idea. She is a very playful kitty with good manners, and is not skittish at all — in fact she comes when you call her and is great with strangers.
TANK Tank is a calm and handsome old soul. Because of unforeseen circumstances he was returned to Greenhill,
but he still has high spirits and hopes for the right home. Tank has a hard time getting along with other animals, but absolutely adores children. He has done quite a bit of work as an ambassador for Greenhill and loves all the attention that comes with it. Tank is looking for a quiet family home where he can get some cuddle time, which he will happily pay for in kisses. Greenhill Humane Society is open for adoptions and visits from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Tuesday (closed Wednesday and Thursday), 88530 Green Hill Road, Eugene. For more information, call 541-689-1503, or visit green-hill.org. ■
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Court: Refund due to Medicaid families FEBRUARY 2017 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com
If your mother or father died after one of them received long term care provided by Medicaid, you may be eligible to get back funds the state wrongfully took from your family. Many families stand to benefit from an Oregon Supreme Court ruling made on Dec. 15, 2016. The ruling puts a stop to a policy allowing the state to make claims on the estates of spouses of former Medicaid recipients. The specifics and benefits of the ruling were discussed at a morning news conference attended by elder law attorney Tim Nay, senior advocate Jim Davis, and Ginger Bell, whose mother passed away three years ago, just one year after her father passed away after receiving long term care paid for by Medicaid. Nay, who brought the suit against the state, said the ruling applies only in the following situation: ■ Medicaid paid for care and medical services for one spouse of a married
LANE COUNTY EDITION
couple. ■ The spouse receiving Medicaid died first. Prior to the spouse’s death, certain assets (house, stock investments) were transferred out of the name of that individual and into the name of the other spouse. ■ The other spouse — who did not receive Medicaid — died later. The Oregon Department of Human Service (DHS) then recovered money from the estate of the spouse who did not receive Medicaid. The state is required to seek and obtain recovery for payments made to any Medicaid recipient. In general, it’s only allowed to do so in cases where property was in the name of the Medicaid recipient at the time of that person’s death. In 2008, DHS adopted an aggressive rule allowing it to recover Medicaid payments from a couple’s estate – even when the couple’s home or other assets were not owned by the spouse receiving Medicaid at the time
of his or her death. This state rule was outside the bounds of the guidelines defined in federal law. “I applaud the Supreme Court for declaring what many of us have known for a long time,” Nay says. “This state rule was wrong and, most of all, it was illegal. Imagine if your elderly parents had just passed away, and a few days later you got a notice from the State of Oregon that your family owed the state several thousand dollars. And the only way to pay that was by selling the family home, the most valuable part of most estates.” Nay estimates the change in policy means many Oregon families – those qualifying within the narrow criteria – could be owed tens of thousands of dollars. In Oregon, elderly citizens can be eligible for Medicaid payments at many levels of long term care: in-home care, adult foster home care, assisted living care, residential care, memory care, intermediate care in nursing
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homes and skilled nursing home care. Davis, the executive director of United Seniors of Oregon and the Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens, praised Nay and other elder law attorneys who have worked to overturn the DHS policy. “This is a matter of justice,” Davis says. “The money was wrongly taken by the state. Many of those affected are the next generation of seniors, 50-years-old and older, adult children who had a parent on Medicaid. The money belongs to the families. They will get along better on their own, without government services, if they’re able to regain assets that rightfully belong to them.” Nay cautions that families eligible for a state refund must fit the specific list of criteria. Those who believe they might qualify can find out by visiting OregonMedicaidRefund.com, a webpage developed by Nay’s office. They can also contact his office 503-245-0894 or any elder law attorney. ■
REACH THOUSANDS of READERS with a FRIENDSHIP AD
ATTENTION!
Changes have been made to the existing Friendship Club format. All Friendship Ads now appear in all four editions...and you can access the ad form online at: www.nwboomerandseniornews.com MAIL responses to: NW Boomer & Senior News, 4120 River Rd. NE, Keizer, OR 97303; (include listing # you’re responding to)
QUESTIONS? Call 1-877-357-2430.
Ad Abbreviations M = Male F = Female S = Single D = Divorced W = White A = Asian B = Black H = Hispanic J = Jewish C = Christian
N/S = Non-smoker N/D = Non-drinker ISO = In Search Of LTR = Long Term Relationship WW = Widowed White
WB = Widowed Black WA = Widowed Asian WH = Widowed Hispanic LGBT= Lesbian/Gay/ Bisexual/Transgender
PRETTY auburn-haired lady, 5’5”. fun loving, friendly, enjoys music, singing, short trips, dining, movies, reading, family. ISO active NS, sincere gentleman, cleancut. Supportive partner-sweetheart-friend. Share interests. Vancouver. #5700
C L A S S I F I E D
PHYSICALLY & mentally positive. Former teacher, age 79, 5’10”, 180 lbs. Two degrees, financially solid, non-smoke/drink. Liberal bent. Like to have fun. Salem area. #5701
A D S
Ads must be RECEIVED BY the 6th of the month PRIOR to publication. Go to www.NWBoomerandSeniorNews.com for ad form/instructions OR use the form below and mail to address on form.
9 Vacation Rental LINCOLN CITY OCEAN FRONT, fantastic view, fireplace, TV/VCR/DVD, 2 bdrms, kit/dishwasher, no smoking, no pets. Very comfortable. 503843-3157. Email: holton@macnet.com.
Manor, 2550 14th Ave SE, Albany. 541-9282545.
HUD SUBSIDIZED UNITS for senior citizens 62 or older, disabled and/or handicapped, available at this time. We are committed to providing equal housing opportunities. All utilities paid. Units for Rent Surfwood Manor, 4545 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln HUD SUBSIDIZED UNITS City, 541-996-3477. for senior citizens 62 or older, disabled and/or HUD SUBSIDIZED UNITS handicapped. Accepting for senior citizens 62 or applications at this time. older, disabled and/or We are committed to handicapped, available providing equal housing at this time. We are opportunities. All utilicommitted to providing ties paid. Glenwood equal housing opportuManor, 1687 NW Divinities. All utilities paid. sion St., Corvallis. 541Briarwood Manor, 643 753-3408. Manbrin, Keizer, OR 97303, 503-981-8614. HUD SUBSIDIZED UNITS for senior citizens 62 or Cemetery plots older, disabled and/or handicapped. Accepting SKYLINE MEMORIAL applications at this time. GARDENS: two side by We are committed to side lots in Gethsmane. providing equal housing Both for only $2500. opportunities. All utiliTransfer fee included. ties paid. Millwood Call 503-358-7911.
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33 Wanted
tographs, tickets, programs, Pacific Coast League, etc. Alan, 50330+ YEARS TRUSTED, 481-0719. REPUTABLE ANTIQUES BUYER. ALWAYS BUYHIGHEST CASH PAID ING: old photos, postTODAY FOR DIABETIC cards, costume jewelry, TEST STRIPS GUARANmost anything antique TEED! Free local pickup or vintage. Please call since 2010. We will beat 503-422-8478. anyone local by 20%! Call us NOW to get the VINTAGE CADILLAC MOST CASH TODAY!! WANTED, 1949 to 1979. Help others. CALL 360Rust free, nice cars 693-0185. only! No major projects. Prefer Fleetwood Sedan. jlp120k@hotmail.com/5 03-538-8096. CASH for DIABETIC TEST STRIPS. Help those in need. Paying up to $40 per box. Free pickup! Call Sharon, 503-679-3605. CASH FOR GOOD CONDITION reloading equipment & supplies. 541905-5453. BASEBALL & SPORTS MEMORABILIA wanted. Buying old cards, pennants, autographs, pho-
The holidays are over.... No more excuses for getting a head start on reorganizing your personal environs. Plan a garage sale and advertise it here for great results!
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WANTED. Portland Music Co. always buying! Reputable since 1927. Free appraisals. 531 SE M.L.K. Blvd. Ask for Doug. 503-2263719.
CASH FOR PRE 1980 sport & non-sport gum or cigarette cards, model kits, comic books, old toys, old car or?? Private collector. 503-313-7538.
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowlingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD Toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The Toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.
NOTICE: Oregon state law (ORS 701) requires anyone who contracts for construction work to be licensed with the Construction Contractors Board. An active license means the contrctor is bonded and insured. Verify the contractor’s CCB license through the CCB Consumer Website www.hirali censedcontractor.c o m or call 503-3784621.
16 LANE COUNTY EDITION
NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • FEBRUARY 2017
Keep your beat PeaceHealth doctors help care for your heart – from preventative care to emergency procedures – so you don’t miss a beat. Adult and Pediatric Heart Specialists Heart screenings Life-saving procedures
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