17 December 2014
Warming Center Object of Weekend Benefit
A reprise reading this weekend of Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” will benefit a new emergency warming center.
Admission will be free Saturday evening, seven pm, at the Florence United Methodist Church, but donations of twin sheets, pillowcases and pillows are requested. Cash will also be welcomed.
All will go directly to the Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Committee. It’s housed in the Florence Masonic Center, two miles south of Florence on Highway 101.
Whenever the temperature drops to 32-degrees the center opens with a hot meal for dinner; a warm and dry place to sleep; and a warm breakfast the next morning.
The center opened last month and is aimed at providing temporary shelter during inclement weather.
“A Christmas Memory” was presented last year by the Last Resort Players… it returns the two primary actors… Jim Wellington in the role of the narrator, Buddy, and Annie Schmidt as Sook. It’s directed by Leah Goodwin.
Oregon Pacific Celebrates 35
35 years ago today; Oregon Pacific Bank opened its doors for the first time. It was organized by five local residents and got its start when Jim Manderscheid asked Dr. Albert Brauer a question during a medical exam.
A.J. Brauer – “He just asked me outright, would you like to start a bank? And, I had never given it one thought, ever.”
Brauer invited Dick Kirby, Jack Garrison and Henry Johnson to meet in his home and they were on their way. Two more directors were added a few months later; Bob King and Gary Hoberg.
The bank opened in a temporary structure December 17th, 1979 and has expanded to include branches in Coos Bay and Roseburg with financial and trust offices in several other communities. Brauer, who retired from his medical practice 25 years ago, will retire from the bank board this week.
Lower Gas Prices
The average cash price for a gallon of regular in Florence dropped 18-cents in the past week to $2.70. That matched a similar drop in the statewide average according to Triple-A of Oregon of 15-cents to $2.77 a gallon.
The nationwide average is at the lowest point in five years and fell 13-cents to $2.53.
Marie Dodds with Triple-A says prices have fallen nearly 25-percent since the beginning of 2014, and if global prices of crude oil continue to fall, the average price could end the year below $2.50.
Economic Development through the arts…
Port of Siuslaw Commissioners will consider a resolution in support of public art this evening when they meet. Organizers of the Florence Community Arts Committee addressed the port last month, seeking support and assistance.
A resolution to be considered by commissioners this evening would authorize one staff member to sit on that committee.
It also commits the Port to designating possible sites on Port Property for display of outdoor art; assist the group in locating grant funding; and supporting FCAC in seeking assistance from other groups.
The Port Commission meets this evening, seven PM, at the Port Office.
Hickson signing benefits SOS
A local author will be signing books at Fred Meyer this weekend… with half of the proceeds from book sales at the event going to a local cause.
Syndicated humor columnist Ned Hickson will be signing copies of “Humor at the Speed of Life” from ten AM to noon Saturday.
David Wiegan with Siuslaw Outreach Services said half of the proceeds during the signing will go to help support needy families this season.
Wiegan heartily recommends the book, calling it “laugh-out-loud funny”.
First Day Hikes
If you’re not into the Tournament of Roses Parade and the early morning football bowl games, you can join several other Oregonians for a “First Day Hike” on New Years Day.
For the fourth year in a row, several Oregon State Parks will be hosting guided hikes to start the year off.
There are 31 locations participating statewide, in our area there are three… Carl G. Washburne State Park 14 miles north of Florence where a guided hike by a local historian will tour the China Creek Ranch. At Honeyman State Park three miles south of Florence hikers will meet at the West Woahink Meeting Hall. In Winchester Bay, walkers can gather at the Lake Marie day-use area at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. A complete listing of all First Day Hikes and times can be found below:
Salem, OR – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) invites the public to ring in 2015 by participating in one of 31 guided hikes to take place in state parks on New Year’s Day. This is the fourth year that OPRD has participated in First Day Hikes, a nationwide initiative sponsored by America’s State Parks (www.americasstateparks.org) to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate the New Year by getting out for a walk in a state park. Last year, more than 940 people participated in First Day Hikes in Oregon.
OPRD will waive the day-use parking fees on Jan. 1 for all visitors to participating state parks that normally require a permit. 29 parks are participating in First Day Hikes this year:
Portland Metro area:
* L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, 9-11 a.m.–meet at Hilltop Day-use Area picnic shelter
* Milo McIver State Park, 10-11:30 a.m.–meet at lower boat ramp of Riverbend Day-use Area
* Tryon Creek State Natural Area, 9-11 a.m.–meet at Nature CenterColumbia River Gorge:
* Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.–meet at Mark O. Hatfield East trailhead in Mosier
* Rooster Rock State Park, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. –meet at far east end of parking lotWillamette Valley/Cascades:
* Champoeg State Heritage Area, 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.–meet at visitor center
* Elijah Bristow State Park, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.–bring your horse and meet at equestrian staging area
* Luckiamute Landing State Natural Area, 9:30-11:30 a.m.–meet at north trailhead
* North Santiam State Recreation Area, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.–meet at North Santiam picnic shelter
* Silver Falls State Park, 10-11 a.m.–meet on porch of South Falls Lodge
* Willamette Mission State Park, 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m.–meet at main entrance flagpole loopSouthern Oregon:
* Tou Velle State Recreation Site, 11 a.m.-noon–meet at picnic area A
* Valley of the Rogue State Park, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.–meet at program areaCoast:
* Beverly Beach State Park, 10 a.m.-noon–meet at day-use parking area
* Bullards Beach State Park, 10-11:30 a.m.–meet at the campground amphitheater
* Cape Lookout State Park, noon-3 p.m.–meet at Cape Trail trailhead parking lot 2.75 miles south of campground
* Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park, 1-2 p.m.–meet in front of campground host site and wood bin
* D River State Recreation Site, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.–meet in wayside parking area near beach entrance
* Ecola State Park, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.¬–meet at the Ecola Point parking lot near Indian Beach trailhead.
* Fort Stevens State Park, 9-11 a.m.–meet at Coffenbury Lake north parking lot
* Harris Beach State Park, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. –bring your bike and meet at booth parking lot.
* Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, noon -2 p.m.–meet at West Woahink Meeting Hall
* South Beach State Park, 9-10:30 a.m.–meet at day-use parking area
* Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, 10-11 a.m.–meet at Lake Marie day-use parking lotCentral/Eastern Oregon:
* OC&E Woods Line State Trail, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., meet at the Switchbacks near summit of Bliss Road south of Sprague River
* Cottonwood Canyon State Park, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.–meet at day-use visitor center
* Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area, noon-1 p.m.–meet at community building
* Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, 10-11 a.m.–meet at parking area next to Highway 82
* Smith Rock State Park, 10 a.m.-noon–meet at welcome center yurtMany of the First Day Hikes will be interpretive presentations focusing on local wildlife, plant species, geology, or history. Unique hikes this year include a “bring-your-own-horse” hike/ride that will be led by a ranger on a mule, a beach debris pickup hike, and a bike hike. Some parks will be offering light refreshments or warm drinks to participants at the completion of the event. To get more details about specific hikes, including directions to the park and a description of the length and terrain, visit bit.ly/OPRDcalendar online and search for “First Day Hikes” under Event Category.
This year, OPRD is asking participants to share photos of their First Day Hike via social media by using the hashtag #ORfirstdayhikes for Twitter and Instagram or tagging “Oregon State Parks” on Facebook. Images can also be emailed to beth.wilson@oregon.gov.
OPRD reminds those planning to join a hike on the 1st to dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and bring along water as well as a camera and/or binoculars. In case of inclement weather, each park should be contacted directly to find out about cancellation–phone numbers are available online.
