Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2008)
Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. 181 Upper Applegate Road, PMB 308 Jacksonville, OR 97530 U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 50 Grants Pass, OR 97526 “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world . . . Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead Help us create a new logo! See Page 2 Applegate Valley Community Newspaper Serving Jackson and Josephine Counties — Circulation: 9,000 Applegator — R.I.P. August 1994 to March 2008 elcome to Volume 1, No. 1 of the new Applegater! The Applegater has been transitioned from the Applegate Partnership to the Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. (AVCN), a newly formed nonprofit (we have applied for nonprofi t status) corporation whose sole focus is to publish a great newspaper. Effective April 1, 2008, there is a new Board of Directors— some with familiar names—in place to guide the paper to new heights. The directors are Greeley Wells (chairman), Gary Brauer, Linda Fischer, Hal Macy, Paula Rissler, and editor J.D. Rogers. The editorial board remains much the same with some newly added members: Chris Bratt, Linda Fischer, Jan Perttu, Rauno Perttu, J.D. Rogers, Sandy Shaffer, Greeley Wells, Connie Young and Marvin Rosenberg. You may have noticed that the old Gator logo has disappeared with this issue; it was not part of the transition, nor was the original name, which is now spelled “Applegater.” We’re excited about the possibility for expansion, change and new opportunities for the paper. Our fi rst opportunity is to create a new logo that better graphically depicts the Applegate and its communities. So we’re looking to the community for suggestions. If you’re interested in submitting logo ideas to us, please see “Help us create a new logo” on page 2 for more details. Two t h i n g s t h a t h a ve n’t changed: (1) Our mission statement. As always, the mission statement focuses on the community and reads: The nonprofi t Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc., (AVCN) provides the many rural and diverse communities of the Applegate Watershed with a communications vehicle, the Applegater newspaper, free of charge to all watershed residents. Our bimonthly paper presents constructive, relevant, educational and entertaining reports on a wide variety of subjects such as: n natural resource issues n ecology and other science information n historical and current events n community news and opinions AVCN encourages and publishes Applegate Fire District Awards Banquet BY CAREY CHAPUT W See APPLEGATER , page 2 Recipients of Annual Awards for 2007. Front row from left: Cody Goodnough, Matt Durant, Dan Moulin, Mike Kuntz, Dan Boyajian, Nina Kiskadden, Cris Usher, Tim Johnson Back row from left: Tailese Goodnough, Ron Slack, Wim Roeloffs, Jack Lynch The Friends of the Applegate Fire District (Friends) hosted a wonderful evening of camaraderie and pride on February 29 when the Applegate Firefighters celebrated another extraordinary year of serving this diverse community. It was an evening to recognize the accomplishments and acknowledge the spirit that guides the future of this fi re district. The banquet, held at Applegate Community Church on Nor th Applegate Road, is one of four annual events hosted by the Friends to support the fi refi ghters. A dinner of superb tri-tip and chicken was provided to the distinguished guests and volunteers. Local entertainment provided great background music, and a fireman’s salute opened the award ceremony. The annual video contained rare photos and a compilation of acts of bravery and camaraderie from the past year’s events and incidents. Volunteer fi refi ghters BIRDS OF SUMMER Spring is here—the wild fl owers are coloring the landscape and the summer birds are beginning to show. The fi rst to arrive in March are band- tailed pigeons, tree swallows and the beautiful rufous hummingbirds. It’s a great time for migrating birds as they head north following the food supply and preparing to raise their young. Watch this month for spectacular Lazuli bunting, black- headed grosbeak, white-crowned and golden-crowned sparrows, kingbirds, tanagers and wood warblers. We are blessed in this part of Oregon with many spectacular species— none more so than the Bullock’s oriole. Look for them in deciduous trees, along streams, and in open areas foraging for fruit, nectar, and even small insects. They breed here and build incredible hanging nests made of various plant fi bers suspended from branches as high as 60 feet. Another bird we look forward to seeing (and hearing!) in the summer months is the colorful yellow-breasted chat. This bird is often hiding in thick, brushy areas and is heard long before it is seen. Spring migration will bring many birds to the shores and marshes of Tailese and Cody Goodnough take the opportunity to collect photos from training and emergency scenes throughout the year to help accomplish this great annual contribution. Accolades and awards in recognition of 2007 were given to the following individuals: Spouse of the Year–Julie Hunt Marc Chaput Spirit Award–Fred Secco Hall of Flame–Al Chachere and Cody Goodnough Chief ’s Award–John “Wim” Roeloffs Firefi ghter of the Year–Matt Durant Rookie of the Year–Ron Slack Jr. Firefi ghter of the Year–DanielBoyajian EMT of the Year–Tailese Goodnough First Responder of the Year–Cris Usher Instructor of the Year–Dan Moulin Most Alarms–George Butcher Most Drills–Nina Kiskadden Fuel Reduction Award–Sandy Shaffer Maintenance Award–Jack Lynch Offi cer of the Year–Cody Goodnough District Employee of the Year– Mike Kuntz Student/Intern of the Year– Tailese Goodnough Safety Recognition Award– Larry Hunt See AWARDS, page 2 BY TED GLOVER southern Oregon as well. A trip to the coast should be exciting in early May. We made a trip to the coast in February during the great weather, but were disappointed in the lack of bird life along the coastal areas. We did see more than 70 species of birds, but very few at the shore. However, we spotted a group of white-winged scoters, a life bird for us, making the trip worthwhile. Ted A. Glover • 541-846-0681 Bird photos above from left: Tree swallow (Jacob W. Dingel/PGC); lazuli bunting (A. J. Hand/www.marymoor.org); Bullock’s oriole, rufous hummingbird and white-crowned sparrows (Bob Barker/www.naturenm.org).