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About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2017)
Applegater Spring 2017 Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. PO Box 14 Jacksonville, OR 97530 Photo by Teya Jacobi 1 applegater.org SPRING 2017 Applegate Valley Community Newsmagazine Celebrating Volume 10, No. 1 Serving Jackson and Josephine Counties — Circulation: 11,000 Years Grand plans for McKee Bridge Centennial Celebration On Saturday, June 10, 2017, from 11 am to 3 pm, the McKee Bridge Historical Society will host a grand centennial celebration on the bridge and in the park with a variety of activities and events. After two years of not holding the traditional McKee Bridge Day due to restoration work and an aging committee, we are pleased to offer a special celebration of the bridge this year on the one hundredth anniversary of its construction. In 1917, after much discussion and attempts by early Jackson County movers and shakers to create a rail line into the Applegate to facilitate moving copper ore down from the Blue Ledge Mine (in the Upper Applegate drainage above Elliott and Joe Creeks), it was ultimately decided to build the McKee Covered Bridge to provide safe crossing of the river. The land was donated by “Deb” McKee and his wife, grandparents of Evelyn Byrne Williams, our beloved local historian. Jason Hartman and Sons built the bridge, which has withstood numerous floods, as well as decay and aging, and has required many restoration efforts over the past century. It still stands proud today because of the support of the local community. At the celebration, featured musicians will be the Old-Time Fiddlers, playing from 11 am to 1 pm, followed by cowboy poet and balladeer Butch Martin and singer-songwriter Christina Lynn Martin presenting original works relating to the bridge See MCKEE BRIDGE, page 3 ~23~ The Applegate mourns the loss of vintner Jim Devitt A stellar wine maker, an uncommon intelligence, a ready smile. These apply to Jim Devitt, owner of Devitt Winer y, who died on Friday, January 27, at 83. Often heralded as one of the best winemakers in the valley, Jim and his wife, Sue, opened the tasting room at Devitt Winery on Highway 238 in Tasting-room visits with Jim Devitt at Devitt Winery Jacksonville in 2003. In the were always fun and educational. From left to right: Brooke past his winery produced Nielsen, Jim Devitt, Carlen Nielsen, and Mikell Nielsen. between 2,500 and 3,000 cases a year. He wanted to keep his system for filling wine barrels without operation small and manageable. overflowing and spilling. And, as Jim Jim previously owned and operated told the Applegater a couple of years ago, Pope Valley Winery in the Napa Valley he enjoyed experimenting with many from the early 1970s until the late 1990s. grape varietals, including cabernet, syrah, His son Steve grew up working at Pope viognier, zinfandel blends, merlot, and a Valley Winery and went to the University dessert wine. of California, Davis, to study viticulture Tasting-room visitors at Devitt and enology. Steve is currently vice Winery received more than generous president of wine making at Darioush pours—Jim was also generous in sharing Winery in Napa. his extensive knowledge of wine making. With his engineering background, The winery will remain open with Jim developed new systems for the wine Brendon at the helm to continue Jim’s industry. Jim and Devitt wine maker legacy. Jim is survived by his wife, Sue, Brendon Butler (Jim and Sue’s grandson) and his children, Steve, Bob, Susan, collaborated on the Auto Topper, a wine Victoria, Jeff, and Doug. Applegate Valley history McKee Bridge (left photo) in 1930 after damage from a big storm and major flooding, and (right photo) in 1927. After 100 years, it remains a beautiful historic marker in the Upper Applegate. Photos courtesy of Evelyn Byrne Williams. Hippy communes revisited— Part 1 BY DIANA COOGLE Applegate inns abound BY SHELLEY MANNING As locals, we know what fun activities abound in our area. So how about taking a “staycation” right here in our own backyard? Take your sweetie to the Britt Festival and surprise her with a romantic stay in Jacksonville. Enjoy the country life weekending in Applegate Valley’s wine region. Find out what tickles your fancy in any of these Applegate inns. Applegate River Lodge Joanna and Richard Davis built the lovely Applegate River Lodge from the ground up. With Richard’s design, Joanna’s decorating skills, local and imported logs, and lots of community participation, the Applegate River Lodge opened in May 1997. Ideally located on the Applegate River, the lodge has Local Postal Customer See APPLEGATE INNS, page 12 Nonprofit Org US Postage PAID Permit #125 Medford OR ECRWSSEDDM I, too, was a hippy. I know communal living—the women in braids and long skirts, the men in long hair and beards, all the beads, headbands, homemade clothes. And the music! The drumming and guitars and singing. Hanging out at the pond, full-moon festivals, gardens, potluck gatherings, dancing naked by the river in the full moon. “It was our golden years, for sure,” says John Hugo, co-founder of East Side House, one of four communes in the Applegate: Laser Farm (1969) on Thompson Creek Road; East Side A May Day celebration at Trillium Farm. Photo courtesy of Chant Thomas. House (1973) on the Applegate River; Molto Bene (1974) on Slagle Creek; See COMMUNES, page 12
