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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2003)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, January 8, 2003 Page 7 Survey seeks answers to how it’s going down on the farm in Oregon, U.S. (Front from left) WB Red Cain, Junior. Deacon; Don Griffith, Treasurer; Max Holleman, Senior Warden; Tom Shubert, Master of the Lodge; Kyle Kirchner, Junior Warden; Taz Al- len, Senior Deacon. (Rear from left) WB Randy Kent, Trus- tee; WB Dave Neisz, Trustee; George Richards, Chaplain; and Michael Yanase, Secretary. (Photo by Belt Lodge) Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge installs officers for 2003 By STUART MEPHAM On Tuesday Dec. 7, Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge 18 held its installation of offi- cers for 2003; the 145th in- stallation since the lodge was instituted in 1858. Worshipful Brother (WB) Walter Wiltfong presided over the opening of the instal- lation service. The to-be installed offi- cers entered the lodge room, with their wife or an escort by their side. The U.S. flag was marched up to the platform by three officers of the Order of the DeMolay from Grants Pass, a special Masonic Order for young teen-agers until age 21. Everyone participated in the Pledge of Allegiance. Recognition was given to past Hiram Award winners of the lodge. Those present were WB Orval Seat, WB Les Ba- sham, WB Wiltfong, and WB John O’Brocto. Recognition was fol- lowed by the invocation prayer given by WB Seat, installing chaplain. The installing officers proceeded with the installa- tion. Right Worshipful Brother (RWB) Rynd Miller, Deputy for the Grand Master of OR for District 27, pre- sided over the installation. The rest of the installing officers were WB Seat as chaplain; WB Dave Neisz as secretary; WB Graham Baker as marshal; and Cindy Ouellette as organist. The ‘03 officers installed into their respective offices are Master Tom Shubert as master of the lodge, Max Hol- leman as Sr. Warden, Kyle Kirchner as Jr. Warden, Taz Allen as Sr. Deacon, WB Red Cain as Jr. Deacon, Michael Yanase as secretary, Don Griffith as treasurer, honorary worshipful brother (HWB) Bud Hunold as Sr. Steward, George Richards as chaplain, Grahm Baker as marshal, WB Jim Whitman as Tiler, Wilt- fong as historian, and WB Randy Kent as trustee for three years. Absent for the installation ceremonies was WB Ted Crocker as Jr. Steward, who will be installed later. Before the presiding in- stalling master handed over the gavel, some special pres- entations were made. The newly installed mas- ter of the lodge, WB Shubert then took over and presided for the rest of the service. He thanked all who had come for “this very important mile- stone in his Masonic life.” He introduced his family members who were present, gave his installation speech, and proceeded to close the service, including the closing prayer given by WB Seat, the installing chaplain. Everyone proceeded to the social hall where the women had prepared a ban- quet of food and non- alcoholic drinks. The most ambitious and important agricultural survey of all is getting under way in Oregon and the rest of the 50 states as the 2002 Census of Agriculture reaches out to every farmer and rancher in the United States. Phil Ward, director of the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture (ODA), is encouraging the state’s producers to cooperate with the census being con- ducted by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s National Agri- cultural Statistics Service (NASS). “It is vital to the well- being of our farmers and other agricultural interests that in- formation be collected and compiled on a variety of farm- related activities to help the industry and policy makers with various important deci- sions,” said Ward. The Census of Agriculture is conducted every five years, and even though this one is considered the ’02 census, the actual results and reports won’t be completed until early ’04. That’s because of the huge amount of information and details that need to be gathered and analyzed. “The census provides a comprehensive snapshot for Oregon all the way down to the county level and gives all kinds of information about the farm population,” said Janice Goodwin, state statistician with the Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service (OASS), whose staff is responsible for conducting the census in Ore- gon. Questionnaires are being sent to all farmers on record. Completed surveys are due Feb. 3, ’03. Timely, complete, and accurate responses to the questions in the agricultural report forms are essential. Figures compiled by the census are used to determine funding for extension work, research, soil conservation, and other agricultural-related services. Private industry uses cen- sus statistics to provide more effective production and dis- tribution systems --for exam- ple, to locate feed mills and farm equipment dealerships where they will provide better service and offer competitive prices to farmers. Information from such statistical data dictated Ore- gon’s share of federal dollars used for a $2.9 million spe- cialty crops grant program administered by ODA. “The census asks a lot of questions about crops, live- stock, land use, ownership, equipment, chemicals used, and demographic-type ques- tions,” said Goodwin. One item that folks some- times overlook when getting their affairs in order is funeral planning. Prearrangements save money, and Complete, professional, caring help in your time of sorrow. 592-4110 Express Lunch Buffet Everyday Monday - Chinese, Tuesday - Mexican Wednesday - Italian, Thursday - All American, Friday - Fish NEW WINTER HOURS! 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Seven days a week. 203 N. Redwood Hwy. SIGNS OF WINTER - Cold weather is bringing freezing temperatures and snowfall to the foot- hills and mountains of Illinois Valley. This photo was taken on Friday, Jan 3 from the north end of Downtown Cave Junction. (Photo by Sam Newton) Two tour companies denounced by attorney general Attorney General Hardy Myers announced the filing of court actions in Jackson and Josephine counties against two Southern Oregon compa- nies that mostly marketed to older consumers promising goods and services that were either never received or were exaggerated and misleading. Named in Assurances of Voluntary Compliance are Christopher S. and Pamela M. Geye, of Grants Pass, and their business, Senior Solu- tions, LLP; and Teri L. and John E. Goodson, of White City, doing business as Teri’s Tours and Desert Rose Char- ter Bus Co. The agreements admit no violation of law. “Marketing a product or service to seniors and then not providing it won’t be tol- erated in Oregon,” Myers said. “Our ever-increasing senior population must be protected from unlawful ac- tivity in the marketplace.” In investigating 19 com- plaints against Teri’s Tours, Dept. of Justice investigators found that the Goodsons re- peatedly had scheduled tour packages, took advance pay- ments and either canceled or changed the tour dates. Con- sumers requesting refunds were ignored until they filled complaints. Under their Assurance, the Goodsons have 90 days to provide restitution totaling $12,644 to five consumers who filed complaints with Justice concerning canceled trips. They also must refund all outstanding balances to consumers who have re- quested refunds relating to prepaid tours that were not provided. The Goodsons paid Jus- tice $2,000 for the Consumer Protection and Education Fund and agreed to perma- nently stop doing business as travel agents and tour organ- izers. However, Justice al- lowed the Goodsons to con- tinue to run a bus chartering service. In March 2002, Justice received an advertisement for a “senior financial survival workshop” being held in the Grants Pass area by insurance salespersons Christopher and Pamela. On the flyer, the Geyes titled themselves as “certified elder planning specialists” and “certified pension distri- bution specialists” when in fact the Geyes either over- stated or misstated the certifi- cates they do have. Justice investigators found that the Geyes had taken a few hours of training from various “schools” offer- ing quick diplomas or certifi- cates. These courses were de- signed by Tyrone Clark of Denver, Colo. Although the flye r claimed both the Geyes held both titles, only Pamela Geye has a certificate as an Elder Planning Specialist, which is a 36–hour home study course from Clark’s Institute in Colo- rado. The Geyes also claimed to be Certified Pension Distri- bution Specialists. Clark’s various schools do not offer such a certificate and Justice could not find any other schools that offered a CPD certificate. For more information telephone (877) 877-9392. Don’t part company with your ideals. They are anchors in a storm. - Arnold Glasgow - (541) 592-4128