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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 2003)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, February 12, 2003 And so the weary travelers dragged themselves home last Sunday, their credit card nearly melted to death; glad to have reached their chosen abode without mishap. Or even Mr. Hap. A trip of some 2,000 miles completed, with 13 days and fresh tuna sandwiches under our belts, with experiences in- cluding numerous campgrounds of varying intensity, and navigating the entire length of California via Hwy. 1. It’s a route so circuitous in some locations that you encounter yourself coming around some curves, as the van bends nearly in half. Our goal was Carlsbad in San Diego County for two Ju- daic ceremonies involving our not-yet-6-month-old grand- daughter, Natalie. Unfortunately, on our way to San Diego the rabbi’s father died in Florida, and so the ceremonies were postponed. But we still had a fine visit. Natalie is the smartest and most beautiful little baby in the known universe, as any grandparent will tell you about their own grandkids. We think that her parents, Matt and Vicki, probably had something to do with it. Although, we want to take some of the credit. Anyway, this little child is what’s known as a good baby. She has a sweet disposition, and the most angelic and sincere smile you can imagine. She is so good natured that sometimes it’s tough to believe that any person of that size and age could be so terrific. (More grandparent talk, in case you couldn’t tell.) A number of firsts occurred whilst we were down south, all involving -- would you believe? -- Natalie. And for the historical record, here they are, not necessarily in order of importance. 1. We got to take her for her first train ride, a round- trip from Carlsbad Village Station to Old Town San Diego. She enjoyed the ride, and beat me out for timing, as I was 9 months old when I took my first train ride, from San Diego to El Paso, Texas. She enjoyed the ride, bouncing up and down on her ever- stronger legs while standing on her mother’s thighs. 2. She also seemed to enjoy her first trip to “Old Town,” where San Diego began. She got a kick out of all the sights and sounds, and being catered to by my cousin, Micheline, and her husband, Ron. They picked us up at the Old Town station and drove us around Mission Hills. 3. Natalie ate her first baby food, other than cereal, while we were present. Wish I’d had a camera ready to record her totally amazing expression when she got her first taste of strained peas. She nearly lost it, actually, and looked at us as though we were trying to poison her. It was not a lip-smacking delicacy. All in all, it was a rippin’ good trip, with many weird and wonderful happenings, especially on the road. We’ll have to tell you about them (maybe next week with color photos). Meanwhile, I’ve got to wash some strained peas out of one of my shirts. (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary expressed in letters to the editor are strictly those of the letter- writers. * * * Typed, double-spaced letters are acceptable for consideration. Hand- written letters that are double-spaced and highly legible also can be con- sidered for publication. Cards of thanks are not accepted as letters.) * * * ‘Save Grayback’ From Dorothy Wiltfong Kerby I am responding to the letter to the editor in the Feb. 5 issue of the ‘Noose,’ from Larry Warnicke regarding Grayback Campground. He wrote a very informa- tive letter concerning the U.S. Forest Service’s plan to re- move 50 percent of the camp- sites at the campground, 12 miles east of Cave Junction along Oregon State Hwy. 46 (Caves Hwy.), which is the way to the Oregon Caves Na- tional Monument, one of our most popular tourist attrac- tions. At a time when tourism is one of the few viable sources of revenue for our area, where lack of suitable accommoda- tion has detoured many would-be visitors to the valley to continue their journey north to Grants Pass, or south to the coast, the USFS is planning to reduce the camping facilities at one of our better camp- grounds, even though they received funds to improve the facility. USFS’s excuse is “low usage.” I would say it’s poor pub- licity. Even many area people cannot tell you where that campground is located, so how does the USFS think tourists from out of the area are likely to find and make use of it unless they are on their way to visit the Oregon Caves National Monument. Josephine County Quit Line a help for smokers At a meeting of the Illi- nois Valley Community Re- sponse Team (IVCRT), I fol- lowed up on Warnicke’s let- ter, bringing up the fact that we need much more in the way of accommodations if we are to increase our tourist trade, and the importance of campgrounds in beautiful, natural surroundings to entice more family experiences and interest in the environment. Grayback has installed a handicap-friendly trail which is a big plus for families with a physically challenged mem- ber. This point should be made in any publicity. It would help if more of our local groups made us of the picnic area, which has a large barbecue at table height, tables and benches, a covered area as well as an amphithea- ter for services, weddings, or, as IVGC did on one occasion, installation of officers and its annual picnic. Peaceful and quiet except for the soft bab- bling of Sucker Creek and the song of the birds, some of whom would like to share your lunch. IVCRT will be writing a letter to USFS regarding the importance of saving the campsites. The deadline for letters was to have been Feb. 5, but in a conversation with Skye Siebert, she indicated that we could still put in a re- quest. I urge all interested people in our valley to write to the District Ranger at Two Rivers Zone, 26568 Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523, or phone (541) 471-6522 with comments on saving Gray- back’s campsites. IVCRT has plans to ex- tensively promote Illinois Val- ley as a tourist destination. Not just a place to visit on the way to someplace else. To accomplish this we must have accommodations. Motels, bed & breakfasts and camp- grounds are what is needed ... along with tourists, that is. As Oregon’s tobacco quit line reports receiving almost 70,000 calls, with Josephine County Quit Line receiving 253 calls, counselors who staff the toll-free phone line are gearing up for an on- slaught of calls from Orego- nians following through on New Year’s resolutions. “We talked to more than 100 people a day last Janu- ary,” said Nancy Clarke, Quit Line Manager at the Oregon Dept. of Human Services (DHS). “With incentives such as higher cigarette prices, we’re expecting even more calls this year. “The start of a new year is a natural time to look at ways to improve your life,” said Clarke, adding that, “Giving up cigarettes or chewing to- bacco is a great way to do just that.” Experienced cessation specialists answer the quit line. They work with the caller to conduct a personalized analysis of their tobacco use habit and develop a custom- ized quit plan to help succeed in becoming smoke-free. Clark said that individual telephone counseling sessions are scheduled at times conven- ient for the caller. “Planning your quit can make a big difference,” said Clarke. “Many of our callers feel that giving up tobacco is an impossible task because they have already tried and failed. It’s our job to give them the tools and confidence they need to reach their goal,” said Clarke. Oregon’s toll-free coun- seling service was established in 1998 and is funded by to- bacco tax dollars. “Tobacco use costs Ore- gonians more than $1.8 billion per year due to premature death, illness and medical costs,” said Clarke. “This is one way we are connecting to people and at- tacking the problem.” The Oregon Tobacco Quit Line toll-free number is (877) 270-STOP (7867) or (877) 2 NO FUME (Spanish). The services are free. Chain Link Specialist 592-6192 $30 a couple with reservations Friday, Feb. 14 - 6:30 p.m. Phone 592-3911 Professional Cleaning & Window Washing Over 20 Years Experience Caretaking - Care Giving - Critters, too! Southern Oregon Blues Band Free Estimates - Reasonable rates - References I Work Alone! - Geri 592-6048 Dance at 8:30 p.m. - $8 & $15 9367 Takilma Road Illinois Valley News An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by Robert R. (Bob) and Jan Rodriguez Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe Entered as second class matter June 11, 1937 at Post Office as Official Newspaper for Josephine County and Josephine County Three Rivers School District, published at 321 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523 Periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction, OR 97523 Post Office Box 1370 USPS 258-820 Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330 Volume 65, No. 47 Staff: Cindy Newton, Britt Fairchild, Chris Robertson, Sharon Silva & Becky Loudon Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 3 P.M. FRIDAY (Ads will be accepted until Noon, Monday with an additional charge.) POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ welcomes letters to the editor provided they are of general interest, in good taste, legible and not libelous. All letters must be signed, using complete name, and contain the writer’s address and telephone number. The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity. The ‘News’ reserves the right to edit letters. One letter per person per month. Letters are used at the discretion of the publisher. Unpublished letters are neither acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is inordinately long in the editor's opinion. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $20.80 One year in Jackson and Douglas Counties - $24.40 One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state -$28 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR. 97523 (an alcohol free event) SURPLUS SALVAGE Elementary Schools Menu Sponsored by ‘Illinois Valley News’ 321 S. Redwood Hwy. 592-2541 THURSDAY, FEB. 13 Munchable lunch (yogurt, string cheese, bagel), cheeseburger, pepperoni pizza, ham & cheese wrap, garden salad FRIDAY, FEB. 14 Cheesy pretzel, hamburger, sausage pizza, turkey/cheese roll, American Caesar salad MONDAY, FEB. 17 No classes Washington’s Birthday TUESDAY, FEB. 18 Chicken strips, cheeseburger, pepperoni pizza, ham & cheese roll, garden salad WEDNESDAY, FEB 19 Corn dog, hamburger, cheese pizza, tuna pita, Cobb salad, frozen juice bar $ CASH $ SALE $ Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday - Feb. 13-16 (Former Selma School Gym) MORE THAN 1,000 BOXES OF GENERAL MERCHANDISE. Store returns, damaged, broken cases, tools, groceries, health & beauty Cereal, canned goods, paper towels, toilet paper, spices, juices, freezer and sandwich bags, tinfoil, nuts, crackers, candy bars, health food, clothes and shoes. (NOTE: Some food in-date, some out-of-date, re-taped boxes, some dented cans.) ALSO: YARD WISHING WELLS - Two sizes Bring your nickels, dimes and quarters There will be something for everyone. Al says, ‘Come prepared to dig’ Every item sold ‘AS IS’ ‘First come, first served’ Lots and Lots of Stuff!