Page 2
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, May 7, 2003
Adventure Race sign-ups stressed
Although Sunday, May 11 is designated as a time to
honor people who collect moths, I think that it would be
more appropriate to talk about my mom. She’s 92, you
know, and I thank God that I inherited her sense of humor.
My dad, who died at 88 some 15 months ago, was a
good guy in lots of ways. But he had a gnat-size (maybe
moth-size) sense of humor. There were times when people
would tell him a joke, and he’d sort of grin, with the look
that says, “I don’t get it, but I’ll smile to be polite and save
face.” Then maybe 30 minutes or so later (or never), he’d
suddenly “get it” and laugh. Somewhat.
So my sense of humor didn’t go over well with dear dad.
Once I switched all the drawers in the kitchen, and got
yelled at for that. No laugh later either. Another time I
squirted him with a plastic, fake camera he thought was real.
He posed for a snapshot, and got really hot when I squirted
him.
Fortunately, my mom was there to stand up to him. And
as she is several inches taller than he, it worked out well.
For me.
This week I’m taking a quick trip to San Diego County
to visit my mom, who lives in Oceanside at an assisted-
living palace … er, place. I remember her taking care of me
in my childhood illnesses; baking chocolate chip cookies on
cold days; laughing at my jokes; attending my school func-
tions. She stood by me in all sorts of circumstances, and I
know now that I am blessed by that.
My mom was always there for me. And she still is.
She’ll be surprised when she reads this because I haven’t
told her that I’m coming for a visit.
Jan is staying home this trip to take care of our menag-
erie. And get a break from El Jefe.
Besides my mom celebrating moth-er’s day, although
she prefers butterflies to moths, I’ll get to see our daughter,
Vicki, who’ll be celebrating her first mom’s day as one.
And our daughter-in-law in Washington state, Christy, will
mark the same milestone. We’ll be in touch with her too.
To all children, I say, honor mom. Whether she collects
moths or not.
In the issue of April 30:
*Information on page 8, under the headline, “Family, I.V.
mourn loss,” stated incorrectly that a pickup truck driven by Dus-
tin F. Culver, 13, is owned by his parents. The pickup truck is not
owned by them; they do not own such a vehicle. “Illinois Valley
News” regrets the error.
*In addition, on the same page in the same story as noted
above, the following was stated, “Investigation of the situation
also involves the boy’s driving the pickup, apparently without his
parent’s knowledge.” Culver’s mother, S. Culver, wrote: “He had
permission to stay at another person’s house for the evening. We
were not the adult supervisor at that residence for the night.
“Dustin is not the child that took the vehicle,” his mother
wrote.
“Illinois Valley News” regrets the error.
*In an April 30 story about a forest project at Lorna Byrne
Middle School, Allison Cleveland was identified as male. Follow-
ing publication, Cleveland asked to be referred to as female.
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 66, No. 7
Staff: Cindy Newton, Britt Fairchild,
Chris Robertson, Sharon Silva & Becky Loudon
Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
DEADLINES:
News, Classified & Display Ads,
Announcements & Letters
3 P.M. FRIDAY
(Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can 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
(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.)
* * *
‘Bring them home’
From Charlene Hall
Cave Junction
As a widowed sweetheart
from the Vietnam War, I think
each and every man and
woman, who lays down his or
her life, in the line of duty,
and for God and country,
should be hailed, along with
the ones who lost their lives
for the cause.
I support our “troops” in
every way, according to the
good, the “greater good” of all
mankind.
Still I cannot forget how
the word “support” was used
in the ‘60s. What I am asking
is: If there is anyone out there
who still remembers the slo-
gan: “Support Our GI’s. Bring
Them Home Now.”
Red Cross aides
From Christine Carter
Cave Junction
Did you know that the
American Red Cross is made
of up volunteers from local
areas to assist people not only
in times of major disasters, but
for the smaller personal ones
as well?
Volunteers are trained to
attend to the needs of people
who have lost the use of their
homes due to fire, flood, wind
damage, etc., even if such
damage occurs to individuals
on a small scale.
Those volunteers will see
that any family displaced by
any kind of disaster has a
place to sleep, food to eat, and
clothing. They will also assist
the family to get back on its
feet and to return to its normal
life as soon as possible.
Many probably are un-
aware that scientists are pre-
dicting a major earthquake
(possibly as high as 9.0 mag-
nitude) in Southern Oregon
soon. In fact, they’re saying
we are overdue. Let’s hope
they’re wrong, but just sup-
pose something of the sort
should happen.
There’s a good possibility
that Illinois Valley will be cut
off from outside assistance for
several days. The Red Cross
has supplies available in the
valley for just such a disaster.
However, there are currently
no Red Cross volunteers liv-
ing in the valley qualified to
set up shelters.
Therefore, there could be
a major delay before help can
arrive -- a delay in which
thousands of confused, home-
less individuals would be
without food, water or shelter.
The Red Cross needs vol-
unteers from our area to serve
the residents of this valley on
a daily basis. If there are
enough people interested in
volunteering, the Red Cross
will conduct classes in Illinois
Valley.
Look around at your
friends and family in the area.
Wouldn’t you like to be able
to help them in their time of
need? Do you read articles in
this paper about people losing
their homes and wonder what
you can do?
Now you know you can
help. Phone Bill Blakely at the
Grants Pass Office of the Red
Cross (471-7822) and let him
know you are interested in
volunteering. People do make
a difference.
By BRITT FAIRCHILD
Staff Writer
Bryan Thompson hopes
the second time’s a charm for
Illinois Valley’s Wilderness
Adventure Challenge.
Only three teams partici-
pated in the race around this
time last year, joining their
mountain biking, running,
paddling, and other athletic
skills in an attempt toward
collective victory.
“The goal is to make the
race as unique as possible,”
said Thompson, a 1996 Illi-
nois Valley High School
graduate and event organizer.
Thompson also is a 2000
graduate of George Fox Uni-
versity in Newberg. In addi-
tion, as a member of the active
Army National Guard he
served for nine months in
Bosnia.
An avid athlete himself,
Thompson came up with the
idea for a team adventure race
as a way to combine the thrill
and surge in popularity of ex-
treme sports with the varying,
natural terrains of the valley.
“I think it’s a beautiful
area,” he said.
Not to mention that the
race is an opportunity to bring
together a variety of people
who share a passion, and have
them work together toward a
common goal.
The event on Saturday,
May 31 is hosted by Cross
Quest Expeditions, an extreme
sports ministry from the area.
“(It’s) a practical way of
sharing the love of Jesus
Christ,” Thompson said.
As race director, Thomp-
son has spent the better part of
the year obtaining permits,
and insurance. Plus establish-
ing logistically challenging
mountain biking, trail running,
paddling and map and com-
pass orienteering, as well as
some “mystery” courses.
“It’s supposed to be
tough,” he said. “It’s really an
accomplishment to get
through it.”
Similar to last year, the
race will last approximately
five hours.
While strenuous, the chal-
lenge is tame compared to
other extreme sport activities,
Thompson noted. Some such
races, he said, can last up to
several days.
“This is a good one to get
your feet wet,” he added. “It’s
a good initiation.”
Thompson wouldn’t re-
veal details about the courses
this year, only that they will
be in and around Lake Selmac
in Selma.
“That way people can’t
train for it,” Thompson said.
“The element of surprise is
key.”
Thompson encouraged
those not planning on racing
to come as spectators. He’s
also trying to book several
bands to play at the event.
He noted that from the
beginning, the valley commu-
nity has shown much support
for his efforts.
“That’s what is making it
possible,” he said.
There is still time to sign
up for the Wilderness Adven-
ture Challenge. To participate,
a racing team must include at
least one man and one woman
and consist of four people.
The race is primarily for
adults, although Thompson
said a 16-year-old would be
allowed to compete with pa-
rental consent.
Teams must provide
mountain bikes, compasses
and non-motorized watercraft.
There is a 40 team limit.
Volunteers are also
needed to help during the race,
Thompson said.
There is a $200 per team
entry fee for each member’s
insurance, lunch, raffle ticket
and T-shirt. For more infor-
mation or to register as a vol-
unteer, phone 592-3329.
Meidinger Concrete Construction
Serving the Valley since 1974
Licensed - Bonded - Insured
Specializing in all types of Concrete and Masonry
New - Foundations - Walks - Drives - Patios
Mobile Home Runners and Foundations
Bridges and Abutments - Slabs - Large or Small
Exposed Aggregate - Retaining Walls and Basements
Stamped & Colored Concrete
Phone 592-4485
Mike Meidinger
License #93173
Invites you to the FREE
2003 Home Show * Builder Olympics
& Spring Tour of Homes
Friday through Sunday
May 9, 10 and 11
Josephine County Fairgrounds
*Home Building and Remodeling Products & Services
*More than 100 Vendor Booths
*Food & Entertainment
*Children’s Activities
*Educational Seminars & Demonstrations
Not enough room in your garage?
Need more storage space?
Why not support your area high
school shop programs by bidding
On an 8’x8’ storage shed at
the Builders Olympics,
Saturday, May 10?
Maps will be available at the Home Builders Booth
at the Home Show and by contacting the
Home Builders office at (541) 479-1311
is open
Saturdays:
9:30 a.m.
to
2:30 p.m.
Hours: Mondays - Saturdays
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For more information phone (800) 922-1025