Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 3, 2003)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, September 3, 2003 Where to start? The past two weeks are slightly blurred, even more than usual, and not because I forgot to clean my eyeglasses again. My mother was in assisted-living quarters in Ocean- side, Calif. during the past two years. She missed her hus- band, my father, who died in February 2002. Her health was failing, although she kept her sense of humor. Plus her personality continued to enhance the love of those around her, including El Jefe and Jan, some 900 miles north; as well as my brother, Steve, and his wife, Lisa, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Early last month I was notified that at 92 years, mom’s health was not improving. She had contracted a kidney infection, necessitating a few days in a hospital. This was followed by a major heart attack with significant damage to the muscle. Jan told me it was time to leave town and get to San Diego County quickly. So it was that I flew (in an airplane) from Medford on Tuesday, Aug. 12. As far as airport secu- rity is concerned, I will not describe it as severe, but I will say that the guy with the rubber glove was surprisingly gentle. I reached mom’s Pacific Place apartment around 7:30 p.m. the same day. Thanks to the medical supervisor there, mom was able to be in her own room with hospice care, rather than be placed in a nursing home. It was a wonderful show of caring for mom; one that is greatly appreciated. Steve and Lisa had arrived earlier the same day; driv- ing from their vacation in New Mexico. I was able to visit with mom for a couple of hours, holding her hands, remi- niscing, joking and encouraging her to relax. She finally fell asleep. Next day I was back with her. (I was staying with son- in-law Matt Kaplan and his wife, our daughter Vicki, plus granddaughter, Natalie in adjacent Carlsbad). Mom and I were again able to visit and recall lots of family happen- ings through the years. She was in a good mood, and the hospice folks were doing an outstanding job to keep her comfortable. At the end of that day’s visiting, I could see the light in her eyes beginning to dim, and our conversations were “labor intensive,” as she struggled with comprehension. I always struggle with it, but that’s a different story. When I left her that evening, giving her kisses and expressing my love and appreciation for her as a Wonder Woman of a mother, I wondered if I would see her alive the next day. Thursday morning the 14th I was getting ready, when a hospice worker phoned to advise that I should come as soon as possible. Five minutes later he phoned again, and I got out of the shower to answer. “I’m sorry,” he said, “but your mother has gone.” Back in her room, I spent some time alone with her. She had spoken the day before of her love and her pride for me as eldest son. It felt good. She looked peaceful lying there in bed. She looked calm and freed from Earthly concerns. I spoke to her again of my tremendous affection; thanking her for providing her sense of humor in my genes and “being there” through my childhood and beyond. Her favorite hymn was “Amazing Grace.” So as I sat gazing at the shell that had held her spirit, now soaring in heavenly realms, I hummed the “Amazing Grace” melody, as I couldn’t recall all the words. Then I flew from San Diego (again in an airplane), but had a four-hour layover in Portland. Arrived home around midnight. Jan and I then left by car for San Diego the next afternoon, and attended the memorial service, Mass and reception for mom on Wednesday the 20th. The events were a tribute to her as a super mom, and Steve and I are pleased that she is so well-remembered. The light in her eyes is gone, but her spirit beams. 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. 24 Staff: Cindy Newton, Britt Fairchild, Chris Robertson, Steve Fairchild & 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 commen- tary expressed in let- ters to the editor are strictly those of the letter-writers. * * * Typed, double- spaced letters are ac- ceptable for consid- eration. Hand-written letters that are double- spaced and highly legible also can be considered for publi- cation. Cards of thanks are not ac- cepted as letters.) * * * ‘Right to vote’ From Jean Patterson Selma On Monday, May 26 there was a headline in the Grants Pass “Daily Cou- rier,” “Two-thirds of Ore- gon corporations pay no income taxes.” I wonder how many of these corporations attended President Bush’s fund- raiser at $2,000 a plate. How much good would that do for the schools or seniors or poor people? Maybe the Legislature should have the corpora- tions match what their companies paid politicians. I see Intel has been given a 15-year morato- rium on income taxes just to open a mothballed plant to hire 500 people. Did they agree to hire the 500 people the full 15 years? Are the 500 people going to get full benefits? For how long? Does this sound like blackmail? I wonder if Intel was repre- sented at the president's fund-raiser. We voted down new taxes, but the Legislature didn’t take that “No.” Now we have the biggest in- crease in taxes in the his- tory of the state of Oregon. How does this work fellas? Doe we have a right to vote or not? ‘In appreciation’ From Mike and Donna Pernicka Cave Junction We would like to thank Bob Rodriguez very much for staying in town Monday, Aug. 11 to speak for all of us business own- ers at the Cave Junction City Council meeting. We understand that his mother was not doing very well, and he had to fly to San Diego not knowing if he was going to see her in time. We prayed for him and his mother. His support was at an important meeting, and if we would have known the situation we would not have expected to see him at the meeting. God bless him and his family. City building permits issued for projects Building permits is- sued by the city of Cave Junction for July: *Repaired damaged wall, Don Smith Construc- tion (Dutson), 121 S. Red- wood Hwy. *New front entrance signs, Treehouse Florist & Gifts, 134 S. Redwood Hwy. Did you find it? The first person to find the ‘hidden’ ice cream cone in this issue and physically bring it to the office will receive one free single- scoop cone from Taylor’s Sausage Country Store. LABOR DAY CRASHES - Illinois Valley emergency personnel responded to two separate double motorcycle accidents on Monday, Sept. 1. The first occurred around 11 a.m. on Redwood Hwy. Motorcyclist John LaRue, who was transferred to Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford for his injuries and was listed in fair condi- tion Tuesday, according to a hospital spokeswoman, hit a second motorcyclist, Jo- seph Reaves, who made a U-turn in front of him. At 12:48 p.m., on Waldo Road near O’Brien Road, Randy Morrall Perry and Roy Alan Ewing were involved in another motorcycle accident (photo above). One of the motorcyclists reportedly swerved to avoid an animal and collided with the other rider. (Photo by Steve Fairchild) Chain Link Specialist *Confidential business consultation-free of charge *Now offering counseling in Illinois Valley *Affordable business-related training *Comprehensive business library 214 SW 4th Street, Grants Pass - 1-800-411-6508 Ext. 7494 Phone today - let us help you succeed 592-6192 http://www.roguecc.edu/sbdc PUBLIC NOTICE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Josephine County Commissioners will conduct informal meetings with public officials, county depart- ment heads and employees, and other citizens, every legal day, Monday through Friday, with the exception of Wednes- day, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., in Room 154 of the Josephine County Court- house. On Wednesdays, the office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. A daily schedule of all prearranged meetings will be posted each morning begin- ning at 8:00 A.M. from the Ex- ecutive Secretary of the Board of Commissioners. The pur- pose of these meetings will be to gather information, discuss issues, and deliberate toward decisions concerning matters of public policy and concern. All interested persons may attend said meetings except those designated as “Executive Sessions.” In addition, notice of advisory board and commis- sion meetings are also posted in the Commissioners Office. DONE and DATED 22nd day of Jan. 1997. this JOSEPHINE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS] Harold Haugen, Chair Jim Riddle, Vice Chair Jim Brock, Commissioner Approved: Steven Rich Josephine County Legal Counsel PUBLISH ONCE A MONTH Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds. -Bob Marley- MANSFIELD R. CLEARY Attorney at Law General Practice in Illinois Valley since 1980 Practice includes but not limited to: Bankruptcy - Eliminate financial problems Living trusts - Avoid probate Estate planning - Wills, power of attorney Domestic relations Auto accident - Personal Injury Criminal - DUII Real Estate contracts - Foreclosure 592-2195 200 W. Lister
