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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Nicknames can hurt or they can be humorous, or just
make someone feel stupid.
In my case, I've had a taste of them all. And so have
my relatives and friends. Although I haven't had too many
of the latter because of the nicknames I make up for them.
Probably most people don't know (or care) that the
editor was called Robert for most of his natural-born days
until he was in the seventh-grade, way back at St. Rita's
School in San Diego. It was then that I became involved in
organized sports, such as they are involving seventh- and
eighth-graders.
Anyway, I was sort of a chunky kid and so was wanted
for the school's flag football team. I played pretty well,
except for that one game when a certain part of my anat-
omy ran smack into the raised knee of an opponent. Oh,
the nickname I acquired, not because of the unfortunate
collision, was Bob.
No one had called me Bob before that. My parents and
other relatives always called me Robert. But in those mid-
1950s I became Bob, or sometimes Bobby.
Later, at my first really good job, working as a copy
boy at the former San Diego "Evening Tribune," I acquired
the nickname "Bumps." It was bestowed by one of the
sports writers because every time he entered the wire
room, I was cutting copy and spiking the long sheets of
news like a man possessed. So invariably I bumped into
him or some other staff writer. The name "Bumps" stuck
for about nine months until I became a reporter. Then I
was called "Mr. Bumps."
No, just kidding. I became Bob Rodriguez, Evening
Tribune Staff Writer. It felt good.
As a youngster, I had buck teeth, and was razzed a lot
about that. The nickname dumped on me had something to
do with a certain reindeer with a bright red nose. One guy
left my presence with a bright red nose of his own after I
finally became incensed enough.
My cousin Cliff was tormented with the nickname
"Punchy" from about the time he was 6 until he was about
17. Good grief. The moniker stemmed from a time he was
being held back by the top of his head by our older cousin,
Dick (his nickname was "Dickie" thanks to his mother).
Cliff was swinging his arms trying to hit "Dickie," but
couldn't because of being held back. Hence the name
"Punchy."
Cousin Frank lived with childhood nick-
names including "Sonny" and "Frankie." Cousin Manuel
Bringas Jr. had to contend with "Junior" for many years.
To this day, my cousin Micheline, four years my jun-
ior, has the nickname "Mickey." But that's not such a bad
name at all. I don't know where the original "Nick" got his
nickname, although I suspect it's from Nicholas. And now
you'll have to excuse me, as I'm feeling a little punchy
without more sunny weather.
‘Gallant effort’
From the Valentine
Family
Cave Junction
Our family appreciates
the Josephine County
Sheriff’s Office, Illinois
Valley Fire District and
family and friends for try-
ing to help rescue our
horse “Yahtahay” on
Wednesday, Nov. 5.
Even though he did not
make it, we are apprecia-
tive of your efforts. A spe-
cial appreciation to Bob
Jones for making the effort
and finding out horse.
‘Halloween success’
From Elaine Wood
Selma
Were you too scared to
come to our first Chil-
dren’s Halloween Party at
the new Selma Center?
Well, you missed a grandly
spooky event. Those who
visited our game room,
goodie room, “mad” scien-
tist’s laboratory and the
haunted parlor are appreci-
ated.
Chuck Jacobs, our
“mad” scientist, took time
away from his alien brain
transfer to try to dissect the
visitors’ fingers.
The witch (Patty
Downing), faceless spook
(Jan Walker) and grinning
skeleton (Jack Walker)
kept the audiences jumping
in the haunted parlor.
Our own purple witch,
Lynda Parker, guarded the
scary entrance and soothed
frightened visitors. Kay
Nielsen was the candy
sheriff.
We at the Selma Cen-
ter appreciate our hard-
working volunteers, cookie
and candy donors, support-
ers and cleanup crew, the
game room crowd, I.V.
High School students and
others who stepped in to
help, and all the parents,
guardians and grandpar-
ents who brought children
to this safe Halloween
event. We also couldn’t
have done it without
Nelsen’s Family Farm,
Rising Suns, Home Valley
Bank, Kerbyville Farms,
and Shop Smart.
If you are interested in
helping plan our second
annual Children’s Hallow-
een Party contact me at
597-2880 or Bill at the
Selma Community and
Educational Center at 415-
1000.
Look for our next
events including a Pre-
Holiday Swap Meet and
Craft Bazaar on Dec. 6.
RAISING AWARENESS - Nanette Martin, chapter presi-
dent of Josephine County Mothers Against Drunk Driv-
ing (MADD), gives a red ribbon to an Illinois Valley
resident outside Shop Smart Food Warehouse on Sat-
urday, Nov. 8. MADD’s mission is to stop drunken driv-
ing, support victims of the crime and prevent underage
drinking. According to Martin, between 35-40 percent
of those who accepted ribbons gave donations -
totaling $53 - to the organization on Nov. 8. Similar
red-ribbon events are scheduled in Grants Pass. With
only a small handful of members in the valley, Martin
noted a great need for more. ’We really, really need
some active members,’ she said. To join MADD phone
(541) 479-8868. For statistics and other related infor-
mation,
visit
MADD’s
national
Web
site,
www.madd.org.
(Photo by Sam Newton)
Cave Junction Cares will be having its
annual Thanksgiving Dinner again this year.
Volunteers, food, donations and help are
needed. Please phone Lynn at 592-6855 for
more information or to volunteer.
Tuesday - Saturday
How to avoid winter flu
Oregon’s influenza
season is under way. To
protect against it and avoid
spreading it to others, the
Oregon Dept. of Human
Services offers these tips.
Get a flu shot. For the
nearest location, phone
(800) SAFENET.
Wash your hands fre-
quently to get rid of germs
contracted from other peo-
ple, contaminated surfaces
or other sources.
Always cover your
mouth when you sneeze or
cough to avoid spreading
germs.
If you do become sick,
A workshop, ‘How to photograph your art or
craft,’ will be conducted by professional
photographer and artist Penny Niemi at Clear
Spaces Gallery, 144 S. Redwood Hwy. on
Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. A fee will be charged.
Registration will be accepted at the gallery
beginning Friday, Nov. 14 during the
Second Friday Art Walk.
For more information phone 592-6833.
stay home from work or
school.
Don’t automatically
expect your doctor to pre-
scribe antibiotics.
Antivirals may be pre-
scribed for flu and antibi-
otics for associated bacte-
rial infections.
Influenza and pneumo-
nia are now the eighth
leading cause of death
among Oregonians overall
and the seventh leading
cause of death for those
age 65 and older.
Influenza and pneumo-
nia kill 36,000 Americans
every year.
11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Closed
Sunday & Monday
592-3228
355 Caves Hwy.
Lunch & Dinner
PARADE ENTRY FORM
Please mail or return to
I.V. Chamber of Commerce
Name of Org. _________________________
Contact______________________________
Phone_______________________________
Type of Entry (float, animal, band, etc.)
______________________________________
Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce
CHRISTMAS PARADE
will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6
(if rain) Saturday, Dec. 13
Line up at 2 p.m.
at Evergreen School
Theme: “Peace on Earth”
Illinois Valley News
An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and
published by Robert R. (Bob) and Jan Rodriguez
Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe
Elementary Schools Menu
Sponsored by
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
‘Illinois
Valley News’
321 S. Redwood Hwy.
592-2541
Volume 66, No. 34
*Cheese stix,
cheeseburger,
pepperoni pizza, super
sub sandwich, fiesta
salad
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
THURSDAY, NOV. 13
FRIDAY, NOV. 14
*Chessy pretzel,
hamburger, sausage
pizza, turkey & cheese
sandwich, chicken
Caesar salad
All of us at
Coffee Heaven
would like to thank the
many friendly customers,
neighbors, and area
businesses who have
supported our efforts
in replacing the
Coffee Heaven Angel.
MONDAY, NOV. 17
*Rib-B-Que sandwich,
hamburger, cheese
pizza, peanut butter &
jelly sandwich, chef
salad
TUESDAY, NOV. 18
*beef teriyaki dippers,
cheeseburger,
pepperoni pizza, ham &
cheese sandwich,
garden salad
Your positive support,
contributions, and
encouragement made her
replacement possible.
A special thanks to
I.V Building Supply for
the use of their forklift.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19
*Hot diggity dog,
hamburger, cheese
pizza, poor boy
sandwich, cobb salad
Thanks,
Marilyn & Kenny Houck