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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 2004)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, January 28, 2004 During the last few months, a few people in the valley have gently reminded me that the newspaper has been lacking Tidbits and that my hibernation should be over. I usually agree with them, but then get involved in some other project which seems to be more important. Actually, aestivation is a better term than hibernation, because it was the hot days of summer that motivated me to take a break from writing. Aestivation, by the way, is when animals, like desert toads, go dormant in the sum- mer. The toads do so after burrowing into the mud of shal- low lakes. My breathing rate and heart rate have not low- ered by much, so a different term should be considered. You decide, but don’t tell me. Today I was trying to thin out some matted iris rhi- zomes and noticed a clump of crocus bulbs which have started putting out new growth. Next, I saw the columbine plants are producing some new growth, and garlic shoots are coming up. But the amazing aspect was the blossoms on the heather plants at the library. This is still January and the middle of winter. Maybe the plants detect the warmer weather we are having in the middle of January. They will slow down, of course, if we get another cold spell which cools down the plant roots. Not only groundhogs and humans are looking for spring, but many plants are already starting their processes going to begin spring growth. Most of us have noticed that the days are getting a little longer. Darkness does not come as early, and daylight begins a little earlier than it did a month ago. Another annual cycle is under way. Heather is a plant usually associated with Scotland, where it grows on the high windswept moorlands. It is usu- ally a low shrub, but there are many variations in form. Heather, or heath, has small scale-like, overlapping leaves. The flowers are also small, bell-shaped, and rose pink to purple in color. The flower shape is common to most of the heath family or Ericaceae, which includes azalea, rhodo- dendron, huckleberries, cranberries, madrone, and many other common plants of our area. The Common Heather, sometimes called Ling, has a scientific name of Calluna vulgaris. “Ling” is a name thought to be derived from a Norse or Anglo-Saxon word referring to fire. It was used because dry heather and dry heather turf, similar to peat, was an important fuel in homes. “Caluna” is based on a Greek word for cleanse or cleaner, and is fitting because heather clumps were used as brooms and heather extracts were used as internal cleans- ers. “Vulgaris” is the Latin word for common, not usually a “mouth washing with soap” word. Heather was an important part of the life and traditions of Scottish people. Brides and soldiers wore sprigs for good luck, bouquets of heather were often put in caskets, and heather was used to add sweet aromas to rooms and closets, and pioneers leaving for new lands would carry some in their luggage. Heather was also used in making rope, bedding, ale, brier pipes, baskets, tanning leather, dyeing cloth, and roof thatching. Its medicinal qualities were used in treating cys- titis, hay fever, dandruff and diarrhea. Heather was fre- quently mentioned in poems, songs, and stories passed down through the families. Today, heather is difficult to start from seed, but is very sturdy once it gets established. It grows best in sunny areas with slightly acidic soil. It provides food and shelter for many animals and spreads a delightful aroma through the garden. And last of all, heather will make winter more enjoyable. Trust yourself. Create the kind of self you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into the flames of achievement. - Foster C. McClellan - 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 DAISY HILL FIRE REMNANTS - Mother Nature is taking her own time to recover an area burned in the 100-acre Daisy Hill Fire west of Cave Junction on June 29, 2003; the wildfire burned two residences and two outbuild- ings; and caused the evacuation of approximately 30 Outspoken Oregon Rep. Richardson speaks out “I’ll speak out every chance I get against it,” said Rep. Dennis Richard- son during a Wednesday night, Jan. 21 meeting of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners at the Anne G. Basker Audi- torium in Grants Pass. Richardson blasted Measure 30, making known how he felt the measure will affect com- munities in Oregon. “There is a trend that when the state is short on funds” they turn to citizens for more money. “Three days ago, Gov. Kitzhaber said that 85,000 people receiving OHP would lose benefits. That’s an out and out lie!” stated Richardson. “Only 47,000 would lose benefits.” “Regardless of Meas- ure 30, there are revenues that have been found.” Richardson cited $95 mil- lion allocated by Health and Human Services in anticipation of Measure 30’s failure, to be used elsewhere to help people such as the developmen- tally disabled. Richardson concluded adding, “4,600 positions were not filled but in de- partment budgets.” His main concern is “...when budgets are requested and approved, they will be used.” Despite Richardson’s stance on the measure, pro- ponents feel the $1.1 bil- lion measure will be neces- sary in order to continue fu n din g d e pa r t ment s throughout the state. Measure 30 is sched- uled for the upcoming Feb. 3 ballot. Assisted living survey to determine CJ facility need By SHANE WELSH Surveys are being con- ducted to build an Assisted Living Facility in Cave Junction. The Illinois Valley Medical Center (IVMC) has been collecting as- sisted living surveys throughout January to help members of their board better understand the needs of I.V. residents. Ken Phillips, IVMC representative, will tabu- late and present the results of the survey to the Board of Directors at the end of a three month period. If approved, the as- sisted living facility will be constructed to benefit the entire community; from infants to adults. “The reason for the survey is not only to deter- mine the needs of the peo- ple,” said Phillips, “but to give us a basis so that when we go for grant money, we will have some statistics to back it up.” Building designs will be based on community input. IVMC intends to involve citizens in all phases of the project, from surveying to building, in order to ensure construc- Marcella Jane Vance, 70, of O’Brien, died Mon- day, Jan. 26 at her home. Arrangements are pending at Illinois Valley Chapel and Funeral Home. tion satisfies local needs. The facility will fea- ture residential dwellings, and on-site emergency medical care, laboratory testing and radiology. The project will also offer em- ployment opportunities for local residents. Currently, IVMC is seeking grants to fund the project. A future site has been discussed by the board near where JoCo (Continued on page 7) Page 5 residents. Assisting at the fire were Illinois Valley Fire District, Rural/Metro Fire Dept., ODF, USFS and GP Fire. Many valley residents were concerned because of their memories of the massive Biscuit Fire the year before. (Photo by Michelle Binker) C L E AR S PAC E S G AL LE RY 144 S. Redwood Hwy. (In the Rising Suns Building) (541) 592-6833 Featuring Fine Photography & Art Glass First Quarter Survival Kit: Drawing Supplies Color Copy Paper B & W Film Color Slide Film ‘Permanent Roses’ for your Valentine Glass Rings & Bracelets Hours: Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
