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)
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