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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 2004)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 8, 2004 Life is tough (difficult to chew or comprehend) for people like me, who interpret (translate) written and spo- ken words literally (strictly). In a store the other day I stood at a counter for quite a while staring intently. A clerk finally asked if I needed help, and I told her that I was simply following instruc- tions on the sign. It read, “Watch Batteries.” Although I watched them carefully, nothing happened. In another location there was a sign that read, “Buffalo Snacks.” As I have no buffalo, and didn’t even know that they like snacks, I did not buy that product. Later, I got into a bit of trouble because there were signs that read, “Throw Pillows” and “Throw Rugs.” When I did what the sign stated, the clerks became rather upset, so I adjourned to another part of the store, where the sign read, “Restroom.” After I rested for quite a while, some other clerks made me leave because, they said, my snoring was causing a disturbance. Later, when I felt ill, my physician advised me to drink a warm glass of milk after a hot bath. I couldn’t even finish drinking the bath, let alone the glass of milk. Also, his receptionist was not happy when I tried to re- move an item from the waiting room. But when I came in she said, “Please take a chair.” Plus, she wasn’t pleased when I asked where the area was for impatient people, based on the sign that read, “Patient Registration.” After that episode I got into trouble with a traffic cop for driving too fast. He didn’t understand my reasoning that I was only following the indication on a road sign that read, “Speed Zone.” He also could not answer my question about why other motorists were so angry, as noted on the sign, “Cross Traffic Ahead.” A few years ago there was an ad in a daily newspa- per advertising a mobile home show, but the biggest part of the ad read, “No Admission.” So I didn’t go. And then there’s the Grass Pants car dealer who ad- vertises “Free Hand Wash” with certain purchases. In the first place, why not offer to wash both hands; and sec- ondly, what’s the big deal about getting one hand clean? For some reason this reminds me of being annoyed at restaurant signs that read, “Mexican Cuisine.” Cuisine is a French word. Are there restaurants with signs that read, “French Comida”? This is all confusing to me. What about people who say, “We’ve got a real prob- lem”? Are there unreal problems? Plus those who say, “I had my car stolen,” or “I had my leg broken.” Why would anyone have that done? Sounds like something to avoid, not have done. So excuse me literally while I peruse my dictionary, thesaurus, and modern dictionary of synonyms and anto- nyms. I feel an alphabet attack approaching. Energy Work & Intuitive Counseling with Kay › › › › › › › › › › Chakra Balancing Crystal Lay-out Aura Clearing Past-Life Clearing Grid Realignment Workshops, Health Products V.I.B.E. Machine Photography Art Native American Dream Catchers 202 W. Lister (upstairs), C.J. 592-6431 Tues. & Thurs. noon to 6 p.m. or 592-6632 for Appointments heartdancer@frontiernet.net No charge for initial consultation (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including state- ments made as fact, are strictly those of the letter-writers.) * * * Typed, double-spaced let- ters written solely to this news- paper are considered for publi- cation. Hand-written letters that are double-spaced and legible also can be considered. Cards of thanks are not accepted as let- ters. * * * Grimmett Schoolhouse needs restoration From Chris Duncan Leppert San Diego I was pleased to read of the interest by Fred Krauss (Letter to the Edi- tor/“I.V. News” Nov. 24) in valley history, including the historical value of the schoolhouse that my great- grandfather built, and that Fred is planning more re- search on the subject. I also was born and raised in Illinois Valley, and Fred is not alone in his interest in its history. My great-grandparents Grimmett, three of their children, both grandmoth- ers and grandfathers; my mother, father and a passel of other relations of vari- ous stripes, including Fred’s buddy, Charley Tre- fethen (who knew better because he was also a val- ley history buff) are buried in Laurel Cemetery in Cave Junction. Unfortunately I no longer live in the beautiful Illinois Valley, but I do get to visit regularly. The only Grimmett descendant cur- rently living there is Steve McMahan, a great- grandson of Robert, who moved to the valley only a few years ago, and until he receives a copy of this let- ter, probably didn’t know the family history. I’ve been doing Fred’s research for him. Mike, Roland and Charley had it half right. Wi lli a m F ran kli n Grimmett arrived on 160 acres on Sucker Creek, just below today’s Grayback Campground, in the 1890s with his wife, Mary, and family. They began farm- ing and cattle-raising. There were six chil- dren ranging in age from about 6 to 16: William, Sterling, Anna, Robert, Leon and Grover; the latter being my grandfather. Land was cleared, trees felled, logs honed, and the farmhouse, barn and outbuildings con- 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 67, No. 38 Staff: Kacy Clement, Becky Loudon, Michelle Binker, & Shane Welsh. Paladin Business Services - Kina Perez 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. POLICY ON “HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE,” DISPLAY & CLAS- SIFIED ADS & NOTICES: All submissions must be hand delivered, faxed or e-mailed to us for publication. Submissions must be re- submitted each week if the item is to run for more than one week. 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 At Farmers®, we understand that insurance is about getting you back where you belong should the unexpected happen. That’s why we specialize in providing Auto, Home and Life insurance policies based on your needs. Call me today to find out how you can save money by covering your insurance needs through Farmers. structed. There being no school anywhere near, they built the schoolhouse. And I want Fred Krauss to know that it does have windows. On pages 74 and 75 of “Golden Days and Pioneer Ways,” by Ruth Pfefferle, (Bulletin Publishing Co., Grants Pass, 1977) there is a pic- ture of the school showing it with windows. Ruthie’s reference in- cludes, “The furnishings at that time were as primitive as the log building. The desks were hewed flat on either side, with ordinary benches to sit on. The chil- dren sat in rows. Miss An- nie Hatcher was the teacher.” In a quick search, I find no further published reference to the school- house and will continue searching. But in talking to the last surviving Grim- mett, (Evelyn Grimmett Emmert, 92) daughter of Robert, she remembers spending time at the farm in the late 1920s and early ‘30s. By that time it had become quite a successful boarding house operated by Aunt Anna and Uncle Ed Lind, providing meals for the road-building crews and the first “tourists” traveling to the Caves needing a place to stop overnight before tackling the arduous climb farther up the mountain. The teen-agers, Eve- lyn; her sister, Mabel; and their cousin, my mother Elenora, all spent time dur- ing summers helping with the cooking, cleaning and waiting tables. I recall that my mother often fondly remarked of the fun times of her youth with Aunt Anna and Uncle Ed at the family home on Sucker Creek. It was dur- ing that period that the schoolhouse was indeed used for storage, and some of the windows perhaps had been removed. It was 1963, while Doris Boyd was curator at Kerbyville Museum under auspices of the Josephine County Historical Society, that the I.V. Women’s Club sponsored the project to move the old school- house to the museum to preserve it. The work was done voluntarily by club mem- bers and their husbands, who carefully took it apart, numbered the logs, and reassembled it on the mu- seum grounds, where it now needs tender, loving care. Kerbyville Museum is operating on a shoestring, barely able to keep on the electricity and heat. There is a great deal of water damage to the west side of the school, where at least half the logs need replac- ing. The structure is unsafe and needs to be taken apart to successfully restore it. The upper roof con- structed to protect it needs stabilizing, and the support poles and cross-joints need replacing. It is my under- standing that Jack Heald has donated some logs and that Del Kauffman has agreed to help, but much more is needed. We all are aware of the many years of generous giving by Fred Krauss and the Krauss Family to note- worthy valley causes, much of it anonymously. Given Fred’s love of col- lecting valley history, now would be a good time for him to help preserve some of it. If he initiates a fund- raiser from up there, I sus- pect that some of us few Grimmett descendants still alive, and perhaps other valley history benefactors, might be willing to con- tribute funds or material to help the museum with this cause. It’s a project that Fred could be proud of and would no doubt enjoy ac- complishing. I’ve discussed the problem with Dennis Strayer, museum board president, and he estimates roughly that with the rather modest sum of $4,000 -- and volunteers to help get the work done -- the resto- ration could be completed in a couple of days. Strayer would be happy to discuss the pro- ject with Fred. Strayer can be reached at 592-4076 or 592-4078. And, of course, I’d also like to hear from Fred. I’m glad that he brought this to my attention. Now, let’s save this dear, old piece of valley history. (Continued on page 3) Pain - Stress - Injuries Deep massage - CranioSacral Therapy Monday - Friday by appointment Senior Discounts - Gift Di scounts See holiday gift certificate on page 11 For those who help us all the year through, we’d like to present a ‘Benefit Christmas Dinner’ Saturday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Full Turkey Dinner all-you-can-eat buffet drink and dessert included $10.99 Please come and show your appreciation to our Illinois Valley volunteer firefighters! Merry Christmas from Stevereno’s Steve, Johnna & Staff
