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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Illinois Valley, despite the sometimes unkind
comments from persons who have their minds made
up for no particular reason, is a terrific place to live,
work and play. It takes special people to reside here;
people who are generally tolerant and willing to help
their fellowman.
There are numerous examples of that sort of spirit,
including efforts to help those who are burned out of
their homes. There are churches and other organiza-
tions that provide free meals and clothing to those
who need them. Some organizations offer free coun-
seling on a variety of topics.
We were blessed of late to witness a mighty effort
demonstrating caring for the community resulting in
the Community Christmas Tree on the Junction Inn
lot between the JI, and Shop Smart Food Warehouse
and Pizza Pit. Numerous hurdles, obstacles, riptides,
crocodiles, locusts, quicksand and the like had to be
overcome to make the project, sponsored by Illinois
Valley Chamber of Commerce, a reality.
Taking the bull by the horns, Marty Hertler, of
Marty’s Tree Service, led dedicated and tireless ef-
forts as ramrod with longtime chamber Director Leo-
nard Frick of Holiday Motel. Speaking of bull, we
would like to note that the county did reduce the pro-
ject “permit fee” to $49 from its original $175 de-
mand, but we still don’t understand why there’s a fee
in the first place.
Anyway, Hertler, working with Frick, devoted
much time and labor to trim the high-rise tree, as did
several other valley organizations, so that last Satur-
day the tree was ready and lit for the season.
We are pleased to note those who went far beyond
the call of duty for the project, not the least of which
are Pacific Power (and “Rick”), as well as Kerby
Electric. They are among those who donated their
time, labor and material.
Also joining the effort in various ways, all without
charge, were Dan Hertler (Marty’s brother) of Hertler
Contracting, who made the star for the top of the tree,
plus the following, who all deserve special recogni-
tion from valleyites and Santa Claus:
Shop Smart Food Warehouse, Camps Custom Ex-
cavating, Junction Inn, True Value (which provided
the lights), Taylor’s Sausage Bulk Plant, Taylor’s
Sausage Country Store, I.V. Building Supply, Rough
& Ready Lumber Co., and the city of Cave Junction.
Santa visited the tree-lighting ceremony, and T.
Lund and his choral music students also deserve rec-
ognition for their participation. It was a nice event.
All told, the Community Christmas Tree and the
circumstances surrounding it comprise a bright, glow-
ing example of what a great place to live is Illinois
Valley.
P.O. Box 1668
221 B S. Redwood Hwy.
Cave Junction, OR 97523
Mary Reynolds
Agent
541-592-6262
Office
541-660-7342
Cell
• Mortgages &
Tammy Smith
Refinancing
• Hard to Qualify Loans
• Life & Health
Loan Officer
541-592-6333
Office
541-660-2984
Cell
(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.
* * *
Care for all
From Crystal Griffin
Cave Junction
We moved to O’Brien
in 1976 when my husband,
Thom, and I bought 9 acres
with a double-wide mobile
and a small barn for
$20,000. Hard to believe the
prices these days.
It was April 15 on a
weekend. I had not seen the
property before arriving.
The power was turned off,
but luckily Irv Whiting
(now retired as the valley’s
district lineman) from Pa-
cific Power came down the
drive and asked if we were
buying the place. He said
that he’d connect us and to
just go in Monday to get
things set up.
Our U-Haul was loaded
with furniture, and we knew
no one in town to help us.
Soon, another vehicle came
down the drive. It was our
friends from Lebanon, who
knew that we might need a
helping hand getting our
things into the house.
About two weeks later,
we realized that one of us
had to find a job. I checked
at O’Brien Post Office and
was told that Western Bank
(now Sterling Savings
Bank) might be hiring. I
went in and was to start
work in three days. Home
Valley Bank was built about
four years later by the
townspeople, and I also
worked there.
Our home in Lebanon
hadn’t closed escrow, and
we were short on funds. I
went into SOFCU and was
given a signature loan of
$500 that day.
What a wonderful town
we had settled in.
Rough & Ready Lum-
ber Co. was operating at
full tilt then. I think it was
the largest employer in the
valley. R&R donated to
every organization and
charity that asked. The
firm lasted many years due
to good timber manage-
ment.
Cabax Mill in Kerby
was an operating company
for a few years after we
arrived. People weren’t
wealthy in money back
then, but we all had
enough. The valley was the
greatest place to live with
its clean air and water.
Plus all those beautiful
trees, mountains and the
river to view at our pleas-
ure.
The senior citizens, the
hippies, the young working
class and everyone had
settled into a quiet truce.
Neighbors and friends
helped each other. People
got along.
Maybe instead of talk-
ing about how different we
all are, we could discuss
those things on which we
agree.
We came here for a
safe place to raise our three
sons. Where we wouldn’t
have to commute for hours
on a busy freeway. Where
we could walk to work if
snow fell.
Doesn’t it say in the
Bible that God is every-
where? My daughter-in-
law says that we will only
get along with each other
when we realize that we
are all one. To me that
means we all are part of
one energy, power or
whomever you conceive
God to be.
We are only as strong
as our weakest link. That is
why we must care about
everyone. We have to
make a conscious effort to
work together for the good
of all.
The Native Americans
believe that Nature is to be
treated with respect. They
know a thing or two, as
they have been here longer
than most of us.
Pregnancy view
From Geraldine Davidson
Cave Junction
(Editor’s Note: Some
commentary in this letter
could be found offensive.)
Well, that was a dandy
little piece of fantasy
brought to us by the gals at
The Pregnancy Center of the
Illinois Valley in an “I.V.
News” article Dec. 1.
Ah yes, Holy Matri-
mony. I guess they don’t
mean Mr. & Mrs. Michael
Jackson; there’s a unit to be
proud of, made in America.
With his kind of money he
should be able to continue
(Continued on page 3)
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