Page 2
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Seems as though some Christmas memories en-
dure longer than others. I was thinking about that a
couple of days ago, while picking up broken Christ-
mas tree ornaments courtesy of our cat, “Bubba,”
when it dawned on me that this coming Christmas
Eve marks the day five years ago when I brought Jan
home from Providence Portland Hospital the day after
her mastectomy surgery.
Her physician was a truly skilled Chinese surgical
oncologist with a sense of humor. How we ended up
with him in Portland is a story all by itself, so it’ll
have to wait. Anyway, prior to the surgery he told us
that if Jan had a mastectomy she’d have to stay in the
hospital 24 hours afterward, but if she underwent a
lumpectomy it would only be 23 1/2 hours.
Of course, the days preceding the surgery were a
bit of a strain. We stayed with friends in Newberg,
and commuted from there for the early morning (and I
mean early morning) lab tests and all that. I only got
lost one foggy morning when I missed an off-ramp
and ended up in a part of Downtown Portland where
the first 12 people I asked had never heard of the hos-
pital we sought. Fortunately a friendly trash man was
able to give us terrific directions, and we were only a
few minutes late that a.m.
The hospital was crowded that holiday week. The
lobby and coffee shop were jammed. I don’t like hos-
pitals, but I’m glad they exist: It’s just that there are
so many hurting people that it hurts to see them and
their loved ones. Especially during the Yule season.
Well, Jan underwent the surgery Dec. 23. I waited
in the lobby with two friends, both Quaker pastors,
who buoyed me up and helped me stay relatively
calm. When I was buzzed (with one of those elec-
tronic dealies that some restaurants use now) that I
could go see the doctor after the surgery, he was typi-
cally confident, telling me that he “cleaned out” the
bad stuff and that it was all good. I went to see Jan,
and it was so pleasing to see her awake, although she
was in some pain. I was grateful nonetheless.
I stayed until early evening, then drove back amid
world-class traffic to Newberg and slept for about 12
hours straight before returning the next morning. It
was strange that Dec. 24 because the hospital then
was nearly deserted. The coffee shop was closed;
there were no people in the lobby. It was a bit spooky.
The doctor eventually (as doctors can “eventuate”
so well) released her. We left the hospital around
noon, I think, and began the Interstate 5 trip home.
You never know how rough and bumpy a road is,
even I-5, until you have someone in the passenger
seat who is 24 hours out of surgery. But we made it
back home, and it was indeed Christmas Eve.
It was the best Christmas gift I could think of,
having my loving wife home safe. Now it’s been five
years without a recurrence of the cancer, and she’s
still safe. We are both grateful.
Although there were some wrinkles the next day
(and that’s yet another story), Christmas songs and
hymns touched us in ways they never had before. The
term, “Merry Christmas” and the phrase “tears of joy”
took on new dimensions.
Five years ago, and the memories of that trip and
time are as though they were yesterday. So I say, God
is good: “Joy to the World!”
Whatever God's dream about man may be,
it seems certain it cannot come true
unless man cooperates.
- Stella Terrill Mann -
(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 letters.
* * *
Angry Angel
From Linda Butler
Harvest Kitchen coordina-
tor
Cave Junction
A couple of weeks ago
a very kind lady, in the
“Illinois Valley News” Let-
ters to the Editor called
those of us who work at
Harvest Kitchen, “Angels.”
I am now one “Angry
Angel,” because, as I
unloaded food, both donated
and purchased for the
Kitchen at St. Matthias
Episcopal Church on Mon-
day, Dec. 13, someone
jumped into and stole my
car with my purse and a
briefcase I use for Harvest
Kitchen purposes.
There were cash and
check donations as well as
all records of donations, etc.
for the year in that briefcase.
This thief, or thieves,
stole not only from me, but
also from those in need here
in the valley.
I ask that anyone who
sees a tan 1997 “Jimmy,”
license plate WJT 108, or
finds a green briefcase and/
or a black purse, to immedi-
ately contact the Josephine
County Sheriff’s Office at
474-5123 or the confidential
tip line at 474-5160.
Rock billboard
From Jack Heald
HOVA (Hwy. One-99 Visi-
tor Association)
Cave Junction
Because there will not
be a Christmas Parade this
year, the coral-colored
sign-boards on the rock bill-
board on the Select Market
parking lot in Cave Junction
will be removed and stored
for the winter. They will be
reinstalled in the spring.
Civic organizations are
reminded that the sign-
boards (both sides) will be
available again in the spring
and summer months for use
in posting advertisements
and dates of coming events.
Organizations include
Blackberry Festival, Shining
Stars, I.V. Lions Club, Cave
Junction Lions Club, Barter
Faire, Dome School and I.V.
Chamber of Commerce.
Others will be welcome to
work with us.
‘Bill of Goods’
From Kristine Strohl
Cave Junction
Haven’t we been sold a
bill of goods by this admini-
stration?
Remember, our con-
gressional representatives
were pressed to sign the
Patriot Act without reading
it, or be considered unpatri-
otic.
There was a Medicare
Reform Bill, which only
spurred retirees to buy mil-
lions of dollars of worthless
discount cards, but made
millions for special con-
tributors to the Bush cam-
paign.
Then we had the Clear
Skies Initiative that was
anything but clear, but lifted
pollution bans against en-
ergy companies and saved
them millions.
Let’s not ever forget our
pre-emptive attack against
Iraq, WMDs and “Mission
accomplished,” a war that is
far from over and has cost
nearly 1,300 American
lives, but made Halliburton
millions.
And there was “No
Child Left Behind,” which
has left some behind be-
cause it was not fully
funded.
Now, we are being sold
another goodie with tremen-
dous spin: Social Security
needs to be privatized be-
cause it is insolvent.
Hmmm. Surely it isn’t a
push by Wall Street to con-
trol our retirements and
make billions on our ac-
counts? How much money
did they contribute to Bush/
Cheney?
Remember, there are no
guarantees investing in the
stock market. But you are
guaranteed to grow old.
We need to be informed
and not be sold a bunch of
lies because Social Security
is solvent for another 30
years, and then only small
adjustments will be needed
to ensure its perpetuity.
Those who want to can
phone Sens. Smith (608-
9102) and Wyden (858-
5122) and tell them they
want to keep Social Security
for themselves and their
children.
Pregnancy Center view
From Vaughn T. Slavin
Cave Junction
I sat down the morning
of Friday, Dec. 17 and pe-
rused Letters to the Editor in
“Illinois Valley News.”
The first one I read was
a very uplifting and positive
letter from Crystal Griffin. It
was nice to read something
that wasn’t trashing another
person’s viewpoint or per-
sonal belief.
In stark contrast to her
letter was the diatribe by
Geraldine Davidson that
followed. As I read the letter
I thought, “This lady is
trashing the pregnancy cen-
ter big time. Why?” As I
continued through the letter,
I came to realize that she
was lashing out in frustra-
tion. The pregnancy center
(Continued on page 3)
Give the gift of touch
GIFT CERTIFI CATES
1 hour se ssion - $40
1/2 hour - $25
Senior Discount Available
See holiday gift certificate on page C5
What could be sweeter
this holiday season
?
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. 40
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
and out-of-state - $28
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to
P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR. 97523
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.
Frontier High-Speed Internet
at our lowest price of the season...
Are annual cable rate increases making you bitter?
Are they going up again in January?
ONLY
Get Frontier’s BEST High-Speed Internet deal of the
season. You’ll get access to everything you’ll need this
holiday season—right at your fingertips. Share your pictures,
search for recipes, play games with family and friends.
$ 29 95
Now how sweet is that?
FOR
A MONTH
ONE FULL YEAR!
HURRY! OFFER GOOD THROUGH DECEMBER 31st ONLY.
Call 1-866-900-9932 today.
For speed, security and value, nothing beats Frontier High-Speed Internet.
© 2004 Citizens Communications Company. Offer limited to residential high-speed Internet customers, expires 12/31/04, and cannot be combined with any
other offer. For offer, 12-month term commitment is required. If service is not maintained 12 months, your account will be charged the full value of the offer
plus applicable taxes and surcharges. You must choose FrontierNet as your ISP to qualify for this FrontierNet promotional pricing. Service subject to
availability, technical line qualification, and Frontier’s Acceptable Use Policy. Installation options vary and charges may apply. Maximum speeds vary.
Applicable taxes and surcharges will be billed. Some restrictions and other charges may apply.