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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (April 27, 2005)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, April 27, 2005 I’ve preached here about the plight of literal-minded people, which reminds me of the story about a blacksmith training his son. “OK son,” said the blacksmith, “I’m going to get this horseshoe red hot, grab it with these tongs and place it on the anvil. So when I nod my head, you hit it.” And the son did exactly that. Just the other day, after our son, “Mikey,” revamped the stepping stones in our front-yard, I came out the door and began walking. “Hey,” warned my wife, “you’re using the wrong feet.” I replied, “Hey, these are the only two feet I’ve got.” What she meant, of course, was that I should have stepped off the porch left foot first in order to navigate the new, spread-apart path without looking like a demented grasshopper. I think I’ve got that figured out. Maybe. At summer camp in the last century, when I was the world’s oldest second-class Scout, I was assigned KP after a meal. The Explorer supervising my work told me to put the mop between my legs and squeeze. Of course, he meant to put the handle between my legs, and place the mop head in the squeezer thing. But like the fledgling smithy, I most cleverly put the filthy mop head between my legs and squeezed. I’ll never forget the look on the Ex- plorer’s face. “Geez,” he said, “are you as dumb as you look!?” I didn’t answer, and am still trying to decide. Being literal means that if someone says they filled their car with gas, I reply, “You should have filled the tank, and not the car.” Then, like all other literal-minded people, one must have fast reactions to avoid being slapped. Other facets to literalism: If someone says, “Walk this way,” I do the best I can to imitate their gait. When some- one says, “I’ll be right back,” I respond, “I’ll be quarterback.” If they say, “I’ll be back,” my answer is, “I’ll be front.” Should anyone say they are “running to the store,” I will advise, “It would be faster to drive your car.” Those who say they are going to jump into the shower will get a warning from me about slipping and falling when they jump in. And those who say they’re going to throw on some clothes also will get a snappy response. Wow, I’ve got to sharpen my reflexes to avoid those slaps. And what about someone saying that something is “pretty ugly.” What a contradiction. Unfortunately, I must point it out. Should someone describe “ample parking,” it falls to me to ask if an Ample is made in Germany. Buying a Toyota? I say, buy a real Ota. The more I think about this the more I’m coming to the realization that there’s an awful smart-alecky attitude hidden in my psyche. Maybe. I’ll let you know the next time I step off our front porch and use the wrong feet. Say you saw it in the ‘I.V. News.’ 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 68, No. 6 Staff: Kacy Clement, Becky Loudon, Michelle Binker, Nina Holm Consulting, Shane Welsh. Advertising Design Consultant - Wonder Dog Graphics 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 & CLASSIFIED ADS & NOTICES: All submissions must be hand delivered, faxed or e-mailed to us for publication. Submissions must be resubmitted 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 (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. * * * Like bike path idea From JoAnne Stone Cave Junction T.C. Carnaby (“Letters to the Editor” in last week’s issue) shows forward think- ing, and I appreciate his sug- gesting a bicycle path. It’s a brilliant idea. I hope that the community and developers will embrace it wholeheartedly. Our kids need a safe place to bike: add swimsuit, fishing pole or picnic lunch. Folks in wheelchairs might also enjoy such a path. Making the river’s edge more accessible would be a great asset. “T.C.” presented a beautifully thought-out plan. IVFD & AMR From Gregory D. Anderson Cave Junction About midday Sunday April 2, I took a visiting friend for a drive to show her some Oregon beauty. Being from Nebraska, she was especially impressed with our mountains. We drove to Page Mountain Snow Park to ob- serve this gorgeous area during a snowstorm. Driv- ing back down in a few inches of heavy wet snow, I was unable to control my vehicle as it slowly slid to the edge and then over a steep canyon headfirst. Fortunately I was able to nose into a large fir tree to prevent us from plummeting 300 feet or so down the can- yon to almost certain death. I was unable to reach 911 from the vehicle, but did get a brief connection as I climbed back to the road to leave a marker to show any- one where we went over. Less than an hour later, help began to arrive. I cannot find the appro- priate words to describe the professionalism, the caring, the dedication and genuine concern the folks from Illi- nois Valley Fire District and American Medical Re- sponse demonstrated in this rescue. It is difficult to see a bright side to such a horrific experience, but these mar- velous people provided it. After these local heroes safely removed my friend and dogs from the vehicle and brought them up to the road for transport down the mountain, we were again evaluated for medical prob- lems. Outside of a few mi- nor cuts and bruises the hu- mans were in remarkably good shape. My old Cocker spaniel seemed unaffected by the sudden stop. However my little Shih Tzu had been knocked unconscious. On their own initiative, De Spellman, Many Smiles, Kathy Pangburn and Tim Norman headed down the mountain with the dogs. They called a vet, Dr. Dan Fiske, to meet them at his office. Tom Zulliger took my guest down, and Kamron Ismailie gave me a ride to my home. Ken Gavlik and Mary Jane Clough were part of these unselfish champi- ons as well. My neighbor, Patti, took me to the vet to get the pooches; and when we re- turned, her husband, Dale, had his truck parked by my door with the keys for me to use as necessary. At this writing, my Ne- braskan friend reports she is well and spreading the word about the wonderful people she encountered here. My Shih Tzu is recovering from his concussion, but is not quite up to speed yet. My Cocker spaniel and I are not 100 percent, but we weren’t at that level before the acci- dent. State Farm checked out my Landcruiser and pro- nounced it DOA, so a re- placement was necessary. Somehow, I can’t help but reflect how these people -- most are volunteers -- contribute so much to our well being as a society and receive comparatively little press coverage and ac- knowledgement. We are all blessed to have such noble human be- ings in our community. IVHS wrestlers need help for ‘Down Under’ From Suzanne Vautier Cave Junction Our very own out- standing wrestlers, Sam Green and Wescott Lynch, Illinois Valley High School seniors, have been invited to the “Down Under Interna- tional Games” in July. It’s a forum for top student ath- letes from around the world to compete in Olympic-style events. Both our athletes have worked hard to qualify to compete, but their work is not finished. They have to raise approximately $7,000 to travel to Australia. To help, the I.V. wrestling team has been bagging groceries at Shop Smart, and is plan- ning car washes behind Ra- dio Shack/CJ Video Mart. These energetic and driven young men have been inspiring local indi- viduals and businesses with their determination. Several fun events are planned to help raise the money for these fine young men to represent our community in Australia. A “Raffle for Wres- tlers” is made possible by the great prizes donated by various businesses. Raffle prizes include a $400 Kauff- man Wood Products chair, a beautiful quilt from Vintage Charm, dinner for two at Pietro’s, a $50 Red Garter Steak House certificate, two cords of wood donated by the family of a member of the wrestling team, and more. Raffle items still are being collected. Contact Sam at 597-2697. Raffle tickets are available at The Book Exchange in Western Plaza; the drawing will be held May 27 at Taylor’s Sausage Country Store, and there will be live music. On Saturday, May 7 there will be a Benefit Buf- fet Breakfast at Stevereno’s Family Restaurant. Steve will donate half the break- fast proceeds from 8 a.m. to noon to the wrestlers. Also on May 7, there will be a Bikers for Wres- tlers barbecue and poker run at Redwood Hwy. Choppers just south of Cave Junction. There will be games, prizes and music; plus Sam and Westcott will be on hand. They’ll get all the proceeds. Taylor’s Sausage is do- nating the hot dogs. Several other businesses, church groups and individuals also are donating food. More information is available from Redwood Hwy. Chop- pers at 592-3570. Side-dishes or baked goods can be taken to Chop- pers on May 7 between 10 a.m. and noon. America changes From John Tree Cave Junction The unfolding of this nation as a model to pattern others by is a changing story. The founding leaders had a wide variety of back- grounds; educationally, phi- losophically, and relig- iously. The documents, put forth to bind together indi- viduals of strong differing beliefs, became a Constitu- tion. In this the strength of an individual is time and again reinforced. The people are the power in our nation. The decisions are made first by individuals, not a culture or nations. The history of hu- man beings has been a proc- ess of increasing decision- making responsibility by each person. The power of the elite wanes; tyranny de- clines: Ours is a history of growing individual rights. As our nation grew, people selected representa- tives to speak for them in (Continued on page 3) FORIS Mother’s Day Weekend V I N E Y A R D S T OURS , W INE T ASTING & H ORS D ’ OEUVRES S PECIAL D ISCOUNTS AND D RIBBLERS L IVE M USIC 2-5 PM M AY 7 TH & 8 TH B LUE G RASS “J UST U S ” D EBBIE , A L & D ALE www.foriswine.com (800) 84FORIS * (800) 843-6747 TASTING ROOM OPEN 7 DAYS, 11 A.M.-5 P.M. 654 KENDALL RD., CAVE JUNCTION, OR 97523 Coming Saturday, May 7, 2005 Space is limited Register early llamuz@forestedgefarm.com Call or email 592-6078 Inflation-proof American Silver Liberty Dollar Now Available The American Liberty dollar is the second most popular private cur- rency in the USA. Unlike the currency in first place, the American Liberty Dollar is 100% backed by silver and gold at the same mint that makes the U.S. Silver Eagle. This legal, lawful, inflation-proof money will remain valuable regardless of the value of the currency of the Federal Reserve. Ask for your $10 Silver Liberty Dollar in change from: Pietro’s Italian Restaurant - Caves Highway Changes-Art and Energy - 202 W. Lister Good Neighbor Fencing - South Redwood Highway Many Phacits - 200 W. Lister Debt Elimination by Heart - 592-6652 More participating businesses coming soon or you can get your American Silver Liberty Dollar at Dragongate Chinese Restaurant Allen Aslan Heart Liberty Dollar of S.W. Oregon Phone 592-6652 http://www.the7thfire.com/Liberty_Dollar/liberty_dollar_IS_ liberty.htm
