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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2015)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, January 21, 2015 Life in the Valley of Riches By DAN MANCUSO, Publisher Back in the early 1800s, if you wanted to come to Oregon Country you took a four-month, 2,000-mile journey. How many Americans today would walk two miles, let alone 2,000 miles? I assume not many, if any at all. While the thought of wagon trains may seem romantic, the journey was very tough. My house in Wyoming overlooked the North Platte River, which the trail followed. Near Fort Laramie, Wyoming you can still see petrified wagon wheel ruts. Many people who inhabit Goshen County, Wyoming had kinfolk who decided the barren high plains desert of Wyoming was as nice as any other place to call home. Ah, the Oregon Trail, for rugged people who were willing to walk months to seek a better place. This is impressive to me. In Oregon, your federal assistance is loaded on an electronic benefit transfer card ironically called the “Oregon rail Card.” In the Illinois Valley, roughly 1,700 households (more than 3,000 people) hold an Oregon Trail card. That’s nearly 20 percent of the Valley’s population. Don’t worry, Grants Pass is worse. Oregon leads the nation in food assistance. Compare that to another Oregon Trail state, Wyoming, which is amongst the lowest with a 10-percent tally. Oregon tops 17-percent! A few months back, I was in a convenience store and a young lady purchased a pack of cigarettes using the “cash” portion of her Oregon Trail Card. I was stunned. I remember leaving and thinking, “I just bought her a pack of cigarettes.” I have no issue with folks getting help to buy food; cigarettes are a whole other issue. I don’t know which genius decided to name our state’s EBT card the “Oregon Trail Card” but I am certain they didn’t think it through. Calling food stamps and financial assistance the “Oregon Trail Card” is a slap in the face to the many that walked 2,000 miles. These were the same folks who dumped family heirlooms on the side of the trail to lighten the load of their animals. The same folks who had to set up camp, find food, water and firewood every night for four months without assistance from anyone but themselves. Thank you for picking up this weeks paper, enjoy! ~ djm Obituaries Brant Andrew Schnitzer (Iliya) was 60 years of age at the time of his death. He lived in Kerby, Oregon where he passed surrounded by his family on Jan. 4, 2015 from cancer. Brant was born April 10, 1954 to his parents Henry and Florence Schnitzer. Brant was the older of two brothers surviving him, Scott Schnitzer of Neshanic, New Jersey and Wade Schnitzer of Poconos, Pennsylvania. Brant enjoyed the outdoors including, hiking, camping, and fishing. He attended Applegate Christian Fellowship. Brant is survived by his significant other Patricia Schnitzer and his three daughters Corinne Johns, Alaina Schnitzer, and Katie Godwin; and his two grandchildren Maddox and Ariana. Services have been held. Illinois Valley Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements. Please sign the family guest book at www.since1928hull.com. Candace Cleary Ouellette, age 60, died of cancer on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015 at Haven House 2 in Grants Pass. Candace was born Oct. 2, 1954 in San Mateo, California. In the 1980s, Candace moved from the Bay Area to the Illinois Valley. She was a loving mother to her son, Mark. She loved the creative process especially watercolor painting. She also made and sold candy called “ ruffles from eaven.” She spent many years as a college student. Candace attended St. Patrick of the Forest Catholic Church and participated in activities there. She loved her home and forested property in the Illinois Valley and enjoyed sharing it with the deer, bear , cougar, wild turkey and other friends Survivors include her son, Mark Ouellette of the Illinois Valley, Oregon; her mother, Prudence Cleary and brother, Coalter Cleary of Menlo Park, California; sister, Amity Cleary-Evans and husband Russ of Eugene, Oregon; sister, Kate Cleary of Half Moon Bay, California; sister, Cece Cleary of San Carlos, California; brother, Mans Cleary and wife Jean in the Illinois Valley, Oregon and nieces and nephews Spencer, Caitlin and Patrick Hilligoss and Charlotte Cleary. She was preceded in death by her father, Mansfield R. Cleary Jr. A memorial mass will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 at St. Patrick of the Forest Catholic Church. Please sign the family guest book at www.since1928hull.com. Jason S. Prather passed away in Lafayette, Indiana, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at the age of 43. He was a frequent resident of the Illinois and Rogue Valleys. Jason is survived by his father, Michael C. Prather, of Cave Junction, OR; his daughter, Carlene, of Lafayette, IN; his sister, Michelle Robertson, of Lafayette, IN, and his sister, Jessica Prather, of CO. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy and his mother, Dixie. A private memorial is being planned by his family. I LLINOIS V ALLEY F UNERAL D IRECTORS WWW.SINCE1928HULL.COM 541-592-4110 Save The Date For more listings go to www.ivcalendar.org J an. 24 Illinois Valley Health & Wellness Fair Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the IV Senior Center: 520 E. River St., C.J. Local health and wellness providers share their knowledge, demonstrate services and sell their goods. For a schedule of events or more information you can go to www. healthyucenter.org or call 541-592-4888. J an. 26 The Josephine County Board of Com- missioners will be hosting a Town Hall Community meeting in the Illinois Valley. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, 2015 at 6:30 p.m., Cave Junc- tion County Building, 102 South Redwood Hwy. Cave Junction, Oregon. All County residents are invited to at- tend. Illinois Valley News Published weekly by W.H. Alltheway, LLC Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher Jan. 27 chine. Information: 541-592-6888. Community Meeting Tuesday, 5 to 8 p.m. at the County uilding by the CJ Post Office. Potluck, Neighborhood Watch Updates, Forum for concerns of citizens, Emergency Prepared- ness topics, Law Enforcement Levy Pros & Cons, Short Film on Geoengineering, Conclude with Open Mic and music. For Agenda, to include your presentation or ta- bling contact coordinator Guenter at 541- 592-4124 or cmec@cavenet.com. Feb. 5 The 2nd annual Securing our Safe- ty auction will be held Feb. 5, 2015, 6 p.m. at the Roux 26, corner of H and 5th Streets in Grants Pass. Troon, Bridgeview and Schmidt Wineries will do tasting as well as Frank N Stene’s Brewery. A vari- ety of appetizer will be served by Roux. 26. Over 30 art items will be offered for auction, donated by local artists. Tickets Feb. 2 will be $25 and are available at the Grants Learn about Sleep Apnea at the “Se- Pass Chamber of Commerce, 1995 NW nior Talk,” Feb. 2 at noon at the I.V. Senior Vine Street, Platinum Financial at 752 Center, 520 E. River St. The presentation NW 56th Street andhttp://securingour- is free and open to the public. An expert safety.org/sos-art-auction. from the V.A. will discuss risk factors like high blood pressure, diagnosis and treat- ment and will demonstrate a CPAP ma- POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction OR 97523 Illinois Valley News is published at 221 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523 Telephone (541) 592-2541 FAX (541) 592-4330 Since 1937 periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction OR 97523 P.O. Box 1370 USPS 258-820 SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $30.50 One year in Jackson and Douglas counties - $32.50 One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state - $39.00 Illinois Valley News does not refund subscriptions. Remainder of subscription will be donated to the charity of your choice. Feb. 18 “Don’t let me blow my top” every- thing you always wanted to know about pressure canning vegetables, meat, poul- try and fish. Master Food Preservers will conduct this class on Feb. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the RCC/Belt Building, 24311 Redwood Hwy. Call Jennie 541-592- 0327 to register, registration closes Feb. 16. March 7 SOS Run For The Law, A Commu- nity United! 10k Run or 5k Walk/Run & Kid’s Dash For details and registration see this page: http://securingoursafety. org/run-for-the-law-a-county-united/ For more information contact: Holly Lidey (541) 660-8186. News - Dan Mancuso dan@illinois-valley-news.com Circulation - Kimberly Potter office@illinois-valley-news.com Advertising / Composition Dan Mancuso dan@illinois-valley-news.com Mailroom - Millie Watkins Office Manager-Laura Mancuso laura@illinois-valley-news.com DEADLINES: News, Classified and Display Ads, Announce- ments and Letters 4 P.M. FRIDAYS POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ encour- ages letters to the editor pro- vided they are legible and not libelous or scurrilous. All let- ters must be signed, including name, 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. Letters are used at the discre- tion of the publisher.
