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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 2016)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, August 24, 2016 Page A-9 Winding trails: by al Hobart Thursday, August 25, 1966 Illinois Valley News Guests of the Davises’ The one-time wild and wooly west may not be so wooly any more, but there are still large areas that, from the standpoint of physical ruggedness, are plenty wild, and the classical example being Curry County, Oregon’s ragged and rocky southwest corner. And when two young ladies make their first journey to the far west from their home in far-off Wisconsin, what could make their trip more memorable than to be taken back among the rough mountains and deep canyons of Curry County’s fascinating Chetco country? The two young ladles here referred to are the daughters of Ted Markham, a recent Wisconsinite who now belongs to the Valley and is building himself a new home here. Not long ago he went back to Wisconsin and brought his two girls, Koleen, 13, and Pamela, 11, out for their first visit to the West Coast. As guests of the Davis’s they were given a taste of roughing it, back in the peaceful, upside-down country of Little Chetco. Just being back from my Rogue River boat trip I learned that Perry and Ruth were in town, and when later I called on them I was invited to come out and help entertain the two star guests. They returned to Little Chetco that day with their thrilled young visitors. Next morning I tossed my packsack and sleeping bag in to the jeep and headed for Babyfoot Canyon–and the new irongate–on my way to Davis’s. A diversionary sidelight of my trip was a bit of interesting entertainment provided by a shy mountain bird called Townsend’s Solitaire, who, in trying to draw my attention away from her nest, in effect pointed it out to me. Somewhat smaller than a robin and of more slender build, this solitaire is modestly dressed in dull grayish brown. Like the robin, it is a thrush, the highest-dwelling of this large group of birds. The female builds her nest on the ground, usually in a nice niche on a mountain road bank, where if she remained perfectly still, the nest would he overlooked by passers-by. But invariably she invites the attention to its location by darting off and away just before an intruder reaches the vicinity of the nest. In this nest 5 newly-hatched babies, each covered with fine long black hairs, much resembling some kind of fruiting mold. Before taking a flash picture of the nest and its downy occupants I tried to get the obstinate little rascals to open their mouths by acting like a worm (which was surprisingly easy for me), but they didn’t seem to be interested in either eating or getting their pictures taken. When at last I arrived at the Davis hacienda I found the place deserted– all hands were down at the river panning gold. When the merry crew trooped back to the cabin I was let in on a wonderful secret: the deep cold “refrigerator” pool in the little stream beside the cabin was half full of canned drinks (soft of course) and the place was a goldmine of all manner of delicious food. In true old-timer style, dinner was prepared on the big outdoor grill, and all too soon the mountain of delicious food and the merry gabbling were reduced to a pile of messed-up dishes and the contented sighs of near-satiety. Heroines of the occasion Pam and Koleen, finding themselves suddenly and miraculously transplanted into this wonderfully strange and beautiful environment were overwhelmed with admiration – for Tsing, the Siamese cat! Girls are as hard to understand as women! True, this Tsing cat is very affectionate, and can even speak a few words of English; but, after all, she’s only a mobile mouse trap, and with all that marvelous scenery around–oh, well. In the evening we sat around the campfire till dark, jabbering, drinking and nibbling, then the party broke up and all sought out various places of rest for the night, some outside and some indoors. The girls, with their dad, slept in their sleepy-bags out under the stars. On the way out next day the girls were introduced to the wee solitaires, all of whom seemed unimpressed except one precocious youngster who opened one eye and winked at his pretty admirers. The girls rode most of the long rough way out with me in the jeep. When I asked them if they didn’t think Little Toot was a very easy-riding little car they suddenly remembered what a wonderful, lovable cat is Tsing. Now Ted is taking his daughters back to their Wisconsin home, after their short and exciting visit out west. And on the Little Chetco, Ruth and Perry are struggling with a new problem that may turn out to be a toughie: Should they try to regain their rightful place in the household, now that their cat has gone snooty on them after the royal treatment she received from Koleen and Pam; or would it be simpler to just give up and let Tsing rule the roost, like a Siamese queen is supposed to. ROGUE VALLEY Senior SPoTLiGHT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS Food & Friends Menu FRIDAY – AUG 26 ORANGE GLAzED CHICKEN MONDAY – AUG 29 T SMOKEHOUSE CHOP WEDNESDAY - AUG 31 CHICKEN CHIP SUEY OVER RICE If you need meals delivered please call 541-955-8839. Sponsored by the rogue Valley Council Alzheimer’s disease and meds confusion, and problems with thinking Although current medications can- and reasoning) of Alzheimer’s disease. not cure Alzheimer’s or stop it from As Alzheimer’s progresses, brain progressing, they may help lessen cells die and connections among cells symptoms, such as memory loss and are lost, causing cognitive symptoms confusion, for a limited time. to worsen. While current medications Types of drugs cannot stop the damage Alzheimer’s The U.S. Food and Drug Admin- causes to brain cells, they may help istration (FDA) has approved two lessen or stabilize symptoms for a lim- types of medications — cholinesterase ited time by affecting certain chemi- inhibitors (Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne) cals involved in carrying messages and memantine (Namenda) — to treat among the brain’s nerve cells. Doctors the cognitive symptoms (memory loss, sometimes prescribe both types of Sponsored by of Governments medications together. Some doctors also prescribe high doses of vitamin E for cognitive changes of Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more about these medica- tions you can visit www.alz.org. The Senior Bulletin Alzheimer’s Association has a 24/7 Gatekeeper Training at helpline that you can call at 1-800- 272-3900. I.V. Family Coalition, 535 To learn more about local senior E. River St. Sept. 17 at 10 resources you can call the Aging and a.m. in the River Room. Disability Resource Connection at 1-855-673-2372. I.V. Grief Support Group: Last Thursday of each month, 12-1:30 p.m. Even if you only experience this once in a while, it is a at the I.V. Family Coali- good idea to wait after you stand up before walking. If tion, 535 E. River St. For you experience this dizziness often or if it ever causes more information or an you to doubt your ability to walk until it passes, having something sturdy to hold on to right where you get up appointment please con- is a good idea. How about those slippery porch steps or tact Lovejoy Hospice at that rickety step ladder or those sticks in the yard? There 541-474-1193. are many things which can predispose you to trip and fall. A safety survey and potential hazard clearance of Free for Seniors your surroundings is in your best interest. Please remember that many medicines and intoxi- If you are a senior and cants can increase your likelihood of falling. In this hot want to place a FREE weather, drink plenty of water. Dehydration can make AD for a living or health you less stable on your feet and also remember that cold care need call Laura at drinks can cause “brain freeze.” This will certainly pre- 541-592-2541 or email dispose you to falling. i.V. Wellness resources Preventing a fall: Falling or tripping hurts. Sometimes falls cause seri- ous injury. The potential for a fall, serious and minor, is something seniors should have in mind. Tripping over a pet happens quite often. Pets seek our company and try to attract our attention, especially if they want something from us. Trying to walk faster than usual or walking with a mental preoccupation can make us less wary. If one has a pet and is trying to move quickly with their mind on something other than walking safely, the potential for tripping over your pet increases. The same is true for that carpet or rug which seems to always catch your foot. Clearing the spaces you walk through of potential hazards, anything which might cause you to trip, is a good idea. Lightheadedness, feel- ing dizzy, for example, when one gets up from sitting or lying down can easily predispose someone for a fall. This is especially true when getting up from bed a night. (You can contact I.V. Wellness Resources at www.ivwell- nessresources@gmail.com.) laura@illinois-valley- news.com. their business. Bottom Line: Avoid killing your business Ad ve r t i s e ! Share your business with the community. Contact the Illinois Valley News Today! Call 541-592-2541 or Email dan@illinois-valley-news.com
