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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, December 21, 2016
The last backyard bird watching with Harry: by Harry Johnson
The end is here:
It’s been eight years and nearly over 200 articles of writ-
ing about birds and the Illinois Valley, but like they all say, “All
good things must come to an end.” This is the last “Backyard
bird watching with Harry” I’m writing. Cheryl and I are plan-
ning a move back down to central California. We’ve shared a
lot of events and things over those years. I was trying to think
of all the articles I’ve written and what I had in them and I
started to remember the birds and places to go. So, let’s go
down memory lane for a short while.
What are my favorite birds I’ve written about?
If I’m talking about here in the I.V., then it is the chicka-
dee. I love the chirping sounds they make when they talk to
each other and I love to watch them flying back and forth when
they’re feeding.
If you’re talking about my all-time favorite bird, there’s
no bird that gets my heart thumping more than a bald eagle.
These magnificent birds are, in my view, the most beautiful
bird out there. I’ve had the opportunity to stand some 15-20
feet from one while it sat on a branch in a tree and let me say,
it was a “WOW” event. I only wish we had more here in the
Valley. I know you can see them at Lake Selmac, but that’s not
a for sure thing. I’ve been there on several occasions and I’ve
only seen a bald eagle once. To see more of them, Cheryl and I
drive over to Klamath Falls in January or February. During that
time of the year you can take part in the Winter Wings Festival
in Klamath Falls. One year we saw over 100 bald eagles in one
setting. This is one of the “best” fun things you can do for you
and your family.
The other bird both Cheryl and I love to watch and listen
to are the hummingbirds. During the summer it’s like down-
town Grants Pass during rush hour. We usually have four feed-
ers in the front of the house plus one on the side and one in the
back. Boy, it gets pretty busy out on the front deck just before
sunset.
What are some of the birds I dislike the most?
Let me say, I don’t dislike any bird. I love them all, even
the blue jays. I’ve had a number of calls from readers and I’ve
talked to readers who complained about the blue jay. Yeah, I
know, they’re very noisy and raid other bird nests. I know all of
that, but I just like these birds. When it snows and our trees are
covered with snow and the blue jays come to feed, they stop at
the trees and it looks like a snow covered tree with blue orna-
ments. It’s very beautiful.
Where are some of the birding places I’ve gone to dur-
ing these eight years?
Well, I’ve already told you about the Winter Wings Fes-
tival, if you’re asking me it’s a must do for all bird lovers and
their families. The Ankeny Wildlife Refuge up by Albany is
fantastic. They have great walking paths and raised walkways
to view all the birds. Of course, I’ve been to the local parks in
and around the I.V. and Grants Pass bird watching, but those
two places are the best bird watching with in a few hours drive
of Southern Oregon.
Some of the birds that we don’t see much, but wish we
had more of are the quail. When we first moved to O’Brien, we
had several family groups. Over the years they’ve moved on
and it’s a rare day when we see them. The other is the turkey.
We never saw them for years. You may hear them off in the
forest, but you didn’t see them. The last two years we’ve had
them all over the place. I had some in the back eating my dog’s
kibble he or she didn’t finish. And no, I don’t feed them. That
was one of those rare days the dogs didn’t finish all of the food.
The other bird that seemed to show up more the last couple of
years is the owl. I’m hearing them more at night this year than
years past.
I love playing with my birds. You may ask, how? I’ve sug-
gested you download the Audubon birding app to your tablet,
kindle or phone. I love playing the different bird calls and wait
to see who comes or who answers the call. I’ve had pileated
woodpeckers and northern flickers flying by checking me out
and wondering how I can make those sounds. It’s pretty cool
and lots of fun.
I’ve also loved all the phone calls I’ve gotten from readers
over the years. We solved lots of problems with identification
and left some unsolved. Besides the phone calls, I really loved
meeting readers. Whether it’s at Shop Smart or River Val-
ley Restaurant, the senior center or even the parking lot at the
O’Brien Store, I’ve met readers and listened to stories about
their favorite birds and about those birds they hate. I guess the
most common question I got was what to do about the turkeys
in the yard. The first question I had was, “Do you feed them?”
When the answer was, “Yes,” I just scratched my head and said,
“Stop feeding them and they will move on.”
This started out as a hobby to share with readers. Little did
I know, I was going to learn a lot about the birds in the Illinois
Valley? I’m sure everyone’s figured out that I’m no expert in
birds. I loved learning about them and I hope my readers en-
joyed learning along with me. Please continue to enjoy watch-
ing your birds. Remember to clean your feeders and keep your
birds healthy. Please take your children out to watch birds and
teach them about the birds in your backyard.
Cheryl and I will miss this valley and most of all the won-
derful people in it. We’ve made some good friends over the 13
years we’ve lived in O’Brien. You will be missed.
I guess there’s nothing left to say, but, “Goodbye my
friends.”
Harry Johnson
O’Brien
Church News
Valley Evangelical Free Church
Christmas is coming
Christmas is coming with the traditions
we have gained over the years with family
and loved ones. It is a joyous time of sharing
with people we have come to love and who
make our life complete.
But what about those who are facing
Christmas and all those traditions of the past
who have lost a loved one and this is the first
Christmas without them. The holiday may be
one of the hardest times of the year. The grief
and loss may seem too much to bear. They
may be thinking, “I wish we could just skip
Christmas this year.”
Maybe you are one of those who are
dealing with a loss. It is okay to feel sadness
during the time when everyone else is joyful.
Don’t be afraid to change a tradition, you
may not have a choice. The carving knife may
need to be passed to another member of the
family. Don’t feel that you may be betraying
your lost loved one by keeping or dropping
a certain tradition. Plan a way to remember
your loved one. Light a special candle, share
a memory.
Above all, communicate. Let your fam-
ily and friends know it is okay to talk about
your loved one. It is much healthier than
trying to remain silent. Remember, others are
experiencing the same loss in their own way.
Above all, in the midst of your loss,
remember these words found in Isaiah 43:1-
4. “I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through the sea, I am with you.
When you go through rivers, they will not
sweep you away. Since you are precious to
me, you are honored and I love you.” (God’s
Word Translation)
And for those of us who are not experi-
encing that kind of loss, may we be especially
understanding of those who are. May God
Bless each of you. Join us for a candle light
service on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m.
Pastor Marvin Porter
Community Bible Church
The Christmas story
I wonder how many times I have read this section of
scripture – how many times I have heard it read. In and of
itself, it is a nice story, but if you consider the ramifications of
this event – the entrance of the Son of God into history – and
that 2,000 years later we are still reading the story and celebrat-
ing the event, it becomes a totally amazing situation. May the
Lord bless your heart as you again read the story of the birth of
“Immanuel” – God with us. (Matthew 1:23b)
Luke 2:1-20 (NKJV) 1 And it came to pass in those
days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the
world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while
Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered,
everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and
lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed
wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were
there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And
she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swad-
dling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no
room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country
shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their
flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be
afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which
will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the
city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will
be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling
cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill
toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away
from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another
“Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come
to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they
came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe ly-
ing in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made
widely known the saying which was told them concerning this
Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things
which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all
these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shep-
herds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
Places of Worship
BRIDGEVIEW
COMMUNITY CHURCH
5181 Holland Loop Rd., CJ
541-592-3923
“Come Join the Worship!”
Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Pastor Sonny Moore
www.bridgeviewcc.org
* * *
7th DAY ADVENTIST
265 S. Old Stage Rd., CJ
Sabbath School - 9:30 a.m.
Saturday Worship 11 a.m.
Pastor Christian Martin
Church (541) 592-3218
Madrone Adventist School
541-592-3330
* * *
IMMANUEL UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
200 Watkins St., CJ
Phone 541-592-3876
Pastor Charles Chase
Sunday School - 9:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship - 9:15 a.m.
Child-care for small children
* * *
ST. PATRICK OF THE FOREST
CATHOLIC CHURCH
407 W. River St., CJ
541-592-3658
Fr. William Holtzinger, Pastor
Mass - Sunday 11 a.m..
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sunday - 10:30 a.m.
Holy Days TBA
* * *
TAKILMA BIBLE CHURCH
10343 Takilma Road, Takilma
Pastor Dan Robinson
Bible Study / Prayer Time
9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship 11 a.m
Wednesday Bible Study
7 p.m
* * *
First Baptist Church of Selma
18285 Redwood Hwy., Selma
541-597-4169
Pastor Monty Pope
Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.
Worship - 11 a.m.
GOOD SHEPHERD
LUTHERAN CHURCH
East River Street
& Lewis Court, CJ
Annemarie Richardson
Lay Pastor.
Sunday School - 9:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship - 10 a.m.
Church Phone: 541-592-2290
www.goodshepherdlutheraniv.net
* * *
VALLEY EVANGELICAL
FREE CHURCH
498 Laurel Road, CJ
P.O. Box 1248
Pastor Marvin Porter
Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.
Worship Service - 11 a.m.
evfree@frontiernet.net
541-592-6160
* * *
FOUNTAIN OF LIFE
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
451 S. Junction Ave., CJ
541-592-3956
Pastor Mark McLean
Morning Worship
9:30 & 11 a.m.
Wednesday - 7 p.m.
Adult Bible Study
* * *
ST. MATTHIAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
25904 Redwood Hwy., CJ
541-592-2006
Rev. Bryant Bechtold
Sunday Worship
Service 10:30 a.m.
THE CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS
209 S. Junction Ave., CJ
Sacrament Meet - 10 a.m.
Sunday School - 11:20 a.m.
Priesthood, Relief Soc. -
12:10 p.m.
Bishop
Larry Hammersmith
541-592-3919
* * *
Illinois Valley Baptist Church
541-592-6149
102 S. Redwood Hwy.
(in the County Building)
Pastor Steve Root
Sunday Worship 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Study, Prayer
& Youth Program 7:00 PM
Friday Ladies Bible Study
11:00 AM
MINISTRY AT CBC
SUNDAY, Dec. 25
Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.
Merry Christmas
No Praise and Prayer
WEDNESDAY - No A.W.A.N.A.
Senior Exercise Class
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY
9-10 a.m. in Dining Room
B ingo
for
A ll A ges
WednesdAys
eArly Bird 6 - 6:30PM
17 gAMes 6:30 - 9:30PM
Hamburgers for sale
520 e. river street, CJ
iv senior Center
open to tHe public
Candle-light
Service
Come Worship the
Birth of our Savior
6 p.m.
Christmas Eve
Thursday Dec.
24.
Refreshments
following
Valley Evangelical Free Church
498 Laurel Rd., Cave Junction
0401
***
Illinois Valley Praise Center
28569 Redwood Hwy. CJ
Non-denominational
Bible-believing Church
Sunday school - 9:30 a..m.
Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.
Thursday Seekers 7 p.m.
Youth group Thursday - 7 p.m.
www.ivpraisecenter.com
COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH
Pastor Dave Gordon
113 S. Caves Ave., CJ
Office: 541-592-3896
Email: cbccca@gmail.com
Sunday Worship - 10:30 a.m.
Christian Academy
Pre-K to 12th grade
Awana - Wednesdays - 6 p.m.
that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
May the Lord bless you this Christmas season and
throughout the coming year. Hope to see you at church! Merry
Christmas!
In Christ,
Pastor Dave