Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Page A-3
Recreation Roundup: by John Miles, Parks & Rec Commission chair
This has been an
incredibly busy month.
I had shoulder surgery
and have been in a sling
for the past six weeks,
which has really made me
appreciate the good health
I have enjoyed for most
of my 67 years. I should
get it off this week! Take
care of yourselves by
exercising regularly at one
of our great community
parks. I’m recovering
well, and the physical
therapists are enjoying
pushing me past the point
of pain, but that’s what
it takes to recover. I’m
looking forward to being
able to cut my own food
when I eat, and being able
to actually write, and not
look like a toddler who
got into the crayons.
As far as parks go,
there is encouraging
news. The cleanup at Old
Stage Park went well.
Between city crews and
enthusiastic volunteers,
a 20-yard dumpster that
Life in the
Valley of
Riches
by Dan Mancuso,
publisher
A few weeks back I spoke out
about religion in 4-H. Since that
time, I have spoken to 4-H Outreach
Program Coordinator Lisa Parlette
and learned why it was an issue.
While I don’t like it, I understand
why they have the policy.
Children are matched with 4-H
clubs based on their interest and
physical location. For example,
there is only one rabbit club. If
a child who is Muslim or Jewish
wanted to show rabbits, they likely
would not be comfortable wearing
a shirt with a cross. Christian
members would likely not be happy
to wear a shirt with a star of David.
Parlette says that for youths
that want to share their experience
with their God, there are other
ways. “Cross necklaces, hair pins or
was donated by SOS was
completely filled, and the
park looks great. Many
thanks to Roger Brandt
for making this happen.
The city crew was also
active and cut a fire break
between the park and
the homes just above it.
Unfortunately, we did not
get the planning grant for
Old Stage Park, but since
all the paperwork is done,
we are still looking for
other grantors for funding.
There is great news
even embroidering on their pants.
Other youth put up posters in their
stalls that contain religious symbols
and quotes.” When 4-H club shirts
are not required, participants may
wear personal attire with religious
symbols.
Parlette added that she
understands the Faithful Farmers
members raised the money for the
shirts and had offered to cover the
cost of new shirts for the club.
I reached out to Faithful
Farmers for comment but have not
heard from them.
JOE’s Place is another story.
Participants of JOE’s Place had
participated the prior year as
members in an existing club, but
moved to start their own youth
livestock education club that was
not an official 4-H club.
“4-H never received an
application to form a club called
JOE’s Place. We did receive the
question if JOE’s place could
participate in 4-H shows and then
be eligible for the Josephine County
auction. They were told, ‘No, that
4-H shows were open to 4-H clubs
for the spray pad at
Jubilee Park. Thanks to
lots of behind-the-scenes
efforts by city staff, the
engineer has developed
a design that fits with
the concept the parks
commission envisioned
as well as being within
budget. The engineer is
preparing construction
documents, and as soon as
they are done, contractors
will be invited to submit
bids. We are expecting
to begin construction in
and members,’” said Parlette.
Hearing Parlette’s side of the
story one can understand that the
issue was not Jesus at all.
But what is really shocking
is that the Josephine County
Commissioners voted to cut the
tax funding that was from a levy
of roughly $0.04 per $1,000 of
assessed property value. That
would’ve resulted in an estimated
$414,000 in tax revenue for the
service district for the upcoming
fiscal year.
The commissioners also voted
to terminate a service agreement
between the county and OSU
Extension Services.
The decisions halt local tax
funding toward 4-H, the Master
Gardener program and the many
other services provided by the
extension service programming.
I understand the commissioners
are trying to cut costs to put toward
law enforcement, but this is petty
and I am looking into the legality of
the move.
Thank you for picking up this
week’s paper. Enjoy! ~djm
July or early August and
have the dedication in
conjunction with Labor
Day festivities in the
park. Stay tuned for the
announcement of the
groundbreaking ceremony.
The Parks
Commission is working on
a long-term development
plan for Jubilee Park. We
have a large overhead
picture of the park, and
scale model layouts for
various park amenities.
We will be at various park
events and invite you
to come and move the
models around to help us
figure out an arrangement
where everything fits and
works as a whole for Cave
Junction.
As always, we
invite your input. Our
next meeting will be
July 6, at 7 p.m. at City
Hall. You can always
reach us at our email,
cjparkcommission@
cavejunctionoregon.us.
Obitu arie s
Laurence J. Umphrey, 83, of Cave Junction,
died June 14, 2023, at his home. Arrangements with
Illinois Valley Funeral Directors.
GET YOUR SUMMER BODY NOW!
HEALTHY BODY PROJECT
SUMMER SPECIAL!
BRING A FRIEND & YOU BOTH GET
50% OFF FOR THE MONTH!
(REGULAR PRICE $80/MONTH
YOU PAY $40 & YOUR FRIEND PAYS $40)
OFFER GOOD FROM JUNE 5 THRU AUGUST 16, 2023
Offer based on beginning of 1 month to end of month.
Special offer limited to 1 new student
WHERE: HEALTHY U
TIME: 9:00 AM, MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
MICHELLE 541-218-1323
(OR, YOU CAN JUST WALK IN - $15/CLASS)
I llInoIs V alley F uneral D Irectors
www.since1928Hull.com
541-592-4110
S a ve th e d a te
June 24
**Hathkapasuta
Illinois River Celebration.
Parade of Puppets, all ages
invited to join. 11 a.m. to 6
p.m. At Illinois River State
Park Free event 1/4 mile south
of Cave Junction. Playful arts
and nature experiences for
the whole family, hands-on
history and nature exhibits,
fun games and crafts, Live
music by Frankie Hernandez
Band, Sunrise and the
Starseed Experience. Food
vendors included, free craft
booth by IRVAC, Wildlife
Images bus, Recycled raft
race at 3:30 p.m. This is an
alcohol and drug-free event.
Brought to you by CEEN. For
more information call Tim
541-291-8860.
**Recycled Raft Race
- Homemade Rafts race down
the Illinois River 125 yards
during Hathkapasuta River
Celebration at Illinois River
State Park. 2 Divisions Adults
- 16 & over Youth - 10-15.
Categories: most unique,
funniest, fastest etc. for both
divisions. This event is about
ingenuity, creativity and most
of all FUN!! RULES: Rafts
must be hand-made. Floats
can be small inner tubes,
water jugs, capped PVC
pipes, barrels etc. No larger
inner tubes or Tahiti-style
rafts. Paddles and oars only. 1
or 2 riders allowed; torso must
be above water & life jackets
must be worn. Sign up and
line up at 3:30 p.m. to the left
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
I.V. News LLC
Daniel J. and Laura M.
Mancuso, co-publishers
of the pavilion. Free & opento
the public Call Jill Talise at
541-415-6699 Hathkapasuta
is a sponsor-funded event
hosted by the Cultural &
Ecological Enhancement
Network (CEEN)
June 28
*“Cave Junction
Seventh-day Adventist
church will be presenting
Pets Unleashed” Vacation
Bible School June 28 -
30, at Madrone Adventist
Elementary School. Pets
Unleashed VBS will show
kids Jesus’ loving care
through relatable, pet-inspired
adventure! There will be
Projects-with-a-purpose,
team-building games, and
songs, along with a mid-
morning snack. The fun will
begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12
p.m. Parents, Grandparents,
and friends are invited to
joins us at the school for
a Celebration of what the
children have accomplished
on Saturday, July 1st from 10
a.m. - 11:30 a.m., followed by
a potluck luncheon.
For more information
please contact Shellie
McDowell at 541-287-0009
or Chris Harwood at 408-
813-7053. VBS is open for
children ages 3 y/o through
middle school and is free to
all participants. To register
your child for this Faith-filled,
Fun adventure, send an email
to cjsdavbs@gmail.com.”
June 30, July 1 and 2
**IVHS Alumni
Weekend: No Newsletter this
year. Please visit: ttps://www.
facebook.com/IVHSAlumni.
There will be at least 4
classes having reunions:
1973, 1978, 2003 and 2008.
This year the Illinois Valley
Country Club will be hosting
a Golf Tournament over
Reunion Weekend. For more
information please contact:
Illinois Valley Country Club
541-592-3151.
July 1
**Cave Junction SOAP
BOx DERBy. More details
to come!
July 11
**Tuesday, July 11,
Illinois Valley Amateur
Radio Club (IVARC) will be
having our monthly meeting
@ 6pm at Wild River Pizza
in CJ. Come to our meeting
to learn about IVARC and
get free two-way radio
training and assistance. Pre-
programmed radios with 86
local fire, police, and other
frequencies are available
or get free updates on your
existing Baofeng radio
programming. Every Monday
at 7pm we have a weekly net
check-in starting on IVARC’S
GMRS repeater, followed by
Simplex FRS 3 and MURS 3,
allowing unlicensed operators
an opportunity to participate.
New members are welcome
and encouraged to join our net
and attend our meetings. For
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Illinois Valley News is published
weekly at 116 N. Redwood Hwy.,
Cave Junction, OR 97523
Telephone 541-592-2541
Since 1937 periodicals postage
paid at Cave Junction, OR 97523
P.O. Box 1370 USPS 258-820
One year in Josephine
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One year in all other
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more information, please visit
our website Illinois Valley
Amateur Radio Club (IVARC.
org) or email: IVARC.org@
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TUESDAy S
**Food Pantry
Tuesdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cave Junction Adventist/
Community Services Food
Distribution, 265 S. Old
Stage Rd. Volunteers are
needed to help stock, date
check, sort food, pack boxes
and handout food boxes, etc.
to volunteer please email
cavejunctionacs@gmail.com.
Contributions can by
made out to the CJ Seventh-
day Adventist Church and
identify that they are in
support of the Community
Service by writing “CJACS”
in the memo section of your
check. Mail to: Cave Junction
Seventh-day Adventist Church
PO Box 330, Cave Junction,
OR 97523
WEDNESDAyS
**Josephine County
Weekly Business session.
First Wednesday of the
month is at 6 p.m. All others
9 a.m. in the Ann Basker
Auditorium in Grants Pass.
**PUBLIC HEALTH
WEDNESDAyS: Pop Up
Parks Outreach Program
-Weather permitting, COVID-
19 vaccinations, STD
prevention & HIV testing,
JoCo Food Bank, bottled
water, wound care supplies
editor -Laura Mancuso
laura@theivnews.com
copy editor - Siege Schatza
classified ads - Stacy Byrne
stacy@theivnews.com
circulation - Stacy Byrne
stacy@theivnews.com
advertising / composition -
Dan Mancuso
dan@theivnews.com
and more. I.V. Family
Coalition, 535 E. River St., 12
- 1 p.m. & Jubilee Park 1:15
- 2:15 p.m. and lunch served
by I.V. Living Solutions.
Sponsored by JoCo Public
Health and HIV Alliance. Call
or text Laura Mancuso with
I.V. Wellness Resources for
info at 541-592-9781 or email
ivwellnessresources@gmail.
com.
SATURDAyS
**Take your bottles
and cans to IVCanDo’s Cans
for Kids behind the Chevron
Station 10 - 2.
**VOLUNTEERS
WANTED
Josephine County
Sheriff’s Office is seeking
volunteers for the following;
Staffing the Merlin and Cave
Junction Substations; Patrol
including providing vacation
home checks, checking parks
& boat ramps, locating and
tagging abandoned vehicles.
And providing court safety.
ONGOING
**Drop-in Storytime
at Josephine County Library
in Cave Junction, 11 a.m. - 2
p.m., with stories read aloud
by Deborah every half hour
and a themed craft available
all day. For families on a tight
time schedule, craft kits are
available to take home!
**Kerby Food Pantry
change: The Pop up pantry
in Selma has moved. the
DEADLINES:
News, Classified and
Display Ads,
Announcement and
Letters
4 P.M. FRIDAYS
same time at 1:30 - 2:30
p.m., but will be in Kerby
in the parking lot where the
Farmers’ Market happens.
21400 Redwood Highway,
Kerby. Questions call 541-
479-5556.
**Adopt-A-Senior
**Volunteers wanted to
assist senior and disabled
residents in their home with
light duty activities and
/or socialization and to drive
residents to doctor or grocery
store. Gift cards are provided
for volunteers. Background
check and references required
call 541-592-9781 or email
ivwellnessresources@gmail .com.
** HIV Alliance offers
services in Cave Junction
every Tuesday from noon
– 3 p.m. at Immanuel United
Methodist Church (across
from Shop Smart). Services
include: Free and confidential
HIV and Hep C testing.
Needle Exchange and drop
box (all syringes welcome),
and overdose response and
Naloxone training.
**Tobacco Cessation
Workshop by AllCare
HealthTobacco Cessation
Workshop - Open to all
community members! ix, 1
hour Sessions September 22,
29; October 6, 13, 20, 27 12 to
1 p.m. at Illinois Valley Family
Coalition, 535 East River St,
Cave Junction. Call Julie, 541-
471-4106, ext 8276
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.