October 2024
FREE
Vol #2 Issue #10
Ford’s Pond Community ParkGrand Opening
Unbeaten ND Warriors Rout Riddle Irish 90 - 6
Celebrating Sutherlin’s Beautiful View & Amenities
On Friday, September 6, 2024, the long awaited
and much anticipated day for the Grand Opening of
Ford’s Pond had arrived. The morning of, was quiet
and still, as preparations began for the celebration.
The pond silently reflected the wispy clouds that
were floating overhead in the pale, blue sky. A
light breeze belied the high temperatures that were
expected, as they gently played the chimes, drifting
across the playground and reverberating through
the air. Scattered clusters of Black-eyed Susan
bloomed, adding spots of bright yellow amongst
the variegated greens, of the carefully planted
vegetation. The flurry of set-up had begun, with the
arrival of food trucks, folding chairs being placed
under awnings, and tables laden with brochures.
A crowd started to slowly gather, the low murmur
of voices interspersed with the sound of children’s
laughter. Everyone was readying themselves for
the cutting of the red ribbon, by Mayor Michelle
Sumner, that would signify, the park is now open.
In April of this year, Ford’s Pond Community
Park marked its ten year anniversary, signifying
its reclamation from the logging pond to the
development of the place “Where Everyone
Plays.” Since 2014, the Friends of Ford’s Pond, in a
public/private partnership with the City of Sutherlin,
have taken 202 acres on the west side of the city
and created a haven for the community as well as a
destination for visitors. “We envisioned Ford’s Pond
as a place for everyone to observe wildlife, exercise,
connect, play or enjoy some quiet time. The design
was guided by the park master plan which relied
on extensive public outreach. We wanted the park
design to be inclusive to all ages and abilities using
the Universal Design principles, to have a unique
playground, amenities and to create educational
opportunities. The decision to only develop 5
Continued on Page 5
Solar for the Drain Civic Center?
Story by Rusty Savage
The Answer Should Definitely be Yes!
There was recently a proposal to look at the
feasibility of implementing a Solar Energy System
Project for the Drain City Civic Center and Library.
There are a variety of benefits and incentives as well
to consider a project like this. First of all it would
save countless thousands of dollars of electrical costs
for the City and the Civic Center and Library. These
costs are already a source of contention with the city
administration and the ongoing efforts of the Center to
identify and control cost and revenue there.
Additionally, there is an ongoing issue with
costs of use vs the projection of needs and intended
expansion of community services the area deserves
and is currently devoid of. Of primary concern is the
need for an effective and equitable emergency shelter
and resource center in times of disaster, extreme
weather event or other emergencies that might disable
or limit citizens abilities to access electricity, internet,
warming or sheltering crises of many types. We all
remember Ice-amegeddin earlier this year and most
remember Snow-megeddin a few years back. There’s
the real prospects of natural or other accidental disasters
negatively affecting daily lives and in this time of
Continued on Page 2
Highlights, September 26th N.D. Warriors(90) vs
Riddle Irish (6). North Douglas is unbeaten for
the season at 4-0 and 3-0 in SD1. The Irish are 2-2
overall
P hotos by North Douglas Boosters .
Mason Hilbun of Yoncalla HS Completes his Summer
Internship at Sutherlin’s Great Northern Trailers
This summer, current Senior Mason
Hilbun participated in an internship through
Recruit Hippo at Great Northern Trailers
in Sutherlin. Mason learned about the
possibility of an internship/work experience
when he attended an Industry Tour his
sophomore year, but it was last year – as a
junior – when his Careers teacher, Kristy
Westbrooks, and UCC Work Based Learning
Coordinator Aaron Towne, presented him
with the opportunity, that it became a reality.
Mr. Towne worked with Mrs. Westbrooks
to guide Mason through the application and
interview process where he was ultimately
offered a 200-hour internship with the option
of 100 additional hours.
During his internship, Mason learned
landscape
maintenance,
introductory
electrical work (wring brake lines and
connections to junction boxes), and finish
work like decking trailers and putting
on tires. In addition to the physical skills
learned, Mason also learned soft skills. His
biggest take away was that having the skill
gets you the job, but your perseverance and
dedication is what keeps you there.
Mr. Town noted that “Mason exemplified
all of the traits needed to be successful. He
was so ambitious and has been working on
getting this internship for two years. Once
he solidified his position at Great Northern
Trailers, he was punctual, committed, detail
oriented, hardworking, honest, and humble.
The owner of GNT told me that he would
take 10 Mason’s at his organization. That
spoke volumes to his character and quality
of work. We are so proud of Mason and
look forward to all the amazing things he
accomplishes to come.” At the end of his
internship, Mason was recognized by Mr.
Towne for his work ethic and gifted his own
welding hood and jacket. Mr. Towne shared
that Mason is a phenomenal young man and
that it was an emotional day.
When asked what advice he had for
kids looking into internships or going in to
the workforce Hilbun said “Apply yourself.
Don’t be scared to get into the real world. Put
in the effort, ask questions, and always know
what you are doing. If you do that, you will
set yourself up well.”