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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 2017)
COMMUNITY THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 1B PUT A RING (BACK) ON IT OREGON HAS A BIRTHDAY THE ILL-FATED EMILY REED D B et you didn’t know that Tuesday was the 158th anniversary of Oregon becoming the 33rd state. In honor of that august occasion, a few Oregon facts are in order, courtesy of ThatOre- gonLife.com (http://tinyurl.com/orefacts): • Oregon’s flag is the only double-sided state flag in the union; the state seal is on one side, and a beaver (the state animal) is on the other. • The Tillamook Cheese factory is the largest cheese factory in the world. Do the French know this? • It is illegal to box with a kangaroo in Myrtle Creek. No explanation was forthcoming, but one really has to wonder how this law came about. • The world’s tallest barber shop pole, at 72 feet tall, is in For- est Grove. • Oregon is the only state with an official state nut. No, it is not your Great-Aunt Sophronia; it is the hazelnut. • Oregon’s Humongous Fungus (a honey mushroom), in the Eastern Oregon Blue Mountains, is the “largest single organism on earth” ever measured, covering 2,200 acres, and estimated to be over 2,400 years old. Happy Birthday, Oregon! LUCKY DOG O n Jan. 31, the Nehalem Bay Fire and Rescue station responded to a house fire in downtown Nehalem, the Tilla- mook Headlight Herald reported (http://tinyurl.com/NBFRdog- gie). The firemen rushed to douse the flames, unaware the family dog was unconscious, and trapped in the kitchen. When the owner arrived home, he ran to the back door, saw the dog inside, and summoned the fire crew to the rescue. “We got to the dog, and it was completely unresponsive,” Fire Chief Perry Sherbaugh (pictured, inset) told the Headlight Herald. “While the crew rushed to get their specially designed oxygen masks for canines, the owner began to administer on-site breath- ing and CPR to their beloved pet.” Luckily, the fire station bought the masks “just in case” a few years ago, but had never used one. It worked. The dog was up and walking around within the hour, and the fire was safely put out. Despite the fire damage, all in all, it was a very happy ending. BOAT TO SCHOOL G rant McOmie’s “Grant’s Get- aways” on KGW recently featured Sea- side Heights Ele- mentary School’s “Boat to School” pro- gram, which introduces fifth-graders to Ore- gon’s fishing industry, and shows them where their food comes from (http://tinyurl.com/schoolcrab). The pilot project has fishermen come to the classroom every other month for a one-hour session to explain the species they catch, and how it’s done. The kids also receive an activity book and a sample to take home. Since it’s crabbing season, fisherman John Corbin explained how a crab trap works, and how to pick up a crab while avoiding it’s “business end.” He’s shown in a screen shot from the show. Also in the lineup for some classroom time are fishermen who catch salmon, rockfish, pink shrimp and albacore tuna. “We are hoping that this can work everywhere in the state,” Nancy Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Oregon Albacore Commission, told McOmie. “It doesn’t have to be just Oregon either, but all of the coastal states that produce their seafood. Per- haps we act as a template for other areas to develop something like this for their students.” T he 215-foot windjammer Emily G. Reed, which ran aground on Rockaway Beach at 1:30 a.m. Feb. 14, 1908, has recently popped back up out of the sand — again. The last time she was spotted was in 2010. An account of the wreck can be found in the Barrier Miner of New South Wales, and a photo of the headline is shown (http://tinyurl.com/reed-wales). Here’s what happened: Heavy weather was partially responsible for the ground- ing, but most of the blame lies with the inaccuracy of the vessel’s chronometers, which measure longitude. By the time the captain realized he was too far east, he couldn’t turn back. The Emily Reed hit the beach hard, bow first, and started to break up. The first mate, two seamen and the cook set off in a steel lifeboat, which was immediately swamped. The hap- less four were presumed drowned. Horrified, the captain ordered his wife and the remaining crewmen to stay aboard the ship, which was listing badly. At daylight, luckily there was a very low tide, so the survivors managed to wade ashore, where the captain reported 12 deaths. It turned out his report was just a tad hasty. The men who left hadn’t drowned, they had been pushed out to sea in the heavy surf. Their lifeboat, damaged and needing constant bailing, had no food or water aboard. Worse yet, their hopes were crushed several times when passing ves- sels failed to hear or see them. A few days later, near midnight, the watchman on the deck of the sloop Tesla, anchored in Neah Bay, Washing- ton, more than 200 miles north of Rockaway Beach, heard a “feeble hail.” It was the men in the lifeboat. Three were “in a pitiable condition,” delirious, with swollen tongues from thirst and suffering from exposure, but they all recov- ered. The cook, who gave up hope and drank salt water, did not make it. He had been dead for more than a day. The Emily Reed and her coal cargo were a total loss, but what remains of the ship peeks out of the sand every so often, like now, and her story gets told once again. THE WELSH CONNECTION A nifty history lesson, courtesy of Asto- ria writer Peter Marsh (sea-to-summit.net), appeared in this column Dec. 23, 2011, about the connection between Thomas Meriwether our early history and Jefferson Lewis Wales — information he gleaned from a booklet called “The Welsh in America,” which also suggested Meri- wether Lewis spoke Welsh. “Lewis’ father was descended from Welsh immigrants, and even President Thomas Jefferson recognized his Welsh ancestry,” Peter wrote. “… The expedition was also hop- ing to find the mythical Madogwys, the ‘lost tribe’ of Welsh Indians!” So here we are, several years later, and the Ear did a little research. Anna Berkes, a Monticello staff member, says Jef- ferson did write about his Welsh ancestry, but the actual proof of it “remains elusive” (http://tinyurl.com/jefferwelsh1). But, she acknowledges, perhaps the missing Welsh ancestor just hasn’t been discovered. Yet. However, Berkes points out, Jefferson did have a Welsh dictionary, and she found an article online saying that he used it to decode dispatches sent to him in Welsh by Meriwether Lewis. The Ear found a similar article (http://tinyurl.com/jef- ferwelsh). Sadly, no such dispatches have turned up. Yet. As for the Madogwys, they were named after Madog ab Owain Gwynedd, a 12th century Welsh prince who, as leg- end has it, landed eight ships full of his followers in Mobile (Alabama) Bay in 1169, according to “Wales on Brittania” (http://tinyurl.com/walesmadog). Lewis and Clark never found a Welsh-speaking tribe, but the legend lives on, anyway. “Let’s not forget the part the Welsh played in opening up the frontier!” Peter noted. “Amongst the many Astorians with Nordic ancestry, there must be a few with names like Lewis, Jones or Owens who are part of the great Welsh diaspora.” awn Carr and her husband, Tom, took their grandkids for an outing on Feb. 3, stopping in Astoria for lunch, then head- ing down to Seaside for some fun in the sand. And that’s where Tom lost his wedding ring — by the bathroom at the Seaside Roundabout, next to the steps. He’s pretty sure that’s where it went missing, as he knew he had it on before he got there, and noticed it was not on his finger once he was out on the beach. The ring looks like the one shown, inset, and it is not engraved inside. The couple just bought some property in Clatskanie, and Dawn figures he’s lost a little weight while working on it, so the ring probably just slipped off. Have you found it, or seen it? If so, please give them a call at 503-728-0887. “I would love to get it back,” Dawn said. “With our 30th anni- versary this year, it is special to us.” Can you help? BYE-BYE, BIG E T his one’s for the maritime history buffs: The USS Enter- prise, aka The Big E, the world’s first nuclear-powered air- craft carrier, has been decommissioned after more than 50 years of service — making it also the first nuclear carrier to be decom- missioned, according to NewAtlas.com (http://tinyurl.com/enter- decom). The vessel, which is pictured in a U.S. Navy photo, was actually removed from service in 2012, but it took four years to deactivate and take its reactors offline. Commissioned in 1961, and described as “the first and only one of its class,” the Enterprise was powered by eight nuclear reactors (six more than later carriers), had an unlimited range, carried 60 to 90 aircraft, and only needed to be refueled every 20 to 25 years. In its long career, the ship racked up more than 1 mil- lion nautical miles. Unfortunately, the Enterprise is coming to a rather inglori- ous end. It will be towed around Cape Horn to a naval shipyard in Puget Sound to have its nuclear fuel removed; later, it will be scrapped. A new USS Enterprise, a supercarrier and the ninth navy vessel with that name, is expected to be in service in 2027. “As this ship retires, we know the memory will live beyond her,” The Big E’s last captain, Todd Beltz, said, “and we — the sailors, the shipbuilders, the supporters of Enterprise — we are that link to the next Enterprise.” I SEE … ME ne of Astoria’s favorite expatriates, Chef Daymon Gar- rett Edwards, pictured inset who owns the highly success- ful Tartine Bakery & Cafe in Seoul, South Korea, had a peculiar experience on Sunday. “I went to Inchon Airport in Seoul today to see a friend off,” he wrote, “and while I was waiting to catch the bus back home, and what should my wandering eye see? A picture of me! The picture (which is shown) was taken years ago for an insurance company, but is now being used to promote medical tourism here in Korea.” “I did modeling/acting part time for 15 years here in Korea. Then got busy with pie,” Damon explained. “I come across pho- tos of myself quite frequently, usually in unlikely places.” O COMMUNITY NOTES SATURDAY Clatsop County Genealogical Society — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 350 Niagara Ave. Park in rear of church. Group has joined forces with the LDS Family History Center. Dean Deonier talks about Roots Tech Convention he attended in Salt Lake City. All are wel- come. For questions, call Carol Wamsher at 503-298-8917 or Sali Diamond at 503-325- 1963. Sit and Stitch Group — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Custom Threads, 1282 Commercial St. Knitting, crocheting and needle work. For information, call 503-325-7780. Columbia Northwestern Model Rail- roading Club — 1 p.m., in Hammond. Group runs trains on HO-scale layout. For information, call Don Carter at 503-325- 0757. Spinning Circle — 1 to 3 p.m., Astoria Fiber Arts Academy, 1296 Duane St. Bring a spinning wheel. For information, call 503- 325-5598 or go to http://astoriafiberarts.com embroidery and quilting. All are welcome. For information, call 503-325-1364 or 503- 325-7960. floor of the Astoria Elks Lodge, 453 11th St. Guests always welcome. For information, go to www.AstoriaRotary.org SUNDAY Senior Lunch — 11:30 a.m., Bob Chisholm Senior Center, 1225 Avenue A, Seaside. Suggested donation $3 for those older than 60; $6.75 for those younger than 60. For information, call Michelle Lewis at 503-861-4200. Knochlers Pinochle Group — 1 p.m., Bob Chisholm Community Center, 1225 Avenue A, Seaside. Cost is $1 per regular session per person. Players with highest and second highest scores split the prize. Game is designed for players 55 and older, but all ages are welcome. Cannon Beach American Legion Women’s Auxiliary Breakfast — 9 to 11:30 a.m., American Legion, 1216 S. Hem- lock St., Cannon Beach. Line Dancing — 5:30 to 8 p.m., Sea- side American Legion, 1315 Broadway. For information, call 503-738-5111. No cost; suggested $5 tip to the instructor. Columbia Senior Diners — 11:30 a.m., 1111 Exchange St. Cost is $6. For informa- tion, or to have a meal delivered, call 503- 325-9693. Scandinavian Workshop — 10 a.m., First Lutheran Church, 725 33rd St. Nee- dlework, hardanger, knitting, crocheting, Warrenton Senior Lunch Program — noon, Warrenton Community Center, 170 S.W. Third St. Suggested donation of $5 for seniors and $7 for those younger than 60. For information, or to volunteer, call 503- 861-3502 Monday or Thursday. Astoria Rotary Club — noon, second Astoria Toastmasters — 6:30 p.m., Hotel Elliot conference room, 357 12th St. Visitors welcome. For information, go to www.toastmasters.org or call Christa Svensson at 206-790-2869. TUESDAY Mahjong for Experienced Players — 1 p.m., Astoria Senior Center, 1111 Exchange St. For information, call 503-325-3231. MONDAY Chair Exercises for Seniors — 9 to 9:45 a.m., Astoria Senior Center, 1111 Ex- change St. For information, call 503-325- 3231. Line Dancing for Seniors — 3 to 4:30 p.m., Astoria Senior Center, 1111 Exchange St. Not for beginners. For information, call 503-325-3231. Astoria Alzheimer’s & Other Demen- tia Family Support Group — 2 to 3:30 p.m., first-floor conference room, Clatsop Care Center, 646 16th St. Open to all fam- ily members of people with dementias. For information, call Rosetta Hurley at 503-325- 0313, ext. 222, or email support@clatsop- care.org Stewardship Quilting Group — 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., First Lutheran Church, 725 33rd St. All are welcome. Donations of material always appreciated. For informa- tion, call Janet Kemp at 503-325-4268. Do Nothing Club — 10 a.m. to noon, 24002 U St., Ocean Park, Washington. Men’s group. For information, call Jack Mc- Bride at 360-665-2721. See NOTES, Page 2B
