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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018
CONTACT US
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(503) 325-3211 ext. 257
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IN ONE EAR • ELLEDA WILSON
ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT
ast weekend, if you could see far enough out to sea, you
would have been able to spot a single rower pass the mouth
of the Columbia River in his rowboat. He’s heading steadily
south, and eventually west, 7,145 miles to Australia, at 1 mph —
about the standard rowing/drift rate.
But this isn’t just any old rowboat. Astorian nautical writer
Peter Marsh met military aviator/rower Jacob Adoram at the
Portland Boat Show, and saw the 28-foot vessel in question, built
by Schooner Creek Boatworks in Portland. “This may be the fin-
est, most high-tech (high cost) rowboat ever built, befitting a
fighter pilot,” he observed.
Well, it better be, since this unsupported trek crossing the
Pacific from Neah Bay, Washington, is touted as “the longest solo,
non-stop attempt from North America in the history of modern
ocean,” according to his website, jacobadoram.com, which also
contains his blog (from which the photos shown are taken).
If we have learned anything from wayward Kon-Tiki-style
sailor Rimas Meleshyus, it’s that ocean drifting is not for the faint
at heart, and is fraught with peril. (Check Peter Marsh’s take on
these solo voyages at tinyurl.com/RowKnow)
In the meantime, you can always follow Jacob’s progress on
his website’s tracker, which updates hourly.
L
KENNY MEETS DARYL
onprofit International Hearing Dog Inc. (hearingdog.org)
has trained more than 1,300 professionally certified hearing
dogs that are given at no cost to those who need them. The mixed
breed pups, which come from shelters and rescues, are trained to
respond to doorbells or knocking, a ringing telephone, emergency
alarms, and any other sounds a hearing impaired individual needs.
A professional trainer accompanies the dog to his/her new home
for a few days to make sure things go smoothly — which is how
trainer CC Trammell wound up in Astoria this week with Hear-
ing Dog Kenny, who has been brought to help Daryl Lampley.
“Kenny is doing wonderfully,” Trammell wrote in a recent
update. “He is working all sounds when I am not there. They
practiced first thing this morning when I wasn’t there, and he
raced to all sounds. They were also impressed, when we went
to Safeway, how Kenny tells them when someone is coming up
from behind, and how he’s so well behaved.”
It looks like the proverbial match made in heaven. “Kenny
has clung to Daryl,” the trainer said, “and will not leave his side.”
A SINGLE MOMENT
our life changes in a single moment when some-
thing like this happens,” Aundrea Johnston
wrote. “It is one of the stories you read about, but
doesn’t happen to you.” In June, her husband, Kris, and
stepson, Eric, both of Seaside, were badly injured when
they were involved in a fiery head-on crash on U.S.
Highway 26. Aundrea and Kris are pictured, at their
2016 wedding.
“We are beyond blessed that both the boys survived,
and I feel the people on the road that day were per-
fectly placed,” she continued. “Jordan and Courtney
Matilla, Josh and Crystal Thompson, Becky White
and Jason. We know they would not be here without
their actions.
“We had no idea that we would not be fully pro-
tected, as the accident was not my husband’s fault. I am
currently having to pay for his meds, as we have run
through auto insurance costs. He is unable to work for
six months, minimum, due to the accident.
“My stepson Eric will be out of work even longer,
as he still has at least one more impending surgery on
his back. We lost our health insurance this year, as the
monthly cost went up to $1,500 per month, and we
could not continue the expense.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family
at tinyurl.com/KrisEric. Donations can also be made to
the Aundrea Johnston Donation Account No. 1329134
at any TLC or Fibre federal credit union.
“Both Kris and Eric are home now. We had to out-
fit our home to accommodate their needs and lack of
mobility,” she explained. “It will be a long journey, and
we are beyond grateful to our community and those who
have reached out to help. It really is a humbling experi-
ence for my husband and me, as we are hard-working,
independent people.”
“We are working together as a family, and with our
amazing community, to get through this,” Aundrea
added. “Life is a gift, and precious!”
‘Y
nd the Goonies 2 bandwagon rolls on: Lawrence Yee, editor-
in-chief of Fandom, recently interviewed Sean Astin, who
played Mikey Walsh in “The Goonies” (tinyurl.com/G2again).
“It will definitely get made,” Astin told Fandom. “Either in Ste-
ven Spielberg’s lifetime when he says yes, or after his lifetime,
when WB (Warner Brothers) takes it over.”
“Spielberg has been very protective of the idea,” Astin added.
“He’s always wanted to do the sequel. Three years after we
finished, he sent me a poster and asked me about it … I think
they’ve had lots of versions of that script written, and I think he
just hasn’t felt like it would capture the same feeling of that time.
But it will (be made) at some time. I would be happy to partici-
pate, or happy to bring my grandchildren.”
A
run Orion Acres Animal Rescue,” in Long Beach, Washing-
ton, Sarah Marie (pictured inset) wrote. “I have been doing
animal rescue for 23 years. I owned a large rescue farm in Eastern
Washington, and sold so my oldest could grow up near family. I just
went public July 2 in an attempt to be able to help more animals.”
And she’s already busy. “I am working on bringing a few cap-
tured mustangs from a kill pen in Toppenish, Washington,” she
explained. “We have been able to raise enough for the mare and
foal pictured. They are now safe, and waiting to come here. Since
there will already be a paid-for trailer coming this way, I am hop-
ing to bring more.”
Sarah had planned to rescue two orphaned foals (their moth-
ers were sold for meat), but the deal fell through. So instead,
she ended up buying all three orphans that were in Onalaska,
Washington.
“I also paid for a bag of formula to come with them, and
ordered bags of formula and milk pellets,” she noted. “I decided
to take this on, so I sure can’t expect help, but man, is it a lot
for me. If you can donate or sponsor, it would sure help. Future
homes will be needed, too.”
If you would like to support Sarah Marie’s life-saving effort for
these foals, and assist with future and ongoing rescue expenses, a
PayPal account has been set up at paypal.me/orionacres. To con-
tact her, email orionacres@usa.com. You can also join the Orion
Acres Facebook group at tinyurl.com/OrionAcres for her latest
news and updates.
“I have been doing this completely on my own for years,”
she added. “I finally stepped out of my comfort zone in hopes it
would help more animals.” Now you can help, too.
‘I
SATURDAY SURPRISE
LOCAL BREVITIES
N
DEFINITELY, HE SAYS
FAREWELL, COMFORT ZONE
veryone knows Fort George blows a whistle at 5 p.m. week-
days. Well, a little bird tells the Ear that there might be a
new and different whistle blowing through town at 5 on Satur-
day. Word to the wise: Be downtown then for an impromptu
surprise.
E
LOOKING SPIFFY
nippets from the Sunday, July 19, 1885 edition of The
Daily Morning Astorian:
• Miss Cleveland’s book is a financial success.
Note: President Grover Cleveland was single, and his
sister, Rose Elizabeth Cleveland (pictured, inset), was the
first First Lady to be published while residing in the White
House (tinyurl.com/RoCleve). Her thrill-a-minute book,
“George Eliot’s Poetry, and Other Studies,” was a hit. In
the July 25, 1885 edition of The Publishers’ Weekly, Funk
& Wagnalls announced the seventh edition of the book,
saying the “demand has been large, beyond expectation.”
• The government barge “Chinook” loaded rock at Bug-
by’s Hole last Friday, and went down to Fort Stevens yes-
terday in tow of the Lilian. This is the first barge load of
rock used in building the wall at the mouth of the Colum-
bia river.
Note: The South Jetty construction took place from
1885 to 1939; Bugby, or Bugby’s Hole, is an obscure area
on the Columbia River east of Bradwood. Stone was still
being taken from this quarry for work on the jetty as of
1902. (tinyurl.com/bugbyjetty)
• A. G. Spexarth has a new enterprise under way in the
shape of a brickyard, near Fairfield point, on Young’s bay.
… He has a force of men busily engaged in making brick
and has begun arching for the first kiln, which will hold
150,000, and which will soon be ready for burning. … He
finds two deposits of clay some 150 yards from each other,
which … make a fine quality of brick …
Note: Spexarth, a prominent Astoria businessman,
eventually owned four downtown buildings. In 1885, there
wasn’t much of a demand for brick, so this was essentially
a “save it for a rainy day” move. It’s a safe bet it paid off.
(tinyurl.com/SpexFour)
S
his last winter was tough for John Wedell (aka Helmet
John), and he started getting scared,” Jeff Daly wrote. “He
started to move around town, showing up in new places. Jimbo
Defeo from the Astoria Coffeehouse & Bistro also was concerned
for John’s well-being, as he was refusing to go inside for shelter.
He was going to get John an electric blanket, but John said no.
“Jimbo ended up sending John’s brother — a school teacher
in Astoria, who lives in Astoria — an email regarding John’s
change of character. The day he came to get John, and take him
back to his home, John told Jimbo, ‘The next time you see me, I
will be respectful,’ and that he would shave and clean up, as he
knew he was starting to get out of control. He also said he would
come wearing a suit, and get his job back.
“And then, at 10 Saturday night there John was, doing as he
promised (as Jeff’s photos show), getting all cleaned up in the
11th Street garden district.”
“Helmet John is digging the new look,” Jeff added. “I sug-
gested ‘Spiffy,’ and he approved.”
‘T
COMMUNITY NOTES
SATURDAY
Angora Hiking Club — 9 a.m.,
Sixth Street parking lot. “A to N and
Back Again,” 10K Volkswalk on Asto-
ria’s paths and stairs. Membership is
not required to participate. For infor-
mation, call Arline LaMear at 503-338-
6883 or go to angorahikingclub.org
Seniors Breakfast — 9 a.m.
to noon, Astoria Moose Lodge, 420
17th St. Cooked to order from menu,
includes coffee. Cost is $5 for seniors
62 and older, $7.50 for those young-
er than 62. Breakfasts are open to
the public. Proceeds after expenses
help support local and other charities.
Sit & Stitch — 11 a.m. to 1
p.m., Homespun Quilts & Yarn, 108
10th St. Bring knitting, crochet or
other needlework projects to this
community stitching time. All skill
levels welcome.
Columbia Northwestern Mod-
el Railroading 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 astoriafiberarts.com
SUNDAY
Seniors Breakfast — 9 a.m.
to noon, Astoria Moose Lodge, 420
17th St. Cooked to order from
menu, includes coffee. Cost is $5
for seniors 62 and older, $7.50 for
those younger than 62. Breakfasts
are open to the public. Proceeds af-
ter expenses help support local and
other charities.
National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI) Support Group
— 2 to 3:30 p.m., Seaside Public
Library, 1131 Broadway. Family to
Family Support Group, for anyone
with friend or loved one suffer-
ing from a serious brain (mental)
illness. For information, contact
Myra Kero at 503-738-6165, or k7e-
rowood@q.com, or go to nami.org
Line Dancing — 5:30 to 8 p.m.,
Seaside American Legion, 1315
Broadway. For information, call
503-738-5111. No cost; suggested
$5 tip to the instructor.
MONDAY
Chair Exercises for Seniors
— 9 to 9:45 a.m., Astoria Senior
Center, 1111 Exchange St. For in-
formation, call 503-325-3231.
Scandinavian Workshop —
10 a.m., First Lutheran Church, 725
33rd St. Needlework, hardanger,
knitting, crocheting, embroidery
and quilting. All are welcome. For
information, call 503-325-1364 or
503-325-7960.
Senior Lunch — 11:30 a.m.,
Bob Chisholm Senior Center, 1225
Avenue A, Seaside. Suggested do-
nation $3 for those older than 60;
See NOTES, Page 3B