JULY 15, 2002
Smoke Signals 3
Grand Ronde Community Steps Up In The Face Of Tragedy
Davidsons continued from front
cently at just one of many planned
fundraisers for the Davidson fam
ily, who were recently involved in
an accident. In a show of support
for the family, dozens of people
came to the governance center to
buy an Indian taco or raffle ticket,
with the proceeds going to help the
family with medical costs.
The Davidson's, a well known lo
cal family and owners of Eyvette's
Brookside Cafe, were driving home
from McMinnville on June 20 with
their three kids when their SUV
suddenly caught fire, killing two
of their children, Janesse, age 10
and Lucien, age 11. The other
three family members, father
Loren, mother Eyvette, and 12-
page
year-old son Benjamin escaped
with severe burns.
The tragedy had a tremendous af
fect on the Grand Ronde community.
Many Tribal members appreci
ated the chance to make donations
and show solidarity for the family.
The Tribal Council donated two
Pendleton blankets to the
fundraising effort.
"It's the Indian way, to pull to
gether," said Tribal member Janell
Haller, who helped coordinate the
fundraiser.
"It feels good to see so many
people come out lend a hand, espe
cially during a tragedy like this,"
said Haller.
Another Indian taco fundraiser is
scheduled for Monday, July 22nd at
the Tribe's Community Center in
Grand Ronde at noon. If anyone
would like to make a donation to
the Davidson family, the Loren
Davidson Family Fund has been set
up at Bank of America in
Willamina. For more information
on the fund call 503-876-2482.
The Davidson family has been
supported by their family and close
friends who rallied from all over the
country to meet in Grand Ronde
and get the Davidson's business,
Eyvette's Brookside Cafe up and
running again. The restaurant is
located on Highway 18 between
Grand Ronde and Rose Lodge.
Loren, Eyvette and Benjamin are
being cared for at the Burn Center
at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in
Portland. They are currently re
covering and face months of treat
ment for their injuries.
Investigators with the Oregon
State Police Department are still
trying to uncover the mystery of
the fire's origin. The 1997 Subur
ban is being held at the FBI Crime
Lab in Portland. The fire burned
so hot that it was early the next
morning before the car could be
towed to the lab.
A Remembrance Service was held
for Lucien and Janesse Davidson
was held in Grand Ronde at the
Tribal Governance Center on Sat
urday, July 13.
Family Members From Throughout The Country Gather in Grand Ronde
Eyvette's Brookside Cafe reopens in time for the Fourth of July holiday.
By Peta Tinda
Eyvette's Brookside Cafe has re
opened its doors after closing briefly
when its owner's, Lauren and
Eyvette Davison and their chil
dren, were involved in a tragic ac
cident on June 20.
The cafe is now being ran by
Eyvette's sister, Sharene Justen,
until Eyvette returns. Located west
of Grand Ronde on Highway 18,
the cafe is a favorite of locals and
Tribal members. It was reopened
on July 3.
"It's been really busy," said
Justen. "But we've had lot's of help
from people in the community and
people who have worked here. Roy
and Joyce Zimbrick have been down
here every day, helping to wash the
dishes. Jeff Merrier has been help
ing out busing tables and taking or
ders, and Travis Stewart came
down and repainted our sign," said
Justen.
They've also has a lot of help from
family members who came from all
over to help out during these diffi
cult times. Sharene is from Wash
ington. Tiffany, a niece, flew in
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Sharene and Lane Justen, Eyvette Davidson's sister and nephew, are
running the Brookside Cafe until Eyvette, Loren & Benjamin return.
from Hawaii. And nephew Lane
came up from Florida to help with
the restaurant.
According to Justen, the
Davidson family has been doing
much better.
"They're all progressing as they
should. Eyvette is out of intensive
care. They've all had their second
round of skin grafts and are doing
well."
Skin grafting is surgical proce
dure in which unburned donor
skin is removed from a patient's
body and used to cover burned ar
eas. Justen says that she visits her
sister about three times a week and
calls her every day.
"She sounds good. We talk about
recipes and she likes to be kept in
the loop about what's happening
with the business," said Justen.
Both Loren and Benjamin are
still in intensive care, but they too,
are getting better, said Justen.
"Loren has been getting up and
walking around," said Justen.
"And Benny goes down and visits
Eyvette every day."
All three are listed as being in
serious condition, and face months
of recovery. In the meantime, the
doors at Eyvette's Brookside Cafe
will stay open.
"We really appreciate all the lo
cal support we've gotten," said
Justen. "Everybody has been
great." B
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Tribe's Spirit Mountain fTt- -r-
Casino again sponsored fC 4V 1 V,
this year's annual G.I. j ; - -Zr; ta,tNt
Joe's 200 CART races at $m CT '
Portland International W'Wrf tfl i M !
Raceway in mid-June. v M :::rm-2Z
The race is part of the In i "" "" " i il
three days of racing held at PIR and is part of the FedEx Championship Series. The
cars shown here competed in the Toyota Atlantic Championship (above) and the
George Morlan Memorial Race.
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