Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2015)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015 7 B Learn origins of Freemasonry M ILITARY H ERITAGE C HRONICLES — at next City Club meeting The recent opening of the Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter for homeless people in the Masonic building has produced curiosity in the origin in Freemasonry. At the next City Club meet- ing, set for Friday, March 20, local Masons Robin Sullivan and Dick Tooley will speak about the spread of Masonry from the Mediterranean Sea region across the Atlantic Ocean and into Oregon. Sullivan, who is a past treasurer and Trustee of Florence Masonic Lodge, will start with the beginnings of craft guilds by stonemasons in ancient times, and then relate the guild changes that occurred before Masonry became established on the East Coast more than 300 years ago. The spread of Freemasonry across the continent since the Declaration of Independence will be narrated by Tooley, who is Past Master of both San Clemente Lodge in California and Florence Lodge, and a co- author of the history of Florence Masonic Lodge. Tooley will also recount the various activities of the frater- nity in Oregon. The City Club of Florence meets at the Ocean Dunes Golf Course Restaurant. Meetings are open to the public. The program begins at noon, and a limited lunch menu is available for purchase prior to the program. Get Results...List With Tim. Tim Sapp Owner / Principal Broker 541 999-8230 Chittum Loop #1400 – Ele- gant brand new home near south lakes. Upgraded kitchen with granite tops and pantry, high ceilings, and master suite overlooking pri- vate back yard. 44’ RV barn and 2-car garage attached. $389,000. #2415-15690624 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 A quiet word about your hearing. We’re very good listeners. Brad Smith, Au.D. Sandi Ybarra, Au.D. Gail Leslie, Au.D. Doctors of Audiology Iconic Jeep’s unique variations B Y C AL A PPLEBEE Special to the Siuslaw News W hen the iconic jeep first began its life back in 1940 when Bantam Car Company, Ford Motor Company and Willys- Overland each began vying for a coveted government war pro- duction contract, it didn’t begin as the standardized jeep we all recognize today. Although the total number of units produced under military contracts during WWII totaled 647,870 units, Bantam would produce only 2,675 of the early prototypes, where Ford would produce 281,448 of both multi- ple prototypes as well as the standardized unit, and Willys- Overland would produce the largest volume at 362,841, which included multiple proto- types, early production ver- sions and the standardized jeep. One of the various iterations was called the “slat grille” of which only 25,808 were pro- duced. It has been estimated in some collector circles that as few as 250 examples of the Willys’ slat grille still survive in the U.S. As with a lot of all makes of the early production jeeps, they were sent to Russia under the Lend Lease Act. As an avid Jeep enthusiast, I have seen five in the last decade or so, and know of at least two others as well — so I believe there may be more survivors here in the U.S. than previous- ly thought, particularly since we currently have three alone in our Oregon Central Coast Military Vehicle Group with 60 members. So what is a slat grille? As its name implies, Willys- Overland produced these mod- els with a grille made out of flat bar welded together to form more of a brush guard than dec- orative grille stamped out of metal. Produced between late 1941 and early 1942, other distinc- tions included for some pro- duction units no glove box, square fuel sump and shorter windshield. Ken Melnychuck of Dune City, Ron Johnson of North Bend and Jim May of Eugene each own an example of this unique icon. Melnychuck’s is a fairly original unrestored spec- imen; Johnson’s is a work in progress; and May just finished restoring his example. May’s unit began like many of our restorations, by gather- COURTESY PHOTO A slat-grille Jeep owned by Jim May of Eugene. ing multiple Jeeps to restore one — in this case two slat grilles — a 1941 and a 1942. Along with parts from his stash, one 1943 standardized Jeep and a new tub from MD Juan, May spent more than two years restoring with the frame requiring a lot of repair. “I like the satisfaction of fin- ishing a project and the enjoy- ment of driving it as much as I can,” May said of the project. The slat grille joins his fleet of Jeeps, which includes a 1942 Ford GPW script Jeep. May is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and said he saw a lot of yellow vehicles on the flight line. “I have seen only one other Pianist, composer David Hicken to perform in Florence Pianist/composer David Hicken will be making his first concert appearance in Oregon and kicking off Kathy Parsons’ 2015 house concert series on Thursday, March 19, at 7 p.m. Hicken is a world-class pianist who has released five solo piano albums in recent years and several electronic as well as classical organ record- ings prior. His 2013 release, “Carols of Christmas,” includes a bravura arrangement of “The Bell Carol” (“Carol of the Bells”) that many consider to be the very best version of that piece. Hicken was born and raised in England and started his music training with his mother, an accomplished pianist and COURTESY PHOTO Pianist and composer David Hicken will kick off this sea- son’s house concert series in Florence. FLORENCE: 541-997-7617 1525 12th Street, Suite 2 EUGENE: 541-686-3505 401 East 10th Avenue, Suite 110 www.hearingassociates.net 1/2 Off First Service Hearing is believing ...need a friend? Siuslaw News Photo Gallery Coming Soon Now Showing Fraud-Ville Crab Crack Home & Garden Show CROWʼs Share Your Heart SHS Boys & Girls Bsketball Meet H UTCH As you can tell I’m not camera shy at all, I look best in natural sunlight. I am, however, in search of a owner with a light touch and that person would have to be sensitive and patient with my needs. I’m still working on letting down my wall and letting someone love me. It would be more comfortable for me to allow this to happen if I were the only pet. Serious inquiries only...ask for Hutch. FLORENCE HUMANE SOCIETY 2840 Rhododendron Drive • Florence • 541-997-4277 www.fl orencehumane.org This message brought to you by: Siuslaw News teacher herself, at the age of three. After years of rigorous training in England, Hicken moved to the U.S. to study at Peabody Conservatory of Music in Maryland at the age of 17. He lived, taught and per- formed in several locations around the world, and estab- lished the David Hicken School of Music in Honolulu. Hicken and his family moved to southern California last year, launching a new phase in his very active and busy career. Hicken will be performing music from his albums as well as new music, and this promis- es to be an outstanding evening of solo piano music. There is a suggested dona- tion of $15 per person, and reservations are required by calling Kathy Parsons at 541- 999-9720, or emailing her at kathypiano@gmail.com. The concert will be at her home in Sandpines West in Florence. The address and directions will be furnished at the time reservations are made. House concerts offer a unique opportunity to see artists perform in a relaxed set- ting and to interact with them. CDs and sheet music books will be available for sale. For more information about David Hicken, visit his website at www.DavidHicken.com, where there are two interviews as well as reviews of all of Hicken’s piano recordings. SES students to shine at PTA Talent Show If you would like to meet Hutch or any of his friends, please visit us at: View at www.thesiuslawnews.com Photos available for purchase* 5x7 – $5 00 • 8x11 – $7 00 yellow Jeep at any car shows,” he said. “I like the uniqueness of its appearance. Besides, it is good to been by other drivers on the highway.” Even with three Jeeps in his motor pool, May is not done collecting and building. His next project will be a wrecker Jeep and he already has some parts collected. But no doubt his caution yellow slat grille will be the one that stands out in parades, car shows — and on the highway. To learn more about military heritage in general, visit the Oregon Coast Military Heritage Museum website at www.ocmhm.com. + Purchase at 148 Maple St. 541-997-3441 *Photos online are reduced quality – Actual photos purchased are high resolution, high quality. www.shoppelocal.biz Siuslaw Elementary School students will take the stage Thursday and Friday, March 12 and 13, to entertain audiences during the annual Florence PTA Talent Show at the Florence Events Center. Dozens of students will perform a variety of songs, dances and gymnastics in addition to the local Cub and Boy Scouts, who will present the opening flag ceremony. The show will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets are available at the Siuslaw Elementary School library. www.TheSiuslawNews.com.