COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL March 18, 2015
11A
And just like that, we're afl oat!
W
hile the gift was certain-
ly intended for my wife
on the occasion of her birthday,
its transformative effect on the
entire family has already made
itself known.
On Saturday morning, it was
my distinct pleasure to take to
the Territorial Highway for a
pleasant yet soggy drive to Ve-
neta. There, I traded a few Ben-
jamins for possession of a slightly used
but otherwise incredible 15 ½-foot ca-
noe. On returning home, the wife gave
a delighted squeal the likes of which
I've not heard before, and just like that,
our lives had changed: We are now boat
owners, with all the possibilities and
responsibilities the designation will no
doubt entail.
Since moving to Oregon a little
over a decade ago, we’ve spent count-
less hours near the state’s waterways,
which dictate much of the style and
particulars of human life in these parts.
It seems that nearly every human set-
tlement features some body of water
in its vicinity, with crystal-clear moun-
c.g.
roil the waters of our local res-
ervoirs while showing off gear
with a higher monthly pay-
ment than our rent check.
By Saturday, though, much
had changed, and the plans
came thick and fast. While
we’re certainly in no shape to
tackle a rushing river in our
little canoe, the surfaces of
a multitude of pristine lakes
now await the disruption of our
paddles. Fish that consider the
deepest reaches of lakes such as Odell
and Siltcoos and Hosmer a safe-haven
may now have to think twice about the
goofballs paddling overhead (we can
hope). Our traditional “lake night,”
which adds a glorious punctuation to
the summer work week, has a whole
new appeal. And perhaps most impor-
tantly, our young daughter can now
know the pleasures of being out on the
water in a boat she’s been asking for
since she fi rst began to speak.
Though the rainfall kept most folks
away from local waterways this week-
end, my wife and I couldn’t resist chris-
Daytripper
Adventures of a lifetime in an
Oregon afternoon
tain lakes often to be found near rivers
rushing with snowmelt, and it’s clear
that Oregonians’ relationship with wa-
ter adds much to the quality of life for
those lucky enough to call this place
home.
But alas, the possibilities available
to our little family have thus far been
severely limited; we’ve spent spring-
time confi ned to the bank, all the while
watching boaters haul trout and salmon
into their craft just a few yards away.
We’ve rented craft of questionable
merit just to get to the other side of the
lake and watched as pleasure boaters
photo by Jon Stinnett
A little rain didn't stop Heather Campbell from enjoying her fi rst
paddle on Dorena Reservoir Saturday.
tening the sloop at Dorena on Saturday,
where even a little drizzle couldn’t
hamper a fantastic afternoon paddle.
And there are already plans to visit the
bird life at Cottage Grove Lake, the
yellow perch at Mercer and the native
rainbows that call Odell Lake home.
So if you see us on the water this
spring and summer, you might send a
friendly wave our way (boaters tend to
be quite courteous). We’ll be the ones
in the green canoe with the three-year
old belting “Frozen” lyrics and yelling
her best fi sh call.
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Divorce recovery
class
The Church of Christ at 6th
and Gibbs will be holding a Di-
vorce Recovery class starting
Sunday, March 29 from 6-8 p.m.
for 13 weeks. This class is part
of the DivorceCare program and
is designed for those who are
contemplating divorce, separat-
ed, or have already completed
the divorce process. It covers
topics such as anger, loneliness,
depression, new relationships
and fi nancial survival. Anyone
interested in more information
can go to www.divorcecare.
org or call Andrew at 541-870-
7645.
Stretching a dollar
Those who have questions
about spending less, clearing
debt, or building their credit
may want to sign up for a free
10-hour money management
course called “Finding Paths to
Prosperity,” which will be of-
fered on Tuesday evenings in
Cottage Grove starting March
31.
The course aims to offer a
comfortable interactive setting
to learn ways to spend less and
save more.
This course is open to all
community members, free of
charge, with the help of United
Way of Lane County. Four 2½-
hour class sessions will be held
in Room 130 at the LCC cam-
pus, 1275 S. River Road in Cot-
tage Grove. The class will be
meeting from 6-8:30 p.m. for
four sessions, March 31, April
7, 14, and 21. Refreshments and
materials will be provided.
To register or get your ques-
tions answered, please call 541-
743-7142 to talk to Colleen
Stewart at St. Vincent de Paul
Society of Lane County, Inc.
Ladies'
clothing give-away
Riverside Community Church
invites area ladies to a free la-
dies clothing give-away on Sat-
urday, March 21 from 9:30 a.m.
to 1 p.m. There will be a light
brunch with encouraging words
from special Stonecroft Minis-
tries speakers and music. More
information is available by call-
ing Sue at 541-942-7126, ext.
18.
Messiah in the
Passover
Trinity Lutheran Church
would like to invite the Chris-
tian as well as the Jewish com-
munity to attend a free demon-
stration called “Messiah in the
Passover,” billed as a “vivid and
exciting demonstration showing
how Jesus fulfi lled the ancient
feast of Passover. This program
also aims to help the Jewish and
Christian communities under-
stand their common heritage.
The demonstration will take
place Wednesday, March 25 at 7
p.m. The church is located at the
corner of 6th and Quincy. Those
seeking more information may
call 541-942-2373.
Jarvis completes
Basic Training
Airman Cody E. Jarvis grad-
uated from basic military train-
ing at Joint Base San Antonio-
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COTTAGE GROVE
Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an
intensive, eight-week program
that included training in military
discipline and studies, Air Force
core values, physical fi tness and
basic warfare principles and
skills.
Airmen who complete basic
training earn four credits toward
an associate in applied science
degree through the Community
College of the Air Force.
Jarvis is the son of Michael
Jarvis of Dorena, Ore., and Fawn
Hilbrand of Cottage Grove,
Ore. He is also the brother of
A’lynn Day of Cottage Grove,
Ore., and grandson of Dolli and
Ken Plummer of Cottage Grove,
Ore.
The airman graduated in
2014 from Cottage Grove High
School, Cottage Grove, Ore.
Yoncalla craft fair
The Yoncalla Chamber of
Commerce will present its sec-
ond annual Spring Craft and
Plant Show on Saturday, April
11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Crafters from all over North
Douglas County and beyond
will present all hand crafted
items and artwork for use in the
home and garden. Ornamental,
herbs and garden plants of many
varieties will also be offered for
sale.
Those interested in being a
vendor at this event are urged
to call soon, and those who re-
quire further information can
contact Susan Turner at 541-
733-6891 or Marilee Fisher at
541-849-2645.
Submarine
veterans to gather
✔
Health &
Wellness
Exhibits
✔
Yard Art
✔ Contest
Gathering
the
✔ of Gardeners
Crafters
Market
APRIL 11
APRIL 12
10AM-6PM
NOON-5PM
VENDORS • DEMONSTRATIONS • FREE TO PUBLIC
On Friday, March 27 at
noon, the newly formed Rogue-
Umpqua base of the United
States Submarine Veterans In-
corporated (USSVI) will gather
at VFW Post 4116, 410 E. Main
St. in Rogue River, Oregon off
Interstate (I-5), Exit 48, to cel-
ebrate and honor its shipmates
on “Eternal Patrol”, and to hear
from the main speaker, Mr. John
Boundy. After serving in the Air
Force, Boundy spent 30 years
at Electric Boat, Groton, Con-
necticut, building submarines,
just as his father did before him,
dating back to the early days of
the submarine Force. He will
discuss the specifi cs and history
of building submarines.