COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL MARCH 22, 2017 7A The "Wright" Place Another "golden" resident A RESTAURANT REVIEW BY SAM WRIGHT A goodbye to Jim Hornick My husband and I recently attended a memorial service for Jim Simply knowing how to type opened the doors to administrative Hornick, our former neighbor and forever friend. Sitting in the mor- positions. After that, the sky was the limit. He skipped the rank of tuary, amongst his family and friends, I realized that Jim was one Chief and Ensign and started climbing the ladder: Warrant Offi cer, of those golden Cottage Grove residents that I spoke of in my last LJG, LT, LTC and fi nally, a full Commander with the rank of CD-R column. This is his story. (as high as he could go under his designation). To all appearances, neighbor Jim was a good old boy just like all The boy who had never left West Virginia quickly became a the guys. He wore jeans, tended his garden and told tall tales. But he world traveler. He sailed the world’s oceans including around the was so much more. He had a unique success story that began in the African Horn in a harrowing, ship-rolling storm. He served in both hills of West Virginia where he was born in 1931. The cabin that he the Korean and Vietnam wars. His shore duties included coast-to- and his brothers grew up in had nei- coast tours from California to Florida. ther electricity, indoor plumbing nor His last duty station was at the water. His family was truly destitute. Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He su- The town of West Milford, WV, had pervised hundreds of offi ce workers. a population of about 630. Jim was How did he get along? With respect. one of 15 graduates from his school. He said, “If you want respect you give (One of the student’s’ favorite pranks respect.” involved tipping outhouses!) Post He met Charlene while serving in graduation, his future was uncertain. California. After a whirlwind court- The only certainty was that all young ship they married in San Diego in men between the ages of 18 and 26 By Betty Kaiser For The Sentinel 1973. Jim retired after 30 years of were required to register for Military service in 1980 and they moved to Training and Service. I.e. the draft. Cottage Grove Lake where he quietly Jim may have been a hillbilly (his set aside the ever-changing military words) but he was smart and he didn’t have many choices. Since lifestyle, his medals, ribbons and other awards and settled down the draft was imminent, he enlisted in the Navy in 1950 at the age into civilian life. of 19. Why the Navy? His answer: “I didn’t want to roll around in In retirement, this offi cer who bled red, white and blue, loved to the mud with the Army. Bed sheets on board every night were much golf, fi sh and hunt. Occasionally we could get him to tell us a story better.” about cruising the world. He would always end it by saying, “Even His Navy career began on the fl ight deck as a “white hat” enlist- a hillbilly from West Virginia can do okay in the United States ee or “mustang” meaning that he started out as an enlistee but ad- Navy.” In his last years he valiantly fought Alzheimer’s disease. vanced to an offi cer—30 years later he retired as a full Commander. Sadly, he lost that battle in December 2016. At the memorial, his wife Charlene shared how Jim’s life was We will never forget you Jim. We are grateful to you and all those a lesson in how to attain success. He had minimal education but a who choose to serve in the military. You are role models for all gen- great desire to be more than he was. His life as a sailor was gov- erations on how to live disciplined, honorable and patriotic lives. erned by goals, determination and self-education. If he didn’t know And thank you Jim, for reminding us that anything is possible if you how to do something he went to the library and read up on it. That dream big and work hard enough. Rest in peace. included books on etiquette and manners he hadn’t been taught. The Chatterbox Among a variety of great places to eat along Main Street is Cottage Grove’s Buster’s Main Street Café. The restau- rant is known for its hearty breakfasts and good old-fash- ioned American grub. The fi rst thing to notice at Buster’s is the ambience. It has the feel of a classic American diner mixed with the warm and cozy feeling of a café. The kitchen sits in plain view of the seating area behind a counter, perfecting for dining solo. Buster’s is an employer to some of the friendliest staff, and customers and employees tend to know each other well, giving a family-run business feel to the restaurant. I stopped in at around 11:30 for an early lunch, and I was immediately welcomed by the empowering aroma of breakfast foods being prepared or already being consumed. The menu features a wide selection of classic breakfasts, omelets, meals from the griddle and even special features such as the chicken fried steak or the Loco Moco, a Hawaiian favor- ite which includes a beef patty, white rice, two eggs and brown gravy. The menu also features an entire separate eggs benedict section, where you can choose traditional, Florentine or even eggs benedict with crab cakes or smoked salmon. I decided to pick something from the lunch menu, as Bust- er’s is already renowned around town for its great breakfast. One specifi c item from the lunch features caught my eye: the pesto chicken sandwich. It’s nothing particularly complex, but a pesto aioli can defi nite- ly make or break a dish. The chicken breast itself was tender and not dry, but even if it had been, the dryness would have been masked by the fl avorful aioli and provolone cheese. The aioli was spread appropriately across the sandwich: not too light, not too heavy. The choice of bread was also well-chosen. A ciabatta roll provides enough weight to soak up the pesto ai- oli and juices from the chicken. So often is a great-tasting sand- wich ruined because the bread turns soggy, fl at and collapses from the contents of the sand- wich. It was an enjoyable visit to Buster’s and I shall defi nitely be returning soon. Next time, I may be seduced by the myriad of breakfast items. The charm- ing atmosphere is extremely inviting and should I need an- other hearty meal that sticks to my ribs, I will be heading down Main Street once again. All of these pets are looking for their forever home... To fi nd our more about adopting these pets contact the Greenhill Humane Society, SPCA at 541-689-1503 COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL 541-942-3325 COTTAGE GROVE VETERINARY CLINIC 541-942-9181 DOUGLAS MADDESS, DMD 541-942-1559 DOGGIE DO’S AND DON’T’S 541-505-4298 DOGGIE DO’S AND DON’T’S 541-505-4298 HEALTHY PET EUGENE, OR 541-343-3411 FORT ROCK CONSTRUCTION 541-767-1611 OLD MILL FARM STORE 541-942-3042 HEDGE CARTER GUTTER SERVICE 541-942-3630 HEALTHY PET EUGENE, OR 541-343-3411 LITTLE CAESAR’S PIZZA 541-942-2551 HEDGE CARTER GUTTER SERVICE 541-942-3630 OLD MILL FARM STORE 541-942-3042 COTTAGE GROVE VETERINARY CLINIC 541-942-9181 FORT ROCK CONSTRUCTION 541-767-1611 DOUGLAS MADDESS, DMD 541-942-1559