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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (July 19, 2017)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL JULY 19, 2017 Old Mill Continued from A1 Princess Leia keeps watch over the store from her perch behind the cash register at Old Mill Farm Store in Cottage Grove. ‘telephone,’ Edison, the lightbulb, the North won the civil war, the Wright brothers had a new invention as well and a new company was in business under a guy named Ford. Amelia Ear- hart was missing, JFK had been shot, they were marching in Selma, Clinton lied and then he told the truth about the stain on the dress, there were weap- ons of mass destruction, America had an African-American president—they talked about it all. And they did it at that counter. The walls at Old Mill Farm don’t talk—they chatter. A bell better suited for a small cow hangs just below the door frame so as to alert Debbie Lavi- os and Chuck McLeod that a customer has come in. The shelves are stocked with food for livestock, cats and dogs. Bird and other critter cages are for sale too and keeping watch over all of it is Princess Leia, the couple’s small dog who sits perched on a chair behind the counter. The pair have owned Old Mill Farms for 18 years but now, they’re looking to move on. “Our heaviest product is 100 pounds,” Lavios said. “And as you get older, 100 pounds gets heavier. So, it’s time to move on.” Lavios and McLeod are one of a handful of owners who have called Old Mill Farm theirs. The building has sat in the exact footprint since it opened in 1853—six years before the state of Oregon would join the union. The property has had seven major fi res including one that robbed the place of its old 84-foot barn that served as a backdrop in Buster Keaton’s famous fi lm, “The General.” It’s gone through two or three rebuilding efforts and in 1906, the building supplied electricity to the fi rst six street lights in Main St. in downtown Cottage Grove. “This is a family place,” Lavios said. “We have people who shopped here as nine year olds and they’re old enough to be my grandparents now.” According to store re- cords 42 families have been shopping at the Old Mill Farm store for two generations but now, the store that has been a fi x- ture in Cottage Grove is up for sale. “We’re looking for a younger couple that wants to keep the place like it is,” Lavios said. The property has been on the market since Novem- ber and she says it has generated some interest but the couple is looking for the right buyer. “Cottage Grove deserves a place to get good quality food and sup- plies for their animals,” she said. Currently, dog and chicken food are tied for fi rst place in the race for the store’s most popular product. Cat and goat food are in a close second but Lavios said the store is full service. “We like to say we have everything from hamster to zebra,” she said. 3A As for what the couple will do when they say goodbye to Old Mill, Lavios said she’s not sure. Her sons are what she describes as gainfully employed in fi elds outside of the feed store profes- sion and so staying on in a family busi- ness capacity isn’t an option. However, she said the couple isn’t sure they want to leave the business world just yet. No matter what the pair plan to do, the history of the store will be hard to walk away from. Lavios can still point to the place on the property where na- tive and white women met to exchange roots and other supplies. Just out the front window is a view of the old Dr. Snapp house and out front in the park- ing lot that’s now occupied by electric and fuel effi cient cars, horse drawn car- riages used to sit. A piano towards the back of the store has been a staple for years and according to Lavios, the pair has discovered a hoard of secret piano players with whispered requests from customers asking if they could play for “just a few minutes.” “It’s noisy and it’s wonderful,” Lavi- os said. Lavios and McLeod still greet cus- tomers at the counter, though and note that their business is the third longest consecutive running business in the state. And so, while the for sale sign sits just feet from where the old barn used to be, they will be particular about who takes the reins next. “We want someone who doesn’t just want the property, Lavios said, “We want someone who wants this place.” NEWS FROM OUTSIDE THE GROVE Lorane: (Courtesy Lil Thompson) Today, Wednesday, July 19 is the beginning of the Lane County Fair and Grange Day. Come out to the Wheeler Pavilion, get free cookies and coffee from grangers while viewing all the Grange booths. The Wheeler Pavilion is the round building facing 13th street. Be sure to vote for your favorite Grange booth. Lorane Grange meets for this month, Thursday, July 20 at 7 pm. It looks like Alesong Tasting and Brewery has opened in Lorane. It is on Territorial Road just south of King Estate Winery and about a mile or so north of Lorane. Be sure to mark your calendars for the second Sunday in August for the Annual Lorane Community Potluck at Lorane Grange at noon and the Annual Lorane Fire Department Ice Cream Social from 1-5 pm These have become annual favorites to see people in the community and those who have moved away. Creswell: (courtesy city of Creswell) It is a new fi scal year so that means it is time for shoppers to register. All that is required is a piece of mail with the registrant’s name and physical address. If you are homeless that’s OK, just let the pantry know. The City of Creswell is seeking interested applicants to fi ll a part-time position of Airport Maintenance and Operations Technician. Completed applications must be received in the City Recorder’s offi ce at City Hall no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, July 21, 2017. Creswell is an EOE. Movies are shown at Holt Park, located at 4th and A Streets July 22nd – While You Were Sleeping - PG, July 29th – Ghost Busters 2016 – PG13, August 5th – 42 – PG 13, August 12th – Zootopia - PG. Bring your blanket and chairs for a movie under the starts brought to you by the City of Creswell in cooperation with Willamalane Park and Recreation District. Please be considerate of others with regards to smoking and language – remember this is a family friendly event. Movies begin at dusk. Do you have an interest in civics and a desire to serve your community? If you are over 18 and currently live within the city limits of Creswell (and have lived here for a year or more) you could apply to become a City Councilor. There is one vacancy needing to be fi lled for a term that will end December 31, 2018. Ever wonder how Creswell stacks up against other Oregon cities? The League of Oregon Cities has developed a database for anyone interested in comparing city stats. Please check out their website at https://data.orcities.org/ News tip from Yoncalla, Elkton or Drain? Send it in to cmay@cgsentinel.com or call us at (541) 942-3325. Cottage Theatre presents a CT PLAY Youth Production Needs Volunteers To help build House #13 and at the Habitat ReStore WILL YOU HELP? OR “It’s M i ni ng Me Thank you for helping Habitat Help p Others! mor D ow Cottage Grove Area Habitat for Humanity 2155 Getty Circle ~ Unit #1 in the Cottage Grove Industrial Park South on Hwy 99 past the High School 541.767.0358 info@habitatcg.org www.habitatcg.o rg July 21 & 22 at 7:00 pm July 23 at 2:30 pm Written by Keith Kessler Ho ies le” Any skill level from beginner to expert is welcome. Building days are every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday star ng at 9 a.m. Stay for as li le or as long as you are able. Come directly to the build site on Harvey Lane, west off of 16th behind Safeway and we’ll put you to work! n a Long, Dark Sponsored by: Directed by Janet Rust Music Direction by Catricia Mayhue $7 all ages Tickets available online or by phone; advance purchase recommended cottagetheatre.org 541-942-8001 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove
