Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current, January 04, 2017, Image 12

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Polk County itemizer observer., January 04, 2017, Page 12A, Image 12

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Newspaper Page TextPolk County News 12A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 4, 2017 Highlights of 2016 Reporter Jolene Guzman shares a few of her favorite stories By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer 1. “Lost ring finds its way home” — Dec. 21 David Bailey, the man who lost his wedding ring in a roadside parking area in Eastern Oregon and had it returned two years later, said it best: “How often does that happen?” “Amazing” may be an overused word, but the number of coincidences that lead to Bailey getting his ring back in this story is simply that. As Bailey said, the more likely outcomes to a story like this is that the ring is ei- ther never found or sold by the person who found it. That the two men who spotted it glittering on the ground were so determined to return it is incredible on its own. That Bailey’s friend, who knew he lost his ring in that very area, happened to see the sign the men left looking for the owner gives you goosebumps This was a heartwarming story in a year that sorely needed a few happy end- ings, and it was an honor for the I-O to share it. 2. “Falls City’s do-all mayor” — Nov. 23 F a l l s City Mayor Terry Un- gricht is a true public servant, volunteer- ing to take on the role of city Ungricht m a n a g e r. Most people in that position attend college to train for it and earn a salary — justifi- ably so, by the way. Polk County has plenty of examples of people who JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer Gus and company helped deliver Illahe Vineyard’s 1899 wine last summer. have gone above and be- yond — Falls City’s previous mayor Amy Houghtaling filled in the job of mayor/city manager for eight months during her first term — but Ungricht has diligently done the work since April 2015 and ran for re-election, no less. He can be found writing grants, crafting the city’s budget or helping fix a bust- ed water main on any given day. Ungricht does all this without seeking recognition — which is why we made him one of our 2016 Com- munity Champions. 3. “Stagecoach Delivery” — July 27 You’ve got to love the cre- ative minds and the fun-lov- ing nature of the crew at Illa- he Vineyards. A stagecoach ferrying the vineyard’s truly old-fashioned pinot noir 1899 from Dallas to Inde- pendence? Who does that and how can I join the fun? The point of 1899, as the name implies, is to make it with methods commonly used at the time. Since intro- ducing the wine after the 2011 harvest year, Illahe has incorporated old-timey dis- tribution methods, too. Deliveries of 1899 to its Portland distributor have happened via bike and canoe in the past. This year, mule team Hank, Gus, Jesse and Ywa lent a hand — or hooves — to the cause. The stagecoach journey was yet another one-of-a- kind experience we were happy to share. JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer David Bailey’s wedding ring was returned after being missing for two years.