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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 2016)
November 11, 2016 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com • 5A A look at life in Seaside in the 1920s and 1930s L ooking back again in histo- ry, Seaside during the early 1920s seemed a sunny, happy place, with a new editor of the Seaside Signal. E.N. Hurd liked to keep a mostly positive outlook in the newspaper in spite of uncertain fi nancial situations sweeping across the nation. The previous editor of the signal, Robert Watson, had a personal vendetta against one of the local saloon owners, B.J. Callahan, and often used the paper to state his opinions about Callahan and other things he liked or didn’t like, as loudly as possible. The new editor changed this to everything he reported being slightly sugar-coated, even while small rural banks across the United States were steadily fail- ing at the rate of about 600 a year in the 1920s leading up the great 1929 stock market crash. Seaside’s own bank failed in 1927, coincidentally at the same time as the Seaside Sig- nal changed hands. However, from the headlines in the Seaside Signal, it seemed all was rosy in Seaside. A few indicators that some things were tight were mentioned in the paper: gasoline shortages as gas for cars ran out in the entire county, and new expected shipments were not up to meeting the demand. The automobile was still fairly new and car accidents were listed BETWEEN THE COVERS ESTHER MOBERG weekly, often with cars tipping over on the beach or being stuck in mud for hours at a time. Most accidents resulted in bruising or cuts and scrapes with only a few serious inju- ries when cars collided. The mayor apparently took some people out for practice in avoiding the larger mud holes but even so people seemed to still get stuck. In the 1920s, Seaside contracted for water from the city of Warren- ton, who used the Skipanon River as their main water source. The water fl ow to Seaside through clay pipes was at times problematic, and in 1925 Seaside created a new water system and watershed for Seaside. At this time Gearhart signed up for water from Seaside, however they would eventually end up going back to buying water from Warrenton. In one incident between Seaside and Gearhart, the water bill in one month for the city exceeded their total budget for the year because the meter said millions of gallons went to Gearhart, when in fact they only received several hundred thousand gallons due to faulty water pressure and leaky pipes. Water resources in the 1920s across the county were often problematic due to pipes that lacked the right pressure, how far they were from the source, and an inability to properly maintain the pipes. The Bungalow, the local dance pavilion, burned down in the 1920s and a New Bungalow was built that held the local dances and included new styles of music including a saxophone player. As usual, most summer businesses in the west part of Seaside closed in September for the fall and winter after the summer visitors left. In the 1920s the Women’s Club was the main supporter of many activities for the city including the dahlia fair and the city library. Over 300 books had been received by the library during the summer of 1920 as visitors came to Seaside and do- nated reading material to the library. Mrs. Hurd was president of the club through 1920. The Woman’s Club had several different groups includ- ing ‘home economics’, ‘literary department’, and a ‘music depart- ment’ from which the club meetings were entertained on various topics. Both the Breakwater (men’s cham- ber group) and the Women’s Club worked together to put on fund- One Signal editor was considered “soft” on hard news. This is the Signal the week of the 1929 stock market crash. FILE PHOTO raisers that helped beautify the city and purchase books for the library. One joint fundraiser they did was based on the 1849 pioneer and gold rush days and included Wild West themed dances (held at the New Bungalow), games, sideshows, and other curiosities. Some books that were added to the library shelves in 1920 (that you may still read today) included books by Zane Grey, Gene Stratton Porter, Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twin, the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, and some of the Tarzan books by Edgar Rice Burroughs. LETTERS OBITUARIES Michael Evenson Allen Fred ‘Bob’ David Thoman Nov. 21, 1951 — Oct. 19, 2016 Dec. 5, 1928 — Oct. 11, 2016 Michael Allen Michael Evenson Allen died at his Gearhart home on a rainy Wednesday eve- ning, Oct. 19, 2016. He was surrounded by his children, to whom he was an excel- lent father, and who love him more than anyone; his sister, whom he loved, and whose loving support during his fi nal days was invaluable to him and his family; and two of his old- est friends, whom he loved and who have made a life- time of memories with Mi- chael, even if many of those are from a lifetime ago. Michael was born on Nov. 21, 1951, to two wonderful parents, Devere Franklin Allen (July 4, 1927 — Dec. 17, 1997) and Margaret Carol Evenson, born March 21, 1929, and still with us today. He grew up in Clatskanie, the el- dest of four siblings, and is survived by Debby Brown of Hillsboro, Steve Al- len of Portland and Kathy Ormseth of Saratoga, Cal- ifornia. During his forma- tive years in Clatskanie, he met many of the people he still counted as close friends decades later, and he always had a place in his heart for the small town. In his early adulthood, Michael worked for the family business for a time, buying and selling lum- ber and supervising a mill in North Plains. He also studied music theory at Portland State Universi- ty in order to gain a richer understanding of the music he so loved to listen to and perform. When many of his best friends remember Michael, it is with a gui- tar in his arms or seated at a piano. While at Portland State, Michael also studied counseling, and for a time in the late 1980s, Michael did volunteer work with kids living on the streets of Portland. I remember how much it meant to him to be able to help those who real- ly needed it. Michael married Gay- le Kerkhoven in 1984, and from their union came Kathryn Nicole Allen (born in 1985) and Dono- van Franklin Allen (born in 1989). Michael put ev- erything he had in to be- ing a parent. He taught his children his version of the golden rule, and to “do what you say you will do,” and generally just to try to be the best person you can be. His children have him to thank every day for some of the core elements of their personalities, his years of caring investment in them and their futures, and for holiday meetings and late night phone calls to talk about anything or nothing, for years after they left the nest. Michael’s children love him, and will never forget him. In 1995, Michael and Gayle split ways, and Michael moved his kids from Portland to Gearhart, where he eventually would purchase the family beach home, a nearly 100-year- old cedar shingled house that screamed “classic Gearhart.” Michael made the home his own over the years, without sacrifi cing its beachy heart. The home he now leaves to his chil- dren is unique in a sea of rental houses, fi lled with art and music, with something unexpected around every corner. Michael truly loved this house, and truly loved Gearhart. Everyone who knew and loved Michael is so happy he was able to make it back home to say his fi nal good- byes. He wanted to hear the ocean one more time, to feel the sea air on his face one more time. He wanted to be in the presence of the people who meant the most to him, in a place that was his. Michael lived a good life, and we wish he could still be here. We will keep him alive in memory and spirit, and fi ll his house with friends, family and good times. Michael pre- ferred not to have a fu- neral, as funerals can be dull, creepy affairs, but for those of you who knew and loved him, something is in the works to celebrate Mi- chael’s life, and we will let those of you who were close to him know the de- tails soon. Dad, we love you so much, you Old Crab. Fred “Bob” David Thoman, 87, a lifelong resi- dent of Oregon, died Oct. 11, 2016, in Tualatin. He was born Dec. 5, 1928, in Portland, Or- egon, and was the only child of Fred David Thoman Sr. and Antonette Molinari Thoman. Bob married Donna Dar- lene Pearson on Aug. 23, 1950 in Portland. Their love for one another was so strong and enduring, and in 2016 they celebrated their 66th year of marriage. Bob was a child entertain- er who sang and played banjo with his double cousin, Tom- my Thoman. He and Tom- my were like brothers, and entertained at many venues in the Northwest for years, including events for disabled veterans. Their entertainment opportunities included an ap- pearance on one of Portland’s fi rst live television broadcasts. Bob graduated from Jeffer- son High School in 1946. He attended Oregon State Uni- versity, and served in the U.S. Air Force. As a young man, Bob went to work for Northwest Marine Iron Works, where he advanced to the role of CEO and president. He cher- ished his working relationship with company owner George Grebe, and worked very hard to serve the company well in his trusted role as president. Bob was a loving and de- voted husband and father, and enjoyed spending time with his family more than anything. Members of the Resurrection Lutheran Church, Bob served as a church council member and congregational president for a number of years. Bob was an avid sports fan who loved playing, coaching and watching baseball. He en- joyed playing golf, and was a big fan of the OSU Beavers. He also loved traveling to Disneyland and to the family cabin on Mount Hood with his wife and children. In later years he enjoyed taking annu- al trips to Kauai with his wife, family and friends. After retiring, Bob and Donna moved to their condo in Gearhart, Oregon, in 1985. Shortly after, Bob was asked to temporarily take over as acting manager of the Gear- hart By the Sea Hotel for six months. He later retired, for the second time, in 1994, after managing the hotel for eight years. While living at the coast, Bob and Donna were faithful members of Our Saviour’s Fred “Bob” Thoman Lutheran Church in Seaside, where Bob served on the church council. Community service was an important part of Bob’s life in many ways. He served on Providence Sea- side Hospital’s board of di- rectors for over a decade. He enjoyed delivering meals for Seaside’s Meals on Wheels program, and volunteered in other service programs, as well. Bob’s life was character- ized by his faith in God, love of his family and friends, service to the church and community as well as loyal- ty to his employer. Bob was known as a family man. He had a very active role in his children’s lives as they grew up, and continued that role his entire life. He was their best friend and hero. In later years, Bob was just as active and vital in his grandchildren’s lives, nev- er missing a ball game, band concert or dance recital. He was a proud father and grand- father, and a devoted husband who cherished every moment spent with his family. Bob is survived by his wife, Donna; son Eric (Mary) Thoman of San Rafael, Cal- ifornia; daughter Jeanette (Rick) Davis of Warrenton, Oregon; grandchildren Chad (Karri) Davis of Bend, Ore- gon, Heidi Terese of Vancou- ver, Washington, Todd Davis of Maricopa, Arizona, Mat- thew (Hannah) Davis of War- renton, Oregon, and Emily Thoman of San Rafael, Cal- ifornia; great-grandchildren Connor and Carson Davis of Bend, Oregon, and Gavin Davis of Warrenton, Oregon; and a brother-in-law, David Pearson. A private burial was held at Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland. In lieu of fl owers, the fam- ily requests that donations be made in Bob’s name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Obituary Policy The Seaside Signal publishes paid obituaries. The obituary can include a small photo and, for veterans, a fl ag symbol at no charge. The deadline for all obituaries is 9 a.m. the business day prior. Obituaries may be edited for spelling, proper punctuation and style. Death notices and upcoming services will be published at no charge. Notices must be submitted by 9 a.m. the day of publication. Obituaries and notices may be submitted online at www.dailyastorian.com/forms/ obits, by email at ewilson@dailyastorian.com, placed via the funeral home or in person at The Daily Astorian offi ce, 949 Exchange St. in Astoria. For more information, cal 503- 325-3211, ext. 257. Letters from Page 4A either owned or (as realtors) sold vacation rentals, and they were hot to get as many on the market as possible. They did. They fought those of us who were trying to preserve the integrity of residential zoning tooth and nail. They won. So, anyone who cannot fi nd rental housing in Sea- side can thank those fellows for eliminating the 200-plus or so rentals that used to be here. Every neighborhood is now a motel zone, and there are no strictly-resi- dential zones in Seaside any more. Greed dictated and drove the movement; the City Council and Planning Commission got exactly what they wanted, at a very high cost to the community and its residents. Very sorry to have been right. Sandy Rea Seaside A local solution for workforce housing “Business leaders call for housing solutions” head- lines the Seaside Signal. The CEDR leader speaking to the Seaside City Council “calls for new affordable and workforce housing.” There is no doubt that com- munities have a responsi- bility for homeless housing, especially for veterans. But before we rush out to create additional programs and levy additional taxes, the business community has its own homework to perform. Certainly local employ- ment has been shifting to lower wage jobs in the hospitality industry in Seaside and Cannon Beach and retail jobs in Warrenton. Wages in the area have not kept up with housing costs and statewide wage growth. One way to solve local workforce housing prob- lems is to pay workers bet- ter. How does one do that and remain competitive? You make your business effi cient. The local lodging industry is a prime can- didate for this approach. Lodging managers complain about workforce turnover, a tremendous cost to this industry. The area abounds with older adults who need supplemental income and who already have housing. They are great workers for a number of positions in the hospitality industry, yet management in this industry remains unaware of how to use this resource to solve their seasonal problems. CEDR instead of running around crying, “the sky is falling, you need to do something” should do some- thing themselves and help educate Clatsop businesses to better solve their own problems. CEDR should get a copy of “The Aging Workforce: Four Steps to Maximize Older Workers in Your Organization.” It’s free on the Internet. John Dunzer Seaside Give a gift for children around the world During National Col- lection Week, Nov. 14-21, Seaside residents are in- vited to donate shoeboxes fi lled with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of en- couragement and fun toys, such as a doll or soccer ball for Operation Christmas Child. The shoeboxes are for delivery to children in need around the world. This year, Seaside and surrounding cit- ies residents hope to contrib- ute more than 29,000 shoe- box gifts toward the 2016 global goal of reaching 12 million children. Donations may be dropped off at Seaside North Coast Family Fellowship, 2245 N. Wahanna, from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat- urday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sun- day; and 8 to 10 a.m. Mon- day, Nov. 21. For more information visit Samaritanspurse.org. Show a little ‘Laundry Love’ The annual Laundry Love event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Seaside Laundromat located at 1223 S. Roosevelt Drive. Laundry Love helps fam- ilies in Clatsop County by paying for two loads of laun- dry per family, no strings at- tached. Winter clothing donations are needed for children up to adult sizes. In keeping within the spirit of Laundry Love, free winter clothing will be handed out to people in need during the Nov. 12 Laundry Love event. Families with children are welcome. Re- freshments and drinks are provided. Drop-off places for donat- ed clothing are: State Farm (815 S. Holladay Drive); Sea- side Chamber of Commerce (7 N. Roosevelt Drive); Sea- side Coffee House (5 N. Hol- laday Drive); and The Cove (240 S. Roosevelt Drive). Laundry Love is spon- sored by At the Water’s Gate. For more information, call 541-580-6734.