Decade of the Month: 1900-1909
Celebrating 120 Years
Today
DirectLink is best known as an internet service provider for the Canby and Mt. Angel communities, but did you know that the company first started 120 years ago on January 14, 1904?
Over the next 12 months, DirectLink is going to take you on a journey through the cooperative’s history as it unfolded alongside the technological and social developments throughout the country. From party line telephones all the way to high-speed internet powered by fiber optics, innovation and quality service have always been the guiding principles for rural cooperatives such as DirectLink.
Early Beginnings
By 1904, over 3 million telephones in the U.S. were connected by manual switchboard exchanges. It had been nearly 30 years since Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful call to his assistant, and this new form of convenient communication technology was becoming more commonplace.
In the Canby area, the Macksburg Mutual Telephone Company was born in early 1904 when local farmers pooled together resources to purchase a 4-line telephone switch. People loved the idea of being able to communicate with others in neighboring towns and cities, and it sure beat waiting on the mail or riding one’s horse to see
what business opportunities were available. The company o cially moved to Canby the following year, and a 50-line switchboard was purchased for $150 a year a er that, allowing folks to make calls to Molalla, Oregon City, Marquam, and New Era.
For the next 5 years, the company moved toward a more formal business operation as jobs became available to maintain facilities and equipment; telephone linemen made 25 cents per hour, while switchboard operators received $2 annually per customer.
45,000
That’s how many online threats were blocked by OMNI’s built-in security features in November. Call DirectLink to learn more.
New Year, New Possibilities
Cheers to health, happiness and prosperity in 2024
Time, time, time. See what’s become of me. While I looked around for my possibilities...”
The opening line from “Hazy Shade of Winter” by Simon and Garfunkel is fitting since we’re smack dab in the middle of winter and Father Time has turned the page once again to a new calendar.
Welcome, everyone, to 2024.
Looking back on 2023, I, once again, realize I’m not getting any younger. While I’m more settled in my ways, clinging to a stronger sense of nostalgia, I’m excited to see how the world continues to grow and evolve — as long as computers and robots don’t completely take over the world.
I see my children, now in their early 20s, take steps to enrich themselves with education and chasing their future careers. This chapter in their lives reminds me of my younger years, green around the ears and looking for my own career pathway.
I didn’t set out to be a magazine publisher, but I’m grateful the road I took more than 20 years ago has brought me here. Along the way, I’ve
had the chance to meet amazing people — business owners, clients, consumers and others — many of whom I call good friends.
It brings me a smile and a true sense of purpose knowing I can help connect business owners and consumers in our local community.
It’s interesting how small decisions can have such lasting effects on our lives. Of course, the major ones — where we live, where we work, whom we marry, etc. — also shape us greatly. Living outside Aurora, publishing magazines and living my best life with my wife (and kids) has me feeling thankful beyond words.
So, here is where I will end this letter, the first one of 2024.
May the new year bring the opportunity to make a difference in your life and others. A whole new year, full of new possibilities.
Matt Nelson, Publisher Canby Community Advantage Magazine
P.S. If your business services local residents, give me a call at 503-825-2111 to see how partnering with us will put you in the homes of everyone in Canby and Aurora.
ADMINISTRATION
Matthew Nelson, Publisher Catrina Nelson, CFO
Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant
PRODUCTION
Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director
Donovan Darling, Content Manager
Kate Astle, Copyeditor
Kaity VanHoose, Social Media Manager
Hilary Berg, Graphic Designer
Sean Carver, Graphic Designer
Dani DeGraw, Graphic Designer
Brittany Jungenberg, Graphic Designer
Morgan King, Graphic Designer
Shawn Schmidt, Graphic Designer
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Patti Jo Brooks Tyler Francke
Olive Gallagher Angie Helvey
Lucas Holmgren Robert Matsumura
Dennis McNabb Kelly Romo Gretchen Van Lente Ty Walker
Alice Williams Kerry Yu
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Laurel Bice Carly Carpenter
Tyler Francke Angie Helvey
Malaina Kinne Lisa Kuhlman
Kara Langley Tayler Lundquist
Andrew Sambuceto Henry Schifter
Hayley Starkey Brittney Waterman
ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS
Don Ormsby Bill Kistler
Stephanie Baker Peggy Jacobs
David Long Chris O’Brien
John Zobrist Brad Marti
Shelley Zeman Tina Toney
Darren Dwyer Lynnette Scott
Looking to reach local consumers?
We Specialize in direct-mail products: community magazine advertising, mailing inserts, postcards and more. For more information, call 503.825.2111 or email info@ActiveMediaUSA.com
CHECK US
I proudly hold a copy of Canby Community Advantage Magazine in Zurich, Switzerland, where my family recently vacationed and I was able to see one of my favorite bands perform.
EAT FOR ENERGY
The holidays are over. It’s time to focus on cleaning up your diet and detoxing your body!
Walk, Walk, Walk
I say this every month, pump the blood 30 to 60 minutes a day.
Drink Water
There’s no better way to cleanse than water. It’ll take three weeks of no sugar to feel better and cleanse your body and palate.
Toss the Treats
You either eat them and they go to your WAIST or you TOSS them and they go to WASTE. Choose the trash. They are stale anyway, right?
No Alcohol, Sugar or Bread for 30 Days
This not only cleanses your body but your taste buds also and removes the addiction response to these items. In other words, you won’t miss them any longer.
Keep Veggies and Lean
Protein Flowing
Keep lots of options at your finger tips chopped, cooked
and ready to eat. Use these when you need a crunch.
Measure Your Food
One week of measuring = three weeks of control. Do this every month to keep yourself accountable and aware of portions.
No Fad Diets
Eat two to three square meals each day with two to three healthy protein packed snacks. Allow yourself to get hungry before you eat.
Sleep 7–8 Hours
Good sleep = weight control. Allow four hours between your last meal and bedtime. If you need a snack, keep it light and protein packed, such as an egg or Greek yogurt. The less in your stomach, the better you’ll sleep.
Limit Sugar
I cut sugar in EVERY recipe by 75%. That’s right, sugar is sweet and it doesn’t take near as much as you think. Once you make the reduction, the flavor of the food shines through. Adjust those recipes and enjoy!
FRIDAY\ Black Olive
Rosemary Sourdough
+ Focaccia, Scali, Baguettes
Sourdough Scali
Sandwich Bread
Baguettes Pretzels
Sticky Buns Crumb Buns
Toasted Ham & Brie
Biscuit Sandwich
English Muffins
Croissants Macarons
Scones Biscotti
Morning Glory Bread
Cheesecake Galettes
Honey Rosemary Biscuits
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Ice Cream Pints
Tomato Soup More!
WEDNESDAY\
Calabrian Chili
Oregano Sourdough
+ Focaccia, Scali, Baguettes
THURSDAY\ Pumpernickel
Sourdough
+ Sandwich & Stuffed Bread, Baguettes
SATURDAY\ Apple Cheddar
Walnut Sourdough
+ Sandwich & Stuffed Bread, Baguettes
SUNDAY\ Chive Tomato
Semolina Sourdough
+ Focaccia, Scali, Baguettes
Skincare Resolutions
Make a commitment to your complexion
New year, new you, right? ’Tis the season to make fresh, new beginnings. Why not include your complexion in your list of resolutions? As an experienced esthetician, I think it’s important to create a skin routine that excites you. Here are five New Year’s Complexion Resolutions that you’ll surely love and hopefully adopt to get that glow of healthy skin.
Cleanse your skin morning and night, consistently. Want to make a big improvement in your skin? Cleanse it with an appropriate cleanser for your skin type, morning and night. If you aren’t already doing this, it should be at the top of your complexion resolutions. It’s incredible how this simple step can change your skin for the better. Don’t like cleansing your face? I suggest finding a fancy face wash that makes you feel like a queen when you use it, or buy a cute headband to use only when you wash your face, making the practice feel more fun. Do what you need to do to begin cleansing your skin morning and night, and you’ll see big changes. Not sure you’re using the right cleanser? Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Get an exfoliation treatment, preferably monthly. I see clients with dull and tired-looking skin who are unaware that there’s a whole layer of dead skin cells just sitting on top! Every 30 days, a new layer of dead skin cells makes our complexion dull, lackluster and textured. Consider an exfoliation treatment such as a glycolic chemical peel. It will not make you actually peel or red for days, but what it will take off is that dead skin cell layer. It also will allow your skin care to work better. Want an even better treatment recommendation? Choose a facial that exfoliates and deeply hydrates like a HydraFacial.
Use an appropriate day-and-night moisturizer, and enough of it. I have clients who tell me they’re not happy with their complexion, so I swipe my hands over their skin only to feel the dryness. They say they use a moisturizer, but oftentimes it’s either not enough or not the right one. If you don’t moisturize correctly, your skin will not glow. It also will show aging more. Many don’t realize how dry skin will try to compensate by producing more oil, which can cause breakouts.
You need a moisturizer meant for your skin type, one that reaches all levels of skin for maximum effectiveness. Not all moisturizers do this; not all are created equal.
Drink enough water. I know you know this, but I’m here to tell you it makes a difference for good skin. When I schedule wedding makeup, I recommend to my brides to drink water like crazy the days leading up to the big day. I promise, it makes your skin and makeup application look better.
Use a daily SPF. You know I had to put this in here! SPF has come so far! There are unscented, lightweight, fully absorbing formulas, formulas with natural mineral pigments that add some coverage, and some translucent powder sunscreens you can’t even tell you’re wearing. The point is that to find one that works for you, and use it every day. Use it regardless if it’s raining, sunny, or you’re working from home. If you don’t prevent future damage caused by the UVA rays from the sun, you’re undoing everything you’re trying to accomplish.
Having good skin takes time to achieve, but it is possible! So start small by cleansing morning and night, and then add one thing at a time until it becomes a routine you enjoy!
Christine Lewy
Thank you for all our club and
FRANK CUTSFORTH
that you did for community
The Fury
By Alex Michaelides MYSTERY
A masterfully paced thriller from the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Silent Patient.” Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex-movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closest friends to escape the English weather and spend Easter on her idyllic private Greek island. Trapped overnight, the old friends reveal hatred and a desire for revenge. What follows is a game of cat and mouse — a battle of wits, full of twists and turns, building to an unforgettable climax. The night ends in violence and death, as one of the guests is
The Book of Fire
By Christy Lefteri FICTION
In present-day Greece, deep in an ancient forest, lives Irini, a music teacher; her husband, Tasso, a painter whose muse is the forest; and Chara, their daughter. One fateful day, a fire consumes their home and lives as they know it. In the aftermath, Irini stumbles upon the body of the man who started the fire, a land speculator who had intended only a controlled burn to clear forestland. In her anger, Irini makes a rash decision that will haunt her. Meanwhile, Tasso mourns his father, who has not been seen since before the fire. His hands were burnt in the flames, leaving him unable to paint. As he struggles to cope, his young daughter, who wants to repair the damage that’s been done, gives him hope for the future.
A CUT ABOVE THE REST PRESENTEDBY EBNER’SMEATS
PROFILES IN SERVICE
By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer
If we accept that the purpose of human life is to serve others, then it could be argued many of us have strayed from our paths; we have reached a clearing in the woods and discovered we’re lost. It is in light of such awareness that we hold those who have stayed the path in such high regard.
In the case of Jim Davis, Chief of Canby Fire District 62 and veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he is someone who has not only embraced his humanity by serving a lifetime in exemplary fashion but has done so while leaving a clear path for others to follow. Interested from a young age in learning a trade, Jim joined the Air Force in July 1973 to do just that, and to earn a living while attending college. He was already married to his wife, Michelle, by that time, and their first child, Christina, had already been welcomed into the world. So, with a strong desire to serve others, Jim entered the Air Force to become a Fire Protection Specialist. His first assignment was at the Strategic Air Command base in Plattsburgh, New York, where he cut his teeth providing
Fire Chief Jim Davis
Honoring a career of courage and community
fire protection for both the base and also the city. During that time, he and Michelle welcomed their second daughter, Jennifer.
His second assignment was Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the largest fire department in the European command. Following shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and sent to Kaiserslautern to assist in the
transformation of Army fire stations into Air Force fire stations. This tour was a particularly memorable time in Jim’s career. Working cooperatively with such a wide variety of people and cultures — all with their own unique languages, fire prevention practices and equipment — brought unprecedented challenges and rewards. His third daughter, Heidi, was born there in Germany.
He was honorably discharged after his tour in Germany, and in 1977, moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he became Assistant Fire Marshal and his son, Jimmy, was born. In 1982, he moved his family to Woodinville, Washington, where he was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief and his son, Scott, was born. Finally in 1996, the family moved to Canby, where he is now acting Fire Chief of District 62.
Jim Davis is a man who’s dedicated his entire life to serving others. He is a man of purpose, integrity, hard work and dedication. If he ever retires — he joked that he has been set to retire on multiple occasions but simply loves the work too much to quit — he will have left a pair of shoes nearly impossible to fill.
Terri Schneider
Oregon Licensed Principal Broker
503-915-5093
TerriBusyBrunettes@gmail.com
Beth Hall
Oregon Licensed Broker
503-890-7420
BethBusyBrunettes@gmail.com
Kim Childs
Oregon Licensed Broker
Are you ready to take advantage of the exciting opportunities in the real estate market this new year?
With low inventory and the possibility of declining interest rates, now is the perfect time for sellers to make a move. If you’re not planning to sell right away, we can help you prepare your property so you can enjoy the upgrades you’ve made. With careful planning, attention to detail and our dedicated support, you can navigate the real estate market confidently and achieve your desired outcomes in the new year. Because who you work with matters. Happy New Year and happy selling!
Turkish Red Lentil Soup
A vegan vittle for the whole family
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 large or 3 small carrots, peeled and diced
1 medium Russet potato, peeled and diced
2 garlic cloves, sliced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne OR Aleppo pepper
5 cups vegetable broth
1 cup red lentils
1 teaspoon dried mint
1 lemon, sliced
Heat olive oil in large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add onion; sauté for 4 minutes. Add carrot and potato; sauté for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic cloves; stir for 30 seconds. Add tomato paste, cumin, salt, paprika, oregano, black pepper and cayenne; stir for 30 seconds. Deglaze pot with small amount of vegetable stock. Add remaining stock and lentils. Stir and heat until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add up to one cup water if soup is too thick. Remove from heat and stir in dried mint. Using immersion or stand blender, blend soup until creamy. Serve with lemon wedges. Add sprinkle of chopped parsley and drizzle of paprika oil.
Paprika Oil: Heat 3 tablespoons canola oil in small pot; add 1½ tablespoons paprika. Stir until fully incorporated. Remove from heat.
CANBY PUBLIC
THE LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 1st & 15 th
TECH TALKS
Adult/Introductory Tuesdays, January 9th and 23rd 10:30 - 11:30 am
Join us for these small group classes to learn about Libby (free access to ebooks and audiobooks) and other LINCC resources. Bring your own personal devices for individual assistance if you need help after the class. Signup by calling 503-266-3394
YOUNG ADULT BOOK GIVEAWAY
6th - 12th grade
Stop by the Library Service Desk to receive a free copy of one of the following classic titles:
The Great Gatsby | Lord of the Flies
The Catcher in the Rye | Animal Farm While Supplies Last.
MAKERS LAB
Ages 8 yrs and up January 25th 3:30 -5:00 pm
Hands-on STEAM fun, drop-in program in the Willamette Room.
Meeting Rooms
Holds Pick-up
Self-Checkout
Book Store
Library Cards
Mobile Printing
Public WiFi
Computers
Copy Machine
Programs
Tech Support
Teen Lounge
MONDAY–THURSDAY 9AM–6PM • FRIDAY & SATURDAY 10AM–5PM
Heart of the Matter
Supporting families and ill children in need
By Olive Gallagher, Contributing Writer
Photos courtesy of Elijah’s Heart House
The remarkable nonprofit, Elijah’s Heart House, was founded by Kimmee Auxier and her husband, Jeff, after the tragic loss of their youngest son, Elijah, to restrictive cardiomyopathy on Sept. 3, 2017 at age 16. The family will be forever imprinted by the six-week ordeal that began with rushing Elijah to Seattle for urgent help by Life Flight with no idea where they could stay to be near their son in the hospital.
Left with a hole in their hearts, Kimmee and Jeff and their three other children chose to use Elijah’s death and their own experience of being dislocated away from home as an impetus to funnel their indescribable grief into the creation of something positive to help others. Their inspiration, fashioned on the Ronald McDonald model of support, was to create a nonprofit that would provide a “safe harbor” for families needing to be near a hospital or medical center where their gravely ill child was receiving treatment.
To begin, Kimmee and Jeff set aside one of their private homes and turned it into the refuge that is known today as Elijah’s Heart House (EHH). Their mission was simple and generous: the families that would be chosen to stay would not be limited to those with children just dealing with heart issues, but rather would include parents of children with other serious diagnoses such as cancer. Families are invited to stay at no cost for as little as a weekend or as long as a month, whatever the
need, including just needing to “take a break” for a few days from their current ordeal.
In addition, the chosen families receive three specific gifts: a bag of swag when they arrive that might include gift cards worth as much as $1,500; if the family needs to travel to a more distant location for medical treatment, the bill for their stay at a B&B or hotel is covered by EHH; and finally, participants are welcome to come to EHH and stay for a quiet, private respite, somewhat like a mini-vacation.
All decisions at EHH are made by the Auxier family board with every choice discussed by all before a decision is made. They’re very proud that they’ve never had to turn anyone away. Their ultimate goal is to establish EHH all over the country, an appeal directed, as Kimmee succinctly put it, “to anyone who owns a property and has a beating heart.”
The organization has one annual fundraising event, so mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. This specific date is deliberate because the event is always held on the Saturday before Valentine’s Day. An open house, the event will take place at EHH & Barn located at 15668 N.E. Eilers Road, Aurora, 3 to 7 p.m. Attendance is $25, children are welcome and the attire is casual. There will be a silent auction, a tour of the house, great music, including a performance by Olivia Harms, and a nohost bar along with complimentary spreads of yummy foods. EHH swag will be available for purchase, miniature donkeys serving water will be there, along with ducks, pigs and goats that can be fed. There also will be a s’mores bar, tea bar, hot chocolate bar and coffee bar, with vendors like Half Pint Bros., Shaker & Salt, Tamale Boy, Good News BBQ, Sprig & Spread, Gather + Give and Archer Vineyards.
10, 3 to 7 pm
N.E. Eilers Road, Aurora
As of December 2023, EHH has raised $125,000. Along with some sizable donations, much of that impressive total has come from small donors giving as little as $1. In fact, the next time you treat yourself to a delicious meal at Oswego Grill, remember to order the creme brulée. The restaurant donates $1 to EEHH for every creme brulée ordered!
For more information, visit elijahshearthouse.org, contact info@elijahshearthouse.org or call (503) 704-0741.
January Fun!
Wednesday Trivia
1. What type of beer has the highest alcohol content?
A. Kolsh
B. Stout
C. Pale Ale
D. Pilsner
2. What is the technical name for brewer’s yeast?
A. Zymurgy
B. Zygotica
C. Saccharomyces
D. Accormycecea
3. What brewery is the oldest in the world?
A. Heineken
B. Weihenstephaner
C. Amstel
D. Guinness
Wednesday-Night Trivia at FOB Taproom covers a wide range of topics, but for all you beer lovers, here’s a short quiz!
4. What is the amber liquid extracted from malted barley?
A. Ale B. Yeast C. Wort D. Head
5. Lagers are ideally Consumed at what temperature?
A. 40º to 50ºF
B. 50º to 60ºF
C. 70º to 90ºF
D. 90º to 100ºF
6. How long do ales take to ferment?
A. 24 hours
B. A few days
C. A few weeks
D. Over a month
Trivia Wednesdays, 7pm
Taproom HOURS 1–7pm SUNDAY 2–8pm MON–THUR 12–10pm FRI–SAT
BAR WITH WOOD PELLET HEATERS (WEATHER DEPENDING) canned & bottled Beer and Ciders + Growlers TO go!
From Four-Line Switch to WiFi
2024 heralds 120 years of local service
By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer
Photos by Andrew Sambuceto
Staying connected is the ultimate goal of every telecommunications network. Canby Telephone Association, known more commonly as DirectLink, takes this task to heart by providing local residents and businesses with the efficiency of fiber optic lines and expanded high-speed internet. Serving the local community for well over a century, DirectLink operates as a cooperative (a company owned by its subscribers and guided by an elected Board of Directors), and today, shares its communication network with approximately 8,000 members throughout Canby and nearby Mt. Angel. If you’re searching for a quality communications provider in the area, let DirectLink be your first call. Their commitment to every member of the co-op is second to none; in fact, according to a 2022 survey, ninety-two percent of the members would recommend DirectLink service to their family, friends or neighbors.
communications was not one of those limited resources. Formed in 1904, the co-op was started “by just a few farmers who hung some wire from posts so they could communicate,” says Paul Hauer, president of DirectLink. “Back in the day,” he continues, “the large telephone companies didn’t serve the rural areas, so these small co-ops were cropping up all around the Willamette Valley.” Farmers were then able to access the markets so they could sell their crops and livestock in the bigger cities.
On January 14, 1904, Macksburg Mutual Telephone Company started out as a 4-line switchboard. In 1906, it moved to Canby with 15 lines, and in 1916, filed with the state of Oregon as Canby Cooperative Telephone Association; in 1940, the co-op changed its name to Canby Telephone Association. A hundred years after its inception, the Canby company served over 11,000 telephone lines. In 2007, Canby Telephone Association purchased the independent company, Mt. Angel Telephone. Canby Telephone Association rebranded as DirectLink in 2016 and in 2018 Mt. Angel customers were merged into the DirectLink co-op. Over the last fifteen years, DirectLink has been laying fiber optic cable, with a more concentrated effort over the last seven years to reach all the rural areas.
Living a rural lifestyle is a dream for some and a family tradition for many others. Whether breaking away from the hustle and bustle of the city and suburbs or maintaining the family farm, residing in rural areas often means making do with limited services. Canby Telephone Association made sure
With the onset of cell phones and the internet, setting everyone up with a direct connection to fiber, so they have access to Gigabit speed, has been the company’s ultimate goal. Providing state-of-the-art services and supplying superior broadband to its 8,000 members remains DirectLink’s primary focus.
Canby has always been forward-thinking, and DirectLink has always been a leading-edge company, not only in the Northwest but across the country as a whole. Interestingly, the pandemic highlighted the necessity of staying connected. “It opened a lot of people’s eyes,” relates Mr. Hauer, “including the federal government’s.” It became clear how important the internet was, particularly in telemedicine and for school children who needed to complete their studies from home.
Operators in the 1950s
1940’s Canby Telephone Association switchboard vs.. now
Office building 1940’s vs. now
Likewise, a significant number of employees were able to continue working their jobs from home as long as they were connected via phone and internet. This model proved to be beneficial for efficiencies and work/ life balance for those employees. In recognition of that, the federal government put several spending bills into place which allowed many small communications companies to catch up on their fiber builds. DirectLink, already on the forefront for the last decade, won a national award for being a fiberrich network, and by the time of their project’s completion in 2024-25 (with a few exceptions), “virtually 100 percent
elected by the members; they’re part of the community and don’t have any higher stake in the company than any other member. “We’re always looking out for our co-op members,” comments Mr. Hauer. “It’s really about serving the community and giving the community what it needs,” he explains. During orientation, Member Services help individuals select the best plans and services to suit their needs, as well as
checking on eligibility for government assistance programs. They also host free community classes by highly-trained employees who cover how to use today’s communication devices, technology and apps, as well as how to stay safe and secure online.
“It’s all about working together,” says Paul Hauer. “We cooperate with other co-ops and we share human resources.” DirectLink also promotes a Builder Program for new housing construction; they oversee and inspect communications wiring before the walls
International
“January is the month for dreaming.”
— Jean Hersey
“New month, new intentions, new goals, new love, new light, and new beginnings.” — April Mae Monterrosa
Dress Up Your Pet Day Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday –celebrated on the third Monday National Bagel Day
Hat Day
National Bath Safety Month
National Blood Donor Month
Braille Literacy Month
National Hobby Month
Hot Tea Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Soup Month
Festival of Sleep Day
Fruitcake Toss Day
Humiliation Day
Chocolate Day
Appreciation Day
National Spaghetti Day Trivia Day
National Bird Day
Bean Day Cuddle Up Day
10 11 12 13
the Stairs Day –Wednesday of the month
Peculiar People Day
LearnYourNameinMorseCodeDay
Splash Your Friends in a puddle Day
Thesaurus Day
Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day
National Hot Tea Day
National Pharmacist Day
International Skeptics Day Make Your Dream Come True Day
National Rubber Ducky Day
17 18 19 20
Resolutions Day
Kid Inventors Day
Appreciation Day
Winnie the Pooh Day –the Birthday of Winnie’s author A.A. Milne
National Popcorn Day
National Tin Can Day
National Buttercrunch Day
National Cheese Lover Day Penguin Awareness Day
2425 26 27
Chocolate Cake Day
“January, The first month of the year, A perfect time to start all over again, Changing energies and deserting old moods, New beginnings, new attitudes” — Charmaine J Forde
Compliment Day
Belly Laugh Day Opposite Day
Australia Day Spouse’s Day
National Seed Swap Day – Last Saturday in January Punch the Clock Day
* Denotes that the date changes each year
31
Backward Day
Heart with Art Day
Canby’s Local Wholesale Growers
Providing for the community and beyond
By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer
Fresh organic produce, locally sourced. When you’re talking rhubarb, beets, parsnips, rutabagas and turnips, Canby and the surrounding areas need look no further than their own backyard! Montecucco Farms, located near the Canby Ferry along the Willamette River, wholesales these fine vegetable stalks and assorted roots to local grocers, distributors and suppliers. Although the farm does not sell directly to individuals, the community can be proud of the quality produce grown by their neighbors at Montecucco Farms.
The original farm, located near Reed College in Portland, was started during the 1920s by Italian immigrant Giuseppe Montecucco. Giuseppe asked his son, Paul, as well as other family members to come to the States and join him on the farm. When Reed College expanded in the 1930s, the farm relocated to the Parkrose area; however, it had to move once again to make room for the Portland airport. With Portland growing and becoming more urban, farmland in the region became scarce. In 1959, the Montecucco family operation settled on its present site in Canby, along the Willamette River.
Today, the farm is run by fourth-generation Montecucco family members. Jason Montecucco and his two brothers, Brian and Richard, who, along with their cousin Steve Montecucco, carry on the family legacy. Farming approximately 1000 acres of land throughout the Willamette Valley and Hermiston, the Canby farm is the hub of the Montecucco Farms enterprise. The freshly harvested vegetables are packed and shipped from the Canby location, ready to take their place among the produce offerings found at your local grocery stores. Selling to New Seasons, Safeway, Fred Meyer, WinCo and many others, consumers are likely to encounter the fruits of Montecucco Farms’ labor on their local produce shelves.
Local distributors such as Caruso Produce, Charlie’s Produce, Pacific Coast Fruit and many others also receive Montecucco Farms’ organic rhubarb, beets, parsnips, rutabagas and turnips. Veritable Vegetable has this to say: “We are always delighted by the Montecucco’s attention to quality; their extraordinary parsnips are eagerly awaited every season.” Likewise, Organically Grown Company, which has partnered with Montecucco Farms for decades, looks forward every spring to Montecucco’s annual rhubarb harvest. The Pacific Northwest is known to be one of the best rhubarb-producing regions in the United States and Montecucco Farms is known to be one of the best growers in the area.
Organically grown, with great pride and care by each generation of Montecucco farmers, the legacy handed down from Italian ancestors continues to nourish the current generations. Keeping up with the times and agricultural advances, Montecucco Farms updated their irrigation system with modern, fully-automated plastic irrigation pipes. This new system improves efficiency and reduces water waste. It distributes water equally across the fields resulting in a more consistent yield, as well as saving time and labor.
Although a consumer might never have direct contact with Montecucco Farms, it’s important to note that this wholesale grower is actively involved with the community. Montecucco Farms donates produce to many local causes, including Oregon Food Bank and Food for All. Jason Montecucco expresses that whether a customer is a wholesale account or a retail consumer, “We want our customers to be happy.” He continues, saying, “We want them to feel like they got a good product and are satisfied. We put our best foot forward to make that happen every day.”
So, any time you put local, organic rhubarb, beets, parsnips, rutabagas or turnips in your shopping cart, there’s a high probability they were grown by Canby’s fourth-generation Montecucco Farms.
MONTECUCCO’S ROOT VEGGIES
PARSNIPS
Parsnips, related to carrots, boast a sweet and earthy flavor. Rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, they contribute to a healthy diet. Typically pale cream or ivory in color, parsnips can be roasted, mashed or used in soups, providing a versatile and nutritious addition to various culinary creations.
RUTABAGAS
Rutabagas, cruciferous vegetables with a purpleyellow hue, offer a mildly sweet and peppery taste. Packed with nutrients like vitamin C and fiber, they promote immune health and digestion. Commonly roasted, mashed or added to stews, rutabagas provide a distinctive flavor and a nutritional boost.
RHUBARB
Rhubarb, known for its vibrant red stalks and tart flavor, is a unique vegetable often treated as a fruit in culinary applications. Rich in vitamins K and C, as well as fiber, it adds a tangy kick to pies, jams and desserts. However, its leaves contain oxalic acid and are toxic, requiring careful handling.
TURNIPS
Turnips, cruciferous vegetables with white or purple-hued roots, offer a crisp texture and mildly peppery taste. Packed with vitamins like C and fiber, they contribute to a nutritious diet. Turnips can be roasted, mashed, or added to soups, providing versatility to various dishes.
BEETS
Beets, vibrant root vegetables with a rich, earthy taste, are packed with nutrients like folate, potassium and antioxidants. Their natural sweetness enhances salads, juices and side dishes. Additionally, beets may support blood pressure and exercise performance. With hues ranging from deep purple to golden, beets bring both flavor and color to many dishes.
Retiring into a Recession?
Ease the uncertain times with planning
By Founder and Managing Member Christian Kruse, CFP®
The Buffet indicator, named for famed investor Warren Buffet, is the ratio of the stock market capitalization to current GDP. Currently, that ratio is 166%, indicating the market is overvalued relative to our economy. If we slide into a recession in 2024, that could be trouble for retirees and those hoping to retire soon.
Market returns are important to sustaining a retirement’s quality of life, of course, but there are other factors. Retirement Distribution planning could help you limit your tax expense by avoiding unneeded required minimum distributions. Having a mix of taxable, tax deferred and tax-free income is key. And each one may have its own investment objectives based on your plan.
While asset managers and traditional investment-only financial advisors seek to grow your money for retirement, a CFP will additionally look at many factors in determining your needs one of which is the change in your expenses from your working years to your retirement years. While you may have lowered expenses in gas and dry cleaning you may have new expenses in early years of retirement while you are still active. For some, this may include travel or leisure activities there was little time for in your working years. Planning ahead for these additional expenses will help keep you from
depleting your savings. Additionally, while you may have had excellent health care while employed, you may find basic Medicare insufficient and discover the need for Medicare part C and D, with affiliate new expenses. In later retirement years, retirees may spend less on most items while medical expenses grow faster than inflation, especially if a long-term care facility is needed.
A CFP may also look at what percentage of your basic expenses are covered from guaranteed sources. These may include Social Security, pensions and investments with guaranties such as annuities. If only a small portion of the budget is covered by guaranteed income, your CFP will evaluate what cash buffers are appropriate and look at each retirement account for liquidity and volatility. With the average length of recessions being 17 months, you won’t want to be forced to sell your investments to meet expenses.
Unlike many traditional advisors, your CFP is also looking at your liabilities, not just your assets. This is especially important today as more people are retiring with a mortgage balance.
At Better Planning and Investing we look at your entire picture to meet future retirement needs as well as the ongoing needs for income. No commissions and acting as a low cost independent fiduciary is at the core of our values. That’s why we provide a no-cost initial plan. Our clients pay a low, all-inclusive fee for both ongoing planning and investment management.
Because investing without planning is just hoping.
WE OFFER A NO COST Initial Plan
Financial planners typically charge $1,500 to $2,500 for an initial plan. This is due to the time required to gather and analyze client data. By creating greater efficiencies and using the best secure technology Better Planning & Investing has greatly lowered the cost. We’re also confident that once you see the value we provide, you’ll want to become a client for an asset-based fee.
Christian Kruse
CANBY FIRE DISTRICT
Warming Centers
Clackamas County supports a network of severe weather warming center providers for homeless persons on nights when the weather is predicted to be 33ºF or lower (including wind chill) or when other elements (snow, wind, flooding or other weather conditions) make sleeping outdoors dangerous. For a central number to get details about shelters, transportation or other resources, dial 211. To sign up for text alerts for critical, emergency announcements from the county, opt-in to “public alerts.”
Driving in Snow & Ice
Driving in snow requires a certain set of driving skills some Oregon residents rarely get to use. Here are tips.
Check road conditions on your route before you go at TripCheck.com or call 511. Plan your trip accordingly.
Roads that are wet or have fresh snow, packed snow, or ice have varying degrees of traction. Adjust your speed to match road conditions accordingly.
Turn off cruise control, be alert and drive cautiously.
Allow extra time to get where you’re going. Be prepared for delays. Make sure you have water, blankets, a full tank of gas…and plenty of patience!
Allow extra stopping distance. There is less traction on slick, snowy roads.
Brake gently to avoid skidding or sliding. If the wheels lock up, ease off the brakes.
Carry chains and know how to use them.
Make sure your vehicle is in top operating conditions, with clean headlights, good brakes, working windshield wipers and good tires.
Slow down when approaching off-ramps, bridges and shady spots where the snow often lingers longer.
Turn on your headlights to increase your visibility.
Changes in elevation can drastically affect road and weather conditions. Watch for icy spots, especially in shaded corners.
Invisible Danger: Black Ice
Black ice, also called glare ice or clear ice, is a thin layer of ice on the roadway. Any ice is dangerous to drive on, but black ice is particularly so because the road looks wet, not icy. Black ice isn’t really black; it’s so thin and transparent that the darker pavement shows through. It often has a matte appearance rather than the expected gloss.
O.D.O.T. TripCheck is a one-stop shop for information on traveling in Oregon, with the latest conditions via road cameras, continuous winter travel updates, year-round highway construction details and other valuable tips to get you to and from your favorite places in Oregon via air, bus, rail or ride share.
Common Sense & GPS
Navigation systems and similar smartphone apps are great tools, but you may need to verify the identified detour route to make sure it’s appropriate given current conditions and the vehicle you are driving. Most navigation tools don’t take current road or weather conditions into consideration. They may direct you onto remote roads that are neither maintained or passible in all weather conditions. Because of this, here are a few tips to consider:
Don’t follow GPS blindly. The app on your phone or other GPS devices might not have the latest information.
Use TripCheck.com before you go to get the latest on state road conditions. You can also call 511.
If you are not familiar with an area and current road conditions, stay on state roads and don’t attempt detours onto roads you don’t know.
If you are not sure of the route and conditions your device directs you to, ask local folks for information and consult a map. It is better to stay the night in town rather than be stuck in the middle of nowhere.
New Gift Shop Blooms All Year
Dahlia grower unveils lofty, loaded boutique
By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer
Photos by Jen Blair Photography
When is a gift shop more than just a gift shop?
When it’s Swan Island Dahlias Gift Shop. A newly constructed showcase with painstaking attention to detail, this gift shop gives back every bit as much as it receives. The shop’s symbiotic relationship with the community is evident the moment you walk through the door. Everything is locally sourced: the building itself, the vintage furniture, the interior design and the many unique items for sale.
The family-owned and -operated gift shop, which is located on the Swan Island Dahlias farm, is open year-round. As the seasons change, so do the themes in the shop. Of particular note is the overhead loft which features unique displays showcasing every season. Throughout the interior, retail items also reflect a seasonal focus. January will be welcoming in the New Year!
Regardless of the time of year or event driving your gift-giving search, there are treasures to be found among the plethora of offerings. Wedding, anniversary and birthday selections, as well as holiday seasonal specialty items, are at your fingertips as you stroll down the aisles.
Available inventory on a year-round basis has “something for everyone,” says Heather Schloe, the owner’s daughter and property manager. Local vendors and artists supply the shop with jewelry, farm goods, kitchen and bath items as well as greeting cards and stationery. Men, kids, babies and pets are all well-represented. The shop’s artfully displayed merchandise can be seen online through the website’s “Visit Us” tab; products, however, can only be purchased on site at the gift shop.
Jellycat stuffed animals are a top seller for youngsters. They’re “absolutely the softest, most wonderful line of stuffed animals and many have books to go along with the characters,” says Heather. The Amuseables line features food-themed stuffies with cute little faces, and customers come in looking for them specifically. Ooly art supplies for kids provide every kind of marker, highlighter, colored pencil and paint imaginable. Teens and adults are drawn to Jotter pens with their multitude of ink colors and the bright, vibrant stationery of Taylor Elliott. T-shirts and books sport local themes of the Pacific Northwest such as hiking, mushroom foraging, cycling and gardening. Cookbooks, entertaining items, flower growing and more also have their place upon the shelves. Other finds include Dahlias Farm’s own honey as well as additional bee products such as
candles, honeycombs, lotions and lip balms. With so much to look at and choose from, you’ll just have to set aside an afternoon!
Heather, poised to take over after her father Nicholas Gitts retires, is proud of her third-generation family farm. She and husband Brendon, along with daughter Gabbie, a freshman at
O.S.U., and son Cooper, seventh grader at Baker Prairie, enjoy a rich life on the farm. Heather’s sister-in-law and right hand, Kaisha Bloedel, works full time alongside her in the business.
This impressive 6,000-square-foot structure with its beautiful 26-foot ceiling took two years to build from the time plans were submitted to the county until opening day. “It’s really a dream come true,” says Heather, a dream that was made possible through the efforts of many local businesses. Their builder, Nick Netter Construction, “did an amazing job,” relates Heather, and he deserves praise for “sticking by us for the two years of craziness.” Marcie Harris of HS Interiors helped Heather with the interior design. Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage was instrumental in finding the right pieces of furniture for displays, and their employee Nathan
repaired a beautiful piece of vintage glass for Heather to hang in the gift shop. Thea Cutsforth of Henderson & Daughter helped Heather choose the perfect windows to fit the design. All they are missing is you!
Visit Swan Island Dahlias Gift Shop at 995 NW 22nd Ave. in Canby for a memorable shopping experience. For inquiries call (503) 266-7711 or email info@dahlias.com.
“Happy New Year Charlie Brown” (1986)“Igby Goes Down” (2002)
One year older than me, you can’t really beat the innocence and simple comedy of Charlie Brown in this New Year’s movie. In this oldie-butgoodie, Charlie faces yet another anxietyinducing decision — stay in for a quiet evening, or go to a party for New Year’s Eve? I’m of the age and opinion that a quiet evening is the way to go, and so does Charlie Brown, unsurprisingly. However, that’s not how ol’ Chuck operates. Out of a sense of social duty and peer pressure, he obligatorily goes against his better judgment to accommodate and make others happy, much to his anxiety and frustration. Thankfully these sitcom-esque scenarios are good fun and rarely have lasting negative effects on Charlie, as he’s happy to be with his friends in the end. And this one is no exception. Rated G.
This is not a New Year’s movie, nor does it have a New Year’s scene. But it’s one of my favorite dark dramedies that’s so deeply philosophical and chaotic you can’t help but examine your own life after watching it. The insanely star-studded cast includes Kierin Culkin, Jeff Goldlbum, Susan Sarandon, Bill Pullman, Ryan Phillippe, Clair Danes, Amanda Peet, Rory Culkin, Jared Harris and more. The story, loosely based on J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye,” follows young Igby Slocumb (Kierin Culkin), a rich and snarky wunderkind who keeps flunking out of boarding schools. Eventually he’s sent to a military academy, which proves to be his breaking point. Meanwhile his godfather grooms him to become a socialite, his father suffers a nervous breakdown, his mother is dying and he’s trying to make sense of it all. As hysterical as it is heartbreaking, a mustwatch for the existentially-minded. Rated R for really mature content.
The History of New Year’s Celebrations
“When Harry Met Sally” (1989)
I saw this for the first time this year, and to be honest… it’s fantastic! A saccharine yet goofy rom-com, this stars Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Bruno Kirby and (amazingly) Carrie Fisher. When Harry and Sally meet at a New Year’s Eve party, they share a midnight kiss, starting their years-long “will they or won’t they?” saga. They’re both difficult in their own way, neurotic, unreasonable and just generally make the wrong decisions — as their best friends Jess and Marie, who end up together, are quick to admit to each other. A time machine into ’80s New York, this a mustwatch for New Year’s and rom-com fans. Rated R for mature content, like that one very famous restaurant scene.
The earliest known record of a New Year festival dates from about 2000 bce in Mesopotamia, where in Babylonia the new year (Akitu) began with the new moon after the spring equinox (mid-March) and in Assyria with the new moon nearest the autumn equinox (mid-September).
In early medieval times most of Christian Europe regarded March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year, although New Year’s Day was observed on December 25 in Anglo-Saxon England. William the Conqueror decreed that the year begin on January 1, but England later joined the rest of Christendom and adopted March 25. The Gregorian calendar, adopted in 1582 by the Roman Catholic Church, restored January 1 as New Year’s Day, and most European countries gradually followed suit: Scotland, in 1660; Germany and Denmark, about 1700; England, in 1752; and Russia, in 1918. https://www.britannica.com/topic/New-Year-festival
Stream these movies where available, or rent from your local movie store, library or rental kiosk.
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Canby Champions
Seventh-grade Cougars win home tourney
By Ty Walker, Contributing Writer
Photos courtesy of Canby Junior Girls Basketball
Canby seventh-graders used tenacious defense and teamwork to win the Canby Junior Girls Basketball Tournament they hosted on the second weekend in December. Canby went 4–0 for the tournament and beat rival Woodburn 47–35 in the championship final.
Leading the way for the Junior Cougars were Ruby Tilden, Olivia Lawson and Adelynn Smith. In keeping with their
teamwork ethic, they don’t keep track of individual player statistics.
“They’re really playing excellent,” Canby Junior Girls Basketball Coach Tyler Smith said. “They have put in a lot of work during the offseason. They’re getting to know the offenses and defenses that we run, and we run them really well.”
Canby did a lot of things right en route to emerging as champion from a field of seven teams at its hometown tournament.
“They’re sharing the basketball, which is huge for youth to be able to share the basketball and pass well,” Smith said. “That’s the definite strength of our girls.”
The team consists of 10 players, many of whom played together on the statechampion Canby sixth-grade team last year. This group of girls showed the confidence that comes with competitive teams who know what it takes to win. Most of Canby’s season is made up
*Offer
Echoes of Time
Unveiling the melody and memories behind
“Auld
Lang Syne”
By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer
As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve and the world steps forward into the New Year, the strains of “Auld Lang Syne” will inevitably reverberate across countless venues around the globe. Yet where did this classic song come from, and why do we sing it to celebrate the New Year?
Although “Auld Lang Syne” is traditionally associated with the New Year, the song is generally tied to endings and new beginnings and is also sung at graduations, funerals and events that call for reflection on the past. This Scottish song is attributed to Robert Burns, the famous Scottish poet who collected and adapted the lyrics in the late 18th century. Burns, who is today known as the National Bard of Scotland, drew inspiration from an encounter with an old Scottish gentleman who sang a version of the song to him. Burns felt the song held cultural significance and decided to preserve and enhance it through the addition of poetic and lyrical elements that elevated the song from a mere folk tune to the poignant piece that has endured to this day. Throughout the years, this traditional song has inspired arrangements and adaptations by numerous musical artists. “Auld Lang Syne,” however, became particularly associated with New Year’s Eve through the New Year’s Eve broadcasts of bandleader Guy Lombardo in 1929. The song is most often performed in 4/4 time, a moderate tempo that lends itself to communal singing.
As to the lyrics of the song, the title “Auld Lang Syne,’’ (Scottish) literally translates in English to “old long since,” or “days gone by.” The central theme of the song revolves around the remembrance of past relationships — friends, family and those dear to us — and honoring their memories. The song repeatedly poses the question, “Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?”which highlights the significance of those important people in our lives who have shared our journey. The song concludes with the phrase, “We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne,” which evokes recognition of the transience of life and the fleeting nature of time. In suggesting we “take a cup o’ kindness,” the lyrics embrace a spirit of goodwill as we move into the future, while simultaneously honoring the past and the “old acquaintances” we left behind.
So, when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve and the poignant lyrics of “Auld Lang Syne” are sung aloud amidst champagne and revelry, remember Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard, who preserved an old folk song of the people and crafted it into a poetic ballad that has endured for over a century. Despite the winds of change continually blowing through our lives, the shared sense of humanity embodied in this beloved song fosters a sense of unity, togetherness and the universal connection between our past, the people who have defined our lives and the future that lies before us.
Guy Lombardo
Robert Burns
DONNA ELLISON
Broker, Licensed in Oregon
503-380-5706
donna@ellisonteamhomes.com
HANNAH ELLISON
Broker, Licensed in Oregon
503-841-8162
hannah@ellisonteamhomes.com
LIZ BALDERSTON
Broker, Licensed in OR & WA
503-310-2672
liz@ellisonteamhomes.com
MEET THE ELLISON TEAM Donna Ellison
Hi, my name is Donna Ellison. I grew up in Oregon, in the business of Real Estate. It has always been the professional love of my life. I thrive in the diversity of what I get to do, and I’m honored to walk through life partnering with people in what is often one of their biggest and most impactful decisions. Our industry has changed dramatically during my career of 25plus years, and it continues to be my greatest adventure. I have had the opportunity to work in almost every market in the Portland Metro area, and I still do, but my heart is here in Canby. My family and I made the decision to move from Beaverton to Canby almost six years ago and take on the project of “lovingly” restoring a home here in downtown Canby. Maybe someone should have told us we were crazy, but it probably would not have stopped us. We love our home, and we love our community. We know we are meant to be here for the rest of our lives.
DONNA & MATTHEW
Along the way, I have had the pleasure of mentoring many women in our business, including my favorite brokers, Liz and Hannah. We have so much fun together and hold each other up on the tough days. My husband, Matt, of 28 years, our daughters, our dogs, Lou and Gunner, my friends, our community and our family are the things that are most important to me.
Real Estate has allowed so many opportunities for me and my family.
We partner with FIDO because we are passionate about helping people by helping them keep their four-legged babies. I am a member of our Canby Area Chamber, and you will often see me hosting and participating in our local events. I am so grateful for this Real Estate life and so excited to be here in Canby with you.
Nature’s Palette
Exploring the PNW through art
By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer
Looking for beautiful, Northwest-inspired landscape art? Or perhaps a class on how to paint with acrylics? Look no further than local artist Angela Hawes!
Angela was born and raised right here in the scenic foothills of Colton, Oregon. Her parents encouraged her from a young age to pursue her interest in art by furnishing her with supplies and enlisting her in classes led by local community artists. She continued her education in college, exploring a variety of techniques and mediums, earning an Associate of Arts Degree.
“Life” intervened after that, as it does for so many of us post-graduation, and she focused her attention on a career in interior design while getting married and starting a family. Her love and passion for painting never died, however, and it was during a fortuitous “accident” in 2018 that she returned to her
former love. Her children were all drawing and asked her to join. Without much thought, she did, and that simple request reignited the spark.
Since she was going through a divorce at the time, it was tricky to balance her time between self-care, childcare, career, and painting, but she made it work. That initial and very tentative sketch turned into a stint with chalk and pastels, then watercolors, and finally acrylics and oil paintings on canvas. Painting has become a regular part of her life again, as well as a kind of therapy, where Angela has been free to work out her inner struggles while expressing herself in a way she hasn’t been able to in years. It’s been incredibly rewarding and, ultimately, a cathartic experience. When viewing her paintings, you are seeing a piece of the artist in transition.
The result, of course, is a body of work that is both beautiful in its presentation and reflective of Angela’s state of mind. The best art always mirrors the artist’s soul, and because the Pacific Northwest is home, because it’s her source of comfort and peace and her sanctuary, her paintings exude a kind of cozy warmth. There is darkness and mystery in the corners, there is mist hovering in the blackened trees, but that is Angela’s humanity shining through.
If you are interested in purchasing one of her gorgeous paintings, you can find her on Etsy under the moniker: ArtandSoulbyAngela. She can also be hired to do pieces on commission and she has worked on murals. She also painted the front cover of our very own Discover Canby publication the last two years in a row. Follow her journey or contact her on Instagram: @artandsoulbyangela, or you can sign up for one of her fantastic classes at Art-O-Maddic in Canby. She will also have a booth at the upcoming Through the Looking Glass Arts Festival in Canby on July 22. Don’t miss it!
One-of-a-Kind Finds
The magic of treasure hunting in Canby
By Gretchen Van Lente, Contributing Writer
Whether you’re looking for mid-century American décor, farmhouse style or that rare and unique find, Canby has the advantage of three expertly curated collections to browse through. In fact, one can easily be spirited away for an entire day to life before the internet. Canby vintage and collectable stores never disappoint if you are on a mission to bring home a treasure, whether you were looking for one or not.
But who are these merchants, and what drives them in their pursuit to preserve the past for the likes of you and me? “It’s the hunt for old and rare items,” says Sharon Sockerson of Red Door on NW 1st Avenue, while Jesse Plog of Post Furnishings, also on NW 1st Avenue, likes the idea of taking “old things, whether used or abused, and making them new. Suzan Joy of Retro Revival on N. Grant Street loves finding homes for things and giving them new life. “I love everything about this
business,” she says. If you are like me, you careen through secondhand stores looking for the lost Van Gogh or the hidden Rembrandt that will turn you into an instant millionaire. The chances of that? Nil, according to our Canby vintage merchants, but all three light up when they recount rare and unforgettable finds. For Suzan Joy of Retro Revival, it was a candlestick phone, the kind we only see in old movies. She bought it from a lot, sight unseen, and found herself in a spirited bidding war over the rare find. Later she sold it for thousands. At Red Door, a family presented Sharon Sockerson with something they wanted to part with, and it turned out to be a hand painted and carved axle cover from a Gipsy carriage. At Post Furnishings, Jesse Plog came into possession of a low to the floor, comfy, brightly colored couch from the ’60s. She and her partner repurposed it and now it graces the halls of a concert venue.
But make no mistake: the three stores could not be more different, and it’s advantageous to check out all three. They have diverse philosophies about what they want a shopper to
experience when they pass through the door. “I want people to recall their childhood and remember going to their grandparents,” says Sockerson of Red Door. Jesse Plog of Post Furnishings likes to change it up a bit. “You’ll never see the same things over and over,” she says. Her store presents a clean, neat, story book environment. Suzan Joy of Retro Revival feels that vintage items still have life which should be revived, as
opposed to sending things to the landfill or the burn pile. “Older is better quality. Things could last another 50 years.”
Each store reveals a story about our relationship to the past. What sells well at Red Door? Old manual typewriters. “I’ve had two novelists buy them,” says Sharon Sockerson. “They like the aesthetics, the sound, and the print.” Children ages 10 to 15 beg their parents for them. They want them for writing school essays. Who knew this would become a thing?
At Retro Revival, Suzan Joy buys and sells clothes from the 30s to the 70s. She recounts how, since the pandemic, people have an interest in homesteading as a style, and it reflects in what they wear. Vintage clothing is one of the “standard cool things to find.”
People on their way to the dump with vintage furniture sometimes call first, and to that Jesse Plog says, “Heck yeah! Let us give it a chance.” Red Door and Retro Revival are likewise interested in seeing your vintage treasures. They are all open to seeing pictures of what you hope to sell.
Post Furnishings resides in a building the Masons built in 1912. It’s the oldest two story in downtown Canby. The Masons still meet above the store
Red Door and Retro Revival likewise reside in historical buildings that reflect decades of industry in Canby. Retro Revival was built in the 60s and mostly saw hair salons peering out of its spacious windows. Red Door is another of downtown Canby’s old buildings.
“We’re not a museum or a thrift store,” says Jesse Plog, and that is the sentiment of all three shop owners. Our
vintage stores in Canby offer something different as receptacles of lost and found memories. They represent our happy link to the past. The things we remember do not sit on shelves and collect dust. Nor do they feel unapproachable behind museum glass. The stores represent a bit of history that you can take home with you and install in your own comfortable, private space. It’s the stuff that memories are made of.
Red Door
Retro Revival
Bus Ride Among the Clouds
Unique ’50s tram loses its ticket to ride
By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer
For many of us the idea of a flying car is enchanting. The notion of a bus trekking through the clouds, however, takes the concept to a whole different level. While the Mount Hood Aerial Skiway didn’t actually fly (the tram was named “Skiway” instead of “Skyway” due to copyright issues), it did at times travel through the clouds, providing passengers with the sensation of being conveyed up the mountain in a flying bus. The venture didn’t last long, but for Oregon skiers in the 1950s this unique tram offered an unforgettable journey up Mount Hood.
On October 24, 1947, in the wake of World War II, two men, Dr. Otto J. George and A.L. Greenwalt created the Mount Hood Aerial Transportation Company. The founders envisioned a stateof-the-art aerial tramway that connected Government Camp to Timberline Lodge. In contrast to the lightweight chair lifts of today, the idea was to modify two city buses — each powered by two 185-horsepower gasoline engines — that, by transferring power from the drive wheels to the 1.5 inch diameter traction cable above,
could claw their way up and down the mountain. The concept was based upon technology employed in the logging industry at the time. The interior of the buses were outfitted with streetcar-style seats that could be flipped about to enable passengers to always be facing forward. Each bus could hold a maximum of 36 people, and cost $40,000 to customize in this manner, as compared to a regular city bus which only cost $16,500.
As you can imagine, constructing a tram of this type was a costly and laborious process. After building the lower terminal building — which housed a restaurant and snack bar — near Government Camp, a path had to be cut all the way up to the west side of Timberline Lodge. For this daunting task the company hired Volley Reed, previously of the U.S. Forest Service, to direct two cutting crews which were to start at opposite ends of the route and meet in the middle. The process commenced in 1948, but shortly thereafter it was discovered that the two crews were not, in fact, cutting a straight line, and the strategy had to be altered. Once the cutting crews finished their task, 38 steel towers were erected to support the 3.2 miles of cable required to connect Timberline Lodge to the lower terminal building.
On January 2, 1951, the Skiway tram was finally ready to commence operation. Despite significant snowfall at the time, skiers made their way up to the mountain and the trams were full to capacity for their inaugural run. To much media fanfare, the buses completed their first run, scaling slowly but steadily on the uphill sections, and sliding rapidly on the downhill parts. Although the Skiway tram did indeed operate as designed, successfully transporting skiers up and down the mountain, the venture proved unprofitable due to a
number of factors. Bill Keil, a Timberline Lodge Publicity Director during the 1950s recalled, “the tramway crippled its way through five years of marginal operation before suspending,” in 1956.
One of the problems was the poor mechanical design of the buses themselves. Not only were the buses slow and loud — so loud that passengers couldn’t easily converse while in transit — they were also terrifying. It required a stout heart to endure the precarious nature of the ride itself. When one considers that a city bus full to capacity weighs approximately 15-20 tons, the idea of it suspended high in the air on cables moving up and down the mountainside is a harrowing thought. The sheer weight dragging down on the cables would cause the buses to sag as they traveled from one support tower to the next. A member of the company’s board, George Rausch, expressed concern about the passenger experience on the tram. “I’ve ridden the tramway,” he stated. “I’ve listened to the
shrieks, and taken the jolts over those, what you call them — the saddles, and I’ve heard what people say.”
In addition to the less than ideal engineering and physics of the trams, not to mention the frightful nature of the journey itself, the economics of the operation were dismal. Due to the enormous weight of the buses, it took 25 minutes for it to crawl its way up the mountain, resulting in a bus taking one hour to complete a roundtrip. As a full to capacity bus only held 36 people, the revenue generated per day could not keep pace with the expenses of the venture. Despite the aforementioned problems, it’s possible that changes could have been implemented to salvage the company’s future. Unfortunately for the Skiway tram, at about the same time as the tram began operating, improvements were made to the highway leading up to Timberline, thus eliminating the very reason for the tram in the first place. In addition to direct access by road to Timberline Lodge,
there were also shuttle buses that charged less money than the tram for transport between the two locations.
From 1956 through 1958 the board met numerous times in an attempt to save the company. Different proposals were considered, including replacing the buses with smaller, traditional gondola-style cars. In the end, the skiing conditions between Timberline Lodge and the lower terminal were deemed too poor to warrant investment in a traditional-style lift system. By the end of 1960, Mount Hood Aerial Transportation company had been liquidated.
On your next trip up the mountain, linger for a moment at the Thunderhead Lodge in Government Camp, the former lower terminal building of the Skiway tram. This lone building is all that remains of this ambitious, imaginative, but ultimately doomed venture. For Oregonian skiers in the 1950s, a bus ride through the clouds was a unique and unforgettable experience!
Chronicles of Canby
Hustle all the way back to 1974
Story & Photos by Canby Historical Society
Just like the date Dec 31, 2023 (also known as 123123), last year is a thing of the past. With the new year upon us, it’s often a time for reflection upon the past and for moving forward with new hopes and beginnings. The Canby Historical Society can’t think of any better way to begin 2024 than by providing the community with historical stories about Canby and surrounding areas. Let’s start by journeying back 50 years ago to the year 1974.
We begin by opening the 1974 volume of our Canby Herald Newspaper binder collection. On Jan. 2, 1974, Canby, like the rest of the nation, was experiencing a gas shortage, but unlike other cities we had our own way of beating the long lines at the gas pumps. Five riders and their beautiful steeds were a sight to be seen on the streets. From left to right are Michelle Blankenship, Tracy Dorsett, Teresa Copland and L.L. Dorsett with Laura Nice.
On Jan. 9, we went from winter ice skating — on bikes no less — on a pond near the Canby Ferry, to Jan. 23, when flood waters washed away the home
and tree owned by the Hegar family at Pat’s Acres on Arndt Road.
On Feb. 20, a threealarm fire razes the old school administration building built in 1912. It served grade school and high schools until Canby Union High school district No. 1 was created in October 1923. The cause of the fire was determined to be pyrophoric carbonization. No children were in the building and there were no injuries.
There were numerous fires in ’74, but with every fire the community pulled together to help rebuild. When Mr. and Mrs. Terry Koch’s barn burned on Oct. 5, things seemed grim until a crew was assembled and a barn-raising event saved the day. Assisting with the rebuild — besides Terry and Jack Heinz, who organized the crew — were Louis Heinz, Al Ronfeld (the article had a misspelling of his name), Len Misso, Lee Winer, Neil Edwards, Frank Koch, Butch Hogland and Jake Wanner. The wives prepared enough food, as one man remarked, to feed 40. Moments like these remind us that it takes a village and with a group effort the impossible becomes a reality. This spirit is still alive in our community.
In 1974, the fair theme was “Nature’s Bounty,” Canby Disposal was established; Oliver Insurance had their grand opening; Cutsforth’s moved to its current location; and worth a mention is the Troop 258 construction completion — the A-frame lodge is named after Herman Bergman, Scout Master for Troop 258 from 1959 to 1969. In addition, optometrist Dr. Donald Chase of Canby Eye Care opened his practice.
Canby Postmaster John R. “Hans” Nieland, who was also one of the CHS founding members, retired after more than 40 years of service to the community. He left a huge footprint at the Canby Historical Society, which would prove difficult to fill. As one
Three-alarm house fire.
Bikes on the ice.
Flooding on Arndt Road.
Cutsforth’s advertisement.
$0.43. Cabbage was $0.10 and chuck roast sold for $0.79 a pound. The best deal of all for the wine drinkers was a half gallon of Gallo wine for $1.99!
Gas shortage.
postmaster retired, the Barlow Post office was in jeopardy of closing permanently.
One of the biggest joys and pains of looking through old newspapers is perusing the old ads and comparing the cost of goods to today’s prices.
From Bill’s Canby Discount Foods, you could get a 10-pound bag of potatoes for $0.99, 28 ounces of peanut butter for $1.15 and a dozen medium eggs for
Although the website Wx4 isn’t a part of Canby history, I came across a feature they did of the Depot dated July 4, 1974. It has a few pictures, taken by the Wx4 staff — during a cross-country bicycle trip led by EO Gibson — of the Depot and trains. He states they stopped for lunch at the SP’s Canby Oregon depot and were treated to a fine dessert. They were able to capture photos of three
the Dome O’Foam on the same website, which is one of the most comprehensive Barnraising.
