Canby Community Advantage Magazine September 2023

COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE

Over 90% of Canby can get

Fiber optics are the fastest, most reliable way to deliver Internet.

Fiber is the most advanced form of communications technology. It uses glass strands about the thickness of human hair to transport data signals using beams of light that travel incredibly fast. This means that subscribers can have a virtually unlimited number of devices connected to their home network at once, all with the freedom to do what they want online.

Reasons Why Fiber is the Best

1) Independent, dedicated connections from the DirectLink office right to your home means no sharing with neighbors, especially during prime time

2) Up to 900% faster upload speeds for smooth video calls, security camera feeds, video doorbells, and online games

3) Reliable network with 99.9% uptime that is less prone to outages from weather or damage

Fast download and upload speeds

A dedicated fiber connection

Easy to use network management app

Enhanced parental controls built in to set network time limits and content restrictions

Multiple layers of security to protect against malware and other online threats

Free access to Fiber Gaming Network’s community nights and competitive cash prize tournaments

Stay Connected, Canby

Face-to-face fun essential for good mental health

While signing off on the final pages of this magazine, the Clackamas County Fair also wrapped up. The annual gathering was, yet again, another great success and impressive endeavor. Although many of the days were hot and a little steamy, the heat didn’t stop the community and visitors from coming out in droves.

My wife, Catrina, looks forward to working the gates at the fairground every year — in honor of her grandfather who welcomed fairgoers every summer at the Puyallup County Fair in Washington. This year, I joined Catrina for a few shifts at the blue gates. It was a blast interacting with so many people.

It’s always fun to engage with others face to face — no screens or phones — while also having a memorable time. Events like the Clackamas County Fair or the Dahlia Festival at Swan Island Dahlias can energize us in ways no virtual experience can. We need that kind of connection.

It’s easy not to prioritize time for connection, but it’s essential for our mental health. So, as the calendar flips to September, and the backto-school activities and new fall routines establish their grooves, I’d like to challenge each of you to stay connected vis-à-vis, even as your schedule fills up.

Just letting folks know you are there and that you care can make a major difference — often more than you may realize.

In honor of September being Suicide Prevention Month, I want to remind you how even one small, kind gesture can steer the course of someone’s life for the better. In fact, one of my favorite sayings says it all: “Don’t give up. You haven’t met everyone who will love you yet.”

Stay connected, Canby.

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

Donovan Darling, Content Manager

Kaity VanHoose, Social Media Manager

PRODUCTION

Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director

Hilary Berg, Sr. Graphic Designer

Sean Carver, Sr. Graphic Designer

Brittany Jungenberg, Sr. Graphic Designer

Morgan King, Sr. Graphic Designer

Shawn Schmidt, Sr. Graphic Designer

Kate Astle, Copyeditor

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

David Bates Patti Jo Brooks

Tyler Francke Olive Gallagher

Angie Helvey Lucas Holmgren

Robert Matsumura Dennis McNabb

Kelly Romo 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

6 Club Fit: Keep It Moving

8 Taste of the Town: B’s Bake Shoppe

10 Seasonal: Back-to-School Tips

14 Savor the Flavor: Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

16 Beauty Tips: Step into Skincare Presented by Divine Complexions

18 Meat the Veteran: Louis Boesel

Presented by Ebner’s Meats

20 Canby Fire District: Summer Heat and Fire Safety

24 Community: FOB Taproom presents FOBtoberfest

27 Book Reviews: September Must-Reads

Presented by The Book Nook

28 Community: Kolton Howell

30 Cover Feature: Swan Island Dahlias

32 Days of the Year: September Calendar

34 Community: Callie Custforth

36 Canby Public Library: September Events

38 Farm Focus: Mt. Hope Farms

40 Meet the Artist: Author Kelly Romo

42 Money Matters: Weathering a Market Storm Presented by Better Planning and Investing 46 Fun & Games: Crossword & Sudoku 48 Star Athletes: Portland Barbers

Presented by Roth Heating & Cooling 50 Fun & Games: Tic-Tac-Tow

Presented by Hudson Towing

54 Community: Early Childhood BrainBox and Resource Fair

56 Community: Oregon Black Pioneers

57 Reel Movie Reviews: Back to School

60 Local History: Pittock Mansion

COVER PHOTO: BY ANDREW SAMBUCETO

KEEP IT MOVING!

Happy fall, y’all. As summer is coming to a close, and we have enjoyed the great outdoors while we ran or walked for cardiovascular health, it’s time now to get serious about hitting the gym for strength training.

Statistics say that without strength training, people can lose up to 30% of their muscle mass between ages 50 and 70. After 70, the rate of muscle mass loss accelerates further.

Instead of succumbing to these facts and believing there is nothing you can do as you get older except to slowly decrease your activity and eventually stop moving much — make a decision to stay strong, active and relevant into your 90s! It is possible with some education and commitment.

Here are some benefits to strength training:

 Increases balance to lower risk of falls

 Increases ability to complete ADL (activities of daily living)

 Reduces risk of injuries

 Increases bone density

 Improves sleep and energy levels

Club Fit is a full-service facility with space to move about safely. It has a friendly atmosphere with like-minded members and staff who support and encourage each other in our journeys of wellness.

September is a time for setting routines, goals and schedules, so take the opportunity to add fitness into your new routine. For more specific training, Club Fit has four personal trainers who can design a fitness program to meet your unique fitness needs. It’s time to invest in yourself and hire a trainer. Stop by today, and get started now!

Break Bread & Chill

Bakery unveils new space, expanded seating

cheddar walnut. Customers can pair the fare with espresso, coffee, tea or bottled beverages, including beer and wine.

The shoppe has always had a small seating area, but the new space, attached to the original by a simple doorway, doubles the total size of the business and adds plenty of room for folks to sit down and enjoy themselves at tables or in comfy lounge chairs perfect for unwinding with a hot beverage. “We were able to build a prep area for our sandwiches, and the new space has a lot of seating so people can feel comfortable hanging out for a while,” Bethany says. They built an office and also created a section of their counter devoted to espresso and coffee, complete with a new and upgraded espresso machine on display to handle the higher volume and a full view of team members making drinks.

By Angie Helvey, Contributing Writer

Downtown Canby has grown exponentially over the last several years. It’s been exciting for Canbyites to see the development of a cute neighborhood full of locally owned shops and places to grab a bite. Look for the yellow honeycomb sign, and you’ll find B’s Bake Shoppe, a locally owned bakery providing Canby with the finest artisan baked goods and a cozy hangout spot since July 2020. After a short closure, owners Bethany and David Zito and the team at B’s are excited to welcome the community to their new expanded space, the perfect place to relax and indulge in an array of delectable, freshly baked goodies.

Bethany and her husband, David, both have extensive histories in the food world. Now the general manager of B’s, he has a culinary background and has been chef de cuisine at a few local restaurants. Bethany spent years as a pastry chef in finedining restaurants, but her true love is baking, especially bread. She started selling her baked goods at the Hubbard Farmer’s Market a few years before opening B’s in the Dahlia Building in downtown Canby.

Offerings include varieties of freshly baked bread, delicious cookies, sugary confections, scrumptious desserts, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and more. They strive to use fresh, local ingredients as much as possible. “We try to utilize whatever is in season,” she says. B’s features rotating daily bread with yummy variations like pumpernickel, black olive rosemary, and apple

B’s closed for the renovation on July 9 and reopened on July 26. The response from the community has been excellent. “Everyone wants to come in and look around,” says Bethany. “We originally opened right at the beginning of COVID, and many of our regulars have been with us for the long haul. It’s personal for them to see us grow.”

And fear not! Bethany says they will keep the menu the same and add new items as time passes.

“Our customers are crazy about the honey rosemary buttermilk biscuits, the maple pecan sticky buns and the Bavarian-style pretzels. Those are three things we would never consider taking away. Especially those sticky buns,” she says with a laugh.

Bethany and the B’s Bake Shoppe team delight in being part of the Canby community. “It’s so friendly and welcoming,” says Bethany. “The residents here want to know the local business owners and the employees that work at their favorite places. It’s been so fun getting to know our customers and watching their kids grow up. It makes you feel like part of the community.”

B’s Bake Shoppe is located in the Dahlia Building at 113 NW Second Ave, Canby. Please give them a call at 503-266-2004, or visit their website at bsbakeshoppe.com.

TASTE OF THE TOWN B’S BAKE SHOPPE

1. Clothes

Perhaps obvious, clothes shopping is essential for your kiddo every year. Set a budget, and let your kids pick out their favorites (within reason and appropriate for its purpose). And doing this late summer will avoid crowds, lines, and the anxiety of waiting too long. If your kids wear a uniform, get them fitted and ordered sooner than later. Additionally, go through last year’s clothes to make room for new clothes!

2. School Supplies

Whether your kids are homeschooled or go to public / private school, they’ll need supplies, and most schools provide a list. Writing utensils especially, such as pencils, pens, erasers, markers, and rulers are super important. And a pencil case isn’t a bad idea either to organize your supplies.

3.Homework Station

Create a quiet, comfortable space where your kiddo can focus and do their homework with little to no distractions. Be it a desk or lap desk (my favorite) for mobile studying, they need somewhere to work. The nice thing about a desk or lap desk is it works for homework, a laptop / tablet stand, eating table, and more.

4. Backpack Drop Zone

Kids’ stuff explodes when they come home, so having a designated area is key to keeping tidy. Set up a backpack / coat station–often using a coat rack and bench combo–in a foyer, hallway, or mudroom to hang their things, such as a backpack, coat, lunchbox (when empty), and more. This will keep the clutter contained and from taking over your house!

5. Adjust Your Schedule

The school schedule is 100% different from summer when the kids are home, so get ready for those hectic early mornings now. Restart the habit of making bag lunches the night before to save time in the morning, and verify their lunch boxes are still usable. And a few weeks before school starts, have your kids start going to bed earlier each night and wake up to an alarm clock so they get in the habit when school starts. A sunrise alarm clock will gradually wake them and also works as a bedside light.

Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

Low and slow to flavor country

Ingredients

2 pounds cherry or grape tomatoes (or other meaty variety cut in equal sizes)

* extra-virgin olive oil, as needed to coat

* sprigs of thyme

* kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

 Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan (or two) with parchment paper. Set aside.

 Slice tomatoes in half, lengthwise. Arrange on sheet pan, cut-side up, so tomatoes are close together but not overly crowded.  Drizzle tomatoes with olive oil; then shimmy around in pan until all are just coated with oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper.  Roast for 2 to 3 hours, until tomatoes begin to dry out and shrivel in on themselves, but still retain some juice inside. Timing will vary depending on the size/variety of your tomatoes.  Remove from oven and cover pan with aluminum foil until cooled, at least half an hour. Use right away, or cover with olive oil and store in refrigerator.

CHEF’S TIP: Roast tomatoes at 200°F for 10 hours. If you can do this, try it. The flavors concentrate even more. and the texture just gets better and better. Low and slow is the way to go.

Use slow-roasted tomatoes atop dishes such as pasta, crostini, polenta , salads and chicken

Parmesan. Try them in grilled cheese, quiche or a fancy BLT. Or how about in a tart with ricotta? So many options, so much flavor.

Step into Skincare

Apply order to your daily skin routine

What’s the best order to apply your skincare routine? While some steps may be obvious, others not so much. Just as important as the products you choose are the way you apply them and the order.

1 Pre-Cleanse > The secret to an effective, thorough cleanse starts here. Start with a makeup remover to purify and remove any traces of makeup, excess oils and other debris from the face and delicate eye area.

2 Cleanse > The most important step in your skincare routine is cleansing. Quite simply, cleansing removes excess oil, any leftover makeup residue, free radicals built up over the day and any other impurities. Cleanse both morning and evening, regardless of if you wear makeup. It’s important to wash the day away with your precleanser, then go in for a deeper cleanse.

3 Exfoliate > Glowing skin is linked to exfoliation, which encourages the cell regeneration process, and removes dull surface cells and follicle debris. It can also break up areas of discoloration to reveal brighter skin. One of the benefits I love is how exfoliation helps clear the skin to allow other products to absorb more easily. Start by exfoliating once a week in the morning or evening (not both) and increase if needed (up to five times a week). Use a liquid exfoliant or scrub, depending on your needs.

4 Mask > Treat your skin with a mask one to three evenings per week to nourish skin beyond the uppermost layers. Find the mask that fits your needs. There are masks for breakout-prone skin, dry skin, aging skin or to give an instant glow.

5 Tone > Toners assist in evening out skin’s porosity, giving your serum and moisturizer a smoother, more even application. Tone after cleansing morning and night. Depending on the toner, use your hands or a cotton pad to press into the skin.

6 Face and Eye Serum > A serum is the ultimate product for transforming your skin. Serum formulations are concentrated and absorb quickly to a deeper level of the skin, delivering active ingredients to target your skin issues. During the day, use a vitamin C serum for its antioxidant benefits. Vitamin C protects the skin from free radicals while promoting healthy collagen and skin brightness. At night, use a serum that targets your skin conditions, whether it’s acne, sensitivity, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture or aging. With regular use, serums will help you tackle any skin concern and get one step closer to the radiant, healthy complexion you desire. For products with retinol, allow up to 30 minutes for penetration prior to applying moisturizer for optimal benefits.

7 Eye Products > Follow your serum with a nourishing eye cream. An eye cream will deliver targeted ingredients dosed preciously for the delicate eye area, where the skin is a little thinner, to help brighten, de-puff, and reduce the appearance of dark shadows and fine lines. Pat your eye cream gently, never rubbing or pulling at the skin.

8 Moisturize > Help your skin maintain its optimal moisture level by using a moisturizer morning and evening that helps seal and treat surface dehydration. Regardless of skin type, it’s important to moisturize twice daily. It not only encourages healthy cell turnover but helps fight the signs of aging.

9 Sun Protection > I can’t stress enough the importance of SPF all day, every day, even in winter. Daily application of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50% according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Don’t just apply it to your face; apply it to all exposed areas of skin, including your chest, neck and the back of your hands each morning.

“MEAT

THE VETERAN

BY TYLER FRANCKE, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life, or so they say. Air Force veteran Jerry Howard, commissioner of the Mavericks Independent Baseball League based at the Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer, has found a novel way to combine his two lifelong passions: baseball and honoring and supporting veterans and those actively serving in our nation’s military.

Howard’s love of baseball goes back to his earliest memories. He started playing at the age of five, and was an avid hitter and middle infielder until the Air Force came calling in 1961.

Assigned to Bergstrom Air Force Base outside Austin, Texas, he later worked at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch 60 miles west of the city. Air Force One flew into Bergstrom when the president would travel home from Washington, D.C., or other states and nations.

“I was pretty much a ‘gofer,’ and did a great deal of driving, especially when President Johnson was home,” says Jerry, reflecting on his five years in Texas. “I really enjoyed my time in the Air Force and extended for an extra year, but ultimately decided I wanted to get back into baseball.”

That he did, starting as an umpire and working his way up — just like the players who toil in the rookie and minor leagues before, hopefully, getting their big break.

“I got to umpire five National Junior College World Series and the U.S.A. vs. China Olympic game,” he says, as

Jerry Howard A HOME RUN

he recalled the years of traveling in professional baseball. “Eventually, I did some coaching and then went into scouting, first for the [Chicago] Cubs and the [Toronto] Blue Jays.”

In 2006, Jerry began working with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, then a Class A-Short Season eight-team league affiliated with the San Francisco Giants. He is one of just four full-time staff members working with the team and has a variety of tasks.

gesture inspired everyone with the Volcanoes to plan for the next year.

The starting point is often the hardest part, Jerry says, detailing all the aspects that go into supporting the theme of the event. In many ways, it’s like being a wedding planner, as each part has to be carefully considered, thought out, and choreographed.

The tribute now is nearly 90 minutes in length with as many as 200 veterans and service members on the field prior to the first pitch. It has also grown to include a horse-drawn carriage, military songs and remembrances, special patriotic uniforms worn by both teams, and a professional fireworks show to cap it all off.

The tribute won Jerry the prestigious Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award in 2019, and just this past summer, during the 2023 tribute game, Volcanoes owner Jerry Walker announced that all future editions of the Patriot Tribute would be renamed in Jerry Howard’s honor.

“I do a little bit of everything in the office, but on September 1 each year, I start planning the July 4th Patriot Tribute game,” he says.

It is this — an annual celebration of the nation’s veterans, active duty military and all things Americana — that has made Jerry particularly wellknown, especially among the Oregon veteran community.

The earliest iteration, the game in 2008, honored four National Guard members who had recently returned from Iraq. The success of that solemn

“I am proud of what Jerry Howard has selflessly achieved with this program and equally proud of all our active servicemen, servicewomen and all veterans who give so much in the defense of freedom and liberty,” Jerry Walker says.

Summer Heat & Fire Safety

Summer is here, which means the heat has arrived! Canby offers many great avenues to get out in the sunshine, including the Molalla River, Clackamas County Fair & Rodeo, hiking/biking trails, community parks, and many other events and opportunities. Please take your health and safety seriously when participating in outdoor activities during extreme weather.

Y Stay hydrated with plenty of water.

Y Keep children under constant supervision when in or around water. Life vests are highly encouraged.

Y Take frequent breaks by resting in the shade.

Y Know and understand the air quality index (AQI) for the day before venturing out. The AQI can be found at airnow.gov.

Y Use sunscreen to protect your skin from burning.

Y Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.

Y Be aware of any heat-related symptoms you may be experiencing.

Be extra cautious when using heavy equipment and working around dry vegetation. Some tips to help reduce the risk of starting an unintentional fire:

Y Make sure loose chains are secured before starting travel to avoid sparks on the road.

Y When cooking outdoors, move your grill away from structures, don’t place under eaves and overhanging branches, and be sure to have a water source nearby.

Y For warming / recreational fires, move these at least 10 feet from structures and flammable areas. Always have a water source nearby and never leave a fire unattended.

Y Refuel equipment only after it has cooled down to decrease the chances of the fuel igniting.

Y Wherever possible, give structures a 10 feet or greater distance from flammable vegetation.

What is Canby’s air quality index (AQI)? Scan the code to discover real-time data.

BURN LINE: 503-266-1195 STATION OFFICE: 503-266-5851

DONNA ELLISON

Broker, Licensed in Oregon

503-380-5706

donna@ellisonteamhomes.com

SEASONAL HOME MAINTENANCE

Staying on top of home maintenance is essential in ensuring a safe and healthy home. Maintenance also keeps your home operating efficiently, mitigating risk, minimizing energy bills, improving curb appeal and preserving or increasing your home resale value.

SPRING

 Check carbon monoxide/fire alarms and fire extinguishers; replace batteries.

 Inspect/repair/replace exterior windows, siding, decking, etc.

 Remove dead foliage, weeds and debris away from the house.

 Service yard equipment.

 Hire a professional for a chimney safety check and cleaning.

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

 Service your air conditioning system.

 Interior spring cleaning and inspection.

 Replace furnace filter (monthly).

 Re-apply caulk in sinks/tubs/showers.

SUMMER

 Tend to yardwork and check sprinklers for proper coverage.

 Inspect exterior for cracks in stucco.

 Seal windows and doors, and touch up exterior paint.

 Check decking for splintered wood or hazardous nails.

FALL

 Check carbon monoxide/fire alarms and fire extinguishers; replace batteries.

 Service heating systems/furnaces.

 Bleed radiator of air and service.

 Have your roof inspected, gutters cleared and remove overgrown foliage to prevent damage to house.

 Drain water heater to remove sediment.

 Clean exhaust fans and dryer vent.

 Clean garbage disposal and range hood.

DONNA & MATTHEW

 Inspect and turn off automated irrigation.

WINTER

 Inspect basement and attic for pests and leaks.

 Vacuum refrigerator coils.

 Insulate exterior pipes in basement and garage to prevent freezing.

 Upgrade winter storm essentials, including your generator, flashlights and snow shovels.

kind of what first prompted us to talk with the city last year and look at scaling it up. So this year, we’re going to continue building on what we started in 2022 and really expand in a lot of ways that people were asking for.”

The move to a two-day event is in an effort to better accommodate people’s schedules, Steve says. This year’s event will also include more dining options, games and entertainment, as well as a cashless system that will make purchasing food and drinks smooth and seamless.

FOBtoberfest is modeled on the original Oktoberfest — a 16-day annual beer fair and folk festival held in Munich, Germany — and closer to home, the famed Mt. Angel Oktoberfest, which is the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

At its core, the event is a celebration of German food, music and culture, as well

Rise and Stein

Canby’s Oktoberfest returns to Wait Park

Rinse your steins and dust off your lederhosen, as Oktoberfest returns to Canby’s Wait Park, Sept. 16 and 17. Known as FOBtoberfest, in honor of the event’s main organizer and sponsor, FOB Taproom, the second annual event promises authentic German food, beer, music and more.

After hosting smaller iterations of FOBtoberfest at the FOB Taproom for several years, owner Steve Puga and his team decided to launch it as a full community event in 2022.

Initially a one-day celebration, FOBtoberfest welcomed several thousand people to sample dozens of carefully selected imported and domestic craft beers and beverages, as well as enjoy live polka music and German fare. Guests also tried their hands at traditional games and challenges like keg rolling and stein holding.

“The first year was kind of a trial,” Steve explains. “We were asking the community, ‘Is this something you want to see?’ And, given their response, we feel like the answer was ‘Oh, heck yeah.’”

Steve praised the City of Canby and his own team of staff members, friends and volunteers for their assistance in making last year’s inaugural FOBtoberfest a resounding success.

“The city was great,” he says. “They saw what we had been doing here at FOB for Oktoberfest, just in-house, and that’s

as the fruits of a harvest. Canby’s FOBtoberfest is a laid-back, family-friendly affair, Steve says, that is open to all — especially those who have never been to an Oktoberfest event before.

“The most important thing about FOBtoberfest is that it’s really community-based,” Steve explains. “We wanted to give Canby the opportunity to attend an Oktoberfest event and have a great time in their own community.”

Steve has long harbored a love of German beer halls, cultivated during his previous career as a globe-trotting professional in the world of supply chain logistics, and this is reflected at the FOB Taproom, where German flags, soccer club logos, beer signs, wall art and other decor line the walls.

“Anybody who knows FOB, knows we’re about a genuine love of German beers,” Steve says. “Just that feeling of walking

Story and Photos by Tyler Francke

into a German beer hall and it’s kind of like [the TV show] ‘Cheers.’ It’s the community pub, and everybody knows your name. That’s the whole premise behind what we try to do every day.”

His event has also been inspired by the area’s German heritage. In the pioneer days, a sizable contingent of first- and second-generation German immigrants settled in Canby and the surrounding communities, and a number of families made their mark.

“There is a lot of German history and German influence in this area,” Steve says. “And that was kind of paramount when my wife and I decided to buy this and transform it into what

it is now, knowing about that German thread that runs through Canby.”

FOBtoberfest attendees will have no shortage of beers to choose from, with a menu of more than a dozen rare

German beers carefully selected by Steve and his team. Bavarian-style bratwurst and pretzels, among other authentic flavors, will be offered from Ebner’s Custom Meats, B’s Bake Shoppe and King’s Farm to Table.

And the air will be filled with traditional German folk music and drinking songs, including several oompah bands. Don’t miss it.

The second annual FOBtoberfest will be held noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17, at Wait Park in downtown Canby. For more information, visit the FOB Taproom at 1109 S.W. First Avenue, Suite D, or fobtaproom.com. You can also call 503-263-2337 or send FOB an email at info@fobtaproom.com.

GERMAN BIER

POLKA MUSIC

Enjoy

This Is How We End Things

By R.J. Jacobs THRILLER

A chilling psychological thriller for Riley Sager Fans. In Forest, North Carolina, a group of graduate students studying deception find themselves entangled in a web of secrets and murder when one of them is killed during an experiment. Trapped by a snowstorm on an abandoned campus, they must unravel the truth amidst a looming sense of danger, as lies and hidden motives threaten to consume them all.

The Phoenix Crown

By Kate Quinn & Janie Chang

An unforgettable story about the intertwined lives of two wronged women. In 1906 San Francisco, Gemma desperately needs a refresh of her singing career, and Suling, a Chinese embroideress, needs to escape an arranged marriage. Soon, they are both caught up with charming railroad magnate Henry Thornton, owner of the fabled Phoenix Crown, an ancient Chinese relic. After an earthquake tears the town apart, Henry disappears. When the crown reappears at a Paris ball five years later, Gemma and Suling are determined to solve the mystery.

Finding the Strength

Young adult raises funds to fight brain cancer

day on tiny feet. Kolton relates, “I just felt off. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but my body just didn’t feel right.” He began to notice little things, like his hand and eye coordination was off, or in the middle of a sentence he suddenly couldn’t find the word he intended to say. He also noticed he’d swerve while driving, unable to control his movements. Then the migraines began, and after several months they became unbearable.

After traveling to Oklahoma, he became so ill he couldn’t bring himself to get on the homebound plane. At first, Leta thought he might be faking it or having an anxiety attack, but it soon became evident he was very sick. After returning home and remaining very ill for several days, Leta took Kolton to the Dallas emergency room, thinking he might get a diagnosis of diabetes.

By Olive Gallagher, Contributing Writer • Photos by Leta Brown

What would you do if you woke up tomorrow and learned you have astrocytoma brain cancer and might only have a few more months or years to live? How would you feel? Who would you tell? How long would your list of unrealized wishes, unfulfilled dreams and sad regrets be, of things never tried or risked, of people never loved, of experiences and places you’ll never get to know, of freedom and endless time never fully appreciated? And how would you deal with your fear, anger, sadness, bewilderment and grief that this hard-to-grasp nightmare was actually happening to you, especially at the age of 24?

This is Kolton Howell’s reality. A reality that he, along with his devoted mother and primary caregiver, Leta Brown, courageously battle to make each day worthwhile and meaningful.

Leta, a single mom who works full time, had watched her beloved son battle life from the moment he was born two months early. The neonatal ICU staff described him as “the baby with an attitude.” Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age five, he never quit, pressing on, trying out for soccer, Boy Scouts and Little League. He graduated from West Albany School the same year he earned Eagle Scout and went on to become a successful sales manager at a Salem firm. Life seemed stable and worthwhile.

Then, this terrifying nightmare tiptoed into their lives one

It was at that moment that their medical nightmare escalated. After a CT scan and MRI, the doctors informed them that Kolton had an eight-centimeter mass in his brain and that they couldn’t treat him there; he needed treatment at a bigger academic hospital. After all other area hospitals turned them down, they finally convinced OHSU to take the case. He was rushed there, and the day after Thanksgiving he had brain surgery to remove the tumor. During those long, agonizing hours, watching over him in the dark room, a good friend sat with Leta, lending comfort and kindness. On her own, seeing Leta and Kolton’s future needs, she established a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds, knowing full well an avalanche of medical bills would be coming without end.

When asked if there was any lesson learned from all of this, Kolton’s reply was simple: “Listen. Listen to your body. Listen to what it’s telling you.”

There’s no cure for this cancer. Having been given five to six years to live, Kolton will spend the rest of his time, however short it might be, dealing with this aggressive, fastgrowing cancer. Tumors will potentially continue to occur, despite rounds of chemo and radiation. So it’s critical that this established fund continues to grow and to sustain this loving family who face each day with remarkable strength and positivity. When asked if he had one wish, Kolton’s answer was quite immediate, accompanied by a broad smile, “I wish I could visit LegoLand in Denmark!”

To donate to Kolton’s GoFundMe, please scan the QR code (see right) with your smartphone.

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Bloomin’ Good Time

August and September is Dahlia Festival

for its original location a few miles downriver from downtown Portland, the operation calls Canby home. Now managed by the second and third generations, Swan Island Dahlias remains the nation’s largest dahlia grower.

Primarily a mail-order company, Swan Island Dahlias ships more than 500,000 tubers across the U.S. and Canada every spring. However, the Gitts family offers fresh-cut flowers during the summer months, along with a charming farm and gift shop open year-round that is undergoing a huge remodel, set to open this fall.

To celebrate the blooms, Swan Island Dahlias hosts the nation’s largest dahlia festival in August and September with something for everyone: art classes, music concerts, food trucks, a Sunday Market and, of course, gorgeous fields for strolling among 375-plus varieties.

By Hilary Berg, Staff Writer

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh made his famous solo, non-stop transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis. The same year, Swan Island Dahlias planted their first tubers. For Oregonians, there’s no need to catch a plane to experience the almost 40 acres of stunning dahlias in full bloom from August to September. With no admission or parking fees, visitors can witness the stunning display of colors and textures that inspire art, poetry and more in the charming town of Canby. For Nicholas Gitts and his family, dahlias are their everyday, and have been since 1963. Although the company is named

For Swan Island Dahlias manager Heather Gitts-Schloe, Mikayla Miranda remains one of her favorites. “She is stunning, low growing, a great cut flower and a show stopper!” As for the most unusual, Schloe says look for the Japanese Bishop with its striking black foliage and red flowers.

While visiting, be sure to choose some tubers to order for your own garden. In Oregon, Schloe recommends waiting until the ground is workable and warm to plant — typically around Mother’s Day, as you can plant usually late April through May.

She offers more advice: “In our climate, do not water the tubers when you plant them. Instead, wait to water them when the green sprout appears above the ground. Then, they will need lots of deep watering during the summer months to thrive in full sun.”

Whether you’re seeking fresh-cut flowers or tubers to create your own mosaic of blooms, Swan Island is THE place for dahlias. Mark your calendars, clean your vases and get ready for unforgettable arrangements.

PHOTO BY ANDREW SAMBUCETO

PHOTO PROVIDED

PHOTO PROVIDED

“Fallen

on the ground are the golden song of immortal creativity.”

– Amit Ray

Classical Music Month Fall Hat Month

Happy Cat Month

Hispanic Heritage Month

Honey Month

International Square Dancing Month Little League Month

1 2

Emma M. Nutt Day, the first woman telephone operator National Cherry Popover Day National Tofu Day (UK)

International Bacon Day* National Tailgating Day*

VJ Day, WWII World Beard Day *

days are

Procrastination Day

Read a Book Day National Salami Day Neither Rain nor Snow Day

Superstition Day

National Peanut Day Positive Thinking Day

his image was first used in 1813

International Crab Fest Day National Cream-Filled Donut Day

International Literacy Day National Ampersand Day National Date Nut Bread Day Pardon Day Teddy Bear Day

Make a Hat Day

Felt Hat Day – On this day, men traditionally put away their felt hats. Rosh Hashanah*

Breakfast in Bed Day*

Business Women’s Day

summer’s best of weather

American Legion Day

International Red Panda Bear Day

Mexican Independence Day Oktoberfest begins in Germany*

of

Pepperoni Pizza Day National Punch Day

International Peace Day Miniature Golf Day World

Elephant Appreciation Day

6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23

Hobbit Day

Native American Day*

AutumnEquinox–Fallbegins!

InternationalRabbitDay*

NationalHuntingandFishingDay*

27 28 29 30

“By all these lovely tokens, September

here. With

and autumn’s best

cheer.”

– Helen Hunt Jackson

A Surprise Victory

North Marion 14-year-old pulls off upset in 1,500-meter national championships

said, and a heartfelt moment of prayer just before the July 30 finals race also helped calm her nerves.

Still, the result was so close that Callie did not realize immediately that she had won. “She had a really good kick so I wasn’t sure,” Callie recalls. “I didn’t think I could do it so it was super cool.”

A member of the Tualatin-based Inner Circle Track Club, Callie is a lifelong soccer player who first started running in the spring of 2022. “I really love it,” she says of her new sport. “It’s great being around the other runners, and it’s just a lot of fun.”

By Tyler Francke, Contributing Writer

Alocal 14-year-old is a national track and field champion after a surprising upset victory in the 1,500-meter race at the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships held at Hayward Field earlier this summer.

Macallan “Callie” Cutsforth, a homeschool student in the North Marion School District who is relatively new to running, says she did not go into the championships expecting to win — but that’s exactly what she did.

“I definitely would not say I was confident,” she said with a laugh. “But I ran a tactical race. It was a little slower than I thought we would go out. I was out front, which is not normally how I run, but I settled in. During the last lap, I had a nice kick and was able to hold onto the lead just long enough.”

She’s not kidding. Second-place finisher Chloe Leduc, a fellow incoming freshman from the Oakland Cubs running club, clocked a time of 4:52.59 — only two-hundredths of a second behind Callie’s winning time of 4:52.57.

Knowing her friends, family and coaches were in the stands cheering her on helped give her confidence, she

Callie particularly enjoys the camaraderie and friendship of the Inner Circle Track Club, which practices at Tualatin High School and also boasts other highprofile prep school athletes, including long jumper Sophia Beckmon, who won the women’s 17-18 long jump at the USATF Nationals, and Mia BrahePedersen, a multiple gold medalist at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association 2023 Championships earlier this year and the holder of several Oregon sprinting records.

Callie feels proud to have proven herself in her own right, winning a national championship at the iconic Hayward Field. “That was really cool — and a little intimidating,” she admitted. “It was pretty cool to think that this was where the professionals and all the top athletes from around the world compete.”

Looking forward, Callie plans to complete her freshman year at North Marion High School, and learn how to juggle competing in both soccer and cross country.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SARAH CUTSFORTH

Breckenridge Cartwright breck@canbylaw.com

James M. Hunsaker jim@canbylaw.com

Alex Redmond alex@canbylaw.com

CANBY PUBLIC LIBRARY

CANBY LIBRARY BOOK GROUP

The Canby Library Book Group Resumes

September 21st at 2 pm when the group will be discussing "The Ride of Her Life: the true story of a women, her horse, and their last-chance journey across America" by Elizabeth Letts. New people are welcome to join the group anytime. A complete list of the 2023/24 books to read are available online or at the Library Information Desk.

LOCAL AUTHOR TALKS

Wednesday September 27th at 10 am meet mystery writer Ken Baysinger. His work includes the Corrigan Mystery Novels and take place along the banks of the Willamette River.

“BEJEWELED”

FUN FOR TAYLOR SWIFT FANS

DIY “Style” Night: Make & Trade Friendship Bracelets- Inviting Taylor Swift Fans to wear your most inspired outfit and bring your besties, a parent, or come on your own for this Eras Tour inspired craft party from 4-5:30 pm on Tuesday, October 24th in the Willamette Room. Call 503.266.3394 to reserve your spot. All bracelet making materials and sweet treats provided. This is a multi-generational craft workshop. Young teens and children should attend with an adult. Older teens and adults are encouraged to attend too!

unique varieties and fruit combinations to provide a new and often delightful experience. Several of their most popular spreads feature lavender and the aronia berry, a small, purple antioxidant-packed berry native to the East Coast. The Ellises were one of its first growers in the Pacific Northwest.

“Everything we use is grown locally, usually by us or our neighbors,” Laura explains. “We’re really looking for those unique flavor profiles and new experiences,

something that people have never heard of before, let alone tasted. It’s really cool to find something brand new like that, and then you find out that it was grown practically in your own backyard. And a lot of what we use are heritage fruits as well, some that go back even to the pioneer days.”

Mt. Hope Farms is not just about producing exceptional goods, but also about fostering a community. Laura and Mike welcome partnerships and are eager to share their fruits, berries, and spreads with those

who value the authenticity of a family farm’s labor. Whether it’s their renowned table grapes or their innovative fruit spreads, the Ellis family is a beacon of sustainable agriculture and culinary excellence.

Mt. Hope Farms stands as a testament to the enduring power of family, sustainability, and a passion for the land. The Ellis family’s journey, marked by hard work, innovation, and a commitment to quality, has created a legacy that transcends generations.

As they continue to nurture their farm, they invite us all to taste the fruits of their labor — not just in flavor, but in the rich tapestry of values that they weave into every jar.

Mt. Hope Farms is located at 11103 South Mount Hope Road in Molalla. For more information, visit them at mthopefarmsoregon.com or email mthopefarms@yahoo.com.

Thrills and Chills

Local author is ‘thrilling’ to read

By Active Media Staff

Kelly Romo is a local author and retired educator with a passion for writing. She has always been fascinated by unique characters, stories and settings in books. Once her children grew up, Kelly went back to school. She completed a master’s degree in fiction at Pacific University and successfully published her first novel shortly afterward. She has published four novels so far: two historical fiction and two thrillers.

Kelly used her love of fly fishing and fly tying to create a bone-chilling thriller series set on the Deschutes River—complete with a serial killer who ties his victims’ hair in his flies. In the first two novels, she wanted to capture and incorporate the elements that make the Deschutes River special to her. She included whitewater rafting and fly fishing, the smell of sage and juniper, as well as the sound of a train chugging along the bank and the buzz of cicadas.

“DEAD DRIFT” and “I AM THE RIVER” are the first two books in the three-book Whitewater Thriller series, and they are receiving positive reviews. According to award-winning local author Craig Lesley, “Romo’s chapters with the killer are the most sinister I’ve ever read.” Kelly is currently working on book three.

Kelly incorporated fly fishing into her novels since it is an integral part of the Deschutes River. She says there is a natural peacefulness and release when she stands in a rushing river and casts her fly. Sometimes it’s like hunting. She watches the water to spot a fish or its disturbance on the surface. When she sees it, she drops her fly right before the trout and hopes it will strike. Other times, she dead drifts to make her fly mimic an actual insect on the current, drag-free with no tension on her line — which is where she came up with the title “DEAD DRIFT” for her thriller.

Kelly also ties her own flies, which are little works of art she loves to create. Her novels take a year or two to write, but she can complete a fly and hold it in her hand in twenty minutes. Since the flies are tied with feathers and fur, Kelly feels they represent the land, air, and river all bound together with thread and copper wire. Kelly needed a serial killer for her story, so why not make him a fly-tying serial killer who wraps a single strand of his victims’ hair into each of his flies?

Kelly’s second book in her Whitewater Thriller Series titled “I AM THE RIVER” just released this past June. She is also working on a third historical fiction novel. So if you love thrillers and want to read a book set in Oregon, pick up a copy of “DEAD DRIFT” and brace yourself—it is a wild ride.

For more about Kelly and her novels, visit her website at kellyromo.com.

Also Make Sure to Check out Kelly’s Historical Fiction Novels

Finding Peace During a Market Storm Planning for

what matters

Do you have enough cash to weather a market storm?

Do you maintain enough cash to weather a recession?

Data from the National Bureau of Economic Research shows that between 1854 and 2022, the average recession lasted 17 months. If you are currently working, financial planners recommend 3-6 months of expenses. For retirees, 6-12 months is more appropriate. This cash cushion may prevent you from having to sell investments at the worst possible time: when the market is down! If you are working with a Certified Financial Planner®, they should be aware of your current expenses, of what portion is fixed and how much you should have set aside. The good news is, with rising interest rates, money markets are finally paying in the 5% range after over a decade of paying next to nothing.

Preparing for higher volatility or even a recession requires that both you and your advisor are communicating what your income needs are, agreeing on your risk tolerance and having enough cash on hand so that life’s unexpected events don’t force you to sell at the worst time. Working with a Certified Financial Planner® has the benefit of evaluating not just investment returns, but income and spending cash flows for future years while anticipating risks that could affect your goals.

By Founder and Managing Member Christian Kruse, CFP®

There has been much talk of what an inverted yield curve could mean for markets over the next year. An inverted curve generally refers to periods when the two year US Treasury has a higher yield than a 10 year. These inverted periods are associated with recessions and generally poor market performance. Since June of 2022 we have been experiencing just such a period. Despite this, the S&P 500 has held quite well. But given that an inverted yield curve has preceded the last seven recessions, it begs the questions:

Are you prepared for a market storm?

How should you prepare?

Do you understand your portfolio risk?

Using historical data, your financial advisor, or Certified Financial Planner®, should be able to illustrate to you the range of returns that can be expected, including worst case scenarios as seen during the great financial crisis of 2008-2009.

What are your time horizons?

Each investor may have multiple goals that have varying time horizons. If you are retiring in the next three to five years you may feel much more risk averse than someone with a 10+ year horizon. In 2008, many dreams of an early retirement were destroyed as the S&P 500 declined by more than a third in value.

Conversely, being well prepared may mean that when new opportunities present themselves, you are well positioned to take advantage of them for future benefit. At Better Planning & Investing we develop strategies to meet your future retirement needs, then look for opportunities to create wealth that may increase your comfort in retirement, plan for unanticipated needs or pass wealth to a new generation in the most tax efficient way.

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Cut and Run

Canby natives help capture Portland Barbers’ first AAA baseball state title

By Tyler Francke, Contributing Writer

Four local sluggers and recent Canby High School grads competed in the Northwest Regional championship last month after helping capture the Oregon American Legion state title as part of the prestigious Portland Barbers AAA baseball team.

The Barbers (39-6) defeated the favored Emerald Challengers (50-8) from Eugene in the final state championship game Wednesday, July 26, by a score of 10-6.

Founded by and named in honor of Don and Alison Lovell, owner of The Barbers barbershop chain, the Barbers have been one of the state’s top AAA baseball squads since being established in 2010, but this marks the program’s first state title.

Their 2023 roster included four former Cougars: pitcher Jason Noffsinger, 19, Class of 2022; twins Hunter and Logan Robinson, 17, who play outfield and shortstop; and catcher Owen Tilden, 18 — all of whom graduated earlier this year.

The Challengers had swept their way through the tournament en route to the Oregon Legion finals, outscoring opponents 3317, including a 13-5 triumph in the semis. To win the title, the Challengers would have had to defeat the Barbers just once.

But the Barbers flipped the script in their first tilt, trading

leads throughout the first six innings before shocking a packed Swede Johnson Stadium in North Eugene with a two-run home run by Cameron MastersDoble, a 2023 Lakeridge grad, in the seventh to seal the 7-6 win.

In the finale, the Barbers jumped out to an insurmountable lead on the strength of a four-run third inning led by Mountainside grads Eric Altmark (4-for-7) and Ian Salbeda (three-run double), ultimately clipping Emerald by a score of 10-6. It was the first time this summer that the Challengers had lost back-to-back games.

The outcome may have stunned the Challengers and their home crowd fans — but it did not surprise Jason Noffsinger.

“We knew they were a good team, but we also knew that when we had lost to them previously, we had beaten ourselves,” he said.

As for the 1-0 series hole in which they found themselves at the beginning of the series, the Barbers were prepared.

“We had everything lined up from day one in case this situation arose, so come championship day, we had all of our best arms and bats lined up ready to go,” he said. “Everyone knew we were there to send them packing.”

PRESENTED BY ROTH HEATING & COOLING

COURTESY JENNIFER NOFFSINGER

PHOTO BY MIKE EYSTER

PHOTO BY MIKE EYSTER

Jason said he is particularly thrilled to be sharing the experience with three other Canby natives. All four have played together for years, growing up through the ranks of club ball and at Canby High School.

“The twins played a huge role in our success,” he said. “They really stepped up

and got the job done when needed. Owen struggled a little at the plate, but has never been better defensively. That played a huge part in beating Eugene, especially limiting their run game, which is how they win most of their games.”

Noffsinger was limited in the state tourney with an arm injury, but was cleared to throw shortened outings

as needed in the Northwest Regional Tournament at Hladky Memorial Stadium in Gillette, Wyoming.

The boys from Oregon competed well against the region’s best, making it to the third round before falling in a close game to the Colorado state champs, 4-3. Congratulations to the team on a fantastic season!

Tic Tac Tow

Get carried away with fun variations of the classic grid game

Misere Tic Tac Toe: The game is simple: If you get three in a row, you lose. Also called Inverse Tic Tac Toe or Toe Tac Tic.

Random-Turn Tic Tac Toe: A coin flip determines whose turn it is.

Number-Scrabble Tic Tac Toe: The game is played with numbers 1–9. Each player takes turns picking a number from the list. Once a number has been picked, it cannot be picked again. If a player has picked three numbers that add up to 15, that player wins the game. However, if all numbers are used and no player gets exactly 15, the game is a draw.

Ultimate Tic Tac Toe: Play classic three-by-three Tic Tac Toe in a three-by-three grid. If you win three overall games in a row, you win the Ultimate Tic Tac Toe.

Four-by-Four Tic Tac Toe: Winning can include four in a straight line, four in a diagonal line, four in a diamond, or four to make a square.

Thinking Inside the Box

Fair shares tools for growing children’s brains

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer

Rotary Club of Canby and Todos Juntos of Canby/ Molalla have partnered together to bring local residents and neighboring communities a unique opportunity to explore early childhood development resources available in the area. Education and literacy, as well as maternal and child health, has always been one of Rotary’s primary focus areas. Last year’s president of Canby’s Rotary Club, Craig Johnson, was inspired by seven-year-old Molly Wright’s TED Talk: How Every Child Can Thrive by Five. Looking back on the resources and help he received with his own child, Craig was excited to collaborate with family resource advocates, Todos Juntos, on their “BrainBoxes” project. These boxes contain age-specific items ranging from infant to six years old, such as rings, blocks, toys, safety scissors, etc. to encourage hand-eye coordination and dexterity which helps pre-K children “grow their brain,” explains Craig Johnson.

Canby’s first-ever Early Childhood BrainBox and Resource Fair, a one-day event

on Thursday, Sept. 14, will be held indoors at Clackamas County Event Center’s Horning Hall from 4:30 to 8 p.m. In addition to Todos Juntos, who will be handing out free BrainBoxes to pre-registered families, numerous community partners will be onsite to present the services they offer in support of early childhood development. Preschool leaders, Head Start and early intervention representatives will be among the community partners invited to share what they do in helping young children develop their brains and prepare for kindergarten.

Interaction between a caring adult and their small child has been established as important for brain development and emotional health, especially during the first five years of life. “I wanted to do something to support small kids,” Craig says. “Inviting Todos Juntos, finding a way to work together and learning about BrainBoxes, I got so excited.” He adds, “Collaboration is one of my core values.” Rotary is helping to purchase some of the boxes, and Todos Juntos will be present at the event to familiarize recipients with some ways to play with or utilize items in the boxes. Both English and Spanish versions are available, and Jovanna Leon, who is bilingual in English and Spanish, will be present at the Todos Juntos table along with Ravin Lopez, Youth and Family Program Manager of Molalla/Canby. “Once a family registers for a BrainBox,” explains Ravin, “they are automatically included in the program until their child ages out.” Guests will also be able to participate in family activities, win prizes, learn about additional early childhood development resources, sign up for services and register for any remaining BainBoxes.

If you’re in the area and you have a small child in your life, stop by the Early Childhood BrainBox and Resource Fair for an educational and fun-filled evening!

The Early Childhood BrainBox and Resource Fair is Sept. 14, located at Clackamas County Fairgrounds, Horning Hall, 694 N.E. Fourth Avenue, Canby. For details, contact Ravin Lopez at 503-719-0610 or ravinl@todos-juntos.net.

Keeping History Alive

Oregon Black Pioneers marks 30 years of honoring and preserving Black heritage

By Tyler Francke, Contributing Writer

Photo credit: Courtesy Oregon Black Pioneers

This year, Oregon Black Pioneers (OBP) celebrates a significant milestone: three decades of dedicated work in preserving and sharing the countless stories of more than 400 years of people of African descent living in Oregon. Founded in Salem in 1993, the nonprofit is Oregon’s only statewide African-American Historical Society and is committed to uncovering the history and heritage of Black people, shedding light on their contributions, struggles and triumphs. The organization’s mission is rooted in research, recognition and commemoration.

“I’m a public historian, and I just really geek out over history,” OBP Executive Director Zachary Stocks explains with a laugh. “But I’m also really inspired by the stories of people of African descent who’ve chosen to make Oregon their home — or who did not choose Oregon to be their home but made a life for themselves and their families here anyway. I find their stories really, really inspiring, and they help provide me with a sense of grounding about our place here in Oregon today and our ability to overcome what feels like tremendous odds.”

Since its establishment, OBP has worked diligently to become a central resource for understanding Oregon’s AfricanAmerican history and culture. Through engaging exhibitions, public programs, original publications and thorough historical research, the nonprofit has made it its goal to ensure that these stories are not lost to time.

In a state whose early history was sadly marked by discriminatory laws and exclusion, the stories OBP brings to

light are ones of resilience and determination. During the mid1800s, African-Americans arrived in Oregon as sailors, gold miners, farmers and even slaves. Their numbers were small — an estimated 60 Black residents by 1850 – yet they managed to create communities and defy racist laws, prevailing in the face of adversity.

Zachary says there are two common myths about Oregon’s Black history that he and his organization seek to dispel. “The first myth is that Oregon’s Black history is relatively recent, that, you know, we’ve only been around here for the past 75 years, or whatever,” he says. “We see all the time that most broad tellings of Oregon history don’t even discuss people of African descent until World War II, with an influx of labor related to shipbuilding. But truthfully, there’s never been a time in Oregon’s history where there were White people here and not Black people here, going back to literally the first day.”

The other myth, Zachary explains, is that the state’s Black history is essentially synonymous with the Black history of Portland. And while the history of the state’s largest city certainly plays a large role, it “isn’t reflective of the entirety of Oregon’s Black history,” Zachary says. “There have been Black people in every county in this state.”

As part of its ongoing commitment to education, OBP has collaborated with institutions like the Oregon Historical Society, introducing new lesson plans that integrate African American history into the educational curriculum, ensuring that this essential aspect of the state’s heritage is recognized and remembered.

In addition to its educational efforts, OBP is launching a new scholarship program for college-bound Black students in Oregon as part of its 30th-anniversary celebration, further investing in the next generation and fostering a deeper understanding of their heritage.

For more information about Oregon Black Pioneers, to explore stories of Oregon’s Black history or to support the work of this nonprofit, visit oregonblackpioneers.org.

In one of the few movies that inspired me to write, Robin Williams, in yet another great dramatic role, plays John Keating, a new English teacher at a boys prep school known for its high standards and traditions. In typical Robin Williams fashion, he steals every scene and his unusual character incites blowback (like most of his films), this time from the school and parents as he pushes the boys out of their comfort zones and shells and bends the rules in the process. Keating guides the boys on a tour of the literary canon (plus a Donna Tartt novel), helping them to extract and explain the beauty of life, to pursue their dreams and “seize the day.” Ultimately, the movie is about letting go of expectations, allowing yourself to be vulnerable and experience life in all its beauty — and for artists, witness and express this beauty and share it with others. Also starring Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles and more. Trigger warning: suicide. Rated PG for language and mature themes, but treat it like PG-13.

Yet another classic John Hughes movie, Matthew Broderick plays the iconic and unforgettable Ferris Bueller, a happy-go-lucky and insanely lucky high school senior in the suburbs of Chicago. An inquisitive rulebreaker brimming with smarts, talent and cleverness, Ferris schemes his way into playing hookie when the sun shines brightly on a school day near summertime. Ferris enlists his best friend Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck), a neurotic pessimist, and girlfriend Sloane Peterson (Mia Sara), a rebellious cheerleader who’s especially mature. The three embark on a day-long adventure — after stealing Cameron’s father’s iconic Ferrari convertible, much to Cameron’s anxiety — of crashing a parade, a Chicago Cubs baseball game, a fancy lunch, an art museum, the Sears Tower and more. All the while they avoid their parents, Ferris’s jealous sister Jeanie, gossiping school kids, and — lest we forget — the high school principal, Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), who’s hellbent on catching Ferris in the act. Full of iconic scenes and one-liners, this quirky comedy is one of the best and a great reminder to go with the flow and have fun. Rated PG-13 for strong language and mature content.

Scratch and Sniff

The world of Harry Potter took the world by storm in 1997 with the publication of J.K. Rowling’s first fantasy novel, which I remember buying at its midnight release party (yes, I’m that kind of nerd).

Four years later the first movie debuted, and somehow the movies ended up just as magical as the books. For my whole generation, the movies played in the background as we came of age alongside the characters. This movie and “The Chamber of Secrets” were directed by Chris Columbus, famous for movies like “Home Alone” and “Mrs. Doubtfire,” and include his usual cinematic feel-goodness before the movies and directors’ tone turn rather dark. If you’ve somehow been living under a rock for the last 20 years, this is yet another tale of a powerful orphan who’s befriended by a wise mentor who trains his protege. There’s friendship, found family, humor, mystery, good versus evil and wild adventures. Starring a huge cast, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Richard Harris and many more. Rated PG for scary moments, some creature violence and mild language.

A scientist at 3M in the 1960s came up with and patented a process of microencapsulation that allowed copies to be made without carbon paper. 3M found that they could use the patented process for something else — to hold a smell from scented ink. Scratch ‘N Sniff was born in 1965. Individual beads of scented oil too small to be seen with the naked eye are encapsulated in plastic or gelatin, and with specialized printing techniques, the beads are printed on paper. The scent does not leak out until the beads are deliberately broken. encyclopedia.com

Stream these movies where available, or rent from your local movie store, library or rental kiosk.

“Dead Poets Society” (1989)

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

“Harry

Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001)

Newspapers to Roses

The history of the Pittock Mansion

the time — many of whom leaned in the same direction. Over the next few decades Pittock expanded The Oregonian from a weekly publication to a six-day-a-week newspaper, eventually adding a Sunday edition due to popular demand. By the turn of the century, The Oregonian had become the largest newspaper in Oregon, in both circulation and popularity.

Having diversified his business interests into real estate, transportation and industry, Pittock had acquired a sizable fortune. It was this fortune that made possible the construction of his famous mansion. In 1909, Pittock hired the Oregon-born and nationally famous architect, Edward T. Foulkes, to design his dream home. The 16,000 square foot home, built on a 46-acre wooded estate, was constructed in the French Renaissance style on the exterior; however, the interior reflected a variety of styles.

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

The mansion on the hill: this is how many local residents think of the stately French Renaissance-style mansion with the red-tiled roof perched high above the city in the West Hills. One of Portland’s beloved landmarks, the Pittock Mansion has been treasured for generations, and is symbolic of the ambition, glamor and spirit of those intrepid entrepreneurs who shaped the city of Portland at the turn of the 20th century. But just who were the Pittocks, and how did they amass the fortune to build such a palatial estate in the first place?

Born in London, England and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Henry L. Pittock learned the printing trade in his family’s printing firm while completing his education at the Western University of Pennsylvania’s preparatory school. By 1853, he had moved west to Portland, where as a poor but industrious youth, he found work at the Weekly Oregonian newspaper owned by Thomas J. Dryer. By 1854, Pittock had risen to the position of business manager and partner. By 1860, due to debts Dryer had incurred, Dryer mortgaged the newspaper to Pittock and departed town. Only 24 years old, Pittock had risen from a penniless transplant from the East Coast to the proprietor of Portland’s primary newspaper. It was in 1860 that Pittock married Georgiana Burton, a woman of privilege whose family had migrated to Portland on the Oregon Trail.

Republican, conservative and pro-Union, Pittock found himself in good company with Portland’s business elite of

Among the different styles featured on the interior were an Edwardian style mahogany-paneled dining room, a French-styled oval drawing room, an oak-paneled Jacobethan library and a Turkish smoking room with a hand-painted

Georgiana & Henry Pittock

was also designed to be a family home. While the third floor consisted of servants’ quarters and Henry’s office, the second floor included three separate suites, each consisting of bedrooms, sitting rooms with fireplaces, bathrooms and sleeping porches. Also on the third floor was a children’s playroom with space enough for riding tricycles. The underground level featured an oval billiard room with adjoining card rooms, wine cellar, vault and laundry facilities. In addition to the masterful layout of the rooms themselves, the house included technical innovations such as an elevator, walk-in refrigerator, central vacuum and dumbwaiter.

On the estate grounds was a fourstory gatekeeper’s lodge, and a three-car garage with a chauffeur’s apartment above. Renaissance style gardens and a terraced flower garden were accompanied by a tennis court and access to the nearby trails of what was to become Forest Park. Henry’s wife, Georgiana, a passionate advocate for women’s rights and a prominent local philanthropist, delighted in cultivating many varieties of roses in her flower beds.

In 1888, Georgiana founded the Portland Rose Society, and in 1889, as a benefit for her Unitarian church, organized a competition on her property for the best home-grown roses. It was from this event that Portland’s famous Rose Festival emerged.

Although construction on the Pittock Mansion was completed in 1914, with the family moving in the same year, Henry and Georgiana, sadly, were not able to enjoy the fruits of their labor for very long. Georgiana passed away in 1918, and Henry a year later.

Their family, however, continued to live in the mansion till 1958. The last family member to reside at the mansion was Peter Gantenbein, who was also born there. The house stood empty for six years, during which time it sustained damage from squatters who occupied the property and the 1962 Columbus Day Storm, which severely damaged the mansion’s roof. Recognizing the cultural and historic significance of the house, the City of Portland acquired the neglected structure in 1964 for $225,000, and in the process protected the 46-acre estate from developers who planned to turn it into a subdivision. Amazingly, some of the original craftsmen who had worked on the mansion were still alive at the time, like

Fred Baker, who had installed the lighting, and Bruno Dombrowski, who laid the wood floors. Both of these craftsmen agreed to come out of retirement to help with the restoration of the mansion, which took fifteen months.

Today the Pittock Mansion is a public museum that hosts 60-70,000 visitors per year. The estate has also been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. Due to its unique character and striking appearance, the Pittock Mansion has garnered the attention of Hollywood on a number of occasions. In 1993, the mansion was featured prominently in the movie “Body of Evidence,” starring Madonna and Willem Dafoe. The estate was also used as the finishing point for “The Amazing Race” in the finale of the show’s 13th season. In the literary realm, the mansion figures into the plot of local author/musician, Colin Meloy’s novel, “Wildwood.”

The next time you’re driving in the West Hills, and you see a sign for the Pittock Mansion, stop by for a visit. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Portland from the grounds of this historic estate where a young, industrious entrepreneur named Henry Pittock helped lay the foundations for the city we know today, and whose wife Georgiana’s passion for roses led to Portland being known as the “City of Roses.”

“Wildwood,” The Wildwood Chronicles

Written by Colin Meloy & Illustrated by Carson Ellis

Pittock Mansion, 1964

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