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Maple Magic
The sweet history of maple syrup season
By Robert Matsumura, Active Media
Each spring, as snow melts away and days grow longer, a time-honored tradition commences in the northeastern forests of North America. Maple syrup season, a period both laborious and sweet, is an enduring celebration of nature, history, and culinary delight.
The Roots of Maple Syrup
Long before colonists arrived in North America from Europe, the indigenous peoples, particularly the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe, were the first to tap sugar maple trees for their sap. Legend has it that a hunter’s wife accidentally discovered the process of boiling sap into syrup after using tree sap instead of water for cooking venison. The sweet aroma and taste were a revelation.
Over the years, indigenous communities developed various techniques for collecting and processing sap, including the use of hollowed-out logs and hot stones for boiling. The sap’s nutritional value was also recognized as a vital energy source after long winters.
Sap to Syrup: A Sticky Process
The transformation of sap into syrup is an art steeped in both tradition and science. As winter gives way to spring, sugar maple trees store starch in their roots. As the days warm and the nights cool, this starch converts to sugar, causing the sap to flow. February through April are typically the ideal months for the harvesting of sap.
Harvesting sap involves tapping the trees by drilling small holes. Next, spouts are inserted to direct the liquid into buckets or tubing systems. A single tree yields 10 to 20 gallons of sap, but it takes approximately 40 gallons to produce just one gallon of syrup. The sap is boiled down in a sugarhouse where the water evaporates, leaving behind that golden, sticky sweetness we love to slather on waffles and pancakes!
A Global Treasure with Local Roots
Although the majority of maple syrup production derives from Canada and the United States, this delicacy has won fans worldwide. Quebec alone accounts for roughly 70 percent of the world’s maple syrup, so it’s no surprise that the province treats it like liquid gold, even maintaining a “Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve” to stabilize prices and supplies.
Over the years, maple syrup has evolved from a beloved pancake topping to a versatile ingredient in gourmet cuisine, cocktails, and even skincare products. Not only is it a symbol of sustainability and seasonality, it is rooted in respect for the environment and the intricate relationship between people and the land.
Sweet Traditions
Maple syrup season is also a period of community celebration. Across maple-producing regions, sugar shacks (or “cabane à sucre” in French) welcome in the public, providing tours, tastings, and traditional meals featuring maple syrup-infused dishes. From syrup on snow to smoky maple bacon, these gatherings foster both camaraderie and an appreciation for culinary creations featuring maple syrup as the star.
A Taste of History
More more than just a harvest, maple syrup season is a living link to centuries of tradition. Every drop of syrup bears the essence of the forests, the ingenuity of indigenous peoples, and the labor of those who continue the craft today. So the next time you drizzle maple syrup over your pancakes, savor the story behind the sweetness. It’s a flavor that connects us to the past, celebrates the present, and promises a delicious future.
New Installs to Small Repairs
No project too large or too small!
By Patti Jo Brooks, Active Media
Photos by Brittany Jungenberg, Active Media
Thought about replacing that worn-out, dated garage door? Do your spirits sink just a bit every time you pull up to it? Perhaps it’s broken or annoyingly noisy? Call the experts! Serving the Greater Portland-Metro Area and SW Washington, this family-owned and -operated business services everything from squeaky doors and broken springs to custom installations and repairs for both residential and commercial properties. Don’t let the name mislead you. Oregon City Garage Door’s headquarters is located in Clackamas, but with twelve field technicians and four estimators this local company covers a lot of ground! Oregon City Garage Door will install, repair and maintain your new or existing garage door at any location throughout the Greater Portland-Metro Area. “Let Oregon City Garage Door Open the Door for You!”
installation once they arrive at the local distribution center in Portland. Depending on the make and model, some doors are already in stock. Custom orders typically take a standard of three to four weeks to reach the local warehouse.
When you call Oregon City Garage Door, “You’re calling a professional,” says owner Ryan Dissen. Focused on customer service and fast turnaround time, many repairs are handled with same-day service. “We have 11 vehicles stocked and ready to go,” Ryan points out. New doors, manufactured by Clopay (American-made and American-owned), can be scheduled for
Visit the Oregon City Garage Door showroom to view a firsthand demonstration of one of their fully operational garage doors. Utilizing a garage door opener, you’ll see how smoothly the installed door opens and closes. The showroom also features doors in four different styles displayed on a sliding track for easy viewing. “We have samples, brochures and literature to help our customers decide which door they would like,” Ryan notes.
An Oregon City native and Air Force veteran, Ryan Dissen continues his close ties to the community through his membership, donations and fundraiser participation for the Oregon City Elks Lodge Christmas Basket program. Oregon City Garage Door also donated labor and installation services to accompany R&S Manufacturing’s donated garage door to La Salle High School for their softball hitting facility.
The Oregon City Garage Door showroom is located at 16000 SE Evelyn St. in Clackamas. Call (503) 664-9982 or visit oregoncitygaragedoor.com for their gallery and additional information.
Reflections on Canvas
Artist Joshua Blue evokes nostalgia and thought
By Dennis McNabb, Active Media
Local artist Joshua Blue is a profound and critical thinker. Never content to acknowledge the onion as it appears, he is a person who is constantly peeling back the layers, digging deeper to discover the purest, most honest, most objective version of the subject. As an artist, he believes it’s his responsibility to portray the world in a way that resonates with as many people as possible, finding universal truths that unite us all across both real and imagined borders. Every person on earth, of course, perceives truth through the lens of their own experiences. It’s an inescapable fact of life and one that Joshua is acutely conscious of. That said, he is persistent in his endeavors to eradicate personal biases and spark discussions that instead center on finding common ground. Throughout most of his 15-year career, he has accomplished this goal by producing work in the abstract — paintings that evoke moods and feelings more than represent concrete objects. In the last few years, he has shifted focus and established a series that is more realistic in style. Challenging himself to render
conventional items that are easily recognizable and instantly relatable (what he humbly refers to as “naive illustrations”), these works are wonderfully designed pieces that at first glance seem simple but offer profound rewards for those who delve deeper.
Initially inspired by the “Action Paintings” of Jackson Pollock, and later by a variety of professors and mentors, Joshua creates art when he has something to say. If his pieces are not challenging people, introducing new ideas, or opening lines of dialogue, he sees little point. They are, of course, beautifully presented and aesthetically pleasing, but every piece also has a message. In his life as in his art, he has tasked himself and his viewers with facing their fears, finding profundity in the mundane, and seeking the most universal of truths. One look at some of his incredible pieces and you will inevitably find yourself tumbling down the rabbit hole of nostalgia and personal reflection. Do not miss the boat on this highly talented, up-and-coming local artist. He shows regularly at the Ford Gallery (at 11th and Division) but you can also view/purchase pieces and get more information from his website: joshuablue.net. For additional updates, follow him on instagram: @joshuablueart.
B-Ball Madness
Slam dunk for college basketball
ACROSS
1 The shot a player takes after being fouled. (2 words, no spaces)
3 Nickname for the Oregon State University men’s and women’s basketball teams. The women’s program formally organized in 1899; the men’s in 1901.
6 One of the greatest basketball players ever to grace the college and NBA stage. His namesake Nike shoes are considered the top of the sneaker world. (2 words, no spaces)
7 City of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four where one can find the Alamo and pro basketball teams called the Spurs and the Stars.
11 A move in basketball when a defensive player legally takes the ball away from their opponent.
12 Basketball inventor James Naismith fashioned the first basketball hoop from a basket meant for this stone fruit celebrated and grown in Georgia.
13 ________ are numbers that inidicate the placement of teams or players in tournament brackets. Plants also grow from these.
DOWN
2 The University of ________ won the very first NCAA men’s basketball tournament in 1939. They were the Webfoots back then, the Ducks as we know of them today.
3 Portland Trail Blazers’ most decorated player who played for UCLA and was a proud supporter of the now shuttered PAC-12 Conference.
4 Florida city of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Final Four where one might see a Buccaneer at Busch Gardens.
5 The period of rest in the middle of a competitive basketball game. (2 words, no space)
7 The sound a basetball makes when it goes through the hoop without hitting the rim or backboard.
8 Oregon’s homegrown athletic apparel company considered the top outfitter for the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
9 Oregon State University’s epic 19801981 men’s basketball team was referred to as the ________ Express and was led by legendary Coach Ralph Miller. The nickname pays homage to one of the school colors and the color of a basketball.
10 Often known as the playmaker, the point ________ is typically the shortest on the team but is great at handling and passing the ball. Also a name for one who keeps watch.
It’s important to act quickly if a vehicle catches fire. Burning vehicles can quickly trap occupants. Mechanical and electrical issues, along with crashes, are common causes of vehicle fires.
If your vehicle catches fire
• Pull over as quickly as you can when it is safe.
• Once you have stopped, turn off the engine.
• Get everyone out of the vehicle. Never return to a burning vehicle. Do not fight the fire yourself.
• If you think there is a fire under the hood or trunk, do not open it. This could cause the fire to grow.
• Move everyone at least 100 feet from the burning vehicle and well away from traffic.
• Call 9-1-1 immediately.
Electric Vehicle Fire Safety
Many residents in your community have purchased or are thinking about buying an electric vehicle (EV) but may be unaware of the risk of fire or electric shock injury related to charging EVs.
Before buying an EV, have a qualified electrician install:
• A new, dedicated circuit for your EV charging device. Older home wiring may not be suitable for use with EV supply equipment.
• Level II charging devices (if that is your preferred charging method).
Charging EVs
• Follow manufacturer’s guidelines when charging your vehicle. Check with your local dealer if you need additional information.
• Purchase a charging device that is certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• Plug Level I EV chargers directly into an outlet designed to handle the amperage of the charging device. Never use a multiplug adapter or extension cord.
• Install a residual current device with the charging unit. It will turn off the power if a fault is detected.
To prevent a vehicle fire
• Have your vehicle serviced regularly by a mechanic.
• Keep gas cans or propane tanks away from passengers. Tightly seal and place them on a flat surface to make sure they stay upright.
• Keep windows open to stop fumes from building up if you must put gas cans or propane tanks inside your vehicle.
• Drive safely to avoid an accident.
• Place all charging device components out of reach of children when not in use.
• Maintain your charging station according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Signs of excessive wear may indicate a potential shock hazard. Never use an EV charger with obvious signs of damage.
• Cover the EV charging station outlet to keep out water. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure it is safe to charge your EV in wet conditions.
JOHNNIE RAY
The Prince of Wails
How Dallas, Oregon’s Johnnie Ray shaped rock & roll
By Robert Matsumura, Active Media
Far before the Beatles crossed the Atlantic or Elvis gyrated his hips on national television, a performer from a small town in Oregon was thrilling audiences with his unique voice and emotionally charged performances. Johnnie Ray, nicknamed the “Cry Guy,” the “Prince of Wails,” and “The Million Dollar Teardrop,” was already impacting the music of the early 1950s and blazing the trail for rock and roll. So influential was Ray on the emerging music scene of the time, that Tony Bennett famously noted: “Johnnie Ray was completely different than anything that went before him... I consider Johnnie Ray to be the father of rock and roll.”
A Star is Born in Dallas, Oregon
Born John Alvin Ray on January 10, 1927, in Dallas, Oregon, his path to stardom was anything but conventional. Raised on a farm, Johnnie is reported to have begun his musical training at the age of three, on the piano, and by 12 was singing in the local church choir. Later, during the war years, his family relocated to Portland where Ray attended Franklin High School.
Despite a hearing impairment caused by an accident at the age of 13, Ray’s determination to
pursue a career in music never wavered. In fact, his partial deafness (he was forced to wear hearing aids) seemed to heighten his ability to convey raw emotion — a hallmark of his signature style. Ironically, Ray credited his hearing impairment as a pivotal event in his development as an artist. “My need for sincerity traces back to when I was a child and lost my hearing,” Ray stated. “I became withdrawn. I had an emotional need to develop a relationship to other people.”
The Big Break
In the late 1940s, Ray moved to Detroit, where he began performing in nightclubs and honing his craft. It was during this time that his unique style began to emerge. Fusing elements of jazz, blues, and gospel with an intensity rarely seen in pop music, Ray’s performances were a revelation. His raw style saw him crying, sweating, and even kneeling on stage — sincere displays of emotion that resonated deeply with his audiences. Ray’s big break came in 1951 when he inked a deal with Okeh Records, a subsidiary of Columbia Records. He first struck it big with a double-sided hit single of “Cry” and “The Little White Cloud That Cried,” which sold over two million copies and skyrocketed
to number one on the Billboard charts. The song’s heart-wrenching lyrics and Ray’s soulful delivery struck a chord with listeners. Ray’s meteoric rise to fame drew legions of young fans, and he became a teen idol both in the U.S. and overseas. From 1951 to ’58 Ray scored more than twenty hits including “Please Mr. Sun,” “Here am I - Broken Hearted,” and “Walkin’ Baby Back Home.”
The Birth of Rock and Roll
While Ray is frequently associated with traditional pop and jazz, his influence on the birth of rock and roll cannot be overstated. His raw, expressive performances and willingness to push musical boundaries paved the way for future icons. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Elton John have all credited Ray as an influence on their musical styles. Ray’s manager also noted that Elvis Presley often attended Johnnie Ray’s concerts. Ringo Starr of the Beatles recalled that the three musicians the band listened to in their formative days were Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Johnnie Ray.
Critics have noted that Ray’s vocal style — a mix of crooning and wailing
— diverged from the polished, smooth sound of the post-war era. Instead, his unfiltered, emotionally-charged approach would become a calling card of rock and roll. Beyond the music itself, his stage presence — dramatic gestures and passionate energy – were a precursor to the showmanship that would later come to define the genre.
A Rollercoaster Career
Despite his early success, Ray’s career was marked by highs and lows. By the mid-1950s, his popularity in the United States began to fade as rock and roll’s new generation of stars took center stage. Ray remained, however, a popular musician in Europe and Australia, where his music continued to thrive. He also achieved success as an actor, appearing in films such as “There’s No Business Like Show Business” alongside Marilyn Monroe. He also appeared on the show “Toast of the Town” which showcased his talent to a national audience — a program that later became known as the “Ed Sullivan Show.” Known for his flamboyant personality and controversial relationships, Ray’s personal life was as complex as his career. Often the subject of tabloid gossip, his
struggles with alcohol and legal troubles further complicated his public image. Through it all, though, Ray remained committed to his craft, continuing to perform and record music until his health declined in the 1980s.
Legacy in Oregon and Beyond
For many Oregonians, Johnny Ray remains a source of local pride. His ascent from a small-town boy in Dallas to an international sensation is a testament to the power of perseverance and talent. Ray’s contributions to music — both as a performer and a pioneer — have earned him a place in the annals of rock and roll history. Without Ray’s style and influence, who knows how some of today’s famous rock and roll artists would have turned out.
While the world of rock and roll has changed dramatically since Ray’s time, his contributions remain foundational. And for Oregonians, it’s a point of pride to know that one of rock and roll’s earliest trailblazers hailed from their own backyard!
Johnnie Ray signing autographs for teenage fans
Johnnie Ray released many albums & singles over his career.
