Hood River Community Advantage Magazine October 2022

Welcome to Community Advantage

Welcome to the October 2022 issue of the new Hood River Community Advantage Magazine.

We are incredibly excited to present our premiere issue in the Community Advantage format, which is loaded with community and spotlight articles, as well as many things to see, do, and buy. I’d also like to offer a huge thank you to the wonderful Hood River community for making this magazine possible! Here is a quick glimpse of what we have inside this issue.

Featured on the cover is Hood River’s very own Hood View Services. Rooted in the local community, Danielle Stevens and the folks at HVS offer legendary service with a smile when the unforeseen happens with your vehicle. Because of their incredible reputation, they are a household name in the local glass, automotive repair, towing and recovery industry. Read all about them on page 28.

For all of you Halloween fans, we have some great stories inside for your reading pleasure. If you need some guidance on how to carve a pumpkin, look no further than page 22. Even more so, if you’ve ever wondered how pumpkin carving began — you can thank the Irish — check out page 30. If you’re looking for a night of spooky

movies, check out our Freaky Flicks review on page 14. Finally, we have a recipe for delicious Halloween popcorn balls on page 12.

This issue also highlights a trifecta of spotlight stories, including Hood View Services, but also Granite Transformations and The Mesquitery.

The Mesquitery is our Taste of the Town for this issue. Read about its delicious mesquite-grilled steaks, ribs, seafood, European dishes, as well as European beers and more from The Shed bar — see page 8. We also showcase the talents of local musician Olivia Harms and her incredible country Western music and honkytonk on page 20.

And as always, packed throughout this publication are great local deals and specials from some of Hood River’s finest restaurants, retail shops, home improvement specialists, and more.

Our next issue will be out just in time for December. Until then, we hope everyone has a wonderful autumn.

Sincerely, Shelley Zeman Hood River Community Advantage Magazine

PS: If you have a business that serves residents in the local area and would like to partner with us to reach everyone in Hood River and The Dalles, please give me a call at 541-490-3608.

Published by

Active Media Publishing Group

PO Box 672 · Aurora, OR 97002 info@ActiveMediaUSA.com 503.825.2111

ADMINISTRATION

Matthew Nelson, Publisher

Catrina Nelson, CFO

Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant

Donovan Darling, Content Manager

PRODUCTION

Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director

Stacy Benner, Sr. Graphic Designer

Holly Darling, Sr. Graphic Designer

Shawn Schmidt, Sr. Graphic Designer

Hilary Berg, Sr. Graphic Designer

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Tyler Francke Dennis McNabb

David Bates Robert Matsumura

Patti Jo Brooks Olive Gallagher

Angie Helvey Sherry Dorn

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Carly Carpenter Kara Langley

Laurel Bice Hayley Starkey

Malaina Kinne Angie Helvey

Brittney Waterman Henry Schifter

Andrew Sambuceto

ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS

Don Ormsby Bill Kistler

Stephanie Baker Jim Belan

Peggy Jacobs David Long

Chris O’Brien John Zobrist

Brad Marti Shelley Zeman

Tina Toney Darren Dwyer

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 out all our local publications and direct mail products at communityadvantagemagazines.com

COVER PHOTO BY HENRY SCHIFTER

WWe are incredibly excited to present our premiere issue in the Community Advantage format, which is loaded with community and spotlight articles, as well as many things to see, do, and buy. I’d also like to offer a huge thank you to the wonderful Hood River community for making this magazine possible! Here is a quick glimpse of what we have inside this issue.

Featured on the cover is Hood River’s very own Hood View Services. Rooted in the local community, Danielle Stevens and the folks at HVS offer legendary service with a smile when the unforeseen happens with your vehicle. Because of their incredible reputation, they are a household name in the local glass, automotive repair, towing and recovery industry. Read all about them on page 28.

For all of you Halloween fans, we have some great stories inside for your reading pleasure. If you need some guidance on how to carve a pumpkin, look no further than page 22. Even more so, if you’ve ever wondered how pumpkin carving began — you can thank the Irish — check out page 30. If you’re looking for a night of spooky

movies, check out our Freaky Flicks review on page 14. Finally, we have a recipe for delicious Halloween popcorn balls on page 12.

This issue also highlights a trifecta of spotlight stories, including Hood View Services, but also Granite Transformations and The Mesquitery.

The Mesquitery is our for this issue. Read about its delicious mesquite-grilled steaks, ribs, seafood, European dishes, as well as European beers and more from The Shed bar — see page 8. We also showcase the talents of local musician Olivia Harms and her incredible country Western music and honkytonk on page 20.

And as always, packed throughout this publication are great local deals and specials from some of Hood River’s finest restaurants, retail shops, home improvement specialists, and more.

Our next issue will be out just in time for December. Until then, we hope everyone has a wonderful autumn.

Shelley Zeman

Hood River Community Advantage Magazine

PS: If you have a business that serves residents in the local area and would like to partner with us to reach everyone in Hood River and The Dalles, please give me a call at 541-490-3608.

Mesquite Mystique

Hood River never smelled so good

By Angie Helvey, Contributing Writer Photos by Henry Schifter

Mesquite trees thrive in the desert, mainly in South America, Mexico, and parts of the southwestern United States. That sweet, intensely smoky flavor and aroma that comes from mesquite chips burning on the grill simply delights. The combination of earthy mesquite and Black Angus Choice beef tastes like heaven. Just ask Krzysztof “Kris” Ukleja, chef and owner at The Mesquitery and The Shed.

The Mesquitery, a local Hood River favorite for many years, attracts tourists, too, stumbling upon the eatery after a hike in the Columbia Gorge or visiting local lavender fields. Owner since 2001, Kris is originally from Poland and came to the U.S. in 1996. He worked in a restaurant in Hood River on the old golf course before he and three partners eventually purchased The Mesquitery. They’ve since parted ways and Kris remains the sole owner since 2018. He runs the restaurant with his manager Monika Kiezik, and his fantastic crew, many of whom have been with him for many years.

The Mesquitery specializes in mesquite-grilled steaks, but also offers an impressive selection of ribs, seafood, and European dishes. Kris prides himself on purchasing the finest meats. “[Top-quality sourcing] makes a huge difference from any other restaurant selling steak,” he says. “I’m not afraid to spend extra money to make sure we get the best quality meat we can get our hands on.

“We make our own cuts on the majority of our steaks,” Monika adds, “so they’re really nice, thick steaks, and the mesquite grill helps to achieve that natural smoky taste.”

In addition to steak-house favorites and classic sides, diners at The Mesquitery enjoy dishes such as the mesquite-broiled chicken skewers served with sesame ginger sauce; sizzlin’ shrimp sautéed with garlic and served with pico de gallo; the Cubano sandwich starring mesquite-grilled pork tenderloin; and the Thai hot beef salad made with avocado, shallots, basil, cucumbers, tomatoes, cilantro, green onions and mint, tossed with sweet chili-lime dressing and topped with sesame seeds — that’s only the tip of the tenderloin.

Kris shares his European roots, too, offering dishes like chicken schnitzel and pierogies, tasty Polish dumplings stuffed with potatoes and cheese. The Mesquitery also carries a great selection of Polish beers, a real hit with brewloving patrons.

“Our European beers are a super popular and interesting item, especially for people from out of town, and it’s their first time in the restaurant. Polish beer is usually stronger, so that’s always a plus,” Monika quips.

The wine selection represents a mixture of local brands, many crafted right in the Gorge, plus some Italian and California options. The cocktail menu changes seasonally, so locals always have something new to try.

The ambiance, a key component in any dining experience, can be described as casual and family friendly, with a view of the kitchen allowing guests to see the chefs in action.

Also welcoming is The Shed, the newly remodeled lounge inside The Mesquitery. Kris also offers a patio for those wanting some fresh air and/or a bit of the mesquite breeze.

Both Kris and Monika appreciate

being part of the Hood River community, and the feeling is mutual. The Mesquitery has earned the heart of local residents and tourists, too.

Just the follow the aroma of sweet mesquite for the best steak and so much more in the heart of the Gorge.

The Mesquitery is located at 1219 12th St. in Hood River. Check out their menu and website at thebestinhoodriver.com, or give them a call at 541-386-2002.

the ADDA ms FA mily (1991)

“Smell that air, Fester! Like a tomb.”

Another of my favorites, this dark comedy

is based on the 1964 TV show! Starring Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, and Christina Ricci, the movie follows a gloomy but loving family of outcasts who live in a gothic mansion on the hill. Full of the macabre, cartoony violence, and biting social commentary, the jokes and goofs land like punches in this otherworldly romp. Rated PG-13.

CA s P er (1995)

“Who says there’s no such thing as ghosts?” In this dark fantasy dramedy, afterlife therapist Dr. James Harvey (Bill Pullman) and his daughter Kat (Christina Ricci) move into a haunted mansion to exorcize ghosts for a greedy inheritor bent on finding treasure. It’s silly and slapstick, yet serious and contemplative–after all, you can’t have ghosts without death. Good for kiddos 6+. Rated PG.

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

h o CU s Po CU s (1993)

“Oh, look. Another glorious morning. Makes me sick!”

One of my favorite Halloween movies, it’s the story of three witches burned at the stake who return to terrorize the children of Salem, Mass. With a killer cast including Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Thora Birch, it’s whacky, spooky, and actionpacked. Rated PG, but with strong language and mature themes it’s more like PG-13.

ghostb U sters (1984)

“Who you gonna call?”

There’s nothing like it, pure and simple. A supernatural comedy starring a legendary cast, including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, and more. Parapsychologists turn ghost hunters in New York City and end up saving the world. There’s ghosts, marshmallow giants, and so much nostalgia. Rated PG, but with strong language and mature themes it’s more like PG-13.

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

Nightm A re o N elmstreet (1984)

“Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep.” I binged all 7 of these movies last year, and they are equal parts horror and camp. They’re so bad that they’re good, you know? Imaginative, terrifying, funny, and always graphically violent, Robert Englund haunts my nightmares indefinitely! Adults only.

Rated R. AUN o F the D e AD (2004)

“Winchester?”

One of the very few horror comedy zombie movies, this movie has “killed” since released. Like Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s other movies, this plays on genre tropes and makes for geniuslevel comedy. Ultra violence and profuse profanity really make this a dirty pleasure movie. Adults only. Rated R.

Our Aging Brains

Keeping our brain healthy as we age is as important as keeping our bodies healthy. Our brains need nutritious food and regular exercise just like our bodies do. Both aerobic exercise and strength training exercise are good for brain health. Aerobic exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain and stimulates new neuron growth. Strength training helps protect brain cells from degeneration. So a brisk walk one day and working your 10 lb weights the next is a good place to start!

Maintaining our blood sugar is another thing that the brain loves. Brains use a lot of glucose (sugar) for operating. Unfortunately, when we have too much sugar, the brain sucks that sugar in, causing high blood sugar in our brain as well as in our bodies. The stickiness of sugar thickens the blood and glues unhealthy molecules to artery and cell walls. This happening repeatedly damages the brain. When you cut back on consuming sugar and refined carbohydrates (like white bread and pasta), you are protecting your brain by keeping your blood sugar stable and your arteries and cell walls clean.

Heavy metals in the environment, such as lead and mercury, can build up in the brain and will begin to interrupt electrical flow as we age. This can be a major memory blocker. Spirulina, chlorella, and cilantro

are three foods that help clean heavy metals from our brains. I do a heavy metal cleanse twice a year using 4 grams of spirulina a day for a month to help clear up memory glitches. We also have a liquid chlorella/cilantro blend at Daniel’s that can help clear heavy metals from the brain.

Another excellent brain supplement is nicotinamide riboside (NR), a special form of vitamin B3. Our brains cells use a lot of energy. NR helps the mitochondria in cells produce more energy, which increases memory reserves in the brain. Studies show that NR also reduces brain inflammation and can slow down age related memory loss. Resveracel, by Thorne Research, contains NR plus other ingredients that help with brain cell rejuvenation.

Last, but not least, is Prevegen. Apoaequorin, the active ingredient in Prevagen, binds to calcium in the brain, which helps with memory recall and slows down age related memory loss.

Treat yourself to a healthy brain and a healthy body: Exercise regularly, eat nutritious food, and take the nutrients you need to keep that memory working well!

Ruth Maletz RN, CNC & Jonathan Maletz, Health Nutrition 918 12th Street Hood River 541-386-7328

Halloween Popcorn Balls

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)

1 tsp vanilla

4-5 cups mini marshmallows

3/4 cup Reeses pieces

3/4 cup candy corn

3/4 cup white chocolate pretzels (chopped)

DIRECTIONS

Pop your popcorn and put in a large bowl. In a large pan over medium high heat, melt your butter. Add in your vanilla and marshmallows, stirring constantly until melted and creamy.

Pour the marshmallow mixture over your popcorn and stir until popcorn is fully coated.

Allow to set for a couple minutes, then stir in half the Reese’s pieces and candy corn.

Separate your popcorn into 10 sections.

Press in the white chocolate pretzels (they’ll melt if they go in sooner) into each section.

Shape popcorn into balls. If the mixture is sticking to your hands, spray them with nonstick spray as needed.

Press additional candies onto the outside of the popcorn balls.

Place balls on parchment paper and allow to set for about an hour.

CARVE THE PERFECT PUMPKIN

Believe it or not, everyone can be an artist when it comes to pumpkin carving, but it is harder than it looks. Follow the following eleven tips, and your gourds will look and smell good the entire trick-or-treating season. Get carving!

 Start with the right pumpkin. Choose one that’s fresh, with a sturdy stem, no bruises, and a flat bottom so it won’t roll while you carve.

 Cut from the bottom, not the top.

Cutting your “lid” from the bottom of the pumpkin helps prevent the sides from caving in later.

 If you carve from the top, cut lid on an angle. This way it won’t drop inside the pumpkin when you replace it, like it would with a straight up-and-down cut. A boning knife should work well for this.

 Scoop out all the pulp (and then some).

You can buy a special “claw” for pumpkin gutting, but an ice cream scoop will do just fine. Thin the inner wall of the “face” area to 1¼-inch thick, so it will be easier to pierce the shell.

 Sketch your design to size on paper first.

Tape it to the front of your pumpkin. Using a fork or pencil, poke holes along the lines you want to carve.

 Try holding the pumpkin in your lap.

It’s easier to create features when the face is gazing up at you. It is suggested to use a serrated kitchen knife or an X-Acto knife.

 Start by making simple rough cuts.

If you get the big pieces of pumpkin out of the way first, you can go back and clean up the edges of your design later.

 Use your scraps creatively.

Make a tongue, pipe, or hair accessories out of discarded pieces of pumpkin shell, for example.

 Keep your pumpkin fresh.

Spread petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in moisture. If your pumpkin still shrivels a few days later, revive it with a facedown soak in cold water for up to eight hours.

 Create a chimney.

First, leave the lid on for a few minutes while the candle burns. Cut a small hole where the pumpkin has blackened up top. Or, save yourself the stress and opt for a battery-operated votive.

Sprinkle cinnamon inside.

That way, when you light the candle, your jack-o’-lantern will smell like a pumpkin pie. Yum.

Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day

Fried Scallops Day

Name Your Car Day

Produce Misting Day GOE Day

Boyfriend Day Techies Day Child Health Day Consignment Day

Angel Food Cake Day Handbag Day • Metric Day

Cinnamon Bun Day Golf Lover’s Day Day

Vodka Day

Eat Fruit At Work Day

Apple Betty Day Do Something Get Funky Day Rhode Island World Teachers’ Walk to School Pumpkin Seed Coffee with a

Leif Erikson Day

Moldy Cheese Day

Pro-Life Cupcake Day

PANS/PANDAS Awareness Clergy Appreciation Day

Walk to a Park Day World Mental Health Day Columbus Day Kick Butt Online Bank Day American Day

General Pulaski Memorial Coming Out Day

InterDay of the Girl Child Sausage Pizza Day

Farmer’s Day Gumbo Day Curves Day • Emergency Nurse’s Stop Bullying Take Your Parents Lunch Day

Department Store Day Global Cat Day Day Day Day

Swallows Depart From Juan Capistrano Day

Black Poetry • Edge Day Mulligan Day • Pasta Day Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day BOSS’S DAY

United Nations Day Bologna Day Day

InterLegging Day Chocolate Cupcake Day Exascale Day No Beard Day Pharmacy Technician Day

LGBT Center Seafood Bisque BRA Day USA Hagfish Day Support Your Chamber of Commerce Medical Assistants Recognition

Day of the Deployed Financial Crime Mincemeat Day Mule Day Pumpkin Day Corn Day Day Day Day Day Apple Day

Chucky, The Notorious Killer Doll Day Food Day Day

Pulling for the Gorge

Hood View Services focuses on community

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer Photos by Henry Schifter

If your car has trouble, call Hood View Services for all your Automotive needs!” Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, Hood View Services, LLC offers auto glass replacement, roadside assistance, off-road recovery and towing, as well as servicing and minor repairs. Need a U-Haul? Call or stop by, and they’ll take care of you. At Hood View Services it’s customer service that drives their business: “Now offering towing services to the Columbia River Gorge!”

Hood View Services, owned and operated by Alexander and Danielle Stevens since 2019, began as a Mobile Glass Installation service. In 2021, Alex and Danielle thought it would benefit the community to add emergency roadside assistance to their services. The Stevenses were able to successfully expand Hood View Services by adding floor space in their present location, purchasing two towing vehicles, and hiring three full-time truck drivers as well as a part-time employee. As a result, Hood View Services has seen “a crazy amount of growth,” Danielle expresses.

What truly sets Hood View Services apart from other

businesses like it “is our customer service, and our passion for serving our community,” says Danielle. When someone calls for towing or roadside assistance, and the trucks are already responding to prior calls, it’s heartbreaking for Danielle to say “no.” In the future, she envisions that Hood View Services will be adding more tow trucks to their fleet to better assist the local community.

Alongside towing and roadside assistance, windshield repair and replacement remains a core element of the business. Alex has been replacing windshields and mending rock chips for 14 years, having established the business originally as an auto glass service. For customer convenience, windshield replacements as well as automotive repairs and servicing, can now be completed in their onsite shop. Call to schedule an appointment today.

Alex and Danielle live in the Columbia River Gorge area and share a common passion for the community. Danielle was born and raised locally, and her dad has been a business owner in the area “mostly his whole life,” she relates. Alex has been a local resident for the last five years, and has worked in the Gorge for 14. They have three children (ages 9, 6, and 10 months), and the two older ones can be heard on the Hood View Services radio ad. Currently, Hood View Services is offering a $50-off coupon toward the insurance deductible for in-shop windshield replacement, and 10% off roadside assistance in the Hood River area.

Hood View Services is located at 3028 Lower Mill Drive in Hood River. Give them a call at (541) 354-1095, visit their website at hoodviewservices.com, or email danielle.hoodview@gmail.com.

The Tale of Stingy Jack

Exploring the myth behind Halloween’s pumpkin pastime

Oh autumn, what a wonderful time of year! A time to break out all my favorite sweaters just as the leaves are turning into vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. And best of all, the arrival of Halloween, my favorite holiday. My nickname as a kid was Little Miss Mess Maker, as carving pumpkins has always been my favorite Halloween activity–one time I even recreated a horror movie with gourd guts. While carving pumpkins is extremely popular, most people don’t know the myth behind the mess and tradition.

Long ago in a small Irish town, a drunkard named Stingy Jack earned his moniker after tricking the Devil himself. Jack was notorious in his little town, and Satan had heard of his mischievous deeds. Jack may have been known for being a drunken scoundrel—scuttered and bollocksed—but he was also a clever lad, so he convinced the Devil to take him to his favorite pub as a last request and to pay for the bill. When the tab came due, Jack convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin so Jack could pay for the drinks, then they could leave for the underworld.

The Devil was fooled. And instead of paying up, Jack dropped the coin into his pocket alongside a silver crucifix, trapping the fiery foe in the form of a coin. The Devil begged Stingy Jack to

release him. And so Jack released him, but only on the condition that the Devil would not bother him for another year, and should Jack die, Satan could not claim his soul.

True to his word, the Devil didn’t return for a whole year. When the Devil finally reappeared to claim his soul, Jack tricked the Devil to climb a fruit tree and pick him a last meal to eat before traveling to Hell. Once the Devil reached the top of the tree, Jack carved a cross into the bark of the tree trunk, trapping the Devil high among the branches. Again, Satan begged Jack for freedom, but this time, Jack made the Devil promise to not bother him for another 10 years. Of course, the Devil agreed to his terms and was freed.

Jack died soon thereafter. Because of his mischief and sins, he was denied entrance to Heaven. Upset by the trickery and scheming, and true to his word of not claiming his soul, Satan denied Jack entrance into Hell, too. As a parting gift, the Devil gifted Jack a lump of burning coal to light his way

By Krysta M. Nelson, Contributing Writer

and sent him off into the night. Jack placed the burning coal in a hollowed out turnip, and he has roamed the earth ever since. The Irish began calling this eerie creature “Jack of the Lantern,” or “Jack O’Lantern” for short.

In Ireland and Scotland, people began carving their own unique versions of jack-o’-lanterns, cutting terrifying faces into turnips, potatoes,

beets, or rutabagas, and lighting and displaying them near doors or windows to frighten away Stingy Jack and other evil spirits. In the mid-1800s, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought the jack-o’-lantern tradition with them when they moved to the U.S. And they soon found that pumpkins, a large fruit native to America, made for perfect jack-o’-lanterns.

Since then, there have been many attempts in popular culture to revive this long-forgotten tradition of carving jack-o’-lanterns from turnips. In 2015, due to a severe pumpkin shortage caused by severe rain, the charity English Heritage called for Brits to rekindle their love for turnip carving and return to the original tradition of turnip jack-o’lanterns. English Heritage even went so far as to install many ghoulish turnip jack-o’-lanterns at Dover Castle to inspire others to do the same. Whether carving trunips will become popular again is still unknown.

In Ireland and Scotland, people began carving their own unique versions of jacko’-lanterns, cutting terrifying faces into turnips, potatoes, beets, or rutabagas, and lighting and displaying them near doors or windows to frighten away Stingy Jack and other evil spirits.

There are, however, many benefits to turnip carving over pumpkin carving. There’s no stringy pumpkin mess or seeds to clean out. Turnips are quite small and portable, so they can actually be hung like little lanterns. Also, turnips are cheap! So you can afford to make dozens and dozens if you’re so inclined. If they’re careful with a knife, older kids can carve a turnip by themselves because they’re so much simpler and smaller. The red-white color and eerie roots are scarier than pumpkins. After you scoop out the insides of the turnip, you can make mashed turnips. Yum! And because they’re available year round, you can carve turnips for more than just jack-o’-lanterns — votive holders, artwork or whatever you want.

So, there you have it. I love it when holidays and their fun-filled activities have such a rich history as Halloween and the Stingy Jack origin of pumpkin carving. And the fact that the history is also a ghost story is even more fun! Whether you choose to carve a pumpkin or turnip, I hope you and yours have a safe, fun, messy, and memorable holiday.

A Streak of Greatness

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

If you’re a fan of college football, doubtless names like the “Crimson Tide,” “Fighting Irish,” and “Buckeyes” require no explanation. They speak for themselves. However, if you don’t follow NCAA Division III football, you might not realize that one of the nation’s most successful football programs resides right down the street in McMinnville, Oregon. None of the haloed Division I teams cited above can match the accomplishments of the Linfield University Wildcats.

It started on an autumn day, October 6, 1956. Great things often have humble beginnings, and for Linfield football this was certainly the case. While it would have been more dramatic if the Wildcats’ win that day had been defined by a scintillating highlight moment—a miraculous last minute catch in the endzone, or a gutty goal line stand—such was not the case. Linfield had just suffered back-to-back losing seasons, and the 1956 campaign looked like more of the same. The opponent that Saturday was the Seattle Ramblers, a semi-pro team on a tear, who had defeated the Wildcats the previous year, and dominated the conference titles over the last 14 seasons. Against the odds, Linfield managed to defeat the Ramblers 13-7. From that game on, the Wildcats wouldn’t lose another game that season. This win over the Ramblers marked the beginning of what has become known as the “Streak.”

Paul Ward, who played guard on the ’56 team, recalled: “Once we had a winning season, we knew we could win. We had to experience it and build up over the years.” For a team composed of small town kids and Korean War veterans attending college on the GI Bill, they had no idea that their victory over the Ramblers

that fateful October day would be the start of the “Streak.” The “Streak,” which has now extended to 65 consecutive winning seasons as of 2021, is the longest active winning streak in NCAA history at any level. No other team is even close to this record, with the next in line coming in at 42. In retrospect, Ward admits no one at the time had any idea of what was to come. “I guarantee you that in 1956, nobody had any idea there would be any kind of streak,” he said. “We were just happy that we could get through the season with a win.”It was coach Paul Durham’s team that started the “Streak,” but it is a testament to the pride, tradition, and dedication to excellence, fostered by successive coaches over the last six decades, that is responsible for Linfield’s relentless march through the NCAA history books. Looming at the forefront of the Mount Rushmore of Linfield football coaches is Ad Rutschman.

Hired as head football coach in 1968, Rutschman continued the winning tradition until his retirement in 1991. Rutschman not only coached football, but baseball as well. Rutschman is still the only coach at any level to win national titles in both football and baseball. In his 24 seasons as Linfield’s head football coach, Rutschman won three NAIA national championships (1982, 1984, 1986), and 15 Northwest Conference titles. Perhaps Rutschman’s most epic victory occurred in the 1984 national championship game, where Linfield trailed Northwestern 22-0 with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. Against all odds, the Wildcats roared back to win the game 33-22.

In addition to coaching football and baseball, Rutschman also served as Athletic Director for 25 years, during which

time the school’s athletic facilities were greatly improved. Among these improvements were two new gymnasiums, a baseball stadium, and the 26,600 square foot field house named in honor of Rutschman and his wife Joan, for their dedication and service over 27 years to Linfield University.

From 1992 to 2005, Linfield’s football program was led by Ed Langsdorf (1992-95) and Jay Locey (1996 -2005). Both coaches kept up the winning tradition. Langsdorf’s brief tenure

resulted in a record of 32-9-1 and three championships. Locey’s tally at the end of his Linfield career was a stellar 84-18 and six championships, including one NCAA Division III title. During one stretch of his impressive career, Locey coached the team to a 41-game win streak.

In 2006, the future of Linfield football was turned over to Joseph Smith, and he has not only continued the “Streak” but pushed the school into the NCAA record books. Under Smith’s leadership Linfield has amassed an incredible record of 138-27, with a .836 win percentage, the highest percentage of any coach in Linfield history.

When Smith, a former defensive back for Linfield in the 90s, took over in 2006, he was well aware of the legacy he was responsible for and described his role

as that of a “caretaker.” With Locey’s departure, Smith understood that the decision to hire him had been carefully considered. “It couldn’t be someone from the outside to come in and run the program,” Smith explained. “We had to maintain who we are. If we lost that, we’re just another school.”

The Smith era at Linfield has been nothing short of remarkable. For a school that offers no football scholarships, a modest budget for athletics, and typically doesn’t attract big time recruits with NFL aspirations and talent, the question remains: “How does Linfield do it?” How do the Wildcats continue to churn out victories, winning seasons, and championships? Ultimately, how do they keep the “Streak” alive?

Smith credits a number of factors, foremost of which is the sense of family that permeates the entire Wildcat program. Caring for one another. This intense trust that grows from respect and brotherhood is interwoven with a blue-collar work ethic of toughness and a thirst for excellence. Ryan Carlson, a defensive star on the 90s era teams, sums it up beautifully: “Once you’re in our Linfield family, you’re connected to 60 years of people who have had those core principles shape their young lives. Those life experiences continue to breed an incredible amount of love and loyalty

towards the program.” As inspiration to his players, Smith periodically invites guest speakers to address the team. One of the speakers, Bretton Brown, an Army Ranger and a friend of Smith’s, imparted words from the Rangers’ credo that resonated with the team: “We are Men of Action. We do the heavy lifting. We are the walls, and we are the hammer.”

So this fall, as Linfield continues on its historic march through the NCAA record books, take a moment to appreciate what six decades of commitment to family, grit, and excellence can achieve. As Coach Smith reflected, “From Coach Durham to Coach Rutschman, to now, the secret to this place has been that we have really good people coming and being part of a really good program. When you focus on excellence and put the team first and you’re a man of your word, great things happen.” The “Streak” lives on!

Coach Joseph Smith

Linfield Football Courtesy of Linfield University

Linfield Football team with Coach Smith-Courtesy of Linfield University

“It couldn’t be someone from the outside to come in and run the program. We had to maintain who we are. If we lost that, we’re just another school.” Smith

GRANITE TRANSFORMATIONS

Written By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

Transform that embarrassing, worn out, and outdated kitchen or bathroom into the beautiful, new, luxurious space you’ve always wanted, and with minimal demolition!

Home renovations are never enjoyable. As a rule, they tend to be messy, costly, and incredibly disruptive, often spanning weeks if not months. That’s not the case, however, when you hire Granite Transformations! Their unique concept addresses these issues by preserving and utilizing the majority of your existing functional assets, and in essence, performing more of a “facelift” than a

complete remodel. That equates to less mess, lower costs (40% less on average than a full remodel), and far less of a disruption to your daily life. And the results are astounding!

Granite Transformations is a worldwide franchiser with some 240 franchises around the globe. They have been perfecting their methods of operation for more than 20 years. Local franchisee owner Dan Lappin purchased his location, which services Oregon and southwest Washington, 6 years ago. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a vision to invest and expand, he has relocated to a brand new and highly impressive showroom in Lake Oswego!

It was Granite Transformations’ unique process that attracted Dan to the business. Most kitchens and bathrooms are functionally sound, but over the years have just become outdated. As a result, simply “transforming” them versus demolishing and starting from scratch makes perfect sense. Granite

Transformations’ proprietary makeover methods are highly efficient, and by using recycled materials whenever possible they’re also environmentally friendly.

Countertops, cabinets, sinks, backsplashes; they do it all, and everything is engineered in the US and fabricated locally. They do these “makeovers” provided there are no structural changes needed to the building itself. They refresh, customize, and reconfigure cabinetry, countertops, and entire kitchens and bathrooms within your existing walls without extensive demolition. Dan explained, they are make-up artists, not plastic surgeons!

If you are interested in remodeling your

kitchen or bath, call Granite Transformations first! Let them schedule a free design session to show you the amazing transformations they can provide. Their products are top-notch, require little-to-no maintenance, and come with a lifetime, transferable warranty. Why would you even need to consider anyone else?

Granite Transformations is located at 9 Centerpointe Dr. Suite B in Lake Oswego. Give them a call at 503-498-9389.

THE LAST GUTTER SYSTEM YOUR HOME WILL EVER NEED!

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

Living in the Northwest, homeowners are all too familiar with gutter woes. Damaged and clogged gutters can bring a host of pricey complications which must be dealt with: damaged roofing, damaged siding, damaged landscaping, water intrusion issues, foundation problems; the list goes on. There are a multitude of gutter systems, but very few which are built to withstand our local weather conditions. Fortunately for us, local business Pacific Gutter Company has partnered with Gutter Shutter as an exclusive dealer in the Northwest to provide us with the most effective solution on the market!

Gutter Shutter is an all-in-one system that comes with a transferable lifetime warranty guaranteeing never to clog, sag, or pull away from your home. It is manufactured in the USA out of .032 gauge aluminum, which is 40-50% thicker than most brands, and as a result is much stronger. With its All-In-One Design and patented bracketing system, Gutter Shutter is the strongest gutter system on the market. And for

us here in the Northwest, it effortlessly manages heavy rainfall using the principle of “surface tension.” No more ugly clogs! No more climbing ladders to clear debris! Gutter Shutter has been making believers out of people for over 20 years (on the East Coast). Now that they are available here in Oregon and Washington thanks to Pacific Gutter Company, we have no reason to settle for less!

Pacific Gutter Company provides stress-free financing, expert installation, Gutter Shutter’s lifetime warranty, and the friendliest service around. The gutters are even available in a variety of colors to get that perfect match for your home. Don’t gamble with the value of your home. Don’t gamble with the value of your life! Having Pacific Gutter Company do an install on your home means never having to climb that ladder again!

Call today for a free, no-obligation quote at 503-512-1077, or check them out online at PacficGutter.com. Your home will thank you!

Elmer’s Flag & Banner was started by Elmer Reider in 1963. A former car salesman, Elmer learned about a new kind of business when his car lot was visited by a man whose trade was decorating dealerships with flags, signs and colorful banners. “The story goes that there was a guy who was coming around doing decorations for the car lot,” explains Dave Anchel, president of Elmer’s. “Elmer asked him if he was making any money and the guy said, ‘Better than you!’” Elmer believed it, so he left auto sales for the car lot decorating business. The store prospered, thanks to his talent for spotting niche business opportunities, like flags and banners, and his commitment to building customer loyalty with quality products and honest service. Today, Elmer’s is Portland’s largest flag, banner and kite store, with 4,000 square feet of products, everything from weathervanes to windsocks.

Anchel grew up in rural northeast Pennsylvania, where he spent 22 years in the family business, learning how to run a successful small company. In their search for a business to purchase, Anchel and his wife visited Portland and fell in love. “We came to Portland, had some really good chocolate and said to each other, ‘We could live here,’” he recalls.

Variety is the spice of life and it’s also what you’ll find at Elmer’s. Anchel estimates the store offers some 8,000 different products, about 1,200 of which are available online. Elmer’s also makes its

own custom flags and banners, by hand and in-house. They make both high-quality, digitally designed flags and banners, and are one of the only companies in the United States that still does appliqué - the time-honored tradition of sewing one piece of fabric onto another - just like Betsy Ross.

“We make those by hand, upstairs in our sewing shop, and they look gorgeous,” Anchel explains. “It’s for when people want an heirloom qual ity flag, like of their family crest, or when a high school wins a cham pionship and wants to hoist a banner to their gymnasium ceiling.”

Elmer’s also manufactures, sells, installs and services custom poles, including two of the tallest in the state of Oregon, measuring 120 feet. “They’re monsters,” Anchel says with a laugh.

Elmer’s selection of kites, flags, banners, weather vanes, wind spin ners and other wind toys will amaze you. Looking to spruce up your home’s exterior? Stop into the retail store at 1332 NE Broadway in Portland, Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Or visit their website, elmersflag.com anytime.