McMinnville Community Advantage Magazine December 2022

Shilo Couch Owner

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T H E Y R E A L LY D I G W H AT T H E Y D O!

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

There are a lot of dirty jobs out there. Just ask Mike Rowe from the Discovery Channel–he had a whole series about them. One job that’s not necessarily that dirty but is nevertheless unpleasant, difficult, and claustrophobic is crawl space work. Raise your hands out there if you enjoy getting under your house, banging up your knees and elbows, breathing all those dust and mold particles, vying for space with spiders and other creepy crawlers, and killing your back? No. Nobody enjoys that. Or so I thought… I just met someone who not only enjoys but sincerely loves this kind of work, and fortunately for us, he does it for a living. I’m talking, of course, about Larry O’Halloran, owner of Your Crawl Space Guys.

When Larry founded the company, it was called American Remodeling, and as the name suggested he did a lot of remodeling and dry rot repairs in

Remodeling began to get more and more requests for crawl space work, until eventually they switched completely over.

The name was changed to Your Crawl Space Guys and they’ve never looked back.

Larry is sincere in his claims. He truly loves what he does. Thirty years in the business and he’s going stronger than ever. People talk about having a “family business.” This one is as family as it gets!

Larry’s wife works in the office doing all the bookkeeping. Larry’s two sons have both been with the company for 15+ years. His company really is a tight knit group that gets along well and enjoy what they do. From his grandson who cleans the office, to the newest hire cleaning up rodent feces, everyone is family at Your Crawl Space Guys! Some of his crew has been with him for 20 years! Not only do they have decades of combined experience in the industry, they also have that much experience working together as a team.

someone fun, confident, and energetic who tackles every challenge with a smile?

There is a lot more to crawl space work than you might think, too. It’s not just a matter of throwing some new plastic down and calling it good. There is a whole slew of services they provide: structural repairs utilizing a structural engineer named Jay Olluette; design custom-engineered repairs for any project, whether it be post and beam replacement, new pier pads, or whatever is necessary; repair and replacement of your entire foundation; dry rot repair–and they’ll replace rotten floor framing all the way up to entire walls and full perimeter sill plates as needed; sump pump installation including trenches, full dig-outs, crawl space enlargement (“dig out”) if it’s too small and inaccessible; small concrete repairs; and debris clean up or new vapor barrier. No job is too big or too small!

addition to crawl spaces. In 2008, the real estate industry took an enormous hit, and priorities shifted. A lot more focus was placed on foundations and crawl spaces than had ever been done before. Loans began to be denied over inspections which revealed foundation issues. American

That’s what really sets them apart from the competition, according to Larry. To be fair, he stated, there are a lot of good companies in the area that do this kind of work. Although Larry and his team do an exceptional job, it’s really their friendly dispositions and focus on customer service that puts them at the top. Again, they enjoy what they do. The tagline on their logo says it all: Your Crawl Space Guys: We Dig What We Do! And that really does make all the difference, doesn’t it? Do you want someone working in your house who is miserable, someone who clearly dislikes their job and is just going through the motions? Or do you want

This is a locally-owned and operated small business that supports the local community. They are upstanding members of the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce and active members of a local church. They love to sponsor local school teams and give back whenever and wherever they can. Larry and his team are simply good people. They are our friends. They are our neighbors. And they are, or should be, our first choice when it comes to crawl space work. If you have any concerns about your home’s foundation, contact Your Crawl Space Guys today!

You’re going to dig what they do for you!

Your Crawl Space Guys is located at 118 NE Atlantic St. in McMinnville. Give them a call at (503) 980-1564, email office@ yourcrawlspaceguys.com, or visit their website at yourcrawlspaceguys.com.

Peppermint & Ginger The History of Christmas Treats

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

German choir boys, Egyptian pharaohs, the Brothers Grimm, and Queen Elizabeth I all shaped our Christmas treats and their storied past.

Decorate your Christmas tree, stir your hot cocoa, or eat a classic treat, because candy canes are the most versatile and best-selling non-chocolate candy during December, with almost 2 billion produced every year. But did you know that candy canes were likely invented for fidgety German choirboys?

Data suggests the candy cane goes back to 1670, when the Cologne Cathedral choirmaster in Germany needed to quiet down his choir boys during the Living Creche ceremony (live nativity scene). Carly Schildhaus of the National Confectioners Association says “[he] handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet.” It’s rumored the church elders were upset because sweets were inappropriate in church, so the choirmaster shaped the sugar sticks into shepherd crooks (like the nativity scene) to appease the church elders. This could be a coincidence, however, as candy canes were likely hung on Christmas trees during this time, along with fruit and cookies.

11th century Europe when the Crusaders brought ginger back from the Middle East. Once ginger became more affordable, gingerbread gained popularity.

Early European recipes for gingerbread called for ginger, sugar, rosewater, stale breadcrumbs, and ground almonds, which were mashed into a paste and pressed into wooden molds. These work-of-art molds made a storyboard that told the major news and took the shapes of kings, queens, emperors, and more. Cookies were sometimes decorated with edible gold or flat white icing.

Interestingly, candy canes used to be only white for hundreds of years. It wasn’t until the early 20th century and the advent of mass production that the iconic red-striped peppermint candy cane came into existence.

According to Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Germanic mythology, honey was a gift of the gods with the power to heal, give life, and banish demons. Gingerbread, in its early form as spiced honeybread, was found in pharaohs’ tombs dating to 1500 BC. Later, a more modern gingerbread appeared in

In 16th century England, flour replaced the stale breadcrumbs, and sweeteners and eggs were added. Incredibly, Queen Elizabeth I is credited for creating the first gingerbread man, which shocked visiting dignitaries who were given cookies made in their likeness. At fairs, gingerbread was tied with a ribbon and exchanged as a token of love. The gingerbread house gained popularity in Germany after the Brothers Grimm published their fairy tales, including “Hansel and Gretel,” in the 19th century. Later, German immigrants brought this lebkuchenhaeusle to America.

Today, gingerbread is often made with ginger, anise, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweetened with honey, corn syrup, brown sugar, or molasses. It comes in many forms, such as gingerbread people, houses, ginger snaps, and more. So when you’re munching on a gingerbread man or hanging candy canes on your Christmas tree, remember the countless individuals who quite literally shaped these fascinating treats!

Celebrating its 15th Anniversary!

Small Amounts, Big Results. Every Day.

The Give a Little Foundation is now celebrating its 15th year! Give a Little began in 2008 when the country was entering a period of economic difficulty. Longtime McMinnville friends Ellen Summerfield, Tricia Crawford, and Phillip Pirages raised the question of who might help ease the hardships of the local population, and they answered it with their own question: “Why not us?”

Since then, the “us” has grown steadily. Summerfield says, “We had no idea then of how many good people would join in. I think they liked the idea that we were strictly local, lending a hand to those in our midst.”

And, she adds, “many donors seemed to be inspired by the idea that small amounts of money, provided at the right time, can make a critical difference in people’s lives.”

Today, the foundation focuses on 4 especially vulnerable populations:

• individuals and families facing a temporary financial crisis or burden

• school children experiencing poverty

• senior citizens on tight budgets

• job seekers close to gaining employment

Just a few examples of needs that, when met, can produce a big result in the life of a child or adult are: prescription glasses, dental treatments, or prescription co-pays; gift cards or groceries; warm winter jackets and shoes that fit; clothes and a haircut for a job interview; a refrigerator, heating, or other household repair.

As Michelle Golden, Administrative Director, explains: “I feel so fortunate to see again and again how a relatively small amount of money can help a person move forward, with troubles lifted and dignity in place.”

And, in the words of one recipient: “We all fall on hard times in life, [and] it’s nice to know someone is out there who can put us back on our feet. May you always be there for others like me.”

As we go forward, we are enormously grateful to all of you who are lending support. Thanks to your generosity, we are able to provide assistance to clients every day. In these times of continuing hardship, your caring for others translates into daily relief and a renewed sense of hope.

If you’re just finding out about us, please know that we welcome your participation. See our website at givealittlefoundation.org or leave a message at 503-857-2964 and join our Give a Little community today.

INSPIRING HOMEOWNERS FOR OVER 30 YEARS

Everyone wants their outdoor spaces to be an extension of their home. As your local family-owned supplier of pavers and wall block, we look forward to helping you make your dream a reality.

Pastry

INGREDIENTS

CRANBERRY SAUCE

1 C fresh cranberries

6 T packed brown sugar

1 T orange juice

1/2 t grated orange peel

BRIE AND PASTRY

1 T butter or margarine

1/3 C sliced almonds

1 (17.3 oz) sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 (14 to 15 oz) round Brie cheese

1 egg, beaten

DIRECTIONS

1. In 1-quart saucepan, mix cranberries, brown sugar and orange juice. Heat to boiling, stirring frequently; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens and cranberries are tender. Stir in orange peel; remove from heat.

2. In 8-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook almonds in butter, stirring frequently, until golden brown; remove from heat.

3. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. On lightly floured surface, roll pastry into 16x9-inch rectangle. Cut out one 8 1/2-inch circle and one 7-inch circle from pastry.

4. Place cheese round on center of large circle. Spoon cranberry sauce and almonds over cheese. Bring pastry up and press around side of cheese. Brush top edge of pastry with egg. Place 7-inch circle on top, pressing around edge to seal. Brush top and side of pastry with egg. Cut decorations from remaining pastry and arrange on top; brush with egg. Place on cookie sheet.

5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 hour before serving.

Serve with assorted crackers or sliced fresh fruit.

bettycrocker.com/recipes/brie-in-puff-pastry-with-cranberry-sauce

A legacy of vision and hope

The History of Timberline Lodge

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

What trip to Mount Hood is complete without a visit to Timberline Lodge? As an Oregonian you are likely familiar with this iconic landmark nestled at the base of the state’s most prominent mountain, but are you aware that this historic alpine retreat was developed as a symbol of hope during one of the bleakest periods in American history?

Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was established in 1935 as a program to boost the economy by funding state and city projects. These public works projects generated jobs for millions of unemployed Americans victimized by the catastrophic economic downturn triggered by the stock market crash of 1929—known today as the Great Depression.

Timberline Lodge was conceptualized by a number of individuals including Jack Meier of the Mount Hood Development

Association, Francis E. (Scotty) Williamson Jr. of the United States Forestry Service, and Emerson J. Griffith, the WPA Director for Oregon. Timberline Lodge was envisioned as a triumphant symbol of the WPA, and a shining example of what it could achieve.

After funding approval from the WPA in December of 1935, Gilbert Stanley Underwood was selected as the lead architect for the project. Underwood had already successfully designed lodges at many national parks, including Yosemite and Bryce Canyon. Similar to the other lodges Underwood had completed, Timberline was planned as a rustic, asymmetrical structure with a rough-hewn style reminiscent of the region’s early pioneers. Underwood also suggested the lodge incorporate native materials, and that decorative elements be implemented honoring both the area’s Indigenous peoples and the pioneer settlers who had arrived on the Oregon Trail.

Constructed between 1936 and 1938, the total cost of Timberline Lodge was $695,730, of which 80 percent of the cost went to labor. Skilled trade workers made ninety cents an hour, and unskilled laborers received fifty-five cents an hour. A number of

Timberline Lodge, summer Ironwork at Timberline, Courtesy Oregon State Library

the stonemasons were Italian immigrants and had been brought over from their homeland to work on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Workers were housed in a nearby tent city at Camp Zig Zag and Summit Meadow.

Two key goals of the WPA were to foster independence through training and to encourage private enterprise. Ray Neufer, who was in charge of the Oregon WPA woodworking shop, explained that many of the men who crafted the newel posts (support pillars for stairwells) were inexperienced as carvers. Neufer recalled: “Most of the men came in from construction projects and they didn’t know they could do some of the things they did. Most of them had been out of work a long time, then on construction jobs, and they had lost their self-confidence.”

Material costs for the lodge were kept to a minimum by utilizing recycled materials. Female seamstresses wove upholstery, drapery, and bedspreads. Hooked rugs were fashioned from old Civilian Conservation Corps camp blankets. Discarded cedar utility poles became lodge posts, their crowns hand-carved in the shape of seals, birds, and bears. Tire chains were welded into fireplace screens. And the signature iron work, as well as andirons, were crafted from railroad tracks.

The decorative and stylistic elements of Timberline Lodge were directed by Margery Hoffman Smith, the Oregon Arts Project Administrator for the Federal Arts Project. Smith created many of the beautiful patterns for the textiles and rugs, and she designed the iconic “Snow Goose,”

the 750-pound bronze weathervane perched atop the lodge. Smith’s inspiration for the forms and motifs resplendent throughout the lodge are derived from the art of the Tenino, an Indigenous people of the area. Smith, too, recalled how many of the workers on the project successfully transitioned their skills into new areas: “Carpenters became cabinet makers, blacksmiths became art metal workers, and sewing women became expert drapery makers.” For her work on Timberline Lodge, Smith earned the title of “Grand Dame” of the Arts and Crafts style, and in 1979 Governor Vic Atiyeh awarded her the Governor’s Award for the Arts.

While on tour of government projects in the Western United States, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated Timberline Lodge on September 28, 1937, five months before its opening to the public. He and his First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, arrived at the lodge via an open touring car, escorted by a motorcade of forty vehicles. As they wound their way up the Mount Hood Loop Road, horsemounted Forest Service personnel lined the roadway to salute and wave. From the terrace overlooking the main entrance, Roosevelt addressed a gathering of 1200 community members. “This venture was made possible by WPA emergency relief work,” he said, “in order that we may test the workability of recreational facilities installed by the government itself.” To this day, Roosevelt’s dedication on a bronze tablet is set in stone on the lodge terrace.

Following completion, Timberline Lodge was turned over to the U.S. Forest Service in January 1938, and opened to the public on February 4th of the same year. The Magic Mile chairlift was completed by the Riblet Tramway Company, and the WPA built the Silcox Warming Hut at the top of the lift.

Timberline Lodge was closed during World War II, but reopened again in 1945. However, discovering that the lodge and ski facilities had not been maintained properly, the U.S. Forest Service revoked the operating permit. Months later, Richard L. Kohnstamm was awarded an operating permit. He successfully restored the lodge, re-established ski education programs, and oversaw the construction of an outdoor swimming pool. In 1975, convention facilities were also added, and in 1981 the

Wy’East Day Lodge was built across the parking lot to serve the recreational skiers. Although Kohnstamm passed away in 2006, his family continues to operate the lodge through R.L.K. and Company.

Not surprisingly, Hollywood also found Timberline Lodge appealing. The exterior views of Timberline Lodge were used in the movie The Shining. Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of the bestselling Stephen King novel depicted Timberline Lodge as the fictitious Overlook Hotel.

In 1975, the Friends of Timberline organization was formed to celebrate and preserve the heritage of Oregon’s signature mountain retreat. Two years later, on December 22, 1977, Timberline Lodge was designated as a National Historic Landmark, and the finest example of WPA mountain architecture. The next time you find yourself bound for Mount Hood, be sure to stop by Timberline Lodge. Stand atop the terrace where FDR stood, and appreciate the vision, commitment, and labor of the many men and women who made this grand concept into a reality, which generations of Oregonians have held so close to their hearts.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated Timberline Lodge on September 28, 1937, five months before its opening to the public.

Timberline Lodge interior

Timberline Lodge plaque

Brick & Mortar Nostalgia

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer Photos by Kara Langley

The local independent video store with something for everyone!

Remember the ’90s when you could go into any number of retail video stores, find an employee who shared your taste in movies, and have them hook you up with a weekend’s worth of candy, snacks, and great entertainment? They were a little piece of Hollywood, a little splash of glitz and glam brightening the strip malls of America. The personal touch they provided, the “experience” that only a brick and mortar location staffed by real people could, was lost. But fret not movie lovers and experience junkies! As rare as an M. Night Shyamalan movie without a twist, we are fortunate enough to have one of the remaining few right here in McMinnville: an honest-to-goodness, larger than life, rent-from-a-person video store, The Reel Hollywood Video.

Founded in 1985 by Bruce Jones and Maria Adrian, the little video store that could had thrived in a highly competitive market due to their keen business sense and willingness to listen to their customers. Eschewing the less customer-friendly practices employed by competitors, they offered better pricing, better terms and conditions, and more incentives to come into the store. As the business exploded, they relocated to accommodate demand, and finally settled into their forever home right where they are located today on NW 9th Street.

After so many years of success, after being such an integral part of the McMinnville community—even after the relative disintegration of the retail video

rental market—Bruce and Maria considered retirement. Then fate intervened, and Martin Solano, a native Oregonian just returning to the state, began frequenting the store. An enthusiastic movie buff with a terrific personality, Maria considered him the perfect fit. When Maria’s daughter Jessi Adrian, who had grown up in and around the store, agreed to partner up with Martin, the baton was passed along.

Ten years later, Martin and Jessi are still renting videos and throwing the local community a party like it’s 1999! They still offer rock bottom prices: $3.75 for 2 day New Releases; return within 1 day, receive a credit for a free Catalog movie. Regular Catalog movies are only $2.50 for 5 days. Their “5-6-7” deal offers 5 movies for 6 days at just $7! New Release TV series are only $7 for 1 week or $6 for older series. And with 19,000 movies and growing, they have a larger selection than any of the streaming platforms (larger, in fact, than ALL streaming platforms combined, not including Amazon Prime). They offer an enormous medley of unique and hard-to-find candies, freshly-popped awardwinning popcorn (in 3 varieties: Buttered, Kettle, or Fiesta), a nice assortment of Board Games, and the largest gumball machine in the Pacific Northwest! They also have a disc repair machine, and for only $3 they will repair any discs you bring in from your personal collection.

Locally owned and operated for almost 40 years by local people with a passion for the community, The Reel Hollywood Viedo should be your only source for movies outside of the theater. In December, watch for great deals on Blu-Ray Players, a huge Christmas movie section, and they’re hoping for the return of Santa and the Flipping Elves!

Head down tonight to 105 NW 9th St. in McMinnville. Or check them out first online at rhvmac.com, or give them a ring at (503) 472-0553.

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

Klaus (2019)

A SpanishAmerican movie written and directed by Spaniard Sergio Pablos, this is a wonderful alternate origin story of Santa Claus. In the movie, Klaus is a reclusive toymaker living in a fictitious 19th-century island town in the Far North who’s befriended by a mail man misfortunately stationed there. The animations are slick and fantastical, the characters well-voiced and sympathetic, and in this moody yet romantic world a heartfelt mystery unfolds. And the movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the first animated Netflix film to ever be nominated. Starring Jason Schwartzman, J. K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Norm Macdonald, Joan Cusack, and more. This is a newer must see for the whole family. Rated PG.

Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

One of my all time favorites, this Ron Howard flick stars Jim Carrey in yet another “how did he do that?” stellar performance. Based on and expanding from the book, this movie brilliantly recreates the Who world in all its magic, humor, and whimsy. We learn the Grinch’s new origin story as a bullied child who retreats to his mountain cave, and many years later he returns as he’s nominated to be the Holiday Cheermeister. A classic Us vs. Them, it’s also a tale of love, inclusion, community, and redemption, and a lovely expansion from the original movie and book. This star-studded cast also includes Taylor Momsen, Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon, Jeffrey Tambor, Bill Irwin, and more. A classic movie that’s great for the whole family. Rated PG.

Jingle All the Way (1996)

Produced and cowritten by Chris Columbus (Home Alone), this is a lesser known cult classic begging to be watched. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Rita Wilson, Jake Lloyd, and cameos from Jim Belushi and Robert Conrad, the uncanny cast carries the thinlyplotted movie about sell-out toys and the commercialization of Christmas. Howard (Arnold), a father and husband who chooses work over his family, soon learns his lesson when he delays and discovers his son’s Christmas toy of choice has sold out. From there, it’s a hyperbolic romp of Howard and Myron (Sinbad) maniacally running all over town in a flurry of hijinks, pranks, and fatherly desperation. It’s fun, silly, and emphasizes the importance of family over material goods for Christmas. A tad violent in a cartoony way, it’s rated PG but views like a soft PG-13.