Monmouth and Independence Community Advantage Magazine June 2024

MONMOUTH & INDEPENDENCE

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SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Hilary Berg Sean Carver

Dani DeGraw Brittany Jungenberg

Morgan King Justin Nelson Shawn Schmidt

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Patti Jo Brooks Olive Gallagher

Angie Helvey Lucas Holmgren

Robert Matsumura Dennis McNabb

Edward Novak Malia Riggs

Kelly Romo Gretchen Van Lente

Ty Walker Alice Williams

Justin Woomer Kerry Yu

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Tyler Francke Angie Helvey

Brittany Jungenberg Malaina Kinne

Lisa Kuhlman Kara Langley

Andrew Sambuceto Henry Schifter Hayley Starkey

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Monmouth-Independence Community Advantage Magazine

JUNE/JULY 2024

Still Oozing with Color, Just in a Different Form

Baker falls back in love with pottery

By Kelly Romo, Contributing Writer

The world is full of stories about people who start their journey on one path only to find themselves on another. When Maggie Pike sold her successful bakery, Maggie’s Buns, she thought she would be bored. But instead, she fell back in love with pottery, a craft she had dabbled in thirty-two years earlier. Now, she makes vibrant creations that are not only utilitarian but also beautiful works of art.

When asked what drew her to pottery, Maggie admits she used to be terrible at it, but had always enjoyed it. After selling her bakery, she longed for something creative to do, so she dug out her old potter’s wheel and gave it a spin. To Maggie’s surprise, she got it right on the first try, and that was all it took to reignite her passion.

The colors Maggie discovers on her travels inspire the forms and textures of her pottery. She sifts through photos from her latest trip, selects about ten colors, and starts creating. Her glazing process involves up to seventeen hand-painted layers, each adding depth and personality to her creations. Even Maggie doesn’t always know what the final product will look like, but the unexpected results are part of the fun.

The process of creation holds its own magic for Maggie. Unveiling a new design from her kiln, fondly named “Calvin,” is always thrilling. Nearly 30% of pottery is lost in the kiln due to various factors, so she feels an indescribable sense of accomplishment when a piece turns out exactly as she dreamed. Despite years of experience, she never quite knows how a piece will look after it’s glazed, so it’s

nothing short of magical when her vision comes to life.

Maggie found an intimate connection between her love for food and creating practical and visually appealing creations. Her work is a tribute to the moments that often go unnoticed yet hold profound significance, like sipping hot coffee from a beautifully crafted mug or enjoying a homecooked meal in a hand-thrown bowl. This is her way of spreading joy, and she finds inspiration in the thought that her creations might make someone’s day a little brighter. She hopes this cycle of inspiration — where the excitement of her audience fuels her creative energy — continues to thrive, enabling her to create art that brings smiles and warmth to people’s lives. If you eat off something every day, it might as well be a work of art!

Valley Arts Association has profoundly impacted Maggie’s artistic journey. The familiar faces and warm appreciation of the local community foster confidence and inspire her to experiment with her artistic style. Valley Art’s vibrant culture and lively environment have also provided ample opportunities for networking and collaboration. Moreover, Valley Art’s website serves as a hub for upcoming events, allowing her to stay connected to the local art scene, discover new inspiration, and showcase her creations.

Maggie’s journey to becoming a potter was unexpected, but it has led to some truly stunning work. Her use of color and hand glazing has made Maggie’s pieces into unique and beautiful works of art that people can enjoy. If you’re looking for something functional and artistic to add to your home, you can’t go wrong with one of Maggie’s creations.

To see more of Maggie’s work, check out her Facebook pages under ‘Maggie Pike’ or ‘Passport to Color.’ You can also see her creations at Valley Art at 2022 Main Street in Forest Grove, (503) 357-3703 or on their website at: www.valleyart.org

Are

Exploringtheretrovideogamerenaissance

ByRobertMatsumura,ContributingWriter

most realistic, imaginative video games for both consoles and streaming platforms, many enthusiasts are increasingly looking to the past for a familiar, relaxing and affordable gaming experience.

With the dizzying array of tantalizingly new games out there, complete with ultra-high definition graphics and immersive music and storylines, the rising popularity of old low-tech games with pixelated graphics and simplistic controls is a bit of a head-scratcher. In order to wrap one’s mind around this curious phenomenon, it’s important to understand what the term “retro game” refers to. In gaming parlance the term “retro gaming” instantaneously evokes primitive but charming 8-bit graphics, intuitive straightforward gameplay that is addictive and challenging, yet is, at its core, innately simple.

The heyday of these retro games was back in the 70s and 80s when the internet was still a dream, and words like “cell phone” and “streaming” had not yet entered the common lexicon.

experience was to play these games standing up on arcade machines located in pizza parlors, convenience stores and malls across America.

For those of us who grew up during this era the nostalgia factor is immense. As the world continually grows faster and more complex, there is a certain comfort in the return to something familiar. Engaging again with the graphics, sounds and challenges of these simple games has the ability to evoke the past, like a time capsule transporting one back to the days of their youth. Whether rescuing the princess in the various castles of Super Mario Brothers, zapping fast flowing insects in Centipede or defending humanity from invaders from outer space in Galaxian or Space Invaders, engaging once again with these simple yet thrilling games is like reacquainting oneself with an old friend.

Another lure of retro games is their simplicity. Unlike contemporary video games whose complexity often mirrors real life, retro games offer a binary experience that requires minimal decision making and strategizing. In a world where everevolving technology demands increasing levels of expertise and knowledge,

the straightforward gameplay of retro games can be a refreshing change of pace. Basic hand/eye coordination and reaction time are typically the skills required in retro games, versus the detailed storylines and game mechanics common to today’s popular titles.

Aside from nostalgia and relaxing game play, the affordability of retro gaming is also appealing. The expense of today’s popular titles creates a strain on the pocketbook for budget-minded individuals. The inexpensive price of retro games — frequently bundled together at minimal cost — creates a democratizing effect, wherein the vast majority of gamers can afford to participate, rather than only the hardcore few willing to shell out significant dollars to stay up to date on the latest and greatest new releases.

Finally, one cannot discount the aesthetic appeal of retro games with their pixelated graphics and jaunty chiptune soundtracks that impart a certain charm to these old titles. While highly orchestrated

musical scores and jawdropping HD visuals are indeed impressive from a technical standpoint, there are times when simple equates to good. In a sense, retro games are the comfort food of the video game industry. While gourmet cuisine can be an amazing culinary experience, there are times when you simply desire a good old burger and fries. Leaning over a classic arcade machine, joystick in hand, is a completely different experience to gaming online via the latest PlayStation or Xbox console wearing a headset and communicating in realtime with players around the globe. So how has the recent resurgence in retro game popularity affected the gaming industry?

arcade establishments also double as restaurants serving food and beverages to hungry gamers as they strive to save the world from galactic invaders or guide Pacman through a labyrinth of hungry ghosts.

As one might expect, the surging popularity of retro video games has spurred demand for old gaming consoles. The resale market on sites such as eBay for vintage Atari, Nintendo, and Sega Genesis consoles has exploded as the younger generation of gamers discovers these old classics, and Boomers reengage nostalgically with the favorite games of their youth. The demand for retro game

The surging demand for retro games has manifested itself in a myriad of ways, from the creation of small hand-held arcade machines for gamers on the go to the digital remastering of classic retro titles. Game designers are also incorporating visuals, sound effects, and game mechanics from the old retro titles and developing new games that capture the essence of these timeless originals. In cities across the globe the burgeoning demand for retro video games has spawned arcade establishments catering to gamers wishing to play the old classics standing up, on machines like those of their youth. Often these new

in lockstep with the demand for the old consoles and games cartridges, driving a craze for all things retro gaming. No matter what your age or level of gaming experience — Baby Boomer to Gen Z, avid gamer to newbie – retro video games have something to offer everyone. Whether you grew up in the 70s or 80s and seek a nostalgic blast to the past, or hail from a more recent generation, the realm of retro gaming is a wonderful respite from the complexities of our modern life—digital comfort food for the soul!

Mighty Clean

Quality carpet cleaning guaranteed

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

Just ask Josh Vorderstrasse, owner and operator of Mighty Clean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Service in Polk County. He knows this business better than most, which he can attribute to the early start he got back in the seventh grade. His father started the business down in Salem in 1995, and Josh would go to work for his dad during his winter and summer breaks from school. Initially it was just that; a parttime, “helping out Dad” type of venture. Eventually though, Josh came to realize he sincerely enjoyed the work and once he was old enough, decided to branch out independently. He bought himself a van and the requisite equipment and started his own branch of the business servicing the Newberg and McMinnville area.

“What really appealed to me,” Josh says, “was the flexibility in the work and the hours, as well as the personal relationships I’m able to build with my customers.” Josh is a family man

with two beautiful young kids of his own now, and he loves running a business that allows him to make a living while still balancing time with his family. In addition, each day is a new adventure bringing fresh challenges and variety to his work. Especially with living in the Northwest, where we can have such inclement weather, researching and discovering new ways to get all manner of dirt, sap and ground-in plant particles out of your carpets can be quite a challenge to overcome.

Perhaps Josh’s most impressive quality, beyond his diligence and commitment to quality service, is his charming and friendly demeanor. “One of the most important aspects of this business is customer service,” he said. “I’m going into peoples’ homes. I can clean their carpets better than anyone in town but if I’m not personable — if I’m not giving them the best customer service they’ve ever had, I don’t get called back”. Josh’s friendly persona is not simply an act he puts on for the job, however. He genuinely is a really nice guy, and his main concern is doing the best job possible to clean your carpets and making you feel comfortable having him in your home on top of it.

What sets Josh apart from other carpet cleaners, you may be asking? Well, besides the fact that he’s going to be your new best friend, Josh has set up his business in such a way as to virtually guarantee your satisfaction. First of all, he has taken all the guess-work out of his pricing. He has a very straightforward and simple cost structure with NO HIDDEN FEES! You know exactly what you will be paying before he even arrives at your house, and his prices are both affordable and competitive.

Secondly, Josh is the owner and sole operator of Mighty Clean. There are no other employees working for him. He’s THE guy; the one you will speak to on the phone, and the one you will meet in person when he comes to your house, each and every time. He’s also the guy who takes pride in his business and does a superior job without any of the petty shortcuts you

might get from some of his competitors. Even if you have a particularly difficult stain or spot, he will do his absolute best to get it clean without nickel-anddiming you for extra chemicals needed for the job.

Josh doesn’t limit himself to just cleaning carpets, by the way. He’s also a pro when it comes to freshening up your upholstery, including couches, loveseats and recliners. As always, these services come at easy and affordable fixed prices. He can do pet treatments, deodorizers, stain guards, deep soil extractions and emergency water extractions. Josh can even venture outside to clean the fabrics in your vehicle, boat or RV! Made a huge sticky mess last time you went through the drive-through? Let Josh come and take care of it for you. He’ll return it to its former glory, or even better.

On the commercial side, Josh can spruce up that dingy old office carpet for you in a jiffy. No office is too big or too small; the pricing structure is just based on square footage in this case (which is 20 cents per square foot). He can also take on any multi-family dwelling such as a condo or apartment complex and has separate specials for those as well.

The bottom line is this: without a doubt, Josh is going to earn your repeated business. He’s going to show up on time, he’s going to win you over with his friendly personality, and he’s going to deliver the best cleaning your carpets and upholstery have ever had. Don’t wait through another season with dingy, dirty carpets.

Call him up at 503-956-6148 to schedule your service today!

Seeds of Sustainability

A homestead farm’s commitment to biodiversity

Birdsong Farm. The couple worked tirelessly to transform the 17 acres. “When we bought this place, it was totally bare and an overgrazed mess,” says Miranda. “We put in gardens, one bed at a time, and started raising Muscovy ducks our first summer.”

Birdsong Farm is home to humanely raised small livestock that live quiet, comfortable lives with love, space to free range, and plenty of extra treats. Free-range duck eggs are available for purchase year-round, and they raise and sell a large batch of meat chickens once a summer. The chicken is processed right on the farm. “We do it ourselves, under the Oregon Poultry Exemption,” Miranda explains. “Customers come out and pick them up fresh that same day. They’re pasture-raised and absolutely delicious.” The farm formerly sold duck and rabbit meat but had to scale back for multiple reasons, including losing their flock of

By Angie Helvey, Contributing Writer Photos courtesy of Birdsong Farm

Pedee, Oregon, is a small, unincorporated neighborhood nestled snugly in the coastal foothills of Monmouth. In the spring and summer, a symphony of trills and warbles soars through the fields and trees as songbirds arrive for the season and begin hatching chicks. Living respectfully on the native land of the Kalapuya and Luckiamute tribes, Birdsong Farm is a small family homestead dedicated to growing and raising natural foods to nourish themselves and the community.

Artists Andy and Miranda Rommel initially lived together in Texas but were forever dreaming of owning a homestead, so in 2012, Miranda brought Andy back to her home state of Oregon and they stumbled upon the property that would become

Muscovies to a bobcat.

Birdsong’s gardens and greenhouse grow fresh, chemical-free vegetables and herbs they share with the community through a small CSA. The gardens yield an excellent crop of all the basics with some Asian influence. “We grow a variety of Asian greens, and I put in asparagus a couple of years ago, so this year we finally get to eat and share as much asparagus as we want,” says Miranda. The farm gets most of its seeds for planting from Adaptive Seeds, a local company that feeds biodiversity with its diverse selection of open-pollinated organic seeds, and Miranda has been growing Jory tomatoes

from her own saved seeds for about six years now.

Apple trees and a peach tree round out the fresh bounty with a few unique additions like black currants and tayberries. “You don’t see tayberries at the market too often; they’re delicious, but they’re the thorniest little things,” Miranda says with a laugh.

Like many farmers, the Rommels both have day jobs and Andy is currently working on his Master’s in teaching. Birdsong keeps its operation reasonably small so that it can be self-sustaining.

“When we first started, we’d hire some help, but we realized the workload needed to be manageable for just us,” explains Miranda. Visitors are welcome to the farm by appointment to pick up fresh eggs and tour the property.

Andy and Miranda farm with biodiversity in mind and they’ve worked hard to create a habitat on their property for all plants and creatures. “Over the years, I’ve put in lots of native plants, fruit trees, and assorted blooming things, and now we’ve got a huge population of native bees and birds that come to visit every year,” Miranda says. “Nurturing biodiversity and doing my part to help the ecosystem is most important to me.” Queen Bee Apiary, a company out of Corvallis, also keeps a bee yard on their pasture every summer.

Like most homesteaders, Birdsong Farm cares deeply for the land and advocates for local food producers. “Small producers need to be economically viable, and many of the

bills proposed in the last few years make it so the only producers will be the big ones,” says Miranda. “The community needs the small farms; we all need to know where our food comes from.”

Birdsong Farm is located at 21375 Gage Rd. in Monmouth. Please give them a call at 503-949-0610 or visit their website at birdsongfarmoregon.com.

Pioneering Legacy

Linn County’s first Black resident

By Oregon Black Pioneers

The first Black resident of Linn County, Oregon was a woman then known only as Cora Ann. She was born into slavery in Virginia between 1822 and 1833, and by 1837 was living in New Orleans, where she was purchased by 32-year-old Emeline Carey Sellick. In 1850, Emeline and Cora moved to Missouri, where Emeline married Samuel Johnson. That same year, the couple moved to Oregon, and Cora traveled with them on the Oregon Trail as an enslaved overland pioneer.

When the Johnson party reached Oregon in the fall of 1850, Cora became one of just 55 Black people in the Oregon Territory. African Americans – free or enslaved – had been legally barred from coming to Oregon since 1849. However, legislation targeting Black people often went unenforced within Oregon’s disparate farming communities. This allowed a handful of Black Americans to remain in Oregon despite their legal exclusion, but it also allowed slavery to continue long after the practice was prohibited. Oregon’s Supreme Court outlawed slavery in 1853; Cora, however, would continue to be held as Emeline’s slave until the 1860s.

Samuel Johnson claimed a 640 acre homestead near Brownsville in Linn County, and built a home which he and his wife shared with Cora. The Johnsons had no children. Samuel Johnson drowned in the Calapooia River in January 1858, leaving Emeline and Cora alone.

In December 1858, Cora married John Cox, a Black farm laborer. Theirs is the earliest recorded marriage of two Black people in Oregon. John Cox worked for Jefferson Huff, a white widowed father of two from Tennessee who was likely John’s former owner. Two months later, Emeline and Jefferson Huff were married, and all began sharing the same home.

Cora and John had a daughter named Adeline in 1860. In that year’s census, Cora and Adeline were listed as slaves, while John was listed as free. A second daughter, Angeline, was born in 1864. Cora was emancipated in or before 1864 as well. That year, Emeline sold her “former servant” Cora 36.3 acres of land from her homestead with Samuel Johnson for just $10.00, in recognition of “faithful services rendered.” This purchase made Cora one of the earliest Black landowners

in Oregon history. John Cox built a home for his family on this land that same year.

Cora remained close to Emeline even after receiving her freedom. In 1866, Cora testified in Emeline’s divorce trial against Jefferson Huff. The testimony of a Black woman was extremely rare in 19th century Oregon.

Cora was well known throughout the Willamette Valley; she and her husband were affectionately called “Aunt Cora” and “Uncle John” by their friends and neighbors. She was wellconnected within the region’s small Black community. Cora attended Oregon’s earliest-known Emancipation Day celebration in Salem in 1867, alongside fellow Black pioneers like Ben Johnson and Amanda Gardner.

John Cox died in 1875, but Cora remained in her home until 1886. She sold the house and land that year for $600 and moved to Brownsville. Cora lived comfortably from the sale of her property for the rest of her life. Sources say Cora even made a monetary gift to Willamette University Women’s College in her will. Cora Cox passed away in 1892. The house she lived in from 1864-1886 still stands today, making it one of Oregon’s oldest homes.

Oregon Black Pioneers is Oregon’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans statewide. To learn more, and to support this nonprofit, visit oregonblackpioneers.org.

Oregon Black Pioneers, 2024

Cora Cox home courtesy of Linn County Historical Museum

Buller & Ryan Buller

Dad-ication

The history of Father’s Day

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

Father’s Day will be celebrated on June 16 this year. Father’s Day, a holiday celebrated around the world, is a day dedicated to honoring fathers and father figures.

The origins of Father’s Day can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States. The holiday’s establishment is often credited to Sonora Smart Dodd, who was inspired by the newly recognized Mother’s Day. Sonora, the daughter of a Civil War veteran and single father, William Jackson Smart, wanted to honor her father’s selfless service in the war. So in 1909 she proposed the idea of Father’s Day to local ministers in Spokane, Washington, to be celebrated on June 5, her father’s birthday. However, there wasn’t enough time to prepare for the holiday that year, so the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910.

popular as the holiday became more mainstream and commercial.

In the mid-20th century, the roles of fatherhood began to shift, with an increasing emphasis on fathers being more involved in raising the children and doing more things around the house. This social shift could be seen in how people viewed Father’s Day as a celebration, not only of paternal authority but also of paternal love, care and nurturing.

Father’s Day gradually gained popularity, with several attempts made to establish it as a national holiday. It wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon officially recognized Father’s Day as a national holiday in the United States, to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year.

Throughout its history, Father’s Day underwent several transformations due to cultural, social and economic factors. Initially, it was celebrated with the simple gestures of wearing a red rose to honor a living father and a white rose to honor a deceased father. Greeting cards, often accompanied by gifts and family gatherings, became increasingly

Around the world, Father’s Day has different origins and traditions. In many countries, it’s celebrated on different dates and with varying traditions. For example, in Catholic countries like Spain and Portugal, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19, coinciding with the Feast of St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ. In Germany, Father’s Day, known as “Vatertag,” is celebrated on Ascension Day, with traditions that include men going on hiking trips and pulling wagons filled with beer.

Today, Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide with a variety of traditions, ranging from simple acts of appreciation to elaborate family gatherings, gift-giving and beer-filled wagons (yes, please!). While its commercialization is often criticized, Father’s Day remains an important holiday for expressing gratitude and love for fathers and father figures, honoring their contributions to family and society as a whole.

As a father myself, I wish you and your families a “Happy Father’s Day!” this June.