Monmouth and Independence Community Advantage Magazine April 2024

Painter

503.825.2111

ADMINISTRATION

Matthew Nelson, Publisher

Catrina Nelson, CFO

Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant

PRODUCTION

Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director

Donovan Darling, Content Manager

Kate Astle, Copyeditor

Kaity VanHoose, Social Media Manager

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 Kelly Romo

Gretchen Van Lente Ty Walker

Alice Williams Kerry Yu

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Laurel Bice Carly Carpenter

Tyler Francke Angie Helvey

Brittany Jungenberg Malaina Kinne

Lisa Kuhlman Kara Langley

Andrew Sambuceto Henry Schifter

Hayley Starkey

ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS

Don Ormsby Bill Kistler

Stephanie Baker Peggy Jacobs

David Long

Chris O’Brien

John Zobrist Brad Marti

Shelley Zeman Tina Toney

Darren Dwyer Lynnette Scott

Looking to reach local consumers?

We Specialize in direct-mail products:

magazine advertising, mailing inserts, postcards and more. For more information, call 503.825.2111 or email info@ActiveMediaUSA.com

Areas of services available:

• Valley View Retirement Village - residents live independently in their homes and our in-home care service can go in to assist them as needed.

• Apartments - residents live independently with our in-home care service going in to assist them as needed.

• M.A.I.D.S. - helps residents of Yamhill and Polk County with all aspects of life.

• Rock of Ages Memory Care - a licensed Residential Care Facility that is Memory Care endorsed.

• Transitional Life Care (TLC)5 suites devoted to end of life care.

• Ann Scott Estates Senior Adult Foster Home - five rooms for adult foster care in a beautiful setting on 60 acres.

Rock of Ages is a Not-for-Profit 501-c-3 and is deemed charitable by both the State and the IRS. Our goal is to serve those needing our services regardless of their ability to pay.

RockofAgesValleyView.com

503-472-6212

15600 SW Rock of Ages Rd. McMinnville, OR 97128

“Hey, waiter, I’m in my soup.” I saw this in the theater when I was a mere 11 years old, and it was and remains a fantastic family movie. Full of adventure, comedy and romance, this is an early yet masterly work from John Lasseter — writer (and sometimes director) of movies such as “Toy Story” 1-4 and “Cars.” The story follows an oddball klutzy ant who accidentally destroys the food supply used as a bribe for a group of bully grasshoppers. Rather than pay double the food or be destroyed, Flik (Dave Foley) goes looking for recruits to fight the grasshoppers. With a starstudded cast including Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Denis Leary and many more. A great movie full of sunshine and nature! Rated G.

“Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?”

From writerdirector John Hughes, the unforgettable Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is a happy-go-lucky high school senior in the suburbs of Chicago. An inquisitive and clever rulebreaker, Ferris schemes his way out of school on a perfect spring day. He enlists his best friend Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck), a neurotic pessimist, and girlfriend Sloane Peterson (Mia Sara), rebellious and equally clever. They embark on a day-long adventure — stealing Cameron’s father’s priceless Ferrari convertible, much to his anxiety — and crashing a parade, a baseball game, a fancy lunch, and the local sights, all the while avoiding parents, Ferris’s jealous sister Jeanie, gossiping school kids, and the high school principal, Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), who’s hellbent on catching Ferris. This is a paragon of “quirky comedy” and a great reminder to go with the flow and have fun. Rated PG-13 for strong language and mature content.

“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)

“Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” What can you say about this movie that hasn’t been said? A musical fantasy filmed in early Technicolor and bursting with spring colors, the iconic transitional scene from black and white to color and the movie’s theme of growth is very much representative of the changing seasons. A cinematic masterpiece and adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, the story follows young Dorothy and her little dog Toto who quest to find the Wizard of Oz and get home to Kansas, encountering friends and foes along the way. Full of heart, music and adventure, this movie still holds up almost 100 years later. Rated G but due to some scary content, treat this as a PG.

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

The Spring Equinox

In 2024, the official first day of spring is Tuesday, March 19. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox happens when the sun moves across the celestial equator from south to north. The celestial equator is an imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator. Picture yourself standing on the equator — during the equinox, the Sun would be directly overhead as it moves northward. During the spring equinox, both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere get about the same amount of sunlight. This means neither hemisphere is tilted more toward or away from the sun than the other.

“A Bug’s Life” (1998)

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

A Lifetime of Color and Creativity

Teaching tomorrow’s artists

By Kelly Romo, Contributing Writer

Janet Hickok knew that she loved drawing, coloring, and painting before she even started kindergarten. When everyone in her class was given a picture to color, she preferred to draw her own. Her mother was an artist, and her talents were passed down to Janet, who started participating in contests as early as 4th grade. She won her first art contest when she was only ten and got four dollars as a prize. Her passion for painting grew every day, and she knew from an early age that she wanted to become either an artist or a nurse.

Janet’s journey as an artist took a more significant turn when she had an inspired teacher in 6th and 7th grades. This exceptional teacher focused on the basics of art, like the color wheel, which she had to recreate using only the three primary colors and mixing the rest. The teacher taught as if she were educating high school or college students, which challenged Janet and helped her develop her skills further, laying the groundwork for her future as an artist and an educator.

Janet is enthusiastic about everything she does and loves to share her knowledge with others. She started to teach kids of all ages in her hometown in her consignment art shop, offering classes in drawing, pottery, and watercolors. When she moved to Alaska, she started teaching in different mediums and opened two studios. Eventually, Janet moved back to Oregon and got involved with Valley Art, where she started teaching again: it felt like coming home.

Janet’s passion for art education goes beyond the classroom, as she’s always looking for ways to help people learn about painting and other art forms. She’s been involved with many workshops, presentations, and events, establishing herself as a leader in the local community. She’s also an entrepreneur and has launched several businesses that focus on making art more accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level. Janet knows art can unite people and promote healing, growth, and creativity, and she’s committed to spreading that message.

Valley Art caters to a wide age range, from young children to adults. Janet adapts her teaching strategies to accommodate varying experience levels. The objective is not to create a specific resemblance but to allow students to play and enjoy the medium for what it can do. This approach makes art accessible and enjoyable to everyone, regardless of their prior experience or skill level, reinforcing the idea that art is not just about the end product but also about the process of creation.

Janet Hickok’s journey as an artist and an educator is inspirational. Her love for painting and eagerness to educate others has greatly benefited her local community wherever she has lived. She exemplifies how passion, dedication, and hard work can help anyone achieve their dreams.

If you’re interested in painting or want to learn more about the beauty of art, don’t hesitate to reach out to Valley Art and take a class with Janet. Valley Art is located at 2022 Main St., Forest Grove. She can be reached at 503-357-3703. For more information, visit www.valleyart.org

Cows, Racing, and Western Wonderland

The history of Alpenrose Dairy

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

Pony rides? Baseball? Go kart racing? A person unfamiliar with the history of Alpenrose Dairy might frown in confusion at the mention of such activities in relationship to a dairy, but for those of us fortunate enough to have grown up in the Portland area during the last half of the 20th century, the name Alpenrose conjures up so much more than just dairy products.

It all began in 1896 when Florian Cadonau, a Swiss immigrant, moved to Oregon with his wife Agnes. The couple purchased a dairy at 35th and Vermont (known then as Hoffman Road) and started delivering milk to customers via horse-drawn buggy. At the time, many Swiss immigrants were moving to Portland due to the state’s fertile land and temperate climate. So similar were Oregon and Switzerland in this respect that in 1912, Paul Ritter, the Swiss Ambassador to the United States, while touring the state called Oregon “a second, but a larger Switzerland.”

In 1916, Henry Cadonau, Florian’s son, along with his wife Rosina (daughter of the Swiss consul to Portland) took over the family business. Henry and Rosina established their own farm nearby at 45th and Vermont which they named Alpenrose Dairy. The next few decades saw Alpenrose expand its operations, thriving while other competing dairies fell prey to mergers and consolidations. However, in 1943 a fire destroyed a barn and other equipment, and the decision was made to relocate Alpenrose to its present location on Shattuck Road. For years the Alpenrose delivery truck was a common sight in Portland neighborhoods, delivering milk in glass bottles straight to the milk box at one’s front door. At its height, Alpenrose had 50 delivery trucks and 35,000 customers.

It was during the 1950s when Henry’s grandsons were playing baseball too near Rosina’s rose garden (and trampling some of her plants) that she tasked her husband with building a baseball field for the boys. It wasn’t long before the local Little League was playing there also, and dugouts, lights, and a scoreboard were subsequently added. In the following years two more fields were constructed, and Alpenrose became known for its excellent baseball facilities. For a number of years Alpenrose Field even hosted the Little League Softball World Series which was broadcast on ESPN.

As it turned out, the baseball fields were just the beginning of Alpenrose’s involvement in the community. A hundred Shetland ponies were purchased by the family shortly thereafter, and pony rides were offered to children visiting the dairy. The Cadonaus also brought the ponies to local events — making it possible for numerous children to experience their first horseback ride. Alpenrose trotted out their ponies to represent the dairy in many city parades as well.

Soon baseball and ponies were not the only attractions drawing people to Alpenrose. Uncle Ray, the father of Rod Birkland — a cousin of the Cadonau boys — being mechanically-minded, came up with the idea of a quarter-midget racing track. It wasn’t long before the idea became a reality, and child-sized race cars were zooming around a track a quartermile in length, set in a natural bowl shaped area with seating for up to 500 spectators. In addition to the midget racing track, a velodrome facility was added in 1967 for bicycle racing. Carl Cadonau Sr. was sold the idea by the owner of Kissler’s Cyclery, a longtime bicycle shop in Southwest Portland. At the time the Pan American games needed a location for cycling trials. The Alpenrose Velodrome was one of the first constructed in the U.S. for that purpose, and with the steepest bank of any outdoor velodrome in the world, it drew enthusiasts from around the globe.

With the popularity of the aforementioned facilities, the Cadonaus created a final addition to their burgeoning recreational wonderland — Dairyville. A dairy-themed village with Old West-style storefronts, the charming attraction featured a doll museum, a harness-maker’s shop, an ice cream parlor, a music shop, and a 600-seat opera house with a Skinner pipe organ (now located in Portland’s Keller Auditorium). For decades, Dairyland was the nexus of a plethora of community events, ranging from “Sunday Fundays” featuring kite flying and frog races to visits from Rusty Nails, a popular clown with a local television show for children. From trapeze acts to chariot racing, Alpenrose grew from just a local attraction to a major amusement venue for the entire region.

The winter holiday season saw Alpenrose transform into a magical place. Christmas in Dairyville featured Storybook Lane, an elaborate display with live animal displays and 300 Christmas trees set in a miniature town. Each year 400 volunteers gathered to set up and host this traditional event that drew thousands of families from around the area.

Rosina Cadonau became known simply as “Grandma” to generations of fourthgraders who field-tripped to Alpenrose to learn the operations of a dairy. “Swiss Miss” taught the children how to milk a cow and then escorted them across the street for ice cream and cookies baked by “Grandma.”

Today, Alpenrose Dairy remains in operation, but Dairyville is closed. The race tracks and sports fields, too, face an uncertain future. A dispute between family members that ended in litigation resulted in Alpenrose being sold to the Kent, Washington-based Smith Brothers Farms. Smith Brothers continue to operate the dairy under the Alpenrose name. In July of 2021, items from the former Storybook Lane and Dairyville were sold at auction, bringing to a close one of Portland’s most cherished cultural treasures.

For those of us who grew up in Portland with the good fortune to partake in the sporting events, pony rides, fireworks, and holiday fun that was Alpenrose, we will forever miss this magical place. But we should all thank the Cadonau family for their generosity, decades of hard work, and a community spirit that transformed a regular dairy into a place that will reside in our memories forever!

The College Tour

WOU will be featured in Amazon Prime TV show

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer Photos courtesy of WOU

Why choose Western Oregon University? For starters, WOU is a public university that offers students a unique and high-quality college experience. Students of diverse backgrounds, first-generation college students, transfer students and postgraduates alike appreciate the university’s smaller class sizes, student-led organizations, and a multitude of cultural and interest-specific clubs. Western is a place where students come together and adopt the charming town of Monmouth as their home-away-from-home. It is a place where lifelong friendships begin and individuals discover their strengths and talents. New found passions emerge and every care is given to support students’ overall health and well-being. At Western, a student is never alone!

Western will be featured in Amazon Prime’s award-winning show “The College Tour,” with host and executive producer, Alex Boylan. The series focuses on different colleges or universities in the United States in each episode, and includes stories of multiple college students’ experiences. University president Jesse Peters expresses, “I am excited that we now have the opportunity to share our unique story with a nationwide audience through this exceptional episode.” He further comments that “Western holds a special significance, particularly for first-generation and historically underrepresented students and those seeking

a personalized education that equips them for success in life.”

“The College Tour” WOU episode will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime on May 28, 2024 in season 11. However, Western’s “The College Tour” episode is available to watch now at wou.edu/the-college-tour/ and on The College Tour App. See what these students have to say! David Echevarria , an exercise science major, shares, “Western isn’t just a place about learning. It’s a place where creativity and innovation take root and flourish.”

Nancy Montecinos, a psychology major, and first in her family to attend college, finds encouragement to step out of her comfort zone and grow.

Max Smoot-Brown came to WOU for the criminal justice program and the hands-on experience.

Layla William came for the dance program but fell in love with the community and Western’s beautiful campus.

Justin Conklin, a lifelong athlete, transferred to complete his exercise science degree and compete in NCAA Division II track and field.

Aneli Godinez-Martinez, an exercise science major, participates in the student-led Freedom Center which provides peer to peer advising and other valuable student resources.

Keisha Taylor transferred into WOU’s renowned American Sign Language program and is learning skills to become a sign language interpreter. WOU has also helped her discover other hidden talents.

Hunter Hall, a graduate student in education and undergrad in mathematics, as well as current student body president, declares, “Western helps you to find your confidence and succeed.”

Brenda Rocio Martinez, a public policy & administration major and first-generation college student, appreciates bilingual and multicultural advisors and a strong connection with Latino culture.

Hannah Rispler, Secondary English education major and NCAA Division II women’s soccer athlete, finds harmony, balance, and camaraderie and promises, “It truly is a family environment at Western!”

Brenda Rocio Martinez (pictured left) Max Smoot-Brown (pictured right)

No House of Cards

Growing business protects your home investment

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer

Windows, doors, siding and roofs. Lifetime Windows & Doors has all your exterior needs covered! Serving the Pacific Northwest since 1998, with operations in Portland, Vancouver, Bend and a newly-opened Salem location, Lifetime has grown to be a local industry leader. When inclement weather has wreaked havoc on your home’s exteriors, then it’s time to take action. Call Lifetime Windows & Doors to ensure the outside elements stay outside!

Did you know that the average home loses approximately 30% of its thermal energy through the windows alone?

Lifetime Windows & Doors offers high-quality, energy-efficient replacements for both windows and doors from well-known manufacturers such as Milgard. With the opening of their newest location in Salem, Lifetime Windows & Doors is excited to be doing installs throughout the Willamette Valley, from Corvallis and Albany to Monmouth and Independence to Salem, Woodburn, McMinnville, Wilsonville and on up through Portland and Vancouver. And let’s not forget about their Bend location!

Lifetime Windows & Doors started 26 years ago when Carl Thompson, an Army vet and glass wholesaler, teamed up with his high school classmate and friend, Eric Peterson, who’d become a general contractor. The two grew up together in Milwaukie, Oregon, attended Rex Putnam High and worked their first jobs together. Today, their successful business venture is a testament to their friendship and shared values: Attitude is everything. One team. Own it. Make it better.

A positive attitude is important in any business and every employee at Lifetime Windows & Doors understands that “attitude is everything.” Those who recognize a problem in the workplace or identify a way to improve an aspect of their workflow are encouraged to “own it” and help the company to “make it better.” In that way, not only is efficiency improved, but employees are engaged in the process. Finally, employees are treated as family and mentored to recognize they are all part of “one team.”

When they cooperate and work together towards common goals, everyone wins!

As such, it made perfect sense when Kyle Steckly, an amazing team member from Bend who was relocating back to his hometown of Salem, asked Thompson and Peterson to be considered for setting up a Salem operation. A young family man who grew up in Salem, Steckly is now the Field Supervisor of the new Salem

branch, which is currently supported and overseen from Portland. “He’s our boots on the ground,” Peterson says of Steckly, “and will eventually run the Salem location fairly independently.” Zach Creswick, a qualified professional and enthusiastic local team member works alongside Steckly to provide “the same amazing service that for the last 26 years has kept thousands of customers in Oregon and Washington more comfortable, as well as providing more energy-efficient homes,” expresses Peterson.

The Lifetime Windows & Doors team looks forward to working with local members of the community for all their home exterior needs. Not only will your home investment be protected from the elements, quality siding and roofing as well as energy-efficient windows and doors can serve to increase the value of

your home, boost curb appeal and give voice to your personality.

In honor of our veterans who have served this great nation, Lifetime Windows & Doors offers a Veterans Discount to show their thanks and appreciation.

Call 971-265-6298 today for a free estimate or visit lifetimewindows.net for more information. Visit their new Salem showroom at 1330 12th St. SE, Suite 100.

Eric Peterson

Carl Thompson

Featuring dealers, demonstrations, speakers, display cases, silent auctions, scholarship auction, a fluorescent exhibit, treasure hunt (for kids 11 and under) and many fun games for the kids.

Baskets of Bliss

Upgrade your house with Hamblin’s flowers

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer Photos courtesy of Hamblin’s Nursery

This year, be the envy of all your neighbors. Embellish your yard with hanging baskets, bedding plants and vegetable starts from Hamblin’s Nursery!

There’s nothing quite like a gorgeous hanging basket to beautify the facade of your home or business. But let’s be honest, not all baskets are created equal. Many big box stores and nurseries throughout the valley simply don’t have the kind of passion or expertise to provide those flowering plants with the appropriate nutrients they need to flourish in our sometimes difficult climate. As inflation continues to diminish our purchasing power, we must be more selective than ever in choosing where to buy things. When it comes to hanging baskets, bedding plants, and vegetable starts, to get the most bang for your buck, there’s no better place than Hamblin’s Nursery in Dallas, Oregon.

Customers frequently comment about Hamblin’s, “Why are their plants so much healthier than everyone else’s? And “How do they get their leaves to be such a vibrant

green?” While the explanation is complex, the answer is simple: because owners John and Calene Hamblin have put in countless hours of research, trial and error to ensure the quality of their plants. Starting back in 2000, the business born of a genuine passion for agriculture, John and Calene opened for business selling plants at the Saturday Market in Salem. Before earning the stellar reputation they enjoy today, they were afraid people wouldn’t be willing to make the drive out to their property.

Word spread quickly however, and each year demand grew. John kept working, trying different combinations of flowers to discover what thrived in the local climate. He also developed the best bloom fertilizer (which he sells) especially formulated for the specific plants they sell. 24 years later the business is flourishing. Expanding from the eight greenhouses they had in 2017, they currently have a whopping 26, all built by John himself and they’re still growing! They no longer participate in the Saturday Market — all plants are sold from the retail outlet on their property — but people are more than happy to make the short drive since the quality of their plants is so superior!

Even more incredible is the fact that their prices are 40% to 50% cheaper than most of the competition! Twelve-inch hanging baskets are their biggest sellers and are priced at only $27 (or $25 each when you buy five or more). In a single season, they sell upwards of nearly 100,000 plants: more than 8,000 hanging plants and the cultivated individual offerings. But beware, it’s first come first served. While they are open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., it’s only until they run out of stock. Then their season is over. One year it took only 36 days to sell every single item!

If you’re looking for a pop of color to brighten your yard, look no further than Hamblin’s Nursery. Their season opens April 19, and inventory goes quickly, so don’t delay! Find them online at hamblinsnursery.com or on Facebook for more information. Hamblin’s is located at 4550 Kings Valley Hwy, just 4 short miles south of Dallas.

Only Four Miles South of Dallas

4550 Kings Valley Hwy

Dallas

503-508-4374

Hamblin’s NURSERY

Hanging Baskets · Annuals · Vegetable Starts

Nursery Hours

Open 7 days a week during growing season 9am–6pm

12-inch Hanging Baskets

100s of Varieties

Grows all season

Growing Season

Open middle of April until all plants are sold. Call for current season.

What our Customers are Saying

“

Every spring, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of my hanging basket from Hamblin’s Nursery. The vibrant splashes of color blend perfectly, making my front porch bright and beautiful all throughout the spring and summer.” Jane Emmons

“My son surprised me on Mother’s Day with a Hamblin’s Nursery hanging basket. I love their flowers with their colorful and long-lasting blooms. Neighbors often stop to ask me where I got the basket. I tell them Hamblin’s Nursery, the best place for quality flowers.” Kathy Edell

Delightful Driveway

INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME WITH PAVERS

Hello, friends! Ever notice how your driveway sets the stage for your home’s vibe? It’s like the opening act to a great show! So, why not make it a showstopper? When tackling a driveway project, there’s plenty to think about. Every detail matters, like pieces in a design puzzle, all coming together to create that perfect first impression. Be sure to check out our tips below!

1 EMBRACE PERMEABLE SURFACES

Living in the beautiful Willamette Valley means embracing water-conscious design. Opt for permeable pavers that not only allow rainwater to gently filter through but also offer sturdy support for your vehicles.

2 DEFINE WITH BOLD BORDERS

Add a touch of distinction to your outdoor spaces with bold border stones. These not only create clean lines but also effortlessly guide traffic, ensuring a harmonious flow between pedestrian and vehicle zones.

3 ELEVATE WITH CONTRASTING COLORS

Infuse your entrance with personality by playing with contrasting colors. This simple yet effective technique promises to imbue your home’s exterior with an eyecatching allure that guests won’t soon forget.

4 ENDURING SURFACES

Paving stones promise a lifetime of enjoyment, providing durability and timeless charm for your driveway surface.

westerninterlock.com

The Concrete Advantage.

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