Sherwood Community Advantage Magazine March 2023

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

Hilary Berg, Sr. Graphic Designer

Holly Darling, Sr. Graphic Designer

Brittany Jungenberg, Sr. Graphic Designer

Shawn Schmidt, 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 Tyler Francke

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

Ashley Berotte Mary Kay Wiens

COVER FEATURE: Bull Mountain Family Dentistry

MEET THE ARTIST: Blake Sakamoto

OREGON HISTORY: Wolfer’s Prairie

The Luck of the Irish

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

Irish culture–a blend of folklore, superstition, and Catholic beliefs–is known for their lucky symbols like shamrocks, leprechauns, and horseshoes. But the phrase ‘the luck of the Irish’ wasn’t actually about good luck–originally it was bad luck! This was due, according to Elizabeth Stack, Executive Director of the Irish American Heritage Museum, to the high fatalities of Irish laborers during the gold rush. A big reason for these modern lucky symbols is due to Irish immigration into the U.S., as the Irish brought symbols of their culture as a means of comfort in a strange new land. And of course, like storytelling, the symbols changed over time. These days, the luck of the Irish is legendary and their symbols are popular worldwide.

Shamrock vs. Four-Leaf Clover

You may not know this (I didn’t!), but shamrocks are not the same as four-leaf clovers. Shamrocks actually have three leaves, grow in clumps, and come in green, purple, or white. Whereas clovers grow alone, usually do not have four leaves, and thus four leaf-leaf clovers (as we know) are extremely rare. The shamrock is the true Irish symbol of luck, as St. Patrick used the shamrock, which has three leaves, to describe the Holy Trinity. Yet, for some reason, perhaps due to its rarity, the four-leaf clover took over as the more popular symbol.

Leprechaun

The leprechaun, which we know from pop culture, may be rooted in the Irish belief of fairies, who supposedly live among us but stay hidden with magic. Interestingly, the leprechaun is believed to be one class of fairy among many, not a stand-alone magical creature. The leprechaun, of course, is a widely recognizable symbol, known as the mascot of Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Lucky Charms, but especially known are the potential rewards of finding a leprechaun and getting a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. So much so that there are countless designs for kids’ leprechaun traps online, but they are more for fun and celebration than catching the real magical creature.

Horseshoes

Horseshoes are definitive in Irish culture for many reasons. In folklore, the devil appears at a blacksmith and demands shoes, so the blacksmith nails burning hot shoes to his hooves. The devil walks away in pain and swears to keep away from them forever, thus the idea of horseshoes warding off evil spirits. Additionally, early Western Europeans believed iron was magical and could drive away evil, such as malevolent fairies and witches–which is why witches ride broomsticks, not horses. Then there’s the number of holes in horseshoes, seven, known worldwide as lucky: seven continents, seven colors in the rainbow, seven seas, seven days of the week. And there are 2 ways you can hang a horseshoe for good luck. Hanging a horseshoe heels up (like a U) keeps the good luck from running out of the shoe and inside the building. And hanging a horseshoe heels down allows good luck to flow down on everyone who walks underneath it. Sometimes people would even bury a horseshoe under the cornerstone of a new building for good luck.

Henna Workhop

Saturday, March 18, 2023 - 8:30am

Wendy Rover from Roving Horse Henna brings us a hands-on, 2-hour workshop on the history of henna and how to apply it to your hands and feet. All supplies included. – Ages 12 to adult. Registration required.

Teen Book Club 2022-2023

Repeats every month on the second Wednesday. Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - 4:00pm

If you’re in grade 9-12 and love reading, join us in our Teen Book Club! On the 2nd Wednesday of each month, we’ll meet to discuss books and play games. We are currently planning to meet in person this year.

STEAM Saturday

Repeats every month on the last Saturday. Saturday, March 25, 2023 - 11:00am

Stop by the library from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. for a dose of STEAM today. We will have lots of STEAM Stations: Snap Circuits, 3-D pens, Magnetic Tiles, and several other building stations.

BULL MOUNTAIN FAMILY DENTISTRY Highest Level of Care and Comfort

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

Good dental hygiene is a crucial aspect of our overall health and well-being. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has gone on record saying that poor oral hygiene can be linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory diseases. As more and more of these new revelations come to light, the importance of finding a good dentist who maintains a cutting edge holistic approach to their practice can’t be overstated. In our area, there is none better than Bull Mountain Family Dentistry.

Dr. Schuyler and her team are at the forefront of the industry. Not only are they exceedingly current on all the latest technologies and procedures (and utilizing the most advanced equipment), but they are genuinely passionate about the work they do. They consider themselves to be the “front line” with regards to many health concerns, and they take that responsibility very seriously. They treat the “whole patient,” screening for sleep apnea and oral cancer as a part of the normal exam.

In addition to all aspects of general dentistry, they offer: dental exams and cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, periodontal care, Invisalign® clear aligners, teeth whitening with KöR®, single-visit restorations with CEREC®, and dental implants. Perhaps most importantly though is the relaxed and customized approach they take with every patient. They actually listen, take your specific needs and concerns into consideration, and then act accordingly.

Dr. Schuyler and her team insist on spending however much time it takes to establish real, life-long connections with their patients. They strive to learn exactly what your personal needs and desires are, and then work with you to realize those goals. When Dr. Schuyler took over the practice in 2011, she transformed it into a full-service dental office which focuses not only on preventative and restorative work, but also and especially on reconstructive and cosmetic work. She believes this is where they can make the biggest impact on their patient’s lives.

This is not a “job” for Dr. Schuyler. It is a calling, something she lives and breathes on a daily basis, and she is absolutely committed to providing the best care possible to her patients. In recent years they have been expanding, adding additional doctors to better keep up with demand, and in March of 2023 the office will be getting a facelift: new carpets, flooring, paint, furniture, and more, as well as a new operatory for more exam/hygiene space.

Bull Mountain Family Dentistry has one mission: to provide every patient with the highest level of care and comfort possible. Why would you even consider going anywhere else? Contact them today for your next appointment!

Bull Mountain Family Dentistry is located at 15885 SW 116th Ave in Tigard, just off Hwy 99W. Visit their website at bullmountainfamilydentistry.com for more information, or call them at 503-639-5025 to make an appointment.

Dr. Jennifer O'Connor

Dr. Nirvana Schuyler

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The Local Legend Blake Sakamoto

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

The coolest man with the coolest hair to ever rock the keys from the Pacific Northwest!

Mr. Congeniality himself, Blake Sakamoto of Dan Reed Network (DRN) fame, is one of the most affable guys you could ever meet. Warm, friendly, and incredibly down to earth, he is a human being first—a genuine family man—and an amazingly talented, world-renowned musician second. Born and raised here in Oregon, he is a local boy who made it big, who played on the world’s stage, and who continues to rock venues across the region with his own band to this day!

Ironically, Blake wanted to play guitar!

When he was 7 or 8 years old, his parents insisted that he learn to play the piano–that’s what all of the parents were doing at the time.

But young Blake envisioned himself slinging the six-stringed ax and playing the music he heard on the radio! It wasn’t until years later that he learned to appreciate the kind of versatility and unique expression the keyboard offered. And of course, it was his virtuosity and mastery of the instrument, not to mention his great personality, which brought him fame. He honed his chops playing in a variety of bands throughout high school, but they weren’t your typical “high school bands.” They were good! There were some extraordinarily talented players around Portland during that time–many who went on to make it big–and Blake was a peer. When one of them asked Blake to move to L.A. to join his band, he took the plunge!

Over time the band put some things together and were on the verge of getting signed, when Dan Reed called. Dan already had a record deal and was based out of Portland, Blake’s hometown. The opportunity was too good to pass up, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Blake played with the DRN from 1987 through 1993–their most prolific and successful period–at which point the band went on hiatus. Following that, he played intermittently with other bands–even forming a band called Slow Rush with DRN drummer Dan Pred for a few years–until the DRN reformed in 2012. They played together for another 3 years until Blake retired from the band in 2015 to spend more time with his family.

These days, Blake can be seen on stage with his current band, The Nu Wavers. The “sexiest of all cover bands” (Blake says with a nod and a wink!), they play creativelycrafted medleys of songs from the ’70s onward; all the best parts of all the best songs, and they are fantastic!

Blake is also a fullylicensed insurance agent–recruited by Country Financial during the pandemic–and spends his free time being a “foodie,” traveling, and attending the theater with his girlfriend Bronwyn—when she’s not performing as a guest vocalist for The Nu Wavers. Follow the band on Facebook to learn of upcoming shows!

Press photo from Blake’s early stint with Dan Reed Network

Blake with his band The Nu Wavers

Irish Soda Bread

INGREDIENTS

4 cups all-purpose flour

½ cup butter, softened

4 tablespoons white sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg

¼ cup butter, melted ¼ cup buttermilk

Optional: Currants or raisins

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.

2. Mix flour, softened butter, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Add currants or raisins if desired. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on the prepared baking sheet.

3. Combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk in a small bowl; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an ‘X’ into the top of the loaf.

4. Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.

Top with butter or honey butter.

This classic Irish soda bread is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, but you’ll want to make it all year long.

YOUR HOMETOWN REAL ESTATE EXPERT

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OFFICE: 503.538.8311

WOLFER FAMILY HISTORY:

THE LOST TALE OF ‘WOLFER’S PRAIRIE’

By Tyler Francke, Contributing Writer

Longtime Canby residents may be familiar that before Canby was officially named “Canby,” the town was instead known as Baker Prairie, a name that lives on today in the likes of Baker Prairie Middle School and Baker’s Prairie Bakery.

But very few will know the tale of the neighboring settlement of Wolfer’s Prairie. Though little known, the story of the Wolfer family certainly deserves to be told and remembered. It’s the story of what was once one of the area’s most prominent pioneer families — and one that dovetails with many of the region’s, and even the state’s, most formative events of their early history.

Our story begins with James F. Shirley, a Missourian who, at the age of 30, joined a wagon train bound for the Oregon Territory in 1847. Along the Oregon Trail, he met and married 17-year-old Luvina Mark. They arrived in Oregon City on October 12, 1847, and soon set their sights on a 596.62-acre donation land claim just south of what would become Mark Prairie, today the home of the still-standing historic Mark Prairie Schoolhouse.

A chilling piece of history that would follow both the Mark and Shirley families — as well as Philander and Anna

Lee, whose donation land claim would later be platted as downtown Canby, and others who traveled the Oregon Trail that year — was that their paths crossed with Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, and their doomed ministry to the American Indians of the Cayuse tribe at Waiilatpu, near modern-day Walla Walla.

In November 1847, mere weeks after the Marks, Lees and Shirleys had wound their way through the Blue Mountains in northeastern Oregon, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and 11 others were killed by the Cayuse in an infamous episode that history would remember as the Whitman Massacre, the Walla Walla Massacre, and the Tragedy at Waiilatpu.

The Cayuse accused Marcus Whitman, a physician, of poisoning some 200 members of their tribe, when in actuality they were probably suffering from measles the doctor had been unable to treat. The incident led directly to the founding of the Oregon Territory in 1848 and the outbreak of the Cayuse War, which would last until 1855.

In 1856, William Keil, founder of the communal religious society in Bethel, Missouri, purchased land and a functioning mill south of Oregon City, renaming it Aurora Colony Mills after his daughter, Aurora. Ten years later, Keil purchased land from James and Luvina Shirley for $3,000, which he began sectioning off in parcels for colony members who did

Mark Prairie Schoolhouse

not want to reside in Aurora and be a part of communal living.

Rudolph Wolfer, his wife Catherine Vogt Wolfer, and their nine children were among the members of the original Bethel Colony who traveled to Oregon in the second wagon train in 1863 to join the Aurora Colony. Keil sent the Wolfers and several other families out to settle the large tract in the Needy area that the colony had purchased from James Shirley.

Due to the large size of the Wolfer clan — which would continue to grow in the years to come — the area would soon come to be known as “Wolfer’s Prairie.” The Wolfers primarily farmed hops and grain in those years, and records show they were always willing to help neighboring farmers with their threshing and in the Zimmerman tannery, which later burned down likely around 1910.

Wolfer Prairie was a region densely grown over with timber, which the family harvested to build their homes. Before the railroad, lumber was expensive in the open prairie, but when the trains started, Cole’s sawmill was built in Aurora. James Shirley was a skilled carpenter and helped build the original log school at Needy.

One of the most prevalent timbers found on the farm was white oak, a naturally rot-resistant and strong species of

lumber, which made it a good choice for outdoor use. White oak has traditionally been used to make railroad ties, fence posts, ships, and whiskey barrels. The last of these trees were most likely harvested on the back portion of the 130-acre property in the 1950s.

Wolfer family lore holds numerous stories of interactions with American Indians, most likely from the Molalla tribe, who would travel on horseback across Bear Creek and across the area farms trading beads, wild game, and animal skins for chickens, potatoes and other vegetables, and fruit. There was an abundance of fruit trees on the farm, including plum, cherry, apple and pear.

Rudolph Wolfer, great-greatgrandfather of Judith (Wolfer) Aus of Canby, quit-claimed his 130 acres to his son, Benjamin J. Wolfer, on October 24, 1888, for the sum of $2,800. Benjamin carried on farming operations, adding fruit trees along with horses and cattle. Benjamin J. Wolfer died on June 14, 1926, from injuries sustained after falling out of a cherry tree, and left the property to his only child, Benjamin “Benny” Rudolph.

Benny Wolfer worked the fields by hand with his workhorses and plows. Soil aeration was usually done using massive spiked rollers pulled by oxen or horses that could weigh more than 1,100 lbs. When he bought his first tractor in 1954, he found old habits die hard. His son, Leonard, who was working in the adjacent berry field, would later recall

that he heard his father shouting, “Whoa, whoa!” along with numerous expletives. Needless to say, the tractor did not respond to Benny’s verbal commands — and plowed straight through the fence anyway.

Benjamin J. and Benny Wolfer were also well-known for raising champion fighting game fowl, strikingly colorful and notably aggressive birds who would occasionally chase the grandchildren if they happened to escape their cages next to the old farmhouse. While illegal in Oregon, the Wolfers found a market for good fighting gamecocks in southeast Asia.

Today, part of the Wolfer Prairie property on Zimmerman Road serves as one of the main research and testing sites for Pure Seed, a global leader in grass seed research, production, marketing, and services based in Canby.

A 15-acre portion was deeded to Benny’s son, Leonard G. Wolfer, and his wife Hazel Swartout Wolfer, on January 9, 1945, for $10. The property had a sheep shed at the front of the property, which Leonard converted into a two-story house with wood floors and no insulation. He established a berry farm with six varieties of berries that was later converted to Christmas trees.

When Leonard George Wolfer passed away on January 22, 2004, his death ended a deep heritage on the same soil — 140 years of Rudolph Wolfer’s ancestors residing on and working the rich soil of Wolfer Prairie.

Leonard George Wolfer

Owner Concert School of Music Wilsonville