West Salem Community Advantage April 2024

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

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Dedicated for Life

By Kate Walpole, Cross & Crown Counseling

Most marriages start out with the excitement of swimming in a sea of love with all the hopes, dreams, and possibilities seemingly infinite. Individual strengths are attractive and weaknesses are often overlooked. Oxytocin being released promotes the excitement of bonding and positive feelings. With the best foot forward and the confidence of an emotional security blanket that they are loved, a young couple launches into the covenant of marriage. It is an exciting time of life, yet most individuals are not prepared for the future that is ahead

of them. Often within the first year of marriage couples begin to realize that their personal view of love and certain perceptions of life determined by their own self-focused insight about themselves does not line up with their

spouses, and expectations unmet become disappointments. Our emotional capacity is realized, fears and insecurities may rise to the surface and for some the joy of marriage becomes confusing and painful. This very point in a marriage can become the turning point for each person to grow

into the best version of themselves. It will take commitment and perseverance.

To build a relationship that will last, couples must realize the importance of understanding the family of origin dynamics, how they felt about those years and what “self-boundaries” were established. Each person must move from a love that feeds their own needs to one that exists to meet the needs of the other person. This type of love finds joy and fulfillment in watching their spouse grow and become a better person, understanding that there may be a cost to self at times. This love will recognize their own need to grow and will be committed to ensure it happens. Compassion, humility and understanding are vital for developing a marriage that is fulfilling and will last for a lifetime. Be willing to seek help to understand each other. A teachable heart is a changeable heart.

Hoaxes & Hilaria

April Fools’ Day through the ages

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

Gregorian Calendar

April Fools’ Day is often credited to the calendar reform of 1582 in France, during the transition from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. Before this change, the new year began with the spring equinox around April 1, consistent with traditions in other cultures such as the Hindu calendar.

However, with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar and the shifting of New Year’s Day to January 1, the observance of the new year got complicated. Some people were unaware or just refused to change and continued to celebrate the new year in late March through April 1, and these people were subjected to jests and pranks and mockingly called “April fools.”

A popular prank played back then involved placing paper fish on the backs of unsuspecting victims and referring to them as “poisson d’avril” (April fish), a term which supposedly symbolized both the innocence of a young, easily caught fish and that person’s gullibility. From there, a tradition of good-humored tricks, pranks and mischief began.

Hilaria in Rome

April Fools’ Day’s origins have also been credited to festivals like Hilaria in ancient Rome, celebrated by followers of the cult of Cybele. Hilaria, “joyful” in Latin, involved disguises and mockery, possibly inspired by Egyptian mythology. Another theory suggests a tie to the vernal equinox, with nature’s unpredictable weather fooling people.

The tradition spread in Britain during the 18th century, with Scotland adding a two day celebration. The first day, “hunting

the gowk,” sent people on fake errands (gowk meaning cuckoo bird, a symbol for a fool). This was followed by Tailie Day, featuring pranks on people’s butts such as pinning fake tails or “kick me” signs on them.

Modern Day

Nowadays April Fools’ Day has become a playground for elaborate hoaxes. Newspapers, TV stations and websites will often create outrageous fictional claims to fool their audiences. In 1957, the BBC reported a record spaghetti crop in Switzerland, complete with footage of noodles being harvested from trees. In 1985, Sports Illustrated published a fake article about a pitcher named Sidd Finch throwing over 168 mph.

In 1992, NPR had a Richard Nixon impersonator announce a presidential run. In 1996, Taco Bell announced the purchase of Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell, renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. And lastly, in 1998, Burger King advertised a “Left-Handed Whopper.” Google, on the other hand, has now become known for its annual pranks, from a “telepathic search” to turning Google Maps into Pac Man.

OREGON BLACK HISTORY SPOTLIGHT: JOE LILLARD

Mattress World NW is a local, family-owned business dedicated to helping their customers get a better night’s sleep, serving their community and helping their employees have the best life possible. We serve our customers with the best selection in the NW and ensure confidence in your new mattress with free delivery and haul away, plus a 90 night comfort and price guarantee.

We support many local charities in the community like Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Senior Citizens Council of Clackamas County, Special Olympics Oregon, and many smaller organizations including high school fundraisers, for which we’ve raised over $200,000.

This April we are supporting Make-A-Wish Oregon’s World Wish Month campaign. World Wish Month celebrates all wish kids past, present and future, and is a remembrance of the first ever wish granted for Chris Greicius back in 1980. Thanks to the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, every dollar raised here in Oregon will be matched up to $300,000. Learn more at www.oregon.wish.org/worldwishday.

Thank you for your support! We are proud to serve your community.

CREATING JOY FOR CHILDREN FIGHTING CRITICAL ILLNESS

My name is Indie. I am 6 years old.

My wish was to be a princess. I love putting on princess outfits, going in the backyard and belting out my favorite songs. In fact, my neighbors knew when I got sick with cancer because they didn’t hear me singing in the backyard anymore.

After treatment, my wish brought me to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the Walt Disney World® Resort. It was a total surprise. It brought me to this very good place where I wanted to be for two years. It felt like I was in the world where princesses live. I loved it very much!

My wish also created a special core memory for my family as we were watching the fireworks over the castle. I wanted to show my mom and dad how happy I felt, so I took a glow stick and made the shape of a cancer ribbon to wave high. It showed me that fighting cancer gives me power.

Today, I’m asking you to support me in donating so we can share that renewed strength with future wish kids.

Let’s show other kids in our community what can happen when a group of caring people rally around them to make dreams come true. Donate today in support of local, life-changing wishes, like mine.

“A Bug’s Life” (1998)

“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.

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

“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.

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!

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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Vehicle Repairs You Can Trust

Auto shop puts customer service first

with their work whether you come in for routine maintenance or repair services.

Javier Castaneda, owner and operator of J’s Mechanic Shop in Dallas, started this family business in 2022. “I grew up around my dad and uncle always working on cars,” Javier relates. “They’d ask me to hand them a wrench or some other tool and eventually I ended up with a tool in my hand and thought I should do something with it.” Javier remembers doing a brake job or working on suspension jobs as early as 12 years old. His first job in a shop was mopping floors, because at the time, he was too young to work as a mechanic, though in his mind he thought, “maybe someday I’ll work on a car.”

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer

At J’s Mechanic Shop, “Every Job is Personal.” Serving Yamhill and Polk County areas, J’s repairs all makes and models of gas and diesel automobiles. J’s also offers their own brand of concierge service — Mobile Mechanic Pick Up and Drop Off. We’ve all had those times when getting the car into the shop is just downright inconvenient and for some, nearly impossible. You can’t get away from work or maybe you’re home with a sick child. No worries: just let J’s Mechanic Shop know where your car will be. They’ll come pick it up and transport it to the shop for you. Once the repairs are completed, let them know where to drop it off. With more than a decade of experience in shop mechanics, J’s offers the quality you’d expect from a dealership, but with a more personal and friendly atmosphere.

You can trust J’s Mechanic Shop to perform excellent service and make only the repairs necessary to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Using the most up-to-date specialized tools and diagnostic software they can advise repairs based on the health of your vehicle. Quotes for parts and labor are always free. Diagnostics, however, is a chargeable service at any mechanic shop. Focused on customer service, J’s guarantees complete satisfaction

By the time Javier was 15 he’d rebuilt his first engine. It was a 1988 Toyota Supra which he still owns and it has been running since the day he built it. “In the car community a Toyota Supra is a big deal,” says Javier. “This was a very motivating phase of my life – to be able to achieve a boy’s dream.” He was given a scholarship which he wanted to use only for automotive, turning his love and experience in automotive services into a career. Driven by great customer service, Javier has built a business to be proud of. A strong communicator, he is bilingual in English and Spanish. “People need to be able to communicate,” he says. He’s also a board member for Polk CDC.

J’s Mechanic Shop is located at Building D, 888 SE Monmouth Cut Off Rd. in Dallas. Phone (503)420-9996, email themechanicauto1@gmail.com or visit jsmechanicshop.com to schedule your service!

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

Barn Charm

The enduring legacy of old barns

By Angie Helvey, Contributing Writer

Over 350,000 pioneers on the Oregon Trail came to the Pacific Northwest and put down roots in the Willamette Valley in the mid-1800s. Promised a new life full of opportunity, most came to farm the land and were granted acreage upon arrival

The settlers brought herds of cattle and other animals, so the barn was usually one of the first structures constructed on newly acquired land, second only to the primary dwelling. The “barn raising” was a big event, and the whole family, friends, and neighbors pitched in. Barns symbolize the agricultural abundance that founded our nation and a way of life that focuses on success through hard work and pride in family. People were striving for selfsustainability and a way to feed their loved ones.

When you walk into a barn, you’re transported

to another dimension full of vivid sounds and smells, different depending on the season. In the summer, there are fragrances of fresh grass and sweat, and the empty, quiet crevices have surely seen many a first kiss or a teenage boy sneaking a smoke. In the winter, the scents of manure, feed, and hay are more apparent, as are the soft murmurs of animals in the background. The essence of a horse barn is a mixture of the earthy, dusty smell of the horses with traces of sweet leather and musty metal.

Nowadays, it’s rare to grow up on a farm, but most everyone did in Oregon’s early days. For them, the sounds and smells of a barn trigger a waterfall of memories, like the first calf they ever saw born, brown-eyed and wobbly-legged. They’re reminded of discovering a new litter of kittens in the hayloft or grandpa teaching them to milk a cow. Barn dances became popular in the early 1900s, allowing farmers and their families to socialize and dance to traditional folk music. Many a farmer’s child recalls watching the colorful skirts and cowboy boots flying across the floors.

Because most barns were constructed for a specific purpose, utilizing them in today’s world can be challenging, especially with all the work required for restoration. One of the oldest still standing is the barn at Merrywood Farm in Oregon City, a classic post and beam construction erected in 1907.

Families repurpose their old barns in a variety of ways. Some work to restore the building for an event venue — the perfect place for a country wedding. Others turn them into breweries or a bed-and-breakfast. Liepold Farms in Boring converted their barn into a tasting room for their ciders and adorned the walls with old farm tools. Some families are forced to tear down these structures due to safety issues, but they

Grain storage barn (1840)

Webber Barn (1912)

Barn in Sisters, OR (1800s)

can still repurpose the materials. Barn wood makes the most beautiful rustic furniture and its charm and character still tell the story of the old days.

Barn enthusiasts collect old artifacts and pictures of old barns in Oregon and throughout the nation. They’re forever fascinated by the rustic craftsmanship and how it

embodies our country’s rich history in agriculture and the simple life our society has left behind. You see these people on the side of a country road, admiring an old relic and stopping to snap a photo. Someday, all these old structures will be gone, and the visual depictions are what we’ll have left: a window to a world where human

beings were more connected to the land than their cell phones.

Restore Oregon’s Heritage Barns Task Force is dedicated to identifying and protecting old barns and other structures representing the state’s rich agricultural heritage. For information and resources, visit their website at restoreoregon.org/ heritage-barns/.

Merry Wood Barn (1907)

Nelson Barn (1920s)

Smith Barn (1895)

Elliot Barn (1895)