INSIDE TEASER: Tillamook and Nestucca track teams competed at the Meet of Champions P11
WATCH ONLINE Hundreds of people turned out for the annual Netarts salmon fin clipping event. Watch at tillamookheadlightherald.com
Headlight Herald WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
Grilled Cheese winners named
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
The screen is dark
by Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@countrymedia.net A “Raspberry Black Pepper Melt,” grilled to perfection, won Kelly Aldrich of Spokane, Wash., the grand prize in the Tillamook cheese factory’s grilled cheese contest April 12. Aldrich told the Headlight Herald, “I love raspberries… and it was interesting to me that they had a cracked black pepper cheese and I thought it would go really well with raspberries.” The contest, now in its fourth year, was created as a way to celebrate National Grilled Cheese Month, said Tori Harms, the Tillamook County Creamery Association’s corporate communications manager. “What better way to celebrate this classic dish than with a little friendly competition showcasing some unique, irresistible combinations of warm, buttery bread and melted cheese?” Aldrich’s creation was chosen for the final cook-off from more than 60 entries nationwide. Runners-up were included Renata Stanko of Lebanon, Ore. with her “Johnny Appleseed’s Grilled Cheese Hog Sandwich,” and Amy Spence of Tillamook with her “Smokin’ Grilled Cheese Veggie Supreme.” The three finalists had gathered at the cheese factory for the live cook-off. Contestants’ sandwiches were evaluated by a panel of judges for appearance, cheese flavor, amount of cheese, pairing of ingredients, and overall impression of the sandwich. After much deliberation, the judges awarded Aldrich the title, $500 in prize money and a Tillamook Cheese gift basket. See GRILLED, Page A2
VOL. 125, NO. 16 • $1.00
Regional gasoline prices are still going up by Jeremy Ruark The News Guard
Photo by Chelsea Yarnell
The Coliseum Theater in Downtown Tillamook has been closed since January. It will remain closed until a new owner comes forward.
Theater closes indefinitely by Adam Schwend aschwend@countrymedia.net Early the week of Sept. 25, 1923, Tillamook County residents gathered to celebrate the opening of “Tillamook’s new, modern fireproof theatre,” the Coliseum. World-famous theater organist Merle R. Harrington was brought in to play the movie theater’s Mammoth Smith Unit organ, as well as to compose and arrange a variety of musical works for the
grand opening. Mrs. Marion Daggett provided vocal music, followed by “an All Star Cast” performing John Golden’s play “Three Wise Fools.” Now, almost 92 years later, the movie theater they were triumphantly celebrating has closed, perhaps forever. The Coliseum, subtitled then as “The Shrine of Art and Music,” took its mission in the community seriously. In its artistic policy statement, it declared (theatrically)
that, “The Coliseum has a mission – and an obligation – to reflect in its trust phases the Art of the Cinema and Stage and as the crucible draw forth the dross and prove the gold, mistress to that will-o’th’wisp we so lightly call diversion and slave to its fullest realization.” Today, the location of the Coliseum’s iconic organ is unknown, having been moved to a local resident’s home decades ago, acSee THEATER, Page A8
Prices at the gas pumps continue to climb says the Oregon/ Idaho AAA, including along Oregon’s coast. The national average for regular unleaded increased by 3 cents this week to $3.59 a gallon, while the Oregon average gained 4 cents to $3.67. In Tillamook, motorists are paying from $3.69 to $3.79 a gallon. Drivers continue to pay less than a year ago, although the gap is shrinking. The national average is 8 cents less than last year on this date, the Oregon average 4 cents less. At this time last year, prices were falling in many markets, so the year-over-year discount is likely to close and return to a premium in the near future. Seasonal refinery maintenance and a mandated switchover to producing summer-blend gasoline have been cited as the major factors putting upward pressure on gas prices. Pump prices in all but seven states moved higher over the past week. The Oregon average is in the range where AAA expects the prices may top out this spring, between about $3.65 and $3.85 a gallon. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, analysts don’t expect the statewide average to exceed $4 a gallon this summer. Prices usually are above the state average at tourist locations such as the Oregon coast, primarSee GAS, Page A5
INDEX Classified Ads.......................B5-9 Crossword Puzzle.................... B2 Fenceposts...........................B3-4 Letters......................................A4 Obituaries................................A6 Opinions..................................A4 Sports...............................A11-12
LONGEST-RUNNING BUSINESS IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY SINCE 1888
Photo by Chelsea Yarnell
Owner Valerie Wilkes and kids play at her newly re-opened childcare and preschool facility in Tillamook: Little Beans. The center previously was located off of Highway 101 before the construction of the intersection at Latimer Road.
Little Beans reopens in Tillamook by Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@countrymedia.net Little Beans Learning Center has reopened in Tillamook and has openings for childcare and preschool.
After the center’s prior location was demolished in the construction of the intersection at U.S. Highway 101 and Latimer Road, owner Valerie Wilkes said she went to work at the Tillamook YMCA’s preschool.
The opportunity to reopen the business came when Wilkes partnered with Becky Nelson and they remodeled a house at 714 Laurel Avenue in Tillamook. With 15 years of combined
experience, the two said they offer programs designed to prepare youngsters for kindergarten. “We’re doing a regular academic curriculum and See BEANS, Page A5