Linn Benton Edition April 2015 by Northwest50Plus

LINN & BENTON COUNTIES EDITION APRIL 2015 • FREE!

SOMETHING OLD ... is new again This vintage clothing collection has got real style

Photo by Dan Wise

By JOY MASSEY

Above, Jocelyn Wagner enjoys playing around with her vintage clothing collection, including this hat and dress from the “Roaring ‘20s.” Left, this pretty pink dress from the 1940s is part of Wagner’s collection. She often loans out her dresses for local fashion show fundraisers (submitted photo).

BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

ocelyn Wagner runs her hands through the racks of her vintage fashion collection, picking out a beautiful silk dress from the

1920s. “History comes alive because of these clothes,” she says. “I can sense that someone had a wonderful time wearing this.” Wagner, who lives in Scio, has one of the largest and most unique vintage clothing collections in the area. It includes casual dresses and formal wear dating as far back as the early 1900s, although a handful of pieces are even older. “I never really had an interest in history – it was so dry – until this collection came along, and now I just have such a feel for it,” she says. “I get excited seeing these, and I’ve done research about what life was like when people were wearing these. The music, the movies, the culture – it’s just fascinating.” Her face seems to light up as she rifles through the clothes — “gorgeous wedding dresses and bolero jackets, and exquisite brocade robes”

“Many clothes from the 1930s were very stylish and elegant ... Hollywood sought to distract people from their troubles.” Jocelyn Wagner — packed tightly on hangers. She eventually stops to hold up a long pink lace dress decorated with rhinestones. “This dress is one of my

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favorites,” she says. It’s from the ‘30s and it looks really pretty on.” Another dress, this one long, slinky and black, was a “saloon dress,” which Wagner says is about 110 years old. “The ostrich pluming on it is not original, but even that is still at least

50 years old,” she says. “People in antique car clubs often like to dress in the era of the car, they go out on these drives and have a great time.” Yet another dress from the 1930s is a strapless satin, belted and cut on the bias, two features typical of that era, she says. “Many clothes in the 1930s were very stylish and elegant. Even though it was a difficult time in American history, Hollywood sought to distract people from their troubles, and those who could afford to followed suit, wearing glamorous clothes with a long, lean look.”

Acquisition Wagner acquired her vintage collection somewhat unexpectedly nearly 11 years ago after her friend Carol Bates died. Bates had been building the collection for 25 years and often hosted fashion shows with the items, in which Wagner was a model. “I really set out to help Carol’s

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OLD CONTINUED FROM P. 1

daughter sell the collection,” she says. “I wanted to find someone who would maintain it and keep it together. There was a man who wanted to buy it and take it to California. He bought some pieces and then we found out that they were disassembling the clothes and using them to make other clothes. I got weak in the knees at the thought of it.” She shared her feelings about the collection with her husband, and he suggested she just buy the rest of the clothing. “There was no question in my mind,” Wagner says. “When he gave me his support, I knew I wanted it. It was a big investment, but I’ve never regretted it.” She’s now hosted 10 vintage fashion shows of her own. Each includes a narrated history and popular music of the eras represented as models walk down the runway. The shows often are fundraisers and feature models who are members of the sponsoring group, local high school students and community members. “I’ve had wonderful feedback from people who have come to the shows,” she says. “They generally end up telling their friends, and wanting to buy tickets for the next one.”

The collection Wagner has added to the collection over the years, buying some pieces and accepting donations from friends. The clothes are delicate because of their age, and many had to be repaired, cleaned or mended with utmost care. She ensures they also are protected from moisture, pests, too much light and handling. The clothes are stored in a temperature-regulated room; and the hats, shoes and gloves are stored in individually-labeled boxes, and recorded in notebooks that include some of her historical research on the various designers and materials. The collection includes shoes, gloves, jewelry, purses, and nearly 400 vintage hats. “The only thing that isn’t completely vintage is some of the shoes and costume jewelry,” Wagner says. “I had to get some replicas to complete the outfits, so the models would have a complete outfit authentic to the era.” Two of the oldest pieces date back to the 1800s. “This black satin dress could easily

Submitted photo

Another piece from her collection. Lace is a common theme in styles through the decades. have been worn by someone during the Civil War,” Wagner says, holding up a beautiful long dress with intricate details. “It has black glass buttons, called Jet Buttons. And this heavy wool waistcoat is also from that period. It has two linings, handsewn.” In the period of the 1890s, called the “Gay ‘90s,” clothes were lavish. But when World War I started in 1914, women no longer could justify using entire bolts of fabric and

feathers from entire birds to create their sensations. Silk, including that used for lining in hats and jackets, became so scarce it just disappeared from clothing. Wagner also notes that clothing was not manufactured in large quantities for the public until after WWI. “Many of these don’t have labels because people usually made their own clothes, or had them custom-made,” she says, holding up a navy blue tailored skirt and jacket with stylish ribbing on the collar and bodice. “But this one is unique, in that it is from the early 1900s and has a designer’s label. The label says ‘Lipman Wolfe Company, Portland, Oregon.’” Most of the clothing in Wagner’s collection were made for women, “but there are some wonderful pieces that men wore, too,” she says. “There are some doublebreasted suits from the ‘30s, a few tuxedos from the ‘60s, and some hats that go back to the early 1900s.” She displays a heavy brocade robe from the early 1900s, beautifully patterned in dark blue, turquoise and gold. “This would have been a very expensive, fine robe in its time,” Wagner says. “Look at how the brocade thread is woven into the robe belt.” Brocade, she explains is a heavy jacquard type fabric with an all-over raised pattern or floral design. The term “jacquard” refers to a loom

Photos by Dan Wise

Top, Jocelyn Wagner has collected an extensive variety of garments and accessories from as far back as the late 1800s. Above, at almost 100 years old, this garment is an example of Jacquard weaving, and intricate method originating in France. attachment which allows the weaver control of each individual warp of yarn. “Many of these pieces are made of fabric that we rarely see these days,” Wagner says. “This 1940s party dress is Dotted-Swiss printed on tulle. This beautiful jade green gown is chiffon over taffeta. Lace, of course, has been used throughout the ages.” There are many kinds of lace, but each is divided into one of three basic types: needlepoint, bobbin and machine-made. The machinery that made lace has existed since 1818, “but handmade lace was still admired and more expensive,” she says. She picks up some bloomers. “Everyone’s heard of bloomers,” Wagner says,

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laughing. “In the early 1900s, Amelia Bloomer invented them so she could ride her bicycle while wearing a dress. Butterick made patterns for girls’ bloomers in the early 1900s. This was the more modest, subdued Victorian era.” The wilder styles of the 1920s grew from that, where a certain rebelliousness ruled. “Women felt freed from restrictive undergarments and hemlines inched up,” she says. “Girls bobbed their hair, powdered their knees and older generations were shocked when girls not only wore lipstick, but applied it in public. In that same era, women danced the tango and Charleston all night, ventured out into the working world, became

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HEALTHY VIBES

APRIL 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LINN-BENTON EDITION

Cancer survivors enjoy ‘That’s My Farmer’ series

Samaritan Cancer Program is offering a nutrition series for cancer survivors called “That’s My Farmer” that teaches healthy shopping, eating locally, using supplements and the impact of fresh, wholesome foods. Participants are given $150 worth of vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables of their choice at participating farmers markets. The cost to enroll is $20 per cancer survivor. “Our goal with the class is to provide research-based education to cancer survivors that is centered around nutrition and wellness but also touches on exercise and mental health — all aspects of

survivorship,” says Jessica Davis, a dietitian at Samaritan Albany General Hospital who created the series. Davis is now collaborating with others in the Samaritan Cancer Program to bring That’s My Farmer to Albany, Corvallis and Lebanon. The program received funding to expand through a grant from the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute. “We had such a positive response from offering this last year in Albany that we wanted to expand it to reach other cities,” she says. The first year the program was offered it was funded by

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involved in philanthropic endeavors and changed their world views. Again, Wagner rifles through her collection and pulls out another dress. “Isn’t this beautiful?” she says while holding a dropped waist dress from the 1920s that features beading popular at that time. “These are so fun. The models always love wearing these. You can just feel the new-found freedom of the time. I think World War I made people realize that life is short, and they wanted to enjoy it.” Wagner’s fashion research is indeed a history lesson. Her fashion show narratives recognize the effects of world events on popular culture and styles. The stock market crash of 1929 created great disparities between the rich and poor. Many Americans found themselves without work. Out of necessity, women made their own clothes, often adapting hand-me-downs from older siblings.

Photo by Dan Wise

Wagner’s oldest dress is from the late 1800s and is decorated with peacock hurl.

“With the 1940s dominated by WWII, women found themselves filling jobs previously held only by men,” Wagner says, “and ‘Rosie the Riveter’ became a patriotic figure. That may have been the reason that women’s fashions of the ‘40s emphasized the feminine figure, with peplums, side zip-

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donations to the Albany General Hospital Foundation. Loren and Connie Smith of Albany are both cancer survivors who completed the program. Connie is a fiveyear survivor of breast cancer and Loren is a six-year survivor of prostate cancer. “We learned how to shop and what questions to ask about the food we buy,” Connie says. “It’s made me more aware of what I put in my mouth, and how to take care of my own health. They’ve also been doing more in the kitchen. “We’re learning to try new foods and finding out they’re not so bad,” she says. “I bought

asparagus and bok choy for the first time. And I’ve fallen in love with sugar snap peas.” Participants receive a recipe book, a canvas shopping bag, and herbs and spices to inspire their nutritional journey. Expert presenters will lead topics such as “sugar and cancer,” “emotional eating,” and more. “We also have cooking demonstrations for easy-tomake healthy and filling meals,” Davis says. “And we make them fun.” She also notes that each cancer survivor is allowed to bring along a spouse or support person who lives with them, making what they learn easier

to integrate into their lifestyles. The eight-week series take place at Samaritan-affiliated locations and local farmers markets. The Corvallis session begins in early June, the Lebanon session starts in July, and the Albany session will be offered in September. Registration is required, and financial aid is available to cover the cost of registration if needed. All cancer survivors are welcome, no matter where they received treatment. For more information or to register, call the Samaritan Cancer Resource Center at 541-8125888 or email jayneg@ samhealth.org. ■

pers, tailored suits and glamorous evening gowns.” Even McCalls produced patterns that transformed men’s suits — left behind by men at war — into ladies suits, and women’s dresses into children’s clothing.” “I really love the dresses from the ‘30s and ‘40s, Wagner says. “It was a very stylish era, and looking at these dresses, I can just imagine the people who wore them going out to dance to the big bands that were popular then, like Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller. Movie stars influenced styles, too, and hats were really popular then, like the fedora worn by Ingrid Bergman in ‘Casablanca.’” But Wagner’s collection doesn’t stop there. She has clothing from the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s and even the 1980s. “Some of us don’t like to admit that those decades are considered vintage,” Wagner says. “But technically, vintage clothing is anything from 20 years back or more.” Some of her items from the 1950s include both very full skirts and petticoats to make them stand out, and pencil

skirts, which were very narrow and tight. She has a classic suit and pillbox hat inspired by Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s. The 1970s introduced many ethnic styles, such as gauzy peasant blouses with full sleeves, “and this Nehru jacket that was made popular by the Beatles when they wore these during their trip to India,” Wagner says. Despite her obvious love for this vintage clothing collection, Wagner says she has come to the conclusion it may be time for someone else to

take it on. “It takes three months to prepare for a show, and there’s so much heavy lifting,” she says. I can’t do it by myself anymore. I’m getting older and it’s getting hard for me to maintain it. I’m afraid I’m becoming ‘vintage’ myself. I envision the possibility of a young person making a living at it, maintaining the collection and preserving the history. It would be hard to let go of it. But that would be my dream. That would be exciting.” ■

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NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • APRIL 2015

Introducing some new, intriguing plant varieties

By GRACE PETERSON BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

If the weather hasn’t been beautiful enough to lure us to our gardens, then one look at online nurseries ought to do it. Every spring I like to devote a column to new introductions by various nurseries and seed houses. It’s always fun to see what’s hitting the market and maybe even give one or two newbies a try. Although, my garden is mostly made up of ornamentals, it is nice to have a few edibles to add to the mix. This one really intrigues me. The Cook’s Garden website touts what looks like a bowl of tiny watermelons but the description for “Mexican Sour Gherkin Cucumber” is even more tantalizing. “Get ready for an extravaganza of tiny, sweet treats. Mini fruit’s

sweet cucumber flavor is combined with a tangy sourness: as if pickled already. (Plants) yield a bounty of tiny cukes for salads, snacking and pickling. Gorgeous when cascading from a hanging basket or growing on a trellis.” Burpee is offering a new tomato plant appropriately titled “Cloudy Day.” It promises to deliver delicious fruits in cool weather. An indeterminate grower, it will produce disease-free fruits all summer and into the fall. You can purchase seed or plants. Also from Burpee, the perfect-forgrilling summer squash, “Green Eggs.” You’ve got to see these cute, squat zucchini-looking squashes. The highyielding plants are compact, perfect for a container in full sun. How fun would it be to bite into a purple carrot and find a yellow center?

This is what you’ll get when you plant Renee’s Garden’s “Purple Sun Rainbow Carrot.” Hailing from Holland, “Purple Sun” boasts great flavor, high yields and antioxidants. I was intrigued by Oregon’s own Nichol’s Garden Nursery’s description of the “Winged Bean.” An open-pollinated heirloom, the plant produces a rare winged pod but unlike other bean plants, this one is totally edible. Of course you’ve got the beans, but the leaves can be eaten like spinach and after frost, the root can be roasted, the common moniker, hence “Supermarket on a Vine.” “Potatoes and tomatoes harvested off the same blimey plant!” How’s that for an introduction? I do believe the prize for most ingenious new vegetable(s) goes to Territorial Seed

Company’s TomTatos “Ketchup and Fries.” The catalog explains that because tomatoes and potatoes are from the same botanical family, horticulturists have successfully grafted a potato and a tomato resulting in one plant they’re cleverly calling, “Ketchup and Fries.” It will produce sweet, delicious cherry tomatoes above ground while beneath the surface, potatoes are plumping up. Territorial promises that no genetic modification has been undertaken. The plants are shipped via FedEx. ■ Here are the websites if you’re interested in learning more. cooksgarden.com burpee.com info.reneesgarden.com nicholsgardennursery.com territorialseed.com

Letter Fireside Recital Series: Spring Soiree WritConcert, 4 p.m., 1650 SW 45th St., ing Social and Corvallis. $65. 541-757-8068 or Stationery OldMillCenter.org. Exchange, 2 Albany Senior to 4 p.m., Corvallis-Benton County Center trip: Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave., Sternwheeler Cruise Corvallis. on the Willamette Bees and Honey in Our and Columbia World, rivers. $126/$167. 9:30 to 11:30 541-917-7760. a.m., 4077 SW Albany Senior Center trip: Research Way, Brookhaven Vintage Corvallis. 541Marketplace in Beaverton. $24/$32. 766-6750. 541-917-7760. 2015 Starker Lecture Series: Innovative Applications of Douglas-fir in Building Call Any Day, Any Hour, 24/7 Design, 3:30 p.m., OSU, Corvallis. Starkerlectures.forestry.oregonstate.edu.

Complete Organic Gardening Course, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Bruce Starker Arts Park, Corvallis. Corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org. C Oregon Jamboree Mystery Concert, 7:30 to 10 p.m., LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital benefit. Grand reopening of Historic Moyer House, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Brownsville. 541-466-3390. (also April 25, May 2 and 9) Naturalist Training Program to learn more about whales and dolphins, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Newport. $30. 541-517-8754 or marine_lover4ever@yahoo.com. Corvallis Folklore Society Contra Dance, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., First Congregational United Church of Christ, 4515 SW West Hills Road, Corvallis. Art Tours at the Library, 10 a.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave. 541-766-6793.

A L E N D A R Corvallis Community Band Spring Concert, 7:30 to 9 p.m., LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis. Chamber Music Corvallis: Escher String Quartet, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Austin Auditorium, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis. Annual Fashion Show, 2 p.m., South Salem Senior Center, 6450 Fairway Ave. SE. 503588-0748. Trillium Children’s Farm Home’s Spring Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4455 Hwy. 20, Corvallis. 541758-5950. Community Poetry Reading, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library 645 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis.

Corvallis Arts Walk, 4 to 8 p.m., downtown Corvallis. Oregon State Spring Football, 1 p.m., Reser Stadium, Corvallis. OSUBeavers.com. Albany Senior Center trip: Wooden Boat Show, crab feed and Ducky Derby, Depoe Bay. $43/$57. 541-917-7760.

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Improving lives in Kenya APRIL 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

Albany’s Suzan Bellis feels the positive impact of her missions trips to Africa By JOY MASSEY BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

It’s an unusually beautiful and mild day in late February and Suzan Bellis has just returned from Kenya, having made her 26th mission trip. “Yes, Suzan with a ‘z’, she says, laughing, as she begins her conversation about these unique and life-fulfilling ventures. “When I was a young girl, I felt very strongly that God was calling me to missions, and I had a longing to go to Africa. But life comes along, and you do other things. I was 44 when I finally went on my first mission trip.” That was in 1988, when Ron Post, a former member of North Albany Community Church and founder of Northwest Medical Team (now Medical Teams International), called Bellis to be part of a surgical team. The team of doctors was going to Oaxaca, Mexico, to treat children with cleft lips and palates. “He asked me to go, and I

LINN-BENTON EDITION

didn’t want to go,” she says. “I had no medical background. He said to me, ‘I need you to go,’ so I went as a medical assistant. It was life changing.” Bellis eventually made 16 trips to Oaxaca, bringing other teams of people along. Her husband went on five trips, and she took her son Paul when he was 17. She’s now taken all three of Paul’s daughters as well. “I think it’s important for young people to experience the world that most people live in,” she says. “A large portion of the world lives in poverty. These trips help us to see what’s around us every day. It changes your perspective on who you are and what you can do. I’ve seen some real transformations.” The trips to Kenya were initiated by the Gradin family, members of the church who had served as missionaries in Kenya for 10 years. After returning in 2004 from Kenya, the family invited others to go back with them. In 2005, seven North Albany church members traveled to Kenya, where they worked in a school located in Mji wa Huruma, a slum of 5,000 people. “The school building was in terrible disrepair,” she says, “the teachers weren’t paid, there was very little food. The children got one cup of porridge a day.” The humanitarian group

Photo courtesy of Suzan Bellis

Suzan Bellis (center) has made quite a few little friends during her many trips to Mji wa Huruma, Nairobi, Kenya, where she helped repair a school and improve teaching conditions. put in water lines, built five latrines and taught some classes. When they returned home, they gathered dona-

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See KENYA p. 6

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KENYA CONTINUED FROM P. 5

tions from church members and outside sources, which allowed them to begin sending money to pay not only for food and teachers’ salaries, but also for books, uniforms, toilet paper and chalk. “We’ve now sent four teams from this church,” Bellis says. “We’ve renovated a school that was basically falling down. We have three paid teachers and a paid cook. The children have books, uniforms and shoes, and get two meals a day. We brought toys, puzzles, blocks, storybooks and dolls this February. The little girls had never had dolls, but they knew instinctually how to play with and care for them. Watching them with those dolls was very moving.” The Gradin family has since moved back to the Northwest, and the church now deals directly with Kenyans. “Hellen Wairimu is our incountry coordinator, Bellis says of their Kenyan contact. “Hellen grew up in the Huruma Slum, in Nairobi, Kenya, she is one of eight children, and is taking care of her 80-year-old mother who has cancer. Hellen only had a fourth-grade education, but we count on her to make sure the school is maintained, the teachers and cook get paid, and the children have what they need to learn.” All donations go directly to help the children of the Mji wa Huruma school, Bellis says. Mission team members pay their own airfare and the church raises money through sponsors for other expenses. The school enrolls children from ages 3 ½ to 6, and from there they go to a local pri-

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • APRIL 2015

Of note

Learn more at hurumakids.blogspot.com, or call Suzan Bellis at 541926-5291 to learn how to sponsor a child.

mary school. With a history of being a British colony, learning English is essential for being able to find work and succeed in Kenya. The students come to the school speaking Kikuyu, their native tribal dialect. They learn English as well as Swahili, their native tongue, so they leave primary school knowing three languages. “This little nursery school can really educate the kids, and they can pass the national tests,” Bellis says. “The local primary school is overcrowded — 60 to 70 children per teacher. In the future, we’d like to look at that. We’re in the process of developing a nonprofit group that will allow more people to help.

Photos courtesy of Suzan Bellis

Classrooms are so small for these “pre-unit” students that they often must climb across a table just to move around the room.

“We brought toys, puzzles, blocks, storybooks and dolls this February. The little girls had never had dolls, but they knew instinctually how to play and care for them. Watching them with those dolls was very moving.” ~ Suzan Bellis When people hear the story they want to contribute.” But what it’s done for Bellis herself is hard to measure. “I’ve seen these kids succeed, and it’s absolutely

amazing,” she says. “There was one young man who came up out of the slums, and someone offered to pay for his college education. He stepped aside and generously gave the scholarship

to his brother, who in one more year will be a doctor, and is going back to work in his community. That’s world changing. If these kids grow up to be the teachers and leaders of their

Book review ‘The Valley of Amazement’

“The Valley of Amazement” by Amy Tan Published by HarperCollins Publishers

Back 100 years ago, the city of Shanghai was already a vibrant place, with an overbearing international enclave that helped this major port city stand out from the rest of reclusive China during an era of rapid social and political change. This is the setting for the beginning of master storyteller Amy Tan’s newest novel, “The Valley of Amazement,” a large (600 pages) book that encompasses a plot spanning many decades and several continents. Into this mix we encounter major political upheavals and great social change as the world accelerates into the 20th century. The story begins with the plight of a young girl, half-Chinese, halfAmerican, who grows up in a high class courtesan house run by her mother, Lucia. Violet Minturn is an observant young person, learning the ways of the world by carefully watching as patrons come and go. But Violet perceives her mother as uncaring, giving more love and attention to the patrons (some of whom become

her lovers), and less to this child who tries to fit in to one culture, but has a face that belies her dual origins. The story follows Violet as she grows and, through no fault of her own, becomes a high class courtesan herself, after her mother was duped into going to America without her. Into Violet’s life comes a mysterious painting entitled “The Valley of Amazement.” It is a piece of art that infuses her life as she herself is fooled into what she thinks is marriage to one

of her patrons. What follows is a journey into the Chinese hinterlands, and a variety of adventures, including a trek into what seems to be the very valley depicted in the painting. What does not follow are many of the details of Violet’s past, including puzzling mysteries about her mother, and the identity of her father. But these are cleared up as the book suddenly shifts gears, and the story of Violet’s mother and father unfolds. In some ways this literary tactic may compel the reader to go back and re-read the beginning of the book, giving the story of Violet’s life different understanding with the blank spaces filled in. For this part of the book, we visit San Francisco at about the time of the great earthquake, and even journey to upstate New York. While “The Valley of Amazement” may on one level seem a light, entertaining diversion, the richness of Tan’s writing and her talents in authentically depicting various aspects of human behavior broadens the scope of potential readers. A good example is her portrayal of Violet’s ambivalence and difficulties of being multi-racial in the world of the early 20th century. Another is the exploration of the tensions in relationships

community, and if we can help bring them to the potential that God meant them to be, then Kenya will be changed for good, and that will be the success of this ministry.” ■

between mothers and daughters. Then there’s the sense of authenticity Tan brings to the tale, which makes the book more than just a good read. In the acknowledgements, for example, she points to the extensive help received in researching everything from the courtesan culture in China to how life was in rural Chinese villages of that era. She also recounts the “countless hours” spent touring places in Shanghai that evoke the flavor of this unique Chinese city of a century ago. Another plus, perhaps more for older adult readers, is the reminder of how travel used to be. For example, before trans-global flights, it took a month to go by ship from America to China, and when the voyage was made, Chinese and American passengers were segregated by deck. And the trek taken by two of the characters to a remote Chinese village took weeks of daily slogging. In the end though, “The Valley of Amazement” is a work of fiction, providing a good read about a set of characters living in a time and setting when the world was emerging into what eventually became our modern era. Reviewed by DAVID R. NEWMAN

Historic Moyer House re-opens APRIL 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

The Linn County Parks Department, which owns and operates the Linn County Historical Museum and the historic Moyer House in Brownsville, will have a grand reopening of the Moyer House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 4. The Moyer House, built in 1881, has been closed recently for interior restoration and will re-open to the public. A public ceremony from 1 to 2:30 p.m. will celebrate the dedication of many volunteers who uncovered the original interior colors, designs and features, by “listening” to the house and having it restored it to its original

grandeur. Speakers will include Kuri Gill, State Historic Preservation Office, and Brian Carroll, director of Linn County Parks Department. Admission to the Moyer House will be free during the celebration. Tour guides will be on hand to answer questions and interpretive displays will tell

the story of the old house archaeological process. Refreshments will be available from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The historic Moyer House was built by Mr. and Mrs. John M. Moyer, early pioneer settlers in the Brownsville area. Built as a showplace in the Italianate architectural style, the Moyers used only the finest custom materials from Mr. Moyer’s local sawmill and hired an itinerant painter from Italy to decorate the ceilings, stencil designs onto the walls, and paint murals above the windows. Call 541-466-3390 for more information. ■

C L A S S I F I E D

Food boxes delivered to homebound LINN-BENTON EDITION

South Corvallis Food Bank now provides free delivery of food boxes to homebound seniors and others who are homebound for medical reasons. The needs may be short- or longterm, and there is no charge for the food boxes or the delivery. Deliveries are made during the third week of the month. Contact Grant Carlin, project coordinator, at 541-745-3968 or carlingrant@gmail.com. ■

A D S

Ads must be RECEIVED BY the 6th of the month PRIOR to publication Go to www.NWBoomerandSeniorNews.com for ad form and instructions.

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowlingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD Toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The Toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

REACH THOUSANDS of READERS with a FRIENDSHIP AD

ATTENTION!

Changes have been made to the existing Friendship Club format. As of January 2015, all Friendship Ads now appear in all four editions...and you can access the ad form online at: www.nwboomerandseniornews.com MAIL responses to: NW Boomer & Senior News, 4159 Cherry Ave. NE, Keizer, OR 97303; (include listing # you’re responding to)

Join the Friendship Club & broaden your circle of friends! SBF ISO roommate, companion to share rent. Own room. Let me be your caregiver, you be my friend. Retired transplant from California. Educated, articulate, humorous. Living with some medical restrictions. Please be between 55 & 65. #5586

WWF ISO SM, 60-70. No S/D. Healthy, good moral character, sincerely wants LTR, enjoys outdoors, animals, day trips, fishing, baseball. Affectionate, communicates, respect, appreciates women, sunsets, laughter, adventure, quiet times. #5592

Ad Abbreviations M = Male S = Single W = White B = Black J = Jewish

F = Female D = Divorced A = Asian H = Hispanic C = Christian

N/S = Non-smoker N/D = Non-drinker ISO = In Search Of LTR = Long Term Relationship

WW = Widowed White WB = Widowed Black WA = Widowed Asian WH = Widowed Hispanic GLBT= Alternate Lifestyle

SF, attractive & honest, waiting for a knight in a shiny armor to take her away from this lonely & boring life. Let’s embark together on exciting journeys & experience new things. Let’s help each other live happily through the golden years. Any means of communication given in first letter is appreciated. #5593 WM with quiet personality desires WF companion for three day trip to Eastern Oregon for swimming, pool

side, dinner, a late night dip in hot tub. No drugs, N/S. Portland/Vancouver. #5594 SWM, retired Tigard businessman, University Oregon graduate. Twenty year Tigard Summerfield resident. Needs Protestant lady friendship, possible companion. No pets. Prefer older lady. I’m active, exercise regularly, eat simple meals. I might help you financially. #5595

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LINN-BENTON EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS â&#x20AC;˘ APRIL 2015

Imagine: Imagine: a welcoming clubhouse with restaurants, lounges, auditorium, game room, conveniences... eventually, too, a wellness centerr, indoor pool and spa. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a taste of what we have planned for for The Lodge Clubhouse, a new vibrant liffest estyle community center for for residents and guests coming soon to our beautiful Dallas campus. Choose an apartment or garden home, or reserve one of our new Lodge Residences, and all of this will be just steps from your door.

Wee invite W invit yyou ou to see all of our plans. Call (503) 623-9211.

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