Willamette Valley EVERYTHING GREAT ABOUT THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY
Spring 2020
Springtime!
Spring Cherry Blossoms Page 8
Valley Food Trail Stops Page 10
Colossal Claude Page 12
Spring 2020 • Willamette Valley Life
1
Spring Event Calendar! CENTER 50+
Lapidary
You will be taught the process of turning a rock into a precious stone. We furnish the rocks to complete your first three projects. Lapidary hours: Monday-Friday mornings, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday afternoons, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday evenings, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.- Noon Cost: $30 for seven-three hour classes. Varied daily fees based on equipment and length of time used.
Woodshop
A fully equipped woodshop is available for your use. Experienced supervisors are available to assist you with equipment use, safety, and woodworking skills. $3 a day or $20 a month. Volunteers needed. Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Woodshop Orientation And Safety Class
Required for all first-time Center 50+ Wood Shop users. Call or sign up at the front desk to reserve your spot for the next Wood Shop orientation. Orientations available 1st Mondays and 3rd Saturdays. Cost: $1
room for individual help. Class fee: $10 each. Class time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday class dates and topics are as follows: January 27: Ancestry.com and Family Search February 3: Vital Records February 10: Military Records February 24: Immigration & Naturalization March 2: Googling and Free Genealogy Sites March 9: New England, including Mayflower
Line Dancing with Instructor Colleen Roberts Witt Pre-Beginner Class: Tuesday class time: 8:30- 9:30 a.m.
Level One Beginner Class: Tuesdays at 1-2 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 - 11:00 a.m. Level Two Beginner Class: Fridays at 11 - 2 p.m. Intermediate Class: Tuesdays at 10-11a.m. and Thursdays at 8:30- 9:30 a.m. Class fee: $4. Evening Class: 6:00-7:30 p.m. - All levels: Starting Wednesdays. Evening Class fee: $5.
New Class Assistive Technology for Mobile Devices
Low vision technology for mobile devices that can assist people with disabilities. This class is open to the public. You are encouraged to bring your own mobile devices. Class meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month. $5 fee. Class time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Genealogy Classes 2020
Willamette Valley Genealogical Society offers six different topics for you to register for- separately-some or all of them! You may bring your own laptop/tablet or use the computers in the Tech 50
Now you can register on-line at www.cityofsalem.net/center50 Quick and Easy! 2
Follow Us On Facebook!
www.facebook.com/center50plus
2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301 (503) 588-6303
Willamette Valley Life • Spring 2020
The Voice of the Santiam Canyon • WWW.KYACFM.ORG
Read more. Do more. Get more out of the Willamette Valley.
Willamette Valley Life
Everything Great About The Willamette Valley
On stands now throughout the Willamette Valley WWW.WILLAMETTEVALLEYLIFE.COM
(971) 718-4042 269 NE Polk Station Rd #1 Dallas, OR 97338 synergizeauto.com
“They made it so easy!”
Ricos Tamales SABOR CASERO ESTILO MICHOACAN “Authentic Mexican catering for any size event.”
This is what we hear over & over again from Consigners and Buyers. No Hassles-No Pressure
“IN THE MANNER OF” GOOD FOOD AND DRINK
Uptown Dining In Historic Downtown Dallas
~ De Salem Dentro De La Cabana 3390 Portland Rd NE, Salem, Oregon 97301 Rogelio y Maria Navarro
(503) - 831-1588 • latitudeonedallas.com • 904 Main St. Dallas, OR 97338
971.718.0442 | 503.393.0220 Spring 2020 • Willamette Valley Life
3
Independence EAT • STAY • PLAY
Drive just a few short miles from the capital city of Salem, Oregon and you’ll find a whole world of things to experience! Once known as the “Hop Center of the World,” today you’ll discover world-class wineries, craft beer, hiking and biking trails, a bustling waterfront park, river ferry - you’ll be hard-pressed not to find something that the whole family can enjoy in Independence, Oregon. Thinking about buying or selling? I can help! Cathy McLean Broker
1220 Main St. E., Monmouth, OR 97361
503-580-0571
mcleancathy@earthlink.net Licensed in the State of Oregon since 1985
Check Out Our New Menu Items!
Independence Grill & Bar
Cupcakes • Bubbles • Cakes • Espresso • Desserts 296 S. Main St., Independence, OR 97351
503.837.0888
Catering & Takeout Available!
The
Time Wizard Clock Repair, Restoration & Repairs
Same As It Never Was -Vintage-
5 0 3 . 8 3 7. 0 3 9 4
IndependenceGrill.com 154 S. Main St Independence, OR 97351 “Ice Cream Fun For Everyone!”
Featuring custom, upcycled, repurposed & locally made pieces.
Floor Clocks • Wall Clocks Mantel/Shelf Clocks • Novelty Clocks Cuckoo Clocks • Electric Clocks 503.838.0566 • 114 South Main St. Independence, OR 97351
www.MangiareItalianRestaurantor.com 4
www.clockwiseshop.com Independence, Oregon
Willamette Valley Life • Spring 2020
971-235-5829
240 S. Main Street, Independence, OR
5 0 3 . 8 7 7.7 5 9 0 226 South Main Street, Suite A Independence, OR 97351
Contents:
Willamette Valley PUBLISHERS Randy and Dawn Hill
Cover photo courtesy of Eugene Cascade and Coasts
SENIOR EDITOR Erin Grace
Valley Floor/ Entertainment
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jessica Gardner
Our top Willamette Valley event picks!
6
ART DIRECTION Randy Hill Creative www.randyhillcreative.com ADVERTISING SALES Neil Madison: 503.319.4796 neil.madison@willamettevalleylife.com DISTRIBUTION Profile In Delivery CONTRIBUTORS Eugene Cascade and Coasts, Erin Grace, Finn J.D. John, Kara Kuh
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossoms offer perfect backdrop for celebrating spring in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
8
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES 503.319.4796 PHONE 512.969.8468
South Willamette Valley Food Trail Stops Spend the day touring these great U-pick stands and farms.
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 202, Dallas, Oregon 97338
10
EMAIL publisher@willamettevalleylife.com WEBSITE willamettevalleylife.com Willamette Valley Life is published quarterly. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Willamette Valley Life. This publication cannot be reproduced in any form without written consent from Willamette Valle Life. Although we have made very effort to insure the accuracy of the information in this publication, due to the passage of time and the anomalies inherent in the publishing process, we cannot be responsible for errors or incorrect information. Please contact the individual establishments to confirm information.
Colossal Claude Move over, Bigfoot–It’s Colossal Claude.
12
Copyright 2020 by Willamette Valley LIfe
Spring 2020 • Willamette Valley Life
5
VALLEY FLOOR EVENTS/ENTERTAINMENT
Cinco De Mayo
McMinnville Recycled Arts Festival
Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest
Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest
Old Into New: McMinnville Recycled Arts Festival
L
ong before there was recycling there was re-use, alternative use, and even upcycling. Despite our “throw-away” culture, we’re becoming aware that there is no “away.” This event gathers 50 amazing regional artists that turn trash into treasure. One artisan in particular specializes in reducing food waste! April 10-11 Yamhill County Fairgrounds 2070 NE Lafayette Ave. McMinnville, OR 97128
B
ring whole family to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival and enjoy 40 acres of colorful tulips blooming throughout the season. The wine tasting room is open daily and admission includes parking, hayrides, and a children’s play area. Come visit and experience the varying activities during the week, take photos, and see the tulip fields! March 20-May 3 Mon-Fri: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat-Sun: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. 33814 S Meridian Road Woodburn, OR 97071 woodenshoe.com/events/tulip-fest
“What a strange thing! To be alive beneath cherry blossoms.”
Kobayashi Issa, Poems
6
Willamette Valley Life • Spring 2020
Portland Cinco De Mayo Fiesta
W
orld-famous musicians, incredible international acts and the best of local Latino talent join us on our main stage at the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. Fill your eyes, nose and stomach with the homemade tastes and traditional dishes of Mexico and Latin America. The fiesta has invited local families and cooks from the to join us and show off their prize dishes. May 1-3, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Tom McCall Waterfront Park Portland, OR 97204 cincodemayo.org
21st Annual UFO Festival
T
hey’re baaack! UFOs, aliens, blips on the radar – discover it all at UFO Fest 2020. The festival began as a way to honor the famous 1950 Trent sighting in which two local citizens witnessed and photographed a UFO, said to be some of the most credible images a UFO to date. May 14-16 McMenamin’s Hotel Oregon 310 NE Evans St., McMinnville, OR ufofest.com
Kansas at the Elsinore album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner. They have since gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. Composing a catalogue that includes 15 studio albums and five live albums, Kansas has produced eight gold albums, three sextuple-platinum albums (“Leftoverture,” “Point of Know Return,” and “Best of Kansas”), one platinum live album (“Two for the Show”), and two gold singles, (“Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind”).
W
ith a legendary career spanning more than four decades, Kansas has firmly established itself
as one of America’s iconic classic rock bands. This “garage band” from Topeka, Kansas released their debut
March 13, 7:30 p.m. Elsinore Theatre 170 High St. SE Salem, OR elsinoretheatre.com Spring 2020 • Willamette Valley Life
7
Cherry Blossoms Offer Perfect Backdrop for Celebrating Spring in the Mid-Willamette Valley B Y
8
Willamette Valley Life • Spring 2020
K A R A
K U H
FLICKR.COM-PHOTOS-3CL_EDMUND GARMAN
hile cities like Washington, Kyoto, and Vancouver have long been revered as bucket list destinations for cherry blossom viewing, areas in and around Salem also boast a bevy of the pretty pink blooms. As winter gives way to spring, the city invites residents and visitors alike to enjoy the beauty of bloom season in the mid-Willamette Valley. The History of Cherries in Oregon Cherry trees hold both cultural and agricultural significance in the Willamette Valley. Oregon’s cherry industry traces its roots back to 1847 when nurseryman Henderson Lewelling brought 700 cherry tree cuttings with him from Iowa. Shortly after arriving in the Willamette Valley, he established a nursery near Milwaukee. By 1851, Lewelling had more than 18,000 fruit trees for sale and opened additional nurseries in Salem and Albany. While the majority of Oregon’s cherry crop is now grown on hillsides overlooking the Columbia River near Hood River, the hills surrounding Salem proved to be ideal for growing cherries in the early years, with royal Annes, Lamberts, black republicans and Bings as the predominant varieties. Oregon cherries quickly gained a reputation as some of the best in the nation, known for their robust size and outstanding flavor. In the mid-20th century, maraschinos – the neon red, processed cherry commonly added to cocktails and plopped on top of ice cream sundaes – were in high demand in the U.S., and Oregon became one of the leading states for producing and processing them. The nation’s two largest maraschino manufacturers are still located in Oregon. The demand for maraschino and canned cherries has decreased over the last 30 years, while the desire for fresh and naturally dried cherries is on the rise. According to Oregon Aglink, a non-profit organization dedicated to growing Oregon agriculture through education and promotion, the Oregon cherry industry has experienced a 14% increase in sweet cherry bearing acreage over the last decade, going from 11,000 acres to 12,400 acres. Cheery Cherry Celebrations The first official festival celebrating the significance of cherries in Salem took place in 1903 as a three-day event
PHOTO BY RON COOPER
W
Oregon’s cherry industry traces its roots back to 1847 when nurseryman Henderson Lewelling brought 700 cherry tree cuttings with him from Iowa. that included a queen’s coronation and ball, parade, contests and more. In 1907, the Pacific Coast Association of Nurserymen gave Salem its “Cherry City” moniker. A civic organization known as the Cherrians formed in 1913. They helped to organize and promote the Cherry Festival and other celebrations, until the group dissolved in 1968. In 2015, the Oregon State Capitol Foundation created Cherry Blossom Day. This special day commemorates the agricultural importance of cherries and also to celebrate the cultural impact of the Japanese community and Salem’s bond with its sister city, Kawagoe, Japan. In 2017, Senate Bill 146 passed, officially designating the third Saturday in March as Cherry Blossom Day. This year, the Foundation will sponsor the sixth annual event on Saturday, March 21, with various festivities held among the 150 blooming akebono cherry trees that line the Capitol Mall in Salem. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., guests are invited to enter the kimono and yukata contest, take a photo with the Oregon Cherry, witness a traditional tea ceremony and try their hand at gyotaku (fish printing). Taiko drumming and other musical performances will also occur
throughout the day. Tower tours to the top of the Capitol Building to view the Oregon Pioneer will also be offered at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. (weather permitting). Tours are free but will be limited for capacity control.
Where to Enjoy the Blossoms Although it varies each year depending on weather, cherry bloom season in the Willamette Valley typically occurs from late March through early April. Each year, hundreds of visitors and residents come out for photo opportunities, picnics or casual strolls underneath the canopy of blooms. While the State Capitol State Park draws the majority of visitors with its more than 100 glorious trees in bloom, there are a number of places in the Salem region that showcase the soft pink blossoms. The 90.5-acre Bush’s Pasture Park in the heart of Salem features natural groves of old Oregon white oak as well as cherry and apple trees that bloom each spring. While you’re there, tour the Bush House Museum, and stop in at the Bush Barn Art Center, which features rotating art exhibits and artwork for sale by local artisans. Just west of Salem, you’ll be welcomed by the many bright pink blooms that line the driveway at Cristom Vineyards. Enjoy a glass of estate wine while taking in the lovely views. In historic Silverton, the 80-acre Oregon Garden features cherry trees in bloom as well as other early spring flowers including daffodils, hyacinth, boxleaf azara and many more. For more ideas about what to do and see this spring the Salem region, go to www.TravelSalem.com. Spring 2020 • Willamette Valley Life
9
DAYCATION
South Willamette Valley Food Trail Stops Spend the day touring these great U-pick stands and farms
10
Willamette Valley Life • Spring 2020
PHOTO BY MELANIE GRIFFIN
T
he Willamette Valley is a prime agricultural zone with a thriving farm-to-table movement. Bring the whole family on a tasty tour of bakeries, restaurants, U-pick stands and farms. It’s easy to taste your way through the region, as each season brings new delights: pumpkins and apples, strawberries and blueberries, fresh honeycomb. Get started here with some of our favorite picks! Start the day at Provisions Market Hall (https://provisionsmarkethall. com/) in Eugene, where you’ll find locally roasted coffee and Frenchinspired, locally sourced breakfasts and pastries. Stroll through the market for a selection of local, sustainable ingredients and products that make excellent souvenirs and gifts. Make your way downtown to the Lane County Farmers Market (https:// www.lanecountyfarmersmarket.org/) to find an array of fresh seasonal produce (Tuesday and Saturday). The area’s largest and longest-running farmers market offers a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, mushrooms and artisan foods throughout the year (closed in January). Or head in any direction, spring to fall, and find a local market: Veneta Downtown Farmers Market, Dexter Lake Farmers Market, Spencer Creek Community Market and South Valley Farmers Market. Stop at Creswell Bakery (https:// www.creswellbakery.com/) for lunch and to-go items for a taste of the country. Everything here is made from scratch by classically trained chef and owner, Heidi Tunnell. This local favorite serves up the best cinnamon rolls you will ever taste; they are massive with a healthy layer of cream cheese frosting. Head east toward Territorial Highway for a pre-arranged tour and honey tasting at Queen’s Bounty (https:// www.queensbounty.com/). Along with popular annual varietals like blackberry and wildflower, ask about special limited-edition treats and (if you come
Lane County Farmers Market
after harvest) fresh honeycomb. Next, it’s time to visit a farm stand to pick your own fresh fruit! Farmers are breaking the sod and tending early crops of asparagus, herbs, peas, radishes, rhubarb and turnips in the spring. Don’t miss out on the bountiful blackberry crop and the jams, jellies, pies and other treats made from this prickly bramble. Come for berries in the summer and apples in the fall at Bush’s Fern View Farms, near Fern Ridge Reservoir. Other area farms that offer U-picks, seasonal festivals, abundant farm stands and family fun include Detering Orchards (https://www. deteringorchards.com/), Hentze Farm (http://www.hentzefamilyfarm.com/) and Thistledown Farm (https://www. thistledownfarm.net/). Return to Eugene for dinner at Grit Kitchen (https://gritkitchen.com/). The owner and chef, C. Ashley Hawkins, is a farmer, and everything she prepares comes from her farm or others nearby.
Choose their specialty, the Fixed Four – a fixed-price, four-course meal that changes monthly to highlight the best produce and meats from local farms – or select from their dinner menu to suit your individual tastes. Want more? The Whiteaker neighborhood, of which Grit Kitchen is a part, hosts a variety of tasting rooms in walking distance for the perfect nightcap. If you prefer beer, Ninkasi has traded in their tasting room for a full restaurant, The Better Living Room (https://ninkasibrewing. com/eugene/). If hard cider is your passion, WildCraft Cider Works (https://www.wildcraftciderworks. com/) creates refreshing seasonal ciders from sustainable, Oregon-grown fruits and botanicals. For a farm-to-flask experience, head to Thinking Tree Spirits for a thoughtfully sourced and lovingly crafted cocktail. southwillamettevalleyfoodtrail.com EugeneCascadesCoast.org
Discover Dallas, Oregon!
J
ust minutes outside of Salem you’ll find dining and shopping destinations in Dallas, Oregon just waiting for you to discover! Wineries, dining, shops and businesses of every description await you in this beautiful section of the midWillamette Valley. Refer to this shopping guide over and over to help you find just the right business to meet any need you might have... We’ve made it easy for you to find just the right place.
Woods Insurance
LLC
• HOMEOWNERS • AUTOS • RENTERS
503.623.9700 (FAX) 503.623.8187
Jeni J. Woods, Agent
jjwoods@opusnet.com 167 SW Academy St. Dallas, OR 97338
MAKING SENSE OF
INVESTING Bob Timmerman Financial Advisor
•401K Rollovers •IRAs/ROTH IRAs •Municipal Bonds •Mutual Funds •Investments •Annuities •Life Insurance
159 SW Court St., Dallas, OR 503-623-5584 www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
•New And Used Furniture •New England Mattresses •Vitamin Department •Wide Array Of Collectibles Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am - 5:30pm Sunday Noon-4:00pm
503-831-3100
SomethingsAntiques.com 745 Main St., Dallas, OR 97338 Spring 2020 • Willamette Valley Life 11
HISTORY
“Colossal Claude,” the Great Columbia Bar Sea Serpent Mover over, Bigfoot–It’s Colossal Claude
BY F I NN J. D. J O HN
A
sk anyone to name a mythical Oregon creature, and you’ll get a very predictable answer: Bigfoot. The stories and legends of Bigfoot, the Pacific Northwest’s reigning “hide-and-seek champion,” are vast and growing every year. Just a list of them, from 1945 to present, would be longer than this article. But Bigfoot is neither the only Oregon cryptid, nor the most plausible. There are others. Chief among them is the Columbia Bar Sea Serpent. Here’s the story of this redoubtable cryptid: On or just after the Ides of March, 1934, the skipper of the lightship-tending ship Rose returned from dropping off a relief crew on the Columbia River Lightship. They brought with them a remarkable story. It seems the entire crew of the lightship, plus the crew
AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR Your #1 Source For All Of Your Automotive Needs
-2 year/24,000 mile warrantyOver 40 years of experience “Fast and honest. Cleanest shop I’ve ever seen. A place you can trust to have your car repaired.” –Richard Pinkerton, From Google Reviews
We perform all types of repairs on foreign, domestic cars and trucks, both gas and diesel.
Real Tech Auto & Truck Repair 4380 Silverton Rd NE, Salem OR 97305
503.378.7976
www.RealTechAuto.com 12
Willamette Valley Life • Spring 2020
The crew of a lightship, possibly the Columbia, is shown playing cards below decks, probably sometime in the 1930s. (Image: U.S. Coast Guard)
of the Rose, saw a huge, snaky thing swimming around the ship – a genuine, bona-fide, honest-to-Godfrey sea serpent. “It was about 40 feet long,” recounted L.A. Larson, first mate aboard the Rose. “It had a neck some eight feet long, a big round body, a mean-looking tail, and an evil, snaky look to its head.” Not everyone agreed on every particular in describing the monster afterwards. J. Jensen, captain of the Rose, told the Morning Oregonian that the creature’s head looked more like that of a camel than a snake. But the witnesses agreed on most other details. After watching the strange creature with field glasses for a few minutes, the crew wanted to launch a small boat and approach it for a better view. The officers, though, ordered them not to. The sea serpent was big enough that it could potentially tip the boat over. Eventually, the monster slipped out of sight, and into legend. But it wouldn’t make nearly as big an impact on the public imagination as it did on the crew of the lightship. That’s probably because somebody decided to dub it “Colossal Claude,” and whoever did that would be the champion of any “least interesting monster name” con-
test. Also, skeptical newspaper editors spilled very little ink on the monster at the time. Three months later, a strange carcass was reported washed up on Long Beach Peninsula in southwest Washington. There was some speculation that it could be the sea serpent, but nothing further was printed, so it most likely turned out to be an oarfish or decomposed whale shark. But a few years later, in 1937, the serpent was back in the news. This time, the crew of the fishing trawler Viv reported that “Claude” had reappeared, and had spent a little time studying them at close range. Captain Charles Graham described it as a “long, hairy, tan-colored creature, with the head of an overgrown horse, about 40 feet long, with a four-foot waist measure.” A few months later, another report came in from a beachgoing couple named White who were visiting Devil’s Churn, 120 miles to the south. The two of them had been admiring the scenery there when they saw, just offshore, a huge hairy thing that looked like an aquatic giraffe, with a neck and maned head sticking 15 feet above the water. They estimated it at 55 feet in overall length. The monster quit the scene,
heading south along the shore, and the Whites ran to their car and raced after it, making for Heceta Head in hopes of catching a second glimpse. They were in luck; when they arrived, so did the creature. Then it turned and headed out to sea, and was soon lost from sight. A year and a half went by without further reports. Then, on April 13, 1939, the crew of a fishing boat called the Argo claimed the closest sighting yet – once again just off the Columbia River. Captain Chris Anderson reported that the monster passed within 10 feet of the Argo, its head and snaky neck jutting 10 feet above the waves. Anderson said one of his crew members grabbed a boat hook and tried to poke at it, but Anderson stopped him out of fear of making it angry. “He could have sunk us with a nudge,” Anderson said. “His head was like a camel’s. His fur was coarse and gray. He had glassy eyes and a bent snout that he used to push a 20-pound halibut off our lines and into his mouth.” The Argo case is the last “confirmed” sighting of the Columbia Bar Sea Serpent. Author Michael Newton found numerous other references to the monster by individuals here and there, sightings of anomalies that got attributed to being Colossal Claude whether they looked like him or not. But all these sightings petered out by the end of the Second World War. Of course, all of these “eyewitness” sea monster sightings could be nothing more than fishermen having fun at one another’s expense in waterfront taverns and bars. But there are some really intriguing aspects to the “Colossal Claude” story that provide the open-minded with some justification for not just dismissing them out of hand. First off, there’s the number of eyewitness sightings by groups of people – in most cases, unrelated to one another. Naturally, conspiracy is not unlikely in a case like this – “Hey guys, let’s tell everyone we saw Colossal Claude!” – but it is complicated, and most conspiracies eventually unravel. These ones, if such they are, never have. Secondly, there’s the timing. All the “confirmed” sightings of Colossal Claude happened during the spring
“He could have sunk us with a nudge,” Anderson said. “His head was like a camel’s. His fur was coarse and gray. He had glassy eyes and a bent snout that he used to push a 20-pound halibut off our lines and into his mouth.” Chinook salmon season, just off the mouth of the river. If there were a monster lurking in the waters off the Oregon Coast, given the volume of fish pouring into and out of that river that time of year, that would be where it would lurk It’s also interesting to note that Claude was last seen raiding a boat’s fishing nets in 1939, a couple years after Grand Coulee Dam cut most of the Columbia River’s spawning grounds off and started the destruction of the river’s salmon fishery. But thirdly, there is a theory that, while farfetched and unlikely, is actually (barely) plausible. The idea is that a colony of plesiosaurs somehow survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction Event (the one that killed off the dinosaurs) and lived on, in the depths of the ocean, for 66 million years. Somehow, according to this theory, at least one of these monsters ended up stationed in the deep waters just off the Columbia River, feeding off the salmon that poured in and out of it. By this theory, Colossal Claude was the last of its kind, and when the easy salmon fishing ended, so did he. Of course, there are lots of reasons why the likelihood of this theory are close to zero. Sixty-six million years is a long time, and a lot has happened in that time: several Ice Ages, for one; the Missoula Floods, for another. If Claude and all his kin had been hanging out at the mouth of the Columbia River for the last 66 million years feasting on the salmon, the construction of Grand Coulee Dam would definitely not have been the first interruption of their fish supply,
nor the longest. Additionally, plesiosaurs were not fish; they breathed air. That means they would have had to have a place to rest, out of the water, like seals do. It’s not hard to imagine what that would look like. There they would be, draped over the rocks at a secluded beach somewhere, looking like a 50-foot-long, twoton seal with a long, snaky three-footthick neck and a head full of jagged, protruding teeth. What’s the likelihood that something like that would go unnoticed, even on the Oregon Coast, clear into the late 1930s? Still, it’s a fun thing to contemplate. And, well, it would explain some things, wouldn’t it? Finn J.D. John teaches at Oregon State University and writes about odd tidbits of Oregon history. His book, “Heroes and Rascals of Old Oregon,” was recently published by Ouragan House Publishers. To contact him or suggest a topic, write to finn@offbeatoregon.com or call 541-3572222.
MOWING • EDGING PRUNING • BLOWING BARK DUSTING • PRESSURE WASHING • FERTILIZING ...And Much More! Residential - Commercial Weekly & Monthly Maintenance Plans Available One Time Clean-up
FREE ESTIMATE - CALL TODAY!
503-851-6207
SERVING MID-WILLAMETTE VALLEY Spring 2020 • Willamette Valley Life
13
VALLEY SERVICES
Thinking about buying or selling? I can help!
Cathy McLean “They made it so easy!” This is what we hear over & over again from Consigners and Buyers. No Hassles-No Pressure
(971) 718-4042 269 NE Polk Station Rd #1 Dallas, OR 97338 synergizeauto.com
Accountants guiding clients through the complexities of financial planning, accounting, payroll solutions and tax services
Broker
•New And Used Furniture •New England Mattresses •Vitamin Department •Wide Array Of Collectibles Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am - 5:30pm Sunday Noon-4:00pm
503-831-3100
SomethingsAntiques.com 745 Main St., Dallas, OR 97338
1220 Main St. E., Monmouth, OR 97361
503-580-0571
mcleancathy@earthlink.net Licensed in the State of Oregon since 1985
Check Out Our New Menu Items!
Independence Grill & Bar
Providing high-quality automotive maintenance and repair services since 2013. VANLUE, PC Certified Public Accountant 1174 Cornucopia St. NW, Number 250 Salem, OR 97304 Phone: (503) 587-7954
5 0 3 . 8 3 7. 0 3 9 4
IndependenceGrill.com 154 S. Main St Independence, OR 97351
The Valley’s Premier Camera Shop
BUY • SELL • TRADE 161 W. Ellendale, Dallas, OR 97338 FOCALPOINTPHOTO.COM
503.623.6300
14
Willamette Valley Life • Spring 2020
CALL TODAY OR STOP BY...
503.585.6266
2305 McGilcrest St. SE, Salem, OR 97302 www.AutoTeamSalem.com
Cupcakes • Bubbles • Cakes • Espresso • Desserts 296 S. Main St., Independence, OR 97351
503.837.0888
PARTING SHOTS
State Capitol Cherry Blossoms Photo by Brian Chung
Spring 2020 • Willamette Valley Life
15
FRESH LOCAL GOODNESS
2020 Wooden Shoe
Oregon’s Most Beautiful Event!
Join us for 40 acres of stunning beauty. March 20-May 3rd. 683 SE Jefferson St., Dallas, OR 503.623.3335 • Open Daily 6 a.m.
• Tulip and Display Gardens • Children and Family Activities • Great Food • Wooden Shoe Vineyards Wine • Tulip Themed Gift Shop • Crafter’s Market Place
33814 S. Meridian Rd. Woodburn • 800.711.2006 Info/Field Conditions: woodenshoe.com
Huge Selection of Outdoor Equipment! L A RG E S H O W RO O M • I N B U S I N E S S S I N C E 19 47
STIHL
ler d Dea
rize
Autho
We can answer all your questions. Give us a call or come by.
“Roofing - We Do It Right” Roofing Contractor in Salem Oregon for the last 20 years and over 25 years experience!
Call Us Today!
503.540.9898
888.854.9332
rickfarm.com
AROUND TOWNE TAXI LLC • 24/7 Dispatch • Safe and Courteous Drivers • Airport Service/Hotel/Casino Shuttle • Locally Owned & Operated • Senior/Veteran Discount
503.371.3664 www.AroundTowneTaxi.com
16
Willamette Valley Life • Spring 2020
All products assembled free! You won’t take it home in a box!
Serving Salem and the midWillamette Valley since 2010