Feat. Stories

Ours or theirs, who cares

Kathy Sell — 2010-09-07T13:22:00+00:00

We join others in expressing our concern and dismay over the issue of a fine against Mercy Flights. A department of the U.S. Department of Transportation recently advised Mercy Flights they would fine them $40,000. For what, they surely must have asked—because they used the three letter word “our” in marketing material regarding the helicopter they have exclusive use of through a lease.

Don’t we often refer to the government as “our” government? Apparently that is a mistake because we certainly don’t own it, nor do we want to.

Mercy Flights surely must have wondered if the federal agency was serious, but soon learned they definitely were and if Mercy chose to quibble, the fine could increase dramatically. For the moment, unless that nasty three letter word appears again, Mercy Flights only has to pay a $15,000 fine.

Figure how many memberships does it take for $15,000? My single senior combination (including air) annual membership is $55. It would take about 270 new memberships in that bracket to pay the $15,000. Surely most of us would prefer if Mercy Flights suddenly got 270 new members that it be used to either obtain new equipment or update equipment they have.

How many lives have been saved by using “our” helicopter? Will more be saved when Mercy Flights uses “the” helicopter? Somehow we doubt it.

We also find it most interesting that just within the last two weeks, the Oregon Department of Transportation authorized a $3.7 million grant to Mercy Flights to build a hanger and operations building. One wonders if the government ever referred to “your” helicopter in the multi-page grant. If so, shame on them. We would venture to bet ODOT somehow thinks the helicopter is enough of Mercy Flight’s to shelter it.

It truly is very hard to believe “our” government performed such a stunt. Or is it?
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Mom to Mom group offers support for young and old

Kathy Sell — 2010-09-07T13:20:00+00:00

Eagle Point’s Michelle Sked embraces this firm conviction: “I think today’s society pressures us to have two incomes; I have a calling to be a mom..” Content to forgo what she deems the trappings of materialistic gratification, the young mother relishes the joys of devotion to her four daughters. While spouse, Alex Sked, pursues an engineering career at Erickson Air Crane, Michelle spends daytime hours with Gracie, Allie, Madison and Kaitlyn, ages 8, 5, 3, and 1.

Co-ed softball tourney to benefit Eagle Point youth

Kathy Sell — 2010-09-07T13:17:00+00:00

Saturday, Sept. 18, will be the 2nd co-ed softball tournament to benefit Ethan Jostad, of Eagle Point. It will be held at the White City fields on Highway 140. Each team is guaranteed three games during the day. The entry fee is $150 per team with all proceeds going to the Jostad family. Entries can be sent to URCR/Ethan’s tourney, P.O. Box 126, Eagle Point, OR 97524. Or register and pay at the event before the first game.

Team organizer Wendy Gorman says this year they will have eight slots for amateur teams and eight slots for advanced teams. She hopes to have all the teams registered by Sept. 11.

Reporter’s experiences enable her to address varied issues

Kathy Sell — 2010-08-30T13:56:00+00:00

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series about the staff of the Upper Rogue Independent. We previously profiled F.C. Blake and Christy Pitto.

A wife, mother, grandmother and even an activist of sorts, but one of Russian heritage, who once did underground search and rescue–hardly the Margaret Bradburn who often sports the straw cowboy hat and bright lipstick known to many as one of the reporters for the Upper Rogue Independent.

Bradburn and her husband, Larry, came to the valley (and specifically Shady Cove) six years ago. It didn’t take her long to voice her opinion via Letters to the Editor. And from there it was another quick step to seek a job as a reporter, a position she has held for 4 ½ years.

Bradburn’s parents came to the United States from Russia via China just before World War II. Bradburn, and her brother(now deceased) were born in San Francisco. Their parents only allowed their children to speak English and in order to do this, their father worked days and went to school nights to learn the American ways and the English language.

It’s Duck Race time again in Shady Cove

Kathy Sell — 2010-08-30T13:55:00+00:00

The Upper Rogue is about tradition and what is more traditional than the annual Rubber Duck Race that takes place on Labor Day weekend at the Shady Cove Regional Park? The signature event of the Upper Rogue Community Center is Sunday, Sept. 5 from 12 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is the 11th such race, said Duck Race Chair, Dee Hawkins.

This year proceeds from the race will benefit the transportation fund, said Hawkins. The center has a fleet of vans to transport seniors and the disabled to appointments and other destinations. Without public transportation in the Upper Rogue, this service is heavily utilized. The center averages about 6,000 trips a year.

Fundraiser dinner for URCC Director Steve Hauck, Sept. 11

Kathy Sell — 2010-08-30T13:40:00+00:00

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The concern and caring in the Upper Rogue is phenomenal. Whenever someone needs help, community members step forth to offer assistance. Recently a bank account was set up at PremierWest to contribute towards medical bills for Steve Hauck, Executive Director of the Upper Rogue Community Center. That helped— but Hauck could use more assistance and a fundraiser for him is in the works.

A few years ago, Hauck was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment. He has had some residual problems. Hauck has dialysis three times a week and also needs expensive medication.

Take a hike

Kathy Sell — 2010-08-23T15:07:00+00:00

{gallery}/08_24_10/annie{/gallery} Annie Creek Trail is just south of Crater Lake. This 1.7 mile hike takes you along Annie Creek, with beautiful flowers, natural springs and a beautiful meadow. There are 16 posts marking points of interest. A book is available describing each post. It is a moderate hike that takes about 1.5 hours.

EP Fire District 3 firemen follow Chief Iverson’s philosophy on service first

Kathy Sell — 2010-08-23T15:05:00+00:00

The following human interest article was sent to the Independent by Wendy VonHolle, who owns Happy Feet by Wendy.

She has a dear friend who is 94-years old and lives in Eagle Point. For the past year, she has had a problem with swollen ankles. Wendy had tried to get those who came in contact with her to get some wood or bricks to elevate the bottom of her bed. Gravity would work during the night to reduce the swelling if her feet were higher than her heart. Using a pillow wasn’t the answer, as her feet would fall off the pillow and to some degree that could be uncomfortable.

The swelling was getting worse. So one day Wendy drove over to the Eagle Point Fire Department. They were in the middle of a meeting, but listened to her need. Wendy asked if they would please take over the project and get something to elevate the foot of the bed of the 94-year-old.

History of the West traced in pictures and words

Kathy Sell — 2010-08-16T13:17:00+00:00

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Mike Cox is the author of 15 nonfiction books, the latest of which is Historic Photos of Heroes of the Old West. The source of much of his material can be found in libraries and museums, but it took more than just looking at old photos and drawings to put together this table top book of some 200 photo and drawings.

Cox divides his heroes into five categories:
• Pathfinders
• Pioneers
• Builders
•Innovators, and
• Perpetrators

In addition to setting the stage with five groups of heroes, Cox offers an overview of the four large land deals that shaped the west.

Fairy godmother

Kathy Sell — 2010-08-16T13:09:00+00:00

The fairy godmother promises to arrive in School District 9 within a couple of months and plop down $824,400 at its doorstep.

While many will only hear that District 9 (and every other school district) is about to get more money, we doubt few will hear the way it is to be spent.