The Applegater

Applegater Fall 2015 3 WHO WE ARE The Applegate Valley Community N e w s p a p e r, I n c . i s a n o n p r o f i t 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the publication of the Applegater newsmagazine, which, we feel, reflects the heart and soul of our community. Our Mission The nonprofit Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. (AVCN), provides the many rural and diverse communities of the Applegate Watershed with a communications vehicle, the Applegater newsmagazine, free of charge to all watershed residents. Our quarterly paper presents constructive, relevant, educational and entertaining reports on a wide variety of subjects such as: n natural resources n ecology and other science information n historical and current events n community news and opinions AVCN encourages and publishes differing viewpoints and, through the Applegater newsmagazine, acts as a clearinghouse for this diverse community. We are dedicated to working together with community members to maintain and enhance the quality of life that is unique to the Applegate Watershed. Acknowledgements The Applegater newsmagazine is published quarterly by the Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc., and is funded by donations from our loyal readers and advertisements for local businesses. Special thanks to Diana Coogle, Margaret della Santina, Melissa Rhodes, and Paul Tipton for copy editing; Diana Coogle, Kathy Kliewer, and Mikell Nielsen for proofing; Beate Foit for bookkeeping; and webmaster Joe Lavine. Board of Directors Diana Coogle, Chair Debbie Tollefson, Secretary Chris Bratt, Treasurer Richard Goodnough Barbara Holiday Heather Murphy Don Tollefson J.D. Rogers (Honorary) Editorial Committee Chris Bratt Tom Carstens Barbara Holiday, Editor Sandy Shaffer Greeley Wells Rauno Perttu (Honorary) All articles, stories, opinions and letters that appear in the Applegater are the opinion and property of the author, and not necessarily that of the Applegater or the Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. PROTECTION OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Any and all materials submitted for publication must be original (no reprinted articles, please) and the intellectual property of the author unless otherwise credited. All articles submitted to the Applegater are subject to edit and publication at the newsmagazine's discretion and as space allows. When too many articles are submitted to include in any one issue, some articles may be placed on our website or held until the following issue. Letters to the editor must be 450 words or less. Opinion pieces and articles cannot exceed 700 words. Community calendar submissions must be brief. All photos submitted must be high resolution (300 dpi) or "large format" (e.g., 30" x 40"). Any questions, email gater@applegater.org. All submissions for our next issue must be received at the email address below by the deadline. Applegater Newsmagazine Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. P.O. Box 14, Jacksonville, OR 97530 gater@applegater.org www.applegater.org Inside the Gater Back in Time—Beaver Creek School District 1898 ................................ 6 Behind the Green Door—Here we go again! ......................................... 21 Bird Explorer—Time for ocean birds ................................................... 11 Cantrall Buckley Park News ................................................................. 1 0 Dirty Fingernails and All—Yes, you can can .......................................... 9 First graders become published authors at Ruch School ........................ 22 Opinion pieces .............................................................................. 17 - 21 Rearing and tagging monarchs ............................................................. 13 River Right: Owl control? ..................................................................... 2 0 e problem with bullfrogs ..................................................................... 8 e Starry Side: Moon movements ......................................................... 7 Advertisers! We c a n h e l p yo u re a c h yo u r market. The Applegater is the only newsmagazine covering the entire Applegate Valley. With a circulation of 10,500 and a readership of more than 20,000, we cover Jacksonville, Ruch, Applegate, Williams, Murphy, Wilderville, Wonder, Jerome Prairie, and areas of Medford and Grants Pass. For more information, contact: Ron Turpen 541-601-1867 ron.turpen@gmail.com Next deadline: November 1 Masthead photo credit Teya Jacobi captured this beautiful duck swimming in fall colors reflected in a pond at Lithia Park. Editorial Calendar ISSUE DEADLINE WINTER (Dec-Feb).........November 1 Holiday / Arts SPRING (March-May)......February 1 Commerce / Community SUMMER (June-Aug)......May 1 Environment / Fire / Recreation FALL (Sept-Nov)....... .....August 1 Agriculture / Wine PERSONAL MAILING LABEL One year: $14.99 Two years: $24.99 Mail us a check or pay online at www.applegater.org. A huge THANKS to the generous donors who recently contributed to the Applegater. FROM THE EDITOR Help us ensure that we have the ongoing support needed to publish the Applegater. All contributions are tax-deductible and receive recognition in the Applegater. Patron $1000+ Sustainer $500 - $999 Contributor $200 - $499 Supporter $50 - $199 Sponsor $5 - $49 Please make your checks payable to Applegater and mail to: Applegater P.O. Box 14 Jacksonville, OR 97530 Donors: We strive to ensure that our donor list is accurate. Please contact us if there are errors or omissions. Dear Readers, We hope you're as happy as we are to turn our backs on this smoke-filled summer and head into a cool fall with fresh air! We also hope to supply some of that fresh air with this our fall issue, which highlights agriculture and wine. Agriculture-related articles appear on page 1 (horse business) and page 12 (Hidden Valley High School Future Farmers of America). You can read wine-related articles on page 1 (Applegate Valley wine branding), page 23 (history of southern Oregon wine), and page 4 ("Vines, viruses and vectors" by Rick Hilton). If you would like to escape to the coast, read about the offer from Peter iemann, our Bird Explorer, on page 11. Opinion pieces are abundant (pages 17 to 21) and range from cannabis to climate change to controlling owls. e Applegater's annual fundraiser at Red Lily was a fun and successful event. ank you to our sponsors, auction item donors, and attendees for making it special. For your viewing pleasure, there are a few photos on page 11. Enjoy the latest issue. And, as always, feel free to send us your comments. We listen. Barbara Holiday • gater@applegater.org CONTRIBUTOR Carol Neil, Berkeley, CA SUPPORTER Ken & Jan Chapman, Applegate, OR Roots Family Productions, Jacksonville, OR SPONSOR Bill Crooks, Grants Pass, OR Jan Buur, Santa Barbara, CA F. Harty, Grants Pass, OR Maija Norstad, Corte Madera, CA Marilyn Terry, Williams, OR Janice Wilt, Jacksonville, OR The Williams Farmers' Market reflects a unique freedom of spirit in this rural community of approximately 2,500 inhabitants. e market overflows with a diversity of organic farmers, artisanal vendors, crafters, as well as local nonprofits and musicians. Sometimes there is even a free bicycle clinic (tips welcome!). Homemade frozen popsicles tantalize with exotic flavors like cilantro-lime-pineapple. Warm smiles are dished out liberally on late afternoons throughout the summer. e Williams Farmers' Market began with four to five vendors. It now supports over 20. The motto is "homegrown and handmade in Williams," but some vendors are grandfathered in. A vendor might come from farther afield if no one else produces that same product locally. Creating a thriving social scene, the market's festive atmosphere draws friends and acquaintances to shop fresh, organic produce and handmade products from May to October. Long- time residents catch up with friends or simply check that everything is still as it should be in Williams. For a newcomer, the market provides an opportunity for introductions or a way to become familiar with what the community has to offer. e market's free nonprofit space enables the library or other groups to pitch their cause. Small children cling to their parents' legs. Musicians play flute, guitar, or ukulele, contributing to the market's good vibe. The late afternoon market runs from 4 to 6:30 pm on Mondays, bringing in people after work, people who missed area weekend markets, or people who prefer not to make such long trips unnecessarily. Williams Farmers' Market e expression "know your farmer" applies here. Rachel Reese of Old'n Ways Farm, one of the newest farmers, says that the competition is fierce in Williams because "everyone is doing it right. Everyone grows organically, on a small scale, and takes care of the land. With competition this tough, it's all about connections and relationships." In Williams a customer looking for organic produce feels confident, even if not all farmers have gone through the expensive organic certification process. It is satisfying to talk to the farmers or farm managers directly to discuss their concerns and experience their pride. e plethora of locally made and artisanal products makes up part of the market's delightful character. Aside from fresh chevre and breads straight from the oven, vendors sell meat, eggs, wine, sweet treats, crafted spices and salts, jams, or even a wide variety of flavored kombucha. Clothes, jewelry, greeting cards, and kalimbas made from locally grown gourds are among the handmade goods available. Conversation with a vendor might uncover gems of wisdom, experience, or local lore. Jim Rigel of "Jim's Blacksmithing" forges steel into wall hangers, bootjacks, candlesticks, See faRMERS' MaRkEt, page 23 BY gaBRIEla EaglESOME Shoppers at the Williams Farmers' Market have an abundance of organic choices.

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