The first photo I am sharing this week signifies the Festival of the Phoenix, a spring festival held in Bandon one April weekend in 1983 as a symbol of the town's rebirth.
"At a time when parts of the state are slowed by the national recession, Bandon is bustling with activity," according to an article on the front page of the April 6, 1983, Western World.
"A new boat basin is under construction, Old Town buildings are taking on new facades, utilities are going underground and sewer lines will soon be going in.
"Members of the chamber of commerce, the port district, city and the Old Town Guild are calling it the 'Bandon success story.' and they're sharing it with legislators and representatives from other towns.
"This weekend's Festival of the Phoenix is one more way of sharing that story, helping success happen by bringing people into town, and celebrating both past accomplishments and hopes for the future.
"Bandon has been temporarily crippled by three fires in the past. The one in 1936 left little standing. But the fires could not stop the town, and each time, residents banded together to rebuild.
"Named after the Phoenix bird that rose to life from its own ashes, the festival was planned to celebrate Bandon's rebirth and what residents hope will be a bright future."
Among the events was the festival bonfire (first photo), signifying the Phoenix rising from the ashes.
In January of 1983, during the building of the new boat basin, the second of two groups of explosions (second photo) designed to loosen rock in the boat basin, apparently did extensive damage to the new docks and pilings at the site, reports the Jan. 19, 1983, Western World.
"A spokesman for Dave Thompson, the contractor of this part of the project, said they had misjudged the amount of explosives needed. No estimates on the damage will be available until the basin can be emptied and the piling inspected to see if they need to be replaced or just reset."
Those of us living here in 1983 can attest to the strength of the explosion, which rocked that end of town.
While going through the 1982 papers, I found this neat photo of George Barnes and Ann Remy (third photo), both members of the Bandon School Board, who were helping out during a scholarship fund-raising dinner. Another photo pictures Cecil and Ann Kemp and John and Eloise Bowder enjoying the dinner in the crowded cafeteria at the high school gymnasium.
Barnes was the long-time CEO of Southern Coos General Hospital (now Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center) and Ann is the wife of the late Dr. Del Remy, both well known for volunteering for the schools. Ann, who recently moved from Bandon to be nearer family, is a big supporter of the Bandon History Museum, along with her other endeavors.
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I was sorry to learn of the death of a local post office employee John Hawkins, 67, who was found in his postal vehicle, which had gone off Two Mile Road and over an embankment around 11:30 a.m. Friday morning, shortly after he began his day's route. The time was recorded on his GPS, which showed the time that the vehicle stopped moving, according to the Bandon Police Department report.
The police report indicates that Mr. Hawkins, a Rural Carrier Associate, probably suffered a cardiac event, which caused him to lose control of his vehicle. When he did not return to the post office, a search was begun, and the vehicle was located around 3 p.m., according to a postal employee.
I spoke with one of the postal employees who said Mr. Hawkins had been working for the local post office about three years.
"He was a great guy, and his loss dealt our office a real blow," said the employee. "We said goodbye to him that morning, and he didn't return ...."
He lived with his wife, Merla, on Ohio Avenue.
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I learned early last week that Margaret Pounder, president and CEO of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, had suffered several strokes, and had spent several days in the hospital. She later went to Portland for further treatment, according to a source, but she is returning home (or is probably home by now) and is expected to fully recover, which is good news.
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I heard from my pal Brian Vick Sunday, who is undergoing chemo therapy treatment for stage-one pancreatic cancer. "The first chemo treatment went well, with no sides effects ... and more to come. My oncologist has me on curative care. She's optimistic. So I'll be around for a long while, I hope," sais Brian, who was celebrating his 74th birthday Sunday at the home of his daughter, Klyta, in Medford, where he is staying during his treatment.
Brian is a member of the city council and the Bandon History Museum board of directors. He told me he will be giving up his seat on the council, with his term ending in December. He had not planned to seek re-election after many years on the council and a term as mayor...and 12 years on the board of the Southern Coos Hospital district.
Everywhere I go, people ask about him, and I let him know that everyone is praying for his recovery.
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I couldn't find details about what's happening on the Fourth of July in Bandon, but I am pretty sure the parade starts at 10 a.m., and the fireworks display will begin at dusk.
The chamber is sponsoring a scavenger hunt, and Greater Bandon Association is hosting a Wine Walk from 5 to 7 p.m., with glasses, for $10, available at the glass picnic shelter on the Boardwalk.
There is also a Wine Walk scheduled for July 19.
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The long-awaited amusement arcade, Fin's Family Fun, had a soft opening this week, and is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Among the owners is Neal Barlow, who was a volunteer at the Bandon History Museum until he began in business venture in Old Town. I know him because he regularly attends the city council meetings.
The arcade, which drew rave reviews on Facebook this weekend, is located in the Harbor Town Center building between Broken Anchor and The Wheelhouse...the former home of Washed Ashore.
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I received a press release this week from Debbie Mueller, emergency coordinator for the Coos County Sheriff's Office, about an emergency management meeting that will be held in Bandon Wednesday, July 10, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Sprague Theater. Doors open at 6:30.
"Is Bandon Prepared" is the topic of the public meeting, to be sponsored by the Coos County Office of Emergency Management and the City of Bandon.
"Come join us to learn about being better self-prepared for disasters, both natural and manmade. The presentation includes creating go bags, defensible space and sheltering in place versus evacuating," said Mueller.
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A fun event coming up Sunday, July 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bandon History Museum is an afternoon of gold panning. Pan for gold with Jeff Haga and Steve Gant. See what it was like for the early gold miners to strike it rich. The free program is sponsored by Sunset Oceanfront Motel and Lodging. Sundays are free for museum admission throughout the summer thanks to Best Western Inn at Face Rock and First Interstate Bank.
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A number of scholarships went to members of this year's graduating class.
Bellahrose Hart, Sidda Radcliffe, Danielle Rock, Olivia Thompson and Makiah Vierck received the Bill Magness $1,500 scholarship.
Myah Hisel: $1,000 Eileen M. Fetterman Compassion and Kindness scholarship and a $500 Dew Valley Club scholarship.
Sidda Radcliffe: the $3,500 William Arnot Day scholarship awarded to the outstanding student in the area of speech and communication; the $1,000 Spirit of Aloha scholarship given in memory of Johnna Hickox; a $1,000 Coos Curry Electric Cooperative scholarship; a $1,500 Coquille Valley Elks Most Valuable Student scholarship and a $4,500 OSU Finley Academic Excellence scholarship.
Parker Lang: $1,000 John Fetterman Outdoorsman scholarship.
Ellie Kingsbury: $3,000 Alda Lowe Day for humanities achievement; $200 Redding School of the Performing Arts.
Alexa Crum: U of O Summit ($20,000 over 4 years); Tuition and fees waiver; Jack and Margaret Dean, $1,000; American Red Cross, $750; Federal Pell Grant, $7,395, and Hawaii Pacific U. merit, ($19,000 a year).
Nyah Dimitruk: U of O Pathway tuition and fees waiver; Oregon Opportunity Grant, $7,524; U of O Summit ($20,000 over 4 years); Cranberry Court, $1,000.
Rachel Eickhoff: Coos Curry Electric, $1,000; Cranberry Queen, $1,500; Coquille Valley Elks, $2,000; OSU Finley Academic Excellence, $4,500. Mildred E. Mudd scholarship for outstanding senior in music, $3,000.
Sean Ells: Coquille Valley Elks Most Valuable Student, $3,500; U of O Summit ($20,000 over 4 years); Elks District Award, $1,800. Nina Dominy Memorial, $1,000. Norman F. Sprague, $3,000.
Bellahrose Hart: Oregon Promise, $4,000. The Gaye Knapp Principal's Character scholarship, awarded to a senior who demonstrated outstanding character (respect, dignity and acceptance of others through example), $1,000.
Analise Miller: UCC Athletic, $2,000; Prefontaine, $2,000; First Community Credit Union, $3,000. Neil Faber Memorial, $1,000, for student who exemplifies kindness.
Katelynn Senn: Neil Faber Memorial Scholarship, $1,000 for student who exemplifies kindness. Ford Family Foundation scholarship; Burger King; Coquille Valley Elks, $2,500; Oregon First Community, $3,000; EOU Athletic scholarship, $4,000.
Ava Nelson: Oregon Promise $4,000; Marsha Felton Memorial, $1,000.
Olivia Thompson: Reese Family, $4,000; Harvey S. Mudd, $3,500 (for outstanding senior in engineering and mathematics); two OSU Academic scholarships; OSU Finley Academic Excellence, $4,500; Coquille Valley Elks, $3,000.
Danielle Rock: Caryll Mudd Sprague, outstanding senior in creative arts, $3,500.
Elizabeth Stice: Ford Family Foundation; Finley Academic Excellence, $4,500; Oregon Opportunity, $7,524.
Colton Siewell: Western Undergraduate Exchange, over $10,000 a year toward tuition; Feather River, housing stipend.
Zack Robertson; U of O Pathway tuition waiver.
Makiah Vierck: Tony's Crab Shack scholarship, $1,500; IOOF, Bandon Lodge No. 133, $1,000. Dorothy Zaddach Fetterman Healthcare, $1,000 to senior who will pursue a degree in healthcare.
Brandon Wilson: VA scholarship.
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