Simon Pulls It Off
11/16/10: Simon Hare '97 is the newly elected Josephine County Commissioner. You will remember this handsome young man who emceed our silent auction last July 4th. After a hard-fought campaign with many bumps in the road taking on popular incumbent Dave Toler, Simon won with 965 votes. The many alumni campaign workers devoting mountains of time and energy to his campaign included Carol Dinkel Dickson '74, Shaun Hoback '89 and Simon's classmate, Ryan Nolan. See Simon's bio at votehare.com
The following article from the November 3, 2010 issue is reprioduced here with permission of the Grants Pass Daily
Courier.
Simon Hare ousts Dave Toler as commissioner
2 percent separates candidates
by Stacy D. Stumbo
of the Daily Courier
Surrounded by exhilarated supporters at the Wild River Pub on Tuesday night, Simon Hare surveyed the first election results from the Josephine County Clerk's Office and absorbed the news that he had been elected commissioner.
"I'm pretty excited," the 32-year-old Cave Junction resident said, adding that as the ballots from rural parts of the county started to roll in he believed the numbers would be even stronger.
By this morning, with 100 percent of precincts reporting, Hare's lead had grown to 965 votes, giving him a solid 2 percent victory.
Voter turnout in Josephine County was 65 percent, with 33,586 people casting ballots out of 51,646 registered voters.
Hare said although in the 10-candidate primary Toler won by a significant margin, he felt that Tuesday's election showed that people really "wanted somebody other than Dave Toler."
Hare supporter Jim Frick said the decision was likely based on differences in ideology that Hare is pro-business and p
ro-development and has made county residents hopeful about the future.
The atmosphere at Toler's campaign gathering at the Bistro was somber as the first numbers came in.
"I am definitely surprised," Toler said.
Toler hoped voters would appreciate what he has helped the county accomplish during a time of great hardship and put party partisanship aside in favor of substance. Despite dwindling financial support from the federal government, Toler helped the county continue to improve parks, reopen the libraries in cooperation with nonprofit Josephine Community Libraries,increase sheriff's patrols and create jobs by helping to recruit new businesses to the area.
"I think it's going to be very interesting," Toler pondered about the decision to elect Hare, a former lobbyist who has never held public office.
9/27/10: The following is Paul's column of September 26, 2010 in the Medford Mail Tribune reprinted here with permission. Paul is a Class of 1969 member. http://www.www.mailtribune.com go to News, Columns, Paul Fattig.
Mrs. Byrne 'gave us the gift of learning'
by Paul Fattig, Mail Tribune
Lorna Tycer Byrne gave no homework for her final lesson on Thursday.
There was no need.
It was a lesson on a life well-lived, one that all of us gathered for her last class knew well. Our
classroom was the funeral hall in Cave Junction; the pupils were her relatives, friends and
former students.
Lorna Byrne, who taught for 50 years in the Illinois Valley, died in Grants Pass on Sept. 17 after
104 years of life. God knows how many lives she improved during a half-century of teaching.
It was out of deep respect for her that the powers that be in the Three Rivers School District
wisely decided in 1977 to name its new school in Cave Junction the Lorna Byrne Middle School.
Never mind she had retired only three years earlier.
The lady I shall forever know as Mrs. Byrne (even now I don't feel comfortable calling her
"Lorna") was my eighth-grade math teacher in the mid-1960s at the long-defunct Kerby
Elementary School.
Joining me in Thursday's drive to that beautiful little valley was Central Point resident John
Decker, an old buddy and "Kerby U" alumnus who was an outstanding football player at Illinois
Valley High School. En route, we reminisced about the old days, both the good and the not so
good.
Several folks who knew her spoke during the service led by Denny Hare, a gifted singer who
lifted our spirits with his songs. He was also a longtime neighbor and cherished friend of the
late teacher.
They all spoke eloquently about how Byrne had touched their lives. Succinctly summing it up
was Mike Vitto, her grandson and former student, who said, "She gave us the gift of learning."
I had intended to stand up and speak but there seemed to be lump in my throat and something
in my eye. Both eyes, actually.
It wasn't sadness. After all, 104 years in one of the fragile biological machines we each drive
through this life is excellent mileage. No doubt our talented teacher was ready to graduate
from this mortal coil.
It was joy: for being one of the lucky ones to have met her along life's highway. For being
reacquainted with old friends, some of whom I had not seen for decades.
As I sat there, I was overwhelmed with memories, including the infamous bubble-gum incident.
It occurred during my eighth-grade math class. To say that I was not the sharpest pencil in the
class would be an understatement. What's more, I was a consummate daydreamer.
To paraphrase the Bard, Mrs. Byrne did not suffer foolish students gladly. She was a nononsense
teacher who expected you to pay attention in class.
No gum. No goofing off. Period.
Daydreams faded away under her laser-beam look like wisps of mist in the bright morning sun.
It came to pass one sunny day that a friend, we'll call him Cliff Phillips because he's most likely
the culprit, gave me the gum during lunch hour. It was a pleasant break, blowing bubbles out
on the playground.
I walked back into class with a jaunt in my step and plopped down, happy in my thoughts about
some fishing excursion Cliff had planned for us.
That's when Mrs. Byrne's laser beam began burning into my forehead. I nearly choked on the
forgotten verboten gum.
I was frozen with fear. My jaw muscles went slack. I couldn't talk.
Mrs. Byrne marched swiftly down the aisle, held out a tissue for me to get rid of the gum, told
me to sit up and pay attention. Like all good teachers, she knew the difference between a
deliberate act of defiance and the act of an absent mind.
She had my full attention for the rest of the year. In fact, I remember thinking four short years
later during Marine Corps basic training that Mrs. Byrne could have given lessons on discipline
to my drill instructors.
Fast forward to the late 1980s.
I was writing for the Grants Pass Daily Courier and had an interview over lunch scheduled with
Mrs. Byrne. I brought along my young daughter, Amy, for protection. She was small but feisty.
But I warned Ames to be on her very best behavior.
"She's a nice lady but very strict," I cautioned. "And don't even think about chewing gum."
Turns out the teacher I feared most was a warm, wonderful human being. She talked about the
good times she had as a teacher, about the satisfaction of giving the gift of learning.
And she chuckled when reminded of my gum episode, an incident she had long forgotten.
"She was awesome, Dad," Amy said on the way home. "I'm going to be a teacher when I grow
up."
Amy now has a master's degree in history from Southern Oregon University, the same school,
albeit with a different name, that Mrs. Byrne had graduated from nearly 80 years ago.
Moreover, Amy was one of the teachers greeting students when the newly minted Central
Medford High School opened early this month.
That precious gift Mrs. Byrne gave her on the joys of learning is one she is now passing on to
her students.
Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 541-776-4496 or e-mail him at pfattig@mailtribune.com.
24 September 2010: Following is Scott Jorgensen's article as it appeared in the Illinois Valley News - The Voice of the Illinois Valley -
Illinois-Valley-News.com. From the weekly issue dated September 22, 2010.
Area residents recall life, times of Lorna Byrne
SCOTT JORGENSEN, I V News Staff Writer
In her 104 years of life, Illinois Valley legend Lorna Byrne left a significant legacy among those who grew to know her.
Byrne passed away on Friday, Sept. 17 at an assisted living facility in Grants Pass. Her passing prompted people from throughout the area to reflect on her life and times.
Julie Pope, office manager at Illinois Valley High School, was a former student of Byrne's. So were her father,Alton Sowell, and her older brother and sister. But Pope said she knew Byrne well before becoming one of her students.
"She was a shirt-tail relative of mine, so our families go way back," Pope said. "I've known her all my life."
Virginia Gilliam, who spent more than 40 years working at the Illinois Valley News, first met Byrne in 1951. That was the year that Gilliam moved to the valley.
"Everybody knew her, because she had been through the school system for so many years," Gilliam
said. "It got to the point where the kids had grown up that she started with, and she was
probably teaching their kids."
Mark Russo owns a piece of property on Caves Hwy, that used to belong to the Byrne family, who
maintained a residence next door. As such, he first met Byrne in 1967.
"I remember her as being a wonderful, kindly woman," Russo said. "She was the best neighbor a
person could ever have."
When Byrne began growing older, she was moved to an assisted living facility, and the property
fell into a state of disrepair. Russo did what he could to help her out, and was among those who
assembled a crew of middle school students to do a cleanup day at Byrne's house.
"It was a nice day, with adults and kids working together for a good cause," Russo said.
Damien Crowson, the principal at Lorna Byrne Middle School in Cave Junction, remembers Byrne as a
"wonderful lady," and began a tradition at the school of celebrating her birthday.
One year, Crowson said, he made a recording of the entire school singing "Happy Birthday" to
Byrne, and sent it to her.
"Obviously, she'll be missed," Crowson said, "I especially appreciate the legacy she created at the school." Pope recalls Byrne as being "strict" in her role as an educator, but said she loved her dearly.
"She would do anything for you and anything for anybody," Pope said. "She was such a support for our school system. She was a great teacher and an outstanding person."
Russo said that despite her high profile, Byrne remained very humble.
"I do know that was a reluctant celebrity," Russo said. "She didn't understand why people made such a big fuss over her. She was a really nice person. I've not met anyone like her, and I doubt that I ever will again."
Donations can be made at any branch of South Valley Bank & Trust to the Three Rivers School District-Lorna Byrne Memorial Fund. Donations will benefit the libraries of Illinois Valley Schools.
Donations in Lorna's memory may be sent to:
South Valley Bank & Trust, PO Box 129, Cave Junction, OR 97523
LOOK OUT CITY! HERE COMES OUR PRES!
21 July 2010
After many interviews the City of Cave Junction narrowed the more than 30 applicants down to one. Ryan Nolan '97 started his new career July 12th and will replace retiring Jim Polk, longtime Cave Junction Recorder and, incidentally, the spouse of Katie Musil Polk '73. Ryan is looking forward to the responsibilities of his new career as City Recorder, Teasurer and Elections Officer tackling such things as city council minutes, payrolls, account maintenance, agendas, budgets and other City importances. CONGRATULATIONS, Ryan! And Happy Retirement to Jim and Katie!
The following is from the July 14, 2010 issue of
the Illinois Valley News, printed here with
permission. Please see the full issue at their website:
http://www.illinois-valley-news.com or click on LINKS on the main menu.
Nolan tapped to fill city recorder position
Ryan Nolan (left) is congratulated by Cave Junction Mayor Don Moore. (Photo by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)
The city of Cave Junction will have a new recorder/treasurer after the current position holder, Jim Polk, retires in August.
On Friday, July 9, during an Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer at the Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument, Mayor Don Moore announced that Illinois Valley resident Ryan Nolan has been selected for the job.
"The competition was tough," Moore said, indicating that his selection committee had done an excellent job of narrowing the field from 30-some applicants to four, whom he then interviewed.
Nolan, born and raised in Illinois Valley, is a 1997 graduate of Illinois Valley High School. He holds a bachelor of science degree in political science from Western Oregon University at Monmouth, and a master of arts degree in teaching from Southern Oregon University at Ashland.
Moore said that the new hire, through his involvement in a number of community organizations, demonstrates a civic-minded attitude that the mayor feels is important.
Nolan has been working as a substitute teacher at Illinois Valley High School where he also is involved with FFA.
"He's absolutely the best person I could have gotten for this job," Moore said. "It's important that whoever takes this job be around for a long time."
REUNION WEEKEND 2010 ALUMNI EVENTS
To read the latest events on the 2010 reunion please click HERE
Former IV star athlete Ragsdale clings to life
4/29/10: Help needed for Larry Ragsdale '08. The following article from the April 28th issue about Larry's tragic accident of March 10 appears here with the kind permission of reporter Jeff Duewel and Grants Pass Oregon's The Daily Courier. Should you wish to help his family with these extraordinary costs, an account is available. Send checks payable to "Larry Ragsdale," U.S. Bank, 400 SW 6th Street, Grants Pass 97526, or make a deposit at any U.S. Bank branch.
To read the full article, click HERE
News for Upcoming Reunions
To read the latest news on the upcoming 2010 reunion please click HERE
4/15/10: Please note that the golf tournament is canceled for 2010.
Lone Mountain RV
11/12/09: Glenn 75 and Lori Woodbury want you to know that their Lone Mountain RV Resort is open all year and you'll get a nightly 20% discount just because you're an alumni! Located just 300 feet off Redwood Hwy at 169 Lone Mountain Road in O'Brien, you'll find 32 spaces in a well-landscaped area of nearly four acres with an adjoining nature trail and creek. It has much more than the usual facilities, the O'Brien Store is on the corner, and the Culvers' famous McGrew's Steakhouse just across the road - that's Steve '66 and Suzie Bleser Culver '79. The property, in Glenn's family for nearly 100 years, was purchased by Herbert Woodbury in 1910, went to his son, Bill '46 in 1950, and to Glenn, Bill's son, in 1990. Glenn's terrific website is loaded with details and beautiful pictures. Check it out.
E-mail HERE
Go to website HERE
IT'S OFFICIAL!
THANKS TO YOUR VOTES WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE 30 WINNERS NATION WIDE OF THE KELLOGG'S FROSTED FLAKES PLANT A SEED CONTEST
The $15,000 renovation we will receive from Kellogg's is
only a fraction of what is needed to upgrade this facility.
DONATE TO THE FIELD RENOVATION FUND AT HOME VALLEY BANK AND HELP US COMPLETE THIS PROJECT!
Notice of Meeting of the Board of Directors
IVHS Alumni and Friends, an Oregon Public Benefit Corporation
The board of directors will meet on
Thursday June 25, 2009 at 6 o'clock p.m.
Kerbyville Museum, 24195 Redwood Highway, Kerby, Oregon
Guests welcome!
Notice of the 15th Annual Meeting of the Membership
IVHS Alumni and Friends, an Oregon Public Benefit Corporation
The Fifteenth annual meeting of the membership will be held
immediately following Breakfast and Silent Auction on
Sunday July 5, 2009 at Noon
Jubilee Park Pavilion, Cave Junction, Oregon
Members Vote! Guests welcome!
Notice of the 16th Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors
IVHS Alumni and Friends, an Oregon Public Benefit Corporation
The Sixteenth Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on
Thursday July 9, 2009 at 6 o'clock p.m.
Kerbyville Museum, 24195 Redwood Highway, Kerby, Oregon
Guests welcome!
Win Mike's Doll House Five Bucks
a $cholarship Fundraiser
WOW! Meticulous Mike McDermott '59 has talent. And, boy, are we grateful! His works of
art are legendary in the Medford area where he and Mette reside. Since 2000 Mike's doll
houses have been a popular donation to the Festival of Trees, Providence Hospital's annual
fundraising event, where his creations are much prized. Now our scholarship fund will benefit
from Mike's largesse. To honor Oregon's 150th birthday, the 100th birthday of the Oregon
Caves, the 75th birthday of the Chateau, and his class of 1959's 50th anniversary reunion, he has
faithfully constructed a replica of the Oregon Caves Chateau.
Find it at the Illinois Valley
Visitor Center in Cave Junction where you can buy a raffle ticket for only $5. It will move to
our reunion breakfast at the Pavilion in Jubilee Park Sunday, July 5th where tickets can be
purchased prior to "the drawing ceremony" at Noon. Tickets are also available at Sterling
Savings Bank, the Oregon Caves, and will be available at the Kerbyville Museum during
scholarship voting week beginning Monday June 29.
Click Here for pictures showing the various stages of construction.
Click Here for information on the Raffle to win this Chateau.
Welcome to IVHS Alumni and Friends