Fond Memories of Early SRN Summer Gatherings
A horse transformed into a zebra was a popular Summer Gathering attraction at Shady Springs. (Photo: S. Speroff)
By Sen Speroff*
In the early years, SRN (previously “Citizens for the Preservation of Skyline Ridge”) explored events that would bring the community together socially and raise enough funds to pay for the printing and mailing of the quarterly Skyline Ridge Runner. First there were potlucks and music at the Karin Hunt/Michael Tillson home with a “pass the hat” for donations. The first larger attempts to raise funds were not very successful. In 1990, a “Sassy 60’s Dance” was held at the Legion Hall. Let’s just say that the community didn’t show up with flowers in their hair nor wearing bell bottoms. Then in 1991, SRN and Skyline Grange jointly held a Folkart Sale benefit. It was not highly successful, either.
Finally, in 1992, the first Summer Gathering happened at Shadysprings Farm. It was a success in that it brought in, if I remember right, about $250 - just enough money to fund the printing and mailing of the Skyline Ridge Runner for a year. It has been a community event ever since, until the 2020 pandemic.
I have fond memories of those early Summer Gatherings at Shadysprings Farm. That first year we had a small silent auction and a milk can painted by Don and Hope Roach for donations. Jan LaVoie and I volunteered our young children for the task of ridding the pasture of “horse balls” so we could have old-fashioned games without stepping in manure. That first Summer Gathering started the tradition of a shared potluck, horse rides, old-fashioned games, music by local musicians, and an auction. The original games were by ages, so both children and adults were invited to participate in 3-legged, sack, and wheelbarrow races, with homemade ribbons given to all. The event ended with a “Tug for Peace.”
The Tug for Peace was well orchestrated by Ras Sauer who brought a heavy duty 100-foot rope and made sure both sides were equal in strength by occasionally assigning a new person to a side that was pooping out, thus prolonging the dramatic event. Both kids and adults joined in. The goal was to pull the opposing team into the forceful stream of water coming from the fire hose of our Skyline Volunteer Fire Department’s brush rig. How our muscles complained for several days after!
In time we developed a Community Informational Area. Local organizations, such as Friends of Forest Park and West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, handed out information about their agencies. Old area maps hung for viewing and we had a frog information table. One year, Sauvie Island’s Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife lent pelts of coyote, beaver, cougar, and other local species. That was a real hit.
Horse rides were always popular. Christina Traunweiser brought her Phoenix Farm school horses Spot, Lucy, Triscuit, and Jack to give rides, the first horse ride for many. One year, Karin Hunt, Leslie Grelle, and Karin’s granddaughter Coral painted two ponies, one to look like a zebra and the other, a Native American pony. Many local kids were photographed on those ponies. I will never forget my uncontrollable belly laugh at Steve Fradkin’s shock thinking Karin had a real zebra. But knowing Karin, I guess her having a real zebra really won’t have been a shock.
The Shadysprings Downs Frog Race was Karin Hunt’s idea. Shadysprings Farm had ponds full of red legged frogs. One pond dried up each summer leaving hundreds of tadpoles stranded, which allowed children to safely catch frogs to enter into the race. Others brought frogs from their own streams and ponds with great hopes of having a sure winner. A large circle was made with a rope, frogs were placed in the center, and 3-2-1 the race to the rope finish line caused disappointments and victories. Karin found a metal frog that was transformed into a winner’s plaque by Ras Sauer. This plaque is still displayed at the Plainview Grocery Store. Each year we oversaw the care and safety of the frogs. I think we had only one demise in all those years. It was a good educational event. Children learned that when an impressive, but non-native bullfrog was entered, it could not be released at Shadysprings, and ideally would be destroyed after the race. We never did have the audacity to serve grilled bullfrog legs after the race. It was also amazing how a tiny red-legged frog could often outcompete the large bullfrog. One year we experienced doping. One child brought his frog in a bucket of warm coffee, thinking that would hype up the frog to hop exceptionally fast; it didn’t. Another year, a frog was stolen from a bucket holding Sevda’s frog, a frog she was convinced would be a sure winner. Ah, the lessons in life that frog racing provided to our neighborhood children!
The potluck was always full of dishes made from fresh grown produce or family favorite recipes. One of my favorite potluck stories was about old Art Cameron’s watermelon. Art dropped his watermelon when getting into his car. Being a practical man, he had plenty of duct tape to wrap that watermelon back to an oval shape piece of fruit. He arrived at the potluck and proudly handed it over to volunteers to slice up. We learned that a chainsaw should be the tool of choice when slicing up a watermelon wrapped in duct tape.
One year, Dexter Bacon made 5 or 6 very creative scarecrows/mannequins for the oral auction. They were as unique as Dexter. Among his creations was a one-legged, guitar-playing, bra-wearing woman; several colorful musicians; and a gas-masked, totally macabre man. I hope his inspiration came mostly from his imagination and not from observing neighbors.
Later the equine indoor arena was built allowing for most events to be under one roof, including games, music, potluck and auction. Weather usually was wonderful, but the arena provided a cool spot on sunny days. After many years of hosting the Summer Gathering, Karin and Michael moved on, and Skyline School, Skyline Grange, and Skyline Farm became locations before we settled on the Plumper Pumpkin Patch for the last number of summers.
If you have never attended a Summer Gathering, put it on your post-COVID bucket list. If you plan to bring a watermelon, slice at home before arriving.
*Karin Hunt contributed to this story.
In the early years, SRN (previously “Citizens for the Preservation of Skyline Ridge”) explored events that would bring the community together socially and raise enough funds to pay for the printing and mailing of the quarterly Skyline Ridge Runner. First there were potlucks and music at the Karin Hunt/Michael Tillson home with a “pass the hat” for donations. The first larger attempts to raise funds were not very successful. In 1990, a “Sassy 60’s Dance” was held at the Legion Hall. Let’s just say that the community didn’t show up with flowers in their hair nor wearing bell bottoms. Then in 1991, SRN and Skyline Grange jointly held a Folkart Sale benefit. It was not highly successful, either.
Finally, in 1992, the first Summer Gathering happened at Shadysprings Farm. It was a success in that it brought in, if I remember right, about $250 - just enough money to fund the printing and mailing of the Skyline Ridge Runner for a year. It has been a community event ever since, until the 2020 pandemic.
I have fond memories of those early Summer Gatherings at Shadysprings Farm. That first year we had a small silent auction and a milk can painted by Don and Hope Roach for donations. Jan LaVoie and I volunteered our young children for the task of ridding the pasture of “horse balls” so we could have old-fashioned games without stepping in manure. That first Summer Gathering started the tradition of a shared potluck, horse rides, old-fashioned games, music by local musicians, and an auction. The original games were by ages, so both children and adults were invited to participate in 3-legged, sack, and wheelbarrow races, with homemade ribbons given to all. The event ended with a “Tug for Peace.”
The Tug for Peace was well orchestrated by Ras Sauer who brought a heavy duty 100-foot rope and made sure both sides were equal in strength by occasionally assigning a new person to a side that was pooping out, thus prolonging the dramatic event. Both kids and adults joined in. The goal was to pull the opposing team into the forceful stream of water coming from the fire hose of our Skyline Volunteer Fire Department’s brush rig. How our muscles complained for several days after!
In time we developed a Community Informational Area. Local organizations, such as Friends of Forest Park and West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, handed out information about their agencies. Old area maps hung for viewing and we had a frog information table. One year, Sauvie Island’s Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife lent pelts of coyote, beaver, cougar, and other local species. That was a real hit.
Horse rides were always popular. Christina Traunweiser brought her Phoenix Farm school horses Spot, Lucy, Triscuit, and Jack to give rides, the first horse ride for many. One year, Karin Hunt, Leslie Grelle, and Karin’s granddaughter Coral painted two ponies, one to look like a zebra and the other, a Native American pony. Many local kids were photographed on those ponies. I will never forget my uncontrollable belly laugh at Steve Fradkin’s shock thinking Karin had a real zebra. But knowing Karin, I guess her having a real zebra really won’t have been a shock.
The Shadysprings Downs Frog Race was Karin Hunt’s idea. Shadysprings Farm had ponds full of red legged frogs. One pond dried up each summer leaving hundreds of tadpoles stranded, which allowed children to safely catch frogs to enter into the race. Others brought frogs from their own streams and ponds with great hopes of having a sure winner. A large circle was made with a rope, frogs were placed in the center, and 3-2-1 the race to the rope finish line caused disappointments and victories. Karin found a metal frog that was transformed into a winner’s plaque by Ras Sauer. This plaque is still displayed at the Plainview Grocery Store. Each year we oversaw the care and safety of the frogs. I think we had only one demise in all those years. It was a good educational event. Children learned that when an impressive, but non-native bullfrog was entered, it could not be released at Shadysprings, and ideally would be destroyed after the race. We never did have the audacity to serve grilled bullfrog legs after the race. It was also amazing how a tiny red-legged frog could often outcompete the large bullfrog. One year we experienced doping. One child brought his frog in a bucket of warm coffee, thinking that would hype up the frog to hop exceptionally fast; it didn’t. Another year, a frog was stolen from a bucket holding Sevda’s frog, a frog she was convinced would be a sure winner. Ah, the lessons in life that frog racing provided to our neighborhood children!
The potluck was always full of dishes made from fresh grown produce or family favorite recipes. One of my favorite potluck stories was about old Art Cameron’s watermelon. Art dropped his watermelon when getting into his car. Being a practical man, he had plenty of duct tape to wrap that watermelon back to an oval shape piece of fruit. He arrived at the potluck and proudly handed it over to volunteers to slice up. We learned that a chainsaw should be the tool of choice when slicing up a watermelon wrapped in duct tape.
One year, Dexter Bacon made 5 or 6 very creative scarecrows/mannequins for the oral auction. They were as unique as Dexter. Among his creations was a one-legged, guitar-playing, bra-wearing woman; several colorful musicians; and a gas-masked, totally macabre man. I hope his inspiration came mostly from his imagination and not from observing neighbors.
Later the equine indoor arena was built allowing for most events to be under one roof, including games, music, potluck and auction. Weather usually was wonderful, but the arena provided a cool spot on sunny days. After many years of hosting the Summer Gathering, Karin and Michael moved on, and Skyline School, Skyline Grange, and Skyline Farm became locations before we settled on the Plumper Pumpkin Patch for the last number of summers.
If you have never attended a Summer Gathering, put it on your post-COVID bucket list. If you plan to bring a watermelon, slice at home before arriving.
*Karin Hunt contributed to this story.
|
|
Oregon Legislature to Address Rural Internet Access Inequalities
By Barbara LaMorticella
Rep. Brad Witt plans to introduce legislation in the upcoming session of the Oregon legislature to address rural internet service. For advice from various stakeholders, he formed a “Rural Internet Informal Workgroup.” It’s held two Zoom meetings. The first included several industry representatives, together with Nick Green, the City Manager of John Day, who successfully maneuvered broadband funding for rural John Day, and Ted Case of the Oregon Rural Electrical Cooperative Association, which aims to keep electrical rates down, service up, and protect the interests of rural electrical cooperatives.
I was invited to Rep Witt’s second meeting when I called his office after my DSL internet service was abruptly discontinued. No one who lives on “the Hill” will be surprised to hear that during the meeting the message “your internet connection is unstable” kept popping up on my screen. I missed Rep Witt’s thoughts about the legislation he would be proposing, his timeline for introducing the legislation, and his initial call for attendees to send him their suggestions about what the legislation should include.
But I found Nick Green’s comments so interesting that I called him to clarify. In 2017 he was successful in obtaining a grant from the State to help get 90 miles of fiber optic cable installed in rural John Day. Getting the state grant involved lots of lobbying, a mountain of paperwork, and many hours filling out forms. The $1.8 million state grant wasn’t nearly enough for the $6 million project costs, so it was augmented with some private funds, and Nick applied for and got a federal grant. Again there were mountains of complicated forms written in legalese to fill out. Each federal application cost $50,000 (!) and involved hundreds of hours of paperwork.
Talking with Green made it clear there is no easy or quick route to get high speed broadband internet to rural America. There are huge sums of money involved, uncertain and changing technology, and many competing interests. Universal access to broadband internet will require the same kind of national effort and financial commitment that was needed to electrify rural America and build the interstate highway system. We’re far from being there now, but this year there is intense discussion going on about the issue at the national, state and local level, and various attempts to craft legislation.
I realize that what is possible to do on a state level is limited, but when I found out that Rep Witt needs to introduce a draft of his legislation by Dec 21st, I compiled a rough list of provisions that would be desirable in people-friendly internet legislation. Some or all of them may be contentious, and it’s likely that Witt was already well along the way to drafting his legislation before getting the list. But it’s clear that this process will be ongoing, and I hope the list helps open a necessary public discussion.
Nick Green says that success will require enlisting a public official interested in working to understand the complicated process and willing to devote some time to it, and an informed and active public to keep the process going on track.
Rep. Brad Witt plans to introduce legislation in the upcoming session of the Oregon legislature to address rural internet service. For advice from various stakeholders, he formed a “Rural Internet Informal Workgroup.” It’s held two Zoom meetings. The first included several industry representatives, together with Nick Green, the City Manager of John Day, who successfully maneuvered broadband funding for rural John Day, and Ted Case of the Oregon Rural Electrical Cooperative Association, which aims to keep electrical rates down, service up, and protect the interests of rural electrical cooperatives.
I was invited to Rep Witt’s second meeting when I called his office after my DSL internet service was abruptly discontinued. No one who lives on “the Hill” will be surprised to hear that during the meeting the message “your internet connection is unstable” kept popping up on my screen. I missed Rep Witt’s thoughts about the legislation he would be proposing, his timeline for introducing the legislation, and his initial call for attendees to send him their suggestions about what the legislation should include.
But I found Nick Green’s comments so interesting that I called him to clarify. In 2017 he was successful in obtaining a grant from the State to help get 90 miles of fiber optic cable installed in rural John Day. Getting the state grant involved lots of lobbying, a mountain of paperwork, and many hours filling out forms. The $1.8 million state grant wasn’t nearly enough for the $6 million project costs, so it was augmented with some private funds, and Nick applied for and got a federal grant. Again there were mountains of complicated forms written in legalese to fill out. Each federal application cost $50,000 (!) and involved hundreds of hours of paperwork.
Talking with Green made it clear there is no easy or quick route to get high speed broadband internet to rural America. There are huge sums of money involved, uncertain and changing technology, and many competing interests. Universal access to broadband internet will require the same kind of national effort and financial commitment that was needed to electrify rural America and build the interstate highway system. We’re far from being there now, but this year there is intense discussion going on about the issue at the national, state and local level, and various attempts to craft legislation.
I realize that what is possible to do on a state level is limited, but when I found out that Rep Witt needs to introduce a draft of his legislation by Dec 21st, I compiled a rough list of provisions that would be desirable in people-friendly internet legislation. Some or all of them may be contentious, and it’s likely that Witt was already well along the way to drafting his legislation before getting the list. But it’s clear that this process will be ongoing, and I hope the list helps open a necessary public discussion.
Nick Green says that success will require enlisting a public official interested in working to understand the complicated process and willing to devote some time to it, and an informed and active public to keep the process going on track.
|
|
People of Skyline
Talented Local Artist Zoe Bacon Passes Away |
Zoe Bacon loved life on Skyline Ridge.
|
By Miles Merwin*
The Skyline community lost a long-time resident with the passing of Zoe Bacon of Rock Creek Road in November, following a short illness. Her career as a creative and talented artist included works in glass and metal. She left behind many close friends on the Hill and will be sorely missed.
Born in Portland 53 years ago to local residents Dexter and Linny Bacon, Zoe grew up in the Skyline area and attended the Metropolitan Learning Center along with her older sister Shawn. One of her early jobs was working at the Portland Art Museum installing exhibits, which was the impetus for her moving to NYC to learn more about the art world and where she worked in an art gallery.
Her work with glass started when she lived in Bellingham, WA, and was an apprentice to glass blowers there. Returning to Portland, she did kiln glass work at Savoy Studios, helping to install giant pieces around the country. More recently, she demonstrated glass blowing techniques weekly at McMenamin’s Edgefield Manor, as well as at the Oregon State Fair. She did her own metal and glass work in her studio where she had built a 6 ft. kiln for forming glass.
Her other artistic pursuit, custom metal work, began with visits to Dexter’s studios at the former Oregon College of Arts and Crafts where he taught for many years. There she learned the lost wax method of making metal figures, used frequently for jewelry making. She learned welding and other metal working techniques while at Omega Nutrition in Bellingham. Her work often combined both metal and glass, and Portland area residents, including some in the Skyline area, have unique gates made by Zoe. Her work has appeared in several publications, including Sunset magazine.
Zoe loved the natural world, knew the names of native plants and wildflowers and was a serious cultivator in the garden and greenhouse. She knew where the trilliums and other flowers would be blooming, and used the patterns and colors of nature around her in her artwork. She believed in food for healing and was a constant student of holistic medicine and nutrition.
You can find photos of some of her works in glass and metal on Instagram @zoetbacon and Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ztbacon.
*Dexter Bacon, Shawn Bacon, Dan Dreyer, Linny Stovall all contributed to this story.
The Skyline community lost a long-time resident with the passing of Zoe Bacon of Rock Creek Road in November, following a short illness. Her career as a creative and talented artist included works in glass and metal. She left behind many close friends on the Hill and will be sorely missed.
Born in Portland 53 years ago to local residents Dexter and Linny Bacon, Zoe grew up in the Skyline area and attended the Metropolitan Learning Center along with her older sister Shawn. One of her early jobs was working at the Portland Art Museum installing exhibits, which was the impetus for her moving to NYC to learn more about the art world and where she worked in an art gallery.
Her work with glass started when she lived in Bellingham, WA, and was an apprentice to glass blowers there. Returning to Portland, she did kiln glass work at Savoy Studios, helping to install giant pieces around the country. More recently, she demonstrated glass blowing techniques weekly at McMenamin’s Edgefield Manor, as well as at the Oregon State Fair. She did her own metal and glass work in her studio where she had built a 6 ft. kiln for forming glass.
Her other artistic pursuit, custom metal work, began with visits to Dexter’s studios at the former Oregon College of Arts and Crafts where he taught for many years. There she learned the lost wax method of making metal figures, used frequently for jewelry making. She learned welding and other metal working techniques while at Omega Nutrition in Bellingham. Her work often combined both metal and glass, and Portland area residents, including some in the Skyline area, have unique gates made by Zoe. Her work has appeared in several publications, including Sunset magazine.
Zoe loved the natural world, knew the names of native plants and wildflowers and was a serious cultivator in the garden and greenhouse. She knew where the trilliums and other flowers would be blooming, and used the patterns and colors of nature around her in her artwork. She believed in food for healing and was a constant student of holistic medicine and nutrition.
You can find photos of some of her works in glass and metal on Instagram @zoetbacon and Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ztbacon.
*Dexter Bacon, Shawn Bacon, Dan Dreyer, Linny Stovall all contributed to this story.
|
|
Public Service
Put a Lid on Cooking Fires |
TVF&R Lt. Al Pimentel demonstrates how to smother a stovetop fire by slowly sliding a lid over a pan from the side. (Photo: TVF&R)
|
By Christina Lent, TVF&R
Cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires and fire injuries. Last year, approximately one-third of the residential fires that Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue responded to, began in a kitchen.
TVF&R crews encourage you to minimize your risk of a fire by organizing a safe kitchen and practicing these safe cooking tips:
Put a lid on it.
The easiest way to extinguish a small pan fire is with a pan lid. Turn off the burner and carefully slide a pan lid over the pan from the side. The lid will “smother” the fire, while turning off the burner removes the heat. Do not move the pan until the fire is completely extinguished and the pan is cool. If you do not have a pan lid, you may also use a baking sheet or pizza pan.
Never transfer a burning pan from the stovetop to the sink or out an exterior door. The fire may grow in size and burn you or spread to a countertop, cabinets, or curtains.
Grease and water do not mix.
Never pour water on a grease fire. Water causes these fires to explode as the burning material stays on top of the water, causing it to spread and putting you at severe risk of getting burned.
If the fire is large and/or continues to grow, do not attempt to extinguish it. Quickly get everyone outside and immediately call 911 from a cellphone or neighbor’s house.
For additional safety tips, visit www.tvfr.com.
Cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires and fire injuries. Last year, approximately one-third of the residential fires that Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue responded to, began in a kitchen.
TVF&R crews encourage you to minimize your risk of a fire by organizing a safe kitchen and practicing these safe cooking tips:
- Keep a watchful eye on what you are cooking — never leave cooking unattended.
- Keep your cooking area clean, including the stovetop, oven, and exhaust fan.
- Keep dish towels and pot holders away from the burners on your stove.
- Watch your sleeves to prevent them from catching fire or getting caught on pan handles.
- Cooking oil can ignite quickly. Heat oil slowly and watch it closely.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. Store it in an easy-to-reach location and know how to use it. The discharge of a portable fire extinguisher only lasts between eight and 10 seconds.
Put a lid on it.
The easiest way to extinguish a small pan fire is with a pan lid. Turn off the burner and carefully slide a pan lid over the pan from the side. The lid will “smother” the fire, while turning off the burner removes the heat. Do not move the pan until the fire is completely extinguished and the pan is cool. If you do not have a pan lid, you may also use a baking sheet or pizza pan.
Never transfer a burning pan from the stovetop to the sink or out an exterior door. The fire may grow in size and burn you or spread to a countertop, cabinets, or curtains.
Grease and water do not mix.
Never pour water on a grease fire. Water causes these fires to explode as the burning material stays on top of the water, causing it to spread and putting you at severe risk of getting burned.
If the fire is large and/or continues to grow, do not attempt to extinguish it. Quickly get everyone outside and immediately call 911 from a cellphone or neighbor’s house.
For additional safety tips, visit www.tvfr.com.
|
|
Public Service
Skyline Ridge NET Members Practice Disaster Deployment
By Sen Speroff
The pandemic has affected the Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) organization along with the rest of our state. In person meetings and training are still not being held, but Zoom meetings for all NET members are ongoing.
Citywide Deployment Exercise
Recently nine Skyline Ridge NET members signed up to participate in the Citywide Deployment Exercise using Zoom. Unfortunately, technical problems kept one member from fully participating. An amateur radio operator (ARO) was assigned to the team from the greater NET community. The situation for the exercise was a devastating earthquake. Each participant was given a different scenario that they would “observe” on their way to the NET staging area. It seemed soberingly actual, since the addresses were real and the scenarios all too possible. Skyline School was so damaged that we could not enter although we heard cries of people. A landslide took a fuel delivery truck and a car down an embankment at the sharp curve on Old Cornelius Pass Road, leaving trapped drivers and a leaking fuel truck. There was a chemical fire with burn injuries. There were numerous other people with lesser injuries. It was a good, hard lesson in prioritizing and communications. Unlike in the city, we will have miles to cover when roads may not be passable, we may have limited communication due our steep terrain and we have emotional ties to the people of our community. In a disaster, NET members must adhere to safety first and prioritizing their actions to do the most good for the most people. If a major disaster occurs here, we will also depend upon friends and neighbors to volunteer expertise and equipment.
NET Emergency Supply Storage
SRN has committed to purchasing a storage container for the Skyline Ridge NET. Since we have such a large territory to cover, the team has several staging areas with one on lower Rock Creek Road to service this end of our territory. A pad has been constructed at the designated site and our local V&K Construction donated some gravel for the pad. This storage container will eventually house NET supplies and equipment.
We are committed to keeping our Skyline neighbors informed. Here are some good sources:
●Pandemic: https://multco.us/novel-coronavirus-covid-19 and https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19
●How to Safely Store 14 Days of Water: https://www.regionalh2o.org/emergency-preparedness
●Sign Up for notification of an emergency by text or email: https://www.publicalerts.org/signup
NETS are here to support the community. Questions? Email Skyline Ridge NET atcSkylineRidgeNET@gmail.com or contact Rachael Brake, Team Leader, at 503.621.3423.
The pandemic has affected the Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) organization along with the rest of our state. In person meetings and training are still not being held, but Zoom meetings for all NET members are ongoing.
Citywide Deployment Exercise
Recently nine Skyline Ridge NET members signed up to participate in the Citywide Deployment Exercise using Zoom. Unfortunately, technical problems kept one member from fully participating. An amateur radio operator (ARO) was assigned to the team from the greater NET community. The situation for the exercise was a devastating earthquake. Each participant was given a different scenario that they would “observe” on their way to the NET staging area. It seemed soberingly actual, since the addresses were real and the scenarios all too possible. Skyline School was so damaged that we could not enter although we heard cries of people. A landslide took a fuel delivery truck and a car down an embankment at the sharp curve on Old Cornelius Pass Road, leaving trapped drivers and a leaking fuel truck. There was a chemical fire with burn injuries. There were numerous other people with lesser injuries. It was a good, hard lesson in prioritizing and communications. Unlike in the city, we will have miles to cover when roads may not be passable, we may have limited communication due our steep terrain and we have emotional ties to the people of our community. In a disaster, NET members must adhere to safety first and prioritizing their actions to do the most good for the most people. If a major disaster occurs here, we will also depend upon friends and neighbors to volunteer expertise and equipment.
NET Emergency Supply Storage
SRN has committed to purchasing a storage container for the Skyline Ridge NET. Since we have such a large territory to cover, the team has several staging areas with one on lower Rock Creek Road to service this end of our territory. A pad has been constructed at the designated site and our local V&K Construction donated some gravel for the pad. This storage container will eventually house NET supplies and equipment.
We are committed to keeping our Skyline neighbors informed. Here are some good sources:
●Pandemic: https://multco.us/novel-coronavirus-covid-19 and https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19
●How to Safely Store 14 Days of Water: https://www.regionalh2o.org/emergency-preparedness
●Sign Up for notification of an emergency by text or email: https://www.publicalerts.org/signup
NETS are here to support the community. Questions? Email Skyline Ridge NET atcSkylineRidgeNET@gmail.com or contact Rachael Brake, Team Leader, at 503.621.3423.
|
|
Skyline Grange News
Skyline Grange Goes Completely Virtual This Winter
By Sen Speroff
With the skyrocketing pandemic graph, Skyline Grange is unfortunately completely closed to the community for now. Monthly meetings, committee meetings, and yoga are all virtual. We plan to be up and running as soon as it is safe again. We miss you.
What is Happening
Yoga at the Grange
Yoga classes at the Grange were moved to virtual classes in mid-November. As soon as it is safe, they will be resumed inside with strict mask-wearing and distancing. For now, Janci is offering classes three times a week via Zoom. For the most current schedule and class information, log onto www.yogainalignment.com.
Native Plant Sale- Modified in 2021
The pandemic has caused Skyline Grange to cancel many community events, but we think we can pull off a safe Native Plant Sale by Pre-Order Only in early April. We did it successfully last year. To receive a Native Pre-Order Form and more details (when available), request at skylinegrange894@msn.com. We plan to have again, a wide variety of excellent quality native plants. (We will not have our usual bareroot section of non-native fruit-bearing and shade trees.)
What is NOT Happening
Sadly, our traditional Winter Community Brunch and Spring Garage Sale are cancelled. We are unable to accept donations for our garage sales at present, nor are we accepting any rental applications for dates before mid-fall 2021.
Join Skyline Grange
Grange is a non-partisan, non-sectarian, non-profit, and a totally volunteer-driven organization. We are a diverse group of people with the common belief that we are fortunate to live in the Skyline area and want to support its well-being. We take seriously the fact that our building is a community asset as a gathering place. Our impact, activities, and accomplishments depend upon our members and community volunteers.
Working together binds us together, though the pandemic certainly has curtailed our activities. We still try to meet monthly usually on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m., now weather permitting since we are outdoors. You can contact the Grange at SkylineGrange894@msn.com and for rental inquiries in 2021 at skylinegrange894@gmail.com. Skyline Grange is located at 11275 NW Skyline Boulevard. Our website is https://www.srnpdx.org/grange.html and our Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/Skyline-Grange-894-169559023662398/.
With the skyrocketing pandemic graph, Skyline Grange is unfortunately completely closed to the community for now. Monthly meetings, committee meetings, and yoga are all virtual. We plan to be up and running as soon as it is safe again. We miss you.
What is Happening
Yoga at the Grange
Yoga classes at the Grange were moved to virtual classes in mid-November. As soon as it is safe, they will be resumed inside with strict mask-wearing and distancing. For now, Janci is offering classes three times a week via Zoom. For the most current schedule and class information, log onto www.yogainalignment.com.
Native Plant Sale- Modified in 2021
The pandemic has caused Skyline Grange to cancel many community events, but we think we can pull off a safe Native Plant Sale by Pre-Order Only in early April. We did it successfully last year. To receive a Native Pre-Order Form and more details (when available), request at skylinegrange894@msn.com. We plan to have again, a wide variety of excellent quality native plants. (We will not have our usual bareroot section of non-native fruit-bearing and shade trees.)
What is NOT Happening
Sadly, our traditional Winter Community Brunch and Spring Garage Sale are cancelled. We are unable to accept donations for our garage sales at present, nor are we accepting any rental applications for dates before mid-fall 2021.
Join Skyline Grange
Grange is a non-partisan, non-sectarian, non-profit, and a totally volunteer-driven organization. We are a diverse group of people with the common belief that we are fortunate to live in the Skyline area and want to support its well-being. We take seriously the fact that our building is a community asset as a gathering place. Our impact, activities, and accomplishments depend upon our members and community volunteers.
Working together binds us together, though the pandemic certainly has curtailed our activities. We still try to meet monthly usually on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m., now weather permitting since we are outdoors. You can contact the Grange at SkylineGrange894@msn.com and for rental inquiries in 2021 at skylinegrange894@gmail.com. Skyline Grange is located at 11275 NW Skyline Boulevard. Our website is https://www.srnpdx.org/grange.html and our Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/Skyline-Grange-894-169559023662398/.
Classifieds
|
Write/Bright: Full spectrum writing, editing and research service. Prize-winning writer and editor, Oregon Book Award finalist, will help you put your best words forward. Speechwriting, copyediting, newsletters and resumes, works of fiction and poetry, memoirs, family history... Call or email to discuss your project's needs. Barbara LaMorticella, 503.621.9894, barbala@teleport.com.
Indonesian Martial Arts Training. Poekoelan is a “soft” art, with emphasis on personal self-defense in real life situations. Terrific exercise for the entire family regardless of current fitness level. All ages are welcome. Tuesdays & Thursdays at Skyline Grange, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Suggested donation $5/person/lesson. For more info, contact Bantoe Christina Traunweiser, 503.307.1913. |
Phoenix Farm Riding School. English horse riding lessons for the whole family. All ages and ability levels welcome! Day-off-school camps. Summer camps. Parties and special events. Located on the corner of Skyline Blvd. & Rock Creek Rd. Call/text 541.914.4254, email 13phoenixfarm13@gmail.com.
Owen West Electric. Our specialty is service and panel changes, kitchen and bath remodels, security, and yard lighting. 30 years of experience. CCB #29492. 503.297.6375 Office, 503.880.9512 Cell Borrow tool to eliminate Scotch broom, holly & other woody shrubs and sapling trees easily. SRN will lend 3 sizes of Weed Wrench. Contact Sen 503.621.3331 for large & medium size (Skyline near mile marker 15). Contact Laura 503.407.7175 for small size (McNamee Rd.). |
Thanks for Your Donations!
Many thanks to the following neighbors and friends who recently made cash donations to SRN:
~ David and Michele Roy
~ James Emerson
~ Abbey Creek Vineyard
~ Dorinne Pedersen
SRN relies on the financial support of the Skyline community to pursue its nonprofit, educational mission. We operate entirely on the volunteer efforts of neighbors like you. Donations are tax-deductible and always appreciated! Please make checks payable to SRN and send them to Rachael Brake, SRN Treasurer, 14109 NW Rock Creek Rd., Portland, OR 97231. Thank you
Many thanks to the following neighbors and friends who recently made cash donations to SRN:
~ David and Michele Roy
~ James Emerson
~ Abbey Creek Vineyard
~ Dorinne Pedersen
SRN relies on the financial support of the Skyline community to pursue its nonprofit, educational mission. We operate entirely on the volunteer efforts of neighbors like you. Donations are tax-deductible and always appreciated! Please make checks payable to SRN and send them to Rachael Brake, SRN Treasurer, 14109 NW Rock Creek Rd., Portland, OR 97231. Thank you
Skyline Ridge Runner
Editor: Miles Merwin
Contributing Editor: Laura Foster
Page Composition & Graphics: Agnes Kwan
Copy Editor: Libby Merwin
Printing & Mailing: City of Portland, Metro Presort
Digital Editors: Emily Bennett, Shea Lavalier
Contributors: Sen Speroff, Barbara LaMorticella, Christina Lent
Send comments, articles, opinions and advertising requests to the Ridge Runner, 14416 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland,
OR 97231, ridgerunner@srnpdx.org, or fax to 503.621.3450. Deadlines for all submissions are the 15th day of March, June, September, and December unless otherwise announced. Letters to the Editor are welcome, but must include your name and phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for length.
➜ Deadline for the next issue is March 15
Skyline Ridge Neighbors Inc.
Skyline Ridge Neighbors is a nonprofit organization serving rural northwestern Multnomah County through educational, environmental, and social programs that inform residents on relevant issues and events. SRN endeavors to better our community, encourage volunteer efforts, and openly communicate with residents and outside organizations.
SRN Board of Directors
Skyline Rural Watch Newsline
Subscribe to SRN’s weekly email newsletter of local events and news via the link at www.srnpdx.org. Contact the Editor, Laurel Erhardt, at newsline@srnpdx.org or 503.621.3501 to submit items for publication
SRN Website
Visit www.srnpdx.org for more news, photos and information about our community. If you have questions or comments, contact the Webmaster, Agnes Kwan, at webmaster@srnpdx.org.
The views and opinions presented herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by SRN or Skyline neighborhood residents.
Editor: Miles Merwin
Contributing Editor: Laura Foster
Page Composition & Graphics: Agnes Kwan
Copy Editor: Libby Merwin
Printing & Mailing: City of Portland, Metro Presort
Digital Editors: Emily Bennett, Shea Lavalier
Contributors: Sen Speroff, Barbara LaMorticella, Christina Lent
Send comments, articles, opinions and advertising requests to the Ridge Runner, 14416 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland,
OR 97231, ridgerunner@srnpdx.org, or fax to 503.621.3450. Deadlines for all submissions are the 15th day of March, June, September, and December unless otherwise announced. Letters to the Editor are welcome, but must include your name and phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for length.
➜ Deadline for the next issue is March 15
Skyline Ridge Neighbors Inc.
Skyline Ridge Neighbors is a nonprofit organization serving rural northwestern Multnomah County through educational, environmental, and social programs that inform residents on relevant issues and events. SRN endeavors to better our community, encourage volunteer efforts, and openly communicate with residents and outside organizations.
SRN Board of Directors
- Suzanne Perra - President - 503.866.9289 - president@srnpdx.org,
- Emily Bennett - Vice President - 971.280.3142
- Rachael Brake - Treasurer & Secretary - 503.621.3423, 503.201.6740 / treasurer@srnpdx.org, secretary@srnpdx.org
- Alex Rose - 213.507.6616
- Brad Graff - 503.292.1614
- George Sowder - 503.621.3552, 503.961.3440
- Grant Rolette - 503.621.3423, 503.985.2060
- Shea Lavalier - 612.718.9683
Skyline Rural Watch Newsline
Subscribe to SRN’s weekly email newsletter of local events and news via the link at www.srnpdx.org. Contact the Editor, Laurel Erhardt, at newsline@srnpdx.org or 503.621.3501 to submit items for publication
SRN Website
Visit www.srnpdx.org for more news, photos and information about our community. If you have questions or comments, contact the Webmaster, Agnes Kwan, at webmaster@srnpdx.org.
The views and opinions presented herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by SRN or Skyline neighborhood residents.