Sun Shines on the Grand Floral Parade…
Despite Saturday’s dampness there was plenty of sunshine and the crowd was large for the final day of the 106th Rhododendron Festival. Throngs lined both sides of Highway 101; thousands crammed into Historic Old Town Florence to watch the Grand Floral Parade. Queen Jade Herbert and her senior court of princesses Courtney Rodet and Taysie Savage were at the head of the procession, followed close behind by the Oregon Duck Mascot who served as Grand Marshall.
Puddles, the Fighting Duck, or just the Duck… depending on how you refer to him, chose the float entered by Bright Beginnings Pre School for the Grand Marshall’s award. The Mayor’s award, bestowed by Nola Xavier, went to the Positive Behavior kids from Siuslaw Elementary School. The Queen’s award went to the Last Resort Players.
The ‘in-parade’ judging took place at the reviewing stand in front of T.R. Hunter Real Estate as the entries went past.
The U. S. Coast Guard entry was given the best “Service” award; Marshfield’s Band of Pirates was the best marching band; the Last Resort Players won the best Commercial Float. The non-commercial award went to the Florence Elks. The Rhody Cruisers won 1st place in the vehicle category and Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant’s dancing horses won the best equestrian.
Before the parade there were plenty of activities that yielded results. The 1935 Ford Sedan owned by Gary and Linda Neal of Florence was judged by the Siuslaw Firefighters as being the “Best in Cruise” at Saturday’s Coast Radio Classic Car Cruise.
At the Rhododendron Society flower Show there were more than 800 entries. The Best in Show went to Ann Drake of Coquille. Jim and Sylvia Smith of Mapleton won the Sweepstakes Award for the most winning entries. The Smiths also won the Queen’s Choice for their ‘as-yet’ unnamed American Hybrid. Betty and Charles King of Florence had the best Macrophyllum… or native rhododendron on display.
More festival activity and results are here.
High School Principal Disputes Candidate Claims
Tomorrow is Election Day and you have until 8 pm to return your ballot. There are several money matters to be decided by voters, including a levy extension for the Mapleton Fire District and Siuslaw Schools. Lane County is asking for 55-cents per thousand for jail operations.
There has been plenty of attention focused on the Port of Siuslaw Race which drew a dozen candidates for four spots.
But, there are two candidates vying for one of two school board positions.
One of those candidates, Dr. Helen Ritchie, has based her campaign on graduation rates. She says the rate at Siuslaw High School has been extremely poor.
High school principal Matt Henry is disputing not only Ritchie’s math, but her methods.
Matt Henry – “Is just throwing a lot of sound-bite bombshells out there about 66%. Not only is she misleading people the way she’s portraying that data, but it’s just a complete negative campaign as far as I’m concerned.”
That’s not the kind of person he wants to see on the school board…
Matt Henry – “If this is the type of leadership that wants to join the board, I hope the community realizes and sees through it in contrast to Mr. Salisbury who she’s running against.”
By her own admission May 1st, Ritchie said she had never even spoken with administrators locally, nor had she been in the schools to see first hand what was actually happening.
