Graduation weekend for area high school seniors
Commencement exercises are set for area high school seniors this weekend.
Commencement has already concluded at the Reedsport Community Charter School. Last Sunday afternoon, class valedictorian Alexis Kay and Salutatorian Samuel Lundquist addressed their classmates in the Reedsport gymnasium; then they all picked up their diplomas.
Tonight in Florence, 80 grads will receive their diplomas at Siuslaw High School. Class valedictorians are Mikaela Siegel, Hannah Bartlett and Holly Hicks.
In Mapleton, the Valedictorian is Hannah Rodet (ro-DAY). Salutatorian is Chet Geddes (GED-eez). They and eight other Mapleton Sailors will pick up their diplomas at two pm Saturday in the gymnasium at Mapleton High School. Their commencement speaker will be former Mapleton teacher Debra Fleming.
Archie to reopen
The grand reopening of a roadside park just east of Mapleton on Highway 101 is set next week. Lane County officials will be joined by representatives of the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State Parks, Mapleton School District, the Siuslaw Watershed Council, and the group “Save Archie” to officially reopen the 4 ½ acre Archie Knowles Campground. Lane County Administrator Steve Mokrohiskey (Mo-kro-HI-skee) said it’s been a collaborative effort.
Steve Mokrohiskey – “You know it was one of those local gems that residents in this area loved. And then it was closed by the Forest Service because of lack of resources as the federal government has done with a lot of its properties. We stepped forward and said, listen it’s not our property, we didn’t manage it, but how can we work together to open this back up for the community.”
After being closed, residents worked hard to keep the possibility of reopening the park alive. It’s owned by the Forest Service, rehabilitation was paid for primarily by a grant from Oregon State Parks, and it has been… and will continue to be… operated by Lane County Parks.
Steve Mokrohiskey – “It’s a wonderful example of different levels of government and private citizens working together to find a solution.”
Next week’s grand-reopening will be Friday, June 17th, one pm, at Archie Knowles Campground.
Going Green
Exhibitors at tomorrow’s Florence Green Fair cover a wide variety of products, services and ideas.
The number one topic though, is sustainability.
Booths at the show, which runs from ten to four tomorrow at the Florence Events Center, will provide information on how to heat and cool your home, furnish it, and even build it with an environmental focus.
There will be seminars on increasing the use of herbs and natural remedies, as well as how to reduce the use of pesticides and chemicals.
There’s no admission charge to get in the show, but organizers are asking you to bring at least one item of non-perishable food.
Vandalism limits access to port facilities
Showers at the Port of Siuslaw RV Park and Marina will be off limits to the general public beginning next week and reserved only for patrons of the RV Park and Marina. Port Manager Steven Leskin said transients and other – quote – “travelers” will be directed away from the facility. Vandalism and graffiti at the facility has been a regular occurrence, he said, and has cost the Port several hundred dollars each year.
The decision to close the showers to the general public was difficult. Leskin sought to “balance the needs of the public” against protecting the Port’s property and added it was important to remain compassionate while not displacing a community issue elsewhere. Limited public toilets will continue to be available.
Windfest blows into Florence
A new series of community events and activities has blown into town for the summer. It’s called Windfest and is organized and sponsored by the Port of Siuslaw.
Throughout the summer, each Friday and Saturday; as well as some Sundays; a variety of different activities will be held on the boardwalk in Old Town Florence.
This weekend will feature demonstrations organized by Lynn Anderson, director of the Siuslaw School District’s Indian Education program and Fawn Custer with CoastWatch.
A Saturday evening live concert on the boardwalk Saturday evening will feature J.J. Camo from six to 9 pm.
The return of Holly Jolly
A Christmas holiday tradition will return later this year under new direction.
The Hollie Jollie Follies started in Florence in 2009 and for seven years Director Pat Sapp presided over more than 100 cast and crew members to put together a variety show that packed the house at the Florence Events Center.
After taking last year off… she admits she didn’t have the – quote – “oomph”… she was thinking of what to do about producing a show this year.
Sapp says she has a tremendous amount of confidence in Melanie Heard and the Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshop to carry on the Holly Jolly tradition.
Heard said the show will allow CROW to enrich their annual performing opportunities for children and adults.
Sapp said she will be right there, in the audience at the FEC the first weekend in December.
