Smith Ready to Take the Reins; Rhody Court Ready To Reign; New Trail Proposed in Reedsport

Smith Ready to Take the Reins

Siuslaw High School’s new head football coach, Chad Smith says he is ready to take on his new role in Florence.  The former head coach of LaGrande and Seaside says he is confident that the past can replicate itself with hard work and a team effort.

“I know a little bit about Siuslaw.  I know that Siuslaw has had some success in the past which tells me that it can be done again and that it’s a great place to be.”

Smith says he will make his first official trip to Florence the 11th and 12th of May and wants to meet with coaches and take inventory of the talent.  He says he will also be available for the public.

“People want to come down and talk with me then, they can and I want to be available as much as possible while I’m here.”

Smith says he is looking forward to getting started.  He will be finishing up a teaching contract in Seattle on June 12th.  He says then…It’s back to Florence.

Rhody Court Ready To Reign

The annual Rhododendron festival would not be complete without the crowning of the Queen of the Rhododendron, but it is more than pomp and circumstance, it is a chance to bond and make lasting connections for the participants.  Laney Goss echoed the sentiments of all the princesses.

“I’ve had a really great time, my junior princess is great and I think that’s been the best part so far is just spending a lot of time with her going on ice cream dates.”

Senior Trent Reavis was selected as one of the princes for the court and he says he is thankful to get to be part of the court.

“It’s been a lot of fun growing up in this town and watching everything go down and now you can really be a part of it and not just watch from the outside, so it’s a pretty cool experience, I’m having a lot of fun.”

The coronation of the King and queen will be on the 17th of May at the Florence event center.

New Trail Proposed in Reedsport

Bicyclists and trail enthusiasts are invited to an open house in Reedsport to reveal the plans for the Deans to Dunes trail.  The idea is to define a safer and more comfortable atmosphere for people that want to trek from the dunes to the Dean Creek elk viewing area along highway 38 in Reedsport.  The meeting will take place next Monday evening at 6pm in the city council chambers on 451 Winchester Avenue in Reedsport.  Light refreshments will be available and a map diagramming the proposed trail will be available.