Everyone is a winner at the W.O.E.

Milestone roses take first place in competition

8/28/13 Chatterbox        

Betty Kaiser

“Time flies” is the lament of life. As our local W.O.E. fair ended, I realized that the days of summer were winding down to a precious few and school days about to begin. Oh, there are still vegetables to be picked and fruit to be canned, but summer is on the way out!

One day its show time for 4-H and the next minute moms and dads are scurrying around getting their kids ready for school. There are clothes and school supplies to buy, haircut and doctor appointments to be made. Carpools and after-school care must be arranged; older kids must be signed up for classes and athletic teams. Whew. Being a parent is big job but rewarding.

I was reminded of the joys of parenting as I watched parents and children participating in W.O.E. activities. It was particularly evident in the livestock division. Clearly they were learning life skills that will serve them well in every avenue of life. It made this mother’s heart happy to see them working together.

I always wanted my kids to join 4-H but they were city kids. I was interested in animal husbandry but they were not. They liked scouting and camping but raising chickens, cows, pigs and sheep were not on their so-called bucket list. And unless it was horseback riding, my grandchildren were equally uninterested.

Of course, not having to raise animals (while I was raising kids) saved me a lot of time and money. Maybe that’s why I like going to local fairs and being around the animals so much. I get to appreciate other people’s hard work and expertise without any personal investment.

Small town events are like family reunions. You get to appreciate the achievements of other people’s children as if they were your own. Saturday morning at the W.O.E. I reveled in the joy and interaction of everyone from toddlers to teens to adults.

Sitting in the bleachers at 10 a.m. I was waiting for the Lumberjack Show to begin. Axes were being thrown at targets and participants were sizing up logs with a variety of saws. I had no idea there were so many different chain saws! In the modified division the first contestant couldn’t get his saw going and when he did, he couldn’t keep it going. Of course, as soon as he walked off the field, it started! Everyone broke into applause. Family does that.

A couple of little guys (brothers) were sitting in the bleachers near me waiting for the competition to get going. The older of the two, Gavin Williams, 5, had his very own plastic chain saw. After much coaxing, he reluctantly posed for a picture with his saw. I can just imagine that he was thinking that one day he’d be competing out on that field.

Suddenly, I heard a familiar noise. It sounded like horses. It was horses! Two members of the Cottage Grove Riding Club had ridden up from the creek and were watching the competition. Lending a little western authenticity to the event, Macie was riding her horse Seven. Courtney was on her horse Pete. Dressed in riding clothes, they were also members of the Queen’s Court.

Meanwhile, the logging contest was underway and I learned a bit about sawing and throwing that I didn’t know. For instance, did you know that in the center of the axe throw target is a can of beer? It is warm and shaken. Yuck. But if you hit it and the beer spills out, you receive extra five points. Yea!

Later, I wandered into the barn to check out the livestock. It was a busy place. In the small animal and birds category I saw a variety of birds, chickens, guinea pigs and rabbits. Goats and some adorable shaggy sheep were the biggest animals that I saw.

The kids not only showcased their projects but also demonstrated animal knowledge at very young ages. Seven-year old Campbell Ellis was incredibly poised and articulate as he stood at the exhibition table and answered questions. His guinea pig and chicken each won a blue ribbon.

 Eric Stone is only three years old but this was his second year at the fair! This tow-headed little guy was clutching a chicken that was almost as big as he was (maybe a Bantam?). Also (if I understood it correctly) he had an Olive Egger rooster! And yes, he also won blue ribbons.

The goats were so beautiful and such happy creatures. Unfortunately, I was taking mostly mental notes so I don’t have names and breeds to share. But I believe that Honey, Summer and Skye all belonged to the Saucedo family. They were gorgeous beige and cream colors. I wanted to take them and their shaggy sheep friends home to be our meadow mowers.

After I congratulated the kids, I moseyed over to the textiles, culinary and food preservation divisions. I admired the quilts and a huge squash and sunflower. Caroline Pettit filled me in on the fine points of entering preserved foods for competition as I checked out some beautiful table settings.

Finally, it was time to go and I discovered that I was a winner! In my first entry—at any fair—my beautiful Milestone roses won first place. Wow. A blue ribbon. I can’t believe it. I’m going to savor this all year long while I plot my next entry.

Thanks, W.O.E., I had a great time. See ‘ya next year!

Disclaimer:  I’m a born and bred city girl. It’s pretty clear that I don’t know a rooster from a hen. My apologies to anyone whose name I have misspelled or animal I have incorrectly identified. Corrections gladly accepted. Congratulations to all!

Betty Kaiser’s Chatterbox is about people, places, family, and other matters of the heart.

The W.O.E.: an old-fashioned country fair

8/14/13 Chatterbox

Betty Kaiser

Every summer for 81 years, generations of local residents have happily anticipated our annual fair and now it’s here. This weekend, Aug. 16-18, the W.O.E Cottage Grove Heritage Fair & Timber Show will be in full swing, full of old-fashioned fun and entertainment.

My husband and I attended our first W.O.E. in 1989. We had been to many super extravagant fairs that were overwhelming and exhausting. This fair was different. Relaxing. A step back in time. One that allowed us to appreciate a community at work and play.

We enjoyed the small town ambiance: savored the sights and smells of animals munching hay and being groomed; and drank in the joy of laughter and neighborly competition. At the W.O.E. there are just enough animals to admire, food to eat, shade to sit under and exhibits to appreciate. Its size is ‘just right.’

Traditionally, fairs started as organized agricultural events. As far back as the Old Testament, folks came from near and far to display (and sell) their livestock. In the Book of Ezekiel it says, “They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.” That was the beginning of annual traditions around the world.

Elkanah Watson is considered the father of the American-style Fair. In the early 19^th century Mr. Watson exhibited some mighty fine Merino sheep in Massachusetts. He wanted to share his knowledge with fellow farmers and thus education was added to fairs. He even encouraged women to come and add their art and feminine perspective to new events.

Over the decades, entertainment, food, commercial exhibits and carnival rides were added. Sizewise, fairs range from small to humongous. Think Cottage Grove’s yearly W.O.E vs. The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years in India. A record 60 million people attended in 2001 making it the largest gathering anywhere in the world. To each his own, but personally, I break out in a sweat just thinking about that many people in one place!

Every fair has a different flavor. (Pun intended.) In Tillamook, Oregon, it’s cheese (of course) and pigs. Yep. According to fair organizers, they have the only Pig-N-Ford races in the nation. The race goes something like this: Drivers, usually six at a time, pick a 40-pound pig out of a bin, tuck it under an arm, run to a waiting Model T, crank it up and drive once around a half-mile track. They change pigs and repeat the lap, then do it a third time. After three days of pigging and cranking, a champion is announced.

This being a logging town, our competitions are area appropriate. Friday night at 6 p.m. (the first night of the fair) bystanders can watch and cheer during the Ax Throw, Hot Saw, Men’s Double Buck and Modifiers contestants. Sat. morning at 10 a.m. there are kid’s events along with Women’s Stocksaw, Hotsaw, Ax Throw, Modifieds, 6 Cube Under and Big Log Stock Saw competitors.

Exhibits are mandatory. Browsing through the 10 different Divisions (Textiles, Culinary, Forestry, Livestock, etc.) and their dozens of sub classes, I determined we must have an abundance of talented individuals in our fair town. So if you have any textile skills at all, there’s a category for you. Class I is Theme of Fair (see page 8). Textile classes to enter include: crochet, knit, tatting, artistic handwork, quilting, sewing, fleece, weaving, hand spun yarn, rugs, holidays and original design by professionals.

As for all of you gardeners, check out the list in Flowers/Forestry: potted indoor plants, potted outdoor plants, cut flowers, arboreal, theme arrangements, garden craft and many sub-headings. Now is the time to show off your green thumb.

The Culinary division is huge! Bread: sourdough, fruit bread, muffins, donuts, sweet rolls and coffee cakes; Decorated and Diabetic (cakes, pies and cookies), Candy and more. Then comes table settings, categories for food preservation, fruits and farm produce. Next up are art, crafts and hobbies, amateur ceramics and both amateur and professional tole painting. There are 8 photography categories, scrapbooking, and dozens of livestock entry possibilities. Think cattle, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, guinea pigs, poultry and more!

Maybe (like me), you’ve never entered a contest—but a blue ribbon is enticing. So do it! Enter something. Read the complete WOE publication that came in your July 31 Sentinel. “Exhibit Information” begins on page 10 under and will tell you everything you need to know. The most important thing to remember is that entries begin today (Wed.) noon—8 p.m. and the deadline for all entries is tomorrow (Thursday) from 8 a.m.—noon. 

Friday is when the fun begins. In addition to the contests, kids can play games, climb the rock wall or build and race their own derby-style cars. Everyone can check out the classic cars, have their face painted, learn about bee keeping, get a glitter tattoo, pet a critter, enter the daily pie eating contest, play bingo, listen to ghost mine stories and pan for gold. That’s just for starters. There’s more.

Entry into the fair world will only cost you $3 per person OR $2 per person AND one (1) can of food for Community Sharing. Kids 12 years and under are free. And the price of admission will include entertainment with all types of music from Americana, Bluegrass, Jazz and Blues. That’s a good deal!

Last, but not least, there’s food. You’re going to get hungry with all that running around. Fortunately, there are a variety of fragrant, fattening and fried foods available. I just throw dietary caution to the winds and chow down on fair-hearty foods like corn dogs, sno-cones and Kettle Korn. See you there!

Betty Kaiser’s Chatterbox is about people, places, family, and other matters of the heart.

Thieves steal garden's serenity

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7/24/13 Chatterbox

Betty Kaiser

The Ina M. Daugherty Memorial Garden is a local oasis of serenity and inspiration. This private, church-owned garden is located adjacent to the First Presbyterian Church of Cottage Grove, at the corner of Adams and South 3^rd St. It invites neighbors and churchgoers to enjoy the shade of old growth trees and drink in the sweet surroundings of fragrant flowering plants. It offers free serenity.

Recently, someone(s) decided to steal the serenity. In fact, they first went all around town and helped themselves to a selection of plants that didn’t belong to them. They tipped over a planted barrel downtown, yanked out geraniums at The This ‘n That store and then brought shovels to the Daugherty Garden. There, they brazenly dug up specimen size azaleas, hydrangeas and more.

That same week, vandals were also out wreaking havoc at Pine Meadows Campground. Six young males were allegedly drinking beer and walking through the campground looking for trouble. Perhaps they were the ones who tore the porch off the entrance booth and stole a golf cart. Later, someone sped through the Primitive Campground at 4:30 a.m. waking up campers and spinning donut circles in the ground.

Ina and Warren Daugherty would not be happy. They were givers not takers and believed in building up the community—not tearing it down. Like many of Cottage Grove’s pioneers, Mr. Daugherty was in the logging business. In the early 1920s, he and a partner harvested timber until the best of it was gone. Mr. Daugherty’s partner decided to quit but he persevered saying, “We’ve built the roads and made the investment, let’s harvest the smaller trees as piling. The opportunity is where you are-not someplace else.”

In 1923 Daugherty established a wholesale lumber and piling business. It was successful and eventually moved to offices above the Knickerbocker store on Main St. In the late 1940s, he purchased the Chambers lumber mill. To pay for it, he mortgaged everything he had, borrowed from family and went deeply into debt to finance the remaining one million dollars needed.

The mill was a success but burned down in 1950. Today, South Lane Fire Dept. sits on a portion of the property and the children’s park across the way on Harrison St. was a gift from Mr. Daugherty. One of many that enhanced our city.

As profits from his businesses came in the couple partnered in giving back to the community. Some of their money established the Warren H. Daugherty Aquatic Center. Some was set aside to build a new Presbyterian Church on Adams Ave. Ina was very active in church activities. Warren was not much of a church goer but a great giver.

Ina worked with the famous Italian architect Pietro Belluschi in designing the building that is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1951, it is all wood and the style became known as Pacific Northwest Architecture. Mr. Daugherty donated all the lumber for the building and his wife helped with the design.

Later, the Benson property adjacent to the church was purchased from an endowment fund that the Daughertys had established in 1963. The house on the property was torn down and the site landscaped in honor of Ina, a longtime member and benefactor of the church. It was a proper memorial and recognition for one who loved flowers and was often found weeding in the church gardens.

Over the years, the property fell into disrepair: paths were washed away; vines, weeds, fallen branches, debris and general overgrowth obscured the garden’s original intent and beauty. It became obvious that a complete overhaul of the property was necessary.

In 2009 a volunteer work force headed by a master gardener, began a restoration project that continues today. Together, a small core of men and women, worked tirelessly every week. The first two years they hauled away dozens of truckloads of overgrowth revealing the good bones of the garden and (surprise!) a large cedar tree!

Slowly the shape of a classic urban garden began to emerge.

In 2011 a rose garden was established along with other perennials such as azaleas, daffodils, holly bushes, tulips and Japanese maples. The volunteers also tediously replaced 1,000 feet of path border while the weeding; pruning and general clean up continued.

In 2012, the garden underwent more major renovations and plantings. Nearly three dump truck loads of wet quarter-minus gravel were spread and compacted on the paths. Dozens more perennials were added, patches of day lilies were separated and spread throughout the garden and of course…more pruning and weeding.

Last summer, the garden was chosen to be on the South Lane Mental Health’s 4^th Annual Town and Country Garden Tour. The Daugherty’s would have been proud that their investment was still reaping benefits for others to enjoy. And it was a dream shared for all who contributed time, money, energy and sweat equity.

Today, the garden is an on-going project bringing peace and joy to the workers and all visitors. There is also documented on-going vandalism and graffiti by young people. Now some anti-theft measures must be put into place because some yardbirds wanted landscaping material for their garden at no cost to themselves.

Today, more than ever, we must always be vigilant about our properties. Fortunately,  there are now available a variety of cameras, motion-activated sprinklers and lights that can be installed to protect our stuff. I’m not sure they can bring peace of mind but they can help. Maybe one can find the Pine Meadows campground golf cart!

It’s sad. We work. Thugs steal. It has ever been this way. So folks, look out for one another. Know your neighbors. Cooperate and communicate. Teach your children and your grandchildren that private property means just that.  It’s private. It belongs to someone else. Don’t steal, deface or tear it up. Respect is more than the Golden Rule. It's also good karma.

Betty Kaiser’s Chatterbox is about people, places, family, and other matters of the heart.

Please don't take away my newspaper news!

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7/10/13 Chatterbox

Betty Kaiser

Last month, “The Oregonian,” our state’s longest continuously published newspaper, announced it would change its focus from conventional print to Internet news. Citing revenue losses of nearly 50%, financial advisors decided that cutting the payroll (journalists, support personnel and printing costs) and going online will somehow revive the business’ bottom line.

Since the disastrous downturn in the economy, this country has lost many prominent community voices in my favorite print publications. According to “Newspaper Death Watch,” 12 major metro dailies have closed their doors and another 12 are W.I.P. (works in progress) i.e. reducing their frequency of publication or adopting hybrid online/print or online only models—all since 2007.

The Oregonian’s new delivery configuration (announced by Advance Publications, Inc. the paper’s parent company) is difficult to understand. It seems that they will continue to print seven days a week. However, home delivery to 170,000 subscribers will only be on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday along with a so-called bonus delivery on Saturday.  City newsstands (selling about 15,000 per day) will receive deliveries on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

I know this is going to make me sound like a Luddite (one opposed to technological progress) but I hope this doesn’t work. I have seen this happen in other media and publications. Those in power fire most of the veteran journalists and replace them with inexperienced, lower wage employees. Quality, all-around news coverage gives way to quick low-news briefs along with lots of AP–type syndicated news.

I love a daily newspaper with extensive reporting and a balance of local, national and global news: the obituaries, the comics, a variety of columnists, sports and the classified ads. And yes, I do read on-line news but mostly for the global perspective that I get from such websites as www.reuters.com. It’s a great resource.

So I don’t understand this generation’s lack of reading loyalty. Growing up in Los Angeles, I cut my news teeth on the L.A. Times. I was so addicted to reading their great variety of news that when we moved to Ventura in 1964, I subscribed to the Sunday Times by mail. (That quickly ended because it took 10 days to arrive at our house!)

Whether local or syndicated, I like my news fresh, interesting and trustworthy. A good newspaper can do that. In California recently I read The Tribune, San Luis Obispo. It was exciting to see the Oregon Women’s Track and Field team in color on the front page of the Sports section and read about the NCAA finals in Eugene. A real treat for a visiting Oregonian.

Another day, I read about vandalism in America’s National Parks. “Trashing Treasures” described how in Saguaro National Park, Arizona, park rangers were finding subway-style graffiti in the spiny forest. Recently, 45 of the park’s towering cactuses had been sprayed with black paint. That could be a death knell to the 150-year-old plants if the paint covers the green skin where they store chlorophyll to draw nourishment from the sun. I didn’t know that.

There was also some military news harking back to the days when I lived near Camarillo, Calif. and fighter pilots from Saudi Arabia were being trained at a nearby airport. If it was strange then, imagine how we would feel now. This news brief came from San Diego:

 “Japanese troops to train on California beaches…they will converge on California’s southern coast…as part of a military exercise with U.S. troops aimed at improving that country’s amphibious attack abilities.” The training was in response to China’s growing military might. China protested the event. Nevertheless, the drill with three Japanese warships: 1,000 service members and four combat helicopters was going to proceed. Forces from New Zealand and Canada were also taking part.”

Now, it’s true I might have been able to read the above on the Internet but it wouldn’t have had the same impact on a screen as holding it in my hand does.

My favorite on-the-road column was in the “Paso Robles Press” titled “It’s The Pitts” by Lee Pitts. It was a “can’t we all get along?” piece. Pitts, the editor of “Livestock Market Digest,” has written books such as “People who live at the end of Dirt Roads,” “Back Door People” and “These Things I Wish.” Here’s a few excerpts addressed to bridge the gap between urban and country folks:

“I’ll take the time to learn more about you if you’ll take a minute to learn about me.”

“I’ll try and keep my cows off the highway if you won’t dump your kittens off at the end of my road. We already have a cat.”

“I won’t ruin your neighborhood by moving a feedlot next door to your condominium if you won’t move next door to my feedlot and ask me to get out of town because I stink.”

“I will grant the power companies and telephone companies easements so you can have electricity and make phone calls…but please close the gates.”

“I will feed and water the wildlife for us all to enjoy but please don’t cut down my fences. And hunters, don’t shoot my cows. (They are the ones that look hungry.)”

I won’t throw my Lone Star bottles on your front lawn if you won’t throw your Bud Light cans in my front pasture.”

“I will buy your Chevrolet if you will buy my beef. Let’s all buy products “Made in America.”

I love his perspective. Columnists like Pitts make me laugh and think. So keep buying newspapers, folks. We don’t want to wake up some morning and say, “Where did my newspaper go?”

Betty Kaiser’s Chatterbox is about people, places, family, and other matters of the heart.

Small town salutes veterans and fire engines

6/26/13 CHATTERBOX

Betty Kaiser

My husband and I just returned from another 1800-mile marathon road trip. This one was all about grandchildren in Southern Calif. I mostly ride shotgun on these trips but this time I did about half of the driving. As the alternate designated driver I discovered that driving severely cramps my style as spotter of places to investigate and/or shop. i.e. landmarks and antique stores! But I still did good.

The small town of Anderson, Calif. is one of our favorite stopping spots. It’s a town much like Cottage Grove with a population of about 9,000 people. Until recently its biggest attraction for us was the good, home cooking at Vittles restaurant (liver and onions); the antiques at Marigold’s Shop; some historical fire engines; easy gasoline access and the Shasta Outlet Stores.

We often stay overnight at an RV Park south of Redding and make our way into Anderson the next morning. But we were driving our car this time so we checked into a local hotel and headed for dinner in 98° F. heat. We had a good meal at Vittles and were paying our bill when I noticed a brochure soliciting funds for “Anderson’s Veterans Walk of Honor.” Hmm. Interesting.

I asked the waitress where the veteran’s memorial was located and she said, “I really don’t know. People keep asking me. No one else seems to know either so I guess I’d better find out.” Memo to readers: Always know how to direct travelers to places of interest in your hometown and surrounding area.

Well, downtown Anderson is about half the size of Cottage Grove, so we figured that we could find the memorial. We drove slowly up and down the four-blocks-long town and sure enough, there it was­–tucked between the Firehouse Cocktail Lounge and Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel. We parked across the street in front of the railroad tracks, exited the car and were hit by a blast of hot air. We began to wonder whether this was going to be worth the effort. It was.

Entering the gates of a transformed, formerly weed-infested vacant lot gave me chills. The tiny memorial park was just right. On either side of the entrance were Walls of Honor with nameplates honoring local veterans from many wars. At the end of a bricked walkway stood a 30-ft tall flagpole and a giant American eagle. Trees shade the area and there are benches for loved ones to sit and contemplate. In a busy world, it is a quiet and peaceful place.

Large three-ft. tall, concrete letters designate the areas representing veterans from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. The glass Wall of Honor contains 300 brass-plated nameplates. Many families have two or three generations on the wall. The two oldest names in the park are from the Civil War and the Spanish –American War.

The Veteran’s Walk of Honor was dedicated on Dec. 18, 2011. It is a shining example of what can happen when the general public and government work together. Anderson, the community, wanted to honor its veterans and be sure that future residents remembered them. So how did they afford this project in light of dwindling financial resources in this day and age?

According to a press release, one man was the brains behind the project. Assistant Manager and Public Works Director Jeff Kiser was credited for helping ensure the project’s success. It cost about $300,000 to prepare the property, plan and build the memorial. But the public contributed nearly $200,000 of that money through donations and fundraising benefits. The remainder of the money came from the city and a piece of property they sold.

The first Wall of Honor’s plaques are at capacity, so they are now building two more walls: Freedom and Liberty. The donation for the plaques is $100 for each veteran’s nameplate. It is a small price to pay to salute those who have given so much for so many. It is a gem of respect and honor often seen in small towns.

We saluted the veterans and reluctantly left the memorial, walking down the street, past scruffy empty bars and other businesses. We headed for Fire Hall No. 1. We like old fire engines and have visited this restored building (and its flag pole) many times. The bronze sign designating its history is also a trip down memory lane. It reads:

ANDERSON HISTORIC FIRE STATION

1946 Van Pelt Truck

“Originally constructed in 1903 on this site as a two-story building, the Anderson Fire Station was completed for a cost of $90 for used lumber and nails. Initial firefighting equipment included twelve buckets, four axes, three sections of hose and a hand drawn hose cart.

The first motorized fire equipment purchased for the station was a 1924 Dodge chemical truck, which was sold for scrap for the war effort in 1943. This was replaced by the 1941 and 1946 Van Pelt trucks, which are still housed in the station.”

Inside the building (behind glass doors) are the 1941 and 1946 Van Pelt Trucks. They sparkle as only fire engines can and the overhead sign reads: “Positively only firemen allowed on truck.”

As we drove away I reflected on the doomsayers that say small towns are dead. I don’t think so. They may be struggling but they’ve still got heart. We could tell that the heart of Anderson was still beating red, white and blue, because they had the foresight to preserve their gratitude for our veterans and a piece of town history in a visible manner. It’s the stuff this country is made of.

God bless the USA!

Betty Kaiser’s Chatterbox is about people, places, family, and other matters of the heart.

 

Graduation then and now

6/12/13 Chatterbox

Betty Kaiser

This column is dedicated to all the 2013 graduates of schools everywhere—with special kudos to my family’s graduates: Paul who is graduating from college; J.D. from high school; and Jeff, my oldest son, with a well-earned PhD from UCSD.

Every year I labor over what to say to a graduate about ready to spread his or her wings. Obviously, I’ve never said anything profound because I don’t remember a word I’ve written and I’m sure that the graduates don’t either. So instead of the usual graduation advice and admonitions, I’m offering a look at the differences and similarities between three generations.

The pomp and circumstance of graduation ceremonies has remained relatively the same over the decades. I graduated from high school in 1957.  A half century later, schools have similar speakers, music and class introductions. The official ceremony is usually preceded by an inspirational Baccalaureate service. (An amazing tradition since we all know how kids hate being preached to!)

This service is going to be especially interesting for J.D., my 18-year old, guitar-picking basketball-star-grandson. He is graduating from Templeton High School and his father (my youngest son) is going to preach the Baccalaureate sermon. John is a minister, used to speaking to crowds and a pretty funny guy so I don’t think he’ll say anything to embarrass his 6 ft 2 inches tall son or even make him squirm. But then again, one never knows.

Quite frankly, I barely remember my graduation ceremony and I don’t remember the Baccalaureate at all. Today’s teens will remember everything because their parents will be taking pictures and videoing. Back in the day we were lucky to have black and white film (no color) in Brownie Cameras with flash bulbs. And no one would ever have been rude enough to take photos during a public ceremony.

I do remember what I wore to the graduation—a white cap and gown over a skirt and matching sweater set with black pumps. I was not a straight “A” student like my grandsons because those darn math classes dragged my grade average down. I still remember my geometry teacher saying in a note to my parents: “Elizabeth is doing poorly and will fail unless she improves.” I was thrilled to bring my grade up to a passing “C” and somehow managed to still be awarded a Gold Seal on my diploma.

Paul, 23, is graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with honors and a major in Kinesiology. “What’s that?” you say. Well, it’s the study of human movement. It prepares students for careers in medicine and sports as occupational therapists, physical therapists, personal trainers and such. Unlike his grandmother he was able to excel in math and science classes. 

I think more is expected of today’s students than in my day. I had minimal homework in elementary school; an hour or so of homework in Junior High and maybe 2-3 hours of homework in high school. My grandsons started bringing home that much work when they were in elementary school. They looked like pack horses under their book laden backpacks. I actually felt sorry for them. (In the 1950s, we girls had boys to carry our books!)

Proms are different, too. My grandmother made a green taffeta dress with a scooped neckline and short sleeves for me to wear to my senior prom. Chuck sweetly pinned an orchid corsage on my shoulder. He wore a hand-me-down suit, brightly polished leather shoes and we had dinner at Chalon’s restaurant. Then we drove to the dance in his clean 1949 Ford hot rod (paint and engine in progress). We felt so grown up!  He had me home at precisely midnight.

My grandsons’ prom dates are often a group affair. Because the kids can’t drive each other around, they meet at someone’s house for dinner and (sometimes) ride to the prom in a limousine. The guys wear tuxedos and present their strapless-gown-wearing-dates with wrist corsages. J.D.’s parents served two couples dinner, beginning with shrimp cocktails! His date wore a bright mulberry colored gown trimmed in silver He added a purple vest, handkerchief, tie and a pink boutonnière to his tux to complement her gown. Très Chic!

Today’s graduates have an uphill battle to face that we didn’t have—the jobless market. My husband and I walked out of high school and right into entry-level jobs. I had never worked a day in my life when I applied for a job at the Broadway Dept. store. I was hired on the spot to train as an elevator operator and work after school. I practically danced out of the store earning the munificent sum of $1 an hour.

 My grandsons have learned to be creative entrepreneurs in their job searches. J.D. was a paid referee at sometimes six basketball games a weekend. Paul created quite a lucrative niche as a pet and house sitter. He later worked alongside trainers at college sporting events where he earned college credits. As a 20-year veteran teacher turned graduate student, Jeff earned his keep as an experienced teaching assistant (250 students per class) and computer advisor.

Now it’s time to move on so here’s just a little advice (you knew I would)… “Life changes. Deal with it. Expect the unexpected and roll with the punches. Don’t be afraid to start small and work your way up. Be flexible and learn from your mistakes. Stay positive and productive if you want to be happy and make the world a better place.” There's more but I'll stop for now.

Folks, if my sons and grandsons represent the current generation, our future is in good hands. Like so many others, they are bright, responsible and caring individuals. So congratulations all! You’ve made us proud. Now keep up the good work!

Betty Kaiser’s Chatterbox is about people, places, family, and other matters of the heart.

GRANDPARENTS BEWARE!

5/8/13 Chatterbox

Betty Kaiser

Honestly, it’s always something! Scamming is rampant. So if you have a telephone, own a computer, or have a mailbox…beware. There are charity scams, newspaper ad scams, lottery/ sweepstakes scams, Internet romance scams, fake loan scams, elder abuse scams and more.

Now there’s the “relative in need scam.” A family member is supposedly in trouble and the scammers target grandparents to get them to send money and rescue their grandkids. This year it reared its ugly head right here in River City (i.e. Cottage Grove). In fact, two of my friends have been on the receiving end of this telephone fraud. One took the bait and the other didn’t. So listen up and be aware.

The so-called grandparent scam is a form of telephone fraud. The scammer phones a grandparent and pretends to be a grandchild in distress. A request is made for funds to be wired to a specific location. The situation is desperate. Urgency is stressed. Phone calls are exchanged. Time is of the essence.

No one seems to know how the targets are chosen. Speculation runs the gamut—lost or stolen cell phones; calling random numbers until an elderly person answers; or the use of social media. An article in CBS 2’s New York edition blatantly said, “If you use social media to stay in touch with your grandchildren, beware—crooks could be watching you watch them.” Both of my friends keep up with their grandchildren on Facebook.

One friend’s scammer call began with a young man saying, “Grandma?” “Yes,” she answered. “I’m in prison. I need money to get out of jail,” he said. His grandmother interrupted, “Before you go any farther I have one question. I need to know your birthday.” He hung up. Later, the scammer called back. She replied: “I’m somebody’s grandma but I’m not yours!” End of conversation.

Things played out differently for my friend Pat who received a phone call one morning from an unrecognizable number. A voice said, “This is your grandson. I’m in Niagara Falls.” “Glen?” Pat said, “Yes,” he answered, “I’m in jail in Canada but don’t let the family know. I was at a wedding in New York and driving a rental car. There was a minor collision. I only had one glass of champagne but had taken some cold medicine. Would you call my lawyer?”

Well, Grandma Pat was shocked and wanted to help. Glen lived in Calif. and usually didn’t drink but it sure sounded like him. She told her husband Ralph the situation and they called the lawyer’s number. It was a wrong number. No lawyer there. Hmm.

Later, while Pat was in town, Ralph got a call. Glen said he had given them the wrong number. Sure enough, Ralph called the new number and a so-called lawyer answered. He told grandpa that the charges were Reckless Driving and a DUI. He would need $980 to get the reckless charge taken care of. It had to be paid in cash and sent via a Moneygram from WalMart. And so they did.

Later, after lunch, another call came. The money had arrived but this time the lawyer needed $963 wired to Toronto, Canada, to take care of the DUI in court. The grandparents went back to their local bank to withdraw the funds but this time they shared with the teller what they were doing with the money. That was a smart move.

“Are you sure this isn’t a scam?” she asked. “No, I’m sure it’s Glen,” Pat said. By this time, others in the bank had chimed in with their own scam experiences. Then the teller gave some good advice: “Well, I can’t refuse to give you the money but I think you need to contact your family before you do anything else.”

The couple went home and called their daughter, their grandson’s mother. “Do you know where Glen is?” they asked. “He’s at work,” mom said. “Are you sure?” they asked. “Yes, I’m sure,” she responded. “Why are you asking?” And then they told her the story.

By this time, the scammer lawyer wannabe was getting worried. He called again looking for his money. Ralph answered the phone and said, “We didn’t send more money because this is a scam.” No,” the scammer said, “ it’s for your son Glen.” “I don’t have a son,” said Ralph. Oops! “Oh, this is a scam and I’ll have to look into it,” the scammer said. Click.

Since this experience, these grandparents have been sharing their story so that others won’t get cheated out of their money. Pat reported it to the police who told her to call the Sheriff’s office who sent paperwork. Finally, she called the Oregon Attorney General’s office. They told her to call the Canadian Attorney General’s office where they had heard of the scam. Since then their story has been shared at gatherings and on Facebook and they’ve been shocked at how many others have been scammed.

We need cool heads in these situations. Here’s some basic information to remember if the caller is unknown and money is involved:

Caller ID is a useful invention. If the number looks strange, don’t answer. Let the machine take the message and then decide

Unsolicited calls: Be skeptical. Be rude. Hang up.

Trust your gut; ask questions and always double check information from strangers.

Never wire money to someone you don’t know. It can’t be refunded.

Be wary. If you didn’t enter the contest or lottery you can’t win!

Remember this is a red flag: “Don’t tell my family or I’ll get in trouble.”

Solicit advice from a family member, a trusted friend or attorney.

FYI: On a happier note: Sunday is Mother’s Day. Enjoy your day!

Betty Kaiser’s Chatterbox is about people, places, family, and other matters of the heart.