Tilly Miller with the Lincoln City Food Pantry accepted numerous donations from the public and local businesses Thursday as part of a Lincoln City Community Days drive to raise food and money for families in need.
Lincoln City Food Pantry manager Tilly Miller poses with a sign for Community Days
“This is for people that are needing emergency food,” Miller said. “There are a lot of families that are struggling to make ends meet that need help, so we try to provide for them, and this goes a long way towards that.”
Roger “The Voice of Lincoln City” Robertson, left, and Mo’s manager Bob Scull
Roger Robertson, organizer of the food drive, said the event began as a fundraiser for the Taft High music program and over the years has turned into the food drive.
“Chinook Winds handed us a thousand dollars this morning,” Robertson said. “Kenny’s IGA provided the facilities for us to use and, of course, brought over all kinds of stuff for us.”
Lincoln City Mayor Dick Anderson, along with fellow councilors Mitch Parsons, Rick Mark and Diane Kusz, did their best to flag down traffic in an attempt to raise funds.
Dave Price and Estle Harlan with Rotary Club of Lincoln City presented a check for $1,000 to Miller and her organization.
Young Professionals of Lincoln City held signs to get the cars passing by on Highway 101 to stop and donate to the cause.
Mo’s manager Bob Scull held a sign and let everyone know Mo’s would be matching donations dollar-for-dollar for an hour during the drive.
The Lincoln City Food Pantry is part of the Oregon Food Bank and welcomes residents of Lincoln City, Roads End, Neotsu, Otis, Rose Lodge, Gleneden Beach and anywhere in between.
It didn’t take the early grand slam that launched his team to a 17-0 victory over Clatskanie on Tuesday to garner attention for Taft High center fielder Tyee Fisher. At 6-feet, 5 inches, he’s almost always stood head and shoulders above the crowd.
While difficult to overlook, earning all-league accolades in football, basketball and baseball can also attract big-time attention. Participation in youth organizations such as the Christian group Young Life don’t hurt your exposure, either.
Funny, then, how the 18-year-old senior star athlete yearns to be a detective, where being conspicuous isn’t exactly a benefit. A Lincoln City resident since 2007, Fisher says going undercover is attractive because “nothing feels better than helping someone in need.”
While finding Fisher towering over a crowded school corridor might not be difficult, neither is locating someone who can be a good friend.
“I would choose Tyee to be on my team of good humans.” Taft basketball coach Andy Morgan said. “He would be one of the first guys picked.”
Born March 16, 2001, Tyee Jeremiah Fisher is the son of Monica Logan, food and beverage director at Chinook Winds Casino Resort, and Jamie Fisher, who owns and operates Bulldog Towing in Bend.
His stepfather, Dean Konecny, is deli manager at Kenny’s IGA. Tyee has an older sister, Jazmyn Logan, and an older brother, Tyler, who both graduated from Taft, and a little sister, Aliyah, a freshman at the school.
Born in the south-central Oregon community of Lakeview — ironically billed as “The Tallest Town in Oregon” at nearly 5,000 feet — Fisher moved to Siletz at a young age, then to Lincoln City after his parents divorced. He has starred since his freshman year in the Tigers’ junior varsity and varsity football, basketball and baseball programs.
“I think Tyee has grown a lot in his six years here at Taft 7-12,” baseball coach Matt Hilgers said. “The last two years he has really started to believe in himself on the baseball field, and it has shown with his success at the plate. This year, he joined the high school leadership class and has really worked at becoming a leader.”
While he prefers baseball, Fisher says his most memorable recollections of his time at Taft have come on the gridiron, where he was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-state receiver, and second-team all-league and honorable mention all-state punter. Selected to play in the annual Shriners football game in August, he was also an honorable mention all-league basketball player this season.
Brothers Tyee, left, and Tyler Fisher
“My best memories always came from football with my brother, Tyler, because he took me under his wing and I was able to experience high school with him,” Tyee said.
Still, baseball, with a pivotal 3 p.m. league doubleheader slated Friday at Rainier, is foremost on the calendar for Fisher and the Tigers. It’s a sport where his evolution as a player has become more pronounced as his high school athletic career winds down.
“He has been working on stepping up and becoming the leader that we need,” Hilgers said. “He has talked many times to our more inexperienced athletes about the mental aspect that plays such an important part of the game.”
Quiet leadership off the playing field and obvious impact by example on it are something Fisher began to develop as a quarterback on Taft’s junior varsity football team. He has also pitched and played the post and power forward in basketball.
“Baseball is such a mental game, and every pitch there is something to be doing,” he said. “In the sport of baseball, you can’t just let time run out. You have to throw the ball and give every man an equal chance.”
A second-team all-league player on the diamond the past two seasons, Fisher, who enjoys hiking, snowboarding, video games and history, said he loves patrolling center field.
“You’re the captain of the outfield and you can oversee the whole field,” he said. “Plus, we make way cooler plays than the infield.”
Morgan recalls Tyee as the bigger, if younger, brother who visited Tyler when he mentored the older Fisher boy.
“Tyler was obviously an influence on his younger brother,” he said. “Traits of extreme self-evaluation and criticism were shared by the fiercely competitive siblings.”
While circumstances prevented Morgan from working with Fisher on the basketball court as an underclassman, he was well aware of his presence, nonetheless.
“We knew, as a coaching staff, that there was another Fisher brother in the pipeline,” he said. “The thing that always impressed me most about Tyee was the way he valued other people. Tyee talks a lot of smack, always dishing out a fair amount of attitude. Others often try to dish it back, but he is likely the king. It’s all good-natured with Tyee. He genuinely cares for others. In fact, it may be a secret, but Tyee has a huge heart.”
And a seemingly sincere appreciation for those who have helped him grow through his formative years and during his time at Taft.
“My father has always taught me so much,” Tyee said. “Even from when I was a wee lad, he would never just let us win at the small games we played or anything like that because he wanted to teach us nothing in life comes easy. You always have to work for what you want. I think that is the reason I hate losing so much to this day.”
Tyee expresses similar sentiments about his mom.
“My mother has always made me believe in myself, and that’s what I struggle with the most,” he said. “And that doesn’t even compare to all the practices and games she has driven me to. Without her I wouldn’t be half the athlete I am.”
Fisher also credits Taft football coach Jake Tolan for his commitment to making him a better person and athlete.
“He has always stepped up to guide me in the right direction and was always there as a father figure that I could always look up to and model myself after,” he said.
Fisher’s sincerity hardly stops there, however. He clearly possesses an appreciation for virtually everybody who has impacted his life.
“I want to say thanks to everyone who has ever helped me with anything no matter how small because it sure did take a village to raise me,” he said.
In return, Fisher’s respect for others isn’t lost on those he’s touched.
“I look for great things from Tyee, now and forever,” Morgan said. “He will show up somewhere in this world as an adult doing good things for others. I guarantee it.”
Depoe Bay is the subject of an expansive feature article in today’s Los Angeles Times.
Author Mike Morris’ first-person account, entitled, “In Depoe Bay, Ore., a family weekend getaway means relaxing walks, pizza and play structures,” highlights the tourist town 10 miles south of Lincoln City known best for its whale watching for tourists trekking up and down Highway 101 in the majestic Great Pacific Northwest.
My family’s getaway late last year to Oregon’s stormy coast was invigorating. We stayed in Depoe Bay, known as the state’s whale-watching capital. Yes, we saw whales — a pod of grays makes its home here from March to December — but we also strolled wind-swept beaches in search of agates, visited a pirate-themed coffee shop and walked around what some say is the world’s smallest navigable harbor.
Running a small business is no small feat. That’s why the U.S. Small Business Administration Portland District is inviting local businesses to its partner showcase with Oregon Coast Community College’s Small Business Development Center.
Connect with small business resources that can help you thrive in today’s marketplace. The showcase is a chance for Lincoln County businesses to network with industry specialists, government resources and other coastal businesses.
The event is set for Thursday, May 9, at OCCC’s North County Center, 3788 SE High School Dr., in Lincoln City.
The SBA Portland District Director Martin Golden will discuss how the SBA can help Oregon’s Coastal entrepreneurs start, build and grow their businesses.
Learn how USDA Rural Development improves the quality of life and economy in rural Oregon through business and community development financing.
See how Oregon’s Small Business Development Center’s professional advisors provide insight and solutions for the development and growth toward the long-term success of businesses.
Meet representatives from the Oregon SBDC Network’s Capital Access Team (CAT) and Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments and learn how you can get expert guidance on securing a small business loan.
Learn about county Urban Renewal programs and how they can help support your business, and meet your local small business advocate from the Oregon Secretary of State’s office.
The free two-hour event begins at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 9. All Lincoln County businesses are invited. A link to online registration can be found on the OCCC SBDC Facebook page, or call 541-994-4166 to register.
The SBDC provides free, confidential, one-on-one business advising to more than 200 entrepreneurs each year, and serves an additional 500 to 600 business owners each year with classes and workshops held at all three OCCC locations as well as elsewhere in Lincoln County.
The SBDC is supported by the SBA, Business Oregon, Lincoln County Economic Development funds, the cities of Lincoln City and Waldport, and other stakeholders.
For more information or to request special accommodations, please contact Anna Shapiro [email protected] or call 503-326-5220 or call Shirley Hill at the SBDC, 541-994-4166 or visit oregoncoastbusiness.com.
Driftwood Public Library and Driftwood Library Foundation celebrated Community Days with a performance by the Foulweather String Band before a packed house Wednesday night.
Video by five-year-old Skyler Werner
Driftwood literally put on the show with librarian Teena Nelson filling in for band member Kurt Dugan, who could not make it. Nelson played the washboard and spoons alongside Karen Johnson on fiddle, her husband Steve on banjo and guitar, and Bobbie Stirling on stand-up bass.
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Steve Johnson
Karen Johnson
Teena Nelson
Bobbie Stirling
“We like to be part of the community and we’re delighted to be here,” Steve Nelson said. “That old-time music is what it’s all about. Getting people together and enjoying part of our heritage.”
The band played different types of Appalachian and Celtic music, and even improvised a unique version of “Happy Birthday” for kids in the crowd.
Miss Oregon 2018, Taylor Ballard, seemingly enjoyed the show, smiling and nodding her head to the sound.
Taylor Ballard, Miss Oregon 2018 watches The Foulweather String Band Wednesday night
Karen Johnson displayed her talent at Appalacian clogging, which gave meaning to the band’s tagline: “Music for the sole.” Kids of all ages emulated her dance throughout the crowd, as it was encouraged.
The Foulweather String Band did a good job at keeping the fans involved by bringing out instruments for everyone to play. The room was filled with the sound of maracas.
Driftwood Public Library sponsors numerous family-friendly events throughout the year that can be found on their website and on Facebook.
Taft High ace Emma Coulter overcame whipping winds behind steady defense Wednesday to prevail in a pitching duel with Blanchet Catholic for a 2-1 nonleague home softball victory.
“It was definitely a struggle with the wind, for sure, but my defense definitely had my back today, which was nice,” the junior starter said after surrendering just two hits and striking out seven. “The wind was so strong that the balls were getting pushed down the whole time.”
Junior catcher Hailee Danneker and freshman Chole Peterson led Taft with two hits apiece, while Coulter and sophomore Makena Cole drove home a run each. Danneker and freshman Addie Gates scored for the Tigers.
“We had quite a few hits today,” Taft coach Sandy Stuart said as Taft used eight singles and a double by sophomore Claira Tolan to score once in the third and fifth innings. “Unfortunately, we had a second day of stranding quite a few base runners and not getting the timely hits when runners were in scoring position.”
The victory improved fifth-rated Taft to 11-5 overall, while PacWest member Blanchet Catholic, ranked ninth, fell to 9-7.
“Today was a win we needed and a great outing for our young defense,” Stuart said. “We made some great plays.”
Among those were an infield double play and Tolan’s “amazing catch in center field near the end of the game that made a huge impact,” Stuart said.
The Tigers play only one more home game (Wednesday, May 8, against Scio) and 10 away the rest of the regular season, beginning with a 3 p.m. doubleheader Friday at Rainier.
“Now we are focusing one game and one opponent at a time,” Stuart said. “So, we will prepare tomorrow for Rainier and look to take back a game or two there.”
Taft 2, Blanchet Catholic 1
BLANCHET CATHOLIC AB R H BI TAFT AB R H BI
S Barchus 3 0 0 1 Hailee Danneker 3 1 2 0
A Davila 3 0 0 0 Addie Gates 2 1 1 0
L Jensen 2 0 0 0 Emma Coulter 2 0 1 1
A Jones 2 0 0 0 Makena Cole 3 0 1 1
S Archer 3 0 0 0 Olivia Coulter 3 0 0 0
H Ostby 3 0 1 0 Claira Tolan 3 0 1 0
S Smith 3 0 0 0 Kyla Knott 3 0 1 0
K Ruiz 2 1 1 0 Corey VanDamme 2 0 0 0
A Feregrino 1 0 0 0 Lily Hatton 1 0 0 0
K Tuttle 1 0 0 0 Chole Peterson 3 0 2 0
TOTALS 23 1 2 1 TOTALS 25 2 9 2
BLANCHET CATHOLIC 000 001 0 -- 1
TAFT 001 010 x -- 2
LOB--BLANCHET CATHOLIC 3, TAFT 8. E--A
Feregrino, Makena Cole. 2B--Claira Tolan. 3B--K Ruiz.
SACF--Emma Coulter. SB--Hailee Danneker.
BLANCHET CATHOLIC IP H R ER BB SO HR
A Davila 5.33 8 2 2 2 7 0
S Barchus 0.67 1 0 0 0 1 0
TAFT
Emma Coulter 7.00 2 1 1 2 7 0
PB--Hailee Danneker. WP--A Davila. SO--S Smith (3), A
Feregrino, S Archer, K Tuttle, A Jones, Kyla Knott, Lily
Hatton, Olivia Coulter (2), Makena Cole, Corey VanDamme
(2), Emma Coulter. BB--L Jensen, A Jones, Addie Gates,
Hailee Danneker.
A bit of living history will be yours to experience Wednesday, May 8, at a Lincoln City Rotary Club meeting, where Dr. Jay Cox will share his experiences from the night in November 1963 when President Kennedy was assassinated.
Dr. Jay Cox
Cox was in his second year of an orthopedic surgery residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where Kennedy’s body was taken hours after he was shot in Dallas.
Cox was on orthopedic surgery call having just been promoted to Lt. Commander and standing watch for the first time as Officer of the Day for the Medical Center.
Cox reflects in the following correspondence:
“I was in charge of the entire hospital operation from 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next morning. At about 5:30 p.m. that fateful Friday, our hospital was notified that they were bringing the President’s body to Bethesda for autopsy. I had to make all the arrangements with the pathologists and the autopsy room for his arrival.
“The plane carrying his body landed at Andrews Air Force Base at about 6:30 p.m. and then the ambulance arrived at the hospital about 7 p.m.. I was not part of the autopsy team, but had the run of the hospital, so was at the morgue for the arrival of the body and also at the front of the hospital for Jackie’s arrival with Robert Kennedy and [Secretary of Defense] Robert McNamara. It was my job to get them to the 10th floor waiting area where they waited until the autopsy was finished.
“That night I was all over the hospital watching the autopsy, looking at X-rays, and providing security so I can share just what I saw and explain how many of the conspiracy theories developed.
“At the end of the autopsy that night there was no doubt in anyone’s mind at Bethesda that all shots came from the rear and there was no evidence of multiple shooters. I became a student of what happened that day and can share the story of the events in Dallas to the autopsy conclusion in Bethesda.”
Cox will share his experiences at noon, May 8 at Salishan Spa & Golf Resort. Lunch is $13 per person.
The public is welcome, but must pre-register by emailing [email protected] or by messaging on the Lincoln City Rotary Facebook page. Registration is due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 1.
Seventeen students from Waldport and Taft high schools learned coveted skills and gained admiration for area firefighters after attending Future Natural Resource Leaders Fire School last week at Camp Tadmor.
The students participated in classroom lessons, field training and mock skills tests. The event featured public and private wildland firefighters.
“Fire School was by far the best experience I have had in a work environment,” Taft senior Giovanni Salazar said. “The hands-on work showed me what it takes to be a wildland firefighter. It is definitely a career path I will be pursuing.”
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The Lincoln County School District offers opportunities as part of its Career and Technical Education programs, which are funded by Measure 98 dollars aimed to get youth trained in vocational trades that build valuable career-ready skills.
“It is important to LCSD to support local industry and community needs when utilizing Measure 98 funds and expanding or enhancing our career and technical programs,” Secondary Teaching and Learning Administrator Majalise Tolan said.
“These students learned, practiced, and were evaluated on skills necessary for high demand jobs that are important to our community and state.
“Our teachers are continuing to work together to provide more opportunities across the district for all of our students.”
Jeff Skirvin, Waldport CTE teacher wrote, “At fire school, kids learn a lot about wildland fire fighting and the science behind fire. But the most amazing thing about fire school is during the three-mile, 45-pound backpack test, the all day wildland fire training where Lincoln County kids placed second in the fire line digging competition, our students showed grit. It was raining, they were up to their knees in mud. They were cold. And they worked hard all day.
“I’ve never been more proud of a group of young students than I was at fire school this year. With all of the negative connotations that are attached to this generation due to their overuse of x-boxes and iPhones and things that I don’t even know about, we watch kids at fire school excel and show good communication skills, perseverance, a sense of empathy and team ambition all day, every day. We truly can be proud of our Lincoln City and Waldport children.”
Waldport sophomore student Savana Eppinghaus said, “It was a great learning experience. It was hard work, but it was lots of fun. I would definitely do it again. Actually, I think everyone who is interested in Forestry should do it at least once. They have it really well organized and everything is together.”
Joe Wilkinson of Neskowin won the 10K and Autumn Ellis of Lincoln City claimed the 5K title Saturday at the “Run for the Kids” Earth Day Run in Neskowin.
Maya Foty of Portland was the top female finisher in the 10K, while Maurice Rivas was the top male finisher in the 13-17 age group.
While Ellis won the 5K overall title, Kristian Cabal of Lincoln City was the top male finisher.
Lilliana Wilson of Portland was the top 12-and-under 5K runner, and Veronica Hampton of Lincoln City won the 13-17 age-group title.
All proceeds benefited the Neskowin Valley School tuition scholarships program.
Earth Day Run 10K Results
1 Joe Wilkinson, Neskowin
2 Tyler Bentley, Cloverdale
3 Maya Foty, Portland
4 Finn Riley, Belew
5 Ross Rehberg, Lincoln City
6 Mauricio Rivas, Lincoln City
7 Susana Munoz, Lincoln City
8 Jenny Freeborn, Rickreall
9 Taj Richardson, Gleneden Beach
10 Jennifer Napoleon, Neotsu
11 Heather Hatton, Gleneden Beach
12 Jill Brunelle, Gleneden Beach
13 Shelli Corse, Lincoln City
5K Results
1 Autumn Ellis, Lincoln City
2 Sarah Scandon, Otis
3 Brooke Orendorff, Neskowin
4 Lilliana Wilson, Portland
5 Kristian Cabal, Lincoln City
6 Alberto Contreras, Keizer
7 Veronica Hampton, Lincoln City
9 Roy Cabal, Lincoln City
10 William Robertson, Lincoln City
11 Sean Lambert, Pacific City
12 Donna Jose, Neskowin
13 Abby Abraham, Portland
14 Ronald Offenstein, Neskowin
15 Jesse Lewis, Lincoln City
16 Alani Cabal, Lincoln City
17 Dara Abraham, Portland
18 Mindy Smith, Hebo
19 Daniel Diaz, Lake Oswego
20 Hattie Mena, Neotsu
21 Justin Mena, Neotsu
22 Sharon Bighil, Otis
23 Maiti Riley, Belew
24 Patti Soens, Portland
25 Christi Clark, Neskowin
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host a family fishing event Saturday, April 27, at Devils Lake in Lincoln City.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Regatta Park. ODFW will stock the lake with 7,000 rainbow trout prior to the event, including 3,500 fish that will be released in a large net pen reserved for youth fishing.
ODFW staff and volunteers will be present to hand out equipment, and be available to teach youngsters how to bait, cast, and “reel in” their catch. Youth will be able to keep two fish from inside the fish enclosure, after which they can continue fishing in the lake until they meet the 5 fish limit. These events are intended to help families learn how to fish together and get outside. There is also a great playground at Regatta Park, so pack a lunch and stay a while!
The fishing enclosure is reserved for youth fishing, but adults can get tips on basic rigging, fish identification and casting at the event.
Kids 11 and under can fish free at this event. Youth 12-17 need a youth license, which can be purchased for $10 online at the ODFW website or any field office or license outlet. Licenses will not be sold at the event.
Regatta Park is located on the south west side of Devils Lake. From Highway 101, take NE 14th St east for about ½ mile until you see the sign for Regatta Park on the right. There is parking by the dock, and overflow parking is available along the one-way road in and out of the park.
“Baseball is such a mental game, and every pitch there is something to be doing,” he said. “In the sport of baseball, you can’t just let time run out. You have to throw the ball and give every man an equal chance.”
Maya Foty of Portland was the top female finisher in the 10K, while Maurice Rivas was the top male finisher in the 13-17 age group.
Earth Day Run
