DANA MERRYDAY/ THE CHRONICLE – It takes more than mud and rain to dampen “scout spirit” during the annual Camporee event in Oregon. Over the weekend of May 13-15, local scouts gathered at Oregon Trail Council’s Camp Murname for a weekend event known as a “camporee.” In the history of[Read More…]
Author: DANA MERRYDAY - for The Chronicle
Visiting Veneta’s skate park makes it clear Cottage Grove can do same
DANA MERRYDAY/CHRONICLE PHOTO – Action last week at the Veneta Skate Park includes scooters and boards. What does it take to move a mountain, or better yet, build one? As you travel the Territorial Highway south of Oregon Route 126, you will see a mountain of sorts, the City of[Read More…]
Heather Bridgens memorial demonstrates community impact
Photo: The Bridgens Family – Principal Heather Bridgens, left, and assistant principal Emily Wren Gerot. COTTAGE GROVE – Longtime educator, coach and athlete Heather Michele Cunningham Bridgens passed away on April 8. “We are so grateful to have grown up here, to be able to live and work here, to[Read More…]
Part 2: Pupke, ‘Chick’ champion swimming
PHOTO PROVIDED – At the uncovered Warren Daugherty Pool, from left: Wally ‘Chick’ Ciochetti, Ron Pupke, Cindy Clearwater Moon, Jeff Turay and Bud Taylor. Editor’s note: This is part two of a three-part series on the evolution of the South Lane School District and Ron Pupke’s role in this sea[Read More…]
Part 1: A teacher and coach, Pupke’s legacy runs deep in the Grove
1957 FILE PHOTO – The Big White Eagle, Ron Pupke, coach of the 8th grade Jefferson Cubs basketball team. A teacher and coach, Pupke’s legacy runs deep in the Grove I first met Ron Pupke at the 1st Presbyterian Church. I had just fully moved to town and had landed[Read More…]
Living green
DANA MERRYDAY/CHRONICLE PHOTO Living green COTTAGE GROVE – Attendance was light but steady throughout Earth Day events at the Green Living Fair. Participants spoke well of the new start. A popular feature was the wood block prints with “green” themes for folks to take home.
Happy Earth Day, folks: ‘There is no Planet B!’
Photo courtesy of Karen Rainsong “Save the Earth” poster entries. Winners announced Saturday at the GLF. Happy Earth Day this Friday, April 22nd! This day of recognition was started 52 years ago as it was beginning to dawn on some people that maybe we shouldn’t trash the planet if we[Read More…]
Bill Welt: Another local legend leaves a hole in our hearts
Editor’s Note: Dana Merryday wrote this tribute story through interviews with friends and family of the late William “Bill” Welt. COTTAGE GROVE – William “Bill” Welt was a worker. He liked to work hard, had a tremendous amount of pure grit, and really thrived when he had a lot of irons[Read More…]
Recalling the Indian Wedding Tree
Photo / Teri McCoy – After the fall, with grandsons Joe and Jacob for scale. Last week while on a 10-mile hike on the Row River Trail, one of our scouts said, “We are getting close to where the Indian Wedding Tree used to be.” That reminded me of hearing[Read More…]
Arbor Day in Cottage Grove still branching out
Nation’s first Arbor Day celebration Nebraska City, NE, April 10, 1872, 150 years ago. Photo courtesy Arbor Day Foundation. This year is turning into a colossal tree year. First off, there are anniversary years for Arbor Day (150 years), and the Arbor Day Foundation which is celebrating five decades of[Read More…]
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