I love reading the old newspapers to determine what life was like in Bandon decades ago. This story was taken from the August 25, 1911, newspaper, talking about problems encountered when an airplane was brought to Bandon.
"The big Manning Bros' Aeroplane which was to fly from the Bandon Ball Park Saturday and Sunday, came in on the Anvil (first picture) yesterday morning, but returned on the same boat last night, for the reason that they could not find space large enough in which to get a start for the flight.
"It is necessary to attain a speed of 40 miles an hour on the ground before the machine can get away, and in order to do this the track must be very smooth; then, too, in flying from the park it is necessary to get at least 40 feet above the tree tops before they go into a current of air in which they can fly, and there is danger of the machine crashing to the ground before they get in motion.
"After it was found impossible to fly from the ball park, the aviator was taken to the beach (second photo) where it was thought a flight might possibly be made down near the Bennett place; but here again it was a dangerous proposition as the beach was not straight and the air current was not right. Then, after looking over the country for several hours trying to find a suitable place, the proposition was given up and the machine returned to Portland."
During my research I found several mentions of people playing golf on the beach ... the first in 1924 and again in 1927.
"Bring your golf sticks; Bandon has a golf course," reads the headline on the Aug. 15, 1924, Western World.
"The discovery has just been made. It's a wonderful place to play, with plenty of hazards, particularly water; in fact the entire Pacific ocean is a hazard if you want it. There are high rocks, bends and curves, rough ground and easy going.
"Take to the beach (third photo) at medium or low tide, start from Queen Anne and work south. The 18th hole is at Crooked creek. If you like, keep on going and finish the game in California. If the game lasts more than six hours be sure the caddie has your bathing suit, because at high tide the hazards may become extreme.
"The Highbreakers orchestra has brought the golf bug to Bandon. Every day finds the boys pegging the pill on the beach. And they are surprised to learn that no one had thought of the idea before."
Three years later and not long before the first golf course opened on the former Ledgerwood Ranch property on Beach Loop, an item in the July 21, 1927, Western World reminded people that "at low tide Sunday morning a three-hole course was laid out and several of the business men played rounds of nine holes before breakfast. The beach is an ideal place to play, particularly when the tide is low as there is ample room with ample water hazards and everything."
In the same issue, more information appears about the beach, and not all of it positive.
"A party of 35 Marshfield people left the local beach Sunday and returned home long before the day was over because of the many cars on the beach, making it unsafe for children. They left with the remark that they would not return until the cars have been ruled off the sand and until Bandon beach is like it used to be, safe for everybody."
Another headline on the same page reads: "Car Stuck on Beach."
"Arthur Peterson almost lost his new Dodge sedan on the beach Sunday. He got stuck in the sand and was forced to leave the car until the tide subsided Sunday morning. With the aid of a tractor the car was extracted from the sand, but it had been sunk until it was buried over the running boards. A number of cars got stuck over the weekend and had to be pulled out."
It wasn't long before vehicles were banned from the Bandon beach. It is clear from the number of people on the beach that this photo was not taken during a golf event ... nor are there any vehicles in the photo.
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The community is mourning the loss of one of Bandon's most beloved and most respected people, Anthony Zunino, who died Thursday at the age of 44 after a valiant battle with cancer. A member of the Bandon School Board and former president of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, Anthony was a guy who was always available to help the community in any way he could. The pyrotechnic specialist for the fire department, he was in charge of shooting off the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, when he wasn't busy at his business, Freedom Graphics, or running the annual Cranberry Festival for the chamber. He was a graduate of Bandon High School.
His parents, Greg and Maureen Zunino, in a Facebook post, thanked Bandon for "helping Anthony reach his calling on earth." Another said, "He left some pretty big shoes to fill -- I wish that there were more people in the world like him. He truly was amazing." That certainly sums up how the community felt about Anthony Zunino.
My thoughts go out to his family and to so many in this community whose lives he touched.
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Although many of the newcomers won't remember Ruth Ball, who died Thursday a month before her 91st birthday, us old-timers remember her as being a consummate volunteer for all things Bandon. She was involved in starting the Stormwatchers group, worked with the Cranberry Festival, was responsible for caring for the flowers in various public spaces throughout the community and volunteered at the Visitor Center for years. That's just a partial list of everything that Ruth was involved in through the years.
Her local survivors include two sons, David and Chris Nevitt, and daughter, Lori (Mrs. Mike) Dornath.
Ruth moved to Bandon in 1977 and later married Stan Ball, who predeceased her.
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Members of the Bandon Rotary Club were treated to a special program Friday, brought to us by club member Ray Hino, Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center CEO, who introduced his long-time friend Dr. Neil Nathan.
Dr. Nathan and his wife recently built a home here and are now full-time residents, having moved from Ft. Bragg, Calif.
Dr. Nathan is the author of a number of books, including "Toxic, Heal Your Body from Mold Toxicity, Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Chronic Environmental Illness," and his latest book, "The Sensitive Patient's Healing Guide," which will be available April 30.
I asked him about the trend of so many who get their drinking water from plastic bottles versus the city water's supply.
Dr. Nathan said that Bandon has some of the best drinking water in the country, based on a number of parameters which go into a nationwide data base. A lot of my fellow Rotarians heard him say this, and to say that I was thrilled with that information is an understatement. He said people should drink city water ... out of glass or metal containers.
People who would like more information about Dr. Nathan, or want to listen to his podcasts, should Google him on line.
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As I expected, March registered 13.85 inches of rain ... the wettest in the last 20 years. The total rainfall for January, February and March also broke the 20-year record with a total of 44.63 inches of rain ... but not by much as those three months in 2017 recorded 43.14 inches of rain. My guess is that if my records went back more than 20 years, this would have also been a record. Although I do remember that during the years I worked at Western World, there was one November where we had 30 inches of rain. But having worked off and on for 45 years, it would be hard to pinpoint the year.
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If you know of anyone that might want to serve on the Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center board of directors, we have a vacancy created by the resignation (for work reasons) of the chair, Brent Bischoff, CEO of Coos-Curry Electric and Beacon Broadband.
I am serving as the new chair, with treasurer Tom Bedell, Pam Hansen and Norbert Johnson. It's a great board!
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Last week, I mentioned that the Association of O&C Counties, of which County Commissioner Bob Main is vice president, had petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the issue of a reduced timber harvest and the financial stress the lack of harvest has had on the O&C counties.
Bob called me the day after I wrote my column to say that the Court had denied the request and will not take up the issue.
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Someone posted on Facebook Sunday that an SUV had been stolen from a property off Ohio Avenue SE. It seems that thieves are getting more and more brazen, and frankly that is one reason I strongly support Coos County's Public Safety Levy, which would provide funds to open more jail beds and to hire at least two more assistant district attorneys. Monday night (April 1) Commissioner John Sweet, DA Paul Frasier and Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio will talk about the levy at the city council meeting, which starts at 7 at city hall.
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Bandon Showcase is sponsoring a trio of vocalists, Rogers, Richie and Robinson, at the Sprague Theater on Wednesday, April 24, at 7:30. Tickets are $35 and available on Eventbrite or at the door.
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You may want to mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 16, when Jim Proehl, Reg Pullen and I will present "Ask An Expert," during the Meet and Greet at Bandon Fisheries Warehouse. Seating opens at 11:30 and the talk will start at noon. It's free, although lunch and drinks are available at the Bandon Warehouse coffee shop
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