Scio Veterans Memorial, Scio Oregon

Honoring Veterans – Past, Present and Future

The Scio Veteran’s Memorial is located on at the intersection of Main Street and Highway 226. It was rebuilt over the footprint of the original Memorial established twenty five years earlier. In 1983, the founding father of the Memorial, placed a cannon and a flag pole at this location and dedicated it as a war memorial honoring veterans. In an effort to build on the original idea, the City of Scio and its citizens have expanded the Memorial into a magnificent display to honor those who have honorably served in our countries Armed Services.

The Re-dedication of this memorial was held appropriately on July 4, 2008. The colors were proudly presented by the American Legion Post 51 Honor Guard. Jessica McDaniel sang the National Anthem. Master of Ceremonies was Gene L. Peery US Army Vietnam Veteran, 34 Air Medals, Silver Star, Purple Heart and Air Medal with “V” Device for Valor. Highlights of the event were a flyover by the Oregon Air National Guard F-15, 142nd Fighter Wing and 123rd Fighter Squadron. Mayor Sandra Baggett said the flyover was breath taking and a wonderful addition to the ceremoney.

The Community of Scio has helped the Lamb and Wool Fair and the Mid Valley Chapter 585 of the Vietnam Veterans Association raise funds, much of the memorial is financed by the sale of bricks. Bricks are available for purchase by residents and non-residents for $35.00 each. Donations without brick purchase are also encouraged. Donations are tax deductible. All questions can be referred to vetsmemorial@smt-net.com .

Mill City Volunteer Fire Department

Established in 1937, the Mill City Volunteer Fire Department has a long history of being dedicated and productive members of Mill City and the entire Santiam Canyon. Leland Ohrt is the current fire chief and has held the position of chief for the since 1985 with a brief sabbatical in 1991. Chief Ohrt has been a member of the department for more than thirty years, having joined when he was in high school. The citizens of Mill City voted to make the chief a paid position and Leland was officially hired in 2000 as Mill City’s first full time fire chief. As fire chief, Chief Ohrt keeps the fire hall and all the equipment in excellent order. He has worked on several grants and so far, they have received close to $500,000.00 in grant money to help in the purchase of much needed equipment. Purchases in recent years include a new pumper truck and a new tanker. In my opinion, the residents of the Mill City Fire District are extremely fortunate to have a man like Chief Ohrt on staff. Much of what the Chief does, goes unnoticed by the general public.

In 1991, the construction of the fire hall was completed. It was purchased with monies obtained through a bond. One of the most amazing things the fire department accomplished was paying off this bond eight years early, saving over $75,000 in interest.

In 2007, the men and women of the Fire Department contributed over 5100 hours to the department. Each volunteer averaged approximately 142 hours of service for the year, with Chief Ohrt working 2214 administrative hours and 241 volunteer hours. They respond to first-aid and fire calls, miscellaneous calls and provide community assistance to groups such as the Boy Scouts. Other community projects include the yearly pick up of discarded Christmas Trees, safety information published in the local newspaper and they provide Red Cross First-Aid classes for those who would like to learn CPR and basic first aid. The volunteers meet every Tuesday evening for meetings and practice drills. The volunteers usually conduct one to two Burn to Learn drills a year to practice the newest rescue techniques and sharpen their firefighting skills.

In November, the weekend before Thanksgiving, the volunteers plan and put on the Fireman’s Benefit. My favorite part of the Benefit has to be the Double Cheese-“Gut-Bomb Burger” piled high with grilled onions and green peppers, bargain priced at only $2.00! Just one of these babies and believe me, you are good for a year, before you want another. During the Fireman's Benefit you can play BINGO and there is a area for Kid's Games. Bean Bag Toss and the Fish Pond are popular games with the kids. Both adults and kids enjoy playing BINGO and winners receive a Turkey or a Ham. Bingo cards are .25 each. There is also a raffle prize of $50.00 Bill drawn at Midnight and a $100.00 Bill drawn at 1:00 AM. Other prizes include Ham, Turkey, a case of canned goods or a huge slab of bacon. The proceeds of this fundraiser benefit many of the groups projects throughout the year. Most notable of these being the Fireworks on the Fourth of July at Kimmel Park.

One of the best things about this fire department is it’s family time. Leland knows the members spend a lot of personal time dedicated to the department and he feels it is important to get the group and their families together. Several times each each year the department plans activities for the volunteers and their families. These special events include the family picnic in August, Kid’s Christmas Party with very special guest; Santa Claus, Game Night and the Annual Awards Dinner.

At the Annual Awards Dinner, the district presents its honors to the Fireman of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and the Darwin Award. The Darwin Award is given to the Firefighter, who through the course of the year, pulled the department’s stupidest stunt. The Darwin Award is a wooden plaque mounted with a charred and melted fire department pager. And yes, the owner of the pager lost it in a burn to learn fire. My brother Chris has been honored with the Darwin twice, with back to back wins.

The Mill City Volunteer Fire Department is always looking for new members. If you would like to join this organization, please contact Chief Leland Ohrt at 503-897-2390 or MCRFPD2@wbcable.net.

What: Oregon Jamboree

Where: Sweet Home, Oregon (Sankey Park area)

When: August 1, 2 & 3, 2008

Who: Country superstars, soon to be superstars and past superstars

Why: Best country music venue in Oregon

This year's Oregon Jamboree offers something for young and old country music fans. From newcomers Kellie Pickler and Rissi Palmer to venerable Glen Campbell, if you like country music, this is a must see event.

Kellie finished sixth on American Idol's fifth season and she will be performing Saturday, August 2. Rissi just released her self-titled album that is moving up the charts is also on Saturday. Glen Campbell (for those elder statesmen out there, like me) finished first as the Rhinestone Cowboy. He is scheduled for Sunday.

Unbelievable would be the way I describe the lineup of stars. Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Neal McCoy, Sugarland, Randy Owen, Confederate Railroad, Phil Stacey, Western Underground and Trent Tomlinson. Topping that off is the comedy of Williams and Ree, billed as "The Indian and the White Guy." I have seen these guys and they crack me up. They hit the stage on Friday.

The festival offers camping (both RV and tent), food booths, beer and wine gardens and several special displays. There will also be the Sweet Home Arts & Crafts Festival on Friday and Saturday with sales booths nearby. According to the website, there were still a few (very few) tent and RV sites available. Call them to be sure, 541-367-8800.

You can find out more about the festival by visiting their website at: http://www.oregonjamboree.com/index.asp.

Rocking out with Trace Adkins singing Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk, or holding the tears back with Sugarland's Stay, all in all, this promises to be another unbelievable weekend in Sweet Home.

By the way, this is not the "first" annual event. The Jamboree was a brainchild of the Sweet Home Economic Development Group to help make up for the lost revenue from timber harvest. Sweet Home had always been a logging town and felt the cut back in available harvest in a very real way. This is their 16^th event and they seem to be getting it right year after year.

(Photos are from the Oregon Jamboree website. Top - Glen Campbell, Middle - Williams & Ree, Bottom - Trace Adkins)

Pull up a chair and enjoy the parade.

The Grand Parade began with the American Legion Color Guard presentation of the flag.

Quickly followed by the Grand Marshal; Josephine Reid and the Mill City Mayor; Tim Kirsch.

The Freres Lumber Company entered a three-log load log truck.

Dan and Sandy Phelps and family, former Mill City residents, grace the parade with their magnificent stage coach and team of Clydesdale horses.

Our parade wouldn’t be complete without the Santiam Shrine Club entry and the little motorized bathtubs. Check out the spray of gravel from this one! I didn’t think it would peel out but it did!

The parade was short but well organized.

There is nothing like the start of the fireworks Mill City. The whoomp of the first cake out of the mortar and the echo throughout the canyon from the explosion is spine chilling. The Mill City Fire Department provided a wonderful display of fireworks this year. Way to go fellas!

Here is a Linn County Campground to check out the next time you want a weekend away or just a quick picnic with the friends and family. Located in Lyons on at the end of 13th St., John Neal Memorial Park is the perfect spot to fish, launch a boat or catch frogs in the wetland ponds. The North Santiam River provides a scenic north border for the park and several ponds attract beaver, many varieties of birds and other wildlife.

Horseshoe Pits

Catch the wave on the North Santiam River

The Rapids

Group Shelter Area

Pond near one of the Campsites

The night I visited, a little brown rabbit came out to say hi.

Check out the bunny by the firepit!

The campground offers 40 campsites in this 30 acre park, restrooms and potable water. There is a nice playground, volleyball net area and baseball field. It is rumored there are bass and catfish in the ponds as well as frogs and salamanders.

Reservations to camp are encouraged. Call 541-967-3917 from 9am to 4pm or www.co.linn.or.us/parks

Fees: Regular Seniors
Camping $18.00 $12.00
Group Reservation $50.00
Group Camping $150.00 per night

Directions: From I-5, take Hwy 22 East approximately 23 miles, turn Right (South) on Hwy 226 at the Gingerbread House, Continue south and the road will curve East and turn in to Main St, Turn left (North) on 13th St, and follow to the end. You will notice more bass ponds and a small playground on the road there.

I Love Oregon, Let Me Show You Why!