From Dennis Hellawell:
I’m donating a good bicycle to Hastings Village. I’d like to include a bike pump, a few bike helmets and a bike lock. If anyone has any of these items to donate contact Dennis Hellawell 541 315 8642 or at dennish1@mindspring.com.
Quartzsite, Arizona is a dusty little town of 2500 on I-10 close to the California border. In the winter months, the population grows to over a million. People come for the weather, ATVing, rockhounding and music.
Musicians from Canada and all over the US reunite with friends from past years. Most of the many RV parks have open jam sessions where anyone can participate. Musicians from beginner to retired professionals gather to sing mostly Classic Country and Bluegrass. Bands form and have names like The Travelers, Skyhawk, The Grandmas and Grandpas, On the Road Again, Jade Street and many more. They play together during the winter then separate to return home. You can go to a music jam every day of the week plus the paid shows and dances. Dances are held several nights of the week. The Travelers played dances for fifteen years until death and age caused them and several other bands to retire. There are still a couple of bands and now new bands are forming to replace the ones no longer there. The music lives on and will continue as long as there are snowbirds with instruments and a desire to share their music.
The music community is quite large. Listeners move from place to place following their favorite musicians. No matter your level of talent, you are welcomed and encouraged. No one criticizes the newby who can’t stay on key or the 90 year olds who sometimes forget the words but still find joy in singing. Love and acceptance flow from this extraordinary music family as they clap and make the singer feel special. Every winter as people return, friendships are renewed. Some have spanned twenty years or more. When a musician dies, a memorial is performed by his fellow musicians. They are quite touching as people remember favorite stories and play music in their honor.
Older musicians are always willing to help the newcomers with vocals and instruments. As you stand on the stage and sing your heart out, for a few moments you are a star. Anyone willing to take a chance and go on stage can become a Quartzsite Country Star.
Ruby Bonham
3-6-2024
As many of you know, Michelle Van Westen died on March 12th. David appreciates all of the love and prayers that he has received. There will be a Celebration of Life for Michelle in the clubhouse on Saturday, May 25th, 2024. As the day approaches, more details will be shared.
–Melinda Stanfield
To lighten up the cold, dreary days here at Timber Valley, we want you to meet Henrietta Hedgehog, Timber Valley SKP Park of Oregon’s Office mascot. She is made from pinecones. Henrietta has been a resident of the Office for a few years.
Recently, she has joined in the fun Kim and Kristi have when decorating for the holidays. Her home is the lighted window box.
In February, she adorned a bright pink daisy as a headpiece. This month, for March, she is sporting a very colorful green Shamrock. Stop by the Office to see what her next “fashion statement” will be. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Thank you so much Jackie for your superbly entertaining and informative presentation on Chapter 9 at yesterday’s Social Hour. Thank you Richard for the slideshow, and thank you Sharon as always for scheduling such fascinating speakers! Below is a summary of the presentation, written by Jackie Deal.
By Jackie Deal
What is Chapter 9? For the uninitiated, chapters, rallies, parks etc. are very confusing. So let’s start at the very beginning of Escapees Inc. Escapees started when Kay Peterson wrote, on a manual typewriter, the first newsletter and sent it to her friends and RVing acquaintances. RVers receiving it wanted to get together and thus were born Rallies.
At Rallies folks discovered others from their home area and formed groups called Chapters (there were 57 chapters in the US, 26 are still active).
We, the ninth chapter, were found in Casa Grande, Arizona in 1985 with Don and Pat Kuykendall as the “driving force.” The founders were Oregonians who wintered in Arizona.
Traveling was fun but it wasn’t long before the members of Chapter 9 wanted to park where they could stop, stay for a season, and eventually retire. Thus was born the desire and the search for property to build what became Timber Valley.
In 1986 a land search had begun: Mr. and Mrs. Olson (Secretaries of Chapter 9) wanted a 20 acre parcel in Bandon. Others found sites from Astoria and south on the coast and even into the valley.
October 15, 1988, the news was “The 90.19 acres in Sutherlin will cost $80,000” plus additional costs “for a total of $90,031.” Thus was purchased the land for the wonderful park we now live in. Chapter 9 members provided the money and the “elbow grease” to build Timber Valley SKP Park.
As of 2023 there are four founding members remaining in the park. The rest of today’s Chapter 9 members are more recent ones who want to keep alive the spirit of camaraderie that emboldened those early members to build a park. (The town people call them those crazy old people trying to build a town at the end of South State Street).
Our purpose is “fun and fellowship” (you might add a third “F”: food!). We encourage you to join Chapter 9 and help us keep alive the vision of our founding fathers (and mothers).
Printable Chapter 9 application coming soon on the Timber Valley website.
By Ruby Bonham
Is humanity progressing or regressing? Technology has had a major impact on the way we perceive things The media stirs the pot, keeping people in an agitated state and prone to violence. Truth and fact finding are ignored in favor of the next great headline.
Were we better off 30 or more years ago before the internet was readily available? We had less TV stations and less global news. The news was reported without personal opinions. None of the anchors bashed others for their opinions or lifestyles. Did murders and theft exist? Yes, but were just reported as facts. Commercials were limited and restricted. TV sitcoms were tasteful, no curse words or nudity. Married couples slept in twin beds, fully clothed. Unrealistic? Yes but they were PG rated. The most violence we saw was in our favorite westerns, with their fist fights and shootouts. No weapons of mass destruction or mass murders were committed.
Human bodies were not covered with colored tattoos. Your hair was your natural color with maybe a little help from Clairol. No one sprayed their hair red, green or blue. Men shaved everyday and combed their hair. Women wore bras, granny panties and clothes that covered. Men wore tailored suites without skinny legs and dress shoes with socks. Kids did not compete with other kids for the most outrageous clothes. Were there exceptions? Yes, but school children did not have access to weapons or kill their teachers or fellow students.
There have always been disagreements between people and countries, sometimes escalating to war. Today there is such discord within countries that the people refuse to work together, not caring the harm they do to their people. Countries are at war, rabid leaders choosing to destroy whole cities and the innocent people within. The rest of the world watches in horror but seem powerless to do anything without starting a global war. How did we get to this place where powerful technology is used to harm instead of make life easier for humanity.
Today we have smart phones, tablets and amazing computers, that make our lives easier. Our electricity, water, gas pumps, cash registers and our very lives are dependent on this technology. What happens when that technology is attacked? We have no backup so are left without the basics we need to survive. Are we better off now than we were 30 plus years ago? The answer is yes and no.
Humanity has progressed in some ways but has regressed in morals and behavior. Can we have the new technological lifestyles without the criminal element? Probably not. There has always been a criminal element in the population but today the percentage is much higher. It has become easy to steal and defraud with the help of this new technology. Will humanity destroy itself or will there be a new awakening? Stay tuned
Ruby Bonham
2-21-2024
Thanks to the 22 Timber Valley residents who made the Super Bowl party a huge success!
Rhonda’s reaction to her team winning sure added to the excitement.
Kudos to Dar for organizing the game quiz, and a big thank you to everyone who contributed snacks and those who stayed to help with the cleanup. 🎉
–Richard Hickethier
In the cozy community of Timber Valley, there’s a buzz of excitement as they prepare for the Super Bowl LVIII. While they might not have the luxurious suites of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, they’re still planning a delightful game-day feast.
Free Oscar Meyer All Beef Hot Dogs🌭, Creamy Umpqua Ice Cream, Henry’s Donuts and a variety Snacks & Munchies.
While their menu might not cost millions, the camaraderie and excitement make it priceless. So, whether it’s in CLUBHOUSE or their cozy living room, Timber Valley residents are ready to cheer on their favorite team! 🏈🌟
SUPER BOWL 54
SF 49ers vs KC Chiefs
CLUBHOUSE
Pre Game Show 3:00
Kick Off 3:30
Hope to See You There
Questions? Richard 505-718-6655
Oh, Don’t forget CHAIR VOLLEY BALL 2PM in the Big Room. If you’ve never tried it, it’s loads of fun.
By Kristine Godbey
Have something you no longer need? Why not offer it for sale, trade or free to a fellow park member?
Need some new stairs for your rig? Maybe someone in the park has a set they no longer need. Where would a good place to post these types of items be?
The Member Notice Bulletin Board in the Mailroom. It is directly to your right when you come in the door. Opposite the mail boxes.
All members are welcome to post items there, but remember, there are specific standards that must be followed for these postings. These standards are posted on the Bulletin Board, but many members do not follow them, resulting in their post being removed.
The standards are as follows:
Business cards and flyers from community businesses and organizations as well as public service announcements are welcome on the Community Businesses, Events & Public bulletin board located outside the South Clubhouse door near the kitchen.
