On behalf of Timber Valley, Kate Bright and Elaine Teague presented this cake along with a card signed by many to the Dixonville Fire District. They really appreciated our thanks, loved the cake , and were happy they were able to help many of us get vaccinations.
A creative work by Fred Prout
It seems like everybody’s getting mad
What used to be good is now seen as bad
The things you used to read to your child
Are now getting everyone terribly riled
They’re making a noose to kill Doctor Seuss
But what did he do
I’m asking of you
If you look hard enough
You’ll find plenty of stuff
That once was okay
But now is “NO WAY”
Internet porn is allowed
With from one to a crowd
But they’re making a noose to kill Doctor Seuss
I don’t like to complain
But would someone explain
Why we willingly buy
Political lies
And then get a noose
To kill Doctor Seuss?
by Fred Prout
by Ruby Bonham
March 1, 2020, the day one life ended and another went into a tailspin of grief. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and others a long time ago. The mind fluctuates in its ability to cope. Looking back.
I had known who Ed was for several years. I had been to see the Traveler’s perform and bought a couple of DVD’s. I had even taken pictures of him and a number of musicians to make a photo album for a handicapped girl who wasn’t coming back to Quartzsite. The photos were of her favorites. It wasn’t until September of 2014 that I talked to him. After a music Jam, he came to me and offered to help me with my budding music. I pretty much blew him off because I knew he had a reputation of being a “womanizer”. Finally in January I agreed to let him help me. He invited me over to help me with my guitar. He was complaining about my strumming. Finally in exasperation, he said “let me show you”. He came behind me and told me to play the chords and he would strum. When he put his arm around me I forgot everything I was doing. I was twitterpated. Stunned, I asked Harlan what happened. He laughed and told me I forgot to play. Ed loved for me to tell this story of how we met. From then on we were a couple – complete. We made our commitment to each other and started on a beautiful life together.
Although we only had 5 years we crammed a lot into it. We were never apart in that time. He completely accepted me and my Asperger quirks because he had a grandson and a great-grandson with Aspergers (high functioning autism). He was living a life of not caring after losing his wife to cancer years before. I had spent a lifetime looking for him but it was worth the wait.
I became the Cookie Lady for his band The Traveler’s and supported him while continuing my own music. Ed had Arterial Heart Disease, was Diabetic and suffered from Neuropathy. I had a lot to learn but gradually his health improved. We traveled, played music lived and loved and were grateful for every day we were blessed with. People who did not know us thought we had been married 30 or 40 years. Sometimes things just work.
So now it is a year later and I still struggle to find who I am without him. He’s still is a part of me. I play our music and have started writing again. Life goes on.
Ruby Bonham 3-1-2021
If you’ve taken a walk along the trail near Happy Hill you may have spotted a recently added new lot, complete with new residents. Because it’s small and due to it’s location near lot 205, it’s been dubbed lot 205 1/2. Where did it come from? Who built it? For the full story keep reading below:
In Bob Feiler’s (Lot #143) own words…
I guess you can blame some of it on Covid 19 and the weather. Really though it was inspired by the back an forth discussions about our park logo. A few want to change it because they think it is outdated. Most are nostalgic about it and think it reflects an adaptation of the Escapee logo. I just took the logo idea a little further and kept the original idea and updated it some. It took a while to find the logging truck online and I was happy to see they still make Lincoln Logs. The base is made from the old sign with the square dancers on it and the frame is made from composite wood (Trex) taken out of the burn pile. The whole assembly is secured to one of the concrete monuments Jim made for the storage area upgrade project. The Minion characters where added for fun. I decided to put it on the trail by a bench so people could enjoy it. It was designated Lot 205 1/2 since it located near Lot 205 and 206 is taken. Eventually I want to add a little plaque to dedicate it to the workers of the park, past, present and future who have, are and will make this a wonderful place to live.
IN MEMORIAM, GENE FISHER
When Timber Valley RV Park’s flag dipped in honor of Gene Fisher’s passing on March 2, 2021, it signified the loss of an important, vital member of our community. Gene was an integral part of many committees, Board Member, Board President; he was always ready to help. He was known for his diplomacy and being unruffled in any crises. His granddaughter, Chrystal said, “When you’ve spent your life running into burning buildings a committee meeting was small potatoes”.
A friend from the Board said, “When Gene was in the room you knew there was at least one adult present.” As a board member he was a mentor to several and helped instruct the “boot camp” for new board members. He was known for his “$5 words” and was quoted as saying, “Never say six words when forty two will do.” His granddaughter said he always won at Scrabble with “big words”.
Gene was born Feb. 17, 1941 and he and Jane were married for 62 years. They enjoyed RVing and seeing family and friends all around the United States. Gene was a Fire Chief in Ketchikan, Alaska and here in Sutherlin. He was a training officer for the area and some of Sutherlin’s current volunteers remember him as that. Gene and Jane moved into Timber Valley Feb. 14, 2013.
Gene is survived by his wife, Rhoda (Jane) and 2 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. The family requests that if you wish to honor his memory you can make donations to the Sutherlin Food Pantry in his name.
IN MEMORIAM, Carol Rigdon
Timber Valley SKP’s flag flew at half-mast for Carol Rigdon who passed away February 25, 2021. She is survived by her husband, LeeRoy, 6 children, 20 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Carol and LeeRoy became residents on August 17, 2018 and moved into Timber Valley December 7, 2018.
Our Timber Valley Community sends sincere condolences to LeeRoy and the entire Family.
by Helaine Hepworth
I stepped out of the cancer closet hoping if I exposed it to the daylight it wouldn’t be so frightening. And the results were surprising. I got so many pledges of support and help it was overwhelming .
“Anything you want, Anything you need. We are right here” In the outside world those words are often said and often without meaning. Just a social protocol but not necessarily followed through. But this is Timber Valley and I do believe them. I have complete faith that if I or any of our members asked for help it would be given. Does that mean I will ask for help. I don’t know. I am stubborn, determined to do for myself and find asking for help hard to do. But you have helped already. From every message I received I took a chunk of courage and strength and added it to my dwindling supply. Learning there are more cancer patients in the park eliminates that lonely feeling. Maybe when the world is not spinning so fast we can form a cancer support group. For now, I know I am in the best place for me, and I love you all.
URGENT REMINDER TO TIMBER VALLEY MEMBERS
March 5, 2021
From Park Manager and PCM Committee
In looking to the future utility needs of the park, we are undergoing a survey of our current electrical status. On Thursday, February 18, 2021, volunteers conducted an inspection of all electrical pedestals within the park, checking voltage on each outlet and noting any maintenance issues. The second phase of this project will involve taking the pedestals apart, tightening all connections and replacing any broken or faulty parts.
We were very distressed to find so many lots to be “out of compliance” with park standards. The Rules and Regulations established by the Board of Directors are given out to all members upon acceptance of their lot. Those Rules and Regulations clearly state that changes of any kind to the electrical pedestal is not permitted. This includes; “hard wiring” circuits to supply power to the sheds, and installing circuit breaker boxes to the shed.
Any member found to be “out of compliance” with park standards will be put on notice. It will be up to the Board of Directors and Park Manager to decide how to proceed; however, the “spider webs” are a fire hazard and must be removed.
While we all want to be able to run all the electrical appliances we have in our rigs, making the above mentioned changes yourself or having a well-meaning friend or even a licensed electrician do it is not acceptable. Our park is old and the electrical system was never designed to accommodate today’s modern rigs. Our hope is to update the system so all members will have adequate power.
Summer will be upon us very soon and we will again face the potential for power outages due to the use of air conditioners, so please remember to use only one air conditioner at a time.
The problem:
Current Rules and Regulations:
“Any modification by a Member or their agent of an electric service pedestal, it’s circuit breakers, and connection on any leasehold lots are prohibited. No additional outlets or circuit breakers shall be installed in the pedestal.”
IN MEMORIAM, James Mikulik, Lot 79
Phyllis and James Mikulik moved into Timber Valley RV Park June 25, 2013. James passed away March 1, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis who lives in Shiner, Texas. Timber Valley extends our condolences to Phyllis and the family.
by Fred Prout
Warning: Some of these words might be considered political. They are not. But if you are one of those who are easily offended by everything, stop now. Continue at your own risk. No offense intended.
Rita and I met when we were both working in community theater. The play was called “Not Now Darling“ and it was a British farce. We enjoyed the show because we both appreciated comedy. She enjoyed satire while I was more Marx Brothers. Different tastes, but we managed to enjoy things in spite of that.
Once we took my daughter Janettte to see a Broadway show in New York. While we were waiting in the lobby we got bored, so Janettte and I did the entire Abbott and Costello “Who’s on first“ routine. We got a standing ovation. Well…It Was the lobby — No seats. Thankfully Rita was always a good sport and we all survived.
During our years together, Rita and I enjoyed many TV comedies. Some more than others. One of my favorites, not hers, was The Dukes of Hazzard. A silly show about a couple of good old boys driving around in an orange hot rod called The General Lee with a confederate flag painted on the roof. A silly show about a couple of country bumpkins with no agenda other than having fun with their family and goofing around.
I guess the early eighties were a less divided time in our country. Nobody got offended by the goofy characters, the General Lee, or the flag on the roof. It was a TV show pure and simple. And it made us laugh.
So, as a way of returning to a less contentious time, I just ordered all eight seasons from Netflix. Some time in the near future, I plan on binge watching Bo and Luke driving the General Lee as I am eating my waffles drenched in Aunt Jemima syrup, with a side of Uncle Ben’s. Followed by a Mountain Dew and a Moon Pie.
All the while, I will be thumbing my nose at everybody who gets offended by everything.
And if you don’t like it:
Look away, look away, look away….
No offense.
Really.
Fred and Rita
IFPL III