Not the Same Seattle I Remember…

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Helaine Hepworth

from the traveling desk of Helaine…

While I was away I had a chance to have a very nice Seattle dinner of crab cakes and salad. It was an upscale restaurant with entertainment provided. Well, not entertainment in the usual sense. When I first arrived at the place I thought there was a concert or at least a stage show about to start. Throngs of people were lined up on the sidewalk. They were standing, facing the street 6, 7, 10 deep. I entered the building and was led to my table by the window and now I could see that all of those people were waiting for one of the buses that would stop just outside my window. Along comes a big articulated bus and opens its mouth wide as dozens slip inside. The bus clamps it big jaws shut, and the signage changes to “Sorry, Bus full” and pulls away. Bus after bus pulls up, gobbles up as many humans as it can digest and pulls away. The crowd stays the same size as just as many arrive as are allowed on the buses. For awhile I fear all of Seattle is destined to be on this street corner waiting for a bus, but slowly, as I finished my dinner, the number of people and the number of buses became less. Dinner was done and rush hour was over.

This is not the same Seattle I left 22 years ago.

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Walt Schak, Lot 127, member since 1993

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Thom Hoch

Walt Schak, Lot 127, died June 26, 2019.  He had been residing at the Applegate Care Center here in Sutherlin.

A member of Timber Valley since October of 1993, Walt and his wife Beverly called Timber Valley their home for many years. Among other interests, they entertained themselves by searching yard sales with their keen eye for good deals on items they could themselves re-sell at a profit.  Walt also loved to read and was a frequent user of the Timber Valley Library.  Oh, and one more thing…  Walt loved attending as many community dinners and potlucks as possible… eagerly waiting in line (but usually at the head of the line) and then savoring the delicious morsels of home-cooked food while visiting with his friends. He knew what was important.

Walt was preceded in death by his wife Beverly in 2015. All of us mourn the loss of Walt, and send our best wishes to his family.

Posted in General Interest, Members, Obits, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Remembering Frank Johnson, Lot 15

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Thom Hoch

Aaron and great-grandpa Frank with their walking sticks.

Frank Johnson passed away the morning of Saturday, June 22, at Mercy hospital in Roseburg after taking a fall the previous Saturday.

He and his wife, Cathey, are long-time active leaseholders in Timber Valley, having gotten their lot in 1992. Frank (with Cathey’s assistance) is the “Johnny Appleseed” of Timber Valley, having planted 27 trees in just one year, as well as many others for the beautification of our park.  He has also volunteered on various projects throughout the park.

One of his hobbies was making walking sticks of varied materials, and always with a special flair. There are several being used by appreciative walkers in Timber Valley. Without a doubt, the most special one was a tiny one made of curly willow for his first great grandson, Aaron, when he was only 3 years old. That’s the two of them in the picture above, strolling across our golf course.

Frank was a man of many abilities and interests. After serving his country in the Navy during the Korean conflict, he worked as a policeman, for the Sheriff’s Department, and as a State Trooper in Alaska, where he also owned and operated a commercial fishing boat.

Cathey and Frank celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on March 30 of this year.

At his request, there will be no services.

Posted in Featured, General Interest, Members, Obits | 9 Comments

Helen and Gene Schrader Celebrate 65 Years Together

Posted on June 25, 2019 by Thom Hoch

Big Congratulations are in order for Gene and Helen Schrader, lot 70, who celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary this past Sunday, June 23rd. This energetic and talented couple has been an integral part of Timber Valley for many years.  If you haven’t already done so, extend your personal greetings when you see them around the Park.

Posted in Featured, Members, News | 2 Comments

Remembering Beverly Van Westen, #182

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Julianne G Crane

Dave and Beverly Van Westen on May 8, 2019 (Julianne G. Crane)

Beverly Van Westen passed on Thursday evening June 13, 2019.

She and her husband, David, lot #182, made Timber Valley their homebase in July 2018.

A little more than 17 years ago, David and Beverly met at a West Coast Swing dance lesson in Brentwood, Calif.

“We were both single, the same age, and at about the same expertise levels,” recalled David. “After a few weeks, we decided we needed to practice between lessons in order to improve.”

One thing led to another and fast forward five years, they married in 2007. Beverly continued as a “top notch” legal secretary for a law firm in Los Angeles County. David worked as a purchasing agent for McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach.

Born in Hawaii, Beverly identified herself as half-Chinese, half-Portuguese. Her two sons, from a previous marriage, still live in Hawaii.

Dave & Beverly Van Westen, 5/8/19 (Julianne G. Crane)

The Van Westens both retired at age 62 and became extended time RVers, exploring America about 10 months each year.

“We never had any particular destination in mind,” said David. “Every place we went we would stay for a couple of weeks, sometimes a month. We were never in a hurry.  We wanted to sample the neighborhood.” Along the way they became members of the Escapees.

Once they sold their house in 2013 they went fulltime. “We kept returning to the Pacific Northwest,” said David.

In 2014 they placed their names on the Timber Valley Active Wait List and about 3 1/2 years later became members.

Beverly loved taking short trips in their Lance camper and Silverado dually truck. “It has all the bells and whistles,” she said recently.  “It’s really cushy camping.”

Among other interest in the park, when possible, Beverly helped “pick up stix” with the landscaping crew.

There will be a Memorial in September. Details to follow. No flowers please. Make donations to the local cancer group.

Posted in General Interest, Members, News, Obits | 1 Comment

Longtime member Dorothy Pontsler, # 185, passed

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Julianne G Crane

Longtime Timber Valley member Dorothy Conner Pontsler, #185, passed “very unexpectedly” on April 11, 2019, according to her family.

She was 87.

Dorothy had been living in California with her family since her husband, Billy Dean Pontsler, died on May 24, 2017. They had been married, 66 years.

Dorothy (circa 2019)

Once retired, the Pontslers traveled in their motorhome fulltime, visiting 49 of 50 states.

“They made many treasured friendships during … their 28 years of RVing.”  The Pontslers joined  Timber Valley in 1991 and were active in the park for more than 25 years.

To read her obituary, click here.

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Board Meeting on Thursday, June 20

Posted on June 15, 2019 by Helaine Hepworth

from the desk of Helaine…

Don’t forget the monthly open board meeting, Thursday, June 20, at 9 am.  Among the agenda items are:

  • A report from the Emergency Preparedness group on research into alternate power for emergency use.
  • Also the formal setting of the annual membership meeting date. Necessary because of recent change to meeting dates.
  • There is an issue with the current gravel being sold not matching former gravel in appearance or safety.
  • Work remains ongoing for the snowstorm cleanup. Much of the timber needs to be removed as it is an additional fire hazard. Fire season has officially been declared, already at level two. Harvesting some timber and cleanup must be done to prevent it from becoming an unacceptable fire risk.

These issues and others will be brought forward at the June meeting. Attend the meeting and be an informed member.

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Welcome Karen and John Ratcliff – Lot 58

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Thom Hoch

Karen and John Ratcliff, our newest members, were given their orientation by the membership committee on June 11th.  They can be found on lot 58.

Please give them a hearty Timber Valley welcome when you see them. Welcome to Timber Valley John and Karen.

Posted in Featured, General Interest, Members | 3 Comments

Jim (Gale) and Martha Brown – New Members on Lot 75

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Thom Hoch

On May 29 new Members Jim (Gale) & Martha Brown were given their orientation by the Membership Committee.  They are on lot 75 and are eager to be involved. So please welcome them to Timber Valley… the best little RV community in the Western USA.

Jim (Gale) and Martha Brown

Posted in Featured, Members, News | 5 Comments

Emergency Preparedness: Everyone in the Park should have a copy of ‘Prepare! A Resource Guide’

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Julianne G Crane

The Emergency Preparedness Committee has been tasked with, among other responsibilities: “Develop an emergency information system,” and “Identify and maintain an inventory of human and other resources useful in mitigating threats of disruptions.” 

For those of us who were in the Park during the ‘March Snowmegeddon’ and 4-day power outage, one of our biggest challenges was getting accurate information in a timely fashion.

Within a couple weeks of that event, an Emergency Communication SubGroup was formed under the leadership of Rick De Young (# 184). At its first meeting, eleven emergency communications teams were formed (one for each street in the Park), with volunteer captains and co-captains.  These ‘Team Captains’  (AKA Block Captains) have agreed to be responsible for disseminating (and gathering) information for members and guests on their streets. (For a list of Team Captains, click here.) 

Team Captains or Co-Captains will be contacting each member in the Park to introduce themselves, and to distribute a copy of ‘Prepare! A Resource Guide’ published by the CascadeRegion of the American Red Cross. This 28-page brochure is packed full of information on how each of us can be better prepared for an unexpected emergency. It includes strategies on how to be more self-reliant, including having your own individual Emergency Preparedness Plan.

When Team Captains visit members, they will be asking each member if they have any special skills that might be of help in an emergency–such as do they know first aid or are a ham radio operator. Team Captains will also ask: in the event of an emergency and you are out of the park, do you have equipment or supplies you would be willing to share if needed, such as a generator, propane, or extra fuel.

You, of course, can choose to answer these questions, or not.  It is all voluntary.

These questions are being asked because during  our 4-day power outage the most critical, survival needs were extra generators, gasoline and propane.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact your Block Captain or come to the next Emergency Preparedness Committee meeting on Monday, May 20, 9 a.m. in the Clubhouse.

Thank you for your willingness to be a good neighbor and helping support our SKP community.

You can also download a copy of ‘Prepare! A Resource Guide’ by clicking here.

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