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
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.
At last count, more than 60 Timber Valley members and guests stopped by for the 145th Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday, May 4, 2019.
Before the main racing event, people wagered on their favorite horses at the betting table (center) and munched on crackers and donated Rose City Pepperheads ‘Farm to Jar Pepper Jelly.’ Next came the ‘Taste of Kentucky’ ham, turkey and roast beef sandwiches, Kentucky Derby Pie, and bourbon balls prepared by Terry Hilty (#71).
All the Kentucky Derby events and final Running for the Roses were projected onto the Clubhouse Big Screen. Special thanks to Rob Hendershot (# 82) for setting up the race on the big screen; and to Jim McIntosh, Dennis Hellawell and Thom Hoch for technical assistance.
(L-R) Patty and Dal Healey (#117) prepared Mint Juleps for Thom Hoch and Dave Hall.
When not noshing, mingling or drinking Mint Juleps, Derby goers tested themselves by working on several word and trivia games.
Mike Hilty and his new Derby Hat
MC Fred Prout (#44), kept events entertaining and moving. He also whip up the crowd to raise $132 for the Sutherlin Food Bank from the auction of Derby Hats. An addition, $9 from betting winnings were also donated, for a total of $141 going to the help our local community fight hunger.
Derby Hat winners (L-R) First place: Dar Hoch (#31), Third place: Toby Anderson (#153), and Second to Marti Cady (#172)
Two dozen folks participated in the popular Derby Hat Competition. First place went to Dar Hoch (#31) for her dazzling red chapeau creation. Second place was won by Marti Cady (#172) for her charming southern ensemble; and Third place was Toby Anderson (#153) with his pink rose production.
For the third year, the event was organized by Linda Zink and David Arndorfer (# 16), assisted by Julianne Crane and Jimmy Smith (#197) and Terry and Mike Hilty (#71). Other volunteers that made the success happen include Connie Lankford (#121), Jackie Deal (#109) and Patt Anderson (153) registration; Marti Cady (172), Susie and Jack Varner (# 105) at the betting table; bartenders Patty and Dal Healey (#117) and Chuck Williams in the kitchen. Derby hat judges included Micky Thompson (#9); new member Mike Resnick (#53); and Larry Heath (AWL #32). Lastly, a big thank you to everyone who helped with set-up and clean-up. Many hands equals fast, fun work.
Mike Resnick, who has actually been a leaseholder for the past 3 years, just arrived in the park for the first time a few days ago. He was given his new member orientation April 29. He comes to us from Florida and has already explored his new surroundings from Crater Lake to the coast. Enjoy a visit with him on lot 53.
by Gene Fisher
The Storage Area Takes Shape!
PCM Committee members have been planning, measuring and laying out the Park’s improved storage area. Trees and stumps have been removed, sixty yard of base rock has been spread and walked into the soft ground and two hundred yards of crushed rock will be added to level and strengthen the ground’s ability to bear weight.
In the next few days, more crushed rock will go down, be leveled and compacted. Then a day or two to carefully measure and lay out new spaces and apply paint to mark boundaries. A new space numbering system will be the final step in the project.
The monsoon rains seem gone for now and the ground is already bringing to dry out. We are on budget with the project should be finished by the end of next week.
Storm Cleanup
Dar is doing an incredible job in identifying where and what storm cleanup is needed where and by Park workers or professionals. Oregon Tree Works will come into work for two days in 2 or 3 weeks. As a result the PCM M&O budget will be overspent by about $2,500 for fiscal 2018-19. More work is planned for August 2019.
Water System Upgrade
Botner Excavations will be back in the Park on Thursday next to begin the final service replacements; about 30 to finish!
A few photos from the Storage Area Project:
The Dam Speaker on April 19, 2019
by Jackie Deal
Blair Nash head of the Sutherlin Water Control District spoke at our Friday 3 pm get-together about Cooper Creek and Plat I reservoir and the Cooper Creek Dam. Over 60 park residents listened and eagerly asked questions about “our” dam and its condition and the potential dangers. Continue reading
WOLF CREEK INN AND TAVERN
by Jackie Deal
Imagine: you’re a pioneer bouncing over the rocks, hills, mountains, and creeks to get from Grants Pass to Wolf Creek. Four lane highways with nice signs don’t exist. In fact, the way is so steep that they unload your wagon, tie a sturdy rope around it and hoist it up to the top of the mountain, then drop it down the other side by ropes (hopefully they don’t break). But wait a minute, how about the horses? Oh, yes, they rope them up and hoist them up and then down over the mountain too. And You?? Why you climb over the mountain on your own two feet. Would you be glad to see the Wolf Creek Inn and Tavern waiting for you in its pretty little valley? You bet you would. Wolf Creek Inn was on the trail from Roseburg to Redding. Continue reading
from the desk of Helaine Hepworth
Timber Valley is a safe, secure, comfortable place for seniors, especially for single women, but sometimes it is just not quite enough and we get overwhelmed with life’s little problems. I am proposing one more committee, to be called Husbands At Large or just “HAL”. The committee would be run much like a library. Wives would fill out 3×5 cards with their husband’s name, talents, skills, and faults. A librarian will take the cards and maintain the files. Continue reading
from the writing desk of Helaine…
I answered the phone and the lady started speaking. Nice voice, no accent. And she said…..
“We are calling from Microsoft security team. We have noticed suspicious activities from your network. It seems like someone is trying to steal your identity, username, password, and financial information. You are advised to be in front of your computer and call 1-844-910-6111 as soon as possible otherwise we have to lock your network and discontinue your services. Please be in front of a computer and call at 1-844-910-6111. thank you..”
Well, that’s scary but instead of following directions I did some checking.
If Microsoft was making the call I am pretty sure it would be identified and not show up as unknown. Snopes had many old reports of MS scam at this number
Just entering the number on the Google line brought up many more reports of this number being a scam.
Be smart out there. Do not fall for this or any other suspicious call. Just HANG UP!
Help spread the word and prevent someone from becoming a victim.
Facts:
ANYONE who calls you and says your computer called/contacted them is a SCAMMER.
Windows Operating System licenses do not expire.
ANY Tech Support Warning pop-ups you get while accessing the internet asking you to call a number or visit a website, is from a SCAMMER.
Web Browsers DO NOT have the ability to determine and warn you your computer has an error. They can only warn you about a potential malicious website. A Browser is software that allows you to surf the Internet, not diagnose a computer or phone.
ANY Tech Support company that insists you need their services because of some error, outdated software or tries to convince you that you need to allow them remote access is a SCAMMER.
Nobody could possibly know if your computer or devices have an issue unless you tell them or gave them access.
Tech Support companies DO NOT call to give out refunds because they are “going out of business”. In fact NO company gives refunds when going out of business unless they did not provide you with what you paid for.
Companies DO NOT call to inform you that your subscription will be charged if you don’t call back, only SCAMMERS do that. If you have a subscription with someone, they automatically charge you until you cancel it.
3rd party Tech services DO NOT include Email account repairing or password resetting, since they can not access the email server unless it belongs to them.
Be careful out there when playing in the internet sandbox.
from Helaine’s writing desk…
As a senior I often feel like a carnival doll, sitting on a shelf as the Scammers and Con Artists toss their pitches at me hoping to knock me down.
Today when I opened the computer I notice I had three messages in the Messenger app that comes with Facebook. All three were names I knew. But still I was going to be cautious. They were all the wave emoji that is used for first messages. Message #1 waved. I waved back, almost immediately she came back with “Hi Helaine, how are you?” “Fine” I replied, “and you?” “Fine” she said and went on to ask if I heard about the EESA… An agency giving money to“needy” citizens. Names had been drawn at random. She said she saw my name on the list. A trip to Snopes web site could not prove one way or the other if this was a scam, but certainly increased my skepticism.
I answered the next wave message with a wave, I get back “ Hi, How are you?” “Fine, You.?” I replied. She says “Fine”… and she goes on to ask if I heard about an agency called National USAID. They give out grants. Another web trip to Snopes. Again no actual proof of a specific scam but more suspicions. I uncovered this sentence. “May 22, 2018 · Scammers continue to con Facebook users out of thousands of dollars with phony government grant offers. You may be among the many Facebook users who have been approached by “friends”
On to message #3. I know her better than the other two and have had messages from her before. They should have displayed over the new message. I didn’t answer it.
I dug deeper. In Messenger, conversations are kept so you can go back to the very beginning. Just above that is the picture of the “Friend” and how you were connected. All of mine say that we are Facebook friends. Except all three of these latest accounts say they were formed without Facebook, using a phone number in USA. Or something close to that. I felt that all three were scams that would some how cost me money if I were foolish enough to follow them through. One of the ladies posted on Facebook that she had been hacked and to not accept “friend” requests from her.
What can we do to protect ourselves? I will not be answering messenger notes that are just a wave until I make sure they have come to Messenger thru Facebook and not by some secret way. If I find it appears to be a phony account I will report it as someone pretending to be a “Friend.” If you write me a note please say something “real” that I would recognize. If I have your phone number I will likely call you to make sure you sent it. Know that the mere mention of money or grants will cause me to slam the computer shut.
I like messenger and use It frequently. It is a quick way to send or receive information. I will not let the cyber crooks take that away from me.
Facebook Messenger: Here’s How to Block and Unblock Someone:
Step 1: Open the conversation with the person you wish to block.
Step 2: Tap the user’s name at the top of the screen.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap “Block.”
Step 4: Tap the toggle next to “Block Messages” to stop the user from being able to send you messages and calls on Messenger.
Facebook, Facebook Messenger, and any of the associated Facebook apps are one of the main sources of scams against seniors. They always coming up with a new approach. Be extremely cautious.
IFPL III