News for April, 1997

Happy Vernal Equinox to all. The signs of spring are all around out in the woods. Some are obvious and easily evident, such as the abundance of daffodils. Their bright yellow is more than a splash of color. It is a sign post on the trail of seasons. There are other indications also. Most of the Canadian geese left and the ducks have begun to pair off. The flock of variegated thrushes that spent February picking my lawn has disappeared and the Blue-jays have returned. The woods are full of frogs. I know that they re only little tree frogs, but they sure do sound like full-grown bullfrogs. The whole country side reverberates with their night time chorus. A sure sign that spring is on the way is the return of the buzzards that constantly cruise the skies over our local roads. The hawks have gone north to some rodent rich area to hunt and propagate. The weather has moderated and we are now consistently up in the 50's during the day. The temperature still drops down to the low 30's at night, but now the skies are clear; instead of the constant gray that marks our rainy winter months. We did have one last blast of winter. Quite fittingly it took place on March first. The snow level dropped to 600 feet, along with the snow. A short time after that the rains changed to the warm fragrant rains of spring. After a break from the rains in February, they poured down in march, almost 13 inches so far (March 24).

The new policy concerning tribal enrollment was presented at this month s general council meeting. The biggest changes had to do with membership in other tribes and the requirements for induction into the Grand Ronde tribe. The other changes encompass the requirements for serving on the membership committee and blood req s for children of existing tribal members. The environmental assessments for timber sales of Sharkey s Bend and Itsoot have been finalized and the sale recommendations forwarded to BIA in Portland. Those timber monies are used to maintain tribal government and meet the general requirements of the tribal reinstatement agreement.

The application deadline for Grand Ronde royalty has been announced as April 15. Those who are eligible should contact Donna Casey or Norma Billings at 503-876-4663 as soon as possible for their application.

A memorial service was held this month by the friends and family of Pauline Johnson to see her on her way as the wheel of life took her from their sight. She was a decent woman who will be missed. As is the way of life, there was a new addition to the tribe. We would like to welcome Caden Christopher Leno to our number. Congratulations go out to the Leno clan on this happy note.

The Willie Nelson concert this past month at the Spirit Mountain casino was a smash. He played many of his hits and some that soon will be. I know that many people think him to be a country singer. But I know him to be a great Blues artist and a picker par excellant. The casino is gearing up for the next act. Trisha Yearwood will be with us April 18 and is sold out. I have heard that George Carlin has signed to appear in July and I am waiting for tickets to go on sale.

The pond at Willamina has been stocked a couple of times recently. The first was with rainbow trout and steelhead. They were all over 15 inches and I can attest that at least one nice sized eighteen incher was a very tasty treat. There have also been two plantings of pan-sized rainbow that can be finger licking good. The lunkers have been hitting on spinners, while eggs or worms on a number 8 hook and bobber are pulling the pan-frys in.

The traffic on the local highways is increasing now that the weather is improving. Just as anywhere, we have our share of fools on the roads. So as you travel here or elsewhere keep your speed down, leave early and drive smart. You won't be able to appreciate our little corner of heaven unless you get here.

A very pleasant end to this month was the clearing sky. We were able to have some bright sunny blue days. And an opportunity to view the comet Hale-Bopp and on the twenty-third a lunar eclipse. A nice move from winter to spring.

Michael Sherer, Editor

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Last Modified: Sunday, 29-Feb-2004 01:22:34 EST