News for July, 1997

I think our summer is finally here. We’ve had an extended spring, meaning warm not quite hot, mostly sunny days. But more than a few days with clouds and rain. There are of course pluses and minus. The wild flowers bloomed and flowered for most of June. This kept my hummingbirds from view a lot. But the bright yellow flowers of the Scotch Broom offset and complimented the usual dark green of the coastal forests. The Salmon berries are ripe and sweet. Also, there is a respectable crop of Evergreen berries on the way. The Himalayan blackberry bushes were covered with their pale pink flowers. I haven’t looked lately, but I would guess there will be enough berries for pies and jellies this year. The month of June was wetter than normal over here, with three inches of rain. This has slowed the farm harvest. The first cutting of hay was started, at least two weeks late. The winter wheat is looking good, tall and straight. Some of the fields are turning gold and could be ready for the combine before mid-July.

The annual Spirit Mountain Stampede was held over Father’s Day weekend this year. The crowds were large and the contestants able and eager. There was an event called Cowboy poker. A card table was set up in the arena and the participants sat around it. Then a bull was let into the ring. The last person to stay seated won. I’m sure the winner on Saturday had her eyes closed when the others ducked and ran to be avoid being stomped by the bull. Unfortunately, on Sunday when it was played again, two "players" were carried from the ring requiring medical treatment. Crazy cowboys.

The highway construction on state route 18 through Grand Ronde is complete. The work has now shifted to highway 22 from Dallas to the Willamina junction. There is not only resurfacing going on but also a redesigning of some turn offs and the addition of left turn lanes. The work should be finished by the end of July. When you come this way prepare for delays of twenty to thirty minutes, mainly during the daylight hours of the week.

There are no general council meetings to report now or for the rest of the summer months. The next general council meeting will be in September following the election; to meet and swear in the new council members. The tribal council continues it’s daily business and open meetings are held every Wednesday

The streams and rivers have dropped; and the slow pace of summer has arrived. Except for the tourist traffic. So drive carefully, set out early, watch out for the other drivers and wear your seat belt. Remember the Grand Ronde Pow-Wow is August 15-17. See you then.