The first picture which appeared in the Western World 44 years ago, in September of 1979, heralded the expansion and relocation of Bandon Fisheries plant, which was completed the previous year.
The caption beneath the photo reads, “The plant now has some 10,000 square feet of usable floor space …. three to four times the old plant’s size. The building and refrigeration equipment carried a price tag of around $200,000, while additional processing equipment cost another $150,000.
At the time the picture was taken, Bandon Fisheries Superintendent Bob Fellows said the company was employing about 100 people, with the average being 65.
“But, that will increase with the year-round black cod operation which requires 40 workers,” said Fellows.
“With the exception of Black cod, Bandon Fisheries processes the same products (shrimp, crab, tuna and salmon) that is did prior to the expansion. Our salmon production is about the same as last year’s, around 400,000 pounds, so far. Last year we bought 300,000 pounds of crab,” said Fellows.
“Bandon Fisheries president Graydon Stinnett has seen the company go through a lot of changes since he purchased a small food market on the waterfront from George Dow in 1964 (at First and Chicago). He operated the business as a retail seafood market, grocery store, retail and wholesale meat market, and also offered a frozen food locker for storage until shipment.”
Today that site is the home of the Port of Bandon’s Loft building.
“By 1968 Stinnett had begun a small scale shrimp processing operation in the back room at the store. That year Bandon Seafood, as it was called, merged with Cape Fisheries.
“In 1971, Cape Fisheries changed ownership and name …. to Bandon Fisheries. Then in 1972 Stinnett and his partner, Cary Cox, bought the company. The expansion and relocation of the plant was begun in 1977.”
Today the building pictured is owned by the Port of Bandon and is leased to Lori and Barry Osborne, who operate Farm and Sea, the marketplace and other businesses in the building.
The second picture appeared in the Western World May 14, 1959, and I am sharing it because I love seeing the old Moore Mill Truck Shop in the background, as well as parts of the mill.
“The fishing boat ‘Guard’ could almost have passed for a submarine on Tuesday while the mostly-submerged craft was being dragged into shallow water in Bandon harbor.
“Fred Satterfield, new owner who had just bought the ‘Guard’ the week before, said he found her sunk Monday morning. Apparently a piece of ‘drift’, a 3×12 timber, had punched a hole in the boat while it was moored at the Port of Bandon boat basin.
“When this picture was taken, Ken Stovall and Leonard Taylor, fellow fishermen, were lending Satterfield a hand as they towed his vessel into the tideflat between the Moore Mill truck shop and Bandon Seafood Market. When the tide ran out, the boat was patched and later refloated.”
Other boats in the picture include Stovall’s Chief.
Baron the Budweiser Clydesdale, June of 1982 (shot by Mary Harris Schamehorn)
The third photo, of a lone Clydesdale horse running on the Bandon beach is mentioned in a March 1982 article in Western World letting the public know that the Budweiser Light commercials would soon be aired.
“Simultaneous with the upcoming Oregon-wide introduction of Budweiser Light beer, Anheuser-Busch, Inc., plans to air a series of new television commercials that may look familiar to the state’s residents.
“Budweiser Light’s new ‘Bring Out Your Best’ television advertising campaign includes two commercials filmed in Oregon, the first of which is scheduled to air at the end of March,” as the article mentions that “the spot was filmed at Bandon Beach 30 miles southwest of Coos Bay on the Pacific Ocean.”
I took this photo of the lone Clydesdale during filming on the Bandon beach. In the darkroom I also added a stack of rocks behind the horse, and have shared that photo a number of times as it more clearly identifies the location as the Bandon beach.
“Distinct from the famed eight-horse hitch, the single, unharnessed Clydesdale for Budweiser Light symbolizes traditional quality and taste, and also a youthfulness, spirit and masculinity in a ‘new breed’ of light beer.
“In addition to the two Budweiser Light spots, Oregonians may also recognize the setting and people in Budweiser’s ‘Lumberjack’ commercial, which has been on the airwaves for several months. ‘Lumberjack’ features local people exclusively, and was filmed at a Rogue River logging camp near Grants Pass on Elk Mountain.”
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I don’t know the details, but I understand Robert Freeman’s house in the area of Rosa Road burned to the ground Friday night. Fire Chief Lanny Boston knew nothing about a fire nor did dispatch, but apparently Robert had no phone and no way to contact the fire department. Although the small home burned, he was able to keep it from spreading into the brush and onto his neighbor’s property.
A source said Robert lost virtually everything except the clothes he was wearing and his cat. A friend has been assisting him, and he now has a place to live in a small unit on the property.
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I’ve learned that due to various circumstances, Holiday Meals will not be able to provide any community meals this year, which essentially means there will be no Thanksgiving or Christmas community dinner this year.
“We wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday season,” said Colleen Wiesel, co-chairman of Holiday Meals.
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I’ve learned that Larry Wold, 83, who was a member of the Bandon High School Class of 1957, died Oct. 2, in Central Point, where he had made his home for many years.
He retired from Boise Cascade Corporation after 30 years of service. He and his late wife Gloria traveled extensively after his retirement. A memorial service will be held at a later date. He had five children, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
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It was a huge shock when I learned that one of my favorite Bandon restaurants, Edgewaters, was closing permanently, effective Sunday, Oct. 22.
Owners Larry and Sheila Langenberg and Bob Grizzle, the chef, have owned the popular waterfront restaurant for 12 years.
In a statement posted on Facebook, they thanked “all those who have made an impact on our lives and granted us the opportunity to live our dreams. We love this community and appreciate all the support you have given us.”
The building was leased from the Picerne Group, which also owns the old hospital property overlooking the Coquille River Lighthouse, as well as other investment properties in Bandon.
I understand the Langenbergs and Grizzle own the former Two Mile Cafe building, four miles south of Bandon, and may have future plans for the building, but on a much smaller scale.
They will certainly be missed by those of us who have frequented their restaurant many times, and also loved the festive wine dinners, for which they have become well known.
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As one restaurant closes, another opens. I understand the new Ghost Tree Grill on the grounds of Old Macdonald at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, is opening Oct. 21.
Ghost Tree Grill is visible down the fairway from Old Macdonald’s 18th hole. The Pacific Northwest inspired steakhouse and raw bar is named after the fabled Ghost Tree on Old Macdonald’s third hole. The centerpiece is a grand bar that flows from the interior to the exterior, while an outdoor courtyard offers al fresco dining and a fire pit, according to information I found on the Internet.
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Harv Schubothe, the driving force behind Greater Bandon Association, has earned the prestigious Executive Director of the Year award for his exceptional impact on downtown and main street revitalization. Since GBA’s inception in 2010, Harv’s visionary leadership led him from coordinator to executive director, cementing his commitment to community partnerships and growth. His dedication to continuous improvement resulted in the Ford Family Foundation’s Community Fellow selection in 2014, paving the way for GBA’s evolution into a catalytic community builder.
His strategic prowess culminated in a successful three-year-plan, Main Street Refresh, and securing National and State Accredited Main Street status in 2023.
Harv recently retired as Executive Director, a position now held by Bethe Patrick.
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A new group, known as Bandon Recyclers, has formed, with the goal of keeping plastic out of landfills. A collection event is held the third Wednesday of each month at the Bandon Library from 5 to 7 where people can bring their #2, #4 and #5 plastics, which will then be transported to a Lane County transfer station.
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People are reminded of “The Return of the Night at the Museum,” which will take place at Bandon’s History Museum Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for a chance to visit the museum “after hours.” They can be purchased through Gayle at the museum, 541-347-2164, or there will be a limited number available at the door.
Hors d’oeuvres by Sharon Haga and wine and beer provided by Lori Osborne will be served and people are invited to take the special “History Detective’s Challenge.”
On Friday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m., Bandon Showcase is presenting a free community concert, featuring Haley Johnsen, a Portland-born musician with a knack for genre-bending pop, rock and folk music.
Seating is limited, so audience members are encouraged to arrive early, with doors opening at 6:30 for the 7:30 show. Information: 541-290-9989.