The tradition started over 15 years ago with KPOD radio and continues today with KPOD 97.9 AM 1240 and KCRE 94.3.   

Coat donations were accepted during November and December from Port Orford, Ore., to Klamath. Bicoastal Media Radio arranged for weekly pickup of donated coats, inspection and cleaning (with help from the fabulous Coat Cleaning Angels) and then distributed the “ready to wear” coats to community organizations in the Del Norte/Curry counties area. According to general manager, Rene’ Shanle-Hutzell, coats were collected and then distributed all along the coast, from Klamath Head Start to South Coast Resources in Gold Beach and Port Orford. Shanle-Hutzell reported that the need was greater this year due to the economy. 

“We were counting on the generosity of our community to supply the need, and, as always, they did not disappoint,” said Shanle-Hutzell. “We’re especially pleased with the number of new coats donated. They will be put to very good use. Thank you for supporting this annual campaign!”

Coat distributions are arranged through local organizations (from Port Orford to Klamath) and there will be one large community distribution through C.A.N. (Community Assistance Network) at the Family Resource Center, 494 Pacific Ave., today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

For more information call Bicoastal Media Radio at 464-9561.

Merchant Marine Veterans and Guy Towers pose next to the hull of the Emidio. Pictured far left: Larry Wallen, Southern Oregon Chapter; third from left, Bill O’Donnell, president of the Humboldt Bay Chapter; third from right, Nelson Cauble, national secretary; and Guy Towers, far right, wearing the Merchant Marine medal presented by the group. Submitted Photo

The Merchant Marines were accompanied by their wives, and the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society was represented by Guys Towers, president of the group and his wife, Alice.

Since June 2007, the STGRLPS has worked in cooperation with the AMMV, volunteers, local businesses and the City to make improvements at the California Historical Marker. Beginning with hull restoration, improvements have included an interpretive panel, replacement of a large wooden sign which originally identified the hull segment when it was erected in 1951, and a bench dedicated to National Guardsman Bruno de Solenni of Crescent City, who was killed in Afghanistan. The flag-raising marked the most recent addition, a cement slab and flag pole made possible by Freeman Rock, Inc. and the city.

The hull segment is from the remains of the SS Emidio, an oil tanker that was struck by a Japanese submarine on Dec. 20, 1941, making it the first ship to be attacked on the West Coast following Pearl Harbor. The ship was shelled and torpedoed off Cape Mendocino, south of Eureka, but did not sink and drifted into the Crescent City harbor. It lay half submerged for 10 years and then was sold for salvage. A section of the bow was saved and turned into a memorial for the five men killed in the incident. In later years, the site received State Historical Marker status with a brass plaque, but the names of the lost crewmen were omitted. Two plaques donated by the Southern Oregon Chapter are now mounted on the hull, bearing the names of the crew and the Merchant Marine anchor and eagle.

In a brief ceremony, which included a floral wreath provided by the Southern Oregon Chapter, the Merchant Marine banner, donated by Bill O’Donnell, was raised along with the national colors, and certificates of appreciation were given out by Towers to the groups. The cermony will also be featured in an upcoming edition of the News Magazine, a publciation of the AMMV.

The CSL is an organization comprised of 120 senior volunteer members, 60 years of age and older. California senior legislators are elected by their peers and meet annually to develop and prioritize a legislative agenda focusing on issues, concerns and proposals affecting California’s grow­ing senior population.

Senior Assembly Mem­ber Anderson, a resident of Southern Humboldt since 1970, has authored two local history books: “Backwoods Chron­icles,” and “Whatever Hap­pened to the Hip­pies?” and is currently writing for the Redwood Times in Garberville.

Those interested in finding out more about the California Senior Legislature and how to participate in shaping senior services in Humboldt and Del Norte counties are invited to contact the Area 1 Agency on Aging at 442-3763.

Already this year we have been hard at work with a rummage sale, a golf tournament, selling cotton candy and other items at football games, and many other fundraising efforts. At the same time, we have been working hard in practice, maintaining high academic levels and representing our school and our community throughout the North Coast.

But we need another push.

We are putting together a banner that will be hung in Thunen Gymnasium with the name of any individual or business that donates $150 or more. Each name will be easy to read by anybody who visits during a Del Norte High School athletic event for the next 12 months.

Of course, any other donations will be gratefully accepted as well.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 218-8048.

Thanks for your support. The cheerleaders deeply appreciate it.