Like pie-making, revitalization of downtown has myriad recipes

Fall is in the air, bringing with it thoughts of cozy fires, football games and fall leaves. For me fall means apple pie and nostalgia for simpler times.

I have become a bit obsessed with baking the perfect pie this year, even posting about it on Facebook. I have been Googling recipes, searching old cookbooks and my grandmother’s recipe box, and I’ve started to ask everyone I know for their tips and tricks to create the perfect crust.

Lois Munson’s letter of Sept.20, “Conservatives, history warns us time you want is grim,” was a shot of cold reality. In this portrait of the current political landscape the writer paints the Democratic Party as being progressive and multi-focused on an unfolding utopia of “what needs to be done” while portraying the Republican Party and the Tea Party’s “anger” as having one goal and that is the ouster of President Obama.

While it is true that the Republican/Tea Party’s primary goal is defeating President Obama, that is far from our singular goal. Munson is correct in stating that the Tea Party wants to take control of our country back. That does not mean back to a time frame at all. It means re-establishing historical principles; drastically reducing the size and control of government over our lives, restoring private enterprise by reducing constraints on investment and excessive restrictions on capital enterprises and a drastic deconstructing of the Democrat tax machinery.

Del Norte Gardening runs monthly. Paul Madeira and Julie Jo Ayer Williams own Ocean Air Farms in Fort Dick.

As October draws near, there is one job on our minds that takes precedence above all others.

It is the winter cover crop, which we feel is the most important and time-sensitive task that will be the most beneficial to us in the spring.

For those of you who have never heard of a cover crop, we will do our best to explain. A cover crop is any plant, such as winter rye grass or clover, planted between periods of regular crop production to prevent soil erosion and provide humus or organic matter. Also known as a green manure, these crops tend to grow quickly and achieve a large mass of plant, or “organic matter,” as is commonly phrased.

On the morning of March 10, the day before the tsunami, I took my dog Martha for her last ride. Rick was out of town so I made the difficult decision and the journey alone, with Martha in the back seat on her one-way trip to the vet’s.

When I came home, Smitty was waiting by the back door as always. Every time Rick or I returned from anywhere, Smitty greeted us at the door. I have no idea if Smitty understood Martha was gone for good, but he looked lovingly at me with those big brown eyes and when I sat down for a good cry, he rested his head on my feet.

In the weeks that followed, Smitty may have missed Martha but it didn’t show. But then Smitty was never one to complain about anything.

On Aug. 14, 1935, after much debate and protest, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Social Security legislation into law. More than 75 years later, Social Security has become one of the most successful government programs in history.

Each year, Social Security reliably pays billions in benefits to millions of beneficiaries and delivers on its promise of protecting our seniors who worked hard all their lives. Yet despite its success, some in Washington target Social Security for cheap political games.

The misinformation we are constantly bombarded with — that Social Security is going bankrupt — is wrong. The truth is that even if nothing were done to change the financing of Social Security, the program would pay 100 percent of the same benefits it is currently paying for the next 25 years. No senior is, nor will be losing a dime of his or her benefits.

Enderts Beach looking south: beautiful and rich with history. Photo courtesy of Redwood National and State Parks

As a park ranger I am often asked which, out of all the abundant wonders of the parks, is my favorite place.

That’s easy! For me, it’s got to be the Crescent Beach Overlook area — partly because it’s just a beautiful place and partly because it’s rather historic.  

The overlook is one of the prettier coastal viewing spots in Redwood National and State Parks. Atop a 200-foot cliff, it commands a view that stretches from Point St. George to the bluffs north of Damnation Creek.

It doesn’t matter if historically relevant figures were gay/lesbian

In response to Barry Wendell’s Sept. 21 letter, “Students need to learn about the contributions of gays and lesbians,” honestly, what difference does it make what your sexuality is or isn’t and why on earth do we have to teach it to children in school.

“Now class, the man who invented clear steel was a highly educated physicist and a genius. Oh, and our government requires that I tell you that he is gay.”

Now, seriously, can someone please explain to me why that little snippet of sexual information would be important to or appropriate for kids or the public for that matter? You can’t because it doesn’t matter.

Certain individuals are making it a point to force you to know and to bring about “awareness” and “cultural diversity.” How many ways can we, as Americans, be so divisive and separate each other from one another?

Your sexual preference should only matter if you were about to ask someone on a date. Other than that, most people don’t really care. Think about it, when is the last time you met someone new at a business meeting or function and shook hands with someone that said, “Hi, I’m Dave and I’m gay.” Or, “Hi, I’m a lesbian and oh, my name is Sue.”

This country is headed down the toilet and California is one step ahead of the country. I have never felt the need to organize a heterosexual pride parade but this hand basket we are all riding downhill is picking up speed and I simply don’t know how to stop it.

Donna Eller

Crescent City

O utdoor folks tend to be in touch with the changing seasons. In a world determined to make us march in a timeclock lockstep, we’re the first to notice the shortening days.

 As we gather flowers and grasses for dried arrangements, there’s a poignant sadness just under the surface sun and warmth, a desire to cling to it all as it slips away into the bleak grays and browns of winter.

In order to maintain some sense of perspective, get a grip and take stock of the chores yet to be done before winter settles down on us. Consider what really needs to be done, and what can wait until next spring.

As I write about this former Warrior, feelings pass through me that are hard to express. Those who knew Wayne Nichols really didn’t know his name was Wayne. He was Butch to everyone.

Butch and I were teammates during his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Butch was a three-year letterman in football, played lightweight basketball during his freshman and sophomore years and was a 4-year letterman in baseball, playing on the Warrior championship teams of 1950 and ’51.

Athletically I remember Butch mostly for his play on the football field. He was an excellent linebacker. We used to tease him because when the opponent would snap the ball offensively he would go full speed ahead to the ball, make a vicious tackle, then go into slow motion getting up and returning to his defensive position, but when the next snap occurred he was full speed again.