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Explore Albany, Discover your story
History Bites and Hasso Hering
How to survive information overload
By guest blogger Richard Engeman
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Richard H. Engeman (Oregon author and new-to-Albany resident) attended a free “History Bites” talk at the Albany Regional Museum. Richard kindly volunteered his time to the Albany Visitors Association as our guest blogger. The following article is his account of History Bite’s latest speaker, Hasso Hering.
“More people don’t know anything about what’s going on.” –Hasso Hering
Hasso Hering
Two or three decades ago, news came to us in two formats: in print (as a newspaper or magazine), or a broadcast over television or radio. Reporters, correspondents, and journalists worked for agencies that collected, edited, and distributed “The News.” And from what we read, and what we saw and heard, each of us weighed and analyzed the information to merge it into our understanding of the world.
Today, our understanding of the world is mediated by Facebook, which flings billions of bits of information at us. Some of that is news, but much of it is the instantaneous reaction by millions of other viewers to that news. In many instances, these snippets of news and comments correspond to other reactions: to someone’s attitude, syntax, bias, spelling, ethnicity, gender, etiquette, and a multitude of other aspects. The news itself, is drowned out.
Hasso Hering, former longtime editor of the Albany Democrat-Herald newspaper (he retired in 2012), spoke to the changes in news-gathering and news distribution at a recent, well-attended lunchtime talk at the Albany Regional Museum.
Hasso’s involvement with the news goes back a long way, and his lengthy tenure in Albany was preceded by his experience in newsrooms in California and in Ashland, Oregon. He punctuated his talk with photos and anecdotes that illustrated how much the news-reporting industry has changed in a very short period of time. Hering said that in the not-so-distant past, an editor of a small-city newspaper could approach a national figure like Walter Cronkite, and expect and receive, a prompt and cordial acknowledgement.
Hering described and lauded the work of copy editors, a now nearly defunct profession whose practitioners checked a reporter’s facts, smoothed out the phrasing, queried the quotes, and regularized spelling and capitalization. Such slogging and unglamorous work is what made print journalism reasonably accurate and trustworthy, so much so that television and radio broadcasters relied on printed sources for their own news shows (and they still do).
Hering made an excellent point about the fact that each of us, individually, must sift through the news and analyze it to find the kernels of value to us, and to integrate that information into our lives.
Another former journalist, Bob Hicks of the Oregonian, recently pushed the same point in a Facebook essay, concluding that we can’t be spoon-fed news stories, but must be “active, analytical… and honestly skeptical” with our journalistic consumption. And this is a difficult and challenging task, as Hering succinctly notes, since we are faced with a “proliferation” of news sources. We can’t catch up with all of it, we can’t be sure it is accurate, and we can’t correct misinformation. We are bombarded with news bites, and the bombardment overwhelms our ability to analyze, question, and form reasoned opinions about our world. Technology has made our task harder, not easier as we might have expected.
Hasso gave a jaunty, if sobering, lunchtime talk. However, it was a good experience for this new Albany resident, and I came away from his presentation confident that I had moved to a small but sprightly city that takes its history (and its history-makers like Hasso Hering) seriously. And like Hering, we residents do so with a wry smile.
By the way, Hasso too has gone electronic at http://hh-today.com, and he’s on Facebook, too!
Albany author Richard H. Engeman is a public historian and archivist, and the person behind Oregon Rediviva, LLC. The name Oregon Rediviva is connected to the history of the Oregon Country: Captain Robert Gray’s ship Columbia Rediviva entered the mouth of the Columbia River in 1792. In 1805, Capt. Meriwether Lewis described a plant, to which the name Lewisia rediviva has been applied. It is better known as the bitterroot, the state flower of Montana.
2016 Antiques in the Street
Shop for amazing treasures from over 50 streets vendors and at the Albany Antique Mall sidewalk sale. Then tour over 100 vintage and classic cars. When you get hungry have lunch at one of downtown Albany’s fabulous restaurants or get it fresh off the vine and visit the Farmer’s Market. All within walking distance of each other.
Proceeds from this event will go directly to, Habitat for Humanity, “Raising Roofs and Raising Hopes!”
For more information about the event, check the Albany Antique Mall website.
Aussies in town – shepherds that is
The ASCA Nationals come to Albany, Oregon
Herding dog fans have reason to rejoice this coming September. The Willamette Australian Shepherd Club is hosting the National Specialty Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) Show at the Linn County Expo Center from Sept. 10th – Sept. 17th.
“Aussie” Shepherd breeders and 1300 dogs from across the US will participate in the weeklong event. From stockdog trials and agility courses to breeder conformation and obedience categories, the event will draw in visitors from far and wide.
The ASCA National’s Chairperson and Senior Breeder Conformation Judge Rhonda Silveira, is enthusiastic about the event being held in Albany this year.
“The Expo Center facilities are perfect for our dogs to be showcased,” said Silveira. “We feel very welcomed by the city, and it just seems as though everyone in town opens their doors to us.”
Local small and large businesses are sponsoring the event, which will bring several hundred new customers to Albany for shopping, restaurant and brewery or winery visits, and lodging accommodations.
As part of the Albany Visitors Association’s (AVA) mission to encourage visitors to the city, the ASCA event is one of many that help support local economic enhancement.
“We feel honored that Rhonda and the ASCA have chosen Albany as the site for this year’s show,” said AVA Executive Director Jimmie Lucht. “It’s not easy to manage a large scale event like this, and if we can open our doors to help, everyone will benefit.”
Lucht will act as a guest judge for the event’s stall decoration contest. AVA Board member Christy Leuhring is also on the guest judging panel. Cattle vendor John Growney, of Growney Brothers Rodeo Company, will provide livestock for the stockdog finals, while Silveira and another ASCA member raised 550 ducks for the dogs to showoff their herding talents.
“We really hope to see the public at the ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ event on Tuesday, September 13th,” said Silveira. “Raffle-ticket sales will help support efforts to combat a specific type of cancer. Oregon State University will receive part of the proceeds to continue their research on hemangiosarcoma—the main type of cancer that affects Australian Shepherds,” added Silveira. Hemangiosarcoma afflicts humans as well.
Major event sponsors are Coastal Farm & Ranch and NutriSource Dog Food. Local sponsors include Costco, The Rainshed, Heritage Mall, Best Western Prairie Inn, Oregon Freeze Dry, Sizzler, Zoup!, Calapooia Brewing Co., Bo-Mack’s BBQ, Hospitality Vision, Novak’s Hungarian Restaurant, the Albany Downtown Association, and the Albany Visitors Association.
5th Annual Craft Brew Smackdown
An afternoon and early evening craft brew tasting event for the hard cider and beer lovers. Sponsored by the Greater Albany Rotary Club, the Albany Historic Carousel, and the Albany Downtown Association, the event takes place on Friday, September 16, 2016.
Participants are invited to meet at the AVA (starting at 3:00 p.m.) to get their glass mugs, wristband, and board the trolley if so desired. The trolley will run the entire route throughout the Smackdown. The event will run until 8:00 p.m.
Breweries, distilleries, and cider houses will bring their products into downtown small businesses so that attendees can taste and visit with shop owners at the same time.
Tickets are $20 and the price includes a free tasting glass and 10 tasting tickets. Advance tickets go on sale two weeks prior to the event and can be purchased at the Albany Downtown Association, located at 126 Ferry St. SW or the Albany Visitors Association on the corner of 3rd and Lyon. Loafers Restaurant will also be selling tickets at their downtown venue, 222 Washington St SW. Proof that you are 21 will be required for all ticket purchases.
The Downtown Trolley will be traveling the Smackdown route and you can catch it for free. After the Smackdown, the trolley will run participants to two “after-parties” to be held at the Calapooia Brewing Company and Deluxe Brewing.
Approximately 24 craft breweries and distilleries will be pouring for the event. Ticket proceeds help fund the non-profit sponsor organizations running the event.
Exploring the Seven Wondrous Trails – 2
Trail Number Two – Audubon and Wildlife Seekers
*The following article is the second installment in a series of seven, that will focus on local restaurants, attractions, events and unique businesses in Albany. The “Seven Trails” posts are written by AVA Executive Director Jimmie Lucht.
Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley is on the North American Flyway and is home to seven wildlife and bird preserves featuring songbirds and all sizes of birds of prey. Oregon is fifth in bird species diversity in the US, which is attributed to our distinctive eco-regions and relatively mild winters.
No matter the season, both advanced and novice birders will discover something to please the eye and ear in our region. In spring, hear the symphony of migrating or resident songbirds; in summer, watch mating pairs of Oregon’s endangered Harlequin Duck and American Dipper populations; in winter, spy Bald Eagle pairs in their huge nests—home quarters that can easily reach a weight of 1,000 pounds or more.
Yellow-breasted Chats, Bluebirds, Willow Flycatchers, Peregrine Falcons, Red-Shouldered Hawks, Osprey, Caspian Terns, Grebe, Belted Kingfishers, Herons, and nesting sites of more than 53,000 birds are just a sampling of what you might see when visiting one of our local preserves listed below.
The E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, located at 2955 Camp Adair Road, Monmouth, this wildlife haven was once a military training facility during WWII. Walking trails not only give you an opportunity to view various flora and fauna, but also tell the story of Camp Adair.
At Cheadle Lake Park, 37954 Weirch Drive, Lebanon, Oregon, you can view the feathered friends that call this park home… some on a temporary basis. Walking trails abound in this park that also plays host to the Lebanon Strawberry Festival—featuring the world’s largest strawberry short cake—and also Lebanon’s Star Spangled Celebration held there on the Fourth of July.
While in Lebanon, visit the beautiful Healing Gardens designed by world renowned artist, Hoichi Kurisu. The gardens are located at the Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital and Best Western Boulder Falls Inn.
McDowell Creek Falls Trail, a 1.4 mile loop trail featuring multiple waterfalls, is a perfect place for photo opportunities and wildlife. The trail is located at 43170 McDowell Creek Dr, Lebanon.
Whitcomb Creek County Park, at the Green Peter Reservoir in Cascadia, is a 328-acre park that is perfect for enjoying spectacular mountain views, bird-watching, sailing, fishing, hiking, camping, and water skiing on the reservoir.
Yellowbottom Recreation Site is situated in an old growth forest along the beautiful Quartzville Creek. Pan gold, sit in a natural hot pool of water, or just enjoy the tranquility of the area. Yellowbottom offers 22 first come-first served tent sites and is located at Milepost 24 of the Quartzville Back Country Byway, northeast of Sweet Home and upstream of Green Peter Reservoir.
After your discoveries in the beautiful Mid-Willamette Valley, enjoy Albany’s Talking Water Gardens, at 9710 Waverly Drive NE. Read the story about how this garden came about. You’ll be astonished at the photographs that illustrate the garden’s “before and after.” You will marvel at this award-winning wetlands project, and the public/private partnerships involving municipal government and local business that funded it.
Passport Party and Raffle
Congratulations to all of our Journey to the Center of Albany summer explorers. You’ve gathered your passport stamps and turned in your passport to be validated with us. Now it’s time to party!
Make sure you’ve stopped by the Albany Visitors Association and entered the raffle contest for great prizes, including Amtrak tickets, a ride in an Albany firetruck, a one-hour plane ride with Infinite Air Center, and gift certificates from local businesses, sports fan gear, historic toys and games, and a whole lot more.
The party and raffle is scheduled for Saturday, September 17th, at the Pix Theatre. The fun starts at 10:30 a.m. Although you can win great prizes without coming to the free party, those in attendance will be rewarded with even more chances to win great additional door prizes.
We hope to see you there!
Hot summer – cool happenings
As we near the close of the summer in the Mid-willamette Valley, and with temps soaring into triple digits, it’s nice to know there’s a way to beat the heat and still look forward to some cool events. Our very own Rebecca Bond compiled a list of things to look forward to. We hope you find at least one activity to partake in.
And if you’ve been a part of the Albany Visitors Association’s Summer Passport Program (Journey to the Center of the Albany) you’ll want to pay close attention to the section about the great wrap up party and the prizes that will be awarded.
Swimming holes
Feeling just a little hot? Need to cool off? Hit the Cool Pool, the Community Pool, the YMCA pool or the Waverly Paddle Boats to have some water fun and beat the summer sun. Don’t forget your passports when you go if you haven’t earned your stamp yet.
ATI Art & Air Festival
Yahoo it’s almost Here! Three fabulous days of hot air balloons, airplanes, music and art. August 26, 27 and 28. Be sure to stop by the Albany Visitors Association (AVA) booth (just over the foot bridge from the west side main parking lot entrance) to get your bonus passport stamp and tell us, ‘What’s your favorite thing about the Art and Air Festival?’ You can find out more fun things about the festival on our blog post “Six things you didn’t know you could do at the NW Art and Air Festival.”
Passport wrap party and raffle prizes
And now for the update you’ve all been waiting for….the “End of Summer Passport Program Raffle Prize Party” will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pix Theatre. Once again our friends at the Pix have offered to roll out the red carpet for a fabulous time sharing prizes from all our passport partners. Enter to win by bringing your passport to the Albany Visitors Association August 29 – 31 to receive your raffle tickets.
Infinite Air Center at the Albany Airport is a new 2016 AVA partner, and is sponsoring an airplane ride for a grand prize. Amtrak stepped up again this year to provide another grand prize – round trip train tickets to Portland. You don’t have to be present to win these prizes but there will also be really great door prizes for those who can attend.
Some other fun prizes for 2016 include: Gift certificates for the G2 Fun Zone, Pix Theatre, pottery painting at SureFire Designs, and Albany Farmers Market wooden nickels. We hope to see you at the Pix!
6 things you didn’t know you could do at the NW Art and Air Festival
As one of Albany’s largest and most unique events, the ATI Northwest Art and Air Festival boasts countless activities for all ages to enjoy. From the famous hot air balloons, to the rows of arts and crafts vendors, the festival packs Timber-Linn Park full of fun from corner to corner.
If you’ve never attended this spectacular event, you probably haven’t heard of all the things you can do there. We’ve compiled a list to show you why the Art and Air Festival is a can’t miss experience.
1) Concerts
With two stages featuring daily performances, the NW Art and Air concerts fill the festival with great music from incredible artists, including Bret Michaels, Kathy Boyd and Phoenix Rising, and many many more. All concerts are free with festival admission.
2) Night Glow
Watch a spectacular display of lights as hot air balloons are illuminated in a series of patterns lighting up the night sky. Children and adults alike will enjoy the show. Photographers, this is a great opportunity to take some incredible shots, so bring your tripods! Night Glow begins at dusk on Friday, August 26th.
3) Young Eagle Flights
This is a great opportunity for your kids to ride in a perfectly maintained vintage airplane, and it’s free! Registration begins at 9 am Saturday and Sunday, and spots are limited. For a downloadable registration form (required) and more info, please make sure that you link to the registration information web page. Get there early to ensure that your child gets to take part in this one-of-a-kind experience.
Kids aren’t the only ones able to take flight at the NW Art and Air Festival. Adults can signup for rides from Infinite Air Center, a bi-plane, and even a helicopter. Registration will be available at the show, and will require a fee.
5) Car Show
If you have a classic car and are eager to show it off, bring it to the festival’s Art of Cars show on Sunday, August 28th. The show begins at 9 am. and gates open for registration at 8:00 a.m. Registration is $20. Awards will be presented at 3:00 p.m.
You probably already knew that the Art and Air Festival is a great place to get close to hot air balloons, but did you know you can sign up to ride them? Reserve your spot online, and be ready to take off into the sunrise. You’ll never forget the incredible sights as you mingle with other balloons in the sky over Albany.
There is so much to do at the Northwest Art and Air Festival, so clear your calendars for August 26th through August 28th, and enjoy the fun! More information about the Art and Air Festival is available here.
Photos by Stephanie Low (top) and Cathy Web (bottom).
Exploring the Seven Wondrous Trails – 1
Finding magic in Albany, Oregon
*The following article is the first installment in a series of seven, that will focus on local restaurants, events and unique businesses in Albany. The “Seven Trails” posts are written by AVA Executive Director Jimmie Lucht.
Melissa Babcock Saylor
TRAIL #1 – Albany and The Arts
Starting out on our trail, you will be amazed, entertained, surprised and enlightened by beautiful pieces of art at the Gallery Calapooia, 222 1st Ave W., Suite 100, 541.971.5701. The gallery makes shopping for that perfect home accent or gift easy, as the works of 20 regional artists display their works in oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings, jewelry, pen and ink drawings, layered vinyl images, fabrics, collage, felted art, photography, glass and ceramics.
Paint your own pottery or create a special ceramic piece, and the fine folks at Sure Fire Design will help glaze and fire it for you, 210 SW 2nd Ave, 542-1.928.7339.
When the pottery is wrapped and ready to go, the gentlemen (and ladies too!) can try their hand at fly-tying and get the scoop on the latest and greatest places to fish in Oregon. Mitch Smith, owner of Two Rivers Fly Shop is bound to fill your ears with big fish tales, 204 1st Ave W., 541.967.9800.
After tying a few flies, it’s time for a round of golf at the Albany Golf and Event Center, 155 Country Club Lane, 541.926.6059.
Next up? Take a leisurely afternoon stroll through the Talking Water Gardens, 577 Waverly Drive NE. And if you crave even more rest and relaxation, what about a pampering spa treatment at the Level Three Salon and Spa, 317 1st Ave W, 541.905.4158.
On Friday evenings during the summer months at Albany’s Monteith River Park, enjoy the Movies At Monteith. The movies are free and concessions are available. Showtimes are at dusk, which varies, so please refer to the online schedule.
Since you’ve worked up an appetite, try one of Albany’s unique restaurants featuring award winning chefs. Visit Sybaris Bistro or Frankie’s Restaurant to enjoy a glass of local wine and an in- season, farm-to-table dining experience. Then back to your hotel so you will be rested and ready for another adventure in the morning—stay tuned for the next installment of the Seven Wondrous Trails.
An evening cemetery tour
Masonic Cemetery Albany, Oregon
On Wednesday, July 27th, at 7:00 p.m., the Albany Regional Museum and St. John’s Masonic Lodge #17 will host a memorable evening tour of a historic pioneer cemetery—the Albany Masonic Cemetery.
Featured headstones include nine prominent Albany pioneers—the Wheeler, Ross, Hale, Hudson, Meade, Althouse, and Parker families. Hear their stories and learn about their contributions to our city.
Admission is free, however parking is extremely limited. You are welcome to board the trolley at Two Rivers Market downtown at 6:30 p.m., where continuous free rides will ferry tour participants until dusk.
For more information, telephone 541-967-7122.
