100 years ago

December 14, 1916 — Proposals by the central powers that peace negotiations be entered into forthwith were made in notes handed to representatives of neutral countries which are representing Germany in belligerent nations Tuesday. Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg called the diplomatic representatives of the United States, Switzerland and Spain to his office, one after another, and handed this note to them. The full text of the note was read in the Reichstags. The chancellor asked the neutral nations which represented Germany and her allied powers at the capitals of the nations which she is at war to bring these proposals to the attention of Germany’s enemies. The propositions which Germany advances in the negotiations are, according to Germany’s beliefs, appropriate for the establishment of lasting peace. The governments at Vienna, Constantinople and Sofia transmitted identical notes. The text was also communicated to the Vatican at Rome and to all other neutral powers. Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg’s statement to the Reichstags, as issued to the press, is as follows: “Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg announced in the Reichstags that Germany, with her allies, ‘conscious of their responsibility before God, before their own nation and before humanity,’ had proposed to the hostile powers that they enter peace negotiations.”

75 years ago

December 11, 1941 — After the first shock of the onslaught of war with Japan, Redmond, while conducting business as usual, set its part of the civilian defense machinery in motion with other areas of the Pacific coast should a blackout be found advisable. There will be no practice blackout, city officials have announced. If the siren sounds, two blasts 15 seconds each followed in one minute by another two blasts 15 seconds each, it will mean that the blackout has been ordered by the army and must be complete. Frank Stratton of Bend, in charge of aircraft observation for the county, has pointed out that this area may be blacked out as a protection to coastal cities, as lights from Central Oregon towns could be used by enemy aircraft in plotting bearings. Tuesday afternoon handbills instructing citizens what to do in case a blackout is called were distributed and to be sure everyone is familiar with the rules that are reprinted on page nine of this paper.

50 years ago

December 15, 1966 — Redmond’s reindeer cowboy and his unique ranch are the subject of a six-page article in the Dec. 12 issue of Sports Illustrated Magazine. The article, entitled “Reindeer Find a Santa Claus,” tells how John Zumstein has been consulted by the Department of Commerce’s Area Redevelopment Administration and the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding their Operation Reindeer in Alaska. The agencies are cooperating with the University of Alaska and the Alaska Chamber of Commerce in setting up a model reindeer farm, where the latest technology in animal husbandry will be applied to the raising of reindeer. “A sound scientifically run reindeer industry could eventually produce millions of dollars from the sale of meat, hides, and by-products,” the article pointed out. The government has tried to interest Eskimos in raising the antlered animals ever since the 1890s when 500 were purchased from Lapland. So far there are only 14 active reindeer herders among the Eskimo population of 22,300, despite of a more than $3 million dollar investment.

25 years ago

December 11, 1991 — TERREBONNE — Destination resorts are good for Deschutes County, and a plan for a resort at Smith Rock appears especially good for the Redmond area, according to two elected Redmond Officials who called a meeting here Saturday to gather support for their views. But some Terrebonne-area residents are wondering why they haven’t been asked about the issue, and a county commissioner is saying state law, not the county, precludes development of a resort at Smith Rock. About 50 people, most of whom were invited as “Redmond community leaders,” turned out for Saturday’s meeting at the former Smith Rock Ranch overlooking the Crooked river on the west side of Smith Rock. They heard a request to write letters in opposition to Deschutes County’s proposed destination resort ordinance. They also heard an overview of developer Jim Gardner’s preliminary plans for a 250-unit hotel, 500 residences and three golf courses on the 1,800 acres he owns west of Smith rock. The meeting was called by Redmond Mayor Bob Riggs and City Council President Jane Schroeder, in conjunction with Gardner. The three lobbied against the county’s proposal which they said would preclude resorts such as the one being planned by Gardner.