100 years ago

December 21, 1916 — County Agriculturist R. A. Blanchard is in receipt of a wire from Congressman N.J. Sinnott asking for a shipment of 50 rabbit skins to be sent to a felt hat manufacturer in Philadelphia. This is the result of several weeks’ inquiry into the question of finding a market for the famous eastern Oregon Jack Rabbit. Both Mr. Blanchard and Mr. Sinnott have been making overtures to eastern hattery concerns in an attempt to find some use for the rabbit. The skins to be used in the experiment are being furnished by the farmers on the High Desert region back of Bend. Mr. A.S. Fogg of Hampton, Mr. S.W. Merrill of Brothers, and Mr. Chas. Marrin of Held are the most active in securing the skins. Some care is required in the preparation of the skins, which must be well dried and stretched on a board before shipment. As yet there are not quite enough skins to satisfy the demand of the hatteries, other attempts are being made by Mr. Blanchard.

75 years ago

December 18, 1941 — Confidence that Redmond’s quota of $1,200 for the American Red Cross war relief fund can be attained through voluntary contributions was expressed today by Milton Odem and Marvin Davidson, co-chairmen of the drive, which is being carried on here under auspices of the Kiwanis club. Contributions may be left at the Chamber of Commerce office in the Garrison building, Co-op Creamery, U.S. National Bank, Darrell Smith Insurance agency, or Spokesman office. If any person cannot call at one of these business houses to leave his contributions he is asked to notify any one of them by telephone and arrangement will be made to come to his residence and get the money. “Redmond mills and warehouses have contributed 100 percent,” Davidson and Odem said Today, “But other than that results so far have no been too good, probably because many did not know where to leave their money. Bend people have been standing in line, so eager are they to help in this vital war relief drive, and we know that Redmond will not fall behind in this patriotic privilege.”

50 years ago

December 22, 1966 — Redmond Elementary District, which now includes Tumalo, Alfalfa and Cloverdale, has a lower 1966-67 tax millage than other school districts of Deschutes county, it is shown in a computation from the offices of the assessor and county school superintendent. IED superintendent Dean Nichols said that the data were based on estimates, but are quite accurate. The millage for Redmond and Tumalo totals 58.3. This includes 14.5 for the operating budget and 4.2 mills for bond principal and interest. Also included are 11.9 mills for Redmond Union High School general fund and .9 mills for the high school’s bond principal and interest. The IED levy of 26.8 mills brings the total to 58.3. Present total tax value of the Redmond Elementary District is $14,505,641. (Central Oregon college millage is not included in the compilation.)

25 years ago

December 18, 1991 — TERREBONNE — Saying they want to protect the scenic and rural qualities of the Smith Rock area, a large group of Terrebonne residents gathered Saturday to voice and organize opposition to plans for a destination resort at Smith Rock. The meeting was called to county Jim Gardner’s effort to gather support for the resort he hopes to build on 1,800 acres west and north of Smith Rock. About 85 people, most of whom showed opposition to Gardner’s preliminary plans through a show-of-hands, turned out for the morning meeting at the Terrebonne School Gymnasium. Opponents countered Gardner’s efforts to win support of his project through backing of elected officials in Redmond. They also questioned Gardner’s claims that he has the support of the Redmond and Terrebonne communities. “We all became aware of the proposed destination resort … about two months ago,” said Virgil Harper, one of the organizers of the meeting. “But the dealing and positioning were quietly taking place long before that, with people in strategic positions laying the ground work. The ones who would benefit the most were busy long before we knew what was coming. We understand the reasoning. Who could object if they didn’t know?” Harper said that despite Gardner’s claims of support, “we only become aware of the developer and his local political backers’ intention when they were forced to go public with their intent a couple months ago. Until then, we were led to believe that it was going to be a private ranching concern.” Since announcing his concept for a resort at a county planning commission meeting in late September, Gardner has been speaking to groups in Redmond to gather support for his project and opposition to the county’s destination resort ordinance.