100 Years Ago

April 17, 1924 — From ‘Local Happenings’

• Professor Borden Beck taught 14 nice trout in the river near town Tuesday.

• Mrs. C.M. Rasmussen was in Redmond on business from their home at Deschutes. Mr. Rasmussen in engaged in the manufacture of the Rasmussen Anti-Bloat Muzzle, a very effective device to prevent loss of cattle from alfalfa bloat.

• Drs. Muth and Muth are installing their “human bake oven” in their offices here. Mrs. Muth and baby soon arrived from Portland last Friday, bringing much new equipment. Electricity plays an important part in methods of this firm.

75 Years Ago

April 14, 1949 — Thousands eager for opening tune of spring frolic

Central Oregon’s biggest social event, the Powell Butte Farmers club Spring Frolic, is now being eagerly awaited by people for miles around-many of whom will have attended every one of the 15 annual frolics. Dancing will start Saturday evening, April 16.

For the third year in a row the Powell Butte dance is being held in the Veterans’ Club at the airbase in Redmond. Last year the spacious ball accommodated about 2,000 people at the frolic — the largest dancing crowd by far ever together in this part of the country.

Two orchestras are tuning up for the big evening and two kinds of music will be playing continuously, with one orchestra in each wing of the rambling structure.

The Warm Springs Indians will pound out rhythm at one end, and the Prineville Kaydets will hammer it out at the other.

Powell Butte farmers, clad in what they call their “Spring Frolic uniforms,” report a prompt acceptance of tickets wherever they go in their promotion drive. The uniforms are attractive green jackets with “Spring Frolic” painted on them fore and aft.

Money being raised by the dance this year, sponsors explain, is to go to the Prineville and Redmond hospital projects.

50 Years Ago

April 17, 1974 — Farmers ask for three centers

The farmers and ranchers were challenged to submit facts “upon which I can violate those guidelines.”

The guidelines were the criteria for location of U.S. Department of Agriculture service centers across the nation. They specify that the centers should not be over 45 minutes driving time for 85 per cent of the clients; that county boundaries not be split; that not more than 43 centers be located in Oregon; that boundaries be drawn to best fit the state as a whole, and that workload be considered in terms of number of operating units and conservation plans covered, agricultural sales figures, population projections and cooperators.

The challenges were issued by George McMillan, assistant state conservationist for the Soil Conservation Service, at a Wednesday morning SCS hearing last week in Bend.

Earlier the USDA State Administrative Committee, composed of representatives from SCS, Farmers Home Loan Assn., (FHA), Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) and Federal Crop Insurance Corp. (FCIC) had proposed that a single full-service center for Central Oregon be located in Redmond. A branch office was proposed for Madras.

The nearly 20 persons who filled the hearing room generally called for two full-service centers in Redmond and Madras with a branch in Prineville.

Bud Svalberg, director of the Oregon Soil and Water Conservation Commission, led the move for a center in each county to keep the local districts viable as they move toward land use planning.

Dave Hall, vice chairman of the Trout Creek Soil and Water Conservation District, related that 47 per cent of Jefferson County’s farmers would be over 45 minutes from Redmond, assuming the Warm Springs Indian Reservation annexes to he district. He pointed to 356 farms producing over $28 million of agricultural products in his county.

Les Carlsen, speaking for Midstate Soil and Water Conservation District, supported the move for three offices. He related that Midstate last year served 732 cooperators on 630,000 acres who completed 345 farm plans and applied 220 conservation practices. He noted that already some cooperators were traveling more than 45 minutes within Deschutes County to reach Midstate’s Redmond office. “The further the distance, the less service you get.”

On behalf of Crook County, Richard Breese said the consolidation would move the control of the program’s away from the people. He pointed out that already upper Crooked River ranchers are traveling 50 to 60 miles 50 to 60 to reach Prineville.

State Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Redmond) reiterated the need for a center in each county. He also commented, “I hope you’re convinced the office in Redmond should be kept,” pointing to Deschutes as the fastest growing county in Oregon. He cited the 10-acre land owners as “just the kind of persons needing the service that SCS provides.”

Other persons from the greater Redmond area attending were A.B. King, master of Redmond Grange; Glenn Stevens, representing the Redmond Chamber of Commerce; Allen Auzenne and Charles Trachsel, directors of Midstate S&WCD.

State conservationist Jim Mitchell said any additional information should be submitted to the State Administrative Committee by the first of May. SAC expects to reach a decision by mid-May.

At the hearing conclusion, Mitchell remarked, “I feel there’s going to be some changes in what we proposed.”

25 Years Ago

April 14, 1999 — Small town feel lures produce vendor

Yakima asparagus.

Jumbo “15 count” artichokes.

Hood River pears and apples.

Got your taste buds going yet?

Ryan’s Produce opened Monday on a large lot at the corner of Sixth Street-and Cedar Avenue, the second independent venture for the young entrepreneur. Last winter, he operated a Christmas tree lot on North Highway 97.

This is a young man who can withstand the temperature extremes Central Oregon offers, and the long hours it takes to run a business.

Ryan Couch’s experience with his father-in-law, Sam Parla, is paying off. Parla, known in Bend where he’s operated for 13 years as The Vegetable Man, was on hand Monday to help set up the stand.

Couch will get most of his early-spring produce through wholesalers. He anticipates several trips a week to the Willamette Valley for seasonal crops, and is willing to talk with local growers, especially those who grow organically.

He worked with Parla for two years, one as a partner, gaining the experience to operate his business. Parla said Redmond is “ready for it,” noting that his own operation did not open in Bend this spring because the town is changing so rapidly city officials are troubled about where to allow independent vendors.

Parla’s not concerned — his family and another son are moving to the Redmond area, returning to the smaller-town atmosphere they prefer.

Parla’s followers will find some of the products he’s carried on Ryan’s shelves, including several flavors of jams and jellies, and gourmet olives and garlic,

Growers interested in working with Couch can reach him at the stand.