Things are busy in Happy Camp. The last meeting of the Children and youth Alcohol and other Drug Prevention Coalition was eventful. I was very sad to hear that Dr. Steven Burns has stepped down from the leadership of that group. Dr. Steve has done a wonderful job in founding this organization with a most important goal for our community—to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse among our children and youth.
Dr. Steve sent an email to let everyone know that he will not be able to continue actively working on the coalition project. Since moving his family to Happy Camp, he has become four times busier than he was in San Diego. He will be refocusing his time on his family and church activities as well as his many ongoing responsibilities as the town doctor.
Karen Derry who directs the Happy Camp Family Resource Center was asked by Dr. Burns to take over the duties, pending a new meeting of the coalition. We thank Dr. Steve for getting the ball rolling on this alcohol and other drug prevention efforts in our community.
Karen and Nadine are excited about the impact the Coalition can have on our Klamath River communities for our children. For more information, or to volunteer your help in this effort, you may call 493-5117.
by Judy Bushy
Many out of town visitors were here for the grand opening of the Visitor Information Center at the Forest Service office Peg Boland, Supervisor for the Klamath National Forest, Cheryl Wainwright for the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce and Tom Waddell filling in for the Karuk Tribe of California representative, cut the ribbon and invited the crowd of eager people in to see the new Visitor Information Center.
It is beautiful!! There is a large wrap around desk where the receptionist helping the visitors with questions can sit ready. Veronica Salvage will be the smiling face greeting visitors now. An oak display rack holds a wealth of information on the area, wildlife, natural resources and businesses in the area from the Chamber of Commerce.
There are areas for the youngest visitors, too. They can sit at a table and see an animal skull or feel the difference in vegetation that is used in basketry.
The Karuk basket collection of Ruth Baker, administered by Hazel Joyner, is on display so you can see their world-renowned basket skills. The most striking item is a manikin with the traditional dress of the Karuk.
The mining history of the area is also apparent with the display of how a mine worked in the old days.
Local artists have brought in their paintings and other artwork to display, which adds color and the proper setting for the displays. Alan Crockett teaches art classes, some of which will be going into the Marble Mountains for on the scene painting experiences, and bring more art to bring these views to the visitor who stops by the center. Klamath Know Arts Council is also involved in this part of the project. Photos and poetry as well as the actual hands on exhibits make this a wonderful slice of the resources of the area. Colleen Hall and Dan Huddleston are also thanked for their participation. Animals that had previously been on display in the forest service office are there to see, along with some great new additions.
From the beginning of the idea of a Visitor Center, which Tom Waddell mentioned in the Action committee many times, to the fruition of the plan, has taken a few years. It seems like all of the parts of the local community have been involved. Don Hall in Yreka as well as Valerie and Gay Baxter spent busy days helping the Chamber with memorandums, applications with necessary paperwork. That was back when Eddie Davenport was the president. Louis Tiraterra Sr. Louis Tiraterra Jr., and Dennis Day were working on the drawings.
Fred Newoshi and Verna, Alta Harper, Hazel Joyner as well as Arch Super and the Karuk Tribe of California provided support and assistance to the displays. It is hoped that the People’s Center and the Visitor’s Center will be sharing displays for years to come. Nothing would have gotten accomplished without the help of the RAC, especially Sheryl Crawford and Eddie Davenport; as they provided the initial funding of $38,000 for the remodeling.
It has turned out a very beautiful project for the funds and information and assistance for visitors to enjoy our area more for many years to come. More exhibits and possibilities are anticipated and it will be a work in progress as more variety and presentations, which can vary with the seasons. You just need to stop by and see the displays. You’ll enjoy it and it is a perfect place for a visitor to our area to find out about recreational opportunities and get questions answered to make their stay more enjoyable!
Last Saturday was a really busy day for oodles and oodles of children of all sizes and shapes! It was the Outreach America in town with games and fun for the children.
The kids got bicycles and all sorts of prizes and seemed to be enthusiastic about the event when I was able to find it at the high school football field.
The Happy Camp Assembly of God was instrumental in bringing a team from Little Country Church to town for this special event for the kids.
Free food and great music were offered to the masses here in Happy Camp on July 13 at River Park. Sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce, the picnic was enjoyed by about 100 people.
Eddie Davenport, Chamber chairperson, announced that the picnic was intended to honor community volunteers as well as commemorating the 150th birthday of Siskiyou County.
Talented local musicians provided music for the afternoon and doorprizes were given to the people holding lucky winning tickets. A few members of the Happy Camp Volunteer Fire Department were there selling tickets for their upcoming raffle.
Motorcycles - a welcome sight in River Park
for the Fourth of July Weekend in Happy Camp
by Linda Martin
Over 220 bikers and friends were welcomed to Happy Camp for the Second Annual River Run - also known as Rolling on the River 2002. According to organizers of the event, this represents a 100% increase in participation over the year before. Some of the bikers were return-participants from a year ago.
The River Run is a project of our local Chamber of Commerce. It is expected to grow yearly, eventually attracting thousands of participants each year during the Fourth of July weekend. Local businesses reported an increase in sales during the three day event, and the local motels and campgrounds were filled.
Besides the beautiful, rustic town of Happy Camp and the serenity of the Klamath National Forest, bikers came for the ride alongside the Klamath River on Highway 96 - one of the most scenic and remote routes in California.
Events included bike games: a balloon toss, slow races and more. Huge trophies with the River Run 2002 logo were given to the winners. Music on Friday evening was provided by Happy Camp’s Genuine Draft Band; a popular return performance from last year. The audience warmed up to them right away. Saturday night’s dance music was provided by The Good Medicine Band from Yreka.
The Clarridge Fiddlers came from Redding to entertain on Friday and Saturday afternoons. This amazing musical family, two teenagers and their mother, won the hearts of the crowd with their beautiful Celtic and country-western fiddling. [See separate article.]
The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce met the following Wednesday to discuss suggestions for making the next River Run better than ever. With lessons learned from the prior years they expect that Rolling on the River 2003, July 4, 5, and 6, will be fun for everyone who comes.
Suggestions for next year’s River Run should be sent to the Chamber of Commerce
Entertainers at the Chamber of Commerce meeting,
April 2, 2002. From left: Laura, Lauren,
Eddie Davenport, and Dr. Burns.
The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce holds an evening meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at the Family Resource Center. The April 2 meeting was well-attended with lots of news about community projects underway.
Bigfoot Summer Games
There will be a Canoe & Kayak Family Fun Festival here on Memorial Day weekend, May 25 and 26. That’s the weekend of the Bigfoot Summer Games, which take place all along the Bigfoot Scenic Byway, Highway 96, from Happy Camp to Willow Creek.
While Happy Campers will be having fun in and on the Klamath River, with races and activities from Indian Creek to Elk Creek, the Hoopa Tribe downriver will be hosting their annual Coyote Run. The Coyote Run will have 9 mile, 2 mile, and 1/2 mile events for all ages. Orleans and Willow Creek will host festivals and activities as well, so there will be something to do in each town along the byway.
The Hoopa Valley Tribe led the planning for these events with a federal grant proposal submitted to Six Rivers National Forest in Eureka. Event planner Jaclyn Traversie of the Hoopa Tribe met with representatives of Orleans and Happy Camp on December 8, 2001, to discuss plans for each community.
Department of Forestry
A new interim ranger, Jay Perkins, has been appointed to manage our local forestry office. He plans to return to Yreka and the search is on to locate someone who wants to live in Happy Camp and take charge over the office here.
Action Committee
Tom Waddell reported for the Happy Camp Action Committee. It has been meeting once each month to discuss community improvement projects. They are planning to locate and move old mining equipment from forestry land to the park in Happy Camp as an added attraction. They also are working on plans for a new tourist and art information center in Happy Camp on Highway 96.
Waddell also reported that the new economic development plan is still being studied and modified by the Karuk Tribe and will be released to the community soon.
Marcia Armstrong
Our new county supervisor for District 5, Marcia Armstrong of Quartz Valley, was here to let us know about projects she is working on. With her strong positive energy and warm personality she is always a popular guest in this town.
The Arts in Happy Camp
Happy Camp is becoming an artist’s haven with emergence of fine art classes and activities, the formation of the Klamath River Writers Club, and performances by many talented musicians who have chosen to make this area their home.
A few of the diners at the St. Patrick’s Day
dinner this year. Photo by Judy Bushy.
Local teenagers volunteered to decorate.
Photo by Judy Bushy.
With the luck of the Irish, all Happy Campers were invited to participate in our annual Saint Patrick’s Day Dinner and Dance. This year the festivities were held at the Family Resource Center (once known as the Headway Market) where dinner included traditional corn beef and cabbage, along with a special Irish stew prepared by the Family Resource Center staff.
A beautiful green knitted afghan - made for this event by Jean Dulong, was raffled off and won by Stella Clark. This afghan was special as it will be the last one donated by Dulong, who moved to Madison, Wisconsin last month.
Dinner and a silent auction started at six pm. By eight, the hall was ready for dancing. Vivian Jordan, a DJ from Yreka, provided the music from her vast collection of CD’s. The dance attracted around seventy children, teens, and parents.
Event coordinators Donna McCulley and
Rosemary Boren at the dance.
Photo by Judy Bushy.
Vivian Jordan, our DJ for the night,
wisely wore green. Photo by Judy Bushy.
At the January 16, 2002 meeting of the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce, John Gould and Judy Bushy were appointed as new board members. Congratulations, Judy and John!
The St. Patrick’s Day dinner is still in the planning stage, however the beautiful green afghan crafted by Jean Dulong is ready to be raffled! This year’s afghan is knitted in rows of varied shades of green with a dark green fringe. The effect is very attractive, and the colors are brilliant. Plan now to buy your raffle tickets. They are $1 each, or 6 for $5. A disk jockey, Vivian Jordan, has been hired for the St. Patrick’s Day dance, which will follow the dinner. The dinner and dance will be held on Saturday night, March 16 this year.
Jean Dulong and the beautiful afghan she knitted. The afghan will be raffled off at the 2002 St. Patrick’s Day Dinner.
May 25-27, Memorial Day Weekend, is the time for the Bigfoot Summer Games. They will be held all along the new Bigfoot Scenic Byway from Happy Camp to Hoopa. Activities are being planned in Happy Camp, Orleans, and Hoopa. There’s a good possibility that the activities will include a bike race between Orleans and Happy Camp.
A Canoe &Kayak Family Fun Festival is being planned for the Bigfoot Summer Games/Memorial Day Weekend in Happy Camp, with races and other activites on the Klamath River between Indian Creek and Elk Creek. Planned are a backwards race, shore to shore relays, and duck races. Both inflatable and hard body watercraft are welcome.
Debbie Wilkinson has decided to take a leave of absence from Chamber of Commerce activities. Her participation and presence will be missed. Jean Dulong announced that she will soon be moving out of town - another great loss for Happy Camp. She has lived here since 1988 and has made the afghans for the St. Patrick’s Day raffles for the last three years.
Jim Gould won the logo contest for the 2002 River Run, and earned $100 in prize money. His logo features a motorcycle riding man in front of the US flag. A committee has been formed to finalize plans for the second River Run.
Jim Gould’s logo design for River Run 2002.
The River Run will be held on July 5, 6, and 7 this year.
The first meeting of the Wild Klamath Writer’s Club will be held on January 17, 2002 at 3 pm at the Bear Cove Cabins. If you’re a writer, or you’ve dreamed about becoming one, you’re welcome to attend! For more information please phone Judy Bushy, 493-5248 or Linda Martin, 493-2099.
Follup Up Article:
Klamath River Writers
The first meeting of the Klamath River Writers, on January 17 in Happy Camp, was a great success. Six writers gathered at the Bear Cove Cabins. They represented a broad spectrum of interests including poetry, songwriting, short stories, novels, history and journalism.
“Klamath River Writers” was chosen as the name for the group, with the intention of inviting people from other river communities to join. Advertising will extend from Highway 5 to Orleans along Highway 96.
The writers will start with a collaborative writing project. For the next meeting each writer is invited to bring something to add to an anthology intended for children learning about the Klamath River Valley and it’s people. The entries can be of any genre or format so long as they are intended for children under the age of about twelve.
If you’re a writer, or you’ve dreamed of becoming one, you’re welcome to attend the next meeting, planned for Monday, February 11. Phone Judy Bushy, 493-5248, for more information.
Dinner was excellent, as usual. Volunteers did a good job of decorating the old elementary school cafeteria - now the Karuk Community Center.
A good place for friends to meet.
Volunteer servers stayed busy this year.
What a great dinner we had!
After weeks of rain and light snowfalls, Christmas in Happy Camp was sunny and unusually warm! We left our firesides to come together at the Karuk Community Center (the old elementary school cafeteria on 2nd Avenue) for another great holiday dinner.
Every Thanksgiving and Christmas for years now, the dinners have provided a community meeting place and food for anyone who wants it. While it gives us a wonderful alternative to the traditional family dinner for those who are far from their loved ones, or who might not have a family, it also is welcomed by Happy Campers who just want to be with the people who live in our town, remote as it is from the rest of the world.
Dinner is traditional. There’s always a turkey, dressing, ham, mashed potatoes, yams, green beans and corn, cranberry sauce and bread. At Thanksgiving we had green salad - this time someone made a big pink jello salad with marshmallows. A variety of beverages were served on a side table and at least three types of pies were served for dessert.
Outside, children played on the lawn and dogs waited for their owners, while a few adults chatted with one another in the sunshine.
These holiday dinners are very much appreciated. May they continue for many years to come!
Helen and Wilson Forbes chat with musicians
Coreen Davis and her husband, Scott Hampson
Rae Walker and her daughter, Savannah
helped serve the pies: pumpkin, peach and mincemeat.
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