Just my cup of tea

August 24, 1972
Randall Palmer Jr. spent a pleasant week visiting his parents, Jennie and Randall Palmer. He was accompanied by his wife Shirley, son Gary, and daughter Teri. On their way to Cave Junction from their home in Arleta, Cal. they stopped for one week at Mammoth Pools near Fresno to enjoy the water skiing. While they were here Mr. and Mrs. George Wallace, cousins of Randall from Port Townsend, Wash., arrived for a visit. They stayed at the Junction Inn for three nights and during the day joined the other members of the family.
Jim and Viola Higgins had a family reunion which was a surprise. They were expecting Viola’s granddaughter Rosalie and her husband Mick Nicholson and three children from Escondido, Cal. Mick is an officer on the USS Constellation and has just returned from six months at sea. They came August 13. Before the day was over, Viola’s daughter Flourilla and her husband Roy Nelson and small daughter from Arcata, granddaughter Rhonda and her husband Jerry Pusch from Crescent City, and granddaughter Dianna and her husband Curtis Fuller and two children from McKinleyville. Viola’s two sons Homer and Ray, and their families who live in Cave Junction and Takilma joined the other family members, which made a total of 26. All of Viola’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were home that day, except four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. All her daughter’s grandchildren were present. The family had lunch and a watermelon feed before they went back their separate ways.
The home of Joe and Grayce Hudron, Holland Loop Road, was the scene of another family reunion August 13, when family members came together for a potluck dinner in honor of Cappie and Rae McIntire and sons Mark and Scott and daughter Shawn, who have recently returned home after 2 ½ years in Okinawa. M/Sgt. Cappie McIntire stopped here for a short visit while enroute to the Air Force Base near Alamagardo, New Mexico. Rae McIntire is Grayce Hudson’s great-niece. Family members enjoying the reunion were the McIntire family; Katherine McCurdy of Medford, Rae’s mother Margene McIntire, Cappie’s mother; Lee and Martelle Lewis; Martin and Thelma Maurer; Martin Lee and Sharon Lewis and daughters Jodi and Sherry; Doug Lewis and son Scott, Medford, and Donna Root of Medford.
House guests of the Hudron’s were Grayce’s cousins Irene Garrison, Ray Hedgepeth, and daughter Rayleen and friend Una Black from Clovis Cal. They came Tuesday and left Thursday. During the time spent here they also visited the Martin Maurers and the Lee Lewises.
August 12 was the date chosen by Leslie Ann Smith and Lynn Myrick for their wedding. Leslie is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Smith of Grants Pass and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry O. Smith of Cave Junction. They were married in the Newman Methodist Church, where Leslie’s great grandparents, Ora and Agnes Smith were the first couple to be married in the newly completed church. Leslie’s great-great grandparents, William and Agnes Sawyer, donated the land for the church. They were living in Grants Pass at the time, but were 1853 pioneers of Illinois Valley. When Leslie’s grandparents, Ora and Agnes Smith were married, their attendants were R.A. and Allie Carson, well-known pioneers of Josepine County.
This account does not give details of the marriage of Leslie Ann Smith and Lynn Myrick, but it brought so many memories of family history to Leslie’s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry O. Smith, that they wanted to share these memories with all who knew the family and all who are interested in the early history of this area. There was a reception for the newly married couple at the bride’s home. They are now at home in Hillsboro where Leslie will become a primary teacher, and Lynn will complete his course at Lewis and Clark College in Portland. One of the attendants at the wedding was Leslie’s brother Tom, who returned the night before from England where he had taken a summer course at St. Peters College at Oxford University.
August 13, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Smith attended the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Harry’s sister Wilma and her husband Harold White at their home on South Pacific Highway in Medford. Present at the celebration, held for the couple united in marriage 50 years ago, were the maid of honor Mrs. Harry Rutherford of Corvallis, and the best man John Smith of Grants Pass. Harold White was best man at the wedding of Harry and Effie Smith 53 years ago.
Harold and his wife, whose maiden name was Wilma Smith, were both born in Illinois Valley. Wilma at the Wimer Mine at Waldo and Harold on the White farm in the Valley (which is the only centennial farm in Josephine County), the youngest son of Alex and Betty White. They lived in Medford for a number of years and Harold was superintendent of the Hanley Research Farms in Jacksonville until his retirement.
During this period, house guests of Harry and Effie were Effie’s cousin Ms. Clara Settem of Portland; their son Harry Smith Jr. from Santa Rosa, Cal. and grandson Fred Smith of Redwood City; Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Smith of Ocean Park, Wash., and Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Smith of Corvallis. They were guests at both wedding celebrations.
Thursday the Harry Smiths went to the Del Norte County Fair at Crescent City, but Effie was disappointed because all the flowers were ruined by the severe storm which swept the coastal area.
At the altar of the Presbyterian Church in Grants Pass, Judith Wells and Dana Christiansen both residents of Grants Pass, were united in holy matrimony. The hour was 7 p.m. A reception was given at the church following the wedding. The parents of the bride are Jim and Margaret Wells of Grants pass. The bride’s grandmother is Florence Wockner of Cave Junction. Florence was accompanied to the wedding by Lena Payne and Lorna Byrne. Other out of town relatives and guests were Mr. and Mrs. Keith Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Loren George, and Mary Ellen Willy, all from Klamath Falls; Mr. and Mrs. John Wells, Waldport; Mr. and Mrs. John Brown from Eureka; and Mr. and Mrs. Alva Cook of Gold Hill.
Judith graduated from the University of Oregon last week. Dana will enter the service September 11th.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Whiteman had some company last week. Their nephew and family from Bangor, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Springett, daughters Janet and Ronda visited several days. Their son Mike Springett had leave from the air base near Sacramento and spent the weekend with his family and uncle and aunt.
The Whiteman’s son Bill and children Kim, Bob, and Jeff vacationed a week here and also made a trip to the coast. Bill lives in Cottage Grove where he is with radio station KNND.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Thiele from Winston were also visitors at the Whiteman home. The Thieles, who have a peach orchard, report a short crop, but it gave them an opportunity for a few days of vacation.
To end the week, nephew Grant Langeburg and a friend stopped for a short visit and a dish of homemade ice cream.