If early blooming flowers are any indication, spring truly is right around the corner, but before we leave winter behind altogether, let’s look at some sturdy stoneflies who are out and about even on our coldest, darkest days. Meet winter stoneflies (Superfamily Nemouroidea). Here in our area we have two[Read More…]
Community Columns
Tips on preparing now for your spring food garden
With Spring arriving soon, there are numerous steps we can be taking now for our food gardens.Any plants in the Cabbage family (broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, Brussels sprouts) and hardy lettuce varieties such as Grand Rapids, can be started from seed indoors now. A greenhouse is ideal, but sometimes only[Read More…]
Bright planet displays come with arrival of spring
March 2026 offers skywatchers a exciting mix of eclipses, bright planets, and the official arrival of spring.The month opened with a spectacular total lunar eclipse on March 2–3. Earth’s shadow fully covered the Moon, it glowed a deep copper-red — the year’s only “Blood Moon.” This Full Moon is traditionally[Read More…]
Community care is this local’s cup of tea
When you think of someone who truly makes the world a better place, do you think of someone from your community? Often, the individuals who make the largest impact are right around us, and we may not even know who they are. These individuals are often dedicated volunteers who consistently[Read More…]
Legacy of the moon trees has roots in Cave Junction
Man on moon hits golf ball. There is no doubt a few people reading this who remember that story and probably just as many who have heard about it. And it is an easy bet that all of us wonder how far the ball went and a few more wonder[Read More…]
Discovering the trails at Lake Selmac
I have been going to Lake Selmac for years to attend music festivals, birthday parties, disc golf days, celebration-of-life events and more. Somehow, though, I never realized there were designated hiking trails. That changed recently when I was scrolling through a trail app on my phone and came across “Lake[Read More…]
Embracing contradictions: How Walt Whitman reminds us of our vastness
Hey, friend. ‘Listener up there’, if you will. Got a minute? In our current era, I am well aware of the value of that small sliver of our day. Today, a minute can account for dozens of headlines, two or three tailor-made ads, and at least one solid dopamine hit[Read More…]
For patrons, Sportsman’s is like coming home
The Sportsman’s Tavern is one of the oldest small-town businesses in Cave Junction and is still alive and thriving today. Cheryl Wagner, the new owner, purchased this historic community hub on Oct 1st 2024 and held a Grand Opening on February 24th 2025. The Tavern offers a wide variety of[Read More…]
Cultivating wellness: From small steps to beautiful landscapes
How to cultivate wellness and well-being as a way of life in the Illinois Valley Imagine a forested path upon which each step takes the traveler closer to the destination. At times it is sometimes difficult to see how far one has gone or has to go, until at last[Read More…]