Revisting the newsmakers of
by Mary Le Arneal Like any calendar year, 2012 was full of new beginnings, long-awaited endings and everything in between.
Here are a few updates on items that made news in the North Bend Eagle during the past year: New Bird at the Rawhide In January David Bird purchased the Rawhide from his parents, LeRoy and Barb Bird. David reports that in 2012, the Rawhide has seem changes with booths, new tables, new flooring, a new server station, some paint and added decor. A new fence and some landscaping was added to the exterior. There are plans for more changes in the coming year, David Bird reports, with plans to remodel the entrance and add windows to the west side of the building along with new siding and exterior paint. A new computer system is also in the works. “We’ve had a busy year and enjoy a lot of very loyal customers from the North Bend community,” Bird said. “We also have regular customers from throughout the area. We’re trying to offer lower cost alternatives to our customers such as Italian night and Mexican night. We’ve also lowered the price of children menu items, added more choices to our regular menu, and added some different beers, wines, and liquor to our bar.” The continued transition to the new owners was thrown for a loop when LeRoy Bird unexpectedly passed away in December. “Overall, it’s been a very busy year,” Bird said. “Losing my dad really hurts as (chef) Brian (Jurgens) and I would constantly call him with questions. However, Brian and Julie (Jurgens) really know what they are doing. I have a lot of confidence in them.” New library opens The new North Bend Public Library opened on April 23 and was dedicated June 24. Since then the library has only grown in popularity with the public. “I would say (the response to the new library has been) overwhelmingly positive,” head librarian Amy Williams said. “I am still surprised by the people who have only recently made it through the doors for the first time and their response is always, ‘Wow, this is really nice.’” Williams reports that the numbers of new cards is definitely up as is computer usage by adults. The special computers in the kids room are also one of the biggest hits. “I do know that our patrons, in general, love the self-check out station and the text/e-mail reminders when they have items coming due,” Williams said. “That has really seemed to cut down on our overdue materials and therefore our fines!” After 33 years at North Bend Central as guidance counselor and coach, Jim Dodge retired in May. Since that time he has kept himself busy with various activities. “I’d tell everyone I was the ‘golf pro’ but anyone who’s seen me golf knows better,” he said with a laugh. This school year he has substituted some at the high school and as a bus driver. He coached North Bend’s fifth and sixth grade youth tackle football team and will be coaching the seventh grade girls basketball team at NBC this coming semester. Settles closes preschool After 32 years being the only preschool teacher in North Bend, Martha Settles said goodbye to her last class in May. “It was really hard in September,” Settles said. I couldn’t go up to church (to see the preschool there). It’s gotten better. Story time has helped that.” Settles volunteers for story time at the library twice a month. In addition she and husband Gordon have traveled quite a bit visiting their children. “I’m getting things done I haven’t gotten done in so many years,” Settles said. This included cleaning out her Christmas closet. She said she has plenty to do, remaining involved in Girl Scouts, her church Sunday School program and on the board for St. Peter’s Little Lamb Preschool. She was thrilled this past Christmas when a little boy she had in preschool last year brought her cookies, saying, “You were my best teacher.” One thing Settles says she has really enjoyed this year that she couldn’t before - sleeping in. RJ’s opens In July RJ’s Sports Bar and Grill opened in the former Old Scout and Little Ricky’s site. Leora Johnson and her son, Mike Zvacek, run the business. And their reception from the community? “Very well,” Johnson said. “Everyone is pretty happy we’re here. And we’re getting better all the time. We’re happy to be here.” Morse Bluff celebrates 125 The Morse Bluff celebration of 125 years since its founding was featured on many pages of the North Bend Eagle. In August there were two editions of the Morse Bluff Eagle commemorating the event. Linda Minarick described the celebration of Morse Bluff’s 125th anniversary as “one of the best celebrations that this lil’ ol’ town has ever had.” As treasurer of the planning committee, Minarick reported that all the bills are paid and there is $21,400 left in the account. “We haven’t been in too much of a hurry to get together to finalize disbursement of the funds,” Minarick said. “We know the money is safe and not going anywhere until the committee meets again to discuss exactly where the profits will be split.” It had already been decided that the American Legion and the Morse Bluff Volunteer Fire Department will receive sizable cuts from the funds, but there is also discussion about erecting a new town sign and leaving a small amount in a CD for start-up costs for the the 150th celebration. “It was a wonderful summer,” Minarick said. “People truly enjoyed working together, and another huge celebration is now under our belt. It took an entire community, with its outer limits, to put this on and that camaraderie will never be forgotten. 2012 will remain in all our memories for a long, long time!” Garage burns In the Sept. 26 edition of the Eagle, there was a story on the fire in Jeff and Aimee Peters’ garage. Fortunately for the community, this was the only large fire that was reported in the Eagle in 2012. Well, except for the crops burning up. Aimee Peters said they were fortunate the fire was contained to the garage. Both vehicles were totaled and have been replaced. All contents of the garage were lost as well as one of their cats, Fred. “It’s been a lot of work as well as an education,” Peters said of the aftermath. “But again we are so very aware of how fortunate we are.” The damage the garage was all internal, thanks to the early warning from their dog, Scooter. They have torn everything down and replaced all electrical, studs, drywall and garage doors. The Peterses are doing the work themselves with the help of friends who, Peters said, have both the knowledge and patience needed. <<Back to the front page |
