Make the McKenzie Connection!
Make the McKenzie Connection!
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 35
River Stop By Dan Purkey Wednesday night, all is quiet; except the turn of the wheel, the number called and (to my personal surprise)...”BINGO”! It is Wacky Wednesday with $4 burgers and $2 well drinks at the River Stop Restaurant and Sports Bar at the Walterville Center! A young woman, born and raised in Southern California, caught the “McKenzie Fever” early by visiting relatives in Oregon. Heather Hernandez-Reja has also lived in Spain, Denmark and London (where she was the Senior Sales Manager of Barbican Center, the “largest arts and confer...
THE RUSTIC QUILT, 12/20/18 Vinnies smokin BBQ, 12/27/18 River Stop Restaurant and Sports Bar, 1/3/19 The RV Store, 1/10/19 Nadine Scott, Broker, 1/17/19 THE WAYFARER RESORT, 1/24/19 Meyer’s General Store & Liquor Store, 1/31/19 THE CADDISFLY RESORT, LLC, 2/7/19 Patsy’s Stage Stop, 2/14/19 McKenzie Station Espresso (Pub), 2/21/19 McKenzie River Lavender, 3/14/19 INDIGO CAFÉ, 3/21/19 EVERYONE’S MARKET, 3/28/19 MCKENZIE FEED AND TACKLE, LLC - MCKENZIE TACKLE GUIDE SERVICE, 4/4/19 Judy Casad, Broker, 4/11/19 Heather Buch, County Commi...
RV Store By Dan Purkey Born and raised in the Springfield area, Gary Wilson has developed a One-Stop, locally owned, family-run RV service shop to cater to the needs of the McKenzie Highway corridor and beyond. After 20 years with Weyerhaeuser as a “log scaler,” the mill closed down and Weyerhaeuser paid for Gary to complete an RV tech school program. After completion, Gary worked for Burkett Trailer Sales Shop; and ultimately joined Al’s RV Store. When the owners of Al’s retired in 2007, Gary Wilson bought the business and changed the name to...
Nadine & sign By Dan Purkey Unbelievable circumstances have led extraordinary persons to become influential people in the development of the McKenzie River’s future! Over forty years ago, Nadine met Neil Scott on the Pan-American trail, via Guatemala, Hitchhiking! Neil’s parents owned the “Heaven’s Gates Cottages” in Vida, so Nadine and Neil moved to Vida to manage the “Cottages” for twelve years. After Neil’s parents sold the “Cottages,” Nadine started a business catering to weddings, in-home parties, and other events for seventeen years. Li...
Wayfarer boat By Dan Purkey The McKenzie River brings exceptional individuals together to create and develop beautiful and serene utopias! Such a place is the Wayfarer Resort, founded by Harry Sandstrom in the late ‘50’s, sold to Pat and Terry Patton and ultimately bought by Andy and Liz McWilliams in 2008. Andy grew up in the Fresno, California area and enrolled at the University of Oregon in 1977. While attending college, Andy lived and worked at “The Berry Patch” and caught the McKenzie River “fever.” In 1982, he started a successful...
Meyer's Store" src="http://www.mckenzieriverreflectionsnewspaper.com/sites/default/files/small_Meyer%27s%20Store.jpg" style="width: 180px; height: 154px; margin: 5px; float: left;" By Dan Purkey One may argue that the resiliency of the Meyer’s General Store and Liquor Store in Blue River can be seen in the nine lives of CC (The Cat) that has taken up residency at the store! The story of Blue River has been a roller-coaster ride dating back to the mid ‘40’s. During the logging days of the 50’s and 60’s, Meyer’s Store, the Save-A-Way Market, serv...
Caddisfly By Dan Purkey To know Dick and Doris Lauer is to know McKenzie River history. In the 1920’s, the Lauer/Dotson legacy began in the Deerhorn area and the development of the Walterville Powerhouse. Florence Lauer (Dick’s Mother) was relaxing in her new McKenzie home contemplating the name of the future family-owned resort. The date was the late ‘50’s, the homestead and the three cottages were almost completed but she needed a name! Then, suddenly, a caddisfly (larger than a mosquito, but loved by trout) appeared on the window of her dec...
Patsy's" src="http://www.mckenzieriverreflectionsnewspaper.com/sites/default/files/small_Patsy%27s.jpg" style="width: 180px; height: 135px; margin: 5px; float: left;" By Dan Purkey History strongly suggests that the Stage Stop was indeed, a spot where stages stopped along the McKenzie River trail in the early 1930’s. At that time, the Stage Stop was open for fur trading, with a mercantile store and a few small rooms housing pioneers - like river guide Roy Pruitt and his “painter” mother – Ina! In later years, Steve Roache took over the p...
McK Station By Dan Purkey Our story begins just northwest of the McKenzie Bridge, with a service station and a drive-thru espresso. Subsequently, a gift shop emerged, along with a lunch and dinner menu, a custom-designed bar (built by Chris Parazoo) and eventually a breakfast – dinner dining experience in a rustic ambiance with home cooking, handmade gifts and shared stories with local folk! From George Sherman, then Closen Christian and finally Cyndy Parazoo the Station Espresso became the McKenzie Station Espresso (Pub) in 2009. From...
McK Lavender By Dan Purkey Highlight July 12 to 14 on your calendar and attend the annual Lavender Festival on the McKenzie River, featuring the “Bloom on the Farm” and hosted by Carol and Charles (Chuck) Tannenbaum. You will be sure to enjoy the intoxicating “herb of relaxation,” the essential scented soaps, oils and sprays; and can also explore culinary treats, crafts, music and more! The McKenzie River Lavender Farm was created and is being nurtured by a remarkable lady, Carol Tannenbaum. Born in Georgia, raised in Alabama and educate...
Indigo By Dan Purkey There is no doubt the word “Indigo” has special significance to Linda Chmiel; beyond the tropical plant of the pea family, which was cultivated as a source of dark blue dye. Human Indigo adults are known for being intelligent, creative, promoting a healthy peaceful life and having an innate desire to make the earth better! After growing up in Englewood, California, and graduating from Cal State Long Beach in Fine Arts, Linda became a seeker of personal wisdom from the Sequoia National Park, covered wagon living, to Bre...
Everyone's Mkt" src="http://www.mckenzieriverreflectionsnewspaper.com/sites/default/files/small_Everyone%27s%20Mkt.jpg" style="width: 180px; height: 135px; margin: 5px; float: left;" By Dan Purkey Several weeks ago, according to what I have been told, we had one of the most damaging wet snowstorms in the last hundred years. Many of us are still recovering from the results of the storm. During the course of several weeks Everyone’s Market, under the leadership of Happy Dhami and a welcoming team of associates, chose to stay open - providing g...
McK Feed & Tackle By Dan Purkey In February of 2010, Chris and Michelle Wright officially became the owners of the McKenzie Feed and Tackle store, subsequently adding the McKenzie Tackle Guide Service (which is a passion of Chris since casting into a large yellow Tonka truck in his front yard at a very early age)! Transplanting from Dallas, Texas, Michelle met Chris at Thurston High School, became best of friends, married in 2009 and gave birth to a beautiful little girl: Sterling! Chris and his mom (Dani) learned the business originally from C...
Judy Casad By Dan Purkey We are honored to have Judy Casad and her husband as a significant part of our community for the last several years. Immersed in community involvement and educating families on all aspects of home ownership has been two hallmarks of Judy’s focus! Judy’s journey began in the Greater Seattle area, where she eventually moved to the City of Anacortes and began an extended career in the salon, hair design and day spa industry. I say “industry,” because she had a major impact as an industry trainer in all facets of the bus...
Blue Ridge By Dan Purkey Plato once said: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Such was the case for a young boy, adopted by a Canadian/American father and an American mother, who instilled in him a love for music and instruments at a very young age. Karl “Charlie” Klassen started his journey in Fargo, N.D., spent time in Tunis, Tunisia (His father was an orthopedic surgeon for CARE), two years with his family at the Mayo Clinic, then on to the University of Wiscons...
Organic Redneck By Dan Purkey When you bring together local, hardworking, blue collar, rural farmers who grow vegetables and fruits with no pesticides; you have just described the Organic Redneck Growers! As a few customers have noted: “Friendly staff with AMAZING produce and honey!!!....Nothing like fresh vegetables and …great fruit selection…” Family owned, Jack Richardson’s step-father and mother (Douglas and Carol) and siblings began organic farming years ago in Cottage Grove. In 1996, they bought 20+ acres along the McKen...
Riverview By Dan Purkey The secret of long term success is customer service and loving what you do! Let the customer speak: “Love the new ownership….Miss Ronda … is great and she’s hired some really friendly staff. Great place to stop for the really good coffees (incredible espresso bar!!) and hot breakfast/lunch items…” Ronda Maze has been in the family, local market business since age 11! Born in California, but transferred to Eugene at the age of 2 (The family wanted their children to be raised in the NW) she went to Sh...
McKenzie Valley Pump By Dan Purkey Water – the “elixir of life” – is one of the most important elements of life on earth. John F. Kennedy once said: “Anyone who can solve the problems of water is worthy of two Nobel prizes – one for peace and one for science.” Consequently, moving water from its source to a pump and into the home (problem solving and equipment installation) and maintaining clean water quality (treatment procedures) are absolutely essential! When one combines the above-statements with a quote from Ted West: ...
Downtown Spfd By Dan Egan, Vice-President of Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation The heart of Springfield is healthy and rocking……and waiting for you to visit! The anatomy of a healthy city includes a strong and distinctive heart a successful and growing downtown that pumps life into the entire community. Residents and visitors alike feel this vitality in a community with energy, an optimistic future, and people who work hard to make it happen. Twenty years ago, downtown Springfield was in trouble; trouble that had...
Vida Cafe By Dan Purkey Starting in the 1920’s as the Union Gas Station, the current Vida Cafe has gone through name changes and many important owners. The Cafe began in 1950, under George and Marie Miller (The Firs Cafe). In the late 60’s – early 70’s the name was changed to the Vida Cafe. After going through ten different owners, Susan Nelson and her family bought the Vida Cafe in 1995. Susan was known throughout the McKenzie valley for her home cooking and homemade pies! Wanting to retire from the ownership, Sue began talking with...
Hole in Wall By Dan Purkey Our story begins in 1992, when Richard and Linda Becker moved back to Oregon from Arizona. After searching for great BBQ and not finding it, they began making plans to open the Eugene Hole in the Wall BBQ (1993)! Starting with a limited menu and limited hours, their growing amount of customers wanted an expanded menu, more hours and homemade southern favorites…so they did! Richard and Linda were awarded the Regional Restaurateur of the Year (Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association) in 2008; then,...
Mather's Mkt" src="http://www.mckenzieriverreflectionsnewspaper.com/sites/default/files/small_Mather%27s%20Mkt.jpg" style="width: 180px; height: 135px; margin: 5px; float: left;" By Dan Purkey “Great location…. awesome little store…. all employees are super friendly…. great place for visitors and people fishing…worms, gas, life vests on loan and a good variety of products with good prices.” These are just a few of many reviews about Mathers Market! Sometime in the late ‘40s – early ‘50s, C. Harold Mathers...
Gryffs logo By Dan Purkey The City of Springfield welcomes the Gryffs Pub to the community! With a soft opening on May 13th and the Grand Opening in late June, the accolades are already rolling in: “Great food. Hip atmosphere. Creative cuisine. Large portions. Classic cocktails.” “…the staff is over the top good!” Ashley Summers (Founder and Owner of Gryffs Pub) was born and raised outside of Eugene in Elmira. Ashley was the eldest of 16, with most of her younger siblings adopted by her loving and giving parents! While Ashley went to...
Kley's garage" src="http://www.mckenzieriverreflectionsnewspaper.com/sites/default/files/small_Kley%27s%20garage.jpg" style="width: 180px; height: 180px; margin: 5px; float: left;" By Dan Purkey One of the treasures of Leaburg is Kley Repair and Service at 42763 McKenzie Highway. Originally built around 1929 as a Texaco Station (Leaburg Garage and Gas Station), it eventually became M & N Repair Service about 1969. 37 years ago, after the gas tanks were removed, Mike Kley bought the business and changed the name to KLEY REPAIR AND SERVICE! Under...
Herrick Family By Dan Purkey Have you ever walked into a business and immediately sensed generations of family history, and yet knew that they were still VERY up-to-date and relevant? That is exactly how I felt sitting down with three generations of the Herrick family: Vernon, Paula, JR, Briauna and Cameron (plus Lori and Stacie...not with us)! As reviewed by customers: “Amazing family run farm with great local products...Beautiful Food, awesome people.” Vernon (born in Minnesota) and Paula (a three generation Oregonian) originally met at Thu...
