Golden Spike Report
November 30, 2009 on 2:46 pm | In Mountain Biking | 1 CommentProgress continues on the Golden Spike re-route. Joel is looking at Saturday or Sunday for the next work party. Looks like the gates will not be open, so workers should plan on a six-mile ride in. Joel will have details by mid-week. Friday: Joel and Brad Burger [Continue Reading]
Dara Hartman Announces Studio Sales
November 29, 2009 on 3:14 am | In Mountain Biking | No CommentsPacific Northwest artist and GGG biking stud Dara Hartman will hold two studio sales to close the year. The first will be at her home on December 5th and 6th. The other will be at Acanthus in Portland on December 12th and 13th. It’s always a stretch to raise [Continue Reading]
Terrorists Publish List of Demands – Episode #2
November 27, 2009 on 2:38 pm | In Mountain Biking | 3 CommentsI was dreaming again. No Palin. No O’Reilly. No Hannity. This time, the only mounting that was about to be done was me climbing onto the pimped-out Turner Sultan waiting in my garage. Then the doorbell rang, and I realized immediately that there was no [Continue Reading]
Terrorists Strike Growlers Gulch Racing! – Episode #1
November 25, 2009 on 1:45 pm | In Mountain Biking | 8 CommentsI was having a dream – Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly were taking turns goin’ rogue on Sarah Palin. Sarah was telling them to stick with it; she could just about see Russia. And then the phone rang and the real nightmare began. A surly voice on [Continue Reading]
Spike Reroute Cranks Up on Sunday
November 24, 2009 on 1:29 pm | In Mountain Biking | No CommentsJoel Rogauskus is recruiting trail dogs to assist with a 4.3-mile reroute of the Golden Spike Trail that connects Stella with Growlers Gulch. There are two options: Meet Joel at the top of Coal Creek Road and Woodside Drive at 9:30 on Sunday. He can provide [Continue Reading]
Growlers Work Party Draws Huge Crowd
November 23, 2009 on 2:39 pm | In Mountain Biking | 8 Comments[caption id="attachment_2564" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Somebody has to inspect the line"][/caption] Despite the wind and rain, 66 people showed to build new trail at Growlers Gulch on November 21st, nearly doubling the total of volunteers at the 2008 [Continue Reading]
Powell Butte Needs Help
November 22, 2009 on 5:08 pm | In Mountain Biking | No CommentsDennis Veatch has asked me to post this information regarding the Powell Butte system in Portland. Responses – which can be delivered at the bottom of this post - must be submitted by Friday, November 27th. “The Powell Butte’s Trail plan is under [Continue Reading]
Golden Spike Re-route Underway
November 20, 2009 on 1:47 pm | In Mountain Biking | 1 CommentJoel Rogauskus has announced that the re-route of the Golden Spike, which connects the Stella and Growlers Gulch trail systems, has been fully scouted and flagged, and is ready for trail work. The re-route distance is 4.3 miles, heading west from the previous [Continue Reading]
Growlers Gulch Racing Welcomes LT
November 18, 2009 on 4:10 pm | In Mountain Biking | 5 CommentsOur newest rider and trailbuilder – Leon Thomas “LT” Mueller – was born at 4:22 p.m. on November 13. He is 7.7 pounds and 19 inches. [caption id="attachment_2374" align="alignright" width="448" caption="Preparing for Saturday's big work [Continue Reading]
Work Groups, Locations for Saturday
November 17, 2009 on 5:39 pm | In Mountain Biking | 2 CommentsAll systems are go for Saturday. We have a great crew and are looking forward to completing four sections of new line. Looks like rain. Dress accordingly. If you check below and know precisely where your group will be working, you can simply drive or ride to that [Continue Reading]
Floyd LeBaron Coached Basketball, Taught Life
November 13, 2009 on 3:25 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute, Stories by Jim LeMonds | 4 CommentsThis column was published in the Daily News on November 13, 2009 When I was a kid growing up in Castle Rock during the 1950s and ‘60s, I never missed a home basketball game. I dreamed of wearing the red-and-white and playing for Rocket coach Floyd LeBaron. I got [Continue Reading]
Short Quotes from Former Players
November 12, 2009 on 9:32 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsJim Hansch (1956): “Coach was a real competitor and a real inspiration to me. I’ve always thought the world of him.” Steve Hansen (1957): “When you played for Coach LeBaron, you hustled your butt off. He was all about discipline, fundamentals, [Continue Reading]
Six New Trail Lines Under Construction at Growlers
November 12, 2009 on 6:06 pm | In Mountain Biking | No CommentsThe trail gnomes have been busy. In anticipation of a big turnout for our mega-work party on Saturday, November 21, we have been flagging as much new stuff as possible. Four of the lines are in the Secret Garden area; one is the down off of Creation and headed [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Ken Burgoyne, ‘69
November 11, 2009 on 10:24 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsCoach LeBaron had a knack for elevating your game. Not just the game of basketball but the game of life as well. He was a man that always had concern for others but seemingly never for himself. One of my most cherished times with Coach was when Rand got us together [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Dave LeMonds, ‘72
November 11, 2009 on 2:23 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsThe start of the ‘72 season was a train wreck. Before the very first game (maybe even before practices got going) several starters quit the team in apparent protest to Floyd and his “old-school” coaching style. We were left with one returning [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Coach Charley Baker
November 11, 2009 on 2:13 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsAs a coach and teacher Floyd LeBaron did a most excellent job, not only in knowing how to win but also in helping many exceed beyond their own expectations. Floyd was a treasured and tremendous friend that I enjoyed spending time with, whether it was going [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Jack Gillen
November 11, 2009 on 1:45 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsMy grandpa was, simply put, a legend. He taught me everything I know today about life. Spending time with him was always a joy. Whether it was on the basketball court, on the links, or fishing on the river, just being in his presence was something special. Win [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Don LeBaron
November 11, 2009 on 1:44 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsMy uncle Floyd accomplished so much in his life, and I speak for everyone in our family when I say we love this man. Most will focus on the strength of his teaching and coaching, but I will always cherish the way he loved people. With kindness and sincerity he [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Rob Hippi
November 11, 2009 on 1:44 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsCoach LeBaron was a friend and mentor to me during my time as a high school basketball coach. My dad (Ted Hippi) met Coach LeBaron during a summer session at the U.W. in the early ’50s and they became friends. When dad left the Rock in 1953 to teach and [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Jim Burgoyne, ‘59
November 11, 2009 on 1:44 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsIn the years I’ve coached football at Castle Rock, I’ve tried to pass on to the young players the same values taught to me by Coach Lebaron. Be a good student, person, and citizen. Treat your teachers, fellow students, and opponents with respect. As far [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Hal Williams, ‘55
November 11, 2009 on 1:44 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsFloyd LeBaron taught and coached at Concrete High School from 1948 until 1953. During these years he assisted in football and was head coach in boys’ basketball and baseball where he compiled winning records in both sports. During his last three seasons at CHS [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Carol Belany Rutledge, ‘60
November 11, 2009 on 1:44 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsIn our lives a few people stand tall above the rest and Floyd LeBaron was one of those special people. As a cheerleader in 1959-60, he made us feel as important as the team, and we felt honored to be representing Castle Rock . In the late 1960,s I was employed at [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Kurt Smith, ‘60
November 11, 2009 on 1:43 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsI had a chance to work with Floyd for a brief time when I returned to Castle Rock as junior high principal from 1973-’75. At that time, he was still teaching. I remember having a difficult time thinking of him as “Floyd.” He was always the [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Randi Buker Gay, ‘69
November 11, 2009 on 1:43 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsMy relationship with Floyd and Sue was as one of the local kids, and through Linda and I being best buds forever. It gave me a wonderful chance to be one of Floyd’s kids. He was a fantastic example of a dad, even to an extra daughter like myself. I will [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Bob Rockett, ‘61
November 11, 2009 on 1:43 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsMr. LeBaron was a very dedicated teacher and coach. During my senior year, I had a life-threatening injury from football. Naturally, I wanted to play basketball at all costs. Coach LeBaron pulled me out of class for a “man-to-teenager” talk. He [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Rob Andrew, ‘69
November 11, 2009 on 1:43 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsI remember halftime of one game whenn we weren’t playing well. Coach was trying to impress upon us the importance of getting ourselves mentally prepared. Apparently, we weren’t paying attention. He didn’t yell or jump up and down but he smacked [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Sam Cooley, ‘69
November 11, 2009 on 1:42 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsFor the ‘69 team, Coach LeBaron was our mentor and a true father figure to us. Floyd dedicated his life to not only making us better basketball players, but better people. There are so many memories of Coach that I have, but the one that stands out was when [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Jim Andrew, ‘71
November 11, 2009 on 1:42 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsAt this point in our lives, we’ve all had time to reflect on our playing days with Coach. I was so, so fortunate to be a part of a three-year varsity career with him that included three league titles, three trips to the district and state tournaments and a [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Bob Chastain, ‘62
November 11, 2009 on 1:42 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsCoach taught me that hard work, discipline, sacrifice and being a good person were more important than being a good basketball player. He was such a great role model for all of us who played for him. He also expected all of us to perform at a high level in the [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Mike Berndt, ‘71
November 11, 2009 on 1:42 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsOne of the most memorable and influential of Coach LeBaron’s personality traits was his ability to remain a gentleman and maintain the highest standards of civility in the most adverse and unfair of circumstances. He was always a class act. I remember vividly [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Richard McBride, ‘62
November 11, 2009 on 1:41 pm | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsI always called him “Mr. LeBaron” and still think of him as Mr. LeBaron – our teacher, coach, role model – and I always will. I have a lot of good memories about Mr. LeBaron, our team and our high school community at that time. If I remember [Continue Reading]
Reminisces – Larry Downing, ‘62
November 11, 2009 on 3:24 am | In Coach Floyd LeBaron Tribute | No CommentsI think it was a dream come true for any player that put on a Castle Rock Rocket uniform to play for Coach LeBaron. The character and ability of each player is different, and he had a way of bringing himself down to your level, working on your skills and then [Continue Reading]
Ed Strong Recovering at Home
November 8, 2009 on 2:35 pm | In Mountain Biking | 1 CommentAfter undergoing surgery at OHSU on Tuesday to remove five small tumors in his brain, local mountain biking legend Ed Strong is now recovering at home. “I stopped to see him, and he is doing as well as might be expected,” said Vaughn Martin, Ed’s [Continue Reading]
Board of Directors Sets Date for Mega-Work Party at Growlers
November 4, 2009 on 1:46 pm | In Mountain Biking | 12 CommentsThis is it. Mark Saturday, November 21st on your calendar in permanent ink. Cancel anything that was previously on there. Our core group will do some additional trail work in the coming months, but we have set November 21st as our annual mega-trail work day. We ask [Continue Reading]
Ed Strong Undergoes Surgery
November 4, 2009 on 1:46 pm | In Mountain Biking | 2 CommentsLocal biking legend Ed Strong underwent brain surgery at OHSU on Tuesday, November 3rd. A large tumor that was partially removed in 2002 has returned and additional surgery was necessary. Ed’s good friend and biking buddy, Vaughn Martin, said that it is [Continue Reading]
GGG Going Strong
November 4, 2009 on 1:33 pm | In Mountain Biking | 4 CommentsThe Growlers Gulch Girls celebrated their one-year anniversary with a group ride at Growlers on October 31st. Numbers were down a bit because of nasty weather, but Melanie Norris, Dara Hartman, Denise Livingston, Sam Loney, and Tonya Breedlove didn’t let [Continue Reading]
Centralia Brewing Legend Passes
November 2, 2009 on 3:48 pm | In Stories by Jim LeMonds | No CommentsDick Young, founder of Dick’s Brewery in Centralia and one of the pioneers in the world of Pacific Northwest microbrews, died unexpectedly in late October. I wrote a feature about Dick in 2005 that was published in the Daily News. The story is below. Keep [Continue Reading]