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Helen M. Davis It was supposed to have been just another evening in August 1962. The weather was warm, the sky cloudless as a summer day should be. As the hour grew late, the sun dipped behind the coast range mountains and stars began to peek out one after the other from a background of velvet. Soon, the Perseid meteor shower would be visible as a celestial show worthy of the most experienced pyrotechnician. No one knew the tragedy that lay ahead, or the violent way two lives would end. It was just a time to spend plying the waters of Fern Ridge Reservoir and to enjoy a picnic as so many people do. It started out that way. But, as darkness engulfed area, a boat would be found floating sans passengers, two people would be missing, and their mutilated bodies would not be found until hours later when the lake was finally ready to reveal its gruesome harvest. Reports from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office reveal that Larry Little’s body was the first to be found. Located approximately 100 yards off the west shore, Little, 26, was determined to have drowned, though he also suffered extensive bruising and lacerations. Barbara Ketchum, 24, was found several hours later, also bearing contusions and cuts. Her face was badly wounded, and both of her eyes exhibited severe injuries. It was surmised that she had been stricken by the propeller upon falling overboard, but nobody knew for sure. Nobody knew also, how this seemingly innocent outing on a 14-foot, 60 horsepower boat could turn so deadly. Had they struck a stump that was not visible in the evening twilight? Had they lost their balance as the boat made a particularly sharp turn? Ketchum’s wristwatch had stopped at 10:00 p.m., leading investigators from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office to conclude that she and Little had met their fate soon after embarking on their ride, but all other evidence was scarce. All that was known irrefutably was that two young people were dead, two children were without a mother, and another child soon to be born would never know his or her father. Two families were forever altered and left with innumerable questions as to how this had occurred. Was over imbibing to blame for the loss of these two people far too soon, or was it just a case of inattentiveness? Could something even more sinister have been at play? No one will ever know. The story was taken to the respective graves of Larry Little and Barbara Ketchum where it remains. With another summer boating season upon us, it’s important that those who seek out fun on the water do so responsibly, so another tragedy of this magnitude does not occur. Flotation vests should be worn, and alcohol should be used in moderation if it has to be used at all. Drinking and boating, like drinking and driving, should never be combined for the safety of all who wish to enjoy time on or in the water. One must take care to watch for hazards so as not to become entangled and then capsize. Cold water shock, which causes the closing of blood vessels in the skin, which in turn causes an increase in blood flow, is a top cause of drowning. Heart rate also increases which causes the heart to work harder and the blood pressure rises. This can lead to heart attacks even in those who are young and enjoy good health. When skin is suddenly cooled by cold water this causes a person to gasp involuntarily for breath. Respiration rates can uncontrollably change, increasing as much as tenfold sometimes. All of these things factor in a feeling of panic being experienced, which increases the chance of aspirating water into the lungs. This can all take place rapidly; it only a half a pint of sea water entering the lungs is necessary for a fully grown man to begin to drown. So, what do we do to keep ourselves and those we love safe this summer? There are steps one can take to contend with cold water shock and reduce the chance of death. If you should find yourself in the water unexpectedly,
Boating encompasses many types of watercraft and activities for any adventure one can imagine, whether it be racing through whitewater rapids or relaxing on a peaceful lake. However, in order for it to be a fun and thrilling time, one should be prepared, possess the proper equipment, and know what to do in various situations as this can and does make a difference. The Pacific Ocean (including the surf zone) and rivers are the most characteristically dangerous. One should always make a point of scouting ahead, minding the tide, and deciding which route is safest and plan to expect the unexpected. The majority of accidents and fatalities are a result of falling overboard, errors/misjudgment on the part of the operator, and reckless behavior such as over imbibing. Think about how you would react if you fell overboard. Would you be able to rescue yourself? What would you do if you got caught in a snag? What would you do if your boat swung around, and the anchor line was near the prop? In boating, it is necessary to think and to act with intention. Understand how your boating impacts all those around you. It’s also incredibly important everyone wear a life jacket and dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.” Marine board officials said wearing a life jacket that fits properly is a key preventative measure. In test fitting, the wearer should lift their arms next to their head while a tester pulls the jacket from their shoulders, state officials said. OMB officials said the jacket is too big if it rises to the earlobes or higher. No other family should have to lose a loved one prematurely due to an entirely preventable calamity and, certainly, no other children should have to grow up without a parent nor should a parent have to bury a child because safety measures were not followed, or somebody chose to operate a boat while impaired. Summer should be a time to enjoy the outdoors and thrill in nature, not a time to say goodbye while being left to wonder, to say, “If only.” If we can all do our part to ensure our safety as well as the safety of one another, how much better it would be. No child deserves to have to go back to school and write a “What I Did Last Summer” essay that begins with, “I buried my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother,” because of what could have been avoided. Let’s let this be a summer where the police don’t have to respond to any drownings, where all that occurs out on the water and on the shore is fun rather than terror, and where there is the sound of laugher, rather than the sound of tears. Let’s let this be a summer of living, not dying.
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Helen M. Davis While it has been inspired by the culinary traditions of other countries, Japanese cuisine has taken and polished these elements to find its own exclusive style and habits. Circa 300 B.C., China was the first to lend its influence when the Japanese learned how to cultivate rice. The use of chopsticks and the consumption of tofu and soy sauce were also brought from China. Another influence that factored in the Japanese diet was the Buddhist religion, one of the two major religions in modern day Japan (the other is Shintoism). The rise of Buddhism in A.D. 700’s resulted in a ban on the consumption of meat. As a result, sushi, (raw fish with rice) came to be. Other countries engaged in trade with Japan starting in the early 1200s began to bring Western-style influences. The Dutch introduced white potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn while the Portuguese introduced tempura (batter frying). Cooking styles were simplified by the 1800s and small portions of a wide selection of vegetarian foods were served using one of five standard cooking practices. All foods were placed into five color groups (black-purple, green, red, white, and yellow) and six tastes (bitter, delicate, hot, salty, sour, and sweet). This system continues to this day. After a ban of more than a thousand years came to an end, beef made a return to Japan during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). During the later years of the twentieth century, western foods such as bread, coffee and ice cream rose in popularity. The introduction of time saving cooking processes is another western influence. Included are the electric rice cooker, instant miso (fermented soybean paste), instant pickling mixes, packaged foods such as instant noodles and soup. The Japanese, however, remain devoted to their traditions. Japanese cuisine is a favorite of many in this country and in this area, Kento's trucks can be seen parked off of 1st Street near the Guarantee Chevrolet lot in Junction City, across from the Grocery Outlet in Veneta and in Coburg. Owned by husband-and-wife Dave and Rita Wilkinson, who have parlayed one truck into four, Kento's is essentially as the words painted on the sides of the retrofitted RV’s says, “A hibachi on wheels.” This business of theirs came about quite by happenstance. They had sold their home and were living temporarily in an RV before moving into their new home. In the interim, they stored most of their belongings with Ryan Prosetyo, the then owner of Kento's, named for his brother. Prosetyo asked the Wilkinsons if they would be interested in buying the original Kento's from him and in 2022, a new venture for them was begun. Dave had experience in the food industry as he had been helping out at Valley Kitchen. The Wilkinsons assumed the contract and began to operate their Kento's truck on Chambers and 6th Street in Eugene before buying a second RV later that year and expanding to Veneta and then the third truck in Coburg. Currently, a fourth Kento's truck is being remodeled to replace the truck in Coburg, which is a rental, with Dave and his friends doing the work. The Veneta Kento's truck is actually on the move quite a bit as Kento's also does catering and has traveled to places such as Highpass Winery, Bennett Winery, 5th Street Market, and Junction City High School as well as any number of private parties. Occasionally, one truck will have to be closed in order to cover an event when a double booking happens to occur. Currently, the Wilkinsons have three employees but are hoping to add three more. Most customers of Kento's are regulars the Wilkinsons have gotten to know, and they have a healthy following on their Facebook page. Veterans are given a 10% discount as a way of saying ‘thank you’ for their service. When asked, they say the top five favorite dishes are steak and chicken, steak and shrimp, chicken and shrimp, steak and chicken and shrimp, and double steak. All orders come with rice and a broccoli, zucchini, carrot and onion combo. Kento's also sells egg rolls, chicken filled pot stickers, shrimp tempura, fried calamari, and vegetarian meals that are mainly tofu. Their hours are 11:00 – 8:00 and they are closed on Wednesdays (until they hire more employees). This venture of the Wilkinsons may not have been something they had aspired to undertake, but it is something they love, and they have made their mark on the food scene. It is a calling they did not know they had but were willing to respond to and are glad they heeded. Whether this will translate to a brick-and-mortar Kento’s is unknown as they search for the perfect location, but the Wilkinsons continue to work hard to provide good food and good service to those who patronize their trucks. They take pride in providing a meal that will make those who try their offerings want to come back time and again. With its history and its influences going back centuries, Japanese cuisine is an olio of tastes and colors and traditions. Dave and Rita Wilkinson do their best to honor this history and in so doing, have made a name for themselves locally. Given how quickly they have grown their business in such a short time, it makes one wonder what else might lay in store for Kento's, ‘the hibachi on wheels.’  By
Helen M. Davis When Robby Meyers began Tri City Directory a little over a year ago, it was with the objective of making local business accessible to people who live in the area. Focusing on the towns of Monroe, Harrisburg and Junction City, he wanted to help people find out where to obtain goods and services. He also wanted to help small businesses compete with the large by affordably marketing to locals. These goals have not changed, but the name of the website has. TriCityDirectory.org has been re-branded as LongTomRiver.com in order to reflect that it now encompasses the entire Long Tom region, which includes all towns that reside between Corvallis and Eugene. Meyers has worked in the field of business and marketing ever since graduating from Heald Business College in the San Francisco Bay area at the age of 19. Shortly after graduation, he acquired a job running a company in which he acted as a middleman between homeowners and contractors. This experience inspired an interest in the niche of home services and also in helping to connect businesses and consumers. Meyers eventually began his own venture in Santa Cruz, California that reviewed businesses in much the way that Yelp! does. He has also worked in graphic design. Now residing in Monroe, he runs the Long Tom River (TriCityDirectory.org) site which has received helpful support from local businesses. Specializing in the construction and retail industries, the site offers cost effective advertising and marketing strategies so business owners do not have to go it alone. Not only does Meyers use online advertising he also incorporates old school marketing tactics like billboard (truck ad) and door hangers. Meyers' five-year business plan is coming together nicely and he is excited to create more projects that further the promotion of Long Tom River and the other businesses involved. The Long Tom River site also offers a directory of businesses by category, as well as a listing of women owned businesses, home services, and a food and drink guide. More recently, a page for local news was added in lieu of a local paper after the demise of the Fern Ridge News Tribune. This page hosts articles of general interest about happenings in the Long Tom River communities. You can contact Robby Meyers at LongTomRiver.com by phone at 541.995.7222 or through Email.
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