Rescues in Happy Camp

Happy Camp Heroes Work Together to the Rescue

Frank Henderson, Doreen Mitchell, Darleen Fehley, Charles Fehley, Jody Henderson, Kay Henderson and Floyd Henderson when Darleen pinned the CPR save pins on the six Happy Camp Volunteer Ambulance Crewmembers whose quick response and professional care gave her a second chance at life.

We have heroes living in our midst along the beautiful wild Klamath River. They may not look like a hero when you see them day to day, but they are! It takes some special need, some crisis, and then we see that the neighbor, whom we thought was a common ordinary person, really is a hero! There are times when you appreciate a friend for years, and then they step forward and stand up for the right, and all of a sudden you realize what a hero they are and you never before recognized it.

A couple of weeks ago, there was a meeting, and some Happy Camp heroes were acknowledged. Back on January 10th a call came in for an ambulance. Six members of the Happy Camp Volunteer Ambulance Crew answered that call. A Happy Camp woman was in distress and they quickly followed the proper procedure and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation known as CPR. CPR is a manual method to keep the heart beating in an emergency situation. Their quick action and care gave her a second chance at life.

Although she was not out of the woods yet, the Ambulance crew quickly transferred her care to the crew and pilot of Mercy Flight 105 from Medford, Oregon. They continued her care as they airlifted her to ‘Rogue Valley Medical Center for further treatment and care. Instead of a sad loss for a Happy Camp family the life of this woman was saved.

That was the reason for the honor bestowed on the Happy Camp Heroes a couple of weeks ago. Darleen Fehley presented CPR Save Pins to the six Happy Camp Volunteer Ambulance Crewmembers who responded on that day. They were Frank Henderson, Jodi Henderson, Doreen Mitchell, Diane Lebiciicchim, Kay Henderson and Floyd Henderson. When Charley told me how this crew had saved the life of Darleen, I was amazed that I hadn’t heard of this remarkable achievement previously. They were just doing their job, an unpaid volunteer job, and they could feel happy to be able to help. Darleen and Charley wanted to thank the Happy Camp Ambulance Crew, the crew of Mercy Flight 105 from Medford and Bob and Trista Parry who gave him time off from his job at Parry’s Market to be with Darleen during this time.

They can use your help and mine to do their job better, Please support them when they have the next Bake Sale. They had one at Parry’s Market on Valentine’s Day and they will be having another. The fundraising is for equipment that is important, and may save your life, or the life of someone near and dear to you in the future. They also have to fundraise for training that they need to have to keep current on the job training. When you see the Ambulance Bake Sale, or the t-shirts that they sell, please give them your support.

Just the other evening, another Happy Camp woman was walking in her yard, just as she and her family had done many times before. However this time was different and the ground gave way and she fell in what appeared to be an old septic tank from before happy Camp had sewer service. Andrea was stuck and although Dan Stuart tried to rescue her, he was unable to get her out of the predicament. Again Happy Camp Heroes came to the rescue. The Highway Patrol officer was there and soon the Volunteer Fire and Volunteer Ambulance workers came to the call and successfully rescued Andrea. Her first concern was for the baby who is due in several weeks, but Andrea and the baby survived the ordeal and were safely assisted to get out of the predicament

Siskiyou Alliance Meets for the New Year

It seems as if we have had quite a few trips out of town lately for dentist and such, but Tuesday was a very pleasurable meeting with the Chamber Alliance at the Siskiyou County Economic Development offices in Yreka . The Chamber Alliance sort of replaces the old Associate Chamber of Commerce where all of the Chambers of Commerce of the county got together on a regular basis to find out how we could work together. I well remember a great luncheon meeting at Oak Bar along the Klamath where we met a few years ago. It was fantastic to become acquainted with that historic lodging that shouted out the history those walls had seen in the past. There are so many charming spots in our county that we are unaware of and truly are gems to find!

At the meeting Tuesday, Marie from Mount Shasta began the meeting with introductions all around and it was a joy to see represented, Mr. Shasta, Yreka, McCloud as well as Happy Camp. Marie came down to Happy Camp to meet with the board of directors of our Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce to assist with a number of legal questions and bylaw revisions and has always been such a help to our small chambers. We are looking forward to a spring gathering of Chamber Alliance in Yreka for further training. In the summer, when Jim Mullins’s Mt. Shasta Ski Park is less busy, we hope to have a gathering in Mount Shasta and October they may come to Happy Camp for a meeting, according to the tentative schedule. We will be so delighted to have members of the Chambers from all over the county come and visiting us and October it is a beautiful drive along the river!

The last mixer in Weed was a good place to chat with folks from Weed and other Chambers and we missed not seeing any of those friends had been able to make the Yreka meeting this week. Siskiyou Daily News was well represented and shared how they help businesses which was encouraging. I remember when the Happy Camp Chamber held ribbon cuttings for many a new business in town and we are always happy for the opportunity to share in the celebration of a new business as well as any other positive happenings in the business community!

There were also three representatives who sit on the board of Collier’s Information and Interpretive Center, Grace Bennet, Suzanne Birch and Marie truly a asset for out communities down the Klamath River highway! They are on their way to becoming a California Welcome Center which is quite logical as they do serve to welcome all the travelers coming south along Interstate 5 from Oregon. The traffic that they get stopping at the Center and the rest area probably is the highest concentration of travelers in the county with whom we can share the news of all the wonderful activities and things to do and see in our County!

Other Chambers in the county appreciate their volunteers and no chamber has better volunteers than the Happy Camp chamber!! We discussed starting an Ambassadors program at the Tuesday night meeting after the Chamber Alliance. We also discussed the Spaghetti Dinner at the Grange March 6th. All of the business owners are most welcome to come. there will be Business Fair from 5 to 7 while food is served and then the annual business meeting begins at 7 o’clock so mark your calendar! The board voted to keep the dues the same as last year, $50. This was a difficult decision as some felt it should be raised to account for the new office space and opportunities to share their promotional materials with more visitors to our community, but in light of the difficult times we are living in, the board kept it the same.
Suzanne Birch from Enjoy Magazine shared a gift box of goodies from the Enjoy store in Redding as she also told us about Marketing opportunities through the magazine which covers the north state.

Winter Solstice Bonfire under Giant Dream Catcher

Wednesday was the night for the Burning under the Giant Dream Catcher.
Thanks to Jeff for getting a great bonfire going! It was a very chilly evening but the bonfire area was warm and toasty.

Dennis Day had the hot cider heated on a camp stove, and Dolly Elston had popped popcorn that afternoon. Mark also brought chips and salsa.

Many thanks to Patty Sherman, our local yoga and drumming instructor, for not only coming and drumming, but for bringing a fascinating assortment of drums and other instruments. They were great! Others, like Terri Winslow also brought a drum or instrument and there was some singing, even new songs created for the occasion.

A scarecrow figure of a fisherman, representing a poor fishing season, was guest of honor. Lists of things they are going to “let go of,” were burned in the bonfire and people had a chance to have “their say” on things from rescuing cats to keeping children and families safe together. Bob Schmalzbach shared about the new Internet radio program from Happy Camp on IF radio!

The Chamber of Commerce bonfire took place Wednesday, Winter Solstice night under the Giant Dream Catcher, lit up with lights for the occasion. It was a good time, with music and refreshments around a warm bonfire! The best was seeing friends and neighbors we hadn’t seen for awhile, but stopped by for awhile to visit and sing or drum. Dennis shared the “Rebuild the Dream,” which seemed a quite logical beneath the giant Dream Catcher.

Next year’s winter solstice has reportedly believed by some people to be a momentous occasion of some sort according to the Mayan calendar. Since the Bible says only God knows when the end of the age will come, I’m sure the Mayans didn’t know either, but makes life interesting with all the rumors! We wonder what progress will be made to “Rebuild the Dream” (as the American Dream needs some work in the coming days.) But that’s why it is so great to have a new beginning as we see the New Year turn a new leaf on the calendar. A very Happy New Year to all!

Community Holiday Events Coming in December

HOLIDAY BAZAAR SAtURDAY At the Grange
The Happy Camp Grange #395 will be having the annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, December 3rd. 10 AM to 4 PM. They always have so many local artists and crafters with wonderful masterpieces and fun crafts to share. There will be homemade soup, dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls sold throughout the day so you’ll want to come for lunch too! The reason for informing you this far in advance (although you may wish to put it on your calendar) or that you may wish to share your art or craft items there. Last day to reserve table space will be November 28th,, but you most likely want to get some craft or art items ready to sell by then! So have fun. The days are getting chilly and what a better opportunity to sit by the fire and knit or paint or enjoy whatever your favorite hobby is! Contact Ruth Bain 493-2989 for further information or to arrange for a table!

Holiday Packages for the Troops
Support our local armed service men and women through the Chamber of Commerce. Holiday Care Packages for our local troops has a deadline for mailing in mid-November so we need your help now. If you know of anyone from the local area serving in the military, please let the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce know so that we can send them packages for the Holiday. Please get them in early. Anything you would like to send is welcome: letters, holiday cards, donations, or gifts for the packages. Please call Rosemary Boren (493-2800) or Chamber of Commerce (493-2900) or drop off donations to be included in the packages at Forest Lodge or the Chamber Office at 35 Davis Road. We would like to send them a little bit of home and the community’s appreciation for all they do! Great time to make sure they get some appreciation from home! We want to send to Seiad Valley servicemen or women also so please remember them.

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