Yesterday we celebrated a little boy, Michael King born on Jan. 15, 1929, to the Rev. Michael King and Alberta Williams King gave a speech in 1963 that we still remember today. How many speeches by present day leaders are remembered, except for a few quotes. Those quotes repeated primarily to complain by half that keep them going. The only pastor that American honors with a day bearing his name as a national holiday.

When the Rev King went to a conference in German in 1934 he was inspired by the reformer, Martin Luther changed his name and the name of his son, to Martin Luther King. Young Martin followed in the footsteps of both his grandfather and father and served in at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Not long ago I was reminded of Martin Luther King Jr. stirring speech from 1963 when an English Class at Happy Camp High School Class looked at it in depth for a study of rhetoric.

“And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
“I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
“I have a dream today!
“I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
“I have a dream today!
“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”…
“And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
“Free at last! Free at last!
“Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

what a busy and fun week we have had in the snow in Happy Camp! And next week will be more activities as we close out the school year for 2013. Time has flown so fast, and this month is the busiest and most fun, even if it also has been the coldest and snowy as can be!!

Yesterday was the Holiday Fair “Second Act” at the Grange. Their “first” was on a Saturday a week before, but the snow kept people away and so they’ve given us another chance!! The Grange is one of those quiet organizations that has done so much good in Happy Camp for so many years. They continue to provide for all sorts of town meetings, and gatherings from weddings to funerals for Happy Campers. They’ve won national awards with their community service projects, at Happy Camp Cemetery and building the River Park as well as other things we too often take for granted.

Thank you to those that support them and the local crafters and vendors who had an amazing number of things for sale at the Holiday Fair. A donation or membership renewal of $30 would be a welcome way to keep them serving the community.

Did you know that Bigfoot has been sighted? Yes! It is true. It’s even on the flier from the Happy Camp Elementary School announcing their program TONIGHT. HCES presents Bigfoot Christmas! Rush down so you don’t miss this program at 6:30 pm at the high school. There will be hot bowls of soup by the eighth graders $5. They are always wonderful to behold from the little kindergarteners up! And the original play will be starring Bigfoot!! You won’t want to miss it and the students will give your spirits warmth and happiness. Everyone is invited!

Wednesday will be the Winter Concert with program by the high school students of Happy Camp High! I heard that there was singing in the halls of the high school last week and that it was good!! You won’t want to miss that on Wednesday. Before the program you can also enjoy a lasagna dinner for only $8 which will be greatly appreciated by the High School. There will also be a silent auction. You’ll want to see what is offered at the auction and help out the high school yearbook funds.

Then Saturday will be an old time Christmas Carol Sing a Long at Parry’s Market from 5 pm to 6 pm. If you enjoy singing the songs of the season, singing with friends, join the caroling and then join Happy Camp Christian Fellowship at the Happy Camp Elementary School for free beverages, snacks and “The Nativity” movie. If you want further information, give Kirk Eadie a call at 493-2801 or 598-1549,
Friday is the last day of school until we return to the regular scheduled education on January 6, 2014. The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce will start the New Year with their monthly meeting January 7th. Neighborhood Watch and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) meet on January 8th so your new calendar will have something on it to look forward to—especially that week!! As your organizations plan events and activities for the new year, please share them if you wish me to include them in the news to all our Klamath River Neighbors!! Thanks so much!!

A big thank you to all who helped with the Community Tree Lighting in the snow storm a week ago Friday evening, Thanks to Dan Bushy and Dennis Day who worked all day to get the tree ready for the evening, and all the shoveling and snowy drifts that involved. Even though the tree wasn’t flocked, it became so, naturally by evening!! Thanks to the ladies at the Scott Valley Bank that popped lots of popcorn, Parry’s who provided bags to hand out and Dolly Elston who heated up the warm cider Klamath River Resort Inn donated. The snacks kept the singers warm. Thanks to all those who would have brought musical instruments if they’d not had to keep them out of the snow, especially Kirk Eadie. Siskiyou Daily News shared songs of the seasons for the event! A special thanks to all those who sang their hearts out without accompaniment! That was such fun!! Thanks to Bill Estes and Santa who planned to come and were willing to, despite the snow!!

Thanks to all who supported the Chamber Rifle Raffle also! Congratulations to Mike Gomes who won the rifle from Don’s Sporting Goods.

Since this is the time of the year when giving, and gifts are uppermost in our mind, thanks to all those who supported Friday’s Bake Sale to benefit Chris, Tara and little Taylor and the baby on the way. Marble Mountain also has a Gift Basket Raffle for the proceeds to help the Ware family with health needs when there are health needs. Thanks to all who contribute. Happy Camp is always so generous when these traumatic needs come to the lives of our Klamath neighbors, and this is no exception. There is still time to contribute at Marble Mountain Gift Co. Thanks to all who give and we hope it will be a blessing in their lives.

Warm Welcomes on a hot day at the River Park

No matter that the heat in the park would soar over 105 later in the day, it was a beautiful morning! The air was fresh and optimistic for a great Karuk Reunion. This is the 17fh year that the Karuk Tribe has held a reunion and it was wonderful. The Chairman, Buster Attebery welcomed everyone, and Sonny Davis gave a Karuk prayer. After a moment of silence for those who have passed from our worldly community, there was a recognition of the elders. Le Loni had prepared gifts for the full blooded Karuk’s: Lucille (Johnson) Albers, Charron Davis, Nancy (Jerry) Super and Charlie Thom, Sr. Le Loni also had mugs for 73 members who are 85 and older. Robert Super was the Master of Ceremonies and the sound system was operated by Scott Nelson and Josh Hillman.

Everyone dispersed to enjoy the various vendors and activities for the day. Storytelling, guest speakers, and girls traditional dress show by Julie Burcell were presented. Traditional Indian Games as well as Brush Dance demonstration as well as poker, watermelon eating contest and horseshoe games. There was fun for the children when the water slide arrived! They also enjoyed face painting, bubble making, and throwing darts at balloons for prizes!

Dion Wood was handing out t-shirts to color. Usually the coloring enthusiasts are mostly the young, but I noticed this year that all ages were represented; It is the image of a Karuk basket, surrounded by a dozen salmon.

I was amazed at energetic Zumba dancing in the heat. There were bottles of water available to all, and a shaded tent to sit and rest with misters in several locations.

The Reunion actually started Friday night for the youth with events at Headway followed by a Teen Dance at the Karuk Gymnasium. Saturday morning started with a 5K run and a 2 mile fun Walk with Jaclyn Goodwin.

But, of course, the best thing about the Reunion is the opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors, especially those who return to Happy Camp. Robert Foster stopped by the Chamber and said he was related to the Titus and Whittaker families. Aunts, uncles and cousins were receiving hugs all around. It was a good time catching up with the happy news and new additions to families as well as difficulties of the past year.

Three very special young girls were a delight to see at the Karuk Reunion1

Wednesday evening was also a Happy Camp Coordinating Committee of Government to Government meeting. The panel there was from the Forest Service, Community Services District, Fire District and Happy Camp Elementary School as well as Buster Attebery from the Karuk Tribe.

The importance of getting input during comment opportunities about proposed Forest Service projects was emphasized. Buster Attebery, Tribal Chairman, shared that the 2010 Ordinance makes consultation with the Tribe not only desirable, but they “must” consult with the Tribe.

Several projects and possible shut downs of local sales were discussed and will be further researched. It was appreciated how tribal ecological knowledge and that of other local long time residents would be invaluable to the successful efforts to improve the forests for the vegetation, wildlife habitat, jobs and fire safety. The heavy load of forest fuels for coming fires in the dry summer seemed to be a universal a concern of all those participating.

Several questions were also asked about Siskiyou County Roads work from Bill Lahue. He mentioned that not being able to afford update equipment, and the price of materials like asphalt continue to rise. We may take the Road Department for granted, but it would be quite serious if we had no one to plow the roads when we have a serious snow incident such as we did at the end of December last year!

Tentative date for the next Coordination Meeting is June 25th at 6:30 at the Grange.