Lakeside: Independence Day Celebration

Saturday, May 3rd 2008 July 3-5
Lakeside: Independence Day Celebration. Events will include a street fair, classic car show on Thursday, bake sales and other activities. Fireworks are planned at dusk on Saturday, July 5. For info: Dodie Guin, 759-3687.

Chambers of Commerce, visitor centers

Monday, May 5th 2008 REEDSPORT/WINCHESTER BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE — The Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is located in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area building at the junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 38. The building foyer is open 24 hours and has brochures, information and maps. Information also is available at http://www.reedsportcc.org or by calling (800) 247-2155 or (541) 271-3495 or by e-mail at info@reedsportcc.org.
COASTAL VISITOR CENTER — 1020 Lighthouse Road, Winchester Bay; (541) 271-4631.
WINCHESTER BAY MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION — P.O. Box 1143, Winchester Bay, OR 97467; http://www.winchesterbay.org/
LAKESIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE — on Lake Avenue, P.O. Box 333, Lakeside, OR 97449; (541) 759-3981; (541) 759-3011.

Emergency information

Monday, May 5th 2008 The Western Douglas County area is served by the Reedsport Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office patrols in the Lakeside area. Volunteer fire departments have emergency responders. The U.S. Coast Guard has a lifeboat station in Winchester Bay in case of emergencies on the ocean. The Lower Umpqua Hospital is available for emergency care.

Emergency information Note: Area code for all numbers is 541. For an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

In Reedsport:
REEDSPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT — 271-2100.
REEDSPORT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT — 124 N. Fourth St.; 271-2423 for business. LOWER UMPQUA HOSPITAL — 600 Ranch Road; 271- 2171.
DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE — 680 FirAve. ; 271-4802

In Winchester Bay:
WINCHESTER BAY FIRE DISTRICT — 10th and Broadway; 271-3808 for business. U.S. COAST GUARD — Umpqua River Lifeboat Station; 271-2138 for business, 271-8417 for marine weather.

In Gardiner:
GARDINER RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT — 208 Marsh St.; 271-3515 for business.

In Elkton:
ELKTON RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT — junction of state Highway 138 and state Highway 38; 584-2300.

In Lakeside:
LAKESIDE RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT — 759-3931.
COOS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE — Coos County Courthouse, 250 N. Baxter, Coquille; 756-202, ext. 371.

General information

Monday, May 5th 2008 Newspaper
UMPQUA POST, P.O. Box 145, 456 Fir Ave., Reedsport OR 97467; (541) 271-7474; (541) 271-2821; www.theumpquapost.com; www.heartofthedunes.info; umpquapost@theworldlink.com.

Pharmacies
REEDSPORT PHARMACY, 1409 Highway Ave., Reedsport OR 97467; (541) 271-3631.
UMPQUA DRUG, 1941 Winchester Ave, Reedsport, OR 97467; (541) 271-2139.

Veterinary hospitals
LOWER UMPQUA VETERINARY CLINIC, 199 Dock Road, Reedsport, OR 97467; (541) 271-4696.
OSBURN VETERINARY CLINIC, 130 East RailroadAve., Reedsport, OR 97467; (541) 271-5824.

Resource center
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER,5 St. John’s Way, Reedsport, OR97467; (541) 271-9700.Senior center
LOWER UMPQUA SENIOR CENTER, 460 Winchester Ave., Reedsport OR 97467; (541) 271-4884.

About Reedsport...

Monday, May 5th 2008 Reedsport has a small commercial waterfront and was named after pioneer Alfred W. Reed in 1919. Not only is Reedspor t famous for its location at the Heart of the Oregon Dunes, it’s the destination for visitors seeking a variety of fun outdoor activities.

The Reedsport area’s lush forests reflect the fact that this is one of the rainiest spots on the South Coast during winter months. Average annual rainfall comes in around 75 inches. Most of it hits between November and March. July, August and September are the war mest months.

The Douglas County seat is located inland at Roseburg, but a courthouse annex is maintained here in Reedsport.

Hidden treasure! Staying connected

Monday, May 5th 2008 Traveling often means losing access to mail — “snail mail,” anyway. But it’s easy to stay connected with friends and family through the Internet. More travelers include laptops in their luggage and several places offer the wireless freedom of Wi-Fi Internet access, often for free, or have high-speed access available via cable or a computer in the office or lobby. Here are some of the places in the Western Douglas County area that make staying connected even easier.

WINCHESTER BAY RV RESORT 120 Marina Way, P.O. Box 1007, Winchester Bay, OR 97467; (541) 271-0287; www.winchesterbayrvresort.com/. Free Wi-Fi

SURFWOOD CAMPGROUND 75381 Highway 101, Winchester Bay, OR 97467; (541) 271-4020. Free Wi-Fi, modem, high-speed computer with Internet access in the office (30-minute time limit)

LAKESHORE LODGE 290 S. 8th St., Lakeside, OR 97449; (541) 759-3161; www.lakeshorelodgeor.com. Free Wi-Fi and a computer in the lobby

WINCHESTER BAY INN 390 Broadway, Winchester Bay, OR 97467; (541) 271-4871; http://www.winbayinn.com; innkeeper@winbayinn.com. Free Wi-Fi

THE FIRS RV PARK 69262 Wildwood Road, North Bend, OR 97459; (541) 756-6274; http://www.thefirsrv.com; e-mail: reserve@thefirsrv.com. Free Wi-Fi

REEDSPORT COFFEEHOUSE 2285 Longwood Dr., Reedsport, OR 97467; (541) 271-0928. Free Wi-Fi and one in-house computer (no charge)

ANCHOR BAY INN 1821 Winchester Ave., Reedsport, OR 97467; (541) 271-2149; http://www.ohwy.com/or/a/anchobin.htm; anchorbay@presys.com Free Wi-Fi BEST WESTERN SALBASGEON INN 1400 Highway Ave., Reedsport, OR 97467; (541) 271-4831. Free high-speed access

SALTY SEAGULL 1806 Winchester Ave., Reedsport, OR 97467; (541) 271-3729; www.saltyseagull.com. Free Wi-Fi

VILLAGE ROASTERY 140 Coho Point Loop, Reedsport, OR 97467; (541) 271-3424 Free Wi-Fi

MCDONALD’S 310 N. 14th St., Reedsport, OR 97467; (541) 271-0611. Free Wi-Fi

THE MILL CASINO-HOTEL 3201 Tremont Ave., North Bend, OR 97459; (541) 756-8800; www.themillcasino.com. Wi-Fi free in the RV park; high-speed in hotel room has a $5 charge

A new dock

Monday, May 5th 2008 Salmon Harbor Marina replaced the East Basin boat launch dock with new, longer docks. Now, boats can access the docks even at very low tides.

Summer 2008 Winchester

Friday, May 23rd 2008 Bay: Night tours of the Umpqua River Lighthouse. Personal tours of the lighthouse also feature a tour of the museum and a special presentation. For info and reservations: (541) 271-4631.

Reedsport: Memorial Day celebration

Sunday, May 25th 2008 May 25-27
Reedsport: Memorial Day celebration, sponsored by the Reedsport/ Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce

Celebrate Memorial Day in Reedsport

Monday, May 26th 2008 The Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce
honors veterans with a parade, a community barbecue
and other events. Reedsport was the first town on the
West Coast to erect a memorial to victims of the 9/11
terrorist attacks. It all happens at Hahn Memorial Park.

Reedsport: chain saw Sculpting Championships

Thursday, June 12th 2008 June 12-15
Reedsport: The Oregon Divisional chain saw Sculpting Championships at Rainbow Plaza

Watch a chain saw carver

Sunday, June 15th 2008 Father’s Day weekend is made all the more special as chain saw carvers from around the world take to Rainbow Plaza and turn hulking pieces of spruce into works of art using saws and various power tools. Their results are auctioned off at the end of each day.

Enjoy Fireworks

Friday, July 4th 2008 Lakeside will hold its 14th-annual Independence Day celebration July 3-5 with a street faire, classic car show, drawings, bake sale and fun, fun, fun. Fireworks will light up the night sky over the lake on on Saturday, July 5.

For info: Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 333, Lakeside, OR 97449; (541) 759-3981.

July 4 Winchester Bay

Friday, July 4th 2008 July 4 Winchester Bay:
Fireworks over the bay. Festivities include a classic car cruise and other events. For info: 271-4471 or wbmerchants@yahoo.com.

Winchester Bay: Ocean Festival

Friday, July 18th 2008 July 18-20
Winchester Bay: Ocean Festival. Family fun with a children’s parade, live music, games, U.S. Coast Guard demonstrations, booths and more.

Winchester Bay: DuneFest!

Wednesday, July 30th 2008 July 30 to Aug. 3
Winchester Bay: DuneFest! The annual five-day event draws thousands of all-terrain-vehicle enthusiasts here. Events include drag races, challenges, show buggies, vendor booths, music, exhibitions and sales.

Winchester Bay: Crab Bounty

Friday, August 1st 2008 Winchester Bay: Crab Bounty
Hunt — catch a $1,000 tagged crab! For info: Winchester Bay Merchants Association, (541) 271-4471; http://www.winchesterbay.org; wbmerchants@yahoo.com.

Smith River: An old-fashioned country fair

Friday, August 1st 2008 Smith River: An old-fashioned country fair is a Smith Grange tradition. Kids love the races and scrambles. A traditional pit barbecue dinner is served at noon, and more. Parking is limited.

Winchester Bay: Old Time Fiddlers

Friday, August 1st 2008 Winchester Bay: Old Time Fiddlers
Jamboree, Winchester Bay Community Building. Musicians rom all over the acific Northwest ill be singing and laying fiddles, guitars, anjos and andolins around own. For info: haron Gallagher, (541) 572-2742, or Hal Weiner, (541) 902-2336.

Lakeside: Cardboard Boat Races

Saturday, August 9th 2008 Lakeside: Cardboard Boat Races at the Tenmile County Park boat docks. Viewing and judging at noon, race starts at 1pm.; $10 entry fee. For info: osprey POint Resort, 541-759-2801

Lakeside: Columbia Drag Boat

Saturday, August 16th 2008 Lakeside: Columbia Drag Boat Association’s Neil Donegan Classic at Lakeside. For details: http://www.cdbaracing.com

Winchester Bay: Kool Coastal Nights

Friday, August 22nd 2008 August 22-23
Winchester Bay: Kool Coastal Nights features classic cars, a show ‘n’ shine, parade of champions, a burnout and open header contest, seafood barbecue and a street dance.

Elkton: Fort Umpqua Days

Friday, August 29th 2008 Aug. 29-30
Elkton: Fort Umpqua Days features small-town fun with a parade, bass tournament, wine gardens, a chuckwagon dinner, car show and a pageant. For info: Elkton Community Education Center, 15850 Highway 38 West, Elkton; (541) 584-2692; http://www.elktoncommunityeducationcenter.org/

Winchester Bay: Art By The Bay

Saturday, August 30th 2008 Aug. 30-31
Winchester Bay: Art By The Bay — Artists from all over Oregon will participate in their crafts while visitors observe the styles and skills of potters, painters, carvers and more. Visitors also can sign up for winter art classes. For info: Joe Coyne, (541) 271-2103.

The Gardiner/Reedsport Salmon

Monday, September 1st 2008 Sept. 1-3
The Gardiner/Reedsport Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program Salmon Derby coincides with the fall Chinook salmon run. Prizes will be awarded. Local tackle shops have registration forms and rules.

Gardiner: The Gardiner Founder Day Celebration

Monday, September 1st 2008 September
Gardiner: The Gardiner Founder Day Celebration provides visitors a peek into the past with tours of historic homes and buildings. A pancake breakfast is planned at the Gardiner Fire Hall and a W.F. Jewett School reunion potluck.

Visit the Tsalila festival

Monday, September 22nd 2008 Great fun for families! Rainbow Plaza is transformed into a traditional Indian village as local residents and the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians celebrate the return of the salmon to the Umpqua River.

Reedsport: Tsalila festival

Saturday, September 27th 2008 Sept. 27-28
Reedsport: Tsalila festival at the Umpqua Discovery Center

Hospital Holiday Tour of Homes

Monday, December 1st 2008 December
Lower Umpqua Hospital Holiday Tour of Homes, Festival of Trees and holiday lights contest. For more information, those interested can call the chamber office at (541) 271-3495; or go to the Web site at http://www.reedsportcc.org.

Reedsport: 46th-annual Holiday Bazaar

Friday, December 5th 2008 Dec. 5-6
Reedsport: 46th-annual Holiday Bazaar and Gingerbread House contest at the Reedsport Community Building. For info: Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce, (541) 271-3495.

Holiday lights contest

Wednesday, December 10th 2008 Dec. 10-22
Reedsport, Winchester Bay, Gardiner: Holiday lights contest.

Oregon Coast: Whale Watching

Thursday, December 25th 2008 Dec. 25 to Jan. 2, 2009
Oregon Coast: Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast.