By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews Many residents of the central Oregon coast are committed to helping their neighbors and their communities in many arenas — food, lodging, clothing, education, art, the environment, safety. A complete list would be long and impressive. What is it that drives people to help others, and in doing so, to buttress […]
5 Questions and a Secret
5 Questions and a Secret: Yachats bird group “SWIFTY” soars to help birds up and down the coast
By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews Three years ago, two Yachats men started building birdhouses for migrating swallows. Today, their organization — Swallows In Flight To Yachats, SWIFTY — is soaring (or flying high, if you insist) by helping swallows, Purple Martins and other bird species to survive and thrive. Now working with government and private groups […]
5 Questions and a Secret: Seal Rock couple’s passion for quirky T-shirts leads to Nye Beach shop
By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews One of the best vacation souvenirs is a T-shirt or sweatshirt that you keep wearing long after the trip is over because it’s so comfortable, unique and brings back memories. Tania and Kevin Lewis of Seal Rock, owners of PNW Life, have set out to create those kinds of T-shirts and […]
5 Questions and a Secret: Mary Nulty, volunteer historian (and sleuth) at Heceta Lightstation Keeper’s House
By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews Perhaps the most spectacular pullout on U.S. Highway 101 is just north of Sea Lion Caves, between Yachats and Florence. In addition to the stunning coastline, the star of the show is the Heceta Head Lighthouse Station, which features not only the lighthouse, but also the lighthouse keeper’s home. Mary Nulty […]
5 Questions and a Secret: Damien Torrez and his Facebook page on Alsea Bay fishing, crabbing
By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews The Alsea Bay is a central Oregon coast treasure chest, full of crab and fish and oftentimes boats. For the novice there are many questions: What are the “rules of the road” on the bay? How can one participate? What are the best techniques for catching crab? Where is the best […]
5 Questions and a Secret: Judy Kauffman and her unofficial (for now) Yachats valley century farm
By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews One farm owned by one family for more than 100 years — that’s what it takes to qualify for an Oregon Century Farm or Ranch award. Judy Carson Kauffman’s family has owned a farm in the Yachats valley since 1914 — so she has decided to apply. The Oregon Farm Bureau […]
5 Questions and a Secret: Pacific Sourdough bakers Nic Agoff and Emma Sadtler
By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews WALDPORT — Almost everyone from Yachats to Newport has stood in line at Pacific Sourdough Bakery in Waldport at least once. Many are there every week, lining up before the bakery opens at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to purchase their favorite breads and desserts. And virtually every summer […]
5 Questions and a Secret: Mary Crook and Shelley Yates of “Books and More” in Yachats
BY KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews What do you do when your business partner wants to retire before you do? You hope to find a new one, equally as perfect as the one who is moving on. Mary Crook, one of the owners of Books and More in Yachats, was lucky enough to be able to do […]
5 Questions and A Secret: Anthony Gainer of “Oh Shoot!” photography in Waldport
By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews Anthony Gainer was born and raised in Waldport, left for 15 years to explore the world and returned in 2021 to start his photography/videography company, Oh Shoot! Gainer was 12 when he commandeered his family’s 35 mm camera and fell in love. Some teachers at Waldport Middle School recognized his gifts […]
5 Questions and a Secret: New book author Jay V. Chambers of Yachats
By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews For almost five years, customers at the Yachats Mercantile store have been used to seeing only one side of Jay Chambers — the side that works the cash register, helps them find things and orders hardware. Now, though, the world is getting a different view — Jay V. Chambers, book author. […]