APRIL 2010

Hillsboro’s big city

entertainment with
small town appeal

Find refreshment in
the flowers of spring

Celebrating with a
road trip to Alaska

Shute Park in Hillsboro Wines of Vitis Ridge

 Travel on a Shoestring 3

Right at home: unsung heroes

Contents
in our midst 5

Hillsboro’s big city fun with

small town charm 6

At Washington D.C.’s Newseum,

the news isn’t all bad 10

Bub’s brews 11

Flowers can be refreshing and

can make your outlook on life brighter 12

From grapes to glass: Vitis Ridge 15

Set sail on the Oasis of the Seas 16

Celebrating 83 years with five

generations 18

Learn about your world through

Exploritas 19

Sometimes a road trip is more

about the journey than the destination 20

Local events you don’t want to miss 22

4 Travel on a Shoestring

Our perspective
by Eleasah Gerdes world are some of the one’s that do money on a vacation during the
everything on a shoestring! vacation itself. If you discover some

D o you love to
travel? Would
you like to save
The phrase “thinking outside
of the box” has been somewhat
overused in
inexpensive activities to participate
in, you might find yourself in a
position to stay
money doing it? recent years, at that great hotel
“One’s destination is
Travel enthusiasts but taking the you’ve heard
everywhere are time to research never a place, but a new so much about.
feeling the effects of the economy alternative way of seeing things.” Or if you save
and may even wonder if a vacation is flights, hotels and money on meals,
in their budget this year. attractions, or ~Henry Miller you could have
The good news for those of us simply broadening enough in your
who love to travel is that the sluggish your definition of a what a vacation vacation budget left over to splurge
economy is a breeding ground for is, can be rewarding. and hit the one tourist attraction you
better deals. Even those who don’t To me a vacation is a chance to just don’t want to miss.
need to pinch pennies can take take a break from ordinary life, and No matter what your motivation
advantage of finding ways to save the limitless ways to accomplish this for saving money on traveling this
money on a vacation. are as unique as you and me. If you year, don’t pass up the opportunity
The more money you save on find a break by reading a book at the to get out there and have some fun.
travel, the more money you’ll have library or riding your bike through You can even use the money you
for all the other expenses in life. And the country, all the better for you and don’t spend to be able to afford
who doesn’t like to save money? your wallet. an additional vacation. And that’s
Some of the wealthiest people in the You can also benefit from saving something we could all use.

Mailing address: Got ideas? Want rates?

P.O. Box 462 Call: 503-487-6254
Newberg, OR 97132 www.travelonashoestring.net

Jane Morlan Eleasah Gerdes Tortellini & Licorice Stick

Publisher Editor Office Manager & Paper Boy
publishershoestring@yahoo.com editorshoestring@yahoo.com tortellinishoestring@yahoo.com

Volume II, Issue 4. Contributing writers: Aaron Gapasin, Joshua Gerdes, Nathan Goff,
Gloria Johnson, Gretchen Jordan, Curtis Langer, Brandi Nash and Carolyn Rundorff.
We donate part of our proceeds to the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program that helps children in foster
care, and to Compassion International that releases children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Glory to God in the highest.

Travel on a Shoestring magazine is published monthly. Publication of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised.
We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily represent the opinions of
the staff. Travel on a Shoestring is not responsible for changes in events and prices that occur following publication. ©2010 Travel on a Shoestring. All rights
reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.
 Travel on a Shoestring 5

Right at home: unsung heroes in our midst

by Jane Morlan to the business owners like no other city with no thought of reward. Also, Janis
worker I know, and they respond in kind. Schroeder, Joe Rector, Gretchen Rodlun

T he best part
of my job is,
undoubtedly, the
people that I meet.
In each town I visit,
there seems to be a
world of gems —
friendly, kindhearted folks who just want
this world to be a better place.
When we featured the Woodburn
area, Kristin Graybeal went out of her
way to help us. Rhonda Judson of the
Woodburn Chamber has offered support
from the beginning. They both have gone
above and beyond what most people
would do for others.
The next place which is top notch is
Main Street in Tigard. Business owners,
Mike and Maria Ritter, let us sample their
delicious goodies while treating us like
family members. The city of Tigard has an
employee that made quite an impression
on me: Kim McMillan. She reaches out
Kim and some of the town folk, like
Chuck Woodard and Don Hanson, have
met at McDonalds every Friday just to
build relationships with each other.
Another place has me thinking
how lovely it would have been if I had
settled there years ago, and that place is
Hillsboro. I can’t describe to you how
delightful the people there have been to
us. Talk about a “small town” in a town
of around 90,000! If you’re ever lonely
and need a to feel like you belong, all
you have to do is drive to Hillsboro, walk
into Hillsboro Pharmacy and Fountain
on Main Street, and the manager, Kathy
Schmidlkofer, among many other friendly
people, will give you a warm greeting.
Time fails me to tell you of some of
the wonderful people in other towns, too,
like some of the folks in Newberg. The
one that really stands out to me is Chelsea
Perritt. This young woman has encouraged
us and helped us in every way she could,
and Ben Jaquith — all of these business
owners were so welcoming and supportive
of our efforts.
And, lastly, the staff at the
Wilsonville Chamber and Visitor Center
have been some of the most encouraging.
Business owners and brothers, Ron and
Bruce Widing, also of Wilsonville, have
given us free advice about our website
and have continually offered words of
kindness.
Then there’s Gloria Johnson, who
found our magazine in a hotel, and
honored us with writing about her own
travel stories for our magazine.
My life has been made so much better
because these people — and countless
others — have gone out of their way to
give me a smile, genuine friendship or
support in some way just to help me be
successful.
Thank you all from the bottom of my
heart!

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6 Travel on a Shoestring

If you want the fun of a big city with the charm

by Eleasah Gerdes and collectibles, is enough to draw
anyone in, but the soda fountain is
immensely, the people we met were
the real treat. After chatting for
a while with the manager, Kathy
Schmidlkofer, she introduced us to
Bob Shook, one of the regulars at the
morning coffee crowd.
Bob has been a part of the
Hillsboro community since 1960
when it was a small farming town.
He frequents the Hillsboro Pharmacy
and Fountain today because it
reminds him of the era he grew up in.
“It feels like home,” says Bob.
“We had a pharmacy and fountain
like this and that’s where everyone
gathered and talked.”
Another longtime resident of
Hillsboro, Dawn Hawkins, explained
to us her appreciation for the town
and the fountain, “We settled in
Hillsboro in 1955 and never looked
back. From day one, everyone was

A few months ago I discovered
there was an old-fashioned
pharmacy and fountain in Hillsboro.
Since one of my favorite aspects
of traveling is visiting unique
destinations around the local area, we
figured Hillsboro would be a great
place to check out.
The Hillsboro Pharmacy and
Fountain is one of only a few such
establishments left in Oregon. The
pharmacy, and large selection of gifts
where it’s at.
The soda fountain serves
sandwiches, soups and salads, along
with a tantalizing array of ice cream
treats and inexpensive desserts.
For lunch my mom and I split a
delicious BLT sandwich ($5) and a
marshmallow milkshake ($4). We
topped off our meal with a piece of
cherry pie ($1.50) — yes, we like our
sweets.
While we enjoyed our lunch
just so friendly. I love to go to the
pharmacy and fountain because
everyone there is so welcoming
— they are just like family.” After
visiting it myself I would whole-
heartedly agree.
With such a great experience
at the pharmacy and fountain we
weren’t sure the rest of Hillsboro
could measure up, but let me assure
you it did. Main Street is full of
many other delightful shops such as

Great gifts, cards Est. 1873

Hillsboro Business
and collectibles of the Year 2007 Find unique, handcrafted artwork
at our gallery for the gardener!
•Webkinz Accepting all Pastries by
•Willow Tree Major Insurances Artisan
•Calendars Jewelry Beaverton
•Puzzles by Krelly Bakery
Longbottom Espresso
Friendly service 503-648-1811
222 E. Main St. • Hillsboro • 503-648-7817
243 E. Main Street
you’ll appreciate Hillsboro, OR 97123
 Travel on a Shoestring 7

of a small town, look no further than Hillsboro

The Artfull Garden.
Not only will you find
exceptional home and garden decor
at The Artfull Garden, but it is
reasonably priced, too. I picked
up an adorable set of handcrafted
ornaments crafted out of bells made
to look like a kangaroo and a camel
for only $3 each.
Along with adding some spice
to your home or garden, you can
also fill your cupboards with candy
and goodies galore from The Artfull
Garden. They sell pastries from
Beaverton Bakery which are too
good to pass up if you’ve never had
one. Although we had probably
already eaten enough sweets for one
day, the pecan bar ($3) was literally
calling my mom’s name. It was in
one word, fantastic. After a splendid experience at the to homeless youth in Hillsboro. The
If you love shoes like I do you shops downtown, we made our way expressive ceramics pieces created
won’t want to miss Gimre’s Shoes a to Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural by these teens were beautiful and
few doors down. They are the oldest Arts Center a few blocks away. thought-provoking.
continuously family owned shoe While they offer a variety of classes To me, the most memorable work
store west of the Mississippi and and concerts, we went to enjoy the at the arts center was a mixed media
have been in Hillsboro for 20 years. free art exhibits displayed around the piece entitled Paradise Remembered
“It’s great to be in a city close center. by Janet Higgins. It’s a large apple
to Portland that still has a distinct One of the more touching that not only induced in me a large
downtown area,” says proprietor Jon exhibits at the art center was from appetite, but it brought a big smile to
Gimre. Hillsboro has a population of the Miller Education Center and my face as well.
90,000, but there’s still a small town Rise Above Arts Program in the Inspired and ready for our final
feel with the bustle and activity of a basement gallery. The programs are adventure on day one, we stopped
larger city.” dedicated to providing art education by one of my favorite childhood

The perfect location for your next event

Take a short drive in the country
for family-friendly dining!
Natural & Organic Food
Open
Natural Beef Burgers!
Wed - Sun
11 a.m.
Homemade Fries & Shakes
to 9 p.m. Local Wine & 14 Beers on Tap
Gluten-free buns & beer

Company Picnics Retreats 503-628-0500

•Over 28 Acres of Fun •Multiple Meeting Areas
•Excellent BBQ Food •Comfortable Accommodations
Corner of River Rd. &
•Activities for Everyone •Fresh Home-Cooked Meals Farmington, Hillsboro
503-429-2801 • www.VisitCedarRidge.com
Just 45 minutes west of Portland in Vernonia
www.cruiseincountry.com
8 Travel on a Shoestring

destinations: Skate World ($4.75
per person). Roller skating is great
exercise, and is one of those activities
that can be enjoyed by all ages. It
also brought back fond memories
of birthday parties and youth group
events I took part in there as a child.
There were too many things we
wanted to do in Hillsboro to fit in one
day and we were excited to start day
two. One of the benefits to checking
out a town near to where you live is
that you can save money by spending
the night at home. Dinner is usually
more expensive than lunch at a
restaurant, so eating out only for the
less expensive meal is also a good
way to save a few bucks.
We began day two with a trip
to Bamboo Garden in North Plains.
This 20-acre farm grows more
than 300 varieties of bamboo and
maintains one of the most diverse
collections of rare and common
bamboo in the U.S.
Owner of Bamboo Garden, Ned
Jaquith, took us on a tour of the
grounds and showed us everything
from the cold hardy clumping
bamboo to the giant timber bamboo
they grow for retail and wholesale
markets. What was interesting to us
was the vast array of bamboo plants
that exist. We had no idea that there
is even a ground cover variety.
After an informative drive
through the bamboo-filled farm,
we stopped back by the office to
purchase two bamboo cups ($6
each). Local artist and employee of
Bamboo Garden, Charissa Brock,
makes these cups from Phyllostachys
atrovaginata, also known as Incense
Bamboo. These unique works of art
are not only beautiful, but functional
as well and can be used to sip your
favorite tea from.
For our next stop we made our
way back to Hillsboro to Rice NW
Museum of Rocks & Minerals. I had
read that they have the largest opal-
filled thunderegg in the world and we
just had to check it out.
Helen and Richard Rice, founders
of the museum, started collecting
rocks and minerals in 1938. As their
collection grew they built a home and
private museum in 1952 to house and
display their specimens. In 1996, the
Rices incorporated the museum and

Specializing in over 300 types Visit One of the Finest Rocks and Minerals
of cold hardy running and Museums in the Pacific Northwest!
clumping bamboo. Open Wed. thru Sun., 1 to 5
Group tours by appointment

Come visit our 20-acre farm or visit

our website at
www.bamboogarden.com
503-647-2418
www.ricenorthwestmuseum.org
18900 NW Collins Road, North Plains, OR
503-647-2700 bamboo@bamboogarden.com 26385 NW Groveland Dr. • Hillsboro

subsequently donated the buildings
and wooded acreage to the museum.
In 2006 the Rice Museum was
accepted to the National Registry
of Historic Places. Today you can
tour their impressive collection
of crystals, minerals, petrified
wood, meteorites and fossils for
an educational and downright
spectacular experience (adult $7,
children $5).
Linda Kepford, assistant director
at the museum, gave us a tour of the
facilities. Every room we went in
contained more rocks and minerals
than I have ever seen in one place
— and they were all beautiful. Our
favorite room was the rainbow
gallery where ultraviolet light shows
the brilliant colors that many natural
minerals emit.
The museum also has a gift
shop filled with reasonably priced
books, carvings, jewelry, rocks and
minerals, so you can add to your
own collection. If you love rocks
and minerals don’t miss out on this
nationally recognized veritable
treasure.
Finishing out our trip to
Hillsboro we dined at Cruise In
Country Diner for lunch. This
’50s-style diner offers friendly
service and excellent food. Our
server, Becca Conaway, was amiable
and attentive.
We shared a ’57 Chevy burger
($9.75), which came with Tillamook
cheddar cheese and natural cured
bacon. I am not exaggerating that
it was the best burger we have ever
eaten — and we’ve eaten a lot of
burgers. We also split a generously-
sized root beer float ($3.50) and a
piece of rhubarb pie ($3). All in all,
it was a great meal and a great dining
experience.
The next time you are looking
for a diversion to your daily routine,
don’t overlook Hillsboro, the big city
with the small town appeal.
Trip cost per person*
Meals $15.00
Decor $ 3.00
Skating $ 4.75
Museum $ 7.00
Total $29.75
*Gas costs not factored in.
Based on a two-person trip.
Travel on a Shoestring 9
The next step
Hillsboro
Vertigo Brewing
Vertigo prides itself on
producing a unique blend of beer
offerings that manage to stand
out in the Northwest. Call to set
up an appointment to taste their
beer for yourself.
Vernonia
Cedar Ridge Retreat &
Conference Center
If you’ve got a big group and
need the perfect spot for a retreat
or company picnic, this is the
place. They offer a comfortable
lodge, outdoor heated pool,
walking trails and much more.
It’s also a great place for an
outdoor wedding or reception.
Aloha
The Reserve Vineyards and
Golf Club
Receive the amenities and
service you’d expect at a private
golf club. Voted Best Golf Value
in Portland under $100 by GOLF
Magazine.
North Plains
Horning’s Hideout
Outdoor family fun awaits on
acres of rolling green hills.
Fishing, camping and concerts
just 35 minutes west of Portland.
Cornelius
Country Style Cafe
Grand opening! Stop by for their
signature breadless hot wings
sautéed in garlic and butter.
Also serving big omelettes,
salads and pancakes. You’ll
love their comfortable, relaxed
atmosphere, too.
10 Travel on a Shoestring
At Washington D.C.’s Newseum, the news isn’t all bad
by Gloria Johnson
O ne reason Washington D.C. is
among my favorite places to
visit is because things are constantly
changing. When I heard about the
recently opened Newseum I wasn’t
overly interested. I am one of the first to
turn the television news off and read only select items from
the newspaper. It seems like so much of the news is bad and
I don’t want to hear about it. But curiosity got the better of
me and I’m so glad it did.
No, I didn’t mispell the world museum, it is really
named the Newseum. A 250,000-square-foot museum of
news offering an experience that combines five centuries of
news history with up-to-the second technology and hands-
on exhibits.
Even before entering the Newseum your experience
begins when you arrive at the corner of Pennsylvania
Avenue and Sixth Street NW. You are met with a display of
the front pages of 606 newspapers from all U.S. states and
55 countries in their original unedited form. Yes, Oregon is
represented; the day I was there the Eugene Register-Guard
was featured.
The Newseum features seven levels of galleries,
theatres, shops and visitor services. It offers a unique
environment that takes museumgoers behind the scenes to
experience how and why news is made. Fifteen theatres,
including a 4-D immersion experience, feature films that
highlight the world’s greatest stories and moments. “You
are there” standing with Edward R. Murrow on a London
rooftop as he delivers a live radio report during World War
II. Then you are going undercover with Nellie Bly, first
woman investigative reporter as she exposes horrendous
conditions in a 19th century insane asylum.
The Newseum’s Big Screen Theatre presents historic
ADVENTURE
WITH
CLUB CAREFREE
broadway on a shoestring
May 31-June 6, 2010 Stay in the heart of the theatre district.
Club members: $2,300. Others: $2,500. Includes RT airfare
from Portland and travel insurance. No meals.
washington d.c. on a shoestring
September 13-19, 2010 Visit our capital’s rich history.
Club members: $2,500. Others: $2,600. Includes RT airfare
from Portland and cancel for any reason travel insurance. No meals.
For more information contact Gloria Johnson at
541-440-3944 or gloriajohnson@umpquabank.com
photo courtesy of David Monack, Wikimedia
news broadcasts, original documentaries and breaking news
on a unique 100-foot-long video wall. Most exhibits are
permanent including poignant accounts of September 11,
2001 and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Traveling exhibits are
constantly on rotation.
During my recent visit I spent two hours viewing
a Pulitzer Prize award-winning dramatic photographic
display. From the touching shot of an ailing Babe Ruth
watching his number being retired at Yankee Stadium,
to the U.S. Marines raising an American flag atop Mount
Suribachi on Iwo Jima. I confess the exhibit was extremely
emotional for me. I called my husband back in Oregon at
least three times unable to control the tears, yet overjoyed
at the same time. These photographs illustrate the enduring
power of the still image.
Again, I was flooded with memories at the Funny Pages
exhibit. It seemed like yesterday as I remembered Sunday
mornings when my dad sat me on his lap and read aloud
to me Mary Worth, Dick Tracy, Terry and the Pirates, Rex
Morgan MD, and Gasoline Alley complete with ZAP, POW
AND VAROOOOOM!
When planning your next trip, give Washington D.C. a
second look. Go to www.newseum.org and read all about
the Newseum. If possible, plan on staying a minimum of
five hours. It is easily accessible by metro stops Archives/
Navy Memorial or Judiciary Square. The Newseum is open
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; it is closed on Thanksgiving,
Christmas, New Year’s Day and Inauguration Day.
Although the Newseum charges admission, unlike the
Smithsonian museums, I promise you, the cost is worth
every penny. Adults (19-64), $20; Seniors (65 and older),
military and students with valid ID, $18; youth (7-18), $13;
children (6 and younger), Free.
* * *
Gloria Johnson, who directs a travel club through Umpqua Bank,
can be reached at gloriajohnson@umpquabank.com.
 Travel on a Shoestring 11

BUB’S BREWS
about these brews. Well, my readers,
you are in luck. I may not be an expert
just yet, but in striving to spread the
good news of the brews, I bring you
my review of the Cruise In Country
Diner in Hillsboro.
Now, at first glance, Cruise In
may just seem like another ’50s diner.
But au contraire beer lovers: Cruise
In carries 14 beers on tap! Of course,
that in and of itself, though better than
many bars, is nothing to write to you
by Joshua Gerdes about. But the beers they have on tap I
have not had or heard of before.
flavor, akin to Samuel Adams Boston
Lager in color and depth, but the
overall flavor reminded me more of an
amber ale with subtle, sweet biscuity
notes. This, my friends, is a good
lager.
And since experts will tell you that
one beer is never enough, I decided
to have a pint of Cascade’s Celtic
Copper Ale. This beer tasted more
like caramel than any other beer I’ve
ever had, though not so much so as to
strangle my palate with sugar. All in
all, this beer was a pleasure to drink.

T his past month while at Fanno

Creek Brew Pub’s Nano Beer
Festival, I found myself surprised
at just how many breweries there
actually are in the Northwest. And
what I still can’t get used to is that you
practically have to know an expert
in order to find some of or even hear
I went to Cruise In to try beer by
Vertigo Brewing, a local brewery also
stationed in Hillsboro that has a wide
range of beers I’ve been wanting to
try. Soon after my arrival at Cruise
In, I found myself delighted to be
drinking Vertigo’s Schwindel Alt. For
a lager, this beer had a hefty amount of
Cruise In Country Diner is
definitely one of those secret places
that those who know love. I certainly
recommend it. And with such a
nostalgic atmosphere, friendly staff,
good food and a variety of beers to
choose from, I imagine I’ll be finding
myself there again.

Don’t miss an issue!

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To order or for
delivered directly to your 2008 One Toe retail locations visit: 2008 GILT
home or office. Duck Pinot Noir
www.ancientcellars.com
Local orders call Chris
Pinot Gris

Cherry 503-437-4827 Ornate

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Name _________________________________ on the our “Gilty”
Address _________________________________ palate pleasures

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This is a gift from*_________________________ “I’m looking forward to our family reunion in
*If purchasing as a gift we will notify the recipient who it is from.
June 2010 in Northwest Oregon. Thanks a bunch
Send in this form along with a check
made payable to Travel on a Shoestring. to Travel on a Shoestring magazine for all the
Mail order form and payment to: beautiful articles and recommendations on where
Travel on a Shoestring
PO Box 462 to go, what to do and places to see in Oregon.”
Newberg, OR 97132
~Kelly Gibson; Aurora, Oregon
Questions? Call 503-487-6254
12 Travel on a Shoestring

Walking among beautiful flowers and plants can be

by Jane Morlan

I love flowers and plants of all kinds.

The intricacies that make up each tiny
leaf or petal truly amaze me.
I watch a Fuchsia bloom into a
dancing ballerina in no time at all, and I
wonder how all that detailed beauty was
in that tiny flower head just a few days
before.
Health professionals say it’s good
for the mind to feast on the beauty of
nature. I always feel so much better
about life when I’ve become lost in a sea
of plant life. photo courtesy of Wikimedia
It’s the mind focusing on this kind
of beauty that allows it to refresh itself though the tulips at the Tulip Festival. As
and get back to the task of solving life’s far as the eye can see, colorful flowers
daily problems in a renewed way. Going abound, with everyone having the time
to flower gardens and plant nurseries of their life. Hearing the happy laughter
have been very rewarding for me for of children makes me feel years younger,
years. too.
I have had the pleasure of walking I must admit that roses are my

March 25 - April 25
25th Annual Tulip Fest
Daily 9 to 6
Over 40 acres of Tulips

Dutch Gift Shop open

March 1 through April 30

Check
u out on
s
facebook, www.woodenshoe.com
too! Look for daily updates on our website under field
report. Check out the bloom status prior to visiting us.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
800-711-2006 • 33814 S. Meridian Road • Woodburn, OR 97071
 Travel on a Shoestring 13

refreshing and can make your outlook on life brighter

know you can go
to Heirloom Roses
and enjoy their roses
absolutely free?
You should make a
plan at once to go!
One of my
favorite spots to
visit is Duniway
Park, with a lilac
garden, in Portland.
The variety
favorite flower. What I don’t understand of colors and
about the rose is how the plant can fragrances are truly amazing and it is
fit so many petals in such a tiny area free to the public.
before it lets itself unfold. And the I also love going to local nurseries,
aroma of roses, or any scented flower, and there are many to choose from. corner, there was more to see. And
is something I could enjoy breathing in Recently, I stopped at Egan Gardens the prices were in keeping with my
every minute of the day. The fragrance and was pleasantly surprised at how shoestring budget.
seems to come from the flower in a many greenhouses they had with such So for a healthy mind, and because
never-ending way, no matter how a variety of plants and flowers. It was it’s what the doctor ordered, you simply
many times you breathe it in. Did you heaven. Every time we turned another must go and enjoy the beauty of nature.

57th Annual Pear Blossom Festival

PEAR A FARE IN MEDFORD
Alba Park: 3 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 9 • 10 to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 10
Featuring locally produced wines and brews, along with local artisan foods
While traveling through Oregon’s and specialties. Admission is free. Tastes of wine and brew available by
purchasing a souvenir glass. Entertainment and a Kids Area!
wine country, be sure to stop
and smell the roses. Pear Blossom 2010 Theme:
Stroll five acres of themed rose gardens Festival Parade
and sales cottage open seven days a 11 a.m.
week, dawn to dusk. Free Admission. Saturday, April 10
24062 Riverside Dr. NE, St. Paul, OR 97137 For more info call
541-840-PEAR
503.538.1576 • www.heirloomroses.com

We Do Flowers!
Big, blooming plants
fresh from our greenhouses:
Perennials, hanging baskets, blooming annuals,
vegetable starts, custom blend potting soil
and Good Advice!
Mon thru Sat, 9 to 6; Sun 10 to 5; Closed Easter
EGAN GARDENS
GREENHOUSE GROWERS
9805 River Rd. NE, Salem
503-393-2131
www.egangardens.com
14 Travel on a Shoestring

Impact your world and become an Ombudsman

by Gretchen Jordan for residents in nursing homes and Unfortunately, many residents
assisted living facilities. Federal and receive no visitors and have no

R esidents in nursing homes

are among the most frail and
vulnerable Oregonians. At times, they
need help to improve their quality
of life and care. An ombudsman
can provide assistance so all facility
residents receive respectful and
competent care.
Congress amended the Older
Americans Act in 1978 to establish
the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
program to serve residents in long-
term care facilities. Ombudsman
services are available in every state
and territory of the United States. In
Oregon, the Office of the Long-Term
Care Ombudsman is an agency of the
State of Oregon.
The Ombudsman Program
advocates for quality of life and care
state authority mandates ombudsmen
to identify, investigate and resolve
complaints made by, or on behalf
of, residents, and to provide services
to help in protecting health, safety,
welfare and rights. Information and
assistance in choosing the most
appropriate living residence is also a
valuable service.
Across Oregon, certified
ombudsmen serve residents, their
families and friends. Professional staff
supervise the volunteers.
Many people believe that once
a person enters a nursing home or
assisted living facility, they lose
their rights or their rights are altered
in some manner — this is not true.
Residents have rights and those rights
need to be protected.
close relatives. This decreases
their opportunities to communicate
meaningfully with those who could
care and advocate for them.
Ombudsman Program staff and
volunteers communicate with each
resident and the program affirms the
dignity and value of each resident.
Communication is essential to
maintaining the rights of all people
and is absolutely critical to the more
than 50,000 Oregonians in long-term
care facilities.
Become a certified volunteer
ombudsman and advocate for quality
care for residents in nursing homes,
residential and assisted living facilities
and adult foster homes. For more
information on how to get involved,
visit www.oregon.gov/LTCO.

Tortellini’s This could be you!

Travel
Tips

Be an opportunist
You may not get to do exactly
what you want exactly when you
want to, but checking out the
free sights or slightly altering
your plans to take advantage of a
good deal can still be fun.
Road trip anyone?
If you’ve got the time it may be
cheaper to drive to your next Paul Sherbo at
Hong Fa Temple in
vacation than fly. The website Shenzhen, China
www.costtodrive.com compares
the cost of driving to the cost of
flying to a given destination. Take a picture with Travel on a Shoestring
Do you have a travel tip? Email it
and we will feature you in an upcoming edition!
to: tortellinishoestring@yahoo.com. Email your submission to editorshoestring@yahoo.com (JPEG or TIFF formats only)
If we like it, we’ll publish it! or mail to Travel on a Shoestring, PO Box 462, Newberg, OR 97132.
 Travel on a Shoestring 15

From grapes to glass: Vitis Ridge

challenge. Thirteen wines were available
for tasting the day I went in. All the heavy
hitters were there, Pinot, both Noir and
Gris, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon.
There were others too, such as Muscat
and Syrah, but they fall into that not-
so-common — but not-so-uncommon
either — realm. Marechal Foch was the
first to catch my eye, followed quickly by
by Brandi Nash Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
Local Libationist (as a port no less). These were the bonus
wines and there were four of them!
and the good taste is what I walked away
with that day. I have had a long like/hate
relationship with Foch given its heavy
earthiness and its barnyard tendencies. As
second in the reds lineup this seemed an
odd place for a Foch, which is often left to
the end as to not overpower anything that
would come next. Once I tried this Foch
I was very pleased to find it was bold, not
overbearing, and quite refreshing.
One last surprise was that not only
was the tasting free, but all the wines

V itis is defined as the type genus of

the family Vitaceae; woody vines
with simple leaves and small flowers;
includes a wide variety of grapes. With
this in mind, I found Vitis Ridge Winery
to be aptly named.
It is always a bonus to walk into a
winery and find that they are serving up
a varietal that you don’t come across
often in the Willamette Valley. Vitis
Ridge seems to have taken on this wine
The tasting room was simple yet
cozy. I am always a fan of a space that
makes the barrier between taster and taste
conductor minimal. There was plenty of
room to roam, tables so one could stay
awhile, and a very nice spread of cheese,
crackers and chocolates. However, as
great as this all was, the real surprise, of
course, was in the wine selection.
The Marechal Foch was still on my
mind when I came to the end of the line
were more than reasonably priced, with
the high end in the $25 range and most
under $20. Personally, this was a nice
change of pace having just returned from
the Napa Valley, but you can read about
that next month.
So grab some friends, take a drive
through the country, and enjoy some
unique wines at Vitis Ridge. Remember,
as they say, variety is the spice of life!
Cheers!

Get the right protection for

your vineyard or winery
Grapes and wines can be vastly
different. The same goes for
insurance coverage for vineyards,
wineries and orchards. At American
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needs at the lowest rates available.
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bjaquith@amfam.com
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16 Travel on a Shoestring

there were 24 restaurants to choose care of floral arrangements for the

from. You may be wondering if this is
just on the ship or in the port as well.
Nope, 24 right on board the ship. You
can choose from Johnny Rocket’s
juicy, flavorful hamburgers right up
to the premium restaurant 150 Central
Park, serving items like Kobe beef
with all the trimmings. Our first choice
was the casual outdoor restaurant Park
Café with delicious sandwiches and
salad bar.
Park Café was located in the
middle of what they call Central Park
by Curtis Langer — the park is spectacular! Sometimes
cruise ships have a few plastic plants
ship areas and the guest rooms. Even
herbs are raised for use at some of the
restaurants.
That was more than enough
excitement for one day, so now we
laid our heads on the most comfortable
bed and pillows of our choosing. You
won’t find anything else like it on the
sea.
The next day was a full day at sea
heading onward to new areas. Would
you believe the ship had another
outdoor area called the Boardwalk?
When you enter this area would you
expect to find a carousel? Probably

M y wife, Tricia, and I, woke

up Saturday morning January
16, 2010, to the warm Florida sun
or several flower arrangements here
and there, but not on the Oasis of the
Seas. Central Park is outside towards
not, but they have a full size carousel
along with several carvings showing
the different stages of how the horses
greeting us in Fort Lauderdale. After the top of the ship and is about the size were made. From the initial stage of
cruising some 26 times among 23 of a football field. As you walk along laminating the wood to the final stage
different cruise ships, this day had a the paths you will find yourself among of painting the many exquisite colors
new excitement as we were about to several thousand plants and trees with of the various animals it was quite a
embark on the new Royal Caribbean plenty of park benches to sit on and display.
ship Oasis of the Seas. enjoy the tranquility. Not one, not At this point, we found ourselves
The Oasis of the Seas has two, but four full-time horticulturists hungry again with, of course, more
been featured on television and in maintain this area. They also take then one option to choose from. Our
newspapers even before she set sail.
Our research indicated not only was
it the largest cruise ship in the world
at 225,000 tons, but it exceeded the
previous largest ship by 71,000 tons.
What would you expect in a ship of
this magnitude? Let me share with you
what we experienced.
As our cab driver drove to the
port we saw four ships docked. One
of the ships stood out with its sheer
size and beautiful, sleek design.
Within 30 minutes we were greeted
on board by their enthusiastic crew (I
would be, too, if this was my home for
several months at a time venturing the
Caribbean Sea).
After spending a few hours in
our veranda room we realized it had
been a while since we had eaten. The
choice of where to eat was certainly
the biggest decision of the day as
 Travel on a Shoestring 17

favorite at the Boardwalk was the Sea large in its time and weighed 18,000 knows for sure, but now is the time to
Food Shack where you can choose to tons. explore the world and the Oasis of the
eat inside or outside. So what does the future hold for Seas offers a great value. It is certainly
In the middle of the ship is the cruising and larger ships? Nobody a good way to travel on a shoestring.
Royal Promenade which contains
great shops including Coach and other
familiar brands, beverage bars and, did
I mention, more food stops? There are
nine restaurants in this area serving
food from pizza to cupcakes.
And what about entertainment
aboard the ship? There is a 1,400-
seat theater to watch productions like
Hairspray, an ice skating rink with
shows, the largest casino on the seas
and much more.
And for the sports enthusiast
— they’ve got you covered. Royal
Caribbean was the first, and is still
the only cruise line, to incorporate
Flowrider, which creates fast and tall
waves much like a pounding surf. The
Oasis has two surfing Flowriders. I
got the hang of the bodyboard surfing
pretty well, but I’m saving the stand
up surfing for next time on my 67th
birthday. The ship also boasts the first
photos courtesy of Curtis Langer
zip-line on the ocean. They offer many
other sports including wall climbing,
golfing and basketball.
I know some people like to spend
their vacation laying by the pool, and
the Oasis of the Seas provides for
them, too. They have several hot tubs
and a really nice Solarium.
And if you like people and making
new friends, there’s a choice here, too.
About 5,400 passengers and 1,600
crew members make for an enjoyable
week where social encounters abound.
We found that it not only added to our
cruise experience on this occasion,
but will impact a future trip. We made
arrangements to meet one couple this
fall for the New England cruise.
Looking into the future it can be
helpful to know a little about the past.
The first Royal Caribbean ship was
launched in 1970. It was considered
18 Travel on a Shoestring
Celebrating 83 years with five generations
by Eleasah Gerdes
I think most of us would agree that
an 83rd birthday is something to
celebrate. Kelly Gibson, of Aurora,
feels the same way and recently
took the opportunity to visit her
grandmother for a surprise birthday
bash in San Diego, California. It was
also the perfect chance to take some
family photographs of five generations.
After meeting up at her cousin’s
home, Kelly and her family began
their festivities with a trip to San
Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park (adult
admission $37, child $27). Along
with seeing meerkats, a warthog and
flamingos, they also enjoyed the bird
show facilitated by Kelly’s daughter,
Jenny’s, best friend.
“If you love a variety of animals
it is really a wonderful place to visit,”
says Kelly.
photos courtesy of Kelly Gibson
While the Zoo was the perfect
outing for a large group, they were
also able to find a great place to eat
dinner. Fourteen family members
piled into Buca di Beppo, an Italian
restaurant that serves family-style
meals.
With everyone pitching in, it gave
them more of a variety to choose from
at Buca di Beppo. Kelly’s family
dined on mozzarella caprese ($16.95),
proscuitto stuffed chicken ($20.95) and
baked rigatoni ($28.45). And for the
all-important birthday dessert it was
double dark chocolate cake ($11.99)
and apple crostata ($10.99). Although
eating out is always fun, Kelly and her
family saved money by mostly eating
home-cooked meals and staying with
family during the trip.
The next day they drove out to
Borrego Springs and Octotillo Wells
in California to explore and experience
the unique environment found only in
the Southwest and its deserts. Kelly’s
aunt, who is a park ranger, showed
them great places for camping and
where to ride all-terrain vehicles. They
went geocaching and had fun finding
the “treasures” hidden in secret places.
For lunch they ate homemade tacos
with all the works and baked a cake
for her grandma while she opened her
birthday gifts.
Later in the evening Jenny brought
out marshmallows which they roasted
together over a nice, warm campfire.
Camping out under the clear, starry
night sky they were able to rest up
for another day of adventure before
heading home.
“I’m looking forward to having
the opportunity to visit all these place
again with my family,” says Kelly.
“There was such a variety of things to
do and so little time to do them all!”

Learn about your world through Exploritas
by Carolyn Rundorff
I have traveled with Exploritas
(formerly Elderhostel) on 22 trips
in the last 10 years, and have enjoyed
every one of them. This non-profit
travel/educational organization has
been operating since 1975. The
programs are usually a week long
and focus on a particular area of the
country or a specific topic such as
hiking, birdwatching, history, music
among other offerings.
My most recent trip to Florida
was during the first week of February
of this year. I traveled from Portland,
Oregon, to Tampa, Florida, and then
joined a group of 22 other people from
all parts of the U.S. at Eckerd College
in St. Petersburg. Many chose to
participate in the program in Florida to
escape the winter weather back home.
I chose to go on this trip for two
reasons: one, I have a 99-year-old
relative living near Tampa that I
wanted to see for a day or two; and
two, I didn’t want to travel that far
without seeing some more of Florida.
This Exploritas program fit into my
schedule and met my continuing
interest in learning more about the
environment of this country.
All of the Exploritas programs
I have been on have been active
learning adventures, this one included.
We stayed each night in a nice motel-
type lodge on the college campus
and ate our meals in the cafeteria just
across the walkway. Each day we
gathered for a short lecture to learn
about what we were going to be seeing
and then headed out by small bus to
locations around the St. Petersburg
area.
We went to Boyd Hill Nature
Preserve to see birds and alligators
which are a wonderful example of
this part of Florida’s environment. On
one of the days we went out on the
college’s research boat into Tampa
Bay and studied the sea life that
Travel on a Shoestring 19
was brought up in a net. There is a
wonderful Seabird Sanctuary on the
Gulf of Mexico where we got to see
the rescued and rehabilitated seabirds
living in this area.
Manatees are a common animal
seen in Florida’s ocean waters and we
visited two different locations to learn
more about these large, slow-moving
creatures. We also had a free afternoon
to visit downtown St. Petersburg and
check out some of the shops, while
also seeing an amazing gathering of
brown pelicans.
The great thing about Exploritas
programs is that everything —
lodging, meals, transportation to the
different venues, classes, tips and
basic travel insurance — is included
in the price you pay, so there are no
hidden costs and no “optional” trips
during the program that cost extra. I
really like paying for my adventure up
front and not having to worry about
extra expenses once I get there. Of
course, one can spend more if you
choose to buy gifts, wine with dinner,
or that cute T-shirt in the gift shop!
I have traveled many times
with Exploritas, a few other travel
companies, and on my own, and
would recommend this program for
the excellent learning opportunities,
the hassle-free handling of all the
details once you arrive at the program
and the value you get for the money. It
also works well for women traveling
by themselves. I have met some great
ladies by paying for a double room
and sharing the cost with a roommate
whom I met for the first time when I
arrived.
I always tell my friends that
traveling with Exploritas is like
college-level learning without the tests
at the end. And it gives you a chance
to see the world in a comfortable way.
For more information on how
you can participate in the Exploritas
program, visit www.exploritas.org.
photos courtesy of Carolyn Rundorff
20 Travel on a Shoestring
Sometimes a road trip is more about
the journey than the destination
by Aaron Gapasin
F rom: Portland,
Oregon
To: Skagway,
Alaska
Who: Aaron
Gapasin, Nathan
Goff, Aaron Jones
and Craig Starr
Purpose: To
celebrate college
graduation and
spend time with
friends.
May 2: First we stopped in Seattle to visit friends (of
course went up the Space Needle).
May 3: From Seattle we drove to Vancouver, British
Columbia and took a short ferry to Vancouver Island.
Setting up camp in Strathcona Provincial Park, with the
rich green surroundings and wildlife, was an inspiring way
to start the trip.
May 4: The next morning we woke up to see bald
eagles. We drove around Victoria and interviewed
people about what they thought of the United States and
Americans. Next we visited the University of Victoria and
checked out some of the local shops. When we returned to
camp everything was wet, including our sleeping bags, due
to the all-day rain and drizzle. I did not sleep well that night
with damp, cold feet, but at least we enjoyed the cigars we
had picked up earlier.
May 5: Rushing to catch the ferry at Port Hardy we
found random rural stop lights to be rather annoying along
the way. Despite the rush, I found the time, maybe because
I wasn’t the one driving, to enjoy the scenery of the dense
forest and small mountains engulfing the road. Finally, we
made it to the ferry — barely. We shoved off for Prince
Rupert on the overnight ride. Those of us willing to brave
the cold winds spotted whales which were close enough
to see them spouting water. I enjoyed walking around the
outside of the ferry as the sun set on one side and the moon
rose on the other. We moved along through sleek shadowy
hills and mountains on island after island.
May 6: Aaron Jones and I stayed up through the night
talking and catching up on the past four years. We watched
everyone sleeping — on the floors and hard chairs —
rolling, snoring and talking in their sleep. The ferry docked
somewhere in the middle of the night causing panic in a
few people, including our very own Nathan, who thought
we had gotten stuck. It was all quite entertaining. The
morning brought with it snow-capped mountains on one
side of the ferry and the slow stirring of the passengers.
Upon reaching land again we decided to get a hotel room.
I wanted to camp, but the cold temperatures and the lack
of sleep caused me to give in. I wanted to earn the hotel,
though, so I suggested we drive to the next city due east,
Prince George — seven to eight hours later we arrived.
May 7: After a good night’s sleep in a warm and dry
room we drove northeast to Dawson Creek. Much of the
land was dry prairie, but on occasion we passed through
some awesome mountains and frozen lakes. We stopped at
one lake where two feet of snow was covering what would
have been the campground. We, of course, hurled rocks out
onto the lake of ice which actually held against some of the
rocks. Dawson Creek turned out to be a small town where
we stood out. We did, however, find a nice restaurant called
Boston Pizza (not sure if it actually exists in Boston, but
they had good food).
May 8: We had originally planned on staying in Fort
Nelson next, but chose to drive on to Northern Rockies
Lodge at Muncho Lake. The quality of the road began
to deteriorate from this point forward, and gas stations
became much more scarce. Along the way we passed,
and even had to stop for, several herds of caribou. There
were also herds of buffalo along the sides of the road. The
resort we stayed in that night was beyond nice. There was
nobody else lodging there so we had good service and it
was a good deal. The lake was solidly frozen at the bottom
of the majestic mountains — not a single rock broke
through when we threw them. The Arctic wind would pick
up instantly and furiously and cover us in surprise snow
flurries. I was no longer pushing to camp out in a tent. This

lodge seemed like a dream that should not exist at all, out
in the middle of nowhere — it was sort of like a subarctic
oasis. It stayed light out noticeably later than we were used
to and did not get dark until after 10:30 p.m.
May 9: Although we had planned on driving to Teslin,
we ended up stopping in Watson Lake, Yukon, because our
check engine light came on. The mechanic told us it was a
fuel pump problem and that we should drive to Whitehorse
to fix it. That was unnerving, but I was pretty excited to
be in the Yukon. I had wanted to see it since the fourth
grade after reading The Call of the Wild and White Fang
by Jack London. Just being there made the wastelands
and mountains seem so much more beautiful and magical
to me. Frozen lakes were the norm at this point, and I felt
like I was exploring another planet lacking the sprawl
of civilization. Snow started to fall as we ate and I was
one happy camper. After lunch we found an unexpected
surprise, a “park” in Watson Lake with a maze of hundreds
of posts with signs on them left by tourists from around the
world. I have yet to see anything like it, and it was in the
middle of nowhere! We made it to Whitehorse that night,
which was a sizable town for that region (we even found
a Boston Pizza restaurant there). We also found out, first
hand, what it means to be in the land of the midnight sun.
It did not get dark until after 11:30 p.m., and after walking
around town so late in the setting sun, we all had trouble
sleeping.
May 10: The next morning was devoted to repairing
the car and we all breathed a little easier. This was the
day to make the push to Alaska, but the group was getting
fatigued and low on finances. And the check engine light
came back on forcing us to return to the mechanic. I was
able to rally the troops, however, and we drove back
down through a small portion of British Columbia across
stunning ice fields and then down into the valley cove of
Skagway. It was “touristy,” but after our trip so far it was
nice to be there. Skagway is also reachable by ferry, which
is where most of the people come into town from. There is
a train that circumnavigates the mountains over the town
Travel on a Shoestring 21
photos courtesy of Aaron Gapasin
with the greenest pine trees stretching for hundreds of
miles. There was much to do there, but we were unprepared
and lacking the spirit to go on. One person in our group was
ready to snap some pictures and turn around the moment
we reached the Alaska Border Patrol (don’t worry Nathan,
I won’t mention any names). And while it was a long time
coming, on the way back to Whitehorse we finally saw our
first of many black bear.
May 11: I wanted to keep going, and though I knew we
lacked money and drive, I wasn’t quite ready to return. My
sense of adventure was craving more. I half joked about
exploring up further into Alaska or maybe the Northwest
Territories, which seemed even more treacherous than the
Yukon. Instead we drove back south to Fort Nelson, hoping
for warmer weather and the possibility of camping to save
money. Along the way, we saw an owl perched on a road
sign, a herd of wild horses, mountain goats, more caribou
and black bears.
May 12: We stayed in a hotel on our last night. After I
got out of the shower, Nathan, Craig and Aaron Jones told
me they were ready to go home — I was outnumbered. So
we packed up and drove home. It was all worth it, however,
because I got to see Alaska. You have to see it with your
own eyes to really know. If you want a trip that is different
from being catered to by huge tropical resorts, this is
definitely the way to go.

Nathan Goff’s Perspective

We wanted to celebrate graduating from college with a road trip, and when Aaron Gapasin suggested going to Alaska we
jumped on board. One of the interesting memories we made was interviewing several Canadians on a college campus and asking
them if they liked Americans. I also tried to sleep on the overnight ferry ride, but woke up thinking the ship had run aground — I
found out it had really just stopped in a port to pick up new people. During the daylight hours on the ship we saw spectacular views
of the countryside.
Driving through Canada we saw beautiful frozen lakes and snow covered mountains. Skagway was a nice town nestled
between majestic mountains. We regularly saw bears, bison and goats all along the way. I actually jumped out of the car with a
black bear about 30 feet away so I could get a picture — that was kind of crazy.
The whole trip was relatively inexpensive and most of the areas we drove to were not tourist spots, so the hotels were regularly
less than $100 per night. The night we camped in Victoria saved us a lot of money as well. Even the ferry ride was cost effective.
All in all, the trip was a worthwhile experience because of the fun we had being together and being adventurous. It was also a
great way to celebrate finishing college.
22 Travel on a Shoestring

Local events you don’t want to miss

April 9-11
Passport to a World of Wine
Special tastings and treats at 30
wineries in the Columbia Gorge.
Hood River (Passport $15)
www.columbiagorgewine.com
April 16-18
Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale
Shop ’til your heart’s content at
over 100 annual garage sales.
Lincoln City
www.oregoncoast.org
April 17-18
Hood River Valley Blossom Fest
Food, crafts shows, orchard tours &
15,000 acres of blooming fruit trees.
Hood River (free map & brochure)
www.hoodriver.org

April 9-11 April 23-25

Migratory Bird Festival Faire in the Grove
Spend the weekend watching the Medieval village with live armored
spring migration in Harney Basin. combat, dance, music and more.
Burns 541-573-2636 Forest Grove (free admission)
www.migratorybirdfestival.com www.faireinthegrove.com

April 9-11 April 17-18 April 30-May 2

Pear Blossom Festival
Food and wine tasting, parade and
street fair with food and crafts.
Medford 541-840-7327
www.pearblossomparade.org
Wooden Boat Show & Crab Feed
Enjoy local crab and check out the
wooden boats of master craftsmen.
Depoe Bay (boat show free, crab $12-$15)
www.depoebaychamber.org
Wilderness Packing & Skills Clinic
120 vendors, seminars and demos
at the Klamath County Fairgrounds.
Klamath Falls
www.htdrbch.org

Where in the world?

Rubies & Roses If you know what and
where in Oregon this
A Benefit Ball for
is you could win* a...
Chehalem Youth & Family Services
$10 gift card!!
(Valid at Fred Meyer or
SAVE THE DATE
Starbucks – your choice.)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
6 p.m. Reception Email your answer
& Silent Auction
to editorshoestring@
7 p.m. Dinner, Dancing
yahoo.com or mail to:
Tualatin Country Club Travel on a Shoestring
9145 SW Tualatin Rd. PO Box 462
Dress is semi-formal to formal Newberg, OR 97132

*Drawing on April 20
determines winner. Please
include your name, address,
$40 For Reservations: phone number and
Call 503-538-4874 Dance to the month of issue.
sounds of
Email events@cyfs.net Rendezvous March’s answer: Southern Pacific Engine 1785 in Woodburn
Congratulations to our winner: Kristin Graybeal
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We ship
Check
anywhe There are so many things that we can do
out our re
! in the U
website S. to help our kids be raised happy, healthy
and carefree, just as they should be.

Only $14.99 (plus shipping)

www.MillionDollarChildren.com
Morlan Communications Company
PO Box 462 • Newberg, OR 97132
www.giftsforbaby.webs.com
503-487-6254 • janemorlan@yahoo.com

Everybody knows...
kids love mail!
“Mom! Guess what? I’ve got mail!”
Letter Box Kids is a monthly delivery service just for children. They’ll receive bookmarks,
a tasty recipe, paper crafts, a personalized ID card and more!
Only $19.99 per year!
Call 503-536-3268 for a free brochure or place your order using the form below.
www.letterboxkids.net
Letter Box Kids Order Form
Check box below:
Yes! I want the child listed below to receive monthly mail delivery for one year (12 mailings) for only $19.99.
Please provide information about your child:
Child’s name______________________________________________Circle if child is a BOY or GIRL. Age______Birthday______________
Child’s address____________________________________________Apt #_____City_________________________State______ Zip____________
List child’s favorite: animal_____________________color__________________toy or flower________________dessert__________________
How do you want the mailings signed?_______________________________________________________________________________________
Your name_____________________________________________________________________Phone ( )__________________________________
Address___________________________________________________Apt #______City_________________________State_______Zip___________
Relationship to child__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
503-536-3268 How to order: Please allow up to four weeks for
Please send this registration form with a check made payable to: delivery service to begin.
janemorlan@yahoo.com
www.letterboxkids.net MORLAN COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY or MCC For office use only:

Serving you since 2000 PO Box 462, Newberg, OR 97132 JFMAMJJASOND

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