DEL NORTE COUNTY FAIR STRUTS ITS STUFF AGAIN see Page B1
WEDNESDAY August 7, 2019
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Big crowds enjoy fair this year D
This photo looking down Wonder Stump Road, lined with a canopy of redwood trees, was taken by Reid Powell and appears on the Facebook page Save Wonderstump.
Residents Stumped
Some along Wonder Stump Road fear county’s plans
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By David Hayes Staff Writer
ver the years, residents of Wonder Stump Road have expressed concerns that Del Norte County officials are moving toward an un necessary
widening of the road, all the while receiving assurances no such plan is in motion. Their biggest ongoing concern, the say, is actions the county is taking without first notifying the residents. “First, they started counting cars,” s aid Mac Eller, who’s lived on Wonder
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Stump Road, which is 3 to 4 miles from the north Crescent City line, since 2007. “Nobody said they were going to do that. They marked the trees. Nobody said a word about that to us in advance.” When residents discovered the orange paint blots on
More Stumped on Page A4
Tourism is hot By Linda Pinkham Staff Writer
raffic is crazy, along U.S. Highway 101 from Crescent City north up through Brookings-Harbor and Gold Beach. Motels, campsites and vacation rentals are booked; restaurants are hopping; beaches and waterways are crowded. Does that mean this season’s visitor numbers are up over previous years? Probably so, at least a bit. That’s what an informal survey by the Del Norte Triplicate
Stout Memorial Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Courtesy Petr Broz.
trees along the lane in 2018, marking them for potential removal, Del Norte County Community Development Director Heidi Kunstal said at the time that the county’s roads superintendent flagged
and the Curry Coastal Pilot shows. Cindy Vosburg, recently named director of the Crescent City/Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce, reports a robust season there. “This has been a healthy season for our area businesses,” said Vosburg. “We are as busy as ever. “The Redwood National and State Campgrounds have been sold out for months, with all available campsites booked.” More Tourism on Page A2
Farmers market: Featuring old and new, tried and true By David Hayes Staff Writer
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he Crescent City Farmers Market had a change of venue last Saturday, midway through its 22-week schedule. It ceded its usual space in the Del Norte County Fair parking lot to the fair itself. “We tried one year to have the market (in the parking lot) during the fair,” said organizer Ron Phillips. “What a mess!” Instead, Phillips used his clout as a former member of the Crescent City Harbor Commission to secure a location for the market further
down U.S. Highway 101. He said the relocation only slightly affected the number of vendors participating. Last Saturday featured 41 booths, a drop of about eight to 10, Phillips said. In fact, the new location has its upside. “We get a different clientele here, with the nearby hotels and tourists,” he said. The Crescent City Farmers Market under Phillips has continued to feature the tried and More Market on Page A3
Renni Loft sells a serving of her homemade rainbow sherbet, complete with all the extra toppings, to Bella Stone during Saturday’s local farmers market. Photo by David Hayes/Del Norte Triplicate.
Staff Report
el Norte County Fair officials say they’re thrilled with the annual event’s 2019 edition. While overall attendance was slightly lower than last year’s record-breaking mark, crowds actually were greater on three of the four days of this year’s fair, said officials. “What we are hearing from vendors, from the carnival, and from our fans was that they had a great time this year,” said Del Norte Fair CEO Kim Floyd. “This was one of the smoothest fairs we have seen.” Sunday’s “Tuff Trucks” and demolition derby event was watched by a full house. Saturday’s revamped Redwood Coast Rodeo -- Challenge of the Champions Bulls and Barrels -- was enjoyed by a large crowd as well. Friday’s show, which featured 1990s music star Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, and Thursday’s concert with country/Gospel singer Coffey Anderson, were enjoyed by smaller but appreciative audiences. Both artists took the time to interact with audience members before and after their shows, something not all stars do while on tour. On Sunday, the annual Junior Livestock Auction drew top prices for animals raised by local youngsters, mostly in 4-H, Grange and the Future Farmers of America programs. The attendance in 2018 was spurred by a host of families coming from the Redding/Sacramento Valley area looking to escape the extreme heat and heavy smoke caused by wildfires in that region. This year’s crowd had a more local flair, as fairgoers enjoyed the food, blue ribbons, and a wide range of fun and games. “This is about as American as it gets,” said Rich Taylor, the local fair board’s president. “When you walk around and see the smiles, the animals, the fun, well, it’s just something you feel in your heart. “Thank goodness for all of our sponsors, volunteers and county fair employees, who work so hard to make so much happen.” See county fair photos galore in the B Section of today’s Triplicate.
Del Norte Triplicate and Curry Coastal Pilot seeks a sports-minded person with writing and photography experience to work part time covering high school sports. 8000058jD0807
The position will focus heavily on game coverage in the afternoon and evening. Some weekend work is required. This is a deadline oriented position that demands quick turnaround of stories. This is a part-time position with competitive wages. Please send your resume and samples of your writing to:
steve@countrymedia.net
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