Brookings-Harbor High School graduates celebrate at the end of the ceremony. The Pilot/Bill Schlichting

 By Bill Schlichting 

Before the roll call to receive their diploma folders, members of the Brookings-Harbor High School graduating class of 2010 were reminded that the level of success is measured by “how far you bounce after you hit bottom.”

These were the words of Gen. George S. Patton quoted by Stan Baron, chief executive officer of Chetco Federal Credit Union at the end of his keynote speech Saturday at Elmer Bankus Stadium.

Others who spoke to the 98 graduates and countless families and friend in the audience  during the afternoon included Art Dingle, who was chosen Teacher of the Year, faculty speakers Diane Kinney and Kristy Kleespies and student Monica Mitchell, who gave the salutatorian address.

Slug Monitor Laurie Calef lets slug crawl on her nose. The Pilot/Bill Schlichting

It took four heats to find which of 72 slugs, those slimy creatures that crawl on damp ground in the forests, would get to participate in the race to be grand champion of the 16th annual slug races.

All but 15 of the gastropod mollusks were raised and specially trained at a ranch in the rainforests of the Winchuck and were prepared for speed. Two snails tried to sneak in to the competition, but  Slug Lady Pat Silveria, head race official and owner of Slugs ’N’ Stones ’N’ Ice Cream Cones, caught the slug impostors red-handed.

Blue star service flag

In 1917, as tens of thousands of American soldiers, sailors and Marines headed to Europe to fight “The Great War,” mothers began a new tradition.

They sewed small square red, white and blue banners and hung them in their front windows to show that they had a child in the military.

Initially called “mother’s flags,” they were eventually renamed “service banners” and authorized for other family members – spouses, fathers, siblings or children of service members. 

The signature hole at Salmon Run is a par three with a tee box that looks down from high above the green. The Pilot/Jef Hatch

For the last 10 years, Salmon Run golf course has held golfers to a slightly higher standard –honesty– regarding personal ability.

A high-risk/high-reward golf course stretching 6,200 yards over 18 holes, Salmon Run challenges all golfers  in some of the most beautiful land found in Oregon.

“It makes you an honest golfer,” said course co-owner Lorraine Berkowitz. “It tempts you to make a shot and then punishes you if you think you’re better than you are.”