Each day members of our community quietly celebrate milestones, achievements and accomplishments—big and small. This department highlights these triumphs for the community.
If you’re sending a submission, include all details that apply: individuals’ names, details of the milestone and a contact name and phone number. If you have photos, send them. The submission deadline for May issue is Saturday, April 15. For best results, e-mail editor@midcountymemo.com or mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. Call 503-287-8904.
Senior couple ties the knot at their favorite restaurant
Joyce Yeoman and Frank Eccleston were married last month in their favorite booth at Cleary’s Restaurant and Spirits. After meeting at the retirement community across the street and becoming a couple, they were soon customers at Cleary’s, which became their favorite restaurant.
STAFF/2017
When Joyce Yeoman, 79, met Frank Eccleston, 77, at the retirement community where they lived, it was almost love at first sight, according to Joyce. “I guess you could really truly call it that,” she said just before marrying Frank last month. “Right away, this man was bringing me a banana and a cup of coffee every morning,” she said. “He put it right beside my front door, so when I got up and was ready for the world, all I had to do was open my door, and there it was.” It’s his fifth and Joyce’s second marriage.
It wasn’t long after they met at the Hazelwood Retirement Community in Northeast Portland before they were meeting regularly for lunch and dinner. Another thing they share is enjoying cocktails at Cleary’s Restaurant and Spirits across the street in the Menlo Park Plaza. “We love this place,” Frank said. “The people here are so nice to us.” They liked Cleary’s so much they were married in their favorite booth. “We were overjoyed to accommodate Joyce and Frank when they asked if they could get married in the booth that they [courted] in at Cleary’s,” said general manager Kathy Waddle. “We wish them the best of the new adventure they are taking.”
According to Joyce, the adventure has already begun. “I’ve never met a man like this before, so I thought it was time he got taken again.”
Celebrating 50 years of serving low-income families
Catherine Todd from Easter Seals cheers on the $2,000 bid from Reynolds School District for first choice of desserts in the Dessert Dash. Pastor Don Frueh leads Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, a returning platinum sponsor of the SnowCap Community Charities dinner. COURTESY STUDIO GAUTHIER
State Rep. Carla Piluso served as emcee, and JillMarie Wiles was auctioneer to 380 guests in attendance for the 50th anniversary celebration and annual SnowCap Community Charities Dinner Auction Saturday, March 11. The auction at the Holiday Inn Portland Airport raised a record-breaking $147,000 for food, clothing, utility assistance and other services to low-income families in east Portland, Gresham, Fairview, Troutdale, Parkrose and Wood Village.
Last fiscal year, SnowCap distributed over 2.3 million pounds of food, more than any other food pantry in the state.
Executive Director Judy Alley says SnowCap is a vital resource for many working families in East County. “The funds raised make it possible for us to serve our neighbors. Our clients are mostly the working poor, children, elderly or disabled. Support raised at this event is a sign of how much east Multnomah County cares for this community,” she said.
Stolen tree replaced
Sometime between 2 a.m. and dawn on December 12, a tree was cut down and stolen from the traffic diverter at Northeast 99th Avenue and Skidmore Street. All trees on the diverters were decorated for the winter holidays, and the purloined tree was no exception. The decorations were stolen with the tree.
Word got around the Maywood Park community, and the word “grinch” appeared on community pages like Friends of Maywood Park.
While driving past the newly barren site, neighborhood resident Rev. Frodo Okulam quickly formed a plan and contacted the former owner of her home, who had left behind a small tree in a pot. Rev. Okulam then requested permission from Mayor Hardie to place the young tree where the other tree had been planted. Mayor Hardie gave permission, and on December 20, neighbors Linda Hardin, Kim Eisele and Jean Harrison joined Okulam to place the little tree in the traffic diverter.
The group decided the existing pot was too small, so they replanted the tree in a larger container. The next step was to dig out the stump and roots of the old tree, a task that required team efforts, which were added to by Nathan Williams and Shannon Hardie.
The tree was placed and decorated with blue and silver ornaments and battery-powered lights. Rev. Okulam went out late each afternoon to turn the lights on and again around 9 p.m. to turn them off.
After Christmas and the subsequent removal of the décor, the little tree took temporary residence with Williams.
When the weather gets warmer, it will be permanently planted in the diverter.
