Recreation & Hobbies

2012 BEH harvest team at Hammonds' garden

Once again Jack and Sue Hammond planted a one-acre vegetable garden at their homestead near Canby.  The variety of vegetables ranged from broccoli to zucchini, and included over 100 tomato plants.  Various teams worked for hours to harvest the bounty.  Produce from the garden went to Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon HIV AIDS Day Care Center near Concordia University in North Portland.  The garden yielded a whopping 5900 pounds of produce for the Center.  The team shown in the photo is one of the BEH groups that joined in the fun.

Fiona's visit with Santa

Fiona, BEH Chief of Staff, visited Santa early this year.  She hopes that making her desires known early and often will result in Santa delivering all of the items on her Christmas wish list.  Along with world peace, Fiona tells us she asked for more doggie biscuits, chew toys, a jeweled collar and to be an only dog.  Although unnerved by the sinister, bearded man, Fiona persevered in making her wishes known and expects the goods on December 24th. 

Where in the world is Jack Hammond?

Jack is still enjoying his retirement. In September 2011, he traveled to Lockhart River, Australia after spending a week 30 miles offshore fly fishing over the Great Barrier Reef.  His companion (shown in the photo) is "Gil the Gun”, a colorful Aussie, who also doubles as the only cab driver in Lockhart River. Of course he doesn’t drive a cab, rather a four-wheel drive monster that belches exhaust through a pipe that extends from the roof.  This rig comes in handy for fording rivers with large Salties.

Geographically, Lockhart River is near New Guinea. The last exciting thing in Lockhart River was World War II when 60,000 US troops were stationed there for the invasion of New Guinea. Gil found the helmet out in the bush.

Next stop for Jack and Sue is Machuu Pichu and the Galapagos. They leave on November 30th.  We’re sure more travel stories will ensue.