Video slideshow: Young Artists' Craft Fair 11/29/2016 at McMinnville Public Library

Rainbow over Linfield's Maxwell Field (a.k.a. 'Catdome') 11/15/2016

Somewhere over the Catdome, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.

Mac News photo 11/15/2016 morning. Wizard of Oz "photoshopped" it. 

Dr. Frank Nelson memorial service First Baptist Church, McMinnville 11/11/2016

Linfield prof appeared again (aired Monday 11/7/2016) on ‘Jeopardy’ TV game show. But, in this, his second appearance, he lost the round

Prof asks the right questions on Jeopardy

By STARLA POINTER of the News-Register on 11/8/2016

Between the moment “Jeopardy!” notified Chuck Dunn he had been chosen as a contestant until the day he reported for taping, the Linfield College math professor had a month to feel nervous. As he sat through four earlier rounds of the game show, waiting his turn, his anxiety grew.

This was his big chance — the chance he’d been seeking for 25 years, even mailing in his initial application during his college years.

As he stood in front of host Alex Trebek, with the cameras rolling, the Jeopardy board lit up with the categories. “Musical Instruments,” it said, and Dunn relaxed. 

“What is a trombone?” he asked confidently — very confidently, as that’s his instrument.

He provided the right questions to three of the four other instrument descriptions — synthesizer, harpsichord and pan flute — and to many other answers during the game. He ended up the winner, with $22,000 to his credit.

The show, taped in August, aired Friday, Nov. 4. Since Dunn won, he appeared again on Monday’s show.

At press time, he was still sworn to secrecy, so he couldn’t say whether he would be seen tonight or later in the week. Viewers will just have to tune in to KATU Channel 2 at 7 p.m. to find out.

But win or lose, appearing on Jeopardy! was a dream come true.

He said he has considered Jeopardy! his favorite game show since he was in high school. He’s applied multiple times, taken the online test four times and tried out in person four times.

Earlier this year, he was finally chosen, following a lengthy application and interview process. He again took the test on Jeopardy’s website, then advanced to an audition that included a 50-question test, mock games and a mock interview.

He found out he’d been chosen in July, seven months after his audition. In August, he flew to California to tape his show.

His partner and five friends went along to the taping. Hearing them cheering in the audience helped him focus on doing everything right, he said.

Excelling on Jeopardy! involved more than just knowing about musical instruments and all sorts of other categories, from in-depth history to light trivia. Contestants need to read the clues quickly, formulate their questions and hit the button at the right time, Dunn said.

If a contestant is too quick, he said, the button locks. He or she needs to let Trebek finish speaking before ringing in.

It’s different on the set than it is when watching from home, he said. “It’s easy when there’s nothing at stake,” he said. 

Contestants also need to be patient, as Jeopardy! tapes five shows a day.

All the contestants arrive first thing in the morning. The first contestant is randomly chosen to tape the Monday show. The winner and two new contestants go on to tape Tuesday’s show, and the drill continues until a week’s worth have been taped.

Dunn was picked for the Friday show, so he had most of the day to wait, watch and get nervous.

He said he expected the atmosphere to be tense and competitive, but it wasn’t. He and the other contestants developed a lot of camaraderie, he said.

“Everybody was rooting for everybody,” he said. “You’re excited for the people who win.”

During the long wait, Dunn said, coordinators made sure he and the others were comfortable and having fun. A happy contestant is more fun to watch on TV, he explained.

And he did have fun, he said. A great deal of fun.

Back in Oregon, Dunn went about his day-to-day life. He started his 15th year at Linfield soon after the taping. When his students asked about Jeopardy!, he told them a bit, but couldn’t reveal anything about the outcome. 

Instead, he described the math skills involved in wagering. For the final question in each Jeopardy! game, contestants have a chance to wager some of their winnings in an attempt to achieve a higher score. 

On Friday, students and staff held a “watch party” to see how the professor did. Dunn knew they would recognize him, as he was wearing one of his trademark bow ties.

“I’m a creature of habit,” he said. “I wear a bow tie to class every Monday.”

He has about 60 in his wardrobe. If he keeps winning on Jeopardy!, maybe he’ll add to his collection.

Business in old Jake's location ceased operations 11/21/2016

Story, “Green Heart closing its doors,” in 11/8/2016 McMinnville N-R/News-Register says marijuana dispensary Green Heart will cease operations 11/21/2016. It was located at 1209 S.W. Baker St., former home of Jakes Deli.

Deluxe in October, November 2016

--Blur with Troy (Deluxe Billiards) of Almost/Kind of/Sort of Kiss 10/29/2016 at the famous Deluxe on equally famous Third Street in downtown McMinnville.

--Order taking by Troy 11/5/2016 at McMinnville’s Deluxe Billiards.

After Bernie Turner honored 10/23/2016 with 'Turner Way' in McMinnville

Mac News photo from 8/2016.

 No bets, Bernie, on Clinton-Trump vote

10/28/2016 Whatchamacolumn by Jeb Bladine, president and publisher of the News-Register.

I missed Sunday’s party, when McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity celebrated the organization’s new Aspire subdivision and 25 years of contributions to Habitat by co-founder Bernie Turner.

News about the event prompted a few “episodic memories” about Bernie. That kind of thing seems to happen to me more often in recent years — you know, when you can’t remember what you had for breakfast yesterday while accessing detailed recollections of experiences decades ago.

We supposedly have infinite storage capacity for long-term memory, which can be procedural (how to do things), declarative (facts and knowledge) or episodic (events and personal experiences). Here are just a few of my episodic memories involving Bernie Turner:

During a time about 40 years ago, I fell into a regular series of handball games at Linfield College with Bernie, Ad Rutschman and the late Ted Wilson. And yes, as I recall, the presumably mild-mannered Baptist pastor was a terror on the handball court.

Skip forward about 15 years to Bernie’s fair-handed organization of a volatile community meeting related to the local school strike. He wasn’t exactly a fan of our editorial position at the time, but I remember him recognizing that some of the local rancor toward our newspaper coverage was misdirected.

Then there was the time Bernie and I made a friendly bet on a certain high-passioned presidential election. The loser, we decided, would donate $100 to the winner’s favorite charity. Someone, who shall remain nameless, formally accused me of illegal betting on elections, leading to an investigation by the state Elections Division.

Bernie, as I recall, considered it all somewhat amusing that his old handball partner temporarily was twisting in the wind, but I still refused to divulge his identity to state officials.

So what, you might ask, does any of this have to do with Habitat for Humanity creating Turner Way as the roadway alongside its latest affordable housing project? Well, nothing, I suppose — except, perhaps, that many people in the community have cherished episodic memories that involve Bernie Turner, and I suspect more than a few of those memories were recalled after this week’s story.

As luck would have it, next week Bernie and I will join a small breakfast meeting that has nothing to do with handball or Habitat. I won’t be surprised, however, if talk turns to yet another high-passioned presidential election — but no betting this time

………….

Habitat honors founder with new street

By Nicole Montesano N-R/News Register 10/24/2016

McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity held a street dedication Sunday for the Aspire subdivision in development in southeast McMinnville.

The purpose was two-fold — to honor founder Bernie Turner and celebrate its 25-year history.

The new road has been dubbed Turner Way. Because rain prevented crews from getting it paved in time, the celebration was held on the American Legion Hall’s covered patio.

Executive Director Mary Stern said about 100 people turned out, including some of the homeowners in the new subdivision.

Former Habitat Executive Director Marianne Milles told them she had known Turner and his family for 46 years — ever since he came to McMinnville as senior minister at First Baptist in 1970, she said.

McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity became an affiliate of its international parent organization in 1991, and Turner played a key role in that, Mills said.

She also praised community volunteers and businesses for dedicating thousands of hours of labor and tens of thousands of dollars worth of materials. And she shared a quip from Washington Roofing owner Harold Washington, who said he “got involved in Habitat by choice — Turner’s choice.”

He said Turner was very emphatic about the need for a roof for one of the chapter’s early houses, and he’s been involved ever since.

The Aspire project, which has been underway for several years, started out as a controversial one. Neighbors vehemently objected to the organization’s plans, and appealed local approval on to the state Land Use Board of Appeals.

Habitat for Humanity won in court. And it eventually won over the neighbors by re-designing some of the aspects they found most objectionable.

The changes included making one of the sections smaller, in exchange for adding a third set of homes, and enlarging a community park, to replace some lost open space.

Stern said five homes have been completed so far, and three more are under construction.

She said having a single large piece of property, expected to last for several years, greatly simplifies the homebuilding process. It also makes that process a lot more affordable, she said.

...........
Letter to editor, 11/4/2016 McMinnville N-R/News-Register

He’s a consensus builder

Last week I received a lot of ink in the News-Register. First, with a story about the Aspire project. It’s been a privilege to be involved with Habitat for Humanity and its work in the community. I am grateful for the recognition I have received. Then Jeb Bladine reminisced about the many ways we have been associated over the years in McMinnville. I enjoyed his reflections; thanks, Jeb.

Today I have in mind the ink Ken Moore has received. Ken is a good friend whom I respect. It has been troubling to me that his campaign has come under fire for the ads used by the Democratic Party of Oregon. I have not talked with Ken about these ads, but I believe he is a man of integrity who would not initiate these ads himself.

Why the DPO decided to inject this kind of politics in his campaign, I do not know. There is speculation about their efforts, which I’m sure puts Ken in a difficult position to comment. Our district has been served by Republicans for many years — Marilyn Dell was the last Democrat representative. Ken’s opponent, Ron Noble, is a good man and I do not believe the negative implications with which he has been charged, but I am sticking with Ken.

For two years, Ken Moore has worked hard to be informed about the desires of the electorate. He has talked with people. I believe he is prepared to serve us well. I was disappointed with the harsh position taken by the News-Register in last week’s editorial. Ken is a consensus builder and he will work with both sides of the aisle to represent the people of this district. I am voting for Ken and I hope you will join me in supporting his efforts.

Bernie Turner
McMinnville