Saturday, despite the threat of falling snow, varsity and junior varsity chess teams from Southern Oregon converged at Coquille High School for the first Chess League chess tournament. An elementary individual chess tournament was held as well. Varsity teams Marshfield and Coquille battled it out and ended up in a absolute tie, so the trophies were deferred to a future tournament to battle out a tie breaker event.

Due to the lack of varsity teams that were developed at the schools, an adult team made up of coaches and parents was formed to give some variety and hopefully tough competition for the high school teams. Coquille beat Marshfield first round, 3 to 2, Marshfield fell to the adult team during the second round, 2 to 3, Coquille beat the adult team during the third round, 3 to 2 and then Marshfield managed their revenge and beat Coquille during the final round, 3 to 2. So Coquille and Marshfield ended 5 to 5 after the 2 rounds against each other. Coquille’s Varsity team was made up of Jessi Ross, Tasha Keller, Stephen Mast, Deven Johnson and Ivy Hallmark. In the Junior Varsity division with six teams, the Coquille Middle School junior varsity team were undefeated and won the first place trophy. The team was made up of Jasmine Lambson, Hailey Riley, Aaron Grabinsky, Tyler Neuschwander and Jonathan Logan. Coffenberry Junior Varsity team from Myrtle Creek got second place and Marshfield got third.

In the Elementary Division, fourth grader Josiah Perkins continued to dominate as he won all five rounds. Fifth grader Jace Sperling was second place overall with 4 wins. Elementary results: Fifth grade: Jace Sperling first place, Kaden Johnson second place, James Hoper third place. Fourth grade: Josiah Perkins first place, JJ Newman second place, Cooper Page third place. Third grade: Jed Wright first place, Jordan Henderson second place. Second grade: Ethan Zigler from Myrtle Creek first place, Izabella Sperling second place. Kindergarten/First grade: Joshua Grabinsky first place & Gracie Wright second place.¤

CAEEC TALENT SHOW continued from page 1 by Nancy Keller

Coquille sure has had some strange visitors this month. Last Saturday, Bigfoot lurked the streets of Coquille at the Coquille Community Celebration.This Saturday, Scooby Doo and Daphne were seen at the Coquille Community Building. They were just two of many characters that roamed the building during the Harvest Festival Talent Show and Costume Party put on by the Coquille Art and Education Enhancement Center (CAEEC.) The day started with a Spooky Treat Decorating Workshop at the Downtown Studio with Jeri Ramsey.

 They made witches fingers, cupcake graveyards, cupcake eyeballs and mummified twinkies that were very popular at the following bake sale for the activities at the Community Building and will be available at the Downtown Studio for a few days. Local businesses put on a carnival for costumed children. Video Hut put on a cake walk, Kids Closet had bowling, Coquille karate had swimming noodles for combat, United Valley Christian Academy had scented pencils and a bean bag toss, Coquille Library had free bookmarks, E&J plumbing entertained kids with balloon helicopters, Downtown Studio painted many faces and Scentsy Wickless Candles showed samples of their wares. Coquille Karate had their belt ceremony with a demonstration of their forms and techniques. The 5:00 Dance Recital and Talent Show displayed the impressive talents of the Coquille Valley.

 Costumed dancers tapped across the stage. The Hip Hop class delighted the audience with their "Thriller" dance, and the cute toddlers were enchanting. Guitar students showed how much they learned in their short time of lessons and Kaitlyn Davidson played the piano in scary black robes, a contrast to her music of "Ode to Joy." There were singers which included rising star Alexius Harris, who is already a You Tube star. Talent even included a Cockatoo who was a true ham! Afterwards, the chairs were cleared for a night of dance and the costume contest. Angie Jones taught line dancing (which is taught at the Downtown Studio at 5 p.m on Mondays), and Lynn taught ballroom dancing (which the Downtown studio needs 16 people to sign up for.)

Then Arago Sound Productions supplied music for a late evening of fun. Prizes were given out for costumes with a few of the memorable costumes being Star Wars Princess Amidala, the baby costume and adorable Piglet.The Dance Floor Raffle winners were announced, and the Coquille Art Education Center thanks the donating businesses for their support even during the current recession and all the people who helped pay for the new dance floor. It is being put to good use with Angie Jones dance classes on Mondays. Sign up for belly dancing and ballroom dancing classes at the Downtown Studio or via e-mail at drnancykeller@yahoo.com. If there are enough people signed up, these classes may begin in the near future.

Coquille Chess players in front of the Capitol building. (L to R) Stephen Mast,
Jessica Ross, Josiah Perkins, Sarai Perkins, Jasmine Lambson, Kaitlyn
Davidson and Angelina Marones

Friday, October 9th, was National Chess Day during which the 2nd Annual Oregon All Stars Invitational Chess Tournament was held at the State Capitol Building in Salem. Invitations were extended only to the top ten chess players of each grade category.

 Thus on a day with no school, seven invited Coquille chess players still had to use their brains for this special event. Stephen Mast 11th grade, Jessica Ross 9th grade, Jasmine Lambson 8th grade, Kaitlyn Davidson 7th grade, Sarai Perkins 7th grade, Josiah Perkins 4th grade and Angelina Marones Kindergarten were scattered in various hearing and committee rooms where capitol staff including security officers observed their games. Kaitlyn Davidson and Sarai Perkins despite the tough competition were able to secure second place in their divisions, earning Amazon gift certificates as their prize. For the others, this tournament served as motivation to continue hard practice for this year’s chess season.

 Their games will be reviewed during the next month’s Tuesday night chess lessons to find ways to improve. Coquille Chess Club plans to put on their own all day chess tournaments on November 7th and December 12th at the Coquille High School with registration at 9 a.m. Friends they got to reacquaint themselves with at the All Stars were invited to give some competition. Adults are also invited to the local tournaments as this is a sport for all ages.

LaVerne Park Chess  Tournament and Water  FestGorgeous weather greeted  enthusiastic chess players  at the LaVerne Chess  Tournament and Water Fest  Saturday, June 27th. Picnic  benches were set up with  chess boards in the shade  next to the river. In the  lower rated division,  Amanda Davidson (mother  of several Coquille chess  players) and Phelen Van  Deren (Middle School player  from Portland) tied for  first place. A tie breaker  Blitz playoff with only five  minutes per player resulted  in a win for Phelen.

Prizes  of squirt guns were given  out with a Super Soaker for  first place. They were put to  instant use. Local players JJ  Newman (recent 3rd grader)  won fourth place. Tyler  Ogleby (recent 4th grader)  won fifth place and  Angelina Morones (recent  preschooler) won sixth  place. In the higher rated  division, Josiah Perkins  (recent 3rd grader had the  talent to compete against  other very talented individuals.  His only loss was Mark  Claiborne, Coquille’s current  coach and instructor.

Frequently Josiah was  wrapped in a towel as he  dried off after playing in the  nearby river or the squirt  gun fights. He had to compete  against his mother,  Angelina Perkins who ultimately  placed fifth in the  upper division.  Coquille’s Kaitlyn  Davidson won third place,  Sarai Perkins won fourth  place. Afterwards, more  river and squirt gun fun  guaranteed a few sunburns.  Coquille plans two more  LaVerne Park Chess  Tournaments July 18th and  August 8th. All chess players,  kids and adults, are  invited to test their skills  and have a load of fun!

by Nancy Keller

Lincoln school had festive decorations and joyful sounds as  kids and adults had fun during the Second Annual  Midsummer Fest Satuday, June 20th. The wind and gray  clouds threatened to dampen the fun but the cafeteria provided  a safe haven from the winds and ocasional rain drops.  People got face paintings of frogs and dolphins, made  wreaths of flowers or feathers, while others had fun with  beading, making earrings and necklaces. Huge bubbles  scattered in the wind while some kids attempted to pop  them before they were blown away.

The side walks were  decorated with chalk drawings and kids were having fun  with balloons which one parent attempted to make into balloon  animals. Shirts were tie dyed and one girl attempted  to learn a song on the guitar and then joined in with the  silly songs led by the guitar player.  A treasure hunt had kids racing across the field in search  of clues.

They enjoyed finding the treasure chest and sharing  their booty. One lone child braved the wind to paint on  the outdoor easels.  The Downtown Studio looks forward to making this a  yearly Festival with dancing, music, games, workshops and  storytelling. If you missed it this year, you have another  chance for next year which is expected to be even better.