Trolley of Terror

Haunts of Albany come to life

Tales of a bird lady wandering halls, twisted nurses, and dark shadows in the windows send shivers down the backs of passersby.

Historic Albany has a bone chilling history in the moonlit night.

On Friday, Oct. 23, the Trolley of Terror in Albany got its ghostly start well before the witching hour. The tour began at the Historic Monteith House Museum on Southwest Second Avenue. The first trolley ride began at 6 p.m. and the last ride was at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, there were four additional rides available for the Trolley of Terror at varying times. Friday, Oct. 30, will be the trolley’s last ride until next year. Muhaha.

The Trolley of Terror was brought to the city of Albany by the Monteith Historical Society. It is a fundraiser with proceeds from the trolley rides raise funds to maintain the historical pioneer home.

“This is a fundraiser to help maintain the Monteith House Museum, preserve the artifacts in the collection, and to continue to provide educational opportunities for the community,” said Amanda Pool, Monteith Historical Society volunteer.

The funds collected during the three days of spooky fun help to continue providing free tours to local school children and the public, as well as other projects that help tell the remarkable story of the Monteith family, and the brave pioneers who helped build Albany.

Oscar Hult the trolley tour guide. He had a mischievous laugh while he welcomed everyone aboard the trolley. All dressed in black with a top hat to match, Hult was summoning something frightful for that evening’s tour.

First stop was the Pfeiffer House Bed and Breakfast. A woman heard footsteps in the hall and a voice of a woman. Her son was sleeping in the basement at the time, so she was all alone upstairs. She didn’t know what to do! She tried to ignore the footsteps and the voice, but couldn’t. Not long after she woke up to a back rub and shouted out, “LEAVE ME ALONE!” Whoever or whatever it was left her alone.

Next door the Pfeiffer House is where the green lady, “the witch,” is said to live. And in this same neighborhood the specter of a dog with glowing red eyes roams, howling.

Apparently Albany had its very own “Bird Lady” some time ago. The Dawson House was home to a woman who had several birds. It was said that she even let the doors stay open so they could come and go as they pleased. The house was covered in bird droppings and smelled awful. The Dawson House has been known for sightings of the “Bird Lady” still wandering in the halls and tending to her birds.

Across the street in Fred Dawson’s house, a young boy was placed on the dining room table and his leg was amputated. The boy young died not long after the amputation. There have been sightings in the yard of a young boy running and playing, but he has both legs. Peculiar.

The Baltimore House is a blue victorian with a spirit of a woman in black clothes who walked through people during a current residents party one evening.

The N.H. Allen House is said to be haunted by laughing and screaming. After the house went up for sale and sold, renovations began. During the renovations shocking discoveries were made. Chimpanzee skeletons were found inside the walls! It has been said that previous owners had three chimpanzees and left them to roam free, only coming to feed them.

There is a twisted nurse who is said to haunt the halls of the Hochstedler House. She assisted the physician, however, her work didn’t end when the doctor’s shift ended. Her ghost has been seen with a tray of what could be nurse’s tools, perhaps.

Just beyond the yard is the previous Willamette Valley Hospital known as the Barnes House. Some say they can still hear the screams of past pet patients.    

“For Your Gifts,” located downtown on First Street., is haunted by an evil presence. “For Your Gifts” is a gift shop with lovely little trinkets and such, but beware a dark shadow that may throw a trinket or two your way.

The Trolley of Terror concluded at The Monteith House.

“Be careful while stepping off the trolley now,” said Hult. “Don’t want to add you to next year’s story now, do we?”

It was a candlelight tour of the home where Thomas and Christine Monteith lived so long ago. It was dark, musty, and unlike any home of the modern world. The candlelight tour began in the parlor where our tour guide Pool shared a personal story about a door in the room.

The tour group made its way up the narrow stairs to the first bedroom and listened to stories about the Monteith’s and the room. Just down the hall to the left was Thomas and Christine Monteith’s bedroom. It had their headboard from when they were married in the room and a few other original pieces from when they were alive. It felt as if they were there watching the tour.

Across the hall was the third room. On display was the dress that Christine Monteith wore during the mourning of her husband. Behind the dress was a crawl space. Where it goes, no one knows.

All throughout Albany there are frights to be had, screams to be heard, and ghosts to be seen. If haunts are your delight, creep on over to Monteith Historical Society and Albany Oregon’s Visitors Association for a spooky historic venture.  

Shake, rattle and roll

Linn-Benton participates in The Great Oregon Shakeout

“Attention please. Attention please. LBCC is participating in the Great Oregon Shakeout. This is a simulation of a 7.8-magnitude earthquake. Staff and faculty, please continue with the reading of the simulation script now.”

The drill announcement was initiated over the PA system. There was no alarm actually sounded to alert staff and students. On Thursday, Oct. 15, Linn-Benton staff and students participated in a campus-wide earthquake drill at 10:15 a.m.

During the Great Oregon Shakeout, Margarita Casas, foreign language instructor, was just beginning her Spanish 101 class.

The facilitator for Casas’ class was Jonah Koerner. After the PA announcement was finished, Koerner read a script to simulate the effects of a 7.8 earthquake.

“We are having a 7.8-magnitude earthquake. The ground is shaking. Glass is breaking. There are loud rumbling noises surrounding you, books are falling, ceiling tiles are falling, lamp fixtures are falling, and power is flickering. The pipes may be breaking, and water running. The objects hanging on walls are falling off, projectors and screens could be falling, and the walls may be bending inward,” said Koerner. “Those around you will be screaming and panicking. This could last two to five minutes; but it will seem much longer.”   

“Earthquake drills are important reminders for the geologic area we live in,” said Matt Helget, history student.  

Oregon is located off the Juan de Fuca plate subduction zone, making it susceptible to earthquakes. An earthquake of a 7.8-magnitude would cause devastating damage.

Once students were aware of the quake strength they were faced with the effects a 7.8-magnitude earthquake could cause, the facilitator Koerner led a brief discussion regarding the first steps, directives, and to look around the environment to see what hazards think staff and students at LBCC might face during an earthquake on campus.

“It has been probably 20 years since my last earthquake drill in high school. Though I know educational facilities have the drills, when I was working we had no such drills, so I had forgotten the protocols,” said Helget. “Also, the protocols are different; I remember standing in a doorway was an okay place to be, but now is not.”

After the earthquake drill concluded and the discussion ended, students mentioned it was helpful; however, some were concerned regarding safety in the classrooms.

“Just looking at how classes are set up though, maybe the college needs to look at the security of the projectors to the ceilings seeing they’re over work tables and desks,” said Helget.

The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools, and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes, and to improve preparedness.

There were over 550,000 participants this year in the Great Oregon Shakeout.

Student turned instructor

There's a new Instructional Support Assistant on campus

Brie Wood’s journey at Linn-Benton started over a decade ago. She has had different roles over the years, and all have been in the same room the “Math Classroom”: student aide, instructional assistant part-time, Math 20 instructor, and now instructional support assistant.

At first Wood wanted to become a pharmacist. She started her college education in 2002 in the Pharmacy Technician program at LBCC.  

While taking classes, Wood found out she enjoyed math just as much as she was good at it. She made the decision to switch from the Pharmacy Technician program to pursue mathematics in 2003.

During her time as a student, Wood began work as a student worker in 2004. She helped at the math angle, one-on-one tutoring, and math help desk at the Albany campus, Benton Center and Lebanon Center.

She graduated with her Associates of Science in Mathematics from Linn-Benton in 2007.

Wood graduated from Oregon State University with her Bachelor’s in Mathematics in 2009.

In January 2010 Wood started her teaching career at LB. As an adjunct faculty working 20-25 hours a week. As well as being an adjunct, she continued helping at the math angle and the math help desk.

“I could always count on Brie to be exceptionally patient and kind to students. She has a confidence and an ability to explain math concepts that students appreciate,” said Vikki Maurer, mathematics instructor.

Spring 2015 was the last term Wood worked as an adjunct faculty. Linn-Benton welcomed the new Instructional Support Assistant in summer 2015.

“I’m really enjoying it,” said Wood. “I like that this position lets the student get to know you really well, and then the students feel comfortable enough to come back and ask questions.”

Wood’s position allows for students to come in outside of class time for one-on-one help. and enables instructors to have the necessary materials prepared for lecture; and Wood is available to assist in training future aides for Math 20.

“She readies the classroom and supports the instructors in a variety of ways,” said Maurer. “I feel fortunate to have such a competent, bright, capable, creative instructional assistant. Brie is awesome!!,” said Maurer.

RoadRunners win in pink

Team raises awareness for breast cancer

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the RoadRunners wore pink shirts during their game Oct. 2 against Mt. Hood.

Audience members wore pink in the form of headbands, shirts, and shoes. People in attendance were definitely “digging” pink in support of LB volleyball and the fight against breast cancer.

The admissions fee, concessions, and donations totalled $223.71. The funds went to the Side-Out Foundation.

The Side-Out Foundation started with a coaching job, a second diagnosis of breast cancer, a high school volleyball team, and determination. Dunetz created the Side-Out Foundation to reach other athletes and cancer patients. Through the foundation’s events and education, he brings hope and energy to the breast cancer cause. And it all began with one magical season.

The Side-Out Foundation’s October event brings together volleyball players across the nation to raise funds for breast cancer research, demonstrate the power of teamwork, and show support for people with the disease. The events are supported by middle school, high school, and college students nationwide.

Funds raised for The Side-Out Foundation go directly to its own cutting-edge clinical trials at renowned medical institutions.

After Friday night’s game Linn-Benton is on a three-match win streak

Mt. Hood scored the first point; however, LB didn’t let them get too far, and within seconds, scored and didn’t look back.

The first set of the match the RoadRunners ended with 25-8 in favor of LBCC.

The RoadRunners were quick on their feet and fast to spike the ball over the net.

“We did really good and kept our intensity,” said freshmen Chase Bohman.

In the first game freshman No. 8 Alyvia Sams dove for the save to score the RoadRunners another point putting them at 11-4 against Mt. Hood.

During the second game the RoadRunners got a second wind and won 25-20. It was close. Both teams were in the game with all hands on deck.   

“We did very well,” said Malie Rube. “We played a very dynamic game.”

In the final set of matches the RoadRunners focused in and really drove the game home. Final score for the third was 25-12.

The RoadRunners kept the same energy and pressure on Mt. Hood throughout the match, shown in the consistent scores throughout the game.

“We’ve been focusing on small details and discipline,” said Coach Jayme Frazier.

Due to the tragedy at Umpqua Community College last week, the UCC volleyball game will be hosted at LBCC at 6 p.m.

Nurses heard around world

Nurses unite against being discredited

People in the LBCC nursing community support Johnson standing up for the profession.

On Sept. 13 in Atlantic City, N.J., Miss Colorado Kelley Johnson performed her talent on stage for millions to see. Her talent wasn’t the typical baton twirling, toe tapping, or opera singing number. Johnson took the stage in purple scrubs with a white stethoscope around her neck.

“Our goal as nurses is to make a difference,” said Marcy Shanks, nursing faculty.

She performed a monologue and talked about an Alzheimer's disease patient named Joe, who reminded her of why she became a nurse in the first place.

After the pageant aired, The View co-hosts Joy Behar and Michelle Collins made controversial comments about Johnson’s monologue. Behar and Collins clarified their comments on The View Wednesday, Sept. 16. Collins mocked Johnson, saying “She came out in a nurse’s uniform and basically read her emails out loud, and shockingly did not win.” View co-host Joy Behar added, “Why does she have a doctor’s stethoscope on?”

These comments led to a backlash on social media with a support hashtag #NursesUnite. Nurses called for an apology all over.

Behar and Collins clarified their comments on The View Wednesday, Sept. 16. Collins mocked Johnson, saying “She came out in a nurse’s uniform and basically read her emails out loud, and shockingly did not win.” View co-host Joy Behar added, “Why does she have a doctor’s stethoscope on?”

“I am a nurse and that’s my talent, taking care of people and caring about others,” said Johnson on The Ellen show Sept. 17. “I wanted to give the nurses that don’t have the voice, that voice and that recognition of somebody going up there and just being a little bit different and unique.”

Nursing isn’t just a job. Being a professional nurse means the patients in your care must be able to trust you. It means being up to date with the best practice. It means treating your patients and colleagues with dignity, kindness, respect and compassion.

According to the Gallup.com a survey site, “Nursing is the most trusted profession in the United States, with respondents rating nurses highest for honesty and ethics.”

Teachers take classes too

Linn-Benton new full-time faculty takes three day class

Linn-Benton new full-time faculty receive a unique welcome unlike other colleges. These instructors enter into a program called Instructional Strategies Institute that has been at LBCC for two decades.

“ISI is so comprehensive and extremely helpful,” said Raymund Ocampo music faculty.

Faculty who participate in ISI meet for three days before In-service begins and once per month during the academic year. They learn about the resources and teaching practices that will help them be effective instructors. Learning happens both through tours and presentations.

“I really look forward to having time to check in with my new friends and to talk about our experiences in the classroom,” said Joyce Thompson Graham, English for Speakers of Other Languages faculty. “It's a wonderful support system and one of the things that makes LBCC really special.”

During the three day class the instructors toured the campus. Some of the sites toured this year were the Diversity Achievement Center, the Learning Center, the Accessibility Services Offices, and the Counseling Center. Presenters came and shared presentations on topics such as Using Technology to Enhance your Teaching and Active Learning.

Part of ISI is training involves participation in group activities. New faculty took part in activities such as scavenger hunts, sentence fragments and block words. They also discussed first day “icebreakers” and by doing this it allowed ideas to be shared.

“Think together and work together and learn without realizing your learning,” said Will Fleming, writing faculty.

The closing of the first day of ISI, the student speakers shared what made a successful learning environment. Ocampo recanted what both speakers shared and the two things he took away from the speakers was: the belief that faculty had in them to succeed and the persistence of faculty to ensure success.

“There is a feel on campus that’s very exciting right now and I think this is an exciting time to be at LB,” said Ocampo.

The Instructional Strategies Institute is funded by The Office of Academic Affairs.

This year’s there are 11 new full-time faculty coming to LBCC to teach a variety of courses, such as physical science, welding technology, and writing.

“I'm so enjoying the ISI experience because I'm visiting places on the campus I haven't been before, and we are just starting to have some great conversations about our programs and our teaching,” said Thompson Graham.

Designated Smoke Shelters

Linn-Benton keeping the air smoke free

This fall Linn-Benton Community College will be filled with new students eager to learn. Prior to this journey there is a policy that needs to be formalized: smoke in designated areas.

There are six smoke shelters located around campus: two in front of Takena Hall, one west of White Oak Hall, one east of Luckiamute Center, one in parking lot No. 5, and one outside McKenzie Hall.

Smoke shelters aren’t just for smoking cigarettes. They’re also the designated vaping, e-cigarettes and chewing tobacco shelters.

Students are prohibited from smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vape pens, and chewing tobacco anywhere else on campus except in the designated areas.

According to the Administrative Rule No. 5045-02, “LBCC is committed to a healthy campus which minimizes the potential negative impact of products used in smoking, vaping, and tobacco chewing. These rules pertain to limiting tobacco use and products used in e-cigarettes and other smoking devices in public places and work spaces except those designated as smoking areas. The purpose of the Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act and the Tobacco-Free Campus Executive Order is to reduce the health hazard to persons in confined public places inhaling smoke and vapor caused by tobacco and other vaping products.”

The next time the nicotine urge arises, remember the six designated smoking shelters.

LBCC instructor by day and Albany police officer by night

Steve Corder guides students and community all in a day’s work

For 27 years Steve Corder has devoted his time to public service and being part of the community in which he lives.

Criminal Justice instructor Corder works at Linn-Benton Community College and has been here since April 1997 as an adjunct instructor. Corder teaches Intro to Law Enforcement, Police Field Operations, and Regulations and Communication.

Corder has a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and a Master of Science in Correctional Administration from Western Oregon State College, now Western Oregon University. A portion of his graduate degree includes a minor in Substance Abuse Prevention from the University of Oregon.

His law enforcement career began in 1980 as a cadet in Douglas County at the Sheriff’s Office. After graduating from Roseburg Senior High School he enlisted in the United States Army as a military policeman and served two years in Europe.

Once Corder finished his military commitment, his family moved to Albany during which time he attended LBCC. Corder was selected as a reserve deputy for the Linn County Sheriff’s Office while attending classes at LBCC. He also worked as a marine deputy during the summers while attending college.

He transferred to Western Oregon State College where he majored in Law Enforcement and minored in Military Science. At the same time, he enrolled in the United States Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) program. Corder graduated from Western Oregon State College December 1988 at which time he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.  

Corder was a part-time hire as a Linn County Deputy Sheriff until he went on active duty as an Army Officer. He served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the United States Army while stationed in Germany. After wife Susan Corder had their first daughter, they returned to Oregon, and he pursued law enforcement.

Albany Police Department welcomed Corder in May 1993. He has served as: Police Officer, Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Special Services Captain, and Deputy Chief of Police.

“I have always considered criminal investigation and patrol to be the best duties in any police department and am truly grateful that I had the means and opportunity to return to that position,” said Corder.

In October 2005 Corder voluntarily demoted himself to a police officer and returned to case work.

Being an instructor has never been about the money, expressed Corder.

“I would [work at LBCC] for free. I don’t do it for the money,” said Corder. “They could stop paying me tomorrow and I would still work there.”

Working with faculty that have a similar want to help others has made working at LBCC a difference in Corder’s experience.

The ability to work with students, help them become excited in criminal justice and work through the college process is just a sense of accomplishment to Corder.

Many have inspired Corder to be a distinguished law enforcement professional and instructor. From the first ride-along 35 years ago with Deputy Marty Baldwin, to the late Jerry Phillips formerly of LBCC, many have mentored Corder. These individuals have helped make an impact on his life in a positive way to benefit the community in which he services today.

“I enjoyed [Steve’s] stories more than anything,” said previous student Jessie Easdale. “It’s what I want to do, so hearing stories about what it’s like in the field are very intriguing to me.”

Corder believes in explaining the career to students from his experience, so that they can make a more informed decision regarding the police field. He allows students to ask questions. At the beginning of the term he tells students who he is, what he does and that there is no “off the record” in the classroom.

During Corder’s career he’s had experiences leave him with all kinds of memories. He remembers handwriting reports, bizarre calls and all the people he’s had the chance to work with.

“It is the greatest job there really is,” said Corder.

Corder described being a police officer as being phenomenally different than teaching. He highly enjoys the randomness it provides each shift. All the variety from the bizarre calls and weird runs and how the job changes from one minute to the next is the best part about the job.

Criminal Justice department chair Rodney Carter feels Corder is a tremendous asset to the college.

“Steve is an exceptional teacher. His academic credentials combined with his long experience as a police officer and criminal justice administrator make him a tremendous asset to the college. In the classroom, he is both tough and caring: Essential attributes of a successful teacher and police officer,” said Carter.