Yachats Oregon Writer Rick Schultze

The official definition of the Dog Days of Summer refers to the hottest, most sultry days of summer. In the northern hemisphere they usually fall between early July and early September. Think August. Dog Days can also define a time period that is very hot or stagnant, or marked by a dull lack of progress. While many folks around the country complain about the Dog Days Of Summer that allegedly most often fall in August leaving them bored and with nothing to do, we here in Oregon, especially on the Central Oregon Coast, are quite the opposite. At last count there were twenty county fairs in full swing across the state in August and of course the state fair begins in Salem in late August. In Yachats on August 13^th Angell Job Corps is celebrating its 45^th Anniversary with an open house beginning at 10:00 am. The public is invited to enjoy a free barbecue, witness trade demonstrations, enjoy music by Clean Slate and take tours of the facility. Even the professional golf tours; The Champions and Ladies Professional Golf Association, resume full field schedules in Oregon in August at Sunriver and Pumpkin Ridge in North Plains. So it’s apparent that August isn’t just a dull boring month leading up to the last summer holiday, Labor Day, on September 7^th .

August can be very hot and sultry in the Willamette Valley but the coast is the place to kick those Dog Days and enjoy nature’s air conditioning while taking in all the sights. The camp grounds full up, the beaches are busy and the merchants are friendly welcoming the influx of visitors. Here it is never a dull day or Dog Day!

And to keep things lively in August youth sport teams all over the state are performing and the high schools in Waldport and Florence are beginning to assemble their football teams. A lot of these players have been working out all summer and attending various football camps.

As August fades into September I’d suggest taking advantage of the many opportunities to enjoy Oregon and the Central Oregon Coast and be happy to realize we really don’t have to suffer through those dreaded Dog Days of Summer!

To reach Rick Schultze email yarick@pioneer.net.