GL Swanson Homes Blog

International Paper Company - Albany Oregon Loses A Landmark   I used to drive I-5 every week back in the early 70's and it's hard to imagine the drive without the huge clouds of smoke and steam from the International Paper Company in Albany. The drive was boring after leaving Salem and going sou...

Crater Lake National Park - Oregon Crater Lake is about the last national park in the United States that is not having ecological problems. A big reason for that is the long period of time each year when it's mostly covered in snow. Now the promoters are pushing to have helicopter tours permitted...

My cousin sent the following very important ten tips for surviving Christmas that I feel sure should always be followed at this time of the year. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediat...

It's Better To Give - Grants Pass, Oregon"It's Better To Give," so states Robert Ward, CEO and president of Home Valley Bank.They have thrown their support this holiday season behind the Josephine County Food Bank.The Home Valley Bank is accepting donations of money, food and dry goods in all of ...

Mount Hood Kills Again - Oregon  Here we are again with one climber dead and two missing.  Again, we mourn for the lost and pray for the rest. When is the state of Oregon going to make it illegal to climb Mount Hood without a locater device?  I don't buy the argument that having a locater device ...

Thanks to Dr. Blaine "Doc" Ellingson for writing this post.  No one could have said it better!"Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS® should recognize that the interests...

Foster Children - Grants Pass, Oregon Could you have imagined spending Christmas in a shelter or foster home as a child?  I can't, but Bea Ryan of Grants Pass can.  Mrs. Ryan is the founder of "Our Foster Kids" and was a Foster Child herself from the time she was 11 until she "aged" out of the fo...

Lottie Kendall posted this great blog for tips when you're moving with pets.  The first three tips are also great when you're just taking a trip with your pets. Earlier I posted 5 Tips for Moving with Pets. From the same helpful folks at PetRealtyNetwork here are another 5:  •1.     Play it safe ...

Evergreen Federal Bank & Brady Adams - Grants Pass, Oregon  Grants Pass Santa is at it again! Brady Adams and Evergreen Federal Bank is inviting the public to come into the bank and pin a "promise to do" something on the Christmas tree.  Hand-write it on a piece of paper and attach it to the tree...

O' Christmas Tree The poor Christmas Tree is always getting flack at this time of year.  Even though we recognize it as a symbol of Santa Claus and commercialism, the Christmas Tree gets chased out of malls, schools, public buildings and other places because some religious and non-religious group...