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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Homeless feeding questioned Disc golf course coming to Cave Junction park Human remains found in burning trailer Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service Barn fire may have been human-caused Emergency services Inmates to get mental health, addiction treatment Missing Medford man found safe in Sweet Home Politics and Elections Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Commissioner candidates Talbert, Roberts duel for endorsements Falls: Jackson County sheriff's race isn't over Former sheriff calls Winters' retirement decision 'very wise' Will 'GMO effect' shape election? Education EP school district launches new app Striving to make the grade Fresh produce goes home with Jackson Elementary families State mandates eye exams for kids 7 and younger Eagle Point School District goes silent on gun issue Environment Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Josephine County ballot measure would ban commercial and government pesticide use Low water exposes Emigrant Lake's past Wagner Creek work would restore streambank Deer-killing disease won't taint meat for hunters State news Nation - World Obituaries Calvin Schaefer Norma Mae Prilliman Elizabeth Anne Jones Jesse Jay Gilchrist Lorraine Antcha Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories South rebounds with rout of Roseburg Ashland drops MWL boys match to Churchill Hay rallies Pirates past Henley Gadget play gives Grizz win over Comets GP dashes North’s hopes Varsity 541 College Sports Stanford cruises past Washington State High stakes for No. 12 Oregon, No. 18 UCLA Raider men win handily Raiders shut out Eastern Oregon Georgia star Gurley suspended for alleged violation Pro Sports Gordon-led Royals beat Orioles 8-6 in ALCS Donovan hits post in US swan song Birdie binge puts Laird in front at Frys.com Giants-Cards: Here we go again in NLCS Colts hold on for 33-28 win over Texans Community Sports Business Latest Stories Ranchers offer livestock exchange Lithia buys Clovis dealership Blog: When Life Gives You Lemons... Medford airport has busiest September ever County hopes to spur renewable energy Real Estate News Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Medford's Pixel Productions moves to new quarters People In Business Transportation Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Ranchers offer livestock exchange 1-800-Flowers CEO: Labor shortage an issue for Harry & David Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Opinion Latest Election Letters, Oct.11 Another View: Congress must act on firefighting budget Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Matthew T. Mangino: Trials, pleas and the burden of proof: A search for justice Our View: Talbert is the right choice for commissioner Editorials Another View: Congress must act on firefighting budget Our View: Talbert is the right choice for commissioner Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Measure 86 would allow a prudent investment Our View: Top-two primary would empower more voters Letters to the Editor Election Letters, Oct.11 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 9 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 8 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 7 Guest Opinions Mt. Ashland is responding to community concerns Siskiyou Plus Spring Bear Hunt: What lies beneath? Guest Opinion: Who's to blame for 2014 wildfires? Guest Opinion: Measure 91 will snuff out local tax measures Is Ashland taking over Jackson County elections? Lifestyle Latest stories Nibbling away at the Earth Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Name that wolf Community blog: Battered, fried bhaji bring street food to the table Food Community blog: Battered, fried bhaji bring street food to the table Community blog: Kicking it off, a game, a season, or a pint (How about all the above?) Apples and pears make great autumn duo Community blog: Cardamom makes proverbial pairing with pears New owners bring new philosophy at 2Hawk Home and Garden How to create a fashionable painted floor cloth Dear Monty: 7 prepping tips for home showings Harvest your frost-tender tomatoes for storage Fall is a good time to plant certain perennials Start now for a bowl of winter sunshine Health Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Dr. Murray Feingold: Take precautions to prevent home accidents Health Watch: Make TV time workout time Community blog: Do We Need Steps For Health? 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Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... Human remains found in burning trailer ... Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... A turn of the knob takes you back in time Though the days of families gathered around the Philco radio happened before I did, I've watched enough episodes of "The Waltons" to appreciate those times and imagine the conversations it started. By Peggy Dover MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover Posted Feb. 16, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Peggy Dover Posted Feb. 16, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News Though the days of families gathered around the Philco radio happened before I did, I've watched enough episodes of "The Waltons" to appreciate those times and imagine the conversations it started. I have good news for fellow nostalgia lovers — many of those vintage radios are out of retirement and playing like new at Russ and Sue Webb's Old Radio Museum. I recently visited them and their felines Fuzzy and Woolley at their country property near Eagle Point. Russ Webb is a professional electronics technician. One look at his stunning array of restored radios will convince anyone that it's no cliche to call it a labor of love. The Webb home could contain only so many of the chocolate-and-caramel colored beauties, so Russ built them their own space within his workshop, appropriately with living-room atmosphere. It's where he takes the remains of radios that have seemingly gone the trip, as my grandma used to say, and breathes new life into them, painstakingly returning each to its former splendor and utility. All of the approximately 125 floor and tabletop models look and play just as they did when they graced Great Uncle Roy's parlor floor. Having traveled and scuba dived all over the world, the Webbs chose Eagle Point for their home base. Now when they travel, they peer into corners and dusty attics, keeping an eye out for forgotten piles of radio innards, old tubes and faded veneers. Sue Webb is marketer and Web designer for their collaborative effort. They've been married 35 years, and her enthusiasm for her husband's talent is apparent. "I love spending time in the radio room," Sue said. As Russ turns the knob on a favorite — a cathedral-style Clago Radiochron with rich birdseye maple and a clock in its middle — the small dial glows, promise of the reception to follow. Russ came by his radio connection naturally. Even though his dad wasn't a radio technician, he served in the military at a radio relay site. When the family sold everything to relocate to Turkey, Russ, then a teenager, decided to build his own radio. He's never stopped tinkering, and I'm convinced there's nothing he doesn't know about radios and their history. While I stood with my mouth open, ogling all the gorgeous models (radios, guys), Russ took me on a historical tour starting in the 1920s, when radios were cumbersome beasts requiring stacks of batteries and pots of acid. Not easy on the family carpet. Most examples are from the 1930s, decade of the Great Depression between two World Wars, and before television came along to disrupt things. When I asked him why he worked so hard at it, his reply was simple. "I think somebody needs to do this." His heart is in it. He told how someone called wanting to restore Grandma's old Zenith. "When they came, Grandma showed up with it," Russ said. That's when his work hits the mark. He loves returning a prized heirloom to a family member in like-new condition. "I like fixing Grandma's radio for her." There are a few pieces offered for sale, but the bulk of the collection is family and not going anywhere just yet. Russ plans to retire from his day job soon. "I'll have more time to do this," he told me. Some folks' calling is no mystery; it busts out of them and fills their space. Russ plans to give a presentation on antique radios for the Southern Oregon Antiques and Collectibles Club at Horton Plaza at 7 p.m. on May 7. The free meeting will be open to the public. You can see the Old Radio Museum website at www.russoldradiorepair.com. It'll whet your appetite. Email the Webbs from the site if you want to set up a time to visit this slice of authentic history and maybe get a visit with Fuzzy, the quad-riding cat, in the bargain. Peggy Dover is a freelance writer who works from a 1900 farmhouse in Eagle Point. Reach her at [email protected]. By Peggy Dover MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover Posted Feb. 16, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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