Dalmatians are the key mascot when it comes to the firefighting industry, but why is this?

Firefighting’s early days did not consist of big government-owned departments that are  seen today. Instead, various privately-owned firefighting businesses or volunteer companies were in control of the system. According to Merrimack’s Fire and Rescue page, the first volunteer fire department was opened in 1736 by the well-known founding father Benjamin Franklin. In many towns, the firemen and their equipment would often be a pretty sight for the townsfolk, as they would show their equipment off during parades and similar events.  Firefighting companies would give themselves the upper hand by using high quality and aesthetically pleasing equipment. Differently from today, when fires would occur, it was a first come first serve basis for who would get to put the fire out, and thus get paid. This played even more greatly into the idea of firefighting aesthetics and the owning of quality equipment. 

Dalmatians began being used in the fire industry in the 1700s. Their beautiful and intriguing coats sparked delight in the beginning fire industry, as they made a gorgeous addition to the aesthetic of the fire vehicles, but that was not all. Dalmatians were an incredibly helpful addition to the fire industry, and their strength and running skills allowed them to cross miles on end, allowing the companies that had them to get to the fires faster. The early fire trucks were not so much actual trucks but rather wagons which were drawn by horses. The dalmatians and horses got along well and were able to be companions for each other during busy fire days. The dogs acted as great leaders, guiding the horses on where to go, clearing paths and also protecting the whole fire team from theft. (Horses were the only real method of everyday transportation at the time, and so they were a prime target for theft.) 

Advancements in technology over time have led the dogs to be less commonly used in the fighting of actual fires, though it is true that many stations and firemen still have Dalmatians as pets. Dalmatians were heroes to the early fire business, making them the perfect mascot for the firefighting industry today.

Every public place we visit has a system of keeping itself clean so that people visiting can stay healthy and happy, but what could this system be? Well, it is by the dedication of custodial workers that cleanliness can occur. 

The National Day Calendar states, “On October 2nd, National Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day encourages appreciation to the employees who keep our schools and workplaces across the nation running smoothly.”  Public places are used frequently, and by many, many people. Custodial workers are needed at grocery stores, gyms, churches, athletic facilities and events, and where all students should recognize: schools. Their work consists of general housekeeping, cleaning and building maintenance.  If there were no people to keep buildings clean, then a messy environment would be unavoidable, and it could pose major health risks, especially including sanitation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when businesses began to open their doors again, strict sanitation and cleaning guidelines were applied, especially in schools. Desks had to be washed often, and everything was required to be frequently sanitized. It is the custodial workers that kept schools in the required healthy state. Even on regular days at school, at a store, or a restaurant, messy floors and unclean equipment can make for many issues, and overall add a negative look to a place.  Custodial workers are extremely helpful.

It is unfortunate, but very true, that so often our custodial workers never get enough recognition for the work they actually do. Though it may seem like a simple job, the truth is: it is not. Custodial workers are so very needed, and they deserve appreciation.

Here at our own Grants Pass High School, we have an array of custodial workers that are deserving of our appreciation. Whenever you pass them on campus, in the halls, or starting their after-school cleaning, I encourage you to give them a simple “Thanks for what you do,” because it will mean a lot to them to receive recognition for their often overlooked hard work.

Sports and athletic activities play a big role in many people's childhoods and lives. From when students learn basic skills on the first day to years later, when they are competing for scholarships, there has been one significant figure present from the very beginning: a coach.

At Grants Pass High School, most should be familiar with the school’s beautiful field, the place where many sports are held– Mel Ingram Field. The name of this field is not random, however, for it is in fact named after one of Grants Pass High School’s most cherished coaches.

Mel Ingram began coaching at Grants Pass High School (GPHS) in 1947, though it is not only his time here at GPHS that is noteworthy.  Ingram grew up in Aberdeen, WA and was known for being a “tremendous athlete”, states the Caveman Hall of Fame article from his induction.  His early success was shown by the earning of four letters each in baseball, basketball, football and track, and he went on to earn fifteen letters while competing at the collegiate level for Gonzaga University. He was known as “the greatest all around athlete in the area”  according to the Bleacher Report sports writers. They note that “Mel Ingram is still considered one of the greatest athletes to ever don a Gonzaga Bulldogs uniform.”  Ingram also spent a short time playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team in 1929. However, it was in the same year in Wallace, ID that Ingram began his coaching career. There, he coached a team to twelve conferences and, following his time at Wallace, he spent three years in Roseburg prior to coming to coach at our very own Grants Pass High School.

Ingram's Caveman Hall of Fame tribute gives his remarkable stats, including " 22 years at the helm, 142-49-19 record and four Caveman state championships; the first official football state championship for Grants Pass High School in 1948, and additional state championships in 1951, 1964, and 1967. Ingram coached for 40 years, and more than half of those were at Grants Pass High School. During his coaching years, despite being offered jobs to play baseball professionally and coach college teams, Ingram stayed coaching high school boys.  In an interview, Ingram expressed, “I want to have a part in making good citizens.” Not only is Ingram dearly loved and admired for his work here at Grants Pass High School, but he is also known for “raising the level of play for high school football in Oregon.” In 1968, Ingram ended his time as coach to go into retirement at a last game, which was the GP Cavemen vs. Ashland. At his final game, former players and coaches all joined together to award Ingram with a retirement gift; a Bronco station wagon to accompany him on his future camping and fishing trips. 

Ingram passed away Oct. 28, 1979 and, in 1980, the football field at Grants Pass High School we love and appreciate was dedicated to Mel Ingram and named the “Mel Ingram field.” The Caveman Hall of Fame inducted coach Ingram for the legacy he left at Grants Pass High School, and for the positive impact he left with every student and program he worked with.

When we think of October, often the spooky season, pumpkin patches and crisp fall weather come to mind. Perhaps for the food-minded, one may immediately think of pumpkin spice and, of course, candy corn. The candy, though, can be quite controversial. A survey by candystore.com showed candy corn as the least favorite candy in 2020 America, but the 2017 survey showed it was six states' most sold candy of all. Conflicting, is it not? No matter a person’s view on actually eating candy corn, the story of how it came to be can be enjoyed by anyone.

It is said to have been 1880s America when the candy, which would come to be known as candy corn, was pushed into the markets. The candy was created at a time when about half of the American labor force was made up of farmers. According to the History website’s article, the candy began when confectioners mixed mellowcreme–corn syrup, food coloring, honey, and sugar–and molded it into little agricultural shapes such as pumpkins, turnips, chestnuts and of course: corn. These candies were marketed year round to children in farming communities.

The first company to sell candy corn is said to be the Windermere Candy Company in Philadelphia, specifically under the mastery of employee George Renninger.  However, what is now the Jelly Belly Candy Company is deserving of credit for popularizing the candy. In the late 1890s, Jelly Belly, or what was at the time known as “Goelitz Candy Company”, marketed candy corn under the name “Chicken Feed”, as the corn shape resembled the real corn that chickens ate. 

Throughout the years, the name evolved to candy corn, hence its corn shape. The National Confectioners Association estimates over 35-million pounds of candy corn is sold every year. That is a lot of candy corn!