Thank You for Making History Together

On September 13, Cottage Grove came together to break a world record—and we could not have done it without the incredible support of our partners, coordinators, and volunteers.

Special thanks to Richard Meyers and Jeff Gowing for keeping the idea alive until Main Street revitalization gave us the perfect moment to make it real. Gratitude also to City Manager Mike Sauerwein for giving the go-ahead and attending our meetings.

Thank you to Councilor Greg Ervin and his family for facilitating and coordinating the travel and accommodations for the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Adjudicator. Also, for initiating contact with them to get the ball rolling! 

We are grateful to the Bohemian Gold Mining Museum, the Secord, and the Olson families for going above and beyond in planning, coordinating, and orchestrating the event. The Secords for providing free gold ore specimens from the district. Thanks to the Cottage Grove Historical Society—especially Holli Turpin—for providing meeting space, digging into movie history, acquiring memorabilia, creating the “What’s in My Pan” poster, and staffing the check-in table alongside Tera Sue Hughart, Joanne Skelton, and Feather Boustead.

The Bohemia Mine Owners Association board members and president, Tom Pepiot for providing gold mineral material from the district for panning and for bringing the mining equipment to display. 

Our appreciation goes to the City of Cottage Grove Public Works, especially Faye Stewart and his crew, for building the boxes that brought our idea to life and providing restrooms for the event. Thanks to Kourtney Stewart for the wonderful event logo. To Steve and Julie Hamilton with Makeyourowngoldbars.com for providing pans, vials, and sniffers at nearly cost, and to Best Little Print House for the fast-turnaround stickers that added a keepsake to the day.

A special thanks to Cascade Home Center’s Jake Schmitt for saving us in the final hour with much-needed buckets. 

For set-up, thank you, Mike Cummings, Shauna Neigh, Jeremy Means, Faye Stewart, Randy Dietz, Kyle Dooley, and Matthew Hewlett. For participant packets and details, thanks to Kelly Bottorff, Judi Pruitt, Christina Hussey, Richard Meyers, Tera Sue Hughart, Holli Turpin, and Shauna Neigh. And for early morning support— Darrel Wilson, Lily Goings, and Ernie Olson.

A shout-out to Jeff Gowing for our shotgun start (and finish!) in true style, and to Cameron Reiten, Chamber Chair, for lending his voice and presence. To Mayor Candace Solesbee, who served as both official witness and timekeeper.

Our official world record videographer, Steve Cross, deserves a huge thank-you for taking on a job far harder than promised! Thanks also to Danny Solesbee, Matthew Hewlett, Dustin Davey, Dan Hill, Greg Lee, and the Spirit of BMD crew for photography and video support.

Gratitude to our official stewards, Laura Secord, Carroll Wetch, and Duane Mayberry; our expert witness, Dick Secord; and our official witnesses, Linda Olson, Mayor Solesbee, and Holli Turpin..

A very special thank-you to our “dirt runners”—members of the Cottage Grove High School Key Club and Spirit of BMD—for keeping us panning for 30 minutes straight: Lesly Izucar Rangel, Jacqueline Zarate Hernandez, Ava Johns, Roger Leach, Paul Hewlett, Dillion Mann, Kavitha Hewlett, Joelie Saunders, Jim and Joyce Settelmeyer, with extra thanks to Jerry Settelmeyer for Key Club coordination.

Finally, thank you again to the Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days volunteers for running the coloring station, vendor booth, and pitching in wherever needed: Linda & Bill Oxley, Bill & Cathy Simmons, Paul, Amy, Kavitha, and Matthew Hewlett, Joelie Saunders, Roger Leach, David DeRienzo, Dustin Davey, and Dylan Mann.

Thank you to anyone not mentioned who helped make this event successful. 

Together, you made history happen—and proved once again that Cottage Grove shines brightest when we work side by side.