Interested in growing food in public spaces, while working with your neighbors on a fun project?  Become a Sabin Community Orchard Steward! 

The Sabin Community Orchard is a collaborative project between the Portland Fruit Tree Project and the Sabin Community Association, designed to provide delicious fruits and berries - and an opportunity to learn about edible gardening.  It's located on a small city-owned lot on Mason Ave, between 18th and 19th.

Orchard Stewards commit to:
* attend an orientation meeting on Tuesday, February 12
* participate in monthly work & learn parties, from 2:00 - 4:00 on the third Sunday, February - November
* be the note-taker for one or two of the work & learn parties, and share your notes with others
* one mid-summer watering shift to keep the young trees and shrubs healthy

To apply, request an application by calling 503-284-6106 or by emailing [email protected] with "Sabin Orchard Steward Interest" in the subject line. Applications are due Friday, February 1. No experience is necessary, though gardening or orchard experience is a plus! 

Although Irving Park isn't within Sabin boundaries, many residents use the park's facilities. It's a safe bet that most folks are unaware of the park's history as a popular horse-racing track. Here's how it happened...

In 1865, Captain William Irving and his wife Elizabeth established a 635-acre land claim on the east side of the Willamette River. At that time, the area was mostly farms and forests.

After the Captain died in 1872, Elizabeth and her son sold off the eastern portion of the family's property.  In 1887, she leased 90 acres to her nephew, W.S. Dixon, who then sub-leased it to the Multnomah Fair Association.  The MFA constructed a horse-racing track, with grandstands and paddocks. The Irvington streetcar line,  built in 1890 to link downtown to the eastside, provided easy access to the popular racetrack.

In 1905, there was a lawsuit over the betting operations at the track. After an extensive legal battle, Elizabeth regained control of the land, and in 1907, the racetrack was demolished.  Soon after that, Elizabeth donated 14 acres to the city of Portland to establish Irving Park where the horse stables had once stood.  Elizabeth died in 1922.

Sources:

Oregon Historic Sites Database
Carl Townsend - irvingtonpdx.com
Steve Schreiber  - volgagermans.net

Did you know that the New Testament church on NE 13th and Failing used to be a grocery and meat market called Danewolf's? Mary Smith's grandparents, Henry and Marie Danewolf, built the store in 1919.  They made and sold German sausage and bakery treats such as rivel kuchen, a coffee cake that may be topped with fruit or caramelized sugar.  The Danewolf family lived in a space attached to the store.  You can read more about Mary's memories on the Volga Germans website, created by local historian (and former Sabin resident) Steve Schreiber.