By Jacob Mullin, Administrator, First Call Home Health

I recently became aware that one of our new Lifeline Medical Alert clients, Art Schoenborn, was a grape grower. Art is 90 years old and had been growing grapes for many years. I called him up and inquired if it would be ok if I came out to tour his vineyard. He said that would be fine, so I scheduled the visit. I really enjoyed talking with Art and seeing his beautiful vineyard.

Art has had a very interesting life. He grew up in Oregon and met his wife Dorris at Oregon state college in 1940. He was a B-17 pilot in the Air Force during WWII. Later, he worked at SAIF for years, doing air sampling in mines.

Art and his wife Doris live near Salem on a property filled with fruit trees and grapes. They have about 100 varieties of grapes, 50 seeded and 50 seedless.

They  have lived in their home since the late 1950s. In the late 40s and early 50s, George Mitch grew hundreds of varieties of grapes in this area. Art and George became friends and George gave Art some of his cuttings. Art potted up cuttings from these varieties and advertised them in the paper for one dollar a plant.

Another local grower, Lon Ronbough, whom I’ve written about before, saw the ad and another friendship was born. He thought they were great varieties and asked if he could have some. Many of the varieties Lon now has came from Art.

Art even created a new variety of grape fairly recently through cross pollination. The new variety “Golden Rod” is a cross between Himrod and Golden Muskat.

At 90 years old, Art is still going strong. He and Doris process the grapes, make juice, can them, and make raisins.

Art and Doris have been happily married for 70 years. I asked Art what the secret was to a 70 year marriage and he said, “Centering your marriage on Jesus Christ.” During the earlier years of marriage they purchased a big van to pick kids up for Sunday School every week. Kristin Forrette, an employee at First Call, was one of the little girls who was picked up by the Schoenborn’s on Sunday mornings. Her life, as well as the other children’s lives, were blessed because of this ministry.

I asked Art if it would be possible to get some of his cuttings, because he has so many great varieties. He said that he would be happy to give me whatever varieties I wanted. It will be exiting in the next couple of years to get those new varieties propagated and planted. Art was a gracious host and I appreciate the wisdom and experience he had to share.

 Some Pictures of Art’s Vineyard
(click on a picture for a larger view)