Chris and Nanne Heijenga moved to Beaumont-Wilshire in 1998 and started attending neighborhood association meetings to connect with their new community. Within a year, they took up a volunteer paper route delivering the BWNA newsletter to 50 homes just a block from their house, a route they’ve diligently covered for the past 28 years!
Chris grew up in Ithaca, New York, and was a newspaper carrier in high school, so the BWNA delivery route felt like a natural fit and brought back fond memories.
Throughout the years, the route hasn’t changed, but how the papers are delivered has. Chris recalls walking the neighborhood carrying her two young children in front pack carriers, then pushing them in strollers. As teenagers, the boys would compete over who got to deliver to the next house. “It’s been a great way to teach our kids responsibility and get to know our neighbors,” Chris reflected.
Now that their boys are in their 20s, Chris and Nanne’s lifestyles have shifted from raising their family to enjoying retired life. With plans to travel more, they decided to pass the torch to a young family across the street who excitedly agreed to take over the route and continue the legacy.
When asked what guidance they gave the new volunteers, Chris wisely advised, “Protect the newsletter from rain and wind! You can’t put it directly in a mailbox, so find a nook or cranny to wedge it in.”
The couple continues to live in Beaumont-Wilshire and loves the easy access to mass transit, parks, and schools. As avid bicyclists, they appreciate that there aren’t big hills near their home, making it ideal for comfortable rides out to Marine Drive.
Stay tuned to learn more about the family taking up the Heijenga’s route in the next issue.
Jamie Gardner is a Portland native and Windermere agent putting her UO journalism degree to use here — finally! She’s lived in Beaumont-Wilshire since 2020 with her husband and two dogs. When she’s not with clients or touring homes, Jamie loves to travel, tackle house projects, and enjoy the local food scene.