Mid-valley men bare almost all for local charity

By Kyle Odegard and Rob Priewe
Gazette-Times reporters

You could say the "Men of the Willamette Valley" calendar is disappearing faster from local store shelves than the clothes of those who posed for the charity fund-raiser.

The calendar, created to raise money for the Jackson Street Youth Shelter, went on sale this week and stores already are having to refill their orders after selling out of their first batches.

"I thought it was delightful," said Mary Hinckle, the wife of Peter Hinckle, one of the doctors who posed for January. "Next year it could be ‘Women of the Willamette Valley,' and the next year ‘Men Who Wished They Were Men of the Willamette Valley..."

Everybody she knows who's seen the calendar has grinned about the light-hearted effort — and bought a copy.

"People seem happy to part with their $15," she said with a laugh.

Organizers are hoping to raise $100,000, said local real estate agent Margie Dilson, who go the ball rolling after receiving the now famous "Men of the Long Tom Grange" calendar last year. It featured local notables nearly baring all down in Junction City. That effort raised $75,000 for schools.

Dilson, who sits on the board of the youth shelter, said she was stunned how many men signed up to be in the Corvallis calendar, nearly 100.

"There is going to be another one," she promised. "So many men have called, insulted that they couldn't get in."

Though the men bared all for charity, some strategic poses and well-placed objects keep the calendar from needing a brown paper wrapper.

In September, for example, a certain professor holds a textbook over his anatomy and physiology. In August, guitars cover up musicians' minor chords, and December's businessmen cover up with Christmas, um … packages.

Local officials, artists, Realtors, restaurant owners, nursery men, wine growers, and contractors — including some of Benton County's most prominent individuals — also are featured in the calendar.

"It's mostly funny to see all us old guys out there showing a lot," Dr. Hinckle said. "It's really quite comical, especially to those who know us."

The photos were taken by photographer Jamie Hooper of Junction City, who also photographed the men of the Long Tom Grange.

"I didn't know how this would take off," Dilson said. "I thought it was incredible. I was really pleased. The guys look so natural."

A calendar party is planned for 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Corvallis Inn, formerly the Ramada Inn. Tickets for the shindig, which cost $35 each, can be purchased at Grass Roots Bookstore or Rice's Pharmacy.

The event will include an auction, dancing, and some of the models will show their, uh, hidden talents.