April and Ian Earickson operate The Tubac Country Inn in Arizona.
As I review my time after leaving OSU, I’m amazed by how the tools and skills that I learned in home economics and housing have supported me and my endeavors. My education was so broad based, from architecture, to kitchen design, to energy audits, to solar technology; spanning special needs housing, interior design, and landscaping. At that time, the housing program at OSU was using the architecture department for many core classes. Cy Stadsvold was so helpful when I was struggling through my Delineation Class. This was pre CAD days. He must have been impressed after I finished the class because he offered me a part-time drafting job in his private firm. Jeanette Brandt was always there to help discuss my next round of classes and what career paths I would be best suited for. I stayed in Corvallis after graduating and became a partner in Northwest Audio Labs. We transformed a small audio repair business into a retail audio/video specialty retail store. I also restored, researched and placed on the National Register my 1895 Queen Anne Victorian on SW 5th St. the Helm-Hout House. I was an active volunteer for the Historical Homes Tour held in conjunction with OSU Mom’s Day.
The last five years have been spent operating my bed and breakfast, The Tubac Country Inn, with my husband Ivan. Here is where the majority of my classes from OSU come into play! Interior design, menu preparation, cooking, even down to choosing the right linens! Tubac, Arizona is a small town about 35 miles south of Tucson and the University of Arizona. It always takes me back a bit to walk around town and see a whole group of Beavers day tripping from Tucson after attending a football game. It makes me feel right at home to see all the orange and black!
