My View – May 2013
Peter Britt Home
It’s hard to imagine pioneer-vintner Peter Britt dreamed that Jacksonville would be considered the “heart of Southern Oregon wine country” 150 after he planted the first grapes here. In the early 1850’s, Britt did just that and test-planted five acres around his hillside home to 200 grape varietals, some sold as table grapes, others to produce wine. Forty years later, more than 100 acres in Jacksonville had been planted by more than a dozen growers. Had it not been for Prohibition destroying the wine industry in 1916, it is likely the region would have become world-famous for its wines rather than its pears!
Today, modern-day Jacksonville rests in the middle of 150 vineyards and tasting rooms that stretch from Roxy Ann peak in the East Medford hills to the Applegate Valley Wine Trail to the west. There are dozens more dotting the hillsides and slopes from Gold Hill to Ashland with more to come.
To help celebrate what Britt started, a host of wine-related headliner events await, including the Applegate UnCorked Barrel Tour on May 19 and Roam the Rogue on May 25. This month kicks-off high-season for our wine industry, now an economic driver for Southern Oregon that is changing the local landscape, both socially and economically. On that note, please read about a new winery consortium on page ____ – JOWA – the Jacksonville Oregon Winery Association, formed to promote six in-town tasting rooms.
Speaking of tasting rooms…the Review has moved its office to 220 E. California Street – the former home of the Umpqua Tasting Room, next door to the McCully House. Shortly after the owners of the UTR purchased the Gelateria building up the street and relocated the tasting room, we moved in and got to work bringing you all the news and happenings in Our Small Town with Big Atmoshere!
My View, June 2013 – by Publisher, Whitman Parker
It’s finally here…summer, that is! With awesome weather, high-season is now in full-swing with activities and fun for locals and visitors. This June, events abound including the Dogs for the Deaf Walk, the 25th Annual Bella-Bration, the Farmers Market, Applegate Valley Day, the Boosters Club 50th Year Picnic, A Taste of Summer, opening of the 2013 Britt concert season and a slew of others… you’ll find information on everything in this issue!
A Long and Winding Trail…After 15 years, a land swap between the city and the Motorcycle Riders Association looks as if it’s about to become reality. Read more in City Snapshot on page 16. Congratulations are in order for all involved in making the swap happen, especially Tony Hess and Dick Ames. Unfortunately, City Councilor Dick Ames didn’t live long enough to see the swap become reality, but deserves the credit for the vision and dedication to making it happen.
The Coming Community Crisis?
Over the next few months, I will be exploring and reporting on a looming crisis: Jacksonville’s diminishing volunteer pool happening due to demographic shifts. In other words…our aging population means that younger volunteers are needed to step-up and take the reins for several community organizations. Community-based and focused volunteers working with the Boosters Club, Forest Park, Beekman Arboretum, Garden Club and others need volunteer replenishment to continue the mission of making Jacksonville a great place to live. For decades, these groups have provided incalculable hours of work, resulting in a better quality of life for everyone living here today. If you are reading my comments and know someone who would be interested in volunteering, cut this article out, hand it to them and ask them to call me! I will put them in-touch with someone who needs their help.
With so many volunteers to thank and so much to celebrate, I hope you enjoy summertime in Our Small Town with Big Atmosphere!