On January 31, Jacksonville lost an icon when the mainstay of the Jacksonville Historic Cemetery, Dirk Siedlecki, passed away after a short illness. How this Long Island, New York man ended up in Jacksonville and developed a passion for and commitment to our historic Cemetery is an inspiring story and worthy of celebration.
Dirk was born […]
After three long years, Voices of the Applegate will present an evening of song, including lyrics by Longfellow, Shakespeare, and others that will soothe and energize your soul.
Performances will be held at the Historic Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, 405 E. California Street at 7:00pm on Friday, April 14, and at The Lindsay (Applegate River Ranch House), […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR — Britt Music & Arts Festival is excited to announce the first installment of Britt Presents music & comedy concerts for the 2023 summer season. The first of two season announcements, this group of shows features a wide array of musical artists, including first-time-to-Britt country artists Kelsea Ballerini and Elle King, plus returning artists Diana […]
Calling all volunteers! As a way to support our local businesses and encourage tourism in Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce sponsors many events throughout the year, including large events like Victorian Christmas and the Haunted Trolley Tours… and new events scheduled for 2023.
Putting on these events requires volunteers. This can […]
The public is invited to an open house to celebrate the re-opening of the renovated Magnolia Inn, now the Magnolia Hotel. Over the last few months, new owners,
Jeff and Nikki Bale, have been busy converting the previous owner’s living area into three additional guest rooms, opening walls and adding access for guests to the backyard. […]
Cemetery Work to Continue—As you may have read elsewhere in this edition of the Jacksonville Review, Dirk Siedlecki, your usual columnist in this space, and the long-time President of the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery (FOJHC), passed away on January 31st after a brief illness.
Dirk, with his wife Mary, founded the FOJHC in 2009 and, […]
MEDFORD, OR — The Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) announces its 2023 season, anchoring Oregon’s Britt Music and Arts Festival with three weeks of exciting open-air programming in historic Jacksonville, Oregon. Under the inspirational leadership of Music Director […]
In December of 2014, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). As the Neurologist explained my options, my wife Kerry rubbed my back in an attempt to soften the blow. It didn’t work! The doctors words were inaudible to me. I looked into Kerry eyes and whispered, “I knew it was Parkinson’s.” I was now […]
This February, I had the privilege of putting up a display about pigeons at Rebel Heart Books. My husband and I have a sanctuary for rescued, domesticated pigeons in Jacksonville. I was also invited to bring some pigeons to story time, which takes place at the bookstore once a month, and to bring them to […]
City Council President Mike McClain presided over the February 7 meeting with Mayor Donna Bowen attending via Zoom. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Dirk Siedlecki who had passed away the week before.
During Public Comment, two residents asked that the Council work with the police to help slow traffic down on 5th […]
On Friday, January 13, Carolina Boothby officially retired from the Jacksonville Post Office after a 24-year career. She’s pictured here with (l-r) former Postmaster Tom Simmons, Barney Phillips, Carolina Boothby, Kramer Edwards, and Alex Pappas. She says that the best part of the job was making friends and being able to help so many people, […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR—After a three-year hiatus, 1932 Living History is returning to Jacksonville’s historic Beekman House Museum. The country is deep into the Great Depression and Ben and Carrie Beekman, the children of Jacksonville’s wealthiest and most prominent pioneer family, are closing up their 1870s family home. Guests become part of a 1-hour living history “play” […]
If this house could talk, I sure would have a lot to say to new owners.
John Orth, Jacksonville’s most successful butcher, had me constructed for his family in 1880. They had formerly occupied a simple wooden home for 15 years before moving in. I must say […]
After serving as the Director of Art Presence Art Center for ten precious years, I am now returning to my first love—teaching with a focus on Watercolor.
Please join me in a Watercolor workshop on Wednesdays in February and March, from 1-3pm and become a more powerful painter and a more creative artist. All supplies, including […]
For the past couple of months, the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) tasked with providing recommendations for development code updates, worked on revising the current tree removal standards with the intent of providing recommended language ahead of all other code amendments. The reason for prioritizing the tree removal standards is a result of the increased awareness […]
City Council Meeting 1-3-23—Councilors Ken Gregg, Andy Hellenthal and Talon Reed were sworn into office by City Recorder Angela Watson. Soon after, council elected Mike McClain as Council President to serve in the absence of Mayor Donna Bowen.
Council approved Police Chief David Towe’s request to hire Jessica Woodward as a new police officer. She is […]
“Maybe you will do something with this some day?”
These were the words of a father to his son in 1975.
My dad spoke these words to me as he laid down his pen for the final time after spending three years writing his 500-page memoir of WWII. “Maybe I will dad.” A seemingly benign answer from […]
Valentine’s Day cannot come and go without a word about the ubiquitous symbol for the day – the white pigeon or dove. In English, the word “dove” and “pigeon” are largely interchangeable, but the doves we see at our feeders (mourning doves and Eurasian collar doves) are not white, nor are they particularly faithful to […]
MEDFORD, OR — The Good Vibes Summer Tour 2023, with California reggae band Rebelution comes to the Britt stage August 27, along with Britt favorite, Iration, plus The Expendables, Passafire, and DJ Mackle. This will be Rebelution’s eighth appearance at Britt. Founded in Isla Vista, CA, Rebelution has followed their instincts since the release of […]
Despite holding a bare minimum of control in both chambers, during the last Congress Democrats managed to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the most ambitious legislation targeting the climate crisis ever signed into law. However, as we enter a two-year period with Republican climate deniers in charge of the House, we now face the question […]
MEDFORD, OR — Britt is excited to announce that Pink Martini featuring China Forbes will perform during Best of Britt, an annual summer fundraising event benefiting Britt Education & Engagement and other Britt programs, on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
Support your Britt Music & Arts Festival by joining us at Best of Britt, our annual fundraising […]
From rising temperatures and heatwaves to water shortages and drought, to reducing snowpack and increased wildfire risk, the evidence that a climate crisis is here in Southern Oregon is probably clear to every reader of this sentence. The questions then become: ‘what is driving this crisis? ‘how is the crisis affecting us? […]
In 2015, Larry Smith proposed to the Jacksonville Woodlands Association’s board of directors an idea for a book about the history of the “most successful, small-town, all-volunteer land conservation project in Oregon.” Larry says the first questions were, “Who would want to read it and who is your audience?” Larry’s answer was, “I do not […]
A newly-formed group is offering business owners a networking opportunity with a mission to inspire one another while Supporting Local. The founder of this group, Mary Murphy, a resident of Jacksonville and local Realtor, felt town needed more opportunities for local entrepreneurs to meet and share ideas in a low stress environment. The meetups happen […]
Historic Jacksonville, Inc. invites you to experience a Victorian Christmas this holiday season at the historic Beekman House Museum. Located at 470 E. California Street, this early 1870s residence, home to Jacksonville’s wealthiest pioneer family, is decorated for a 19th-Century Christmas celebration.
Between 12noon and 3pm every Saturday and Sunday through December 18, costumed docents will […]
McKee Bridge Historical Society (MBHS) will decorate and illuminate McKee Bridge, the rustic Depression-era shelter in the picnic grounds, and Star Ranger Station from December 10 into the New Year. Saturday, December 17, will be a fun day of activities at the bridge from noon to 6pm. Free hot beverages! A bigger, yummier bake sale […]
The Friends of the Jacksonville Library will provide gift wrapping for local holiday shoppers on three Saturdays, December 3, 10 and 17, noon-4pm. Shoppers may bring their gifts to the Naversen Community Room at 340 West C Street. There’s no charge for the service but donations are appreciated and will be used to help with […]
“I want a book that acknowledges that life goes on but death goes on, too, that a person who is dead is a long, long story.”
—Elizabeth McCracken, An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination
People often asked me, “What books do you personally recommend?” My response always begins the same way: “I don’t recommend what […]
Bill Branham died on Monday, November 21, 2022, after a short illness, two months short of his 100th birthday. A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 9, at 2:00pm, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2000 Oakwood Drive in Medford and all are welcome.
The Lions Club was a great part of Bill Branham’s life for […]
City Council Work Session 10/18/22—Council heard two presentations during the session:
On Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the entrance to the Britt Festival, a fawn was mauled by a dog running off leash. While I was not there until after the actual attack, a woman called 911 and a courageous man apparently attempted to stop the mauling by using a […]
The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce is pleased to again bring you the magic of Jacksonville’s Victorian Christmas—an old-fashioned, small town holiday celebration you will want to share with you and yours, weekends November 26-27, December 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18, 2022.
We kick-off the holidays with Shop Small Saturday on Saturday, November 26, from 10am-5pm, with downtown […]
This sale kicks off the holiday season with beautiful arrangements that bring fragrance, color and light during the chilly days of December. Garden Club members apply their artistic skills […]
In November and December, please shop and support two businesses that have been temporarily displaced due to the September 27 fire at the Las Palmas Restaurant building.
Trotting Fox and Country Quilts will be setting-up shop at Old City Hall—thanks to the effort of Mayor […]
The 29th annual Holiday Home Tour features 3 wonderful properties that vary from a newly remodeled to updated manufactured stuffed with 25 Christmas trees to brand new contemporary homes. The owners have kindly agreed to open their homes to help […]
The Jacksonville Garden Club is preparing to bring some holiday cheer to our homes and businesses! Members use their skills and creativity to make beautiful wreaths, table arrangements, entry baskets, and swags, featuring fresh natural greens and cones, holly, bows, candles and festive decorations. Our lovely wreaths have become very popular, and both 28” and […]
We invite community members to join us on Saturday, November 26, for our After the Tree Lighting Holiday Party, which will begin around 5:45pm, directly after the Christmas tree is lit on the Jacksonville Courthouse grounds. We have had this event for several […]
Every year, dozens of caring businesses participate in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Toy Drive program to brighten the lives of families here in the Rogue Valley. Last year, the Salvation Army provided gifts for over 2400 local children. This year, participating businesses will be collecting toys for Jackson County kids age 17 and under!
Thanks […]
City Council Meeting 10/4/22—Prior to the official start of the meeting, City Recorder Angela Watson swore-in Andy Hellenthal, who was selected to fill the remaining term of Councilor Jim Lewis. Hellenthal, a current candidate for City Council, will fill Lewis’ seat until the 2023 council is sworn-in in early January.
Mayor Bowen introduced Jullie Flenner, the […]
Meet Summer Brendlinger, a clay artist who can teach you to perform feats of clay!
Summer recently became the resident ceramic artist at Talent Maker City, where her classes introduce beginners of all ages to the basic pottery skills of hand-building “pinch pots,” constructing forms from clay slabs, “throwing” vessels on the potter’s wheel, and decorating […]
One of Jacksonville’s time-honored traditions is the upcoming Victorian Christmas celebration, which runs November 26 – December 18.
During the festivities, locals and visitors in the historic downtown core are treated to strolling carolers in Victorian garb singing Christmas and holiday carols, presented by an all-volunteer group of local singers. After a two-year hiatus, the carolers […]
A witch ought never to be frightened in the darkest forest, Granny Weatherwax had once told her, because she should be sure in her soul that the most terrifying thing in the forest was her.” —Terry Pratchett, Wintersmith
This past August, when my 15-year-old daughter […]
Every year in October, our quaint city is transformed into a haunted township. Bone-chilling apparitions and the spirits of frightening characters of yesteryear, return to play out their destiny again and again! The 30-minute trolley tour takes a light-hearted approach to local “hauntings” and features multiple sites throughout Jacksonville with special effects and period character […]
Greek mythology tells the tale of the phoenix, a magnificent bird that would build a nest in which to set itself on fire, whereupon a new phoenix would arise from the flames and ashes. It’s an apt metaphor for Clayfolk, a group of clay artists whose “nest” is in Southern Oregon and who have put […]
Over the past couple of years, your Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) tasked with reviewing and updating the City’s Development Code has been hard at work carefully reviewing and revising the draft document. The project is a city initiative to clarify and improve regulations for development within the […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR – The Victorians created elaborate rituals around the passing of a loved one. Death was considered part of life’s texture, giving it essential meaning. Join Historic Jacksonville at the 1873 Beekman House Museum between 12n and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23, to explore how Jacksonville’s most prominent pioneer family […]
MEDFORD, OR — In its first full season since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit Britt Music & Arts Festival declares its 60th Anniversary season a giant success. Britt thanks its patrons, members, business partners, media partners, artists, and fans for coming together to […]
Shooting Star Nursery’s Fall Celebration & Fundraiser for Outdoor Education is October 15, 11am-3pm. Come join your community for food trucks, kid’s crafts, silent auction, music, apple cider and other goodies to celebrate the arrival of fall weather and to show support for outdoor exploration after-school programs that get students back in nature!