A few weeks ago, on Halloween night, we found ourselves standing in the middle of Jacksonville’s historic cemetery.
It was quiet up there, and very dark. The outlines of nearby tombstones were clear, but we couldn’t read the names on them without a flashlight. Reading, however, wasn’t what we were […]
Does Britt Music and Arts Festival matter to the future generations of Jacksonville and the Rogue Valley? In recent years, many Britt supporters have informed me of their intention to include a designated gift to Britt in their wills. I am pleased to say that over the past […]
It was a busy day at the graveyard. Abnormally busy. Raking leaves from my parents’ gravesite I noticed a number of people walking by. It took me a while to figure out that a burial service was taking place close by, a fact I finally deduced not by the attire of […]
One thing that I find extremely attractive in a home is a well-stocked book shelf. I hope not to be rude when I saunter over and read the spines of your tomes. Whether you have read them or not, beauty is foremost in collecting and design. You can turn simple […]
I remember, as a child, being struck by the Greek mythological fable of Persephone, daughter of the goddess Demetra, who was abducted by Hades and brought into the underworld. Demetra, whose task was to bring fertility to the land, became so depressed she renounced her divine duties, […]
Kick-off the Yuletide Season at Hanley Farm! Begin by creating your Holiday Wreath using bases made from all natural materials cut fresh from the farm. And, a special treat, straight from the North Pole – Santa Claus accepted our invitation, AND he’s bringing his favorite helper-Elf with him! In addition to Santa and wreath-making, browse […]
California and the Oregon Territory seemed like the “promised land” to individuals in the eastern half of the United States dreaming of riches, adventure, or better lives. But first they had to get here. There were basically two routes—by land and by sea. Jacksonville pioneer Cornelius Beekman chose the latter and […]
I want to share a “magic cure” to help you and your body feel younger and healthier right now. As my Thanksgiving gift, I’m giving you an opportunity to experience it from the comfort of your home. Let me help you experience what studies by numerous researchers suggest can help slow […]
Last Christmas Eve was joyously spent at the Jacksonville Inn. A week later, our family celebrated at the Bella Union. Our grown kids look forward to this every homecoming because these places represent home to them. We have no memories of Jacksonville without Jerry Evans and Jerry Hayes and […]
In the the winter of 1849, Amelia Bloomer published her first edition of The Lily, a newspaper devoted to women’s issues in which she advocated for less-restrictive female garments. More than three decades later, members of the Rational Dress Society daringly suggested that no woman should have to wear more […]
Over 36% of all single-family homes in the United States are rental homes and that number is climbing. Home ownership was at an all-time high in 2004 with 69.2% of single family homes occupied by the owners; but, that number has fallen to 63.5% and is expected to continue […]
Mars is an unlucky place to be stranded. The planet awaits, desolate and bleak, offering an environment with no air to breath, no water to drink (well, a little, if recent reports pan out), and no food to eat. The surface is dead. This, of course, makes Mars a lively […]
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” ~ E.E. Cummings
It does take courage to step out of our comfort zone. Fear of the “unknown” can keep us from trying something new or stop us from taking actions that can move us out of our “rut” or […]
Number 30 of the 33 notable things observed over the past twenty-five years of living and doing business in a small town says,
“Understand the inherent moral contract of employing young people. With the right guidance and encouragement, any one of them just may change the world for the better.”
We’ve […]
When my son was in preschool I asked him about a particular boy in his class, and whether he liked him. His reply was, “No. He’s a pusher guy.”
I thought about Pusher Guy the other day because I know, and I’m not proud of this, that I am a “pusher guy”—not […]
Everyday at the shop, someone calls about or brings in a set of fine China or crystal to sell. It seems as if complete sets of gorgeous Limoges, Noritake, Spode, and Franciscan are being ignored by the younger generation.
As the Greatest Generation passes away, and […]
“Half the interest of the garden is the constant exercise of the imagination.” –Mrs. C.W. Earle, Pot-Pourri from a Surrey Garden, 1898
During summertime, when I’m working hard in the garden to get ahead of the insects and weeds, I don’t often feel particularly imaginative. It’s mostly during the relatively “off […]
Finding a sense of peace and beauty in your own outdoor living area is something that most everyone dreams of creating. Doing so can be accomplished by adding a simple potted flower pot placed on a patio to installation of an infinity pool, outdoor fireplace, outdoor […]
They’re back! Eight years after the real estate bust, many past homeowners who lost their homes have rebuilt their credit and are back in the market—forming America’s growing ranks of “boomerang buyers.” In the next few years, these buyers will form one of the most important segments of the […]
Last month at movie night, we commemorated the Battle of Britain which took place 75 years ago. Old City Hall was so packed people were turned away because of lack of room. Following an interview with Clifford Wilton who survived that battle, we ran the film Spitfire, […]
As you tour Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery during “Meet the Pioneers” on October 9th or 10th, or wander among the tombstones on other occasions, you can’t help but notice the elaborate markers that typify Victorian gravesites. Many of these are the work of stonemason James Carr Whipp. His signature can be seen […]
With only a few weeks left to enjoy Hanley Farm produce for sale at the Jacksonville Farmers Market, we are gearing up for the cooler weather and seasonal changes at the Farm. With the new school year in full swing, field trips to the Farm have already begun and […]
Why is a trailer like a t-shirt?
Showbiz, baby!
Every film marketer knows something about t-shirts that bear movie logos: they’re only in demand before the movie is released. Fans of Quentin Tarantino want to be “first on their block” to promote his upcoming film, so they’ll definitely wear that t-shirt with […]
Earlier this spring, I attended a private in-home concert in Grants Pass. It was a weeknight and, as usual, my day was long and hurried. I even considered not going to the concert, or going and staying for only a few songs. But, in this business, we are always […]
Because of the monumental fires in our area, all of us in the Rogue Valley have been exposed to toxins from smoke. Some of the symptoms of smoke inhalation are headaches, dry, scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, runny nose, post-nasal drip or increased mucous in the throat. Most common is coughing, which […]
“Let me embrace three, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course.” ~Shakespeare
One of the most difficult challenges in this being human business is facing what is, particularly when what is, sucks. I’m talking about times when life presents you with things you didn’t order and don’t want: […]
I watched ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award presentation honoring Bruce Jenner. The Arthur Ashe Award is named after the iconic tennis star, a man of color in a once traditionally white sport. Arthur was a magnificent athlete and like Bruce found his identity on the courts of fierce competition […]
These three words are heard as often as they are misspelled and misunderstood!
knick·knack: a small worthless object, especially a household ornament.
cu·ri·o: a rare, unusual, or intriguing object.
tchotch·ke: a small object that is decorative rather than strictly functional; a trinket, a small bauble or miscellaneous item.
Knick-knacks or Tchotchkes are souvenir items […]
Departing summer hath assumed
An aspect tenderly illumed,
The gentlest look of spring;
That calls from yonder leafy shade
Unfaded, yet prepared to fade,
A timely carolling.
~William Wordsworth
September, 1819
If your enthusiasm and energy for gardening has waned from this summer’s triple-digit temperatures and smoky haze, then September may be just […]
Sarting new outdoor projects can be daunting, whether it’s the sheer size of the task or knowing that starting something is going to be a long and time-consuming commitment.
Projects around the house and specifically yard projects linger in our minds—some get done but others […]
Our houses are also our homes, so we believe it’s important to be comfortable in your home and have it reflect your personality and your lifestyle. Remodeling your home to your personal likes is important, but it’s also important to look at how much certain remodeling projects yield at […]
“Where Liberty dwells, there is my country.” Words spoken by Ben Franklin. But today? We are willing to forsake Liberty for comfort or safety. Certainly this was untrue in Franklin’s day. So conditioned to some government bureaucrat telling us how to behave, it no longer concerns us […]
Although Cornelius Beekman may have been the wealthiest and most prominent man in pioneer Jacksonville, wealth and prominence did not guarantee popularity. In fact, when the railroad by-passed Jacksonville in favor of Medford in the 1880s, Beekman—previously a local hero—became something of a local pariah.
For years, Jacksonville had looked forward to […]
It’s been a full and rewarding summer thus far, with many new and returning visitors to the Farm enjoying its many offerings. All three sessions of summer camp went-off without a hitch as campers learned about their local heritage through the Hanley family’s story, as well as homesteading, farming […]
If you’ve encountered us on the streets of Jacksonville within the past twelve months, you may have overheard us in heavy discussion about the meanings of words like “trapunto” and “boucle.” Or you may have heard us contemplating the virtues of double-sided tape in the dressing room. Or the reason […]
In July 2016, members of the Britt Orchestra and Music Director Teddy Abrams will celebrate the unique majesty of Crater Lake with performances at the national park. Abrams will lead approximately 40 Britt Orchestra musicians in the performances, with the dramatic panorama of the entire lake as the backdrop. The musicians will perform a world […]
August has been such an exciting month on the Britt hill, and we have much more to look forward to, as summer extends into September. We are fresh off of an exciting Classical Festival, and I hope you were able to join Teddy Abrams and the Britt Orchestra during their three weeks of music-making. The […]
What a great time we had last month at Hanley Farm’s first Community Pizza Night. It was a great success – thanks to everyone who attended, enjoyed great food, music and friends. We invite you all to return, and those of you who missed the first pizza night, be sure not to miss this one!
Before […]
Studies now show that a happy, healthy lifestyle alone is not enough to prevent illness. A new study by Steve Cole at UCLA and APS* Fellow, Barbara Fredrickson at the University of North Carolina, found that people who were happy because they lived the “good life” (“hedonic happiness”), focusing only on […]
Truth be known, I suffer from lawn envy. Dad had it in spades as does my brother. The neighbor’s greener, thicker, well-manicured grass drives us crazy. If there is a deeper-seated reason for this petty neurosis, I’d rather not know. At least I’m talking about it which is the […]
Sometimes the Universe is not subtle. In the past eight weeks, I was privileged to watch three pairs of birds build their nests close to our house, lay their eggs, and fledge their young. At the same time, a half dozen monarch caterpillars joined us in the kitchen where we’ve watched […]
When you walk into Pickety Place, undoubtedly, the first thing you see are the glass display cabinets filled with shiny baubles.
There are silver and glass trays filled with all sorts of treasures.
People gravitate first to the side of the glass where the sterling silver pieces are displayed. Most of the […]
Retaining walls offer stunning aesthetics and down-to-earth benefits by beautifying your home, helping with erosion control and water drainage, and providing privacy to outdoor living areas. Retaining walls also increase the value of your home, which is a great return on your investment.
If you are planning to construct a retaining […]
Most people don’t know what a Reverse Mortgage (RM) is, and because they are a relatively-new financial mechanism for seniors in the United States, there is a lack of understanding. The reality is that RM’s may be an answer to one of the biggest economic problems facing the United […]
The idea crossed my mind the other day that many who read this column haven’t met many of the dedicated people responsible for making our City work as well as it does. And dedicated is the word. I realize this sentiment runs counter to much of what […]
Cornelius C. Beekman was arguably the wealthiest and most prominent of the pioneers who settled Jacksonville. Although most closely associated today with banking and the bank that bears his name, banking was only one of his many enterprises.
Early in his career, after saving $3,000, Beekman looked for other investment opportunities. On […]
What better way is there to spend a lovely August evening than a concert on the lawn at Hanley Farm?! This affordable, family-friendly event has all the components of a perfect summer evening: farm-fresh food from the Farm Kitchen, local craft brews on-tap, live music, horseshoes, badminton, and plenty […]
Reluctant to step outside without a straw hat, sunscreen and a handheld, battery-powered portable fan? Yeah, us too.
We’re not the first to despair over the hot sun in the summertime. In 1933, Songwriter Irving Berlin composed “We’re having a heat wave.” Ethyl Merman sang the song in the film Alexander’s […]
By the time you read this News from the Hill the Britt Orchestra will have already arrived here in beautiful southern Oregon. As you can imagine, our Music Director Teddy Abrams has been working tirelessly over the past several months to make his vision a reality. The first rehearsal […]
“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” ~Chinese Proverb
Our busy lives are full of tension and stressful events. Some are fun, while others are more challenging. Though the situations and emotions can cause us to feel stressed, they are not necessarily the cause of stress in and of themselves. […]