Barbara Oakes Made a Career of Volunteering – by Mike McClain

Sensational Seniors – November 2019

When I first asked long-time Jacksonville resident, Barbara Oakes, to consent to being interviewed for “Sensational Seniors,” she replied, “Oh gosh, I have never done anything that was sensational.” Hopefully, this article will prove how wrong her initial assessment was.

Born on May 21, 1944 in Santa Ana, California, her father was […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:54-07:00October 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Sensational Seniors|1 Comment

Going Green – by Graham Farran

Let’s Talk Real Estate – November 2019

I recently took a Continuing Education class on “Going Green,” something I didn’t know much about. I was surprised by what I learned and how much each of us can impact our environment. It was a great class and information worth sharing.

It’s surprising that the focus on our environment […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:54-07:00October 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Let's Talk Real Estate|Comments Off on Going Green – by Graham Farran

Crime and Punishment in a Gold Rush Town – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Pioneer Profiles – November 2019

This year’s Meet the Pioneers tours of Jacksonville’s historic cemetery included several vignettes portraying 19th Century crime and punishment. In one, a man named Matt Shannon had been killed in an 1881 fist fight when his opponent shot him in the head with a concealed gun. A jury declared the murderer […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:54-07:00October 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Pioneer Profiles|Comments Off on Crime and Punishment in a Gold Rush Town – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Unfettered Gratitude – by Paula & Terry Erdmann

The Unfettered Critic – November 2019

The Oxford English Dictionary defines “Gratitude” as: “A warm sense of appreciation of kindness received, involving a feeling of goodwill towards the benefactor, and a desire to do something in return.”

Not bad, eh? We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, and in gratitude to the OED editors we’ll return the […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:54-07:00October 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, The Unfettered Critic|Comments Off on Unfettered Gratitude – by Paula & Terry Erdmann

Gratitude for our Little Rotary Club – by Donna Briggs

News From Britt Hill – November 2019

Many moons ago, I was interviewed for the Executive Director position by a panel of nine Britt Music and Arts Festival Board members. The interview lasted 1.5 hours and covered many different areas of the professional expertise needed for the job. Given my extensive background in non-profit management, I […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:55-07:00October 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, News From Britt Hill|Comments Off on Gratitude for our Little Rotary Club – by Donna Briggs

Hanley Farm’s Haunting October Events! – by Pam Sasseen

Focus on Hanley Farm – October 2019

Annual Scarecrow Festival—On October 5 & 6 at the Annual Scarecrow Festival from 11:00am-4:00pm, you can make a scarecrow and enter it in the Scarecrow Contest or take it home to protect your gardens and fields. Be sure to take a hayride, paint a pumpkin, bob for apples, and […]

By |2019-10-15T09:36:05-07:00September 27th, 2019|Featured Stories, Focus on Hanley Farm|Comments Off on Hanley Farm’s Haunting October Events! – by Pam Sasseen

The Walking Wounded – by Kate Ingram

Soul Matters – October 2019

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” ~ Ian MacLaren

It is truly remarkable to me the number of people I know who are in pain. I’m not just talking about my counseling practice, where I expect to hear about difficulties and struggles; I’m talking about friends and […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:55-07:00September 27th, 2019|Featured Stories, Soul Matters|Comments Off on The Walking Wounded – by Kate Ingram

Oh! Those Bowls – by Margaret Barnes

Speaking of Antiquing – October 2019

Yellowware is one of those items that branches off from the original and creates other categories to collect.

Yellowware did not limit its purposes to the functioning of a kitchen with bowls, pitchers, cups and tankards, cannisters, saltshakers and salt boxes, storage jars, molds, teapots and coffee pots, tableware and bakeware. […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:55-07:00September 27th, 2019|Featured Stories, Speaking of Antiquing|Comments Off on Oh! Those Bowls – by Margaret Barnes

The Colors and Benefits of Autumn – by Adam Haynes

Love Your Landscape – October 2019

Jacksonville is one of the best locations in the Rogue Valley to enjoy the beauty of autumn.

If you have witnessed this stunning time of year in Jacksonville and taken in all the vivid colors of the season, you may have located a favorite tree or two. Maybe a tree in […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:56-07:00September 27th, 2019|Featured Stories, Love Your Landscape|Comments Off on The Colors and Benefits of Autumn – by Adam Haynes

Thomas Fletcher Royal “Minister and Educator” – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Pioneer Profiles – October 2019

Reverend Thomas Fletcher Royal, known as “Fletcher” to his family and “T.F.” to his friends, arrived with his family by wagon train in the Rogue Valley on October 27, 1853. Gold had been discovered on the banks of Rich Gulch the previous year, and hundreds of fortune seekers and riff raff […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:56-07:00September 27th, 2019|Featured Stories, Pioneer Profiles|Comments Off on Thomas Fletcher Royal “Minister and Educator” – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Representing ALL – by Mayor Paul Becker

A Few Minutes with the Mayor – October 2019

A prominent citizen visited my office recently to complain about a statement I made in one of my columns. The statement read, “It is the Constitution that holds our political parties in check. It stopped the Republicans from destroying President Truman. Today it is stopping the Democrats […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:56-07:00September 27th, 2019|A Few Minutes with the Mayor, Featured Stories|1 Comment

Once More Unto the Breach – by Paula & Terry Erdmann

The Unfettered Critic – October 2019

We’re back.

And so are they.

“We” being your Unfettered Critics. “They” being. . . well, we’ll get to them in a moment.

Some of you may have noticed (and we thank those of you who’ve stopped us on the street to say you had) that our column mysteriously went missing from recent […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:56-07:00September 27th, 2019|Featured Stories, The Unfettered Critic|Comments Off on Once More Unto the Breach – by Paula & Terry Erdmann

BOW… BOW… – by Donna Briggs

News From Britt Hill – October 2019

I am dedicating this entire column to one man.

Dear Bow, this letter is one way of letting you know how much the Board, staff and most importantly, Britt Society Volunteers appreciate you.

Your tireless commitment as Britt’s House Manager over the past twelve years has been nothing short of extraordinary. […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:56-07:00September 27th, 2019|Featured Stories, News From Britt Hill|Comments Off on BOW… BOW… – by Donna Briggs

Bill Brodie: Retired Dentist Remains a Positive Part of Jacksonville – by Mike McClain

Sensational Seniors – October 2019

This “Sensational Seniors” article features much-loved dentist, Bill Brodie, who retired in 2011 after 37 years of operating a dental clinic in Jacksonville. A native Oregonian, Bill was born on May 15, 1945 in the Belle Knife Hospital in Coquille, Oregon—a small hospital that his grandmother, a nurse, had started. While […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:56-07:00September 27th, 2019|Featured Stories, Sensational Seniors|Comments Off on Bill Brodie: Retired Dentist Remains a Positive Part of Jacksonville – by Mike McClain

An Unlikely Journey – from Jacksonville to Off-Broadway – by Marlene Wagener

How could I possibly imagine that when I sat down to my computer in 1991 to express my fears and dreams about adopting a child, that one day those words would be acted out at the Alice Griffin Jewel Theater on 42nd Street in New York City?

On July 31, I sat with the birthmother of […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:56-07:00September 27th, 2019|Featured Stories|Comments Off on An Unlikely Journey – from Jacksonville to Off-Broadway – by Marlene Wagener

Here Comes the Hemp – by Graham Farran

Let’s Talk Real Estate – October 2019

In the last few months, we have seen an explosion of hemp fields being planted along every road you drive as hemp quickly becomes the largest agricultural crop, surpassing pears and vineyards, in Southern Oregon. Based upon statistics from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Jackson County has 8,578 acres […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:56-07:00September 27th, 2019|Featured Stories, Let's Talk Real Estate|Comments Off on Here Comes the Hemp – by Graham Farran

Back to Britt – by Chelsea Rose

Digging Jacksonville – October 2019

While those of you who have followed our “Digging Jacksonville” column have had a behind-the-scenes glimpse at some of the significant findings from our work on Britt hill (see the Digging Jacksonville archives to catch-up), there is a lot we have not had the chance to tell you. Until now!

We first […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:56-07:00September 27th, 2019|Digging Jacksonville, Featured Stories|Comments Off on Back to Britt – by Chelsea Rose

Billy’s Tale – by Michael Kell

A Cup of Conversation – September 2019

Mary and I spent a week in San Diego to participate in a “paddle out” celebrating her late brother Billy’s life. These things are always bittersweet. Bitter because loss is final, sweet because love left behind never expires.

Another brother-in-law, whom I treasure, […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:57-07:00August 31st, 2019|Cup of Conversation, Featured Stories|Comments Off on Billy’s Tale – by Michael Kell

Equinox Equilibrium – by Clayton Gillette

Trail Talk – September 2019

Ah…September. Summer begins to loosen its grip on our surrounding hills and we anticipate cooler nights, crisper mornings, and the trails stretching out before us. Fall will soon be here with its colorful palette. We yearn for the return of the gurgle of water […]

By |2019-09-16T10:12:29-07:00August 31st, 2019|Featured Stories, Trail Talk|Comments Off on Equinox Equilibrium – by Clayton Gillette

Fired Up – by Kate Ingram

Soul Matters – September 2019

I am an incredible parent. I know this because there are moments in my parenting life where I stop and think, “Man, these kids are darned lucky.”

One of these moments happened this week. During a meeting at my children’s school my son was reminded […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:57-07:00August 31st, 2019|Featured Stories, Soul Matters|Comments Off on Fired Up – by Kate Ingram

So Tiny… They May Not be Seen – by Margaret Barnes

Speaking of Antiquing – September 2019

In the blue glass, front-locked cabinet are some very tiny objects. Made of glass, wrought iron, pewter, and clay, these items are for play and show. The glass figurines are handmade, perhaps in Murano, Italy, perhaps not. I see no maker’s marks on them, but they are […]

By |2019-09-16T10:11:56-07:00August 31st, 2019|Featured Stories, Speaking of Antiquing|Comments Off on So Tiny… They May Not be Seen – by Margaret Barnes

Conserving Water – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – September 2019

Water is a critical part of our way of life. Our economy, environment and our day-to-day lifestyle need water in order to flourish. But it’s a limited resource, and especially this time of year we need to rethink the way we […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:57-07:00August 31st, 2019|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Conserving Water – by Sandy J. Brown

Where Have all the Buyers Gone? – by Graham Farran

Let’s Talk Real Estate – September 2019

Southern Oregon has had a great summer with beautiful weather, lots of sunshine, and only two days of thunder storms that produced lots of rain but no significant forest fires. This beautiful weather usually brings lots of “out-of-state” home buyers, but this summer, home sales are […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:57-07:00August 31st, 2019|Featured Stories, Let's Talk Real Estate|Comments Off on Where Have all the Buyers Gone? – by Graham Farran

Doing More… – by Mayor Paul Becker

A Few Minutes with the Mayor – September 2019

Long, long ago there was a fellow named Charles Atlas. That wasn’t his real name, but it sounded good for a body-building guru which he certainly was. Everyone knew about him because his ads were everywhere… especially in comic books where they were […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:57-07:00August 29th, 2019|A Few Minutes with the Mayor, Featured Stories|Comments Off on Doing More… – by Mayor Paul Becker

Celebrate Woodstock at Hanley Farm – by Pam Sasseen

Focus on Hanley Farm – September 2019

Break out your love beads, head bands and bell bottom jeans for our September 8 celebration of Woodstock’s 50th anniversary at Hanley Farm. From 2:00-5:00pm, this will be the “far out” event of the summer! In addition to breaking out your bell bottoms and beads, don’t […]

By |2019-08-29T16:10:22-07:00August 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Focus on Hanley Farm|Comments Off on Celebrate Woodstock at Hanley Farm – by Pam Sasseen

September 2019 Cemetery News – by Dirk Siedlecki

I would like to start by sincerely thanking our wonderful docents for the great talks and tours they gave this summer for our History Saturday in the Cemetery, and our Tuesday Evening Cemetery Stroll programs. The time they put into research, preparing and presenting their programs was very much appreciated by all who attended. My gratitude to […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:58-07:00August 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Historic Cemetery News|Comments Off on September 2019 Cemetery News – by Dirk Siedlecki

Peter Britt, Part 3 – “Photographer, Visionary, Entrepreneur” – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Pioneer Profiles – September 2019

The past two Pioneer Profiles have partially explored the public persona of Peter Britt, the pioneer Swiss photographer famed for documenting Southern Oregon’s people, activities, and landscapes, and father of the region’s commercial orchard, wine, and ornamental horticulture industries. Britt also served two terms on the Town Council, was […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:58-07:00August 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Pioneer Profiles|Comments Off on Peter Britt, Part 3 – “Photographer, Visionary, Entrepreneur” – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

State of the Art Presence, September 2019 – by Hannah West

“Art does not reproduce what we see, art makes us see.” ~ Paul Klee

Our new member show, “Colors of Autumn,“ opens Friday, September 6 and remains on display until Sunday, September 29. We are delighted to feature the talented Lane Hall, our guest artist for September, in a show of […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:58-07:00August 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, State of Art Presence|Comments Off on State of the Art Presence, September 2019 – by Hannah West

Britt: More Than Concerts on the Hill – by Donna Briggs

News From Britt Hill – September 2019

My two young grandchildren joined me in July for the Britt Festival Orchestra’s presentations of “Peter and the Wolf” (retold with a delightful Southern Oregon twist) and the story of the “The Mountain that Loved a Bird” by composer Caroline Shaw. They were enthralled, including the […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:58-07:00August 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, News From Britt Hill|Comments Off on Britt: More Than Concerts on the Hill – by Donna Briggs

Five Things to Stop Doing – by Kate Ingram

Soul Matters – August 2019

One of the (few) perks of getting older is having a longer view of life. Being a newly-minted mother of two teens, I’m remembering just how inwardly awkward and stressful adolescence is. Figuring out who you are and how to navigate life is rough on rats. And parents.

By |2020-09-30T14:15:59-07:00August 2nd, 2019|Featured Stories, Soul Matters|Comments Off on Five Things to Stop Doing – by Kate Ingram

Here We Go Again – by Mayor Paul Becker

A Few Minutes with the Mayor – August 2019

Some readers may remember a column years ago about my falling and then riding in an ambulance to the ER. It struck me as humorous how repeatedly I was asked my birthdate… 11-14-29. However, I annoyed a couple of readers who mistook my humor […]

By |2019-08-07T11:48:28-07:00July 29th, 2019|A Few Minutes with the Mayor, Featured Stories|Comments Off on Here We Go Again – by Mayor Paul Becker

Peter Britt, Part 2 – “Father of Southern Oregon’s Orchard, Wine, and Horticulture Industries” – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Pioneer Profiles – August 2019

In July, Pioneer Profiles highlighted Peter Britt’s renown as photographer, artist, and documenter of pioneer life in Southern Oregon. However, Britt was also an avid gardener and is considered to be the father of Southern Oregon’s commercial orchard, wine, and ornamental horticulture industries. Britt Park, now the Britt Festival […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:00-07:00July 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Pioneer Profiles|Comments Off on Peter Britt, Part 2 – “Father of Southern Oregon’s Orchard, Wine, and Horticulture Industries” – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Summer on the Farm – by Pam Sasseen

Focus on Hanley Farm – August 2019

Summer Sundays at Hanley Farm—Have you been looking for ways to spend a Sunday afternoon? Look no further! Every Sunday, the farm is open from noon to 4:00pm for family fun, afternoon picnicking and children’s heritage games, docent-led house tours, and self-guided farm and garden tours enhanced […]

By |2019-07-29T16:40:26-07:00July 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Focus on Hanley Farm|Comments Off on Summer on the Farm – by Pam Sasseen

August 2019 Cemetery News – by Dirk Siedlecki

Thank you!—It’s been a very busy summer and much has been accomplished and projects taken off of our “to do” list. The metal bollards on either side of the Cemetery entrance gates have been painted black to match the gates and archway, and have had decorative tops added to them. The support posts […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:00-07:00July 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Historic Cemetery News|Comments Off on August 2019 Cemetery News – by Dirk Siedlecki

State of the Art Presence, August 2019 – by Hannah West

Jacksonville is proud to present its ArtWalk on the Second Saturday of each month through October. Art changes everything, improving creativity, critical thinking, communication and academic performance.

Participating venues will treat you to unique pieces that will amaze and delight you, and there will be wine and music. This is such a great way to […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:00-07:00July 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, State of Art Presence|Comments Off on State of the Art Presence, August 2019 – by Hannah West

Carolyn Kingsnorth Keeps Reinventing Herself – by Mike McClain

Sensational Seniors – August 2019

The subject of the August “Sensational Seniors” article, Carolyn Kingsnorth, has the most extensive and varied career resume of anyone I have ever met. I will only be able to touch on some aspects of her vita; hopefully, it will give the flavor of this statement. Carolyn was […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:00-07:00July 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Sensational Seniors|Comments Off on Carolyn Kingsnorth Keeps Reinventing Herself – by Mike McClain

Big Art Heart – by Donna Briggs

News From Britt Hill – August 2019

Back in early July, I spent a Saturday afternoon enjoying a wonderful reception and book signing at Art Presence Art Center. As I stood in line to purchase three of Debbie Earley’s creative little glass mushrooms, I flipped through Ken Gregg’s beautiful new book, A […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:00-07:00July 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, News From Britt Hill|Comments Off on Big Art Heart – by Donna Briggs

Fly with the Eagles at Hanley Farm! – by Pam Sasseen

Focus on Hanley Farm – July 2019

Hanley Farm is pleased to welcome the Rogue Eagles RC model airplane club, “one of the largest and oldest clubs in the State of Oregon.” On Sunday, July 7, from noon to 3:00pm, club members will demonstrate radio controlled airplanes and drones. A perfect day for […]

By |2019-06-29T11:53:46-07:00June 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Focus on Hanley Farm|Comments Off on Fly with the Eagles at Hanley Farm! – by Pam Sasseen

July 2019 Cemetery News – by Dirk Siedlecki

As I write this article, it is Memorial Day and we are remembering and honoring all those who served our country, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who set aside time to help clean-up the grounds, place the 400+ American flags that mark the […]

By |2019-06-29T11:42:04-07:00June 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Historic Cemetery News|Comments Off on July 2019 Cemetery News – by Dirk Siedlecki

Peter Britt, Part 1 – “Photographer, Visionary, Entrepreneur” – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Pioneer Profiles – July 2019

It’s Britt season, so what better subject for summer’s Pioneer Profiles than Peter Britt, whose pioneer homestead is now the site of Britt Festivals, the Britt Gardens, and portions of Jacksonville’s Woodlands Trail System. Perhaps best known as the pioneer photographer who documented Southern Oregon’s people, activities, and landscapes […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:01-07:00June 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Pioneer Profiles|Comments Off on Peter Britt, Part 1 – “Photographer, Visionary, Entrepreneur” – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

State of the Art Presence, July 2019 – by Hannah West

Celestial Journeys, our show of art in a cosmic theme by Art Presence member artists, opens in the main gallery on Friday, July 5. Our guest exhibit for July is Jacksonville City Council member Ken Gregg, who shows images from his newly published small coffee table book, “A Year in Jacksonville, A Story in Photographs.”

By |2020-09-30T14:16:01-07:00June 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, State of Art Presence|Comments Off on State of the Art Presence, July 2019 – by Hannah West

Steve & Susan Casaleggio Exude Energy – by Mike McClain

Sensational Seniors – July 2019

My interview with the July “Sensational Seniors,” Steve and Susan Casaleggio, took place at their Jacksonville home off Third Street. It was emblematic of their high energy, for one would make a statement and then jump up to ponder the next thought while the other took over and […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:01-07:00June 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Sensational Seniors|Comments Off on Steve & Susan Casaleggio Exude Energy – by Mike McClain

Another Special Season on the Hill… – by Donna Briggs

News From Britt Hill – July 2019

What you might be missing…

Oh my, it’s July! The epicenter of summer and picnic weather. We kick-off July 1st and 2nd with blockbusters, Kris Kristofferson and Michael Franti. And who doesn’t know the masterful work of Dwight Yoakam, the iconic band […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:01-07:00June 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, News From Britt Hill|Comments Off on Another Special Season on the Hill… – by Donna Briggs

A Glass Act – by Margaret Barnes

Speaking of Antiquing – June 2019

Every day we get compliments that our colored glass display window is one of the best windows in town. We have arranged the color scheme so the colors flow into each other. Viewing from the outside or the inside, the rainbow effect is indeed quite striking. Each […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:02-07:00May 29th, 2019|Featured Stories, Speaking of Antiquing|Comments Off on A Glass Act – by Margaret Barnes
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