I am pleased to report that 2016 was not only another successful year for our organization, but a very busy one, as well. Our Pioneer Cemetery continues to attract local visitors from all over the Pacific Northwest, as well as from all over the United States […]
Lured by gold and free land in the 1850s, David Clinton and Archibald Welton were the first settlers to establish a farm at the Hanley site. In 1857 Michael Hanley purchased the 636 acre ranch from Clinton and Welton, and so began the remarkable journey of the Hanley family. […]
I just returned from a wonderful month in Southern China’s Guangdong Province—the ancestral homeland of the Overseas Chinese. While there, I was able to spend time in the home villages of the thousands of individuals and families that came to the United States in the nineteenth and early twentieth century to […]
Although a close to record snow fall on January 3, 2017, had local residents digging out from under up to 20 inches of the white stuff, that “storm of the century” may not compare to some of the snows experienced in Southern Oregon before formal record keeping began. One winter in […]
La La Land, a cinematic love letter to classic movie musicals, just won a bunch of Golden Globe Awards. Seven, in fact—the same number it was nominated for. You can expect it to win a bunch of Oscars, too. As well it should.
But not for the reasons you’d think. As […]
Happy New Year!
Well, last month’s record-breaking winter storm Helena sure did put a stick in the spokes of our January reception! We hope you and everyone you love made it through the storm safely, and that you were able to attend our informal reception the following weekend.
Naked Art 2017: No Mats ~ No Frames ~ […]
It’s time for you to “Get Real” about being part of the healing solution in your life. We can all complain about what is wrong and though this awareness is an important part of change, we need to take actions that can move us towards healing. What are you contributing to the […]
For this month’s column, I only needed to cross the street to interview our close neighbors and friends, Jim and Georgene Van Orsow, another senior couple living a rich and varied life here in Jacksonville. Jim was born in Fairbault, Minnesota but moved to Oregon at age 2, so considers […]
The holidays are always a busy, stressful time, but this year we have the added political discourse between friends and family. This can make it challenging to remember “good will to all.” As we reach the end of the year, we are facing a new world full of uncertainty. The […]
The “center” of every home is typically the kitchen, in large part because that’s where the hub of activity is. Kitchen items from the depression era and older are the items that collectors are generally most interested in. They evoke a feeling of nostalgia for comfort, warmth and functionality […]
“At Christmas, I no more desire a rose Than wish a snow in May’s newfangled mirth; But like each thing that in season grows.”
– William Shakespeare, “Love’s Labor Lost,” 1598
Oh, Willy, lighten up! Growing flowering plants in winter keeps gardeners gardening and brightens up our […]
In October, two girlfriends swept me away to a swank resort in Arizona for an early milestone (more like mileboulder) birthday celebration. I felt loved and pampered. Miravel offers top-notch service with fine accommodations and accoutrements tending to all of life’s comforts. Evening landscapes are replete with stunning high-desert […]
Now that the leaves are falling, you know snow and freezing temperatures will follow.Here are 9 things to get done before winter to prevent costly home repairs.
With Appreciation and Gratitude—The Madrone Theatre Company and the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended our October fundraiser, Spoon River Anthology. Your support for our organization, our Pioneer Cemetery and the generous and dedicated cast was sincerely appreciated. The turnout for this unique and special production of Edgar […]
“Have you found any gold yet?” That is one of the most common questions archaeologists get, particularly when working in a gold rush era mecca like Jacksonville, Oregon. While I usually say no—and silently contemplate turning it into a teaching moment regarding how the real “gold” is the information we […]
With a Supreme Court position and numerous judgeships around the country sitting vacant waiting for U.S. Senate approval of Presidential appointees, this month’s profile focuses on local lawyer, District Judge, and Oregon Supreme Court Justice Paine Page Prim.
Prim’s beginnings were inauspicious. He was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, on May […]
“Pressure pushing down on me, pressing down on you…” ~Queen/David Bowie
Whew! Well, that’s over. We finally can relax, knowing that the incessant pressure exerted by an endless flow of shrill television commercials, flyers cluttering our mailboxes, competing yard adornments, and snarling voices has come to an end. Few of us […]
This year Britt enjoyed an enthusiastic response to the Crater Lake Project, the Britt Orchestra Season and our Popular Music line-up. Out of 45 concerts performed on Britt’s main stage and in the Performance Garden, overall attendance was over 64,000, with an average attendance of […]
Small Treasures-—Small Treasures continues through December 24. Give fine art for the holidays! As with previous Small Treasures shows, you can take your purchases with you to wrap and give. Artists continue restocking their offerings throughout the show, so come by the gallery when you’re shopping for gifts and see what’s new! In more exciting […]
It was a bit of a culture shock, says Kazuko Young, when she and her husband moved from Tokyo to the Applegate Valley a few decades ago. But, she adds, “We love it!” However, they do return to Japan occasionally to visit family.
While attending Women’s Art College in Tokyo, Kazuko studied oil painting. But it […]
Jerry Evans and his wife, Linda, have owned the Jacksonville Inn for over 40 years. In that time, Jerry has stayed home a total of 173 days or, to put it another way, he has averaged less than 5 days a year at home during the past 40 years. This must […]
In life, the idea of surrender comes up usually when we meet an intolerable level of frustration and reach the end of our rope. It is a word that in our Western minds is often experienced as a failure and giving up on. The dictionaries say: “giving yourself up into the […]
As Christmastime draws near, I often reflect on favorite gifts. My daughter (and now granddaughters) always loved the beauty and intrigue of Matryoshka dolls, better known as Russian nesting dolls. They are bright and beautiful, intriguing and surprising. Most of us know about these hand-painted wooden dolls, separated in the […]
Water is an important resource anywhere, and the Rogue Valley is no exception. During the heat of the summer, it is relatively easy to see the lush green of those properties with water rights versus the brown fields of those without.
Those properties with water rights have additional value, […]
There’s nothing easy about moving but there are some tips that can make moving easier. I have been a Realtor for 15 years and have watched 1,000+ clients move. I’ve also helped friends and family, and have acquired a lot of ideas that make the process smoother.
Here’s 6 tips […]
One of our edicts is: “Don’t remake Hollywood’s great classics; remake the movies that had the potential to be great but were screwed up in some way.” Cases in point: remakes of The Karate Kid, King Kong (twice), Psycho, and The Pink Panther each did a disservice to the originals. […]
During our excavations into the Chinese Quarter, we got a peek into the pantry of a household occupied by Chinese residents in 1888. On the shelves, we found a variety of glass and ceramic tableware that was used to prepare meals, serve food and drinks, and even items brought out for […]
Because Jacksonville is replete with “Sensational Seniors,” I only needed to walk to the end of Shafer Lane to interview my good friends and neighbors, Russ and Margaret Lyon, of the well-known Daisy Creek Vineyard, for this column.
Their life story is one of determination and overcoming obstacles, while maintaining a finely-tuned […]
Well, fall is here and as things start to slow down a bit, we look back at what was a very successful summer, filled with events and activities that were well-attended and very popular. Our new Tuesday Evening Cemetery Strolls proved to be very popular and brought in many new first time visitors to the […]
Where many states seem to be making voting as difficult as possible, Oregon keeps making it easier. Residents who are U.S. citizens can register to vote by mail or online. If they are not registered voters, they are automatically registered when they obtain or renew an Oregon driver’s license. And then […]
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word “Archaeology?” (Be honest!) Many of you are thinking Egyptian pyramids; (that’s ok, I get it), some of you might have thought dinosaurs; (stop what you are doing, and google paleontology) and hopefully, some of you thought Jacksonville! One of […]
Pet restrictions are generally associated with rentals; however, homeowners also have animal restrictions, depending on the type of animal and where the property is located. If you’re looking to buy a condominium or in a planned subdivision (frequently called planned unit development or PUD), be prepared for rules. Lots of rules, covering everything from how […]
Do you have enough for retirement? Financial planners usually use the “25 Times Rule” to determine how much a portfolio should be worth for someone to safely retire. If you need $50,000 a year to live on when you retire, then, using the “25 Times Rule” you should have […]
Before addressing our tagline, here is the long-awaited announcement concerning a Public Citizen’s Day at the New City Hall. The date for the festivities is set for Friday, October 14th from noon until 1:00pm, complete with refreshments. Your hosts and hostesses will be the Belles and Beaus […]
Gallerie Carnevale: A Halloween Show of Spellbinding Art—Art Presence opens the gallery to all Rogue Valley artists once again, with a fantastic exhibition of art submitted in response to our fourth-annual “October Creative Challenge.” This year’s Challenge was to create artwork with a “Gallerie Carnevale” theme, celebrating the spirit of carnival or circus with a […]
Thirty years ago, three master entertainers joined forces to create the fantasy film Labyrinth: director Jim Henson (creator of the Muppets), producer George Lucas (the man behind Star Wars), and actor/artist/rock god David Bowie.
If your memories of Labyrinth are vague, you’re probably a guy. If, however, your memories are tinged […]
I wrote this column several years back and have never repeated a column before now. Read on and you will understand why I am re-publishing this sweet reminder.
I am dedicating this entire column to the Britt Society, the unsung heroes of Britt Music and Arts Festival. Did you know […]
Being so involved in real estate, we look at sales numbers and home values every month, quarter and year. Sometimes the numbers go up and sometimes the numbers go down, but if you look at the numbers over a longer period of time, they tell a clear story. In […]
At the beginning of the year, I wrote this would be a year for transformation and change. Like it or not, things are changing all around us. It’s becoming harder and harder to ignore what is not working in our lives and in our world. This continues to be a year […]
Marble collecting can be fun, interesting and exciting. Generally, you wouldn’t think too much about a bag of random marbles found at a thrift shop or garage sale until you look more closely beyond the common cat’s eyes, the clearies, the swirls, and the shooters, and see […]
“Water is the vehicle of Nature.” ~Leonardo da Vinci, “Codex Atlanticus” c.a. 1600
The great “Renaissance Man,” Leonardo da Vinci, was obsessed with water. Over and over again he drew water—flowing, falling, whirling, raging, destroying. Da Vinci’s series of black and white sketches, called “The Deluge,” depicts a torrential apocalypse, perhaps […]
Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. A home inspection is an inexpensive way to find out about the overall condition of the home. It is important to conduct a home inspection to avoid a costly mistake by purchasing a property […]
Here comes September. “Where did the summer go?” is a common question dating back long before our time. The yearly cycle repeats itself: children go back to school… vacations end… commerce picks up… and soon squirrels will begin to hoard fall nuts for the long winter. Speaking […]
The Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology (SOULA) just returned from a month-long dig on the coast, investigating two sites associated with the Rogue River War of the mid-19th Century. This work is just part of a multi-year project that has taken us all over southwest Oregon, including Jacksonville. During the […]
With the move of Jacksonville’s City offices into Jackson County’s historic courthouse building on North 5th Street, it seems appropriate to focus this month’s Pioneer Profile on Silas J. Day, the County Judge who initiated the historic courthouse’s construction.
Day was described in the 1904 publication, Portrait and Biographical Record of Western […]
It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to an end and that fall is just around the corner. It was a busy summer with a number of private tours, Tuesday Evening Strolls, History Saturday in the Cemetery, and our monthly Marker Cleaning Workshops. New this year, the Tuesday Evening Strolls, proved to be very […]
Are you looking for a fun excuse to get outside with the family this summer? How about a beautiful location that explores the rich history of the Rogue Valley and provides green, shade-covered lawn areas for picnicking? If this sounds appealing, the Southern Oregon Historical Society invites you to visit Hanley Farm every Thursday from […]
Out of the Mouths of Babes—“Okay, let me get this straight. The arts are part of the humanities which encourage us to develop our potential as humans throughout a variety of disciplines designed (among other things) to awaken our empathy, encourage individual expression and appreciation of diversity. They also alert us to our connection with […]
Brace yourself. The cultural phenomenon known as Star Trek is about to turn 50. In the coming weeks, you’ll likely hear a lot about the celebratory gatherings taking place. But we like to think this monumental anniversary calls for a look back to the beginning.
On September 8, 1966, Star Trek […]
As most of you know, on July 29 & 30, Britt celebrated the Centennial of the National Parks Service, with the world premiere performance of “Natural History,” a composition written by Michael Gordon, and inspired by the beauty and splendor of Crater Lake. Members of the Britt Orchestra, along with members […]