“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 […]
History Saturday in the Cemetery, Saturday, September 12 at 10:00am—Please join us for our final History Saturday program of the year as we explore Educators and Early Education in the Rogue Valley. This interesting and fun 90-minute program will be presented by Lynn Ransford and Pat Stancel and will also include a short walking tour […]
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 […]
This “mourning button” is one of the many artifacts found during repairs to my own home, the historic Booker House on South Oregon Street. Black attire, including buttons, was popularized by Queen Victoria following the death of her husband, the beloved Prince Albert. She reportedly wore mourning clothes for the rest […]
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 […]
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 […]
Prints vs. Originals—The question of whether to buy original art work or giclées (prints made with inks that won’t fade for 100 years, usually on acid-free paper) for your home is one worth considering. The debate usually centers on the higher cost of original art. Art Presence founder Anne Brooke’s opinion is that buying original […]
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 […]
“And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.”–Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden, 1911
Speaking of secret gardens, did you know there are 20 demonstration gardens just five minutes from downtown Jacksonville? It’s true! […]
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 […]
Express Yourself!—Creative self-expression is a part of life most of us treasure, whether it’s drawing, cooking, or gardening, or attending dance classes, plays or concerts. Most people enjoy doing creative things because it provides opportunities to connect with friends and family, meet new people, and broaden one’s horizons. Those challenged to find time to express […]
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 […]
History Saturday in the Cemetery, August 8—Now in its 5th year, this very popular and well-attended program is offered on the second Saturday of each month, May through September. The 90-minute presentation includes a history talk followed by a short walking tour to grave sites relating to the featured subject. The August topic will be, […]
As an archaeologist, I am constantly making unlikely, but fascinating connections between my work and things that I come across every day. Perhaps the least likely of these connections came to me on a sunny, tropical morning on a beautiful beach in South Africa. Like most beachgoers, I enjoy combing for […]
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 […]
When I saw Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s (OSF) production of Pericles in the Thomas Theatre for the first time, everything about it was SO outstanding: the profound story, performances so good by ALL the actors, theater technical arts so perfect, music that so effectively heightened the emotional impact of the piece, that it defied my expectations […]
I know a guy—I bet you know him too—whom I’ll call Billy Bob. Billy’s story, repeated ad naseum, goes something like this: “My parents were awful. They didn’t love me the way I needed them to. My troubles are a direct result of their lousy parenting. I’m hurt and angry and […]
It is interesting how we memorialize the end of things. What is it about the last day or last goodbye or last play of the game that gets our attention? Could it be because we innately understand everything in life has an expiration date so the passing of even […]
In 2015, PYREX turned 100 years-old.
Like many innovations and excellent ideas, it’s invention was a fluke.
Chemists at Corning Glass Works, in Corning New York, were working to develop heat-resistant glass that could stand-up to extreme temperature changes for […]
Last month, I wrote about various ways colors can be lightened and darkened and how they relate to each other on the color wheel, invented by Isaac Newton. This month, let’s talk about how colors affect the way we feel in various rooms.
From wall fountains to basin fountains, water features can be stylish and low maintenance, allowing you to create a serene oasis outside your door. Water fountains improve aesthetics, add home value and curb appeal, and establish a sense of balance and harmony in your landscape.
Home prices are rising as our economy continues to improve; retirees are retiring in droves and millennials are moving-out of their parents’ basements and into the housing market. Housing demand is strong and the inventory of homes is low—so home prices are being driven-up. So how do you figure-out […]
A while ago I wrote a column in which I rhapsodized over the construction of the historic Courthouse soon to become Jacksonville’s City Hall. Built in 1883, it is an example of superb hand-craftsmanship. Using only natural materials of the day, it was built […]
Ausland Group is just a few days away from completing the seismic upgrades on the historic Jacksonville Courthouse.
History Saturday in the Cemetery, July 11—Join us on Saturday, July 11 at 10:00am for a very moving and interesting program, “The Civil War Comes to an End,” presented by Robert Hight and Gail Nicholson. This special program, in recognition of the 150th Anniversary of the end of our Nation’s Civil War, will include a […]
Summer is here, and for many of us that means the season for gin and tonics and frosty mugs of beer! A recent archaeological find along First Street reminded us that Jacksonville’s 19th century residents shared our love of the cocktail hour, and highlighted the lengths that early residents went to […]
Cornelius C. Beekman was arguably the wealthiest and most prominent of the pioneers who settled Jacksonville in the mid-1800s. From humble beginnings as a carpenter and express rider, he built a business empire of banking, mining, and real estate interests.
Like many young men, Beekman was lured west by the promise of […]
Art Helps Children Learn and Their Brains Develop–—Art has been associated with expanding the intellect since the time of Plato, but the benefits of art on the brain can now be measured scientifically. Recent studies show that practicing executive function activities like drawing significantly improves core skills like reasoning and teamwork in children ages 3–5. […]
The Britt Classical Festival is about to begin. And we’re ecstatic!
Once again, one hundred-plus of the world’s finest musicians will take time from their tuneful day jobs to join us here in Jacksonville. We’ll welcome them into our homes and they’ll join us at our bistros and bars. But that’s […]
We are happy and excited to welcome concert goers to the 53rd season of Britt’s Classical Festival. As Jacksonville Review readers know, this year’s Classical Festival reflects a shift to bolder and more diverse programming. Teddy Abrams has put together an unparalleled roster of guest musicians and an outstanding […]
“I judge that the flowers of Lavender quilted in a cap and worn are good for all diseases of the head…and that they comfort the brain very well.” ~ William Turner, New Herball, 1551
Many of the students I teach at Rogue Community College tell me they hope to use their […]
The Woodlands and Forest Park are part of the city parks system and provide venues for more experiences than just trails to hike. Both parks are rich displays of Jacksonville’s history. The Woodlands showcases the start of the gold mining that led to the city’s birth in […]
I love this expression. I have to admit I have a penchant for those expressions in my mother tongue, French. This one touches on a subject close to my heart: Joy. Reconnecting people with their inner joy is my passion and my life’s work.
Besides making your life more enjoyable, Joy is […]
In the time of your life, live — so that in that good time there shall be no ugliness or death for yourself or for any life your life touches. ~William Saroyan
“Time sure does fly, doesn’t it?”
That’s what the vet said as he was preparing to help end the suffering of […]
I hate to tell you, but your ’80s clothes are now considered “vintage.”
I have not yet heard a word to describe the ’80s clothes as a genre. The ’70s boasted retro hippies left-over from the ’60s, stylish Hip-looking funky bellbottomed professionals letting their hair get longer; […]
Spring and summer seasons bring many warm, bright and vivid colors to the clothes we wear and the landscape we enjoy seeing. So why not bring it into our homes, as well?
“Pantone” publishes a “color of the year” and this year it is […]
“Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.” ~ May Sarton, Plant Dreaming Deep, 1968
I agree that patience is becoming a lost art in our hectic, fast-food, fast-everything lives where […]