Reminiscing my former West Valley Ward

 

Before moving to Oregon, the last ward (church boundary) I had attended was in West Valley.  As I think about it there were always activities – primary activities on both ward and stake levels, youth activities, adult activities, family activities, holidays such as Halloween, Easter, and 4^th of July breakfast. 

         There have been youth activities and dances on both ward and stake level – no primary activities that I recall – and I was in primary FOREVER thus you would think I would have noticed.  My last ward is the only ward I had been in where I hadn’t served in the primary for the duration.

         I miss introducing others through said activities.  In this ward we have some activities and LOTS of meetings – mostly on a stake level.  Each meeting I have attended has been less motivating than the one before.  I don’t think I’ll be attending anymore.  That’s a long drive which has normally cut into my bedtime I’ll have you know.   

Our Time in Ashland

         Jenna had been accepted to Southern Oregon University which we toured on the 19^th. We had invited Jenna’s friend Kylee to go with us. We had to have proof of vaccination or else a negative result on a “last 24 hour” test.  I thought Kylee would have had that already but was not able to get either in time for our tour and so ended up not going with us which is really too bad.  I think she would have enjoyed it.

        We arrived in Ashland very early in the morning.  The elements were dark but there were buildings lit up with Christmas décor.  It was as though Ashland embraced us with welcoming arms.  It was so beautiful and inviting.

We had arrived early and thus able to get a decent parking spot in front of the admissions building which is where the event started.  Those in charge admitted us into the building so that we would not freeze as it has been cold outside.  I’m pretty certain that we were the first registered for the orientation/tour package.

        A breakfast bar had been set up for all of the participants.  We enjoyed scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy and fruit before the morning orientation, separating the students from family members and going on tour.     There was a scavenger photo contest presented for whatever students had desire to participate – which of course Jenna did.  Here are some of the photographs that she took: 

        The theatre didn’t seem to offer a separate course as some of the other departments and so we ended up with the digital cinema.  I enjoyed seeing the work of some of the students as they presented footage and talked about some of the challenges that they had. 

        We ate lunch.  There were a variety of options.  I selected a “build it” sandwich as there was no line.  Jenna selected pizza which looked good but was the worse tasting pizza either one of us have had.  I enjoyed the sandwich though. 

        After that we toured the housing area.  Jenna seemed comfortable with being able to live there – which she may end up doing.  We had gone to the library as she had a question for the admissions with the theatre department but the library only offered the basic admission and had set up computers for that.  On our return to the Stevenson  Union building we met a senior majoring in theatre.  She and Jenna swapped information to keep in touch.  I thought that was cool.  Very impressed with how friendly everyone was.  Jenna will fit in well.

        Our last stop was at the financial sources and then return back home.  It is only about an hour and a half from where we live.  I like that she will still be close enough to visit.  And she does already have at least two friends who attend.  Guess we will have a better idea where she will be going within the next four months.

If You Are in the Service of Your Fellow Beings . . .

          As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Jenna received an envelope with some activities.  One of the suggestions was to make energy bites – which really didn’t turn out to be as wonderful as had hoped.  But I wasn’t watching to see Jenna measure all things.  I don’t think there was as much peanut butter and honey as the recipe called for as it was really too dry to mold.  We spooned into our mouths like a cereal.  It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either.  It seemed sweet enough.  We both got the impression that I enjoyed the taste more than she.

          Last night I suggested that we add flour to the mixture.  I added flour and eggs and should have added some sugar or more honey as well, but did not.  The mix came out more like drop biscuits or definite unsweetened cookies.  Roland and I did not care for them, but I noticed that Jenna had been munching on them all day.  She somehow liked it better than the previous day.  Okay.  That’s fine, I guess.

          Jenna had suggested I print coloring pages and we could color together.  I said we could do so after my meeting, but seemed to forget about the coloring pages and so did not follow through.  In our meeting we had discussed ways to serve the sisters and feeling helpless with the “no showing-up-at-doors” rule that seems to be in place.  It had been suggested to leave cards or games or something – especially to those that live alone.  But then how would they respond to touching something that has previously been touched?

 The YW counselor who’d sent Jenna (and others) her activities continued and hand delivered larger envelopes and activities for Conference. Jenna was so excited to discover a brand new set of twistable crayons and more coloring pages.  Wow.  How awesome was that.

Currently she is at her first virtual seminary class.  The instructor has sent a schedule of what is expected each day and will do two virtual classes a week.  The next one will be on Friday - which just so happens to be Jenna's birthday.

Thank you to those who go the extra mile and still take precautions.  It is such a weird time on our planet right now.  Overwhelming statistics.  I am floored.  Still grateful for many things that we do have to get us through these bizarre times.

Virtual Correspondence and Mail

            Jenna took the college placement test – more for practice than for placement.  But ever since she has been receiving brochures from different colleges and is a bit fed up with the amount of mail she’s been getting.  Yesterday she received a piece of mail that wasn’t college related and thus felt very excited about it.

            One of the YW leaders had contacted us by phone, and another had sent the mail which contained a brief note, a word search puzzle, a recipe for something called tail mix bites and a coloring page.

            Jenna handed me the word search while she worked on the coloring page.  It was quite a challenging puzzle with 900 letters.  Who does that?

            Most puzzles are less than 250 letters.  I never did find the word TRUTH even though it appears I had crossed it out.

            Jenna made the mix using measurements – though I don’t hink precise.  The misture was supposed to stick together but is definitely too dry for that.  Jenna and I had some by the spoonful.  However we plan to add an egg and some flour to it tomorrow and make cookies with what’s left.  That will be interesting.

            Today I have a virtual meeting with the RS presidency.  We have had one before.  Two of us were able to sign on, the other two had problems.  I think it will be the same today.

            Jenna has listened to a couple of AP lectures and will have her first virtual seminary class tomorrow.

Be Prepared . . . Perhaps

When the “Come Follow Me” program was introduced at the same time as two hour meetings, we were told to use the third hour to study at home.  We were also told that we wanted to develop the habit for one day when we were unable to attend church meetings for whatever reason.  None of us had predicted this soon however.

We had cancelled our last RS activity due to the weather and decided to cancel our upcoming as well.  We had made the decision before the church announced NO MORE MEETINGS until further notice (here). Only seminary will be held unless the schools shut.  But as of now only seminary is the only meeting that will be held at the ward house.  No others.  Not even sacrament meeting. 

Why do people panic instead of remaining calm?  Why do so many always expect the worse.  Instead of viewing the police car at the high school as “Oh, good.  They are keeping my child safe” a parent may panic and demand, “What is going on?” or a fire truck at the elementary . . . of course Roland is looking at this with a business mind and political gain.  I seriously doubt the church is in it for either of those.  And it always takes much longer for the world to catch up to what God has warned us about all along.

Some are eye rollers and don’t understand the severity – or don’t want to.  Closing our eyes to what’s happening won’t make it go away.  When a sporting event is cancelled, then I know that it’s serious.  They haven’t cancelled the schools as of yet, but have limited to school only – no parent teacher conferences, no assemblies, no athletic or performing art events.  Today the air raids have been going off all day. 

We have “bug out” bags located next to our door.  Over the years we have added, borrowed and changed items but have never had to use for intended purpose.  Even now.  We won’t be “bugging out”, we will be staying in.  Hopefully with the benefits of electrical communication and running water.  We won’t stay marooned.  Jenna and I will go to the park or elsewhere if school is cancelled.  Hang out in the fresh air.  It will still be fresh air? 

I came to Oregon, not just to add years to my life, but decades.  I intend to claim them. 

Dash TV36: Ricks’ Outdoor Family Program

            Our family vacationed every year.  Often we went to either Disneyland or Yellowstone National Park, but there were also times when we did something different.  One of those vacations was sponsored through then Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.  I don’t remember where exactly the “Outdoor Family Program” – took place.  I'm guessing somewhere in Idaho.

            I think Kayla was five at the time.  I don’t remember how many families were involved – though I can remember six.  We were all put in cabins which surrounded the shower area and bathrooms with flushable toilets. There were portapotties available, but they needed to be moved as they were pretty full to almost overflowing.  It was disgusting. 

The cabin we were in was pretty much wall to wall bed.  There were five of them fit together like a U shape (if I remember correctly) and six of us.  Patrick and I were assigned the beds at either end.  Kayla and Corey slept between my mom and dad on the three other beds all smashed together.  There was a floor to put our suitcases down and then it was a matter of shifting over mattresses.  Good thing we were a close knit family. 

a rough illustration

            It may not have been as much of a vacation for dad who had to get up early along with the other fathers and only one sister who had brought her five children.  I think they were all under the age of eight.   They would go and learn the day’s activities and explain the agenda to their families.  We got to go horseback riding, repelling and canoeing. 

            Frank was the name of the student who was responsible for harnessing those who wanted to participate and would say “Do you trust me?”

            With each person who was guided over the edge, Corey would say “I trust Frank” which would continue louder on each person until finally it was his turn. 

            Frank said, “Do you trust me?” and Corey responded, “Sort of.”

            There were three people in each canoe, and a really low beam.  Some chose to go under beam.  Our guide pulled over before we got to the beam and said, “That looks too low”

            One canoe managed to get under it but the second one tipped.  Two of the passengers were not very happy. 

            I think the program was an entire week, but maybe not.  I don’t remember all the details but I do know we held church services.  We had gone a ways from the camp and bread had not been brought for the sacrament and crackers were used in the bread’s place.  I remember Lance was one who blessed the sacrament.  I don’t recall who the other was.

            Lance had come with a couple from either North or South Carolina.  They had a young son named David.  I think Lance was just a friend. I remember one of the sponsors searching for muscle power.  As he searched around the group he said, “I need four strong guys and David to help me”  I thought it was funny.  

            Overall, I don’t think it felt like much like a vacation for my dad, but I know Corey and I had fun.  I think Patrick did to a degree, but he hated the mosquitoes.  I remember when he returned from the showers, his back was covered with mosquitoes.  He didn’t think it was cool to take a shower and then douse himself in a can of mosquito repellent.  It didn’t even matter which brand.  Mosquitoes travel for miles just to sample Patrick’s blood.  I didn’t have to worry about spraying myself – especially with Patrick around. 

Living in South Umpqua

        I'm guessing that Tri City gets its name from being in the middle of three other cities.  Myrtle Creek is north of Tri City, Canyonville is to the south and Riddle is to the west.  Though Tri City has its own fire department and water and sanitation source, it does not have its own post office but shares a zip code with Myrtle Creek. 

http://www.myrtlecreekchamber.com/aboutarea.html

        The communities seem supportive of one another and don't have rival cities - which is good.  I enjoy the comradery of living here.

        Though I've written several posts about the libraries here, I'm afraid I haven't done much with them since last summer.  Riddle has full support from their city and has decided to go independent.  Myrtle Creek doesn't have the same city support - pretty much the opposite, and so the system joined forces with Douglas County who is still trying to get back of their (our?) feet.

       Myrtle Creek does a summer program for youth - but interest is only to a certain age.  Teenagers may find more programs geared to their level at the Riddle library - which is where I took Jenna and her friend yesterday.  They are creating a float for the parade that will be held on the 30th of this month.  The librarian wanted to know if Jenna would dress up and ride on the float.  Of course, she will.  Jenna loves to dress up.  You don't have to ask her twice.  She plans on dressing as Little Red Riding Hood.  Tall Red Riding Hood is more like it.

http://www.bookeinstein.com/

        Every time I do something (or we do something) for Riddle, I feel like I'm betraying Myrtle Creek.  Then again, Myrtle Creek doesn't have a teenage program.  The meetings take place on Monday at 5:30 which overall just hasn't been a good time for me.  The few times I have been able to attend, the meeting gets canceled for whatever reason.

        I have already agreed to be Myrtle Creek's story lady.  I forgot to ask what day of the week.  I hope not on Wednesdays. 

Solar Activity - Myrtle Creek

            We have activities each week for the Children's Summer Reading Program.  Today's "Build" activity featured a solar oven and building S'mores. Yum!

            JM took the children outside and placed marshmallows in the oven and explained how it would work.  

          We then came inside and had story time - only it was more of a question, answer and demonstration than straight reading.  We talked about the sun and moon.

            When we finished with the book, Rindy was up with her "Pin-a-Moon-to-the-Sun" craft.  Each of the children were given black paper to create a moon.  After all the moons were cut out, each stood in line to paste their moon on the sun while wearing their solar glasses.  It was really fun.   

            The best part of our activity was returning outside with graham crackers and chocolate to add to the marshmallows - which really hadn't toasted to the melting stage.  But those squares of chocolate certainly got soft in less than two minutes in the sun.  

            Everybody enjoyed their s'mores - particularly Jenna who got to keep the solar oven and all leftover fixings. 

It IS a Big Deal

            Our class size varies at the pool.  We have had as many class members as 15 (our instructor had brought four members of her family to participate in our class on Tuesday) and as few as one or two (I did not attend on Wednesday but had heard that there were only two students to show) Yesterday there were seven students plus our instructor.

            After our class ended, Jenna and I stopped by Millsite Park to look for the FMCL booth for the Myrtle Creek Festival as we had been assigned to man it during a shift yesterday.  It hadn't been set up yet.  We decided to return home for some breakfast and I texted Serena to see if she needed help with the booth.

            Roland fixed French toast for Jenna and me before we returned to the park to help set up.  We were there for just over an hour before we left again.  Jenna had wanted to go to Riddle for their Pre-Solar Eclipse Party. 

It was the end of their summer reading program for the small kids - teens will go until mid-August, I guess.  There is no teen program for Myrtle Creek.  

            I had posted pictures of the Riddle Library grounds before -just over two years ago not long after we had moved to Oregon.  The teen activities usually take place in the pavilion in the park right next to the library.  I thought we would go to the pavilion for the party, but we didn't end up at the pavilion at all.

            First thing on the agenda was to walk from the back door of the library to the door to city hall. Aside from the pictures, I think the Riddle City Hall looks very much like the Myrtle Creek City Hall. 

The librarian had set up a display of the planets moving around the sun.  She explained a bit about sky activity and the solar eclipse.  We then went out into the courtyard to first, use our special glasses to look at the sun, and then several of the children made slime.

            When the slime was done, children packed their treasures in plastic containers and returned to the library for prizes.  It was announced that the total summer reading had included 16,230 hours but then was upped to 18,465.  Prices were awarded to all the children who participated.

            The finale ended just outside the library doors for all participants to enjoy vanilla ice cream floating in the beverage of their choice (Lemon-Lime, Orange, Strawberry or Root Beer).  Jenna left with a book called "Prankster Magic" which she is quite proud of.

            One of the perks I enjoy about small town living is how the community pulls together.  The last weekend in July is reserved for Myrtle Creek Festival.  Some people will check out of their businesses early or may not even open at all.  Time is spent into setting up booths before noon on Thursday.  The booths open at 4:00 p.m. and close at 11:00 pm.

            Jenna had saved her money for this event, and it is still in a storage unit somewhere in Winston.  The thought of it had made her cry, but Roland said we would lend her the money and she can pay us back if/when she should ever get her room (belongings) back.  I don't think she realized how much of her time would be utilized for the sake of the library.

            Our booth offered paint n play . . . $3.00 to paint a rock and play a game.  Most of our consumers were either/or.  We may not have had any customers at all if it wasn't for Jenna - plugging every patron who walked by.  The first day is Not the busiest day.  I think the majority of people come on Saturday.  But there were a few wanderers yesterday.  I believe that Jenna was able to get half to invest in painting a rock or playing the game.

            We were able to leave before the end of our shift, but as Jenna forgot her bag, we returned for it.  Serena and Sheila recruited Jenna to finish out the night and have said that if she will work all of them, they will feed her.  (Evidently, they don't know that she eats like a teenage boy) and so she was left to "sell" the booth's activities until Sheila brought her home. 

            We have an earlier shift today, but I may be dropping Jenna off earlier and she may stay all day; her rewards will be even greater than what she had saved up for. Roland and I both believe this is good for her.  I'm actually excited to see how much she's involved.

Grand Opening Rocks!

Myrtle Creek Library reopens Monday

• CARISA CEGAVSKE Senior Staff Writer The News-Review

Carisa Cegavske

Senior Reporter

published June 30, 2017

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The Myrtle Creek Library will reopen Monday with an all-volunteer staff, and kick off its summer reading program right away.

Like many of the smaller branches of the former Douglas County Library System, the Myrtle Creek Library has been closed since April 1. Sutherlin, Oakland, Riddle and Reedsport have since reopened their libraries.

The Myrtle Creek Library is unique in the county in that it is now managed not by the local city council, but by the nonprofit Friends of the Myrtle Creek Library.

"We're very excited," said Friends Treasurer Julienne DeMarsh about Monday's opening.

DeMarsh said the group has about 80 people on a list of potential volunteers or donors, with a group of 21 that has passed background checks and plans to volunteer through the summer.

On Friday, DeMarsh said they were working on getting connected to the internet and hope to have that up and running in time for the opening.

She said it's important to note that library patrons will need to re-register to get new library cards.

The 17,000 books and other items in the library's collection will be available for checkout on day one. However, a computer catalog system isn't yet available, so books will be checked out the old-fashioned way, with the patron's name and the item being written down.

DeMarsh said volunteers' enthusiasm wasn't diminished by the holiday weekend opening.

"People are still willing to help us out, so I'm very encouraged by that," she said.

The library building belongs to the city, but it's the Friends group that signed an intergovernmental agreement with the county to take charge of and check out items from the collection.

One of the biggest challenges the Friends face is paying for liability insurance. The main concern, DeMarsh said, is whether the library can continue to raise enough funds to pay for that insurance and keep the library running into the future.

For now, the emphasis is on the summer reading program, which will be held Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Coordinator Serena Theiss said the activities will follow a math, science and engineering theme adapted to fit the local library. Monday's activity will be a Three Little Pigs theme with kids crafting three different types of houses, a teepee, a rainbow cottage made from popsicle sticks and an adobe house made from a pinch pot. Field trips will also be held to different local businesses, including a visit to a water testing lab at Umpqua Research Company.

The programs are conveniently timed to end just as the local swimming pool opens up the street, Theiss said.

The doors will open at 10 a.m. Monday. Regular hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays; 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The library will be closed Fridays and Sundays.

That gives us more hours/days than when we had first moved in!  We’ve been without a library for just over three months now.  Thanks to the members of the Friends of Myrtle Creek library, we had our grand opening yesterday.  Our kick off was for the summer reading program “Build a Better World”

Children were told to choose a tee shirt which we would turn into a bag so they had a container to put prizes and books in.  I read the story of “The Three Little Pigs” but my three pigs started out life living in Myrtle Creek and each left the state to live in three particular kinds of houses: adobe, stick or tepee.  We then allowed the children to pick which house they would like to build and now have them in the display case at the library.

The grand opening was a huge success.  It is the busiest I have ever seen the library since we moved here just over two years ago,

Carissa had come to cover the story.  She remembered having had interviewed me before.  She didn’t remember my name, but she remembered that I had been sad.  That’s quite impressive from three months back and all the libraries she has covered ever since. 

I am so grateful for having the opportunity of being a part of this historical moment.

Enjoying Riddle

       The school library will be open three times during this summer.  Yesterday morning was the first day and I took Jenna to return the books we already had and trade them for something else. We had also stopped by Soco to have a meeting with the committee for the  Children's Summer Reading Program.  Jenna asked me if I'd take her to the library in Riddle which was also on my agenda, but it does not open until 3:00 on Tuesdays.  We returned home before we went to Riddle.  I took care of some school work.
       Jenna had wanted me to present my Costco card at the library for identification.  I've had it for over seven years.  The picture is of both Jenna and me.  She had really wanted to be in the picture that day, and I was just going to have her stand in front of me, but the man who'd been waiting to take my picture said that we could both be in it.  I like the picture so I keep the card.  Jenna and I both look very different now in real life.

      After we arrived in Riddle and went inside the library, the librarian told us that there was an activity outside.  We went to the pavilion where the drama coach of Riddle High was conducting a session for eight teenagers who had shown for the activity.  Jenna found one of her friends at the activity.  They both seemed to enjoy themselves.  I took a few pictures with my cell phone.  I have cropped out the other kids as I did not ask permission to post them.

pretending to brush her teeth

the instructor had teens pretend they were walking

in various situations

the last two are mirror mirror.  

Jenna had so much fun hanging with her friend after the activity, she forgot about the library or reporting the other books she read.  We may return tomorrow.

Another Kind of "Road Trip"

          During our winter break from school, students had the option of participating in a discussion on a Winter-what-you-doin' course - I guess you could call it that.  Students were not required to participate -  it was just an option to earn prizes.  I participated just for fun.  I didn't have any other classes.

          This summer the school is offering another "fun" participation with a course called "Road Trip" which I thought I'd be interested in learning more about, but had totally put it out of my head the week we had returned to Salt Lake City.  On the day of the funeral my alarm went off.  "Road Trip" appeared on my screen.  I didn't understand why my alarm had gone off to remind me that I was on a road trip (keep in mind  that I had lost a tremendous amount of sleep by then)

          Before we got on the road the next day to head home (to Oregon) I notice there was an email from one of the instructors reminding us of the "Road Trip" activity through the school.  OOOOhhhh . . . that is why my alarm had gone off.  It hadn't anything to do with our physical road trip.  Okay.  That makes sense . . .

          I had to ask to participate in the Winter-what-you-doin' course as it did not come up automatically.  "Road Trip" did not appear in my curriculum feed and I was okay with it.  I now have two accounting classes and oodles upon oodles of thoughts which I need to record (even if they never get posted) and decided just to forego the schoool "Road Trip" as it would not be a priority for my time.

          While cramming for both of my classes on Thursday, I noticed the "Road Trip"  course had been added to my agenda.  Well, I definitely don't have time for it right now.  I am taking two accounting classes AGAIN - I am still not understanding the language - especially in this frame of mind.  I am still feeling the fatigue.  It's as though my mind has disconnected itself from the rest of my body.  Why doesn't the fat take a hike?  I wouldn't even care to see the fat go permanently.  But I need my mind.  I don't like being this tired.

          I went ahead and clicked on road trip just to see what my options are.  Students have the opportunity for writing assignments between June 11 and July 8.  There are four activities to choose from.  We can write about them all or we can forego participating. 

          Activity #1 option:        Like any great road trip, school is an adventure that requires planning, preparation, and not stopping until you have reached your destination. 

Let's jump forward to a time when you are finished with all your college courses. You have worked hard and graduated. Yay!!! You've been hired to the job you have always wanted, and you are on the road to having everything you waited, worked, and planned for. It's time for a little rest and relaxation. 

Activity #2 option:        You are in school working hard to learn the skills and expertise to get that dream job. Have you thought about what it looks like? Is there a specific company that you want to work for so bad you would do almost anything? Is it close to home, a pretty good commute, or clear across the country?

 Activity #3 option:        The United States is an amazing place. There is not a single state that does not have a historical or natural wonder to enjoy. National and State Monuments and Parks are great opportunities to learn more about our country's heritage or enjoy the beauty and majesty of nature.

What is in your backyard? 

 Activity #4 option:        We have amazing instructors at Independence University. They care about their students and their success. Their goal for each and every course is to help students understand and become proficient in the course material. That way, each student will be successful in the career they have chosen. 

So what do you know about your Instructor?

           I'm certain I could write about my dream vacation much better than my dream job (I don't think a dream job exists in accounting) but I decided to go with activity #3 option.  I've pretty much have written much about the subject in my blog already, so why not condence it into just one assignment.  I came up with over 750 words (not counting title page or references).  I turned that in on Friday.

           "Oregon is My Backyard" has already been "graded".  I will also be submitting an assignment for activity #4, but I will be doing it on one of my former instructors.  I think those are the only two assignments I will be turning in for "Road Trip" this mod.  I haven't looked ahead to see what the subjects are for the next  two mods.  In July and August I will be involved in the Summer Reading program through the Friends of Myrtle Creek Library - and hopefully we'll have our library up and running by then.