10 Summer 2011 Applegater
Meet the new Board of
Friends of the Ruch Library
Applegate Library
We have had some wonderful
programs this year with local authors
reading from their works, and doing
book signings in the meeting room of the
Applegate Branch Library.
Gay Bradshaw presented her new
book, Elephants on the Edge, and Louise
Rouse read from two new publications,
365 Days of Celebration and A Juicy, Joyful
Life. Lita Neiderheiser gave a presentation
of her book, Jesse Applegate: A Dialogue
with Destiny.
We also had a program with
Chelsea Rose, who has been a part of
the Southern Oregon Historical Society’s
“Windows in Time.” Chelsea’s program
was, “On and Onwards: Finding and
mapping the Applegate Trail.”
We are looking forward to hearing
Jakob Shockey talk about his adventures
in Panama stalking the Pygmy Three-toed
Sloth. The time and date of the program
will be announced. (See Jakob’s article on
the Three-toed Sloth on page 23.)
“One World - Many Stories” has
been the theme this summer in the Jackson
County libraries. Children ages 3-12 have
read or listened to ten books and have
earned reading incentives.
Teens have participated in the
“You Are Here” reading program, attended
activities and have earned the chance to
win a prize.
We are looking forward to more
programs coming up this fall and winter.
Joan Peterson
541-846-6988
Ruch Library
Ruch Library is fortunate to
have three mosaic works of art created
by Lilli Ann and Marvin Rosenberg with
contributions from school children and
community members. In 2002 Ruch
School children, staff, and homeschoolers
created clay pieces, which the Rosenbergs
inset into stepping-stones in the walkway
between the library and school. In 2008 a
mural showing life in the Applegate, past
and future, was installed in the library
lobby. The pieces in the mural were
made by thirty-five community members
working in the Rosenberg’s studio over
the period of a year. Another small mural
graces the front of the A-Frame bookstore
run by the Friends of Ruch Library.
LiLLi ann RosenBeRg honoReD

On June 25, 2011, many of the
artists who created clay pieces for the
lobby mural gathered at Ruch Library for
a celebration honoring Lilli Ann and the
publication of a delightful book detailing
their experiences and contributions.
The artists’ stories are accompanied by
photographs by Cynthia Cheney of each
person’s artwork. The book is available for
your perusal at the library. Karen Salant
offered a slide show of photos she took
during the installation of the walkway
and of the Grand Opening in 2003. Lilli
Ann shared some stories and took the
opportunity to remind everyone of the
importance of public art and community.
summeR ReaDing

Summer Reading for all ages has
been a fun experience this summer. The
theme is “One World, Many Stories” for
the children through 12 years old. The
same multicultural theme threads through
the Young Adults and Adult programs,
as well. Children and adults have been
sticking pins into a world map showing
the setting of the books they have been
reading. It is encouraging to see the
wide scope of interests the readers in our
community have. We are having some
great programs and activities, most with
an international flair. Come by and match
world coins to countries on a world map,
and test your geography skills! Some of
our teenagers are researching information
about Ruch and the Applegate Valley, and
Lilli Ann Rosenberg, seated second from left
in front row, at the Ruch Library celebration
in her honor on June 25.
will be contributing to a book about our
area, written entirely by young adults.

The Friends of Ruch Library have
been very generous in helping with our
Summer Reading Program. I thank them
for their continued support. In addition,
this summer local businesses contributed
gifts and gift certificates to the children as
incentives to participate in the programs. I
would like to thank My Way Café, Cowboy
Flowers, Café Ruch, Ruch Country Store,
Pit Stop, Outpost, Drake’s Alignment,
McKee Bridge Restaurant, Cantrall-
Buckley Park, Deborah Buoy Massage,
Ruch Video, Ruch Services, Sunshine
Plaza Salon, Ellee Celler, and Pat Gordon
Massage for their generous gifts.
ComPuteR CLasses

There will be two series of
computer classes at Ruch Library this fall.
All classes are free, and computers will be
furnished. Sign-up is required to hold your
place in the class, which is limited to ten
people.
Basics 2 Class meets on Thursday
evenings from 5 – 7 pm, August 18 -
September 8.  The classes cover Word
Processor Basics, Photo Processing, File
Management, and Review and Artistic
Design.
Basics 1 Class meets on Thursday
evenings from 5 - 7 pm, October 27 -
November 17. The first class is learning
about the mouse and keyboard, followed
by Internet Navigation, E-mail, and Files
and Folders.
Contact the Ruch Library if you
are interested in signing up for a class. I
hope to see you at the library soon.
Thalia Truesdell
541-899-8741
The Applegater was saddened to learn that Lilli Ann Rosenberg
passed away on July 19, 2011. She will be greatly missed.
New Board members (from left to right): Donna Epstein, Tina Drake, Fran Hopkins,
Liz Hampton, Pat Gordon, and Joyce Webber. Not pictured: Shonda Siler.
The recently expanded seven-
member Friends of the Ruch Library
(FORL) board is focused on the future of
our library and our community. Undaunted
by current economic challenges, Board
members’ heads, hearts and hands are
building a stronger Friends group for the
21st century—supporting our library to
serve more of our community members
in new ways.
Donna Epstein—currently serves
as President of FORL. Donna has lived
in our community for over 17 years. She
managed the Applegate Food Pantry for
14 years. “I love to cook, read (started a
local book club 15 years ago), and jog early
in the morning. I do all my research for
cooking and book group titles using our
library’s online system.” 541-899-8644
or dowritede@aol.com
Fran Hopkins—former Treasurer
of FORL and a continuing Board member.
“I moved to the Ruch area the same month
the libraries closed in 2007. It was such
a shock to me that any library system
would actually close that I attended my
first FORL meeting and came home as
Treasurer! It’s been very rewarding to me to
help FORL’s efforts to extend our library’s
hours when we re-opened. I’d love to see
our library open eight hours every day!”
541-899-9602 or franhop@gmail.com
Joyce Webber—retired, lives
in Ruch with her husband and furry
companions. She brings long-term
mediator experience. “I agree with Edward
Gibbon’s statement: ‘The use of reading is
to aid us in thinking’—the library provides
that opportunity to all of us.” 541-899-
0189 or joyce@webberventures.com
Liz Hampton—“Even though I
have only lived in Applegate for 20 years,
the Ruch/Applegate area is my home, and
the Ruch Library, for almost 15 years, was
truly my home-away-from-home. Having
‘lived’ on both sides of the library counter,
I can vouch for the fact that our Ruch
and Applegate libraries are more than just
libraries—they are an integral part of our
Applegate Valley community.” 541-846-
6200 or lizh@vsisp.net
Pat Gordon—small woodlands
steward, working massage therapist,
40-year Applegater, continuing Board
member, and 60-year public library user.
“Libraries change lives—I know that first
hand!” 541-899-7655 or phg@jeffnet.org
Shonda Siler—moved to Oregon
in 2008, our newest Board member (with
a law degree). While she currently doesn’t
practice law, she’s eager to lend her skills
and knowledge to further the goals and
fundraising efforts of FORL. “Libraries
open the door to knowledge, adventure,
excitement, skill and expertise for each
person who walks in and takes advantage of
the opportunity to read and learn. Even in
this digital age, it is important to preserve,
encourage, and continue the legacy of
enrichment that libraries and tangible
books offer to all.”
Tina Drake—new FORL Board
member and acting Treasurer. Small
business owner, Ruch resident for 16 years,
Ruch Library cheerleader! 541-621-5235
or smartina@charter.net
What are your needs and priorities?
More open hours…which days and times?
More help using the computer catalog
and electronic resources the library now
offers? Interesting cultural and educational
events in our Community Meeting Room?
Reserving the Meeting Room for your
organization’s use? Getting information
and materials if transportation’s a problem?
The Friends are here to help. Call or email
any above Board member.
In addition to giving any of us an
earful, you can:
• Get a new (or replacement) library
card—they’re free!
• Grab a Kindle E-book reader and read
daily newspapers while in the library.
• Give the library some time. Branch
Manager Thalia Truesdell, 541-899-
7438, will match your time and talents
with the library’s needs.
• Give the Friends some time—volunteer
in our A-frame bookstore, serve on one
of our fun committees, help with our
October book sale.
• Share your passion, talent, or expertise
by presenting one of our special
programs.
• Help with our website, fill some other
special need.
• Attend Friends’ monthly Board
meetings—open to all—first Thursday
of the month, 6:30 pm.
• Get a tax deduction by generously
donating to the Friends in support of
Saturday hours at our library.
• Give your community library your
support—be a library advocate; remind
friends and neighbors of library hours
and services by giving them a free
brochure with library times and phone
numbers; invite or bring them to the
library or a special program or meeting.
You’ll get more than you give, so
don’t be shy. We’re all looking forward
to seeing you in the library: Tuesdays 11
am - 5 pm, Thursdays 1 pm - 7 pm, or
Saturdays noon to 4 pm.
For more information, contact
Donna Epstein, 541-899-8644.