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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 29, 2003)
Page 5 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, October 29, 2003 Lund receives ‘greatest award’ from his peers... IVSHA director optimistic about safe house project (Continued from page 1) of 3.85. She, of course, had many memories of my high school principal’s office.” Not to mention certain other events during his younger, wilder days, and his high school GPA of “around 1.2” before he dropped out. Lund related that when he told his mother of his SOU academic achieve- ment, she replied without hesitation, “I knew you could do that because your brains are brand-new.” Said Lund, “That is so typical of her; to let me know that since I had never used my brain be- fore, I had to do well.” He received his bache- lor of science degree in music and certification by the American Band Asso- ciation in 1992, and his teaching certificate in ‘93 from what was then South- ern Oregon State College, now SOU. He confessed that he wanted to quit the program each semester, what with having to take classes in- cluding “Music Theory” and related topics -- areas that made him stretch his motorcycle mechanic brain. However, Max McKee, Stuart Turner and many others encouraged him to hold onto his dream of teaching and making a difference. Turner was his adviser and trombone teacher at SOU. McKee was band instructor, and taught American Band College for band directors planning to teach. So Lund stuck it out, despite some agonizing times, particularly trying to learn Spanish until he switched from a bachelor of arts degree to a bachelor of science degree. Upon graduation, he applied to Three Rivers School District (formerly Josephine County School District) and was hired. He serves as the instru- mental and choral music director for Illinois Valley (From left) Robert Deveny, of the SOU Alumni Association; Lund daughter, Shari Kaye Kuykendall from Phoenix, Ore.; SOU Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, T. Lund; Sandi Lund; Lund daughter, Teri Jo Breyman of Ashland; SOU president, Elisabeth Zinzer. Not shown, Lund daughter, Carie Lyn Van Meter of Iowa. High School and Lorna Byrne Middle School. He realized from day one that it was, and still is, a financially poor district. But that has not deterred him. In fact, he described himself as “a guy who can fix anything,” and the mu- sic program was in need. When he began, he recalled, there were 12 “Beginning Music” stu- dents at the middle school, 14 in “Concert Band,” and no choir students. At the high school, there were nine in the band, and six in the choir. Today there are some 250 students from sixth- through 12th grades in the program. There are three choirs and three bands. The students present various concerts and recit- als; march in parades; and perform at sporting events and other community func- tions. To help raise funds for the program, Lund 10 years ago instituted the popular Valentunes pro- gram. He explained that for certain donations, per- sons can have a group of choral students, with “T” on portable keyboard, play for their loved ones. He noted that sometimes the loved ones have to be pur- sued, sometimes into gro- cery stores or post offices, or even into cow pastures. But the love behind the Valentunes is delivered, and it’s a program of which he is justifiably proud. He also began a Com- munity Band in Illinois Valley a few years ago. It disbanded after a couple of years because members had scheduling and other problems. But he’s think- ing of restarting it, he said. Regarding Mr. Hol- land’s Opus Foundation, the enthusiastic mentor said, he initially got in- volved when seeking funds for more band instruments. “They wanted to send me $5,000 worth of instru- ments,” he said, “But heck, that’s what one new tuba could cost. I finally con- vinced them to send the money to me; and with it, I was able to acquire $10,500 worth of instru- ments.” That was accom- plished through his “fix-it” and horse-trading abilities. “All the pawn shops in this area know me,” said Lund. “I’ll even buy an instru- ment from under a porch: ‘Hey, will you take 10 bucks for that rusty trum- pet under your porch?’ That’s how I like to work.” After receiving the funds, a representative from the foundation came to Illinois Valley and watched him work for sev- eral days, and to make sure he had put the money to good use. He had. Subsequently, last year, he received another phone call from the foun- dation. After making sure he was sitting down, a woman told him he had been chosen for the na- tional honor. She added that he would receive $10,000; and that he and his wife would receive a four-day all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to receive the Mr. Holland’s Opus Award in Carnegie Hall from Richard Dreyfuss, who played Holland in the movie of the same name. “I was staggered by the news,” said Lund. “I Come to Oregon Caves Chevron ‘Your Hometown Station’ Minor Auto Repairs Oil Changes, Transmission Service Winter Check Outs Tires, Big Selection Batteries Propane - $1.50 per gallon was crying I was so happy. And I got even happier when it was made clear that the money was for me, not necessarily for the pro- gram.” Sandi, hearing him in emotional straits, thought that a family tragedy had occurred. “I kept telling her through the tears, ‘No- no, it’s a good thing’,” said Lund. The trip and the NYC experience were magnifi- cent, he said. He has received other awards including recogni- tion from various valley organizations for his musi- cal efforts benefiting the entire valley community. In addition, besides playing trombone with the SOU Pep Band on Satur- day during the homecom- ing football game in Ash- land, he was introduced on the field by Zinser. Lund said that he works to inspire his stu- dents with a love of music; to reach them on intellec- tual and emotional levels. And to bolster the commu- nity spirit with music through students, showing the payoff of their dedica- tion. He believes in hard work and caring. “I have no idea how I got here,” he joked. “I just followed my love and my heart, with good advice from friends.” He noted the love and support from his wife and children, and the education he received at SOU. “I have been helped, with a lot of tears and shouting, to find the real person inside me,” said Lund. “We all need to know what we’re good at,” he said, “and to pursue that dream. We can make a difference. Teaching and instilling the love of music is my dream.” It seems to be a dream come true. By STEVE FAIRCHILD Staff Writer Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance (IVSHA) served pastries, fresh cof- fee and a big dose of opti- mism to volunteers, politi- cians and the public on Monday night, Oct. 27, during an open house at the Selma Community Center. IVSHA Executive Di- rector Chris Mallette proudly proclaimed that building a safe house within three miles of Cave Junction is the No. 2 prior- ity for both the Cave Junc- tion City Council and the Illinois Valley Community Response Team. The No. 2 distinction puts IVSHA in an excel- lent position to start re- ceiving the large grants it needs to finish its five- room facility that will house abused and battered women and children. The city’s No. 1 prior- ity is finishing the down- town revitalization project while IVCRT’s top priority is the Kerby’s water woes. IVSHA’s 2,500 square foot proposed safe house will be built in phases and will include a room for women with teenagers and two bedrooms for women with mental health or sub- stance abuse issues. A separate facility will house IVSHA’s staff offices. IVSHA has not pur- chased the 2-to-10 acre parcel it needs to build its facilities. IVSHA has raised ap- proximately $250,000 to- ward its goal of $432,000 and participated in 13 community events to raise funds this year. “Our tree is healthy and growing,” Mallette said metaphorically of the program’s successful year. “Looks like the next cou- ple of years are going to be even more amazing.” IVSHA would like to have the safe house in op- eration by September of 2005. Since January, IVSHA -- currently based in the I.V. Family Coalition building -- has served 225 women and 203 children that have been affected by domestic abuse. Other projects IVSHA is working on include a self-sufficiency program to help place women into af- fordable housing with a way to support themselves. Financial difficulties are one of the biggest reasons women return to abuse partners, Mallette said. As candles lit in mem- ory of domestic violence victims flickered nearby Mallette joked with com- munity members. “We’re not radical fems. We’re here to pro- vide services,” she said. So me c o m mu n i t y members agreed with their pocketbooks. Kit Kemper of Cave Junction wrote a check for $500 and chal- lenged anyone in the com- munity to match his dona- tion by Monday, Nov. 3. To make a donation to IVSHA phone Mallette at 592-5332. Parent / Teacher Conferences Thursday, November 6 8 a.m. - Noon 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday, November 7 8 a.m. - Noon Please contact Linda Kent at 592-2163 to arrange an appointment. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Lorna Byrne Middle School 2003
