Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Page A-9
iVhS counselor has been at school for 16 years
By
Kaylee Motheral
IVN Contributing Writer
Patrice Tucker has worked at
Illinois Valley High School for 16
hears. She spent her first seven years
as an English teacher, but eventually
became a student counselor.
Tucker said the reason for mak-
ing the change was simple.
“I wanted to have more time
helping the kids,” Tucker said. “Be-
ing an English teacher, I didn’t have
much of an opportunity to have one-
on-one time with the kids.”
It’s that connection with stu-
dents at IVHS that Tucker finds so
rewarding.
“I like how we are a small
school that can do more than bigger
schools,” she said. “I’ve had kids
come here from bigger schools and
say they do so much better here be-
cause it’s a smaller school. And we
can kind of help them out more in ar-
eas a big school cannot.”
Tucker grew up in Southern
California and graduated early from
Los Alamitos High School in Or-
ange County. She didn’t go to college
right away, but got a variety of jobs
instead. She worked on the historic
Queen Mary ocean liner in the harbor
in Long Beach and at a record store
called Music Plus.
“Like most kids, I loved music
so it was a dream come true. I got into
concerts for free and also got free re-
cords.”
Eventually, Tucker started
school part time at California State
University, Long Beach.
“During school, I got mar-
ried and later had a baby,” she said.
“That’s when we left the city.”
Tucker’s parents had bought a
piece of land in the Illinois Valley to
build a home. When Tucker came to
see it, she fell in love with the Valley
and moved here. After settling in, she
sold real estate and worked at Home
Valley Bank as a teller.
Eventually, she decided to fin-
ish what she started by going back
to school. She went to Rogue Com-
munity College and later transferred
to Southern Oregon University to get
a master’s degree. In her free time,
Tucker likes to travel and spend time
outdoors, especially hiking and bik-
ing.
Tucker says her favorite thing
about IVHS is actually three things.
“I think it has great staff, great
students and we have a great commu-
nity,” she said.
Harvest Moon Hoedown set to take place
Moon Hoedown. The event will take place
from 3 to 10 p.m. at the Selma Community
and Education Center, located at 18255
Redwood Highway.
“What we do is hugely different from
the television image of highly polished square
dancers doing performance dancing,” Luna
said. “You don’t need a bunch of lessons to
do this. We assume every person who gets out
on the floor has never danced before. We walk
a few folks through the steps for everyone to
see before each dance begins. The dancers
help each other. It’s about community, not
competition.”
The all-ages event is a fund-raiser for
By
Judy Hoyle
IVN Contributing Writer
John Luna is on a mission to introduce
more folks to old-time mountain square
dancing.
“This dance doesn’t require prior
experience,” Luna said. “And you don’t need
to bring a partner. The caller teaches each
dance before the live music begins and the
dances are fun and easy to learn.”
Luna, a professional dance caller trained
in Appalachia, will journey from Corvallis on
Saturday, Oct. 11, for the third annual Harvest
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Texas Hold’em: $50 buy in.
unlimited re-buy ins first hour.
Corn Hole: $25 a person/$50 a team
Learning Through Arts in the schools, Second
Friday ArtWalk and other public benefit
programs sponsored by Illinois River Valley
Arts Council (IRVAC).
A free Old Timey Jam will begin the
festivities at 3 p.m. under the Farmers’ Market
pavilion. Musicians are welcome to bring their
instruments and join in the fun. At 5 p.m. the
doors open and sound checks will take place.
This year’s variety show features two
bands. From 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., I.V. String
Band will perform and from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.,
The Antonucci Collective will take the stage.
Mountain square dancing will begin at
7:30 p.m. The 3 Rivers All Stars Band features
Ari Dwyer on fiddle; Jack Dwyer on mandolin,
tenor banjo and five-string banjo; Kent
Fisher on guitar; Sue Rutherford on bass; and
Swampy Webb on five-string banjo. Sound is
by Tim Wallace and Michelle LeComte.
Luna honed his authentic calling skills in
Virginia.
“Hoedowns and barn dances are a
vital part of America’s heritage,” he said.
“Until recently, most people lived in farming
communities and had to create their own
entertainment. ‘Hoedown’ literally means,
put your hoe down and come join the harvest
celebration.”
See Hoedown on A-12
Southern Oregon
Alternative Medicine
Will be returning for the monthly clinic
to their Cave Junction location at the
Jefferson state trading Post
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GATLIN
O pEn g ym FOR K IdS & dJ m uSIC
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dOORS OpEn At 5pm
Economic Development
Off the hOOk bbQ
pulled pork Sandwhiches
potato salad & Cole slaw
adults - $12/Plate
Kids - $8/Plate
Supports A GMO Free
County
A public servant;
dedicated to serve
others and fully
engaged in the process.
Mammo
a M ani
Come in during the month of October for your mammogram and
receive a free manicure gift * . You will also be entered into a weekly
drawing for a manicure, and the grand prize drawing of a spa
treatment package at The Spa at Club Northwest in Grants Pass.
*Quantities limited.
Open enrollment, that once-a-year window of time where you can enroll or
make changes to your Medicare health or Prescription Drug plan, is just
around the corner. You will be receiving information from many companies
offering their coverage options. We can help with benefit or other
questions about your current coverage changes. Please give us a call -
Mary Reynolds Jefferson State Financial Group (Tel) 541-592-6262
Open
enrollment
is just around
the corner.
Call Asante Women’s
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appointment today!
(541) 955-5446
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asante.org
Watch your mailbox for an important packet from
.