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About North Douglas herald. (Drain Or) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2023)
November 2023 Editorial Page 3 “The man who does not read, has no advantage over the man, who cannot read” by Rusty Savage So that’s what happens at the end of a month of talking and learning and listening and watch- ing what is going on all around me. It buzzes around in my head and I struggle to organize and balance out all the data. Like the ripples in the pond when it rains. The rings undulate out and collide until they wash over each other and creates the patterns that even- tually settle down. Acceptance is not always understanding, but it is natural progress. Hard to believe that Christmas is bearing down on us. Wasn’t it just the Fourth of July the other day? I got a load of wood in though and the cold and rain can try to get me if they want, but I’m ready for them. Thinking about Christmas, I get a warm feeling, thinking about family, kids and grandkids. It just goes around too fast, the season of giving, cel- ebrating Faith and the promise of a new year. Getting ready for the big day, and it always seems to come to soon and go too fast. And then it’s around the corner again before you know it. Oh well, it’s a jour- ney, they say. November is a month of a couple of important holidays. Of course, Thanksgiving is a major shindig, no doubts about that. Some of us prepare for weeks or more with a big ol’ turkey and all the fixin’s and desserts. And there’s football and naps, dont forget all the family and maybe there is a roadtrip involved too. Yea that’s Thanksgiving. But the other biggee is Veter- ans Day. Being a Veteran, it’s good to see a day set aside to celebrate and to be proud of your service. But I don’t really think that is the point of Veterans Day. Yes, we honor the service of our Military Veterans on Veteran’s Day. Maybe remembering that honor every day is not as easy as it would seem. Honoring the premise that a man, or a woman, for the love of their country would willingly give the full measure of their life, in theory and in essence, in service as needed by their Country. For those who have done just that and given some or all for this Country, they deserve our honor and we set aside one day to represent how we feel about the Veteran everyday. Parades for Veterans Day, that’s a procession that marches right into our national pride. It’s simple. You like your freedom? Thank a Veteran. I hope that you enjoy the November issue. There is more I would have liked to have done. More that I could have written about and more that I would have liked to cover and report for you. I know there is more that you want to know and to find out about. So, it is for certain that I will be on the hunt for news to bring you. I’m also anxious to hear from you, do you have something to report? An observation or want to know the answer? Shoot me a kite to the Editor, I’ll let everyone know what’s on your mind. That’s is about it for this month. Don’t forget, if a free newspaper is worthwhile, thank one of our Advertisers. Our Ad- vertisers make it all possible, they support the newspaper being free so let’s support them. Whenever you can, Shop Local. Letters from the Librarian “It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” — Sarah Addison Allen It’s getting pretty crisp out there.... I hope you’re cozy and stocked up on books! In reading jargon, we call that stack of goodness a “TBR,” or “to be read” pile. It can never be too diverse nor too tall. Sometimes we have reading moods, and we might need choices. Sometimes we are about the finish the second in a series, and it’s late Saturday afternoon, with the library not open again until (gasp) Tuesday, so that next book in the stack is a necessity! November is for cookbooks and gath- erings and gratitude. Are you a cookbook fan? Some of us love a chatty cookbook, in which we learn about the life and times of its author. Some of us want to skip right to the recipe. Either way, the library is a great resource to try a new recipe or a new cuisine altogether. As of this writing there are 522 cookbooks in the Mildred Whipple Library Catalog, and hundreds more avail- able through reciprocal borrowing. Of course, I’m partial to some of our book- based selections. Eat second breakfast like a hobbit? Attend a tea party like Alice in Wonderland or explore the hearty offer- ings of Outlander? All of these fictional worlds and many more are represented in the collection. Oh! And while we are talking about cooking, the library is cooking up a big celebration for its fifth birthday this month. The North Douglas Library Dis- trict opened its doors in November of 2018. We’re so grateful for all of you and our community. Please join us November 10th and 11th to celebrate. Miriam Sisson, Director Mildred Whipple Library, North Douglas Library District ndld.org 541-836-2648 - Mark Twain Drain Civic Center Continued from Front Page It is very obvious that the Civic Center and the Mildred Whipple branch of the North Douglas Library District has many active supporters. The history of our local library and a gather- ing place for the citizenry goes back 90 years or more. The City of Drain has worked to help citizens reach for improvements and a comfortable style of living. By the same token, it is evident that citi- zens of Drain have contributed an extra measure of enthusiasm and no fear of investing sweat equity to achieve greater comfort and to elevate our residents general state of affairs. On page 9 you will find a synopsis of the history and efforts that culminated in the Civic Center & Library that we have today. The common thread that you find when looking through that history, is the passion of the individuals that brought the dreams to life. In spite of the conditions and circumstance, even the passage of time, they did whatever they could to see it through. These dedicated and persistant citizens sought out the institutions and commitees that would alloy them access to City governent. By the sheer momentum of their efforts and sincerity of purpose, citizen advocates made their common causes a part of the fabric of the community. Looking back at the growth and community causes that defined the character of the little city of Drain, it’s obvious that the grassroots here run deep. The City of Drain had a reputation of City officials and citizens working hand in hand to accomplish the furtherance of the communities well being. In 1985, when the Civic Center was com- pleted, the Civic Center Advisory Committee was created to guide, forcast and network with city officials to ensure that the focus and inten- tions of the Center would be serving the public at its best. The advisory committee has been filled with individuals who are committed and forward thinking. They are focused on the minutia as well as the big picture. In fact it had been a tradition for City gov- ernment to really rely on these committees and boards to do the heavy lifting and provide the City with needed data and observations. \ Besides the Civic Center Committee there is a Cemetary Committee that works in much the same way and in fact, that committees’ efforts have a huge impact on the appearance and over- all operation to cultivate and care for the Drain cemetary. It’s in light of these dedicated folks who give so much of their time and effort to hold stew- ardship over these public resources, that I am surprised to find the Drain City Council wants to eliminate the Citizen Committees for the Civic Center and the Cemetary. There has been, now, several council meet- ings that has set forth efforts to do just that. At each of these meetings there has been a parade of citizens pleading and editorilizing on the advan- tages and the need for these Citizen Committees as well as a tradition of Citizen involvement in our city government. After a council vote in October it appeared that the committees were disbanded. It turns out that the decision wasnt final and there may be some sort of last gasp chance that this isnt a done deal. I havent heard a good reason yet as to why these are being cut out.. If you have an opinion, there is a council meeting on November 13th. Come down and express your opinion, or get informed. Ann Campbell is one of our citizen advo- cates, she is on the Cemetary Committee. Below is the letter she read at the last Council meeting. I thought it was pretty compelling, what do you think?
