Page 4
February 2024
Lower Umpqua Library District Updates
Lower Umpqua
Library District is
placing neighborhood
library modules in
outlying rural locations
within our service
area. These are basically roofed bookcases,
which can contain approximately 130 books
and DVDs. The public can borrow and
return these items on an honor system basis.
The library district received an American
Rescue Plan Act grant that funded the
materials to build seven of these. So far,
two neighborhood library modules have
been built by volunteers and are located
in Winchester Bay and Ash Valley,
respectively. Two more are currently under
construction and one of those will be placed
at Smith River Store.
We are currently looking for four additional
locations to place neighborhood library
modules and for volunteers to build three
of them. If you would like to volunteer the
use of your land for a neighborhood library
Letters from the Librarian
“The beauty of winter is that it makes you
appreciate spring.” - Lucy Maud Montgomery
Weather!
We
are channeling
our inner Anne
of Green Gables
again with this
winter weather
and accompany-
ing closures, out-
ages, and chilly
challenges. The
library is a place to find warmth, internet, and
a place to hang out. Oh, and books, which are a
favorite pastime for getting cozy. In a somewhat
related note, we have a cuddly collection of hats,
scarves, socks, and gloves courtesy of the Yarn
Club (see this very column, paragraph three, to
join) and our Friends of the Library.
Seed library and garden club! The Mildred
Whipple Library is excited to announce its new
seed library. “Borrow” all you want and need
of herb, flower, and vegetable seeds -- and of
course they are free. An updated list of what’s
available is on our website at ndld.org under
the “program” tab. Or browse the collection in
person during open hours. We are pleased to also
launch a garden club on the second Saturday of
each month, where members can borrow seeds,
trade information, check out garden and home-
stead books, and hear from master gardeners
from time to time. Drop in from 12 to 2 p.m. to
join the garden club fun. Do remember, though,
that the seeds are available anytime we are open.
We are also accepting seed donations from your
stash or leftovers. We’ll take care of the sorting
and labeling so you can feel good about passing
along seeds that might help someone else.
Yarn along! Do you knit, crochet, cross stitch
or embroider? Or do you want to learn? Our
fiber arts group meets Wednesdays from 4 to 6
p.m. for all kinds of fun with yarn. It’s an encour-
aging and kind group with room for you. We
have some free supplies to get you started too.
Library kids! We are grateful for a community
full of library kids, who are always welcome in
the library. Kids under the age of 12 do need an
adult or responsible teen accompanying them on
their visit. Some of our kid-friendly program-
ming includes:
Story time. Tuesday mornings at 11 a.m. is dedi-
cated to stories and crafts for preschoolers and
toddlers (and all siblings and grownups who’d
enjoy a story and a craft);
Teen advisory. Wednesdays at 3:45 p.m. is
our teen advisory group for ages 12-18. The
teens in this group have snacks, help choose
books for the young adult and tween collections,
decorate the teen room for the seasons, and plan
fun events.
Matinee movie. Also on Wednesdays, starting
at 4 p.m., is our family-friendly matinee movie.
We serve hot popcorn and snacks.
Game club. Legos and chess and board
games, oh my! Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m., join us
for Legos and board games on a rotating sched-
ule. Call the library at 541-836-2648 for details.
This was a very popular program that we’re glad
to reintroduce. School gets out early on Fridays,
so the learning and fun continue at the library.
Friends! The vibrant Friends of the Library
group meets the first Tuesday of each month at
4 p.m. Join them to plan author talks, parties,
fundraisers, and to support the Dolly Parton
Imagination Library.
Read along! The YonDr book club travels
between Yoncalla and Drain on the second
Thursday of each month. In February, the club
will read “No Ghosts in the Graveyard” by local
author Bob Crites and meet in Drain at 7 p.m.
Pick up a copy at either library and join the
discussion.
Miriam Sisson
Director
Mildred Whipple Library, North Douglas Library
District
ndld.org
541-836-2648
module or your time to build one, or if you
have questions or suggestions about this
project please contact the library.
The photo shows the neighborhood library
module in Ash Valley and the map shows
the boundaries of Lower Umpqua Library
District (the area within the black border).
We can potentially erect neighborhood
library modules anywhere within the
borders of Lower Umpqua Library District,
provided that we have permission from the
land owner and someone to build them.
Ideal placement locations would be areas
where the neighborhood library modules
will likely be seen and used by many people,
where they can be accessed safely, where
there is space for people to congregate, and
that are in a distinct area that is not too close
to either the library or another module.
Completed neighborhood library modules
are monitored and restocked by staff and/or
volunteers.
Alex Kuestner
Library Director/District Manager
Lower Umpqua Library District
395 Winchester Ave
Reedsport, Oregon 97467
(541) 271-3500 www.luld.org
Current Neighborhood Library Modules
Winchester Bay Neighborhood Library
Near the corner of Broadway Ave &
South 6 th Street
Ash Valley Neighborhood Library
Near the corner of Elk Ridge Forest
Road & Loon Lake Road
North Douglas Herald
Yoncalla Public
Library Notes
We’re looking forward to
February at the Yoncalla Public
Library. On Monday the 12th
and Wednesday the 14th we’ll
have all the supplies for anyone to
drop-in for crafty Valentines Day
card-making. Stop by during open
hours to participate. On Saturday
the 24th from 12-2 join us for
our Celebration of Literacy. This
is an all-ages event with lunch,
a cursive writing competition,
and entertainment for the whole
family.
Also join us on the second
Saturday of every month from
10-12 when we have Coffee Club.
This is a space to drop-in for a
cup of coffee, get help with any
technology needs, or just meet up
for conversation.
Our hours are M 1-5, W 10-
4, Th 4-7, and Sat 10-2. Follow us
on Facebook for more information
and to see what we’re up to every
week. See you at the library!
Conversation with Craig Zolezzi
Continued from Page 1
Zolezzi Insurance Agency to work for his Dad. As
the business thrived, the Zolezzi’s were growing and
in 1992 the building was expanded and updated to
it’s present state.
In 1999, after 31 years at the helm, Gordon
suddenly passed away. At the age of 35, Craig
found himself taking over the company. According
to Craig, “We had some long time employees
and strong connections with the community and
everyone was very supportive. I kind of cut my
teeth there and Ray Heaton was there for me, he
was a long time employee, sort of leading me the
way. Then in 2002 I bought what was the Scallon
Insurance Agency in Sutherlin Oregon, establishing
a second location at 112 Eagle Court there. I ran
both Agencies there for many years and most
recently purchased an Agency in Florence, that was
formerly called Coast Insurance. We closed the deal
on January 1st 2022 so we have been there a year
now.”
When you speak to Craig, it is obvious that he
is, both, a driven insurance professional that enjoys
working with and helping people, as well as a down
to earth, guy next door, sure to give a smile and
handshake and look you in the eye while talking to
you. Gregarious and friendly, Craig is quick to tell
a good story and just as quick to let you know he’s
listening and hears your point of view.
“So I spend a lot of my time on the road, between
the valley and the coast”, he explains. “Our territory
is state wide, in fact it’s multi state. My roots do
run deep in Drain, in North Douglas county. I
graduated from Elkton High School and I have a
lot of local customers and a lot of multi generational
customers.”
Continued on Page 11