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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 2016)
2017 Rhody Festival logo contest winner announced he Florence Area Chamber of Johnson’s winning design will soon Commerce selected a design sub- start appearing in print, broadcast and mitted by Susan online materials to promote Johnson as its official the event and draw visi- logo for the 110th tors to Florence. Rhododendron The logo will be Festival. printed on offi- The design cial festival incorporates campaign- the iconic style buttons, Siuslaw banners and River bridge, print guides. rhododen- “I love drons, an what I do and anchor and when an rope, and opportunity includes the arises to com- words “110th bine that with Rhododendron one of my favorite Festival, May 19 to 21, things about living in 2017, Florence, Oregon,” Florence, it’s impossible and the theme for me to pass it by,” The official 2017 “Always Ready to said Johnson. “The Rhododendron Festival logo Rhody.” Bay Street roofline was created by Susan Johnson The 2017 Rhody is such a recogniza- and chosen by the Florence Days theme inte- ble facet of our Chamber. grates the U.S. Coast town, the anchor was Guard’s motto a nod to this year’s Semper Paratus — Always Ready — Grand Marshal and red rhodies are my because the chamber named the U.S. favorite. Coast Guard Station Siuslaw River in “I’m honored to have my work be Florence as Grand Marshal for the 110th part of this celebration and the history Rhododendron Festival Parade on May of our town.” 21, 2017. “This is the Coast Guard station’s Johnson, who has submitted winning 100th anniversary of service to our designs in previous years, will receive a area,” added Hannigan. “It is a vital part cash award of $250 along with her choice of our community so we want to honor of 2017 Rhododendron Festival memora- the men and women assigned to bilia featuring the logo. Florence, and their many contributions “We are delighted with the design for to the community. its vibrancy, local icons, Coast Guard “That’s why we want to recognize elements and its ability to transcend all them with one of the highest honors the media,” said Bettina Hannigan, the Chamber can give — making them the Chamber’s executive director. “Susan Grand Marshal of our parade and the captured what we were looking for to centerpiece of our celebration— and to help us celebrate our 110th anniversary integrate their official motto,” and our recognition of Coast Guard The 2017 Rhododendron Festival Station Siuslaw River.” will be held May 19, 20 and 21, 2017. ‘Eco’ joins library’s permanent art collection T COURTESY PHOTO “Eco,” painted by Siuslaw High School student Ben Cahoon, is now on permanent display at the library. he Friends of the Siuslaw Public Library recently announced that “Eco the Dancing Sea Lion,” has a permanent home at the library. With broad support from the commu- nity, the Friends staged a successful fundraising campaign and were able to secure Eco during the live auction of the Dancing with Sea Lions public art project held Oct. 8 at the Florence Events Center (FEC). “Thanks to all of the generous Friends of the Library members and community supporters who contributed to this effort, we were able to place the winning bid at the auction,” said Annie Schmidt, Friends president. Since April of this year, when the 7.5-foot long fiberglass sea lion, “Eco and the Ecosystems of Oregon,” went on exhibit in front of the Florence branch of the library, the sculpture has generated lots of attention and countless selfies. Eco was created by local artist and T Siuslaw High School student Ben Cahoon, and was part of the Dancing with Sea Lions public art project to commemorate the FEC’s 20th Anniversary. “We’re thrilled that Eco is back at the library,” said Library Director Meg Spencer. “We have created a new dis- play area for Eco that is visible through the window of the Children’s Library. We can’t wait to hold a storytime with the sea lion next summer.” Schmidt and The Friends of the Library gratefully acknowledged the generosity and support of the communi- ty. “We invite the public to come see Eco, still swimming at the Siuslaw Library,” said Schmidt. The Friends of the Siuslaw Public Library is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to support the library. For more information, email SiuslawLibraryFriends@gmail.com or visit www.Siuslaw Library.org. Community Chorus of Florence to offer free holiday concerts This year, the Community Chorus of Florence will be presenting two con- certs. Directed by Jennifer Weier, the chorus will perform traditional Christmas songs with presentations by several smaller 1 8 • C OAST ensembles, including the Florence Nightingales, along with a piano solo by Weier, and performances by the Presbyterian Bell Choir and the Siuslaw Middle School Choir. Weier recently wowed audiences as C ENTRAL • A r t s & E n t e r t a i n m e n t • D E C EM B E R 20 1 6 the orchestra conductor and music direc- tor of Last Resort Players’ “Pirates of Penzance” at Florence Events Center. The choral concert will take place Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. and again Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw, 3996, Highway 101 in Florence. Although the concert is free to all, a donation is requested. For more information, call 970- 618- 6307.
