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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 2017)
6 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017 E XTRAORDINARY P EOPLE C ATHERINE J. R OURKE For the Siuslaw News _____________ T hey seek neither fame or fortune. There are no statues or monuments erected in their honor, nor any airports, boulevards or libraries in their name. And they shudder at any hint of recognition. Florence’s volunteers prefer to remain quietly behind the scenes and out of the head- lines. Since April is National Volunteer Month, volunteer Annie Schmidt agreed to step into the spotlight as a sterling example of the prevailing spir- it of service in this communi- ty. With nearly 25 years of local volunteer efforts under her hat, she has donated an incalculable amount of time to making a difference for others. “Volunteering is so much fun,” said Schmidt, a former educator and school adminis- trator who moved to Florence with her husband in 1993 after retiring from their overseas teaching jobs. “We had lived by the academic calendar our entire lives. But upon our arrival here, we were now able to get involved in everything.” Still in its growing stages, with the construction of a new hospital and library, Florence offered plenty of volunteer opportunities for Schmidt. For starters, she joined the fundraising campaign for the Florence Events Center and served as an ambassador for the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. Next, she became involved as a charter member of the Last Resort Players, partici- pating in the first play pro- duced in a tent in 1994. Since then she continues to partici- pate in “any play they'll give me a chance.” Schmidt has been cast for the leading role of Maria Callas in “Master Class,” which opens in June. “As a teacher for 25 years, I was always performing on stage before kids,” she said. “The best teachers engage their students and never sit at their desks.” After that, Schmidt joined the Florence Performing Arts, now known as Seacoast Entertainment Association, an all-volunteer organization that has showcased musical and dance productions for more than 30 years. She eventually became its board president and joined the Friends of the Library board as well. But that still wasn’t enough to quench Schmidt’s thirst for volunteering. To this roster, she added lunch preparation for building crews at Habitat for Humanity and working as a volunteer cashier in the Habitat ReStore. In addition, she served on the board of the Western Lane Community Foundation, helping to improve local quality of life through philanthropy and eventually becoming its exec- utive director. “This town runs on volun- teer hours,” Schmidt said. “The library volunteers, for example, help free up the staff for developmental pursuits.” Schmidt has done her share of shelving and stacking the books. “It’s been scientifically Annie Schmidt unteering to early do,” she said. “It's so impor- the following year. mentorship from After returning with her tant to keep active and stay a junior high husband to his native Seattle. open to alternatives by school teacher in expanding your vision. But I Schmidt received a degree in her native consider my role as a good comparative literature from the University of Washington. Kentucky. mother, teacher and wife my “She was a fab- greatest achievement.” She took her first teaching job ulous English National Volunteer Month at Cottage Grove High School teacher who cared and earned a master’s degree offers an opportunity to shine about kids and at the University of Oregon. a light on our local volunteers engaged us in who demonstrate the power of The couple often visited intellectual dis- friends in Florence during the individual to spark change. cussions,” summers, in between teaching It has been said we have two Schmidt said. hands, one for helping our- at overseas schools for mili- “That’s where I tary families, and then made it selves and another for helping learned to engage their retirement home. others. With that in mind, we students and to salute all the extraordinary “I love dealing with kids give back.” and opening doors for them in volunteers lending a hand to any subject,” she said. “I just improve our little corner of the Schmidt’s fam- universe and motivating us all ily moved to love showing them the won- Germany after her to make a difference. ders of literature and poetry PHOTO BY CATHERINE ROURKE and learned as much from the Volunteer Annie Schmidt has been “giv- high school gradu- Catherine J. Rourke is an kids as they learned from me. ing back” to the local community for ation since her stepfather, a mili- award-winning journalist, I miss teaching to this day.” nearly 25 years. author and book editor who Schmidt travels to St. Louis tary career man, teaches creative writing at the was stationed every year to visit her mentor proven that any volunteering there. While attending a col- who, at 103, still manages to Florence Regional Arts enhances physical and mental Alliance. keep her former pupil lege for military dependents, aspects,” she said. “It keeps Email her at she met her husband at a uni- engaged. And Schmidt still you in touch with people CJReditor@gmail.com. versity language program in just keeps giving and shows instead of just doing nothing no signs of giving up. Salzburg. It was love at first and deteriorating. Giving back sight, and the couple married “I am so happy with what I gives you back so much more than you could ever imagine.” Schmidt currently devotes her time to Meals on Wheels, in addition to remaining active with the Last Resort Players and Friends of the Library. Caregiver Educational Series “Meals on Wheels is the All seminars are free and Caring for a a loved loved be very disease overwhelming. Caring for one one with can Alzheimer’s or other memory primary contact for so many open to the public. shut-in people,” she said. “It’s related be very overwhelming. We’re here to help. We are illnesses here to can help. All seminars are free and such a good feeling to know Refreshments provided. open to the public. you've helped people.” THURSDAY, APRIL 20TH, 2017 2PM PM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, @ 2:00 To register for these free What inspires the lifelong Refreshments provided. Navigating Diffi cult with Your Loved One events please call Holiday Tips for Conversations Families & Caregivers educator to keep serving oth- (541) 997-6111 To register for these free ers? In addition to strong THURSDAY, MAY JANUARY 18, 2017 @ 21, 2PM WEDNESDAY, 2015, 2:00 PM or email us call at events please ethics inherited from the (541) 997-6111 ldouda@prestigecare.com Brain Fitness for Seniors is an Important Part of Well-being Alzheimer’s Disease: The Truth Behind the Myths women in her family “who or email us at Events are held at always worked,” Schmidt rkilfoy@prestigecare.com THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017 @ 2PM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015, 2:00 PM attributes her passion for vol- Florence Senior Center Helping Seniors Drugs; Manage Facts Chronic Dementia and Diseases Myths Exposed 1570 Kingwood St. Florence Spruce Point Assisted Living & Memory Care Living, Loving, & Thriving T g PEO Sisterhood regional luncheon set Regional members of the P.E.O. Sisterhood will meet for their annual spring luncheon on Saturday, April 15, at The Mill Casino, 3201 Tremont Ave., in North Bend. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon. The South Coast Reciprocity area, eight chap- ters representing Coos Bay, North Bend, Reedsport, Florence and Coquille, will gather to renew friendships and welcome new members as well as any unaffiliated members in the area. Any PEO Sister who would like to attend is encouraged to call Nada Rose at 541-271- 4181. Palm Sunday to kick off Holy Week St. Mary, Our Lady of the Dunes, will commence Holy Week with an outdoor proces- sion on Palm Sunday. Everyone is invited to join Fr. Selvam and parish children as they lead the procession from outside of the parish hall, around the church building and into the church proper. There will also be a blessing of the palms, and palms for everyone to take home. Contact the St. Mary’s office at 541-997-2312 for more details. PEO is a women’s philan- thropic educational organiza- tion that promotes the educa- tion of women and raises money for scholarships and educational grants. THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 18, @ 2PM WEDNESDAY , MARCH 2015, 2:00 PM Senior Finances, What to Do When Tips It’s Time To Help to Successful Communication & Strategies Communicate with Someone Affected by Managing Memory Chronic Loss Pain THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 @ 2PM Spruce Point Assisted Living & Memory Care 375 9th Street Florence, Oregon 97439 Prestige Senior Living an assisted living and memory care community www.spruce-point.com Celebrate National ...need a friend? Meet Tina Louise Tina Louise is a sweetheart. She is loving and affectionate and enjoys being held while you walk around. Lap time is a must and her favorite quiet area is on a blanket on a shelf in the closet. She loves head scratches and body massages; meows when she is hungry or wanting to be picked up. She was a stray in the neighborhood and endeared herself but the folks that found her were traveling indefi nitely otherwise she would had have her forever home. The caretakers stated that she preferred to go outside to do her litter box duties. She does fi ne in her cage and out and about in the small room no messes made. Would benefi t from starting in a small space so she gets used to where her box is just to be on the safe side. If you would like to meet Tina Louise or any of her friends, please visit us at: OREGON COAST HUMANE SOCIETY 2840 Rhododendron Drive • Florence • 541-997-4277 www.oregoncoasthumane.org This message brought to you by: FLORENCE PHARMACY 2935 Hwy. 101, Florence 541-902-9966 www.TheSiuslawNews.com April 9-15, 2017 FRIENDS HELP CELEBRATE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK Th e Friends will be signing up new members Tuesday April 11th and Th ursday April 13th from 10am-2pm and Wed April 12th from 10am-4pm. Wed April 12th the Friends will be serving cookies as we thank the community for their support of the Siuslaw Library during National Library Week. 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