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
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541-902-9966
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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.
This message brought to you by these sponsors:
PACIFIC
FRAME WORKS
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