SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 | 5A
Backstreet Gallery hosts artist reception today OCHS presents Lifetime Achievement Award
On Saturday, Sept. 25,
the Backstreet Gallery will
host a reception for two
outstanding members, in-
tuitive artist who paints
on silk Carol Lorraine, and
author Judy Fleagle, with
their theme: Positivity,
Color, and Humor—Ingre-
dients for Joyful Living.
The reception will be
from 3 to 5 p.m.
Carol Lorraine creates
her artistry in sensual silk
art. Whether it’s worn or
decorating a wall, the mes-
sage is joyous.
She studied silk paint-
ing in Hawaii and traveled
widely. The indigenous
people of Hawaii, Mexico,
Africa, and the Americas
have influenced the vibrant
and colorful work she now
creates. Guided by her in-
ner muse, she expresses her
passion and joy for life in
her silk paintings.
To paint on the silk, the
material is stretched on a
frame and painted simi-
larly to watercolor. Finally,
the painting is steamed to
preserve the color, and the
addition of fringe may add
extra flair. Then, the luxu-
rious and flirty scarves are
ready to change a woman’s
wardrobe from ordinary to
extraordinary. Her wear-
able fine art plays to each
woman’s innate sense of
well-being. This sentiment
and the feeling of joy are
the sensations wearing her
art elicits.
Along with years of prac-
tice, Lorraine earned two
Master of Arts degrees,
which contribute to the
expertise of her work. Not
surprisingly, her work em-
bodies her love for music,
dance, and theater.
You may have seen Lor-
raine’s work in West Coast
galleries and boutiques or
in Hawaii.
Carol loves to create cus-
tom paintings and wearable
art for people. She works
intuitively and collaborates
with her clients for her silk
art to express the person’s
individuality and their
true nature—inspiring and
transformational.
You can see her work in
Backstreet Gallery. To find
out more about this artist
and her other inspirational
and creative pursuits, visit
her websites: www.Alive-
withCreating.com
and
www.CarolLorraine.com.
After 22 years of teach-
ing first and second grad-
ers and 21 years of being
an editor/staff writer at
Oregon Coast and North-
west Travel magazines,
Judy Fleagle embarked on
a third career as an author.
She is known as “The
Bridge Lady of the Oregon
Coast” because of her first
two books “Crossings: Mc-
Cullough’s Coastal Bridg-
es” and “The Crossings
Guide to Oregon’s Coastal
Spans” about the coast’s
iconic historic bridges. As
a docent at the Siuslaw Pi-
oneer Museum since 2002,
she was asked to write the
history of Florence. Cov-
ering 1876 to present day,
“Around Florence,” is the
result. After retiring from
the magazines, she wanted
to share the coastal places
she found to have some-
thing totally unexpected
about them. “The Oregon
Coast Guide to the unex-
pected, that which is odd,
unusual or quirky!” quick-
ly became her bestseller.
She also has two books
that are personal. One ti-
tled, “Devil Cat and Other
Colorful
Animals I Have Known,”
which has stories about
cats and dogs she rescued
that eventually became
great pets. Along with her
latest, “The Cancer Blog for
those who have had cancer
and for those who haven’t,”
is about navigating chemo
while trying to stay pos-
itive and finding humor
wherever. Judy posts a blog
every Friday, including the
Fridays during chemo six
years ago. These posts were
shared with other cancer
patients who thought that
they would make a great
book. After rereading them
for the first time in years,
Judy agreed.
Her books are available
at Backstreet Gallery as
well as throughout western
Oregon. For more infor-
mation, visit crossingsau-
thor.com.
Sept. 11, is a Second Sat-
urday celebration to fea-
ture these two artists. No
food or drinks, and mu-
sic performed by Merlin
David Daniel will begin
at 3 until 5 p.m. To enjoy
these talented artists and
more than 30 other excel-
lent artists, visit Backstreet
Gallery, 1421 Bay Street,
across from Mo’s in Old
Town Florence. The Gal-
lery is open daily except on
Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
and until 7 p.m. on Fridays
and Saturdays.
On Sept. 20, the Oregon
Coast Humane Society
(OCHS) presented a Life-
time Achievement Award
to volunteer Elaine McGill.
McGill managed the
OCHS Thrift Store’s an-
nual Christmas Store for
many years, turning it into
one of the organization’s
most successful fundrais-
ers.
When she received the
award, McGill gave her late
husband, Jimmie Hart, his
due credit. She explained
that Hart kept the financial
records, prepared deposits
and was just a phone call
away whenever he was
needed at the Christmas
Store for a repair or other
project.
With her husband’s sup-
port and a team of trusty
volunteers, McGill led
an effort that raised over
$163,000 between 2005
and 2018 to support the
shelter animals at OCHS.
OCHS Executive Direc-
tor Elizabeth Thompson
was awestruck when she
learned of McGill’s efforts
to support the shelter ani-
mals.
“Elaine’s leadership and
passion for animals is in-
spiring. Listening to her
speak about the volunteers
and their talents — and
how she encouraged people
to take ownership of spe-
cific parts of the Christmas
Oregon Coast Humane Society volunteer Elaine
McGill was honored this week with a Lifetime
Achievement Award from the humane society.
Store — is a great example
of exceptional leadership,”
Thompson said. “We are
so blessed by Elaine’s gen-
erosity and enthusiasm.
The commitment from her
volunteers is a testament to
her ability to make people
feel valued and invested in
our mission.”
During 2018 — McGill’s
final season managing
the Christmas Store —
she logged 895 volunteer
hours.
Thompson said for her to
log so many hours over just
a few months of preparing
and hosting the Christmas
Store is remarkable.
“If the store was open,
Elaine was there. She con-
sidered the volunteers her
family, treating them to
cookies and other rewards
for their efforts. We are so
grateful for her service,”
she said.
OCHS is a nonprofit,
limited intake shelter pro-
moting a lifetime com-
mitment to pets. For more
information, visit oregon-
coasthumanesociety.org.
Deadline for Press Releases Is Every
Monday and Thursday by Noon.
Email PressReleases@TheSiuslawNews.com.
Auto Care Guide
Your connection to local professionals in every area of auto care.
Helping
You
Since
1945
HOBERG’S COMPLETE
AUTO REPAIR
Serving your auto needs since 1945.
345 Highway 101 Florence • 541-997-2413
www.hobergsautorepair.com
LES SCHWAB
TIRE CENTER
Serving Oregon Since 1952
Best
Tire
Value
Promise
4325 Highway 101 • Florence Oregon
541-997-7178 • lesschwab.com/store/?storeId=219
Florence Valvoline
Expires: 1/31/22
Come
See
Us
Today
Gift
Certifi cates
Available
Helping
You
Since
1945
Expires: 1/31/22
Best
Tire
Value
Promise
JOHNSTON MOTOR
COMPANY
PETERSEN
AUTO DETAIL
HOBERG’S COMPLETE
AUTO REPAIR
LES SCHWAB
TIRE CENTER
For all your Sales, Service, Body and Parts needs
Best of Florence Winner 2019
Serving your auto needs since 1945.
Serving Oregon Since 1952
2150 Highway 101 • Florence Oregon
541-997-3475 • johnstonmotorcompany.com
Florence
541.999.6078 • petersenautodetail@gmail.com
345 Highway 101 Florence • 541-997-2413
www.hobergsautorepair.com
4325 Highway 101 • Florence Oregon
541-997-7178 • lesschwab.com/store/?storeId=219
To include your business in this monthly section call 541-997-3441.