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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 2020)
6A | FEBRUARY 13, 2020 Rosie | COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL from A1 “That was a primary thought in my mind — that I was helping this come to pass,” she said in an inter- view with The Sentinel last November. After the war, Nelson moved to Curtin and then Cottage Grove with her husband and daughter, go- ing on to have five more children. Nelson raised her family and lived out the rest of her life in the Cot- tage Grove area. While here, Nelson earned her legacy as a community advocate and organizer. In 1968, Nelson traveled to New Orleans to successfully lobby to estab- lish Cottage Grove as an All-America City. Her resourcefulness and spirited approach to life proved unwaning when, at 91 years old, Nelson made a solo road trip to Indiana to visit family. “On her journey, she was involved in a minor fend- er bender,” said Markus at the service, reading from a small biography submit- ted by the surviving fam- ily. “And while waiting for the police, she bought the other two people involved a drink at a bar next to the accident. When the police arrived, Opal was the only sober one there and had made new friends.” DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL Local “Rosie” and community organizer Opal Marie Nelson passed away Jan. 15. Numerous community members turned out for her memorial on Feb. 8. Nelson’s family de- said Markus. “That’s also astically carried out. Rosie the Riveter be- scribed her as “tough, re- how she looked at death. A silient, determined” and “a note was found by her bed- came an American cultural cheerleader for the down- side. It reads: ‘I’m curious. icon of World War II, rep- trodden” who rejoiced in What’s it like to die? No one resenting women in the bringing people together. has come back to tell — not workforce who contributed Among her numerous even Houdini, who said he to production for the war hobbies, Nelson would would. I’m ready. I’m done effort. With more than 16 keep busy with such proj- here. Tell all not to grieve. million Americans serv- ects as her six-book collec- I’m content. And I’m ready ing, many women took on trades that had previously tion of the family’s geneal- for my next adventure.’” been dominated by men. ogy, refurbishing dolls to It’s estimated around give away and compiling A ‘Rosie’ Legacy five to six million women stories of the men in her Nelson’s role as a war- entered the workforce be- father’s U.S. Army platoon. “One of the many words time riveter in California tween 1940 and 1945. “Opal and every one of that could capture Opal’s earned her a “Rosie” mem- life is ‘adventuresome,’” bership, which she enthusi- these women were proud to serve their country and help bring the troops home,” said Fasold. “They knew the value of hard work and of working to- gether for the good of all. These values continued throughout their lives, as these women continued to serve their communities and their families.” Nelson is credited with starting three Rosie chap- ters in Oregon and even- tually going on to become ARRA Vice-President. Rosies regularly visit classrooms and commu- nity groups, participate in parades and give lectures to preserve history and their legacy, though numbers are dwindling. “February 2016, we had 21; now in February 2020 we have 12,” said Fasold of the McKenzie chapter. “We have lost six inspiring women since last February, ages 96-101.” Fellow Rosies described Nelson as instrumental in founding the McKenzie chapter. “We wouldn’t even exist without her,” said Rose- bud Corolene Corriea, whose mother was a weld- er during the war. “She was the heart and soul of the Rosies.” Through the service, friends and family remem- bered fondly that Nelson left behind a legacy of ac- tive community involve- ment and the iconic “can- do” spirit of the Rosies. “Her entire bucket list was crossed off,” wrote her family in a statement. “We are thankful for the exam- ple she set for us on how to live our life. 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EL TAPATIO • Locally owned and operated since 1984 • Quality and Satifaction Guaranteed • Delivery in South Lane County 725 E. Gibbs Ave. • Cottage Grove 541-767-0467 Encourage children to fl oss Children should learn that fl ossing is just as important as brushing. earning to brush their own teeth is a lesson all children must master. Although parents ultimately may have children who become profi cient at brushing their own teeth, getting them to fl oss is generally more diffi cult. L can establish practices that promote oral health throughout life. Despite being so important, many parents fail to encourage fl ossing or are at a loss as to how to make it enjoyable and eff ective. Th e National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 41 percent of children aged 2 to 11 had tooth decay in their fi rst teeth. Dental caries are common among children, likely because they have not become profi cient at taking care of their teeth. Although regular dental fl oss is one of the fi rst tools for fl ossing, the dexterity required to wind the fl oss around little fi ngers and then thoroughly clean the teeth may discourage children. Parents can look into the wide array of fl ossing helpers available at the store. In fact, many age-appropriate fl ossers are now available that feature fun designs and smaller profi les to fi t into kids’ mouths more easily. Flossers may be attached to a handle to make back teeth more accessible and promote more eff ective fl ossing. Manufacturers such as DenTek, Butler GUM, Plackers Kids, Dr. Fresh, Oral-B, and Brush Buddies off er children’s fl ossers. Soft , sticky foods are commonplace in young kids’ diets, and these can promote decay. Even well-intentioned gummy vitamins can be sources of dental decay. Oft entimes, these foods become lodged between the teeth or on the surface of molars. If left in contact with the teeth for too long, food particles become a source of carbohydrates for oral bacteria, and cavities may appear as a result. To remove food particles from between the teeth, children must fl oss, advises the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists. It is recommended that parents help their children to fl oss as soon as two teeth are touching and continue to do so until the child is around the age of 8, when a child should have enough dexterity to do it on his or her own. Flossing is essential to making sure children do not experience cavities at an early age, and it Kids who shy away from fl ossing may be more likely to use a children’s water fl osser. In lieu of string fl oss, a water fl osser uses a pressurized stream of water to dislodge food from between teeth. Although a water fl osser may be more messy, children may enjoy the opportunity to “play” with water and the cleaning sensation provided. To prevent the buildup of plaque and the development of dental caries, parents should educate children about proper fl ossing techniques. TURNING 65 AND NEED HELP WITH YOUR MEDICARE CHOICES? Call Paul to help simplify the complicated. 541-517-7362 Paul Henrichs ~ Independent Agent coverage4oregon@gmail.com