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. She taught us
how to face anything that
life throws at you — with
confidence, faith in God
and a smile always.”
Live Music Every Friday
6 to 9 pm || No Cover Charge
Feb 7 • Widespread Haze
Rock-n-Roll
Feb 14 • Ben Johnson & Co
Blues, Rock, Soul, Country
Feb 21 • The Huckleberries
Country, Bluegrass
Open Daily 11am for
Complimentary Tasting
942-1364 X www.saginawvineyard.com
Join us for
Fajitas
for TWO
including Dessert & 2 Margaritas
Steak or
Chicken
$39.
95
119 South 6th St. • CG • 541-942-0505
Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14
Order Early
for Best Selection of Quality Flowers
for your Special Valentine!
Beautiful Rose Arrangements
Creative Floral Arrangements
Unique Selection of Fine Gifts & Clothing
Festive Balloon Bouquets
Candy Basket of Fine Chocolates
Blooming Plants & Basket Gardens
Valentine’s Day Greeting Cards
Call or Come By for our In-store Specials!
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