Attempting to schedule an appointment to see the doctor can be trying at best these days and impossible at worst. Most physicians are scheduled out at least three months, so seeing one for illness or injury isn’t really possible unless a trip is taken to either an Urgent Care or an emergency room. For a patient, it is frustrating and demoralizing and dealing with office staff who don’t seem to care too much care only makes an unpleasant situation worse.
Jennifer Ocker wants to change this, and to this end, she founded G Street Integrated Health in Springfield in 2019 with the objective of offering to all citizens of Lane County a completely integrated community health center that is able to provide services for the entire family. Despite Covid engulfing the world just a year later, the clinic has grown, and the staff has remained dedicated to their mission of providing good medical care. Seeing further need, however, Ocker, who specializes in administration, has opened another clinic in Veneta. The Fern Ridge area holds a special place in Ocker’s heart. Her father, Dr. Rob, practiced in the medical building on Territorial many years ago and as a fourteen-year-old, Ocker worked at the clinic as a file clerk during her summer vacation. She describes this clinic as being “near and dear” to her heart. Originally, Dr. Rob, who now resides in Mexico, asked Ocker to get the building ready to sell in 2010 and after sitting empty for several years, it was purchased in 2016 by Eugene Urgent Care who eventually became rebranded as NOVA. Best Med took over from NOVA, but those in charge didn’t seem to understand “county medicine” Ocker explains, while relating a tale of a woman who arrived 10 minutes late for an appointment after becoming stuck in traffic on Highway 126 from Eugene when a car accident slowed things down and had to reschedule, something the new clinic would not require a patient to do. Ocker also relates how her father would often take salmon and elk for payment in lieu of money. When Best Med closed the clinic down, the building sat vacant for another three years until Ocker decided to bring it back to life and work began on the Veneta office of G Street Integrated Health. On January 6th of this year, the doors officially opened after the interior was painted, new carpeting was put down and a new HVAC system was installed. A non-profit with a board of directors, the clinic has gotten off to a good start. Currently, the clinic only offers primary care, but Ocker hopes to see this change as word gets out and the clinic grows. There is no Urgent Care as of yet, but walk-ins will be accessed to see if what they have come in for is something quick like needing treatment for a UTI or perhaps the removal of a tick. While the clinic in Springfield does have a behavioral therapist on staff, there is not one at the Veneta office yet while Ocker tries to determine if there is a need. Addiction treatment can also be added if necessary as there is a treatment specialist in Springfield who would be able to visit the Veneta office. Community ties run strong in the Veneta clinic. The office staff are both local, a Medical Assistant used to live in the Fern Ridge area and Physician’s Assistant Carrie Patterson is a graduate of Elmira High. Keeping things in the family, Ocker’s son Jace is the clinic’s accountant. Should the need to expand arise, the clinic already owns four tax lots south to Bolton Rd, East, and plans for this summer include painting the exterior, (the cedar came from Dr. Rob’s Ham Road property in Creswell.) and working on the landscaping. “We’re only limited by our imagination,” Ocker states plainly when speaking of plans for the clinic’s future. Appointments at the clinic are scheduled out only three weeks and the staff does have to be mindful of how many new patients they can take at this time. The clinic boasts both a small lab, and x-ray facilities and hopes to add more services as things progress such as performing minor procedures. G Street is a delegate for Vaccines for Children program which provides immunizations for youngsters whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. For those who don’t qualify for the Oregon Health Plan, there is a sliding fee. Medicine practiced the way it should be is what one will find when they walk through the doors of G Street Integrated Health. It is run by individuals rather than a corporation and providing all-inclusive care while showing kindness and empathy to all are of utmost importance to the staff. The practice of medicine doesn’t have to be impersonal; it doesn’t have to be profit driven at the patient’s expense. It can be done so patients are seen and heard and cared about. G Street Integrated Health is proof of this.
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Dawn Dean has devoted her life to teaching. After obtaining her degree at Bushnell University, she began to work as an Instructional Assistant in the Western Placer Unified School District near Sacramento, California, and then moved to working in the resource room. It was a natural transition for her to become a substitute teacher, and when she began to teach 5th grade in Creswell, it was where she would remain until becoming Veneta Elementary School’s new principal last autumn after the retirement of former principal Lisa Latham.
Dean, who received her Administrative License from the University of Oregon, would have been happy to remain a 5th grade teacher, had a position as a principal not come up. In fact, when she interviewed for the Veneta Elementary job, she confided to her husband Troy, that she didn’t think she’d gotten it. However, she received a call on a Tuesday, one day after the interview took place, and was told the district wanted, in fact, to hire her. In the months since taking the helm, Dean has found she loves being a principal. “I used to love on the students as much as I was able,” she reflects. “Now, I can love on the students, staff, and the families.” Dean has been told that it is not wise to make a lot of changes in the first year of being a school principal and she is heeding this advice. Once the school year ends in June, she will then reflect on what went well and what could be changed and then make a decision. In the meantime, she will focus on the students, whom she describes as “caring” and “loving” and the staff, which she describes as “amazing.” She tries to make a point of being out of her office as much as she can so the students can see her, and they can interact. She also keeps her hand in teaching and will fill in for teachers who must be absent for one reason or another, most recently taking a P.E. class so the teacher could be away coaching a sports team. During last December’s tree lighting, Dean, who grew up in California singing in choirs and participating in drama, led a school choir in singing a selection of carols. Family is important to Dean as well. Married to Troy, a pastor and professor at Bushnell University, for 30 years, she is the mother of three sons – Tanner 26, Dakota 25, and Chase 24. For ten years during their childhood, she was a stay-at-home mom, a time she recalls with immense fondness as being there for them at this age was of great importance to her. Tanner is following in his parents’ footsteps and is an Instructional Assistant at Shasta Middle School in Eugene. He is working on getting his master’s degree so he can teach. Dakota works in the fashion industry in New York and Chase works in the tech field. Dean is proud of her sons and what they have accomplished, all of whom she describes as “single and available.” Life hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Dean and her family, however. Several years ago, she was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma the “size of a marshmallow but not as fun to eat.” Brain surgery was required so it could be removed and today, Dean, who possesses a strong religious faith, enjoys full health that she credits to God and His goodness. Dean looks forward to spending many years as Veneta Elementary School’s principal and getting to know the myriad children who come through its doors just as she once got to know her 5th grade students. She loves Veneta Elementary, and she hopes she can be as much of a positive influence on the children here as she was when she was in the classroom so that when they look back years from now on their elementary school experience, it will be with fondness towards a principal who truly cared for their wellbeing and wanted to make their days at Veneta Elementary School the best they could be. Fun fact: Dean worked at Disneyland right out of high school doing sales on Main Street. At one point, she was asked to play Snow White but said no after learning she would have to sign an agreement to stay out of the sun so her skin would be pale due to the cosmeticians using the same amount of make-up on everyone who played a character. Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies have taken one suspect into custody and are searching for a second in conjunction with several Veneta area burglaries.
Within a two-week period during October of last year, a restaurant, a residence, and a market were burglarized. Austin James Blaylock, 30, was identified by deputies as one of the suspects. After search warrants were issued at two Veneta residences associated with Blaylock, evidence was found linking him to the crimes and he was taken into custody on two counts of Burglary in the 1st Degree, four counts of Burglary in the 2nd Degree, five counts of theft in the 1st Degree, Theft in the 2nd Degree, and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree. As of January 14th, he remained in custody at the Lane County Jail. Deputies have also identified Charles Guy Younkin-Stec, 33, of Veneta, as an additional suspect in the burglaries. A search warrant was applied for and granted for his trailer, located in the 88300 block of Ridiculous Road. Before it could be served, however, Crow High School was burglarized and suffered a loss of more than $10,000 worth of items. Deputies then learned that Linn County had discovered evidence linking Younkin-Stec to a residential burglary from earlier in the summer of 2024. Younkin-Stec has not been able to be located and taken into custody for the seven listed burglaries, partly because local residents associated with him have refused to cooperate with authorities. Younkin-Stec has caused significant hardships and financial loss to Veneta-area businesses, residents, and students. Anyone with information on his whereabout is requested to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141. DeAnna Townsend saw a need and decided to fill it. Her work at the Veneta Service Center assisting the unhoused brought to her attention just how food insecure they are, and this in turn, led to her requesting a Little Free Pantry that could be installed just outside of the Service Center building.
A part of the Waste to Taste program, a food rescue and free food box program that works in partnership with bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants, and farms to salvage food and redistribute it to those in the community, the Little Free Pantries work to address hunger at a ramped-up level. LFP’s are maintained by a crew of volunteers and the owner of the property where the LFP is sited accepts responsibility for its care. Veneta was fortunate enough to receive a specially painted LFP and it was accessible 24/7. It proved popular, but because of the mental illness suffered by some members of the homeless population, there would always be a mess that would have to be cleaned up. Townsend realizes that those who are doing this are unwell, but more recently four youths have taken to vandalizing the LFP and a decision was made to remove it from its prior location due to a desire to balance providing this service with protecting patrons of the Service Center, the majority of whom are seniors. Often, there would be broken glass near the front entrance and other items strewn about would also present a tripping hazard. Townsend says the youths responsible for the vandalism were caught on the security cameras that were installed two months ago in response to the messes and appear to be either in fifth grade or early middle school. The Service Center’s location between Dairy Mart and American Market means kids frequently pass by as they go to one store or the other to purchase candy and soda pop. It is unknown who the kids responsible are, but the video has them at the Service Center after dark. “They are doing this to be stinkers,” Townsend states matter-of-factly. Things finally reached a point where the Board of Directors, in agreement with the volunteers whose task it was to maintain the LFP, decided it had become too much to have to clean up the mess left behind daily. It was time for it to go. It saddened them to have to make this pronouncement, but they saw no other alternative. Then, Savannah Celeste, owner of Luava’s Place, offered to host the LFP in front of her business and it was given a second chance to feed the hungry. Townsend toted the LFP down the block on a hand truck to its new home where it will still be monitored via cameras so offenders will be caught as continued messes are all but guaranteed. Townsend stresses that the LFP is not designed to have strings attached and if it is destroyed, it will be replaced by Waste to Taste. Nevertheless, it is disheartening to see the destruction wrought by those whose minds are not functioning properly but even more so by youngsters who seemingly have no respect for the property of others. At the same time, Townsend says, some of the unhoused have pushed the limits and have had to be told if they cannot be respectful, they cannot be on the Service Center property following gatherings that have taken place after hours beneath the covered area behind the building. Drinking and smoking have occurred and when staff have been working late, they have reprimanded those who have been partaking in this behavior to stop. Meanwhile, Townsend and others continue to work to meet the needs of the unhoused via programs that provide tents and tarps as well as air mattresses, cots, tie downs, and hygiene products courtesy of money received in a grant. Showers are available once a week and laundry can be dropped off on Wednesday and picked up on Friday. There is a general sense of compassion for the unhoused and work will continue to see that they have food they can easily access and at least a rudimentary shelter to protect them from the elements. While it may get frustrating at times, Townsend and the others who strive to assist those in need know they are not there to judge those who are unwell and unhoused but to care enough to want to extend a hand, a smile, and acknowledge their humanity while doing what they can to make things just a little easier. Music is more than a past-time for Jen Sennet-Franklin. It’s a passion, and she loves nothing better than to share this enthusiasm with others. For the past twenty years, she has performed with her brother-in-law at area wineries such as Hayworth and Sarver. While he plays the guitar and she plays the ukulele or the box drum, the two sing a selection of classic rock, pop, and folk music for the pleasure of those who are there as guests. It’s a lot of fun and while she admits to still having performance anxiety after all these years, Sennet-Franklin likes being able to do this.
It was while working at Fern Ridge Middle School in 2019 as an assistant in the band room under teacher Cameron Siegel that Sennet-Franklin learned how to play the ukulele. Already able to play the guitar, she learned the basics of ukulele from merely being in Siegel’s class and observing. It was fun, and she enjoyed adding this instrument to her repertoire which also includes the violin, the flute, and more recently, the piano. Then, Covid hit, and the schools were closed. To fill her time, Sennet-Franklin busied herself with visual arts such as making sun catchers and wind chimes. Eventually, an opportunity arose in early 2021 to teach Tots Rock, a child/parent music class in Eugene. Sennet-Franklin jumped at the chance. She worked to put a class together and this proved to be a positive experience as she gained skills in lesson planning and getting her young pupils to calm down. This in turn led to teaching opportunities at preschools in the Veneta area followed by teaming up with former music teacher Amy Humphrey to teach ukulele at Veneta Elementary. This came about when it was learned that the school was looking for someone to teach music after a grant had been received to fund the teaching of music in the schools in a program similar to Artist in Residence. Elmira Elementary already had a ukulele program so Sennet-Franklin also started teaching there and this, in turn, led to teaching after school and summer school programs. Life was good and Sennet-Franklin was busy in a most enjoyable way. She loved her students, and she loved imparting her knowledge of music to them. Then, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and found herself fighting for her life. All that she had been doing came to a screeching halt. Fortunately, treatment has thus far been successful, and she has gone into remission but now she must pick up where she left off and to that end, she has begun teaching ukulele and voice lessons in a large, refurbished shed on her Jeans Road property. It’s a welcoming space that features a small piano and an ornate antique desk as well as a blue chaise lounge where her students can sit. To accommodate little legs, the chaise’s legs were shortened so youngsters could sit more comfortably. Some of her wind chimes and sun catchers hang in the windows and the ambiance is one of feeling welcome and being able to relax. Her husband did the drywall and the air conditioning and will also eventually add a porch and a fence. Having the lessons here in this shed will allow Sennet-Franklin to rest between sessions as she is still getting her health back and she is also teaching smaller groups. Recently, she has begun an incentive program to get her students to practice by allowing them to choose a prize after reaching a goal of 200 minutes of practice time with the goal being to inspire them to want to practice. “It’s a nice niche,” Sennet-Franklin says about what she does. “My performing adds to the lessons, and I look for opportunities for the kids to perform.” Recently her students gave a ukulele performance at Applegate Regional Theatre and while she knows they get nervous, Sennet-Frankling wants them to feel comfortable on stage and be able to work through their nerves. Sennet-Franklin also teaches adult classes in her shed classroom and has also taught at the Service Center. It has been her experience that people will start out with the ukulele and then transition to the guitar. Because of its small size and few strings, students, particularly children, feel successful sooner with the ukulele. It’s been an interesting, rewarding path that Sennet-Franklin has followed with her music, one that she probably could not have imagined initially, but one she now cannot imagine not having done. Because of her, countless children have been given an introduction to the beauty of music that they may not have had otherwise, and they have gained skills in playing an instrument. This could become a lifelong love for some of these kids and one day, one of them could well go on to become the next generation to teach and impart a love that was once imparted to them. Change is afoot at the Fern Ridge Library and come February 1st of next year, long time Assistant Director Laura Blankenship will be stepping down.
It was 2007 when Blankenship first arrived from Mt. Gilead, Ohio, where she had spent years working as a school librarian as well as at the public library. Her father, a retired military man had purchased a home in Cheshire and Blankenship was eager to join her family as they embarked on this new life. She had looked for a position before leaving Mt. Gilead and had learned that the Fern Ridge Library was looking for a replacement for then Assistant Director Alice Ford, who had given her notice that she was retiring. Blankenship had never been an Assistant Director before, but her vast experience proved to be “exactly the right fit” along with her deep belief in libraries in general along with the opportunity to serve the community, grow services, and create a community center where people can feel welcome and safe as they explore and learn. During her tenure, Blankenship started both the Outdoor Book Club and the Walk & Talk program, both as a response to Covid and it’s necessitating limited contact with others. It was a case, she says, of having to think outside the box. Curbside services were also instituted during that time which allowed patrons to either reserve reading material online or by calling and programs that could no longer be held in person were held via Zoom. Blankenship feels that some good came out of the pandemic and it’s forcing creative problem solving. Walk & Talk still takes place once a week and is attended by a core group of people who have gotten to know one another and enjoy each other’s company. Now, Blankenship prepares to retire but before she does so, she must train new Assistant Director Laura White. As White learns the job, Blankenship says she will back off on hours. Currently, White is at Fern Ridge Library only two days a week as she transitions from her position at Tsunami Books in Eugene. “I will miss everyone,” Blankenship states. “It has been a privilege to work with a great staff and with Director Colin Rea and I will miss the patrons. It has been an honor to get to know people.” Once she is no longer at the library there will be things to catch up on and yardwork to do, but Blankenship also plans to spend time with her daughter, son-in-law and five-year-old grandson who live in St. Helen’s as well as another daughter in Rhode Island. She looks forward to traveling to these and other places and hopes to get back into painting with acrylics. There is another thing she thinks of with a mischievous glint in her eye as she talks about retirement. “I also hope to get time to read.” Bundled up against the cold temperatures and the bone penetrating fog that seems to have taken up permanent residence in the area, citizens of Veneta and surrounding areas gathered at Veneta Elementary School on December 6th to take part in the annual tree lighting ceremony.
While frigid, the atmosphere was at the same time festive, and shrieks of excitement could be heard from throngs of Santa had clad school children as they waited to sing as part of the Veneta Elementary School choir. Those who wished to do so, drank cups of free hot chocolate and carols played over a pair of speakers, compliments of The Beat of Eugene’s (99.1 FM) Barry MacGuire. When the time came to start the celebration in earnest, mayor elect Robbie McCoy took the microphone and after a bit of technical difficulty, announced to the crowd assembled that a certain guest of honor was arriving. With a short blast of a siren, Santa Claus arrived on a vintage fire truck to the howls and cheers of delighted children who eagerly looked forward to sitting on his lap and sharing their Christmas wishes. Then, attention was turned back to the tree and as everyone counted down from five, McCoy flipped a switch, and the tree became awash in brilliantly colored lights as a collective cheer went up from the spectators. Then it was time for more music, this time compliments of the Veneta Elementary School choir, led by principal Dawn Dean. Children in Kindergarten through second grade performed Jingle Bells and then the third-grade members sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and one other song before ceding the spotlight to the 4th and 5th grade members who sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Applause rang out and the crowd began to disperse, but not before the Fern Ridge Middle School choir began to sing such chestnuts as The Little Drummer Boy. While the youthful voices rang out, the smaller children stood in line awaiting a turn to sit on Santa’s lap while still others who had been in attendance began to make their way towards their vehicles and the warmth of home on this dark chilly night. An enjoyable time was had, and memories were made by children and adults alike as yet another Christmas season was formally welcomed with merriment and even a little laughter. Promoting excellence for all students and the realization that academic success is contingent on a school environment that is safe is something that the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) stresses and the Fern Ridge District is doing its part to ensure that LBGTQ kids are heard and supported. This has resulted in changes at Elmira High so both transgender and non-transgender students can use the restroom comfortably and more changes where locker rooms are concerned at the high school and at the middle school are on the horizon.
Superintendent Gary Carpenter says that multiple students fall under the transgender, non-binary, gay, lesbian, and gender fluid labels and while there is a lot of “nuances”, the district tries to be supportive while at the same time being supportive of families who may find the guidance that is given on this controversial subject uncomfortable. Carpenter acknowledges that it can “get heated” at school board meetings when the topic of trans kids comes up and there have been instances where parents who have spoken out in support of trans kids have been bullied by parents who disagree with this stance. If interviewed, however, high school students themselves would have a completely different perspective and tend to be more supportive as a whole. Students have shared on an anonymous survey that they feel a gay pupil may get special privileges, while on the other hand a gay student has shared that they feel bullied. Carpenter wants to make sure that all students have the encouragement they need to thrive scholastically. Complaints about trans kids from other kids mainly concern restroom use as well as the use of the locker room. To this end, a restroom with several single floor to ceiling stalls has been constructed on the high school campus and there are plans to add additional spaces for changing clothes beyond the single stall restrooms and the health room. Carpenter says the district is looking into providing screens on rollers and/or curtains on tracks to provide locker room privacy. While the loss of federal and state dollars is one concern in making these changes, it would also be a violation of a transgender student’s civil rights if they were denied being able to use the restroom of the gender they identify with, Carpenter states. The district has policies in place that prohibit discrimination based on protected class such as gender identity and sex and the district is extremely committed to having an environment in the schools that is free of discrimination against these kids. There is also a desire, Carpenter adds, to protect the district against the expense of potential litigation. Conversely, the Fern Ridge School District works diligently to provide support to ALL students, including those who may experience discomfort with these arrangements and will provide them with substitute private options for using the restroom and use of the locker room also. To stress the position that the district is bound by law to take these steps, Carpenter uses the Dallas School District west of Salem as an example of what can happen when these guidelines are not followed. In Parents for Privacy V. Barr parents filed a lawsuit alleging that allowing transgender students the use of the restroom of the gender they identified with violated the rights of their student. The courts disagreed with this stance, refused to hear the case and threw it out after determining the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate that the outlines of the privacy right protected by the 14th Amendment were wide-ranging enough to protect against the school district’s employment of the student safety plan. This deduction was supported by the fact that the Student Safety Plan provided alternatives and privacy protections for those students who did not want to share facilities with a transgender student despite the fact that those amenities seemed to be inferior and less convenient. The Plan recognized the student in question as a “transgender male” and allowed him use of the boys’ locker room and restrooms with his peers. Carpenter says he wants to encourage kids to report any kind of bullying as it can be difficult to get students to do this. He stresses finding a trusted adult who will take the bullying seriously and states that every August before school starts staff is given guidance direction as to what bullying is defined as, how to address it and how to report it. Students are also given curriculums that are gone over with them as it is imperative that all kids feel safe. Steps are also taken to limit cell phone use during the school day at all three levels in an attempt to reduce the risk of them being used for cyberbullying and kids can also report bullying, harassment, problems at home, etc. via Safe Oregon if they don’t feel comfortable talking to a teacher or a counselor. All kids get training about this program and what it is for. Being a kid isn’t always easy, but having adults who care enough to want to meet their needs and offer support can go a long way in determining things like academic achievement and self-esteem. Knowing that there are adults in their corner can be what keeps a kid in school and on the right track. All kids, regardless of who they are and how they identify, should be able to attend school without the fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unaccepted, and even unwanted, because how a kid is treated today forms the adult of tomorrow. When Doug Thiesfeld and his business partner Bernie Harris took over Countryside Pizza four years ago, it was a stressful time for many. Covid had forced people into isolation, and many were struggling financially, emotionally, and physically. Seeing an opportunity to help make things a little easier, Thiesfeld and Harris decided to open the doors of their restaurant on Thanksgiving Day for a free meal to whoever was interested.
Due to the circumstances, this first meal was on a to-go basis, but it was well received by those who participated. Turnout was good, Thiesfeld says, and one woman remains etched in his memory after informing him that her husband had recently gotten out of the hospital and if it hadn’t been for this act of charity, it would have been their first year without a Thanksgiving dinner. “It was very rewarding, but sad,” Thiesfeld states while recounting this interaction on the Monday morning before Thanksgiving while sitting at a small table and recounting what led to the genesis of the now annual feast. The second year the free dinner was held saw diners being able to eat indoors, but seating was limited so there were more meals that were to-go rather than eaten on site, but each year has seen more people coming through the restaurant’s doors. Thiesfeld’s family takes part, and employees volunteer their time to help out. Food is set up buffet style at the front of the restaurant, just inside the doors, and diners are either given a plate if they are eating in, or a to-go container if they are taking it home. Last year, close to 80 people took advantage of Thiesfeld’s and Harris’ generosity and another large crowd is anticipated on Thursday. Along with turkey and dressing, the meal will include ham, mashed potatoes, yams, green bean casserole, and desserts such as pumpkin pie, apple pie and cookies. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and will remain open until all the food is gone. This Thanksgiving dinner is an act of kindness and compassion that has the potential to touch many and make a difference to those who may be alone for the holiday or may not have the money to be able to afford a traditional feast. It offers a chance for interaction with others who may be experiencing loneliness, isolation, poor health or shaky finances or may not be able to cook for one reason or another. It is a time to come together and share commonalities rather than be focused on the divisiveness of the times. It is a time to start the holiday season with full stomachs and happy memories while giving thanks for life’s blessings while also being thankful for the caring nature of two men who want to make a difference in the community for those who need it most. On a cloudy Friday morning with moderate temperatures and the ever-present threat of rain, the Fern Ridge area rang in the unofficial start of the holiday season as the Veneta/Elmira/Crow/Junction City areas held their yearly bazaars. Begun 47 years ago by four churches (Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist) as an ecumenical effort, the bazaars have since come to encompass so much more. Now, bazaars are held everywhere from the Service Center to the Elmira Grange to the Emporium and Our Daily Bread restaurant and bakery. New this year were bazaars that were held at Elmira Elementary and Elmira High over the weekend so as not to disrupt school, and several residents also opened their homes to showcase their wares. One could find all types of crafts on display by various artisans and there was no shortage of home baked goods from cookies to pies, to sweet breads, to rolls. Hideaway Hollow Books set up shop at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church and a bluegrass quartet could be heard performing lively tunes at the grange. Spirits were high and hellos were exchanged by friends and acquaintances alike as well as those who were strangers but still happy to see one another. It was a time to admire and a time to find a treasure one didn’t even know they were looking for. It was a time to make memories and enjoy oneself seeing all that there was to see while wishing there was time to see more. It was small town living as it is meant to be. |