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The Class of 2024
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Spirit of BMD Celebration set for July JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel While one of the most popular events in Cottage Grove won’t take place this summer, another new community celebration is in the works. On May 20, the Bohemia Mining Days, Inc. (BMD) board of directors posted a Facebook announcement that it would cancel this year’s festival. The decision shocked many BMD lovers. The ground swell of community–wide pride
and passion for the much anticipated summer time tradition rallied past production team members to quickly step in to save the community event. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Number 22 • 135 years
poetry The art of
A hastily organized 16-member production team merges BMD organizers from the 201819 and 2022-23 leadership teams to step back into their former roles with only six weeks and no See BMD on Page 8
State Poet Laureate Kim Stafford entertains, inspires lyric lovers CINDY WEELDRYER Cottage grove Sentinel “When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — John F. Kennedy
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Courtesy photo The rescue operation took place on Monday, June 3, near Dorena.
90 animals taken from Dorena home Donations sought to offset medical, housing expenses JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Gove Sentinel
TODAY’S EDITION
Greenhill Humane Society has worked with Lane County Animal Services and Lane County Sheriff’s Office to rescue more than 90 Animals from a severe neglect situation. The agency have provided the animals with the care and support they need, according to the Eugene-based animal welfare organization. The rescue operation took place on Monday, June 3, near Dorena. Over 90 animals were removed, including dogs, horses, cattle, parrots, and various poultry, living in deplorable conditions without adequate food, water, or medical care. Four dogs and one cat
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urrounded by colorful books on the shelves in two of Cottage Grove’s oldest bookstores, Oregon’s past Poet Laureate Kim Stafford happily read poems and sang songs delighting appreciative listeners at the Last Friday Art Walk on May 31. The Bookmine and Kalapuya Books hosted the poet’s hour-long visit to each store. Stafford commanded rapt attention from those who came to meet and hear him. Listeners often punctuated the end of the poems he read with collective sounds of understanding and agreement. Some purchased his book and in unhurried one-on-one conversations the individuals left feeling encouraged and understood. Created in 1923, the Oregon’s poet laureate position fosters the art of poetry, encourages literacy and learning, addresses central issues relating to humanities and heritage and reflects on public life in Oregon. Since 2006, the Oregon Cultural Trust has administered the program. In July 2018, Gov. Kate Brown appointed Kim to the two-year post to serve as the 9th Oregon Poet Laureate. In April, the 10th and current poet, Anis Mojgani, visited Cottage Grove at the invitation of the Friends of the Library. Stafford’s father, William, was a renowned American poet. In 1975, Gov. Tom McCall appointed him as the 4th Poet Laureate, a position he held for 15 years. The elder Stafford also served as the 20th Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 1970 as the National Poet Laureate. In 2019, Snowmageddon interrupted Kim Stafford’s first visit here. When the storm shuttered schools and businesses, it gave him the opportunity to “stamp through the quiet streets and begin to apprehend the distinctive spirit of this place.” He returned that April to visit students at Cottage Grove High School and London School, sit with local writers at The Brewstation, and give an evening reading at the Presbyterian Church. With the Cottage Grove Community Foundation’s grant to bring poets to town, and because his last visit was so successful, Friends of the Library President Bruce Kelsh said the group happily invited him to return for the May Art Walk. “It is miraculous how Kim is so affirming,” Kelsh said. “On his last visit here, he gave the shyest boy the courage to read his poem at the high school workshop.”
were transported directly from the Dorena property to Greenhill to receive immediate care. “The situation these animals were found in was heartbreaking,” Greenhill Humane Society Executive Director Cary Lieberman said. “The whole team worked to ensure each animal was safely removed and transported to safety, where they are now receiving the medical attention, nourishment, and compassion they need to recover.” The cat and dogs are currently being evaluated by Greenhill’s veterinary team with the ultimate goal of finding them forever homes.
As one of the state’s official poets, Stafford’s journeys have been many and diverse. He estimates he has traveled 3,000 miles, crisscrossing the state, appearing at more than 100 events in places large and small, urban and rural, and interacting with prisoners, veterans, un-housed children and immigrants. He has many cherished memories from all those journeys. Like the wintery night he and his wife attended a high school basketball game in the tiny south central Oregon town of Paisley. At halftime, the announcer recognized him in the crowd asked him to come to midcourt and spontaneously recite a poem. Stafford said his passion to write poetry has its roots in loneliness, being shy in school, being an edge-dweller while those around him seemed to know their path and he
Cindy Weeldreyer/Cottage Grove Sentinel Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford chats with admirer Pamela Krause, visiting from Hood River, at Kalapuya Books during the May Art Walk on May 31. was mystified. “I found that when I held a pen and began writing about my confusions, sometimes I could clarify my predicament and come to a better place,” Stafford said. “I could make a little song that quieted my heart and mind. Then one day, I shared a poem with my teacher and he asked me, ‘What are you going to do with that?’ I asked him what I should do and he replied, ‘Send it to the world.’ I’ve been trying to do that ever since.” The Saturday morning writer’s workshop drew 18 participants to the Presbyterian Church’s Friendship Hall. See POET on Page 8