Page 18 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2020

winter 2020 | editor’s note

EMBRACE

THE SEASON

e hope you had a wonderful holiday season! And as the cold, dark
Wdays get longer and lighter, we also hope you enjoy this issue of
Southern Oregon Magazine before you start dreaming about spring. You
won’t have too much time for hibernating, because this issue is pretty
much a go-to winter guide. With inspiring recommendations for great
books to read, places to go, and events to attend you have no reason to
stay indoors.

If you’re not out snowshoeing or taking a sleigh ride, you might have time
to pick up a book to read. Southern Oregon Magazine alum Kim Cooper
Findling and daughter Libby Findling have penned a young adult mystery
set at the Oregon Coast—the perfect read for a cold winter day. Or pick
up a copy of Growing Herbs by Gary Carter and start planning your spring
garden now.

There are so many events to look forward to this time of year; we hope
Heidi Chackel, Editor
you can make them all.

Enjoy a red carpet and black tie night celebrating the Oscars for the
Ashland Independent Film Festival. There’s the 39th Annual JPR
Winetasting, or dancing the night away at the Black, White, & The Blues
art auction and dinner/dance party to benefit the Grants Pass Museum
of Art. The Chocolate Festival and the Oregon Cheese Festival are on
back-to-back weekends in March. You won’t want to miss your chance
to taste Rogue Creamery’s Best Cheese in the World! Then there’s the
50th Annual Greatest of the Grape—a fantastic way to experience all the
flavors of the Umpqua wine region.

The Hungry Hustle Walking Food Tour is a creative way to sample the variety
of great restaurants in our downtown neighborhoods. Or maybe try a
flight of tequila (and ask about their dance lessons) at Mezcal Restaurant
and Bar in Ashland.

In our main feature story, starting on page 70, longtime Southern Oregon
Magazine writer Lynn Leissler introduces readers to a variety of outreach
programs available to help children in need. Services address medical,
dental, mental health, psychological, situational, and family issues. These
groups and individuals serve with generous and caring hearts, and we
would like you to meet a few. Know that the list is far from exhaustive.

And however you pass these longer and colder days, we hope you make
this winter one to remember!

16 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | winter 2020