Page 22 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2019
P. 22
buzz | tidbits
BOOK PICKS
TRIPS AND TANGENTS: 101
FAVORITE SOUTHERN OREGON
JOURNAL COLUMNS
Author Peggy Dover OREGON FESTIVALS: A GUIDE TO
When snow, freezing weather and a furnace failure all hit FUN, FRIENDS, FOOD & FRIVOLITY
Peggy Dover at the same time, she huddled in bed with
her two cats and a space heater, and hoped for a thaw and Author John Shewey
a visit from the furnace repair guy. Not one to let the People love to celebrate, whether the celebration involves
situation totally get her down, she turned loose her sense a holiday, an ethnic tradition, or highlighting local cul-
of humor, wrote about her dilemma and sent the story to ture and food. Festivals offer a great way to learn more
the Medford Mail Tribune. They not only published it, but and hang out with family and friends. Oregon Festivals:
also asked if she wished to fill a column vacancy. Did she A Guide to Fun, Friends, Food & Frivolity is an illustrated
ever! (A column was a long-held dream.) Five years later, guidebook depicting the remarkable diversity of festivals
she pens “Southern Oregon Journal” weekly, the Sunday held throughout the great state of Oregon. Author John
edition. She recently compiled some of her favorite sto- Shewey details each festival with crisp and concise infor-
ries in a delightful book, Trips & Tangents: 101 Favorite mation and special insider tips, accompanied by colorful
Southern Oregon Journal Columns. T & T gives a peek photographs of the festival’s greatest features.
into life in Southern Oregon through Peggy Dover’s eyes,
a view that can be quite entertaining. She talks about Throughout the state, annual festivals celebrate Oregon’s
what’s on her mind and tells of her latest adventures. She unique character. These events champion local com-
recounts of jaunts to off-the-beaten-path communities, of munities, artisans, musicians, industries, products,
evenings at the symphony, of people whose lives and sac- cultures, and more. They range from intimate festivals
rifices make a difference. With Dover’s straightforward in tiny towns to massively attended events in Oregon’s
stories and quirky humor, there’s never a dull moment. largest cities. Oregon Festivals covers the Portland area,
Whether you live in Southern Oregon or Willamette Valley, Oregon Coast, Columbia
not, you’ll find the book enjoyable. It’s Gorge, Southern Oregon, Central Oregon,
a good pick-up for a story or two—or and Eastern Oregon—the perfect com-
more. Trips & Tangents would make a panion for fest-goers and Oregon visitors
great gift for a local or for someone alike.
who’s considering becoming a local.
An itinerant Oregonian, Shewey has
Check it out on Amazon (be persis- spent considerable time exploring every
tent, they sometimes route you to corner of the state. He has a 30-year
another book), at Barnes & Nobel, career as a journalist, author, maga-
Rebel Bookstore in Jacksonville zine editor, and professional photog-
and the Crown Jewel in Ashland. rapher. He is editor-in-chief of the
Northwest Fly Fishing magazine
group, and has published 15 books.
“Each year, every city in the world that can should
have a multiday festival. More people meeting each
other, digging new types of music, new foods, new ideas.
You want to stop having so many wars? This could be a
step in the right direction.” —Henry Rollins
Available at Amazon, Goodreads, Target, and more.
20 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | winter 2019
