Page 46 - Southern Oregon Magazine Fall 2022

neck of the woods | prof ile

very first time. I just looked at the mountains, the stores, and Q. IT SEEMS THERE A PLACE IN YOUR HEART FOR YOUNG
the theaters from Ashland. DEVELOPING ARTISTS.

JIM: Yes, and there's a reason for that. I lacked talent. I took piano les-
sons... at the behest of my father who paid for my lessons, three years
Q. WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT SOUTHERN of piano lessons. I didn't go anywhere with piano because I didn't feel
OREGON WOULD BE YOUR HOME? the need or the urge. So therefore, I appreciate people who have ability
in music, dance, and drama. Live entertainment in all the performing
JIM: I loved it and knew it would be my future home from the first arts appealed to me. It gives me pleasure to encourage young people
day. I told myself when I retire, I’ll move to Ashland. Then I discovered in performance.
Medford, Jacksonville, the airport, and the Rogue Valley Manor and
fell in love with that. Now I’m living on top of a hill with a view of the I support Teen Musical Theater of Oregon, Youth Symphony, and
whole valley. Children’s Choir, primarily because it gives me a warm feeling to
encourage young people to be performers. When I was in school, I was
very shy. I'd hide behind the person in front of me. Or I’d slither down
in my desk so the teacher couldn't see me. I was invisible. It’s thrilling
Q. DO YOU STAY IN CONTACT WITH SOME OF YOUR to see young performers showing their artistic skills on stage.
FORMER STUDENTS?

JIM: I have one former student who comes every year to Southern
Oregon with his wife. Eric and Liz are missionaries. I support him Q. AS A RESULT OF YOUR INHERITANCE, YOU'VE BEEN A
because he was a model student, very good in classroom work, an out- PATRON OF THE ARTS IN SOUTHERN OREGON FOR QUITE
standing personality, and handsome. He went into Christian service. A FEW YEARS.
He met his wife at Cal State Bakersfield. They got married and they do
mission work in Turkey now. JIM: I moved here in 2003 and started supporting the arts very soon
after I arrived. I supported the Oregon Shakespeare Festival many

44 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2022