Posted in A&I

White Darkness — Book Review

by Bonnie Tollefson

Review – White Darkness, David Grann, Doubleday, 2018.

Antarctica, land of snow, ice, dark, and mystery.  Most of us know the names of the great Antarctic explorers — Ross, Scott, Amundsen and Shackelton.  Many of us have read books about the adventures of these men.  We know that Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance was caught in the ice and sunk,  We know that in1912, Scott won the race to the South Pole beating Amundsen by a month.  Has anyone heard of Henry Worsley – Antarctic explorer of the 21st Century?  This small book by David Grann, author of Killers of the Flower Moon, looks at Worsley’s life and his fascination with the land furthest South.

Henry Worsley grew up in Great Britain.  A slight boy, he never the less excelled at sports in school, especially cricket, rugby, skiing and hockey.  While class work was not his forte, he often slipped away to the library to read about adventures that stirred the mind.  He thus discovered the life of Ernest Shackleton.  When he learned that a distant relative, Frank Worsley, had been a trusted member of Shackleton’s expeditions he became an ardent devotee.  Upon graduation from school, he joined the military at his parents urging.  He survived the SAS training and went on to serve with distinction until retirement at the age of 55.

During his military service, the polar regions continued to call and he joined/led several expeditions to commemorate the centennial anniversaries of Antarctic milestones in exploration.  Upon retirement, at the age of 55, Henry decided to attempt the crossing of the continent – alone.  That is where the book, White Darkness, starts as we learn about the difficulties and enjoy the myriad pictures that grace these pages.  Having been to Antarctica twice, I can understand the fascination, but even if you are only an armchair traveler, this book will captivate.

The book is available from the RVM library and the Jackson County Library System in regular print and from the JCLS in audio format (but you will miss some great pictures).

December in the Library: Sleigh Bells Ring!

by Debbie Adler

Christmas and books should be the closest friends. What is a better time to turn into beautiful words? And what is a better time to read books? The holiday season evokes strong emotions, nostalgia, warmth, and a sense of togetherness, creating a rich backdrop for storytelling and deep immersion in literary worlds.

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Our library’s sleigh bells ring with so many wonderful holiday reading choices, including:

  • Last Christmas in Paris (Gaynor) – An unforgettably romantic novel that spans four Christmases (1914-1918),  exploring the ruins of war, the strength of love, and the enduring hope of the Christmas season.
  • The Deal of a Lifetime (Backman) – With humor and compassion, The Deal of a Lifetime reminds us that life is a fleeting gift, and our legacy rests in how we share that gift with others.
  • Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night (Christie) – Can Hercule Poirot solve a baffling murder mystery in time for Christmas?
  • Christmas Deliverance (Perry) – A courageous doctor and his apprentice fight to save London’s poor and discover that the hearts of men can be colder than a winter chill.
  • Five Christmas Novels (Dickens) – Holiday classics: A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth, The Battle of Life, and The Haunted Man.
  • The 12 Topsy Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas (Patterson) – Move over, Dickens! America’s favorite storyteller has written a modern Christmas story for the ages.

If you have young readers visiting for the holidays, consider our Juvenile book selection to the right of the fireplace. You’ll find treasures such as The Joy of a Peanuts Christmas, Santa’s Sleigh Is On Its Way to Oregon, and more.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all the library volunteers!

Special thanks to Phyllis Young, pictured at the display table, for sharing her creative decorating touches.

 

 

 

 

NIT WIT NEWZ — December 2024

                                              

 (Nit Wit Newz is an unauthorized, unreliable, on-line news service designed to keep residents abreast of the inconsequential, unverified, and trifling events that dramatically shape and inform our everyday lives here at Rogue Valley Manor.)

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF JACK AND PETER

(The Fable Continues)

To our readers: You will recall that in our last episode, Jack and Peter had met in Peter’s well-tended quarters conveniently located just below Mr. McGregor’s carrot patch in the Manor’s Residents’ Garden.  They had devised a plan to call residents’ attention to the unseemly blue and white banners that had been raised on a number of light poles on the Rogue Valley Manor campus.  Now, several weeks later, Jack is revisiting Peter. Let’s listen in:

(Peter Rabbit): Hey, Jack, returning to sample some of McGregor’s finest? Here, indulge the universal rabbit habit.

(Jack Rabbit): Not a bad idea, Peter, I guess I’m sorta like that Oscar Wilde guy, I can resist anything but temptation. Thanks, hmm, yep, this is good. But listen, old pal, I dropped in to bring you news.

(P.R.):  Oh, yeah, lay it on me

(J.R.): Well, all those blue and white banners on the light poles that say “Rogue Valley Manor,” they’re down.

(P.R.) I knew it! That powerful, hard hitting piece that we ran in The Complement’s Nit Wit Newz feature a few weeks back convinced the residents that those goofy banners were an eyesore. I can’t wait to tell Bunny. Remember? She got that piece placed in The Complement. 

(J.R.): Hold on Peter, I’m afraid you’ll have to curb your enthusiasm.

(P.R.): What are you talking about?  Down banners are exactly what we wanted, right?

(J.R.): Well, here’s what happened. That wind storm we had in mid-November wreaked havoc with those signs. It blew some banners right out of their frames, others were blown cockamamie crooked. It was a mess.  Among their many other shortcomings, those flimsy banners didn’t hold up to even the very first storm of the season.  So they took them all down.

(P.R.): Why do we care how they got taken down?  I say, mission accomplished. Job done.

(J.R.):  Here’s the problem, the metal frames that hold the banners are still up. They’d only leave the frames up if they planned on using them again—like next spring when the weather calms down.

(P.R.): Hmm, I see where you’re going.  Looks like we’ve still got work to do.

(J.R.): Yep, but what still puzzles me is why they put those things up in the first place. Certainly not for beauty. Fact is, they detract from the natural beauty of that magnificent scene of our campus as you drive into this place.  They couldn’t have put those banners up for utility purposes. Visitors and residents don’t need to be reminded where they are every thirty seconds as they travel through our campus. Whatever the reason, they’re an unnecessary blight that sullies our campus.

(P.R.) Hmm, seems as if your hare shirt might be a bit too snug today, Jack

(J.R.): Yeah, you’re right.  I’m miffed. Like you, when I saw the banners gone, I got pretty excited. But now, we’re plunked right back down to ground zero.

(P.R.) I suppose so, but how do you know that our piece in Nit Wit Newz didn’t generate some resident opinion to see things our way?

(J.R.): Well, I saw the minutes of the Landscape and Grounds Advisory Committee meeting, which was a few weeks before the wind storm, and apparently the question was raised about the reaction they’re getting on the banners.  The response was, it was, “mixed.”

(P.R.): Hmm, “mixed,” that’s the sound of the roaring wheels of inertia grinding to a halt.  The next sentence, unstated, of course, would be written, “No action need be taken.”

(J.R.): Well, I must say, there were comments from two different residents at the bottom of our Nit Wit Newz piece under “Leave a Reply.” Both were supportive of our anti-banner position. And you can add to that, a The Complement staffer reported that she received an unsolicited  supportive comment from another reader.  Sadly, darn few movements are mounted on the backs of a mere three protesters.

(P.R.) Make that six, add in the two of us and my sweetie, Bunny.

(J.R.): I’m not sure the rabbit vote will help sway the committee, Peter. In any event, three, six—it still amounts to less than a limp ripple in a sea of apathy. We need a tidal wave to get the attention of that Landscape Committee. Heck, maybe we’re just a couple of wild hares hollering down—I dunno— a rabbit hole..

(P.R.): Gosh, only three responses, hey, maybe the residents have eyes but seeith not?.

(J.R.): No, they see fine, wait…seeith not? Where did you come up with that, scripture? Shakespeare?

(P.R.): Milton.

(J.R.): Milton? You’ve been reading Paradise Lost?

(P.R.): No, no, I got it from my neighbor, Milton, Milton Thumper, he lives two holes down.  Milton talks funny.  I think it’s olde English

(J.R.): I see.

(P.R.): But consider this, Jack, I read somewhere that for every person that writes in a comment on matters like this, there are ten or so that may also agree with the proposition, but don’t bother to take the time to make themselves heard.

(J.R.): Yeah, maybe so, but we need concrete evidence to convince that Landscape Committee.

(P.R.): You’re probably right.  So, I’ve got an idea: Look, those three comments we received supporting our position were unsolicited, right?  But those residents voluntarily made their voices heard without anyone asking them to do so. What if we asked the readers of this very Nit Wit Newz article that they are reading at this moment, to let us know, one way or the other, if the banners should stay or go.  All they need do is write either, “Banners Down” or “Banners Up” in the “Leave a reply” section just below. It’s that simple.

(J.R.):  That, my friend, is an excellent idea. Wow! I knew I could count on you, Peter.

(P.R.): Glad you liked it, J.R.  I propose a toast to our renewed effort to resurrect a worthy enterprise.

(J.R.): Indeed! What are we drinking?

(P.R.): (The sound of a popping cork) A liqueur of distinction,  Creme de Carotte, Bottoms up, cottontail.

(J.R.): Carotte?

(P.R.): That’s carrot in French.

(J.R.): Of course.

—————–

To our readers: Jack and Peter invite your thought on the banner issue. “Banners Down” or “Banners Up,” let them know below. They thank you.

—A. Looney

 

 

 

Concerts and Performances: December 2024 – January 2025

submitted by Mary Jane Morrison

Manor Auditorium 7-8 p.m.  

Events listed in italics are tentative

Programming subject to change.    Programs will NOT be broadcast on Channel 900.

Manor Express available until 8:30 p.m. Thursdays

 

TUESDAY         12/10    So. Oregon Symphonic Band 

THURSDAY     12/12    Joyful Voices

MONDAY         12/16    3 p.m.  Manor Handbell Choir

TUESDAY        12/17    Kirby Shaw Singers

THURSDAY    12/19    Rogue Valley Brass Quintet

TUESDAY        12/24       Vespers: Lessons & Carols

THURSDAY    12/26   Jaron Cannon: piano  [Hanukkah begins]

TUESDAY        12/31   NEW YEAR’S EVE — no program

———————————- 2025 ———————————————–

Thursday         01/02   Skip Bessonette: guitar/vocal

Thursday         01/09              TBA

Thursday         01/16              TBA

Thursday         01/23   talk: So. OR Land Conservancy             

Thursday         01/30             TBA             

Thursday         02/06   Iryna Kudielina: piano                


 

 

 

 

Around the Manor

 

Many of the artists and craftsmen you met at the Fair are donating their proceeds to the Foundation, the Memory Center, Fairy Godmother program and the like. Also our silent auction brought in $1135, the food table $273 and the raffle $325 for the Foundation. Thank you for making our Fair a success — Jill West

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

                                                               

                                                            Christmas Decoration

                                                                                           by A. N. Onymous

 Curb Your Doggerel!

Our Great Big Tree,

So Lovely to See,

Will burst into light,

After Turkeys take flight

 

 

The Death of the Sushi Run

 

by Eleanor Lippman

Before Covid, back when meals in the Plaza and Manor dining rooms were buffet style, there was a group of a dozen or so residents who met regularly on Saturday evening in the Umpqua Room of the Plaza for cocktails and conversation before dinner.

Every once and a while, the group would arrange a Sushi Run where everyone who liked sushi would drop ten or fifteen dollars into a cash pool and two people would volunteer to pre-order a variety of types from the local Japanese restaurant, supply the serving platters, and bring the goodies to the dining room. The other participants would wait around the big table for eight by the window as well as the neighboring table for four If needed.

The sushi order would arrive complete with rice, side dishes, chopsticks, etc. and the participants would feast on the goodies. Anyone wanting a salad or dessert could get one from the buffet. Dishes, utensils, water and hot tea were provided by the Plaza dining room servers.

The Sushi Runs were a popular change from the regular buffet offerings and were always a wonderful event. Good company, interesting conversation, a highlight among friends.

Sad to say, we cannot do it anymore with the way Arden is designed. And there is nowhere on campus where it would work.

Too bad. It was a big hit and very popular.

Farewell, Sushi Run. You were wonderful while it lasted.

Anagrams

submitted by Connie Kent

ASTRONOMER
When you rearrange the letters: MOON STARER

ANIMOSITY
When you rearrange the letters: IS NO AMITY

DESPERATION
When you rearrange the letters: A ROPE ENDS IT

DORMITORY
When you rearrange the letters: DIRTY ROOM

THE EYES
When you rearrange the letters: THEY SEE

GEORGE BUSH
When you rearrange the letters: HE BUGS GORE

THE MORSE CODE
When you rearrange the letters: HERE COME DOTS

PRESBYTERIAN
When you rearrange the letters: BEST IN PRAYER

SLOT MACHINES
When you rearrange the letters:  CASH LOST IN ME

ELECTION RESULTS
When you rearrange the letters: LIES – LET’S RECOUNT

SNOOZE ALARMS
When you rearrange the letters: ALAS! NO MORE Z ‘S

A DECIMAL POINT
When you rearrange the letters: I’M A DOT IN PLACE

THE EARTHQUAKES
When you rearrange the letters: THAT QUEER SHAKE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO
When you rearrange the letters: TWELVE PLUS ONE

 

The Library in November: How’s the Weather?

by Debbie Adler

In literature, weather can be used in many different ways. It can symbolize themes, set the mood of the story, and even play a central role in the plot. When weather is included in a scene it adds depth and realism, pulling the reader further into the story. Sunny weather typically creates a cheerful mood, symbolizing happiness and new beginnings. Alternatively, rainy weather might contribute to a somber mood, indicating sadness and despair. Furthermore, stormy weather adds tension and a sense of foreboding, often representing conflict and chaos.

Selected books for this month’s display touch on environmental disasters, human struggle, mystery, romance, and spirituality. Samples include:

The Worst Hard Time, by Timothy Eagan
The untold story of those who survived the Great American Dust Bowl, one of the greatest environmental disasters ever to be visited upon our land and a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of trifling with nature.

The Year Without Summer : 1816 and the Volcano that Darkened the World and Changed History, by William K. Klingaman and Nicholas P. Klingaman
The book examines not only the climate change engendered by this volcanic event, but also its effects on politics, the economy, the arts, and social structures.

Nights in Rodanthe, by Nicholas Sparks
A tender story of hope and joy; of sacrifice and forgiveness. With a North Carolina coastal storm closing in, two wounded people will turn to each other for comfort — and in one weekend set in motion feelings that will resonate throughout the rest of their lives.

Camino Winds, by John Grisham
Welcome to the fictional Florida resort town of Camino Island, where anything can happen – even a murder in the midst of a hurricane, which might prove to be the perfect crime.

The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World, by Laura Imai Messina
About grief, mourning, and the joy of survival, inspired by a real phone booth in Japan with its disconnected “wind” phone, a place of pilgrimage and solace since the 2011 tsunami.

A weather tip for our readers: Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine!

Pictured with her red umbrella is one of the library’s devoted patrons.

SPLASH PADS

Little Things That Changed My Life

By Diane Slagle, photos by Reina Lopez

It was Christmas, 1949.  My sister and I had just lost our Mom, and we were sad and isolated on a farm far out of town.

By a chance, we were invited to a lovely ladies’ house for Christmas Eve. This family lived in a beautiful Victorian farmhouse in the middle of an orange grove. We arrived and walked into the kitchen. It was warm and smelled of roasting turkey,

On a table sat a fabulous DOLLHOUSE. It was all decorated for the holidays. I couldn’t believe my eyes.  Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined anything so wonderful.  Frozen in time, this house was full of joy and doll people having a very special Christmas. What a treasure to behold! At that moment something beautiful and happy came into my life when I needed it most. Little did I know how it would change my life.

Dinner was ready and we were invited into the dining room. Lo and behold, there was a table fit for a king. Beautiful china and a Santa and sleigh in the middle of the table. I am sure the food was fabulous, but I don’t remember it — just the smell of wonderful food and fir boughs in beautiful arrangements.

After dinner we were escorted into the living room that was filled with beautiful antiques. But, the tree took center stage as the most wonderful thing imaginable. What a gift I got that Christmas.

At nine years old, I knew that I had a dream — my first dollhouse. I managed to find an old bookcase and converted it. I made furniture and added doll people, It was not the greatest, but it was a start. I saw it as a perfect home full of love and joy. I could make it any way, just what I wanted.

From there the years rolled by.  I upgraded, one by one, until today I have collected something like eight antique dollhouses.  Most are from Germany, from about the 1800s.

The dollhouses still bring me so much pleasure, and I know they have influenced others along the way. I share them as much as I can.

When we visited here at the Manor looking for a place to retire, as soon as I saw the dollhouse near the Bistro, I knew we had found a home. It was like a full circle. That dollhouse let me know I was where I should be.

What a wonderful gift those dear ladies gave me. I still think of them and am so grateful, and thank them for their kindness.

I hope I can pass it on.