Let Me (Try To) Entertain You

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RVM Programs and the Pandemic

by Bob Buddemeier 

Remember when?  Back in the (pre-COVID) day, almost every Thursday evening and some Tuesdays, there would be live entertainment in the Manor auditorium.  Mostly a wide variety of kinds of music, but also occasional dance, lectures, or other performances.  Programs are funded by the Residents Council, with occasional chip-ins from the RVM Foundation

All were booked and arranged by Mary Jane Morrison, chair of the Program committee.  Bert Chumbler handled the technical set up and advertising, and Ollie Sontag looked after seating and getting in the residents from the licensed facilities.  Jo Ann Basin and I helped out around the edges with programs, thank-yous, etc.  It was a comfortable routine, with auditorium-only shows – “live performers deserve a live audience” was Mary Jane’s position.

L to R: Mary Jane Morrison, Performer Marty Davis,  Bert Chumbler, Ollie Sontag

Then — the dreaded virus.  Suddenly, a whole new dimension was added to the “live” in live audience and live performers, and keeping them literally alive meant not having them present alive in person.

And yet, a locked down community needed entertainment and distraction more than ever.

As the saying goes, when the going got tough, the tough got going, and as soon as Mary Jane could get approval to have outsiders back in the auditorium, we started having Thursday evening programs broadcast on Channel 900. The process, over more than a year and a half of the pandemic, went through multiple stages as shown in the chart.   From the original regime, we went through the initial shut-down and then into the televised restart.

Restarting programs involved major booking problems – since people could not get together to rehearse, almost the only groups available were solo performers or husband and wife teams.  Until social distancing and lockdown controls relaxed, we could get no orchestras, choruses, dance studios, etc.  Fortunately, some of the local performers were ready to step in on short notice, and Sarah Karnatz graciously shared her list of Bistro performers, some of whom accepted auditorium gigs. Although artists are permitted to remove their masks while performing, all performers must be vaccinated in order to be booked.

An important contributor to the shift to Channel 900 presentations was Mike House, RVM staff AV technician.  He had always seen to the sound quality for the auditorium show, but now he took over the tasks of broadcast and recording quality control as well as on-stage sound.

When restrictions loosened up somewhat, more groups became available for booking, but the auditorium was pressed into use as a dining venue.  Both the shows and the dinners managed to get done, but it was sometimes an uneasy compromise.  While the auditorium was being used for dining, there were difficulty adjusting sound levels, and sometimes competing noise from the diners.  Some performers found dining sounds (dishes & chatter) bothersome and felt it lessened the quality of their performance.

As it sometimes will, progress happened, and RVM began to transition to new video equipment and software.  And as is almost always the case, progress was not smooth and simple – for a number of weeks it was necessary to record the performance on one Thursday, and play the recorded version on Channel 900 the next Thursday.  This arrangement was generally confusing and frustrating for all involved.

However, we are now back to relative normality – the broadcast system is working, the auditorium isn’t used for dining, and we are able to bring in medium-sized groups.  But set aside relative normality – will it ever be absolute?  Mary Jane says she hopes that we can go back to live audiences by September 2022 at latest – maybe Spring, with luck.  In the meantime, she says that “What is missed most is feedback from the viewing audience.  Performers often tell us how much harder it is to perform to no audience.”

As long as occupancy restrictions are in effect, we will stick with broadcast only rather than trying to ration a limited number of seats among the residents.  When restrictions are finally lifted, Mary Jane plans to try an experiment: “When we open up to a full audience (100-150) we’ll still broadcast over Ch 900 provided that there is still a respectable size audience in the auditorium – otherwise we’ll have to limit it to auditorium only.”

One of the other problems with broadcast-only is that we have no idea about the size or reaction of the audience.  If you are watching and enjoying the program, let one of the Committee members know.  It helps to ensure that the show goes on.

NIT WIT NEWZ

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

THE MEAN STREETS OF ROGUE VALLEY MANOR

Hi Mom.

Harold, is that you, dear? I was beginning to get worried. I thought you’d be here by now.

Well, I just got off the freeway and discovered my GPS is on the fritz, so I don’t know how to get to your place. I’m hoping you can phone-talk me there.

Of course, of course it’s very simple. Oh, I’m so happy you could make it up here for Thanksgiving and see my cottage. Now tell me, where you are?

I’m parked on, let’s see, Barnett Street just past Highland and I’m pointed east.

Yes, yes, I know exactly where you are—you’re less than five minutes from me. I’m so excited. I ran across an old photo album of mine with dozens of pictures of you and Betsy as kids. You both were so…

Yeah, that sounds fun, but I should move off this shoulder and get out of traffic. Barnett’s pretty busy.

Oh, for sure. As I say, you’re practically here. One right turn and then just follow your nose.

Sounds good.

The first street you’ll come to, just a few yards ahead of where you are is, oh dear me, it’s— Ellendale, yes, that’s it, Ellendale. It winds a bit, but that’s the only turn you’ll have to get to my place. So, there on Ellendale, turn right.

O.K., I’m making the turn. Ah yes, I can see the entrance to the Manor straight ahead.

Perfect. Now just follow Ellendale into the Manor and you’re on the way.

Yep, I’m driving through the entrance and looking out over a well-tended golf course. Boy Mom, it looks like you and Betsy picked out a great place for you to live. I should have brought my golf clu…

Yes, I love it, it’s just wonderful.

Hey, five, no six turkeys just crossed in front of me. Is this a service the Manor provides the residents on Thanksgiving? Everyone gets to pick and dress their own turkey?

No, don’t be silly, the Manor is delivering a turkey dinner for the three of us right here to my place. Where are you now?

I’m going up the hill past the golf course and, oh, oh. I must have taken the wrong turn looking at those turkeys.

No, you can’t take a wrong turn.

Mom, the street sign says I’m on Rogue Valley Manor Drive not Ellendale.

That’s where you should be. Don’t worry.

You mean the street changes its name willy nilly from Ellendale to Rogue Valley Manor Drive just like that?

My dear, just keep following that road. You’re doing fine. I told you it winds a bit.

Umm, well…hey, I can see some cottages here on my right. How nice. Trees, lawns, well-trimmed shrubs, and, look at that, a huge, handsome park. You did yourself proud picking this place, Mom. Oh, my gosh, there’s a family of deer over there. I suppose you’re going to tell me the Manor brings in reindeer for Christmas. Pretty good, turkeys for Thanksgiving, reindeer for Christmas— what happens on Groundhog Day? But, what the…? I’ve got to keep my eyes on the road—look, the street sign says I’m now on Shannon Drive! I swear I didn’t make a turn.

Harold, you’re fine, just fine. Don’t pay any attention to those street signs. They’ll just confuse you.

Are you sure? I thought they were designed to un-confuse you.

Harold, I hear a woman’s voice. Did you bring a girlfriend with you? How nice. I can set another place…

No mom, my GPS just kicked in. She’s giving me directions to your place.

Well, she certainly has a beautiful voice. I’ll bet she’s a lovely young lady…

Holy smoke, she just told me that I’m no longer on Shannon Drive. How could that…

And she sure seems to know her way around here. If I were you I’d…

Mom, she’s not in my car. She’s just a voice on my GPS. It’s as if she was, you know, on my radio. I don’t know who she is. She just gives me directions.

Well, maybe when you get here you can tell me what CBS station she’s on. I sometimes get a little confused driving around this….

That’s GPS, not CBS. But Mom, can you believe it? Now she’s telling me I’m on something called Malama Way. What’s a Malama?

You know, I asked Dorthea that very same question a couple of days ago—she’s my new neighbor from Maui— she says it’s a Hawaiian word that means, if I can remember— to take care of, or to serve.

Well, the signs up here would do me a service if they wouldn’t keep changing their names.

Just be patient, dear, you’re almost here. I’m standing out on my front lawn in my blue jersey dress—the one you always liked.

But you don’t live on Malama Way, you said you live on Lake Village Drive. Oh wait, there’s a big sign here. It looks like Malama stops and turns into four different streets. And, my gosh, three of the streets have the same name—Lake Village Drive! I don’t get it! Whoever’s in charge of naming streets around here should be charged with malpractice. First Ellendale changes its name four times and then it empties into three streets—all with the same name. You’d think Ellendale could share some of its names with the three Lake Village Drive streets?

Harold, just take the Lake Village Drive that’s on your right. Ignore those other two. Half way down the block, look for me. I’ve got a new hairdo, that’s why I’m wearing that blue dress so you’ll be sure it’s me. Oh, I see your car now. You hoo! Here I am. And here you are. Now, wasn’t that simple, sweetie? Those pilgrims didn’t need silly street signs to find Plymouth Rock, did they?

Well, ’m not so sure. You know the Mayflower was supposed to land somewhere in Virginia not Cape Cod. But never mind. It’s so great to see you, Mom! I love your cottage. I think I’ll park over there across the street.

Betsy should show up any minute now. She’s been here before so she won’t have any trouble finding us. This is going to be such a marvelous…oh, that’s my phone again. Betsy, Is that you?

Hi Mom, I know I’m right close to your cottage, but I don’t think I took the right Lake Village Drive road. Is it the one in the middle or the one on the left?

No, no dear, it’s the one on the right.

Yes, of course. You know, I think I made that same mistake before. Did Harold get there O.K.?

Oh my, yes. It was just like I told him, once you get to the Manor, you can just follow your nose.

—-A. Looney

What’s New in November

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Do you want to get a personal email notification of a new Complement issue or new material?   Email us at openinforvm@gmail.com and we will put you on the mailing list

Past articles are all on display;  If there is a “Load More” link at the bottom of the page, clicking it will bring up the older articles. 

EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA

Our sister publication, VIEWPOINTS, offers an opinion piece on the issues of multi-species evacuation:

Problems of Pets and Preparedness 

by Bob Buddemeier

 

And in this month’s Complement:

NEWS & VIEWS

 

Peace Corps in Turkey 1967-1969, by Joni Johnson
      – The lead-off article in our resident Peace Corps Series — a formative experience

A Peace Corps Ramadan: Mali 2011-2012, by David Drury
      – Fast forward four decades — a resident career capstone

Behind the Shelves at the Manor Library, by Anne Newins
      – A tell-all tale of the local book nook

         in Big, Borrowed, or Both

3550:  the Portland Mirabella quarterly magazine (most recent issue)

Mirabella Monthly, Newsletter of the Seattle Mirabella (October issue)

 

ARTS & INFO 

Turkey, Anyone? by Tom Conger and Connie Kent  
      – The bird that keeps on giving

RVM November-December Event & Entertainment Schedule

November Library Display, by Anne Newins
       – A list of the checkout champions

Let Me (Try To) Entertain You, by Bob Buddemeier
       – Pandemic program presentation

Nit-Wit Newz — The Mean Streets of RVM, by A. Looney
      – How do visitors find their way?
     

PREPARE

The entire Prepare page is being revised and updated — check back frequently

Why the Fake Quake? by Bob Buddemeier
– At least pretend to Drop, Cover, and Hold

Not brand new, but more relevant than ever:

Pet Preparedness, by Vicki Gorrell
– “Let meowt onto the woof!”

RVM Campus Evacuation Guidelines for Fire

 

 

 

 

 

A Peace Corps Ramadan: Mali 2011-2013

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by David Drury

David Drury and Asifa Kanji served in Peace Corps together while in their 60’s, from 2011 to 2013. David did small business development work, and Asifa did health and nutrition.  Their first assignment was in Kayes, western Mali, the hottest continuously-inhabited town in Africa. After 14 months service they had to be evacuated from Mali, due to a coup and invasion, but they went on to do Peace Corps assignments in Ghana and South Africa. This story is adapted from the his-and-her memoir 300 Cups of Tea andThe Toughest Job, by Asifa Kanji and David Drury, 2015

A Peace Corps Ramadan–and Thanksgiving

Ten years ago Asifa and I were serving as Peace Corps volunteers in Mali, West Africa. In that year August was the month of Ramadan, a time of reflection and fasting for Muslims. Although people still go to their regular jobs, they take no food or water from sunup to sundown. At work my colleagues did get a bit sleepy in the afternoons, and the soft drink machine was unplugged for the month, but everyone took it in stride. Growling stomachs and parched mouths notwithstanding, most folks were cheerful and mild. Even the nicotine addicts – of which there are many among Malian men  – sighed philosophically and waited for sunset. Allah cooperated with relatively balmy weather that year, but Ramadan is a lunar fast and moves backwards through the calendar year by year. Not so many years from now it will come during the searing 120 degree heat of May, and I wonder how the faithful will cope. As for Asifa and me, we did eat lunch and kept ourselves hydrated, but always in private. No one expected us to fast.

Although the days are austere, the nights of Ramadan have a special cozy feel as families turn inward to break their fast together. It is a time for reading from the Koran or listening to radio preachers, patching up old quarrels, giving to the poor. And like the Christian Lent, Ramadan ends with a joyful bang: the feast of Eid Al Fitr, started by the Prophet himself so they say, not long after his flight from Mecca to Medina to escape assassination.

On Eid day Asifa and I were invited to celebrate with our friend Moussa and his family in Kayes Ndi, a three or four mile walk to the far side of the river in the western Mali town where we lived. We set off mid-morning, dressed in our very finest Malian gear, me awkwardly hiking up my long boubou against the mud and the dust. Got to look respectable, you know. It felt like Easter morning, the streets full of smiling people looking splendid as can be and exchanging jolly greetings with total strangers. How could we resist? We Eid Mubārak!-ed and Aw sambe sambe!-ed our way through the market and across the bridge.

 

Eid Mubārak!   

With Moussa’s family we sat down to a fine festive supper, starring charcoal-roasted mutton and capitaine, a large river fish stuffed with fragrant greens. I must say, it was the best damn meal I ever had in Peace Corps, served up with love and the all-out generosity that is so typically Malian. But feasting isn’t really the point of Eid Al Fitr; in between prayers at the mosque, Moussa took us around with him to call on neighbors and friends, paying his respects, catching up on news of the family, and exchanging blessings special for the day.

May this be our first feast and not our last.

May your life be as solid as an iron bar.

May worms not alter it, nor termites.

May God have pity on the departed.

May God accept our prayers.

Each good wish answered, of course, with a fervent Amina! Amen. Kids, too, had a field day, dressed in their holiday best and going around the neighborhood in small flocks of friends to beg for sweet rice cakes. The grownups give them blessings and a small treat. It reminded me a little of Halloween, maybe, or English wassailing, but less rambunctious.

Dressed in their holiday best

As we headed home from celebrating this second-greatest of Muslim festivals, the strangest thought popped into my mind: Bring Back Lent. “Where did THAT come from?” I asked my brain. Then I thought about it. Of course: Lent is in many ways the Christian Ramadan.

When you strip away the religious trappings, Ramadan and the traditional Christian Lent are really the same idea – a mass spiritual exercise, a time of sacrifice and renewal that the whole community takes part in. Picture a world where, for one month out of the year, everybody you know sets out on that same journey, to take stock of who they truly are and how they treat the people around them, and to rise above the discomforts of hunger and thirst. A month when people are conscious of trying to be good. It’s a discipline many of us in the West have never learned; but, like jogging, it goes better if you do it in company. Islam does it on a global scale.

Christmastime is the closest our culture comes to a mass spiritual exercise, I suppose (not counting Superbowl), but we have turned Christmas into a season of indulgence and not much else, and given up on the austerities of Advent. That’s a pity, because the shared self-sacrifice of a Lent or Advent creates opportunities for soul-searching that just don’t seem to happen when we are too comfortable, or do it alone. We have lost the centuries-old tradition of using the run-up to Christmas and Easter to make ourselves better persons.

So here’s what I was thinking as we walked back over the bridge, bellies and hearts full of Eid cheer:  Thanksgiving is the best of our North American holidays. It celebrates no military victories, no revolutions and no particular religion, though it is at home with all religions. How much more joyful would Thanksgiving be if the whole week leading up to it had been set apart by tradition, like Ramadan, as a time of fasting and reflection? And if everybody did it?

Betsy Portaro- One of the Very Early Peace Corps Volunteers Danced with Belafonte

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This is one of the last two of our series on  the experiences of RVM residents in the Peace Corps.  Also in this issue is the article on David Guzetta and Carolyn Auker.  The December issue featured Jean and John Herron and Russy and Anita Sumariwalla; the November issue contained articles on Joni Johnson and Asifa Kanji and David Drury.

 

by Joni Johnson

Betsy Portaro joined the Peace Corps in 1963 shortly after graduating from college, only two years after the Peace Corps started.  She spent two years in Guinea, West Africa.  Her major at Boston College had been Psychology but she had studied French while in high school and college and so she entered the Peace Corps light years ahead of most of the volunteers destined for the Republic of Guinea which had just received its independence in 1958.  Her program planned to send two types of groups to that country.  One was for an agricultural project and the second was for teachers of English as a Second Language.  Oddly enough, she first entered as part of the agricultural team to keep company with one of the wives in that group so that there would be more women in a group made up largely of men.

You can see the Betsy of today in the Betsy O’Connell of 1963.  She was feisty and brave and adventuresome.  She wanted to join the Peace Corps for a variety of reasons. It’s connection to JFK was very appealing.  But most of all, she wanted to see the world.

The first part of her training took place in Vermont at a school for International Living that was relatively empty in the summer.  There were approximately 35 people in her agricultural group.  The second group, training nearby to be ESL teachers, were mostly women.  The training in the US was a combination of physical training (boot camp) and language studies as well as understanding the Guinea culture. After two months, the two groups were taken by plane to Conakry, the capital of Guinea where the last part of the training would take place.  Within a month of their arrival, Kennedy was assassinated.  As you can imagine, the volunteers were in shock. Many Guineans knew little about the world outside of their own country. There were few TV’s and radios. But those that had heard the news offered sympathy to the volunteers.  It was a very difficult time and everyone was heartbroken.

During their last month of training, this time in Conakry, the volunteers would practice their French and get used to the culture “in vivo”.  Betsy remembered that the boys had to learn how to spit in order to be accepted. The main religion was Islam (currently at 85%) which meant that the women often wore burkas or at least a veil.  And most of the men kept their distance. Betsy remembered that the men in the city wore long robes and the men from the country wore short robes. The women volunteers were told to wear simple dresses that came slightly below the knees

Guinea was a beautiful country.  There were three major tribes and then smaller tribal groups in the various regions. The mountains had the best weather. The coast was extremely humid and the desert was hot and to the volunteers, felt airless.  Conakry was on the coast with a high humity and a climate considered tropical monsoon. One of the tribes was heavily business oriented and was thrilled that the Americans were coming.  However, it was a bit of a disappointment since most of the volunteers could buy very little on their $50 a month allotment.

.Betsy’s first job for the Peace Corps was working as a social assistant in a hospital helping the supervisor translate anything into English and welcoming the new patients that were ambulatory.  However, after a short time, Betsy was transferred to the city of Labé (Tropical Savannah climate at an altitude of over 3000 ft) to teach English as a second language in the high school there. Labé is currently the second most important city economically in Guinea even though its population is rather small (about 200,000). I am sure that in 1964, it was even smaller.  Betsy was called Mademoiselle Teacher throughout the rest of her stay in Guinea.  During her second year, she moved again, this time to KanKan (Also with a tropical Savannah climate but significantly hotter than Labé) where she taught English to 9th and 10thgraders.  The head of the school there had only one ESL book and asked Betsy to get more copies from the Peace Corps.  They managed to scrounge up six more books. So the students would sit together at round tables and share the books with one another.  Because this was the first group of Peace Corps volunteers that served in Guinea, the Peace Corps didn’t know what they would need to fulfill their tasks.

Even in the early years, the Peace Corps fulfilled its three major goals:

  1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
  2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
  3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans

While we don’t have much information about the results of the agricultural unit, certainly the ability to offer ESL classes given by native speakers who were there to meet and share their lives with the residents of their host country definitely met the Peace Corps criteria for success.

Here are some of Betsy’s quotes:

“They loved that I was an American.  Most of them had never met one.  And they were impressed that I had traveled so far to be with them.  They were all interested in my hair and the color of my skin.

“I found that some of the culture was difficult for me because it felt as if women were treated as second class citizens.  Very few were in the government.  Some were teachers.

“I loved being in the Peace Corps.  I would always talk with the students after school because they wanted to spend more time with me.  At the end of my stay, it was difficult to leave, but at the same time, I was ready to come home. I missed my family and I missed the ease of life in the United States. The Republic of Guinea was a very poor country, but also felt very glamorous for me.  After I had been there for a year, half the people knew who I was.  This did not happen in Boston.  And when I returned, I really didn’t leave the Peace Corps completely behind.  I worked for them in Washington DC for over a year.

“And yes… Thanks to the Peace Corps and the Republic of Guinea, I danced with Harry Belafonte. He had come to Conakry for almost a week in search of dancers for his company.  He asked me to dance.  I almost passed out!”

 

 

 

 

Behind the Shelves at the Manor Library

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Anne Newins

By Anne Newins, with assistance from Sophia McMillen, Jan Hines, Lynda Hansen,
Liz Caldwell, and Bonny Turner

Hundreds of residents utilize the Manor library every year, checking out books, reading newspapers and magazines, or just enjoying the comfortable reading areas. Questions arise about library operations, so the purpose of this article is answer some of the most common ones.

How is the library operated?

The library is operated completely by volunteers. About 25 volunteers are responsible for checking books in and out, shelving, and other tasks that are obvious to patrons. Behind the shelves, volunteers also handle less visible functions. The library falls under the leadership of Sophia McMillen, a retired academic librarian at the University of Hawaii. Sophia and Lynda Hansen are responsible for cataloguing books, a complex process, with the assistance of Barbara Maxfield. Bonny Turner oversees the budget and volunteer training. Jan Hines is responsible for book acquisitions. Liz Caldwell handles a myriad of other functions, not the least of which is tracking circulation. Among Anne Newins’ duties is determining when to remove books from the collection.

How is the library funded?

According to Bonny Turner, the RVM library receives 100% of its funding through donations from our residents in the way of bequests and tax-deductible year end donations to the Foundation. Most of these monies are budgeted annually for the purchase of new books, three newspaper subscriptions, and annual software maintenance. All magazines and audiobooks are donated by residents. A minor amount is allotted for unseen expenses. The Resident Council provides a small amount for out-of-pocket expenses, such as inexpensive office supplies.

How are books chosen?

Jan Hines is responsible for determining which books will be added to the library collection. Jan reported that “out of hundreds of new books published each month, only a few are purchased for the RVM library,” due in part to space limitations. According to Jan, “Books chosen are those appealing to the greatest number of RVM readers. Most residents prefer fiction, although there is a small group of dedicated non-fiction readers. Reviews from at least five sources are read for all books under consideration and the final list is checked for diversity and balance.” The monthly book order usually consists of ten to twelve recent publications, including non-fiction, favorite authors, mysteries and thrillers, and “occasionally a ‘sleeper’ to keep things interesting.” Fortunately, more popular large print books are available than in the past.

A number of books are donated by residents, which helps stretch the library budget. Many of these donations are passed onto the Annex for sale because of their age, condition, are duplicate copies, or because they do not meet the criteria listed above. Books that are heavy (weight-wise), “hard science,” or “classical” literature are rarely circulated and are not likely to be kept.

For efficiency, it is best if these types of books are donated directly to the Annex. New and popular duplicate copies also are redirected to the Health Center and Care Suites, where collections of non-catalogued books are kept for residents.

Most books written by Manor authors are added to the collection if they will be of general interest. No chemistry textbooks, please!

What online services are available for readers?

The library uses two types of technology, Atriuum and OPAC. Atriuum is used for many library operations, including cataloguing, circulation, book reserve lists, and overdue tracking. The stalwart volunteers have catalogued about 10,000 books and audio books just since 2014, when the library converted from an old-fashioned card system. OPAC is the system available for Manor patrons’ use, both from home or in the library.

Each resident has a user identification name and password. The user id normally is the resident’s initial and last name and the default password is their unit number. Residents may change their passwords if desired. The passwords do not automatically change if readers change residence. For help with user names or passwords, a friendly library volunteer can help.

OPAC easily is found on MyRVM. Simply link on “Libraries.” This will offer readers the option of choosing Books and Audiobooks or the DVD library. The OPAC main page offers a review of library services and gives instructions. If you log on, you will be able to reserve books, check when your books are due, and renew them if they are not being requested by others. You even may find a history of books you have checked out.

What if I need help?

The Manor library is open 24/7. It is staffed daily by volunteers, both morning and afternoon. They will be happy to answer any of your questions.

 

Silent Auction

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Craft Fair Silent Auction

October 25 to November 1

In the Manor Lobby

 

Proceeds will benefit

Fairy Godmother Scholarship Fund

 

Proceeds will benefit Piece Makers

November Library Display

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by Anne Newins

Manor Library volunteer Liz Caldwell recently compiled a list of the hundred most read books during the past year.  We thought the list might spur residents to see what others are reading and check them out themselves.  It became the inspiration for our November display.

Ellie Cannon, former Library volunteer

The books include an eclectic mixture of non-fiction, mysteries, thrillers and literary novels.  A complete list of authors is too long to include here, but they include best seller authors, as well as ones who may be less familiar.  One of my personal favorites Is Maggie O’Farrell, author of Hamnet. The most read book so far this year is The Sentinel (Lee Child), closely followed by Anxious People (Fredrik Backman), All the Devils are Here (Louise Penny), and The Four Winds (Kristin Hannah).

Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: the origins of our discontents, was the most popular non-fiction book, followed by Walter Isaacson’s The Code Breaker.   I can’t resist mentioning a large print volume titled The Secret Life of Groceries, by Benjamin Lorr.

Finally, mention should be made of the most circulated RVM publication over time:  Vision With a View, by our own Faye Isaak.   This history of Rogue Valley Manor has been read by many library users as well as people who have purchased or been given their own personal copies.

Pet Preparedness

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Prepare Your Pets for Disasters *

by Victoria Gorrell

Your pets are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your emergency plan. To prepare for the unexpected follow these tips with your pets in mind:

  1. Make a plan
  2. Build an emergency kit
  3. Stay informed

Make a Plan

If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry when you need to make a decision during an emergency. If local officials ask you to evacuate, that means your pet should evacuate too. If you leave your pets behind, they may end up lost, injured or worse.

Things to include in your plan:

  • Have an evacuation plan for your pet. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen.
  • Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
  • Have your pet microchipped. Make sure to keep your address and phone number up-to-date and include contact information for an emergency contact outside of your immediate area.
  • Contact your local emergency management office, animal shelter or animal control office to get additional advice and information if you’re unsure how to care for your pet in case of an emergency.

If you plan to shelter in either the Plaza or the Manor, your pet must be in a pet carrier or kennel. There will be other pets at your shelter-in-place location. It if YOUR responsibility to care for your pet and have it under your supervision during the evacuation. Please have at least 48 hours of food and water for your pet.

 Build a Kit for Your Pet

Just as you do with your own emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, such as food and water. Have two kits, one larger kit if you are sheltering in place and one lightweight version for if you need to evacuate.  Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh.

Here are some items you may want to include in an emergency kit for your pet:

  • Food. Keep several days’ supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
  • Water. Store a water bowl and several days’ supply of water.
  • Medicine. Keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.
  • First aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs.
  • Collar with ID tag and a harness or leash. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag. Have copies of your pet’s registration information and other relevant documents in a waterproof container and available electronically
  • Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet.
  • Grooming items. Pet shampoo, conditioner and other items, in case your pet needs some cleaning up.
  • Sanitation needs. Include pet litter and litter box (if appropriate), newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.
  • A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
  • Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.

* Information from https://www.ready.gov/pets

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