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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Ashland's Standing Stone Brewery owners to open Medford brew pub and restaurant Community actors balance day jobs, stage life Police Reports Ashland population jumps by up to 50,000 — bees Public works staff get close encounter of the ring-tailed kind Education Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland Ashland Runs on Volunteers: OLLI classes pay dividends in joy of teaching, learning New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Environment Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers Business Ashland's Standing Stone Brewery owners to open Medford brew pub and restaurant Cars We Remember: ‘Topper’ movie car most memorable Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Politics and elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Ashland's Knecht provides bright spot in Grizz nonleague loss to South Medford Blazers clinch playoff spot Thompson-Siporen second in decathlon Documentary about Southern Oregon University football's national championship team to screen for free Fantasy Sports: Reds’ Chapman opens list of top closers High school Ashland's Knecht provides bright spot in Grizz nonleague loss to South Medford Thompson-Siporen second in decathlon Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza Letters to the Editor, April 1 Landgren cartoon: European travel essentials Our View: One for the books Council Corner: Ashland’s climate plan Editorial Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza Our View: One for the books Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Letters Letters to the Editor, April 1 Letters to the Editor, March 30 Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Council Corner: Ashland’s climate plan Chris Honoré: Some political and social observations Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Ashland High grad performs at OSF's Hip Hop Open Mic Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' Ticket availability Ticket Availability Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Woman in Gold’ doesn’t shine Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Community actors balance day jobs, stage life Page H. Onorato: What’s on the menu for Easter? Page H. Onorato: Leftover ham and eggs make for some yummy dishes after Easter Carol Link: It’s time to get into shape for spring yard work Prudence Hilburn: Bake something different — cracker bread Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Ashland's Standing Stone Brewery owners to open Medford brew pub and restaurant ... Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland ... Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza ... Ashland's Standing Stone Brewery owners to open Medford brew pub and restaurant ... Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland ... Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza ... COUNCIL CORNER Council Corner: Volunteerism and its impact in Ashland Comment By Greg Lemhouse Ashland City Councilor DailyTidings.com By Greg Lemhouse Ashland City Councilor Posted Feb. 24, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Greg Lemhouse Ashland City Councilor Posted Feb. 24, 2015 at 12:01 AM What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this topic? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter or email t... » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this topic? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter or email [email protected] . » Social News I would say that many who live in Ashland and visit here would say that Ashland is a wonderful place to live. Count me among them. What makes Ashland special, though? Of course, there are many answers this question, but what I want to focus on today is the impact that volunteerism has on our town. In fact, let’s examine the return on investment (ROI, if you will) that volunteerism has on our community. Certainly one can begin by looking at the success of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival over the years and the positive impact it has had on our city. The work of the leadership and staff of the OSF over the many years should not be undervalued or underappreciated. Their collective vision and efforts have helped make Ashland a cultural destination and expanded opportunities for many in our town. However, we should not forget the many volunteers whose passion for the arts and commitment to make the experience a memorable one for attendees as one of the reasons so many return year after year. The same can be said for economic impact that volunteers have had at other cultural events, such as the Ashland Independent Film Festival, the Ashland Culinary Festival and the First Friday Art Walk (just to name a few). This same passion can be seen in the volunteers who put in countless hours each month with our local social service organizations and volunteer organizations in Ashland. In fact, I could spend my word limit on this article simply listing the worthy volunteer opportunities in town. The reason I am writing this article is not only to say thank you for the work of our many volunteers who serve in so many ways, it is also to remind us all how important the role of volunteering is in our society. I believe that as Ashlanders, we are very aware the impact a person can make on another’s life by simply asking “can I help?” and stepping in to do so without any expectation of payback. I believe we do it because we feel it is the right thing to do and somewhere in our past we were the beneficiaries of someone spending their time, energy and money to help us. However, I believe it goes even deeper than that. One would have to wonder where we would be as a society in general without the willingness of people to step up, having no expectation of remuneration, and volunteer to serve others. I fear that it would be a place we would not recognize, nor one we would want to live in. Fortunately, the love we have for one another, our desire to protect and help our neighbors thrive that drives us. I believe that it is a drive developed in us over many years, after our ancestors learned how important it was for a community to support each other that increased its chance at survival. The times we live in are no different. Volunteerism is not just a nice thing to put down on a resume or good for a "humble brag" at a dinner party. It is vital to our way of life. We face different challenges than our ancestors did, but in the end I believe that our ability to not only survives, but thrive as a community will depend on what we are willing to do for each other. So, for all of you that already give of your valuable time to help others, thank you, and to anyone who does not yet volunteer, make some time. Stretch a little. Get dirty. Meet some new people. Get a little uncomfortable. You will not only make someone’s life better, but you will find that your life will get exponentially better, too. You will also be contributing to the overall success of your species. Not a bad return on your investment. By Greg Lemhouse Ashland City Councilor DailyTidings.com By Greg Lemhouse Ashland City Councilor Posted Feb. 24, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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