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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 Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Homeless-serving groups get together ... Hanson Howard Gallery in Ashland features bird art ... Ashland woman trying to save family in Kenya ... Homeless-serving groups get together ... Hanson Howard Gallery in Ashland features bird art ... Ashland woman trying to save family in Kenya ... LOCAL TAKE Local Take: Do you miss Lithia water? Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Feb. 8, 2016 at 8:24 PM Updated Feb 8, 2016 at 8:27 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Feb. 8, 2016 at 8:24 PM Updated Feb 8, 2016 at 8:27 PM What do you think? --> What do you think?Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter. » Read more X What do you think? What do you think? Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter . » Social News Lithia water, that sulfurous-tasting stuff that comes out of a fountain on the Ashland Plaza, is notable among tourists and townies for two things – its yuckie taste (for most people) and its alleged health benefits, especially as a tonic that brings some kind of inner peace and balance. This, according to oral tradition, comes from the presence of the element lithium in the naturally occurring bubbly form of lithium bicarbonate — also in carbonates of calcium and magnesium. Healing Lithia water was one of the many things tried to make Ashland catch on with tourists. These included car camping in Lithia Park, the edifying lectures and concerts of the Chautauqua dome, the park itself, created as an arboretum by the Chautauqua Ladies, and, in 1935, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, hatched by Angus Bowmer. This magical water was discovered spouting out by the airport and, at no small expense, a bond issue was floated to pipe it into town where it was gushed from many spots and also bottled for sale. It still flows to fountains in the gazebo by the Lithia Park Bandshell and in the downtown Plaza. Old-timers once passed along anecdotes of magical healings and soothings of erratic behaviors of those with manic-depression, as bipolar used to be called. Making lemonade of Lithia water was also highly favored. (Scientists inform us that you'd likely die of drinking too much water before you'd ingest enough lithium to have any clinical effect on your mood. Party poopers.) A fond pastime of Ashlanders over the decades has been to praise the effervescent taste of Lithia waters and encourage tourists to take a gulp. Hilarious photos are then snapped as people, especially children, screw up their faces and spit it all over. Lithia water in January fell under a shadow as tests showed it had elevated levels of the element barium or its compounds, which occur naturally. The city is researching this change, with speculation it might be related to recent drought. Out of an abundance of caution, they shut off the fountains. They hope to have Lithia water assuming its iconic spot in the Ashland tourist trade before the crowds arrive. Don't worry; if you ingest water with levels of barium far above that so far detected over a period of years, the only known ill effect is a slight rise in blood pressure. We asked Ashlanders if they like Lithia water, use it for health reasons or want it back. Jacie Gray — I have on occasion had some. It’s charming. I love to see what happens when people try it. It’s part of what makes Ashland, Ashland. Words don’t describe its taste. Nothing tastes like it. Ann Gagnon — Years ago I tried it. I don’t care for the taste. Twenty years later, I haven’t gone back to it. When it’s considered safe to drink it again, I will give it another shot. Sarah Paul — It’s horrible. I tried it ages ago, when I was a volunteer at the information booth on the Plaza. It was fun to watch people make faces when they tried it. Someone said it’s very good for us. Bipolar people use it for the lithium. Grail Douglas — It has an interesting taste but I wonder how many minerals are going through my kidneys and what they’re doing. I always like to know what I’m drinking. Some friends swear by it, when we are walking through the park. I point out where it drips a lot (by the gazebo, where it looks like rust all over the rocks). I have mixed feelings about it, the iron and calcium, but those are supposed to be good for you. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Feb. 8, 2016 at 8:24 PM Updated Feb 8, 2016 at 8:27 PM » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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