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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 It's no con: 'Dirty Rotten' is hysterically funny ... Charter, marijuana tax measures await Talent voters ... Emigrant Lake drowning victim identified as Medford man ... It's no con: 'Dirty Rotten' is hysterically funny ... Charter, marijuana tax measures await Talent voters ... Emigrant Lake drowning victim identified as Medford man ... LABOR DAY GATHERING A recipe for community building Neighborhood get-together marks its 18th year Comment By Julie Raefield For The Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Raefield For The Tidings Posted Sep. 6, 2016 at 8:28 PM By Julie Raefield For The Tidings Posted Sep. 6, 2016 at 8:28 PM » Social News Take one holiday, add a dash of good food, a handful of families and an abundance of desire to build a neighborhood. Let rise on a fall day in a peaceful, secluded spot. Serve it up with a nod to history and everyone’s contributions. That is the secret to 18 successful years of the annual Labor Day gathering on Starlite Place in Ashland — and a simple recipe that might inspire others. “We are all connected in some way,” said Jean Scott, one of the four founding “mothers” of the neighborhood potluck. “We just knew that we should do something to bring people together.” The results are evident in the ease with which the 40 or so neighbors stand together laughing and chatting, enjoying the sumptuous snacks and wide array of beverages contributed by each family. “We’ve tried to keep it simple,” added Sandy Friend, another of the event founders. “We don’t have music or games, just food and friends. We wanted it to be sustainable. Oh, and, we take photos each year.” Friend is referring to the beautiful photo collages on display strung between ladders decorated with fall foliage and a few other symbols reminding all of the impending change of season. “Ed Mills and I have been taking the photos since our first gathering in 1999,” noted Scott — who, as a retired middle-school teacher, has put her skills to work creating the visual history of the annual event. “There are photos of children in that first event in 1999 who are now adults,” Scott said enthusiastically. “There are people who have come and gone from the neighborhood and this helps us remember everyone. I like to say that people may have moved on but they are never forgotten.” Perhaps it is that sense of belonging, plus an open nod to the way in which neighbors share each other’s world, which has knit together this band of residents from the top of Walker Road hill – including homes on Pinecrest Terrace, Ponderosa Drive, Timberline Terrace and Starlite Place. “This event makes ours a very special neighborhood,” said Scott. “We can count on one another and watch out for one another. It is sort of an informal way of creating a Neighborhood Watch program.” The logistics of the gathering involve hand delivering “save the date” invitations two weeks prior. The evening begins at 5 p.m. for the invitees and ends around dusk. For the three or four folks who take on set-up duties, there is only about one hour of work to set up tables ahead, and to string up the photo collages. “We do ask everyone to bring a simple dish and their own preferred beverage to share,” said Friend. “We have one couple who tries to bring homemade ice cream each year, which is a real treat!” The biggest piece of the event puzzle, the photo collages, is a labor of love for Scott and Mills. “We just like being able to keep track of everyone who has contributed,” said Scott, who, along with Wells, takes candid shots and knits together a lovely visual history of the days’ gathering each year. The event has also spawned other community enrichment opportunities for the neighborhood since it is a time when news and ideas can be shared. This year, Ashland Food Project Neighborhood Coordinators Mike and Merry Vediner set up their AFP information table during the evening and gave a short invitation to all gathered to become contributors. “Our neighborhood was one of the first in Ashland to get involved,” said Merry Vediner with obvious pride. “We are so lucky to have so many people who want to get involved.” “And, really, because this has been such a wonderful experience for all of us,” said Scott, “we hope that this will inspire other neighborhoods to create this kind of gathering!” By Julie Raefield For The Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Raefield For The Tidings Posted Sep. 6, 2016 at 8:28 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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