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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 Spring Sidewalk Sale runs for three days ... Police reports, May 11-12 ... Streets Report: 16 steps city is taking to address situation on Ashland streets ... Spring Sidewalk Sale runs for three days ... Police reports, May 11-12 ... Streets Report: 16 steps city is taking to address situation on Ashland streets ... AS IT WAS As It Was: An active senior citizen who headed for the hills — and stayed Comment By Marjorie O'Harra Southern Oregon Historical Society DailyTidings.com By Marjorie O'Harra Southern Oregon Historical Society Posted May. 4, 2016 at 4:55 PM By Marjorie O'Harra Southern Oregon Historical Society Posted May. 4, 2016 at 4:55 PM » RELATED CONTENT • As It Was: Ashland Natatorium gave way to Twin Plunges • As It Was: The Ruch family tragedy overcome by town's founder... • History book marks centenary of Lithia Park dedication • As It Was: America Butler's diary a window into 'women's work'... • As It Was: Maryum's rose rode west on a wagon train » Social News These days, active senior citizens abound. We think nothing of them flying airplanes, running marathons and living healthy, productive lives well into their 80s and beyond. But in 1946, Stella Patterson did something remarkable even by today's standards and downright amazing for her time. Stella was an author living in San Francisco, where she enjoyed concerts, lectures, parties — all the refinements of city life. One day she decided she would leave it all to spend a year in a cabin on her mining claim along the Klamath River in the Siskiyou Mountains of northern California. Stella Patterson was 80 years old. Life alone in a remote cabin meant taking chances. There were terrible storms, rattlesnakes and an encounter with a mountain lion. But there were also wonderful experiences with the changing seasons, the garden flowers, good neighbors in the hills, and endearing characters — like Frenchie, a garlic-nibbling, book-reading fellow of questionable background, and Millicent, a little Karok Indian girl who loved to read Emily Post. At the end of her year, on her 81st birthday, Stella concluded that she wanted to continue this good life close to the soil, and so she stayed on, eventually writing a book about her experiences titled "Dear Mad'm." Source: "Dear Mad'm" by Stella Patterson. As It Was is a co-production of Jefferson Public Radio and the Southern Oregon Historical Society. As It Was stories are broadcast weekdays on Jefferson Public Radio and are available online at asitwas.org . By Marjorie O'Harra Southern Oregon Historical Society DailyTidings.com By Marjorie O'Harra Southern Oregon Historical Society Posted May. 4, 2016 at 4:55 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... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501