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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Monday Talent Citizen of the Year: 'She just does stuff' Transportation desperately needed for paralyzed father Malawian inspires Ashland kids with ndizotheka — 'it is possible' Since You Asked: Crows 'commute' to feeding grounds Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Lawsuits claim sexual assault and whistle-blower retaliation at OnTrack Gang-related shooting in Portland sends 3 youth to hospital Emergency services Jail lobby commotion sends man back to cell 30 minutes after release Politics and Elections Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means East Medford's the charm Education St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Hedrick student council works to clean up the language Table Rock solid: Elementary school praised for keeping attendance up Eagle Point superintendent invited to White House Environment No fish, no funding for problem dams Most residents speak against gas pipeline Coalition asks for defense of GMO ban Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Bighorn sheep reintroduced along Klamath River State News As deadline nears, Oregon's health insurance signups still low Gang-related shooting in Portland sends 3 youth to hospital GMO labeling proponents concede defeat Tribes can decide whether to legalize pot Lawyer says football player had altercation Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Diana DeVoe Logan Ronald Bombick In Memory of Richard Eugene Snyder Rudy Giorgetti Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Hope lost Crater, North strong at Coast Classic Spartans complete sweep of Totems Raiders self-destruct in loss to Chiefs No. 3 Florida State turns to practice field Varsity 541 College Sports No. 3 Florida State turns to practice field Smith big in SOU’s rout of Pacific Union Baker happy to have Heisman company Mariota takes Heisman in landslide Brooks, Oregon beat Illinois Pro Sports Hope lost Spartans complete sweep of Totems Raiders self-destruct in loss to Chiefs Scott claims Australian gold Spartans race to early lead in win Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Honda’s CR-V goes uptown again Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate Blog: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like... K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks State lags on grocery inspections Real Estate News Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 People in Business, Nov. 18 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Agriculture K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Dec. 15 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 14 Our View: Dana Milbank: The coarsening of politics George Will: The cheerfulness of tax reform Editorials Our View: Other Views: Riley leaves strong legacy at OSU Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Sentencing reform pays dividends Our View: Find middle ground on timber policy Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 15 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 14 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 12 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 11 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 10 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Forest thinning means water for the future Guest Opinion: Suit threatens family farms and democratic vote Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Lifestyle Latest stories Honda’s CR-V goes uptown again Mark L. Hopkins: The most wonderful time of year Home Help: Create a happy homemade holiday Get A Life: The gift of meditation Give time as your holiday present Food Community blog: Gobble gougeres as appetizers or with light meals Community blog: Choose presents cooks can cherish, not regift Roasted vegetables are rich, flavorful Food for Thought: Meal-planning hacks to help you dine fast and healthy Kitchen Call: Hints for gluten-free holidays Home and Garden Home Help: Create a happy homemade holiday Rogue Valley Christmas light displays Remodeling your attic: Know the details before you start Dear Monty: When a lawyer’s fee is four times higher than the quote Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Health Community blog: Saving Lives Health Watch: Curb your kitchen cravings this holiday season Community blog: Unsubscribe.com Community blog: Redefining Family Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Milestones and Achievements Ashland celebrates 'Wild' screening with Cheryl Strayed Asante merger stabilizes Ashland hospital's finances Time running out for O&C funds Hire 'em and pray for snow Madi-Stiles Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories TMTO's 'Christmas Carol' a big, warmhearted extravaganza Phil Newton & David Pinsky at 2Hawk Winery Live Music in Local Clubs Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Meet the real Jacob Marley Theater Meet the real Jacob Marley This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist Plumbing the depths of meaning TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Theater review: 'Fiddler' charms audience in magical Camelot performance Music Rating old-timers’ albums from 2014 Phil Newton & David Pinsky at 2Hawk Winery Handel's 'Messiah' set for this weekend Live Music in Local Clubs Bob Haworth plays EdenVale Winery Community Events Rogue Valley Christmas light displays It's a Hamazon holiday at the Playwright Public House 4 Things to do this Week Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Dining Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW 'Wild' author recounts journey from book to film ... Since You Asked: Crows 'commute' to feeding grounds ... Ashland celebrates 'Wild' screening with Cheryl Strayed ... 'Wild' author recounts journey from book to film ... Since You Asked: Crows 'commute' to feeding grounds ... Ashland celebrates 'Wild' screening with Cheryl Strayed ... SOUTHERN OREGON JOURNAL Give time as your holiday present By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 14, 2014 @ 12:01 am By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 14, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News “Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.” — Dale Evans When friends ask if you have extra greens from your Christmas tree to share, just say yes, even if you wanted them all for yourself. From where I sit, I’m watching the raw, jagged ends of my broken fir tree balance like giant chopsticks in the arms of the companion tree next to it. Though it just missed my fence, I will be relieved to see Cousin Tom roll in with his pickup, chainsaw and sharpened pole pruner to extricate my fallen boughs. The wind came slashing and tearing today (Thursday). My loss is minimal. Although some will consider today’s storm old news by the time they read this, others will carry it as a lifelong memory. Within our small north valley sphere, I know of two collapsed barns and two devastating fires, at least one from a downed power line. For those folks, I pray that the answers will redeem the questions with good things. I’d planned to write about the Twelve Days of Christmas Spirit since the big celebration is a mere 12 days off. I researched and prepared a list of 12 local charities worthy of thought and financial support. But given the drama that weather performs so arrestingly, I began to consider all those behind the scenes who give of the most precious and non-renewable commodity — time. All I needed to do was pick up the phone and tell my cousin of the tree debacle. I knew if he wasn’t already on a call with the Lake Creek Volunteer Fire crew, he would come. Most of rural Southern Oregon relies heavily on people who avail themselves at all hours of the day and night to help a neighbor in need; whether it’s a wildfire, auto accident, rescue or another emergency, they’re ready to drop their dinner fork or wake from a snuggly winter sleep to answer the call. “Our main responsibility is to protect life and structures,” Tom told me. When I asked him why he decided to join up, he said, “I heard they were short-handed.” Simple. There are only about 10 people serving with the Lake Creek crew that covers quite a large area and, as I’m sure is the case with most volunteer fire/rescue departments, they’re always looking to train more good neighbors. Part of what Tom enjoys is the camaraderie with fellow volunteers he may never have met otherwise. He likes people. I realized that even though he often shares potential column ideas with me, he never has proposed one about his work with LCFD or his time spent with the Lake Creek Watershed Council. And now he’s come to my aid, chainsaw in hand. And all I offered him for pay was a tuna fish sandwich and a slice of pumpkin bread. More on that later. As I contemplated each charity on my list, it dawned that behind each endeavor, whether feeding the hungry or rescuing animals, there stood an army of volunteers offering the most precious commodity of their time. This year, I plan to remind my selfish self to release a few of the hours that I clutch, and reap the reward. We were made for community. Come visit me at my Facebook page at Peggy Dover-writer. I’ll post my list of charities there. Christine, fellow volunteer with the SMART reading program, told how a family she knew decided to buy fewer gifts for their children and allow them to choose a charity to help. What a great way to encourage youngsters to think outside the toy box. Meanwhile, I see Lynn, wading around out there in an ankle-deep shag carpet of festive evergreen boughs, clippers in hand, harvesting all she can use. Yes, Lynn, I have extra greens. Take what you need. And for Tom, one banana cream pie made from scratch.       By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 14, 2014 @ 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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. 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