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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 Couple's creativity and hard work fuel Kid Time! preschool expansion LNG project: Where the gas would flow, so would the money Time for a little winter prospecting Get Up & Go: Dec. 28 Employers brace for new laws in 2015 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Suspect in high-speed chase still unaccounted for Emergency services Emergency services Woman and grandson lose home in fire Politics and Elections State certifies recount showing failure of GMO-labeling measure 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 Education Traveling artist sets the stage for Ruch School amphitheater Ruch school class focuses on the natural environment Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Logos may offer students 'fifth year' at RCC or SOU St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament Environment Monument expansion expected to increase tourism, protect resources Biologist resigns over LNG reporting failure Bird flu discovered in Winston backyard flock Jackson County holds back on enforcing GMO ban for now No fish, no funding for problem dams State News Oregon missionary deported back to U.S. faces molestation charges Poverty rate in Oregon schools jumps since 2007 Northwest poultry producers fear bird flu outbreak may hurt exports John Day loggers, conservationists cut a deal to save a mill Seaside man accused in child's death Nation - World Obama makes Maduro’s ‘insolent Yankees’ line harder to sell Obituaries Patricia Ann Burton Alan Leslie Kenmoen Sharon Kay Boldt David A. Schneider Dovie Mae Stout Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Beavers' Andersen hires offensive coaches No. 10 Beavers fall to No. 8 Vols Falls comes up big for South Medford UCLA isn’t looking back after Kentucky shellacking Raptors halt Clippers' home streak Varsity 541 College Sports Beavers' Andersen hires offensive coaches No. 10 Beavers fall to No. 8 Vols UCLA isn’t looking back after Kentucky shellacking No. 1 Kentucky holds off No. 4 Louisville Winston is in his 'sanctuary' at Rose Bowl Pro Sports Raptors halt Clippers' home streak NBA’s trading season has started early Ryan cleans out office, awaits his fate Garrett refused to give up on Cowboys McCaskey's Bears legacy is on the line Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape Business Latest Stories LNG project: Where the gas would flow, so would the money Southern Oregon Surrogacy Center opens in Medford Silvio Calabi: GLA250 is a Merc for the masses Blog: The Holidays Have Arrived Falling gas prices help spur travel at Medford airport Real Estate News Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate More sales, but no change in residential housing median price People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 Transportation Falling gas prices help spur travel at Medford airport Agriculture K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Opinion Latest Our View: Council is barking up the right tree Letters to the Editor, Dec. 28 Another View: Jeb Bush's Republican primary hurdles Dana Milbank: Larry Klayman's legal massacre Robert Samuelson: The best stats of 2014 Editorials Our View: Council is barking up the right tree Other Views: Roseburg VA director sets the right goals Our View: Thanks to four departing leaders Other Views: Yes, Virginia ... 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Friday: Last 3-Team Parlay of 2014 Keeps the Empties in the Garage Longer Community blog: Why New Year�s Resolutions Don�t Work and What to Do Instead Fishing report: Friday, Dec. 26 Food Food for Thought: Wintertime wining and dining Kitchen Call: The comfort of creamy soups Community blog: Baking contest finalists combine cookies, candies Community blog: 'Cookbook Book' digests genre's past 300 years Community blog: Liver pat� an easy nosh for Hanukkah and beyond Home and Garden Dear Monty: Can a rookie real estate agent be a good choice? Bathtub or shower: What’s best for you? Home Help: Home safety tips for a safe and happy winter season How NOT to install drywall Dear Monty: Siblings dispute inherited real estate Health Community blog: Why New Year�s Resolutions Don�t Work and What to Do Instead Community blog: I Get It. Took a While. Health Watch: Small diet changes can make a big difference Community blog: Removing Barriers Is Good Insurance Health Watch: Change up your treadmill workout Hiking Biking Faith (No heading) Churches, synagogs host seasonal events Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Milestones and Achievements Pear Blossom queen has open heart surgery Hundreds enjoy Christmas dinner, gifts at St. Vincent de Paul SinceYou Asked: SBA would work with Mt. Ashland Ski Area about loan Fans, friends and family welcome home victorious SOU team at airport Wedding: Boldt-Mahon Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Dobra Tea menu offers hundreds of brews SugarBeats headline an all-ages dance party at Historic Ashland Armory In the Pocket releases 'I Got News' Live Music in Local Clubs Celebrate winter solstice with the Bad Film Society Theater ACT presents reading of 'The Quality of Life' 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' Music SugarBeats headline an all-ages dance party at Historic Ashland Armory In the Pocket releases 'I Got News' Live Music in Local Clubs Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Holly and the Ivy' Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Community Events Celebrate winter solstice with the Bad Film Society Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" returns to the Craterian Theater Stefan Baumann and Eugene Bennett highlight Third Fridays Dancing People Company celebrates the solstice Dance to the Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Dining Dobra Tea menu offers hundreds of brews Food for Thought: Wintertime wining and dining Coffee shops roll out holiday-inspired drinks Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: Council is barking up the right tree ... Suspect in high-speed chase still unaccounted for ... Southern Oregon Surrogacy Center opens in Medford ... Our View: Council is barking up the right tree ... Suspect in high-speed chase still unaccounted for ... Southern Oregon Surrogacy Center opens in Medford ... SOUTHERN OREGON JOURNAL Time for a little winter prospecting Comment By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 28, 2014 @ 12:01 am By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 28, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News I’m not one for crowds, so during the fevered shopping rush of the recent past, my friend Lynn and I escaped the clogged arterial hubs of Medford for a scenic 45-minute jaunt north, past Lost Creek Lake to Prospect, a town built long ago by the logging industry and home of the Cougars. The Prospect Hotel was hosting a High Tea and Craft Faire, and that was all the excuse I needed. Prospect sits just off Highway 62 and has no connection with gold mining. When the Post Office appeared in 1882, the town was named Deskins, after the postmaster. It wasn’t until 1889 that they changed the name in anticipation of the railroad laying tracks along the Rogue River, which was bound to improve the town’s prospects. Instead, the tracks went through Butte Falls, a neighboring logging town. Prospect’s population of approximately 650 is roughly half of what it was during more robust days, but those who remain are a determined lot who have found a way to survive and live simply and contentedly among friends and family. It was my pleasure to make the acquaintance of a few Prospectors while there. Each tidy guest room invited us inside, some with local artisans displaying their goods. Through one door we found Steve Little and family along with examples of his woodworking skills and his daughter’s pine needle baskets and paintings. I struck up a conversation with Steve and talked about Prospect’s current prospects. “There’s no logging anymore. You have to have your own thing,” he told me. Further entrepreneurial examples were found in the next room with Debbie and her Herbal Creations — handmade skin soothers — and her mother-in-law, Marie who hand embroidered attractive tea towels. After forking over some money for their goods, I asked what was special about their town. They were quick to say it was the people and small-town way of life that they cherished. They were happy there, and had found a way to supplement their income. They’re part of an exclusive residency, whether or not they would state it that way. The town is landlocked — bordered by Pacific Power property and U.S. Forest Service land with no room for expansion. I enjoyed a visit with Fred and Karen Wickman, owners/proprietors of the charming Prospect Hotel B&B. The hotel was originally a stagecoach stop, built in 1889. Karen handed me a postcard of the old gal pre-makeover. With vacant windows and the roof half torn off, it looked as if it was ready to collapse without a trace of its purpose except for what was written in historical records. But in 1989, for its 100th birthday, it was given a second chance. Now it’s a year-round bed with full breakfast boasting 10 rooms with private baths. The dining room is open from May through October. More information is available at www.prospecthotel.com. We’d lunched at rustic Beckie’s Café, famous for their pies (no, alas, we didn’t), 11 miles up the road, so we had to pass on the high tea menu, though I heard murmurings from sated guests that the food was delicious. We did manage a gander at the dining room. It transported me smack into a scene from a 1940s movie. We did post ourselves on a parlor settee to enjoy a glass of local wine from Crater Lake Cellars. I asked Fred if he was happy with his chef. “I’m married to my chef!” was his enthusiastic reply. There’s a tendency to assume Prospect is often inaccessible in winter because it’s on the way to Crater Lake. But, there’s a 4,000-foot ascent from Prospect to the park. Prospect sits at just 2,600 feet — normally below heavy snowfall and always above dismal valley fog. With three nearby, easy hikes to gape at amazing waterfalls (maps available at the hotel), Prospect is a great choice for a peaceful winter getaway to prepare for a fresh year. Peggy Dover is a freelance writer who works from a 1900 farmhouse in Eagle Point. Reach her at [email protected].   By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 28, 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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