Document text
Southern Oregon Journal: Talent is full of talent and charm Sunday Mar 5, 2017 at 12:01 AM By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune My friend Lane Hall recently moved from the Hillcrest area of east Medford to Talent. I found this appropriate given his talent for art, and the city of Talent embraces the arts, as I recently discovered. Settler A.P. Tallent, with two L’s, a Tennessee transplant, platted the city in the 1880s. I don’t know whether he had a talented bone in his body, but postal officials dropped the second "L," and it’s been Talent ever since. I could probably count the number of times I’ve perused Talent on two fingers. I’m often in Medford or Ashland but rarely make in-between stops. I was curious to explore a small town I generally whiz right by on I-5. It’s not in my nature to whiz by a town with character, an official Bee City to boot, and one that may harbor a few choice characters. From Lane’s place, we were able to cross the tracks and walk through charming old-town aspects of Talent. I have to love a village with a train running through it, and I plan to flatten a penny on the rails there soon. We walked around just checking out some of the residential history and enjoying the diverse personalities. I mean, who wouldn’t get a lift from a fence made entirely of snow skis? It was a sunny, cool day, and we enjoyed our afternoon, grazing from one eating and drinking establishment to another. Talent hosts several independently owned businesses, which means the owner/operators are a vested part of the culture and heartbeat of their home. The dinner bell had rung for us, so we made our way to Kindred Spirits. It welcomes people with art, good music and delicious local bites, beer and wine. We relished the curried chicken wrap accompanied with a glass of Dragonfly Tempranillo. Chatting with owner, artist and art teacher Cathy Dorris, it was clear she understood and valued the fundamental need for art that we all share one way or another. Music is also a big part of Kindred Spirits’ persona. Cathy invites various musicians and bands to play there on weekends. Oh, yes, she’s a percussionist too. She is one busy woman doing what she loves, and helping to shape a better town. It’s great when one can accomplish both. I saved part of my wrap so we could go for coffee and dessert somewhere, naturally. Our next stop was the Downtowne Coffee House, where I enjoyed one of the best cups of coffee I’ve ever had. Seriously, it was not a schmancy coffee drink, just the best tasting java I’ve had in quite a while. It didn’t hurt things one bit that, while drinking it, I munched a warmed, cherry-chocolate chip scone. Melt in your mouth, comes to mind. I keep asking myself how and when the diet is going to start with tempters putting goods like that out for me to try on behalf of others. Lane and I walked back to his place so he could get to work, but I drove down Wagner Creek Road and quickly found myself in pine country with farms and orchards. The mountains seem much closer in Talent. The afternoon breeze feels as if it’s whipping right off of snowy Mount Ashland. I look forward to a return visit, because there’s more to experience. Camelot Theater is there. Sweet Beet Station, formerly a railroad depot, is a cozy spot to grab a bite. Arbor House restaurant has a reputation for great dining, and Lane is partial to Talent Cafe’s buckwheat pancakes. I’ve heard people refer to Talent as a miniature Ashland, but I defend its personal identity. Though there are similarities, Talent maintains a charm and a character of its own. — Peggy Dover is a freelance writer living in Eagle Point. Email her at [email protected].