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1 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 Medford schools superintendent gets high marks Since You Asked: School zone speed limit always 20 mph Emergency Services, March 3 St. Mary's robotics team qualifies for state competition Ninth Street crash in Grants Pass claims life of 19-year-old woman Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, March 3 California homicide leads to arrest in Talent Fire torches trailer of hay off Crater Lake Avenue Volunteers help police nab three graffiti suspects in a week Emergency services, March 2 Politics and Elections Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Education Medford schools superintendent gets high marks St. Mary's robotics team qualifies for state competition LIFEArt plans to open gallery in Medford MSD considers adding a health center at one of the city's high schools Absenteeism in Oregon schools prompts bill that would tie funding to attendance, not enrollment Environment The new normal under climate change? 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Moffitt Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Virginia garners ACC crowns with victory over Syracuse Kersey remembered at service Tempers flare in Heat win over Suns RESULTS / STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Varsity 541 College Sports Virginia garners ACC crowns with victory over Syracuse Raiders play for tourney title tonight Learning Curve Ducks beat Cardinal, clinch Pac-12 tourney bye Oregon upsets No. 19 Stanford Pro Sports Kersey remembered at service Tempers flare in Heat win over Suns To tag or not to tag an NFL quandary Kings Conquered Poulter, Casey share lead at Honda Community Sports Business Latest Stories Local businesses still feeling effects of port slowdown Blog: Costco teams up with Citi for its next credit card Silvio Calabi: Volvo XC60 is sexy safety in an SUV Business Briefs: Feb. 28 People in Business: Feb. 28 Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business People in Business Transportation Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, March 3 Michael Gerson: Scott Walker's cynical comments on faith Kent Bush: Minnie Minoso was famous for the right reasons Matthew T. Mangino: Bite-mark analysis — science or charlatanry Letters to the Editor, March 2 Editorials Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government Other Views: Brown's list of challenges is lengthy Our View: School attendance bill could backfire Our View: Higher education still getting too little Our View: Adjusting for unintended consequences Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 3 Letters to the Editor, March 2 Letters to the Editor, March 1 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 28 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 27 Columns Michael Gerson: Scott Walker's cynical comments on faith Kent Bush: Minnie Minoso was famous for the right reasons Dana Milbank: Jeb Bush, CPAC pinata Charles Krauthammer: The fatal flaw in the Iran deal GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinions GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Lifestyle Latest stories Dr. Elaine Heffner: How much freedom should we allow kids? Food for Thought: Get creative with after-school snacks 'She Stoops' rises on SOU stage Paul Rogers: Looking for signs of new life Blog: Happiest birthday to the dearest of Seusses Food Food for Thought: Get creative with after-school snacks Gail Ciampa: Curried cauliflower soup gets creaminess from coconut Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Community blog: Support local CSA farms by signing up Saturday Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Cheeseburger pie is the perfect winter comfort food Home and Garden Paul Rogers: Looking for signs of new life Home Help: Enhance your home-office experience Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Dear Monty: Home seller questions agent ethics Home Help: Low-maintenance landscaping ideas Health HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Community blog: How I Became Radical: The Power of Acceptance Community blog: The Guest List: Check! Health Watch: Sticking to your health plan when your family isn’t helping Community blog: Finding Your Indomitable Spirit to Defeat Addiction Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' Ashland High School presents 'Leading Ladies' Live Music in Local Clubs HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory An all-new Rising Stars music competition kicks off this weekend Theater 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment 'She Stoops' rises on SOU stage TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' Review: OSF elevates the neglected 'Pericles' Review: In "Much Ado," why not let Shakespeare be Shakespeare? Music Ashland High School presents 'Leading Ladies' Rogue Valley Symphony showcases Anton Bruckner and Richard Wagner Live Music in Local Clubs HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory An all-new Rising Stars music competition kicks off this weekend Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Dining Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Get Up & Go: Tuesday, March 3 ... Ninth Street crash in Grants Pass claims life of 19-year-old woman ... Ashland cell tower hearing postponed ... Get Up & Go: Tuesday, March 3 ... Ninth Street crash in Grants Pass claims life of 19-year-old woman ... Ashland cell tower hearing postponed ... SOUTHERN OREGON JOURNAL The waitress — Never stopping, never dropping Comment By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 15, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 15, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News She labors eight hours a day on her feet, hustling from kitchen to table and back. As long as our stomachs are happy, we barely acknowledge her existence. This one goes out to all the unsung heroines of the wait staff trade with my deepest respect. I know waiters work hard too, but this one’s for the gals. The hard working moms and wives who don support stockings and comfy shoes, and whose forearms bear the scars of their profession from balancing hot plates. The other day, my friend John and I met for lunch at Elmer’s in Medford. While we talked, our waitress scurried one direction with her arms full, then reversed with empty ones, returning with a pot of coffee, bottle of catsup, a cup of hot tea — like a Dr. Seuss character, never stopping and never dropping a thing. She obviously knew her stuff, and since she was the only waitperson on duty, speed and efficiency were necessary talents. She happened to be a woman I’ve known for more years than seems possible. Her name was Darlene Sheile. I got to thinking about waitressing, as I have before, and how taxing it must be, having to satisfy picky appetites and cranky demeanors while smiling and wishing you could soak your feet. I wondered how long she’d been doing that, so I asked. She told me she’d started at age 24 and was now 60. I asked if she’d be willing to talk with me about her experiences. It began in Moses Lake, Washington, when Darlene fabricated a story for the interviewer at the Chinese-American eatery about a fake restaurant and telephone number where she’d worked for six months. A little later, they told her it was hard for them to believe she’d waited tables for only six months. I can see her smile. She’s never looked back from her gutsy beginning, and after a full day’s work, she shared her credo with me. “I love people. I’m a people person,” Darlene admitted. Customers come and go. Tips happen or sometimes they don’t, but everyone is equal in her eyes. She gives the same level of service to a homeless man in need of a bath as to a successful looking business person. “I wait on people the way I want to be waited on,” she said. That’s how she’s hung in there for 30-plus years. In the afternoon, she covers all the tables, buses and cashiers. When she’s crazy busy like that, she often feels like the stereotypical hash slinger, but she follows up to insure that everyone’s happy. Of course, some folks never are happy, and there’s not much she can do about that. But Darlene doesn’t hold a grudge. If they don’t tip, she extends grace and suggests that maybe it was a special treat for the family to have dinner out. She has regulars, like the Escapees, a group of RV enthusiasts who know and love her. Darlene doesn’t get stiffed by the regulars, and she reaps the occasional $100 gratuity. But tips don’t power her motivation. Sheile says, “If someone comes in looking down and gloomy, and if I can put a smile on their face, I feel like I’ve done my job.” It’s important to her that she does a good job — that she brings diners their food hot and appetizing and makes sure it’s everything they wanted. She even prays for customers whom she knows are facing tough circumstances. Darlene’s friendliness and concern for Elmer’s customers end in June of 2016. Her husband, Larry, and she bought land at the coast near Florence. But her high energy has an outlet, and they won’t be staring at coastal sunsets every night. She looks forward to riding her pink/purple pearlized Banshee dune buggy over the sand. “That baby hums,” she said of her toy. And at Elmer’s Pancake House, so does Darlene. Peggy Dover is a freelance writer. Visit her Facebook page at Peggy Dover-writer and contact her at [email protected] By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 15, 2015 at 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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