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Residents partied, ordered pizza and (even) worked From staff reports It was the last hour of the last day of 1999. And Jim Teece was at work. It was to be expected -- Teece operates Project A, an Ashland software company. He, a paid crew of nine and a "bunch" of others were at the Project A office having a party and waiting for clients with computer problems to call. "We're watching movies, playing games and having as much fun as you can, like other people who are really having fun," Teece said. Many Rogue Valley residents did spend New Year's Eve on the job, thanks to millennium celebrations and Y2K worries, but others rang in 2000 at home with family or friends, and at parties. Here's a look at how people around the Rogue Valley marked the final 60 minutes of the 1900s. Pepperoni and sausage -- that's what the people wanted on the last night of 1999. Stephen Prock, shift leader at the Domino's Pizza on Court Street, said the night's big seller was the two-topping special. At least 100 pies were delivered throughout Medford by 11:37 p.m., but Prock said business was slower than expected. "Business is not as good as last year, but it's a little better than an average Friday night," Prock said. But Prock and fellow pie makers had another hour or so to feed hungry New Year party-goers. Prock said Dominos would continue delivering pizzas until 1 a.m. or until customers stopped calling, whichever came first. "You can definitely hear the parties going on (when customers call to place orders)," Prock said. "You can tell with the noise that they're having a good time." It wasn't exactly the mini baby boom some predicted, but millennium-minded mothers kept the staff busy late Friday at BirthPlace at Providence Medford Medical Center. Charge nurse Maureen McLaughlin said only one mother delivered during the day Friday. But by 11:45 p.m., the slow day looked about to change. "We've got one who's in early labor, one who just came in and I got a call from one who's coming in from Wimer and she sounded uncomfortable over the phone, so I don't know," said McLaughlin. "I love working New Year's Eve. We celebrate life here, and it's really a special thing." New Year revelry was hitting a fever pitch at the Osprey Brew Pub by 11:47 p.m., although owner Jake Rockwell said the party was slow to start. "It's getting crazier now. There's a lot more people flowing in. They're getting warmer now," Rockwell said. Eighty to 100 people danced to classic tunes played by local band Leadfoot, and Rockwell said the crowd was growing more alive as the end of 1999 neared. "People are starting to get jazzed up more, they're hitting the drinks. Just now the energy is up and we have more people up and dancing," Rockwell said, adding he wasn't sure what to expect when midnight hit. "That's what we're all waiting for." It was business as usual for Medford officers as they headed toward the New Year. Sgt. Dave Ryder said that by 11:58 p.m., most of the calls officers responded to were reports of loud music and mayhem from area parties. "There's nothing really crazy like we expected. It's pretty much like a lot of other New Year Eves," Ryder said. "It's really not even that much different from any other Friday night." Charlie McHenry, one of the architects of the Rogue Valley's high-tech transformation in the 1990s, spent his evening in a most un-high-tech way, dancing with his wife at a gathering in historic Jacksonville, near his home. McHenry was in contact with others in the technology industry during the day and said there seemed to be a common theme in the conversations. "What I'm hearing is a lot relief that this is finally freaking over," he said. "That's the major feeling -- relief that we got this behind us." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA