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55 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, March 11, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 28, 2005 Though she spent the large part of her working life outside of the Rogue Valley, Gloria Wood has come back home and been vital to efforts like the bike path in Gold Hill. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Lending a helping hand in Gold Hill Gloria Wood returns to her Rogue Valley roots and takes on a life of volunteerism By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Gold Hill community volunteer and cancer survivor Gloria Wood believes the best way to forget your own troubles is to do something to alleviate someone else’s. After serving 36 years with the Los Angeles School District, Wood and her husband, Sam, returned to her birthplace — the Rogue Valley — in 1998. As she began exploring her new community, she quickly began participating in volunteer services that mirrored her interests in history, community improvement and faith. In 2000, Gold Hill honored Wood’s many contributions by proclaiming her "Citizen of the Year." Then, in 2001, Wood was diagnosed with colon cancer. But surgery and chemotherapy did not keep her down, she says. She’s come through her ordeal more determined than ever to remain focused on helping others. "I just decided I so enjoy the opportunity to maybe do some good for others that I need to keep doing it. It makes me happy — and sometimes tired — but that’s OK," she says. Advertisement And Wood says her doctor agrees that giving is the best medicine. "Every time I start to slow down, he says ‘Go! Go on! You got well because of what you’re doing,’ " says the 68-year-old retired teacher. Rogue River Greenway director Shayne Maxwell says Wood’s work on the trail project as board secretary is not only of great service to the community, it’s personally inspirational. She appreciates Wood’s positive attitude and "come early and stay late" work ethic. "She is what we all aspire to be in our community," says Maxwell. "Gloria is a bright spirit who is willing to get involved." Recently named chairwoman of the Gold Hill Community Development Organization (Can-DO) — a nonprofit designed to "enhance the quality of life in Gold Hill," Wood says she is looking forward to more opportunities to give to her community. Gold Hill Public Works Director Royal Gasso describes Wood as "the right combination of someone who is enthusiastic enough to accomplish projects and smart enough to pick projects that can be accomplished." "I’ve been working with Gloria for quite some time," says Gasso. "She’s been very active, very community oriented and also very practical. This is a great combination." Wood’s first volunteer efforts were directed toward the town’s small public library. She joined Friends of the Gold Hill Library and has been the organization’s president for several years. Wood says the new library’s Feb. 20 grand opening was a milestone for her and the community. The town’s new 5,000-square-foot, $946,000 library features a community room, children’s wing, a children’s garden, seven public computers and four work stations for employees. Wood remains active with the Gold Hill Trails organization. She was also in charge of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway dedication. And she will be putting on National Trails Day the first Saturday in June, she says. Wood also is lay leader of Gold Hill United Methodist Church. "I communicate any problems between the congregation and the pastor," she says. "But there haven’t been any." Wood also volunteered at both the Gold Hill and Southern Oregon Historical societies. She was the historical interpreter of the "Miner, Baker, Furniture Maker" exhibit at the Jacksonville Museum. "My mother worked in the old (Jacksonville) courthouse building in the early 1920s, so I feel a great connection with her when I volunteer there," says Wood. Wood’s volunteer efforts for SOHS earned her "Rookie of the Year" in 2000. Wood continues to participate in living history exhibits for SOHS at the Beekman House in Jacksonville. And, on Fridays, Wood demonstrates gold panning and tin punching in front of the Children’s Museum for the Children’s Heritage Fair. "People ask me why I do all this," Wood says. "My answer: I enjoy it." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress Advertisement s