FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2024
NOW Showing: “Quilts & Christmas”
New Exhibit Open at the Douglas County Museum
(Roseburg, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress, in conjunction with staff at the Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History are pleased to announce that a new limited time exhibit at the Douglas County Museum festively titled “Quilts & Christmas,” is now open and encourage all our citizens, young and old alike to visit. The exhibition will feature quilts, Christmas ornaments and toys from the museum’s extensive collection. The temporary exhibit is slated to run through February 2025.
The "quilt" portion of the exhibit will showcase a diverse collection of hand-stitched family quilts, each with its own unique story and craftsmanship. These quilts date back to the mid-1800s, with several having traveled along the Oregon Trail, a testament to their role in preserving warmth and comfort during one of the most significant migrations in American history. The “stars of the show” are four crazy quilts from the 1890’s to early 1900’s. The exhibit will also highlight a stunning contrast with a modern "Graffiti" quilt from 2002, blending traditional quilting techniques with contemporary artistic expression. Hand-stitched quilts represent a rich legacy of ingenuity and provide interesting historical documentation from the earliest days of our country to the present. These quilts, often passed down through generations, not only serve as functional items but also carry the stories and culture of the people who made them. In the earliest days of our country, quilts were essential for warmth, using available materials, often scraps of fabric, to create something both practical and beautiful. As an art form, quilting evolved significantly over time. Early American quilts were typically made with simple designs, sometimes in traditional patterns like "Log Cabin" or "Nine-Patch," reflecting the practical needs of pioneer life. In contrast, modern handstitched quilts may showcase intricate designs, personalized embroidery, and a broader array of materials. Each quilt tells a story—whether it's the history of a particular family, a cultural expression, or an artist's personal narrative. These quilts can also serve as historical documentation, reflecting the socioeconomic conditions of their time, the evolution of textile production, and the influence of changing fashion trends. Today, both quilt makers and the public find inspiration in quilts, whether for their craftsmanship, their use of color, or their historical significance. Museums, exhibitions, and quilting communities continue to preserve and celebrate this form of artistic expression, ensuring that it remains an important part of our cultural heritage.
The "Christmas" portion of the exhibit will display a curated selection of antique and noteworthy Christmas ornaments and toys from the museum's extensive collection. Visitors will be transported through time, with delicate glass ornaments, handcrafted decorations, and vintage toys that capture the holiday spirit of past eras. These cherished items, some dating back to the early 20th century, offer a glimpse into the traditions and joys of Christmas celebrations through the years, showcasing the evolution of festive decor and the sentimental value placed on holiday treasures. The exhibit will also showcase a selection of the 6,000 handmade ornaments created for the 2002 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. In addition, the exhibit will feature photographs capturing the journey of the tree, commemorating the year when Douglas County was chosen to provide the annual Christmas tree to the White House in Washington, D.C. This significant event in our history will be beautifully illustrated, offering visitors a glimpse into the pride and tradition behind this remarkable contribution to the nation's holiday celebrations.
For more than 50 years, curators of the Douglas County Museum have been collecting, preserving and exhibiting natural and cultural history items. Historically our local communities have relied on the mining, fishing, farming, transportation and timber harvesting to thrive in Douglas County. Our museum links the connections between natural resources and these industries in their exhibits and cultural events to make history come to life. From the snowcapped peak of Mt. Thielsen nestled in the Cascades Mountain Range, through the Umpqua River Valley, to the Coastal Mountain Range to the crashing surf of the Pacific Ocean at Winchester Bay, Douglas County traverses an amazingly wide range of elevations and environments. It is Douglas County’s ecological diversity that is showcased in Oregon’s largest natural history exhibition – “The Land of the Umpqua’s”.
The Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History is located at 123 Museum Drive in Roseburg, Oregon (conveniently located off I-5 Exit 123 and adjacent to the Douglas County Fairgrounds). It is open seven days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. It can take 1-3 hours to tour the museum depending on your pace. The Lavola Bakken Research Library is open Tuesday through Saturday 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Admission is free for members, ages 0-4 are free, students 5-17 are $2.00, adults are $8.00, seniors and veterans are $5.00. The "Museum Mercantile," the museum gift shop, offers the area’s leading source of books on Douglas County’s natural and cultural history, as well as a wide range of Oregon souvenirs and other great gift items including educational and historic toys.
Click here for more information or to find out about volunteering at our Douglas County Museum of History & Natural History or call the Douglas County Museum at (541) 957-7007.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22 , 2024
** Notice of Virtual Meeting **
Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)
Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
(Douglas County, OR) The next meeting for the Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council’s (LPSCC) – Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee will take place on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 11:30 am via a virtual conference format.
In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch or listen to the meeting via video or by phone. For information on how you can watch or listen to this meeting, please see the agenda, or contact Koree Tate at koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov or call (541) 957-7790.
The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at www.douglascountyor.gov.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Program Contact: Koree Tate, Programs and Partnership Coordinator | Douglas County Juvenile Department | Phone: (541) 957-7790 | Email: koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2024
Douglas County Senior Services Joins Meals on Wheels America
and Subaru of America in Sharing the Love this Holiday Season
17th Annual Subaru Share the Love Event helps deliver nutritious meals and compassion to Douglas County seniors
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress are pleased to support our Douglas County Senior Services Department as they participate in the annual grant program offered by the Subaru Share the Love Event. As a member of Meals on Wheels America, Douglas County Senior Services operates seven senior dining and delivery meal sites in Douglas County that serve over 78,000 meals a year. Meals on Wheels is one of the four national Share the Love charitable partners supported through the Share the Love grant campaign. For any new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at one of the more than 630 Subaru retailers from Thursday, November 21, 2024, through Tuesday, January 2, 2025, Subaru will donate a minimum of $300 to the customer's choice of participating charities. Participating Meals on Wheels America members, like Douglas County Senior Services, will receive a share of the donations raised by Subaru in our state. Retailers can also select up to two local charities to receive an additional $50 per vehicle sold or leased. Moreover, many Subaru retailers will also contribute $5 for each routine service visit during the promotional period.
“Meals on Wheels America is proud to partner with Subaru of America for the 17th consecutive year to enable more seniors to live with independence and dignity,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “We’re enormously grateful to Subaru and its retailers for their long-standing commitment to Meals on Wheels and the millions of seniors who depend on it for nourishment and companionship.”
Subaru is the largest automotive donor to Meals on Wheels America. Meals on Wheels America provides leadership to local, community-based programs dedicated to fighting hunger and isolation among our nation’s homebound seniors. Through our partnership with Meals on Wheels during the Share the Love Event, Subaru and our retailers have helped deliver more than 4.6 million meals and friendly visits to vulnerable seniors across America. Over the last 16 years, Subaru of America and its participating retailers have donated more than $288 million to their charitable partners and supported over 2,300 hometown charities to help those in need. This year’s Subaru Share the Love event is on track to bring that total to over $320 million, proving there’s no limit to the amount of love we can all share.
“It is our honor to support causes and organizations that strive to make a difference through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event. A dedication to giving back is core to what makes Subaru More Than a Car Company® and our retailers More Than a Car Dealer. Helping to match Subaru owners with a charity they believe in is one of the greatest gifts we can give this season, and we hope that it forges a connection that lasts for years to come.” - Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc.
By purchasing or leasing a new Subaru during the Subaru Share the Love Event and selecting Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice, you can help deliver nutritious meals and other important services to seniors right here in Douglas County. To learn more, visit: www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelove or www.subaru.com/share. For more information about programs for seniors in Douglas County visit Douglas County Senior Services at https://douglascountyor.gov/452/Senior-Services. Get a great vehicle and support a great cause!
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Media Contact:Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist- Public Information Officer (541) 670-2804 cell - (541) 957-4896 office – tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2024
***NOTICE OF HOLIDAY CLOSURE***
THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY
Thursday, November 28, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress would like to remind citizens that government offices in the Douglas County Courthouse, located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg, as well as the Douglas County Justice Building, Douglas County Courthouse Annex in Reedsport, Transfer Stations, Fairgrounds, Douglas County Museum and All External Douglas County Government Offices will be closed to the public on Thursday, November 28, 2024, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday. As always, even when Douglas County government offices are closed, many officials and public employees are still working.
Please note
- Douglas County Senior Services Bistro Sixty Dining Sites (Dine-In Meal Service) and Meals on Wheels Programs in Glendale, Glide, Yoncalla, Reedsport, Sutherlin, Riddle and Winston will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Our Senior Dining sites will resume their dine-in service on Friday, November 29, 2024. Patrons needing meals for Thursday, November 28 are asked to call Douglas County Seniors Services at (541) 440-3677 to request an extra meal during their Tuesday, November 26 dine-in service or Meals on Wheels delivery.
- The Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum in Winchester Bay will be open for visitors on Thursday, November 28, 2024, for normal business hours.
- Douglas County Parks. All Douglas County operated parks, campgrounds and boat ramps will continue to be open and accessible to the public on Thanksgiving Day. For reservation information at Douglas County operated campgrounds, please call (541) 957-7001 or go online to https://douglascountyor.gov/802/Parks.
- Salmon Harbor Marina docks, boat ramps, camping sites and the Winchester Bay RV Resort will be open and accessible to the public during this time. For more information please call (541) 271-3407 or go online to https://douglascountyor.gov/448/Salmon-Harbor-Marina. The Salmon Harbor Marina Office will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
- Even though the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) lobby entrance will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024, our Sheriff’s Deputies, 911 communications and DCSO staff will continue to provide law enforcement protection and emergency assistance for our residents. If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1. If you need to reach dispatch for a non-emergency, call the DCSO non-emergency number at (541) 440-4471.
- The Douglas County Board of Commissioners and designated department officials will remain engaged and available to respond to any local emergencies, regardless of the holiday.
In addition, some County Departments may have limited hours or will be lightly staffed on Friday, November 29, 2024. Please call ahead of your visit to see if the Department has staff available to assist you with your needs. You can call (541) 672-3311 for general inquiries and Department extensions. You can also log onto our website at https://douglascountyor.gov/ to access the direct phone numbers for each County Department.
The Commissioners and staff here at Douglas County government would like to take the opportunity to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We know that many of you will be planning family gatherings or traveling this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and we encourage you to take the necessary precautions to celebrate and travel safely.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2024
*** MEETING NOTICE***
Noxious Weed Advisory Board Meeting
November 21, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) The next Douglas County Noxious Weed Advisory Board meeting will take place on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 2:00 pm in Room 216 of the Douglas County Courthouse located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg, Oregon.
In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch the meeting. To view the live stream or post meeting recording, please visit: https://video.ibm.com/channel/douglascountyoregon.
The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at https://www.douglascountyor.gov/. The meeting notice has been posted on the Douglas County website.
For additional information about this meeting, please contact Tracy Pope, Douglas County Natural Resource Specialist by calling (541) 440-4348 or email at tracy.pope@douglascountyor.gov.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch the meeting. To view the live stream or post meeting recording, please visit: https://video.ibm.com/channel/douglascountyoregon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2024
Douglas County Receives National Award for
Excellence in Financial Reporting
(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Board of Commissioners are pleased to announce that earlier this year Douglas County received the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (COA) by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for their Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the year ending June 30, 2023. A copy of the report can be found on the Douglas County, Oregon website at: https://douglascountyor.gov/620/ACFR
According to GFOA, “The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.”
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting was awarded to Dan Wilson, Douglas County Chief Financial Officer and the Douglas County Management and Finance Department. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners have designated Dan and his dedicated team as the ones responsible for preparing the annual comprehensive financial report. This year marks the 36th year in a row that Douglas County’s Management and Finance Department has achieved this recognition.
“Our accomplishments are built upon the collaborative efforts of a team that prioritizes a commitment to excellence and accuracy throughout,” commented Commissioner Tim Freeman. “Dan and his dedicated staff are pivotal to the success of Douglas County’s financial accounting and reporting. We appreciate their exceptional efforts in this important responsibility and congratulate them for this high honor.”
The ACFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the ACFR. Government Finance Officers Association advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve. For more information about GFOA, visit https://www.gfoa.org/.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountupr.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2024
41st Annual Douglas County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, December 1, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress are excited to officially kick off the Christmas Season with the lighting of the 41st Annual Douglas County Christmas Tree on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 6:00 pm on the front lawn of the Douglas County Courthouse. That evening we will flip the switch and light up the Douglas County Heritage Christmas Tree and the Douglas County Courthouse for the first time this holiday season. The family-friendly event is free and open to kids of all ages. The lights on the Douglas County Christmas Tree and Courthouse will be on display throughout the holiday season. Click on the link below for a sneak peek at the theme for the 41st Annual Douglas County Christmas Tree Lighting https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment/videos/528782276685674
2024 Douglas County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, represents a longstanding collaboration between the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, City of Roseburg and Roseburg’s First Christian Church. The evening’s festivities include a family-oriented program with music, a Christmas story and a visit from not only the Jolly Old Elf himself, Santa Claus, but also Mrs. Claus! The First Christian Church will have their traditional nativity scene on display, across the street from the courthouse, and refreshments will be served by the Miss Douglas County Scholarship Program. Special thanks to Roseburg Starbucks, Roseburg Police Department, Roseburg Fire Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works Department, Douglas County Facilities Department and of course Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.
For those not able to attend in-person, the 2024 Douglas County Tree Lighting Ceremony will be live-streamed on the Douglas County Government Facebook page starting at 6:00 pm on Sunday, December 1, 2024. To watch visit: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment. The public is also invited to take a stroll through Downtown Roseburg this holiday season! Enjoy the festive storefronts and sparkling Christmas lights while supporting our local businesses, shops, and restaurants.
The Commissioners and staff here at Douglas County government would like to take the opportunity to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! For more information about the 41st Annual Douglas County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony visit www.douglascountyor.gov or contact the Douglas County Public Affairs Office at (541) 957-4896 or by email dcinfo@co.douglas.or.us.