Letters to the Editor - Dec. 19, 2007

Wildish event a memorial treat

A Slug Queen, Newscaster, Champagne and chocolate appeared to be an odd mix but did get my curiosity going. The Springfield Chamber of Commerce promoted it as an evening with Leigh Ann Jasheway-Bryant the 2007 Eugene Slug Queen, Rick Dancer a KEZI 9 Newscaster and champagne and chocolate at the Wildish Theater located on Main Street in Springfield.

Rarely do I experience such a joyful, fun and entertaining evening to add to my memory tapes. What a valuable treasure the Wildish Theater is. A special treat was the Eugene Opera opening the evening with a sample performance.

Rick Dancer in a matter of minutes set the crowd off on an emotional roller coaster that had me going from tears to laughter and back to tears. Rick Dancer stood on the stage and shared a “risk taker” part of himself that was motivating and encouraging as he personally challenged the audience to step outside the box and their personal comfort zones.

Leigh Ann Jasheway-Bryant, “The Accidental Comic” in her lime green attire and flamingo hat wasted no time in requiring us to reach for tissues to wipe away the tears from laughing. Exchanging her flamingo hat for a Slug Queen tiara she signed books at the end of her performance.

If you missed this wonderful evening stay tuned as the Springfield Chamber of Commerce announced they will be hosting another Chamber Presents event March 12.

Thank you Northwest Community Credit Union and McKenzie River Broadcasting for sponsoring such an incredibly fun and memorable evening.

Shirley Gauthier
Springfield


Show support for Springfield

I never seem to be in the right place at the right time when you are conducting “Springfield Speaks Out” so I thought I would have my own say. The last one was if I or others planned on shopping, using the Internet this year? After speaking to six others, the resounding answer was No! We want to shop and support our local retailers and crafts persons.

The other question was what we liked about Springfield. Answer: It is such a pleasure and joy to go to the stores, gas stations, restaurants, churches and be greeted pleasantly and with a smile instead of a frown and rudeness which we receive from Eugene.

Our newspaper (Springfield Beacon), states that it is fair and impartial in reporting the news. It is about Springfield's community. And that is all true. Kudos to all the staff and a big warm thank you to the publisher and editors for your vision and your perseverance in bringing us our own paper, so that we have a choice of reading the unscrupelous rag next door or one that is truly an unbiased community paper.

They have tried to put a section of paper for Springfield, but they have failed to attract our community with their cheap tricks. You are the best and are growing and I know that you will continue to do so. Our business community is starting to take notice that not everyone reads and shops in Eugene.

Your new columnist George Beres shows that it is truly an independent view and impartial reporting that gave him the scoop, which the Oregonian and Register-Guard didn't show up because it wasn't fair or partial in their favor.

One last word or words. Come on Springfield, let's stand together & show what it means to be from Springfield, Ore. Let’s support our businesses and especially our newspaper and finally each other. Keep smiling and greeting each other with love and respect. Just look at what our schools and children are doing. You, their parents, deserve a round of applause for caring and raising them.

Bob Ashburn
Springfield