A great get-together

On behalf of the Mc-Kenzie Locals Helping Locals (LHL), I would like to thank and recognize all the organizations and folks that made this past Sunday’s McKenzie Community Celebration, held and organized by LHL, another outstanding success.

First and foremost, thanks to McKenzie Community Track and Field for, as always, providing the beautiful and fantastic venue, the Aaron and Marie Jones Community Track, for this year’s festivities. What a treasure and asset this venue is to our Community, in so many ways.

We so appreciate the following participating Mc-Kenzie non-profit organizations: McKenzie Valley Long Term Recovery Group, McKenzie Community Land Trust, McKenzie Wellness/Orchid Health, Upper McKenzie Community Center, Vida-McKenzie Community Center, O’Brien Memorial Library, McKenzie Fire and Rescue, Upper McKenzie Rural Fire and Rescue, McKenzie River Community School, McKenzie Chamber of Commerce, McKenzie River Trust, Living Waters Family Fellowship. We appreciate the following businesses for helping support: Hops Valley Brewing Company, Oakshire Brewing, McKenzie Crest Wines, McKenzie Mist, Blue Sky Market, McKenzie Disposal, Everyone’s Market, The Leaburg Store, McKenzie Station Restaurant and Bar, Best Pots, McKenzie River Reflections, and Elevate Communication. A special thanks go out to Dan Cates for his support. Ray Merrill and the Eagle Rockers provided an excellent music program all day long. Kent Roberts honored our Nation with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner as Miss McKenzie Bridge Volunteer Kaylin Salladay presented the American Flag up the flagpole. Guest of Honor, Eastern Lane County State Representative Charlie Conrad, spent the day with us at the Track. Special thanks go to Mary Ellen Wheeler and Brenda Baird Hamlow for all the hard work in organizing details and vendor accommodations. A huge lift to both Joel Zeni and Austin Willhite for once again firing up the BBQ’s, and to Nick Kress and his amazing Corn dish, chefs extraordinaire! Pete Petty, with Bottle Boys and McKenzie Community Track and Field, as always, a Volunteer Superstar! Tim Hooten, thanks for all you do. Individual thanks go out to Melanie Stanley, Connie Richardson, Shelly Pruitt, Devin Thompson, Brandi Crawford Ferguson, Braden Ravenscraft, Lacey Joy Norman, Jack Devereaux, Dale Turnley, Steve Severin, Steve Schaefers, Gerry Aster, Walt Wilson, and John Carlisle. For those folks, I might have missed, thank you, you are appreciated! Thanks to all our amazing local vendors: Sherri Smith (Pine Needle Art), Sam Swetland (woodworking), Joanne Walch (Artisan cookies), Carmine Ashline (mugs, soaps, shirts), Sue Hanger (crochet, quilts), Misty Gage/Creatively Misty (Journals, notebooks), Joann Auchtung (oils, soaps), Honey Paddle (honey), Jason Wickizer (woodworking), Jenn Wickizer (woodworking), Sierra Mae Hass (dried fruit and candy), Krystal Kruse (children’s clothes), Kathryn Cannon (quilted art), Samantha Winningham (cups), Horse Creek Lodge and Outfitters (guided raft trips), Kara Willhite (McKenzie Community Celebration logo), and Margaret Bielharz (History). Lastly, but not leastly (is that a word?) thank you McKenzie Community. This Celebration is for you, it is for Us. We understand the pain of the past, but we also feel the need to set aside the time to join together, sideline our differences for a moment, and celebrate our progress. The progress of recovery, rebuild and resilience is never quick enough nor without difficulty. For some, more than others, it seems like a mountain insurmountable. But together, as a Community, we can forge a new beginning, mindful of the past, but with faces looking toward a sustaining and rewarding future. We celebrate our McKenzie heritage, our dedicated, even tenacious, Community spirit, and our shared commitments to take care of our Home, the McKenzie River Valley! We are McKenzie Strong! We can reach the mountain top!

So Thank You, McKenzie folk, for making time to eat, laugh, sing, share, hug, and smile the day long, together, at this year’s McKenzie Community Celebration.