Author Archive

Sara Jane Wiltermood

Sara Jane Wiltermood

Sara has been involved with the Rogue Valley Messenger from its inception, innocently responding to a craigslist ad asking for writers back in 2012, because she figured, why not? She had received her B.A. in Journalism/Mass Communications from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, in 2007 and was itching to put it to good use back where she was born and raised, in Grants Pass. Little did she know that the then online paper would end up in print, or that she would find herself in the esteemed position of Associate Editor two short years later. She and her husband and daughter, Seth and Lavender, have a small farm outside Grants Pass, where they primarily raise goats and rabbits and sell their products at their farm stand, L-Mae Essentials. They aspire to add produce to their repertoire in coming years. In her spare time, she also works as a Surgery Assistant/Implant Coordinator at Associates for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Grants Pass and Medford.

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Whether for school or pleasure, autumn and reading go together like a squirrel and an acorn. Of course, these acorns are only a handful of the numerous and diverse literary creations to be found in the Rogue Valley, but this listing should be enough to get even the most voracious

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“Rivers are the lifeline of the planet,” declares Tim Palmer while surrounded by pristine blue rushing water in a short film made by Freshwaters Illustrated. I last heard Tim Palmer speak about rivers at a Rogue Riverkeeper event in Ashland a couple of years ago. His obvious passion for the

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It takes time to learn a new language, and even longer to learn a new culture. Not to mention the cost of travel. Enter the closest thing to actually visiting another country: AIFF’s World Film Week, September 30 through October 6. Breathtaking and heart wrenching stories as only locals can

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While merely a fantastical proposal for some, the “State of Jefferson” is a real place for many. The Rogue Valley is located solidly inside the mythical state that has never been recognized, though several counties in Southern Oregon and quite a few in Northern California are on the list of

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Forget Hollywood—the Rogue Valley, it seems, is an up-and-coming rival for the epicenter of filmmaking, and these local talents are ready to strut their stuff at area film festivals: the Jefferson State Flixx Festival (JSFF) September 21 – 25 and the Klamath Independent Film Festival (KIFF) September 30 – October

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In movie-watching these days, the theater is often empty before the credits even start rolling, but it takes a lot more people than the few on screen to make films happen. We caught up with Southern Oregon Film and Media Executive Director Ginny Auer to learn about the facets of

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  by Jeanine Moy and Sara Jane Wiltermood Though staying overnight at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites is a treat, the bright, retro scene and a cooked-from-scratch menu of their Luna Café can be enjoyed anytime. A visit to the Luna Café is a nice way to avoid the

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Water is, of course, essential to the process of growing grapes—and making the Rogue Valley one of the country’s best wine regions. We caught up with the region’s Watermaster to get the lowdown on what a Watermaster is, and the state of water in southern Oregon.   Rogue Valley Messenger:

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While many fly by the little town of Gold Hill on Interstate-5 without a second thought, residents of the historic town tell the story of its past and the big plans for the future as the first installment of a new series on Southern Oregon Public Television, “Our Town,” which

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Riding high on a 10 game winning streak as of Thursday, July 21, the Medford Rogues baseball team is showing no signs of stopping as they approach the end of their season. With seven home games and eight away remaining in the season, the Rogues have nearly a game per