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The city the Bard rebuilt: For Oregon town, it was literally ‘to be or not to be'
Winona Daily News ^ | Saturday, July 02, 2005 | Darrell Ehrlick

Posted on 07/02/2005 10:10:51 AM PDT by nickcarraway

ASHLAND, Ore. — Like Winona long ago, Ashland's lumber industry is a part of its history.

Winona's timbering stopped when it started to run out of trees. Ashland's stopped when it started to run out of spotted owls.

When the lumber stopped fueling Ashland's economic engine, it was used to board up storefronts.

Sandra Slattery, Ashland Chamber of Commerce executive director, remembers when lumber pulled out. She calls them the "bowling ball days."

"That was when you could throw bowling balls down the street during winter and not hit anyone," Slattery said.

Many residents who lived there during the late 1970s and early 1980s remember downtown storefronts vacant. Images of boarded fronts and dilapidated buildings seem almost impossible to imagine now for the city that prides itself on decorative awnings and landscaped parking lots.

There are no rundown buildings. There are no more boards, just Bards.

Twenty-five years ago, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival filled a need. Lumber had built the city and now threatened to drive a stake through its heart. But Shakespeare stepped in revitalizing it —

storefront by storefront, business by business. It brought back life and later became the new soul of the old town.

Paul Nicholson, the festival's executive director, remembers the early 1980s when he visited Winona.

"I remember thinking how upscale Winona was compared to Ashland, which was then quite depressed — houses were not being painted," Nicholson said. "It's not what it was 25 years ago."

Though he's not been back recently, he suspects Winona is a lot like it was 25 years ago.

Since then, Winona's economy has diversified with growth in education, technology and manufacturing. Ashland's has changed as well.

"We don't have a strong economic base in Ashland," said Andrew Scot Bolsinger, editor of the Ashland Daily Tidings.

However, Ashland realtor Norma D'Isodoro disagrees that the sole economic engine is the festival.

"The theater is only one aspect," D'Isodoro said. "The southern Oregon climate is great. We have a fairly large city 10 minutes away. We have outstanding medical facilities in addition to outdoors opportunities that are just outstanding. I don't think you can blame it all on the (festival)."

For all the similarities, Ashland is still noticeably different than the Island City. It boasts 92 restaurants, four other theatres besides the three stages for the festival and more than 20 galleries.

It's the kind of place where you can pick up at least seven different daily newspapers.

"This is geared for people coming into the community, not for the residents," said Winona Port Authority Director Judy Bodway of Ashland's restaurants and cultural offerings.

Winona has the beginnings of many of these specialty shops — Heart's Desire or Maggie's on Third — but there are also other stores missing.

"There are a lot of shops (in Ashland) that center on the male eye," Winona Chamber of Commerce executive Della Schmidt said. "I think of walking through Winona, there's not much there that catches the male eye."

An eclectic mix of stores cater to men, including pottery stores, book stores, cafes, real estate offices and vintage clothing stores.

Most of the business in Ashland is small retail, service or home-based. Most employ less than 10 people. According to its Chamber of Commerce, 80 percent of the businesses have less than 30 employees.

Building upon the small manufacturing base in Ashland is all but impossible. Zoning laws and strict environmental controls aren't fostering a business-friendly climate, according to its Chamber Tourism Director Mary Pat.

Moreover, the cost of land inside city limits, as much as $450,000 for a quarter acre, make relocating a business to Ashland prohibitive.

Pat said many businesses move to nearby Medford, where air transportation and other services like FedEx and UPS are conveniently located.

Winona also faces challenges when bringing in business.

According to city statistics, fewer than 50 acres still exist for manufacturing or industrial use inside the city.

While 8 percent of Ashland's economy is manufacturing, according to Pat, Winona boasts a 25 percent manufacturing base.

Winona officials point out that its economy different than its Oregon counterpart.

Companies like Fastenal, UBC, RTP, Benchmark Electronics, Watlow, Comfortex, Brach's, Thern, DTI and Watkins anchor Winona's diverse economy. And Winona State University, Saint Mary's University and Southeast Technical College have a combined budget of more than $170 million.

"We already have our base," Bodway said. "We didn't need (the festival) to survive."

Leaders said the festival should always complement and supplement the Winona economy, but they warn it must not become the economy.

"As we build tourism, we must protect our manufacturing base," said Della Schmidt.

For Ashland, pockets of diversity within the economy may exist — there may be retail, plenty of beds, more restaurants and even a few high-tech jobs — but the lifeblood of the community is its festival.

"It's the big gorilla in the room," said Grady Singletary, publisher of the Ashland Daily Tidings.

"For you, it's (GRSF) a quality of life thing," Bolsinger said. "For us, it is life."

Overview

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival saved Ashland from a slow death. However, it rebuilt the town's economy on a very shallow base. Winona city officials warn the Great River Shakespeare Festival must add to its economy, not become it.

About the series

Winona and Ashland have been compared with each other on several levels — size, histories and, now, both have a Shakespeare festival. While some have drawn parallels between the two, this series explores the differences, similarities, opportunities and pitfalls as Winona's reputation as a Shakespeare town grows. This is the second part of a 14-part series, and stories will run every Thursday and Saturday.

Up next

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival started more than 70 years ago with "not more than $400" and an idea. It has now grown into one of the largest festival theatre companies in the world with a budget of more than $20 million annually. What was it like in 1934 and what is the festival like today?


TOPICS: Books/Literature; Education; History; Local News; Miscellaneous; Music/Entertainment; Poetry
KEYWORDS: oregon; shakesoeare
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1 posted on 07/02/2005 10:10:52 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

It's a nice town. Lotsa liberals, but you have to admire a town that revitalizes itself. I want to hit the Shakespeare Festival one of these times!


2 posted on 07/02/2005 1:26:56 PM PDT by pissant
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To: nickcarraway; oregon; abcraghead; aimhigh; Archie Bunker on steroids; bicycle thug; blackie; ...

Oregon Ping

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Oregon Ping List.

3 posted on 07/02/2005 6:29:13 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: pissant

I greatly admire the people of Ashland, but not the artsy-fartsy crowd that has taken over. I have relatives living in Ashland, east of I-5, and they hate to go downtown. Of course, they also hate Shakespeare, so they may be a bit biased.


4 posted on 07/03/2005 5:09:06 AM PDT by jimtorr
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To: jimtorr; pissant; Salvation; blackie; dixiechick2000

In 2003 a couple we knew decided to cash in on their California home and move to Oregon. They both liked fly fishing and hunting and decided that either the Corvallis area or Ashland area would be good. She is one of these people who likes to take a college course every semester just to learn something different. So the universities and the outdoor potential led them to consider Corvallis and Ashland.

He served 20 in the Marine Corp and retired after 20 years of law enforcment. Both are very proud and up front Christians. They had a full size SUV and a big pickup with a cross sticker on the back, a Marine Corp sticker, a NRA sticker, and old Bush/Cheney sticker and a new Bush04 sticker. After their family and church they loved America, the Corp, GW/Cheney and the second amendment.

So when they discussed moving to Oregon, I tried to warn them about the areas they had picked out and suggested spending a few days in each area without a realtor, reading the local news to see if they would fit in. They agreed.

They went up in early June of 2003 and a relative had suggested they consider Eugene too. So they drove to Yreka and spent the night with relatives. Their stay in Eugene was quiet short. They were confronted by some scaggy greenies as they came out of a Burger King after a food stop. The scags didn't like their big GMC SUV with the stickers above. One made the mistake of trying push the husband. He is probably still hurting.

So they cancelled their motel reservations and drove to Corvallis. By noon the next day, they had seen enough and been confronted enough. So they went to Ashland spent the night, and shortly after noon I got a call saying they were leaving Ashland. Where did I recommend they go. I recommended Brookings and Medford. I told them to call back in about 20 minutes. Then I called a fishing friend in Medford and explained the situation to him. He recommended a new development east of Medford. I told them.

They went to the area, found one of their churches, loved the development and signed for a new home. They love the area, their neighbors, their church. He is back to work in law enforcement part time, and she is an office manager. Their adult children love to visit and so do their grandkids. Since moving to east Medford area, they haven't been back to Eugene, Corvallis nor Ashland except to drive by. When we see them or talk to them, I joke about when are they going to visit those 3 left wing cities. Now they can laugh and say never.


5 posted on 07/03/2005 9:10:31 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (The MSM has been a WMD, Weapon of Mass Disinformation for the Rats for at least 5 decades.)
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To: Grampa Dave

It's a pity that the politicians in Eugene basically genuflect to the commie-hippie-anarchic freaks, and the general population are so apathetic that they mostly ignore local government.

I grew up there, and my mother still lives in Eugene. I'll be visiting her in September for the UO - USC football game. She has season tickets, and I have to take her to a game every year. Since I currently live in Maryland, that makes it a rather pricey football game for me.


6 posted on 07/03/2005 10:39:25 AM PDT by jimtorr
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To: jimtorr

"It's a pity that the politicians in Eugene basically genuflect to the commie-hippie-anarchic freaks, and the general population are so apathetic that they mostly ignore local government."

A tree is worth more lives than anything else for those freaks.


7 posted on 07/03/2005 10:43:04 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (The MSM has been a WMD, Weapon of Mass Disinformation for the Rats for at least 5 decades.)
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To: Grampa Dave

Good story, Gramps.
They made the right choice.
There are areas of Oregon where the people are sane.
The rest is just an asylum.


8 posted on 07/03/2005 2:18:56 PM PDT by dixiechick2000 ("Many Democrats are not weak Americans. But nearly all weak Americans are Democrats." M. Bowers)
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To: Grampa Dave

My wife and I live in Eugene and we have no problems with the lunatic left ~ I drive a pickup and my wife drives a full size Bronco, both vehicles have pro-gun, pro-GWB, anti-enviromental wacko bumper stickers on them. :):)


9 posted on 07/03/2005 2:20:26 PM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: dixiechick2000

"There are areas of Oregon where the people are sane.
The rest is just an asylum."

Except the inmates run the cities like Portland, Eugene, Ashland, Corvallis and ?


10 posted on 07/03/2005 4:41:02 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (The MSM has been a WMD, Weapon of Mass Disinformation for the Rats for at least 5 decades.)
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To: Grampa Dave

"Except the inmates run the cities like Portland, Eugene, Ashland, Corvallis and ?"


I think that just about sums it up. ;o)


11 posted on 07/03/2005 7:48:27 PM PDT by dixiechick2000 ("Many Democrats are not weak Americans. But nearly all weak Americans are Democrats." M. Bowers)
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To: Grampa Dave; blackie

Blackie drives 'em nuts in Eugene. ;o)


12 posted on 07/03/2005 7:49:50 PM PDT by dixiechick2000 ("Many Democrats are not weak Americans. But nearly all weak Americans are Democrats." M. Bowers)
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To: Grampa Dave

Funny story -- sad that it is Oregon. But it is becoming more Republican! (Don't tell Hitlery!)


13 posted on 07/03/2005 8:26:33 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: dixiechick2000; blackie

I was thinking the same thing or else he scare the crap out of them! LOL!


14 posted on 07/03/2005 8:28:14 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation; blackie

"...or else he scare the crap out of them!"


LOL!

I have no doubt that he did! ;o)

GO BLACKIE!!!


15 posted on 07/03/2005 10:31:48 PM PDT by dixiechick2000 ("Many Democrats are not weak Americans. But nearly all weak Americans are Democrats." M. Bowers)
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To: Salvation

This couple is very happy living just east of Medford. They have the feeling their adult children may move into the area to get away from the libs in California.

One couple we know, who would be labeled old style democrats, moved out of Ashland to the Medford area to get away from the Lesbian thugettes who control Ashland. The wife is a teacher and couldn't take their control of schools in Ashland. She just finished her second year of teaching in Medford and is very happy. He was a general contractor specializing in rehabing old homes, office buildings and small businesses. He got tired of dealing with the hatchet faced and mean lesbians on the planning commission.


16 posted on 07/04/2005 7:16:08 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (The MSM has been a WMD, Weapon of Mass Disinformation for the Rats for at least 5 decades.)
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To: dixiechick2000; blackie

That 50 caliber sniper rifle in the back of his pickup, ax handles with silver inlays, and the Remington 12 gauge riot gun mounted like a cop car in his pickup apparently scares most of them away. :)


17 posted on 07/04/2005 7:18:40 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (The MSM has been a WMD, Weapon of Mass Disinformation for the Rats for at least 5 decades.)
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To: Grampa Dave; blackie

"That 50 caliber sniper rifle in the back of his pickup, ax handles with silver inlays, and the Remington 12 gauge riot gun mounted like a cop car in his pickup apparently scares most of them away. :)"


LOL! I'm glad you are, both, on our side. ;o)


18 posted on 07/04/2005 2:35:54 PM PDT by dixiechick2000 ("Many Democrats are not weak Americans. But nearly all weak Americans are Democrats." M. Bowers)
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To: dixiechick2000; Grampa Dave

I keep them on their toes. >:-}


19 posted on 07/04/2005 3:04:08 PM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: dixiechick2000; Salvation

Well ~ I don't how frightened they get ~ I do know they don't give me any trouble and I'm not big hulking guy: 5'7" and 170 lbs. :):)

Be Ever Vigilant!


20 posted on 07/04/2005 3:07:01 PM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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