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Farm Fresh Healthy Eating for the New Year

The new year is a time of resolutions, self-reflection, the desire to do better and be better.

Jacksonville’s own Jefferson Farm Kitchen is the motivation you need to keep on track. There’s no longer an excuse to keep you from eating healthy, organic and locally sourced ingredients that you’ll feel good about eating and feeding your family.

Owner and Chef Kristen Lyon is passionate about cooking quality and great tasting healthy comfort food. Her experience is built on working in kitchens, farmers markets and the local food system, all right here in the Rogue Valley and Pacific Northwest. She is living out her aspiration to offer nutritious and wholesome dishes and educate others that quality ingredients can work together to create appetizing meals for friends and family to enjoy around the table.

New and fresh menu items are available each week with the option to sign-up for a meal plan or order just a few items for pick-up or delivery. Substitute a few meals-on-to-go to help ensure you have some nutritious meal options throughout the week. You can also drop in for a quick lunch or pick-up ready to go dishes, such as a homemade pot pie, pizza, quiche, soup or salad to name a few. They also sell nourishing broths, perfect for your favorite soup, sauce or gravy, healing tonics, dry goods, treats and doughs. It’s also convenient and easy for when you have company over with dietary restrictions, as they offer both gluten free and vegan options.

                   

Jefferson Farm Kitchen is located at 135 S. Oregon St in downtown Jacksonville. They are open on Mondays 1-5pm, Tuesday-Friday 11-5pm or by appointment. Catering is also available.

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @JeffersonFarmKitchen and watch for updates on new cooking classes and private dinner events coming this Spring in their new event space.

Visit Jefferson Farm Kitchen to see this week’s menu and place an order.

Know where your food comes from and try out Jefferson Farm Kitchen. Here’s to a healthy 2020!

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Jacksonville Overview

Jacksonville is a place that is easy to fall in love with.  It’s small town ambiance (population 2,860) gorgeous setting in the foothills of the Siskiyou

Mountains and beautifully preserved late 1800’s architecture combine to make a very attractive town.

We have become a desirable place for retirees who still want to experience four seasons, but in a milder climate, as well as a great place to raise a family. Residents and visitors appreciate a cultural scene that is far richer than a community this side normally expects.

One of the oldest communities in Oregon, Jacksonville began with the discovery of gold in 1851.  Originally called Table Rock City due to view of two mesas that are a primary geological feature of the area, the town soon grew to become the agricultural and economic hub of Southern Oregon.

The railroad passed the town by for a more expedient and less costly route, which laid the groundwork for Jacksonville’s demise as the county seat and economic engine.  It lapsed into a quiet, financially depressed period as Medford grew into the regional hub.

But that is also what eventually saved the town.  With no economic reasons to “upgrade” the buildings they remain unchanged.  And that lead to the

town being designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962 in recognition of being an intact example of a late 1800’s Western Gold-boom town.

With the charming architecture and small-town appeal we attract a lot of visitors who seek an authentic experience.  And that is what they get!  There are no chains or franchises – all independently owned businesses.  Visitors will definitely find the right fit within our

broad range of lodging options – from cottages and vacation homes to B&B’s and Inns.  Check out all there is to see and do on Things To Do.

CLIMATE:  Jacksonville is located in what’s called the “banana belt” of the Pacific Northwest. That is why you will see palm trees scattered around town.

The temperature is moderate and the seasons gloriously distinctive. Early Spring is a show of wildflowers and pear blossoms with lots of sun and occasional light showers.

Summers are warm and sunny with very low humidity. Winter brings sporadic showers and an occasional dusting of snow.

In the winter you will see snow on the surrounding mountains even when there are moderate temperatures in the lower elevations.

For statistical information about Jacksonville go www.city-data.com/city/Jacksonville-Oregon.html

For the City of Jacksonville’s website go to:  www.jacksonvilleor.us

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Escape to Your Bliss

Let’s face it, getting away from home for a night or two can give you a whole new perspective.  Escape from your everyday and plan a blissful stay in Jacksonville.

Finding the right place to stay is like finding your bliss.  Giving you time to fully decompress and enjoy all there is to do – or enjoy doing nothing at all!  Lodging options range from boutique hotels and inns and new-style bed & breakfasts to individual guest cottages and vacation houses.

So whether you go for the concierge service of an inn or B&B, or more of the anonymity of a separate cottage or house, we have you covered.  What you won’t find are any chain hotels.  All of our lodging accommodations are independently owned and operated.

Also, by selecting one of these accommodations you can be assured that they also help support the local community through collecting the local bed-tax which pays for the public parks as well as the public restrooms and trash cans around town.

We’re sure you will find the perfect place that suits your needs and tastes. Our boutique hotels range from 3 suites up to 27 rooms with styles from French Country to Contemporary with Asian influences. Magnolia Inn (9 rooms), Jacksonville Inn (8 rooms), McCully House (9 rooms), Elan Guest Suites (3 suites) and Wine Country Inn (27 rooms) are great choices if you like the option of meeting fellow travelers and having access to knowledgable owners/staff,  while also having your own private space.

If you prefer having a totally separate space for 2+ one of the cottages may suit you.  Check out the amenities and different styles of Standish Cottage, Britt Cottage,  the contemporary, upscale The Laundry or The Quarters, Wine Cottages, Jacksonville Inn Cottages.  Additional options include Melissa C. Taylor Cottage – with a swimming pool, Tiger Lily Inn,  and Plymale Cottage.  You can find the entire listing at:  http://jacksonvilleoregon.org/lodging/

Have a larger group?  Then some of the vacation rental houses may suit you.  So look into Inn on 5th and Ida’s Cottage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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New Britt Trolley Stops

We are designating 4 specific locations where you can hop on the Trolley to ride up to the Britt Hill.  Service runs for the 2 hours prior to concert start times, making continuous loops around town.  But now you will know specifically where to head to meet the trolley.

The stops are

  1. On F Street along side Rays Food Place
  2. On C Street behind the Jacksonville Inn parking lot
  3. In the D Street Parking Lot
  4. On Main across from Elan Guest Suites by the water feature

To print your own copy of the map CLICK HERE

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Expanded Community Center Offers Flexible Event Space

The Jacksonville Community Center offers a wonderful event and meeting space. The addition,  remodeling and landscaping have transformed the little cottage into a much more flexible facility.

  • Flexible Function Space – Jacksonville Community Center features sound absorbing panels and carpeting, room divider and access to catering kitchen.


The center is now available for parties, wedding receptions, conferences, staff retreats, community meetings and more. For information about renting the facility call JCC’s Director at 541-702-2585 or email JacksonvilleCenterDirector@gmail.com

After nearly 20 years of planning and with hundreds of people donating money and volunteer help the brand-new community center will serve people of all ages for years and generations to come with quality programs and events.


The original 1946 Potter/Sampson House offers smaller meeting and activity space. Suitable for organization/board meetings, music lessons, and art/crafts workshops.

“In the beginning very few thought we could, and then there were few who thought we should.  We built a team and now we have achieved a dream for so many people, for years, hoped we would.” ~Rick Patsche, JCC Board President

JCC’s Program Committee would like your input on what types of programs and events you would like to see at the community center. Stop byJCC or go to the website to fill out a program survey. Your input is greatly appreciated. Surveys are available at www.jacksonvillecommunitycenter.org

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Pioneer History in Story & Song

Northwest Troubadour David Gordon continues the 2019 season of “Pioneer History in Story & Song”  February 10 with a Valentines inspired show “Victorians in Love (and Occasionally Loss)”. David will share sad, and silly love songs from the 1800s along with the stories behind them.   !” 

Performances are at 1:30 and 3pm performances in the Jacksonville Library’s Naversen Room.

Admission is $5. Space is limited and reservations are required!  Reservations are available at info@historicjacksonville.org or 541-245-3650, and all proceeds benefit preservation and maintenance of Jacksonville’s historic buildings.

David has developed a dedicated Rogue Valley following.  His three previous seasons of “Pioneer History in Story & Song” have been “sell outs”. 

The Season’s Schedule
Sunday, February 10 – “Victorians in Love (and Occasionally Loss)”
Sunday, March 10 — “The 19th Century on the Move: Songs to Lighten the Journey.”
Sunday, April 14 — “Songs of Hardship and Hope: From Struggle to Strength.”

David is also available for interviews.  You can find biographical information on his career as a classical tenor at http://www.spiritsound.com/bio.html and his return to his musical roots as a banjo player who aspired to be a high school music teacher at http://www.nwtroubadour.com/bio.html.

Thank you for helping Historic Jacksonville and David bring history to life and life to history!

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Secrets & Mysteries of Beekman Bank

Explore the “Secrets & Mysteries of the Beekman Bank” during special evening candlelight tours.  Historic Jacksonville, Inc. opens the oldest financial institution in the Pacific Northwest for this new take on an important part of our local history.

Dates for Tours: Febuary 1&2, March 1&2
Tour Time: 7, 8 & 9 pm

This institution was started by C.C. Beekman as a gold dust office in 1856, originating in the Beekman Express location. He moved to the current location in 1863 at 110 W. California Street in Jacksonville.

Regional Hisorian Ben Truwe – Hosts “Secrets & Mysteries of Beekman Bank” Tours

Beekman saw over $40 million in gold cross his counters during Jacksonville’s heyday — equivalent to almost $1 billion in today’s currency! 

Regional historian Ben Truwe pursues secrets lost with the last Beekman in 45-minute candlelight tours. Tours begin at 7, 8, and 9 p.m. Bring a flashlight to make your own discoveries! 

Admission is $5 per person with proceeds benefiting the preservation and maintenance of this regional landmark. Tours are limited to a maximum of 12 people and reservations are required.  Call Historic Jacksonville, Inc. at 541-245-3650 or e-mail info@historicjacksonville.org.

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New Chef at The Schoolhaus

Seasoned Rogue Valley Chef Joins Schoolhaus Culinary Team

The Schoolhaus in Jacksonville is pleased to announce exciting changes to our culinary team. After an intensive regional search, we are proud to introduce Mr. Chad Smith as Executive Chef for The Schoolhaus’ Food and Beverage department, with responsibility for overseeing the Schoolhaus’ kitchen and the Bigham Knoll Campus catering department.

Mr. Smith, most recently of Larks Medford, has an extensive background running some of the region’s finest kitchens. After beginning his career in Bend under the tutelage of acclaimed restauranteur David Touvelle of CHOW, Mr. Smith moved

to the Rogue Valley in 2006 where he joined Elements Tapas in Medford as Executive Chef. Working with Proprietor Chris Dennett, Mr. Smith developed an incredibly popular menu that remains the core

of Element’s success today. Mr. Smith then moved to the long revered Chateaulin in Ashland to expand his fine dining repertoire. Over the last few years, Mr. Smith was a key player at Larks Medford, where he focused on his passion for chef-driven, locally sourced, and seasonal menus. “I’m really excited about joining the Schoolhaus team. I look forward to bringing my background and experience to the table.” said Mr. Smith as he perused the garden gathering for herbs for his next culinary creation.

The Schoolhaus, located on the Historic Bigham Knoll Campus, has been serving custom crafted meals using ingredients from our on-premise garden (as highlighted in the Mail Tribune) as well as other locally sourced components for nearly a decade. Bigham Knoll’s Event

Center is one of the most successful in the Rogue Valley, hosting corporate and non-profit events and boasts a unique indoor/outdoor wedding venue.

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Jacksonville – the Heart of the Southern Oregon Wine Region

Wine lovers can embrace Jacksonville, Oregon as the Heart of the Southern Oregon Wine Region. With over 100 wineries, this region is establishing it’s reputation as being the next big thing in the world of wine.

Noted in Wine Enthusiast Magazine (February 2016) as one of the Top 10 Wine Destinations in the World and in Sunset Magazine as “the undiscovered wine country of your dreams:  For the wine minded traveler, this destination feels almost utopian.  Here, tasting fees cost less than a latte; hotel rates are actually reasonable; wineries go way beyond water crackers…and unlike any other wine regions in the West- all kinds of grapes thrive.”Schmidt Family Vineyard

Rugged mountain valleys with many diverse climates are perfect for growing a wide variety of intensely flavored wine grapes- over 70 varietals are grown in this region. The cooler areas of Southern Oregon are known for Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Warmer, more arid regions produce incredible big reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Merlot, Malbec, Zinfadel, and Syrah.

Jacksonville is the Gateway to the Applegate Valley Wine Trail, one of Oregon’s newest wine appellations with 18 wineries. The Applegate Valley climate is an alternative to Oregon’s cool- climate viticulture and largely protected from coastal influeSouth Stage Cellarsnces, creating warmer and drier growing seasons than most of the state. Vineyards are located mainly on stream terraces with granite soils which provide excellent drainage.

Combined with higher elevations, the valley is conducive to Chardonnay, Vigonier, Syrah and Bordeaux red varietals, proving that Oregon isn’t just about Pinot Noir. You can take just a couple of hours or easily fill a day or two touring the vineyards and wineries.

(Local Wineries and Tasting Rooms).

 

The wineries are small and intimate and you will often find yourself talking with the wine maker in person. In addition to great wines, the scenery is spectacular. Nothing beats enjoying a glass of wine while letting your eyes feast on the inspiring views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

There are also five tasting rooms right in town – making the Southern Oregon wine tasting experience very convenient.  Okay, two of the tasting rooms are just outside of the city limits, but by no more than a mile.  These  exquisite wineries offer an astounding array of fine wines, from Rhones and Bordeauxs to some of Oregon’s most sensational Pinot Noirs.  The in-town tasting rooms offer music, food and enchanted gardens, while the rural wineries feature expansive views of the valley from outdoor patios.  Jacksonville has become the destination for wine enthusiasts – just 7 miles off of I-5 at Medford and 20 minutes from Ashland.

Valley ViewIn addition to the Applegate Valley Wine Trail, there are the Bear Creek Boutique Wineries, the Upper Rogue Valley, Umpqua Valley that comprise the rest of the Southern Oregon wine region – all within an easy drive.

So plan on several days to fully explore the wines of Southern Oregon from the comfort of small town Jacksonville, Oregon.  All of the wineries and tasting rooms are just minutes from town with some right in town.  You may also want to check out several of the seasonal events that provide you with easy access to multiple wines and wineries.

Applegate Wine Trail Spring Uncorked – May
Jacksonville Wine Cruise – May
The Oregon Wine Experience – August
Applegate Wine Trail Fall Uncorked – November

 

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10 Uniquely Jacksonville Gift Ideas

Finding the perfect gift for friends and family can be challenging.  So here are a few ideas if you want to give a gift that is uniquely Jacksonville.

1.  Jacksonville’s History – You will find books on our history at Terra Firma Gifts and the Visitor Information Center.  There are also Jacksonville t-shirts, sweatshirts and magnets at Willow Creek, Shopping bags and tchockes at Scheffel’s Toys & More.tims-412

2. Shared Experience – A gift certificate for an experience to be shared. One is a Segway rental or tour from Segway of Jacksonville.   Or plan on taking some special people on a Beekman House Tour offered through Historic Jacksonville, Inc.  Through the summer they offer themed and living history tours on select weekends.  During Victorian Christmas they also offer special Christmas themed tours.

3. Local Wine – As the heart of the Southern Oregon Wine Region you have many options – and the shopping is especially fun!  DANCIN Vineyards has been raking in the awards on their excellent Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.  Right in town you can also check out Quady North and  South Stage Cellars which features wines made from their grapes by other winemakers as well as their own label.  Valley View is the grandfather of the regional vineyards and Caprice is known for its Cabernet.

4. The Britt Experience: Britt has been a a Jacksonville tradition since 1962. The Britt Orchestra comes together for three weekends in late July/early August.  But all types of concerts run from June through September. Membership or a Britt Gift Certificate to be used for tickets during the regular season can be found at:  Britt Festival

5. Donations – Honor a friend or family member with a donation to an organization dedicated to serving Jacksonville. A couple of ideas  Jacksonville Boosters Club does many projects like restoring the Britt Gardens, Friends of the J’ville Cemetery is the volunteer group that helps to maintain and restore our beautiful pioneer cemetery. Historic Jacksonville, Inc. is helping to maintain the Beekman House and Beekman Bank by providing tours and special programs.

6. Pampering:  A gift certificate for some post-holiday pampering at one of our spas or salon is a sure way of being appreciated twice – at the time you present the gift and then again when the gift card is redeemed!  Check out your options at Spa, Angelica Day Spa, and California Street Skin & Nail Studio.

7. Gift Baskets or Jerky (Beef, Buffalo, Elk) from Gary West Meats. Celebrating 50 years of producing what has become known as the Rolls Royce of jerky.  They can also create customized gourmet food baskets for many different tastes.

8.  Jacksonville Christmas Ornaments from the Visitor Information Center. Three different ceramic ornaments featuring historic buildings – tims-423Beekman House, Presbyterian Church, and the Courthouse.  $10 each or all three for $25.  The center is located at the corner of C & North Oregon Streets by the post office.  Hours are 10 am – 3 pm.

9. Art – It is a pleasant surprised to see the level of artistic talent in this area. For items created by local artists and artisans check out The Woodcarving Place and Art Presence Art Center.  The diversity of offerings will astound you!

10. Locally Crafted Products – You can also find locally crafted items at a number of stores around town. Jacksonville Candles at WillowCreek Gifts, Thomas Gregg Fine Jewelry at Carefree Buffalo to name just a few.

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