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Published by the Library Staff Association of the University of Oregon Library System
No. 4, November, 1998
RECUERDOS
It's November, and time for my favorite holiday. You guessed it-the Day of the Dead. I'm assembling my altar this week, hoping to attract some of my dear departed ones for a midnight visit. I'll represent each guest with a token, some reminder of past joys or sorrows.
My great-great-great uncle, a genuine old west horsethief who was hanged for shooting a man in the back, is included only because he is the first member of our family to get his picture in the paper. For him, I have twisted a little noose out of raffia, to be accompanied by a cap pistol.
My favorite picture of Grandpa Joe is next. He's holding a forty pound salmon and grinning widely. No caption needed. I also have a picture of Grandma, standing in a row with her nine wild and beautiful children. The children are typical tall, dark Sextons. Grandma by contrast is tiny, and a little bent from rheumatoid arthritis. She is holding her sweater around her, gazing off into the far distant future which, as I hold the picture, appears to be somewhere beyond my left shoulder.
My mother's parents are next. Her father died last year, having attained the incredible age of 97. His secret: he never touched liquor or tobacco, and he worked hard every day of his long life. Grandpa outlived the doctor who diagnosed his diabetes and told him he wouldn't make it to sixty-five. He spent the last ten years of his life griping about the artificial hip he received while in his seventies. The doctors said it would last him until he died, but Grandpa was still climbing on a tractor ten years later. Throwing his leg over the tractor seat is what wore out the artificial part, according to Grandpa. I will put a tiny John Deere on the altar for him.
I have a great picture of my mom's mom. Once in a while, Grandma would take a break from the million and one details she still managed as a septuagenarian farmwife, and drive downtown to Chez Pierre, the hairdresser. Two hours later she would emerge, sparkling, hair marcelled and dyed the delicate hue of an Iowa cornfield sky. In her picture, her hair is freshly done, and she is smiling serenely, yet joyfully, as though she, too, knows the secret of a long and happy life.
My aunt and cousin, mother and daughter, share a spot. Aunt Clara was a cheerful woman. She and Lauren lived in the Virgin Islands for several years. Lauren was into voodoo and spooky tales in a big way; I remember us camping out in the back yard and waking up the neighbors with our incantations. I have a cat and kitten figurine that is perfect for them.
Little cousin Paul was with us only briefly. He gets a matchbox car and some M &Ms. Two uncles, hard-living working men, share a set of mini tools in a shot glass.
A few long buried friends are invited to the party: Jim from Sprague High gets a friendship ring. John Keizer, local communist, will be represented by a tiny medallion of Lenin. Our trusted kennel lady has a plastic scotty dog magnet. And our beloved laborador Ellie gets a piece of real pumpkin pie. No more diets, dear old pup!
That completes my altar. Now for the marigolds, sacred flowers that smell good to ghosts. I'll add some candles for ambiance. Welcome, honored spirits! Linger a while. Savor the chocolate cake and fried chicken of family picnics gone by. There are memories shared only by you and me; I've saved them all.
And while I'm mulling over old times, and having a few of Paulie's M&Ms, here's what the living have been up to:
The Library Staff Association is proud to sponsor "Woody in Oregon" a talk by Michael Majdic of Media Services and Denise Matthews of the Journalism Department, on Thursday, November 5, from 12:30-1:30, Knight Library Browsing Room. The producers will show clips of their work, and talk about both the content of the film and the process of creating it. Don't miss this unique event! Remember, no food in the browsing room, please!
The House Committee is still looking for a nice looking, comfortable, affordable couch! Contact Susan Stumpf, 6-1957, if you have a couch to sell or donate.
The Ways and Means Committee is planning a Fall Cornucopia sale to be held on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 11:30-1:30 in the staff lounge. The sale will feature baked goods, but other foods, such as jams, honey, pickles and relishes, will also be sold. Proceeds from the sale will support future LSA events. If you would like to contribute food for the sale, or if you want to volunteer to help during the sale, contact Susan Mincks at 6-1937.
Remember to check out our proposed new LSA Constitution and Bylaws and vote to adopt, reject or amend them.Hard-copy ballots were sent to all library staff on October 23, and should be returned to Stephanie Midkiff, Law Library, before 5pm on Friday, November 6.
--LRS
Letters to the Editor:
Questions? Comments? Drop us a line!
Renascence Editions, a site maintained by Richard Bear, Microforms Section, is the first recipient of the Luminary Award, which will be offered to select sites of literary excellence by Luminarium, a leading online literary links site and text repository.
The Edmund Spenser Home Page, also maintained by Richard, has received the Five Star award from Malaspina University's Great Books program.
Congratulations Richard!
Successful Social at Clancy Thurber's:
The University of Oregon library system employs an enormous number of students, classified staff and faculty. How many of them do you know as merely a disembodied voice on the telephone, or perhaps an unrecognized name on the staff roster? As one of the more recent additions to that roster, my own response would have to be, "far too many."
On October 13, 1998 I was delighted to have an opportunity to meet with library employees from all over campus at an LSA sponsored all-staff social at Clancy Thurber's. Clancy's warm and comfortable atmosphere was conducive to becoming acquainted with new people or catching up with old friends, and for a few hours the pub was filled with the sound of our conversations and laughter.
Events such as these are what the library needs to bring together the interesting and diverse personalities that exist, yet often do not interact, in such a large organization. I'm looking forward to the next all-staff social, and hope to see all of you there!
'Chelle
Vicariously travel to exotic locales via Cool Conference Reports
This month enjoy John Helmer's account of Juan en Espana
Been to an interesting conference? Send us a brief report for publication in the next newsletter. Thanks!
Diabetes Walk Raised Over $500!
Each year, on the first Saturday in October, the American Diabetes Association schedules fund-raising walks in cities across America. The money raised goes towards advancing the search for a cure for diabetes. This year, the University of Oregon Library organized a fund-raising team for the first time. Five staff members -- Paul Frantz (and family members), Dennis Hyatt, Katy Lenn (and her dog, Jake), Lee McQueen, and Avis Thompson -- all signed up as walkers. Several other staff members supported the walkers with donations. The five-mile walk was held in intermittently rainy weather, but the walkers (and Jake) all finished, raising over $500 towards diabetes research.
Our hopes are that next year, we can at least double the number of walkers and the amount of money raised. Put it on your calendar for next Fall! And thanks to those who walked or sponsored!
Paul Frantz
Public Bulletin Board
Have something for sale? Looking for something to buy? Is there a group you want to start or advertise? Or are you searching for the right one to join? Maybe you're a poet who's feeling creative or you want others to get the benefit of your favorite "thought for the day".
Find all this and more on the Public Bulletin Board.
Book Reviews
Read a good book lately? Submit a book review!
November staff profiles:
Deanne DuFresne, Supervisor, Douglass Listening Room
Christine Sundt, Visual Resources Curator