FIRST CITIZEN PRESENTATION SPEECHES -- 2006

Our newest Glide First Citizens for 2006 share several things in common. They each discovered a passion into which they have poured tremendous energy for many decades. They both became widely respected experts, and in turn, generously shared their knowledge with others. For each of them, educating people and raising awareness about their subjects became a labor of love.

We who live in the Glide area are very fortunate that their dedication has enriched the lives of so many people in and beyond our community. Their dedication has also honored and protected our beautiful North Umpqua River region, which is so special to all of us.

Our first honoree moved to the Glide area as a young woman, and was a businesswoman, wife and mother. She was very involved in church and music groups, as well as introducing the area to visitors. From almost the very beginning of the Wildflower Show, she was there to help. After she sold her business, she wanted to contribute more, so she took classes to study her passion --- wildflowers. She has never stopped learning and teaching.

She knows where every wildflower in Southwest Oregon can be found – and she knows all their common and scientific names. She organizes, trains and directs collectors each year. Last weekend, one of the OSU botanists credited her with "keeping the botanists organized and honest." She is a continual presence throughout the show week, and probably no one knows everything this woman does behind the scenes..

In addition to the Wildflower Show, she has helped document and protect rare and threatened plants in our area. One shining and enduring example is helping the establishment of the Limpy Rock Research Natural Area. She and her team identified rare species, collected enough data for a doctoral dissertation, worked with university botanists, and educated and lobbied legislators. As a result, this unique botanical area, right in our own backyard, has been identified and preserved for us and for generations to come.

This generous woman has shared her lifelong, consuming passion for wildflowers with all of us. We here tonight and our entire community are forever richer for it. Please join me in honoring Jeanne Moore – Glide First Citizen of 2006!

Similarly, our second honoree tonight has contributed to the Glide area in many ways! For example, he served on the school board, including a stint as chairman; and, even threw himself in harm’s way as a wrestling referee. But he also has turned a passion into service,… and for that he is best known.

He came to the North Umpqua as a young man and fell in love with this river. As soon as he could, he moved his young family here and began making a living from his passion for fishing. He has introduced hundreds of lucky people to the river. But as photographer Dan Callaghan said, "It isn’t just fishing when you are on the river with him. It’s conservation also."

He has worked for decades to protect the river, the fish, and the forests that surround and support them. Whether serving with the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, travelling the country as an ambassador for the river, or standing in the waters of the North Umpqua with a fellow fisherman; he has continually raised awareness and helped form public policies about our wildlife and forest heritage and, in particular, our own local rivers and streams.

Deservedly, he has received many awards and accolades nationwide and has been called a "Living Legend" and "Dean of the North Umpqua River." We in Glide are proud to call him our friend and one of our own, and we honor Frank Moore as – Glide First Citizen of 2006!

I said at the beginning that our newest First Citizens share several things in common. For example, they also share a last name, a home, and an extended family! Together they ran the Steamboat Inn for many years, and the warmth of their personalities enhanced our area’s reputation and drew people here, often to stay. This couple has assisted each other in everything they have done, and the service and accomplishments of one reflect the support of the other. It’s hard to imagine honoring one without the other, and so we honor you both, Frank and Jeanne, as Glide First Citizens of 2006!