Meet the 2009 BMD Board & Festival Coordinator

For 50 years, the Bohemia Mining Days Festival has depended on a hard-working group of individuals who volunteer a year (or more) of their time to organize this much anticipated annual community event. This year was especially important because of the 50th anniversary celebration so the Festival Coordinator Sharon Jean and the BMD Board Members worked closely with the BMD Golden Anniversary Steering Committee for more than a year to organize this milestone in the organization’s history.

Clockwise from top: Festival Coordinator Sharon Jean, Board Member Shelly Davey, Board President Kathy MacGregor, Board Member Jerry Vaverka, Board Secretary and Vendor Coordinator Leah Murray, Board Treasurer Martha McReynolds Jr., Board Member and Volunteer Coordinator Lorraine Eriksen, and BMD Volunteer Jill Vaverka. [Not Pictured: Board Member Marie Longfellow and Bloomer Parade Coordinator.

Meet the BMD 2009 Board and Festival Coordinator below and learn why they are involved in organizing this banner year for the Bohemia Mining Days Festival.

Sharon Jean - Festival Coordinator

Kathy MacGregor - BMD Board President

Kathy comes to the BMD Board after years of manning the festival’s information booth for the Cottage Grove Greeters, a committee of the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.

“How can you not want to be involved in putting on the biggest party of the year?” Kathy says enthusiastically.

When not working on BMD or being involved with the Greeters, Kathy can be found (along with her husband Don) taking care of her land, her llamas and her dogs out Mosby Creek way.

Martha McReynolds, Jr - BMD Board Treasurer

A recently-transplanted resident of Creswell and relative new-comer to the Cottage Grove scene, Martha McReynolds Jr., Treasurer, joined the Bohemia Mining Days Festival Board of Directors in late-2008 after meeting Ms. Sharon Jean, Festival Coordinator, at Gathering in the Grove events organized by the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce.  Ms. McReynolds, a member of the Creswell Lions and Kiwanis Clubs, wanted to find a way to get involved also with the Cottage Grove community and is happy to report that joining the Board was a great step toward that goal!

Ms. McReynolds is an environmental consultant employed for 10.5 years by a family-owned consulting firm in Tigard, Oregon and works from an office in Creswell.  She is pleased to have acquired an Associates Degree in General Studies from Lane Community College, and it was during those studies that Ms. McReynolds discovered the joys of Accounting.  Order from chaos using simple math!

For fun Ms. McReynolds has been known to dote on her small dog, Anikin, float rivers, take driving tours, sculpt using seed beads and play the accordion (always in private!).  She is interested in history, sustainability and the conversion of metal shipping containers into residential structures.

Leah Murray - Board Secretary and Vendor Coordinator

Lorraine Eriksen - BMD Board Member and Volunteer Coordinator

Lorraine Eriksen moved to Cottage Grove in 1982, moved away and returned again in 2000. During the interim she competed her education and worked as a counselor on the Warm Spring Reservation. She now runs a therapeutic foster home for at-risk teen girls.

Lorraine joined the BMD board so she could give back to the community and be a role model for the girls. The teens have helped make and place signs around town as well as assisting the Kiwanis club run their food both. This has helped the girls learn that everyone, no matter their age, has a talent they can share with others.

Marie Longfellow - Board Member and Bloomer Parade Coordinator

Shelly Davey - Board Member

Shelly is a tattoo artist and owner of “Garden of Ink.” She has lived in Cottage Grove for more than 17 years. Since she was a kid, Shelly has enjoyed Bohemia Mining Days and the Grand Miner’s Parade in particular.

Shelly joined the BMD Board because she is impressed with how it has changed and grown in the last seven years. “It is a delight to be involved with these great people in such a wonderful hometown tradition.”

Jerry Vaverka - Board Member