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<p class="MsoNormal">Two commissioners have been appointed to the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries by Lisa Sumption, director of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, which houses the Oregon Historic Cemeteries.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peggy Drake of Sutherlin was appointed to represent the southern Oregon area. She is a 4<sup>th</sup> generation resident of Sutherlin, Oregon. Peggy worked in banking and volunteered for several community organizations. She currently serves
as secretary on the board of Fair Oaks Cemetery. Her experience working with a small, operating cemetery organization will inform the work of the commission and her community connects will help people access the history cemetery program services.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Johnny Edwards of McMinnville was appointed to represent the Willamette Valley. He is an active member within the fraternity of Freemasons and has duties related to the archives and history of that organization in Oregon. In 2017, he was
assigned the to be sexton and caretaker of the McMinnville and Lafayette Masonic Cemeteries and he has cared for the cemetery and organized its records. He is now part of a larger committee to support the care of Masonic cemeteries throughout the state. His
cemetery, research and record management experience will bring useful resources to the commission and his connection to cemeteries throughout the state with provide direction and outreach for the commission’s work.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">State law established the seven-member Commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance
for restoring, improving, and maintaining their appearances. Grants are available now for the Oregon Historic Cemeteries Grant.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“We are grateful to have such enthusiastic and skilled people join the commission,” notes Kuri Gill, commission coordinator. “They will be a benefit to our historic cemeteries.” The new commissioners join: Milo Reed, chair, from Portland;
Sarah Silbernagel, vice-chair, from Pendleton; Lisa Sears, from Cloverdale; and Shawn Steinmetz, from la Grande.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For more information about commission activities visit <a href="https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/default.aspx">
www.oregonheritage.org</a>, contact coordinator Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685, or by e-mail at
<a href="mailto:kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov">kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:7.0pt;color:#4F6228;letter-spacing:2.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#4F6228">Kuri Gill </span>
</b><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#4F6228">(she, her, hers) </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">| Oregon Heritage Grants & Outreach Coordinator</span><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#4F6228"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:3.0pt;color:#A6A6A6">___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Oregon Heritage, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Desk: (503)986-0685 cell: (503)383-6787<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">725 Summer St NE, Ste C<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Salem, Oregon 97301<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Visit our <a href="http://www.oregonheritage.org/">
<span style="color:blue">website</span></a>, Like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OregonHeritage">
<span style="color:blue">Facebook</span></a>, Visit our <a href="http://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/">
<span style="color:blue">Blog</span></a>, Join the Oregon Heritage News <a href="https://omls.oregon.gov/mailman/listinfo/Heritage">
<span style="color:#0563C1">e-news</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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