By Dina Sage | Concordia News Managing Editor
The Concordia Neighborhood Association board is a group of 13 volunteers who all live in, work in or own property in Concordia. They are dedicated to helping the community and meet once a month to discuss neighborhood issues and plan events.
How did you come to get involved with the CNA board?
I’ve been on the board for at least two years and I’ve been in Portland for 3 ½ years, in Concordia the whole time. In 2023 my daughter and her husband moved to Portland and so my husband and I moved here to be with them.
Early on, I joined the Concordia Walkers and I met Michelle Fitzgerald. She introduced me to lots of other people and encouraged me to get involved.
What positions have you held / committees have you served on?
I worked first on the social committee and the Commons committee was forming, so I joined the Commons committee as a member. When Megan retired, I became the board rep. I initially ran for the AL6 position because at that time, I lived with my daughter, my son-inlaw and my two grandchildren.
Where do you live?
I moved to 25th and Killingsworth so now I’m SW2 and I love my home now. There are some things in it from my mother and my grandmother that I cherish. Also, my home is convenient and low maintenance (it’s a condo.)
How was your move to Portland?
Initially, moving to Portland was devastating.
All my family is in St. Louis. I’m the second of nine children, six of which were from my mother and father, and three of which were stepchildren. When my mother died, my father remarried a woman who already had three children. At one point, there were 28 total with all of our children, so I left my entire family and all my friends.
Before we moved, my husband and I had built a log home in the Ozarks on ten acres in the woods. We raised chickens, rabbits, and bees. We literally sold and gave away everything we owned. I cried before I moved, I cried after I moved.
How do you feel now?
Now I don’t want to leave Concordia! In my older years here, I have learned some important lessons: when I had to sell my possessions and start over, I learned that I didn’t really need all those things. I’ve also learned that you’re born into family but then there’s family that you make. I’ve made some wonderful friends here.
I have never lived anywhere where the people were as friendly as they are here. My lives intersect with my neighbors all the time. They’ll stop and talk to you and you can always fi nd something in common.
What is your favorite thing about Concordia?
Aside from the people, I like being close to everything and being able to walk. I have a walking buddy and I like doing a circuit around Concordia. I like to say hi to people and dogs. We walk from 25th and Jerrett, through Alberta Park, up to 18th, up to Liberty, then turn towards the U of O, walk through campus, then down to 30th and take 30th up through the Commons and back to Killingsworth.
What are your favorite hobbies / past times?
Aside from walking, I love birdwatching and reading. I also enjoy the creative process and making things with my hands. I majored in fashion design at Washington University in St. Louis and I sewed professionally. We had a custom drapery business.
I realized recently that I haven’t created anything since I moved here, so I started embroidering phrases in cursive on sweatshirts. I made one that says, “Educate girls and change the world.” I think education for girls is extremely important because there are places where girls are still not educated and we take that for granted.
Next I’m thinking about making a denim quilted jacket.