Southern Oregon PCL Recruiting

08/28/2026

Toni and Melissa are at the Veteran Benefit Expo at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 11am-7pm and free to attend!

This event brings together agencies, support services, and employers all over Oregon to showcase what kind of networks exist for Veterans and their families!

08/05/2026

🎉Fair Favorites Kids’ Cook-Off Recap!

Wow, what a fantastic competition this year! Let’s break down the numbers:

🥳Four amazing teams, three terrific judges, two (too) many pictures to post, one incredible event!

🏆This year Team Baida Boys returned, this time taking home the crown (air fryer) with a street corn two-ways dish!

🧑‍🍳We also had teams win Most Creative, Best Use of Corn, and Best Use of Secret Ingredients (fruit snacks, pesto, pickles, condensed milk, and Nilla Wafers).

🤩Thank you so much to the Josephine County Fair (Tamra Martin and her dream team) for having us back another year, to our judges Toni, Dan, and Lillian.

🫶Also thank you to Alex, Jenny, Kiri, and Rebecca for all the hard work keeping us on time and organized in the kitchen!

👋See everyone next year!

08/01/2026

🎉Today is this day!🎉

And we're excited to introduce another judge for this year's Cook-Off...Lillian Eaton Stewart!

Lillian brings a lifetime of experience in education and food preparation to this year's judging panel. Throughout her career, she taught more than 24 different classes in food and hospitality, and even developed and piloted Oregon's Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation curriculum for the Oregon Department of Education.

Her judging experience is just as impressive! Lillian has judged 4-H competitions at county fairs across Oregon, including right here in Josephine County, and has assisted with judging at the Oregon State Fair.

Lillian's dedication to service extends well beyond the classroom. She is a qualified VA caregiver and comes from a family with a proud tradition of military service. She is the daughter of Colonel G.A. Eaton, the mother of sons who gave lifetimes of service. She is also the widow of two military veterans. A proud sixth-generation Oregonian, she has also served in leadership roles with several patriotic lineage organizations, honoring the legacy of those who helped shape our nation's history.

As we continue celebrating our heroes at the Josephine County Fair, we're honored to recognize Lillian not only for her decades of educating and mentoring young people, but also for her lifelong support of veterans and military families.

Please join us in welcoming Lillian Eaton Stewart as one of this year's Cook-Off judges

08/01/2026

🎉 We're excited to introduce another judge for this year's Cook-Off... Dan DeYoung!

A Grants Pass native, Dan has been married for 57 years. He is also the proud father of two and grandfather of six. With a big family, he's probably no stranger to enjoying meals made with love—especially by the younger generation!

Dan has dedicated much of his life to public service, serving on the Grants Pass City Council and as a Josephine County Commissioner.

When he's not giving back to the community, you'll likely find him restoring a classic car or spending time on the golf course.

When it comes to food, Dan is looking forward to sampling some of his favorite flavors, from American classics to Asian and Mexican cuisine.

As we celebrate our local heroes at the Josephine County Fair, we're also proud to recognize Dan as a U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1968–1972. Thank you for your service, Dan—we're honored to have you as one of this year's Cook-Off judges!

07/30/2026

We're excited to announce the first judge for our Fair Favorites Kids' Cook-Off!

This year, the Josephine County Fair is celebrating 250 Years of Heroes, and our Kids' Cook-Off judging panel will feature local veterans and family members of those who have proudly served our country.

Please join us in welcoming Toni Salazar Smith!

Toni is the Social Justice and Inclusion Director at Partnerships in Community Living. She's excited to see the many creative ways contestants use corn in their recipes and is especially hoping to see some innovative new creations. As a self-proclaimed pie lover—especially key lime, berry, and pumpkin—Toni would like to see at least one delicious dessert make its way to the judges' table!

Toni served as a medic in the Army National Guard for nine years and created PCL's Veterans Resource Network to support employees who have served or are currently serving in the military.

Thank you for your service, Toni! We look forward to having you as part of this year's Fair Favorites Kids' Cook-Off! 🇺🇸🌽🥧

07/30/2026

Our PCL Garden Club has had a ton of success at this year’s fair!

I also hear from a reliable source that items grown in their community garden at Raptor Creek Farms ~might~ be available for use during our Kids’ Cook Off! I wonder if there might even be a secret ingredient involved…👀

07/22/2026

Toni and Melissa are in White City today at the VA Stand Down and Employment Fair. If you are a Veteran come down and see us, 10am-2pm.

07/20/2026

We still have openings for this year's Cooking Contest at the 2026 Josephine County Fair!

07/14/2026

Last night for Concerts in the Park at Riverside Park in Grants Pass!

We will be there, come visit our booth!

PUBLIC NOTICE: We are delighted for the City of Grants Pass, Local Government's completion of the permanent Bandshell in Riverside Park. This remarkable addition will surely enhance the cultural and recreational experiences for all community members and visitors alike.

Please note, Concerts in the Park will host the final Concert tonight the in the same location we have all enjoyed for the 2026 season.

We encourage everyone to come out and celebrate our 40th year of Concerts. The evening promises to be filled with great music, community spirit, and a shared appreciation for the beautiful Riverside Park setting.

Thank you for your continued support and participation in making our community events a success. We look forward to seeing you there!