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To contact me, please click here: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends and Neighbors,
The elections are over and there will be many updates to come in the new year with the upcoming long session beginning in mid-January. On election night we saw just how important it is to be part of the civic process - staying informed and making your voice heard. It is my goal to share all that is going on at both a state and district level through these newsletters and my social media. Thank you for choosing to be connected.
Our communities have had a lot to celebrate this fall. It's a joy to see groups gathered for common good, enjoying the autumn festivities and reaching out to help others. We have also experienced deep heartache from tragic losses. As Thanksgiving draws near, my hope and prayer is that we can find time to truly reflect on our blessings, cherish the time we have with our loved ones, and find ways to pour into our communities.
Keeping Oregon Families in Our Hearts
Our hearts are heavy as Oregon mourns two devastating tragedies—the heartbreaking shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, which claimed the lives of three children and a beloved teacher, and the helicopter collision near McMinnville that took three lives. My deepest prayers are with the families grieving unimaginable losses, those recovering from injuries, and the communities forever changed by these events. We are especially grateful for the extraordinary courage of those who stepped forward to protect others in Bend, along with the first responders and emergency personnel who answered the call in both communities.
When tragedy strikes, we grieve, we come together, and then we look to our leaders for answers. There will certainly be many conversations during the upcoming session, and I remain committed to pursuing meaningful change. No parent should have to fear for their child's safety at school. Our children deserve the same level of protection we expect in places like our State Capitol, and we must continue working toward safer schools across Oregon. In the midst of such profound heartbreak, I hope we will surround these families with compassion, lift them up in prayer, and remind them that they do not walk through this grief alone.
Conversations Across Oregon
 October provided several opportunities to connect with Oregonians and share perspectives on the issues facing our state. I appreciated the invitations to speak with the Central Oregon Federated Republican Women on October 1st, the Oregon Federation of Republican Women on October 2nd, and the Capitol City Republican Women in Salem on October 8th.
 At each gathering, I shared my commitment to bringing balance back to Oregon, finding common ground, and focusing on practical solutions to the challenges facing our communities.
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Our conversations touched on important issues, including education, policies the Legislature may see next year during our Legislative Session, and the future of our state. I'm always grateful for opportunities to exchange ideas, hear different perspectives, and encourage thoughtful civic engagement.
Thank you to everyone who took time to attend these events and be part of the discussions. I know life is busy, but the issues our State is facing are too important to shrug off.
Oregon is strongest when we listen to one another and work together toward a better future for all Oregonians.
Let's LOVE OREGON MORE.
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From the Capitol to the Countryside
 On October 1st I joined Representative Mark Owens in Crane, Oregon for a farm-to-table dinner of locally grown, sourced, and prepared foods, hosted by Project Americana and High Desert Partnership. Over homemade pizza appetizers (made by Representative Owens himself!) and a delicious dinner, I had great conversations about groundwater and other issues in Harney County.
Local farmers and ranchers, agricultural organizations, community leaders, and others with an interest in the future of agriculture were in attendance, and it was a great opportunity to hear from the people working the land every day. During Legislative Session we ask Oregonians to travel to the Capitol in Salem for many of the important conversations. I believe it’s also very important to travel to Oregonians while we are not in session to truly be able to understand what Oregonians across the state are facing. It was especially clear to me after these conversations that there is a lot of trust that needs to be rebuilt between state agencies and rural Oregon. Having these difficult, but honest, conversations are the first step to mending that relationship.
Thank you, Representative Owens, for inviting us all to your porch, quite literally, to enjoy good food, good conversation, and learn about the incredible things that Harney County has to offer.
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COMMUNITY KUDOS
Harvest Nights
On September 19th, the Yamhill County History Museum hosted its annual Harvest Nights fundraiser, bringing our community together for a beautiful evening of delicious barbecue, local wine and beer, live music, dancing, and a lively auction!
 Held on the museum grounds, this special event is a wonderful celebration of our valley's rich history and the people who work to preserve it.
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Proceeds from the evening support the museum's educational programs and historical preservation efforts, helping ensure that the stories and traditions of Yamhill County are passed down to future generations. A heartfelt thank you to the volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who make this event possible. Our communities are built on the stories, traditions, and hard work of those who came before us, and it's up to all of us to carry that legacy forward. Events like Harvest Nights remind us that preserving our history isn't just about honoring the past—it's about strengthening the connections that make Yamhill County such a special place to call home. |
Honoring Breast Cancer Warriors
October was breast cancer awareness month and our community did a phenomenal job of spreading awareness, raising money to support local warriors, and honoring all of our incredible warriors and survivors.
 The month kicked off on October 1st with Story Night. 325 women registered and filled the Chehalem Cultural Center to hear Amy Widmer's inspirational story. The event was presented in partnership with another wonderful nonprofit, With Courage. You can watch the full program on Story Night's YouTube Channel or listen on their podcast. The podcast includes a special mini series of Stories of Survivorship, recorded especially for With Courage.
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I've had the honor of being a Story Night speaker twice over the years, and highly recommend the events to all women. It is a true example of building connectivity. And thanks to amazing business sponsors, the events are free. You can register at www.storynighthope.com for the next event coming up on January 28th at the McMinnville Grand Ballroom. |
With Courage continued their special events throughout October. Pink lights lit up trees all over Yamhill County. Many businesses partnered with With Courage to raise awareness and funds. The highlight of October was the annual Pink Ribbon Event on October 10th at the North American Air Museum.
 The evening including a live and silent auction, best-dressed competition, catered dinner, and stories from the women impacted by With Courage. Although October is over, the importance of raising awareness about breast cancer continues. I am so proud of the incredible work of With Courage and how they have supported so many in our local communities.
Story Night Wins Nonprofit of the Year
On October 2nd, the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Awards Gala at the Evergreen Event Center. Business leaders from all over the community gathered to celebrate the achievements of the people and organizations that make our area so special.
 Jessica Campbell is my Community Outreach Coordinator and also serves as the President of Story Night. The look on her face when Story Night was announced as the 2026 Nonprofit of the year was priceless!
Pictured to the left: Jessica smiles with a couple of the many women who are part of the Story Night family. Jennifer Richter, owner of Graze Craze, is the proud 2026 Headline Sponsor of Story Night. Jana Polivka, with Polivka Properties, has donated to the event raffles. Both women shared their stories on the podcast.
The heart of Story Night is connectivity, something I am passionate about in all aspects of life. I’ve had the honor to be part of Story Night as a speaker, a platform provider, and a sponsor. I am so proud to see how far Story Night has come! Congratulations to all of the women who are part of the Story Night family. Let us all take encouragement from the Story Night mission by remembering to share our stories and make space to listen to the stories of others.
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There is so much to celebrate within our community. The Gala highlighted the incredible dedication of many individuals and businesses. Thank you to everyone who makes the McMinnville area so special!
Congratulations to All of the 2026 Award Recipients!
  Chamber Volunteer of the Year - Jose Lopez, JB Landscape & Maintenance Services LLC
 Business Leader of the Year - Steve Scott, McMinnville Properties
 Business of the Year - EMPWR USA
 Lifetime Achievement Award - Dean Klaus, Your Space Storage
Youth Suicide Awareness Day
One of the most important things we can do as a state is to encourage and protect our youth. On October 9, we recognized Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness Day. Many community members gathered at sunrise at Discovery Meadows Park for a walk out of darkness sunrise vigil. I was honored to share a few words at this important gathering, hosted by Love Like Mikalynn. I encourage everyone, no matter where you live, to reach out to the youth in your life this coming week. Remind them how special and loved they are.
Crown of Yamhill County
What a wonderful evening celebrating community and compassion at the 3rd Annual Crown of Yamhill County! Held on Saturday, October 3rd, at the Gallery Theater in McMinnville, this special event, hosted by Henderson House during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, brought our community together and raised over $60,000 to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence right here in Yamhill County.
Congratulations to Mackenzie Fraser, this year's Crown winner, along with first runner-up Grace Juster and second runner-up Lance Nuttman! A heartfelt thank you to Henderson House, the participants, sponsors, and everyone who helped make this event such a success. It's inspiring to see our community come together to support such an important mission!
Happy Birthday, McMinnville!
Happy 150th Birthday, McMinnville! 🎉
On Saturday, October 17th, our community came together to celebrate 150 years of McMinnville history! From the festive parade down historic Third Street to the birthday celebration at City Park, complete with live music, family activities, and plenty of sweet treats, it was a wonderful way to honor this special milestone.
 Having a great time on one of the floats with McMinnville's Mayor Kim Morris
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After the parade, residents enjoyed a birthday party at the City Park. It was a beautiful fall day with music, bubbles, kids' crafts, games, and many incredible handmade cupcakes honoring our wonderful city. I especially appreciated the historical photos and papers that were on display.
William T. Newby platted a five-acre town on May 5, 1856, and named it McMinnville after his former hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee. Officially incorporated on October 20th, 1876, McMinnville has grown and changed in so many ways over the past century and a half, but its small-town charm and strong sense of community remain at its heart. What a joy to celebrate the people, traditions, and history that make McMinnville such a special place to call home. Here's to the next 150 years!
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Pancake Feed
The McMinnville Fire District hosted its annual Pancake Feed on Sunday, October 11th, bringing families and neighbors together for a morning of delicious food and fun! From pancakes and French toast to fire engine rides, safety demonstrations, and the chance to meet our local firefighters and medics, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
 My honorary team members, Logan and Luke Campbell, enjoyed a special tour from their favorite neighborhood firefighter, Ryan Zollinger.
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Even better, donations from the event supported the McMinnville Volunteer Firefighter Association. What a wonderful community tradition and a great opportunity to show appreciation for the dedicated men and women who work to keep our community safe. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible!
And of course, thank you to all the cooks who prepared delicious pancakes for all to savor!
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Veterans' Day Parade - This Saturday
Mark your calendars and head to 3rd Street this Saturday morning. Few things move me as much as thinking about our nation's freedom. I see how easily our lives and liberties here are taken for granted. Let us take time to stop and remember the heroes and their families who sacrificially served our country, protecting our American ideals and values.
To everyone veteran, we see you. We honor you. We are forever grateful.
Podcast Pause
Our 2026 season of Life and Legislation With Lucetta has wrapped up. We will be back in 2027, so stay tuned for updates. In the meantime, I hope you'll take a listen to our most recent episodes.
 On episode 32, we welcomed three special guests: Dr. Paula Amato, Mollie Huyck, and Stacy Ochoa, for a discussion on a disease that is on the rise: infertility. These women have worked for years trying to get health care coverage for the 1 in 6 who are facing the devastation of infertility. This is a very important topic to me and I will be once again putting forth a bill next session to try and help Oregonians create and grow families.
 On episode 33, we talk about the tragedy in Bend and what conversations need to be had at a legislative level to protect our children. We also covered some key election topics and closed out the 2026 season.
I will be spending some time visiting other wonderful podcasts and am excited to return to Life and Legislation in 2027. Thank you to all who tuned in, subscribed, or gave us a rating this year. Whether I'm in my office, out in the community, or on a podcast, it is my sincere honor to connect with Oregonians.
Yours truly,
 Representative Lucetta Elmer
House District 24
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1424
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-395, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/elmer
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