Grants Pass Pharmacy—More Than Just a Pharmacy

As a downtown institution, nothing beats Grants Pass Pharmacy, located at 414 SW 6th Street. It has been at that location since 1933,and has been a popular downtown gathering place for many generations of local residents. It's not just a pharmacy; inside you'll find a cool, old-fashioned soda fountain and deli, which is a big hit for downtown shoppers, and a unique gift department, offering everything from Snow Babies and Department 56 Villages to Crabtree & Evelyn and Caswell-Massey.
Owners Mike and Bonnie Maffett both grew up in Grants Pass and returned in 1973 to buy the pharmacy. Their daughter, Michele Belcher, returned to Grants Pass in 1993 with her husband Ken (and a degree in pharmacy) to work with her parents in the pharmacy. She is now at the helm as head pharmacist and co-owner, in addition to her duties as upcoming President of the National Community Pharmacists Association, an organization for independent pharmacies.
It is definitely a family affair at Grants Pass Pharmacy, as Mike and Bonnie's daughter Melinda manages the gift department and fountain/deli.
"We offer a family-friendly environment with great customer service," Melinda said. "We still deliver prescriptions to our clients who can't get out to pick them up. We have a wonderful gift selection, a fountain and deli that serves 50¢ phosphates and 25¢ coffee, and makes the best milkshakes in the valley, plus great deli sandwiches."
In the pharmacy, the small hometown feel is appreciated by their many customers. "It is our commitment to provide you with exceptional service in the pharmacy and throughout the store," Michele said. "We are pleased to announce that you can now access your prescriptions online, 24/7. There is no need to call in to refill your prescriptions; just view and refill them in the comfort of your home or office. It's absolutely free. To get started, you can go to our website, grantspasspharmacy.com."
The pharmacy also offers prescription counseling, and they have a wide selection of durable medical supplies. There is free delivery within the Grants Pass city limits. Their Facebook page is chock full of health hints and other breaking news in the medical establishment.
For more information, the phone number is 541-476-4262.

At Sanctuary One, the Healing is Mutual

Nestled in the heart of the pastoral Applegate, Sanctuary One feels like a haven the moment you arrive. The 55-acre farm is home to over 100 rescued domestic animals, including horses, goats, sheep, pigs, llamas, cats, dogs, ducks, chickens, and bunnies. Many of them have suffered terrible abuse and neglect; here, they are clearly in their element. They wander under the wide blue sky in groups or bonded pairs, or curl up in safe and cozy nooks. An outgoing pig or goat might trot toward you for a scratch. The Sanctuary has given these animals a kind of well-being they had never known before.
Sanctuary One was founded in 2007 with the simple mission of providing refuge for mistreated and unwanted animals. But it soon became clear that the Sanctuary was actually doing more than that. The animals were healing in body and spirit, not just through proper care but through the natural, positive relationships that they were able to form with people, other animals, and their environment.
This was a more holistic, interconnected picture of wellness—and one that, by definition, works both ways. Those who came to visit the farm were finding their own inner peace restored by connecting with the animals and the earth. The Sanctuary was giving back as much as it received.
Interacting with animals, gardening, and spending time in nature has demonstrated physical and mental health benefits for humans. This is widely accepted in Europe, where animal care farms are much more common. There, doctors will actually prescribe patients to spend time on a care farm as a way to lower blood pressure or treat depression.
Sanctuary One is the first known U.S. care farm to embrace this philosophy. Today, the Sanctuary offers a number of short- and long-term visitor programs through which people may volunteer service, learn about sustainable and ethical farming, and receive some free nature therapy in return. From farm stays for vacationing city-dwellers to volunteer opportunities for at-risk youth, the Sanctuary regularly welcomes people to come partake in the mutual healing at Sanctuary One.
You are invited to experience it for yourself. Visit sanctuaryone.org to learn about farm tours, volunteer opportunities, interactive classes and more.