Spirit of Canby Honors the Late Frank Cutsforth

The Oxford Dictionary defines community, among other things, as “a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.” In referring to places that have a tight-knit sense of community, images are evoked of individuals bound by closeness and a shared sense of belonging, and places where inclusive neighborhoods celebrate diversity, support each other’s endeavors, and never fail to come together in times of need. Sadly, as the ongoing proliferation of social media platforms and online communities replace our physical ones, our real-world connections are suffering. Communities that still thrive and continue to nurture a sense of familial closeness — communities like our beloved Canby — are becoming a rarity.

As we witness this phenomenon occurring in cities around the world, we owe it to ourselves to acknowledge our good fortune and to consider those people who have worked so hard to foster such a unique and enviable environment. One such person is Luana Hill, a longtime Canby resident, community activist and member of the Kiwanis Club of Canby.

Luana grew up in a military family. She moved often and never had the opportunity to put down roots or establish a community. It wasn’t until she and her husband moved to Canby, where he was born and raised, that she discovered the elusive thing that she had been missing. Embracing an inherent desire to work with children and help others, Luana began her philanthropic journey volunteering at local schools with her own children. From there, she joined Kiwanis, the PTA, and several other community involvement programs, actively holding positions in each and affecting positive change whenever possible.

It was Luana Hill, in fact, working in conjunction with her friend Angela Baker, who brought Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Canby. It was Luana’s mother-in-law, Alta Hill, who established the Kiwanis Thrift Store over 70 years ago — another unique and lucrative venture that funds so many of the club’s interests: Luana maintains an integral role in that endeavor as well. She was proud to say that Kiwanis has provided $35,000 in scholarship funds to local children this year alone! And the store supports the club’s signature Kiwanis Canby Community Food and Toy Drive, which is about to get underway.

We publish magazines all over Oregon, and while we’re fortunate enough to work with a lot of amazing people, there are few who are as generous or as civic-minded as Luana Hill. Likewise, Canby is one of our most tight-knit communities. After a childhood spent searching for a home, she has not only found a home but has helped to shape and maintain it forgenerations to come.