Happy Feb. 14!

We feel that certain something in the air, those delivery men scrambling around, the couples out for a night on the town. We haven’t forgotten what today is, and we’re not ones to disappoint the ones we love.

So we’re going to commemorate Feb. 14 by celebrating our one true love — the state of Oregon. Yes, Oregon became a state on this day in 1859, and we are happy to live in what we consider to be the greatest state in the union.

The Beaver state may be a little wet — or a little dry if you’re from the eastern two-thirds of the state — a little rural, a little weird, a little provincial and a little cold at times, but we love calling it our home.

Oregon is the greatest state because we have a diversity of climates and topographies. In which other state can you go from the ocean, through temperate rain forest, through lush agricultural land, to tall volcanic mountains, to ponderosa pine forests and deserts full of sagebrush and juniper? It’s amazing all that our state contains.

Oregon is the greatest because we make some of the best agricultural products in the world. Oregon grass seed was used to seed the fields at the last World Cup and Oregon Douglas firs are shipped around the world at Christmas time. Oregon grows wheat that goes into delicious bread, is the largest grower of hazelnuts and the largest grower of mint. Oregon wines are known throughout the world for their quality and we’ve eaten some of the best steak here too.

Oregon is the greatest because we make the best beer in the world. Maybe Belgium and Germany have bigger reputations, but you would be hard pressed to find the sort of diversity and innovation that is happening here anywhere else in the world. Portland has more breweries than any other city in the world and Oregon is the nation’s second largest hop producer.

Oregon is the greatest because we were the first to allow the ballot initiative and to recall our public officials — the Oregon System has since spread to other states since it was enacted in 1902. Oregon was also the first to have a bottle deposit bill, which helped clean the roads of litter. All of the beaches along the coast are public land and belong to the people of Oregon and Oregon was the site of the first permanent American settlement on the West Coast — Astoria.

Oregon is the greatest because we have clean water from the tap. We have a reputation for dreamers and creative types. There are a lot of plaids shirts here and supposedly Portland is the coolest city in the country right now.

Oregon also has not only one side to its flag, but two. That’s right two sides. So not only do we get to look at the state seal, there is also a picture of a beaver.  
Oregon most importantly is the greatest because everyone wants to move here. They know the climate, the nice people and the beautiful scenery make for a great place to live.

Happy 153rd birthday Oregon!

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