GRANTS PASS, OR -- Need proof that Mac users are some of the most loyal and downright persistent folks around? You need not have looked any farther than Grants Pass in southern Oregon one Thursday evening, August 1st.

With one of the worst summer forest fire burns in state history advancing east and threatening to force 17,000 residents west of Grants Pass to evacuate, the Josephine County Macintosh Users Group (JoMacs) stood firm on its plans to hold its first Open House that evening.

Of course, it didn't hurt that JoMacs president Chris Klitz had earlier decided to locate the Open House in the park next to the river -- the close proximity to water seemed to offer a comfort zone to the pleasant outdoor event despite the buzz of daily news of the burn slowly advancing less than 20 miles away.

The turnout of 50-plus people almost filled the round, wooden-canopy park spot that JoMacs had decorated handsomely with colorful Apple logo banners. JoMacs wanted this Open House to announce its presence in the community, give visitors a glimpse at what makes a Mac User Group special, and to recruit new members.

Apple User Group Liaison for the Northwest (6 states), Steve Welsh, was the special guest speaker. In addition, visitors and members had a variety of hands-on activities and other presentations to keep them busy throughout the almost 2-hour Open House. Among the activities:

• A "live" iMovie presentation by local Apple vendor, Valley Software
• A 50/50 raffle (half of the raffle money was given as a prize)
• AppleWorks software and O'Reilly book prizes
• A hands-on Mac table which featured a flat-panel iMac, an iBook, a Titanium PowerBook, and a QuickSilver G4 tower
• A networked Games (software) Table
• Refreshments table, including homemade cookies
• Give-away table of Apple items (t-shirts, sandals, pens and more)
• A trivia contest (with prizes)

A few passersbye couldn't resist the eye-catching setup and dropped in as guests as the event unfolded, including a handful of PC users. By the time the Open House started, the smokey haze that had obscurred even some of the close Siskayou mountains earlier in the day had blown away with the evening breeze.

The relaxed setting and beauty of the park enhanced the Open House. A bike path wound in and out of the green trees and bushes nearby; a recumbant biker zipped quietly past JoMacs reserved area. "Baxter" the dog, a member of a JoMacs family, unofficially assumed the mascot duties for the evening. And even 2 Rogue Mac MUG members drove in from Medford to be there, too, and support their southern Oregon UG neighbor!

JoMacs blew no smoke in holding their first Open House. The volunteer effort was extensive, and the Mac teens pitched in... one JoMacs member, Mike, had received his new Titanium G4 PowerBook on the afternoon of the Open House. The first time he pulled it from the box was at the Games Table so that he could show it off and share it with all the attendees. Wow. And his friend brought the G4 tower. Valley Software provided the flat-panel iMac... the effort was, indeed, diverse.

Garr Reynolds, Apple's Program Manager for Worldwide User Group Relations, and the Apple UG program donated many of the giveaway gifts and prizes --- all of which were a big hit with the crowd; everyone walked away with something, it seemed.

When the sun began to set, and the Open House concluded, JoMacs knew it had a hit on their hands. "Wow, this was something," said a tired but proud JoMacs president, Chris Klitz. "We did it. Our first one is in the books!"

And in line of fire, that's something everyone at JoMacs will remember.