Well, this one's a little awkward. 😂
Normally, I'm the one asking the questions, recognizing other people, and sharing their stories. I never really expected to end up on the other side of one of these features.
I've actually spent most of October debating whether I should even publish this. Giving myself an award, interviewing myself, and then writing about how great I am just felt a little ridiculous. 😂 I also wanted to leave as much of the month as possible to recognize the many people in Cottage Grove I genuinely look up to.
But here's the thing. I didn't choose myself. Our community nominated me and voted me October's Local Legend, and it wouldn't be right to disregard that support or treat your choice any differently than our previous winners.
September's Local Legend, Rye Daves, was one of the people encouraging everyone to vote for me. She shared something that meant quite a bit:
"Austin doesn’t just talk about making our community better. He shows up and does the work. He supports local causes, connects people, and gives back in countless ways."
She also managed to mention the occasional threat to bodily harm I've received along the way. Never thought running a Facebook group would be a contact sport, but here we are. 😂 Thanks, Rye!
I've included some of my photography from throughout my life and travels in this feature, too. I've been fortunate enough to see quite a few places, meet all kinds of people, and experience things that have helped shape who I am.
So, in keeping with our Local Legend tradition, here's a little more about the guy behind Groovin' in the Grove.
Meet Austin Hall
Who is Austin Hall outside of Groovin' in the Grove?
I'm a pretty simple guy. I grew up fishing, hunting, camping, playing video games, and loving technology. I still enjoy all those things, along with photography, traveling, and finding projects around the house that probably didn't need to become projects. 😂
I attended preschool at Trinity Lutheran here in Cottage Grove with Mrs. Pat, then Harrison Elementary at its old location before moving to Springfield for middle and high school. I still came back almost every week to visit family. I eventually attended Lane Community College and the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business, earning certifications as a computer specialist and in computer network monitoring and management, an associate's degree in computer network operations, and a bachelor's degree in business administration.
I've worked in retail, warehouses, HR, management, landscaping, construction, and now at a mill operating equipment and working with my hands. These days I work 12–14-hour shifts, help care for my grandparents, and squeeze Groovin' in the Grove and my small business into whatever free time I can find. Apparently, I never learned how to relax. 😂
What does Cottage Grove mean to you?
Cottage Grove is home. I was born here, my family's been here for generations, and some of you probably remember my grandpa, who was the local UPS guy for nearly 30 years.
I've also traveled through numerous states and Canada, meeting people from different cultures, backgrounds, and walks of life. Those experiences have given me a greater appreciation for different perspectives, and I hope to bring some of the ideas and lessons I've picked up back to our community.
I've watched businesses open, families grow, and unfortunately, quite a few places close their doors. I miss that old small-town feeling where everybody knew everybody and neighbors looked out for one another. Cottage Grove certainly has its problems, but there's so much good here that deserves attention. I want to help bring people together and restore some of that community pride.
What inspired you to create Groovin' in the Grove?
Growing up here, my friends and I always complained there was nothing to do. We'd wander around town, occasionally get ourselves into trouble, and wish there were more things happening. 😂
As I got older, I realized there actually WAS plenty going on. The problem was finding out about it. Events, businesses, activities, and local resources were scattered everywhere, and unless you knew somebody, you'd probably never hear about half of them.
I wanted one place where people could discover what Cottage Grove has to offer. Something useful for a couple planning a date night, kids looking for something fun, or residents wanting to get more involved.
Especially after COVID, I think we've all gotten a little too comfortable staying home and keeping to ourselves. I'm naturally pretty introverted too, believe it or not, but I'd love to see more people get out, meet their neighbors, and experience what our town has to offer.
What happens behind the scenes that people don't see?
Most days start with a 12–14-hour shift at the mill, followed by commuting home, helping family, and handling whatever needs done around the house. Then comes my second job. 😂
Between emails, calls, messages, moderating the group, helping businesses, updating the website, researching events, and working on new ideas, there's always something waiting. I could really use about five more of myself, preferably ones that don't need sleep.
My free time is pretty limited nowadays, but I genuinely enjoy the people I've met through this project. Someday I hope to raise a family of my own here in a community that's even better than the one I grew up in.
What's been one of your most meaningful experiences?
Helping Rye Daves raise money for our local cheerleaders around Bohemia Mining Days really stuck with me. I remember playing sports here as a kid when money wasn't always easy to come by.
Seeing how excited those kids were when the money came together for their new gear was pretty special. To some people it's just a jacket, but to those kids it meant much more.
I've also helped with efforts to house people experiencing homelessness, provide meals and drinks to those less fortunate, and support other local causes. Making someone's life a little better, especially a child's, is worth every minute.
What have been your biggest challenges?
Time and money, without a doubt. I've got about a million ideas and unfortunately neither a million dollars nor a million hours to accomplish them. 😂
What this project earns goes right back into keeping it running and supporting the community. I've had to get creative, learn new things, and figure out ways to accomplish work that would normally require a much larger team.
I've also learned that visibility comes with responsibility. Not everyone will agree with me, and I've certainly made mistakes along the way. All I can do is learn, improve, and keep trying.
I believe everyone deserves a voice, and visibility shouldn't be reserved for people with money or connections. We don't have to agree on everything, but I think we should be able to have different opinions while remaining civil.
I hope to leave something behind that continues benefiting Cottage Grove for years to come.
What have you learned about Cottage Grove through your community work?
That Grovers are a stubborn bunch, and I mean that in a good way. 😂
We have our problems, but we endure, persevere, and make do with what we've got. I've met business owners giving everything to keep their doors open, volunteers sacrificing their free time, and people quietly helping neighbors without expecting recognition.
There's a lot more good happening here than people realize. My travels have also shown me that every community has its strengths and challenges. We don't have to reinvent the wheel or agree on everything to make this town better. Sometimes we just need to listen, try something different, and work together.
What's next for Groovin' in the Grove?
I want Groovin' in the Grove to become THE community hub for Cottage Grove and our surrounding areas. A place where people can find businesses, events, services, community resources, local news, classifieds, jobs, and whatever else our community needs.
With our local newspapers shutting down, I've absolutely noticed the vacuum being left behind, and I'm doing everything I can to help fill that void. I'm not going to pretend one guy working 12–14-hour shifts can replace an entire newsroom overnight. 😂 But I refuse to sit around and watch more of our local resources disappear without at least trying to do something about it.
I've spent countless hours researching, testing, and refining AI tools to help tackle work that would normally require a small team. I use my background in technology and business to help small family-owned businesses stay competitive and entrepreneurs pursue their dreams.
But I never want to lose the human element. I want real people telling their stories, sharing their experiences, and having their voices heard. Technology should help handle the administrative work and time-consuming tasks, not replace the people who make this community special.
This isn't just my community hub. It's OURS.
I encourage everyone to share your ideas, tell me what's missing, and let me know what you'd like to see added. I can't promise everything will happen overnight, but I genuinely listen and try to build around what people will actually use.
My hope is that Groovin' in the Grove becomes something we create together and something that continues serving our community for generations.
What does being selected as October's Local Legend mean to you?
Being selected as the Halloween Local Legend is pretty fitting because being on this side of the spotlight is honestly a little terrifying. 😂
There are so many people in this community who've done far more than I have, people I genuinely look up to and aspire to be like. To be recognized alongside them is incredibly humbling.
It's also why this feature took me so long to put together. I've always preferred recognizing other people's accomplishments rather than my own.
I'm genuinely grateful that the community chose me, and I hope my actions continue making you proud. Every fundraiser, project, or crazy idea I've tried has received more support than I ever imagined.
I truly love this town, even if you catch me wandering around a local store with my resting bitch face and my mind going a hundred miles an hour. 😂 I'm probably not mad at anybody, just thinking about the next 20 things I need to get done.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with the community?
I truly believe Cottage Grove has the potential to become one of Oregon's best small-town destinations. We have incredible people, beautiful surroundings, hardworking businesses, and so many hidden gems that deserve more recognition.
I want to thank everyone who's supported me, my clients, friends, family, and the teachers I've had throughout Cottage Grove, Springfield, and Eugene. Their guidance helped me develop the knowledge and skills I use today.
A special thank you to my stepdad, who stepped up and helped raise me into the man I am today. He's had a tremendous influence on my life, and I'll always appreciate everything he's done for me.
Most importantly, I hope people realize you don't need unlimited money, time, or resources to make a difference. Sometimes you've just got to figure things out and refuse to quit.
Whether you're a struggling business owner or someone going through a rough patch, don't be afraid to lean on your neighbors. Things can get better, and sometimes all it takes is someone willing to lend a hand.
We don't all have to share the same religion, politics, background, or opinions. Heck, some of you are even Beaver fans. Gross. 😂🦆 But we're all neighbors, and we should be able to set those differences aside and help one another.
I've been fortunate enough to experience so many different places, people, and cultures throughout my life. I hope the photographs I've shared give you a glimpse into those experiences and the perspective they've given me.
I don't pretend to know everything or have everything figured out, but I do strive to be a better version of myself every single day.
Regardless of where life takes me, Cottage Grove will always have my heart. ❤️
A Final Thank You
Normally, this is where I'd write a nice closing tribute explaining why our Local Legend deserves recognition, but I think I've done enough talking about myself for one day. 😂 I'll leave that part to you guys.
Thank you for the nominations, votes, encouragement, and for turning this little idea into something far bigger than I ever expected. I never set out to win awards. I just wanted to use what I've learned to make a difference in the town that raised me.
I'm still figuring things out as I go, and there's so much more I'd like to accomplish. Your support and trust don't go unnoticed, and I hope to continue earning both.
And please, keep the ideas coming! If there's a business, organization, event, community resource, or person you think deserves more attention, I want to hear about it.
Here's to more Local Legends, more opportunities to help our neighbors, and more reasons to be proud of the place we call home.
Stay Groovy, Grove!
Austin Hall
Your local resident ginger 🧡
P.S. I now need caffeine and some time with my dog. 😂
