http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION4/i
*sigh*... and here I'd been living with the fantasy of 'taking the winter off' from event planning... silly me.
Is it just me, or has the infotainment media gone nuts? (The ones I speak of are those who try to pass off celebrity gossip, innuendo, and one-sided vicious jugular attacks for "news".) I work for a small newspaper, and I can assure you that there is still a journalistic ethic alive and well in the world to report the news in as thoughtful and unbiased a manner as possible. I don't see that we are given much choice... you can turn on a television and, well... Walter Cronkite just isn't there. Nor does he seem to have many heirs.
On one hand it would be funny if it were totally harmless. But I wonder how much of what is being tossed around might stick. (I used to caution my kids: "Don't throw your anger poop around.") Big money funds much of the discontent, insurance and oil companies who have a financial stake in the status quo. History, they say, is written by the victor.
We have a voice, We The People. We shape history on a daily basis. Tomorrow's history is merely a transcription of the decisions made today.
I say, Let the voice of reason be heard. The words of the nay-sayers need to be balanced with words of hope. We get to choose the path we walk down on. Let us leave behind footsteps in the rich loam of history we can be proud of. And don't step on the anger poop.
Other Literary guests include authors: Jane Kirkirpatrick, Craig Lesley, Shaindel Beers, Brenda Ponichtera, Anne Osterlund, Miralee Ferrell, Joanne Byrd, Jesse Burkhardt and Colleen Schafroth.
Klindt's is the oldest continually operating bookstore in Oregon, and very possibly/likely the oldest book store west of the Mississipi. In operation since 1870 (and possibly 1869), with only three owners in all that time, Klindt's gives you a lovely experience of the old-time bookstore. Floors that creak, the smell of books, and a staff who can often have any book your heart desires in stock for you by the next day.
I talked about all that history so that I can venture a little into the sci-fi fantasy realm, which is where Ken Scholes fits so nicely. Scholes is producing an epic fantasy entitled "The Psalms of Isaak." The first volume in that series is "Lamentation." Tor Books sees Scholes as a potential candidate to inherit the fantasy crown left vacant by the death of Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time). Our own local History Mystery reporter, Rodger Nichols, declared "Lamentation" to be equal to "Dune" (the first volume) by Frank Herbert. That was high praise indeed.
So, this birthday party on Oct. 13 for Klindt's is a little more than just a birthday party... it is also the release party for Scholes' second volume in the "Psalms" series, "Canticle." I claim my place in the author's booksigning line since it was my suggestion to Anita (based on Rodger's advice) that they'd better lay in some copies of Lamentation, which triggered the Klindt's contact with Scholes. (I also saw to it the local library ordered a copy as well!)
It will be a Literary Lovefest, and one I'm looking forward to attending! Put it on your calendars, oh lovers of fine words and fine wines....
So when is any business solely responsible for community-building as a byproduct of selling their wares? Give me a break. Do we go to McDonald's and complain about lack of motivated community builders who have just consumed an Egg McMuffin?
When did we start to blame our lack of community chutzpah on international corporations? Businesses have a community responsibility to sell legal products, pay taxes, pay their bills, keep their accounting honest, and if possible, provide jobs - hopefully to local folk. That's it. No other overwhelming moral mandate is required.
The business of creating community is the responsibility of We The People. A sense of community doesn't happen as a business byproduct, it happens through volunteerism, participation, action, awareness, and appreciation and gratitude for your neighbors. And knowing your town's history adds to those feelings of civic pride and being rooted.
Don't be so simple, Simon.... if you spent less time in the coffee shops, and more time volunteering to help your local history landmarks and museums, you might feel that community spirit and pride you found lacking with your latte.
Now that Historic The Dalles Days is well underway, the event no longer needs me to push it along and I can sit back, take a breath, and enjoy fanning a little history on myself. I plan to continue my historic explorations and leave little tidbits for you, dear reader, to explore as you see fit. Sort of like the trail of horse muffins left by the passage of the Wagon Train.
And my last post of an old-time song lyrics led me to this website: Music of the 1800's to the 1860's. (In reality, the first song listed is tagged as being from 1767.) It's fun to peruse the songs to see which have withstood the test of time.
I never realized until last night that the refrain "Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream" is actually the chorus lyrics of an old plantation song entitled "The Old Log Hut." It was a very pretty song, and part of the "150 Years of Songs Sung In The Dalles" Concert at St. Peter's Landmark by the Cascade Singers. All the songs offered have been documented to have been sung at one time in public venues somewhere in The Dalles. Led by Lloyd Walworth, the tribute was lovely in a lovely setting, the Old St. Peter's Landmark.The songs were compiled by Karl Vercouteren and narrated by Rodger Nichols. The variety of tunes included several hymns and the classic "Purple People Eater."
For fun, I offer you the lyrics to The Old Log Hut:
The Old Log Hut at Home
Tune: http://www.pdmusic.org/1800s/52rrybotolh.m
Music by R. Sinclair, with Piano Forte accompaniment, published [1852] by Firth,
Pond &, Co., New York.
Down by the river our log hut stands, Where father and mother once dwelt, And the old door-latch that was worn by our hands, And the church where in prayer we knelt; Years, years have pass'd since that happy time, But the river keeps rolling along, And rippling sound on the mossy bank, Is singing the same old song.
Chorus. Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream, All that is past is gone, you know, The future but a dream.
There stands the tree we used to climb,
And the mill with its rolling din,
And the old wharf-boat there it used to float
Where the school-boys used to swim.
High grass grows on the master's grave,
And the river keeps rolling along,
And the birds and the bees, the blossoms, the trees,
Are singing the same old song.
Row, row, row your boat, & etc.
They will be camped at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles through Sat. Sept. 19. The public is invited to go visit them, and Friday afternoon they will offer free wagon rides.
It's a lot of fun, and be sure to bring the kids! Now get out there and enjoy the 30+ events going on for Historic The Dalles Days!
Here is a list of events scheduled for Historic The Dalles Days, Sept. 17-20, 2009. Pass them on to everyone you know!
Thurs. Sept. 17
OREGON STATEHOOD WAGON TRAIN: On Thurs. Sept. 17, The Dalles will be welcoming the Oregon Statehood Wagon Train as it completes a 7-county journey along the historic Dalles Military Road through Baker, Malheur, Grant, Wheeler, Gilliam, Sherman and Wasco counties. Updates on the wagon train’s arrival will be posted at www.thedalleschronicle.com and with editor Kathy Ursprung’s Twitter page: kathyjog Best guess on arrival time is approx. 4:00 p.m. They will be coming in via E. 2nd St., through downtown, and out W. 2nd St. to the Discovery Center.
The Oregon Statehood Wagon Train will camp Thurs., Fri., and Sat. at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, 541-296-8600, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, OR 97058, along the Riverfront Trail. The public is invited to come and visit with the wagon master, pet the horses, and learn about pioneer life. This exhibit is free of charge. Wagon rides will be offered on Friday.
DINNER THEATRE MELODRAMA at the Civic Auditorium Ball Room, 323, E. 4th St., The Dalles. Sept. 11, 12, 17 and 18. Doors open at 7 p.m.; Dinner at 7:30 p.m.; Play at 8:00 p.m. Foiled by an Innocent Maid, with the Theatre Co. of The Dalles. Tickets $25 for dinner and the show. Tickets available at Klindt’s Book Sellers. (541) 370-2513, www.thetheatrecompany.org.
Friday, Sept. 18
THE DALLES FIRE MUSEUM: Open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Free admission. Historic fire engines, photos, authentic fire-fighting gear, badges. The Dalles Fire Department had it’s start in 1859 as Hook And Ladder Company No. 1. Next to City Hall, 313 Court St. (541) 296-5481.
ERIN GLENN WINERY: 710 E. 2nd St., at The Mint. Wine tasting, Fri. Sept. 18, noon - 5 p.m., Jazz music with Chic Preston. Free tours of the historic U.S. Branch Mint Building, built 1870, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY: The Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 2471 and Ladies Auxiliary will hold a ceremony in observation of National POW/MIA Recognition Day Fri., Sept. 18 at the Veterans Memorial at Sorosis Park on Scenic Drive, starting at 6:30 PM. The public is invited to remember veterans missing in action or prisoner of war.
“150 YEARS IN SONG,” CONCERT WITH THE CASCADE SINGERS: Fri., Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m., conducted by Lloyd Walworth, at St. Peter’s Landmark, 3rd & Lincoln, The Dalles. During HTDD, the landmark is open to the public Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (541) 296-5686. Free admission, donations appreciated.
Saturday, Sept. 19
ANNUAL HTDD RUN/WALK ACROSS THE DALLES DAM: Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m. start time, registration starts 8 a.m. at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center, located at Seufert Park on the Oregon shore. This 8k run/walk crosses the Columbia River, atop The Dalles Dam. This event affords a rare opportunity to see the river from a unique vantage point. Take Interstate 84 Exit 87 (The Dalles Dam exit at the Bridge Junction of Highway 197) and proceed east on Bret Clodfelter Way .5 mile east to the Visitor Center. Run/Walk contact: Bob Thouvenel at rthouvenel44@embarqmail.com
“WHEELS 150” VINTAGE VEHICLE PARADE: Start time Sat. Sept. 19, 10 a.m. through downtown The Dalles, beginning at Jefferson St., west on 2nd St., through the Trevitt addition to W. 6th St., and to the Discovery Center. A collection of horse-drawn wagons, horseback riders, and 30-50 vintage antique and classic vehicles. Parade ends at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, with an antique auto show.
FAMILY FUN DAY AT FORT DALLES MUSEUM: Sat. Sept. 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Demonstrations of pioneer life including spinning, farm animals, blacksmithing. Free tours of Oregon’s oldest history museum, the Fort Dalles Museum Surgeon’s Quarters, built 1856. and the Anderson Homestead, Old time music, wagon rides, farm animal petting zoo, and fun for the whole family. Free wagon rides to Rorick House. Contact: Fort Dalles Museum, 500 West 15th and Garrison Street, Phone (541) 296-4547 www.historicthedalles.org/fort_dalles/
PIONEER HOME SHOW & CRAFT FAIR: Sat. Sept. 19 and Sun. 10-4 p.m. both days. You’ll find handmade items by local artisans and craftsmen for sale. Historic children's games. On 16th Street, between Fort Dalles Museum and Anderson Homestead. Fort Dalles Museum located 500 W. 15th & Garrison St.
QUILT SHOW: Rorick House, 300 W. 13th St. Open House, petroglyph images, quilt exhibition by Sew It Goes Quilters. Free admission. Free wagon rides to Fort Dalles. This is the oldest residential home, built 1850, in The Dalles, now a museum.
ECO-FEST: The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce presents the First Annual Gorge Eco-Fest, Sept.19th 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., at Columbia Gorge Community College, 400 E. Scenic Dr. Eco-friendly vendors in construction, landscaping, renewable energy, home products, organic brew, organic foods, music, and recycling vendors. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, 1-800-255-3385, info@thedalleschamber.com, www.thedalleschamber.com.
HISTORIC CHILDREN’S GAMES: Learn to play marbles, string games, jacks, hopscotch, dominoes and other fun historic games. Wasco County Public Library, Sat. Sept. 19, 10 to 3 p.m., 722 Court St. Free admission.
GEOCACHING TREASURE HUNTS: Follow the “Footsteps of 150 Years” to geocache sites hidden along the Oregon Statehood Wagon Train’s route. The geocache route is online at www.geocaching.com. Saturday, Sept. 19 The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the “Amazing Race” Geocache hunt, which will take you to historic landmarks and buildings in The Dalles Historic Downtown District. Contact the Chamber for more information 404 W. 2nd. www.thedalleschamber.com
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 150th BIRTHDAY OPEN HOUSE: The United Church of Christ Congregational Church (1859-2009) celebrates their 150th Anniversary with an Open House, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. Sept. 19. View historic stained glass windows, pictorial display by decades of the church, it’s members and activities, and other church memorabilia. Located at 111 East Fifth Street, the current church was built in 1936, after fire destroyed the first three buildings. UCC’s big anniversary date was Aug. 16th at the Old Wasco County Original Court House, where services were first held in 1859.
OPEN HOUSE: COMMODORE II, Sat. Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 312 Court St. Free admission.
OPEN HOUSE: KLINDT’S BOOKSELLERS, 315 E. 2nd St., Open 8-6 p.m. Oregon’s oldest bookstore. Free admission.
SCHOOL DISTRICT #21 ARCHIVE MUSEUM: The School District Museum will be open for visitation from 10 - 2:00 on Sat. & Sun, Sept. 19-20. Located at The Dalles Wahtonka High School west campus, 3601 W. 10th St., side entrance nearest athletic fields. Free Admission.
THE DALLES FIRE MUSEUM: Open This Sat., 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Free admission. Historic fire engines, photos, authentic fire-fighting gear, badges. Next to City Hall, 313 Court St. (541) 296-5481.
ERIN GLENN WINERY: 710 E. 2nd St., at The Mint. Wine tasting, Fri. Sept. 18, noon - 5 p.m., Sat. Sept. 29 noon - 9 p.m. and Sun. Sept. 20, noon - 5 p.m. with food and music. Tours of the historic Mint Building 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day.
Sunday, Sept. 20
PULPIT ROCK SERVICE: 9 a.m., 12th & Court St.. Dr. Glen R. Basey will give a sermon titled “The Spirit of Jason Lee.”
PIONEER HOME SHOW & CRAFT FAIR: Sun. 10-4 p.m.. You’ll find handmade items by local artisans and craftsmen for sale. Historic children's games. On 16th Street, between Fort Dalles Museum and Anderson Homestead. Fort Dalles Museum located 500 W. 15th & Garrison St.
COMEDY MELODRAMA at the ORIGINAL WASCO COUNTY COURTHOUSE: The Theatre Company of The Dalles presents an original comedy melodrama “Justice at the End of the Trail: The Trial of the Desperado Barry Wey” in two performances Sun. Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. and again at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. Built in 1859, the courthouse marks its 150th birthday this year and will be open extra hours before and after the mock trial, see videos of historic subjects. Located at 410 West Second Street (541) 296-4798.
OPEN HOUSE: The Ben Snipes House/ANZAC Tea Parlour at 218 W. Fourth St. and the Trevitt/Booth House at 214 W. Fourth St. will both be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Free admission.
ERIN GLENN WINERY: 710 E. 2nd St., at The Mint. Wine tasting, Sun. Sept. 20, noon - 5 p.m. with food and music. Free tours of the historic Mint Building 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
I was scurrying around town yesterday handing out flyers for the impending Historic The Dalles Days festival next weekend. The gentleman at The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce informed me he'd received a phone call from a lady who wanted to attend our celebration. She told him she'd been a rider on the wagon train on the earlier stages of it's journey and that it was the most fun she's ever had in her life! That made me pleased, to have helped create a moment for someone's best time ever.
At last count we have 30 events happening next weekend in The Dalles. They are now posted on on www.historicthedalles.com and also on the entertainment calender for www.thedalleschronicle.com .
In the event one is astute enough to notice the waffling in our publicity on the dates for this event... the reason we've shuffled between Sept. 18 and Sept. 17 as a start date is that people keep adding events in to the schedule at the last minute. We now have enough going on Thursday for that date to fold in with the other weekend activities. It's going to be glorious fun!
Historic The Dalles Days - Be Here Then!
The Oregon Statehood Wagon train may just be the last great wagon train we see for the next 50 years or so, or perhaps longer. We're still willing to take riders for only $35 per person per day ($25 per child under 12). As long as we have space, and trail left to ride, you can be a part of this living history re-creation. If you want to know the details, you can find them here:
http://www.historicthedalles.org/wagon_t
But over the last 5 years, we've only had one Historic The Dalles Days weekend with any rain, and that was last year. It was just a little spitty rain, and didn't even really wet the ground. So I have confidence the weather will be our ally the weekend of Historic The Dalles Days, Sept. 18th through the 20th. And given the fact that The Dalles only has an annual rainfall of 13 inches a year, I'd say it's a good bet we'll not see a lot of it; at least as long as I refrain from washing my car.
I passed out flyers to the hotels today, and people are starting to get excited. I was supposed to do a couple of radio interviews today, but I guess when the DJs scheduled me, they forgot that "next Monday" would be Labor Day and they'd be on autopilot in the radio studio.
Events for Historic The Dalles Days are starting to come out of the woodwork... I've added two new events to our HTDD schedule in the past day or so. Keep an eye out for updates; they seem to be coming fast and furious.
http://www.historicthedalles.org/the_dal
There was an awesome article in the Thursday, Sept. 3, 3009 Oregonian, in the Features section How We Live:
"Oregon Statehood Wagon Train offers a first-hand glimpse of the past"
by Larry Bingham
http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.s
View the video, too!
My only disappointment is the article didn't mention our web address:
http://www.HistoricTheDalles.org where all the contact information is. They did include the trail boss' phone contact, which means people can sign on to ride at only $35 per day!
The wagon train is now headed for Sherman and Wasco counties!
http://www.foodtimeline.org/index.html
Things are heating up for Historic The Dalles Days! The Oregon Statehood Wagon Train leaves Monday, August. 10 from Huntington to begin the 7-county, 39 day trek on the historic Dalles Military Road.
Yesterday I want to the Dufur Threshing Bee to hand out HTDD flyers and talk with some of the residents there. They've been up to their eyeballs in planning and hosting the Bee. If you don't know what a "threshing bee" is, it's a chance to enjoy a look at historic wheat harvesting techniques, using horse drawn threshing equipment. Lots of vintage farm equipment, cars, and fun-to-watch demonstrations, like wheelwrighting, a tractor pull, and sack sewing.
What's the point of this historic look at things? I thought the editorial about the Threshing Bee in the Sunday, Aug. 9 edition of The Dalles Chronicle said it well. Here's an excerpt from the editorial "Time travel for fun and pleasure""
The Dufur Threshing Bee's final day is Sunday, Aug. 9.
My plea to the Historic The Dalles Days contact list has resulted in a fruitful bounty of desperados and scallywags.
The Theatre Company of The Dalles will be producing an original melodrama at the Original Wasco County Courthouse on Sunday, September 20, 1:00 and 3:30 p.m., entitled "Justice at the End of the Trail: The Trial of the Desperado Barry Wey.”
Word from the director, Lowry Browning: "Thank you for adding this audition notice for "Barry Wey." I have cast all of the male parts except for one, the role of Rev. Tenney and I still need one female, the role of the narrator. We still have a few weeks to fill those roles. The four critical roles; the prosecutor, defense attorney, judge and stage coach driver are cast. Yay! Two of the actors that I cast last night have worked with the Theatre Co. and the third is a lawyer who works with my husband. The role of the stage coach driver is one of my students from the high school. All four will do a great job. So ... we are on our way and I think that you will be pleased with the show. "
This production is, of course, to commemorate the Original Courthouse's 150th birthday this year, as well as be a part of Historic The Dalles Days.
Learn more about the Original Wasco County Courthouse here:
http://www.historicthedalles.org/wcoc/or
I got a call from a nice lady named Annette today who was calling from her Washington D.C. office for Germany's Public Broadcast television. She heard we were doing the wagon train and since they were just getting ready to film a documentary on the Oregon Trail, she gave us a call and asked if she could ride along for a couple of days. I hooked her up with trailboss Bill Vixie, and so those fine folk on that portion of the route, you'll be seeing the international TV cameras soon.
We are on our way!
This might very well be Oregon's last big wagon train for some time. Our wagon master Ben Kern is in his 80's and there aren't many of his kind left in this world, those willing to eat dust from the south end of a mule while perched in the blazing high desert sun on a hard slab of buckboard. There's adventure here that an easy chair and HDTV just don't adequately convey. It's possibly your last chance to have this experience, so if you want to sign up, it's only $35 per day, and we'll be taking registrations until about August 15. Visit www.historicthedalles.org for more information!
...the wagons are on the trailers and headed toward Oregon. He is headed that way on Monday and will have the livestock with him. He expects to arrive in Huntington on Wednesday.
It's begun, people!! Wagons ho!
SATURDAY, Aug. 8, 2009 - Enjoy: Cowboy Poets 9 - 10 a.m.; Indian Dancers 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Against The Wind Country music 12 - 4 p.m.; Busted Flat Country Band 4 - 7 p.m. From 5 to 7 p.m. enjoy a chuckwagon feed with Trail Boss Chuckwagon Catering and BBQ. Only $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 5. You won't want to miss the action.
SUNDAY, Aug. 9, 2009 - Breakfast 7 - 10 a.m. and the cost for grub is only $5; 7 - 10 a.m. Dine to the sound of music; 12 - 1 p.m. Indian Dancers; 12 - 4 p.m. Gospel Music; 4 - 7 p.m. Against the Wind music.
You'll find kid activities both days including: dunk tank, dime toss, bouncy castle, snow cones, cotton candy, kids' games, and raffles. See demonstrations of authentic flint knapping by Cecil Coons. There's rumors the Sternwheeler will be steaming up the Snake River to join us there.
This event is being brought to you by the Huntington Chamber of Commerce. You can call 541-881-7533 or 541-869-2019 for more information. Tell 'em you heard about it from the Oregon Statehood Wagon Train History Queen.
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