After a few calls and E-Mails from Ronan Feely, I've come believed he was serious about doing the video because of his fish story.
Also his fish story fell in line with the fish story I was about to reveal.
My fish story is about (I normally I don't use real names, this writing may be the only exception)(not) A young intelligent Valsetz girl that never got a bad grade in school, ( you know the prissy , scholar do no wrong type.) Unlike me, I'm the just get by type guy, that doesn't over work oneself. I will bet anyone that above example 50 years later would be as follows The young Valsetz girl would become a workaholic, and the guy as in me, would still be just wanting to get by with out over working himself. I can attest to this as fact
The fish story about the above Valsetz Girl: May 25 1957 Headline of a Salem News Paper, Top Student's Eye Lid Pierced By Fish Hook. The story, Valsetz grade school valedictorian, 14 narrowly escaped a serious eye injury today when her eye lid was pierced cast by an angler. The Valsetz girl was taken to a Dallas Doctor by John Richardson, first aid attendant at Valsetz. Where the hook was removed.
The girl said tonight she would give her speech as scheduled on Monday and she was feeling fine except her eye was a little sore. No bandage was required she said.
I know your thinking, that is not a fish story, nor did you tell us the girl's name. First, the fishy part of the story. Well it seem that the goody two shoe girl wandered off the straight path, instead of staying home to take care of a youngster her mother left in her care left the house taking the child with her. After meeting her boy friend, they then went down to the river so her friend might fish. Now here is the real fishy part of the story, could they really have been fishing? For it was her friend that cast the hook in the Valsetz's girl eye.
As I said before I'm telling Names. The Valsetz Girl , Now, my wife Doris Chancellor, daughter of Dick and Winnie Chancellor.
While writing this story another part of the story became very, very fishy, and I'm sharing this with you. Remember the name of the First Aid person, the one who drove 16 miles over a graveled curvy mountain road to take the girl to the Doctor? In the newspaper article the way his name was printed had a page break, John Richard-son. Our first child was a son named John Richard. Is that in it's self not a little fishy?
If any of you Valsetzers would like to be a Film Star, or help make the video On Valsetz by supplying photos and Valsetz History Please contact Mr.Ronan Feely at: Phone # 541-996-1211
I had planned to tell more than two fish story's but I found more than two with the Video story will be about all I have room for today. I will do more later I promise.
Oz the Wizard of Valsetz land, got his on the opening day of fishing season, was the way it was wrote by a one time Friend of mine.
Ted took Larry Osland (the Principal of Valsetz High School at the time )out on the Valsetz Pond the afternoon of opening day of fishing season. Oz wasn't very adept at walking on the logs in the pond. He would stand on one that would hardly bear his weight. As it started to sink he would hop to another. The others in the group recognized that the teacher was cutting his margin a little to thin each time. It was inevitable that Oz would fall in the pond. HE DID. But he kept the worms he carried tightly clutched in his hands.
He managed to get back on the log that figured in the disaster just in time to plunge in on the other side. Still he kept the worms.
Finally the Oz, wet to the chin, managed to get out and sat drenched and gasping, still hanging on to his fish worms.
when asked, did the gentle Oz lose his temper? Oh, no Ted (still hoping for a passing grade in algebra, after telling the story) vouches for the fact that Oz never said a word that wouldn't be fitting and proper in a class room.
Would you believe none in the group of fishermen laughed during the Oz's adventure on would that be another fish story?
Below is E-Mail from Ronan Freely's fish story about Valsetz
E-Mail at: ronanfeely@hotmail.com
An Independence, Oregon resident wants to make a short film about the story of Valsetz. Before moving to Oregon, Ronan Feely was a producer for the BBC in Ireland and when he stumbled upon the Valsetz story while looking for a fishing hole, he thought it was so unique and moving that it should be told to a larger audience.Ronan says, "I was checking out Google maps and noticed this huge lake in the coastal range. But when I looked at satellite photos of the area, there was no lake. That's when I googled for Valsetz Lake and found out the whole story ... and what a story."Ronan is looking for any former residents of the town to get in contact with him so that he can talk to them about their memories and their own personal stories, and then to bring them back to the town site so they can explain to the viewers where all the buildings were located, etc.Even if you don't want to appear on camera, the producers are searching for old archive; so all your old school and family photos are invaluable. One important piece of the puzzle is Super 8 Film that any of the locals might have shot. Do you have some old Super 8 Home movies of Valsetz? Or do you know the whereabouts of a friend or neighbor who does? This old moving archive will give the while venture a fantastic look and feel.Another document that the producers would love to see is the letter from the timber company informing residents of the plan to turf them out of their homes.Ronan goes on, "The picture Jerry put on his blog last week of the young men in school jackets watching their town burn. That sums it up. If we could speak to one or all of those guys, it would give us a whole new slant to the story. The last day of school in Valsetz."If you would like to help out then please email Ronan at ronanfeely@hotmail.com and he will get right back to you.Oh, and of course the documentary will be available for all former residents to watch, right here at Valsetz Blog.
2 comments:
Hi All, Thanks to Jerry for posting the story. Just to add, the phone number is actually 541-514-9360. Ronan
Great Story Jerry! I have great memories of growing up in that sweet little town. Ron contacted me about him producing the Valsetz story and I was thrilled! My parents were Jack and Florence Est who moved to Valsetz after WWII. My brother and I were both born (at Dallas Hospital) and lived there until my Dad was transferred to U.S. Plywood in 1958. I remember John Richardson, the medic you referred to in your story, he set my ankle after the lumber pile fell on it. I also remember walking to Kathy Goldens house to pick her up for school one morning and when her mother open the door, there was a black and white Captain Kangaroo on their brand new television! My parents were very involved in the community, always organizing some event or sewing something to take to the Veterans Hospital in Portland, making drapes for the school, making pounds of fudge and candy, coaching the little leage team, mom was den mother for the cub scouts, and lots more. My Grandpa and Grandma had a shoe shop down by the store, my Uncle Tony,& Aunt Shirley Cvitanovich lived not far from us and had children, mom's cousin and her husband moved to Lower Western. They used to come to our house and make home brew. I remember the weird smell from the basement! I remember all the get togethers and community gatherings. Everyone knew each other by name which meant that we really couldn't get away with much.
I learned a sense of community envolvement and helping others, I learned honesty, respect and values, I learned a love for small town life, friends and family, sometimes there wasn't a difference. It was amazing all the accomplishments that little burg was capable of. I sent Ron the "Community Service" Scrapbook that my Mom made, (Dad made the front and back cover from real Valsetz plywood) it had numerous articles about Valsetz and life in 1956-57. Ron has promised to donate that wealth of information to the Valsetz Museum when his production is finished. He has a couple of articles just for you Jerry. I put a sticky note on those to be sure that you get them. Much love to all! June Est
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