I CAN DO IT

Do you like making stuff? Is there times when you will buy something, then think if I knew how I could make this, it would be better and a damn site cheaper.
With Valsetz & Stuff you will have that chance! Just watch for the Valsetz Blog articles for a heads up, or check I Can Do That page on Valsetz & Stuff.
About I Can Do That: You will find small projects you can do in spare your time with the computer that will save you time & money. You will find step by step instructions how to do it,( I'm talking about the projects ) what you will need to finish the project, and aproxmently the cost.
It looks as if I might be wasting your time and mine on this site looking at the amount of votes on the polls I posted.
As of now I have to much time on my hands ad this will keep me busy for awhile during the day. But when it looks like I'm not helping someone have a better day then I will have to say " good bye. "
The first project to be wrote on "I can Do It page" will be how to use your own pictures to make a item that looked expensive to own, and you will want to keep it around when you finish the use of this item without paying a premium price .
Know what it is? Find out In the next week on I Can Do That!
You will need computer, printer, And about $10.00 if you want make a very nice gift for another, or yourself.
The things change ever day o Valsetz and Stuff Keep so checking

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SO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOVIE WITH SOUND AND EVERTHING.

I made my first video in 2000, it was from footage I shot
with a sonny video camera of the 1997 Valsetz Reunion held in Dallas
Oregon.
I spent many hours finding out how to make that video,
then made still pictures into slide video with music. I spent a fair amount of
cash on gizmo's and software to make my firsts computer videos into
a DVDs. Today it takes me about an hour to make
then put up on the Internet.
With today's advancement in computer and software you can
also make your own video. It may take a you few times to do one in an hour but
the best thing it is FREE!
When I tell you about computers and soft wear I'm
referring to windows versions, ( mainly Vista and Windows 7 ) HOW EVER the program
I will tell you about will work on XP and ME Windows as well.
The next part may be boring, so if you are computer
literate may want to skip parts of what I'm about to write on finding this
software.
Most videos on You Tube will show you how to use this
program, but won't tell you where or how to find the program on your
computer.Windows Move Maker is the program I'm
talking about. You can make slide shows with voice and music, or make a movie
from another, by removing old voice and or music then adding your own
How do you Tell if you have Windows Movie Maker on your
computer? Open program file, search for Windows Movie Maker, if not there click
on accessories in programs, search there, if you find it right click on it drag
it to desk top. If you don't find it don't fret, go to your search engine and
enter download windows movie maker 2.6. Or click http:microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=34 follow
instructions (remember the down load tips in my down load tutorial). Windows 7
come with a new version, I don't care much for it but it will take videos the
2.6 version won't except. I use Windows 7 version to copy the video as is, then
with the copied movie I can use it with the 2.6 version. In addition if you
have Windows 7 Movie maker you can down load the 2.6 version on windows 7 it's
will work fine. As a final note to this part, Microsoft Movie Maker may not be
the best but it's free and good enough for most of us. If not and want a movie
maker software with a lot more bells and whistles you
may buy it.
Tips on making your movie:
1. Plan what your movie is going to be about, pictures,
film, the sound, tags, and etc. when the plan is ready you are ready for next
step.
2. Go to computer section, open Libraries.
3. Click pictures, then click new folder, name the new
folder ( like, first movie ) Exit then start putting
the pictures for your movie into folder.
4. Now for the fun! Open Movie Maker program. At the top
you will see CAPTURE VIDEO there you will see IMPORT pictures, movies, audio or
music.
5. I suggest you view help, watch videos, and then play
around with Movie Maker by importing a few photos and sound.
BELOW you will find a few suggested how to
Videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9rRh7z5Tcs
BREAK A LEG!

THE NEW VALSETZ WEB SITE

Every body enjoys pictures, but not ever one likes taking pictures. (More on this later)

I started taking pictures in the fifties with an camera that was bought from a comic book. This camera was a simple, took black & white pictures, no flash, and maybe a grade higher than one made from a box.

I took many a pictures with that camera with a great passion. I would have to say it was one of the first point and shoot cameras. This camera had no settings at all just point, focus, & shoot.

I lost that camera somewhere after high school.

I served my time in the US Army and, I found myself in Germany. I then got the photo bug again when I found my assigned post offered photo & dark room classes.

I bought a a nice German made 35 mm camera with all the bells. I took pictures for two & 1/2 years not just b/w but color slides. A few Buddy's and my-self

would take photo trips around city's of Germany & local towns. (back to ones that don't like taking photos) For army folks I would say about one in 20 had a camera.

German folks on weekends were walkers. When out on weekends you would German family's walking all over the county side, but you saw very few cameras.

Again after getting back to the USA I again got lax taking pictures other than of family and again lost the camera.

Years after moving down to Reno, Nev. I again got into Photography. This time I went whole hog I even set up a complete dark room.

My wife started it all when she gave me a nice 35 mm camera for my birthday. I thanked her by spending 2 hours taking pictures at the Golden Gate Bridge as she set there in the car. Doris (my wife) from that day on said "she regrets giving me that camera for my birthday even today.

After buying all the lens I thought I needed, and setting up the dark room, I got into video and upgraded to developing color images in my dark room. all was fine until around 1995 then all the camera was taken from our home. I replaced the video camera with one that you could take still images from. Never got back into photo taking until around 1997 I went to Dallas, Oregon for the Valsetz Reunion I then got back into the reunions then the Valsetz web site. I have bought two new cameras since 2007, but only have used them on occasions.

Here is the news: there will be a new web site called Valsetz Stuff, I hope to have it set up as a interactive site allowing exchange photos and information between members, allow reunion and other videos I have made to be downloaded to your computer, free soft wear and other downloads for your computer, advice and how to do it instructions.

Please check in for progress of the site at valsetzmall.com



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History was made in Valsetz,Oregon over the weekend ( 6/24 Thru 6/26 2011 ) The first Valsetz Reunion to be held in Valsetz Oregon since 1984 took place. The Valsetz Going home reunion was a 3 day event, starting on Fri.the 24th and ending on Sunday the 26th.

This writer not having gone to this event may have missed the event of a life time! But as I understand it may have another chance in 3 or 4 years to attend the 2nd reunion in Valsetz.

The was a big success, & a lot of fun had by all. The main attraction was the showing of a film made by Ronan Feely.

Ronan will show the film at the anual Valsetz Reunion on 8/6/2011 at the Falls City Park. To order your own copy please go to

http://www.catch-films.com/

If you can make it to a Valsetz Reunion, This One Is the one is the one to catch! 8/6/2011

Sorry, I have been so lax on the Blog but health problems have taken it's toll this year.

Hope to see you at Falls City THIS YEAR!

Valsetz Web Site History
During a conversation with another Valsetzer back in late 90's at the annual Valsetz Reunion the topic of having a Valsetz web site arose. Out of this conversation I some how became the person to begin and become the Web Master of the Valsetz, Oregon Web Site. I had no idea where and how to begin. I believe I took on this project to help pay back the old Valsetz community for what in had done for my family. At first I used what I had collected from reunions,photos, annuals, and new paper clippings. Slowly the site has been built for what it is today.
The Future Of The Valsetz Web Site
I have enjoyed building the web site, the long hours, & the time I spent will always be with me, I could never have built the Valsetz site to what it is today with out the help and encouragement from all of the Valsetzers. The only thing that's hard and sad that I dislike doing is, receiving the name of a Valsetzer that has passed. I recently received a e-mail with the name of a Valsetzer that had just passed.I had went to school, worked with at the Polk Co. Sheriff Office, and expected to see at the yearly Valsetz Reunion.This year I did not make it to the 2010 reunion, he did. With my last visit with him in 2009 I thought he was in a lot better shape than I. After receiving the e-mail and placing his name on the site's memorial page sadly I done a memory research and said good bye to the long time friend. I sat in front of the old computer wondering about my time and the time left for the Valsetz website.
What To Do
In the past I put up a few polls and made a attempts to gain funding to keep the site going as long as it could. I had one person to donate to the site, and one person buy from the shirt shop. So now I have decided that you the Valsetzers that wanted and supported building the Valsetz Web Site will decide if it ( old political term ) withers and dies on the vine or is funded after I pass on.

As long as I am able to fund the Valsetz Web Site I will give it the complete funding as I have from day one. I will also remain the webmaster until I'm unable make & remove the post.


I would like to set up a fund to keep the Valsetz Web Site up long after I pass on.
I plan to build web site with complete Valsetz store open to public
Will need donations for future funds for site space
To train and work with people to become webmaster when I no longer can post or remove post.

To do this ,will take commitment from Valsetzers to keep Valsetz alive as long as an Valsetzer or kin is alive.
To aid in this program please e-mail me at www.valsetzmail@aol.com

THAT WAS MY DAD

On The Bean Farm In Colorado Before Brother Pat Arrived

John (Slim) Blackwell, Lois Blackwell, & Jerry

These writing are about some of my best memories of my dad.
My last blog spoke of my dad, this time I'm writing about some of My memories I have retained of my dad in the short 17 years I was able to spend with him as he passed away from cancer of the throat June 16 1959 at the age of 47.
If you remember back in the fifties (in Valsetz) when a truck load of planner ends would be delivered to your home, more than likely it was your chore ( and as I hated it) to stack it in the wood shed. Your mother used this wood to cook your meals, and the wood your dad keep throwing into the furnace or wood stove to keep your family warm. The Man that brought that wood to you by the truck load WAS MY DAD John H. Blackwell known as Slim!
April 24 1912 was the month dad started life and left life in June 16 1959, 2 years after the loss of my brother Patrick Leon in June of 1957.
My memory of dad begin before our family got to Valsetz, I must have been about 5 or 6 years old.
I remember riding down this old dirt road with mom and dad heading to our bean farm when dad spotted a pheasant sitting in the middle of the road. No not a local person but a foul, a bird. Dad hit the gas not the break, the old Chev pickup hit the bird head on right smack in the top of the grill as the pheasant tried to fly out of the way of the pickup. After stopping the pickup dad and mom jumped out, mom grabbed that pheasant dad grabbed a small tub from the bed of the truck. Mom got back in the truck putting the bird on the floor board of the truck then covering it with the tub. Dad said, "son we having a special dinner tonight".
Years later I found out it was not pheasant season, and that was why the bird went under the tub not in it, which was lucky because the bird was not dead but just knocked unconscious for a long time. When that bird came out of his stupor all hell came from the tub. if he would have been in it the tub there may have been serious injury to one or all of us.
The first time I can remember dad loosing his temper (and the last time) was when the the three of us (there was no brother at that time) again on the dirt road dad slammed on the brakes of the old pickup. Before the old truck came to to a complete stop dad was out of the truck swearing and jumping around like a crazy man. dad then pulled the hood off that old Chevy and tossed it over a barbwire fence.
At that moment mom said"your dad has lost his temper " after dad got the hood back on the old Chevy and as he was climbed back into the truck. "I ask him if he had found his temper". with this (if you knew my dad) that big smile came out then dad said "Yes son I did, let's go home".
Dad and the other farmers did a lot of deer hunting at night not only was it at night but was not during hunting season.
I remember going out and riding in back of the old pickup and spotlighting deer. Mom and the lady folks of dad's friends butchering and canning the venison. For the ones that don't know what venison is, it's deer meat, Bambi. Venison was a main staple of the farmers in the forties And earlier years.
Not only was deer hunting for food but it helped to keep the deer population down saving their crops.
I remember when Dad became quite sick during harvesting season of the pinto beans. All the hired hands except one white guy ( dad's jack of all trades Foreman) were local Navajo from the near by reservation. they had camp just a few hundred yards from the main farm house.
I remember one day dad came home very sick and spent the day and night in bed.The Navajo spent all night showed how concerned and how much they liked my dad that night when they began trying to drive the sickness spirits from dad's body.

It must have worked, dad was up the next day and telling mom he was working no matter how bad he felt because he was not about to be keep awake another night with the whooping and dancing all night.
I can remember how I played my dad when he took me into town on a Saturday where he spent the afternoon playing cards with friends. Dad would drop me off at the movie theater then he went to play poker. I had it made movie money plus goodies money.
I learned real quick that after the show was over to find dad before spending the money I had left over from the movies. I would find dad playing poker,as usual. I then would walk up behind him and observe the game for a few minutes then tug on his arm and say"dad are you ready to go home yet? I want to go now". Dad would look at me and and say" son I can't leave right now, take this and have some fun". Depending how much longer he was to play poker was the deciding factor of how much money he gave me not if he was winning or loosing. There was times he played longer then he expected, then I was back again tugging on his arm. It worked ever time! Not once did my dad make me believe he was upset with me.
Dad always had a heart of gold no mater what or who you wereI remember only one time dad let me down. A good friend of the family and dad was building dad a boat ( If you read my blog about Mr. Brown, this is the boat I used) I spent some time helping them but should have helped more. They finished the boat just about the time fishing season was to start.
To kick off fishing season in Valsetz they had what was called the Fisherman's Ball, as they did come hunting season, (also called Fisherman's Brawl and of coarse hunters brawl).
As most fishermen do in Valsetz they attend this Ball drinking & dancing. Well dad did as others had done those nights, drank way to much and couldn't get out of bed the next morning.
After I became a young adult and become a member of the Polk Co. Sheriff's office I worked these festivities and was able to understand what happened to dad. Perhaps I will blog about these balls at a later date.
Come the next morning my brother and I was up at dawn, and very exited about going fishing in our new boat. As time ticked by hour after hour our disappointment mounted. About noon dad emerged from his room looking worse than I had ever seen him before. With apologies flowing about not taking us fishing. By 3 PM Pat and I were fishing with dad and our new boat.

My Christmas gift during my eight grade year in Valsetz I received a 22 rifle. I wanted a deer rifle but I enjoyed many hours with that 22.

Come freshman year I wanted to play football more than hunting.
Mom was against me playing and I'm sure she put dad between a rock and hard place. A week or so before foot ball practice dad and mom set me down and made me the following offer.Dad Said " son mom don't want you playing football she don't want you to get hurt. If you don't play I will give you my old 3230 deer rifle. (I flashed back) dad using that gun in Colorado on the bean farm. I accepted the deal. I don't know who looked the sadder, dad or me. I moped around the house the next few days. I had not touched the rifle sense the deal I made with my folks. Some how dad knew I was unhappy with the deal and finally could not contain him-self. Dad told me "I'm sorry about you not playing football I want you playing and you don't have to stick with the deal we made.( with that Dad's famous grin appeared) he went on to say you keep the rifle I will handle your mom". I could see mom was pissed at dad for a few days.
I was very happy to see both my mom and dad at the games. I only had one injury ( a sprained ankle ) Both mom and dad was at that game. After the game Not a word was said about me getting hurt.
Each memory brings to mind another wonderfully memory of my dad.

When I see a child throw a temper today (this is like ever time I'm in public) I always think
back to how my folks handled the situation in a swift
manor with one swift swat to the butt.

One night dad was replacing a lamp cord and having a tough time of it. My brother & I was not helping with our foolishness. After a few warnings dad grabbed the light cord, I was in my shorts, and dad nailed my butt good with one swing. Dad instantly begin apologising
then I blew it. I said " the hell you are" YES, Dad nailed me again. That was the last time dad ever heard me swear again.

I will write about this one last memory and close this blog. There is more family memories I will write about at a later date.
I believe it was during summer before my freshman year one of Valsetz mills longest strike took effect. This strike hurt many of the Valsetz workers. My dad and mother worked in the fields to get us Thu until the strike was over. Even when the strike ended we were in bad times and very short on cash. My family was just getting by.
After football season was over there was the traditional letters being given out to the players. At that time the letter was put on a Letterman's sweater if you owned one. As a freshman I of coarse had none. I knew of coarse that money was tight and there was no way I would have a sweater to wear to that event.
Come the night of this event after dinner Dad said" its was time to go and get Jerry's letter". With that dad excused him-self leaving the room. Mom started talking and I told her I had to get my coat. as I started out in came dad wearing his big grin and a blue and gold Letterman's sweater with a gold cougar on the back.
That night could have been 100 plus degrees I would have never taken that sweater off.
I believe my dad was the best father any kid could ever have. I have always wondered what it would have been to spend more of my teen and adult life with my dad. John (Slim ) Blackwell
The man that Valsetz loved
The man I've tried to live up to That was my Dad

Valsetz's Gold Fish Pond

Are you wondering what in the world is a Gold Fish Pond doing with in Valsetz History or do you have a big smile on your face because you have your own knowledge of the Valsetz Gold Fish Pond.
I wrote about the fish aquarium in my last writing. What I did not tell you was that my wife and I are reminded of gold fish in Valsetz when viewing fish in an aquarium.
When I speak of Gold Fish I'm not talking about a small one inch fish. But as large as one foot plus.
As the story goes, the superintendent of the valsetz Mill (as many people today) had built a fish pond in the back of the home then stocked it with gold fish (which is carp)
In Valsetz in case you are not aware was touted as the wettest place in Oregon. To be the wettest place in Oregon you will have a lot of rain. After a lot of rain this fish pond had to collect water to a over flowing condition.
Not only was the fish pond over flowing but the man made lake not to far from the fish pond was also over flowing.
The lake flooded over so bad the pond and lake become one.
After the lake water receded the fish pond was left empty.
The Valsetz lake up into the sixty's was well know for the naive trout fishing, German Browns was one native trout that made you a fisherman if you was to bag a large one.
I became disenchanted with fishing in Valsetz in the mid sixty's due to someone had entered bass fish into the lake and had destroyed trout fishing in the lake.
As a freshman in high school I was caught skipping school by one German Brown Trout.
I was suckered in by a very nice day and our boat was closer to my house then the school. I just had that feeling it was my day to catch a old Brown Trout. Not really I just skipped school to go fishing.
I had spent most of the day paddling around the lake trolling, still fishing,and become bored from not catching any fish. But before I could go home I had to wait until school was out or mom would have knowned I had skipped school.
Then it happened this old Brown trout grabbed my baited hook and I spent what I thought must have been hours landing that big brown.
With out thinking I headed to shore grabbed Mr. Brown and headed to the company store (The only general store in Valsetz, it was company owned) where they would give my brown a place of honor on ice and show my name for catching that big brown.
I come out of the store beaming more than a full moon beam off the calmest of lake water. Then it hit me, crap it was only 2:00 pm and the date and time was on the information about Mr Brown's being my catch. I then started to brace myself for the evening. In trying to make myself believe my dad would not know for a few days then mabey it would be to late for punishment. I was very pleased with my self but unhappy as I was not able to share my catch with my family.
That evening when dad got home I knew he knew I skipped school that day
when he asked me how was school today. Dad had never before ask me how was school today. I did get to share the catching of Mr. Brown with my family.
One time when Dad, my brother, and I were out in the boat fishing in the Valsetz lake when from a distance we see this large fish jumping around and looked as large as a beaver.
I never seen my dad get so worked up and exited about a fish in all my life. I swear he grabbed the oars and made it to where this fish was before you could say bait my hook. This fish jumped as if it was coming into the boat and then disappeared. Dad took the boat straight to dock and rushed us home told mom get in the car and headed straight to Falls City's store that sold fishing gear. When dad came out he had a heavy duty pole, reel, line, and great big jigs and lures.
Then back to home we went. We knew just what dad had in mind to do.
By the time we got back home and had traveled 32 miles of crooked gravel road my mom, brother, and myself could not contain our-self's
any further and begin laughing out out. Dad started to get mad then he saw the comedy of what had happened. Dad took the fishing gear back to the store with out even trying to catch his dream fish. This is one fish that did get away.
Dad found out later the fish that was seen by us, was what was know as a Loch Leven trout a subspecies of the German Brown.
Back to the gold fish. The gold fish from the pond was now in the man made lake. The gold fish pond was a short distance from water around the mill. AS the mill water was a lot warmer then the lake water it was natural for the gold fish to wind up around the mill. The gold fish grew not only in size but in numbers. The gold fish were seen in the water around the mill. The mill now had it's own gold fish pond.
I as others remember seeing the gold fish when we went cat fishing at night around the mill, others have been said have seen gold fish in other parts of the valsetz lake.
I would just about bet there was no larger gold fish ponds than the Valsetz Lake was.