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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 26, 2011)
community Senior Stars: Kathleen Tiffney By Karen Miller Who needs the History Channel when you have a chance to visit with an- other historian and long time Vernonian who was born the same year and not too far away from out last senior Star, Necia DeWitt. Weiser Idaho, is a small rural town in the western part of that state, which supports farm, orchard, and live- stock, on the Weiser (“Wee-zer”) and Snake Rivers, marking the border with Oregon. In this town was born the first of four girls to Ace and Iva Lolly—Kath- leen. Lolly Tiffney, this months Senior Star. Soon thereafter the, including sister Darrah, moved to Lime, Oregon where Ace worked as an electrician and the family lived in what Kathleen de- scribes as a half tent with a wooden floor. Read on now, for a trip back in history and some nostalgic recollections from Kathleen Lolly Tiffney. From the town of Vernonia, Or- egon came a phone call for a job from an Elmer White, a mechanic in the Ford ga- rage, (now the Sentry Market). Heeding the call to “come west,” Mr. and Mrs. Lol- ly packed up their two girls and belong- ings, leaving the half tent home behind, and made the trip to their new adventures, where Ace took a job as a mechanic as well. Tragedy stuck this young native Idaho family not too far into their new lives here in Vernonia when young Dar- rah passed away at the tender age of five. Her parents lovingly made the decision to transport her body back to their native state of Idaho where she was laid to rest along with other beloved family mem- bers. Soon there after, happiness was on the horizon—along came two more sis- ters for Kathleen: Marjorie and Barbara. And the Lolly’s were here to stay. All three girls went through Ver- nonia schools, Kathleen graduating in 1942, Marjorie in 1945, and Barbara in 1948. Let’s take a trip down Memory Lane and hear some school memories: Kathleen had no trouble remem- bering that day she, at the tender age of six, and in the first grade, sat trembling in her class seat, waiting...waiting...wait- ing...to hear the footsteps of the principal coming down the hall. All of the sudden, step, step, step—louder, louder, louder... and then a stern voice, “Kathleen Lolly, would you accompany me to my office!” Her crime? Kathleen was “throwing au- tumn leaves along with others at the bus stop.” Kathleen has undoubtedly spent many nights since then counting autumn leaves, not sheep, to get to sleep. Happy memories: “Chasing boys!” And boys chasing her! If they couldn’t catch her on foot, one guy at least tried a motorcycle—chased her clear out of town while she rode on the back of an- other boy’s bicycle, kicking up road dust all the way up Highway 47 North towards Mist. Going how fast, Kathleen? Her school memories weren’t all terrifying: Kathleen recalls clear fond memories of one teacher in particular, an Ethel Ray, her first grade teacher, who she recalls was very involved with the Chris- tian Church and other civic affairs around town. The Lolly’s lived in her early years off Highway 47 near Grove Street, but when her Dad was offered a job as a Vernonia policeman, she remembers he felt obligated to be living in the city, so they packed up again and moved across town to A Street. Which Kathleen was happy to do, as she felt grown up and could now walk to school and partici- pate in more school activities. The High School was close by her house and she has memories of leaning out the window watching the kids practice sports. Whether it was Kathleen’s good july26 2011 9 looks, her charming personality, or her Barbara as a “chaperone” to make sure status as daughter of then Police Chief they went. Alas, that little trip detoured Lolly, Kathleen was elected May Day to the skating rink, (now Vernonia Cares). Barbara was stuck Queen in her se- sitting out in the nior year—a special car while Kath- honor in a small leen and Daddy town. May Day went inside for was a big deal at the “just awhile” with high school back their skates. Fi- then; kids danced nally, Kathleen around a May Day “remembered” her Pole, celebrating the sister out in the beginning of spring. car. I never found And yes, they had out what hap- school dances even pened when they “back then.” Kath- got home—maybe leen remembers the Kathleen Tiffney at Kah-Nee-Ta. just as well! great live bands that A few quick memories of down- came from out of town to perform. Somewhere, Kathleen still has town Vernonia: Kathleen loved to browse around her white sweater with “PEP” on it; her job, along with other Pep Club members, Peggy Hatfield’s clothing store, (now the was to yell and scream at sports games, all Black Bear). Her sister Barbara survived donning their saddle shoes, never dream- the skating incident and grew up to own ing there would someday be a saddle shoe and operate the Pal Shop, which hosted store (Muffy’s) right here in town, selling an old time soda shop and juke box, ( retro style footwear like they wore back now the Dentist Office and Pharmacy). Kathleen had a restaurant where the Grey then. Another source of entertainment Dawn Gallery is now. In recent years that happily occupied Kathleen’s time Kathleen had her own shop called KT’s was the Joy Theater, which she wishes Klutter, where Cornerstone Naturals is could be restored. There was a cry room today. Kathleen’s memories would not upstairs where moms could take their ba- bies and still watch the movie. Bill Wil- be complete without Vernonia’s biggest son, Robb Wilson’s dad was the projec- event from 1961, the filming of Ring of Fire with David Janssen (The Fugitive) tionist. Now comes the disclosure of and Frank (the Riddler) Gorshin. She Kathleen’s real love affair—Roller remembers how the Christian Church Skates! And roller skating with her dad. ladies, of which she was a part, slaved Her Police Chief father was a real snazzy away making lunches and a main meal dancer on skates, and they would go to- for the cast and crew, in what is now the gether every chance they got, even if they laundromat. About her father as the Po- had to sneak it in. Even sister Barbara re- members this. Her mom sent Daddy and lice Chief: he never breathed a word Kathleen to the store , along with little continued on page 19 Spiralz Salon has moved! New phone number! 503.429.7408 New address! 59229 Nehalem Hwy. South (Just off Highway 47, a half mile from orginal downtown location!) SPiralz By appointment S A L O N Karin Davenport, Owner/Stylist Summer Summer Reading Program 2011 Collaborative Library Program Manual at the Vernonia Public Library www.cslpreads.org Tuesday, July 26th: Story & Craft/Activity Time 10-11 a.m. Thursday, July 28th: Knights of Veritas 6:00-7:00 p.m. Please check with library about location of this event Saturday, July 30th: Movie Matinee 2:00 p.m. Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mariana Islands, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming All programs are free of charge. For more information call the Vernonia Library at 503-429-1818
