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
