Applegater., July 01, 2016, Page 6, Image 6

6 Summer 2016 Applegater
BACK IN TIME
Learning to sew
BY EVELYN BYRNE WILLIAMS WITH JANEEN SATHRE
I was in sixth grade when Mrs.
Maud Port came to our school and
asked us girls if we would like to join a
4-H Sewing Club. Eighth grader Rosella
Offenbacher and I were the only ones
interested. We were invited to Mrs. Port’s
home at the Star Ranger Station where
her husband, Lee, was the ranger. Since
my dad was one of the employees, I was
well acquainted with the Ports and their
son, Lee Jr., and daughter, Frances, both
of whom had been classmates of my older
brother and sister.
It was especially nice of Mrs.
Port to offer sewing lessons because she
was very involved in the community. Not
only was she our school’s clerk, but she
was also an active member of the Upper
Applegate Grange and a Home Extension
participant. She admitted that after
attending so many night meetings, she
would become sleepy on her way home
and have to pull over to the side of the
road to take a short nap.
Rosella and I both chose to make a
dress for ourselves. Mrs. Port said that we
should try something simpler because we
were beginners. She suggested an apron,
pillow, or laundry bag, but our hearts
were set on dresses. She kindly gave in,
warning us that it would be difficult and
she would be disappointed if we did not
complete the project.
It’s strange that I do not recall if
she took us to Medford for our patterns
and materials, but I remember drawing
a picture of what I wanted my dress to
look like. Of course, it was not simple,
but that dear lady probably feared she
would lose my interest if she did not
grant me my choice. Naturally, I chose
a striped material, which only added to
the difficulty of the project. I think my
mother must have had a council with
Mrs. Port to make sure I would finish
that dress.
I don’t remember how often Rosella
and I went to Mrs. Port’s for our
instructions, but after school I would
walk there, which was about four miles
away. Our first meeting to cut out our
dresses was very exciting. Mrs. Port
did an amazing job of improvising my
pattern from my drawing, and I thanked
her for doing that. We then did all the
necessary markings and pinned pieces
together before basting with a needle and
thread. Then it was time to hurry home
to show Mother my accomplishment.
After supper that evening, a lamp was
lit so I could continue basting.
I also don’t remember if Mrs. Port
had a treadle or electric sewing machine
or even if I used it. They did have a
generator that was used for lights at the
station and their home, so it’s possible
that they had an electric sewing machine.
I just remember her being pleased with
my sewing that I did on our “Minnesota”
treadle sewing machine. My mother was
Rosella Offenbacher (left) and Evelyn Williams (right) modeled
the first dresses they ever made during a 4-H sewing class taught by Maud Port.
a good seamstress, and I, many times,
ended up having to rip out stitches after
she examined my work. I almost gave
up the dress-making project at times,
but did not want to hurt Mrs. Port, so I
finished the dress.
I really liked Rosella’s dress,
it being a navy style. I don’t remember
if our dresses were later displayed at the
4-H fair, but Mrs. Port was very proud of
us and took our pictures. Rosella stood by
a rose trellis on the left side of the Ports’
home. My photo was taken by the steps
near the road. Note the saddle shoes we
both wore. One was not in style at that
time without saddle shoes.
I regret never seeing Rosella again.
She went on to high school, married, and
a few years later, sadly, died of cancer.
Often times now, when I pass the Star
Ranger Station, I think about my many
memories of her and Mrs. Port and the
4-H dress-making project.
Evelyn Byrne Williams
with Janeen Sathre
541-899-1443
Applegate School’s
‘Concert in the Barn’ a hit
BY DARRELL ERB JR.
When Fred and Jean Hall throw a
barn party, it’s something special.
The couple, whose grandchildren
attend Applegate School, are two of
the school’s most avid volunteers. Their
daily efforts on campus help support the
SMART reading program, the middle
school Battle of the Books program, and
the recycling program.
Equally important is the annual
work they do off campus—producing
the Concert in the Barn to benefit
Applegate School’s Artist-in-Residence
program. Producing this event is no
small feat! The barn used
is a regular working barn,
and the regular denizens—
the Halls’ sheep—must be
displaced, the barn must
be cleaned up and readied,
and hay bales must be
rearranged.
Before all of that
happens, Fred and Jean
make calls to artistic friends
and acquaintances to get donations of
art that can be sold through the silent
auction at the event.
On April 17, Kevin
Carr and his wife, Josie
Mendelsohn, provided the
music at Concert in the
Barn. The Halls invited
Applegate School’s choir
and strings players to share
their music and students
from Michelle Stone’s
English Language Arts class
Josie Mendelsohn and Kevin Carr entertained
“Concert in the Barn”attendees.
to interpret their own poetry. Students
also submitted pieces of art, including
an array of daffodils painted by Vicki
Distefano’s kindergarten and first-grade
students.
The event raised nearly two thousand
dollars, ensuring that in the next school
year, each student at Applegate will
have the opportunity to envision and
complete art projects of their own.
Darrell Erb Jr., Principal
Applegate School
darrell.erb@threerivers.k12.or.us
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Debbie Yerby
to retire from
Applegate School
A valuable and beloved teacher,
Debbie Yerby, will retire at the end
of the 2015-16 school year.
Debbie started teaching
in California, but worked as a
substitute teacher when she moved
to Oregon. In 2004, Debbie started
teaching at Applegate School,
where she quickly grew roots.
Debbie will be missed here. It’s
difficult to say in words what she
does for our school. Her work and
her love for this school go beyond
professional—they’re familial.
The staff will hold a going-
away party for Debbie, then go
about the more difficult work of
educating students without Debbie
Yerby on their team.
—Darrell Erb Jr.