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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 12, 2018)
8A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2018 Flavel: Reclusiveness ‘made people understand them less’ Continued from Page 1A first bar pilot, guiding boats across the treach- erous Columbia River Bar. When Mary Louise was born, Astoria was recovering from the Great Astoria Fire of 1922, which had destroyed much of downtown. The chief economies were built around the logging and fishing industries. While Mary Louise was in high school, Astoria was a populous military port town where naval ships sailed the river. Mary Louise graduated from Astoria High School in 1943 and later took classes at Stan- ford University. Music was her true love, said local historian John Goodenberger, who was close to the family and is writing a book about the Flavels. She believed everyone should be introduced to first-rate live music. She was an active member of the now-discontinued Astoria Civic Music Association and worked to bring singers and musicians to Astoria. Perhaps the biggest celebrity Mary Louise snagged was Jerome Hines, a world-renowned basso. He performed at Astoria’s Viking The- ater, which stood in the parking lot behind where Wells Fargo is located now on 12th Street. “He was one of the most famous bass sing- ers in the United States,” Goodenberger said. “I mean, you ever want to hear a bass singer, he would be the guy to go to. And he came to Asto- ria, and he became a personal friend of Mary Louise’s.” Mary Louise was later named godmother to Hines’ son. Tragedy But Mary Louise Flavel and her immedi- ate family are best known now for what hap- pened later — in particular, her brother’s vio- lent outbursts. Both children were extremely intelligent, Goodenberger said, but the family frequently exhibited odd, concerning behavior. In an infamous incident in 1983, Harry stabbed Alec Josephson and was found guilty of first-degree assault. Goodenberger, in a pre- sentation in September, recounted other times the family dealt with Harry’s rage. Mary Lou- ise spent the last third of her life defending him or living as a recluse. “Mary Louise was fond of her brother, and she wanted to protect him,” said Carol Lam- bert, a descendant of Astoria’s Carruthers fam- ily, who remembered the Flavels from the old days in a 2016 interview. “She was the only one left, actually, to do so.” Problems within the family, problems with Harry, were not addressed and later caused the family to flee their hometown. “Had Mary Louise and Harry been growing up today, maybe somebody would have caught Clatsop County Historical Society Katie Frankowicz/The Daily Astorian Mary Louise Flavel has been buried in her family plot at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton. them in elementary school and said, ‘You know, let’s pull these two aside, or at least one of them aside,’” Goodenberger said. “Think about the loss for them. Think about the loss for the town if these people who had such great minds, or ability to absorb informa- tion, could have used it in a positive, commu- nity way,” he said. To him, that is the tragedy. The pressures that kept a reputation-minded family from acknowledging or addressing issues among their own also prevented their children from contributing to Astoria. “And,” Goodenberger said, “the way that the town responded was with gossip.” Stories In 1993, The New Yorker published “The Magnificent Flavels,” an article about the fam- ily written by Calvin Trillin. The article depicts the family as a kind of fallen local aristocracy and highlighted sensational stories. “A lot of it is speculation and stories that people have told and retold, and it gets so that I don’t know what’s truth and what’s not,” Liisa Penner, archivist for the Clatsop County Histor- ical Society, said in a 2016 interview. And people continued to tell stories, the tales fueled by frustration and anger with the once-distinguished family. When Mary Louise, Harry and their mother left Astoria in 1990, they lost a lot of goodwill in the community by abandoning their buildings on Commercial and Ninth streets. The Flavels allowed them to deteriorate and Mary Louise would not put them on the market. The build- ings stood prominent and empty in the heart of downtown. The family also left taxes outstand- ing and let their home fall into disrepair. The Flavels returned occasionally to check on their properties but kept a low profile. One of the people they would visit was Stemper. “People who didn’t know them said, ‘Well, you know they’re crazy,’” Stemper recalled. “Well, they weren’t crazy. They were eccentric.” Goodenberger believes that history will not be able to truly understand the Flavels and their impact on Astoria until another genera- tion passes and fewer people remain who hold grudges against them. “They were reclusive, and so that just made people understand them less,” Goodenberger said. “The only time they’re seeing them is when (the Flavels) are photocopying coupons to get more of a discount at the grocery store or whatever.” At peace Goodenberger is working his way through family letters as he researches his book and knows the truth is complex. “There’s a whole backstory,” he said. “It’s maybe more complicated than what people think.” On one hand, Mary Louise Flavel had an A family photo, from left, of Mary Louise Fla- vel, Harry S. Flavel and their mother, Florence. amazing life. She traveled the world and filled her life with music. “But it also included a lot of fear,” Gooden- berger said. Fear from within her own volatile family. Fear of the community outside. In recent years, Mary Louise gradually sold her downtown buildings. The last one sold in August 2017. In 2015, Greg Newen- hof, co-owner of City Lumber, bought the fam- ily’s former mansion on Franklin Avenue and began renovating it — work his brother, Jeff, took over after Newenhof died unexpectedly in January. The Flavel name still sparks stories. Both houses exert a pull on locals and visitors alike. There are still people who want to get things off their chest and air their grievances where the Flavels are concerned, Goodenberger said. As he reads the family letters, “there is so much about her that I really like,” he said. “I love her sense of adventure and her work within the field of music. It’s incredible. But I also feel a real sadness for her.” Some of the troubles she experienced and the fear she felt, she brought on herself, Goodenberger acknowledged. “But some of that was beyond her control,” he said, “and for someone who had such poten- tial — for it to be lost largely in fear, I find that really sad.” The graveside ceremony in October was kept quiet for a reason. The people who cared for Mary Louise Flavel wanted her to be at peace. CLASSIFIEDINDEX CLASSIFIEDS NOTICES MARINE Special Notices ............................. 104 Boats for Sale................................. 251 Public Notices ............................... 107 Boating Parts & Accessories ..... 254 Announcements .......................... 110 Boats Wanted ................................ 257 Boat Trailers ................................... 260 PERSONALS Marine Supplies & Equip. .......... 266 Lost & Found ................................. 181 Boat/RV Storage ........................... 269 Personals ........................................ 184 Fund-raisers ................................... 188 RVs & Trailers RVs & Travel Trailers ............ 301-307 AUTOMOTIVE Campers, Utility Trailers .... 310-313 Antiques/Classic Vehicles ......... 201 Automobiles .................................. 204 REAL ESTATE SUVs/Trucks .......................... 207-210 Open Houses ................................. 501 4WD .................................................. 213 For Sale ................................... 504-513 Vans .................................................. 216 Lots & Acreage .............................. 516 ATVs/Motorcycles ........................ 219 Income Property .......................... 519 Truck/Auto Parts .......................... 222 Manufactured Homes ................ 522 Detailing ......................................... 225 Commercial Property ................. 525 Tires & Wheels ............................... 228 Real Estate Wanted ..................... 531 181 Lost & Found 504 Homes for Sale GIRL’S MOUNTAIN BIKE FOUND. PLEASE CALL TO IDENTIFY. MIKE 971-606-0447 204 Automobiles House : 2 bedroom 2 bath on 1.93 riverfront acres. 1999 Hyundai Tiburon Runs good. 5 speed. $1,200 503-739-5190 SHOP LOCAL! Check the Business Directory daily to utilize the local professionals advertising in The Daily Astorian. To place an ad in our Business Directory, call 503-325-3211. Let your pockets “jingle” with extra cash from the Daily Astorian classifieds. Enjoy Nehalem River views from the dining, family and master bedroom. Gentle slope to river for fishing, swimming and floating. Near Henry Rierson Spruce Run Campground. Agent related to seller, licensed in Oregon. $345,000. MLS# 18491549, See at: 79774 Lower Nehalem River Rd, Seaside, OR, 503-867-0732 @HOME Property Group, Caitlin Stauffer athomeportland@gmail.com Bundle Internet with your classified ad package for maximum reach! Call 503-325-3211 for more information. More than just another Newspaper T HE D AI L Y A STORIAN RENTALS Properties for Rent ............. 601-613 Rooms & Roommates................. 616 Commercial Rental ...................... 619 Vacation Rentals .......................... 622 Storage Space ............................... 628 Wanted to Rent ............................ 634 RV/Mobile Home Space ............ 637 PETS/LIVESTOCK Animal Boarding .......................... 701 Feed-Hay-Grain ............................ 704 Pets & Supplies ............................. 710 Horses & Tack ................................ 713 WE GETRESULTS MISCELLANEOUS CALL TODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD Fuel, Heating & Firewood ......... 807 Furniture & HH Goods ................ 810 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES TV & Electronics ........................... 811 Business Opportunities ............. 643 Antiques & Collectibles ............. 813 Business for Sale .......................... 644 Jewelry ............................................ 814 Arts & Crafts ................................... 816 5033253211 or 800-781-3211 Email: classifieds@dailyastorian.com Web: www.dailyastorian.com HELP WANTED Help Wanted .................................. 651 APPLIANCES & EQUIP. Work Wanted ................................. 652 Tools & Heavy Equipment ........ 851 Lawn & Garden Equipment ...... 854 SERVICES Appliances ..................................... 860 Childcare/Adult Care .................. 661 Medical Equip. & Supply ........... 866 Services ........................................... 664 Farm Equipment .......................... 923 504 Homes for Sale House For Sale By Owner Beautiful house with a million dollar view. Equipped with solar panels. Price Reduced: $475,000 Call (503)440-8918 604 Apartments Apt./duplex. 1 bedroom/1 bath Off street Parking. $925 a month. First/last deposit. Background check required. 503-325-1202 616 Rooms & Roommates Homeshare: Bedroom available, $675. First/Last month, $300 security deposit. No pets/smoking. 503-338-0703. 651 Help Wanted Full-Time Employment Legal Assistant needed. Hours flexible. Office and computer skills required. Apply to POB 1030, Astoria, OR. WE DELIVER! Please leave a light on or install motion detector lights to make your carrier’s job easier. Thanks! THE DAILY ASTORIAN Going on vacation? Call 503-325-3211 to put a hold on your subscription. THE DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS is 1 p.m. the day before your ad is scheduled to run 651 Help Wanted Tyack Dental Group Seeks fill in Dental hygienist. Join our progressive, fun and quality oriented team! Call (503)338-6000 Peace learning Center All classifieds require pre-payment 651 Help Wanted OYSTER FARM HIRING NOW ~OCEAN PARK~ BAY WORK+RETAIL WORK+MAINTENANCE WORK $15/HOUR 4-TO-6-HOURS/DAY 360-665-2525 has an opening for a Preschool Teacher and an Assistant Teacher. Please apply in person M-Th, 8am-4pm. Peter Pan Market has part time positions open. Starting wage: $12 per/hr. Skills needed include cashiering, food prep, cooking, and baking. Ability to multi-task, good customer skills, and flexibility is a must. Apply in person. Join our flock! WE’RE HIRING for ALL POSITIONS at Pelican Brewing - Cannon Beach. Apply today at pelicanbrewing.com/join- our-team! Want to place a classified ad but unsure how? Call 503-325-3211 and let us help you! HELP WANTED Full service catering company in Seaside seeking professional and personable banquet and kitchen staff to join our team. Excellent work environment, competitive pay plus tips, flexible part-time hours and EOE. Send cover letter, resume or application to PO Box 9, Seaside OR. Attention ORFF 651 Help Wanted HELP WANTED – Seaside Police Patrol Officer The Seaside Police Department is seeking applications for the position of Police Patrol Officer. Pay Range: Regular Full-time position @ $4,245-$5,418 per month (D.E.Q.), with medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Application packet can be picked up at Seaside City Hall, 989 Broadway, Seaside or is available on the City’s website at: www.cityofseaside.us. E.O.E Closing date is 5 PM, on Friday, December 7, 2018 BUILDING OFFICIAL (part time) Plans and directs the operations and activities of the City of Manzanita Building Department (20 hours per week). Building Official certification and C level structural and mechanical inspection and plans examiner certifications required. Starting salary: $33.65 per hour and prorated benefits. Bill’s Tavern & Brewhouse in Cannon Beach is now hiring kitchen staff. FT/PT and year round positions available! Competitive wages and benefits. Please apply at 188 N. Hemlock St. or call (503)436-2202 and ask for Steve. Application packet available at: www.ci.manzanita.or.us. Closing: 4:00 pm November 16, 2018. Looking for a new place to live? The classified ads offer a complete section of homes, apartments, and mobile homes to fit your needs. Check daily for new listings!
