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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 2019)
A18 NEWS Wallowa County Chieftain Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Kristyn Harris wows OK audience By Ellen Morris Bishop Wallowa County Chieftain Kristyn Harris wowed a packed OK Theatre Satur- day night for the Mule Days fi nale music event. Harris’ spare presentation, just her- self and her guitar, provided a powerful and moving eve- ning of old-fashioned classi- cal western cowboy music. She performed audience favorites by Johnny Cash (Ghost Riders in the Sky), Patsy Cline (I Feel Lonely) Bob Wills (with a verse she added herself, since “Bob Willis’ music was mostly written to show off all the band’s instruments, and up here it’s just me and my guitar…”) and others. But her guitar found all the notes and cords from classi- cal Bob Willis and Michael Martin Murphy western pieces and others, no mat- ter how complex. It was the perfect match to showcase Ellen Morris Bishop Kristyn Harris sings at the Hells Canyon Mule Days concert at the OK Theatre her clear, powerful voice that boomed during per- formances of Ghost Rid- ers in the Sky, and softened with emotions when singing about her favorite mare. Harris hails from Texas, and that heritage was pretty clear in her choice of songs from other performers as well as the multitude of her own songs. Many of those revolved around horses and her relationship with them, including a song she said she had written after a Texas bush pilot said that the way he could tell which way the wind was blowing when he was trying to land on a back-country road or in a fi eld was to see which way the horses were standing. They always stood with their tails into the wind. Hence her moving and inspiring song about how we, like horses, should turn our tails to an adverse wind and weather the storm. Other horse-re- lated songs celebrated her wild mustang mare, the advantage of “riding like a girl”, and Guardian Angel--a tribute to her fi rst horse who was purchased for her when she was 11 years old as a “bomb-proof” horse, bucked her off a number of times, and became her life-long best friend. One of Harris’s many talents is yodeling. Several years ago, she was invited to perform on Amer- ican Idol—with the caveat that she had to perform a yodeling song. She chose the only one allowed, a 1935 song by Janet McBride. Her full-throated performance on stage at the OK Theater nearly brought the house down. Harris also has an imp- ish humor, and a not-always serious take on the west- ern, cowboy lifestyle that emerged in songs like “You Need Cows” and “I Want a Mule.” Whatever tune she was performing, you had the feeling that this was a gen- uine, warm-hearted woman, who knows horses, ranch- ing, and the West, and loves them all. It was an unforgettable O.K. Theatre performance that left the very apprecia- tive audience cheering for more, and very, very glad they’d been there for Kris- tyn Harris’ shimmering, emotive, and heartfelt west- ern music. B. Bright Vintage store: It’s just not for Christmas anymore By Steve Tool Wallowa County Chieftain At 104 N. Main St. in Joseph, B. Bright Vintage store is owned and run by mother and daughter, Linda and Emily Bright, who both live in Joseph. The fam- ily has a long history in the county as Linda Bright’s great grandfather platted the town of Enterprise. The store specializes in carefully cho- sen vintage items, includ- ing clothing and just about everything you can think of. “We’re super into pre- loved stuff,” Emily Bright said. “We like to fi nd a new use for an old thing.” With a large family, Linda Bright learned to look for bargains. “I had seven children, so you have to be very frugal with your budget,” she said. “It’s a long-standing thing with me. I’ve always loved antiques, even as a child.” The store idea started with several giant yard sales in the same building the store currently occupies. Linda Bright, who retired from the Enterprise School District several years ago, said that she and her daughter needed an outlet for all the vintage goods they’ve collected over the years. Some of the merchandise comes from local yard and estate sales, but some of it is obtained through travel as well. “We travel to Walla Walla and La Grande and as far as Vancouver, Washington and Idaho,” Emily Bright said. “People know about us, and they call us to come and help them clear out an estate or take in items they no lon- ger needed,” Linda said. The store also sells a very few items on commission for people they know. “It takes a lot of time to gather, clean, price, wash, iron,” the two named alter- nately. “There’s a lot of behind-the scenes time besides the hours on the door.” Having bought and col- lected items over the years has given the two a fair idea of the market value of items they sell, although they occa- sionally refer to E-bay if something is out of their frame of reference. “If we do E-bay, we try to go a little lower or even half of what it sells for,” Linda Bright said. “Plus, you don’t have to pay shipping with us. A lot of our business is with the tourist industry, but we also try to to keep the prices Steve Tool The B. Bright Vintage Store is owned by mother and daughter Linda and Emily Bright, who both live in Joseph. fair so that locals can shop here too.” The store is chock-full of vintage items ranging from kitchenware to all styles of clothing, toys and games, books, horse tack — even individual pool (as in the game) balls. “People come in and pick their favorite number,” Linda Bright explained. She added that she enjoys making people happy when they fi nd something they’ve been looking for at a reason- able price. Also, they look at what they do as a form of recycling. The two are contemplat- ing keeping the store open for longer periods of time. For example, remaining open one or two days per week during the winter. They’re also considering opening the back further. It was partially opened this year to make way for more merchandise, which allowed for more clothes than they previously offered. The two worry that not everyone is aware the store is open as often as it is. “I don’t think a lot of locals know we’re here,” Emily said. “A lot of people don’t know what our hours are although we always keep them the same: 11 to 4, Thurs- day, Friday or Saturday.” SAVE THE DATE Sept. 19th 5:00 - 7:00 pm DIY NIGHT Installation Demonstrations & Special Discounts on DIY friendly products SAVE ON: HARDWOOD - LUXURY VINYL TILE CARPET - TILE AND MORE! #FAMILYMEALNIGHT2019 800 S. River Enterprise, OR | 541-426-9228 | www.carpetone.com Wallowa County CASA
