Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 14,1999 - SEVEN
To step back in time
(By Claudia Hughes who had the
opportunity to experience the
recent "Gathering in the Blues".
For Pam Wunderlich, whose
pioneer spirit is going to see her
through
her
Rendezvous
experience.)
Billowy white clouds, tall
grass waving in the wind, the
clip-clop of a horse, the gentle
breeze, a bird soaring overhead
and the backdrop of the Blue
Mountains set the stage for the
1999
Pacific
Primitive
Rendezvous.
It indeed felt like a movie set
and stepping back in time. "You
are now in 1838", the sign said.
Picture tepees, tents of the
1800's, people of all ages
dressed in buckskins, calico and
ribbon dresses, waistcoats,
frocks, breeches,
trousers,
colonial dress and even loin
cloths, an abundance of loin
cloths (or maybe the correct
description is breech).
The wagon jogged along past
the horse camp, primitive camp,
tepee village, ranger camp,
colonial village, through traders
row. It appeared to be a silent
movie, a village in slow motion,
with children playing games, the
scent of breakfast cooking over
the campfires, traders selling
their wares, women shaking out
their bedding and making up
their tiny living quarters. Up the
canyon, sounds of the black
powder shoot echoed in the
distance. Flags flying in the
. breeze represented Canada,
France, Scotland and numerous
states. Folks waved, smiled, and
stopped to ask when the ice
wagon would arrive.
Wonderful craftsmen, these
people.
Many pursue their
talents year round, while for
others it is during the
Rendezvous that their artistic
vein surfaces. The black powder
horns and creation of the
beautiful muzzle loaders were a
work of art. Back then, it took
patient loading, careful aim and
hours of practice to have food
for the winter. The origin of the
saying, "lock, stock, and barrel"
suddenly became clear.
A group was building a Red
River cart, which they had been
working on since 1994 and
continue at each annual
Rendezvous.
Traders were
carving,
weaving,
sewing,
making baskets, candles, trunks,
and even hammer dulcimer and
bowed psaltery instruments.
Some, there for the short stay,
were packing up trunks, poles,
and bedding to return to reality
via a horse drawn wagon.
Boredom? Not possible with a
myriad of crafts offered for
young and old from pine basket
making, wool rug braiding,
tepees, to cannon building.
Children could participate in
string games, do bead work,
make lanterns and sage bundles
or attend nature seminars.
Who are these folks anyway?
There are nurses, teachers,
doctors,
wine
makers,
blacksmiths, lawyers, chefs,
photographers, tent smiths,
retired military, engineers,
appraiser, Norm Thompson
editor and even a jovial
gentleman with a white beard
who was truly Santa Claus eight
weeks out of the year. He was
also the "head honcho" of the
corporation who called the camp
meetings.
Just as with any community or
colony, concerns needed to be
dealt with such as controlling
camp dogs. Business had to be
attended to on a regular basis.
"Dog soldiers," the camp police,
were present to deal with any
problems in the encampment.
Badger, Whiner, lronjaw,
Raggedy
Ann,
Babbles,
Leprechaun, Two Ponies, No
Show, Pants on Backwards,
were just a few of the honored
"handles" some of the folks had
earned
over
the
years.
Humorous campfire stories
resulted in being labeled. You
did something funny and you
were awarded a new name.
Frenchy, 79 years young, bom in
Normandy, France, was the chef
at Frenchy's restaurant. He has
become famous for his buffalo
burgers
and
ran
strong
competition with the Indian
Taco restaurant on Traders Row.
Tacos on fry bread were a mouth
watering treat.
What moment of insanity
causes these people to spend
their vacation cooking over an
open fire, sleeping in a tent,
going without a shower, sitting
under a trillion stars at night
around a campfire? (By the way,
there
were
porta-potties,
disguised under yards of brown
burlap to blend in.) Why do they
strive for such authenticity for a
few days? Some say it's the
camaraderie, the reunion of
friends, the experience for their
family and doing without the
basics.
For others, it's the
muzzle loading competition,
creating things with their hands,
the outdoor setting, a good
night's sleep, the slower pace
and no telephones.
A few
reluctantly admitted that it was
good to get back to the switches
(electricity) and showers, after a
week without. However, for
many the lifestyle is addictive,
which is why they are found in
Rendezvous settings scattered
across the U.S. all during the
year.
Participants wished Heppner to
know that they truly enjoyed
"going to town", which entailed
walking a few miles or jolting
along in a cart until they reached
their motor vehicles.
One
camper was so thrilled to find
"real hardware" in Coast-to-
Coast. He said the big city
where he was from no longer
carried the real thing. They all
were so grateful to Dick and
Virginia
Wilkinson
for
providing the beautiful Hinton
Creek site, to Mark and Pam
Wunderlich
and
to
the
Westbergs for suggesting the
site as a possible location.
Participants of some 20 years
said it was the best site by far.
Booshway Gary Miller and
Segundo Brian Deglow were the
"big guns" who set the stage and
pulled it off.
The Heppner businesses
enjoyed serving these people and
would welcome them back for
another "Gathering in the
Blues". It isn't every day a
thousand gentle visitors pass
through a community. They,
too, appreciated the Wilkinsons
willingness to share their land. I
appreciated the opportunity to
experience 1938. Somehow I
felt like I had been there in
another time, another place.
Harvest
price down
As expected, the harvest this
year is not very good, according
to Morrow County Grain
Growers General Manager Chris
Meyer.
Meyer said MCGG has been
receiving grain at the North Lex,
Lexington, Hogue-Wamer and
lone elevators and "early returns
indicate around 20 bushels to the
acre," which is "down over h a ir
from several previous years.
Meyer said that Tuesday wheat
was $3 a bushel in Portland and
$2.75 delivered to the river,
which is below loan price.
Harvesting has begun in the
north Willow Creek Valley, the
north Lex and Buttercreek areas
and the area west of lone.
Meyer said that the lack of
moisture
was
the
mam
contributor to the poor harvest,
with winterkill having some
bearing on it.
Volunteers needed
By Doris Brosnan
Remember last year's
'Celebrate Heppner" children's
events? Volunteers are needed
for those activities this year.
Just a half hour of your time will
help guarantee a good time. Call
Merry at 676-5429.
Remember last year's
"Celebrate Heppner" fun music?
Musically talented individuals
need to volunteer to help make
this year's event just as
enjoyable. Call Joyce at 676-
5241.
The fair will be here soon, and
with it comes a need for
volunteers to be models for the
Style Revue. Call Liz at 676-
9832. All ages, males and
females, are needed.
That volunteer-wanna-be
mentioned in last week's paper
still looks for a job. Call 676-
5886 to get your need for a
volunteer listed.
Day care plans farewell party
The Heppner DayCare/Pre-
school has planned a farewell
party for Sue Norton on Thurs
day, July 15, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
at the daycare center.
“We would like to acknowledge
Sue for her dedication and devo-
tion to so many children for the
last 13 years,” said DayCare di
rector Merry Brannon. “We wel
come everyone to come and cel
ebrate and say farewell to our very
dear friend.”
Class of 1979 reunion
Over thirty-five alumni of
Heppner High School's Class of
1979 will celebrate their 20-year
reunion on Saturday, July 24.
The day will begin at 10:30
a m. with a family brunch at the
fairgrounds. A 1 p.m. tee-off
time is set for a class golf
tournament.
Special guest
golfers include Don Cole and
Tom Shear. The reunion will be
capped off during a dinner and
dance at the Heppner Elks at
beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Friends and family of the class
of 1979 are invited to drop in to
visit with class members at any
of the day's events, especially
during the dance by 3D
Productions.
For additional information
concerning the reunion, contact
Julie Grieb Weimar at 509-735-
7491 or Mane Yocom Jones at
541-276-1591.
Golf lessons
set at WCCC
Pete Strawick will begin junior
golf lessons at Willow Creek
Country Club on Wednesday, July
21 .
Lessons will be from 3-4:30
p.m. The cost is $10 per child.
St. Patrick's Senior Center
_________ Bulletin Board_________
Eighty-four people were present for the senior dinner July 7.
Members of the Episcopal Church served. There was a bit of
excitement before the meal. As the hamburgers were being barbecued
outside the back door, a load of commodities for the mealsite arrived,
and, as they were being brought into the kitchen, the smoke from the
barbecue blew in and set off the fire alarm, which brought the fire and
police department personnel in. Everything was restored to normal and
dinner was served almost on time.
The menu for July 21 is barbecued chicken, mashed potato bake,
Mexi-com, hot zucchini dish, apricots, rolls and brownies. Members
of the First Christian Church will serve.
The bus trip to Spray was cancelled as only one rider signed up. The
bus will go to the Hermiston meal site July 22. Sign up at the Senior
Center office or phone 676-9039 to have your name put on the list.
Volunteers folded newsletters for the Extension Service, Tuesday,
July 6. Cards were played that afternoon and on Friday Jane Rawlins,
committee chairperson, and many volunteers have been pricing articles
for the rummage/yard sale. There is a large assortment of quality items
coming in. There are also many larger items for the silent auction.
Bidding on the silent auction closes Saturday, July 17, at 11 am. Come
by the Senior Center dining room Friday and Saturday, July 16-7 for
shopping at this huge sale. Proceeds will help support the Senior
Center.
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