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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 21, 2012)
Page 20 The INDEPENDENT, March 21, 2012 Zoo seeks memorabilia and stories for Packy’s 50th birthday In preparation for Packy’s 50th birthday celebration April 14, the Oregon Zoo is seeking the public’s help in tracking down and sharing early memo- ries of the beloved pachyderm. Packy, a Portland icon, made international news in 1962 as the first elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in 44 years. The big event hap- pened shortly before 6:00 a.m. on April 14, and news about the 225-pound baby spread rapid- ly. Newspapers and radio sta- The Golden Oldies band is shown on March 7, the day Duke Gortler and Ellie Thompson re- tired from the band. Left to right, top then bottom; Bob Eastman, Art Isakson, Lex Hollis, Al Schaefer, Ellie Thompson, Veneta Vlopp, Pat Ray, and Duke Gortler. Anyone interested in per- forming with the remaining band members is invited to come to the Vernonia Senior Center and join in on Wednesdays. Frigidaire ® Side by Side Refrigerator $ $ 699 $ 899 FFHS2622MS 699 ® Frigidaire Affinity Frigidaire Affinity ® 4.0 Cu. Ft. Capacity, 7.0 Cu. Ft.Capacity, Front Load Washer Front Load Dryer Frigidaire ® Built-In Dishwasher • Fully Electronic Controls • High Temperature Wash • UltraQuiet II ™ Sound Insulation Package • 7 Wash Cycles • DrySense ™ Technology • Vibration Control System • Fits-More ™ Dryer • TimeWise™ Technology, • TimeWise™ Technology FAFW4011LW • SpillSafe Shelves • PureSource 3 Water Filtration • Store-More Humidity Controlled Crisper Drawers FAQE7011LW $ 299 FFBD2407LB Serving the local community since 1944 2008 Main Street • Forest Grove • 503-357-6011 Shop from home at www.vandykeappliance.com Store Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30 - 5:30 Saturday 8:30 - 5:00 tions around the world an- nounced the birth, and Life magazine covered the event with an 11-page spread de- scribing “The Nativity of Packy.” Gifts flooded the zoo – everything from gold-plated safety pins to hand-knitted baby clothing to an elephant- sized quilt – and visitors flocked to see the new pachy- derm. As Packy’s 50th birthday ap- proaches, the zoo is working to preserve his history and would like to augment its visual records from Packy’s early years. “We know visitors love Packy and the rest of the zoo’s Asian elephant herd,” said Kim Smith, zoo director. “We’re hoping some of their experi- ences from the past 50 years are saved on film, and that they’re willing to share memo- rabilia and stories with us. I’d especially love to hear from anyone who knows about Packy’s quilt.” Smith said a visitor told her about a quilt that had been made for Packy when he was a baby, and she is hopeful some- one can supply more informa- tion, pictures of the quilt, or perhaps even the quilt itself. The zoo is also seeking old home movies, film footage, slides, photos, postcards, View-Master reels, newspaper clippings, magazine articles or other memorabilia relating to Packy’s early years. The zoo hopes to display some of these materials during Packy’s birthday celebration and eventually place them in a permanent historical archive. Copies will be accepted in ad- dition to original materials. Do- nations may be sent to the Ore- gon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221, in care of Packy’s Birthday. The zoo is also seeking sto- ries from or about anyone who shares a birthday with Packy (April 14, 1962) – same date, same year or both. Stories and remembrances may be posted to the zoo’s Facebook page, e- mailed to events@oregonzoo. org or sent to the Oregon Zoo using the above address. The zoo may use some of these stories on its website or to help publicize the April celebration. Packy is now the oldest male Asian elephant in North America, and one of the largest, standing 10 feet 6 inch- es tall at the shoulder and tip- ping the scales at around 12,500 pounds. He has fa- thered seven calves, including 28-year-old Sung-Surin (“Shine”) and Rama, both of whom currently live at the zoo. For questions regarding do- nations, contributions or Packy stories, please e-mail events @oregonzoo.org.
