Sat April 29, 2001
Joint Activities with the Oregon Historic Trails Advisory
Council,
BLM, Trail Tenders, TIC Historical Markers Committee
Oregon Trail Interpretive
Center - Flagstaff Hill near Baker City
 Once
again planned and
delivered an excellent event. The first of our Indoor Outings, prompted by
Lowell Tiller. Jim brought
together the BLM, Trail Tenders, NWOCTA, TIC
Historical Markers Committee, and OHTAC. for a day of sign
inaugurations, historical talks, and just plain good fellowship.
The
first activity, dedication of a new historical road sign, was moved
indoors when the weather turned rainy. We heard from several speakers
about the ongoing project of making Flagstaff Hill the finest Oregon Trail
Interpretive Center in the country. The new road sign -The Lure for Gold -
interprets the theme of the reverse migration on the Oregon Trail when
gold was discovered in the 1860s. Jim Renner is Assistant Director of Oregon's
Travel Information Council Dave Hunsacker, director of
the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, told us about the
improvements being made, especially in the area of the mine and gold
stamping mill displays. This was Dave's last day at this center, as he is
taking on a bigger job for BLM as director of the Escalante, or Grand
Staircase, which is the range of incredibly scenic country including Bryce
Canyon, Zion National Park, and Grand Canyon. His headquarters will be in
Kanab, Utah.There were several other talks about the vision, birth and
development of the Trails Center which had taken place since 1987. Our own
Dick Ackerman added his comments, as he was one of the early promoters of
the project. |
| Next,
Jim Renner led us outside the auditorium wher he dedicated the Richard
and Trudy Ackerman Meritorius Service Award of OCTA's Northwest Chapter.
The award recognizes significant contributions to the organization over
a five or more year period. Dick and Trudy were the first recipients
last March and Joyce Bolerjack was the second recipient of the award.
Standing proud amidst her three children, Joyce remarked that this was
the fourth greatest moment of her life.
Dick Ackerman told us of his
early and abiding interest in the trails, which has led him to so many
interesting places, and made him so many friends. The Ackerman's have made
monumental contributions to OCTA at the highest level. National
President, chapter president, boar members, National Preservation
Officer
|
| Sarah
leCompte reported on the Oregon Trail Ruts being threatened by a
proposed water treatment plant in Irrigon, Oregon. This was an early
trail, which continued along the Umatilla River past Echo down toward
the Columbia River. It is one of the trail segments which we are hoping
to add to the official Oregon Trail. On the way home I went that way and
saw this intriguing sign, which, according to Sarah's description,
straddles and faces that trail segment. |
The entertainment was capped off by NWOCTA
member Ray Egan, as Ezra Meeker, told us the story of George W. Bush. A
very interesting glimpse into the life of a very colorful 1844 pioneer
to Oregon. It was also a good discussion of some strange early laws of
Oregon. We then adjourned to the American Legion Hall
where the Trail Tenders treated us to some excellent Buffalo Stew. More
surprises were in store as they brought out a birthday cake for Dave
Welch. And we discovered it was also Glenn Harrison's birthday. As
we relaxed with a delicious carrot cake dessert Jim Renner regaled us
with his violin. Well, I guess with the traditional Irish jigs and
reels, it was a fiddle. When that music plays I can't resist doing a
little clogging. I found out that Jim could play longer than I could
dance. Altogether a wonderful day with wonderful friends,
old and new. |
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