Flashback: Dorothy and backers still laughing at Redmond scare given Seaside in 1949; Vandals mess up John Tuck School in 1974; Tradition lives in new fair trappings in 1999

Published 2:00 am Thursday, July 25, 2024

100 Years Ago

July 31, 1924 — From ‘Local Happenings’

Mr. Hodge, the highway resident engineer, is a competent man for the place. He is conducting the maintenance work and the improvement work in a very efficient manner.

———

“The Redmond Spokesman celebrates it 14th anniversary Thursday, July 3. Under its present editors and proprietors, W.B. Russell and J.E. Bloom, the Spokesman has become one of Central Oregon’s influential newspapers. Redmond is one of the enterprising cities of Oregon and the Spokesman has been doing its share to maintain that reputation.” — Oregon Voter We thank you, Brother Chapman.

75 Years Ago

July 28, 1949 — Dorothy and Backers Still Laughing At Redmond Scare Given Seaside

Dorothy Simmons didn’t get to be Miss Oregon of 1949, but she and the Redmond people who accompanied her to Seaside last week end are still laughing at the scare they gave everybody who was there from other parts of the state.

It was Redmond all the way through at Seaside, and before it was over people were asking each other in wide-eyed wonder: “What kind of town is that up there, anyway? Do they have ALL the beautiful gals?”

The field of 15 contestants was outstanding, but it was obvious to everybody from the start, according to Redmond observers, that Dorothy was going to place close to the top.

This fact, combined with the continuous appearance throughout the show of Joyce Davis, of Redmond, the Miss Oregon of 1948, soon had sponsoring delegations from other parts of the state in acute throws of jitters.

As it was, Dorothy almost did land in first place, according to Tommy Thompson, who made it a point to find out all he could about the judging. She placed third, and the final three were so close on points that it took the judges 30 minutes to decide how to place them.

Thompson acknowledged that the new Miss Oregon, Beverly Krueger of The Dalles is “really a sweetheart. She just sparkled.” Her talent number was a dramatic recitation. Second place winner was a Eugene girl, Diane Barnhart.

50 Years Ago

July 31, 1974 — Vandals mess up John Tuck School

John Tuck School was badly ransacked but little damaged after vandals struck sometime Wednesday evening.

Mainly books and other objects were strewn about the rooms and paints were smeared on the floors, requiring custodial time for clean-up. Nothing has been reported stolen.

The incident was reported to Redmond police at 7:27 a.m. Thursday by William Jangala, Tuck custodian.

Police found no evidence of force-able entry and suspect entry was gained through an unlocked door.

City well approved

The City of Redmond has received provisional approval for the drilling of a third water well on property southeast of town near the airport, reports city administrator Ed English.

The approval came from the Oregon State Health Division, which last year held up approval on the city’s second well at 17th and Kalama Ave. That well is now near completion.

25 Years Ago

July 28, 1999 — Tradition lives in new fair trappings

On a poster-perfect Central Oregon morning, a fair was born.

“Hats Off to New Beginnings” is the theme of this week’s event, the 80th annual Deschutes County Fair.

There’s a double entendre there new beginnings as in new, ultra-modern facility, and new, as in a historical milestone. This fair is the last fair in the century.

Much has been written, much has been said about the expense, expanse and design of the facility.

New may have replaced old in the largest public event east of the Cascades, yet an early morning visit the day before the show opens says that some things never change.

The floor under the straw may be concrete, but livestock smell the same.

Fair queens and princesses are lovely, gracious and sweet, be they in sashes or sweats.

Carnival rides are carnival rides, even with fancy names relating to phenomenal weather patterns or Ferris wheels.

Concessions is a glitzy name for food booths (Tip: Go hungry; there are 172 vendors this year, more than double the number at past fairs).

International stars like Alabama making down-home country music in an exposition center, for cryin’ out loud — it’s still a hand-clappin’, foot-stompin’ sing-along of the best kind, sitting with and waving to best friends and old pals.

A double-truckload of alfalfa looms large against the cloudless sky in the nearly empty parking lot. At the administration building, blinds are drawn.

A sign on the locked door directs visitors to the on-site business office where staff point exhibitors in the right direction.

Walkie-talkies become an article of clothing.

Red-vested fair directors answer questions, direct displays, coordinate myriad details in their areas.

Kids assemble metal animal pens; gardeners arrange flowers; bakers, weavers, food preservers, artists and photographers showcase their crafts for this week’s crowds.

No one’s gathering wool here, yet there’s an warm, unhurried ambience, possibly boosted by the glorious sunshine, of home, country, friends, family. This is small-town deeply rooted country fair in 21st-century trappings.

Some things don’t change.

Take a look at the premium book: showmanship, judging, exhibitions, equitation.

Even with the presence of the region’s TV station, even with ponds, windmills, magnificent mounds of flowers illuminating the green, green (new) grass, this is about kids.

Kids and animals — 4-H, FFA. Revered tradition, philosophy, a healthy, basic program for owning the responsibility of having an animal.

Thousands of hours volunteered by adults to help these youngsters develop attitudes, values and skills for leadership. Self-assured, self-productive young people.

This business of animal-raising combines it all. Animals and adults teaching youths, limited only by imagination.

It has been said and often-repeated: “I would rather raise a blue-ribbon 4-Her than a blue ribbon animal.”

Substitute the word FFA for 4-H, and the meaning’s the same.

That’s the way it’s done at fair time in Central Oregon