Rhs Newsletter 02 2007

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FEBRUARY 2007 NEWSLETTER

Red

THE

REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2

16600 NE 80th Street, Room 106 Redmond, WA 98052 ~ Tel 425.885.2919

Our Mission: To Discover, Recover, Share and Celebrate Redmond’s History

website ~ www.redmondhistory.org e-mail ~ [email protected] HOURS: Tuesday through Thursday 1-4 p.m., Friday, 4-6 p.m. and by appointment

HISTORY IS HAPPENING IN REDMOND!

P

resident’s Corner



“What a way to start 2007 ~

A

Pioneer Life & “Whodunit”

with wind, snow, ice, and a cancelled meeting. You might think it is the worst winter ever, but stop by our office to see photos of ice on Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington back in 1950 and ice skaters on the Sammamish River in 1910. So there’s proof of colder days for an extended time. Some members braved the cold and icy roads on January 13th only to find our doors locked. I apologize to Jerry Torrell, Stan and Marilyn Frey, Bob and Joyce Fowler, Betty and Howard Kuhl and any others.

All of us were looking forward to

hearing Shirley Haines tell her story

Margarete Mitchell Colman and Clarissa (Colman) Fawcett ~ daughter-inlaw and granddaughter of Clarissa and James Colman. Both Margarete and Clarissa wrote in the Colman diaries in later years. (Photo courtesy of the Eastside Heritage Center)

How often do you get a history lesson plus a whodunit?

about the Lake Washington Shipyards,

Well, Seattle Times columnist Sherry Grindeland and RHS Board

her time in the Marines and more. She

member Tom Hitzroth will be providing

will give us another chance and will

just that at our general meeting

return in May. Thank you, Shirley.

on February 10th.

Before the snowstorm hit, I had

They’ll be talking about life

a chance to say “thank you” to all

on Lake Washington in the

our office volunteers with lunch at

late 1800s as seen through

my house. These volunteers help

the eyes of Clarissa Colman,

out in the office by answering the

and describing the intrigue

phone, filing, greeting visitors and

and mystery surrounding the

doing other tasks that help keep the

murder of her husband, James

Historical Society going.

Manning Colman.

(Continued on page 2)

The Redmond Recorder ~February 2007

NEXT MEETING Saturday, Feb. 10 ~ 10 to 11:30 a.m. Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center Topic: Colman Diaries & Murder Mystery SPEAKERS: Seattle Times columnist Sherry Grindeland and Tom Hitzroth

(Continued on page 2)

1

History is Happening in Redmond!

GENERAL MEETINGS 2nd Saturday of the Month 10 a.m. unless otherwise stated

P

resident’s Corner

(Continued from page 1)

Those attending were Arlyn Vallene, our longest tenured office sitter, Russ

and Millie Goetschius, John and Roxie Phillips, Eileen McCoskrie, Marion

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center

Neal, Norma Warner, Daryl Martin, Amo Marr, Tom and Suzanne Hall, Rose

16600 NE 80th St

Weiss and Lillian Garland. If you’d like to be included in this annual affair all you need to do is volunteer.

2007

march 10 ~ ~ Yvonne Conway on being raised in rural Redmond. Plus, Brad Solomon shows clips from his Redmont History DVD

Thanks also go to Brad Solomon, Naomi Hardy and Larry Nelson (they didn’t get lunch but deserve a big hand of applause and more) who have been volunteering their time putting together Redmond’s rich history on a DVD. (See Page 3 for details.) As for upcoming meetings, in March Yvonne Conway will tell us about her

april 14 ~ Biographer Lyn Lambert on the late local sculptor Dudley Carter.

pioneer family and the hardships of growing up in the Depression. In April,

may 12 ~ Shirley Haines on the Lake Washington shipyards.

sculptor Dudley Carter. Shirley Haines will speak to us in May and in June

june 9 ~ RHS holds its annual picnic at Anderson Park at noon. september 8 October 13 November 9 ...................................................

2007 Executive Board

Judy Lang President Naomi Hardy Vice-President Miguel Llanos Vice-President Joanne Westlund Treasurer Margaret Wiese Corresponding Secretary Beryl Standley Recording Secretary

Board of Directors

Terri Gordon Tom Hitzroth Jon Magnussen Amo Marr Doris Schaible Patti Simpson Ward

Executive Director

Beryl Standley

Attorney

Charles Diesen

...................................................

FREE Newsletter

Lyn Lambert will entertain us with her biographical tale of the late wood we’ll have our annual potluck picnic. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss any of these exciting meetings and I hope to see you on February 10th. l ~ Judy Aries Lang, RHS President

Meeting Topic: Colman Diaries & Mystery

Happy 102nd!!!

(Continued from page 1)

The Colmans lived in Kennydale, a now disappeared community that was once on the south end of Mercer Island. The diaries, says Tom, “give a great glimpse of pioneer daily life that was just as pertinent to Redmond settlers and their hardships as it was to the Kennydale people. I have read them from 1886 to 1888 and some parts

If you don't already subscribe, please sign up. Call the office at 425.885.2919 or e-mail [email protected]. State your preference of e-mail or U.S. Mail (e-mail is cheaper for the city and the photos look better on-line).

after that to 1900 and it is a treasure

on the diaries for the Seattle Times

whose 102nd birthday is

The Redmond Recorder

last August that includes several

this January 27th. Here’s

pictures. It can be viewed online at

to you Audrey, and here’s

seattletimes.com. Once there, search

a picture of Audrey in

for: Colman diaries. l

1934! l

Published nine times annually Miguel Llanos Editor Patti Simpson Ward Newsletter Graphic Designer

The Redmond Recorder ~February 2007

trove of information on the hardships and vicissitudes of daily living.” Sherry wrote a front-page article

2

Let’s all sing Happy Birthday to our oldest member, Audrey Gorlick,

History is Happening in Redmond!

“Reflections” Book Signing

Mark your calendars for Saturday, February

24th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Redmond

R

edmond History on DVD

Library. Naomi Hardy, who compiled and edited “Redmond Reflections: from Settlers to Software,” will share what she learned about Redmond’s past in assembling over 800 images to tell the story. The book may be purchased from the checkout counter at the Redmond Library, and copies will be available for sale at this event. Refreshments will be provided, and we’ll also show highlights from the Society’s new DVD of Redmond history (see article at right.) This history happening is sponsored by the Friends of the Redmond Library. The library is at 15990 NE 85th Street in downtown Redmond.

l

2007 Walking Tours

RHS board member Tom Hitzroth has lined

up a new round of walking tours through old

(Above) DVD Cover ~ Redmond: Views of History

Redmond ~ and even added a new building to the

KOMO radio legend and local boy Larry Nelson

short route as the result of new research. Space is limited, and to sign up either email Tom

narrates video vignettes of Redmond’s history that we’ve

at [email protected] or call the office at

packaged in a great DVD. Produced by Brad Solomon,

425.885.2919.

the series has been airing on Redmond City TV and



The tour dates are:

we decided to put them all together in an



•

April 2nd

easy-to-view format. The topics are as follows:



•

May 20th

•

First Settlers



•

June 17th

•

Logging Industry



•

September 16th

•

Perrigo’s Plat

•

School Days

start at the Justice White House across from

•

Anderson Park

Half-Price Books. They will not be held in case of

•

Marymoor Park

rain. A $6.00 per person contribution is requested

•

Nokomis Club

which goes toward buying a bench for the walking

•

Sammamish Slough

route.l

•

Derby Days

•

Old Town Redmond

The walks run from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and

Buy at Staples? Help RHS

A bonus video by Dr. John Way shows Redmond back

If you shop at Staples, you can help the Society

in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

by telling the cashier that you’d like the purchase

Only a few copies have been made, so buy one while

amount to go to the Redmond Historical Society

you can at the February 10th general meeting, at our

awards account. As that account grows, the

office or at the Feburary 24th book signing (see the

Society gets coupons for equipment and supplies

item at the top on the left). The cost for the DVD is

for the office.

l

The Redmond Recorder ~February 2007

$13.00 l

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History is Happening in Redmond!

RHS

Major Benefactors We thank these

lifetime benefactors, folks recognized for either a significant financial contribution or their long-term dedication to the Society.

Please see the

membership form on Page 6 for information on how to join this worthy group with a tax-deductible donation of $1,000 or more. l

MAJOR BENEFACTORS John Anderson Barbara Neal Beeson Brad Best Naomi Hardy Patricia Weiss Jovag Barbara Weiss Joyce Glenn Lampaert (deceased) Roy Lampaert Miguel Llanos Jon Magnussen Daryl Martin Allison Reed Morris Charles Reed Frances Reed Vivian Robinson Laurie Rockenbeck Margy Rockenbeck William Rockenbeck Don Watts Margaret Evers Wiese

S ilo in The Snow

RHS GetsAward The Redmond Chamber

of Commerce awarded the Redmond Historical Society its 2006 “Breakthrough Non-Profit of the Year” award. It certainly was a breakthrough year for us, what with our first book published!

Thanks to the Chamber for

helping spread the word about our presence and mission to preserve and share Redmond’s neat heritage.

l

Burial Plots For Sale It’s not something we like to talk about. It’s even more awkward to write about it. But the fact is most families will have to deal with cemetery plots, and often it’s when they least want to deal with it. So why not plan ahead AND save money by acquiring two Cedar Lawns plots donated to the Society by the family of the late Woody Reed? If bought at Cedar Lawns, the plots would sell for around $4,000 each. We’re trying to set a price, but plan to sell them for much less. If interested, please contact Beryl Standley at 425.885.2919. l

Home Movies

This silo had been part of the Beba Crosby barn on 116th before the barn was demolished to make way for new homes. It was salvaged by Jeff Parrish, who spoke to the Society last year about the labor of love of moving it to his property on West Snoqualmie Valley Road. It sure looked like it had found a beautiful new setting, especially on this day in January 2007. l

The Redmond Recorder ~February 2007

4

We’re looking for home movies that show Redmond people and places. We’d make copies, return the originals and use some of the images in upcoming videos about Redmond’s history. Contact Brad Solomon at 425.881.6043 or [email protected] if you might have something to contribute.. l

History is Happening in Redmond!

I

nside Redmond Reflections

Haven’t checked out our new book yet? There’s a good chance that you, your family and/or friends are mentioned or shown among the 108 pages. In fact, an index of names makes it easy to find out who’s where! The pictorial essay of our heritage also answers questions like:

•

Why did people come to our



village of Salmonberg?



How were they received by Native

•



People?



What industry created our first

•



business boom and why did it



disappear?



•

Is Sammamish a river or a slough?



•

Where were nuclear warheads located off Avondale?



•

Where is the sunken forest that’s been underwater for 1,000 years?



As for our cover image, that’s Bear Creek. To the left is where Safeway and Bear Creek Village stores sit today.

l

✂ Redmond Reflections Order Form We ship free for current members, so if you haven't joined or renewed, there's a form on the last page of this newsletter that you can send in with the book order form below. Price per book: $21.76 ($20.00 + $1.76 Washington Sales Tax) (Non-Members, please add postage: $3 for one book, $5 for two and $8 for three or more) ADDRESS TO MAIL BOOK(S) TO:

Name:______________________________________

Name:____________________________________

Telephone: __________________________________

Address: __________________________________

No. of Books Ordered: ________________________

City/St./Zip: _______________________________

Amount Enclosed: ____________________________

__________________________________________

Mail completed form (please print clearly) and check or money order to:

Redmond Historical Society 16600 NE 80th, Room 106 Redmond, WA 98052

The Redmond Recorder ~February 2007

5

History is Happening in Redmond!

WANTED!!! BUSINESS PARTNERS!

IS YOUR BUSINESS ROOTED IN REDMOND? if so, Redmond Historical Society is looking for partners who, in exchange for a tax deductable financial donation, would be allowed to reach our 1,200 readers via this space and on our website at: www.redmondhistory.org Contact Miguel Llanos at [email protected] or by phone at 425.869.9806.

J

oin the Redmond Historical Society AND HELP DISCOVER, RECOVER, PRESERVE AND SHARE REDMOND’S HISTORY!

LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP (✓ Check one only.) $5.00 $20.00 $35.00 $200.00 $250.00 $1,000.00

❍ TRAILBLAZER (Student) ❍ PIONEER (Individual) ❍ HOMESTEADER (Family) ❍ ENTREPRENEUR (Supporter) ❍ CORPORATE (Business) ❍ HISTORY MAKER (Lifetime) All Contributions are tax deductable.

✂

Please make checks payable to: REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

✉ Fill out the form below and mail it with your check to:

Redmond Historical Society Attn: Membership ORSCC, Room 106 16600 NE 80th Street Redmond, WA 98052

(PLEASE CLIP AND MAIL THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR CHECK.)

Name:______________________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________________ (PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME EXACTY AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR ON YOUR NAME TAG FOR GENERAL MEETINGS.)

Address: __________________________________ City: _____________________________ State: ______ Zip: _____________ E-Mail Address: ______________________________________________ Birth Date (Month/Day/Year): _____________________ If Family Membership, other names to be included: ________________________________________________________________ How would you like our complimentary newsletter delivere to you: E-Mail: __________________ U.S. Mail: __________________