Rhs Newsletter 09 2007

History is Happening in Redmond!

The Redmond Recorder September 2007 Vol. 9, No. 7 Redmond Historical Society Our mission: To discover, recover, preserve, share and celebrate Redmond’s history 425-885-2919 16600 NE 80th St, Room 106, Redmond, WA 98052 www.redmondhistory.org [email protected] Office hours: Monday-Friday 1-5pm, and by appointment

President’s Corner It was a Sunday afternoon in August and the invitation read, “30s and 40s reunion picnic” for neighbors of the Stray farm. I was surprised to be invited since I came from the other side of the hill (and not to mention the dates) but I knew this would be a golden opportunity to meet descendants of the folks who settled this area of Redmond around the turn of the 20th century. The last time a reunion picnic was held on the Stray family farm was back in 2002. When Fred Stray suggested they have another picnic, his sister Anne Stray Salmi answered, “Sure. We have lots of room, but you do it.” So Fred got busy and pulled off another picnic. (By the way, Fred and Fran Stray along with barbecuers Cheryl and Gene Magnuson, were kind enough to volunteer their time to help host the Society’s picnic this past June). Well, I wasn’t disappointed. Besides meeting some folks, Continued on Page 2

The Redmond Recorder 9/07

Bella Bottega’s Farming Past Sept. meeting speakers: Duniel and Sylvia Murillo

Murillo family collection

Tommy Murillo tends his field with Redmond-Woodinvlle Road behind him. Today, apartments and the Bella Bottega shopping center sit where the 20-acre Murillo family farm was. The house to the right of him belonged to Flo and Irene Murillo. The building behind Tommy is a garage that Irene used as a summer produce shed.

Join us Sept. 8th for photos and memories of the Sammamish Valley -- especially the area of today’s Bella Bottega shops and movie theater -- when farming, not films, was the big deal. Duniel and Sylvia Murillo will share their family’s farming history, which started with Sylvia’s parents, Sally and Tommy Murillo. The Murillo family is also part of the valley’s Filipino heritage. From the early 1930s, a close-knit Filipino farming community was perched on Education Hill’s bluff above what today is Bella Bottega. The meeting begins at 10.30 a.m. at the Redmond Library. 1

History is Happening in Redmond!

General Meetings Second Saturday of the month

President’s Corner continued from Page 1

Sept. 8 at 10.30 a.m. at the Redmond Library Oct. 13, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center at 16600 NE 80th St. _______________________ 2007 Executive Board Judy Lang, President Naomi Hardy, VP Miguel Llanos, VP Joanne Westlund, Treasurer Margaret Wiese, Corresponding Secretary Beryl Standley, Recording Secretary Board of Directors Terri Gordon Chris Himes Tom Hitzroth Jon Magnussen Amo Marr Doris Schaible Patti Simpson Ward Office Manager Beryl Standley Attorney Charles Diesen Our finances are public record and may be viewed at the office.

Free Newsletter If you’re not already a subscriber, please sign up. Call our office at 425-885-2919 or send e-mail to [email protected]. Just state your preference: e-mail or US Mail. (If either works, please sign up for email as it’s cheaper for the City and photos show up better online.)

Major Sponsors

Long-time neighbors at the Stray picnic included, in front row, left to right: Inga Carlson, Thelma Benson and Ann Gisle. Top row: Anne Stray Salmi and Arlyn Vallene.

and seeing this wonderful old farm with lots of outbuildings and a unique barn, I got to listen in on the stories. Arne Stray, who seems to remember everyone, was busy catching up with Tom Hanks, whose grandfather Olaf Hanks carried mail on horseback in Redmond. Two families that go way back to the early 1900s were there. Inga Kristianson Carlson came with her two nieces and Dennis Gisle brought his mom Ann. The Gisle family purchased their farm that borders the Strays’ from the Stensland family. To this day the original plank cabin built by the Stenslands still sits on the property. Thora Gisle Johnson, who was born in the cabin and no longer lives on the farm, has decided that the cabin should be preserved and moved to a site in Redmond for all to enjoy and learn about how our pioneers actually lived. Toward this worthwhile goal, Anne Salmi has been in contact with the Redmond Parks Department. Let’s hope they take the offer. If they do we all might have to pitch in some muscle, money and ingenuity to get this piece of history preserved and moved. More stories to be told at our Sept. 8th meeting held at the Redmond Library, 10:30 AM. Hope to see you there. Judy Aries Lang

The Redmond Recorder 9/07

2

History is Happening in Redmond!

Derby Days Highlights

Time Capsule The Old Redmond Schoolhouse is now guarding a time capsule! Facilities manager Phyllis Blower says it’s between the auditorium kitchen and main hallway. “We don't know how long the items will survive,” she says. “We are just trying to preserve a little recreation history for posterity!” The items include a baseball, cell phone, 2006 coins, a Newsweek magazine, a City recreation guide, a "Homes for Sale" magazine, photos and comments of park staff, a Redmond Reporter newspaper, and a grocery insert.

Audrey’s Award Audrey Gorlick’s close friend Linda Hussey writes that “I received a call … from the Redmond Senior Center that they had an envelope of an award for Audrey, so … I picked it up and delivered it. It was THE PRESIDENT'S (yes, of the United States) VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD, presented by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation for Audrey's commitment to volunteerism. She received a certificate and a silver pin.”

Off we go to the parade (top); the Gordons rode their horses, while Nao Hardy and John Couch cleaned up behind them (center). And the Perrigo clan built a Trading Post replica as a float (right). Photos by John Davies

Society’s Annual Picnic Our thanks to Cheryl and Gene Magnuson, left, who set up and barbecued. Nao Hardy, granddaughter Ella and others take in the accordion music by Dave Murawski.

The Redmond Recorder 9/07

Perrigo Anniversary “The Perrigo Family is celebrating 130 years, 18772007, in what is now known as Redmond,” Cheri Perrigo wrote to tell us. 169 Perrigos, and their float, attended Derby Days and later had their reunion at Perrigo Park. The Seattle Times’ Sherry Grindeland even wrote about the events. Go to seattletimes.com and search for Perrigo.

3

History is Happening in Redmond!

Lifetime Tribute Madeleine Hagen honored the memory of her late husband, Ed Hagen, by joining the Society as a lifetime member. Madeleine has fond memories of their trips to T&D Feeds for supplies, coffee and chats with folks like the Lampaerts and manager Tom Bauer. Madeleine writes: “Edward ‘Ed’ Hagen was raised in the Seattle Greenlake area. After retiring in 1970 from the Seattle Police Department, we made our home near the Redmond-Fall City Highway … Having a few farm animals and a large garden, Ed also worked with his hands as a finish carpenter on our home and in sailing on Puget Sound. His life was cut short at age 50, leaving many unfulfilled wishes. “I continued working part-time, moving to Bellevue and just recently retired. … Donating to the Redmond Historical Society as a lifetime member is a gratifying way to honor my husband’s memory, and helps keep history alive.”

History Before & After Society member Society Joe Townsend helps the Society by restoring photos damaged over time. He can take a damaged photo, make a digital copy and then fix it using special software. Take a look at these before and after photos. For more examples, check out Joe’s Web site at www.jjtownsend.com From the Bob Martin collection: Mark Johnson, left, and Henry Johnson (no relation) sit on the running board of early automobile.

The Redmond Recorder 9/07

Thank yous Derby Days 2007 was special thanks to these folks. Natalie Hardy Hanson, who organized our part of the kids parade and gave the Society great credit over the PA system. Butch Kent, who once again brought his vintage fire truck and school bus for us to ride in. Diantha Janus, for driving the fire truck! Dave Harder, who drove his pony-pulled "marriage carriage." Terri and John Gordon and daughter Erin McGowen, who rode the only horses in the parade. Katie Olson and friend, who carried our banner to lead off our group. Pied Piper Jerry Torell, who entertained us with his flute and green costume – exactly as he did in 1970! "Pooper scoopers" John Couch and Nao Hardy, who had a job to do and did it well. They stole the show by cleaning up after the horses! The Perrigo clan, for their wonderful parade float. The Singing Mayors, Rosemarie Ives and Chris Himes, who sang happy 95th birthday to the City -accompanied by John Couch and his ukulele. 4

History is Happening in Redmond!

Lucille B. Hansen Bellings

Order Redmond Reflections Also available for purchase at the Redmond Library

Tom Hansen notified us that his mother, Lucille B. Hansen Bellings, a Redmond resident since 1944, died on April 6 at the age of 94. He provided a wonderful biography we’d like to share:

“Mom was born in Seattle on Jan. 8, 1913, later graduating from Lincoln High in 1931, also meeting her future husband Wayne Hansen, graduating in 1932. “My folks moved into the old Weber house at Weber’s Point on East Lake Sammamish Road. They became members of the Happy Valley Grange, where mother put together with volunteer help the first Derby float of the Grange mounted on a wicker baby buggy that my younger sister Christine used to occupy. The theme was “The Old Woman in the Shoe.” Being a part time seamstress, she made costumes for the PTA Circus. Over the years, my sister, myself and even my Dad participated in the yearly event. “Lucille Hansen became a Girl Scout leader, working with Rose Weiss … teaching the girls camping skills. She also sold Beauty Counselor makeup and products by referral out of one of the family’s used cars. Sewing was a strong interest, remaking clothes for her family and doing alterations for women in the Redmond area. “Mom was a housewife, keeping all things going while dad commuted to work 50 miles a day to Seattle. Two of her minor contributions were bringing milk delivery to East Lake Sammamish … Also, tenparty line phone service was lacking, and she kept an account for over two months and presented it at a public meeting about phone service in Kirkland. “My Dad died of a heart attack in May of 1962. I had left home and my sister was about to graduate from Lake Washington High. Mom took a job a Redmond Floors, also building a small house on the back of the farmhouse property. … She married Chuck Billings in 1978, living up on Education Hill. In December of 1983 Chuck died. Mom stayed on in his house, fixing and improving it until her bad fall in September 2006, knocking herself out. After nine days in the hospital and six months in a good nursing home, she died in her sleep. She is buried in Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Redmond, next to Dad.” The Redmond Recorder 9/07

We ship free for members, so if you haven’t joined or renewed, there’s a form on the back that you can send in with the book order form below!

Price: $21.78 ($20.00 plus $1.78 sales tax) Non-members, please add postage: $3 for 1 book, $5 for 2 books, $8 for 3 or more books

Your Name Phone number Number of books ordered Amount enclosed

Send book(s) to:

______________________ Name

Address

______________________________ City/State/Zip

Mail completed form and check or money order to: Redmond Historical Society / Book order 16600 NE 80th -- Room 106 Redmond, WA 98052 5

History is Happening in Redmond!

Medical Center Delivers Kids Parade Around 1,000 children turned out for the 2007 Derby Days Kids Parade organized, as it has since 1989, by the Redmond Medical Center. That’s more than any other kids parade at a SEAFAIR event this year, notes co-organizer Jody Norwood. “This was one of the best turn outs in the kids parade history,” she adds. Each child got a water bottle from Evergreen Healthcare; goodies from each sponsor group; $2 for wearing a helmet (from Kempf and Co. and Clark Raymond and Company); and a birthday party favor of a decorative bicycle spoke from the City of Redmond. Some 75 volunteers helped out, most from the medical center. In addition, its tenants (see redmondmedicalcenter.com for listing) helped fund the event.

Redmond Medical Center

Join the Redmond Historical Society Please pay 2007 dues ASAP!! And help discover, recover, preserve, share and celebrate Redmond’s history! Levels of Membership (Check 1 only)

‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ٱ‬

Trailblazer (Student).................. $ 5.00 Pioneer (Individual)................ $ 20.00 Homesteader (Family) ............ $ 35.00 Entrepreneur (Supporter)...... $ 200.00 Corporate (Business) ............ $ 250.00 History Maker (Lifetime) .. $ 1,000.00

Please make checks payable to: Redmond Historical Society Mail To: Redmond Historical Society Attn: Membership ORSCC, Room 106 16600 NE 80th Street Redmond, WA 98052

All Contributions are Tax Deductible

RECEIVE NEWSLETTER BY U.S. MAIL OR EMAIL Name__________________________________________________ Phone ______________________ Address _____________________________________________ City _______________________ St ________ Zip _________________ E-Mail Address ________________________________________ Birth Date (MM/DD/YYYY) __________________________________ If Family Membership, other names to be included: _______________________________________________________________________ How would you like our free newsletter delivered to you:

The Redmond Recorder 9/07

________ E-mail __________ U.S. Mail

6