Friends of Old Town (FOOT)

Old Sherwood Town's leading defenders discuss the future of their business environment while snacking at The Lavender Teahouse. This morning, City Councilman Lee Weislogel (not pictured) got an earful regarding a number of history preservation issues in Old Town, including the fate of the old school house. In the foreground, Sherwood Historical Society Director Shelly scribbles furiously.

Citizen Protest!

The City of Sherwood has taken the rug out from under the Arts Commission by taking away the building they were trying to make into a performing arts venue--The Old Sherwood School in what we hope will still be Old Town Sherwood, if they don't bulldoze it down. We tried to get Mc Menamin's in on this but they are over-extended two years out. We cannot depend on them alone to save every old building in the metro area, just as our Historical Society cannot save all the buildings in town. We need to act and act fast or one of the most significantly beautiful buildings will go! Please help us save the Old School House from being torn down just so someone can build another townhouse ghetto!!

(signed)June Reynolds, Sherwood Citizen

What would Abraham Lincoln say?

Thoughts after reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. (Simon and Schuster, 2005)--

What would Abraham Lincoln say about the war that's going on in Iraq today? Would President Bush and his war on Iraq remind Lincoln of President Polk and his war with Mexico? Would he see Bush, like Polk, "...running hither and thither like some tortured creature on a burning surface, finding no position on which to settle down and be at ease..."? Would Illinois Senator Lincoln, after being branded a traitor and losing his bid for reelection because of his opposition to the Mexican War, understand the quandary of those who oppose the Iraq War today? If President Bush could have consulted Lincoln about going to war in the first place, would Lincoln have warned him against the age old deception of war: "...that serpent's eye which charms to destroy..."?

We will never know.

Barn Dance Music

This joyful sound was found in a well-worn piece of sheet music donated to Morback House museum today. It's a barn dance. As patriarch of this town, I hereby command all citizens of Sherwood Oregon U.S.A. to download and play this tune every morning on their way to work or play. Please understand: That's an order! --Yours Truly: J.C. Smock


Barn Dance at Champoeg, 2005
Click on the lyric in order to hear the tune itself:

It was "Morning, Cy! Howdy, Cy!
Gosh darn, Cyrus, but you're looking spry.
Right in line, all the time,
Jimminy Cricket, but you're looking fine.
Morning, Cy! Howdy, Cy!"
Every rube around the town would cry,
"Howdy do, Same to you."
And when they saw him coming,
It was, "Morning, Cy!"

"Morning Cy!" by Atteridge and Peters (1908).

Psst! Don't Tell Anyone!

Rumor has it that Sherwood Historical Society Past-President Reynolds is soon to publish two more books. The History of Sherwood Part Two. And another book about a lovely town called Alsea, in downstate Oregon. Since hardly anyone every reads the Sherwood Historical Society Weblog (judging from the meager number of reader comments we receive) we knew it would be safe to mention such a secret here at this time. The Alsea masterpiece is illustrated by Sherwood Historical Society Secretary Clyde List, but he doesn't care who you tell.

Another Sherwood History Project

Archer Glen Third Grader answers some last minute history questions from her mom at Morback House. Mrs. Luzaich and her daughter brought along ten different projects from the classrooms of Ms. Walker and Ms. Gunderson.

Each of the student-researchers added a paragraph or two about his/her own role in the historical saga. One student wrote: "My parents bought and built our house in 1996. There were less than 9,000 people here then. Albertsons was brand new and Archer Glen had just opened. The theater, Safeway, the YMCA, the ice arena, and Target were thoughts on paper. During my lifetime all of these places are now realities."

All ten projects are now on display at Morback Museum Wednesdays and Saturdays, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Last November, the Society escorted over 150 Hopkins Third Graders through Old Town. A storm of Fourth Graders from Middleton School swept through the neighborhood in June. Mrs. Luzaich probably spoke for a lot of parents when she said, "It's important for the children to have some reference about where they are."

Your History Society in Action

Bemused householder (far left) bides his time while camera-woman Reynolds scans the territory. Historical Society President Joan (far right) waits for historical details to occur to former house occupant Marian. Photo taken February 12. It's a typical day with the Sherwood Historical Society!

Meanwhile, this just in:


"Roxanne W-- sent me these two pictures. They are from the Mary (Lebeau) Hankel collection. There is a real possibility that they are LeBeau and/or other Sherwood People here but we do not know." --June Reynolds

First Annual Apron Show!

Aprons from the 1800's to today will be on display beginning March 11, 2007. The Sherwood Heritage Center Museum will be open Saturday and Wednesday from 1-4 with extended hours during Spring Break. Come enjoy hands-on demonstrations and activities for the kids. Call the Heritage Center for more information.

First Anniversary!

Tualatin historian and author Loyce Martinazzi-Parker greets guests to the Tualatin Heritage Center. Today was the facility's first anniversary. The popular historical site has received thousands of visitors over the past twelve months. It is located at 8700 SW Sweek Drive, Tualatin Oregon.

Sherwood Lions/Lionesses Teach Flag History

Sherwood Lion and Sherwood Historical Society Secretary Clyde List shows renegade flag to Archer Glen First Graders. "The Confederate States of America wanted their stars taken off the United States flag." List explains, "But President Lincoln said, 'No way! You guys are staying on the American flag! You're not going anywhere! You're still part of the United States!" The bouquet of historical flags which Lion Clyde holds was originally donated to the Lions by (who else of course) Sherwood Historical Society founder Odge Gribble.

Flag Day is June 14 in the United States, but the Lions celebrate their own flag day in February so that the school kids can be involved. They've been handing out the miniature flags for over 30 years now. Lion Willy Plantz says it's a challenge to keep up with the number of First Graders who deserve their own personal American flag, which he helps to manufacture. It was 326 last year. 353 this year. This year the event took place February 7 (Middleton School), February 8 (Archer Glen), and February 9 (Hopkins). Visit Flag Rules and Other Fun Facts so your First Grader won't know more about America's most cherished symbol than you do .