DUFUR THRESHING BEE 2004 August 14-15 Sandy Bisset Dufur is a quiet little town nestled at the end of a beautiful green valley, in the shadow of Mt. Hood, in the middle of eastern Oregon wheat country. Once a year the population swells, the equipment whirrs, and the dust swirls. It’s Threshing Bee in full swing. People come from far and wide to see how the harvesting of wheat was accomplished in the “old days.” Dufur Historical Society and Living History Museum stages an all volunteer re-creation of an early 1900’s wheat harvest with antique, horse drawn, harvest equipment, run by a vintage steam powered tractor. In addition, a mobile harvest “cook shack” is on display acknowledging the women who worked right in the fields to keep the harvest crews fed. The heart of Threshing Bee has always been the activities in the field. Volunteers work year round to keep the equipment in operating order so this event can take place. Stan Ashbrook, a local wheat farmer, leaves part of one of his fields with standing wheat for the Threshing Bee demonstrations. The entire process, from cutting the grain with the header, threshing with the separator, and finally sewing the cleaned wheat into sacks for transport to market, is accomplished and narrated right in the field – in full view for the attendees to observe. There is also an exciting tractor pull competition., and small engine display. Step back in time and join us for Threshing Bee on August 14 and 15, in Dufur, Oregon, just 15 miles south of The Dalles on State Highway 197. There is no admission charged for the event. Everett Metzentine, with the late Bob DePriest, founded the Dufur Threshing Bee thirty-four years ago, on the premise, that the old ways must be preserved in a manner that is meaningful, so the younger generations have an appreciation of what wheat farming was like in the early days. They made a vow that the festival would always remain true to this purpose. Each year the Threshing Bee committee has taken this commitment seriously in presenting the Bee. Everett and his crew continue to perform wheelwright demonstrations in the field. The Oregon Trail Travelers camp on the grounds, wear period costumes, and provide hands on demonstrations of everything from blacksmithing to corn shucking, without the benefit of modern technology. Frances Connolly and the Mid-Columbia Fiber Guild spinners demonstrate spinning in the museum building, and Barbara Garner weaves on a hand loom in the log cabin. There is old time music on the grounds, an exhibit of classic cars at the park, as well as handmade crafts and art in the booths near the museum. The museum buildings, including the historic Schreiber Cabin, and restored Endersby School, and other exhibits are open to the public all weekend. Dufur has many historic homes, which are showcased in a narrated wagon tour of the town, and two remaining original brick business buildings on Main Street – the old Johnston Brother’s Store, which still operates as Kramer’s and the old bank building across the street. We will again sponsor a colorful Quilt Show. If you are interested in showing your quilt, contact Michelle Hammell at 541.467.2682. At the same location you will find Freda & Greg Yoakam from Mitchell, Oregon, with their Olde Time Photography business, their collection of vintage clothing and props, ready to take your “ancestor” picture. A portion of the purchase price will go to the Dufur Historical Society. At 10:00 on Saturday morning, the Threshing Bee Parade winds its way through Dufur. Last year’s parade was the longest in history, and this year’s could prove to be even better. If you are interested in participating in the parade contact chairman, Deanna McDowell, at 541.544.2189 for an application. Breakfast will be served in the park Saturday and Sunday mornings by Ramsey Park Grange members. In addition there will be a Steak Feed on Saturday evening. With tickets available in advance or at the gate. We will again have music in the field, and this year will add music in the park after the Saturday night Steak Feed, with some of the same musicians who perform at Ramsey Park Grange. Be sure to stay and listen. Activities at the park are rounded out by a Classic Car Show on Sunday, and a Climbing Wall for kids both days. The Climbing Wall is a fund raiser put on by the Foster Parent’s Association. We may also have a surprise for the children courtesy of the Forest Service. This will be announced later. If you would like to participate in the car show contact Wayne Allsop at 541.467.2457. Bob Davis of The Dalles, of Ghost Town Safaris, is conducting a photographic field trip to the Bee this year. This is an authorized event and participants will be the only persons who are allowed on the field with photographic tripods. If you are interested in the Safari to Threshing Bee, contact him at 541.296.2553 for information. As a point of clarification, cameras are allowed on the field, if used in a safe manner around the horses and equipment. In addition, Dufur Threshing Bee is an Assumed Business Name, and as that, cannot be used for commercial purposes without permission of Dufur Historical Society and Living History Museum. Before you market photographs from the Threshing Bee, contact the museum at 541.467.2205 for permission. We are again selling raffle tickets as a fund raiser for the Bee. Tony Kiser, a well known local watercolorist has donated a painting of the fields of Dufur Valley with Mount Hood in the background; The Dufur Quilters have again outdone themselves creating this year’s Threshing Bee Raffle Quilt; and Fisher Implement of Gresham and Tom & Deanna McDowell have contributed a child's John Deere pedal tractor and trailer. Tickets are being sold at all activities, at the cabin, and at various points in Dufur and The Dalles. Winners for the quilt and the painting will be announced at the end of the Bee, and the winning ticket for the tractor will be drawn at the annual Christmas open house at the cabin in December. To sign up for photographs at Old Tyme Photos, purchase Steak Feed tickets, or to play music in the park or on the grounds, contact Nancy Gibson at 541.467.2205. For other information on Dufur Threshing Bee or to request a packet, contact Nancy at the above number or Maryln Sawyer at 541.467.2349 Hope to see you at the Bee. Copied and submitted by Earline Wasser Member of Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society c/o The Dalles/Wasco County Public Library 722 Court Street The Dalles, Oregon 97058 http://community.gorge.net/genealogy [Note: new website address] Browse http://historysavers.com/orwasco/ recently updated information regarding Wasco County - Links are at the bottom of page The Dalles Chronicle http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/ http://searches.rootsweb.com/ "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant." Robert Louis Stevenson Incoming and Outgoing mail protected by Trend Micro PC-cillin program