Mazama

We’re a liability to insurance companies out here in the outback. We love to hate insurance companies, in general. When I used to tell people that I worked for attorneys, some huffed in disgust as they lumped all attorneys together in a pot of “deplorables.” My response was always, “When you need a lawyer for […]

“Was the world black and white when you were a kid?” asked my young son after seeing my childhood photos. All our early family photos were black and white (with very tiny subjects) until Polaroid introduced Polacolor, an instant color film camera, in 1963. The film for instant photos was relatively more expensive (and many […]

Some towns are authentic, maintaining the same character as when they were first populated. Other towns are theme based for the purpose of attracting tourists to bolster an economy that withered with the demise of a natural resource-based economy. Some are a combination of both. Many years ago, Solvang, California, was a must-see attraction for […]

My mom loved to watch Art Linkletter’s “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” She wasn’t the only one. The show ran for 14 years on national television and was watched by millions each week. I thought of the show because I heard this comment made by a youngster, “It’s too cold to think.” That’s how I’ve […]

“Still worth a king’s ransom.” So sang the workhouse boys in the Broadway musical “Oliver!” while dreaming and fantasizing about food as they trudged to collect their gruel. Lyrics were written by Lionel Bart for which he won the Tony Award for “Best Original Score” in 1963. The 1968 film version won six Academy Awards […]

“The Nutcracker” at The Merc Playhouse was a sweet performance by our local actors. Driving home after the play on a dark and snowy night without another car in sight, I was reminded again that Mazama truly is the “very end of the road” in the winter. Most Mazamans are tucked in when darkness falls, […]

When a nighttime snowfall dumps a foot of the light, fluffy stuff, there is stillness in the morning. Everything is covered with the clean blanket. Nothing moves. No birds sing. The snow blowers haven’t been fired up yet. There’s just peace and quiet — one of the few positive listed synonyms for “solitude,” which is […]

It takes a lot to be a good actor. Many acting techniques, such as voice projection and movement on stage, can be learned and finessed, but extraordinary natural talent comes, well, naturally, and cannot be taught. It is what makes great actors stand out. However, every actor has to start somewhere. Recently, two grandchildren were […]

When you grow up or live a long time in snow country, you most likely have a winter driving horror story. I know, I do — several of them, matter of fact. I appreciated the editor’s note in the “Methow Valley Winter 2022-23” supplement to this newspaper. “Be attentive to winter driving conditions, which can […]

I recently heard a story from longtime Winthrop resident Jackie Iddings. She told it with such a gleam in her eye and a ready laugh. The tale reminded me of my own childhood memory of a moment in time that taught a lesson that sticks with me, as if it were yesterday. Back in the […]