McKenzie Memories

Saturday October 13, 2 - 4:30 pm, Bijou Art Cinemas

Theatre B, 492 East 13th Street, Eugene

Session overview: What was it like to live along the McKenzie River in the early 1900s? What did famous structures such as Goodpasture Bridge and Leaburg Dam look like 60-70 years ago? What do you remember?  Ride the currents of time in this special viewing of rare images of early settlers, river log drives, the McKenzie White Water Parade, and other iconic memories. We will show 4 short films, with expert commentary during or after each film. Afterwards, the UO Environmental Leadership Program will present stunning modern images of this magical river. We will then provide an opportunity for the guest speakers and audience to share personal reflections on the history of the McKenzie. Come share your memories too!

2:10

A Picture History of the Early Logging of the McKenzie, Willamette and Fall Creeks, with Louis E. Polley narrating (30 min). This set of photographs includes images of homesteads, schools, bridges, ferry boats, with an emphasis on early logging – including photos of oxen and horse teams, splash dams, river drivers, chutes, and kicking donkeys.  

2:40

Group Discussion – Guest: Dr. Alan Dickman, UO (5 min) Alan will offer a brief commentary on early logging and then open up a space for the audience to share their own stories related to the pictures, and to ask any forest ecology questions.

2:45

Shooting the Deschutes, with LeRoy Pruitt narrating (30 min) LeRoy Pruitt will narrate the film. As noted on the Drift Boat Museum website,  “From the 1940s on, the guides and builders of the McKenzie River drift boats took movies of many of the first runs and milestone trips that made up the adventure of the time.  In 1949 Veltie Pruitt and Prince Helfrich made a feature movie called "Shooting the Deschutes" that was shown at the 1949 World’s Fair.”

3:15

Group Discussion – Guest: LeRoy Pruitt (5 min) A space for the audience to share their own stories related to the film, and to ask questions.

3:20

McKenzie White Water Boat Parade, with Dave Helfrich narrating (15 min) Dave Helfrich will narrate the color video shot in the 40s, 50s, and 60s of the boat parade, plus some bonus photographs of Dave Helfrich and LeRoy Pruitt during the shooting of “How the West was Won.”

3:35

Group Discussion – Guest: Dave Helfrich (5 min) A space for the audience to share their own stories related to the pictures, and to ask questions.

3:40

McKenzie River Holiday (15 min) A brief introduction to the film.  We will be showing just the first half of this Chamber of Commerce film, which includes commentary on logging, fishing, lodges, the boat parade, the fish hatchery, the Guides Association.  Ken Engelman will be selling the DVD at the Confluence Hub after the presentation, which incudes additional footage from the 1990's.

3:55

Group Discussion – Guest: Ken Engelman, River Reflections publisher, (5 min) Ken will offer a brief commentary and then open up a space for the audience to share their own stories related to the film, and to ask questions.  

4:00

MyMcKenzie, with Cassidy Ventura (5 min) Peg will introduce Cassidy, a University of Oregon student who will share a few beautiful photographs of the McKenzie taken by a team of five students during Fall 2011 as part of their Environmental Leadership Program project.

4:05

Sharing of Stories and Q & A (15 min) We will invite all guests to the front and will moderate a group discussion.  This is again a space for the audience to share their own stories and to ask questions of the guests.

4:20

Wrap Up (1 minute) Inviting everyone to continue the discussion at The Confluence Festival Hub outside the theater, where they can enjoy local Oakshire brews, wine, more conversation, and a chance to get to know your local land conservation group, the McKenzie River Trust.