Karen Griggs installed as Secretary District FHA Medford, Oregon

At Crater High School in Central Point, Oregon I LOVED home-ec and FHA (Future Homemakers of America). I had the most wonderful teacher and advisor - Francis Willett.

My dream was to become a home-ec teacher, just like Mrs. Willett and my Grandma Maysel. I wanted to attend Oregon State College. I went there for a State FHA meeting and got to stay in a Sorority House. (Interesting that even then I knew that it was important to stay near to my Savior - as a Methodist I got up early on Sunday during that visit to go to the Methodist Church on Campus).

Then - I discovered - that in order to become a home ec teachder one has to take Organic Chemistry - that was the end of teaching Home Ec!

Another interest I had at Crater was journalism. I was assistant editor of the school paper my Junior Year and was designated as the editor for 1963-1964. But my dad got a job teaching Vo-Ag at Shoshone High School and that is where I spent my senior year. I did hold on to the dream of journalism for several years. I can remember dreaming of becoming a journalist and working in NYC and driving a little red sports car!

Another interest that I had was scouting. I spent summers at Camp Low Echo at Lake of the Woods near Klamath Falls. While in Shoshone I joined the LDS Church. I went to Eastern Oregon College my Freshman year - then to BYU where I started my major of Youth Leadership. It was a good fit and a good choice for me, giving me lots of opportunities to serve youth not only professionally for a few years, but as a volunteer for many! K

Erma Ruth Richards Feb. 15, 1906 - Feb. 4 1972

Erma Ruth Richards born 14 February 1906 passed away 4 February 1972 in Kailua, Hawaii.
A file of funeral arrangements was found among Grandma's things.
I remember attending the funeral with Tom. He was at the U of O at the time.
I do wish I had known Aunt Erma - in all that I have heard about her she was a wonderful woman.

Erma Ruth Richards

Newspaper article from "The Sunday Advertiser" in Hawaii 1959

Christmas card from Aunt Erma to Grandma Maysel and Grandpa Dick 1959

Pictures of Sanderson Children and Grandchildren

Dorothy Gertrude Sanderson Templer with baby Margaret (7 weeks old)

Lawrence Frederick Sanderson (b 12 Dec 1897), Dorothy Gertrude Sanderson (b 9 Nov 1901), Maysel Ellen Sanderson (b. 16 Feb. 1894)


Maysel, Dorothy and Lawrence

Some of Grandpa Dicks Songs

Richards home on Lancaster Drive in Salem, OR

This is the home on the ranch that Grandma Maysel and Grandpa Dick owned on Lancaster Drive in Salem, OR. The back of the picture says 1951. That would have been right after they finished at the Oxbow Ranch in Prarie City.

I don't think that they lived here until about 1957 or 1958 and then it was just for a short time as Grandpa went to work for the Pacific International livestock Exposition.

I do remember visiting them when they lived here. I remember all of the "green" colored pears grandma had in the basement.

I also remember the drive up one evening from Gold Hill, OR. We drove past Albany and the paper plant just smelled terrible. Funny thing to remember.

Grandma and Grandpa used this as a rental property for a number of years. I know that during my 4th grade year our family rented it. There was a lovely big barn, a chicken house, a dairy and the acerage (80 I believe) went from Lancaster drive down to what is I-5. At the time that entire situation was under construction. My sisters and I used to ride our bicycles around the clover leaf onto the highway going from Lancaster Drive up to the Detroit Lake Area while they were building it.

Grandpa did sell the farm - the reson - too rocky!! It became a very profitable Sand and Gravel firm and today the house still stands and serves as the Sand and Gravel office.

Richards life at the Oxbow Ranch in Prarie City, Oregon 1945 - 1950

The Oxbow Ranch was owned by the Ford J. Twait Company in Los Angeles, California. Grandpa Dick was hired as the manager in 1945. He retired as the Manager of the Oregon State College Extension Station to take on this position.

I was born while they lived here. I do remember coming through this gate at dark one night.

I also remember being upstairs and Great Grandma Cora Sanderson being there. She lived with Grandma and Grandpa in her later years.

Grandma Maysel told me once that when it was time to can peaches a "truck load" would arrive. There was a crew that tackled to project. I'm sure that Grandma was a good manager of that program.

Grandpa Dick in front of the house - Grandma Maysel is sitting in the wagon (I think). That wagon went with them to Scappoose also. What fun we had in it!

Grandmas Iris garden at the Oxbow. She started collecting iris in the 30's. Always labeled.

The Beaver Slide.

Winter at the Oxbow Ranch

Winter at the Oxbow Ranch

Winter at the Oxbow Ranch