Sunday, September 26, 2010
Richards home on Lancaster Drive in Salem, OR

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.

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

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.

1963 Visit to Portland by Griggs "girls" before PI

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Momma my sisters and I drove to Portland where she took her Nursing Board of Examination. It was just before the PI. This is a copy of the letter I found she had sent to Grandma after our visit.
I do remember this trip - always loved going to Grandma and Grandpas. I was a senior at this time.
Karen
The Griggs Girls at the PI 1961 or 1962
(front) Gayle, Jean Ann Richards Griggs (Momma), Ruth and family friend Herb Chandler
Momma drove us to Portland from our home in Gold Hill, Or. to "help" Grandma and Grandpa at the PI.
We stayed in their duplex on 82nd and Alberta. We girls slept in cots Grandma had fixed up in the basement. Grandma bought us each a food ticket and when we got to the PI each day we were "turned loose" to help out. One thing we did was lead groups of school children through the exhibits. I'm not sure that we knew exactly what we were doing - but, it was a fun week.
It was fun in the evening to sit in Grandpas Manager box and watch the rodeo.
I do remember having to "stay out of the way" every morning while Grandpa got ready to go to the PI. It was a 1 bathroom duplex. Grandma would run him a tub of hot water with lots of Ivory Snow suds!!
1963 Pacific International Livestock Exposition
Left to Right: Dick Richards, Vic Voreis, win Muffet and Roger Dougherty


Dick and Sandy Richards spring snowstorm 1963

May 11, 1963 - a Favorite Story to be told! Grandpa Dick and Grandma Maysel were headed to Madras to attend some kind of livestock sale. It started snowing. Cars were "off the road". Men were "chaining up" if they were lucky enough to have chains.
Grandpa had his ever ingenious wife - Grandma Maysel by his side! She had him stop the car - she climbed in the trunk - and waved at all of the other drivers as they headed right up the road.
Grandma loves to tell how she could see the "idea" of this method taking root in the eyes of the other husbands on the road as they passed by.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Visit from the "Maine Cousins"


Grandma Maysel, Bill and Jim Richards (Eugene);
Mary Leeman and Audrey Philbrick (Maine);
Grandpa Dick his first cousin Doris(Mexico, Maine).
This picture was quite an event. The "Maine" cousins decided to take the bus "out west". They went to Montana to visit my parents, I'm thinking they went to Idaho to see the Trenkles and then came to Salem.
They were AMAZED at how far apart everything was - being from back east where everything is apparently much closer together.
I had the opportunity to take Doris, Mary and Audrey to Lincoln City. They loved the ocean and we picked lots of blackberries.
My mother stayed in contact with the "Maine cousins" for many years. I did until about 7 years ago - I need to try and make contact again.
Doris lived on the family farm for many, many years. The address was"Back Kingdom Road", Mexico, Maine.
Karen
Margaret Isabelle Richards 1939


The above pictures are of my Great Grandmother, Margaret Isabelle Richards. The picture with the birthday cake was taken in 1939. During this time she would have been living in either Salem or Portland, Oregon. My knowledge of when she moved to Portland is not good.
I do know that my mother talks fondly of the time when she was a girl and the family came from Union to Portland for the P.I.. It was such a busy time, and yet her grandmother took time to teach my Mom to make Deviled Eggs!!
Just a thought - my mom always referred to her grandmothers as Grandmother. Either Grandmother Richards or Grandmother Sanderson. And, she always referred to her Mother as "Mother".
Interesting that I grew up calling my grandmothers "Grandma Maysel and Grandma Ruth" and my mother a variety of things - mom, momma, mommy but never ever Mother.
My mom and her sister always and always called their Father "Dad". But her Grandfathers were "Grandfather Richards" and "Grandfather Sanderson".
Karen
1870 Census Richards Family Mexico, Maine

I don't know why, but just reading this reminds me of "Farmer Boy". And, why were some of the boys allowed to be home, yet some had to go to school? In June?
Happy Day! Karen
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