Sitting in the Lewis County Historical Museum in Chehalis on Saturday for a book signing, surrounded by artifacts and living history in the form of three local longtime residents, I experienced a quintessential snippet of life in Lewis County.
James Stafford, an Adna sculptor, strode over to introduce himself to Doris Bier, who was seated at one of the three tables set up in the shape of a horseshoe.
“I remember when you were born,” Bier told him.
“Now I find that hard to believe,” Stafford responded. “I’m 87.”
“Well, I’m 97,” Bier responded. “Doris Hastings of Adna, now Bier. I knew all the Staffords. Your Aunt Dora Stafford taught me in first grade.”
And, she added, “I knew you before you were born. I attended your baby shower.”
I loved witnessing the camaraderie of two longtime Lewis County residents reconnecting at a book signing graciously hosted by the museum. Bier, one of our last surviving local Rosie the Riveters who turns 97 late next month, signed copies of “Life on the Home Front: Stories of those who worked, waited, and worried during WWII.” Stafford signed copies of his book, “James Stafford: Advocate for the Arts,” based on columns I wrote about him in 2017, and Carol Ponder, 91, signed her book, “Carol Ponder and the Salzer Valley.”
As I visited with old friends and new ones, I couldn’t help thinking how blessed I am to have interviewed so many of Lewis County’s old-timers throughout the years. I’ve learned a lot from each one. And I treasure the memories they’ve shared with me.
The conversation also took me back three decades to when I was pregnant with my son. My husband, Larry, belonged to the Lewis County Farm Bureau, and members hosted a baby shower for us at the Newaukum Valley home of Chris and Pam Cheney, who have both passed away. Pam died at 73 in October 2022. Chris died at 74 in February 2023. I thought of people who attended that shower, including Dick and Lavina Quarnstrom. Dick died last month at 92.
My husband worked at The Chronicle when we were expecting our son, and features editor Judy Marks Panteleef hosted a baby shower for us at her home in Centralia. Judy passed away last month at 71. Among those attending our baby shower three decades ago was Jim Shouse, the newspaper’s executive editor who wrote his Sidebars column for years, died at 79 in May 2008. Gordon MacCracken, who was city editor when I was a cub reporter at The Daily Chronicle in the 1980s, was 68 when he died in April 2023. Doug Blosser, assistant city editor, died in November 2022 at 74. Also attending were Rick and Robin House with their son, Lucas. Robin, who worked at Fuller’s, was battling cancer at the time. Judy wrote about her valiant nearly four-year battle against the disease and her heartbreaking death at the young age of 33 in August 1995.
Seeing so many people I’ve known and cared for pass away comes with growing older. I’m sad to say goodbye to so many wonderful people, but I can’t help but think how much richer my life is for having known them.
While a bit melancholy about the passage of time, such reflections inspire me all the more to live life to the fullest while I can. After the book signing, my stepdaughter Amanda and sister Sue and I stopped at Fords Prairie Grange for a Christmas bazaar, where we saw talented craftspeople selling knitted and crocheted hats, leatherworks, lip balms, paintings, and knickknacks. My writers’ critique group partner Debby Lee was selling her novels alongside her daughter.
After a quick bite to eat at Frosty’s Tavern, which I’d never entered during my four decades in Lewis County, we joined friends and many others inside the Rebekah Lodge to play Napavine Lions Club Bingo. While skunked at Bingo, we each scored containers of peanut brittle in drawings.
After a contentious election season with friends and family members lined up on opposite sides, it’s nice to remember we’re all in this journey of life together, no matter our politics. It’s especially important with the approaching holidays to build on what binds us together rather than focusing on what tears us apart.
We can love and respect one another despite our differences. And we can create memories together, whether it’s playing Bingo, sharing memories, or celebrating new life at a baby shower.
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Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.
