LSA News

No. 88, March 2008

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Index A Winter's Fish Tale by Lonni Sexton Cabin Stories by Jennifer Rowan Two Film Series Highlight Libraries' Collection by Elizabeth Peterson Random Question Fact File Answers Letters to the Editors Events of Interest Announcements People in the Library

Harney County Oregon photo by Jennifer Rowan

A Winter's Fish Tale
by Lonni Sexton

It's still winter. Mornings are clear but icy. The sun shines a little more each day, so there's hope of spring. The rivers have calmed a bit, and my friend Ed, a former river guide, has been checking the temperature of the water. He thinks that next week, maybe, the trout will be less sluggish and more interested in food. I can stop at my favorite place on the McKenzie River, a boat launch across the highway from Walterville School, and try my luck on the water.

I prefer to keep my feet on dry ground while fishing. I will wade if it's warm enough. I have had the experience of slipping and falling, slowly, but not ungracefully, into cold river water. I always try to remember not to land on my reel, so when I start slipping I use a lot of balletic moves as I hold my rod and reel aloft with one hand while trying to regain balance with the other hand. I end up slipping underwater shoulder first, with rod and reel still held above the surface in my fist, recalling the sinking of the Pequod in Moby Dick.

I don't mind being underwater. It is more disagreeable coming out.

Waders? Not for me. I used to wear rubber boots until I had the unpleasant experience of having them fill with water and sink, with me in them. Now I wear my oldest pair of sneakers. It's time to go home when my teeth start chattering and I can't feel my toes.

(story continued)

Cabin Stories
by Jennifer Rowan

When my siblings and I were children, we often badgered our mother to recount significant episodes of her childhood, something she needed very little encouragement to do. Part of her youth occurred before and during the Second World War, a historical barrier so formidable that concurrent events seemed of an age immeasurably more rich and textured than our own. Certainly her stories were better than anything we could imagine for ourselves. Many of our favorite episodes took place at her family's log cabin north of Harbor Springs on Lake Michigan. My mother, her older sister Shirley and their mother spent summers there, and every weekend, my grandfather would join them, taking the train up from his job near Detroit as a lawyer for the Grand Trunk Railroad. The plain upright oak piano in our dining room in Detroit was the same piano on which my mother and her sister played Chopin, Beethoven, Gershwin, and Debussy at the Cabin. It moved West when my parents did, and my mother plays it rarely now, but she makes sure that it is in tune before Aunt Shirley's annual visit to Oregon.

Stories about the Cabin became family legend, and the Cabin was a story in itself. Built by one of northern Michigan's master craftsman builders, Mr. Chauncey Bliss, it was solid and spare, constructed solely of logs with field stone foundation and hand-hewn beams, but came with little more than a loft, a stone chimney and fireplace , and a Dutch double door in the kitchen. It had, moreover, no electricity, no bathroom, no telephone or refrigerator and certainly no television, which, my aunt points out, hadn't been invented yet. A kerosene stove and lamps and an antique wooden ice box quickly followed. Additional "facilities" were initially improvised from the wooden piano box and a couple of sawhorses, later replaced by an outhouse that my grandmother quickly dubbed "The Mezzanine" and decorated with a pot of flowers beside the door (much later, an actual bathroom was built in the cabin, but this created quite a local stir because of my grandmother's insistence on pink tiles. Mr. Bliss was not amused).

The closest community was Cross Village, known by the 17th century French settlers as L'Arbre Croche or Crooked Tree. Cross Village was one of the oldest settlements in the state of Michigan in a region long populated by Native American Ottawa Indians. Local lore is plentiful, and one of our favorite stories told of the fabled Indian drum whose ominous beat is said to be heard each time a life is lost in the treacherous waters of Northern Lake Michigan. The remote setting, its layered histories and the romantic folklore associated with the Great Lakes and native peoples made this a place of power, and the Bliss-built cabin created a world of imagination for each member of my mother's family.

My mother's cabin stories included the time she and a chum were alone at the Cabin and heard a mysterious voice calling out my mother's name from the surrounding woods. In the early 1940s, their stretch of coastline was still lonely and undeveloped, and theirs was the only gravel track that connected them to the paved road. In a state of panic, my mother and her friend barricaded themselves in the Cabin for hours, my mother's 22-gauge rifle at the ready. Whatever may have been the source of that eerie call, whether human, specter or seagull, they never learned. Nevertheless, we all shivered with appreciation every time we heard the tale.

Then there was the story of the Crimson Flash, a drifting and derelict dinghy recovered from a watery grave by my mother, who bailed it out, plugged the leaks and attempted to convert the relic into a sailboat. After repeated but futile attempts to secure an improvised sail on a makeshift mast, she left it on the shore in a fury of pique. She returned some small time later, only to see the Crimson Flash, its sail hoisted and furled, tacking a swift and independent course across the water for some unknown harbor in the general direction of Chicago.

These were some of the stories we heard repeatedly throughout our childhood, and Aunt Shirley has likewise documented their log cabin experiences faithfully, and with reverence and wit. I think each of us — me and my three siblings and our four cousins — have only to hear the Cabin mentioned but that a kaleidoscope of images and impressions is immediately invoked of that distant time and place. When we were children, we longed for the fabled Cabin. It was our birthright! A family legacy forever lost! For indeed, it was lost to us, long before we could ever know it. It was sold when my grandmother died after a long illness, and my grandfather's new wife, the evil stepmother, Yvonne, wasn't interested in "improvising" a la rustica.

Aunt Shirley declares that she and my mother would sell their souls to have their Cabin back again. I have no doubt but that this is true, but here we are, their children, now adults in middle age, all relocated and scattered everywhere around the country. The Cabin and Cross Village of the 1940s can only exist as the Shangri-la of our imagination.

The World Around Us
Two Film Series Highlight Libraries' Collection
by Elizabeth Peterson

The Diversity Film Series

The Library Diversity Committee (LDC) is sponsoring a monthly film series featuring films from the UO Libraries' collection. This program presents an opportunity for UO Library staff to explore new ideas, discuss issues with colleagues, or simply enjoy a lunch-hour movie.

The series began in January with an edgy documentary about disability and "crip culture." Through a mix of performance art, public debates, and interviews, this film offers a look at the politics and culture of disability that many of us so-called able-bodied folks don't often encounter. It raises intriguing questions about how our society views people with physical disabilities.

In honor of Black History Month in February, we watched a great documentary about blues music in Mississippi, and a short film about the representation of African American women in Hollywood movies.

(story continued)

Forgotten Films

I was surprised and excited to learn that the UO Libraries has a large collection of 16-mm films living in the basement. I am still relatively new to the library, but lots of other folks didn't seem to know they were there either. The films certainly haven't been used much lately, as film has given way to the much more convenient VHS and DVD. But my instincts told me that we shouldn't get rid of them, especially since I wasn't really sure what was in the collection. I knew Lesli Larson in Image Services was interested in them as well, so one day last December we went exploring among the racks of film cans. We could hardly contain our excitement with what we found there. The cans themselves provided little information beyond the film titles, but who wouldn't be intrigued by "Wool Tweeds Star for Fall" or "How the Ear Functions"? The library catalog wasn't much more help with revealing what was in these films, with a brief one- or two-sentence description, if that.

We immediately began concocting a plan to watch them. We should know what is in this collection, we reasoned, so that we can know what we have, promote them to faculty and students for research, and assess their condition. All of which is very high-minded and true, but also we just really get a kick out of these things. So we figured if we are excited about these films, we're probably not alone, so we invited other folks to come watch them with us. And we weren't alone. The first screening in December had about 30 people in Proctor 41, all eager to see these quirky gems.

(story continued)

Random Question

20th Century French Philosophers
Cake Fact & Fantasy
New England Cuisine
Irish Literature
Notable Accordionists
U.S. State Capitals

—John Russell, Reference and Research Services

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Rush (the band)
Marguerite Porette
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Neo-Pagan religions
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
Magic in the Middle ages

— Elizabeth Duell, Orbis Cascade Alliance

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Harry Potter
Broadway Musicals
Potent Potables
Words that begin with the letter E
The Travel Channel
Foodie Facts

— Jen Lindsey, Access Services

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Eugene History
Potpourri
Astronomy
UO History
Odd Out
Anatomy

— Bill Murray, MSDP

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Bureaucratese
Poets
Visual Art Processes
Word Origins
20th Century Art
New Orleans

— Dvora Robinson, Portland Architecture Library

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Scientific names of plants
Chemistry 101
Weird animals from....
1970s Progressive Rock Music
Eruptive places (cool locations with volcanoes)
The solar system

— Dean Walton, Science Library

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Greek Mythology
Hogwarts, A History
Japanese Shojo animé
Classic film
Medieval stained glass
Limestone

— Julia Simic, Architecture and Allied Arts Library

 

Fact File Winner
MSDP Database Specialist Knows His Eugene Edifices

Our tour of historic houses and other buildings in Eugene may have been interesting, but identifying the names of these structures proved to be too daunting for everyone except Bill Murray, database specialist in Metadata Services and Digital Projects, who correctly identified all eight buildings. For his mental performance, Bill will be receiving a gift card valued at $10.00, usable at The Duck Store. Congratulations, Bill!

You may revisit the clues in the February Fact File.

The answers:

1. The Bijou Theatre
2. Oregon Electric Station
3. McDonald Theater
4. Collier House
5. Meridian Building  (James Givens)
6. Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House
7. Smeede Hotel
8. Deady Hall

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, Washington
photo by Terry McQuilkin

Letters to the Editors

To the Editors:

The February LSA News is completely over the top. A fantastic collection of articles that provide a true tribute to the wonderful place where we live. I've always been a fan of the News, but this issue sets a new high bar. Great job!

Mark Watson

To the Editors:

Most of the responses I got to the article I wrote about the S.L.U.G. Queens have been positive. Perpetual First Lady-In-Waiting Kimm Still and Queen Margaret both suggested that the article could be used as sort of an orientation for contestants—that's a paraphrase; Margaret actually used the expression "required reading." Fran Ross suggested submitting it to the Oregon Historical Society.

However, Queen Slugretha's attendant Dana Gorman wrote: "I don't do BLADES." Let it be know that Dana wears SKATES, because that's the way she rolls, as one of the photos accompanying the article clearly shows.

And Queen Accordionna was a bit annoyed by perceived inaccuracies. Despite what was reported in the Register-Guard (and further disseminated by me), she claims she did receive a bribe from Queen-to-be Darcy...maybe it was a personal gift? Did none of the other Old Queens get one? Oh, these inscrutable royals!

Also, QA (not to be confused with Question Authority—our own Hank Wilson) wrote to me: "I never toyed with the idea of being Queen. In fact I rejected it each time, with the thought that it would be too much damn work. I tried to convince Shelley to be Queen." Methinks milady doth protest too much—she had to at least consider the idea before rejecting it, right? Whatever. As the Bard wrote in Twelfth Night: "Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."

I do want to mention one more thing that I would have included in my article if I had known about it; The S.L.U.G. Queens have a Wikipedia entry. It may not be there forever, though. "Its notability is in question. If notability cannot be established, this article may be listed for deletion."

Your slimy correspondent,

David Landazuri

(Some are born notable, some achieve notability, and some are deleted.)

Events of Interest

As well as featuring upcoming LSA events, we'd like to get the word out about events staff are involved in that might be of interest to co-workers. If you'd like the world, or at least your co-workers, to know about something cool coming up, please email Harriett Smith or lsaweb.

LSA EVENTS

Tuesday, April 22, 2008: The LSA Spring Sale is a great way to support your staff association and your co-workers while finding all sorts of wonderful plants, seeds, gifts and treats. The Sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Knight Library Browsing Room, and while vegetation will be featured, you'll also find things like jewelry, jams, cookies, rummage sale treasures, cards, and surprises. The only thing we don't offer for sale at the Sale is books—unless of course they are hand-constructed blank books, or hand-press printed books from our own bookbuilders, printers, and writers. And, you won't want to miss this spring's dessert raffle, which features another wonderful dessert creation by Rose Layton.

If you have questions or can help with the Spring Sale, please email Pam DeLaittre or phone her at 6-1826.

Thursday, May 22, 2008: The festive LSA May Tea will be held in the Knight Library Browsing Room from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Don't miss this chance to fête co-workers who are leaving, socialize with co-workers who are staying, and enjoy the lovely ambiance for which the Social Committee is renowned. If you have questions or can help with the Tea, please email Raina Smith or phone her at 346-1837. Former faculty and staff who need a ride to the May Tea should email Stephanie Midkiff or phone her at 346-1661.

NON-LSA EVENTS

A Little Knight Music returns! See the Announcements section below for details.

Friday, March 28, 2008: The Diversity Film Series, sponsored by the Library Diversity Committee, will present "She Even Chewed Tobacco" from noon to 1 p.m. in Studio A. Described as "a rare work of lesbian history," the 40-minute film focuses on women who passed as men in their work and personal lives in early San Francisco.

Thursday, March 27, 2008: The Forgotten Films series will present six films from the Libraries' 16 mm collection: "The Women's Prejudice Film" (1974), "The New York Hat" (1912, with Mary Pickford, in a 1970s reprint), "The Masai" (1938), "Adaptive Behavior of Golden Mantled Ground Squirrels" (1942, scenes at Crater Lake), "A Rough Sketch for a Proposed Film Dealing with the Powers of Ten and the Relative Size of Things in the Universe" (1970s), and "News of the Day: Oswald Slain", a newsreel which features the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald and the funeral of John F. Kennedy (1963). Screening will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Proctor 41, Knight Library.

Saturday, April 5, 2008: The ubiquitous and talented David Landazuri notes that Accordions Anonymous will again perform on the opening day of Saturday Market, at 2 pm. Downtown Eugene, in the park blocks by 8th and Oak.

Announcements:

A Little Knight Music Series is returning in March! The Little Knight Music Series will sponsor two concerts—and a mini dance recital—in March in the Knight Library Browsing Room. The UO School of Music & Dance students will present a chamber music concert on Friday, March 7 at 4 p.m. Bartók, Poulenc, Mozart, Arnold, Reinecke and Brahms will be presented, and a reception will follow—all free!

The second concert in the series will be Friday, March 14 at 5 p.m., and will feature UO School of Music jazz faculty pianist Toby Koenigsberg in pieces by John Coltrane, Jay Livingston, Mack Gordon, Bud Powell, Kenny Wheeler, Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter, and Bob Dylan. Again, admission is free, and there will be blue note cookies at the reception following the show.

A special extra mini treat will happen Thursday, March 13 at 3:15 p.m. when Steven Chatfield's Advanced Improvisation dance class will entertain us with 15 to 20 minutes of their dance creations. Be sure to come and enjoy all three!

People in the Library
edited by Jen Lindsey

Welcome:

Hana Chan - Access Services Date started: February 11 Job Title: Library Tech 2, E-Reserves Clerk (Circulation/Reserves section) Previously: I was a student worker in Circulation/Reserves when I was taking classes, and I worked as a temporary employee in the same department before being hired on permanently. I'm originally from Portland. Education: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from UO. Family: Sam the Cat (yes, that is his entire name), and Greddy (aka Monster Cat). Best way to spend the weekend: Shopping, anything Harry Potter-related (reading the books, watching the movies), bowling, going to the movies. Favorite movie: I can't decide!

Eric Clark - Access Services Date started: February 25 Job Title: Library Tech 2, Search Clerk (Circulation/Reserves section) Previously: I worked at the OSU Library as an LT1 in the Circulation/Access department. I'm originally from Creswell. Education: I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Oregon State. Family: I have a girlfriend of three years, but there's no kids yet! Best way to spend the weekend: Going to the movies with my girlfriend, playing poker or chess (still learning both), playing with my dogs, and reading. Favorite movie: Children of Men

Congratulations:

Congratulations to Linda Long of Special Collections, and her longtime partner Peggy Pascoe of the UO History Department, who were legally united by Domestic Partner Registry at the Lane Country Clerk's Office on the morning of February 4, 2008, the historic first day that this was permitted under new Oregon law. With them were their happy and excited daughters, Ellie Pascoe-Long and Joie Pascoe-Long.

Congratulations as well to Bruce Tabb of Special Collections, and his longtime partner Ronald James Unger, who were also legally united by Domestic Partner Registry on the morning of February 4, 2008. They were the 14th couple to register.

Staff announcements and photos by Jen Lindsey unless otherwise indicated