I am excited to share the video produced by the Willamette Falls Legacy Story Telling Project about our family history and “My Music Man.” Kudos to the beautiful work of Ian Probasco and Shelly Parini. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdri5L9pi4M&t=42s Learn more about My Music Man, upcoming readings, and the Willamette Falls Legacy Project .
J.K. Gill, Chloe & William
What’s happening on February 14?
Yes, perhaps you plan to celebrate Valentine's Day with someone special. Newcomers to Oregon - and those who haven't paid much attention to history - may need to be reminded that it is also Oregon's birthday. Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859. And while we can all agree that our history is … Continue reading What’s happening on February 14?
Early bookselling: Ticknor & Fields to Gills
Bookstores place second on my list of most favorite human-made spaces, bested only by libraries. Libraries unquestionably rank at the top by exuding an overwhelming welcome, and forgiveness for choices I may make: I can explore and expand my interests and it's okay if I don't always make it to the last page. I sometimes … Continue reading Early bookselling: Ticknor & Fields to Gills
Diaries, notes and letters: leave ‘em laughing
I just finished reading the memoir Educated by Tara Westover. I found it both hard to put down and upsetting: yet, more than anything it fed into my own brain ramblings about family stories, and how differently each of us retain memories during our lifetime. A third-grader at Chloe Clark Elementary asked me a profound … Continue reading Diaries, notes and letters: leave ‘em laughing
Four feet of greatness
For Chloe Clarke – George Gill Montgomery’s grandmother; my great-great-great grandmother; Emily’s great-great-great-great grandmother – music provided a simple but serious pleasure on her arduous journey aboard the Lausanne. At twenty-one years old, Chloe left her hometown of East Windsor, Connecticut to join the Jason Lee missionary expedition of 1839; sailing around the horn of … Continue reading Four feet of greatness
Wilsonville 1968: the big vote by a small community
In 1968, my dad - Dick Montgomery - and his brother Bill, sparred over whether Wilsonville should incorporate. Bill, my family, and my grandparents all lived on Montgomery Way on the bank of the Willamette. "While we were young and naive, we knew that adults disagreed about what should happen to our town and its … Continue reading Wilsonville 1968: the big vote by a small community
Founders Day: We all have our stories
"As a kid, my favorite boating destination was Champoeg Park," begins My Music Man Chapter 13. Today, Champoeg remains one of Oregon's natural spots most sentimental to me and my brothers. It was the place to be the day after Dad died, and again today on this warm May afternoon for the 175th Founders Day celebrating … Continue reading Founders Day: We all have our stories
Portland’s Coffee Habit: From Boyd’s to Stumptown
This week Boyd’s Coffee announced it was leaving Portland, having been acquired by Texas-based Farmers Brothers. Normally I wouldn’t think too much of the news, well aware of the coffee competition haunting our streets. But I perked up as I learned that Boyd’s Coffee was founded here - in Portland - in 1900. While I … Continue reading Portland’s Coffee Habit: From Boyd’s to Stumptown
Women of the past: Clark and Beecher
In between edits of my novel, I've crammed reading time into the spare moments of my life. Books by Lisa See and Brian Doyle and Jessica Mehta and Lidia Yuknavitch and Ellen Urbani. It’s quite fitting as we kick off Women’s History Month, that I finished a fictionalized book about Harriet Beecher Stowe. And while … Continue reading Women of the past: Clark and Beecher
“But of all boats, Dad most loved steamboats”
As I look ahead to share My Music Man at the Astoria Public Library next Saturday, it's only natural that I reminisce about the days of steamers. And in today's world, sated with news, worry, and conflict, it took two nudges to impel my brain to journey back, the second being my offer to lend … Continue reading “But of all boats, Dad most loved steamboats”
Dede's Books and blog 