TWST Blog

We launched the final day of our TWST with a delightful lunch at Salem’s Wild Pear Restaurant. Lunch was delicious and pretty too. To top off our meal, Sally offered me my first taste of “real licorice”. Can you say “tart puckery zing?!” I appreciated the experience, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be first in line the next time Sally’s sharing her special stash of Danish imported treats. I’ll stick with my dark chocolate.
 
After a quick jaunt to find that dark chocolate I so love, we were off to Stayton Library for the last TWST stop. With high ceilings and large windows looking out over a park, the library offers a lovely space to gather or relax to read amongst the stacks.
 
Over 20 people packed the room for our meeting. They represented organizations involved with arts, heritage tourism, emergency food services, economic development,  libraries, parks and recreation, and more. We managed to tackle the many good questions they fired our way and still have some time to chat afterwards.
 
Rob Bartell of Friends of Stayton Pool approached me to share a story about meeting Fred G. Meyer, the founder of Fred Meyer Stores, many years ago. Rob was just beginning his career in advertising and was meeting Mr. Meyer and other Fred Meyer Store executives to make a pitch. He was surprised to be meeting at a store, rather than some fancy corporate headquarters. He was even more surprised to arrive and find Mr. Meyer stocking shelves! Quickly following his lead, Rob rolled up his sleeves to help. Once they had finished, Mr. Meyer turned to Rob and offered to treat him to coffee.
 
Later in life, Rob was inspired by the Trust that Mr. Meyer created and decided to establish a foundation in honor of his father after inheriting money from him. He eventually abandoned the idea after learning what setting up and running a foundation really takes. Rob remarked on how down-to-earth Mr. Meyer was, yet extraordinary for what he had accomplished in business, and in creating the Trust.
 
Turns out Rob is the “Rob” of Christine and Rob’s Gourmet Breakfast Products. An oatmeal connessuier, Sally gasped with delight when I shared this story on our drive out of Stayton. In case you didn’t know, Christine and Rob’s is known for its outstanding oatmeal.
 
At this point the rain was coming down in buckets and we made a beeline for Puddletown. After rolling into town on fumes of gas, Sally graciously dropped me off at my daughters’ school for an end-of-year basketball celebration.
 
Thanks for joining us as we TWST’d through the trails of Multnomah, Clackamas and Marion counties.  Until next time.

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