‘Golden Era’ visit offers more than just a newsroom reunion

Those who have lived and worked in Oregon know that it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth to visit and enjoy. And that late June-early July is one of the best times of the year to do so.

By then the trees have finished pollinating and the grass pollen season is ending, along with the April-May showers, and the days have turned warm and sunny. And Western Oregon, including Lane County, is awash in community activities and festivals, with thousands of residents and visitors out and about.

Those things were in the backs of our minds when the Register-Guard “Golden Era” planning committee set about choosing a date for a first-ever gathering of journalists who worked for The Register-Guard beginning in the early 1960s.

The event is set for Saturday, June 29, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the former RG headquarters at 3500 Chad Drive in Eugene. A catered buffet of light appetizers will be served from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and a no-host cash bar will be available from 1 to 5.

Look who’s already coming

The number of people who have signed up to attend is approaching 100 with about six weeks to go before the June 1 registration deadline and more are welcome — from the Oregon residents who already know how lucky they are to those who departed for greener pastures (figuratively) in other states after having been here a few years or more.

Still searching for …

We’re still looking for more former newsroom staff members. Please have a look at the “Still searching for …” list and if you have contact information for any of the folks listed there, please let us know by sending a message to [email protected].

Registration and payment information

People planning to attend who’ve not yet registered can do so here.

Those who have registered but not yet paid the $50 per person registration fee can find out how here.

Events and accommodations

Because the U.S. Olympic Trials will be wrapping up June 30 at the University of Oregon’s beautifully redesigned Hayward Field, and the Oregon Bach Festival will begin its 17-day run at the Hult Center in downtown Eugene and Beall Concert Hall on the UO campus, lodging accommodations will be at a premium. For those unable to book a room on June 29, planning committee members have offered space for up to seven couples that night.

After the reunion, Fourth of July parades and events will take place in Springfield, Creswell and in Old Town in Florence, and the Oregon Track Club will host its annual Butte to Butte road race in Eugene.

For those who might choose to stick around until mid-July, the 55th annual Oregon Country Fair will be held July 12-14 at the fair site 15 miles west of Eugene.

Meanwhile, the popular Lane County Farmers Market and the Saturday Market will be holding forth on the downtown Lane County park blocks and across the street at the new Farmers Market Pavilion.

More travel and visitor information is available at Travel Oregon
and at Eugene, Cascades & Coast.