Make this coming June 29 an even more historic Oregon date

June 29 is an historic date in Oregon

The first park in Oregon’s much-envied state park system was established on the date in 1922 when Gov. Ben Olcott signed legislation creating Columbia River Gorge State Park, now one of our most popular outdoor recreation sites.

And in 1933 a massive forest fire that came to be known as the Tillamook Burn began in the Coast Range and burned more than 300,000 acres over the course of several years, with a long-lasting impact on the state’s timber industry and environment.

This year, June 29 is going to be commemorated by a much smaller news event observing the contributions made to the state by several hundred dedicated, talented journalists who plied their trade throughout Western Oregon for nearly 60 years as staff members of The Register-Guard.

A “Golden Era” reunion is being held that afternoon at the site of the former Register-Guard building on Chad Drive in northeast Eugene. Initial invitations went out on March 1 and this is a reminder of that planned event for those who’ve not yet registered to attend. Please register here.

Look who’s coming

Curious about whom you might be rubbing elbows with on June 29th? Follow the link below to see who has already committed to attending our reunion. It’s star-studded, as you can see.

Details on on how to pay

Payment of our $50 per person catering fee isn’t required immediately but we will need your deposit(s) no later than June 1, when we have to give our caterer a headcount for the food service we’re planning during the reunion. Remember, those attending are encouraged to bring a spouse, partner or friend (for an additional $50). For those who haven’t already paid, access this web link to see the options for sending money.

It’s time to share stories about the ‘GOOD OL’ DAZE’

June is also the month that the person with likely the greatest longevity joined “The R-G” 67 years ago: Dean Rea, who plans to be in attendance on June 29 and recently reflected on that longevity in his online column, which you can read here.

Gallery: Back to the days when the local paper played better than the Ducks

The Eugene Register-Guard fielded pretty fine news and sports teams in the 1970s. Imagine what it would take to play touch football at Autzen Stadium now. Photographs by Wayne Eastburn.

File a Dispatch

Let us know what’s going on! If you have a website, online journal, or Substack column, share your link and we’ll put out the word. Have a story to tell? Use the form at the link to share it with the group.