Yesteryears: Violent thunderstorm rocks lower valley in 1935

That was the world this week, as key people from Lot Productions, an independent movie production company, set up shop in town.

Director Aaron Norris, who is Chuck Norris’ brother, said the film will be a PG-rated children’s action adventure motion picture.

They will shoot the film at locations in Parkdale, downtown Hood River and Lost Lake. Filming will start in the middle of August, Norris said.

Norris chose Hood River for the film’s location because the surrounding area was well suited for every aspect of the movie.

“We were trying to find an area that suited the film. I started in North Carolina and worked my way across the country,” Norris said. “Nothing fit the bill as good as Hood River.”

After spending almost one and a half months in Hood River, Norris is glad he chose the location, he said.

“Except for a few problems finding lodging for the cast, everyone has been very pleasant here,” he said.

Norris has not signed contracts with actors for any of the leading roles yet. He hopes to have negotiations finished up by the end of the week.

“Hopefully, we’ll get some big names,” he said. “We’re bringing in some key people from L.A. and from Portland.”

Norris also said that he will be hiring as many local people as he can and has already found quite a few people in Hood River to work on the film.

The production company will be in Hood River for a total of four months, which includes the month and a half Norris has already spent here.

Norris has filmed movies all over the United States and the world, he said.

— Hood River News, July 26, 1995

1915 — 100 years ago

It has come to our attention that there are still people in Hood River who do not know that we have a free public playground. More than 70 different children enjoyed it last week and we should be glad to see more. If the little girls will bring a small doll and some scraps of goods, they will be taught something of sewing. We also read to them when it was too warm to play and have a new basket-ball for games. From 2 to 6 every afternoon, except Sunday, a young lady is in charge.

1925 — 90 years ago

Mr. Kadderly, of O.A.C., and Mr. Ackerman, official photographer of the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Washington, D.C., were visitors at the Beal Ranch at Parkdale last Monday, taking pictures of young Robert Beal and his famous potato patch. They also took notes on his potato club work for the past three years.

The fire which broke out last week in the Wind River country, the smoke from which has swept over this section for nearly a week, has already burned over 3,600 acres of splendid timber and has converted into a blackened waste one of the most beautiful, although not most accessible, spots near the Columbia River.

1935 — 80 years ago

A thunderstorm, violent in its intensity, brought to a temporary end on Tuesday morning the unusual spell of sizzling heat which had prevailed in the Mid-Columbia area for nearly two weeks. Not only was the lightening display awe-inspiring, but the heavy artillery of the heavens discharged salvo after salvo almost simultaneously with the flash, so close to Hood River as the center of the storm, which descended on the lower valley with startling rapidity.

Fireblight still continues to be a problem plague to a number of pear growers in Hood River Valley, and while the process of eradication is being followed, the situation justifies every grower making a personal survey on his trees at regular intervals.

1945 — 70 years ago

Just after noon Tuesday, word reached the fire department that a grass fire was sweeping rapidly up the hillsides between the railroad track and the Columbia River Highway east of town. The fire department was quickly on the scene and, cooperating with other fire fighters, was able to contain the blaze to dry grass and brush and away from timber.

Local anglers learned last Sunday that no angling will be permitted in those forest areas which are closed to anyone but those having permits. Anglers who wish to try their luck in the Clear Creek and other areas south of Parkdale, are notified that permits are not being issued to fishermen and hikers, at least during the fire hazard season, and anglers must choose other lakes and streams, of which there are plenty out of the closed areas.

1955 — 60 years ago

A total of 105 campaign workers, leaders, guests and hospital auxiliary members attended a Tuesday night banquet held in honor of L.D. Barr, advisor to the hospital campaign, who left this week to conduct a hospital drive in Medford. Over $261,000 has been raised as of Wednesday, announced campaign leaders Ted Pooley, Roy Webster, Percy Bucklin, Rene DeVin, Dan Hanners and Dale McLucas.

Gale Rosenback of Cascade Locks is the queen of the Fly-in celebration today through Sunday at Cascade Locks. Miss Rosenback, sponsored by the VFW, Cooties and their auxiliaries of Cascade Locks, was selected as queen. She will be crowned at the Cascade Locks high school tonight at 8 p.m.

1965 — 50 years ago

An all-time high in horse show entries for the Hood River County Fair was noted this week by fair superintendent Percy Jensen, and the growing popularity of this department has resulted in the addition of new bleachers for the horse arena. “The new bleachers were constructed by Jucho,” Jensen noted. “They should increase the seating capacity by around 300.”

County Commissioners have authorized purchase of land immediately east of present court house property, according to action they took in late June. Price in the purchase proposal is $7,000 for the land called the Winans property. County Executive Al Almcrants said the lot is 100 by 170 feet, and has an old house on it. The county now owns one similar lot immediately east of the Sheriff’s parking lot, and the Winans property is immediately to the east of that piece.

1975 — 40 years ago

Sumi, the Japanese art of brush painting, was just one of the classes offered for children by the Arts and Crafts Society July 10 to 18. More than 20 children took advantage of the sessions in Japanese art. Cost was $1 per day. The class was instructed by Mrs. Phyllis Jackson, who has been painting for over 10 years.

For sale by owner: We just finished painting every room and papering and now we’re being transferred! Newer 3 bedroom home in the city. Fireplace, entry hall, attached garage. Nicely landscaped with yard and garden. $25,900.

1985 — 30 years ago

As you read this, start thinking “barbecue.” Even as the newspapers were reaching Hood River Valley homes, sponsoring Soroptimists were busy preparing for the annual barbecue in the park to start the 1985 Hood River County Fair.

Power crews were digging, blasting and planting poles this week in an effort to restore power to about 500 customers in Mosier. They were replacing 18 cedar poles which fell in the path of a fire that swept 364 acres east of Hood River last weekend. Also continuing was an investigation into the cause of the fire, but a human cause was suspected because the point of origin was traced to a point near the Old Dalles Road.

1995 — 20 years ago

Gates may not be in place yet, but don’t attempt to get near the work at the Mosier Twin Tunnels — it’s a dangerous area, said the restoration effort’s project manager. Work began last Monday to reopen the tunnels on Historic Columbia River Highway east of Hood River. Some of the most dangerous work — workers scaling the cliff to chip away loose rock — started the project, said Tom Garner, Oregon Department of Transportation project manager.

The poster for the seventh annual Hood River Apple Jam Music Festival was viewed for the first time during a Columbia Gorge Hotel ceremony Friday. It was created by Hood River artist Bette Johnson. The posters have become collector’s items.

2005 — 10 years ago

Odell firefighters braved the summer heat on Sunday afternoon but were unable to stop an aged storage building from burning to the ground. “I believe there were some definite accelerants inside the building to make it burn so hot and fast,” said Fire Chief Greg Borton. Borton said the unoccupied shed was between 70-80 years old.

On July 26, ESPN’s SportsCenter will broadcast live from the Hood River Event Site, as it covers the U.S. Windsurfing Nationals taking place form July 25-30. A summer special titled “SportsCenter Across America” will bring ESPN to 50 states in 50 days.

— Compiled by Trisha Walker, news staff writer