Clips in Time

Editor's note: Morris and Lynn Walker tonight premiere "Stories & Legends from the Heart of the Valley,"a documentary film about Corvallis' first 150 years. This is the final installment in their "Clips in Time" column, in which they've kept Gazette-Times readers abreast of progress on the film and have offered some of the historical tidbits they've uncovered during their work. You can contact the Walkers at heartofthe valley@yahoo.com.

Frederick Davis once said, "Whatever you think about all the time, just keeps on expanding." Truer words were never spoken. For almost two years, the film "Stories & Legends" has been expanding beyond what we ever imagined. When we finally set the deadline for TODAY, that's when everything started going wrong.

That's why they call it a deadline, because it almost kills you.

But we are alive and well, and many people in Corvallis will see the fruits of our labor tonight at 7:30 at Corvallis High School Main Stage Theater. We have announced that this is the only time we will ever show the 100-minute film about Corvallis on the big screen. This is true, but we will show a shorter version at film festivals and around the state.

And the DVD, which will be officially released April 18 at a signing party at Timberhill Athletic Club, will be around for many years and for sale at several outlets around Corvallis. The DVD version will, of course, be 100 minutes long.

When we began production on this film we thought seriously about calling the film "The Flight of Time." We soon changed the title to "Stories & Legends from the Heart of the Valley." Do you know what "the flight of time" is? It's carved in stone in Corvallis - literally. If you don't know now, you will when you see the film.

For those who choose to come to the premiere tonight, we are thrilled to be able to present the film in person with friends like John Hope-Johnstone, CEO of Corvallis Tourism, Mayor Charlie Tomlinson and Bill Bradbury, former Oregon secretary of state.

Many questions will be answered in this complex history of stories. For instance: Is there "a dirty underbelly" to this city? Who was responsible for Mario Pastega working every day of his life and giving back such wonderful gifts such as the Mario Pastega House? Who was the Hispanic businessman who used to sing the song "Guadalajara" to his patrons in the 1990s? Who was Miss Electricity? Who is the most proficient Scott Joplin pianist in Corvallis, and where will he be tonight? (Take a guess.) What does Fingerboard Extension mean?

More questions: Who is "The Last One Standing?" Where is the oldest two-story wooden train station in Oregon? And what the heck are we going to do when we can't write these stories for you in future issues of the G-T? Woe is us.

Thank you for letting us bring these Clips in Time to you over the last year and a half. It has been a sheer delight. And please come see us at tonight's premiere of "Stories & Legends." Better plan on showing up early: We've invited all of our relatives.

Best wishes from Morris, Lynn and Amoris Walker, the producers of "Stories & Legends."