Oak Grove Community Advantage Magazine June 2024

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Pioneering Legacy

Linn County’s first Black resident

By Oregon Black Pioneers

The first Black resident of Linn County, Oregon was a woman then known only as Cora Ann. She was born into slavery in Virginia between 1822 and 1833, and by 1837 was living in New Orleans, where she was purchased by 32-year-old Emeline Carey Sellick. In 1850, Emeline and Cora moved to Missouri, where Emeline married Samuel Johnson. That same year, the couple moved to Oregon, and Cora traveled with them on the Oregon Trail as an enslaved overland pioneer.

When the Johnson party reached Oregon in the fall of 1850, Cora became one of just 55 Black people in the Oregon Territory. African Americans – free or enslaved – had been legally barred from coming to Oregon since 1849. However, legislation targeting Black people often went unenforced within Oregon’s disparate farming communities. This allowed a handful of Black Americans to remain in Oregon despite their legal exclusion, but it also allowed slavery to continue long after the practice was prohibited. Oregon’s Supreme Court outlawed slavery in 1853; Cora, however, would continue to be held as Emeline’s slave until the 1860s.

Samuel Johnson claimed a 640 acre homestead near Brownsville in Linn County, and built a home which he and his wife shared with Cora. The Johnsons had no children. Samuel Johnson drowned in the Calapooia River in January 1858, leaving Emeline and Cora alone.

In December 1858, Cora married John Cox, a Black farm laborer. Theirs is the earliest recorded marriage of two Black people in Oregon. John Cox worked for Jefferson Huff, a white widowed father of two from Tennessee who was likely John’s former owner. Two months later, Emeline and Jefferson Huff were married, and all began sharing the same home.

Cora and John had a daughter named Adeline in 1860. In that year’s census, Cora and Adeline were listed as slaves, while John was listed as free. A second daughter, Angeline, was born in 1864. Cora was emancipated in or before 1864 as well. That year, Emeline sold her “former servant” Cora 36.3 acres of land from her homestead with Samuel Johnson for just $10.00, in recognition of “faithful services rendered.” This purchase made Cora one of the earliest Black landowners

in Oregon history. John Cox built a home for his family on this land that same year.

Cora remained close to Emeline even after receiving her freedom. In 1866, Cora testified in Emeline’s divorce trial against Jefferson Huff. The testimony of a Black woman was extremely rare in 19th century Oregon.

Cora was well known throughout the Willamette Valley; she and her husband were affectionately called “Aunt Cora” and “Uncle John” by their friends and neighbors. She was wellconnected within the region’s small Black community. Cora attended Oregon’s earliest-known Emancipation Day celebration in Salem in 1867, alongside fellow Black pioneers like Ben Johnson and Amanda Gardner.

John Cox died in 1875, but Cora remained in her home until 1886. She sold the house and land that year for $600 and moved to Brownsville. Cora lived comfortably from the sale of her property for the rest of her life. Sources say Cora even made a monetary gift to Willamette University Women’s College in her will. Cora Cox passed away in 1892. The house she lived in from 1864-1886 still stands today, making it one of Oregon’s oldest homes.

Oregon Black Pioneers is Oregon’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans statewide. To learn more, and to support this nonprofit, visit oregonblackpioneers.org.

Oregon Black Pioneers, 2024

Cora Cox home courtesy of Linn County Historical Museum

Dad-ication

The history of Father’s Day

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

Father’s Day will be celebrated on June 16 this year. Father’s Day, a holiday celebrated around the world, is a day dedicated to honoring fathers and father figures.

The origins of Father’s Day can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States. The holiday’s establishment is often credited to Sonora Smart Dodd, who was inspired by the newly recognized Mother’s Day. Sonora, the daughter of a Civil War veteran and single father, William Jackson Smart, wanted to honor her father’s selfless service in the war. So in 1909 she proposed the idea of Father’s Day to local ministers in Spokane, Washington, to be celebrated on June 5, her father’s birthday. However, there wasn’t enough time to prepare for the holiday that year, so the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910.

popular as the holiday became more mainstream and commercial.

In the mid-20th century, the roles of fatherhood began to shift, with an increasing emphasis on fathers being more involved in raising the children and doing more things around the house. This social shift could be seen in how people viewed Father’s Day as a celebration, not only of paternal authority but also of paternal love, care and nurturing.

Father’s Day gradually gained popularity, with several attempts made to establish it as a national holiday. It wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon officially recognized Father’s Day as a national holiday in the United States, to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year.

Throughout its history, Father’s Day underwent several transformations due to cultural, social and economic factors. Initially, it was celebrated with the simple gestures of wearing a red rose to honor a living father and a white rose to honor a deceased father. Greeting cards, often accompanied by gifts and family gatherings, became increasingly

Around the world, Father’s Day has different origins and traditions. In many countries, it’s celebrated on different dates and with varying traditions. For example, in Catholic countries like Spain and Portugal, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19, coinciding with the Feast of St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ. In Germany, Father’s Day, known as “Vatertag,” is celebrated on Ascension Day, with traditions that include men going on hiking trips and pulling wagons filled with beer.

Today, Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide with a variety of traditions, ranging from simple acts of appreciation to elaborate family gatherings, gift-giving and beer-filled wagons (yes, please!). While its commercialization is often criticized, Father’s Day remains an important holiday for expressing gratitude and love for fathers and father figures, honoring their contributions to family and society as a whole.

As a father myself, I wish you and your families a “Happy Father’s Day!” this June.

Exploringtheretrovideogamerenaissance

ByRobertMatsumura,ContributingWriter

most realistic, imaginative video games for both consoles and streaming platforms, many enthusiasts are increasingly looking to the past for a familiar, relaxing and affordable gaming experience.

With the dizzying array of tantalizingly new games out there, complete with ultra-high definition graphics and immersive music and storylines, the rising popularity of old low-tech games with pixelated graphics and simplistic controls is a bit of a head-scratcher. In order to wrap one’s mind around this curious phenomenon, it’s important to understand what the term “retro game” refers to. In gaming parlance the term “retro gaming” instantaneously evokes primitive but charming 8-bit graphics, intuitive straightforward gameplay that is addictive and challenging, yet is, at its core, innately simple.

The heyday of these retro games was back in the 70s and 80s when the internet was still a dream, and words like “cell phone” and “streaming” had not yet entered the common lexicon.

experience was to play these games standing up on arcade machines located in pizza parlors, convenience stores and malls across America.

For those of us who grew up during this era the nostalgia factor is immense. As the world continually grows faster and more complex, there is a certain comfort in the return to something familiar. Engaging again with the graphics, sounds and challenges of these simple games has the ability to evoke the past, like a time capsule transporting one back to the days of their youth. Whether rescuing the princess in the various castles of Super Mario Brothers, zapping fast flowing insects in Centipede or defending humanity from invaders from outer space in Galaxian or Space Invaders, engaging once again with these simple yet thrilling games is like reacquainting oneself with an old friend.

Another lure of retro games is their simplicity. Unlike contemporary video games whose complexity often mirrors real life, retro games offer a binary experience that requires minimal decision making and strategizing. In a world where everevolving technology demands increasing levels of expertise and knowledge,

the straightforward gameplay of retro games can be a refreshing change of pace. Basic hand/eye coordination and reaction time are typically the skills required in retro games, versus the detailed storylines and game mechanics common to today’s popular titles.

Aside from nostalgia and relaxing game play, the affordability of retro gaming is also appealing. The expense of today’s popular titles creates a strain on the pocketbook for budget-minded individuals. The inexpensive price of retro games — frequently bundled together at minimal cost — creates a democratizing effect, wherein the vast majority of gamers can afford to participate, rather than only the hardcore few willing to shell out significant dollars to stay up to date on the latest and greatest new releases.

Finally, one cannot discount the aesthetic appeal of retro games with their pixelated graphics and jaunty chiptune soundtracks that impart a certain charm to these old titles. While highly orchestrated

musical scores and jawdropping HD visuals are indeed impressive from a technical standpoint, there are times when simple equates to good. In a sense, retro games are the comfort food of the video game industry. While gourmet cuisine can be an amazing culinary experience, there are times when you simply desire a good old burger and fries. Leaning over a classic arcade machine, joystick in hand, is a completely different experience to gaming online via the latest PlayStation or Xbox console wearing a headset and communicating in realtime with players around the globe. So how has the recent resurgence in retro game popularity affected the gaming industry?

arcade establishments also double as restaurants serving food and beverages to hungry gamers as they strive to save the world from galactic invaders or guide Pacman through a labyrinth of hungry ghosts.

As one might expect, the surging popularity of retro video games has spurred demand for old gaming consoles. The resale market on sites such as eBay for vintage Atari, Nintendo, and Sega Genesis consoles has exploded as the younger generation of gamers discovers these old classics, and Boomers reengage nostalgically with the favorite games of their youth. The demand for retro game

The surging demand for retro games has manifested itself in a myriad of ways, from the creation of small hand-held arcade machines for gamers on the go to the digital remastering of classic retro titles. Game designers are also incorporating visuals, sound effects, and game mechanics from the old retro titles and developing new games that capture the essence of these timeless originals. In cities across the globe the burgeoning demand for retro video games has spawned arcade establishments catering to gamers wishing to play the old classics standing up, on machines like those of their youth. Often these new

in lockstep with the demand for the old consoles and games cartridges, driving a craze for all things retro gaming. No matter what your age or level of gaming experience — Baby Boomer to Gen Z, avid gamer to newbie – retro video games have something to offer everyone. Whether you grew up in the 70s or 80s and seek a nostalgic blast to the past, or hail from a more recent generation, the realm of retro gaming is a wonderful respite from the complexities of our modern life—digital comfort food for the soul!

CHILDREN’S CANCER ASSOCIATION

In the months of June and July, join Mattress World Northwest in supporting JoyRx, the mission delivery of Children’s Cancer Association, and bring joy to thousands of seriously ill kids in Oregon.

Why is this nonprofit so important? JoyRx programs are designed to relieve the sadness, anxiety and isolation kids experience during hospitalizations. Through music, nature and mentorship, their no-cost joy-based programming

has been providing emotional healing to children with cancer and other illnesses for over 27 years. JoyRx provides what every parent with a sick child so desperately hopes for — just a little bit of joy to bring light to the dark treatment journey.

Family-owned and -operated, dedicated to providing their customers the best products at the best prices, all while donating to and participating in their local communities, Mattress World Northwest exemplifies the best of what retail businesses have to offer. This proves that not all mattress stores are created equal.

Get a better night’s sleep and help support your local community at the nearest Mattress World Northwest store. They are open every day or you can order online at mattressworldnorthwest.com.

Feeling Is Believing.

Take It to the Stage

“The place for art” in Milwaukie, Oregon

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

Comedy shows, plays, dance performances, rehearsals, instructional classes, private events, and so much more! Simply stated, Chapel Theatre is the premier venue in the area for any and all varieties of performance-based artistic expression. If you can dream it, they can provide the space necessary to manifest those dreams into reality.

Founded in 2018 by husband and wife team, Corinn and Illya deTorres, Chapel Theatre was named such in honor of the church that operated there fron the 1930s. Although not affiliated in any way with religion, the Chapel Theatre does espouse inclusivity and community above all else. Corinn and Illya have worked tirelessly to foster an open and inviting atmosphere where Black Lives Matter, where BIPOC voices have an important place in the arts, and where LGBTQ members are an integral part of their thriving community.

Corinn, the Theatre Director and Dance Instructor, is herself a dancer (founding and directing the “TriptheDark” Dance Company for 12 years).

Illya, the Technical Director, is a musician and actor. Passion for the arts runs in their veins and they are both humbled and enthused to be

such an integral part of the local creative community. They do produce their own shows (through the Chapel Theatre Company) while renting the space to partners (TriptheDark Dance Company, Bridge City Improv, Telltale and more). Regardless of who is currently in residence, there is always something fun and exciting happening. Located at their Chapel Theatre Annex, they even have a full-service music recording and mixing studio, as well as a rehearsal, performance, learning and music event space.

Their Youth Summer Camp program is a huge draw and classes run the gamut from teaching behind the scenes production to stage direction, to script work, to acting and movement. Amanda Healy, who is their Lead Educator and Production Assistant, is incredible with the kids and teaches all their youth classes.

They are proud to announce that recently she has even branched out into the Clackamas School District to start teaching acting in local classrooms.

Regardless of your personal tastes, Chapel Theatre offers something for everyone. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else in the Milwaukie area. Whether looking to put on a show of your own or to enjoy those of other local theater/comedy/dance troupes, look no further than Chapel Theatre.

For more information regarding upcoming shows, space availability, room rates and more, visit their website chapeltheatremilwaukie.com. And don’t miss out this August when they kick off their 2024/2025 season with the punk rock musical parody production of “Repo Man”. Chapel Theatre is located at 4107 SE Harrison Street in Milwaukie.

Amanda Healy teaching class

(L to R) Illya and Corinn deTorres

TriptheDark Dance Company

Theatre set-up

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