Writer offers information about winning float

To The Eagle:

Alert readers have been wondering about last week’s photo of the Birnie Slough River Rats and their prizewinning entry in the Eagle Day Parade. Who are these people and where did they come from? This group came together years ago when longtime residents of Puget Island, Melissa and Jerry Chase, began inviting friends from the Greater Portland Area up for the Bald Eagle Day Festivities.

Generally 20 to 30 friends show up. Some stay with Melissa and Jerry in their lovely 1938 houseboat on Birnie Slough, others check into the hotel and another group circles their motorhomes at the marina campground.

Like all the visitors, they walk around town shopping and taking in the beautiful scenery. There is just so much to do and see during this event. Part of the big draw for these folks is always Melissa’s food. This talented lady has owned restaurants in the past and currently does catering. This year’s highlights were her razor clams, crawdads and her legendary Sunday brunch. Time between events is often spent sitting on the deck of the houseboat watching the world flow past and catching up. Friday evening is set aside for a potluck and to finish the float.

Keeping with the parade theme for this year, the group recreated a prairie schooner. Hanging on the sides of the schooner were relics from the past including a large round, wooden crate that Melissa’s relatives had long ago used to protect a glass lamp when they made the wagon train trip to the Northwest. This antique lamp still graces the interior of the Chase’s home. There was also a very believable wooden keg that actually started life as an Olympia beer keg. Jerry and Melissa, dressed as pioneers, sat in the front with Jerry holding tight to the reins he used to “guide” the horses. No one really cared that these horses had wheels instead of hooves. Other pioneers and cowboys sat in the wagon, happily throwing candy to the kids. Two cowgirls walked behind. One amazed the crowd with her sharp shooting routine and the other was riding her stick horse Dusty, so named because his mane was a Swiffer cleaning product. It was easy to tell that they were having just as much fun as the crowd.

This group met in the 60s and 70s when Jerry was racing sports cars, and they have remained fast friends ever since. It’s no secret that they tend to be a tiny bit competitive as old racers would be and they really want to win at anything. When they started entering the parade several years ago, winning was certainly a goal for some and the rest just wanted to have fun.

Competition this year was particularly fierce and the group was surprised and thrilled when they the Grand Prize Trophy for their float. The float was barely back at the marina before the group started planning what they would do next year. They want to thank everyone who made this event possible.

Jean Anderson

Beaverton, Oregon