IN THE GOOD Ol' SUMMERTIME

BARN BEAUTIFICATION: The work has been a labor of love over several years, but Saturday Harold Blank of Cove was able to show off the renovations that have turned an old barn into a one-of-a-kind meeting area, complete with two five-tier chandeliers, an upper-story walk-around balcony, and plenty of comfortable seating. The young fiddlers making up "Mixolydian" provided the entertainment. (Observer photos/T.L. PETERSEN).

By T. L. Petersen

Observer Staff Writer

COVE — Grandparents joked with grandchildren, long-time friends caught up with each other, and one and all marveled at the work Harold Blank had done converting his Cove barn into a hidden treasure of a meeting place.

It was the annual picnic for the Union County Historical Society, and despite the heat, it was an afternoon right out of an earlier time Saturday in Cove.

"Any one for ice cream?" a voice called as plates once filled with fried chicken and cold salads were ferried to the garbage bags.

Almost resembling a pilgrimage, nearly everyone at the picnic stopped to visit a moment or two with Ada Metsopulos, 94, believed to be the group's oldest participating member.

"I just started going to (the monthly) meetings with some friends," Metsopulos said of getting involved with the group.

That was about 10 years ago, she said. Membership gives her another activity besides working in her garden to look forward to.

Metsopulos, who was born to homesteaders in the Promise area, moved to Wallowa when she was 3.

But Metsopulos only reluctantly touts out her own role in the making of Union County history during her long lifetime.

Asked about her recollection of the past versus the recorded histories, she smiles.

"I know some things were different" from the history books, she chuckles.

"Mixolydian" hasn't hardly been around long enough to conceive of history.

The four members of the fiddle-playing group range in age from 8-year-old Jacquelynn Huitt to 14-year-olds Anna Snook and Christie Bomberger. Brianna Huitt, at 12, rounds out the group that is making a name for itself with its music, not just its name.

Playing a mix of tunes as society members and guests found places on couches and stairs around the edges of the barn, the girls segued from "The Tennessee Waltz" to "Turkey in the Straw," then off into "Morrison's Jig" and more reels from cultures with origins lost in time.

To rounds of applause from about 40 people challenging the heat Saturday, the girls explained that their group name is a form of Celtic music, their favorite.

As people gathered, Lodema Asper, vice president of the society, thanked people for coming out "and braving the heat" for the group's annual picnic.

The historical society, says president Marvel Powelson of Imbler, has about 102 people on its mailing list, and a core group of about 12.

Powelson would like to get more active members involved in the monthly meetings at the log cabin at the Union County Fairgrounds, but understands that each person needs to find his or her own motivation for involvement and their own niche.

"I've always been interested in family stories," Powelson said in explaining her own reasons for joining the society several years ago. "That naturally led me into stories about the people who lived here."

The history of building and equipment isn't so exciting to her, Powelson admits, "but I‘m fascinated by the stories behind that of the individuals who toughed it out."

The historical society, under Powelson's leadership, is working to carry out its mission of collecting and preserving the history of the county.

She says the group is planning to again have a county history display at the log cabin during the Union County Fair, and again have people come and talk about their memories of times past during the fair.

Also available are books of Union County history, including reprints of the county history first published in 1902.

Powelson thinks back to Saturday's picnic — which she was only able to attend briefly — and comes up with a picture she will long hold in her own memory.

Everyone had left, and Harold Blank was taking a well-deserved rest. Powelson stopped by to check in and found the barn door still wide open.

Going in, she found Blank in his rocking chair, the two five-tier chandeliers still blazing down.

"He was in his rocker, sound asleep, tipped back, just sound asleep," Powelson says with good humor. "I wish I'd had a camera."

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