Greetings:

As you are no doubt aware by now TriMet is hosting a huge event on September 12th to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Orange Line, and our Park Avenue Station.  All rides on MAX, TriMet buses, Portland Streetcar and the Aerial Tram will be free that day.  AND, over and above all, there will be a huge celebration at our new Park Avenue Station that day, including bands and performances.  Visit

http://catchtheorange.com/#/events/grand-opening-celebration

for more details.

The Oak Lodge History Detectives will be a part of the festival at the Park Avenue Station.  This promises to be the largest event Oak Grove has ever seen, and thousands are expected to get off the train at Park Avenue to attend.

Because of the preparation involved there will be NO OLHD MEETING in September.  Our next meeting will be held on October 8th.  Watch for upcoming announcements.

Volunteers are needed to help pull this event off.  Below is a summary of what is involved:

Thursday, Sept. 10th –   Volunteers are needed to help set up the many  canopies (“Pop-ups”) on the Parking Garage roof. Many other organizations besides OLHD will be setting up canopies that late afternoon/evening.  The work is not hard, but the more volunteers we have the faster it will all go. OLHD will be setting ours up around 7:00 p.m. There will be potluck snacks and drinks afterwards.

Friday, Sept. 11th –  This will be set-up and decorating day on the top deck of the Parking Garage.  Beginning at about 9:30 a.m. volunteers will be needed to help OLHD set up our booths.  This involves setting up three tables, brochures and handouts, two banners, easels, various props, electricity, and various other things. Potluck that morning will consist of coffee, juice, fruit and pastries.  Pizza will be provided at noon, supplemented by your potluck drinks and other foods.  Set-up needs to be completed by 5:00 p.m.  At 6:00 there will be a potluck dinner for all volunteers and special guests.  From 7:00 to 9:00 there will be a ceremony to welcome a beautiful new sculpture into the community, accompanied by music.

Saturday, Sept. 12th – SHOWTIME.  OLHD member volunteers are still  needed to help staff our displays and relieve other staffers. We’ll need volunteers starting at 7:30 a.m. and continue until after closing at 6:00 p.m. The event officially starts at 11:00 a.m.

All our volunteer needs are at the Park Avenue Station parking garage, top deck, at the intersection of McLoughlin Blvd. and Park Ave.

If you are interested in helping out contact Lisa Bentley at lisabentley3@comcast.net or Mike Schmeer at gennutt@gmail.com

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Hoping to see you there – – – – – – –

Mike Schmeer
Chairman, Oak Lodge History Detectives