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Oral histories: Memories live forever By Tony Boom TALENT � "I always remember something when I talk, but I�m not ambitious enough to write it down," said Alice Burnette, 85, a Talent resident since 1934. To ensure the memories of Burnette and other elderly citizens aren�t lost after their death, the Talent Historical Society is conducting a series of oral histories of residents who remember what Talent was like in the 1920s and �30s. Helping fund the project is a $2,850 grant from the PacificCorp Foundation of Pacific Power. "We�re doing some catch-up and hoping to record the oldest stories before it�s too late," said Marian Angele, society director. "Community life here is rooted in a rich history. We�re proud to help preserve it," said Claudia Steinbroner, Medford account manager for Pacific Power. The society has identified 20 people it would like to interview, but the grant � which will pay for advance research, the interviewers� time, transcribing and editing � will allow for about 10 interviews. Talent resident Lynn Newbry suggested some of those on the list. "They are people who have resided here for a long time," said Newbry. "They are in their 80s ... people who are now living who have considerable knowledge on the past history of the community." The interview process helps the participants refresh their memories, said Newbry, who has been interviewed for oral histories. He also has listened to and read some of the oral histories. "For a small society like Talent, that oral history represents the biggest contribution we can make to the future," he said. Controversies of the day, crime, significant changes, feuds and hard feelings, different philosophies, buildings that were torn down and major decisions all add to the history of the town, said Angele. "What you want is the story. �I remember so and so�," said Angele. "A lot of times you can verify the facts. The stories tell you about personalities and feelings." Former Mail Tribune reporter Joe Cowley and 50-year Talent resident Wanda Gibbs have been recruited to gather the histories. There are 73 oral interviews on file at the Talent Historical Society, located in the Community Hall at 206 E. Main St. The new histories funded by the grant may be longer and the actual tapes will be retained. Talent Irrigation District has been well represented in the interviews, said Angele. She�d like to see more about logging, orchards and the town�s development. Eventually, Angele would like to use the interviews as source material for a book on Talent�s history. For now, they are available to read or listen to at the society. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.