For as long as I've known, the two biggest towns in Walker Creek county - Ramsey and Walker Creek, had this insane rivalry. They all went to the same school, the same everything but for some reason, fought like children. The adults, that is. The kids did too. They fought about test results, sports accomplishments, what attractions they had in their town, and pretty much anything else you can think of for two towns to fight about. I don't know why they did and I always found it dumb. I had this friend, James, that lived in Ramsey so I don't know. Anyway, this rivalry escalated one day when some rowdy teenagers from Walker Creek decided to go egg a bunch of houses and stores in Ramsey. Set off a whole prank war between the two of them. This was around 1967 I think. Anyway, that didn't end until a brawl broke out on Main Street between two groups and the police department shut it down. They threatened to arrest anyone doing pranks or fighting or anything like that. Rivalry is still there but the chaos was over at least. Anyway, that's just another one of the random, unique things about Walker Creek.
- Trevor
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Rosie's bar was the one destination everyone in town, no matter who they were or what they did, always went to. It wasn't high class or anything like that, but it wasn't sleazy or dirty either. It was cozy and welcoming. Had the kind of stereotypical small town charm you see in Hollywood pictures. Went there every Friday for drinks with the boys, James and Sam and all of them. Pretty sure they're dead now, and I haven't kept in contact anyway. But anyway, back to Rosie's Bar. It had this nice brick interior, plenty of space, soft lights, everything you'd expect. Rosie Filman owned it. She was sweet to everyone that came through. Any drink you wanted, local or not, she could get it for you. Any mood you walk in with, she'd try to help you. It got loud and crazy as hell some nights, and calm and relaxing on others. Really just depended. Lumberjacks and construction workers really raised holy hell there from what I saw, everyone else minded their business. If they weren't there, those were the calm nights. I miss that place. Out here in Texas, there's nothing like that, at least near me. God, I miss that bar. I'd kill for one more night, sitting there with my friends, drinking genuine Washington whisky, chatting with Rosie, and going home to my wife at the end. I miss those days.
- Trevor I think I briefly touched on this in a previous entry, but today I'm going to tell you the story of James Lamert. Mayor elect of 1972. I didn't vote for him, neither did a lot of people really. Silent majority wins though, I suppose. Anyway, Mayor Lambert was a shitty, two faced no good politician. The type that nobody in a small town really likes to see. At least, I thought so until I saw the election results. It wasn't long before things went downhill. Policies that went against what people really wanted, staying silent and secluded and answering to nobody, and eventually running the town straight into bankruptcy trying to fund all sorts of shit. He wanted to build a whole mall in the middle of Walker Creek. He wanted to renovate all of Main Street. He wanted to build a ice skating rink. He wanted increased funding to anyone who asked. Was any of this necessary or even slightly a good decision? Not a chance in hell.
See, my theory is that he belonged in a damn institution but used his politician money to keep everyone off his trail. He grew up in Walker Creek but left to be some big shot in Seattle before coming back. It was a tough time when he was elected. The shop almost tanked, like everything else that was created in town. Everyone just felt anxiety and uncertainty. Luckily we bounced back after impeaching that asshole, and the rest is history. - Trevor |
AuthorTrevor Magnil Archives
November 2021
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