- Oysterville Boys’ Club c. 1947
Just after World War Two, back in 1946, Floyd Day and his sister Dorothy moved to Oysterville. Their dad was working for Les Goulter. I remember their names and I’ve seen their pictures in the old Oysterville School photographs. But until last week, that was all I knew.
Then, out of the blue, we had an inquiry on the Oysterville Restoration Foundation website. Floyd Day wanted to know if we had a museum here in town. He had found some photographs in his mother’s album and wanted to send them to us. I e-mailed him; he e-mailed back. And Saturday morning… a phone call and a voice from the past!
We visited for a long time, sharing our memories and trying (in vain, it turned out) to remember one another. I doubt if our paths crossed much back then. For starters, I was a ‘summer kid’ which limited our chances of shared memories. For another, he lived near the Carl Andrews Garage for awhile and, later, out on Stackpole Road – both places out of my ‘neighborhood.’ Mostly, he was three years younger and a boy, at that! But he had some great memories – things I’ve never even heard of.
“Do you remember when the elephant washed up on the beach?” he asked.
“An elephant!?” I said. “Are you sure it wasn’t a whale?”
“No, it was an elephant. We have a picture of it somewhere. I’ve been looking for that other album but so far it hasn’t turned up. If I find it, I’ll send it.”
Another thing he remembered was when a fresh load of sand was dumped in the schoolyard and the first kid to dig around in it found a ruby. “A real ruby!” he said, the wonder of it still echoing in his voice. “The teacher took it and said she’d find the owner…”
The Day family moved away in 1947 or 1948 and Floyd said he’s not been back since. He’s thinking of making a trip here this summer and he promised to be in touch if he does. In the meantime, he asked if I would mind if he sent the pictures to me. “If you know those folks at the museum in Ilwaco, you could give them the photos for me. If you wouldn’t mind.”
I don’t mind at all! In fact, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity. I do hope he finds the elephant picture. That, I’d really like to see!
What wonderful seredipity! I hope the elephant surfaces–pun intended–and that Floyd makes an appearance.