LaRee Johnson

     I was delighted to read in my recent Pacific County Historical Society newsletter that our friend LaRee Johnson will be the presenter at the PCHS Annual Meeting on February 12^th.  I wouldn’t miss it for the world.  LaRee is one of those admirable and amazing women who is not only beautiful and talented, but is an expert in her field – women’s vintage accessories and clothing.
     I first saw her do one of her programs years (maybe two decades?) ago at The Ark.  In those days I was an active member of the Daughters of the Pioneers and LaRee was the guest speaker at one of our luncheon events.  “Speaker” is a misnomer to-the-max, however.  She was a fashion show, a history lesson, and an entertainer wrapped in one gorgeous costume after another!
     Subsequently, I saw other presentations.  One I especially remember was at the Golden Sands Assisted Living Center and it involved hats.  My mother was a resident there at that time and somehow LaRue knew about her hat collection.  At LaRee’s suggestion, Mom and her friends all wore hats to the show and then were allowed to try on some of the vintage hats as well.  How the ladies (and the men!) all enjoyed it.
     Still later, when we owned the Bookvendor in Long Beach, we asked LaRee in to do an author’s signing for her book, Ladies’ Vintage Accessories (now in its 4^th printing).   And when I was writing my own book, Dear Medora, I appealed to LaRee more than once for clarification on terms such as ‘pongee’ and ‘challis’ and ‘grimps.’  She was a storehouse of information and, if she didn’t know off the top of her head, she knew where to find out.
     I’m pleased to say that over the years we have become friends.  For that reason, if no other, I would attend her presentation next Sunday.  But there are so many other reasons… The program, “Fashion before Freedom,” will highlight fashions before women had the right to vote and will include a little history of the suffrage movement in Washington and Oregon.
     Two years ago Washington celebrated women’s 100^th year of suffrage this year marks the centennial for the women’s vote in Oregon, as well. I’m looking forward to hearing LaRee’s insights on how those events affected women’s fashions.  Judging from ‘before and after getting-the-vote’ pictures of my grandmother and other female relatives, the changes were fast and furious.
     The event takes place at 1:30 next Sunday afternoon at the Naselle School and is open to the public.  It will be well worth the journey up river to see what LaRee has up her sleeve – or in her reticule – on this occasion!