Comments on: The Strawberry Queen of Columbia County

By: LaManda Joy

LaManda Joy — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 15:06:22 +0000

Jason – THANK YOU for the note. I love Fred and Loretta. When I come to visit we often go to see them. They are wonderful people and I consider them family. Your comments are wonderful and you are kind, just like your grandpa.

By: Jason Luttrell

Jason Luttrell — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 06:56:44 +0000

Although I am only 37 and didn’t experience most of those years in the fields, I truly appreciate the stories and kind words of my grandpa Fred. The best part, was that I had to go out all day like others and pick berries to earn a honest dollar when I was a kid. I’m glad the Luttrell Farm experiences have left memorable moments for others as myself. How things have changed, could you imagine today kids picking strawberries with their I phones, pads, tablets, etc. Taking breaks to play angry birds, and texing more letters than berries being picked. The good old days picking all day saving up money to buy candy, a pack of baseball cards, or an Atari game. Thank you once again for the story, grandpa is still watching the sunrise.
P.S. Nan you are dealy missed.

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:38:55 +0000

A beautifully written post. I will be sharing this with my children (7 and 11) when they come home from school. During the first days of berry season in our gardens, they’re thrilled to help pick…and then the whining begins. They certainly love the benefits of strawberries–and I think they need a little reality check about their ability to help. Your article is a lovely testament to hard work–and the rewards of the work. Cheers to you–and your mom!

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 06:58:35 +0000

Thank you so much for telling this story. Personally I think most parents should read and then read it with their children so they will know just how hard kids used to work (and some still do!) and that it was good for them to have responsibility. I plan on reading this to my 18 yr old just for the great history lesson!!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 22:03:25 +0000

This is a wonderful story of your sweet Mother. It also resonates heavily with me, as a Veteran of the Corvallis Blueberry fields. We too had Row Bosses, and were paid 11 cents a pound back in 1984. I remember people getting canned for throwing berries, picking the wrong row, not picking clean, etc.
Nothing like Oregon berry fields. Nothing like the row boss or the row bosses’ daughter, either!

By: Jason Susee

Jason Susee — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:30:20 +0000

Mandi:
Hello from Wayyyy back (remember choir?)..I’ve enjoyed watching your posts on FB… But this is my favorite.
Very well written, and it really brought me back….10 years working in those fields and the cannery. One memory you didn’t mention was that we used to love picking the field across from the Yankton store so we could go buy some treats with our crisp, new, strawberry-stained dollar bills.
I do remember ol “conehead” very well, a taskmaster, but always fair.
And yes I do admit giving and getting a few shampoos…great memories. I only wish my kids had the same opportunity to learn how to work in the way we did in those fields. Thanks for the great read. God Bless.

By: Sharon Miller

Sharon Miller — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:33:08 +0000

Wow, that brought me back to late 1950′s, early 60′s when I would go to Grandmother’s house in Salem OR, we were from No. Calif. & spent the summers with her. She would put us on the bus early AM and we would head to Strawberry, Green Beans, or what ever field needed picking. We’d give her the $ everyday & she saved for us (it was our school clothes $) and she would give us $.50 cents every Friday to spend however! What wonderful memories!