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TIM CURRAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
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| Viola N. Gale 1917-2007 Prescott Street Press publisher. |
| COURTESY THE OREGONIAN |
John DiPasquale, president of the PEF, was thrilled. “I think the Gales’ donation — particularly from the Viola Gale Trust — is a tremendous commitment to the students in Parkrose.”
Viola, or Vi as most people knew her, passed away in March 2007 at the age of 90. Her husband, Jim, continues to live in the same house near the high school. Born Viola Marie Hokenson in Sweden, Vi’s family moved to Clatskanie, Ore., when she was 6.
The Gales had interesting career paths: She was a lifelong poet and writer; he was sprinkler system designer and manufacturer. In 1974 — despite never having had the benefit of a full college education — Vi began Prescott Street Press, a small publishing house specializing in prose and poetry, only retiring when forced due to health concerns. Prescott Street Press published both local and international writers of poetry and prose. In 1989, the Oregon Institute of Literary Arts honored her with the C.E.S. Wood Retrospective Award. Vi also taught creative writing and poetry at community colleges and at the downtown Young Women’s Christian Association for 10 years.
Today, her out-of-print books are being sought by institutions of higher education for preservation as part of Portland’s literary history.
“She loved people and poetry,” Jim said, “and she was a very gifted and disciplined writer.” At one point in their marriage, during the lean years and just after they moved to Parkrose, she helped support them by “winning every contest in sight.” She composed the winning entry in 25 words or fewer for many local and national consumer product contests, which was how contests were predominantly run back then. “She got us all kinds of things,” Jim chuckled. “Washing machines, groceries, furniture, all sorts of household goods. One time it seemed like the house was full of soap boxes.”
For more than 30 years, Jim worked in the automatic sprinkler/fire protection contractor business. He worked for Grinnell Company for 22 years doing design work, later doing estimating and contracting. In 1972 with a business partner, Jim started Fireguard Sprinkler Systems on Northeast Marx Street. Later, with his partner for life, Jim acquired property on Northeast Marx Street in Parkrose and constructed a building to house their successful business. At its apex the press had offices in Seattle, Wash., and Anchorage, Ala., in addition to the Portland plant.
Selling the business to employees in 1987, Jim again retired from business and now pursues his other passion: horses. An avid equestrian, he purchased a horse stable and boarding business in Ridgefield, Wash., some years ago. At 88, Jim still rides as often as he can.
“With a prosthesis,” he said, “it’s a little hard to get my leg over the horse’s butt, but with a little help mounting and dismounting, I can do it.” He used to ride two or three times a week, but not that often these days.
Of the donation, DiPasquale also said he hopes a portion of the money could be used to establish an endowment, a core group of funds the foundation can grow over time, literally making the Gale remembrance one that keeps on giving. “I think the longevity of the gift would be consistent with the Gales’ expectations.”
Subsequent to the gift, the PEF board met and did exactly that: They created a $75,000 endowment fund, securing the majority of principal and annually drawing off interest for grants. With the annual fundraising the PEF does, DiPasquale foresees the endowment growing, in fairly short order, to a quarter million dollars or more.
“They didn’t have any kids themselves, (but) they have stayed in touch with the district. I think (Vi’s) background helping unpublished poets get their first start with her publishing company here in Portland sort of demonstrated with this donation (that) she had a commitment to help others, particularly in regards to education,” DiPasquale said.
Founded in 1994, the Parkrose Educational Foundation is an all-volunteer group that has become more active in the last six years, with the primary source of fundraising being an annual silent and oral auction/dinner. Since 2005 the Parkrose Educational Foundation has made 40 grants, totaling nearly $44,000, to Parkrose elementary, middle and high schools for diverse activities and various educational tools — from the $900 grant in 2005 to Prescott Elementary for a trip to the Oregon Coast Aquarium to the $1,400 grant in 2007 for a high school journalism class’s new digital camera. The Gales may have blown away PEF with their generosity, but you too can be blown away by the foundation. Visit the organization’s Web site, www.parkroseedfn.org, to learn about the nonprofit, to donate or to stay updated on its current activities.
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