Musings
On August 7th at 7:00 PM at an outdoor amphitheater in Deception Pass State Park, I will present the 55th – and final – performance of my one woman show, “Little, But OH My! – the story of Berte Olson”. Born in Norway, raised on Whidbey Island (where I live), Berte grew up to become the first woman to skipper a ferry boat on Puget Sound and own her own ferry boat company. Between 1920 – 1950, she had four different ferry runs: the first at Deception Pass before the bridge, then another between Oak Harbor and Utsaladdy on Camano Island, and, finally, two additional runs on Hood Canal.
Seven years ago, “Little, But OH My!” premiered at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts. Since then, as part of Humanities Washington’s “Inquiring Mind” program series, it has travelled all over Washington State to large cities and tiny towns alike. At almost every performance, someone has come forward who was connected to this story: a family member or someone who worked or commuted on those early ferries. Their stories enriched this one and their presence was evidence that this forgotten piece of Puget Sound maritime history needed to be brought back to life
In 2006, a CD of the show won a national award and Berte’s story traveled to Minnesota, Connecticut, Oregon, Massachusetts, and California. Everywhere I went, Berte was with me: tough, stubborn, indomitable. But this spring, I realized that both of us needed a rest; it was time to move on.
This will be a bitter-sweet moment: for me and for the musicians from the “Shifty Sailors” who will return to perform some of the music from that original performance. This performance will be dedicated to the memory of Ivan Agaton Olson, Berte’s son. Ivan was one of my key informants for the show and became a dear friend. He died in 2008 – and I miss him.
It is altogether fitting that this final performance should take place where much of the story occurred – and in connection with the commemoration of the 75th anniverary of the Deception Pass Bridge. During the month of August, several exhibits of historical photographs from the show will be presented at local museums.
The performance is FREE – but bring a blanket and a jacket; it can be chilly by the water. The show is presented through the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks program of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and funded by the Commission, the Washington Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, contact Deception Pass State Park. Come and join us for this special occasion!!
