A 5-minute story ends up in a book about Oregon

Oregon turned 150 last year, and the entire state joined the celebration, prompting quite a few news stories.

While cruising the Oregon 150 Web site for information, I noticed a link where people could share “My Oregon Story.” I clicked through and noticed that none was from Eastern Oregon.

As a native of Baker, I’m always quick to give voice to our side of the state.

So I opened a submission box and, in about five minutes, typed up a story about my love of the Elkhorn Mountains, and my favorite spot on westbound I-84 each time I’d get my first glimpse of them when returning home from college.

I attached a photo, titled it “My Mountains,” hit send and didn’t give it a second thought.

Well.

About a month later, we got a late-night phone call from my brother-in-law, who lives in Salem and had heard part of my story read on the radio.

My husband, Jayson, answered the phone, and he couldn’t quite follow because I hadn’t told him about the story I’d submitted. Also, I didn’t know there was any chance of it being used for Oregon 150 programs.

Then one night my brother called.

He was only half listening to a broadcast when he heard “Lisa Jacoby” (my married, legal name), “Olivia” (my daughter) and “Elkhorn Mountains.”

He knew it couldn’t be a coincidence.

They both heard my story a few more times, and once it was even read in its entirety.

Honestly, if I’d know any of this I would have spent more than five minutes.

Then, in December, I opened my e-mail and found that my story had been chosen to be included in a yet-to-be-published book featuring “150 regional stories, which capture diverse Oregon experiences from myriad voices.”

Ooligan Press at Portland State University is the publishing company.

Apparently this hasty story I wrote isn’t going to fade away — but as long as it lets people know how special my home is, I guess it’s OK.

To read all of the Oregon 150 stories go to www.oregon150.org.