The Back Story

Exceprt from Lower Valley column, originally published December 23, 2015 Methow Valley News

Last week, the Methow Valley News began a five-part series featuring the history of the Miller family. I met Richard Wipple, a cousin of the Miller’s, after the Carlton Complex fires of 2014. There was a cold drizzle that day in October when I drove up to a tepee flying Seattle Seahawk colored ribbons. A large man, tall and broad-shouldered, met me. Despite the damp air, he wore a Seattle Seahawks T-shirt. A Seahawk cap kept the rain off his face. He offered me a diet Coke and spoke fondly of his family — memories of playing with his cousins, tales of his grandparents, and the strength of his mother. His name was Richard Wipple.
Richard agreed to meet with me at a later date to talk about his mother, Mary Marchand, who worked for decades to preserve the Salish language into a written format. Being a linguistics geek, I was intrigued. Richard passed away unexpectedly before we could meet again. I wrote a column about our conversation and, after it was published, I received a phone call. Wendy Snook interviewed Richard’s mother before Mary passed away in 2013. Over cups of coffee at Blue Star, Wendy shared her notes, and suggested that I contact Mark Miller, Mary’s nephew.
Mark and his sister Cyndy graciously agreed to share their memories of Mary, and other family members who worked to improve their communities. With their permission, I spoke with historians and contacted museum archives. Everyone I contacted held a deep respect and admiration for the Millers.
I was touched by their story, and I hope that everyone will be just as inspired while reading about their intimate connection to the Methow Valley.