Tower of Powers: Town takes pride in 70-foot flagpole
POWERS, Ore. (AP) — The tiny town of Powers realized a two-year dream on Independence Day by building a 70-foot flagpole in the heart of town.
The flag represents years of effort and decades of history for the little community.
"It is more than a flag," said Patty Adamek, one of the many Powers residents who helped raise money for the project. She stopped to wipe away tears as they fell beneath her glasses. "It awakened a lot of spirit in the community," she said.
The project was Powers Lions Club member Jay Allred's brainchild. In 2010, he read an article that highlighted Dorris, Calif. for having the tallest flagpole west of the Mississippi, standing at 200 feet. Allred thought it'd be nice if Powers had a flagpole that stood 201 feet.
He quickly determined the Powers Lions Club couldn't afford such a massive project. But by then Powers had rallied.
"It boosts the spirit of a community," said Laurie Bushnell, Allred's daughter. "It brought people out of the woodwork that you wouldn't think would be patriotic."
That year the Lions Club was able to volunteer with Cycle Oregon, a ride that annually takes cyclists through different Oregon towns. The event raised about $5,200, Adamek said. With that money, the town could erect a 30- to 50-foot flagpole, but several community members decided bigger was better and donated more money. Other people got on board to seek even more donations.
"And that is how the flag pole kept getting taller," Adamek said, laughing.
By 2012, the Lions Club had brought in about $10,000, countless volunteer hours and donated services.
Finally, it was time to build.
John Bushnell, Laurie Bushnell's husband who owns a Powers excavation company, did the ground work free of charge. Other companies and people donated supplies and man hours.
"It kept drawing people in," Adamek said. "Little kids came down and sat and watched the work."
She gazed at the flag, billowing over the town.
"It has just been a goose bumps time," she said.
On Independence Day, about 200 Powers people descended on Bicentennial Park at noon to officially welcome the flag.
Everyone stared as it climbed the pole and a cannon fired when it reached the top. Someone sang the national anthem, and the crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
"We're a very patriotic community," said Tish Mowe, a Powers resident since 1978. "I think everybody needs a flagpole like this."
The project is not quite done. Although the flag is up, several volunteers are still building a war memorial at its base that will hold a marble plaque with the names of Powers residents who died in battle. So far, the community has discovered five.
"It has brought up a lot of emotion," Adamek said.
For many, the flag represents not just pride in country, but pride in Powers, the little community of about 700 formed in 1914.
"It is a working town," John Bushnell said. "That is what built it."
And even as the brand-new flag waved over the small town, community members stood beneath it discussing their next big projects: A favorite restaurant has just closed and needs reopening. A stand of trees threatens a popular swimming hole.
"We want to keep the momentum going," Adamek said. "We're looking for a new project. Nothing can stop us now."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
