CCRH

Urbana Asphalt (Patricia Nelson Limerick)and Sandy Greenhills West

The Urban-Rural Divorce in the American West

Sandy Greenhills ( Charles Scoggin) and Suburbia Greenlawn West (Vanessa Luxen)

In March 2000, noted historian, MacArthur Fellow, and author of The Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken Past of the American West, Patricia Nelson Limerick and colleagues Charles Scoggin and Vanessa Luxen from The Center of the American West presented The Urban-Rural Divorce in the American West, the 2000 Castles Endowment Lecture. The program was held at Portland State University, Washington State University Vancouver and the High Desert Museum in Bend.

The Urban-Rural Divorce in the American West is a mock divorce trial that is a fun and creative exploration of the complex relationship between urban and rural communities and that illustrates many of the issues faced by residents of the Columbia River Basin.

Limerick portrayed "Urbana Asphalt West," who is sued by husband "Sandy Greenhills West" for irreconcilable differences. Urbana contests the divorce, and asks the court to send Sandy to counseling. Testimony from the couple's dysfunctional child-"Subby Urban West"- and from participants in each community punctuated the hearing.

Hal Dengerink, Dean, WSUV, offering introductory remarks.

"The trial format was a very effective forum for highlighting urban-rural differences, yet inter-dependence."

- PSU audience member

David DiCesare as Cosmo Politan, witness for Urbana. Judge Tana Hasart looks on.

"We are farmers and are really aware of each and every problem discussed. I had never thought about Subbie's role before tonight."

- WSUV audience member

"What a great way to think about a topic!"

- WSUVaudience member

Lori Irving testifying on behalf of Urbana as Dr.Lillith Crane. Bailiff Lt. Col. Robert Knight and Judge Hasart listen.

David Nicandri as Dusty Roads, witness for Sandy. Bailiff Knight and Judge Hasart listen .

"I liked the play because this could happen in life and now that we've seen this play we will know what to do."

- WSUV audience member, age 9

"Very well done! I especially liked the way members of the community [got] into the fray."

- PSU audience member

Mike Stromme, as Douglas Furgrove,
witness for Sandy. Judge Hasart listens .

Standing: The jury receiving instructions from the judge. Seated in front of the jury are the witnesses.

· "I thought it was a good program. I have had some experiences with both sides. It's a really tough problem."

- PSUaudience member

Portland State University Participants

Judge: Daniel Bernstine, President, Portland State University

Witnesses for Sandy: Jack Ohman, Oregonian editorial cartoonist and Chet Orloff, Director, Oregon Historical Society

Witness for Urbana: Lois Becker, Chair, History Department, Portland State University and Margaret Herrington, Director, Portland State University Haystack Program

Bailiff: Christopher Zinn, Director, Oregon Council for the Humanities

Washington State University Vancouver Participants

Judge: Tana Hasart, President, Clark College

Witnesses For Urbana: David DiCesare, Historic Reserve Manager, Vancouver National Historic Reserve and Lori Irving, Associate Professor of Psychology, Washington State University Vancouver

Witnesses for Sandy: David Nicandri, Director, Washington State Historical Society and Mike Stromme, Principal, Columbia River High School

Bailiff: Lt. Col. Robert Knight, Commander, Vancouver Barracks

The High Desert Museum Participants

Judge: Valerie Wright, attorney and Judge Pro-Tem, Bend

Witnesses For Urbana: Karen Green, Deschutes Co., City of Bend and Redmond, Land Use Hearings Officer and Don Leonard, Bend Urban Area Planning Commission

Witnesses for Sandy: Jon Jinings, Oregon Dept. of Land Conservation and Development and Dr. Stuart Garrett, Chair, Newberry Volcano National Monument Committee

Bailiff: Andy Andrews, Host of the television show A Matter of Fact