Sharon Erz

Sharon Erz takes us on a journey to the way 5th Street Market and the Valley River Mall have transformed the community over her lifetime of living in Eugene. 

You can read more about the project, about Wordcrafters in Eugene, about our sponsors and community partners, and send in your own Lane County, Oregon stories at StoryHelix.Wordcrafters.Org.

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Transcript

[00:10] Leah Velez: You're listening to StoryHelix: intertwining stories past, present, and not yet imagined in Lane County, Oregon. What's up Earthlings? I'm Leah Velez, and I'll be your host. The story we're about to hear was recorded by a young interviewer at a Eugene alternative high school. They chose someone in their community to ask questions, and sent in their recordings as part of a class project. Some of them are folks that worked at the school. Some are community members they know, some are siblings, and some are friends. Let's open up our ear nuggets and give it a listen.

[00:49] Sharon Erz: I was born in Oregon. I was born in Cottage Grove. And when my stepdad and mom got married, there was a total of four kids between them, and they moved to Eugene to raise all of us here in Eugene. 

[01:05] My family moved to Eugene, because there was more opportunity for work here. And they stayed here because no matter what they were always able to work. We stayed in the same school district, we just stayed in the same area. 

[01:20] I met my husband. And we bought our first farm out in Crow. We had 15 acres out there, for at least five years. And it was the most amazing experience I've ever had. Just living on the farm with animals and gardening, and Kenny and the neighbors all helping each other. It was just the coolest experience of my life. Right now. Looking back, it is probably the best five years of my life. 

[01:54] Absolutely. It feels like home. I've done a lot of traveling all over the United States. And there is no place like Oregon, no place like the Willamette Valley. A moment that I belonged in Lane County? Gosh, I would say when my husband and I moved to Salem, and we lived in Salem for 15 years, and then after he died it my kids and I decided that we needed to move back. And it was definitely a moment that I knew I had to be back in Lane County. 

[02:30] I don't think I've ever not felt like I belonged here, since I grew up here. I have too much of a connection with so much in this area. So there's no time when I didn't feel like I belonged here. I guess belonging would be like a family history of recognizing all the changes that have gone on around you in the city and, and knowing the history of some of those things, gives you a sense of belonging and that's kind of important. 

[03:05] Here in the valley. I've watched the main thoroughfare goes through beltline going through and making access to freeway where Highway 99 was the main thoroughfare through Eugene. And then I5 came through, and now  Beltline is access to that. It's grown to Valley River.

[03:30] I was one of the first employees at Valley River for eight and a half years. Lots of development and changes. We used to go downtown to do all of our shopping. And the city planners have totally messed that up. My favorite place in Eugene isn't necessarily my favorite place anymore. But one of the things that I remember growing up in Eugene was the Fifth Street Market. And the history on the Fifth Street Market was they used to have tables with the most incredible talented people. And they were outside in the parking lot and they wanted to continue to sell their crafts which they were incredibly talented at. So they bought the warehouse at the Fifth Street where the Fifth Street Market is right now. And originally they still had the tables then they graduated to booths, and now they have evolved into the stores that it is, but it's not the Fifth Street Market like it was in the beginning. I sometimes go there, back there, when I really want to look for a unique gift or something just to see if I can find something really special like it used to be when they originally did there, when they did their crafts. But it's not the same, so it's a little disappointing to go back there now. But to remember that all those talented people still are around here somewhere in the valley. 

[05:07] How has the town shaped me? I would say that my experience at Valley River has really influenced my ability to do retail. And in helping me to understand how to do a Buy Sell Trade store, where I'm able to help the community with clothing and things that are important to them in raising their kids and allowing them to be able to do that with so little money. That for the mothers, the single moms, and the young teens, and the ones that are just struggling with finances, they're able to put clothes on their kids, they're able to give them toys that really have meaning. They're able to take care of them because they don't have to buy a lot of clothes, they can put food on the table. And it's giving back to our community.

[06:09] Leah Velez: Thanks for listening. You can find us wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you've got your own Lane County story to tell, we'd love to hear it at storyhelix.wordcrafters.org