Oregon Experience: Vortex I

Cast of Characters

Doris Penwell
Secretary to Gov. McCall's Press Secretary, Ron Schmidt.  She worked closely with the Governor (later becoming his Executive Secretary) and helped write his famous televised Vortex I speech.

Lee Meier
A conscientious objector to the war, who worked for Portland Youth Advocates.  Lee was one of the original four people who drove to Salem to present their idea for a "festival of life."

Matt Love
Author of "The Far Out Story of Vortex I: A Biodegradable Festival of Life."   Matt has interviewed more than 300 people about Vortex and is the leading historian on this subject.

Cameron Bangs
The Oregon City physician who volunteered as the doctor-in-charge of medical services at Vortex.

David Dumas
A student at Portland Community College which, at the time, existed next to Portland State University downtown.  Escorted by law enforcement officers in a caravan of cars from a Wilsonville event, David was one of the first and longest-stayed participants at Vortex.

Lloyd Jones
Drummer (and later guitarist) in the band Brown Sugar, whose other members included Jim Mesi and Paul Delay.

Craig Dickson
Bass player for Jacob's Ladder, whose other members included Don McFadden, Frank Dardano and John Viskov.

Carol Smith
Working single mother and self-described "goody two-shoes," who went to Vortex and had a surprisingly good time.

Juanita Vergis
Housewife, community volunteer and mother of Lee Meier

Ed Westerdahl
Executive Assistant to Gov. Tom McCall.  Later a co-founder of Pihas, Schmidt Westerdahl Public Relations, now retired and living in Palm Springs, CA.