Earlier this spring I had the opportunity to participate in some interviews with the production company, Half Yard Productions, in their survey of The State of Jefferson, for the History Channel’s series “How the States Got Their Shapes!”
It was a rainy day and we spent more time waiting for things to happen than seeing things happen. But it was an adventure and certainly time well spent. The episode featuring The State of Jefferson is scheduled to run this month (July)…..have heard that some people have seen clips of the upcoming show. That means it must be coming up soon.
As to the State of Jefferson, however, it’s interesting to note the growing interest in this region.
There have been more and more people logging on to check it out, asking questions, researching its history. And there is a growing group of people who, locally, are seeking to move the question of the State of Jefferson to more than a question — they are seeking to get the concept on the ballot, or at least into the public’s eye!! We’ll have to wait and see what happens.
In another interview, conducted by Serena Travis at Good Morning Scott Valley, I was again asked about the notion of the State of Jefferson. It seems to be a topic of interest to more and more locals as well as out-of-towners. For more check out www.goodmorningscottvalley.com.
I saw the show online (it was a full 45 minute episode, though it also talked about Maine and Florida), and thought it was very entertaining. It should bring a lot more attention to this interesting and timely idea. I say "timely," because just this last week, a county supervisor from Riverside, California suggested cutting Southern California from the rest of the state.
I live north of the current border (in Jacksonville), and the only thing I dislike about the Great State of Jefferson is the flag. There really should be a flag contest of some kind.
And before I get yelled at for this sacrilege, three years ago the Oregonian ran a contest to redesign the Oregon flag in time for the Sesquicentennial. It failed in its primary objective, of course, but it does bring some excellent ideas about what makes a good flag, and perhaps more important, what makes a bad flag. For one thing, writing is a big no-no. Here is a link with the ten finalists: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon/index.ssf/2008/12/redesign_the_oregon_flag.html
Here is another link, showing good and bad state flags: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon/index.ssf/2008/12/redesign_the_oregon_flag.html